Game #24 Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 26, 2010 5:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 5-5-4-1

Caps Game 24 Record: 16-14-4-1

All-Time vs. TAM: 59-26-6-4

All-Time at home vs. TAM: 31-11-4-2

Last Season vs. TAM: 4-2-0

Last Meeting: 11/11/10, WAS 6 TAM 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 15-6-2

Standings Points: 32

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 11/24/10, WAS 3 CAR 2

Streak: Win 1

TAM Record: 13-7-2

Standings Points: 28

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 4th    

Last Game: 11/24/10, TAM 5 NYR 3

Streak: Win 5

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 21 LAICH, 19 BACKSTROM, 8 OVECHKIN

Forward Line 2: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 44 FAHEY

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Tampa

Forward Line 1: 26 ST. LOUIS, 91 STAMKOS, 9 DOWNIE

Forward Line 2: 6 MALONE, 19 MOORE, 16 PURCELL

Forward Line 3: 21 RITOLA, 49 JONES, 42 TYRELL

Forward Line 4: 18 HALL, 44 THOMPSON, 10 BERGENHEIM

Defense Pair 1: 39 LUNDIN, 13 KUBINA

Defense Pair 2: 7 CLARK, 77 HEDMAN

Defense Pair 3: 5 OHLUND, 8 JONES

Goalie: 41 SMITH

Back-up Goalie: 33 ELLIS

Injuries:

Washington – 22 KNUBLE (jaw) IR, 52 GREEN (undisclosed) DTD, 89 SLOAN (undisclosed) IR

TAM – 12 GAGNE (neck) IR, 4 LECAVALIER (hand) IR, 32 SMABY (ankle) IR

Caps Milestones:

Tom Poti will play his 200^th game with the Washington Capitals.

Jason Chimera needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals face the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second time this season at Verizon Center. With a 5 game winning streak the Lightning are playing well but the Capitals started to get some of their form back with a win in Carolina. The teams are 1-2 in the SE division and will want to make a statement. Tampa’s Steven Stamkos is on pace for 50 goals in 50 games so the Caps will have to keep him under wraps. Look for a fast paced physical game as both teams will try to control the play. The Key for the Capitals is to get in on the forecheck and keep the play in the Tampa end of the ice. Be sure to watch the matchup between Nicklas Backstrom and Dominic Moore of Tampa, they did not play well together last game. I think this will be a high scoring game with the Caps pulling it out in the third period.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 6 TAM 4

Official Preview