Game #27 Preview: Washington Capitals at Dallas Stars

Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas, TX

When:  December 2, 2010 8:30 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 9-5-2-0

Caps Game 27 Record: 17-13-5-0

All-Time vs. DAL: 6-14-1-1

All-Time at DAL: 3-9-0-0

Last Season vs. DAL: 0-0-1

Last Meeting: 3/8/10, WAS 3 DAL 4 (OT-SO)

This Year:

WAS Record: 18-6-2

Standings Points: 38

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 12/1/10, WAS 4 STL 1

Streak: Win 4

DAL Record: 14-8-1

Standings Points: 29

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 3rd    

Last Game: 11/29/10, DAL 4 CAR 1

Streak: Won 4

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 90 JOHANSSON, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

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

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Dallas

Forward Line 1: 18 NEAL, 63 RIBEIRO, 21 ERIKSSON

Forward Line 2: 10 MORROW, 91 RICHARDS, 16 BURISH

Forward Line 3: 14 BENN, 29 OTT, 24 SEGAL

Forward Line 4: 17 PETERSON, 23 WANDELL, 13 BARCH

Defense Pair 1: 3 ROBIDAS, 6 DALEY

Defense Pair 2: 44 WOYWITKA, 2 GROSSMAN

Defense Pair 3: 37 SKRASTINS, 5 NISKANEN

Goalie: 32 LEHTONEN

Back-up Goalie: 30 RAYCROFT

Injuries:

Washington – 89 SLOAN (undisclosed) IR

DAL – FISTRIC (groin) IR

Caps Milestones:

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

Preview:

After a win in St. Louis last night the Capitals travel on to Dallas to take on the Stars in a battle of division leaders. Washington has not had much luck in Dallas losing 9 of 12 games played. The Stars turned a corner this season as they elected not to resign Marty Turco in favor of Kari Lehtonen in goal. Alex Ovechkin must be thrilled as he has scored more goals (16) on Lehtonen than any other goalie he has faced. The next closest is Cam Ward and Ryan Miller at 11 goals against, Look for the Capitals to push the pace on Dallas and get out to a fast start. Dallas has been playing tough as of late and this should be a hard hitting physical game. The Capitals defense will need to be on their toes and keep the big Dallas forwards to the outside and contain center Brad Richards. I’m thinking that the Caps big guns will bring too much firepower and their knowledge of the Dallas goaltender will lead Washington into the win column.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 DAL 2

Official Preview