Game #57 Preview: Washington Capitals at Phoenix Coyotes

Where: Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ

When:  February 14, 2011, 8:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 7-4-0-0

Caps Game 57 Record: 12-16-6-0

All-Time vs. PHO: 6-7-4-1

All-Time at PHO: 2-4-2-0

Last Season vs. PHO: 1-0-0

Last Meeting: 1/23/10, WAS 4 PHO 2

Season Series: 0-0-0

This Year:

WAS Record: 29-17-10

Standings Points: 68

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th

Last Game: 2/12/11, WAS 1 LA 4

Streak: Loss 2

PHO Record: 29-19-9

Standings Points: 67

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th    

Last Game: 2/13/11, PHO 3 CHI 2 (OT-SO)

Streak: Win 4

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 CHIMERA

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 85 PERRAULT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 26 HENDRICKS, 90 JOHANSSON, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 4: 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 52 GREEN, 55 SCHULTZ

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 23 HANNAN, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Phoenix

Forward Line 1: 14 PYATT, 20 BELANGER, 19 DOAN

Forward Line 2: 13 WHITNEY, 11 HANZAL, 17 VRBATA

Forward Line 3: 8 UPSHALL, 91 TURRIS, 22 STEMPNIAK

Forward Line 4: 89 BOEDKER, 38 FIDDLER, 28 KORPIKOSKI

Defense Pair 1: 3 YANDLE, 53 MORRIS

Defense Pair 2: 33 AUCOIN, 18 LEPISTO

Defense Pair 3: 32 ROZIVAL, 55 JOVANOSKI

Goalie: 30 BRYZGALOV

Back-up Goalie: 1 LABARBERA

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (upper body) IR, 16 FEHR (upper body) IR

PHO – SCHLEMKO (upper body) IR, SAUER (concussion) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 4 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 5 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Alex Ovechkin needs 5 assists to reach 300 in his career.

Preview:

With 26 games remaining on the Capitals schedule, it’s now or never time for this team. In the 24 games since the 7-0 beat down at the hands of the New York Rangers, Washington has allowed an average of 1.83 goals against per game. However, the offense has averaged just 2.21 goals for in those same 24 games with an anemic power play that has scored 7 times in 76 chances. This is the number one key for the Capitals. The team is 0 for 10 in the last three games and improvement is required if they expect to make and compete in the playoffs. In the first of 5 road games, the Caps will face the Phoenix Coyotes who are winners of 4 straight games and have two former Caps in their lineup. Both Eric Belanger and Sami Lepisto will suit up to face their former mates. The Coyotes are second in their division and fifth in the Western Conference. Look for the Capitals to come out strong and take the game to Phoenix in the early going. The Caps will need to continue this effort for the full sixty minute to get the win. I expect a huge effort from the Caps in this one with at least one strike on the power play.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 PHO 2

Official Preview