Game #22 Preview: Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

When:  November 22, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 7-6-1-1

Caps Game 22 Record: 15-15-4-1

All-Time vs. NJ: 74-57-8-9

All-Time at NJ: 30-35-4-4

Last Season vs. NJ: 1-2-1

Last Meeting: 10/9/10, WAS 7 NJ 2

This Year:

WAS Record: 14-5-2

Standings Points: 30

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 11/20/10, WAS 4 PHI 5 (OT-SO)

Streak: Loss 2

NJ Record: 5-13-2

Standings Points: 12

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 14th    

Last Game: 11/20/10, NJ 2 STL 3

Streak: Loss 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

Forward Line 2: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 21 LAICH, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON,10 BRADLEY

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 89 SLOAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

New Jersey

Forward Line 1: 17 KOVALCHUK, 19 ZAJAC, 18 VASYUNOV

Forward Line 2: 26 ELIAS, 25 ARNOTT, 21 TEDENBY

Forward Line 3: 12 ROLSTON, 8 ZUBRUS, 23 CLARKSON

Forward Line 4: 11 MAIR, 10 PELLY, 14 GIONTA

Defense Pair 1: 28 VOLCHENKOV, 6 GREENE

Defense Pair 2: 5 WHITE, 7 TALLINDER

Defense Pair 3: 22 CORRENTE, 29 MAGNON

Goalie: 1 HEDBERG

Back-up Goalie: 40 MCKENNA

Injuries:

Washington –1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR, 3 POTI (lower body) IR, 22 KNUBLE (jaw) IR

NJ – 30 BRODEUR (elbow) IR, 9 PARISE (torn meniscus) IR, 16 JOSEFSON (thumb) IR, 2 FRASER (hand) IR, 24 SALVADOR (concussion) IR, 20 TAORMINA (ankle) IR, 33 SALMELA (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

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

Preview:

After an overtime, shootout loss to the Flyers the Capitals will look to break a two-game losing skid in New Jersey. This is a game that Washington should win but the team has had a habit for not showing up for these types of games. The defense has been porous in the last two games giving up 9 goals and will have to step up against New Jersey. The Devils traditionally give the Capitals trouble in the neutral zone so look for a lot of chip and chase from the forwards. The key for the Caps is to get the lead early and baton down the defense, which has been a challenge in the last couple of outings. I think the Caps will win this game but it will be a lot closer than it should.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 NJ 2

Official Preview

Game #11 Recap: Caps 7 Flames 2

After a disappointing first 12 minutes of the game the Capitals returned to the form that led the NHL in scoring a year ago. Calgary scored on their first shot on goal and the Caps were on their heels. The Caps gave up four 2-on-1 rushes and then another goal at the 11-minute mark. The Caps went on the power play and a beautiful passing play set up Nicklas Backstrom for a backdoor goal to make it 2-1. The Caps looked much more inspired at the start of the second and a couple penalties by the Flames gave the Caps a 5-on-3 advantage. Alex Ovechkin took over scoring on 2 consecutive shots in 12 seconds to give Washington the lead. Then a botched clearing attempt from Calgary was turned into a sweet passing play from Backstrom to Alexander Semin who sent Mike Green in alone. Green found the back of the net for his first goal of the season.13-seconds later the Caps scored again as a Flames defensemen try to clear puck in front of the net. Unfortunately for Calgary he beat his own goalie with an own goal. Matt Bradley was given credit for the score and the rout was on. In the game, the Caps used the first line of Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin to help generate offense and they created again with a sweet pass and score from Ovechkin to Semin. To round out the 6-goal outbreak in the second period was David Steckel. Steckel was awarded a penalty shot following a breakaway where he was hooked down from behind. Moving in slowly on the right wing side he beat the goalie with a wrist shot to the roof to give the Caps a 7-2 advantage after two periods. The third period was played out with no additional scoring. The Caps improved their record to 7-4-0 on the season and finally looked like the team we expected to see this season. The next test is on Wednesday with Toronto at home. The Caps need to show this effort on a consistent basis.

Of Note:

• Michael Nuevirth continued his solid play in the Capitals net. He stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced and improved his record to 7-3-0 with a 2.15 GAA and 0.926 save percentage. He is tied for the NHL league lead in wins.
• Alex Ovechkin had 2 goals and 1 assist on the night giving him 59 multiple goal games in his career.
• Congratulations to Mike Knuble who played in his 900th career NHL game.
• Other multiple point getters on the night: Nicklas Backstrom had 1 goal and 3 assists, Alexander Semin with 1 goal and 2 assists, and Mike Green with 1 goal and 2 assists.
• The Caps dormant power play came to life going 3 for 4 and the penalty kill was perfect in 6 attempts including a lengthy 5-on-3 at the end of the second period.
• Brooks Laich and Jason Chimera each had an assist in the game.

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Event Summary

Game #11 Preview: Washington Capitals at Calgary Flames

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta

When:  October 30, 2010 10:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 8-3-3-1

Caps Game 11 Record: 11-18-5-1

All-Time vs. CAL: 26-24-9-0

All-Time at CAL: 7-15-6-0

Last Season vs. CAL: 0-1-0

Last Meeting: 3/28/10, WAS 3 CAL 5

This Year:

WAS Record: 6-4-0

Standings Points: 12

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 4th      

Last Game: 10/28/10, WAS 1 MIN 2

Streak: Loss 1

CAL Record: 6-4-0

Standings Points: 12

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 3rd    

Last Game: 10/28/10, CAL 5 COL 6

Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

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

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 14 FLEISCHMANN, 16 FEHR

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

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 89 SLOAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Calgary

Forward Line 1: 40 TANGUAY, 18 STAJAN, 12 IGINLA

Forward Line 2: 10 HAGMAN, 13 JOKINEN, 17 BOURQUE

Forward Line 3: 20 GLENCROSS, 11 BACKLUND, 8 MORRISON

Forward Line 4: 44 MEYER, 24 CONROY, 15 JACKMAN

Defense Pair 1: 28 REGHER, 4 BOUWMEESTER

Defense Pair 2: 3 WHITE, 5 GIODANO

Defense Pair 3: 29 MIKKELSON, 6 SARICH

Goalie: 34 KIPRUSOFF

Back-up Goalie: 35 KARLSSON

Injuries:

Washington – 15 GORDON (undisclosed) IR, 1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR, 3 POTI (lower body) DTD, 90 JOHANSSON (hip flexor) DTD

Calgary – 7 PARDY (shoulder) IR, KOTALIK (knee) IR, 25 MOSS (shoulder) IR, 32 STONE (knee) IR, 22 LANGKOW (neck) IR, 41 IVANANS (concussion) IR

Caps Milestones:

Mike Knuble will play his 900^th career game.

Nicklas Backstrom needs 8 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 6 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

Another slow start in Minnesota was directly responsible for the 2-1 loss on Thursday. The Capitals need to get out to a good start and get on the scoreboard. The Caps have scored in the first period only 4 times in first 10 games. Of the 6 wins, only two of which can be considered a complete victory. The Caps have also struggled on the power play. They had some good looks in Minnesota but were unable to connect and have not scored on the power play in the last 5 games. Look for an even more simplified system to be employed tonight. The Caps have to get back to their systems. When the Caps use their systems they can be an elite team but when they rely on talent alone, which they have done a lot this season, they are an average hockey team. I expect this game to be an eye opener for Washington. The Flames are currently in first place in the Western Conference and will give the Caps all they can handle. I think the Minnesota game should be a wake up call for the Caps and you will see the “good” Capitals team in Calgary.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 CAL 2

Official Preview

Game #6 Recap - Capitals 1 Flames 2

The Capitals came out with a good start in Calgary. Jose Theodore made a couple of good saves early and Sergei Fedorov scored a goal to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. The play was fast and physical and then Tyler Sloan, in his NHL debut, absolutely destroyed the Flames Daymond Langkow with an open ice hit. The Flames Rene Bourque took issue with the clean hit and was given 9-minutes in penalties for his display of thuggery. This is when the tires came off the Caps' bus. The Caps had just scoring chance in the 9-minute power play. The Caps then paraded themselves to the box taking 10 minor penalties. The Flames had four 2-man advantages in the game and they finally got to Theodore with 2 goals early in the second period. With the constant penalty killing and an excellent performance for the Flame goalie the Caps could never get back on track. The Caps now head to Phoenix for a game on Thursday.

Of Note:

• Sergei Fedorov scored the 473rd goal of his career. He is now tied with Alexander Mogilny for the most career NHL goals scored by a Russian-born player.
• Alex Ovechkin and Jeff Schultz assisted on Fedorov's goal.
• Jose Theodore was awarded the 3rd Star of the game for his effort. He stopped 26 of 28 shots against.
• Tyler Sloan had 2 hits, 1 giveaway, 1 blocked shot, 2 PIMs, and a plus-1 rating in his debut. He is also the first player in Capitals history to wear the #89 jersey in a regular season game.
  

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #6 Washington Capitals at Calgary Flames

Where: Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary Alberta

When: October 21, 2008, 9:30 PM

History:

Caps Record on this Date: 1-8-3-0

Caps Game 6 Record: 10-17-4-2

All-Time vs. CAL: 26-22-9-0

All-Time At CAL: 7-14-6-0

Last Season vs. CAL: 1-0-0

Last Meeting: 3/12/08, WAS 3 CAL 2

This Year:

WAS Record: 3-1-1

Standings Points: 7

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 3rd

Last Game: 10/18/08, WAS 3 NJ 4 (OT-SO)

Streak: Loss 1

CAL Record: 1-3-1

Standings Points: 3

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 14th

Last Game: 10/18/08, CAL 2 EDM 2

Streak: Loss 2

Probable Line-Ups:

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 91 FEDOROV, 17 CLARK

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 19 BACKSTROM, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 92 NYLANDER, 10 BRADLEY

Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON/16 FEHR

Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 55 SCHULTZ, 89 SLOAN

Defense Pair 3: 23 JURCINA, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 60 THEODORE

Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Calgary

Forward Line 1: 12 IGINLA, 22 LANGKOW, 7 BERTUZZI

Forward Line 2: 13 CAMMALLERI, 18 LOMBARDI, 17 BOURQUE

Forward Line 3: 20 GLENCROSS, 24 CONROY, 25 MOSS

Forward Line 4: 27 ROY, 19 PRIMEAU, 16 BOYD

Defense Pair 1: 3 PHANEUF, 4 VANDERMEER

Defense Pair 2: 6 SARICH, 28 REGEHR

Defense Pair 3: 5 GIORDANO, 33 AUCOIN

Goalie: 34 KIPRUSOFF

Back-up Goalie: 1 MCELHINNY

Injuries:

Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR, 25 KOZLOV (leg) DTD, 3 POTI (groin) DTD

Calgary – 44 WARRENER (shoulder) IR, 38 LALANDE (ankle) IR, 67 BALDWIN IR

Caps Milestones:

Victor Kozlov needs 3 points to reach 500 in his career.

Matt Bradley needs 4 points to reach 100 in his career.

Michael Nylander needs 7 shots on goal to reach 1,600 in his career.

Alex Ovechkin needs 11 shots on goal to reach 1,300 in his career.

Preview:

The Caps travel to Calgary to take on the Flames in the first game of a 3-game western road trip. The Caps have been hurt by injuries in the early going and have recalled Tyler Sloan from Hershey to fill in on defense while Tom Poti recovers from a groin strain. Donald Brashear is expected to be back in the lineup possibly tonight. Head Coach Bruce Boudreau is trying to get chemistry going with the forwards by moving Sergei Fedorov to the top line with Alex Ovechkin. He’s put Backstrom on the Alexander Semin line who is scoring regardless of who’s at center. The Russian winger is currently 2^nd in the NHL in goals scored and points. Calgary has had a tough start to the season but in their 5 games they have only played 3 teams, VAN, EDM, and COL. The Caps need to be careful as the Flames need a win and will come out flying in this one. Look for the Caps to press the attack and get a more consistent first period effort. The Caps have shown that they are never out of any game, but they need to learn that teams are gunning for them from the get go and that putting some points on the board in the first will take the fight out of the opposition, case and point Vancouver. Watch for improvement on the power play. The Caps have to simplify their system and get pucks to the net where Brooks Laich and Chris Clark can do their thing. I think the Caps weather the storm in the first and win this one going away.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 CAL 2

Official Preview

Game #71 Recap - Capitals 3 Flames 2

The Capitals won a big game last night. They beat Calgary Flames 3-2. Olie Kolzig became the 23rd goaltender in NHL history to record 300 victories. Alex Ovechkin scored his 2nd goal of the night with 1:54 left in the third period. The win allowed the Caps to keep pace with the Carolina Hurricanes who defeated Chicago 3-0. The Caps came out strong with Viktor Kozlov scoring a rebound of a Nicklas Backstrom shot 53-seconds into the game. The Flames came back as the Caps got into penalty trouble at the end of the first. Jarome Iginla scored on a 5-on-3 advantage in the last minute of the period. The Caps were again two men down at the 8:22 mark of the second and Calgary took advantage with a goal just after the first penalty expired. Ovechkin tied the game with a power play goal with near the end of the 2nd. Washington plays Atlanta on Friday at the Verizon Center.

Of Note:

• Alex Ovechkin scored goals number 55 and 56 on the season. Both came on the power play and he moves ahead of Michal Pivonka into 6th place in Capitals All-Time Power Play Goals with 57. He recorded 11 shots on goal and now has 1,200 in his career. He took the NHL lead with his 10th game-winning goal this season.
  
• Matt Bradley played in his 400th career NHL game.
• The Caps went 2 for 7 on the power play but allowed Calgary to score on 2 of 4 power play chances.
• The Caps out shot Calgary 34-26 and allowed only 2 shots on goal in the third period. They also controlled the face-offs with a 27-22 advantage.
• John Erskine was injured early in the 2nd period so Mike Green picked up the slack and logged 30:58 in ice time for the game.

Official Recap
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