Game # 68 Recap: Caps 5 Edmonton 0

The Capitals put together a good effort against an over matched foe and and once they got the lead never looked back. After a scoreless first period Alex Ovechkin and Eric Fehr converted on the power play. In the third period a combination of good defense and some desperate play from Edmonton lead to three more Capitals goals. With the first career absence from a game by Nicklas Backstrom the top line was centered by Marcus Johansson. This allowed the second line combination of Jason Arnott and Alexander Semin to stay intact. The Caps controlled the puck for most of the game and allowed only 22 shots in the game. In addition, rookie goal tender Braden Holtby logged his first career shutout. It was a stellar shorthanded save by Holtby that seemed to get the team really going in the second period as he stopped Edmonton's Andrew Cagliano on a clean breakaway. The Caps scored the first goal on the same power play. This has been the big difference in the Caps this season as it was the first multiple power play goal night for the team since November 26, 2010. The Caps really clamped down on the defense in the third period alloing only 5 shots in the frame with 4 of them coming in the closing minute. With the win, Washington has closed to within 2 points of Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia.

Of Note:

• Alex Ovechkin finished the night with 2 goals and 1 assist for a 3 point night. The opening goal was his 10th game-winning goal of the season. With the 3 points he passes Michal Pivonka and moves into 3rd place on the Capitals All-Time Points list. His assist on the Eric Fehr power play goal was the 600th point of his career. He now has scored 16 points in his last 11 games.
• Jason Arnott set up Ovechkin's first goal with a fake shot and pass that gave AO a shot at an empty net. For Arnott it was his 900th career point. 
• Eric Fehr returned from a shoulder injury and scored 2 goals. One on the power play and one on a feed from Jason Chimera who outlasted a goalie challenge near the Edmonton blue line. 
• The Caps dominated the shots on goal 36 to 22.
• All three trade deadline acquisitions had an assist in the game with Marco Sturm picking up his first point as a Capital and Dennis Wideman picking up career point #200.
• Alexander Semin scored a goal in his third consecutive game with a pretty two-on-one with Sturm.
• Marcus Johansson assisted on Ovechkin's second goal when Ovechkin stole the puck and he and Johansson went 2-on-none against the goalie. After two back and forth passes Ovechkin buried the puck top shelf.
• The Caps went 2 for 5 on the power play and stopped all 4 Edmonton attempts.
• Other Caps picking up assists were Semin, Carlson, and Laich.
• Jeff Schultz was +2.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summry

Game Highlights:

Game #68 Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  March 9, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

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

Caps Game 68 Record: 15-18-1-0

All-Time vs. EDM: 30-26-6-0

All-Time at home vs. EDM: 19-10-2-0

Last Season vs. EDM: 1-0-0

Last Meeting: 12/19/09, WAS 4 EDM 2

Season Series: 0-0-0

This Year:

WAS Record: 37-20-10

Standings Points: 84

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 3rd

Last Game: 3/7/11, WAS 2 TAM 1 (OT-SO)

Streak: Won 5

EDM Record: 23-36-8

Standings Points: 54

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 15th    

Last Game: 3/8/11, EDM 1 PHI 4

Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 44 ARNOTT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3:18 STURM, 90 JOHANSSON, 25 CHIMERA

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 23 HANNAN, 6 WIDEMAN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Edmonton

Forward Line 1: 91 PAAVARVI, 10 HORCOFF, 14 EBERLE

Forward Line 2: 28 JONES, 89 GAGNE, 23 OMARK

Forward Line 3: 12 GIROUX, 13 COGILANO, 85 REDDOX

Forward Line 4: 22 JACQUES, 16 FRASER, 33 MACINTRYE

Defense Pair 1: 77 GILBERT, 5 SMID

Defense Pair 2: 2 VANDEMEER, 43 STRUDWICK

Defense Pair 3: 26 FOSTER, 48 PLANTE

Goalie: 40 DUBNYK

Back-up Goalie: 35 KHABIBULIN

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (upper body) IR, 16 FEHR (upper body) IR, 52 GREEN (head) DTD, 1 VARLAMOV (undisclosed) DTD

EDM – CHORNEY (knee) IR, WHITNEY (ankle) IR, HALL (ankle) IR, PECKHAM (head) IR, HEMSKY (shoulder) IR

Caps Milestones:

Brooks Laich needs 2 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Jason Arnott needs 3 goals to reach 400 in his career.

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

Alex Ovechkin needs 6 goals to reach 300 in his career.

Jason Arnott needs 1 point to reach 900 in his career.

Alex Ovechkin needs 2 points to reach 600 in his career.

Dennis Wideman needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals and their 5 game winning streak head home to face the Edmonton Oilers in the only meeting of the year between the two teams. The Capitals are looking to build more consistency into their play. They have been getting scoring from the two top lines but need to see a little more from the third and fourth lines as well as the defense. The defense has only scored once in the last 21 games. Combined with a power play is 0 for 14 in the last 6 games, you can see why each on the five wins in Washington’s streak has come by 1 goal. If the Caps can get some contribution in these areas then you will see a whole new team dynamic. I am hopeful that they can figure it out in the next 15 games. Tonight’s match up is a tough one for the Caps. The Oilers come to town with no pressure and no expectation. Edmonton sits in last place in the Western Conference and has a very young team who’s player are fighting to prove they belong in the NHL. They would like nothing better than to knock off the top team in the SE Division. I fully expect the Capitals to come away with the victory by at least a three goal edge.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 EDM 2

Official Preview

Game #46 Washington Capitals vs. Edmonton Oilers

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: January 17, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 7-6-1-1
Caps Game 46 Record: 14-17-0-1
All-Time vs. EDM: 28-25-6-0
Last Season vs. EDM: 0-1-0
Last Meeting: 10/28/06, WAS 0 EDM 4

This Year:
WAS Record: 19-21-5
Standings Points: 43
Division Rank: 4^th
Conference Rank: 13^th
Last Game: 1/15/2008, WAS 4 OTT 2
Streak: Won 1

EDM Record: 21-22-4
Standings Points: 46
Division Rank: 5^th
Conference Rank: 14^th
Last Game: 1/15/2008, EDM 1 LA 3
Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 28 SEMIN, 15 GORDON, 43 FLEISCHMANN
Forward Line 3: 53 LAING, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 21 LAICH, 18 PETTINGER
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 55 SCHULTZ
Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI
Goalie: 37 KOLZIG
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Edmonton
Forward Line 1: 27 PENNER, 10 HORCOFF, 83 HEMSKY
Forward Line 2: 18 MOREAU, 19 REASONER, 34 PISANI
Forward Line 3: 12 NILSSON, 13 COGLIANO, 46 STORTINI
Forward Line 4: 8 SANDERSON, 51 BRODZIAK, 16 STOLL
Defense Pair 1: 24 STAIOS, 77 GILBERT
Defense Pair 2: 25 PITKANEN, 23 TARNSTROM
Defense Pair 3: 44 SOURAY, 5 SMID
Goalie: 32 GARON
Back-up Goalie: 35 ROLOSON

Injuries:
Washington – 14 FEHR (hip) IR, 92 NYLANDER (shoulder) IR, 17 CLARK (groin) DTD, 2 POTHIER (head) DTD
Edmonton – 14 TORRES (knee) IR, 2 GREENE (leg fracture) IR, 66 SPURGEON (undisclosed) IR

Caps Milestones:
Matt Pettinger needs 3 Points to reach 100 for his career
Matt Pettinger needs 6 SOG to reach 500 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 2 Points to reach 200 for his career
Donald Brashear needs 9 PIM’s to reach 2,400 for his career
Chris Clark needs 1 SOG to reach 800 for his career
Boyd Gordon needs 3 SOG to reach 200 for his career
Viktor Kozlov needs 5 assists to reach 300 for his career

Preview:
Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe was upset by the news that Alex Ovechkin had sealed his deal with the Caps, there is no doubt in my mind he had a huge offer for Alex on the restricted free agent market. Oh well, nobody wants to live in Edmonton anyway. Look for this game to be fast paced and spirited as both teams are young and trying to get into the playoff picture. The Caps need to attack the Edmonton defense, force turnovers, and get the lead early. Watch for Alexander Semin in this game it could be a breakout for him. I think the Caps even without Nylander and Clark have too much firepower in this one.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 EDM 2

Official Preview