Game #30 Preview: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  December 9, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 9-8-0-0

Caps Game 30 Record: 17-16-1-1

All-Time vs. FLA: 45-32-9-6

All-Time Home vs. FLA: 23-13-5-5

Last Season vs. FLA: 6-0-0

Last Meeting: 3/16/10, WAS 7 FLA 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 18-8-3

Standings Points: 39

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 12/6/10, WAS 4 TOR 5 (OT-SO)

Streak: Loss 3

FLA Record: 12-14-0

Standings Points: 24

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 12th    

Last Game: 12/7/10, FLA 4 COL 3 (OT)

Streak: Win 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

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

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

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 90 JOHANSSON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 23 HANNAN, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 89 SLOAN, 3 POTI

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Florida

Forward Line 1: 10 BOOTH, 9 WEISS, 67 FROLIK

Forward Line 2: 16 HORDICHUK, 13 SANTORELLI, 63 DADONOV

Forward Line 3: 21 HIGGINS, 19 REASONER, 37 THOMAS

Forward Line 4: 61 STILLMAN, 18 MATTHIAS, 26 BERNIER

Defense Pair 1: 6 WIDEMAN, 52 GARRISON

Defense Pair 2: 24 MCCABE, 43 WEAVER

Defense Pair 3: 5 ALLEN, 7 KULIKOV

Goalie: 29 VOKOUN

Back-up Goalie: 30 CLEMMENSEN

Injuries:

Washington – 4 ERSKINE (lower body) DTD, 55 SCHULTZ (broken Thumb) IR

Florida – 14 DVORAK (shoulder) IR, 85 OLESZ (finger) IR, 36 CULLEN (ruptured Achilles tendon) IR, 12 BITZ (lower body) IR

Caps Milestones:

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

Mike Knuble needs 7 points to reach 500 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals are mired in a three game losing streak and the last game was the worst of the lot as they entered the third period with a 4-1 lead and managed to lose the game in the shootout. The Caps will face another hardworking team in the Florida Panthers. The two teams meet in the first of 6 contests on the year. The Caps took the season series last season 6-0 and need to get back on the winning track. Washington took a big hit on the back end last game when Jeff Shultz blocked a shot with his hand and broke his thumb in the process. The defense was already reeling with injuries to Tom Poti, Tyler Sloan and John Erskine. Poti has returned with a 3 assist effort last game but has been on the injured list 4 times this season. They will need a healthy Poti to stabilize the D-corps. After a major letdown in the last game, Washington will look to get out to a fast start. Watch for a furious forecheck and the forwards to be crashing the net. I would not want to be in Florida’s shoes for this game. I am expecting a big effort from the Capitals and the score to reflect it.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 7 FLA 3

Official Preview

Capitals Resign Sergei Fedorov

From TSN,

"The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Sergei Fedorov to a one-year $4 million contract.

The 17-year NHL veteran, a trade deadline acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets, was a key member of the Capitals improbable run to the playoffs last season.

In the final 18 regular season games, Fedorov contributed two goals and 11 assists and chipped in with five points in Washington's seven-game, first-round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 1993-94 Hart Trophy winner is the highest scoring Russian-born player in NHL history, amassing 472 goals and 674 assists in 1196 career NHL games."

I must say I am quite excited about having Fedorov back for another year. We'll discuss the cap issues later for now I will enjoy thought of #91 passing to #8 or #28 with red lights flashing and horns blaring. Ahh... Is it October yet?

Capitals Trade For Sergei Fedorov

The Capitals pick up Sergei Fedorov in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets for prospect Theo Ruth. The 38 year old Russian is in the final year of his contract and should help shore up an injury depleted Capitals defense corps. Fedorov started his career in Detroit and played with Anaheim before being traded to the Blue Jackets in 2006. He has 9 goals and 19 assists for 28 points this year. Fedorov has played both forward and defense in his career.

Career Stats:
1178 Games Played
470 Goals
663 Assists
1133 Points
+259 +/- Rating
781 Penalty Minutes
141 Power Play Goals
238 Power Play Assists
36 Shorthanded Goals
90 Game-Winning-Goals
3833 Shots on Goal