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

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Game #21 Recap: Caps 4 Flyers 5 (OT-SO)

The Capitals made a valiant effort in the third period to erase a two goal deficit and tie the game but fall in the shootout. The Caps took the lead in the first period with rookie Marcus Johansson's second goal of the season. Jason Chimera set up Johansson with a deft pass through his legs. The rookie is starting to figure out how to play in the NHL and I am looking for more good things from him. The team went in to intermission with a 1-0 lead after 1 period. Once again, the second period was not a good one for the Caps. Philly scored on the power play and again just as another expired. In the third the Caps scored twice on the power play to tie the game only to have the Flyers regain the lead with 6-minutes remaining in regulation. In the final minutes with the Caps on the power play and the goalie pulled got the equalizer with 39-seconds left in regulation. Eric Fehr ripped a slap shot into the Flyers net from the right wing circle. In overtime the teams traded chances until Nicklas Backstrom was called for interference. Washington was able kill off the penalty and force the shootout. Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Semin were unable to put the puck in the net and Philly got one for the shootout winner.

Of Note:

• Jason Chimera had an excellent game. Not only setting Johansson's goal but also scored the second power play goal in the third. 
• Nicklas Backstrom scored the first power play goal in the third period. Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich assisted on the play. For Ovechkin it was career point number 555 tying him with Bengt Gustafsson for 5th place on the Capitals All-Time Points Scoring list.
• Michael Nuevirth stopped 31 of 35 shots and 1 of 2 in the shootout for the overtime loss.
• The Caps went 3 for 7 on the power play but were on the penalty kill for a long time. They killed 8 of 9 chances including 1:00 of 5-on-3 and 1:48 of 4-on-3.
• Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann were much more engaged in this game combining for 1 goal, 1 assist, and 11 shots on goal.
• Other players that picked up points included Brooks Laich with 2 assists along with Matt Bradley, Matt Hendricks, and Alexander Semin who each had 1.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary
Shootout Summary

Game #21 Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals

  

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 19, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 3-11-1-0

Caps Game 21 Record: 17-11-7-0

All-Time vs. PHI: 70-94-19-1

All-Time home vs. PHI: 40-38-13-0

Last Season vs. PHI: 3-0-1

Last Meeting: 11/7/10, WAS 3 PHI 2 (OT)

This Year:

WAS Record: 14-5-1

Standings Points: 29

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 11/18/10, WAS 0 ATL 5

Streak: Loss 1

PHI Record: 12-6-2

Standings Points: 26

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd    

Last Game: 11/18/10, PHI 7 TAM 8

Streak: Loss 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 90 JOHANSSON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 14 FLEISCHMANN 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

Philadelphia

Forward Line 1: 15 NODL, 18 RICHARDS, 93 ZHERDEV

Forward Line 2: 19 HARTNELL, 17 CARTER, 22 LEINO

Forward Line 3: 36 POWE, 28 GIROUX, 48 BRIERE

Forward Line 4: 45 SHELLEY, 11 BETTS, 21 VAN RIEMSDYK

Defense Pair 1: 20 PROGER, 25 CARLE

Defense Pair 2: 44 TIMONEN, 5 COBURN

Defense Pair 3: 41 MESZAROS, 6 O’DONNELL

Goalie: 35 BOBROVSKY

Back-up Goalie: 33 BOUCHER

Injuries:

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

PHI – 8 WALKER (hip) IR, 14 LAPERRIERE (concussion) IR, 49 LEIGHTON (back) IR, 13 CARCILLO (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 3 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals laid another egg in Atlanta last night but luckily don’t have much time to think about it. They turn right around tonight to face the Philadelphia Flyers in another game of #1 vs. #2 in the East. Both teams are coming off less than impressive efforts so expect a lot of hardworking play with lots of hitting. The last game between the two ended with the Caps winning in overtime and this should be even as well. Look for the Caps to try to Alex Ovechkin started early. He has been scoreless in the last two games and hasn’t been able to make an impact for much of the season. The Caps may be without the services of Mike Knuble who took a puck to face and left the Atlanta game in the second period. I think the game will be incredibly close with the power play being the key to victory.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 PHI 1

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Game #20 Recap: Caps 0 Atlanta 5

Not much good to report for Caps fans in this one. Rookie goaltender Braden Holtby allowed 3 goals on 5 shots in the first period and that was pretty much the game. Michael Nuevirth came on in relief after 9:07 of play. He stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced but the vaunted Capitals offense was nowhere to be found. Washington lost for only the 5th time in regulation this season ending a string of games where they went 8-0-1. The team needs to leave this 5-0 whitewash in Atlanta as they to gear up to play the second place Philadelphia Flyers tomorrow at the Verizon Center.

Of Note:

• Alexander Semin's 9-game point streak was snapped. Over those games Semin had 9 goals and 8 assists. On the night he managed 2 shots on goal and 2 takeaways.
• Mike Green put in 19:46 of ice time with 4 shots on goal, 2 hits, and 2 blocked shots.
• The power play was 0-3 but the penalty kill was 2 for 2 including 21-second of 5-on-3.
• Jeff Schultz was credited with a game high 5 hits. 
• Don't look at the plus/minus as all Atlanta's goals came at even strength. Tyler Sloan took the worst hit at -4 with Semin and John Erskine right behind at -3.
• That's a wrap, forget it and move on or click the link below for some Caps shot glasses.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #20 Preview: Washington Capitals at Atlanta Thrashers

Where: Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA

When:  November 19, 2010 7:30 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-6-3-0

Caps Game 20 Record: 12-18-3-2

All-Time vs. ATL: 36-19-5-5

All-Time at ATL: 14-12-2-4

Last Season vs. ATL: 6-0-0

Last Meeting: 11/14/10, WAS 6 ATL 4

This Year:

WAS Record: 14-4-1

Standings Points: 29

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 10/17/10, WAS 4 BUF 2

Streak: Win 2

ATL Record: 7-9-3

Standings Points: 17

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 11th    

Last Game: 11/17/10, ATL 1 FLA 2

Streak: Loss 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 90 JOHANSSON, 22 KNUBLE

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

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

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

Atlanta

Forward Line 1: 9 KANE, LITTLE, 22 STEWART

Forward Line 2: 21 EAGER, 80 ANTROPOV, 23 SLATER

Forward Line 3: 16 LADD, 47 PEVERLEY, BERGFORS

Forward Line 4: 36 BOULTON, 49 BURMISTROV, 27 THORBURN

Defense Pair 1: 33 BYFUGLIEN, 39 ENSTROM

Defense Pair 2: 6 HAINSEY, 4 BOGOSIAN

Defense Pair 3: 29 ODUYA, 3 SOPEL

Goalie: 50 MASON

Back-up Goalie: 31 PAVELEC

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (lower body) DTD, 1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR

Atlanta – 45 CORMIER (foot) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 3 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals and Thrashers meet for the fourth time this year in Atlanta tonight. The last game between these two was a shootout that the Caps took 6-4 with two goals in the third. The Caps have shaken up the lineup quite a bit with rookie Marcus Johansson centering the first line and Nicklas Backstrom centering the second line with Alex Semin and Brooks Laich. Semin has continued his offensive torrent with points in 9 straight games including a goal and an assist on Wednesday. The Capitals will look to lock down their defensive game tonight and play complete 60-minutes. They came close on against Buffalo but after putting up a 3-0 lead gave up 2 goals in less than a minute. They will face an Atlanta team that has lost 3 straight but got an emotional boost as Andrew Ladd was named team captain yesterday. It should be another physical game and don’t be surprised if some fists fly. I think the Caps will put in an excellent effort tonight and dominate Atlanta from start to finish.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 6 ATL 1

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Game #19 Recap: Caps 4 Buffalo 2

The Caps put together a solid 59-minute effort against the Buffalo Sabres last night at Verizon Center. Unfortunately, the 1-minute they let down in the second period cost them 2 goals against. The good news is that the team responded in the third period and came away with a 4-2 victory. The Caps continue to lead the league in the standings with 14 wins and 29 points but aren't content with their play as of yet. The grinders came through for the team last night as the line of Chimera-Steckel-Bradley accounted for two hardworking goals. Both goals came off of strong forechecking and going to the net. After building a 3-1 lead the Caps gave up a power play goal on a failed clearing attempt and 48-seconds later a mix up in front of the Caps net hung goalie Michael Nuevirth out to dry. Nuevirth was a bit rattled but battled back to stop everything else thrown at him. Alexander Semin continued his hot hand. In the first period he set up the Capitals first goal when he fed Nicklas Backstrom from across the goalmouth while on a 5-on-3 power play. Backstrom one-timed the puck into the open net. Semin sealed the game with an empty net goal from his own end of the ice. The Caps are next in action on Friday against Atlanta.

Of Note:

• Jason Chimera was the games #1 Star. He assisted on the Matt Bradley and David Steckel goals and was a force on the forecheck all night long.
• Alexander Semin extended his point scoring streak to 9 games with his 6th multi-point game of the season. With 1 goal and 1 assist on the night he moved into a tie with Kelly Miller for 11th place on the Caps All-Time Goal Scoring list and tied Ryan Walter for 24th on the Caps All-Time Assist list.
• Washington played physical all night long and out hit the Sabres 23 to 11.
• Steckel was the Game's #3 Star with 1 goal, 2 shots, 3 hits, 2 blocked shots and winning 9 of 17 faceoffs.
• Michael Nuevirth continues to pace the league picking up his 12th win of the season. He stopped 31 of 33 shots he faced.
• Brooks Laich and Karl Alzner picked up 1 assist each.
• The Caps went 1 for 2 on the power play and allowed 1 goal on 3 Buffalo power plays.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #19 Preview: Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 17, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 4-7-1-0

Caps Game 19 Record: 14-19-2-0

All-Time vs. BUF: 38-77-15-3

All-Time at Home vs. BUF: 19-36-9-2

Last Season vs. BUF: 3-1-0

Last Meeting: 11/13/10, WAS 2 BUF 3 (OT)

This Year:

WAS Record: 13-4-1

Standings Points: 27

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 11/14/10, WAS 6 ATL 4

Streak: Win 1

BUF Record: 7-9-3

Standings Points: 13

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 10th    

Last Game: 11/15/10, BUF 4 VAN 3

Streak: Win 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

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

Forward Line 2: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 21 LAICH, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 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, 89 SLOAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Buffalo

Forward Line 1: 63 ENNIS, 9 ROY, 26 VANEK

Forward Line 2: 55 HECHT, 19 CONNOLLY, 29 POMINVILLE

Forward Line 3: 8 MCCORMICK, 20 NIEDERMAYER, 25 GRIER

Forward Line 4: 37 ELLIS, 28 GAUSTAD, 36 KALETA

Defense Pair 1: 44 SEKERA, 57 MYERS

Defense Pair 2: 3 LEOPOLD, 4 MONTADOR

Defense Pair 3: 27 MORRISONN, 34 BUTLER

Goalie: 30 MILLER

Back-up Goalie: 40 LALIME

Injuries:

Washington –1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR, 15 GORDON (lower body) IR

BUF – 42 GERBE (fractured jaw) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 5 points to reach 200 in his career.

Mike Green needs 1 shot on goal to reach 800 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals will try to get a little payback from the overtime loss to Buffalo last Saturday night. In that game, a bad second period by the Caps forced them into a furious third period that saw Washington tie the game but ultimately lose in the extra period. Look for Washington to give a more consistent effort after a little rest. The team just finished playing 7 games in 13 days and the last two games were pretty wild. Head Coach Bruce Bourdeau wants the team to get back to the fundamental systems of hard forechecking and pressure defense. I think the Caps will respond with a big effort tonight and be on the lookout for Marcus Johansson. The rookie has been showing signs of a breakout game and this may be the night.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 BUF 1

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