Washington's preseason record-5-1-1 Atlanta's preseason record-1-5
Washington Capitals
Washington dominated the preseason play this year, with a 5-1-1 record. The Caps defence was ranked 2nd in the preseason, only behind Detroit. Jose Theodore played 2 full games, and stopped 40 shots in the final game of the preseason. Overall the Caps looked pretty sharp. The biggest issue coming into this season is Jose Theodore. He's a huge question mark. Can he continue his strong play from last year? or will he play terrible like in 05-06? The Caps are hoping he can be a steady goaltender who can get the job done. Theodore won't have to win that many games by himself for the Caps this year. The offence will do that. Another question is, can the Caps continue there winning ways from the end of last year.
Atlanta Thrashers
Obviously by looking at Atlanta's record, you can tell that they didn't do to well in the preseason. 1-5 is never any good. It's really not good, when you have a new head coach. Atlanta's new head coach is John Anderson. John Anderson and Bruce Boudreau are best friends. They've know each other since they were 14 years old. Anderson is the god-father of Boudreau's youngest son. Anderson isn't the only new face in Atlanta this year. Atlanta added free agents Ron Hainsey, and Jason Williams. These new players will have an impact but Atlanta didn't adress their biggest need, which is a top line center for Kovalchuk. Atlanta also added Mathieu Schneider from Anaheim. Atlanta added offence on their blue-line, but they are still very weak defensively.
Washington Capitals line-up
Alex Ovechkin "A" - Nicklas Backstrom - Viktor Kozlov
Brooks Laich - Segei Fedorov "A" - Alexander Semin
Tomas Fleischman - Michael Nylander - Chris Clark "C"
Donald Brashear - David Steckel - Matt Bradley
Shaone Morrisonn - Mike Green
Tom Poti - John Erskine
Jeff Schultz - Milan Jurcina
Jose Theodore
Brent Johnson
Players to Watch-Alex Ovechkin, and Chris Clark
Atlanta Thrashers line-up
Ilay Kovalchuk - Todd White - Jason Williams
Slava Kozlov - Eric Christanson - Colby Armstrong
Eric Perrin - Marty Reasoner - Brett Sterling
Eric Boulton - Jim Slater - Chris Thorburn
Nicklas Havelid -Tobias Enstrom
Garnet Exelby - RonHainsey
Zach Bogosian - Matheui Schneider
Kari Lehtonen
Johan Hedberg
Players to Watch-Ilay Kovalchuk, Zach Bogosian
Key to Caps victory
I think the Caps have to attack the Thrashers defenceman. Atlanta's defenceman aren't great defensively, so the Caps will have to put pressure on them and forecheck and create turn-overs. Also games in the past have gotten rough, and the Caps need to stay out of the penalty box. A team with Kovalchuk is always deadly on the Power Play.
Video's
Caps-Thrashers brawl
Highlights from last meeting
Unleash the Fury
Caps season highlights
Is this the year?
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