Washington Capitals
Record-2-1
The Caps are coming off of one of the most impressive wins in franchise history. They held the Vancouver Canucks to 10 shots, breaking the previous record of 11. The Caps have rebounded well after an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Thrashers in the opening game of the season. Pittsburgh will be the first team the Caps face this year that made it to the playoffs last year, so this is the true test. The Caps have also lost 10 of the last 12 facing Pittsburgh, so you know the players want to beat this team. One problem for the Caps is that they will be without Viktor Kozlov for the next couple of weeks, and Donald Brashear may not play tonite. Pittsburgh could be trouble if Brashear is out, because Pittsburgh has both Matt Cooke, and Eric Godard.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record-2-1-1
Pittsburgh is coming off of a 3-2 OT win against the Philadelphia Flyers. Pittsburgh may have a winning record, but to my eyes they haven't looked as good as they can be. They don't look like they are clicking yet. Hopefully they don't play to their potential tonite. Pittsburgh's superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have combined total of 4 points this year. That's not up to their standards, but you know they are always dangerous and you know that they will be ready to play tonite. The Penguins defence is an area of suspect early on in the season. With Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar out with injury's the Pittsburgh defence is a big are of concern.
Washington's top 3 goals
1. Mike Green-3 goals
2. Alexander Semin-3 goals
3. Alexander Ovechkin-2 goals
Washington's top 3 assists
1. Alexander Semin-3 assist
2. Michael Nylander-3 assist
3. Mike Green-2 assist
Washington's top 3 points
1. Alexander Semin-6 points
2. Mike Green-5 points
3. Michael Nylander- 4 point
Washington Capitals line-up
Alex Ovechkin(8) - Nicklas Backstrom(19) - Chris Clark(17)
Brooks Laich(21) - Michael Nylander(92) - Alex Semin(28)
Tomas Fleischman(14) - Sergei Fedorov(91) - Eric Fehr(16)
David Steckel(39) - Boyd Gordon(15) - Matt Bradley(10)
Shaone Morrisonn(26) - Mike Green(52)
Tom Poti(3) - Jeff Schultz(55)
John Erskine(4) - Milan Jurcina(23)
Jose Theodore(60)
Brent Johnson(1)
Players to watch: Brooks Laich, Alex Ovechkin
Pittsburgh Penguins line-up
Pascal Dupuis(9) - Sidney Crosby(87) - Miroslav Satan(81)
Jordan Staal(11) - Evgeni Malkin(71) - Petr Sykora(17)
Ruslan Fedotenko(26) - Max Talbot(25) - Tyler Kennedy(48)
Matt Cooke(24) - Michael Zigomanis(15) - Eric Godard(28)
Brooks Orpik(44) - Kris Letang(58)
Hal Gill(2) - Rob Scuderi(4)
Mark Eaton(7) - Alex Goligoski(13)
Marc-Andre Fleury(29)
Dany Sabourin(30)
Players to watch: Pascal Dupuis, Tyler Kennedy
Key to Caps victory
Do whatever you did against Vancouver. The Caps are going to have to control the game. We are going to have to have the puck for 65% of the time. I expect the 2nd line to have a big night, and to be a puck-possession line. I've said this in every game before, and I'll say it again. Stay out of the penalty box. The Caps PK right now is at 78%, that's not good at all. So stay out the box and it won't be a problem. Crosby and Malkin are to good of players to give them an advantage.
Prediction- 6-4 Caps win.
Highlights from last years game
Fights
Get pumped up
3 comments:
My god I hope you're right about that. The only times we've beaten the Penguins were the games where Ivan Majesky scored a 170-ft goal on Sebastian Caron (whatever happened to him anyways?) and the one where the Caps won 6-5 in a SO. A regulation victory for the Caps tonight would be something I would LOVE to see.
I see Chris Clark got upgraded to the first line in place of Kozzie. But Fedorov on the 3rd line? I have a feeling he'll be better on the 2nd with Nylander on the 3rd.
Caron is playing in a league in Europe now, the Swiss league.
I think Bruce wants Feds on the 3rd line with Flash and Fehr because they are 2 young guys, who could benefit from having a future hall-of-famer on their line. They can learn a lot tonite.
I also hope we crush Pittsburgh tonite. They are my most hated team.
YEAH!!!!!!!!
Did Boudreau put Fedorov on D in the 2nd frame? *confused look*
If he did, I seriously think he needs to look at keeping him there.
Fedorov is a moderately-quick forward, and hell of fast as a defenseman...
Post a Comment