One last home game before the Caps hit the road for a bit. The Kings are in town – another rare appearance from a Western Conference opponent. Washington didn’t fare so well in that situation Tuesday when the Sharks beat them 2-0 at Verizon Center.
Los Angeles was a trendy Stanley Cup pick before the season with a young roster that pushed Vancouver to six games in a first-round series last spring. But it hasn’t been so easy in the rugged Western Conference. Los Angeles is in last place in the Pacific Division, stands two points out of a playoff spot and is in midst of a ridiculous 10-game road trip. The Kings will have little sympathy for Washington’s relatively mild five-gamer starting Monday in Phoenix.
Meanwhile, defenseman Mike Green reiterated that he should be ready to play tomorrow. He sat out the San Jose game as a precaution after taking a puck to the head during Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. Couldn’t get a straight answer, though, on the necessity of extra neuro-psychological testing for Green. Earlier this week the Caps said he’d undergo some today. Whatever the case, they’ll clear him before he takes the ice.
“I have no qualms about [Green playing],” said Boudreau. “There’s no doubts in my mind anyway, unless something really strange happens this afternoon.”
We know both Tom Poti (groin) and Eric Fehr (shoulder) are desperate to get on the plane after tomorrow’s game. Neither wants to watch on television while their teammates are on the West Coast. But there won’t be a lot of practice time available, either with practices scheduled for Sunday and Tuesday. There are games Monday (Phoenix), Wednesday (Anaheim) and Thursday (San Jose). Boudreau characterized the players’ status as “up in the air”.
You can pretty much count Saturday’s game as a part of the road trip anyway. Washington is heading out the door right after the game and will be in Phoenix late Saturday evening to get acclimated. It is the second of five games in a row against Western Conference opponents. And all of them are scratching and clawing for standings points as the playoff races heat up in both conferences.
“[Los Angeles] is in such a dog fight in the west as we are in the east,” Boudreau said. “It’s getting down to where you’re really start scoreboard watching. It’s an important part of the year.”
Following Saturday’s game, Washington has just 10 home games left over the final eight weeks of the regular season. It plays another 16 on the road, including two extended trips. Not exactly ideal timing. But if they get through it intact the Caps will be in a good position with just 21 games left before the playoffs.
“I’m a firm believer in going on the road, especially at the beginning of the season,” said forward Matt Hendricks. “It seems to help teams. It helps camaraderie in the group, brings us closer together, tighter together. But that only happens if you’re playing well. Obviously we’re worried about [Saturday’s] game first and foremost, but we want to start the road trip off on the right foot.”
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