Caps (4-3-0, 8 points) vs. Thrashers (3-4-0, 6 points)
Final home game for Washington before a three-game trip to Carolina, Minnesota and Calgary to end October. The Thrashers won the season opener in Atlanta, 4-2 – a night more memorable for what happened to goalie Ondrej Pavelec, who collapsed in the first period. He hasn’t played since, though tests done in the ensuing days show no major health issues for the 23-year-old goalie. Pavelec was taken off on a stretcher after hitting his head on the ice in the first period of that game on Oct. 8.
Atlanta lost to Tampa Bay last night, 5-2. The Caps lost two in a row this week to Boston – one at home and one on the road – despite firing over 35 shots on goal in each game. They have won seven straight against the Thrashers at Verizon Center. Atlanta last won here on Feb. 2, 2008.
Forwards Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault have been recalled from AHL Hershey. Marcus Johansson has hip flexor issues and won’t play, Matt Bradley is still on injured reserve and Boyd Gordon (undisclosed) remains out until Monday. Meanwhile, all seven defenseman will skate in warm-ups with Mike Green a gametime decision.
Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said Michal Neuvirth will start for Washington. No reason given, though Semyon Varlamov played much of Tuesday’s game in relief and started Thursday. Neuvirth was pulled from that Tuesday start because of illness, but is feeling better.
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