Caps (18-11-3, 39 points) vs. Ducks (16-13-4, 36 points)
What » Game #33
Where » Verizon Center
When » 7 p.m.
TV » CSN HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
Big one tonight for the Caps. They’ve had enough of losing. They aren’t used to it. They’re putting their coach in an uncomfortable spot – or at least will be if this six-game losing streak continues much longer. But we all know winning cures all so take two of the next three and fans and players alike will relax a little bit.
Semyon Varlamov gets back on the horse tonight after allowing seven goals against the Rangers on Sunday. Defenseman Mike Green is back in the lineup also after missing the last two games. Defenseman Brian Fahey has been returned to AHL Hershey. Alexander Semin and his team-high 18 goals are also out of the lineup. Meanwhile, both Andrew Gordon and Jay Beagle have been recalled from Hershey and will play tonight on the fourth line.
The third line of Brooks Laich, David Steckel and Matt Bradley will see a serious challenge if they indeed match up with Anaheim’s top line – Corey Perry (16 goals, 19 assists), Bobby Ryan (14 goals, 12 assists) and Ryan Getzlaf (10 goals, 22 assists). The Ducks, according to the Orange County Register, will be without veteran forward Teemu Selanne, who is out with a groin injury.
The Caps beat the Ducks 5-1 here last Jan. 27. But Anaheim is playing a lot better now than it was at that time – or early in this season for that matter. The scratches are Semin, rookie center Marcus Johansson and forward Boyd Gordon. Winger D.J. King and defensemen Tyler Sloan and Jeff Schultz (broken finger) remain on injured reserve.
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