Caps (12-11-1, 25 points) vs. Senators (12-11-1, 26 points)
What – Game #25
Where – Verizon Center
When – 7 p.m.
TV – CSN HD
Radio – WFED-1500 AM
Not many people would have predicted that on Dec. 3 the Ottawa Senators would have more points than the Capitals. Okay, no one would have predicted that before the season. But the young Senators have overachieved and Washington is still trying to find its way under new coach Dale Hunter.
The Caps will be without forward Alex Semin, who suffered an injured right shoulder, according to a league source, in Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh. The team says the injury isn’t believed to be serious. He sits along with defensemen Roman Hamrlik (lower-body injury) and Mike Green (right groin). Looks like Mike Knuble gets time on the second line against the Senators with youngsters. Cody Eakin and Marcus Johansson.
Semin was hurt in the second period after an awkward fall onto his elbow. He was also later tagged by Pittsburgh’s Jordan Staal – a hit that drew a charging penalty at 11:47 of that period. Green, meanwhile, had skated six of the previous seven days before his teammates practiced, but was not on the ice Saturday morning. Hunter said that was a scheduled day off, but that Green obviously still won’t be traveling with the team to Florida or Ottawa next week. Hamrlik did not play against Pittsburgh and sits for the second game in a row.
Follow me on Twitter @bmcnally14
