Caps (6-3, 12 points) at Wild (3-3-2, 8 points)
What » Game #10
Where » Xcel Energy Center
When » 8 p.m.
TV » CSN
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
A fine night in Carolina got the Caps off to a good start on this three-game road trip that now heads to Minnesota and Calgary. Michal Neuvirth posted the first shutout of his career in the 3-0 victory in Raleigh. Matt Hendricks scored in the first period and Nicklas Backstrom added the other two goals.
That was clearly Washington’s most complete game of the season. Can it do it again with a back-to-back that required a three-hour flight? Not sure if Neuvirth will get the start again or if Bruce Boudreau will go with fellow rookie Braden Holtby. According to the Caps, Neuvirth has six wins and is already a third of the way to Jim Carey’s rookie record (18) set in 1994-95. Caps senior writer Mike Vogel writes on WashingtonCaps.com that Neuvirth was the first goalie off the ice this morning in St. Paul.
But this will be a tough one. No, the Wild aren’t exactly setting the world on fire. And an article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune this morning where the agent for forward Martin Havlat expressed his client’s unhappiness with his role won’t help team unity any. Then again – the Caps have never won in St. Paul with an 0-4-1 record in five attempts.
Minnesota has scored 23 goals and allowed 23 goals. No player has yet reached double digits in points with forwards Matt Cullen and Mikko Koivu leading the way with nine. Won’t be seeing Jose Theodore tonight. The Star-Tribune says “the other” Niklas Backstrom is in goal for the Wild.
The Caps were 0-for-3 on the power play last night and at 4-for-36 are down to 11.1% – ranked 24th in the NHL. Minnesota has no such problems. It has scored 12 times in 35 tries and easily leads the league at 34.3%. So the penalty kill will be crucial again, especially on the road. Washington has stopped 36 of 40 opponent power plays so far this season (90%). Only three teams have been better.
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