Game #56
Caps (37-12-6, 80 points) at Boston Bruins (23-21-9, 55 points)
The Caps can make history tonight when they play the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden – better known as one of the worst-named pro sports arenas in the country. I’d love to hear some more suggestions on that. Washington has tied a franchise record with 10 wins in a row. Meanwhile, the struggling Bruins are 0-5-2 in their last seven and haven’t won a “home” game since the Winter Classic at Fenway Park on Jan. 1. The Boston Globe says the last time the Bs went winless in eight straight games was 54 years ago.
ESPN-Boston reports that Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara has been playing for months with a dislocated left pinkie and will need surgery in the offseason. Chara, of course, beat out Caps defenseman Mike Green for the Norris Trophy last season. It’s just another day in the life for the Bruins, who have been dealing with injuries all season. Tim Thomas is in net for Boston. Jose Theodore gets the start for the Caps. He has won seven games in a row. Green sits for game No. 2 of a three-game suspension. He’ll be back Sunday vs. Pittsburgh. Don’t expect any lineup changes for the Caps, who did recall Karl Alzner from AHL Hershey in case they need him for Thursday’s game against the Rangers. Washington has outscored opponents 47-21 during its streak. Another nugget from the Caps’ hardworking PR staff: Washington is the only team in the NHL with its six top scorers all under 30.
Caps sit atop the Eastern Conference and could take over the NHL lead with a win and a San Jose loss at home to Detroit out west tonight. The Bruins are fighting to stay in the postseason mix. But even after this long losing skid they sit in 11th place and are really just four points back of sixth-place Philadelphia. Of course, just one more loss could push Boston back to 13th in the jumbled Eastern Conference.
