Caps (19-12-4, 42 points) vs. Devils (9-21-2, 20 points)
What » Game #36
Where » Verizon Center
When » 7:30 p.m.
TV » VERSUS HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
Caps can’t afford to take a step back after finally snapping that eight-game losing streak with a win over Ottawa on Sunday. It would help not to fall behind early. Washington has been outscored 5-0 in the first period of its last two games. It almost pulled off the comeback after Boston went up 3-0 on Saturday night, but couldn’t push the tying goal through despite a 26-2 advantage in third-period shots on goal.
The Devils are in the midst of their worst season in years. Martin Brodeur is expected in goal as usual. Michal Neuvirth goes for the Caps for the third game in a row. New Jersey is second-to-last in the Eastern Conference – and the entire NHL for that matter. But it did whip the Caps, 5-0, in Newark last month. Washington won the first matchup at Verizon Center, 7-2.
Caps forward Matt Hendricks is out with an undisclosed injury. Eric Fehr had a death in his family and won’t be here tonight. Alex Semin took warm-ups and could play tonight for the first time since the 7-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Dec. 12. If deemed okay he will play o the top linne with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The second line is Brooks Laich-Mathieu Perreault-Mike Knuble. The third line is Jason Chimera-Marcus Johansson-Andrew Gordon with Jay Beagle-David Steckel-Matt Bradley on the fourth line. The defensive pairings remain the same: Mike Green-Scott Hannan; Karl Alzner-John Carlson; John Erskine-Tom Poti.
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