Thrashers (7-7-3, 17 points) at Caps (12-4-1, 25 points)
What » Game #18
Where » Verizon Center
When » 5 p.m.
TV » CSN HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
Not much turnaround time for the Caps, who lost in overtime in Buffalo less than 24 hours ago. Then again, it’s not like Atlanta was resting. The Thrashers had a home game against Pittsburgh on Saturday night. We’ll see what kind of energy these teams bring to the rink this evening.
Bruce Boudreau said in his pregame media session that defenseman Tom Poti – expected to play after getting the night off in Buffalo – would sit again. No specific reason given, although his absence is obviously a concern given Poti’s recent groin troubles. He’s missed 12 of the last 15 games and his only appearance since Oct. 21 was Thursday’s game vs. Tampa Bay.
Interesting to see what line combinations Boudreau uses tonight. He threw the kitchen sink at the Sabres on Saturday, mixing and matching all four in an attempt to get something going offensively.
“We all want to do these messages,” Boudreau said. “But it’s not always that. I just wanted to change things up because what I saw wasn’t working.”
A defenseman has scored a goal in each of the last seven games for Washington. Jeff Schultz is the lone holdout. The other six blueliners to dress have all contributed to that streak.
Caps have generated just one power-play opportunity in each of their last two games. Buffalo and Tampa Bay earned 11 combined in those two games. That’s not really a winning combination. Washington ranks ninth in the NHL on the power play (21.3%) and 10th on the penalty kill (85.3%). Atlanta is fourth on the power play (23.7%) and 25th on the penalty kill (75.4%).
This is already the third meeting of the season between the Caps and Thrashers. By next Friday they will have played four times already. They split the first two games with Atlanta winning on Opening Night. Washington has won eight in a row over the Thrashers at Verizon Center and is 8-1 at home this season.
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