Caps (11-4-0, points) vs. Lightning (8-4-2, 18 points)
What » Game #16
Where » Verizon Center
When » 7 p.m.
TV » CSN HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
Tampa Bay and star forward Steven Stamkos are in town for an interesting early-season Southeast Division showdown. The 20-year-old tied Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead last season with 51 goals – and was one ahead of Alex Ovechkin. For more check out our preview in today’s print edition.
“I don’t know if there’s any evolution [to Stamkos’ game]. I thought he was great the first time we played them,” Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Barry Melrose is a good friend of mine. But I didn’t understand what Barry was talking about [after benching Stamkos during his rookie year in 2008-09] because we hadn’t played them yet…He’s a superstar in this league [and] can do things at full speed with the puck that other guys have to glide doing.”
On the ice after the morning skate were forwards D.J. King and Marcus Johansson, who was recalled from AHL Hershey yesterday. They appear to be the healthy scratches – though Johansson has been out with an injured hip. Michal Neuvirth was the first goalie off the ice so he should get the start again. Defenseman Tom Poti (groin injury) said he had his daily meeting scheduled with trainer Greg Smith, but Boudreau listed him as “probable” for tonight’s game.
Defenseman John Erskine jokingly accused Rangers forward Derek Boogaard of stealing his thunder on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Erskine scored for the first time in his last 31 NHL games. Boogaard topped him – and then some. At 234 games, he was headed for an NHL record for most consecutive games without a goal (255) before he slapped one past Neuvirth in the second period. Erskine actually knows Boogaard pretty well. They were teammates at AHL Houston during the lockout in 2004-05.
“His [goal] was pretty much the same as mine – high heat from the top of the circle,” Erskine cracked.
In other news, Semyon Varlamov was sent to AHL Hershey on Wednesday. He’s practicing there today and, if healthy, should be in line to start the Bears’ home game on Friday against Syracuse. They also have games Saturday and Sunday. But no guarantee on how long Varlamov will be down there. He came back too soon from his groin injury the first time. The Caps don’t want to push it and have it tweaked again.
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