|
Sid the Kid vs. Alex the Great - Game 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Here we go again! The new version of Gretzky vs. Lemieux! The number one picks from 2004 and 2005 are set to do battle yet again. This season though, AO and the Caps hope to fare better in the season series against the Penguins. Last season the Pens had their renaissance, let by Crosby and Malkin, taking all 4 of the games against the Caps on their way to the post-season.
Ovechkin will look to upstage last season's Hart Trophy winner and spark the Caps on a renaissance of their own. Alex has garnered points in every game the Caps have played this season, tallying 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 contests. Sid on the other hand has 8 points in the Pens 6 games thus far this season.
The Penguins have won 7 of the 8 contests vs. the Capitals since Ovechkin and Crosby started dueling. The first of the 4 games these conference rivals will play this season takes place tonight at 7 pm in Washington at the Verizon Center. The game will be broadcast on HD NET, CSN-W(HD) and FSN-P.
Here is the Caps lineup for tonight:
Ovechkin-Kozlov-Motzko
Backstrom-Nylander-Fleischmann
Pettinger-Gordon-Clark
Brashear-Steckel-Laich
The defensive combinations will remain intact as Jeff Schultz retains his spot in the lineup in place of John Erskine. Boyd Gordon will return to the lineup after missing the last couple of games due to back spasms. Alex Semin is getting even closer to returning and could quite possibly make it back into the lineup as early as next week. Olaf Kolzig will be in nets tonight.
Go Caps! I would really like to see the offensive powers come to life tonight as it seems that the off season acquisitions have yet to chip and do their part. Look for Nylander and Kozlov tonight to get on the board as they are 2 players who need to make their contributions in order for this team to succeed. I love the Green-Schultz factor on D. These guys are ready to be NHL'ers and will need a few games to get their feet wet, but as of now Mike Green seems fully at home on the ice at this level, Schultz is next in line as he looks to perform well enough to keep his spot.
The special teams need a swift kick in the ass as well! The Caps can't rely on goaltending to do the job for them. They must pitch in at both ends of the ice whether they are up a man or down a man. Rookie Nicklas Backstrom is the wild card for the special teams this year. He has to be clutch on the Power Play, as his soft hands will need to come to life and help spark Michal Nylander.
The Caps have a challenge tonight and must be up to the task. Lazy play will cost them...and quickly! They will need their legs to be fresh and their passes to be crisp. No more late game break downs and no stupid penalties. In a perfect world it would be nice to see all of this happen, but as long as the Caps play smart defensively they will allow themselves the offensive zone opportunities they will need. Time for a win at home!!!
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»