Caps-Cats Preview

The Washington Capitals are in Florida tonight to take on the Southeast division leading Panthers. It's been at least 4 years since the Caps have looked up at the Panthers in the standings. Tonight's game, and every division game for that matter is a statement game now. It seems like eons ago when the Caps dominated this division. Look for the Caps to keep up their hard hitting mentality as they look to show the Panthers just how shaky their division lead is. Vokoun won't get to play against his former team this time as Neuvy will get the net for the second straight game. Michale Neuvirth played well in a 3-2 overtime victory against Ottowa two night's ago, and Dale Hunter is showing that hard work and good play will get rewarded. If Neuvy has another good game tonight, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in net again against the Senators on Wednesday.

Florida is coming off a great win in San Jose to end their road trip, and although they are playing well, they may be tired and sloppy after their trip out west. In what seems to be a recurring theme, special teams play may be the deciding factor in this one. Florida gives up over 30 shots a game, but a lot of them are blue line shots that don't really test the netminder. Their penalty kill is a solid 82.2 percent which is 17th in the league during an unusually stingy penalty killing NHL season.
The Caps are running a 1-2-2 trap scheme which is new under head coach Dale Hunter. It is something very new for the Caps, who are trying to avoid giving up odd man rushes and break aways. They are looking more and more comfortable in it, but still need to learn how to get shots on goal when transitioning to their forecheck. Florida will be a good test to see if they are getting the hang of it. Although we are getting production out of every line, it would be good to see the Caps top line lead the team in points for a change. We need success from every line, but teams are not fearing out top line like they used to, and Ovechkin is not the dangerous player he used to be, partly because he looks to pass much more than he used to.

Look for another low scoring affair in what could be a 2-1 victory for either team. Semin's status is still up in the air, so perhaps we will stay out of the penalty box. Rock the Red at home, and don't forget to send in your "Shots for Beags" pics. Use the "Contact Us" page to send in!

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Neuvy Gets the Net

The Carolina Hurricanes have been looking up at the Caps the past 4 years in the Southeast division, but they are no slouches. Cam Ward will likely get the start tonight and has gone 5-0-2 in his last seven while boasting a 1.82 goals against average. Across the ice, Neuvy will get the start in net, who has had a lackluster, injury filled start to the season so I won't even mention his 4.10 goals against average or his 87.7 save percentage. . .whoops! I have a ton of faith in Neuvy and his lightning quick glove hand because I have seen what he can do. He has the ability to shut down opposing teams and keep us in the game. Fortunately for Neuvy, he won't be the focal point in tonight's game.

All eyes will be on Alexander Ovechkin to see how he reacts to his "benching" in the final minutes of the Ducks game. I could easily rant and rave about how stupid this entire story is, but I won't, because that's not what blogs are for. . . or is it?

Hold the GRAVY this story is annoying. Since when is sitting out for 45 seconds considered benching? The Caps had a line that ended up scoring 7 points that night, THEY belonged on the ice. End of story, period, YAHTZEE. I couldn't be happier that the Caps won this game, because if they had lost, all hell would have broken loose. It's like a fake field goal; genius coaching move when it works, terrible gaffe if it doesn't. There is no in between. I'm sure Chad Dukes would be calling for Boudreau's head if they had lost that game. Well actually probably not because they don't talk about the Caps on his show because they don't take ANY time to talk about a winning team that has sold out every game the last 4 years.

END RANT.

Anywho, best case scenario, Ovi comes out with a lot of fire, lays a couple of big hits, puts one in the back of the net, and Neuvy makes a couple big stops early to get settled in net. Worst case scenario, Ovi comes out too hard, takes a penalty, Caps go down a man and give up an early goal. My guess, the Laich, Chimera, Ward line gets the start and has another great game.

Carolina Hurricanes Tailgate

Prediction:

Caps WIN 4-2.
(Carolina gets a garbage goal in the last 4 minutes to make the game look nicer.)

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