Courtesy: Washington Post
WASHINGTON — Two struggling hockey teams are set to face off at Verizon Center in Washington D.C. as the Washington Capitals welcome the Ottawa Senators to town for a “Thanksgiving Eve” showdown.
Washington has gone 0-2-1 in their last three games and exhausted a lot of effort in those contests. The game against Pittsburgh last Wednesday was an extremely one-sided affair for the Penguins. The game against Montreal was Friday night left the Capitals tired and frustrated as they left opportunities out on the ice to win if it wasn’t for a horrific first period. Saturday, Washington was simply gassed in Toronto and was lucky a third-period goal by captain Alexander Ovechkin propelled them to at least one point in this brutal stretch.
Ottawa has won just two out of their last seven and have had struggles preventing teams from scoring. In their last five losses, they’ve given up no less than four goals in each contest. Considering how solid starting goaltender Craig Anderson was last season in 24 starts (1.69 GAA), it’s somewhat surprising to see the amount of goals allowed by the Senators this season — they are 25th in the NHL in average goals allowed per game with 3.1.
The Capitals have had their fair share of storylines leading up to this contest, including one of their players requesting a trade. Martin Erat went to general manager George McPhee for the second time this season. Brooks Laich sat out of Wednesday’s morning skate with a lower-body injury, but will likely play. Tyson Strachan was recalled from the Hershey Bears, Washington’s AHL affiliate, and will play tonight as Steve Oleksy is a healthy scratch. Erat and center Jay Beagle will also be scratched tonight.
In the net for the Capitals tonight will be starting goaltender Braden Holtby who is looking for his first win since Nov. 17 against the St. Louis Blues. The Senators will put Craig Anderson between the pipes.
In order for the Capitals to win this contest, they must do three things:
1. Neutralize Jason Spezza and Bobby Ryan offensively and the rest of the Senators as they can score some goals — 9th in the NHL with 2.8 goals per game.
2. Take advantage of special teams as the Capitals have a special teams index (penalty kill and power play combined value) of 108.3 in comparison to Ottawa’s 99.2.
3. Pepper Anderson all over the ice as the Senators defensively are challenged outside of stud defenseman Erik Karlsson. The goals can come, but expect Ovechkin to light it up at least once tonight.
