Capitals/Hurricanes Preview

Carolina Hurricanes (26-19-6, 58 points)
at
Washington Capitals (20-22-7, 47 points)

Television: Comcast Sportsnet
Radio: Sportstalk 980-AM
Gametime: 7:00 PM

A week off to prepare for yesterday's game did nothing to help change the Caps losing ways. The Hurricanes were able to take advantage of the opportunities the Capitals game them and ended up blowing them out of Raleigh.

The turning point in the game was the back-to-back penalties by Jakub Klepis in the beginning of the second period. If one person can ever be responsible for a loss while only being on the ice for 2:38, than last night was a good example of this. Klepis killed all the momentum the Caps had going their way, and swung it back into the Hurricanes favor. But really, are we suprised? Klepis has been playing this way all year. He had developed a propensity to take unnecessary penalties, and at this time has done nothing to prove that he is an NHL player. If he is not sent back to Hershey today I will be shocked.

Despite the short distance, it must have been a long trip back to Washington for the Caps. Hopefully they spent their time trying to figure out what they each have to do individually in order to turn their season around. And time is becoming a factor with only 33 games remaining.

On the positive side, Alex Ovechkin will try to extend his career long ten game point scoring streak tonight. His 30 goals on the season now put him into a tie with 4 other players for 2nd in the league behind Atlanta's Marian Hossa.

Down on the Farm:

Hershey will host a rematch with the Admirals tonight from the Giant Center after falling in Norfolk last night 5-4 in overtime. The game was played before the first ever sellout crowd of 8,784 at the Norfolk Scope Arena. Bears center Dave Steckel had a pair of goals in the loss giving him 18 on the season. Despite the loss, the Bears outshot the Admirals 35-22. You can catch all the live action tonight via b2networks by visiting the Hershey Bears official website at the 7:00 PM gametime.

The South Carolina Stingrays will play at the Texas Wildcatters for the third consecutive night. The teams have split the first two games with the Stingrays winning on Thursday night, and the Wildcatters winning last night. The gametime is 8:05 PM. You can catch all the live action via b2networks by visiting Stringrayshockey.com.