Capitals/Senators Preview

Washington Capitals (21-22-7, 49 points)
at
Ottawa Senators (29-21-2, 60 points)

Television: NewsChannel 8
Radio: WTNT 570-AM
Gametime: 7:00 PM ET


The Capitals look to finish up the first month of 2007 by starting a much needed winning streak. Coming off a win Saturday night that few could have predicted the team heads north of the border to take on the streaking Ottawa Senators who have won 12 of their last 15 games.

One player that will be sad to see January come to an end is russian winger Alexander Semin, who has five multi-goal games during the month. The team will hope to get a boost from winger Richard Zednik who should make his return to the lineup tonight after missing 24 games with a sports hernia. He will be a welcomed veteran addition to the Capitals inexperienced lineup. Hopefully he will pick up right where he left off as before he was injured on December 2nd, he had finally rediscovered his scoring touch. With the trading deadline just four weeks away, it will be a critical time for the Caps and Zednik, who could be moved should the team fall out of contention.

But while Zednik returns one of their key defenseman Brian Pothier, continues to miss time with what is believed to be a concussion. He will miss his 4th consecutive game tonight. Matt Bradley who has missed the last 2 games with personal reasons is listed as questionable.

It could be a special night for Alex Ovechkin as he will try to extend his consecutive game point streak to 12 games which would be a career high for him.

This will be the first of a three game road trip for the Capitals who travel to Florida on Thursday and to Pittsburgh on Saturday before returning home for a Sunday matinée with the New York Islanders. The Caps should have an advantage when it comes to rest as the team has not played since defeating Carolina Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Senators are coming off a loss at Montreal last night for the second game in as many nights.

The key, as it normally is, will be for the Capitals to get off to a fast start and take advantage of what should be a tired Senators squad.