Caps/Bruins Preview

Boston Bruins (23-24-4, 50 points)
at
Washington Capitals (22-25-7, 51 points)

Television: NewsChannel 8
Radio: Sportstalk 980-AM
Gametime: 7:00 PM ET


"Two for Tuesday" is the theme tonight as the Capitals host the visiting Boston Bruins at the Verizon Center in a battle for 12th place in the Eastern Conference. That commonly used saying has a few different meanings for this game.

First, the Caps will try to win their second consecutive game following Sunday's 2-1 shootout win over the Islanders. It was a breakthrough win for them as they brought their three game losing streak to a halt, and won a shootout game for the first time in seven tries this season.

Second, the Caps enter tonight's game riding a two game home winning streak dating back to a January 27th thrashing of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes 7-3. That was the second of a home-and-home series between the teams that saw Carolina win the night before 6-2 in Raleigh.

Third, it'll be the second and last meeting between these two teams at the Verizon Center this year. Boston won the previous meeting November 15th in a shootout 3-2. In that contest the Caps spotted the Bruins a 2-0 nothing lead (we've seen a lot of that lately, huh?) before a shorthanded goal by Matt Pettinger and a power play goal by Danius Zubrus tied the game. Patrice Bergeron tallied the only goal in the shootout for the win.

Fourth, both of the teams' previous games have gone to overtime this season as Boston won the rematch three days later at the TD Banknorth Garden on Nov. 18th by the same score of 3-2. This time the game did not need a shootout as Glen Murray provided the game winning goal in the overtime period on the power play.

Fifth, Alex Ovechkin has now been held scoreless in the past two games, his longest such streak this season, and one he would definitely like to break out of tonight. He still has 70 points on the season which puts in 3rd place in the NHL, two points behind Marin St. Louis, and twelve points behind Sid "The Kid". He is also an ugly -10 defensively in his last seven games.

Lastly, and most importantly, since it is "Two for Tuesday" you can buy two tickets tonight for the price of one. This offer is good on all mezzanine side and end seats. These tickets normally sell for$50 and $35 dollars each so this is a great deal. Therefore you have no excuse not to come out to the game tonight and support this team as they make one last push to get back into the playoff race. Plus, the game will be televised on NewsChannel 8 which some of you still have trouble getting, and Joe Beninati will be broadcasting the Minnesota Wild/Dallas Stars game on Versus, so Al Koken will be filling in for him.

It will be the second of a critical four game home stand for the Capitals who need every point possible now to try and turn their season around. They will host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday and the New York Rangers on Saturday before departing on a three game road trip.