Caps/Devils Preview

New Jersey Devils (38-18-6, 82 points)
at
Washington Capitals (24-28-10, 58 points)

Television: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WTNT 570-AM
Gametime: 1:00 PM ET

When the Caps and Devils hit the ice today at the Verizon Center, the NHL's trade deadline will be a little more than 48 hours away. What that means is that this might be the last time a few select players get a chance to wear a Capitals sweater.

Danius Zubrus and Richard Zednik seem to be the most sought after assets Washington has. Both players will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, and while the team has expressed interest in resigning them, neither is close to an agreement. If extensions are not reached before the deadline the word is that they will be dealt.

The Caps could also part with a few other players in hopes of solving their current logjam on the blue line. Veterans Jamie Heward and Brian Muir have both been involved in trade rumors over the past few days. The only problem with trading them is, what can you get in return? Is it really worth dealing them for middle round draft picks, which is about as much as I can see them getting in individual deals. Their is always the possibility that they could package them together with Zubrus or Zednik in hopes of increasing their overall value. All of this should lead to an exciting couple of days as the team prepares to make moves to improve the team for the long haul.

As for the game itself, the Capitals will look to build on their solid performance in New Jersey in hopes of sweeping their weekend series against the Devils. While Alex Ovechkin was unable to break out of his current funk, going scoreless again in yesterday game, his fellow countryman Alexander Semin had a goal and assist to lead the Caps to the win. The team also got offense contributions from Boyd Gordon (2 assists), Matt Pettinger (SH goal), Milan Jurcina (1st goal with Caps), and Tomas Fleichmann (1st NHL goal, picured) to provide an unexpected offensive explosion against one of the best goaltenders in the game today.
(Photo Courtesy of Bill Kostroun/AP)

Before yesterday's result the plan was for the Devils to rest Martin Brodeur today and start his seldom used backup Scott Clemmensen. But now it wouldn't surprise anyone if Brodeur is back in the net again today in a game New Jersey would hate to lose.

Heading into the weekend, the Caps had already announced their intentions to play Brent Johnson in both games. On Saturday, he finally was able to win his first game in the fifth start he's had since since replacing the injured Olie Kolzig, and picked up his first career victory over the Devils.

The key to the game will once again be to get out to a good start and avoid falling behind a Devils team that is traditionally hard to come from behind on. Plus, you have to expect New Jersey to be extra prepared for this game following yesterday's outcome.

Tuesday Roundup: Who's Ready for a Full-Time Opportunity?

Practice was canceled today with only Erskine, Muir, Pothier, and Beech taking the ice to work with head athletic trainer Greg Smith. Pothier was on the ice for an extended period time performing many different skating and shooting drills. He looks as though he could return at any time, hopefully even as soon as this Thursday in Tampa.
(Photo Courtesy of Christopher Millete/Patriot-News)

With the Capitals playoff run on it's last breath, it's time to take a look at who is ready within the system for a chance to play with the big club.

1. Tomas Fleichmann (16 g+ 25 a= 45 p in 40 games, +8) - Nicknamed "Flash" for his game changing speed, he has nothing let to prove at the AHL level after averaging over a point per game each of the last two seasons. The problem is he's a left winger, which the Capitals currently have plenty of in Ovechkin, Semin, Pettinger, and Brashear. He needs to focus on adjusting his game to the right side if he wants any chance to secure a spot in Washington. It also hasn't help that he has yet to show much at the NHL level in his brief opportunities this season. That being said, he deserves a shot to see what he can do given the chance to play 10-15 minutes a night with the Caps.
2. Dave Steckel (21 g+ 19 a= 40 p in 47 games, +18) - After excelling last season on the defensive aspects of the game, Steckel has added an offensive punch this season. That all around game has elevated him to the number one center on a very good Hershey team. His 6'5" 220 pound frame means he has the size that teams covet. He could immediately step in and provide some strong competition for the fourth line center position with the struggling Brian Sutherby.
   
3. Alexandre Giroux (32 g+ 19 a= 51 p in 46 games, +26) - A versatile forward who can play any of the three positions on the line, Giroux has proven to be a goal scoring force at the AHL level. He has at least 32 goals in each of his last three seasons with the Bears and the Hartford Wolf Pack. It's hard to believe that despite his success he has only played in three career NHL games to date (1 with the Rangers last year, and 2 with the Caps this season). He needs to be given the opportunity, like Fleichmann, to play 10-15 minutes a night to see if that ability can transfer over against tougher competition.
   

Capitals Practice Recap

As I arrived to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex around 10:40 am, about 20 minutes before practice was scheduled to begin, Brian Pothier, Brian Muir, and John Erskine were on the ice participating in conditioning drills. They looked as though they were moving around fairly well. Muir and Erskine would stay out for half of the team practice, while Pothier returned to the locker room before practice began.

(Photo by Allen Popels/www.CapitalFanatic.com)

The lines for today remained as usual:

Red - Ovechkin, Zubrus, Clark, plus Beech
Teal - Pettinger, Gordon, Zednik
Black - Semin, Laich, Fehr, plus Bradley
Yellow - Brashear, Sutherby, Clymer, plus Muir and Erskine
White - Green, Jurcina, Nycholat, Schultz, Eminger, and Heward
Goaltenders - Kolzig, Johnson

Shaone Morrisonn was the only regular not at practice today. No word as to why.

Frederic Cassivi was also missing from practice, meaning he was probably sent down to Hershey for their home game tonight against the Portland Pirates. He could always be recalled again before Thursday's game with the Kings.

Practice started today with a simple dump and chase defensive drill where the object was to collect the loose puck and clear the zone. This was followed by an off the boards outlet drill that led to breakaway opportunities on goal. There were a couple variations to this drill that included cross ice outlet passes. The emphasis of the beginning of the practice seemed to be speed, as players were skating at full tempo.

Three on ones followed and the ice was divided in half to limit the breakout to only half the ice. During this drill Matt Bradley had a nice goal beating Brent Johnson with a glove side shot that rang off the post and in.

A three on two drill was next that involved a quick counter attack by the forward line following a turnover at center ice. The drill really was a five on two situation as a defensive pair backed up the forward line.

The last team drill of the practice involved a two on one drill that started from the offensive corner. Quick moves and passes were the key here to beat the one defenseman and get a shot away. The drill seemed to end on a little 22 on 0 as the entire team bunched around the net. The guys looked as though they were having a good time there.

As some players started to leave the ice, Johnson and Kolzig got in some work. On one side of the ice there was a rapid fire drill where each player shot five pucks consecutively on Johnson. And on the other side, Kolzig was involved in a drill where there was a shot from the slot while about four other players crowded around the net. The play would continue until either they scored or Kolzig secured the puck.

Brent Johnson seemed to be getting through practice okay until these extra drills. He really looked like he was hurting and would spent lots of time keeled over and shaking his head. We all know the Caps unwillingness to disclose injuries as they described Johnson's current injury as a "body" injury. From the way he was laboring though, my guess would be that it's a groin problem.

That's all from today. Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post was on hand as was Capitals General Manager George McPhee.