Caps @ Devils 2-24-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (23-38; 56 points; 5th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 25th Overall) @ New Jersey Devils (38-23; 82 points; 1st Atlantic Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall):
Caps Game #62, Road Game #31, NHL Game #923

Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ. 1:05 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTEM 980-AM. New Jersey TV: Fox Sportsnet New York. Radio: WFAN 660-AM. NHL Center Ice: Fox Sportsnet New York feed.

Today the Caps, who have been struggling scoring goals and having problems on the road, travel into the swamps of Joisey for one last visit, ever, to the Meadowlands. The Caps have not won in Joisey since March 28th, 2002 (I think I might have been at that game) and haven't beaten the Devils anywhere since the lockout ended. The Devils have won 8 of their last 10 and, with the help of a gimmick on Thursday night, just swept a home-and-home with the Rangers.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Caps.com. Caps.com .pdf game notes.

Open Source Intelligence:

Newark Star-Ledger. New York Post. Record. Devils.com does not have a preview up yet.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Today?:

The hits just keep on playing for the Caps right now. Not only are they facing a team that re-defines defensive hockey; the Caps have also lost the services of Captain Chris Clark to a shoulder injury and Eric Fehr is also banged up as well and is a 50-50 shot at playing today. On a team that has precious little depth on the top two lines that isn't faring well offensively right now, losing a third of it before facing a world class goaltender and a solid team defense is hardly the recipe for success. Tomas Fleischmann has been recalled from Hershey to take somebody's spot. If you have chores or something else to do today, I strongly suggest you go about your business and get those done. I'll jump on the grenade and watch the game for you. I've got a fresh pot of coffee brewing and a box of No-Doze to get me through it.

Caps Nut Official Washington Hockey.com Predict The Score Contest Entry:

Caps 0
Devils 2
Winner by Madden