Caps vs. Rangers 2-10-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (23-33; 54 points; 4th Southeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference, 22nd Overall) vs. New York Rangers (26-29; 57 points, 4th Atlantic Division, 11th Eastern Conference, 20th Overall):
Caps Game #57, Home Game #30, NHL Game #837

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:05 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTEM 980-AM. New York TV: MSG. Radio: ESPN Radio 1050-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Tonight the Caps close out their longest homestand of the season by facing the Rangers for the fourth and final time this season. The Rangers broke a four game losing streak last night by pounding the Ning 5-0 at MSG. The Rangers have been shaking up their roster with two recent trades that have brought Sean Avery from the L.A. Kings and Pascal Dupuis from the Minnesota Wild to Broadway as both the Caps and the Rangers hold onto dreams of making the playoffs this season.

What The Natives Are Saying:

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

Open Source Intelligence:

New York Times (May not be entirely factual). Newsday: Unlikely win, Dupuis trade. Rangers.com.

Open Source Idiocy:

New York Post.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

The Caps are expecting their first sellout of the season tonight at the Ultimate Fighting on Ice fans set themselves up for their biggest disappointment since ten days before Christmas. UFOI fans were already pretty excited in anticipation for this game and just about creamed themselves when the Rangers acquired Sean Avery from Los Angeles. Prayers, Wishes, and Seances were conducted in hopes of getting John Erskine Bowles back early for the Caps. But alas, no Erskine Bowles for the Caps tonight and without a doubt the NHL has instructed the refs to call this game much closer to the vest than the team's last meeting on December 30th, 2006. While fireworks are still possible because the game is "essential" (not "must win" according to the MSG crew who called last night's Rangers-Ning game) for both teams, I get the feeling the UFOI fans will have an "all dressed up and nowhere to go" feeling after tonight's game ends.

Oh and I would like to implore the Caps to only play 60 minutes of hockey tonight. Win or lose, I don't care, just please play the standard 60 minutes with no overtime or gimmicks ok? Thanks!

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

Caps 2
Rangers 5
Winner by Straka