Caps vs. Ning 3-1-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (24-40; 59 points; 5th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 25th Overall) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (36-29; 76 points, 1st Southeast Division, 3rd Eastern Conference, 12th Overall):
Caps Game #65, Home Game #34, NHL Game #960

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:05 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTEM 980-AM. Tampa TV: Sunshine Network. Radio: WDAE 620-AM. National TV: HD-NET. NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

And despite all the dire predictions of doom and gloom after the trading of the beloved Dainius Zubrus, Richard Zednik, Jamie "Home Run" Heward, Lawrence Nycholat, and Timo Helbling; the sun has risen once again. That means that the Caps will have to face the Southeast Division leading Tampa Bay Lightning tonight without those vital cogs of a Stanley Cup contender. The Ning are starting a 6 game road trip tonight because of the All Carolina Conference Tournament taking place in their building next weekend. The Ning are coming off a 2-1 loss on home ice to Dallas Stars on Tuesday night but have been going back and forth between wins and losses in their last four games.

What The Natives Are Saying?:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Open Source Intelligence:

St. Petersburg Times: Defending the defenders, looking for a fourth. Tampa Tribune: Long trip, think Dan Snyder charges too much for parking? Ning.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

With five weeks left in the season, the Caps have only three games against teams that are currently in the playoff picture. The Caps have an excellent opportunity to play spoiler against the 9 teams currently jockeying for playoff positioning. The Ning know that they have a long road ahead and are already talking about "taking things one game at a time" and "not looking past Washington." If the Caps can play like they did for last 57 minutes on Tuesday night, they shouldn't have many problems with the Ning.

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

Caps 5
Ning 3
Winner by Semin