Caps vs, Canucks 10-26-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (4-4; 8 points) vs. Vancouver Canucks (4-6; 8 points):
Caps Game #9, Home Game #5, NHL Game #140

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:07 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Vancouver TV: Rogers Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: CKST 1040-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Tonight the Caps look to finish off their homsetand on a high note before heading out for a three game road trip when they host the Vancouver Canucks at the Phone Booth. The Canucks are wrapping up a four game road trip; losing their last two and four of their last five, most recently Wednesday night's 3-2 setback in Detroit.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Vancouver 24 Hours. Vancouver Province: losing identity, gotta shoot, two minutes with Mark...er... Rick Rypien, Glen Hanlon motivates. Vancouver Sun: Itchy trigger fingers, line shuffle, fun over, numbers.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

The Caps haven't defeated the Canucks in 6 and half years and have not beaten Roberto Luongo in nine games including last year's gimmick loss. The Canucks are coming to the end of a frustrating road trip where they've only beaten Columbus. The Caps need to jump on the Canucks early and keep the pressure on as Vancouver has been held to under two goals in all six losses so far this season. If the Caps can rediscover their forechecking and keep then Canucks bottled up, they'll increase the pressure on Luongo who hasn't been able to carry the Canucks so far this season.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Canucks 1
Winner by Semin

(2-6 on the season)