Caps vs. Ning 10-23-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (3-4; 6 points) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (4-2; 8 points):
Caps Game #8, Home Game #4, NHL Game #126

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:07 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Tampa TV: Sunshine Network. Radio: WDAE 620-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Tonight the Caps look to end their four game losing streak and return to .500 when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Ning so far on the season have lost both games that they have played on the road and only one of them has been outside the state of Florida. Both teams have been off since Saturday and are kicking off a stretch of three games in four nights.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire

Open Source Intelligence:

St. Petersburg Times. Tampa Tribune. Ning.com.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

The Caps looked to be buoyed by the expected return of Alexander Semin to the lineup but probably the most important thing for the Caps is an increased pace to the schedule. The Caps, like the Ning, have only played six games in the first three weeks of the season and the Caps will have plenty of chances now to get themselves into a rhythm as the next three day break in schedule does not arrive until November 11th-14th. The Caps are also returning to divisional play for the first time since the home opener on October 6th while the Ning are playing their fifth divisional game this season which will tie them with Edmonton for the most so far this season. The Caps will have to jump on the Ning early and need to get their offense in gear in order to have a chance tonight because Tampa has enough weapons to score on the Caps.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Ning 5
Winner by St. Louis

(2-5 on the season)