Caps @ Canes 11-5-2007 Wrap Up/ Caps @ Thrashers 11-6-2007 Preview

The Local Yokels:

(Com)Post. Times.

The Neutral Observers:

NHL.com AP Wire.

The Other Side:

Durham Herald-Sun: Stillman early hat trick. Raleigh News & Observer: hat trick in rout, Ward unbeatable, turning point. Canes.com.

Final Thoughts:

Glen Hanlon is right when he says that the team cannot get discouraged because if they get discouraged, they'll quit and there's too much hockey left to be played for this team (or any other team for that matter) to quit. However, Hanlon has also properly pointed out that the Caps must play with better discipline in giving up seven Power Plays is not a sign of that happening either.

14 down, 68 to go.


Washington Capitals (5-9; 10 points) @ Atlanta Thrashers (5-9; 10 points):
Caps Game # 15, Road Game #9, NHL Game #211

Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA. 7:07 pm. Washington TV: None. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Atlanta TV: None. Radio: WCNN 680-AM. NHL Center Ice: No broadcast to carry due to the NHL's contract with Versus which is forcing tonight's TV blackout of this game.

After last night's debacle in Raleigh, the Caps face the Atlanta Thrashers who are much in improved after firing Bob Hartley who got the team off to an 0-6 start. The Thrashers are coming off a come from behind win on Saturday night when they beat the Ning in Tampa 6-4. Atlanta has won three of their last four games.

What The Natives Are Saying:

Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: rookie goaltender, keep Waddell on the bench, rookie forward demoted. Thrashers.com incorrect .pdf game notes

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Well don't look now (and you can't unless you have a ticket to tonight's game) but this is officially the NHL's "Pillow Fight of the Night" as the Caps 3-0 start has lead to a slide that has them not only in a tie for last in the Southeast Division with tonight's opponent; they're also tied for last in the Eastern Conference with Atlanta, and tied for last overall in the NHL with Atlanta, Edmonton, and Phoenix. It feels rather silly calling the 15th game of the season "must win" but that is what tonight's game is. While the Caps are right now only five points away from a playoff spot, (meaning one hot streak and we're right back in the thick of things) things need to be turned around sooner rather than later. The good news for the Caps tonight is that Atlanta has given up as many goals this season as the Maple Leafs have in just one fewer game. However, the bad news is that Atlanta's offense has been buzzing, scoring at least three goals in their five of their last six games and Ilya Kovalchuk (who like Waddell behind the bench) has scored back-to-back hat tricks. This is not the same team that the Caps beat on Opening Night though if the Caps can put forth another effort like they did that night, they will give themselves a very good chance to win tonight.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Thrashers 4
Winner by Holik

(5-9 on the season)

Editorial Note For the Dozens of Readers of This Blog:

Because of the TV Blackout (which means I won't be able to see the game) along with my serious aversion to Steve Kolbe (call the Caps offices and be put on hold, you'll want to hang up) there will be no Post-Mortem later tonight.