Caps @ Hurricanes 2-23-2008 Wrap Up/ Caps vs. Devils 2-24-2008 Preview

The Local Yokels:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

The Neutral Observers:

NHL.com AP Wire.

The Other Side:

Raleigh News & Observer: fired up, trade dividends, turning point, deadline looms. Canes.com.

Final Thoughts:

While it certainly isn't politically correct and will cost Tom Poti some $$$$$, it is nice to see somebody call a spade a spade when it came to what passed as officiating in that game. Sometimes that is the only way to keep it from happening to you again.

62 down, 20 to go.


Washington Capitals (28-34; 63 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference, 25th Overall) vs. New Jersey Devils (36-26; 77 points; 1st Atlantic Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall):
Caps Game #63, Home Game #31, NHL Game #943

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., 3:08 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. New Jersey TV: Fox SportsNet New York. Radio: WFAN 660-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic Feed.

Today the Caps try to stop their current slide when they host the New Jersey Devils. The Caps and Devils have split the season series so far with each team pulling out a win on home ice back in December by scores of 3-2. The Devils are red hot right now. They've won seven of their last eight including a 4-2 win over the Islanders yesterday which was their fourth win a row.

What The Natives Are Saying:

Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Newark Star-Ledger. New York Post. The Record: jinx ended, deadline coming up, preview.

What Do I Expect Today?:

If you're one of the optimists who are pointing to the three games in hand the Caps have over the Canes, today is one of those games and the thing about games in hand is that you have to actually win them in order for them to mean anything. The Caps are facing another playoff tested team and one of the top teams in the league today. And should Martin Brouder make the start as expected, the odds against the Caps grow even longer. It is also worth mentioning that while the Devils have the 11th ranked Penalty Killing, they've been scoring shorthanded goals with ease recently so the Caps might want to keep that in mind and be careful about pinching in with the extra man. After losing both games last week the Caps need any kind of win they can get today with the schedule they have coming up.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Devils 3
Winner by Madden

(32-29 on the season)