Caps vs. Thrashers 2-2-2008 Preview

Washington Capitals (24-28; 53 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 11th Eastern Conference, 23rd Overall) vs. Atlanta Thrashers (25-29; 54 points; 2nd Southeast Division, 9th Eastern Conference, 21st Overall):
Caps Game #53, Home Game #27, NHL Game #789

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., 7:08 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Atlanta TV: SportSouth. Radio: WCNN 680-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Tonight the Caps face the Thrashers for the first time since early December, the third time at home, and the fifth time overall this season. The teams have split the prior four games with the Caps winning the first matchup and the most recent. The Thrashers have returned to earth after the bump they received from the firing of Bob Hartley. Atlanta broke a five game losing streak when they beat the Penguin Scum 4-1 on Wednesday night and made it two in a row with a 5-4 gimmick win over the Buffaslugs last night in Atlanta.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: revenge, Kovalchuk coming back.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

As wonderful, magical, and thrilling A.O.'s performance was on Thursday night; it was Thursday night. Tonight is Saturday night and the Caps have a very important game at home against the Atlanta Thrashers. This is the first of 14 remaining games in the Southeast Division and the Caps need to win this game in regulation. A win in overtime or the gimmick will leave the Caps and Thrashers tied so we must play for only 60 minutes tonight. Atlanta found a way to score four goals last night with Kovalchuk out of the lineup and he isn't expected to play tonight. The Thrashers now have noted Cap killer Mark Recchi in their lineup but have to be wondering if they are going to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline in a few weeks. Atlanta played at home last night and is playing their third game in four night and have just two wins in their last seven games on the road.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 5
Thrashers 3
Winner by Laich

(29-23 on the season)