Caps vs. Hurricanes 3-3-2009 Preview

Washington Capitals (40-24; 85 points; 1st Southeast Division, 3rd Eastern Conference, 5th Overall) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (32-32; 69 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 9th Eastern Conference, 14th Overall):
Caps Game #65, Home Game #34, NHL Game #942

Verizon Center, Washington, DC. 7:08 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WFED 1500-AM. Carolina TV: None. Radio: WCMC 99.9-FM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Tonight the Caps look to get back on track when they host the Carolina Hurricanes at the Phone Booth for the second time this season. The Canes, like the Caps, are coming off an embarrassing loss when they blew a 3-1 third period lead this past Saturday night in Atlanta and lost 5-3. The loss was Carolina's second in their last three games.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times: undisciplined, chasing skirts, going south. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Raleigh News & Observer: crunch time, deadline dealers. Hurricanes.com.

What Do We Expect Tonight?:

Well folks, after the Caps stunk up the joint on Sunday and Carolina melted down on Saturday, this should be one of the best hockey games you're going to see down the stretch before the playoffs begin. Both teams need not only the two points but a full sixty minute effort to get things turned around after ugly losses. And if one of these teams doesn't show up tonight; they are going to suffer an even uglier loss and open up questions about the state of the team heading towards the playoffs. The key for the Caps tonight is a full sixty minute effort. Twice now we've seen the Caps score an early goal at home only to fall apart against an inferior opponent and end up losing. The Canes are fighting for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference and are in a dire need of points to avoid missing the post season for the third straight year. We wouldn't be surprised at all to see this game end up as a low scoring affair and end up in a gimmick.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Canes 1
Winner by Kozlov

(5-4 on the season)