Caps vs. Buffaslugs 11-25-2009 Preview

Washington Capitals (13-11; 32 points) vs. Buffaslugs (12-8; 26 points):
Caps Game #25, Home Game #13, NHL Game #341

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:07 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WFED 1500-AM. Loserville...er...Buffalo TV: MSG-B. Radio: WWGR 550-AM.  NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Tonight, the Caps finish off their four games in six nights run heading into the Thanksgiving break when they host the Buffaslugs.   This is the first meeting this season between the Caps and Buffalsugs; and get used to them kids.  We'll be facing these guys three times every other Wednesday between tonight and December 23rd.  Last season the Caps and Buffaslugs split the four game series between the two teams.  The Buffaslugs got out to a very strong start this season but have fallen back into the pack losing their last three games in a row including a 5-3 decision on Saturday night in Ottawa against the Senators.  The Buffaslugs are starting a three games in four nights run of their own tonight.

What The Natives Are Saying:

Times.  Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com.  AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

The Loserville...er...Buffalo News: father knows best, we still love him on breakaways.

What Do We Expect Tonight?:

So after losing three games in a row, and four of their last five, the Caps have to face the Buffaslugs for their slump buster tonight.  In case you didn't notice that nugget in one of the links above, the Caps have had the hardest time against the Buffaslugs of any other NHL franchise.  So sorry folks, don't expect too much tonight as the Caps look to get back into the win column.  The one thing that will be worth taking a look at tonight though will be which team will be able to impose it's will during the game.  The Caps have one of the better offenses in the NHL, tied for first with San Jose for most goals scored and second in goals per game, while the Buffaslugs have given up the third fewest goals in the NHL and are 7th in goals against average.  None of the Buffaslugs have scored more than seven goals so far this season.  A.O. has 16 by himself.  Considering the axiom that a good defense will beat a good offense, don't be too surprised if this is a low-scoring game where the Caps take a lot of shots on goal and get few rewards for their efforts.  We should be used to this by now.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Buffaslugs 4
Winner by Vanek
(10-14 on the season with one perfect game)