Oilers-Capitals: Game Preview

The Washington Capitals return home to the Verizon Center fresh off of a stinging 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

Montreal’s Sergei Kostitsyn grabbed the puck that was resting between Capitals’ defenseman Milan Jurcina’s legs with 21.2 seconds left, and fired a rocket past goalie Brent Johnson to secure the win for the storied “Habs.”

Jurcina's lack of puck awareness cost his team at least another five minutes of great hockey, plus a chance for his coach to hang out at the All-Star game (slated for the Bell Centre in Montreal).

Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau admitted thinking about the trip to Canada with time winding down in the wild third period.

Both teams scored six goals, with two coming within 16 seconds of each other.

Then, Jurcina wiped out that pleasant dream, and coughed up the biscuit.

“My mind did wander to the All-Star game once Michael (Nylander) tied the game at 4-4,” said a peeved Boudreau.  “But I still would want the two points more.”

The good guys in red will have to settle on sending just one representative to the NHL’s version of the pro bowl.

Left-winger Alexander Ovechkin has registered 54 points total, with an even 27 goals and 27 assists so far this season.

He is tied for second with Buffalo Sabres forward, Tomas Vanek, for most goals scored.

Philadelphia Flyers forward, Jeff Carter, leads the NHL with 29 goals scored.

“The Great Eight” and Co. are hoping to end their two-game losing streak, and solidify their standing as the Southeastern Conference division dynamo.

Their outstanding home record of 18-2-1 is good for second best in the NHL.

The San Jose Sharks own the best record of 19-0-2.

It has been a one-sided affair in the series battle between the Edmonton Oilers versus the Washington Capitals.

The Caps won last season’s game on Jan. 27, 2008 5-4, and continued the Oilers’ struggles at the phone booth.

They have won one time in 12 trips here since 1990.

Washington has won six straight series since dropping their lone 3-1 decision back on Jan. 26 1997.

Offensively, the Capitals could use a lift from their second and third lines.

According to the Washington Post, Sergei Federov (ankle) and Jeff Schultz (finger) are playing tonight.

Federov returned to the Caps lineup for the Columbus game on Friday, and was in obvious discomfort.

He played sparingly as “Gabby” preferred to keep his ice time on lockdown.

Shutltz, standing at 6' 6" tall, is a beast on Boudreau’s checking line.

His beefy presence helps the faster, more agile defensemen focus on chasing the puck, while he dishes out the punishment.

As for the Oilers, they have a key contributor unable to give it a go in DC.

Leading scorer, Ales Hemsky will miss his eighth straight game due to post-concussion syndrome.

Washington defenseman, Brian Pothier, has spent most of his 2008-2009 season on the sidelines with the same condition.

Edmonton has failed to score more than two goals in three straight games.

They did claim 2-1 victory over St. Louis on Sunday night, for their one win during this span.

Sam Gagner had the winning goal and an assist.  The 19-year-old center, the sixth pick in last year’s draft, had gone six straight games without scoring.

Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish wants to carry these good vibrations into tonight’s contest in Capital country.

“It’s great for Sam,” MacTavish marveled.  “He’s put a lot of pucks at the net without a lot of luck.”

Notes:

Former University of Minnesota star Ryan Potulny had two assists in his NHL debut with the Oilers versus the Blues.

He had 17 goals and 31 points in 36 games playing for minor league affiliate Springfield, before being called up to replace the injured Zach Stortini.

Washington defenseman John Erskine will return to action and be paired with Mike Green, as noted by coach Boudreau.