RED ALERT: It's a Corvo, Walker reunion

Just a few weeks ago, D Joe Corvo and F Scott Walker were trying to stay enthusiastic and energetic on a struggling, aging Carolina Hurricane team that was in last place, holding up the rest of the Eastern Conference.  A few weeks later, Corvo and Walker are are sailing toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the best team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals.  At 97 standing points, the Capitals sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 13 point lead over Pittsburgh and a whopping 31 point lead in the Southeast Division.  Wins tonight and tomorrow can clinch a third straight Southeast Division title for Washington.

But it is not just the change in scenery for Corvo and Walker.  The Carolina Hurricanes shipped out 5 veterans, got a lot younger and have embarked on a  youth movement, while at the same time, climbing out of the Conference cellar and just sitting 9 points out of the final 8th playoff spot.

So what does it mean?  It means the Capitals will be facing a team that is desperate for any points.  One point.  Both points.  Regardless, the Caps will not be facing a Carolina team that once was looking at each game as hopeless emotion.  But for Walker and Corvo, it is also a golden opportunity to shine right before their former teammates.  Walker was a healthy scratch last game.  Rest assured, Walker will be in the lineup tonight. It also marks the return of Brian Pothier, dealt to Carolina for Corvo, to Washington.

More on the Corvo, Walker, and Pothier returns.

Talking goalies . . . There has been a ton of talk about Semyon Varlamov and his recent struggles.  Indeed, Varly has struggled since returning from a long injury layoff. However, don't read too much into it.  Put it this way, it is good for him to work out the kinks and rust now, 13 points up in the Eastern Conference, than later, in the playoffs.

Before his injury, Varly was an impressive 12-1-2 for the season.  In his three games since returning he is 1-1-1.  Varly has faced 83 shots on goal and saved 70 of them for an unimpressive save percentage of .843.   The Caps defense has not been overly impressive since the return from the Olympic break, but I will not use that as an excuse for Varly.  Varly has left several softies through the net, period.  Excuses won't help the young Russian net minder.

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