Game #67
Caps (44-13-9, 97 points) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (27-31-7, 61 points)
Caps will see a lot of the Southeast Division down the stretch – eight of the final 16 games – and the next two are no exception. Tonight, Carolina returns to Verizon Center for the first time since a Dec. 28 win over Washington. That’s actually the last time the Caps lost in regulation at home. The Hurricanes will use both recent trade acquisitions from Washington – defenseman Brian Pothier and forward Oskar Osala, who spent much of the year at AHL Hershey, but was an emergency recall today from AHL Albany.
Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said during his pregame meeting with reporters that’s he’s getting tired of having to juggle playing time. It’s one thing to do that with line combinations – which Boudreau has done with frequency save for the team’s 14-game winning streak. But sitting guys a night and then putting them back in isn’t his favorite thing to do. When asked if he would cycle through another four games with players taking turns Boudreau would only say that at this point it’s a day-by-day decision. Meaning, playing time could stabilize at any moment.
Jose Theodore in goal for Washington. He has stopped 53 of the last 54 shots thrown his way. Forwards Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr are the healthy scratches this time around from the group that has seen regular ice time. Washington defenseman Joe Corvo and forward Scott Walker will see their former Carolina teammates. No word on if Walker took Metro again tonight. You guys tell me if you saw him in your travels.
