Battle with Ducks up first
The first 17 games of the NHL season have done nothing to diminish the idea that the Capitals are a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
Despite nagging injuries, a hectic schedule, inconsistent goaltending and the loss of star left wing Alex Ovechkin for two games, Washington is off to a 10-4-3 start and in first place in the Southeast Division.
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It’s a far cry from last November, when the organization was in a dramatic free-fall that led to the Thanksgiving Day firing of coach Glen Hanlon. But while there are no huge holes to dig out from this season, things are about to become a little more challenging.
The Caps continue a season-long five-game road trip tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, the start of swing through California that should provide a good measuring stick for a team that believes it’s ready to join the NHL’s elite.
“I think it will be a good challenge for us to go out there and see how well we defend,” said Caps defenseman Mike Green. “We’ve got a lot of stuff going on during the road trip and it’s a good chance for us to gel as a team and win some win hockey games.”
The Ducks (10-7-2, 22 points), Stanley Cup champions in 2006-07, shook off a 1-5 start and now have the third-most points in the Western Conference. But Anaheim suffered a blow last Friday when defenseman Francois Beauchemin tore his ACL during a game against the Nashville Predators. Beauchemin was a key contributor during the Duck’s Stanley Cup run two years ago and one of their top four defensemen, averaging close to 25 minutes per game.
The Caps stay in Southern California on Thursday with a game against the surprisingly stingy Los Angeles Kings. The NHL’s third youngest team — a situation the Caps themselves endured in recent years — Los Angeles has nine players on the roster 23 or younger.
Yet a team that allowed 266 goals last year, the third most in the NHL, has given up just 45 this season in 17 games. That’s the seventh-lowest total in the league and a half a goal less per game than last year.
And the trip is just half over at that point. The Caps then travel to San Jose Sharks (16-3-1) on Saturday — the only team with a better home record than Washington at 10-0-1. The Sharks also have 31 points, most in the NHL. The trip ends with a nationally televised game at the Minnesota Wild on Monday.
“If we win three it’ll be great [to have finished the west coast trip early]. If we lose three then I’ll say I wish it had been later in the year,” said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “But if we can come back from a really grueling stretch like this — a long month of hockey — [and be successful] then we’re set to go.”
Capitals (10-4-3) at Anaheim Ducks (10-7-2)
WHEN » Tonight at 10
WHERE » Arrowhead Pond
TV » Comcast SportsNet (HD)
RADIO » 1500 AM
