Game # 42
Caps (24-11-6, 54 points) at Montreal Canadiens (21-20-3, 45 points)
Some of Alex Ovechkin’s most memorable moments have come in games against the Canadiens. He has 11 goals and 11 assists in just 18 games vs. the Habs. The two teams meet for the third time this season, splitting the first two with the road team taking each. Montreal does have an extra point because of a shootout loss at home.
Washington is in first place in the Southeast Division and still in third in the Eastern Conference despite losing three games in a row. Michal Neuvirth is expected in goal again for the Caps – his sixth start in seven games. That pretty much shows what the organization thinks of veteran Jose Theodore at this point, doesn’t it? Especially when combined with last spring’s playoff benching.
Montreal has been playing much better lately with six wins in its last eight games. Just three weeks ago the Habs were 15-18-3. A roster that was almost completely revamped during the offseason is finally starting to gel. It hasn’t hurt that defenseman Andrei Markov – Ovechkin’s countryman and good friend – has returned from injury along with forward Brian Gionta, who has a goal and three assists in four games back.
Players be warned – don’t take a dumb penalty tonight. These are the two best power plays in the NHL right now. Montreal is first at 24.8 percent. Washington is second at 23.5 percent.
