Capitals (12-9-6) vs. Anaheim (21-3-6) Keys to the Game:
#1: Shut Down Selanne
Teemu Selanne is one of the league's leaders in points and has been on a hot streak during Anaheim's run of six wins in their last seven days. Selanne scored twice and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Nashville.
#2: Limit the Penalties
Anaheim is the league leader in power play percentage for the league at 22.7%. Their PP on the road is lower than their overall PP percentage (19.2%) but that's also because they get 52 power play opportunities on the road (vs. 111 at home). Unfortunately, that translates to 163 penalties overall, 7th in the league. But Washington is in the bottom 15 in the league in regards to times shorthanded overall (12th) and at home (8th).
#3: Limit the Shots Against
Once again, it's the same old tune. The Caps give up more shots (36.1) per game than anyone in the league. They gave up 37 against Ottawa on Wednesday, but Olie Kolzig was huge. Anaheim is third in the league in shots for per game (32.1). If the Caps can hold the Ducks to 11 shots or under per period, they can stay competitive.
Players to Watch For...
Anaheim: Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Many may argue that Selanne, with his 16 goals and 31 points against Washington will be key, but Giguere also has great numbers versus the Caps. Giggy is 2-1-1 with 1.48 GAA all-time against Washington, and two shutouts. Giguere, one of the more spastic goaltenders who hasn't yet found his consistency since the 2003 Stanley Cup run. If he is hot, it will be tough for the Capitals to find the net, certainly harder than it has been against the goaltenders they've beaten in four straight games: Denis, Smith, Miller, Emery.
Washington: Matt Pettinger
The inaugural Capitals player of the week continued to be hot, scoring another goal against Ottawa on Wednesday. He now has 4 goals in his last 3 games. Capitals star Alex Ovechkin did get three assists and Alexander Semin has scored two goals over the four game streak, but Pettinger seems to have the hot hand of late. He also has scored one goal in two career meetings against the Ducks.
Teemu Selanne is one of the league's leaders in points and has been on a hot streak during Anaheim's run of six wins in their last seven days. Selanne scored twice and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Nashville.
#2: Limit the Penalties
Anaheim is the league leader in power play percentage for the league at 22.7%. Their PP on the road is lower than their overall PP percentage (19.2%) but that's also because they get 52 power play opportunities on the road (vs. 111 at home). Unfortunately, that translates to 163 penalties overall, 7th in the league. But Washington is in the bottom 15 in the league in regards to times shorthanded overall (12th) and at home (8th).
#3: Limit the Shots Against
Once again, it's the same old tune. The Caps give up more shots (36.1) per game than anyone in the league. They gave up 37 against Ottawa on Wednesday, but Olie Kolzig was huge. Anaheim is third in the league in shots for per game (32.1). If the Caps can hold the Ducks to 11 shots or under per period, they can stay competitive.
Players to Watch For...
Anaheim: Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Many may argue that Selanne, with his 16 goals and 31 points against Washington will be key, but Giguere also has great numbers versus the Caps. Giggy is 2-1-1 with 1.48 GAA all-time against Washington, and two shutouts. Giguere, one of the more spastic goaltenders who hasn't yet found his consistency since the 2003 Stanley Cup run. If he is hot, it will be tough for the Capitals to find the net, certainly harder than it has been against the goaltenders they've beaten in four straight games: Denis, Smith, Miller, Emery.
Washington: Matt Pettinger
The inaugural Capitals player of the week continued to be hot, scoring another goal against Ottawa on Wednesday. He now has 4 goals in his last 3 games. Capitals star Alex Ovechkin did get three assists and Alexander Semin has scored two goals over the four game streak, but Pettinger seems to have the hot hand of late. He also has scored one goal in two career meetings against the Ducks.
posted by The Jet at 8:00 AM
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