Game Day - Capitals @ Thrashers

by J.P. on Apr 7, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

The magnetic schedule adorning my refrigerator may say "ATL," but for all intents and purposes, the Caps' next three games are against the New Jersey Devils.

The Caps enter their season-ending road trip with a slim two-point lead for the Conference's second seed over Jersey, with the latter holding the first tie-breaker (wins). In other words, if the Caps get five points, second is theirs. If not, things could get interesting.

Eschewing "we're taking it one game at a time," "all we can do is go out there and play our game and not worry about what anyone else is doing," and similar cliches, let's take a look at the remaining schedules for the two squads in question:

Washington: Tuesday @ Atlanta, Thursday @ Tampa Bay, Saturday @ Florida
New Jersey: Tuesday vs Toronto, @ Ottawa, Saturday vs Carolina

Each team faces (perhaps) one playoff team who may or may not have something for which to play on Saturday (the Devils/'Canes game is at 1:00, while the Caps will finish their season later that evening, for what it's worth), and two teams that are in the League's bottom eight, with the Caps' two opponents buying (not renting) prime real estate in Lotteryville.

And how have the teams fared this season against their remaining opponents?

The Caps are 3-2-0 against Atlanta (but haven't won there yet this season), 5-0-0 against Tampa (and 10-0-0 against the Bolts under Bruce Boudreau) and 3-2-0 against Florida (including a pair of wins at Sunrise). The Devils are 1-0-2 against the Leafs (all three games have required more than 60 minutes to find a winner), 3-0-0 against Ottawa, and 0-3-0 against the 'Canes. Total it up, and the Caps are 11-4-0 on the season against their remaining opponents, while Jersey is 4-3-2 against theirs. The Devils are also just 3-6-1 in their last ten, while the Caps are 8-2-2 in their last dozen.

What do all those numbers mean? Nothing.

The Caps simply need to go out and play their game and not worry about what anyone else is doing and take it one game at a time. If they play well, the standings will take care of themselves, and, more importantly, the team will head into the playoffs with momentum, be it as a number two or a number three seed. Sunday's third period was a good start. Let's see if they can keep it up tonight against the Devils, err, Thrashers.

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Hopefully, Ovie takes the Art Ross tonight.

by HBK on Apr 7, 2009 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

And with yesterday’s injury news, a MTL first-round matchup becomes a near-golden ticket into the second round. Hard to see MTL taking BOS, NJD or WSH beyond a fifth game. The team that gets them should be rested for round two.

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Apr 7, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

And don’t think Bruce isn’t putting that up on the bulletin board. Montreal’s 3 points up on the Rangers and Panthers, so they’re probably not dropping down to 8th. Yet without Markov and Schneider, it’s doubtful they’ll move up and grab the sixth spot. So if the Caps can hold on to second, they get the perfect matchup.

by b.orr4 on Apr 7, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. MTL’s PP looked like crap without Schneider. Holding on to that second seed just got really, really improtant.

Here’s to a 60 minute effort and to my hard drive not freaking out on me again.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 7, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Montreal is in a lot of trouble actually. They’ve gotta play NYR, BOS, and PIT to finish the season. If they lose all three, which isn’t that unlikely with their shaky goaltending and now missing their 1 and 2 D-men, they could be out.

by HBK on Apr 7, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Care to call that karma biting? Not that I wish ill on any particular player. Didn’t the Montreal beat writer just say how much they wanted the Caps because we’d be the team they most likely could beat? Look, you can think these things. We fans can chirp all we want, but generally that’s not bulletin board material.

by gfcaps fan on Apr 7, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Let’s see if they can keep it up tonight against the Devils, err, Thrashers.

Sounds like someone is hoping for a good first 20. That said, I’m hoping for the same.

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Apr 7, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions

…and second and third 20. :-)

by snowburnt on Apr 7, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. How about a full 60 minute effort?

by Fauxrumors on Apr 7, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

What do all those numbers mean? Nothing.

Truer words? Never said. Bingo.

by Uncle C on Apr 7, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Just win, baby… right now it’s not about the final score, whether it’s 6-0 or 6-4 or 1-0, as long as the Caps have the bigger number is all that matters…

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 7, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Huge games going on tonight. I’ll be keeping a close eye on FLA vs PHI and NYR vs MTL.

I think the Caps will want to win big in Atlanta and Varlamov is lights out on road games. I think it’ll be another high scoring game. Caps win 5-2.

by zephyr on Apr 7, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

Varly

Better have a good game tonight. You know hes got motivation, fighting for the playoff backup job. If he doesnt pull off an above average game hes going to start seeing Johnny-boy in his rearview mirror

by amkcaps on Apr 7, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions