Saturday Roundup/Gameday: Caps @ Diablos

[NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Having trouble scoring goals? Missing your top two rightwings? Back-to-back games against Martin Brodeur and the red-hot Devils should cure what ails you.

Some numbers:

• The Caps are 0-7 in their last seven trips to The Meadowlands (which, by the way, is a phenomenal Wrens album that I've pimped here before), and 3-13-1 in their last 17 games against the Devs.
• Jersey is 14-2 in their last 16 games as a favorite of -201 or more (in other words, they know how to take care of business against teams they should beat).
• At 22-6-4, the Devils have the best home record in the Eastern Conference. At 9-16-5, the Caps have the fewest road points in the Conference.
• The Number 23 is apparently horrible. 300, on the other hand, looks totally sweet.

All that said, these are winnable games for the Caps because they'll be low-scoring games and the Devils don't blow teams out - they've only won two games by more than two goals since the New Year (both against Montreal). The Caps will have their chances. The question is, can they take advantage of those opportunities and surprise a Conference giant?

Daily Awards

• Hart: Brad Boyes (2G, including the game-winner, +1, 5 SOG)
  
• Ross: Brad Boyes, Brandon Bochenski (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom (2A, 3 hits, 2 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Mike Smith (W, 24 saves on 25 shots against)
  
• Richard: Brad Boyes (2G)
  
• Calder: Mike Smith (see above)
  
• Aiken: Marc Denis (2 goals allowed on 7 shots against in just 9:41 of work)