Washington Capitals

Game #1 Preview: Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins

Where: TD Garden, Boston MA

When: October 1, 2009 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 1-0-0-0
Caps Game 1 Record: 16-16-2-0
All-Time vs. BOS: 38-61-21-7
All-Time at BOS: 17-34-9-4
Last Season vs. BOS: 3-0-1
Last Meeting: 2/28/09, WAS 4 BOS 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 0-0-0
Standings Points: 0
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 1st
Last Game: 5/13/09, WAS 2 PIT 6
Streak: na

BOS Record: 0-0-0
Standings Points: 0
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 1st
Last Game: 5/14/09, BOS 2 CAR 3 (2OT)
Streak: na

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE
Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 9 MORRISON, 28 SEMIN
Forward Line 3: 53 LAING, 39 STECKEL, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 4: 34 KANE, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 3 POTI
Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 2 POTHIER
Goalie: 60 THEODORE
Back-up Goalie: 40 VARLAMOV
Scratch: 92 NYLANDER

Boston
Forward Line 1: 26 WHEELER, 91 SAVARD, 17 LUCIC
Forward Line 2: 12 KOBASEW, 37 BERGERON, 16 STURM
Forward Line 3: 73 RYDER, 46 KREJCI, 28 RECCHI
Forward Line 4: 22 THORNTON, 27 BEGIN, 61 BITZ
Defense Pair 1: 33 CHARA, 6 WIDEMAN
Defense Pair 2: 53 MORRIS, 45 STUART
Defense Pair 3: 21 FERENCE, 48 HUNWICK
Goalie: 30 THOMAS
Back-up Goalie: 40 RASK

Injuries:
Washington - 16 FEHR (shoulders) IR, 14 FLEISCHMANN (blood clot) IR

Boston - None

Caps Milestones:
Tom Poti needs 6 points to reach 300 in his career.
Mike Green needs 8 assists to reach 100 in his career.
Mike Knuble needs 6 penalty minute to reach 500 in his career.
Alex Ovechkin needs 9 shots on goal to reach 1,800 in his career.

Preview:
The Capitals open the season on the road against the Boston Bruins. Boston was first place in the Eastern Conference last season but the Caps had their number going 3-0-1 in their four meetings. Both teams were knocked out in the second round of the playoffs and are looking to be title contenders this season. The Capitals will want to come out of the gate strong so look for an extremely fast paced game. The key for the Caps is defensive responsibility, when they play as a team their defense is solid but when they start freelancing and extending their shift lengths they get themselves into trouble. Watch for the forward coverage in the offensive zone. If the forwards support the d-men then the Caps will be in for a very good night. I think there will be lots of hitting and lots of scoring chances and in the end the Caps will outgun the Bruins.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 BOS 3

Official Preview