Capitals at Hurricanes: Game Day Preview

by Bob Wage on Jan 20, 2012 2:54 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Previews

It's a rematch of Sunday's game in our Nation's Capital as the Washington Capitals, (25-18-2) visit the Carolina Hurricanes, (16-24-8) tonight at the RBC.

The Canes have now lost two straight after beating both Boston and Tampa Bay in previous contests. Since Sunday, the Caps have lost one and won one, both by 3-0 scores.

The Hurricanes swapped callups this week when they sent Brett Sutter back to Charlotte and recalled Zac Dalpe. Chad LaRose remains out as does Jaroslav Spacek. The lines will start as follows:

Tlusty, Staal, Ruutu
Jokinen, Skinner, Dalpe
Dwyer, Sutter, Nodl
Stewart, Brent, Ponikarovsky
Gleason, Allen
Faulk, Harrison
McBain, Joslin

Cam Ward will be facing Tomas Vokoun in net.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Cam Ward	41	2374	16	17		119	3.01	1252	1133	.905	1

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Tomas Vokoun	33	1799	19	11		76	2.53	917	841	.917	2

The Hurricanes have not fared well against this team in recent years. They went 1-4-1 against Washington last year and have yet to win a game this season in three attempts.

Several Washington players also do very well individually against Carolina. The following average better than a point a game: Nicklas Backstrom: 31 points in 27 games, Alexander Semin: 45 points in 38 games, and Alex Ovechkin: 59 points in 44 games.

For more info about the Capitals, visit our neighbors at Japers' Rink:

Jussi Jokinen is the only streaking Hurricane and he has two points in two games.

Cam Ward is 14-10-4 lifetime against the Caps with three shutouts. Vokoun is 13-10-5 in his career against Carolina with two shutouts.

The game will be televised locally by FS Carolinas. Brian and I will be covering the game live starting at 6:30.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Hey Bob!

Oh, wait, that’s supposed to be in the game thread….

Go Canes!

by Squeaky83 on Jan 20, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions

Payback time!

by hellfish on Jan 20, 2012 3:28 PM EST reply actions

Looking forward to this one… Go Canes

by dbaerry34 on Jan 20, 2012 3:41 PM EST reply actions

A very good pre-game listen (from this afternoon):

John Forslund on XM Home Ice (Jamie Shalley and Boomer Gordon)

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Jan 20, 2012 3:41 PM EST reply actions

Anybody hear anything on Joni and Boucher?

by dbaerry34 on Jan 20, 2012 3:53 PM EST reply actions

From what I’ve heard over the last week or so on the twitterverse (sorry not able to supply a direct source), both Joni and Boucher have been with the team and around the locker room for meetings and some off-ice type work, but as far as I know neither have been on the ice yet. I had heard perhaps early February (?) for Joni, still no ETA at all on Boucher.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Jan 20, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you..

by dbaerry34 on Jan 20, 2012 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Muller Almost to 25 Games

1st 25 Games..Maurice 8-13-4, next 23..Muller 8-11-4.(two to go). Even if we lost both,why do I feel we are SO much better?!

by gump61 on Jan 20, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions

Can’t expect the team to go from 0-60 in zero seconds. Takes a coach a while to implement his system and familiarize himself. It’s clear to me the team looks much, much better.

Im excited for the future of the Canes, just hope PK opens up his pocketbook in the offseason and we can get a great Draft pick as our talent is clearly sub-par to NHL standards.

by JussiJuice on Jan 20, 2012 4:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Agree with you 100%.. the team is play much better and the system is so much better.. Lets cross our fingers that the powers to be bring in some more talent

by dbaerry34 on Jan 20, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

the team is better – people are taking notice. I’ve talked with numerous hockey friends and they’ve all commented on how they think the Canes have showed improvement.

Megaweapon… Megaweapon… Megaweapon…

by Kid CHUD on Jan 20, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Muller and Team

It’s like night and day watching the Hurricanes under Maurice and then under Muller. It’s fun to watch. They are playing an uptempo game and are becoming a much tougher team to play against. The record will take care of itself as long as the Hurricanes continue to play this way.

by abramsdoug on Jan 20, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

+ 1

Agree wholeheartedly. It’s a fun team to watch. And it seems that the team is on the right track, which always feels good. Muller inherited a mess far beyond just needing a coaching change. I think he’s done a great job with the players he has to work with.

by Hockeydog on Jan 20, 2012 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

I have been really impressed with the new “attitude” of the Canes.. Staal for one does not look like the same guy.. Muller has done a great Job connecting with the payers and defining roles.

by dbaerry34 on Jan 20, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

Semin

Can he go back to Russia yet? That would satisfy my feelings for him.

by Caniac1026 on Jan 20, 2012 4:59 PM EST reply actions

looking forward to tonites game

and while the canes are playing alot better…don’t get ALL of your hopes up that the Canes ( on paper) will be a better team over all from a “magial” draft pick or 2 as somne here have “implied” yes the canes were uber blessed by the Hockey Gods for Jeff Skinner & Now Justin Faulk…so and don’t forget that very few players like that ever do work out well as they both have thus far..besides we still have several players in Charlotte and in college playing we have to get on the ice to see how they can/will work out if at all..again not saying your "implications’ are not without merit…but lets NOT coulnt our Canes until we have them in the fold …and Yes AD you are right..I’d love to se the canes finish at 600 but IF 500 is the best..then so be it!! but remember I’m just a fan..what do i know ?

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Jan 20, 2012 5:00 PM EST reply actions

I am looking forward to seeing what Skins, Fin, and Dalpe can cook up tonight. May not happen right off the hop but if there is chemistry to be had it shouldn’t take too long.

by Hockeydog on Jan 20, 2012 5:12 PM EST reply actions

yea on paper that line has some potential.

by dbaerry34 on Jan 20, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Lets Go Canes!

I expect a great 60 min effort from all the players tonight. They should be well rested and hungry for a home victory. They should have beat the Caps last Sunday. Limited the Caps PP opportunities, spells Victory..

by CruelIn10tions on Jan 20, 2012 5:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Nice lead photo Cory

Good choice of showing a player who’s playing tonight. You should let whoever runs the Hurricanes’ website to hire you, cause that you’re doing a better job than they are.

Just having some fun! Let’s beat the Caps back to DC!

by Bgallen on Jan 20, 2012 5:45 PM EST reply actions