The Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals take on the Hurricanes tonight at the RBC. The game has a special 5PM start time.
Both teams have been fighting injuries, so check your scoresheet when you get to the game and compare it to the players on the ice. While several of the current Caps may have been recalled from Hershey, the Bears are one of the top teams in the AHL. They are no slouches.
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League leading goal scorer Alexandre Giroux has been the most recent call-up for them, (today). Ex Hurricane, Keith Aucoin will also be in Raleigh for this contest. Most importantly, the Caps still have the best player in the NHL on the ice for them, Alexander Ovechkin. Does it really matter who else plays?
There was a rumor that Alexander Semin might play, but I have not seen anything official about that. Look out for Giroux, though. Any player named "Alex" seems to do well against the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes will be celebrating with a lawn party before the game and are offering one dollar hotdogs at game time. They will also have the typical inflatables and street hockey displays set up. The first 10,000 fans entering will receive Christmas tree, (third jersey) ornaments. The cover band will be "Beggar's Caravan".
There will not be much celebrating inside the RBC unless the Canes can put an end to their losing streak. It won't be easy with their make-shift defense of Corvo, Pitkanen, Babchuk, Borer, Conboy, and now Carson. Look for the forward lines to be the same as last night.
Carolina has lost five home games in a row and six out their last seven overall, but Washington has not been tearing up the league themselves, although they are coming off of a 2-1 win in Toronto last night. As usual for top-notch Caps coverage, check out Japer's Rink.
The game will not be broadcast locally, but will be on NHL Center Ice as well as various live-streaming sites.