Caps Today, 3/16

Posted on March 16, 2013

Today’s Storyline
The Washington Capitals will face the Boston Bruins in Boston for the first time this season today at TD Bank Garden.

 

The Capitals have gone 5-2-0 in their last seven regular-season games in Boston, including a 3-2 shootout win on March 29, 2012 at TD Garden. Washington has outscored Boston 22-17 during that span and tallied four goals in four of those seven contests. The Capitals have gone 12-4-2 in their last 18 regular-season games against Boston, including going 3-1-0 last season. Washington has won three of the last four season series against the Bruins dating back to the 2008-09 season.

 

Must Read/See/Hear Material

WashingtonCaps.com: Caps Make Lone 2012-13 Visit to Boston

Dump ‘n Chase: Caps Look to Navigate Rough Stretch of Road

Capitals Voice: Radio Waves: Friday, March 15 in Boston / Your Capitals Minute for Friday, March 15
Monumental Network: Nicklas Backstrom 3/15/13 / Troy Brouwer 3/15/13 / Steve Oleksy 3/15/13 / Karl Alzner 3/15/13 / Adam Oates 3/15/13 / Rinkside Update 3/15/13 / Monumental Today 3/15/13

Washington Post: Washington Capitals Coach Adam Oates, star Alex Ovechkin forging solid relationship / Capitals Insider: Aaron Volpatti to take turn as top-line left wing / Capitals Insider: Steve Oleksy steps up for Capitals as injuries pile up on blue line / Capitals Insider: More on Alex Ovechkin’s night against Carolina

Washington Times: Caps aim to continue dominance of Bruins / Capitals Watch: A ‘yeoman’s job’ for Steve Oleksy, Karl Alzner, John Carlson / Capitals Watch: Aaron Volpatti gets chance as Capitals’ first-line left wing / Capitals Watch: Tom Poti owes success to Boston University coach Jack Parker

CSN Washington: Poti shares fond memories of BU’s Parker / DART 4 – Pack of fan questions – 3/15 / Capitals pass gut check with win over Canes

NHL: Surging Bruins host desperate Capitals / Ovechkin surpasses 700 points, rallies Capitals

Associated Press: Capitals-Bruins Preview

NBCSports: Caps’ McPhee, Sabres’ Miller highlight CCHA All-Time Team
Ted’s Take: New Arrivals / Find Entertainment Choices at Verizon Center / Back to Back We Go / Caps Rally and Get Two Points

Recent Transactions
March 16 Assigned Cameron Schilling to Hershey
March 14 Acquired Nicolas Deschamps from Toronto in exchange for Kevin Marshall
March 14 Acquired Chay Genoway from Minnesota in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2014

Injury Update
D Mike Green – day-to-day
D Tomas Kundratek – day-to-day
D John Erskine – day-to-day
F Brooks Laich – day-to-day


GAME NOTES



STATS

TOP FIVE CAPS FACTS

Club 700 – Captain Alex Ovechkin tallied a goal and an assist on March 14 at Carolina for his 700 and 701st career points in his 579th-career game. Ovechkin became the third-fastest active player to reach the 700-point plateau, behind only Teemu Selanne (541) and Jaromir Jagr (557). Ovechkin also became the fastest player to reach 700 points since Peter Forsberg did so in his 549th game in October 2003. Ovechkin became just the third Capital (Peter Bondra and Mike Gartner) to record 700 or more points as a member of Washington and just the 22nd player to record 700 or more points in his first eight seasons. Ovechkin trails Bondra by just one assist for sixth all-time in Capitals history.

 

Quite a start – Capitals defenseman Steve Oleksy made his NHL debut on March 5 vs. Boston and tallied his first career NHL point (an assist). On March 7 vs. Florida, Oleksy collected his first career multi-point game with two assists and led the Capitals in ice time (22:13) and blocked shots (4). On March 10 against the Rangers, Oleksy scored his first career NHL goal. Oleksy recorded a career-high in ice time, skating a team-high 27:55 on March 14 at Carolina.

Neuvirth stands tall – Michal Neuvirth started in goal for Washington on March 14 at Carolina, making 36 saves in a 3-2 game to earn his second win of the season and his first win since Jan. 27 vs. Buffalo. Thursday marked Neuvirth’s first start since Feb. 7 at Pittsburgh.   

Never out of it – The Capitals scored three un-answered goals in their 3-2 victory over Carolina on March 14, including two goals in the third period. The Capitals have outscored their opponents 25-14 in the third period since Feb. 1 and have won three games this season when trailing after two periods, trailing only Anaheim and Edmonton (four wins) in that category.

Boston market – Alex Ovechkin has recorded 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) in 28 career games against Boston while Nicklas Backstrom has tallied 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 17 career games against the Bruins. Backstrom and Ovechkin combined for four points (all assists) in the first matchup against Boston this season.

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