Capitals at Hurricanes
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals have reclaimed the top spot in the Southeast Division and will head to Carolina where they’ll square off with the Hurricanes on Friday. The Capitals have owned the Hurricanes of late, having won four straight at Carolina and are 8-0-1 in their last nine overall meetings. Washington is coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Michel Neuvirth sparkled in goal with 31 saves in his first start since Dec. 26. Things can’t get much worse for Carolina. The Hurricanes are the bottom dwellers in the Eastern Conference standings and are looking to avoid losing their third straight overall.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS Washington, FS Carolina
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (25-18-2): Alex Ovechkin’s eight power-play goals this season have surpassed his output from 2010-11. After collecting a career-high 11 game-winning goals last season, the Russian sniper has managed only one game-winner in 45 games this season. He hasn’t scored in the three matchups against the Hurricanes this season, but has four assists. Nicklas Backstrom hasn’t played since Jan. 3, when he suffered a head injury in a game against the Calgary Flames.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (16-24-8): Carolina managed only one goal in each of its last two games. The return of last season’s Calder Trophy winner, Jeff Skinner, has failed to kick-start the Carolina offense. Luckily, Cam Ward has been spectacular in goal. He has allowed two goals or fewer in six consecutive starts and made 40 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Ward has been seeing an increased number of shots since blueliners Joni Pitkanen and Jaroslav Spacek went down with injuries.
OVERTIME:
1. The Capitals are 15-0-0 when leading after two periods this season, while the Hurricanes are 0-13-2 when trailing after two.
2. Carolina is 2-8-2 against Southeast Division opponents this season.
3. Alex Ovechkin has amassed 59 points in 44 career games against Carolina.