Capitals at Hurricanes
THE STORY: When the season began, the thought of the Washington Capitals being on the outside of the playoff race was unfathomable. With just seven weeks left in the regular season, that's the reality the Capitals now face as they take on the division-rival Hurricanes in Carolina on Monday night. Since opening the season with seven consecutive victories, Washington has looked mostly ordinary and now finds itself in a battle for the Southeast Division lead with Florida and Winnipeg. The Hurricanes are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Islanders over the weekend, a defeat that ended a six-game points streak (4-0-2).
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports, TSN2
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (29-24-5): Washington went 1-1 on its two-game jaunt through Florida, but has to be concerned about a major lack of offense. The Capitals, long considered one of the most dangerous offensive clubs in the league, has scored more than three goals just once this month and managed just three goals combined against Florida and Tampa Bay. With the defense struggling and the goaltending not nearly as consistent as it was early in the season, the Capitals need to find goals from somewhere as they've slipped all the way to ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (22-26-11): It's been a terrific month in what has been an otherwise underwhelming season for Carolina, with victories over Boston and San Jose among the highlights. Monday represents the opener of a six-game homestand that could ultimately decide whether the Hurricanes still have playoff life, or should start planning for next season. They enter the evening nine points back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, but have six teams between themselves and the eighth-place Toronto Maple Leafs.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington won the first three meetings but Carolina gained a measure of revenge on Jan. 20 with a 3-0 home victory.
2. The Hurricanes have won five of their last six home games.
3. The Capitals haven't won consecutive games in more than a month.