Hurricanes at Capitals
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals were making a run at the top spot
in the Southeast Division before their offense went completely off the
grid. Having absorbed back-to-back shutouts at home for the first time
in 11 years, Washington will try to get untracked against the visiting
Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. It's not exactly a plum matchup for the
Capitals, who have been blanked in their last two meetings by the
Hurricanes. That includes a 5-0 loss at Carolina on Feb. 20.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolina (Hurricanes), CS Washington (Capitals)
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (24-27-4):
Since shutting out the Capitals, Carolina has played five consecutive
one-goal games (all at home) and lost four of them – two coming in
shootouts and one in overtime. The Hurricanes are kicking off a
five-game road trip at Washington, where they have lost twice already
this season. Captain Eric Staal is in the midst of a sizzling stretch
with seven goals and 13 assists in an 11-game points streak. He is one
tally shy of his seventh straight 20-goal season.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (32-28-5):
Despite the offensive ineptitude, Washington trails only the
NHL-leading Rangers for most home wins in the Eastern Conference with
21. Still, the Capitals are sitting five points behind division-leading
Florida and three back of Winnipeg for the final playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference. Alex Ovechkin played sparingly for much of Sunday's
1-0 loss to Philadelphia and blamed himself for the lone goal. He has
failed to score a goal in five matchups with the Hurricanes this season.
OVERTIME:
1. Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun returned to
practice Monday after sitting out two days. Michal Neuvirth has started
five straight.
2. Carolina backup goaltender Justin Peters registered his only career shutout against Washington on Feb. 20.
3. The Capitals are 2 of 34 on the power play in their last 11 games and have surrendered four shorthanded goals in that span.