Capitals at Flames
The Calgary Flames attempt to extend their point streak to four games Saturday as they continue their five-game homestand against the Washington Capitals. Calgary improved to 2-0-1 over its last three contests with a 5-0 triumph over Carolina on Thursday, when Sean Monahan scored his first two goals of the season and Jonas Hiller posted his 22nd career shutout. Hiller made 16 saves en route to his first blanking as a member of the Flames, who are 1-0-1 on their homestand.
Washington began a three-game trek across Western Canada with a 3-2 loss at Edmonton on Wednesday. Defensemen John Carlson and Mike Green scored as the Capitals suffered their first regulation defeat of the season. Captain Alex Ovechkin has been kept off the scoresheet over his last two games after registering five goals and an assist over his previous three contests.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CSN DC (Washington), CBC, TVA2 (Calgary)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (3-1-2): Ovechkin is not the only player on the team to go cold as Washington has totaled three goals in its last two games after recording 15 over its previous three contests. The Russian superstar has a few milestones in his sights as he is six points away from overtaking Peter Bondra (825) for first place on the franchise list and will pass Kevin Hatcher (685) for ninth with his next game played. Braden Holtby's next victory will be his 63rd and move him past Jose Theodore for seventh in club history.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (5-3-1): Karri Ramo figures to start for Calgary on Saturday if coach Bob Hartley continues alternating his goaltenders. Hartley admits he doesn't know when - or if - he will give one of his netminders back-to-back starts. "I didn't even ask that question yet to myself," he said. "I hope that we're in May and June and you guys (the media) still talk to me about my rotation."
OVERTIME
1. Calgary D Dennis Wideman is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak and leads all NHL blue-liners with four tallies.
2. Ovechkin has collected eight goals and seven assists in eight games versus Calgary.
3. Flames C Joe Colborne leads the team with eight points - all assists.