Gameday: at Ottawa, Mar. 25

Can the Capitals continue their winning ways in Ottawa?

The Washington Capitals are in Ottawa, Ontario this evening to take on the Senators as they begin their brief road trip through Canada this weekend.  The Capitals come into tonight's action with 96 points in 74 games, which places them first in the Southeast Division and second in the Eastern Conference, coming off a 5-4 shootout win in Philadelphia on Tuesday.  The Senators, who have kind of turned it on of late, have 64 points in 75 games.  That places them fifth in the Northeast Division and fifteenth in the East; they are coming off a 2-1 shootout win over the Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden.  This will be the fourth and final meeting between these two teams this year.

Senators coach is expected to roll with Curtis McElhinney in nets for his club after Craig Anderson started last night.  McElhinney has been very good since he game over from the Ducks in February, allowing 10 goals in 5 games; he has won three of those contests.  On the season for Ottawa and Anaheim, he has nine wins, a 3.15 GAA, .899 Save%, and 2 shutouts in 26 games.  On the injury front, the Senators will be without "star" defenseman and former Capital Sergei Gonchar, who is sidelined with a concussion and may not play for the rest of the season.  The Senators may not have a good record, but they are a solid team and have been beating good teams recently.  This is not going to be an easy game.

For the Capitals, Michal Neuvirth has been confirmed as the starter in Bruce Boudreau's nets, his fourth consecutive starting nod.  This year against the Senators, Neuvirth has allowed 5 goals in three games and has won all three contests.  On the season, the young Czech has 34 wins, a 2.46 GAA, .915 Save%, and 4 shutouts in 44 games played.  Outside the crease, the Capitals will be without four regulars for this game: Alex Ovechkin (undisclosed), Jason Arnott (groin), Mike Green (concussion), and Tom Poti (groin).  Marcus Johansson, who took a puck to the face during yesterday's practice, got some stitches but will likely play.  As is Eric Fehr, who only skated nine minutes last game because of a wonky shoulder.  Tyler Sloan and DJ King are expected to be the healthy scratches for Boudreau this evening.

Puck drops for this one 7:39-ish.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter for your morning skate updates, and catch up on your scoreboard-watching in last night's Around the NHL post.