Gameday: vs. Chicago, Oct. 2

The Caps won 4-3 the last time the two teams met in DC.

The Washington Capitals will play their final game of the 2011 preseason tonight when they welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to Verizon Center. Washington is 2-3-1 in the preseason, having won their last game against Columbus, while the Blackhawks are also 2-3-1, having lost their last game to the Penguins.  This is the final game for both teams this preseason, and the Capitals will open their regular season Saturday night in Verizon Center against the Carolina Hurricanes.

For Chicago, coach Joel Quenneville is expected to give the nod in goal to starter Corey Crawford after Ray Emery played on Friday.  The Blackhawks' bench boss is also likely to play most of his big guns for tonight's game, including Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.  Winger Patrick Sharp is out, however, having undergone an emergency appendectomy last month.

Bruce Boudreau will start Michal Neuvirth in goal, having given Tomas Vokoun the nod in Washington's win over Columbus.  Gabby is also expected to play most of his "A" lineup in the final preseason tuneup, including Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, and Nicklas Backstrom.  The Capitals currently only have one major injury, and that is to defenseman John Erskine, who has still not been cleared for contact following offseason shoulder surgery.

Puck drops 5:07-ish.