Gameday: vs. Ottawa, Oct. 15

So far, so good.  Can DC maintain their hot start?

The Washington Capitals will welcome the Ottawa Senators to Verizon Center Saturday evening as they try and continue their flying start to the season and build momentum from their overtime win in Pittsburgh on Thursday.  The Caps come into the game with a 3-0-0 record, which gives them six points and places them first in the Southeast Division and second in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa, on the other hand, are coming off a 7-1 shellacking at the hands of the Avalanche and have a 1-3-0 record, which is good for two points and places them last in the Northeast Division and fourteenth in the Conference. Saturday's contest is the first of four meetings between these two teams this season.

Senators coach Paul MacLean will go with his backup, Alex Auld, in goal tonight after starter Craig Anderson was blitzed for 7 goals in his last appearance.  Auld has played on one game this season, coming on in relief last week; he allowed two goals on nine shots in that one.  The Senators do not have any significant injuries on their roster and should bring a fully healthy team into Verizon Center.

For Washington, Tomas Vokoun is the likely starter following his impressive performance in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, and partially due to the fact that Michal Neuvirth is not fully ready because of a lower-body injury.  Vokoun has won both of his starts this year while posting a 3.29 GAA and a .899 save percentage.  On the injury front, Jay Beagle is almost certain to miss tonight's action with facial injuries sustained during his fight with Arron Asham, while Tom Poti (groin) and John Erskine (shoulder) remain sidelined with their respective injuries.  Mathieu Perreault is expected to be the healthy scratch while DJ King should take Beagle's place on the fourth line.

Puck drops for this one 7:07-ish.  Check back later.