Gameday: vs. Anaheim, Nov. 1

The Caps won a wild one the last team these two teams met.

The Washington Capitals will welcome the Anaheim Ducks to Verizon Center Tuesday night as they attempt to get back to their winning ways following their poor showing in two games north of the border last week.  The Capitals come into tonight's contest with a 7-2-0 record, having lost their lost two games, for a total of 14 standings points.  Those 14 points lead the Southeast Division and place the Caps third in the Eastern Conference.  The Ducks, meanwhile, enter the action Tuesday night with a 5-5-1 record, which gives them 11 points coming off their 3-1 loss to Columbus on Sunday night.  Their 11 points stand last in the Pacific Division and eleventh in the Western Conference.  This is the one and only meeting between these two teams this year.

Jonas Hiller will get the start in the Ahaheim net after yielding his last start to Dan Ellis on Sunday in Columbus.  Hiller, coming off a season-ending concussion last year, has a 4-4-1 record so far this season, accompanied by a 2.55 GAA and .904 save percentage.  The Ducks are fueled offensively by their big line of defending Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, and Bobby Ryan, while ageless wonder Teemu Selanne leads Anaheim in scoring with three goals and ten points in 11 games.  The visitors will be missing left winger Jason Blake because of surgery to repair sliced tendons in his hand, but otherwise have a clean bill of health across the board.

Bruce Boudreau has selected Tomas Vokoun to be his starter despite his poor showing in Vancouver on Saturday.  Vokoun has a 6-1-0 record on the year in eight starts with a 2.15 GAA and .932 save percentage to go along with one shutout.  On the injury front, Mike Green will not be ready for tonight's game because of a sprained right ankle he suffered ten days ago against the Red Wings.  As such, John Erskine, who has missed every game so far this year because of offseason shoulder surgery, will make his season debut for Washington tonight in Green's stead.  Cody Eakin will also make his season debut in the place of Jeff Halpern, though it is not clear why the veteran center is taking a seat.  The recently waived DJ King, providing he is not claimed by another team by noon today, will be the healthy scratch.

Puck drops 7:37-ish.  Check back later.