Gameday: at Pittsburgh, Jan. 22

Can Jason Chimera play hero again?

The Washington Capitals are in Pittsburgh this afternoon as they try and rebound from a very poor showing on Friday night against the Hurricanes in Raleigh.  Washington enters this afternoon's primetime game with a 6-4-0 record in their last ten games and a 25-19-2 mark overall for 52 standings points in 46 games.  That total places them second in the Southeast Divisioin, two points back of the Panthers with a game in hand, and eighth in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins, who went ice cold around the New Year, have caught fire of late, winning their last five games.  They are 5-5-0 over their last ten and 26-17-4 for 56 standings points in 47 games.  That places them third in the highly competitive Atlantic Division and sixth overall in the East.  This is the fourth and final regular season meeting between these clubs this year; the Caps lead the season series 2-1.

Marc-Andre Fleury will receive his 21st consecutive start in goal today from coach Dan Bylsma.  Fleury made 34 saves in a 5-4 shootout win over Montreal on Friday, and is 24-12-2 on the year with a 2.24 GAA, .914 save percentage, and two shutouts.  Outside the crease, the Penguins are still missing Sidney Crosby with a concussion, and are also without Jordan Staal (knee) and Arron Asham (concussion).  Regardless of their injuries, Pittsburgh is still Pittsburgh, and Evgeni Malkin has been in beast mode recently.

After a very good performance against Carolina despite an undesirable result, Tomas Vokoun will likely receive the nets from Dale Hunter.  Vokoun is 19-12 on the year with a 2.55 GAA, .917 save percentage, and two shutouts, though he has been superb against the Penguins this year, stealing two games for Washington.  Mike Green (sports hernia surgery) and Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) are out and will not play.  Tomas Kundratek will likely remain in the lineup over Jeff Schultz, though it remains to be seen who will play within the forward corps, particularly after such a bad game on Friday.

Puck drops 12:40-ish.  Check back later.