Gameday: at San Jose, Jan. 7

Washington hasn't won in San Jose in, well, a loong time...

The Washington Capitals are in San Jose, California this evening to take on the Sharks as they look to continue their recent momentum.  The Capitals, who are coming off a 3-1 win over Calgary on Tuesday, are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and 21-15-2 overall for 44 standings points. Those 44 standings points place them second in the Southeast Division, four back of the Panthers, and ninth overall in the Eastern Conference.  The Sharks, who won against Columbus on Thursday night, are 7-1-2 in their last ten games and 22-11-4 overall for 48 standings points.  Those 48 pace the Pacific Division and are third in the Western Conference.  This will be the the first of two regular season meetings between these two teams this season.

Todd McClellan will go with Antti Niemi in goal after the Finnish goaltender got a breather on Thursday.  On the year, Niemi is 17-7-4 with a 2.29 GAA, .918 save percentage, and one shutout; he made 26 saves in his last start, a 3-1 win over the Ducks Wednesday.  Outside the crease, the Sharks will be without big offseason acquisition and star winger Martin Havlat (leg), but both defensemen Jim Vandermeer (upper body) and Colin White (lower body) are questionable.

Tomas Vokoun will start his fifth consecutive game this evening following a very strong record in goal over the last twelve days.  On the year, Vokoun is 16-8-0 with a 2.51 record, .915 save percentage, and one shutout.  He made 18 saves in his last start, that 3-1 win over the Flames earlier this week.  On the injury front, Washington will be missing Nicklas Backstrom with a concussion despite the fact that he has been working out all this week.  Alexander Semin will return to the lineup in his stead, skating on the second line.  Both Jeff Schultz and John Erskine will take a seat, meaning Mathieu Perreault will get a sweater for the first time in over a week.

Puck drops 10:38-ish.