Gameday: at Boston, Mar. 10

It's a tall order against the Cup champs.

The Washington Capitals are in Boston, Massachusetts this afternoon to take on the Stanley Cup Champion Bruins as they attempt to pick up some momentum from a come from behind win against the Lightning on Thursday night.  The Capitals are 4-5-1 in their last ten games and 33-28-6 overall for 72 standings points in 67 games.  Those 72 points place them second in the Southeast Division, three points behind the Panthers, and eighth overall in the Eastern Conference with a two game lead over the Jets for the final playoff spot in the Conference.  The Bruins, who have won two in a row, are 5-4-1 in their last ten games and 40-23-3 overall for 83 standings points in 66 games.  They are therefore first in the Northeast Division and second overall in the East.  This is the third of four meetings between these two clubs this season; they have split the previous two games, which both occurred at Verizon Center.

Marty Turco is likely to make his first start in a Bruins uniform this afternoon, as Tim Thomas has played in seven consecutive games and the Bruins have a high-profile game against the Penguins on Sunday.  Turco has not played a game in the NHL this season, but before joining the Bruins, was playing with EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian League, with whom he had a 2.88 GAA and .928 save percentage in four starts.  Outside the crease, the Bruins have several injuries. Most importantly, they are missing forwards Rich Peverley (knee) and Nathan Horton (concussion), and both are out for sure.  Forward Daniel Paille (upper body) and defenseman Andrew Ference (lower body) are both questionable. Center Marc Savard, is also missing from Boston's lineup because of a concussion that has kept him out for two years now.

Tomas Vokoun will start in goal for Dale Hunter following a very nice 24-save win on Thursday night.  Vokoun is 24-16-2 so far on the year with a 2.50 GAA, .917 save percentage, and four shutouts; he allowed three goals on 29 shots the last time he faced the Bruins.  On the injury front, the Caps will be without Nicklas Backstrom, as they have been for the last nine weeks, as the superstar Swede recovers from a concussion.  He's not even in the country at the moment; he's back home visiting family.  In addition, Mike Green will be absent from the lineup as he serves the first game of a three-game suspension for his actions in Thursday's game.  Roman Hamrlik will take his place, keeping John Erskine in the press box, and Keith Aucoin also staying in the lineup over Mike Knuble.

Puck drops 1:09-ish.  As always, follow me on Twitter here for news and updates.