Gameday: at Florida, Feb. 1

Maybe, one of these days, Sasha will break out...

The Washington Capitals are in Sunrise, Florida, this evening to take on the Panthers in a critical game for their playoff hopes as the final drive commences.  The Capitals, who lost in overtime in Tampa last night, is 5-3-2 in their last ten games and 26-19-4 overall for 56 standings points in 49 games.  They are therefore first in the Southeast Division, one point above these Panthers with one more game played, and third in the Eastern Conference, solely based on their Divisional seeding.  The Panthers, who lost in overtime in their last game before the break, are 3-3-4 in their last ten games and 22-15-11 overall for 55 standings points in 48 games.  Those 55 standings points place them second in the Southeast Division and ninth overall in the East.  This is the third of six meetings between these two clubs this season; the season series is split 1-1.

Scott Clemmensen will make the start in goal for Kevin Dineen's men because of an injury to regilar starter Jose Theodore.  Clemmensen is 6-2-5 on the year with a 2.72 GAA, .914 save percentage, and one shutout.  Outside the crease, the Panthers will be without defensemen Dmitry Kulikov (knee) and Ed Jovanovski (hand), who are both on the sideline with long-term injuries.  Winger Marco Sturm, also a former Capital, could make his return following an extended absence because of a concussion, while forward Kris Versteeg (illness) is officially questionable.

Michal Neuvirth is the suprise starter in goal this evening for the Capitals. Neuvirth, who lost his last start in Pittsburgh ten days ago, is 6-7-3 on the year with a 3.08 GAA, .892 save percentage, and two shutouts.  On the injury front, both Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) and Mike Green (sports hernia surgery) are out.  Alex Ovechkin will also be absent as he serves the third and final game of his suspension.  Joel Rechlicz, who was completely and utterly useless in 1:59 of ice time Tuesday, will stay in the lineup over Jay Beagle.  Jeff Schultz will also get a jersey for just the seventh time in the last eight weeks and first time in over a month, at the expense of John Erskine.

Puck drops 8:08-ish.  Check back later.

VIDEO: Alex Ovechkin Watches His Own Highlights

Check out this Video about what hockey players really think, including Alex Ovechkin.

Gameday: at Tampa Bay, Jan. 31

Another big one tonight as the push commences.

The Washington Capitals are in Tampa Bay, Florida, this evening to take on the Lightning as they look to start hot out of the All-Star break.  The Caps, who somehow beat the Bruins last Tuesday in their final game before the break, are 5-4-1 over their last ten games and 26-19-3 overall for 55 standings points in 48 games.  Those 55 points place them first in the Southeast Division based on the number of wins they have, and third in the Eastern Conference, though there are many teams below them with more points.  The Lightning, who have won four in a row, are 4-5-1 over their last ten games and 21-23-4 overall for 46 standings points in 48 games.  Therefore they are fourth in the Southeast Division and twelfth overall in the East.  This is the third of six meetings between these two clubs this season; the Capitals have won both games so far, both by one goal and both inside Verizon Center.

Guy Boucher seems likely to go with Mathieu Garon in goal.  Garon, who made 22 saves in his last start, the last game before the All-Star break.  On the year Garon is 14-13-2 with a 2.92 GAA, .902 save percentage, and one shutout.  He has not faced the Capitals this year.  Outside the crease, the Bolts are expected to get a huge boost with the return of defenseman Victor Hedman, who has missed the last 13 games with a concussion.  Forwards Tom Pyatt and Adam Hall are also likely to return after missing extended periods.  They will, however, be without winger Ryan Malone (upper-body), defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron (upper body) and defenseman Mattias Ohlund (knee surgery).

Tomas Vokoun should get the call in goal from Dale Hunter, following a vey nice performance against the Bruins at home last Tuesday night.  Vokoun is 20-12 on the year with a 2.56 GAA, .916 save percentage, and two shutouts.  He is 2-0 against the Bolts this year, allowing eight goals in those 2 starts.  On the injury front, the Capitals will be without both Nicklas Backstrom (concussion) and Mike Green (sports hernia surgery).  Captain Alex Ovechkin will also be absent as he serves the second game of a three-match ban for a high hit in Pittsburgh nine days ago.  With the recent recall of Joel Rechlicz, the enforcer will make his Capitals debut over Jay Beagle.  One thing that is almost certain is that Jeff Schultz will be in the press box again, as John Erskine continues to dress.

Puck drops 7:39-ish.  Check back later.

Practice: Jan. 30

The Washington Capitals were on ice Monday afternoon at 2 PM as they returned from the All-Star break with a practice in preparation for Tuesday's matchup with the Lightning.  Some updates from Arlington:

Dennis Wideman was the only healthy Capital who took the day off, getting some time to rest following his participation in All-Star weekend.
The lines were as follows: (Ovechkin) Johansson-Perreault-Semin, Hendricks-Laich-Brouwer, Chimera-Halpern-Knuble, and Beagle-Eakin-Rechlicz-Ward. Related: if the recall of Joel Rechlicz leads to Joel Ward being healthy scratched, I give up.
Nicklas Backstrom again did not skate with his teammates, and did not work out on ice at all during the All-Star break.  The clock is ticking on George McPhee making a move for a center, and the wait is becoming excruciating.  Time to make the move now.

That's all for now.

Capitals Sign and Recall Joel Rechlicz, Recall Cody Eakin

Per a team release, the Washington Capitals have signed forward Joel Rechlicz to an NHL entry-level contract and recalled him to Washington from the Hershey Bears.  Rechlicz leads the AHL in PIMs this year with 184 and has two points, a goal and an assist.
The Capitals have also recalled Cody Eakin from the Bears.  Eakin has played most of the last three months in Washington, but spent the All-Star break in Hershey getting consistent playing time.
Washington practices at 2 PM on Monday; both players will partake in the skate.