In tonight's game, we'll see the leagues top two goal scorers and the leagues top two power plays (by %) face off against each other.
Alexander Steen is the leagues goal scoring leader with 17 goals and Alex Ovechkin is the leagues 2nd leading goal scorer with 15 goals. St Louis' power play is the leagues best, converting on 25.8% of tries and Washington's is the leagues 2nd and is converting at 24.4%. One would expect a high scoring affair.
The Blues are coming off a 4-2 win against the Hurricanes which saw Steen extend his point streak to 13 games. The Blues got off to a 2-0 lead with goals from Polak and Backes but the Hurricanes tied the game with TWO short handed goals. Then the Blues were able to get the win after goals from Oshie and Steen. In the Blues' last 10 matchups, they have put the first goal on the board.
Brian Elliot is the projected starter for the Blues and is sporting a 2.04 goal against average and a .920 save percentage.
The Washington Capitals will open up a 3 game home stand against the Blues tonight. They're in a rather tough stretch of schedule but have played pretty well. They're coming off of a 4-3 SO win over the Detroit Red Wings. They actually overcame a two goal deficit and received goals from Ovechkin and Latta in the 3rd period to tie the game and send it to overtime. Backstrom, once again, saved the day and was the only player for both teams to score in the shootout.
Mike Green was out of the lineup against the Red Wings with a contusion to the lower body. There hasn't been any word yet but knowing that contusions take time, we're expecting Tyson Strachan to fill Green's spot for the 2nd game in a row.
Holtby is our projected net-minder for the Caps and has a 2.73 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this season.
Note: With a win tonight the Caps can take 1st place from the Penguins who are currently 1 point ahead in the Metropolitan Division standings.
The Caps have won 2 in a row and have won 5 straight at home. Lets hope that streak continues.
Zach's Three Keys to the Game:
* Score early: Caps should look to score first and pump up their home crowd up. The Blues are used to getting the first goal so if we can change that it could knock them off of their game.
* Defense/Penalty Kill: The defense and PK will have to play strong to shutdown the leagues #1 goal scorer and the leagues #1 ranked power play. They have to sacrifice their body's to block some pucks and stay in the chest of the Blues' forwards when they rush the zone.
* Line 2: The Caps' second line has been looking better every game but due to the 3rd lines productivity, line 3 has been getting more ice time. The 2nd line needs to work on chemistry and creating more scoring chances. Against teams like the Blues, all four lines need to be rolling and doing their jobs in all 3 zones of the ice.
If you'll be in attendance tonight ROCK THE RED !
Zach Hart
Shades Of Red
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