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Capitals-Thrashers Preview

Oct 22, 2009 - 4:26 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Washington (4-2-2) at Atlanta (4-1-1), 7:00 p.m. EDT

While Alex Ovechkin provided the offense, the goaltending of Semyon Varlamov may be an even bigger reason why the Washington Capitals have bounced back following a four-game losing streak.

The Capitals visit the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night for the first of two meetings between the Southeast Division rivals over the next week.

Washington (4-2-2) has recorded back-to-back wins over San Jose and Nashville after an 0-2-2 stretch. The Capitals beat the Predators 3-2 in a shootout Saturday, with Ovechkin scoring twice in regulation before adding the shootout winner. It was his second consecutive multi-goal game and his fourth of the season. Ovechkin has a league-leading nine goals and 16 points this season.

"I have no idea what he does," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Sometimes when you score two goals and your name is Alex Ovechkin, the goalie is thinking too much."

As important as Ovechkin's contributions in the last two games have been, the Capitals have also received outstanding play from Varlamov, who made 22 saves Saturday to improve to 3-0-0 this season while posting a 1.14 goals-against average in those two starts.

"We're happy with him," right wing Mike Knuble told Washington's official Web site. "He's come in and played really well. ... He made the saves he had to make and kept us in the game. He is playing with a lot more confidence as a result."

Varlamov's win Saturday came after he played 40 minutes in the victory over the Sharks last Thursday. Jose Theodore left that game because of back spasms and Varlamov stopped all 15 shots he faced.

Varlamov could find himself back on the bench, though, as Theodore practiced Wednesday, and coach Bruce Boudreau said he's "ready to go." Boudreau would not commit on a starter for Thursday, however.

Theodore was 2-1-0 against Atlanta last season despite a 4.93 GAA. He was also struggling before the injury, going 0-2-2 in five appearances since beating Boston on opening night.

This is the first game against a division opponent for the Capitals, who went 16-8-0 against the Southeast last season.

Atlanta (4-1-1) returns home after going 3-1-1 on a five-game road trip that finished with a 2-1 shootout loss to Montreal on Tuesday. Colby Armstrong tied the game early in the third period, but Ilya Kovalchuk and Rich Peverley failed to convert in the tiebreaker. Ondrej Pavelec made 34 saves in regulation and overtime.

"He played really, really well," coach John Anderson said of Pavelec. "I was very, very happy with it and I wish we could have won at the end, but that's the way it goes."

Despite playing a league-low one home game, Atlanta has tied the best start since the franchise joined the NHL in 1999.

Kovalchuk was held without a point Tuesday but still leads the Thrashers with seven goals and is tied with Peverley for the team lead with eight points. Kovalchuk had two goals and four assists in five games against the Capitals last season.

Atlanta will host Washington twice during this homestand, including again next Thursday. While the Capitals were 4-2-0 against the Thrashers last season, they lost two of three in Atlanta.

Ovechkin was held to two assists in those road contests but had three goals and four points in three home games. Ovechkin's 23 goals and 49 points against the Thrashers are his highest totals against any opponent.