Thrashers 4 - 6 Capitals
Final
  for this game

Caps try to bounce back in home test vs. Thrashers

Nov 14, 2010 - 3:56 PM (Sports Network) - After a rare loss the Washington Capitals will try to get back in the win column today, when they welcome the sliding Atlanta Thrashers for a battle at Verizon Center.

The Capitals, who lead the NHL with 25 points, entered Saturday's game in Buffalo riding a six-game winning streak, but the Sabres were able to record an overtime victory against the visitors. Thomas Vanek scored with a minute left in OT, lifting Buffalo to its first home win of the season, a 3-2 decision at HSBC Arena.

Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner had the goals for the Capitals, who have still gained a point in nine of their last 10 games (8-1-1).

Braden Holtby turned aside 24 shots in the second NHL start of his career. Michal Neuvirth, who is 10-3-0 on the season, will likely get the call in net this evening rather than start Holtby on back-to-back days.

Alexander Semin recorded an assist in Saturday's loss and now has seven goals and seven helpers during a seven-game point streak. The Caps winger has 16 goals and 16 assists in 28 career games against the Thrashers.

The Caps have an impressive 8-1-0 record on home ice this season and are playing the first of two straight at the Verizon Center today. Washington will host Buffalo on Wednesday with a shot at avenging this weekend's loss.

On the injury front, Caps defenseman Tom Poti returned from a groin injury to play in Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, but then missed Saturday's game. He is questionable for this evening's tilt.

Atlanta has lost four of its last five games and is coming off Saturday's loss against visiting Pittsburgh. Evgeni Malkin notched the sixth hat trick of his career to help the Penguins take a 4-2 win at Philips Arena.

Brent Sopel and Niclas Bergfors each had a goal for the Thrashers, while Ondrej Pavelec stopped 24-of-27 shots in the loss.

"I'm just very frustrated after that because I thought we played really hard," said Atlanta head coach Craig Ramsay. "We gave them all that we could give them. We created our chances and we just gave up a couple of bad goals."

Thrashers forward Bryan Little made his return from a concussion on Saturday, playing for the first time since October 29. He failed to register a point in over 18 minutes of ice time against the Pens.

Atlanta, which is 4-3-2 on the road this year, will be away from Georgia for just one game, as the Thrashers are set to open a six-game homestand Wednesday night against Florida.

The Thrashers and Caps have already played twice this season and each club picked up a win on their home ice. Washington notched a 4-3 overtime victory the last time the clubs met on October 23 in D.C. Semin recorded a hat trick in the contest and Tomas Fleischmann scored the winning goal 1:37 into overtime.

Washington has won nine of 10 overall against the Thrashers and Atlanta has lost eight straight in the nation's capital.






Related News