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Sharks and Caps clash in DC

Feb 8, 2011 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - Both the Sharks and Capitals are coming off shutout victories and are three points back in their respective division races, but the all-time season series between the franchises hasn't been as close.

San Jose goes for a 13th victory in its last 14 meetings with Washington as the two clubs meet tonight at the Verizon Center.

With 62 points, the Sharks are hot on the heels of the Pacific Division- leading Stars thanks to victories in three straight and seven of eight. The Capitals are further ahead of San Jose in the overall standings with 68 points, but that still has them three back of the first-place Lightning in the Southeast Division race.

San Jose may have the edge in making up ground tonight given its recent run versus Washington. Though the Capitals halted an 11-game series skid to the Sharks at home on Oct. 15 of last season with a 4-1 win, also snapping a six- game series home losing streak in the process, San Jose bounced right back with a 5-2 home win on Dec. 30 of that season and has still won seven of its last nine trips to Washington.

These two clubs will meet again in San Jose on Feb. 17 after the Sharks wrap a seven-game road trip. They have won the first two contests of the swing, including Saturday's 2-0 triumph in Boston despite a season-low 18 shots.

Antti Niemi made 26 saves for his third shutout of the season and 10th of his career. He is 6-0-1 in his last eight starts.

Logan Couture scored a power-play goal and Devin Setoguchi found the empty-net for the Sharks, who have won six of their last eight on the road.

"On some nights we get 45 shots, and others are like this," said Sharks forward Joe Thornton. "For whatever reason, they just kept us on the outside. Still, it was a good win."

Tonight, San Jose will try to win a season high-tying fourth straight game for the third time this season and prevent Washington from winning a third straight contest. The Capitals have picked up back-to-back victories after losing three in a row and are coming off a big 3-0 triumph over Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves for his second career shutout, while Brooks Laich, Marcus Johansson and Mike Knuble tallied the goals.

The Capitals, though, could be without defenseman Mike Green tonight after he was hit in the face by a slap shot in the first period. He did not return to the game.

"Everything happened so quick, it was ringing a little bit," Green said. "Once it went away, I was fine. I was a little off-balance when I came off the ice but I am fine."

Still, Green did not practice on Monday and is questionable for tonight.

Washington won the opener of a three-game homestand on Sunday.