Capitals 1 - 3 Predators
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Caps hope to extend series win streak over Predators

Nov 15, 2011 - 3:49 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals aim to continue their recent domination of the Nashville Predators when the two teams get together tonight at Bridgestone Arena.

Washington has won five in a row against Nashville, including a 3-2 overtime triumph in the last encounter on Oct. 16, 2010, and is 9-5 with a tie in the 15 meetings between the two teams. The Capitals have won three straight trips to the Music City and are 4-2 with a tie in the previous seven tilts as the guest.

Washington hosts Nashville at the Verizon Center on Dec. 20.

The Caps have dropped three of four overall and five of their last eight games (3-4-1), but still sit atop the Southeast Division standings. They are coming off Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss versus New Jersey at the Verizon Center, as Troy Brouwer and Jason Chimera each scored in the first period and Michal Neuvirth made 15 saves.

"It's disappointing to have this outcome," said Capitals forward Brooks Laich.

Tomas Vokoun returns to the crease tonight and is 8-2-0 with a 2.39 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 11 games this season. Vokoun returns to Nashville, where he played from 1998-2007. He leads the franchise in games played (383) and wins (161).

Neuvirth was making his fifth appearance of the season. The Capitals are 4-3-0 away from D.C. and 0-2 against Western Conference foes on the road.

Defenseman Mike Green returned to action in a win against New Jersey on Friday after missing six games with a lower body injury, but went down again and missed Saturday's loss. He is expected to stay back on this upcoming swing.

"He's not making the trip," Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said on the team's website. "He's day-to-day. We're hoping that he joins us on the trip. But right now he's going to stay here and get treatments."

Boudreau is one win away of recording his 200th career NHL victory. The Capitals will also visit Winnipeg and Toronto on the trek.

The Predators will resume a five-game homestand Tuesday and opened the residency with a 2-1 overtime loss to Montreal on Saturday. Shea Weber scored the lone goal for Nashville, which got 23 saves from Pekka Rinne.

"Obviously, we need to turn these one-point games into two-point games," said Rinne, who is 6-1-2 in his last nine starts dating back to Oct. 22 at Calgary.

Rinne leads the NHL in both shots faced (464) and saves (431). Nashville played in its 1,000th game in franchise history and is also slated to host the Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets and Oilers. It is 5-1-2 in the last eight games, outscoring the opposition by a 27-19 advantage in that span.

Predators rookie center Craig Smith is tied for the team lead in scoring with David Legwand, and his 14 points (7g, 7a) are also tied for the league lead among all NHL rookies. Smith owns 10 points (5g, 5a) in his last 10 games.






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