FRIDAY MORNING

After an impressive 6-4 victory over the Flames the Thrashers are in town for a 7pm tilt at the Phone Booth vs the Capitals. Last night, the Thrashers were down 3-0 and came back to win it. Kovalchuk scored 2 goals and added an empty netter for a hat trick.

 

We have talked all year about "must win games". We all know that right now the next loss could be the nail in the coffin for our Caps' season. So when a team that has played so horribly  over the last month, comes to town 24 hours after playing a game; I guess you would call that a must-must-really need to win-win.

The Caps have dropped two straight to the Thrashers. A 2-0 shutout in early February and a very disappointing 3-2 shootout loss later that month.

 

The Caps are a better team then the Thrashers and they are actually playing for something. This game shouldn't even be close. With Lehtonen in net last night we could most likely see Hedberg. It sounds like the Caps are putting in Olie-going for win # 301.

 

 

Focus

 

Move Your Feet/Stay Out Of The Box

The Thrashers only took one penalty last night and while they are not the most disciplined team, the Caps need some PP's. They have relied heavily on their Powerplay goals to win. Staying out of the box is also important. The Caps have been put down to 3 men way to much lately.

 

Back to Basics

The Caps need to get physical and work hard. Let Bradley and Co set the tone for the game- get some hits, get the forecheck going, and get some space out there. The Caps need to play their fast paced game as the Thrashers will be looking to slow things down.

 

Bottom Line

 

“It wouldn’t matter if we were playing a squirt team,” declares Boudreau. “We’re playing as a desperate team just as four or five or six teams are in our conference right now. We know Atlanta has beaten us twice in a row and we’ve got to come out and play. We know when they want to play they’re a good team."

 

With a win tonight the Caps can put themselves 3 points back from Philadelphia for the 8th and final playoff spot.  See what a few days and a few wins can do for your mental health?

NHL News

• Olie's path too 300 has been rocky.

• Pronger is a joke, Colin Campbell is a bigger joke.

• Laraque gets a mini vacation

• Clark could be back next week

• Senators are picking up their play. Since we are rooting for the Caps get the 8th spot, it wouldn't be a bad idea to root for the Sens to win #1.

 

Not Jacked about tonight's game? Let me try and help...