Thursday, December 4, 2008

Pre-Game: Capitals vs Islanders


The depleted Capitals head into tonight's game facing another hot goalie. Joey MacDonald has won six of his last nine starts, and was recently named 3rd Star of the Month for November. The 28-year old has never faced Washington in his 38 game career.

Although Joey has been solid recently, the Isles still rank fouth-to-last in goals allowed with 79...The Capitals rank fifth to last with 78 goals conceded.

The last time the Capitals beat the Islanders at home was February 2007. Only 10 Capitals from that game will be dressed tonight as the 'D' line is Hershey's plus Milan Jurcina and Shaone Morrisonn.

Brent Johnson will be in net tonight to face the only team in the Eastern Conference that he has not beaten. Johnny is 0-6 versus the Islanders with a 4.52 GAA and .863 save percentage. Brent is coming off three straight losses, with his last win against Carolina on November 12th.

New York has a decent penalty kill of 82.5%, but more importantly rank second in the NHL in short-handed goals. The Islanders have six short-handed goals and six different player with a shorty. Last season the NYI finished with 10 goals while a man down. They are also the fourth worse team in the face-off circle.

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