Pre-Game: Capitals @ Islanders

Whatever the New York Islanders' resolutions were for the new year...it's not working. The Islanders haven't even won a game in 2009, going 0-7. It's not as bad when all seven teams are playoff teams (as of today), but the Isles have managed just three goals in their past three games (all home games).

The good news keeps coming for Islanders fans who lost another goalie, this time to waivers. With DiPietro out for the year, and MacDonald out for a month, Yann Danis is now the starter. Danis is 0-5 this year and hasn't won a game since 2006. In his only meeting against the Caps (as a Canadien), Washington dominated Danis, putting up a four goals in the first 25 minutes, forcing the Habs to sub in Jose Theodore. But that was the dark age...when the likes of and Brian Sutherby and Brian Willsie would get more ice time than Alex Ovechkin.

Speaking of Theo, he's the expected starter today and has fared pretty well against the Isles. JT60 has a 1.89 GAA in 22 games against New York, including five shutouts, the most against any team. He's won eight of the past ten and even three of the past four against the Islanders.

Boyd Gordon is back, but still no Tom Poti or Shaone Morrisonn. Washington is 9-1-3 against Atlantic Division teams...let's make it 10-1-3.