Pre-Game: Capitals vs Kings

Heading into the 53rd game last season, Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals had just defeated the Canadiens in overtime in one of the most exciting game of the season. Ovechkin had 18 points in his last nine games, heading into a home match against the Atlanta Thrashers. Even without Ilya Kovalchuk, the Thrashers still shutout the Caps 2-0 for Washington's only home shutout loss.

This year, the Capitals welcome the LA Kings, winners of four of their last five. Like the Thrashers of last year, the Kings are .500 at the time they will face the Capitals...and also have as many points as games played (just like the Thrashers did last season). Similarities aside, the Kings are a hot team that Washington should not take lightly at home (i.e. Edmonton, Columbus).

If the Caps want revenge for their 5-2 loss in the City of Angels, they will have to do it without Viktor Kozlov. Tarik is also reporting that Eric Fehr will skate on the first line with Fedorov and Ovechkin. Fehr likes to shoot and Ovi only had one shot last game (after recording at least four in every January game), so it will be interesting to see if how the group will click.

Sorry for the short post, I have a psychology paper due in a few hours, but please enjoy this "old" video of our opponents: