Pre-Game: Capitals @ Senators

The Washington Capitals will play on Election Day for the first time since beating the Blackhawks 4-1 on November 3, 1992.

And for Alex Ovechkin, his return can't come soon enough for the Washington. The Capitals broke even with him out of the lineup, and he will return against a team who he scorched for six goals (10 points) in four (wins) games last season. Here are 10 things to watch for:

• The last time Washington lost against Ottawa was January of the 2006-2007 season.
• The last time Alex Ovechkin was held without a point against the Senators was March 12, 2006.
• Alexander Semin has ten points in eight career games versus Ottawa.
• The Senators have the fourth ranked power play at 25%.
• Dany Heatley has 27 points in 24 games against Washington.
• The Washington Capitals are tied with Buffalo for the most goals conceded (29) to Daniel Alfredsson.
• Mike Fisher is set to make $21 million over the next five years and he has yet to record a point thus far.
• Mike Green's shooting percentage against Ottawa is 22%. His career shooting percentage is 7%.
• Five current Ottawa players played along side Brooks Laich when he suited up for them in one game during his 2003-2004 rookie season. Laich was traded that March to Washington for Peter Bondra.
• On Monday, the Ottawa Senators acquired Drew Fata from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Alexander Nikulin. Fata will be sent to Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.
  

NHL Image of the Night- November 3rd

Doug Weight takes a two minute interference infraction against R.J. Umberger of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets rallied from three goals down, eventually losing to the Islanders 4-3 in overtime. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Capitals and Senators Plagued by Weak Goaltending

Tuesday's game between the Washington Capitals and the Ottawa Senators carries a similar storyline between both teams...Potent offensives with lackluster goaltending.

The Senators opening night starter was Martin Gerber, who has compiled just one win in five outings and has since been benched for backup, Alex Auld. Gerber has given up at least three goals in every start and his GAA this season is .77 higher than his career average. Auld took over the starting duties on October 24, and Ottawa has recorded a point in four of his six starts (three wins). Auld has conceded an average of two goals in the past four games and is just a few years removed from a 33-win season with Vancouver in 2006.

Tomorrow night, Alex Auld (2-2 lifetime versus the Capitals) will make the start. Last season Washington won all four meetings against Ottawa, two of the games thanks to Gerber's great goaltending. On December 29th, Gerber gave up eight goals in the Capitals 8-6 victory. The teams played again three days later and this time Gerber was yanked eight minutes into the game after giving up three goals on eight shots.

As for the Capitals, I'd say it's about time to start Brent Johnson who hasn't played since October 18th. Johnny sports a 4-1 record against Ottawa with a GAA under 2 and a shutout. On the other hand, Jose Theodore has a 7-12 record against the Sens and a save percentage below 90%. In addition, Theo has allowed five goals in two of the past three games.

It's still way too early to hit the panic button, but if Ottawa can win with a backup, why can't we?

NHL Image of the Night- November 2nd

Alex Steen of the Toronto Maple Leafs found a road-block in Carolina's Sergei Samsonov and Tim Gleason during the Hurricanes' 6-4 victory. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

News and Notes from Around the League

Just in case you missed it:

Martin Brodeur's streak of consectutive games played comes to an end at 51 games. Brodeur injured his elbow in the Devils' win against Atlanta on Saturday night.

146 penalty minutes were assessed in Boston's 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars yesterday.

Thrashers' (1st round pick of 2006) Bryan Little scored his sixth goal of the year in Atlanta's 5-3 victory over Florida. In his rookie season last year, he scored six goals in 48 games.

The Flyers win streak ends at 5 in-a-row

Sidney Crosby returned from his "injury" to record two assists in a win against the Blues.

Marty Turco is making excuses.

Rick DiPietro is out 4-6 weeks after a knee operation. The Islanders blew a 4-1 lead in their first game since the surgery and lost by a final of 5-4.