Kings/Capitals: Game #55 Preview

Who are they? The Washington Capitals

What do they want? To go farther in the playoffs with a new focus on defense.

What's their ****ing problem?   Injured: Tom Poti, Eric Fehr.  Mike Green was struck by puck, but is slated to return.

Who the **** do they think they are? (IN) D.J. King, Matt Hendricks, Marcus Johansson, Michal Neuvirth, Scott Hannan  (OUT) Tomas Fleischmann, Jose Theodore, Brendan Morrison, Eric Belanger, Joe Corvo,  Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn, Scott Walker, Michael Nylander.

What, are we supposed to be scared?  If you had told me that the Caps would be scoring at about the same rate as the Kings at the beginning of the season, I wouldn't have believed you.  Even their power play has fallen from the stratosphere to be more like ours (25% to 17%).  But with Boudreau's shift in emphasis, they now rank higher than the Kings in goals allowed per game (5th, 2.38).  And despite Ovechkin having an 'off' year by prior standards (20G, 35A), it'd be silly to regard their top scorers as anything but dangerous.

The Kings, meanwhile, are hoping a major line shuffle can kickstart their offense -- particularly Kopitar's.  Has he tried positive chanting yet?

I thought we were friends!  Ex-Kings: Does the fact that Steckel was drafted by us count?

Yeah, well, wait till they get a load of: Justin Williams has 6 points in his last 7 games.  Jonathan Bernier posted a .949 SV% in his last three starts.  May the rest of the team support him by scoring a zillion goals this time out.  Or...at least more than two.  Whatever, just win.