Puck 'N Hockey

The Caps look to finish out the first leg of their six game trip on a high note. The team will return to the Nation’s Capital after a clash with the red hot, New Jersey Devils. With 12 games remaining, the Devils sit only 6 points out of a playoff spot. The Lemaire led team has really tried to force the issue the last few months after a horrendous start to the season. In their last 29 contests, the Devils have been a sizzling 23-4-2 . Even with that amazing record, the Devils would still need to hop over the Leafs, Thrashers and Canes, before they even get a shot to overtake the Sabres for 8th place in the Eastern Conference.

Friday at The Prudential Center: New Jersey Devils GP 70 W 33 L 33 OTL 4 LAST 10 (7-3-0)

Last Game Tuesday December 21st, 2010 5-1 Victory for the Caps

Three Star Selections:

1st John Carlson

2nd Andrew Gordon

3rd Marcus Johansson

Winning Goalie: Michal Neuvirth

Losing Goalie: Martin Brodeur

Winning Goal: Jay Beagle

Will the Great 8 lead the Caps past the Devils? (via Joel Auerbach/Getty Images North America)

Match Up: The last time these two teams squared off, they were  going in two separate directions. The Caps just starting their surge after their season low, nine game losing streak. The Devils continued to slide further into the basement before their recent assault on the standings. Granted, they haven’t seemed to rise to a prominent position but the Devils have made strides in the right direction. Ilya Kovalchuk has turned it around. After a very difficult off season and an even tougher start to the regular season, Kovy has really put it together with 51 (26G, 25A) points this season, including 9 game winning goals. Patrik Elias has also had a solid season with 53 points (16G, 37A) to go along with a -2 plus/minus rating. Impressive considering his team’s (-28) goal differential.

X Factor: One reason for the turn around of the Devils this season has been the return of the trap employed by head coach Jacque Lemaire. With both the Caps and Devils focusing on defensive hockey, scoring the first goal is key for both clubs tonight. Look for sniper Alex Ovechkin to lead the charge this evening. He has really started to look like the Ovi we have grown accustomed to with his physical, dynamic, and exciting play. He is one goal shy from scoring 30 goals this season. While his general pace of 40 or more goals seems a far stretch this season, it’s still nice to aim for 30 goals. The only other Cap that has a chance for that mark is fellow Russian top gun, Alex Semin.