Friday, February 8, 2008

In The Driver's Seat

The Washington Capitals enter probably the biggest game of the season thus far with their fate in their own hands for the first time. It is more than a bit early to be talking magic numbers (which is 52 points by the way,) but the Capitals are alone in first and have played fewer games than the teams that are chasing them.

The Caps got some help last night from Vancouver (who scored twice in the third to beat Atlanta) and Ottawa (who used two Dany Heatley goals in his return after missing a month to defeat Florida.) Those divisional losses have opened up the opportunity for the Capitals to take a three point lead in the Southeast with a win over second place Carolina tonight. Plus the Caps would still have the games in hand advantage.

While the Capitals and Hurricanes have split the season series so far, the teams are headed in opposite directions at the moment. The proof: Washington has won 8 of 10 home games; the 'Canes have dropped 7 of 10 on the road. Overall, Carolina has won 6 of their last 17 while the Caps have won 12 of their last 17. Hey, they had to take over the lead somehow -- and that'll do it.

It won't be as easy as it may appear.  Remember, the Capitals were in a similar situation on Saturday night when they laid an egg against Atlanta at the Verizon Center. 

Now that Washington is the team to catch, the Southeast will be gunning for them and no longer just trying to stave them off. But with the resiliency this team has shown us over the past two and a half months, it would be quite a surprise if they are not up to the task.  We'll begin to find out tonight.

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