In Ahead Of The Play - A Washington Capitals NHL blog

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Washington Capitals          Tuesday, April 1, 2008           Washington Capitals Game Day

As Big as they Come

The Washington Capitals entertain the Carolina Hurricanes this evening in what is THE most important game in nearly five years for Washington. Not since Martin St. Louis ended the Capitals season in the first round of the 2003 Playoffs has a single game been so significant.

I could sit here going on and on about the importance of this game, but instead let's look at two keys.

This game is a battle of wills. Whoever wins has more resolve. 

The Hurricanes can practically guarantee themselves a playoff spot with a win, so the Capitals know they won't be facing a disheartened team who feels defeated before even setting foot on the ice as Florida was on Saturday. 

The Hurricanes have shucked adversity for over a month now, playing their best hockey of the season despite an ever-growing spate of injuries. Similarly, the Capitals have fought through injuries all season long and are playing their best hockey as well, led by newcomer Cristobal Huet in net. Which leads me to the second key -- goaltending.

The Capitals must solve Cam Ward, who is 10-3-1 against Washington in his career including a 4-0-1 mark this season to go along with a .950 save pct. The Capitals can't afford to have another 42 save performance from Cam Ward, though that game was a bit of an anomaly for Ward, who for the most part has played much worse in losses than in wins. 

Just how important is Ward to Carolina's success?

In his wins this season, Ward has a 1.74 GAA and .937 SV Pct. In losses, his GAA is 4.11 with an .862 SV Pct. Slight difference. 

Compare that to the more consistent Huet who has a 1.80 GAA and .937 SV Pct. in wins, and 3.32 GAA and .893 SV Pct. in losses. Olie Kolzig's numbers are even tighter: 2.38 GAA and .910 SV Pct. in wins, 3.42 GAA and .876 SV Pct. in losses. I'm simply drawing these comparisons to demonstrate just how important Ward's play is to Carolina's success.

So a Washington win prolongs their fight to leap from being left for dead to being in ahead. Hey, in ahead...I like the sound of that.