Game 50 Preview: Ottawa Senators @ Washington Capitals

After laying an egg on Saturday against the Rangers, the Ottawa Senators take back to the road and need to show that that was an abberation rather than a return to uneven play.

(21-19-9, 51 points) 6th Atlantic Division

VS

(22-19-8, 52 points) 5th Metropolitan Division

7:00 PM

Verizon Centre

TV:  TSN; RADIO:  TSN1200

MATCHUP HISTORY

Ottawa is looking to sweep the three game season series tonight, having won both previous games, 3-1 in Ottawa and 6-4 in Washington.

Dec 30, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Cory Conacher (89) collides with Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Capitals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

LAST GAMES

Both clubs are coming off losses, Ottawa’s in an uneven effort 4-1 to the Rangers.  Washington also fell to the Rangers by the same 4-1 score on Sunday and have dropped 3 in a row.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Braden Holtby, WAS – After Philipp Grubauer started and got pulled in each of his last two games, Holtbly will be relied upon to provide something they haven’t got in some time – quality goaltending.  He is 0-2 in his career against Ottawa.

Stephane Da Costa, OTT – Da Costa go the call to replace Mark Stone, who stepped on a puck in practice and will be out for a few games.  He was sent to Binghamton, playing just 4 games after making the team out of training camp.  He has 37 points in 37 games and a +11 rating with the B-Sens.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAME

1. Return To The Road – Ottawa has played some of their best hockey this month on the road.  They are 3-0-1 in 2014 away from CTC.

2.  Playoff Implications – It is still early, but every point counts in the standings, especially when you are playing against a team that is right along beside them in the playoff race.

3.  Power Outage – With just 7 goals in their past 5 games, the Capitals are struggling to find the net at the moment.

PARTING SHOT

As with all struggling teams, on of the keys to beating the Caps will be to pounce on them quickly and not let them get their legs under them. It is the first game at home after a 3 game trip, and hopefully for Ottawa’s sake that the old adage about returning home is true, even though the trip was through Pittsburgh, Columbus and New York, not exactly cross-country travels.