New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals
Saturday, October 18th, 2008, 7:00 PM
Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
TV: CSN

About the Opponent

New Jersey Devils: 3-1-0, 6 points, 2nd in the Atlantic Division, 5th in the Eastern Conference

Team Leaders
Goals: tie - Zach Parise and Patrik Elias (2)
Assists: Brian Gionta (2)
Points: Zach Parise (3)
Plus/Minus: Colin White (+4)
Penalty Minutes: tie - Colin White and Jamie Langenbrunner (8)
Fights: tie - David Clarkson and Michael Rupp (1)

Random Devils Statistic
Through their first four games the Devils have scored just six goals. Their 1.5 goals per game average is currently the worst in the NHL.

Keys to the Game

Washington
(1) Stay out of the box. The Capitals have been shorthanded twenty-four times this season, tied for fifth most in the NHL and the team’s 70.8% penalty kill success rate is twenty-fifth in the league.
(2) Start fast. In the Capitals four games this season they’ve scored first only once, they’ve given up the first three goals in each of their other games, and they’ve been outscored 8-2 in the first period. You can’t play like that and keep winning games, especially against a team like the Devils.

New Jersey
Work the trap and slow the game down. Despite their advantage in goal, the last thing the Devils want is to get in a run-and-gun game where the teams are trading chances. Plus a slow, boring game will negate the effect of what should be a sellout crowd.

Players to Watch

Washington
Alexander Ovechkin - he’s due for his 2008-09 breakout game and I have a feeling it will come tonight.

New Jersey
Zach Parise - the University of North Dakota product is the Devils best all around offensive player in terms of scoring ability, playmaking skill, and consistency and is one of the most difficult to contain. If anyone’s going to give the Capitals trouble, it’s likely to be Parise.
Brian Gionta - Gionta’s biggest asset is his speed and facing a defense that’s like to include Milan Jurcina and John Erskine, that could be trouble for the Capitals.