Pre-cap: Capitals vs. Thrashers

You smell that? Not it's not pies sitting in the fridge for Thanksgiving, or a warm fire crackling in the fireplace.

It's the smell of vengeance.

The Capitals recent slide has stirred sour emotions from the fans and the team. Who better to let it out against than the team that spoiled opening day?

So to those headed to "the phonebooth," for tonight's game. Be loud, be proud, and unleash the fury.

Washington Capitals (11-7-3, last game 4-3 loss to Minnesota)
vs.
Atlanta Thrashers (8-10-2, last game 6-3 win over Toronto)

The story so far...
Fresh off a 6-3 domination of the Maple Leafs, the Thrashers are making up for early losses. Think the Capitals are the most exciting team in the Southeast? Atlanta might have something to say about that. Tonight will be a display of high-powered offenses featuring two of Russia's premier forwards. Solid goaltending early will be key, but in the end, I would bet that special teams decide the match-up.

Key players
WSH: Alex Ovechkin
ATL: Ilya Kovalchuk
When putting together a "players to watch," feature, it's easy to always pick Ovie. Tonight is more or less a night he deservedly should be a key player. While the Ovie/Kovalchuck rivalry is not as "hot" as the Malkin feud, Ovechkin loves holding bragging rights over his national team comrades.

Post-lockout pre-Thanksgiving bouts
In 2007 the Capitals got the snot beat out of them by the Thrashers 5-2 the day before Thanksgiving.
In 2006 the Capitals lost to the Thrashers 4-2 the day before Thanksgiving.
In 2005 the Capitals lost to the Lightning 4-3 (SO) the day before Thanksgiving.

Who is the beast of the Southeast?
Don't look now, but the Atlanta Thrashers are unbeaten in regulation against Southeast division foes (4-02). A win for the Capitals tonight means they would hold victories over four of five teams in the Southeast. The Capitals play the Florida Panthers next week.

The fight you won't be seeing...
Sadly Capitals enforcer Donald Brashear will not get to have round two with Zach Bogosian tonight. Like a over-hyped prize fight, we are left wanting more. Let's re-live Bogosian's "introduction," to the NHL.



I see what you did there
Anyone else notice the similarities between the new Thrashers marketing campaign and the new Stolichnaya vodka ads? It seems that if a Russian is your star, then you should go all Motherland with your ads.

Thrashers...


Stoli...

LET'S GO CAPS!