[Bob 0119]

Today’s Storyline

Three game homestand – The Capitals play the New Jersey Devils tonight to start a three game homestand, but just because the Caps are at home doesn’t mean these next three games will be easy. Two out of the three games are against 2009 playoff teams (one vs. the President’s Trophy winner, San Jose ). Last season, the Caps went 2-0-2 against the Devils, 0-1-0 against the Sharks and 2-0-0 (one game won in overtime and one in a shootout) against the Predators.

NOTE OF THE NIGHT



In the details –The Capitals are 4-0-3 in their last seven meetings with New Jersey , their longest stretch without a regulation loss to the Devils since an eight-game winning streak from 11/30/85 to 12/9/86 (spanning most of the first year of Alex Ovechkin's life).



FIVE MORE NOTES NO MEDIA PERSON SHOULD BE WITHOUT



Mo is money – Center Brendan Morrison has four points in his last four games (3g-1a) and stands fifth on the team in scoring (tied for third in goals). Last season, with Anaheim , Morrison didn't record his fourth point until Nov. 16. He has at least one shot on goal in all five games this season and has scored on half of the shots he has taken. His ice time has been above 16:00 in each of the last three games; in the first two games he skated under 15:00 per game.



Need one more – Washington is 0-2-1 in its last three games, all one-goal losses. Last year the Capitals were 19-7-8 in one-goal games.



All Ovi the place – Alex Ovechkin had nine shots on goal in Saturday's game at Detroit and 10 hits. That matched his hit total from the first four games of the season and moved him into a tie for second in the league in hits (20). His 35 shots on goal are 11 more than any other player in the league (nearly double any other Cap). Ovechkin assisted on Brendan Morrison's power-play goal, moving him into a share of the NHL scoring lead with teammate Nicklas Backstrom and two others.



Starting strong – Goaltender Jose Theodore has a .930 save percentage in his three starts this season (80 saves, 6 GA), including a .924 save percentage in the Caps' last two losses. He stopped 34 of 37 shots against the Red Wings Saturday night.



Powerful stuff – Washington already has six power-play goals this season (6-for-24, 25%), including at least one in every game. The Capitals are still without a PPG from their top two power-play goal scorers last season (Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green). All five of Ovechkin's goals have come at even strength.