Tomas Fleischmann Makes his Debut


The Flash is back! After spending a week in Hershey on a conditioning stint, Tomas Fleischmann has been recalled and will make his Washington Capitals season debut tonight against the Thrashers.

Fleischmann, who spent the summer dealing with a blood clot in his leg, has not had the benefit of being able to train this summer, missed training camp and the pre-season and is likely still nowhere near ready, but the Caps need him in the lineup and so he will be thrown right into the mix tonight against the Kovalchuk-less Thrashers.

Considering the current chemistry and success of Washington’s top 6 forwards, it’s doubtful that Flash will make it into the top 6 tonight, but will likely skate small minutes on the 3rd line while, perhaps, seeing a little bit of power play time.


Semyon To Start

Although Jose Theodore is certainly the hot hand in nets for the Capitals at the moment, Bruce Boudreau is giving Semyon Varlamov a chance to redeem his performance from last week versus these very same Thrashers. Although Varly nabbed the win last Thursday against a Thrashers team that still had Ilya Kovalchuk in the lineup, he did not play inspired hockey and continued to look shaky at times.

Varlamov needs to take advantage of the fact that he will not have to face Kovalchuk’s dangerous shot tonight and play a very solid, stable game between the pipes. Varly has not been as calm as he was during his brilliant stretch during the playoffs last spring, but with a strong showing at Phillips Arena tonight, the rookie can regain his confidence and get back on track.


Il y a pas de Kovakchuk

For those who don’t get it that statement, that means « there will be no Kovalchuk » tonight.

Kovalchuk, Atlanta’s captain and perhaps the most dynamic player in the NHL outside of Alex Ovechkin, will be out of the Thrashers lineup for another couple weeks with a minor fracture to a bone in his foot.

The loss of Kovalchuk certainly means that Atlanta’s offense becomes weaker, but if Don Waddel wants to impress the young Russian and convince him to stay in Georgia, the rest of the lineup is going to have to step it up in his absence. Considering that fact, it’s likely not going to be a walk in the park when the Capitals square off against the Thrashers tonight.


Walking Wounded


The Caps continue to get healthier, as the recent return of Alex Semin and today’s return of Tomas Fleischmann will attest to, but are still without some key personnel.

4th line centerman Boyd Gordon continues to struggle with back spasms, Eric Fehr continues to be sidelined by a rib injury and John Erskine is still rehabbing a hand injury.

Considering the injuries to both sides(Atlanta is still also without #1 netminder Kari Lehtonen), here are tonight’s probable lineups.


Lineups

Washington Capitals

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin
Laich-Morrison-Knuble
Fleischmann-Aucoin-Clark
Sloan-Steckel-Bradley

- Forward combo’s courtesy of Tarik’s blog.

Green-Morrisonn
Poti-Jurcina
Schultz-Pothier

- I have not heard that the D pairing will change, so I assume that Gabby will stick with the same combos. Especially if Tyler Sloan is set to skate on the 4th line.

- Mike Green, who took a dangerous hit to his knee vs. the Islanders, showed signs of pain against the Flyers on Tuesday, but will likely play. Considering the Caps are icing 7 defenseman, I am sure that Boudreau and his staff will pay close attention to how Green fares.

*Varlamov
Theodore

- As mentioned above, Semyon will start against the Thrashers once again, while Jose will start tomorrow night against the Islanders.


Atlanta Thrashers

- Lineup via Ben Wright @ Blue Land Blog.

Kane- Peverley- Armstrong
Kozlov- White- Afinogenov
Slater-Reasoner- Little
Boulton- Krog- Thorburn

- According to Ben, it appears that Nik Antropov will be a game-time decision as he is still dealing with an upper body injury(I believe). If Antropov does play tonight, it’s safe to say this will be the Thrashers offense.

Enstrom-Bogosian
Kubina-Hainsey
Schubert-Popovic

- These were the same D pairings that the Caps faced last Thursday, so I do not imagine they will be different tonight.

*Pavelec
Hedberg

- Pavelec is expected to face the Caps once again.


Game Notes

In a Flash – Left wing Tomas Fleischmann, who scored 19 goals a year ago, could make his season debut tonight in Atlanta. Fleischmann’s offseason was thrown into turmoil when he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in June, a blood clot that had formed in his leg. He has skated and worked out on his own since returning to D.C., was cleared for contact last week and played two games for Hershey in the AHL. While he is in the unenviable position of jumping into the season while other players have had training camp and 11 games to prepare, he nevertheless injects a unique level of skill and creativity to the Capitals’ forward ranks.

Rebounders – Washington has fallen behind 2-0 in each of the last two games, its first two two-goal deficits of the season. In each case the Capitals scored within 2:18 of giving up the second goal and came back to win. Washington is 2-0-1 when its opponent scores first.

Doubled over – Alex Ovechkin, who leads the NHL with 11 goals (through Tuesday’s games), has scored goals in six games. In five of those games he has scored two goals and the Capitals are 4-0-1 in those games. Washington is 26-0-2 the last 28 times Ovechkin has had a multiple-goal game. Ovechkin’s 10 even-strength goals are three more than any other NHL player.

No way, Jose – Among NHL goaltenders with more than two starts, Jose Theodore ranks third with a .922 save percentage (through Tuesday’s games). His 41-save effort Tuesday against Philadelphia marked the most saves he has made in 65 games with the Capitals, and included a third-period penalty shot save. In his last four starts Theodore has a 2.04 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage.

More no – Washington has allowed two goals or fewer in five of its last six games. Atlanta, which lost to the Capitals 5-4 last week, is the only opponent to score more than two goals in that time.

Minor point – Tonight’s game features the franchises that won the last two Calder Cups in the American Hockey League (AHL), as well as the last two AHL MVPs and scoring champions (Alexandre Giroux in 2009, Jason Krog in 2008). Giroux, Keith Aucoin and Krog were the top three scorers in the AHL a year ago. Three of the last four Calder Cup-winning head coaches are behind the benches tonight (Capitals assistant coach Bob Woods in 2009, Atlanta’s John Anderson in 2008 and Washington’s Bruce Boudreau in 2006).

Going Green – Mike Green has points in six straight games (2g-5a), the longest point streak by a Capital this season and matching the longest by a defenseman in the NHL this year. After posting two points in his first five games, Green now ranks tied for fifth in scoring by a defenseman with nine points in 11 games.

Considering how the game went the last two times these guys met, Washington held on for a 5-4 win over the Thrashers last Thursday, the Capitals had better be prepared to play some hard hockey.

Of course the Thrashers will undoubtedly be missing the services of Ilya Kovalchuk, Nik Antropov and Kari Lethonen, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t score. With players like Todd White, Slava Kozlov, Rich Peverley and Evander Kane set to buzz Varlamov and the Caps zone, Washington had better be prepared to skate.

That said, the odds are in Washington’s favor for an easy game. It should be a cake-walk, especially with the addition of another 19 goals to the lineup in Tomas Fleischmann.

But nothing is ever certain.

Boudreau has got to get this team playing stronger when holding onto a lead and tonight can serve as great practice. If the Caps skate up to their level, Atlanta will likely be forced into taking a lot of penalties. If all goes to plan, the Caps will be working on their power play all night.

If they do not take this Thrashers team seriously, much like they did with the Islanders last week, the Caps will likely be playing catch-up hockey, definitely not something that Boudreau wants to continue to work.

If the Caps get out to a quick lead and protect Varlamov they should manage to beat this injury depleted Thrashers team. But if they’re not focused enough, Washington may have their hands full.



Puck drop is @ 7pm. Enjoy the game!



In case you missed my last post, here is the link, Sean Avery and his Issue with Bruce Boudreau's Weight(http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=23968)




Steven.hindle@hockeybuzz.com
capitalshockeybuzz@live.ca
Go Caps!!!!!

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