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The Washington Capitals face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at PNC Arena in the third of four meetings between the teams this season. Washington is 2-0-0 against Carolina this season and the Capitals have won five straight games against the Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Washington is 9-2-0 in its last 11 games on the road against Carolina and is 16-5-3 against the Hurricanes since the start of the 2010-11 season. Nicklas Backstrom has recorded 46 points (12g, 34a) in 39 career games against Carolina, marking the most point he has earned against any NHL team. Alex Ovechkin has registered 71 points (27g, 44a) in 59 career games against the Hurricanes, marking the third-most points he has earned against any NHL franchise (Winnipeg: 84; Tampa Bay: 76). Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby is 6-3-1 in his career against Carolina with one shutout, a 2.08 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.
Getting Defensive – Washington ranks sixth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.45) and blocked shots (955), tied for seventh in shutouts (6), ninth in shots against per game (28.7), and 10th in hits (1,745). In addition, the Capitals rank third in the Eastern Conference and tied for fifth in the NHL in goal differential (+29).
Warming Up in Winter – Since Dec. 4, the Capitals have posted a 23-9-6 record, marking the third-most points in the NHL during that span (52). Washington has won four of its last six games and has posted an 8-4-0 record in its last 12 outings. The Capitals have averaged 2.92 goals per game in their last 13 games and are 24-8-4 this season when scoring three or more goals. Washington ranks seventh in the NHL in goals per game (2.92), tied for ninth in faceoff win percentage (51.3%) and 11th in 5-on-5 goals (118).
Road Warriors – The Capitals are 16-11-5 on the road this season. Washington’s 16 road wins rank tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference. Washington also ranks among the top-10 in the NHL in several statistical categories away from Verizon Center: tied for second in goals (92), third in hits (949) and fifth in power-play percentage (21.1%). The Capitals have scored four power-play goals in their last five road games (2/11-2/22). Joel Ward has registered 16 of his 25 points on the road this season, Eric Fehr has scored 10 of his 17 goals away from home and Braden Holtby has posted a 2.16 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in his last six road games. The Capitals have averaged 3.10 goals per game in their last 21 road games (12/4-2/22).
Red, White and Blueliner – Capitals defenseman John Carlson registered two points (1g, 1a) on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, marking his 11th multi-point game of the season. Carlson has earned five points in his last five games (2/17-2/25: 3g, 2a) and his 10 goals this season ties his career high, set last season. The Natick, Mass., native has also set career highs in assists (33) and points (43) this season. With his goal in the first period on Wednesday, Carlson passed Robert Picard (42) for 10th place on the Capitals franchise goals by a defenseman list. He is now tied with Ken Klee (43) for ninth place. The 6’3”, 215-pound defenseman ranks tied for fourth among NHL defensemen in assists (33) and primary assists (18) this season and seventh in points (41). Carlson also ranks fourth in the NHL among US-born skaters in assists and first among American defensemen in goals during the last three seasons (26). Carlson leads the Capitals in time on ice per game (23:09), ranks second in assists and third on the team in points.
Dynamic Duo – Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (39) and ranks tied for fifth in points (62) and Nicklas Backstrom leads the League in assists (46) and ranks tied for first in points (64). Backstrom and Ovechkin have combined to register 126 points this season, marking the highest total for any teammates in the NHL. Backstrom (18) and Ovechkin (39) have also combined to score 57 goals this season, ranking first in the League. Ovechkin leads the Capitals in goals and Backstrom ranks second. Backstrom has earned an assist on 25 of Ovechkin’s 39 goals this season and since Backstrom entered the NHL in 2007-08, he has recorded an assist on 165 of Ovechkin’s 363 goals (45.5%).
