Canes-Caps

Carolina will play host to the Capitals on Monday night. On October 6, Washington handed Carolina its only shutout loss, one of only three regulation losses so far. The Hurricanes will be looking to avenge that loss and widen their SE Division lead with a win.

After having played six games in a nine day span from October 19 to October 27, Carolina has been given a bit of a breather. This is just the third game in the nine day period following that flurry.

Of 13 games in November, 11 are against SE Division opponents, including three against these Washington Capitals.

The key to tonight's game will be penalties. Carolina's power play is ranked second in the league, while their penalty kill is a dreadful 28th. Washington's power play and penalty kill are both a mediocre 19th in the league.

As always, Carolina will have to look out for Alexander Ovechkin.

As far as the power play goes, Washington will have to look out for an "under the radar" player. Jeff Hamilton, who was Carolina's only free agency catch, has quarterbacked the power play expertly. He's piled up 8 (3/5) power play points playing the opposite point from Matt Cullen, who has accrued 9 (3/6) power play points. Additionally, Hamilton has four (1/3) even strength points for a total of 12 (4/8) while Cullen has six (1/5) even strength points for a total of 15 (4/11).

Ovechkin is the only Caps player with any substantial power play production. He's got six (5/1) power play points. Micheal Nylander also has six power play points (2/4).

Carolina is one of only five teams who have yet to score a shorthanded goal.

Expect Ward and Kolzig to start between the pipes.

Puck drop is at 7:00. No Carolina TV, but it should be on Center Ice, even in the Carolina viewing area.