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Preview: Capitals at Predators (10/16)

Location: Bridgestone Arena

Game Time: 7:00 pm Central

TV: SportSouth

Radio: 102.9 The Buzz (WBUZ-FM)

Records:
Nashville: 3-0-0 (4)
Washington: 3-1-0 (6)

2009-10 Regular Season Series:
10/17/09 – NSH 2 – WSH 3 (SO)

Hot Start: For only the second time in franchise history, the Predators have won their first three games. The other time (2005-06), the Preds won their first 8. The 11 goals to start the season tie 2005-06 as the second most in franchise history. In 2006-07, they scored 12 goals to start the season, but they allowed 17.

All-Time Series: The Predators and Capitals have only faced each other 14 times in franchise history. The Predators overall record is 5-5-1-3. Their overall home record through 7 games is 3-2-1-1. However, the Predators have not beaten the Capitals since December 7, 2005 – a 4 game span. They have not beaten the Capitals at home since February 13, 2004.

Fun Stats: Through 3 games, Steve Sullivan is on pace for 109 goals and 136 points. Cal O’Reilly is on pace to score 109 points, while J.P. Dumont, Marcel Goc, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Patric Hornqvist are on pace to score 82. Meanwhile, Francis Bouillon has started to curb his penalties. At the moment, he is on pace for 191 penalty minutes, which is still just a wee bit above his career average of 42.1.

Ovechkin: Most notable about Saturday’s game is the semi-annual visit of Alexander Ovechkin. In just slightly over 5 years in the league, Ovie has racked up 273 goals and 263 assists for 536 points in just 400 games. So far this season he has 4 goals and 3 assists through 4 games. In his 5 seasons in the league, the first overall pick of the 2004 draft became the first player in NHL history to win the Rocket Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Lester Pearson trophy…and he did it in the same year. Perhaps the most impressive trophy in his collection, however, is his Calder Trophy, which he beat Sidney Crosby to win. Ovechkin is also the only player in NHL history to be named to the NHL First All Star Team in each of his first five seasons…and tied David Legwand for the fastest goal in overtime history. The two-time MVP is not only living up to his hype, he may just be the most exciting player in hockey.

Quick Notes: Anders Lindback, Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne are the only three goalies in franchise history to win their first two decisions…The Preds have won their last 4 games against Eastern Conference opponents…There is still room on the 12/6 Cellblock 303 Road Trip to the Preds/Thrashers game. E-mail me at [email protected] for more info…For real-time tweets during the game, be sure to follow us at @cellblock303 and, to join in on the conversation, be sure to tweet along with us by following @PredFans