Pregame Preview:
Coming off a four-game losing streak, the Caps returned to Verizon Center on Monday night and improved their home record to 7-1-1 with a 4-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.
Now the Caps hope to build off of that win against a Winnipeg Jets team that has won three straight after a five game winless streak. That streak included a 4-1 win over the Caps in Winnipeg last Thursday. The Jets, formerly the Atlanta Thrashers, become the first team from Winnipeg to travel to Washington since the old Jets (now the Phoenix Coyotes) tied the Caps 1-1 on January 16, 1996 at USAir Arena.
Right winger Eric Fehr also makes his return to the nation’s capital as a member of the Jets after being traded this summer in return for a 2012 4th Rounder and prospect Danick Paquette. Fehr made his season debut on Saturday after spending the first 19 games on Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. In six seasons with the Capitals, he logged 46 goals and 93 points in 230 career games.
Tonight Alexander Semin returns to action after sitting out Monday night as a healthy scratch while Joel Ward is benched for sleeping in and missing a team meeting yesterday.
Fehr will be in the starting lineup. He received a nice cheer from the Verizon Center crowd when his name was announced on the big screen.
Another familiar friend, the Rally Balloon is featured on tonight’s intro video. That was quick.