|
 Tarasenko, who tallied in St. Louis' 4-0 victory over Washington
on March 26, scored his second goal of Thursday's contest in
overtime as the Blues recorded their third straight win and eighth
in nine outings with a 2-1 victory over Chicago. Surging St. Louis
remained even in points with Dallas atop the Central, but the Stars
own the tiebreaker heading into their tilt with Nashville on
Saturday. "Every team has to play now," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock
said. "Dallas has to play for points, we've got to keep playing for
points and then we'll just see where it goes." Presidents'
Trophy-winning Washington suffered its third straight loss (0-1-2)
and fifth in seven outings (2-2-3) with a 4-3 overtime setback to
Pittsburgh on Thursday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSMA (Washington), FSN Midwest (St. Louis), NHL
Network
 ABOUT THE CAPITALS (55-17-8): Oshie returns to the Gateway City to
face his former club with which he spent his first seven NHL
seasons. "It'll maybe be emotional going out for warmups, during the
national anthem and maybe even the first couple shifts," Oshie told
the Capitals website. "But I think with the time gone by, it's a
full season almost, and Washington feels like my new home now."
Coach Barry Trotz did not reveal his starting goaltender as the club
visits St. Louis before hosting Anaheim on Sunday, but Braden Holtby
is expected to get the nod in one of those tilts as he looks to
match Martin Brodeur's NHL record of 48 wins.
[to top of second column] |
ABOUT THE BLUES (49-23-9): Rookie Robby Fabbri told reporters that
he feels ready to end his four-game absence on Saturday due to a
lower-body injury. "Today was another good day," Fabbri told
reporters after Friday's practice. "I'm trying to make sure when I
come back, I'm at 100 percent. ... I'm trying to get better each day
and it's been a good go-around this time." Brian Elliott has enjoyed
a good go of it of late, posting 11 straight winning decisions
overall and a 6-2-0 career mark versus Washington.
OVERTIME
1. Washington captain Alex Ovechkin has four goals in his last five
contests overall and 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 12
career meetings with St. Louis.
2. The Blues have thwarted 22-of-24 short-handed situations over the
last eight games - including both chances versus the Capitals.
3. Washington C Marcus Johansson scored twice on Thursday to
increase his point total to six (two goals, four assists) in his
last four games.
PREDICTION: Blues 4, Capitals 2
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