The Capitals are in the midst of their longest homestand of the season and entering Verizon Center usually spells doom for visiting teams. Recently, however, Washington has looked human at home and will look to end its extended stay at Verizon Center with a victory over former Cap Tomas Fleischmann and the Colorado Avalanche.
Fleischmann, traded to Colorado in exchange for defenseman Scott Hannan November 30, has one goal and three assists in four games with the Avalanche after having four goals and six assists with the Capitals. The Avalanche snapped their own four-game losing streak Friday in a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. It was Colorado's first win with Flash in the lineup. Meanwhile, the Capitals have yet to win with Hannan on the blueline.
In order for the Capitals to break their own four-game losing streak, a season high, they will have to do it shorthanded. Six Caps have come down with the flu (Brooks Laich, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, John Carlson and Boyd Gordon) and their statuses are unknown for Saturday. What is known, however, is that the Capitals recalled defenseman Brian Fahey from AHL Hershey Friday, which could mean that Carlson or Green will sit out. Green has struggled recently; he has one goal and one assist since November 14.
The flu is not the only thing plaguing Washington right now. The usually high-octane offense of the Capitals has run out of gas in recent games. Since their 6-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning November 26, the Capitals have scored 13 goals in six games and have been shutout three times in their last 11 games.