The Washington Capitals have opened the season with a franchise-best 7-0-0 record, but only two of those games were on the road. Thursday, after four days off, Washington will look for its third road win of the season and eighth overall against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Caps haven't played since Saturday, when they trounced the Detroit Red Wings in a 7-1 victory. Mike Green, who had four points (two goals, two assists) in that game, hasn't practiced since then, either. Green has missed practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a twisted right ankle. Head coach Bruce Boudreau said Green's status "doesn't look good for tomorrow." Sean Collins will start in Green's absence.
Tomas Vokoun will start his seventh consecutive game for the Caps. He is 6-0-0 with a 1.80 GAA and .944 SV% this season.
Thursday will be Washington's first game at Rexall Place since December 2009; Alex Ovechkin scored twice to lead the Caps to a 4-2 victory. The Oilers are 4-2-2 after Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Caps' opponent Saturday, the Vancouver Canucks. Rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leads the Oilers with five goals and eight points.