After suffering their first loss of the season Thursday, the Washington Capitals will try to get back on the winning track Saturday. Yet, it won't be easy as the Caps face the defending Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
Via Mike Vogel, the Caps are 1-4-1 in their last six visits to Vancouver with the last win coming in February 2001. Last season, the Canucks defeated the Caps 4-2 at Verizon Center.
Washington's seven-game winning streak to start the season ended in a 2-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Thursday. Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle scored power play goals for the Oilers, while Karl Alzner scored for the Caps. One of Alzner's defensive teammates, Mike Green, did not play Thursday and will likely not play Saturday as he continues to recover from a twisted right ankle suffered during last Saturday's 7-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Via The Washington Post's Katie Carrera, General Manager George McPhee does not believe Green's injury is a long-term issue.
Vancouver has gotten off to a rough start this season with a 4-5-1 record. Roberto Luongo, who is struggling this season with a 3.45 GAA and .868 SV%, will start for the Canucks. He will be opposed by Tomas Vokoun.