The Pacific Division has not been too kind to the Washington Capitals this season. In the fourth of five straight against said division, the Caps hope that the Anaheim Ducks will not prove mighty Wednesday.
Monday's 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes was yet another setback to the Western Conference for the Capitals, who have lost seven straight against the West and three overall. Washington is 0-3-0 during their recent five-game stretch against the Pacific Division, having been outscored 9-3 in the process. In fact, the Caps are the only team in the Eastern Conference without a win against the Pacific (0-4-1).
If the Caps need any sort of motivation, it can come in the form of revenge; the Ducks defeated the Caps 2-1 in overtime December 15, a loss that sent them to the seventh loss of their eight-game skid.
Defeating the Ducks won't be easy without Mike Green, whose status is uncertain after suffering from "inner ear trauma." Green is still feeling the effects of taking a puck to the head February 6 and sat out of Monday's game even after playing in last Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The Caps recalled Patrick McNeill from AHL Hershey as a precaution and he could make his NHL debut in Green's place if the latter cannot play.