nyr/wash thread

[Aces High]

New York Rangers (21-24-6-1) at Washington Capitals (22-18-7-3), 1 p.m.

(Sports Network) - The Washington Capitals try to extend their unbeaten streak to four games this afternoon when they welcome the New York Rangers to MCI Center.

Washington is 1-0-2 during its run, on the heels off a three-game losing streak (0-2-0-1). On Saturday the Caps skated to a 1-1 tie in Montreal, as Andreas Salomonsson salvaged the point with a goal 2:26 into the third period. Olaf Kolzig finished with 29 saves for the first-place Capitals, who lead the Southeast Division with 54 points.

Today's contest marks the Capitals' annual "Ice Bowl" matinee on Super Bowl Sunday. Every year since 1988 the team has held a game before the Super Bowl, with the exception of last season when the Super Bowl was delayed a week. Washington is 9-4-1 at home on Super Bowl Sunday.

In eight games this season against New York-area teams -- Rangers, Islanders, Devils -- the Capitals are unbeaten in regulation and have posted a 5-0-1-2 record. At home for such games, the Caps are 2-0-0-1.

The Caps, 8-1-1-2 in their last 12 home games, open a three-game homestand today. They'll host St. Louis on Tuesday.

New York, meanwhile, hopes to bounce back after having a two-game winning streak snapped in Saturday's 4-1 loss to visiting Atlanta. Petr Nedved scored 14:16 into the second period to make it a 2-1 match, but the Thrashers added two tallies late in the third to pull away. Mike Dunham finished with 24 saves in the defeat and fell to 9-7-2 since being acquired from Nashville.

The Rangers, who sit last in the Atlantic Division with 49 points, have won four consecutive road tilts. New York will visit Atlanta on Tuesday.

Washington and New York are 1-1-1 against each other this season, including a 2-1 overtime Rangers win on January 15 at MCI. The Blueshirts are 1-0-1 in the last two meetings, and snapped a three-game series road losing streak with that triumph.

 

[Aces High]

New York Rangers (21-24-6-1) at Washington Capitals (22-18-7-3), 1 p.m.

2002-03 Head-to-head-record Tied 1-1-1 (Was 1-0-1 at NY; 0-1 at Home)
2001-02 Head-to-head-record Washington 3-1 (1-1 at NY; 2-0 at Was)
2000-01 Head-to-head record New York 3-1 (2-0 at NY; 1-1 at Was)
1999-00 Head-to-head record Washington 3-1 (2-0 at NY; 1-1 at Was)
Home Record New York 11-14-3-0; Washington 14-665-1
Record vs. Southeast Division New York 7-6-1-0
Record vs. Atlantic Division Washington 7-3-1-2
Record vs. Eastern Conference New York 12-18-4-1; Washington 18-11-4-2

2002-2003 Meetings
10/23 - Washington, 2-1 (at NY)
01/04 - Tied, 2-2 ot (at NY)
01/15 - New York, 2-1 ot (at Was)

2001-2002 Meetings
10/10 - Washington, 5-2 (at NY)
11/23 - Washington, 6-2 (at Was)
12/04 - Washington, 5-2 (at Was)
01/26 - New York, 6-3 (at NY)

2000-2001 Meetings
11/09 - New York, 5-3 (at Was)
12/06 - New York, 3-2 (at NY)
03/09 - Washington, 5-3 (at Was)
03/19 - New York, 6-3 (at NY)

Game Notes
Note - The Rangers are unbeaten (1-0-1) in the last two meetings.
Note - The Rangers are 2-1-1 in the last four meetings.
Note - Washington is 4-2-1 in the last seven meetings.
Note - Washington is 5-3-1 in the last nine meetings.
Note - Washington is 8-5-1 in the last 14 and 9-8-2 in the last 19 meetings.
Note - The Rangers have lost four of their last six at Washington.
Note - THe Rangers have won five of their last nine at Washington.
Note - Washington is unbeaten (1-0-1) in its last two at the Rangers.
Note - Washington is 2-1-1 in its last four at the Rangers.
Note - Washington is 2-3-1 in its last six at the Rangers.
Note - Washington is 7-3-3 in its last 13 at the Rangers.
Note - The Rangers have won six of their last nine games.
Note - The Rangers have won four straight road games.
Note - Washington is 8-1-1-2 in its last 12 home games.