Caps/Thrashers Preview

So in case you haven't heard by now, Michael Nylander (who has yet to play in a game this year) has been sent down to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins for a conditioning stint. I would imagine that sitting up in the press box for three-four games a week would make you a little rusty for sure. Now my first thought was "Hmmm - aren't the Griffins the farm team for the Red Wings (who are loaded with some of the most talented players also from Nyls' home country of Sweden)...what does this all mean? Well, it still remains to be seen what this all means but CapsChick has a solid take (as always).

So we'll have to wait and see what (if anything) happens to this ongoing drama that's now had almost a long a run as "All My Children."

Meanwhile, the boys get ready for their first Southeastern Conference matchup against the Atlanta Thrashers. And this one certainly won't be a cakewalk, as the Thrash are off their hottest start in eons with a 4-1-1 record. Gabby will get to face his old pal from his days back at the farm as Thrashers coach John Anderson rallies his troops. But with gunners like Ilya Kovalchuk, Rich Peverly and young Evander Kane, I'm not sure how much rallying he'll need to do in Blueland.

Currently Ovie's bud and countryman Kovalchuk, stands one spot below his pal the Great8 in goals with seven in six games. The off-season additions of Nik Antropov and Pavel Kubina have bolstered Atlanta's scoring capabilities - both guys have four assists on the season while Tobias Enstrom and Brian Little have five apiece.

Goaltender Kari Lehtonin is still out recovering from back surgery but Ondrej Pavelec has stepped in quite nicely thank you, boasting a .929 save percentage.

Yes, things might get very, very interesting down in Dixie tomorrow evening. And the Caps will most likely be without the service of Alexander Semin (illness) along with Tomas Fleischmann and Boyd Gordon. Shaone Morrison is still day-to-day with an injury as well.