NHL Feature Presentation: San Jose at Washington

THE STORY: The Capitals trail the Southeast Division-leading Florida Panthers by four points and the Toronto Maple Leafs by one point for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. This is the second and final meeting. San Jose won the first 5-2 at home on Jan. 7.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSP, TSN2

ABOUT THE SHARKS (30-17-6): San Jose, which is 4-5-1 in its last 10 games, is coming off a 3-0 road loss to the St. Louis Blues. It was the Sharks first game in a season-long nine-game road trip. Antti Niemi made 25 saves. Previously, the Sharks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks at home 5-3. Defenseman Brent Burns led the offense with three assists, while Niemi made 30 saves. The Sharks are 12-8-4 on the road.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (28-22-5): Washington, which is 3-4-3 in its last 10 games, is coming off a 3-2 road loss to the East-leading New York Rangers. Alexander Semin and John Carlson scored, while Michal Neuvirth made 25 saves to fall to 6-9-3 on the season. Washington is an impressive 19-7-2 at home this season. “Our special teams aren’t good enough on the road,” coach Dale Hunter said. “At home, we are one of the best power-play and one of the best penalty-killing teams. We’ve got to work on the road special teams.” After the Capitals take on the Sharks, they hit the road for their next four games.

OVERTIME:

1. Before falling ill, Tomas Vokoun had started four straight games for the Capitals and six of their last seven games.

2. Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner leads the team with a plus-15, while Alex Ovechkin is second-worst at minus-6. Mike Knuble is minus-14.

3. The Sharks have lost three of their last four games.

PREDICTION: Sharks 4, Capitals 3

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