Capitals Host Sharks

The Washington Capitals will go for its fourth straight win on Day 118 when the San Jose Sharks visit the MCI Center for an inter-conference affair. Washington is 22-26-9, good for 11th in the Wales Conference and six points out of the playoffs. San Jose is second in the Campbell at 34-20-4.

The resurgent Capitals, unbeaten in six games, are led by dynamic winger Zigmund Palffy with 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points. Anson Carter and Patrick Marleau are also contributing with 43 and 41 points, respectively. Carter has 21 goals and 22 assists, while Marleau has 15 goals and 26 points.

On the blueline, Rob Blake has five goals and 28 assists, while Dan Boyle adds 23 points to the attack.

In goal, Manny Legace has been up and down all season and sports an 18-22-6 record. He also has a 3.30 GAA and .879 save percentage. Backup Peter Skudra is 3-4-3 with a 3.21 GAA and .887 save percentage in 18 games.

San Jose gets going with a trio of scoring forwards. Jaromir Jagr, Martin St. Louis and Glen Murray all have 60 points. Radek Bonk leads the team in goals with 27, while Ladislav Nagy is also doing well with 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points.

On defense, Scott Niedermayer has eight goals and 28 assists, and Brian Leetch has four goals and 29 assists.

In goal for the Sharks, JS Giguere gets the bulk of the action. Giguere is 32-20-4 with a 3.02 GAA and .881 save percentage. Backup Jussi Markanen is 1-1-0 with a 3.54 GAA and .883 save percentage in eight games.