Capitals Visit Windy City

The Washington Capitals travel to Chicago on Day 159 for an important inter-conference affair. Washington is fifth in the Wales Conference at 36-32-11. Chicago is third in the Campbell at 43-32-6.

Washington's offense is led by dynamic winger Zigmund Palffy. The veteran sniper has 29 goals and 50 assists. Center Patrick Marleau adds 29 goals and 38 assists, while recent-arrival David Vyborny has 28 goals and 33 assists. Mikael Renberg anchors the top-line with 22 goals and 37 assists, while Anson Carter and Frantisek Lukes round out the second line with 57 and 51 points respectively.

On the blue line, Rob Blake packs a punch with eight goals and 36 assists. Bryan Berard contributes 13 goals and 24 assists, and Dan Boyle adds 31 points.

In goal, Manny Legace is 29-27-8 with a 3.12 GAA and .884 save percentage. Peter Skudra is 6-5-3 with a 2.91 GAA and .894 save percentage.

Petr Sykora tops the scoring list in Chicago with 43 goals and 48 assists. Scott Gomez adds 15 goals and 59 assists, and Niklas Dunstrom contibutes 62 points. Yanic Perreault is playing well with 24 goals and 34 assists, while Ivan Kolzvary is chipping in with 52 points.

On defense, Sandis Ozolinsh has 14 goals and 35 assists, and Kenny Jonsson adds 15 goals and 24 assists. Philippe Boucher is also contributing with 27 points.

In goal, Dan Cloutier is 36-30-5 with a 3.08 GAA and .890 save percentage. Cloutier is suspended for appearing in too many games. Michael Leighton is 7-2-1 with a 3.07 GAA and .897 save percentage, but he's out for 1-2 weeks with a hip injury. Seldom-used Mike Fountain will likely start, and he's 0-0-0 with no goals against in just 12 minutes of action.