Fun With Numbers

This is just a few numbers that jumped out at me as I surf NHL's site. It might put a few things in perspective.

+78 - That is the goal differential for the Capitals that was at one point as high as 85 at one point this season. This is the difference in the Caps goals for and goals against. The Caps are number one in this department in the league. In fact the closest team to the Caps in goal differential are the Chicago Blackhawks at a +50. In the Eastern Conference the closest team to the Caps are the Buffalo Sabres at +25.

.659 - The Capitals' winning percentage when they out shoot their opponents, best in the NHL. Washington has the sixth best winning percentage in the league when they are out shot at .667.

.552 - The Caps' winning percentage when their opponents score the first goal. That too is the best in the NHL in that department. They are a mortal 11th in the league when they score first (.717).

100 - The points Alex Ovechkin has accumulated this season, it is the fourth time in five seasons Ovi has hit the 100 mark. That puts him in some pretty elite company as only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Peter Stastny and Dale Hawerchuk have accomplished the century mark in four times in their first 5 seasons in NHL history. Ovi is just a single point behind Henrik Sedin for points lead and one goal behind Sid Crosby for the Rocket Richard trophy.

25 - The number of goals that both the Ottawa Senators and the Capitals have scored in their previous three meetings (6-5 Ott. Feb 11, 5-2 Wsh. Jan 7, 4-3 Ott. Nov 23). The Caps are looking to tie up the 4 game series against their Conference foes after dropping two close games in November and February.

Caps Notes:

• Rumors have been running more and more rampant about the Capitals and Penguins playing each other in the 2011 Winter Classic. Ovechkin thinks it will be fun, Ted Leonsis tells us to chill, and the rest are giddy about doing it here in DC (like it's cold enough in January to have it outdoors in DC). I will believe it when it happens.
• Injuries will continue to plague the Caps as Brendan Morrison and Scott Walker are still a week away from returning to the lineup. Brooks Laich will probably return by the weekend. Boyd Gordon doesn't seem to be returning to 100% anytime soon as he is back in Hershey getting work done on his ailing back. Shaone Morrisonn will return to the line up against Ottawa.
• There is an outside chance that Ottawa could be a possible match up for the Caps when the post season begins. At the moment the Senators are sitting in fifth place in the Conference but a lot can happen in the last 6 to 7 games as the 8th place Bruins could still catch them.