This is a 10* PUCK-LINE DESTRUCTION on the Washington Capitals.

We look for Washington to take advantage of this favorable situation. The Capitals are 2-1-0 to open the season and will be closing a four-game homestand before then hitting the road for a three-game Western Canada swing. This is an important early game for Washington. Conversely, this sets up as a classic letdown spot for the visitors, who are coming off their first win of the season, a convincing 5-3 victory at Detroit just last night. After losing 5-0 to the Sharks on Tuesday, the Capitals bounced back with a 4-1 win over Chicago on Thursday. Note that the home side will get a big boost today as well with the expected return of center Nicklas Backstrom, who led the NHL with 60 assists last year. Carolina is ending a road trip after a satisfying win just last night, while Washington finishes a homestead before leaving town for a very tough road trip; it's a perfect storm of situational factors that all point to an epic lop-sided beatdown, lay the 1.5 goals for the healthy return on the CAPITALS.

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