Game 40 Preview: Caps Host New York Rangers

The Washington Capitals (25-11-3, first in Southeast) host the New York Rangers (23-13-3, second in Atlantic) at 7:00 PM from Verizon Center.

The Capitals continue their RED hot streak with five wins in a row and 12 of their last 14 games. The Rangers have yet to play a game in 2009 as their last game was a third period come from behind victory over the New York Islanders.

Washington leads the New York by four points in the Eastern Conference standings.

Winger Chris Bourque was sent back to the minors on Friday.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

WAS: PP-5th (23.1%, 37/160); PK-22nd (80.1%, 36/181)

NYR: PP-25th (14.2%, 25/176); PK-2nd (88.2%, 18/152)

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INJURIES

WAS: D John Erskine (Concussion-IR); D Brian Pothier (Concussion-OUT); C Sergei Federov (Ankle-IR); D Tom Poti (Groin-IR); LW Alexander Semin (Back-IR); Tomas Fleischmann (Pneumonia-OUT); Donald Brashear (Leg-Questionable)

NYR: None Reported

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Update on Former Capital and now with Tampa Bay Lightning, Jamie Heward - Jamie Heward was diagnosed with a concussion after being hit head-first into the boards by a clean Ovechkin check during Thursday's game against Washington. He was released from Sidley Hospital on Friday and returned to Tampa Bay where he will be out indefinitely.

Sad Hockey News - Don Sanderson, a 21-year-old rookie defenceman with the senior AAA Whitby Dunlops of the Ontario Hockey Association, died on Friday three weeks after hitting his unprotected head on the ice during a fight in a December 12th game. His death has renewed calls for tougher rules governing the use of helmets.