Sat, 04/07/2007 - 10:06am

The Caps wrap up their 2006-2007 season this afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres at the Verizon Center. The Capitals need to record one point tonight to finish with more points than last season (70). The Capitals come into tonight’s game riding a three game winning streak, their first since the first week of January. The Caps are coming off an impressive 3-2 road victory in Atlanta on Wednesday night. Alex Ovechkin netted two goals against the Thrashers and was named NHL.com’s first star. Today fans could be treated to a milestone as Ovechkin is just two goals shy of 100 for his career, and 2 points shy of 200 points. Today’s final game of the season is fan appreciation day, today the Caps organization treats fans to a blunder of gifts and prizes at the Verizon Center. In addition to all the great festivities during the game, at the end of the game random fans are chosen to be on the ice and receive game worn jerseys off the backs of every player on the team. This classy showing by the Caps expresses the organization’s appreciation for the support of Caps fans after a long season full of ups and downs.

The Buffalo Sabres have been the best team in the NHL for most of the season, the Sabres clinched their division and the Eastern Conference but still have a lot to play for. The Sabres moved into a tie for first place in the NHL standings after Western Conference-leading Detroit lost 3-2 in a shootout at Chicago on Thursday. Each team has 111 points, but Buffalo has a game in hand. The Red Wings host the Blackhawks in their regular-season finale on Saturday, while Buffalo visits NHL-worst Philadelphia Sunday. Although all teams say the President’s Trophy is not as important as the Stanley Cup, the President’s Trophy gives the team home ice throughout the playoffs, carving a much easier path to winning the Stanley Cup.

The last time these two teams played was March 21; Buffalo won that game 5-2.

Sharifi’s Face-Off Facts:

Expect Alex Ovechkin to finish the season shooting the puck from everywhere. Ovechkin would love to reach his milestones today in front of a packed house in D.C. in the Capitals last game of the season.

Russian sniper Alexander Semin is expected to be back in the line up today after missing the last game with a foot injury.

With a win tonight the Sabres will set a franchise record in wins in a season. The Sabres, who have never won a Stanley Cup in their 36-year history, lost to Carolina in seven games in the conference finals last season.

Look for the gloves to drop tonight with heavyweights Donald Brashear and Andrew Peters going toe to toe for the third time this season.

About the author
Kevin Sharifi is currently a student at Catholic University and can be reached at 61SHARIFI@cua.edu .

Categories:

• Sports