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Jose Theodore tried to downplay the importance of his shutout against his old Montreal Canadiens teammates.
Theodore, who spent parts of 10 seasons with Montreal before being traded to Colorado in March 2006, made 28 saves for the first shutout with Washington in the Capitals' 3-0 victory over the Canadiens on Friday night.
Theodore's second game against Montreal was a lot better than his first. He allowed eight goals in a loss to the Canadiens on Oct. 21, 2006, with Colorado.
Alex Ovechkin, Tomas Fleischmann and David Steckel scored to help the Capitals win their seventh straight at home - the longest streak since also winning seven in a row from Nov. 17-Dec. 16, 2000. Washington is 9-0-1 at home, and is 15-0-1 since March 9.
The victory was Washington coach Bruce Boudreau's 50th since he took over the team on Thanksgiving Day 2007, tying him for sixth place among Capitals. He reached 50 wins in 84 games, the fastest to the mark in team history.
THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TONIGHT
Washington (13-7-1-2) at Columbus (9-10-1-2)
Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have lost three straight on the road. Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets have dropped three straight at home.
One of these streaks will end when the red-hot Ovechkin and his Capitals visit Nash and the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.
Ovechkin enters with a 10-game point streak after scoring in a 3-0 home win over Montreal on Friday. The reigning Hart Trophy winner has bounced back from a bit of a slow start to the season, and has 11 goals and 11 assists during his 10-game run.
Capitals are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Central.
Capitals are 19-7 in their last 26 games following a win.
Capitals are 20-8 in their last 28 after allowing 2 goals
Capitals are 13-6 in their last 19 vs. a team with a losing record.
Blue Jackets are 37-83-4 in their last 124 games playing on 0 days rest.
Blue Jackets are 31-84-6 in their last 121 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
Blue Jackets are 5-16 in their last 21 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Blue Jackets are 2-7 in their last 9 Saturday games.
Blue Jackets are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
Blue Jackets are 2-9 in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Capitals are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Columbus.
Capitals are 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Columbus.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Road team is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.
CAPS CONTINUE TO ROLL
PICK: CAPS
Philadelphia (11-6-3-2) at Toronto (7-9-2-4)
In order to avoid consecutive defeats following a six-game winning streak, the Philadelphia Flyers must overcome their recent history against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
The Flyers (11-6-5) have lost 10 of their last 13 to the Leafs (7-9-6), including four of six in Toronto, and enter this contest after having their six-game run end with Friday afternoon's 3-2 overtime loss to Carolina.
Biron is 1-2-2 in his last five games against Toronto, but 3-0-3 in his past six starts at the Air Canada Centre.
Toskala has allowed one goal or fewer in two starts this season and lost both. He has gone 2-4-3 over his last nine starts after starting the season 5-2-2.
The Maple Leafs goalie has won all three meetings against Philadelphia.
Toronto agreed to a six-year deal with Brian Burke to take over as president and general manager, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press Thursday night.
Burke spent the past three-plus seasons with Anaheim and helped lead the Ducks to a Stanley Cup title in 2007. He left Anaheim Nov. 12 after declining to sign a contract extension.
Flyers are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings.
LET'S SEE IF THEY CAN WIN THIS ONE FOR BURKEY
PICK: LEAFS
GL TONIGHT GUYS
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