Sat Oct 11 10:57:32 2008

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Capitals, Blackhawks clash in Washington

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(Sports Network) - Two clubs that feature some of the best young talent in the game square off tonight, as the Washington Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at the Verizon Center.

Both clubs made their season debuts on Friday night, and both skated away with losses. Washington fell to Atlanta, 7-4, while Chicago was defeated by the New York Rangers, 4-2.

Though Washington's Alexander Ovechkin was held without a point on six shots in last night's loss, 22-year-old defenseman Mike Green continued his torrid scoring. Green led all defenseman with 18 goals a year ago and he lit the lamp twice to go along with an assist in Friday's setback.

Alexander Semin, 24, added a goal and two helpers, while Jose Theodore allowed four goals on 17 shots in his Washington debut. He was replaced by Brent Johnson, who gave up three tallies on 14 shots faced.

Theodore, signed as a free agent this offseason, will try for a quick turnaround tonight, as he is likely to make his home debut for Washington. In 11 career starts versus the Blackhawks, Theodore is 4-6-1 with a 2.63 goals against average.

Chicago, meanwhile, got a goal out of 19-year-old Patrick Kane, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, in last night's defeat. Duncan Keith also scored, while 20-year-old Jonathan Toews was held without a point.

Defenseman Brian Campbell and netminder Cristobal Huet both made their Chicago debuts. Campbell, who signed an eight-year, $57 million deal in the offseason, had an assist, while Huet made 25 saves in the loss.

Huet began last year with Montreal before being acquired by Washington late last season. He went 11-2-0 with a 1.63 GAA in 13 games with the Capitals before inking a four-year deal with Chicago over the summer.

Huet is 6-2-1 with a 2.45 GAA in nine career starts against his former club.

Chicago has won its last three games against Washington, including a 5-0 home victory on March 19 in the last meeting between the clubs.