FanNation - The Republic of Sport

The Capitals continue their 5-game road trip tonight with a game against the Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m., CSN). Anaheim are a distant second in the Pacific Division, 11 points behind the red-hot San Jose Sharks - who the Caps will visit on Saturday night (with a game at the Kings tomorrow night). 

The Ducks have just been one of those teams this year that are like an extra in the movie. They really haven't played many games of consequence and they are scoring and giving up 3 goals per game. They have made more news off the ice than on it this year, with the departure of GM Brian Burke, who was replaced by Bob Murray. 

Closer inspection, however, reveals tonight's game won't be easy. Anaheim has gotten a spark lately from second-string goalie Jonas Hiller (3-1-1, 2.18, .926) and he blanked the Kings in Anaheim's most recent game. He's no Andre "Red Light" Racicot. Understandably, shutting out the Kings is a little like getting a high score in gymnastics on the balance beam when the beam is 11 feet wide - but a shutout in the "new" NHL is notable, no matter the competition. 

Washington was frustrating on its last western swing, blowing leads in Calgary and Phoenix and throwing away points. There were key defensive miscues in those games that still occur now and that's going to be an issue for the Caps on this trip, especially when they get to San Jose. 

It doesn't appear as if Alexander Semin is going to play since he left practice yesterday - but I'm hoping Brent Johnson is in goal for Washington. This is a game I could see going to the shootout tied 3-3, and I'd rather have Johnny in there than Theodore. Even if he brings Alvin with him. 

Soccer: The US plays its final game of this qualifying round vs. Guatemala in Denver (8 p.m., ESPN Classic). The US has lost just once in its last 34 home qualifiers, and have already moved on to the final round in 2009. Guatemala need a win to advance, but I don't think they'll get it. They are usually lucky to end the game with the right amount of players. The result is somewhat meaningless for the US, which has won the group, but the hope here is that if the US is up say, 2-0, late, the Guatemalans don't resort to blind hacking and frustrated fouling. We need our players all out of this game healthy - that's the only result that matters.

College Football: Good one in the MAC tonight as undefeated Ball State visits Central Michigan (7 p.m., ESPN2). CMU beat the Cardinals by 20 in Muncie last year. I'm hoping Ball State wins out, one, because they are named Ball State, and two, I want as much carnage at the end of the season as possible. 

Right now, I'm watching an Ohio State-Michigan game from 1988. Dick Vermeil is doing the color. After a touchdown play, Vermeil pats himself on the back for calling the play before it happened - the PBP man, I think it's Gary Bender, notes, "You keep doing that, you'll be coaching again."

"No, no, no," Vermeil said, laughing.

Oops.