Capitals (5-8-0) @ Hurricanes (8-3-3): 3 Stats to Remember...

1. -5

The goal differential in the 2nd period, the Capitals' undoubtedly weakest period. They score the least goals and allow the most in this period. Their 8 goals for in the second period are tied for 2nd worst in the lead (the Rangers have the worst with 3) and while their 13 goals for are in the median of the league, this is still the period that seems to be the Caps' "make-or-break" time.
Even worse for the Caps is the fact that the 'Canes have only allowed 10 goals in the second period and scored 19. The middle stanza for the Caps could be the most critical, and possibly the most painful.

2. 20

Points by Rod Brind'Amour this year. Brind'Amour has scored on 15.8% of his shots this year and is number one in the NHL in terms of assists.
But Brind'Amour has scorched the Caps in his career. 36 goals and 74 points in over 80 games against Washington in his career. Even worse, he has 7 game winning goals. The Caps' top defensive pairing (Jurcina and Morrisonn) needs to keep him off the scoresheet.

3. 0

The number of wins both when the Caps trail after 2 periods of play and the number of wins the Caps have when going shorthanded more than 5 times. That means consistent early play and discipline will be the keys to winning this game.
Consequently, when the Capitals are leading after 2 periods (has happened 4 times) they have never lost. Similarly, they are 4-1-0 when they have been shorthanded 5 times or less. These stats will be important to remember for the Capitals.