DOUG CHRISTIANSEN has guided Capitals to three wins over arch rivals Newcastle Vipers so far this term and would love to make it four on Tyneside tomorrow.
Victory in the Metro Arena would move the Scots up to 18 points in the Elite League, the same number as Newcastle who have played three games fewer. Table-topping Sheffield Steelers are the visitors to Murrayfield on Sunday (6.00pm) for what will be
a tough challenge for the Caps.
Newcastle come into tomorrow's game on the back of a confidence-sapping seventh straight defeat. They were thrashed 9-2 at second-placed Coventry Blaze, despite having beefed up their line-up with the signing of former Capitals hitman Jeff Hutchins and former NHL sniper Ed Courtenay, once of the Scottish Eagles.
But Capitals have problems, too, with Adam Stefishen ruled out with a lower body injury. Christiansen said: "With Adam missing we're down to four defencemen – and that's tough. Adam helps give Taylor Christie and Joe Dustin a break. If you are physically tired then that increases your ability to make mistakes. Craig Mitchell and Kyle Horne are doing their shifts but that extra defenceman helps keep the defence fresher."
Canadian Stefishen has damaged a ligament and has been working hard in re-hab. Christiansen said: "I expect him (Adam) to be ready to start skating on Monday. It's the third weekend in which we'll not have him on the ice with us which is a tremendous blow.
"He gives us something which nobody else really does and he is also our fifth defenceman. That's important as it allows the other four time to rest.
"However, we just have to get on with it. Adam would much rather be out there with us but it's not to be and he would rather have been training with the guys than going to the Space Clinic for treatment on his own.
"Newcastle and Sheffield are two big games for us, but they are all big for us right now. Newcastle are close to us in the standings and we could draw level with them on Saturday night if we win. We seem to have their number but Jeff (Hutchins) and Ed (Courtenay) are two big players for them and they are excellent hockey players.
"Newcastle will be physical and we have to play disciplined hockey. We'll not out physical Newcastle as they thrive on it, but we have to go in there and do the business."
Vipers have 18 points from 22 games. They have only won eight fixtures and lost 14 but have a much tighter defence than Edinburgh who have shipped 127 goals. Newcastle have lost 84.
Capitals have outscored Vipers, however, with 77 hitting the rigging against 65.
Sheffield are riding high at the top of the ten-strong table with 34 points from 21 games.
Looking ahead to Sunday's game, Christiansen said: "Sheffield are a really solid team and everybody comes to play. Early in the season I thought they should be the best in the league and they are.
"They have come together as a unit and have speed and skill. In fact, they are as good a team as there is in the league right now."
Capitals don't have a big journey on Saturday and Sheffield are also in action at home to unpredictable Belfast Giants, who are third with 30 points.
It's nip and tuck at the bottom. Capitals cling on to eighth spot with ninth-spot Basingstoke Bison also on the same mark having played 25 games while Hull Stingrays, courtesy of a shock home win over Belfast last Sunday, are only two points adrift. They have games in hand over both Bison and Capitals.
Basingstoke entertain Hull in a basement battle at the same time as Capitals are at Newcastle so Saturday could be a huge night for the bottom three.
