She's earmarked it as a must-win and Canberra young gun Stephanie Talbot will be critical on both ends of the floor as the Capitals look to break their losing run against Melbourne on Saturday.
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The Capitals are winless after five matches and the Boomers have won once in three games, but the WNBL's top three average point scorers this season will all feature at AIS Arena.
Injuries have meant Talbot has stepped up more offensively, averaging 20 points (third in league) and over 14 shots a game.
She is likely to spend time guarding Boomers skipper Tess Madgen (second with 21.67) and another Australian Opal, Alice Kunek.
Melbourne forward Elyse Penaluna (first with 22.33) poses a major threat given Canberra's lack of depth in the post with Lauren Jackson still out injured.
Canberra showed signs of improvement in its last start at Bendigo, leading by seven points early in the last quarter before last year's grand finalists wore them down.
After a tough draw to start the season the Capitals play just one match a round for the next six weeks, and Jackson is forecast to return in three to four weeks.
"I definitely have a bit more responsibility, I'm one of the main scorers out there with the line-up we have but I don't feel too much pressure on my back," Talbot said.
"I think teams are playing me pretty much straight up one-on-one, I'm enjoying the challenge of stepping up."
The match could also herald the return to Canberra of point guard Kristen Veal, who has joined the Boomers on a short-term basis as they juggle injuries in their back court.
Veal won three championships with Canberra and left the club at the end of last season.
SATURDAY
WNBL round four: Canberra Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at AIS Arena, 7pm
Tickets available from Ticketek
