The Hockey News, in the March 1 issue, projected that the Caps would win the President's Trophy with 122 points -- which would smash last season's 108 points, the current franchise record.
The same issue also indicates that Alex Ovechkin will score 60 goals and register 125 pionts, which would earn him the Rocket Richard Trophy for the third straight season and the Art Ross Trophy for the second time in three years. It also, presumably, would earn him his third straight Hart and Pearson Trophies.
Mike Green also would finish with 79 points, leading defensemen in scoring for the second straight season.
Let's see what actually happens in the final 20 games.
February 28, 2010
It Had to be Crosby, Eh?
Witnesses of Canada's 3-2 OT gold medal victory are probably still in shock if you're a fan of the Caps, USA Hockey or just can't stand The Crybaby. Once the game headed to the extra session, thoughts of Anybody But Crosby started to creep into the minds of those who fall into the aforementioned categories.
But, just like he tormented the Caps in last season's playoffs when he first eliminated them and then won the Stanley Cup, Sidney Crosby had the last laugh -- again. In less than a year, Alex Ovechkin now has lost to Crosby and the Penguins in the NHL playoffs and Crosby and the Canadians in the Olympics.
All that's left for Ovechkin and the Caps is to win as many Stanley Cups as possible -- before taking home the gold in Sochi in 2014.
But, just like he tormented the Caps in last season's playoffs when he first eliminated them and then won the Stanley Cup, Sidney Crosby had the last laugh -- again. In less than a year, Alex Ovechkin now has lost to Crosby and the Penguins in the NHL playoffs and Crosby and the Canadians in the Olympics.
All that's left for Ovechkin and the Caps is to win as many Stanley Cups as possible -- before taking home the gold in Sochi in 2014.
February 25, 2010
Putting the Band Back Together
As the saying from "Blues Brothers" goes, the Caps are putting the band back together after all five of their Olympians were eliminated during yesterday's action. The USA, Canada, Finland and Slovakia (with a heavy former Caps factor, including GM Peter Bondra) are still alive while Russia, Sweden and the Czech Republic were sent packing.
That means, more than likely, Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Semin, Semyon Varlamov and Tomas Fleischmann will return in time for Sunday's practice. That will give the Caps three full practices before their quest for the President's Trophy (and a certain other silver chalice) resumes March 3 in Buffalo.
Everybody seems to be healthy, save for Michal Neuvirth -- who is right now with the Hershey Bears. But he probably was going to be the No. 3 goalie anyway, so as long as Varly and Jose Theodore are at full strength, then the Caps should be OK.
Let's also remember that the roster freeze ends at midnight Monday and the trading deadline is at 3 p.m. March 3, just four hours before the Caps face off against the Sabres.
That means, more than likely, Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Semin, Semyon Varlamov and Tomas Fleischmann will return in time for Sunday's practice. That will give the Caps three full practices before their quest for the President's Trophy (and a certain other silver chalice) resumes March 3 in Buffalo.
Everybody seems to be healthy, save for Michal Neuvirth -- who is right now with the Hershey Bears. But he probably was going to be the No. 3 goalie anyway, so as long as Varly and Jose Theodore are at full strength, then the Caps should be OK.
Let's also remember that the roster freeze ends at midnight Monday and the trading deadline is at 3 p.m. March 3, just four hours before the Caps face off against the Sabres.
February 24, 2010
Caps Practices, Record-Setting Season Resume
The Caps convene today to start preparations for their game next Wednesday at Buffalo. All but the five Olympians are expected to be present at Kettler IcePlex at 2 p.m. for the first action of any kind since the Caps lost, 4-3 in a shootout, in St. Louis on Feb. 13. Practice continues through next Tuesday, when the team will depart for Western New York after a 10:30 a.m. session.
When we last left the team, they boasted the best record in the NHL and had won 14 straight before dropping their last three. They're 27 points up on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division, 13 up on the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference and one point up on the San Jose Sharks in the President's Trophy race.
Alex Ovechkin is leading the league in points (89, nine more than Henrik Sedin and 11 more than Sidney Crosby) and is tied with Crosby for the league league in goals with 42. He's also got a sizable margin in plus/minus at plus-43.
When we last left the team, they boasted the best record in the NHL and had won 14 straight before dropping their last three. They're 27 points up on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division, 13 up on the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference and one point up on the San Jose Sharks in the President's Trophy race.
Alex Ovechkin is leading the league in points (89, nine more than Henrik Sedin and 11 more than Sidney Crosby) and is tied with Crosby for the league league in goals with 42. He's also got a sizable margin in plus/minus at plus-43.
February 22, 2010
USA Beats Canada, Earns Top Seed
The USA men's hockey team earned the top seed in the elimination round with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Canada last night. While going 3-0 in the preliminary round (joining Sweden as the only teams to accomplish that impressive feat), the USA played the style they needed to play: work hard and get great goaltending.
Now they're in a position to throw all predictions out the window and earn a gold medal. But before getting there, they'll need to face a daunting task: possible match-ups with Finland and either Russia or Sweden. The bracket is definitely in the American's favor. After an extra day off, they'll play the winner of tomorrow's Switzerland-Belarus game on Wednesday (3 p.m., NBC).
Then, if they win that game, the USA most likely will face a Finnish team that boasts Miikka Kiprusoff, Saku Koivu and the Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne. A win there puts them in the gold medal game on Sunday afternoon.
As for the Canadians, they must play the Germans on Tuesday and then face Russia should they win. So the much-anticipated Alex Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby battle (Olympic edition) would take place Wednesday in the quarterfinals instead of Sunday in the gold medal match. How the mighty have fallen.
The USA women's team plays Sweden today with a likely match-up against Canada looming Thursday afternoon for all the marbles.
Now they're in a position to throw all predictions out the window and earn a gold medal. But before getting there, they'll need to face a daunting task: possible match-ups with Finland and either Russia or Sweden. The bracket is definitely in the American's favor. After an extra day off, they'll play the winner of tomorrow's Switzerland-Belarus game on Wednesday (3 p.m., NBC).
Then, if they win that game, the USA most likely will face a Finnish team that boasts Miikka Kiprusoff, Saku Koivu and the Finnish Flash, Teemu Selanne. A win there puts them in the gold medal game on Sunday afternoon.
As for the Canadians, they must play the Germans on Tuesday and then face Russia should they win. So the much-anticipated Alex Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby battle (Olympic edition) would take place Wednesday in the quarterfinals instead of Sunday in the gold medal match. How the mighty have fallen.
The USA women's team plays Sweden today with a likely match-up against Canada looming Thursday afternoon for all the marbles.
February 18, 2010
Wizards Trades Bear Caps' Signature
Even though Ted Leonsis is not the Wizards' owner (yet), the two trades Washington's NBA franchise has made over the past couple of days bears a striking resemblance to what GM George McPhee pulled off leading into the NHL lockout. As has been famously documented, Leonsis and McPhee realized that the team could not win a championship as constructed and made sure they would have the tools to do that in the coming years.
It's worked and now the local hoops team is following that successful path. Clearly, the Wizards are going through what the Caps experienced before Alex Ovechkin changed the franchise's fortunes forever. Wizards fans, though, will have at least four or five years of waiting time before experiencing what the Caps are now -- if they can get a game-changing player with a high draft pick like the Caps did with Ovechkin.
It won't be pretty for the Wizards, but all they need to do is look at the Caps for inspiration. And for the Caps, it's good to know that others want to follow in their footsteps. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
It's worked and now the local hoops team is following that successful path. Clearly, the Wizards are going through what the Caps experienced before Alex Ovechkin changed the franchise's fortunes forever. Wizards fans, though, will have at least four or five years of waiting time before experiencing what the Caps are now -- if they can get a game-changing player with a high draft pick like the Caps did with Ovechkin.
It won't be pretty for the Wizards, but all they need to do is look at the Caps for inspiration. And for the Caps, it's good to know that others want to follow in their footsteps. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
February 17, 2010
Olympic Opening Statements
Three of the four medal favorites played yesterday -- and all won using the style that was expected. The USA fought for a 3-1 victory over Switzerland with solid goaltending, hard work and good cycling. Meanwhile, Russia (8-2 over Latvia) and Canada (8-0 over Norway) flexed their offensive muscles.
This might just be how it's going to play out for a while with a few exceptions. The USA and Canada swap opponents on Thursday -- and the outcomes (along with the playing style) could be very similar. The not-so-friendly hockey neighbors face each other on Sunday in a game that should be a test for both teams.
Russia plays on Thursday against Slovakia, who opens tonight against the Czech Republic.
The only Caps that played yesterday were Russian -- and it was a good showing there. Alex Ovechkin scored twice, while Alex Semin notched an assist on Ovechkin's first goal. Semyon Varlamov didn't play -- and no word on whether that's going to change.
Finally, in case you haven't noticed, the U.S. and Canadian women's teams are scoring at record paces without much resistance. Both teams have played twice: Canada has outscored Switzerland and Slovakia 28-1, while the USA has routed China and Russia 25-1.
Canada plays today vs. Sweden (5:30 p.m., MSNBC), perhaps the only legitimate threat to either country, and the USA plays Finland tomorrow. The semifinals, when the games should be closer, take place Monday.
This might just be how it's going to play out for a while with a few exceptions. The USA and Canada swap opponents on Thursday -- and the outcomes (along with the playing style) could be very similar. The not-so-friendly hockey neighbors face each other on Sunday in a game that should be a test for both teams.
Russia plays on Thursday against Slovakia, who opens tonight against the Czech Republic.
The only Caps that played yesterday were Russian -- and it was a good showing there. Alex Ovechkin scored twice, while Alex Semin notched an assist on Ovechkin's first goal. Semyon Varlamov didn't play -- and no word on whether that's going to change.
Finally, in case you haven't noticed, the U.S. and Canadian women's teams are scoring at record paces without much resistance. Both teams have played twice: Canada has outscored Switzerland and Slovakia 28-1, while the USA has routed China and Russia 25-1.
Canada plays today vs. Sweden (5:30 p.m., MSNBC), perhaps the only legitimate threat to either country, and the USA plays Finland tomorrow. The semifinals, when the games should be closer, take place Monday.
February 16, 2010
Men's Hockey Starts Today
Somewhat fittingly for those of us in the United States, the USA squad bats lead-off today as the Olympic men's hockey tournament begins (3 p.m, USA Network). And it's a wide-open field with the Russians (who boast three of the five Caps in the games) and the homestanding Canadians leading the way. The Americans and Swedes also will lay a solid claim to a medal, with the defending silver medalists Fins in there as well.
The Americans are young, hungry and are the underdogs. In fact, since winning their historic gold medal in 1980, they've only won one medal -- a silver in 2002 (losing to Canada in Salt Lake City). If the Americans are going to finish in the top three, they'll need to be led by an outstanding goaltending trio (Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas and Jonathan Quick) and overachieve across the board.
Conversely, the Canadians, Russians and Swedes are stacked. Canada boasts a who's-who among NHL scoring leaders and that doesn't even include the Caps' Mike Green, who is first among blueliners. There's also some grit in there (specifically Chris Pronger and Brent Seabrook) and goaltending legend Martin Brouduer -- not to mention really hometowner Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks and most recent Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury (the youngest of the three net-minders by far).
The Russians might just be setting offensive records when it's all said and done. Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Alex Semin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin lead the way for the team that also boasts Sergei Fedorov, Viktor Kozlov and captain Alexey Morozov. The blueline isn't as star-laden but that doesn't apply to goaltenders Ilya Bryzgalov and Evgeni Nabokov -- not to mention the Caps' Semyon Varlamov. The team also will be looking to avenge a disappointing fourth-place finish in 2006.
The Swedes won the gold in Turin and look to be a serious threat again. Led by the Canucks' twins -- Henrik and Daniel Sedin -- the Caps' Nicklas Backstrom, Daniel Alfredsson, Henrik Zetterberg and Peter Forsburg (and that's only on offense), the Swedes return 13 from their 2006 roster. Their defense is equally as star-laden with all-everything Nicklas Lidstrom, Nicklas Kronwall and Tobias Enstrom occupying the top spots and superstar Henrik Lundqvist in between the pipes.
Finland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia probably won't embarrass themselves, but when it's all said and done, they just don't have the star power to earn a medal. As for who will:
Gold: Russia. Call it a hunch, and maybe a little Ovechkin-bias, but the offense-at-will mentality will get it done in Vancouver.
Silver: Canada. Yes, the hosts will be on the podium, but not in the spot they're coveting.
Bronze: Sweden. The USA probably will get a chance at this medal, but the defending gold medalists will be back on the podium in Vancouver.
The Americans are young, hungry and are the underdogs. In fact, since winning their historic gold medal in 1980, they've only won one medal -- a silver in 2002 (losing to Canada in Salt Lake City). If the Americans are going to finish in the top three, they'll need to be led by an outstanding goaltending trio (Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas and Jonathan Quick) and overachieve across the board.
Conversely, the Canadians, Russians and Swedes are stacked. Canada boasts a who's-who among NHL scoring leaders and that doesn't even include the Caps' Mike Green, who is first among blueliners. There's also some grit in there (specifically Chris Pronger and Brent Seabrook) and goaltending legend Martin Brouduer -- not to mention really hometowner Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks and most recent Stanley Cup champion Marc-Andre Fleury (the youngest of the three net-minders by far).
The Russians might just be setting offensive records when it's all said and done. Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Alex Semin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin lead the way for the team that also boasts Sergei Fedorov, Viktor Kozlov and captain Alexey Morozov. The blueline isn't as star-laden but that doesn't apply to goaltenders Ilya Bryzgalov and Evgeni Nabokov -- not to mention the Caps' Semyon Varlamov. The team also will be looking to avenge a disappointing fourth-place finish in 2006.
The Swedes won the gold in Turin and look to be a serious threat again. Led by the Canucks' twins -- Henrik and Daniel Sedin -- the Caps' Nicklas Backstrom, Daniel Alfredsson, Henrik Zetterberg and Peter Forsburg (and that's only on offense), the Swedes return 13 from their 2006 roster. Their defense is equally as star-laden with all-everything Nicklas Lidstrom, Nicklas Kronwall and Tobias Enstrom occupying the top spots and superstar Henrik Lundqvist in between the pipes.
Finland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia probably won't embarrass themselves, but when it's all said and done, they just don't have the star power to earn a medal. As for who will:
Gold: Russia. Call it a hunch, and maybe a little Ovechkin-bias, but the offense-at-will mentality will get it done in Vancouver.
Silver: Canada. Yes, the hosts will be on the podium, but not in the spot they're coveting.
Bronze: Sweden. The USA probably will get a chance at this medal, but the defending gold medalists will be back on the podium in Vancouver.
February 15, 2010
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 15
Record/Standings Position: 41-13-8 (90 points), 1st Southeast Division/1st Eastern Conference/1st NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 6-5 (OT), at Montreal
* Lost, 6-5, at Ottawa
* Lost, 4-3 (SO), at St. Louis
This Week's Games: None/Olympic Break
Injuries: Jason Chimera (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Shaone Morrisonn (day-to-day), Matt Bradley (day-to-day). Total Man-Games Lost: 168.
Recent Transactions: Assigned John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Michal Neuvirth to Hershey (Feb. 14), recalled Carlson from Hershey and assigned Chris Bourque to the Bears (Feb. 13), recalled Alzner and Bourque from Hershey (Feb. 11), recalled Semyon Varlamov from Hershey (Feb. 9).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps are getting a much-needed break after a playing 22 games since Jan. 1.
* There are 20 games left for the Caps and they need just 18 points to tie last year's franchise-record 108 points.
* To keep you going, Caps Red Line Monday premieres tonight (9:30 p.m., CSN) -- no Professor Bradley, though.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Ovechkin (tops in the NHL in points by nine and tied for the goal-scoring lead -- in seven fewer games); Nicklas Backstrom (50 assists, just 16 off last year's total); Alex Semin (just eight goals short of his career high).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Team defense (15 goals allowed this week -- not including the shootout); health (injuries start to mount after a long-stretch of full roster availability); Tyler Sloan (adding to the doubters with poor play, when he's even in the line-up).
Note: This feature will go on hiatus until March 1.
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 6-5 (OT), at Montreal
* Lost, 6-5, at Ottawa
* Lost, 4-3 (SO), at St. Louis
This Week's Games: None/Olympic Break
Injuries: Jason Chimera (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Shaone Morrisonn (day-to-day), Matt Bradley (day-to-day). Total Man-Games Lost: 168.
Recent Transactions: Assigned John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Michal Neuvirth to Hershey (Feb. 14), recalled Carlson from Hershey and assigned Chris Bourque to the Bears (Feb. 13), recalled Alzner and Bourque from Hershey (Feb. 11), recalled Semyon Varlamov from Hershey (Feb. 9).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps are getting a much-needed break after a playing 22 games since Jan. 1.
* There are 20 games left for the Caps and they need just 18 points to tie last year's franchise-record 108 points.
* To keep you going, Caps Red Line Monday premieres tonight (9:30 p.m., CSN) -- no Professor Bradley, though.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Ovechkin (tops in the NHL in points by nine and tied for the goal-scoring lead -- in seven fewer games); Nicklas Backstrom (50 assists, just 16 off last year's total); Alex Semin (just eight goals short of his career high).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Team defense (15 goals allowed this week -- not including the shootout); health (injuries start to mount after a long-stretch of full roster availability); Tyler Sloan (adding to the doubters with poor play, when he's even in the line-up).
Note: This feature will go on hiatus until March 1.
February 13, 2010
Caps Drop Last Game Before Break
The Caps played much better tonight, but ultimately lost 4-3 in a shootout to the St. Louis Blues in their last game before the Olympic break. The important thing was getting back to the form that led to their dominating winning streak -- and an impressive 90 points in 62 games -- and they achieved that tonight.
The highlight was Mike Knuble's two goals, both from in close and on the power play. He's been playing extremely well lately and his hard work around the net was rewarded.
Jose Theodore also continued his hot play, as one or two of the goals weren't his fault -- and he got an unlucky bounce in allowing the only goal of the shootout.
Alex Semin has been on a mission recently and he netted his 30th goal of the season tonight. Although Alex Ovechkin was held pointless, he very much was in the game.
While the Caps have lost three straight, tonight's game was much more their style and the rest for all but five players should come in handy down the stretch, especially since the non-Olympians don't need to report again until Feb. 24.
The highlight was Mike Knuble's two goals, both from in close and on the power play. He's been playing extremely well lately and his hard work around the net was rewarded.
Jose Theodore also continued his hot play, as one or two of the goals weren't his fault -- and he got an unlucky bounce in allowing the only goal of the shootout.
Alex Semin has been on a mission recently and he netted his 30th goal of the season tonight. Although Alex Ovechkin was held pointless, he very much was in the game.
While the Caps have lost three straight, tonight's game was much more their style and the rest for all but five players should come in handy down the stretch, especially since the non-Olympians don't need to report again until Feb. 24.
February 12, 2010
Current Caps Need to Learn From 1984 Squad
On a recent game telecast, Craig Laughlin spoke about his participation in the second-longest winning streak in Caps' history: a 10-gamer from Jan. 27-Feb. 18, 1984. But he added that the team lost three of four before finishing the regular season 12-2-1.
The opportunity is there for this year's Caps, who won 14 straight but have lost the last two, to learn from their history -- and, in Laughlin's case, their current TV color commentator. The Caps have 20 games following the Olympic break, a few more than the 1984 team had after its winning streak ended. No matter what happens tomorrow night in St. Louis during their last game before the respite, the Caps need to right the ship that had been swaying even while the team was still winning games.
"[Bad habits] have been creeping in for about seven games now," Coach Bruce Boudreau said after last night's loss in Ottawa. "I've been telling them every frigging night about bad habits. The break can't come soon enough for me, where we can get five or six days of practice and get back on track here."
The team definitely needs that extra time to get back into defensive form and regain their solid work habits that led to the lengthy winning streak. Even though the Southeast Division title is all but wrapped up, the team still has the chance to finish first overall in the Eastern Conference and maybe even capture their first President's Trophy.
Then there's the subject of momentum. Last year, the team cruised into the playoffs before starting slow against the New York Rangers -- falling behind three-games-to-one for the second consecutive postseason. If they're planning on a long playoff run, the team needs to play solidly during the final 20 games. And that all starts with looking at an 1984 team that has been there before.
The opportunity is there for this year's Caps, who won 14 straight but have lost the last two, to learn from their history -- and, in Laughlin's case, their current TV color commentator. The Caps have 20 games following the Olympic break, a few more than the 1984 team had after its winning streak ended. No matter what happens tomorrow night in St. Louis during their last game before the respite, the Caps need to right the ship that had been swaying even while the team was still winning games.
"[Bad habits] have been creeping in for about seven games now," Coach Bruce Boudreau said after last night's loss in Ottawa. "I've been telling them every frigging night about bad habits. The break can't come soon enough for me, where we can get five or six days of practice and get back on track here."
The team definitely needs that extra time to get back into defensive form and regain their solid work habits that led to the lengthy winning streak. Even though the Southeast Division title is all but wrapped up, the team still has the chance to finish first overall in the Eastern Conference and maybe even capture their first President's Trophy.
Then there's the subject of momentum. Last year, the team cruised into the playoffs before starting slow against the New York Rangers -- falling behind three-games-to-one for the second consecutive postseason. If they're planning on a long playoff run, the team needs to play solidly during the final 20 games. And that all starts with looking at an 1984 team that has been there before.
February 11, 2010
Caps Drop Second Straight
As much skill as the Caps possess, and as impressive as they have looked this season, they cannot get into a shootout every night. Tonight, the Caps' solid defense and goaltending -- two hallmarks of their record 14-game winning streak-- abandoned them in a 6-5 loss in Ottawa.
Alex Semin became the third different Cap to record a hat trick this season -- all in consecutive games, a rare feat -- but it wasn't enough because the team's blueliners and Semyon Varlamov each had maybe their worst games of the season.
Varlamov was playing his first NHL game since December and it showed. Coach Bruce Boudreau doesn't like excuses, but it could have been due to rust or another factor. But the bottom line is that he gave up too many soft goals and didn't make the big saves that Jose Theodore had been making recently.
The team did not play the puck-possession style that is Boudreau's hallmark and looked sluggish -- again -- to start the game. The only good news is that the team is on the brink of a much needed two-week break. But there's one more game before that happens: Saturday in St. Louis.
Alex Semin became the third different Cap to record a hat trick this season -- all in consecutive games, a rare feat -- but it wasn't enough because the team's blueliners and Semyon Varlamov each had maybe their worst games of the season.
Varlamov was playing his first NHL game since December and it showed. Coach Bruce Boudreau doesn't like excuses, but it could have been due to rust or another factor. But the bottom line is that he gave up too many soft goals and didn't make the big saves that Jose Theodore had been making recently.
The team did not play the puck-possession style that is Boudreau's hallmark and looked sluggish -- again -- to start the game. The only good news is that the team is on the brink of a much needed two-week break. But there's one more game before that happens: Saturday in St. Louis.
Caps Try For New Streak in Ottawa
Fresh off their first loss since Jan. 12, and only their second in 2010, the Caps face another team that boasted a long winning streak this year: the Ottawa Senators, who reeled off 11 straight from Jan. 14 to a 5-0 loss in Toronto last Saturday. (The L.A. Kings won nine straight before losing 4-2 to Anaheim on Monday.)
Brooks Laich's hat trick last night gave the Caps five players with 20-plus goals (no other NHL team has four): Alex Ovechkin (42), Nicklas Backstrom (26), Alex Semin (26), Mike Knuble (21) and Laich (20). Tomas Fleischmann is next closest at 17.
Last season, the Caps boasted five 20-goal scorers: Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Laich and Mike Green.
It's this offensive balance that helped the Caps win 41 games this year. Another key to the long winning streak was the Caps' third period dominance, outscoring opponents 33-6 in the third period over the last 15 games.
As is the case with many sports teams after a loss, the Caps need to forget and learn from what happened in Montreal and get back to winning hockey tonight in Ottawa.
Brooks Laich's hat trick last night gave the Caps five players with 20-plus goals (no other NHL team has four): Alex Ovechkin (42), Nicklas Backstrom (26), Alex Semin (26), Mike Knuble (21) and Laich (20). Tomas Fleischmann is next closest at 17.
Last season, the Caps boasted five 20-goal scorers: Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Laich and Mike Green.
It's this offensive balance that helped the Caps win 41 games this year. Another key to the long winning streak was the Caps' third period dominance, outscoring opponents 33-6 in the third period over the last 15 games.
As is the case with many sports teams after a loss, the Caps need to forget and learn from what happened in Montreal and get back to winning hockey tonight in Ottawa.
February 10, 2010
Win Streak Ends at 14
Even though they were down 5-2 after two periods to the Montreal Canadiens, there was something that said the Caps weren't out of it yet. And they rewarded their believers, rallying to tie the game in the final moments of regulation. But the Habs' Tomas Plekanec scored with 7.5 seconds left in the extra session to end the Caps' amazing 14-game winning streak.
By many accounts, the red, white and blue (American version) had no business even being close in this one. After a mostly even first period, the Caps allowed four Montreal goals in the middle frame due to poor positioning and some of their worst play of late. The period also saw Michael Neuvirth leave during a commercial break (apparently because of an injury).
However, the Caps weren't done yet. Mike Green scored from near the blue line on a power play just 16 seconds into the third period and Brooks Laich scored on a great wrist shot at 9:02 to pull the Caps to within one. Jose Theodore made some breath-taking saves as well. Washington was faced with a one-goal deficit when they went on a power play with about 2:30 left -- and even after the extra-man advantage expired, the Caps still trailed by one.
Laich saved the day, though, with just 19 seconds left with a brilliant tip-in of Mike Knuble's shot to tie the game and earn the Caps a standings point. The goal gave Laich his first career hat trick in his 375th NHL game (all but one with the Caps).
Even though the Caps lost -- and had many brilliant chances that didn't go their way -- they should be proud of winning 14 straight and earning points in all but one of Alex Ovechkin's 19 games as captain. The numbers are still staggering, the lead in the Eastern Conference still in double-digits and the cushion in the division more than 20.
But the best news: the wait to start a new streak is short. The Caps visit the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night.
By many accounts, the red, white and blue (American version) had no business even being close in this one. After a mostly even first period, the Caps allowed four Montreal goals in the middle frame due to poor positioning and some of their worst play of late. The period also saw Michael Neuvirth leave during a commercial break (apparently because of an injury).
However, the Caps weren't done yet. Mike Green scored from near the blue line on a power play just 16 seconds into the third period and Brooks Laich scored on a great wrist shot at 9:02 to pull the Caps to within one. Jose Theodore made some breath-taking saves as well. Washington was faced with a one-goal deficit when they went on a power play with about 2:30 left -- and even after the extra-man advantage expired, the Caps still trailed by one.
Laich saved the day, though, with just 19 seconds left with a brilliant tip-in of Mike Knuble's shot to tie the game and earn the Caps a standings point. The goal gave Laich his first career hat trick in his 375th NHL game (all but one with the Caps).
Even though the Caps lost -- and had many brilliant chances that didn't go their way -- they should be proud of winning 14 straight and earning points in all but one of Alex Ovechkin's 19 games as captain. The numbers are still staggering, the lead in the Eastern Conference still in double-digits and the cushion in the division more than 20.
But the best news: the wait to start a new streak is short. The Caps visit the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night.
Caps Head North for Double-Dip
The Caps begin a Canadian back-to-back tonight in Montreal, where they face a Habs squad (28-26-6, 62 points) undergoing lots of change (again). Bob Gainey is out as GM, proving that his off-season roster makeover didn't work. The Habs would make the playoffs if the season ended today, though.
But the Canadiens do have something going for them: a strong power play (albeit one that is struggling at home). The Caps, who lead the NHL at 26 percent, are 21-for-63 (33.3 percent) in the last 16 games, and have power play goals in all but two of games during their 14-game winning streak. They are 6-for-18 (33.3 percent) with the man advantage in five road games during the streak. While Montreal is second in the league at 24.9 percent on the power play, they are 1-for-11 in their last three home games, and 18-for-101 (17.8 percent) in all games at Bell Centre this season.
While the Caps have enjoyed unprecedented success at home (23-3-3), they're also shining on the road -- winning five straight away from Verizon Center, one shy of the franchise record set in 1983-84. The Caps' 18-9-3 road record is the best in the Eastern Conference and their 113 goals on the road lead the league.
Finally, as has become tradition lately when the teams play, here's your French note of the day:
Les Canadiens ont un joueur dans leur formation actuelle ayant évolué avec Washington, soit le centre Glen Metropolit… Les Capitals de leur côté alignent également un joueur ayant joué pour les Canadiens, soit le gardien José Théodore.
The Canadiens have one player on their current roster that has previously played with Washington, centreman Glen Metropolit… The Capitals have one player who has played with the Canadiens, netminder José Théodore.
But the Canadiens do have something going for them: a strong power play (albeit one that is struggling at home). The Caps, who lead the NHL at 26 percent, are 21-for-63 (33.3 percent) in the last 16 games, and have power play goals in all but two of games during their 14-game winning streak. They are 6-for-18 (33.3 percent) with the man advantage in five road games during the streak. While Montreal is second in the league at 24.9 percent on the power play, they are 1-for-11 in their last three home games, and 18-for-101 (17.8 percent) in all games at Bell Centre this season.
While the Caps have enjoyed unprecedented success at home (23-3-3), they're also shining on the road -- winning five straight away from Verizon Center, one shy of the franchise record set in 1983-84. The Caps' 18-9-3 road record is the best in the Eastern Conference and their 113 goals on the road lead the league.
Finally, as has become tradition lately when the teams play, here's your French note of the day:
Les Canadiens ont un joueur dans leur formation actuelle ayant évolué avec Washington, soit le centre Glen Metropolit… Les Capitals de leur côté alignent également un joueur ayant joué pour les Canadiens, soit le gardien José Théodore.
The Canadiens have one player on their current roster that has previously played with Washington, centreman Glen Metropolit… The Capitals have one player who has played with the Canadiens, netminder José Théodore.
February 9, 2010
Caps Hold Last Home Practice For a While
The Caps will begin a three-game road trip tomorrow night in Montreal -- their final games before the Olympic break halts play until early March. But, before they left town, the Caps held one final practice in which Semyon Varlamov made his return from injury. The team plans to play each of their goalies (Jose Theodore and Michal Neuvirth being the other two) during the trip.
The other noteworthy moment from today's practice was Mike Green doing wind sprints alone on the ice -- with the entire team watching. Apparently, the NHL's blueline scoring leader has a problem with being late -- and Coach Bruce Boudreau wanted to make sure to let everybody know that is not acceptable. It's one of the reasons the man they call Gabby is so revered: he's never afraid to punish when needed -- and praise when possible too.
What awaits the Caps is a brush with history. Should they win all three of their games, they would go into the break with a 17-game winning streak: tying the Pittsburgh Penguins for the longest in NHL history.
But until then, they need to focus on Montreal -- who just parted with GM Bob Gainey and hasn't lived up to its lofty expectations (again).
The other noteworthy moment from today's practice was Mike Green doing wind sprints alone on the ice -- with the entire team watching. Apparently, the NHL's blueline scoring leader has a problem with being late -- and Coach Bruce Boudreau wanted to make sure to let everybody know that is not acceptable. It's one of the reasons the man they call Gabby is so revered: he's never afraid to punish when needed -- and praise when possible too.
What awaits the Caps is a brush with history. Should they win all three of their games, they would go into the break with a 17-game winning streak: tying the Pittsburgh Penguins for the longest in NHL history.
But until then, they need to focus on Montreal -- who just parted with GM Bob Gainey and hasn't lived up to its lofty expectations (again).
February 8, 2010
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 8
Record/Standings Position: 41-12-6 (88 points), 1st Southeast Division/1st Eastern Conference/1st NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 4-1, at Boston
* Won, 6-5, at N.Y. Rangers
* Won, 5-2, vs. Atlanta
* Won, 5-4 (OT), vs. Pittsburgh
This Week's Games:
* Wednesday at Montreal (7:30 p.m., CSN)
* Thursday at Ottawa (7 p.m., CSN)
* Saturday at St. Louis (8 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: None. Total Man-Games Lost: 164.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Michal Neuvirth from Hershey and assigned Braden Holtby to the Bears (Feb. 5); recalled Karl Alzner from Hershey (Feb. 1).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps have won 14 straight, three fewer than the Pens' NHL record.
* The Caps' dominance has stretched to a 14-point lead in the Eastern Conference on top of the ridiculous 27-point lead in the Southeast Division.
* Alex Ovechkin (first star) and Nicklas Backstrom (third star) were both honored today by the NHL for their play last week.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Ovechkin (tops in the NHL in points by eight and goals by three -- in six or so fewer games); Backstrom (48 assists just 10 off NHL lead); Jeff Schultz (plus-37 and counting -- maybe the Caps' unsung hero of the year).
Scratches (Who's Not?): It's getting harder to pick, but... John Erskine (might the team's No. 5 blueliner right now); Shaone Morrisonn (amazing he hasn't been a healthy scratch more frequently); Karl Alzner (only because he hasn't been up with the big club as much as anticipated).
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 4-1, at Boston
* Won, 6-5, at N.Y. Rangers
* Won, 5-2, vs. Atlanta
* Won, 5-4 (OT), vs. Pittsburgh
This Week's Games:
* Wednesday at Montreal (7:30 p.m., CSN)
* Thursday at Ottawa (7 p.m., CSN)
* Saturday at St. Louis (8 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: None. Total Man-Games Lost: 164.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Michal Neuvirth from Hershey and assigned Braden Holtby to the Bears (Feb. 5); recalled Karl Alzner from Hershey (Feb. 1).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps have won 14 straight, three fewer than the Pens' NHL record.
* The Caps' dominance has stretched to a 14-point lead in the Eastern Conference on top of the ridiculous 27-point lead in the Southeast Division.
* Alex Ovechkin (first star) and Nicklas Backstrom (third star) were both honored today by the NHL for their play last week.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Ovechkin (tops in the NHL in points by eight and goals by three -- in six or so fewer games); Backstrom (48 assists just 10 off NHL lead); Jeff Schultz (plus-37 and counting -- maybe the Caps' unsung hero of the year).
Scratches (Who's Not?): It's getting harder to pick, but... John Erskine (might the team's No. 5 blueliner right now); Shaone Morrisonn (amazing he hasn't been a healthy scratch more frequently); Karl Alzner (only because he hasn't been up with the big club as much as anticipated).
February 7, 2010
Ovechkin Leads Caps to 14th Straight Win
The Caps' franchise-best winning streak nearly ended on Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center against the Pittsburgh Penguins. But the key phrase there is nearly.
Down 4-1 in the second period, the Caps rallied for a 5-4 victory behind Alex Ovechkin's (and the team's) first hat trick of the season and Ovie's ninth of his outstanding career. Mike Knuble scored the game-winner on an overtime power play.
"We made a couple of mistakes and they have very good skill out there," Ovechkin said. "So we just come here and know that we still have lots of time to come back and score lots of goals. We just go out there and play."
The Caps looked horrible early, falling behind 2-0 after one period and, after Ovechkin scored his first goal of the game on a beautiful breakaway (major credit to Jeff Schultz for the assist), the Pens put two more on the board before Eric Fehr scored his 15th of the season to make it a two-goal deficit after two. But Ovie completed the hat trick in the third, with his final goal of the game tying the game at 11:06 of the third.
"They came out flying. They knew we had been starting slow, so they were ready to go right from the start," Knuble said. "They came out, were physical and got the start they needed. We gave up four and Jose [Theodore] had to battle to keep it at four. They had a lot of great chances."
Jason Chimera also had a golden opportunity in the second period but chose to try to deke instead of one-timing it. Fortunately for the Caps, Chimera's missed opportunity didn't matter as Ovie's magic ensured the streak didn't end.
The Caps now take Monday off before departing for Montreal on Tuesday afternoon.
Down 4-1 in the second period, the Caps rallied for a 5-4 victory behind Alex Ovechkin's (and the team's) first hat trick of the season and Ovie's ninth of his outstanding career. Mike Knuble scored the game-winner on an overtime power play.
"We made a couple of mistakes and they have very good skill out there," Ovechkin said. "So we just come here and know that we still have lots of time to come back and score lots of goals. We just go out there and play."
The Caps looked horrible early, falling behind 2-0 after one period and, after Ovechkin scored his first goal of the game on a beautiful breakaway (major credit to Jeff Schultz for the assist), the Pens put two more on the board before Eric Fehr scored his 15th of the season to make it a two-goal deficit after two. But Ovie completed the hat trick in the third, with his final goal of the game tying the game at 11:06 of the third.
"They came out flying. They knew we had been starting slow, so they were ready to go right from the start," Knuble said. "They came out, were physical and got the start they needed. We gave up four and Jose [Theodore] had to battle to keep it at four. They had a lot of great chances."
Jason Chimera also had a golden opportunity in the second period but chose to try to deke instead of one-timing it. Fortunately for the Caps, Chimera's missed opportunity didn't matter as Ovie's magic ensured the streak didn't end.
The Caps now take Monday off before departing for Montreal on Tuesday afternoon.
Caps Host Snow-Delayed Pens
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made it to town to face the Caps today (noon, NBC-HD) in the red, white and blue's last home game before the Olympic break. But, as some put it on Twitter, there will be complaining after the non-flying birds arrived around 2:15 a.m.
The Pens lost in Montreal, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon -- only their second loss after the Caps beat them, 6-3, back on Jan. 21.
The Caps, winners of 13 straight after beating Atlanta, 5-2, Friday night, lead the NHL with 225 goals, 37 more (or 19.7 percent) than the next-closest team, San Jose (not counting shootout goals reflected in the standings). Washington leads the league in goals per game (3.88), even-strength goals (154), power-play goals (59), home goals (112), road goals (113), first-period goals (69) and third-period goals (82). If you take away their league-leading power play, the Caps would still rank sixth in the league with 166 goals. At their current pace, the Caps would finish as the highest scoring team since the 1995-96 Penguins.
Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (39), points (82), plus/minus (plus-38), shots (260), goals per game (0.78) and points per game (1.64), despite missing eight games.
This year's edition are the fastest team in franchise history to 40 wins and, with 24 games remaining, are just 10 wins shy of the club record (set just last season).
Ovechkin is one goal shy of his fifth consecutive 40-goal season. Ilya Kovalchuk is the only other player with 40 goals in each of the last four seasons.
The Pens lost in Montreal, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon -- only their second loss after the Caps beat them, 6-3, back on Jan. 21.
The Caps, winners of 13 straight after beating Atlanta, 5-2, Friday night, lead the NHL with 225 goals, 37 more (or 19.7 percent) than the next-closest team, San Jose (not counting shootout goals reflected in the standings). Washington leads the league in goals per game (3.88), even-strength goals (154), power-play goals (59), home goals (112), road goals (113), first-period goals (69) and third-period goals (82). If you take away their league-leading power play, the Caps would still rank sixth in the league with 166 goals. At their current pace, the Caps would finish as the highest scoring team since the 1995-96 Penguins.
Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (39), points (82), plus/minus (plus-38), shots (260), goals per game (0.78) and points per game (1.64), despite missing eight games.
This year's edition are the fastest team in franchise history to 40 wins and, with 24 games remaining, are just 10 wins shy of the club record (set just last season).
Ovechkin is one goal shy of his fifth consecutive 40-goal season. Ilya Kovalchuk is the only other player with 40 goals in each of the last four seasons.
February 5, 2010
Twelve and Counting: Caps 6, Rangers 5
The Caps' method of winning their two most recent games were achieved very differently. On Tuesday, the Caps held on during a defensive struggle and captured a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins with a dominating third period. Last night, the Caps won a shootout, 6-5, over the New York Rangers to win their 12th in a row.
Alex Ovechkin (2 goals, one assist) and Nicklas Backstrom (one goal, four assists) combined for eight points in a game that brought back the Caps' penalty mongers.
"It's hard to be disciplined all the time," Boudreau said. "We got away with it, but we just can't continue. We have to get back to two or three a game."
If the Caps have a weakness right now, it's their occasional tendencies to take too many penalties. But, unlike past seasons when they seemed to lose games they shouldn't, this year's Caps have been able to win every-which way.
During the streak, the Caps:
* have been held to three goals just twice and allowed as many as three goals just four times
* have had power-play goals in all but two games in the streak
* have gotten goals from 17 players -- including every skater who has played at least 9 games
* have outscored opponents 25-5 in the third period
* have averages of at least a point per game from Ovechkin (11 goals, 13 assists), Alex Semin (six goals, 11 assists), Backstrom (six goals, 12 assists) and Mike Knuble (10 goals, three assists).
* have a 14.8-percent shooting percentage (.852 save percentage for opposing goalies)
* had goaltenders post a 2.23 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage
Every win hasn't been pretty, but especially come playoff time, a win is a win. And, for the Caps, that means a dozen and counting -- with a chance for the lucky 13 tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD).
Note: The team announced this morning that the second season of Caps Redline Monday will be premiering on President's Day.
Alex Ovechkin (2 goals, one assist) and Nicklas Backstrom (one goal, four assists) combined for eight points in a game that brought back the Caps' penalty mongers.
"It's hard to be disciplined all the time," Boudreau said. "We got away with it, but we just can't continue. We have to get back to two or three a game."
If the Caps have a weakness right now, it's their occasional tendencies to take too many penalties. But, unlike past seasons when they seemed to lose games they shouldn't, this year's Caps have been able to win every-which way.
During the streak, the Caps:
* have been held to three goals just twice and allowed as many as three goals just four times
* have had power-play goals in all but two games in the streak
* have gotten goals from 17 players -- including every skater who has played at least 9 games
* have outscored opponents 25-5 in the third period
* have averages of at least a point per game from Ovechkin (11 goals, 13 assists), Alex Semin (six goals, 11 assists), Backstrom (six goals, 12 assists) and Mike Knuble (10 goals, three assists).
* have a 14.8-percent shooting percentage (.852 save percentage for opposing goalies)
* had goaltenders post a 2.23 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage
Every win hasn't been pretty, but especially come playoff time, a win is a win. And, for the Caps, that means a dozen and counting -- with a chance for the lucky 13 tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD).
Note: The team announced this morning that the second season of Caps Redline Monday will be premiering on President's Day.
February 4, 2010
McPhee: 'Why Change the Mix?'
ESPN.com interviewed GM George McPhee, who predictably preached continuity when addressing the upcoming trading deadline:
Of course, this is typical form for GMGM. Most were blindsided by the acquisitions of Jason Chimera in December and Cristobal Huet a couple of seasons back. As usual, only the GM knows.
"Well, at this point, I really don't know why we would change anything," McPhee said. "The team is performing about as well as it can. Why change the mix? Certainly if there's something there that would make us better, we would consider it. But there's a lot to be said about chemistry and the intangibles, and we certainly have all that right now. Why give away good young players or picks ... we want to be a good team for a long time, not just one season."
Of course, this is typical form for GMGM. Most were blindsided by the acquisitions of Jason Chimera in December and Cristobal Huet a couple of seasons back. As usual, only the GM knows.
How the Trade Winds Affect the Caps
Trade rumors surrounding the Caps usually are unfounded -- mainly because GM George McPhee hides his cards better than winners of the World Series of Poker. But that doesn't mean that also holds true for the Caps' opponents.
The Caps head into a back-to-back against the New York Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m., CSN-HD) and tomorrow at home against the Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD) -- two teams that are in the crosshairs of trades (either past or future).
The Blueshirts just acquired Olli Jokinen from the Calgary Flames and prompted to lose his first game as a Ranger, 2-1. One of the original Team Turmoils haven't quite soared as they expected, going 25-25-7 (57 points, 10th in the East). Other than Marian Gaborik (34 goals, 32 assists), who signed a lucrative deal this past off-season, nobody has really shined offensively under Coach John Tortorella -- himself behind the bench for his first full season in New York.
The Thrashers (24-23-8, 56), meanwhile, have finally admitted what many of us knew all along: that Ilya Kovalchuk was giong to be traded. Now the team has to attempt to ignore this huge distraction (Kovy is, after all, the team's best player and captain) and try to stay close to the playoff race; which, even without that, was hard for them this season.
The Caps only have made one trade this season, acquiring Jason Chimera back in December and following it with a horrible 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Trade affect team chemistry and psyche. It's hard enough for great teams like the Caps to excel after they're made. But trying to get over those for teams like the Rangers and Thrashers could be a whole other ball of wax.
The Caps head into a back-to-back against the New York Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m., CSN-HD) and tomorrow at home against the Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD) -- two teams that are in the crosshairs of trades (either past or future).
The Blueshirts just acquired Olli Jokinen from the Calgary Flames and prompted to lose his first game as a Ranger, 2-1. One of the original Team Turmoils haven't quite soared as they expected, going 25-25-7 (57 points, 10th in the East). Other than Marian Gaborik (34 goals, 32 assists), who signed a lucrative deal this past off-season, nobody has really shined offensively under Coach John Tortorella -- himself behind the bench for his first full season in New York.
The Thrashers (24-23-8, 56), meanwhile, have finally admitted what many of us knew all along: that Ilya Kovalchuk was giong to be traded. Now the team has to attempt to ignore this huge distraction (Kovy is, after all, the team's best player and captain) and try to stay close to the playoff race; which, even without that, was hard for them this season.
The Caps only have made one trade this season, acquiring Jason Chimera back in December and following it with a horrible 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Trade affect team chemistry and psyche. It's hard enough for great teams like the Caps to excel after they're made. But trying to get over those for teams like the Rangers and Thrashers could be a whole other ball of wax.
February 3, 2010
How High Will the Caps Soar?
The Caps have never finished first in the Eastern Conference nor won the President's Trophy. They've only made the Stanley Cup finals once -- and only finished with more than 100 points five times. The only consistent thing about the Caps is that they've qualified for the playoffs every year (except six) since the 1982-83 season, the franchise's first postseason bid.
So could this year's crop top them all? As we previously discussed, a third consecutive division title is pretty much a lock (the margin now stands at 25). The top seed in the Eastern Conference is looking more likely with the Caps holding a 10-point lead as of this morning. The President's Trophy even is in play as the Caps hold a one-point lead over the San Jose Sharks and four over the Chicago Blackhawks.
It's harder to predict the Caps' final record, even with the current 11-game win streak. Every game is winnable (obviously), but clearly the Caps aren't going to capture every contest. The tough ones that stick out include the three remaining games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the three-game road swing (Ottawa, Montreal, St. Louis) before the Olympic break, the first game after the break (March 3) at the Buffalo Sabres, and March 14 at Chicago (the teams' only meeting during the regular season in what could be a finals preview).
By my calculations, the Caps are on pace for 120 points -- which would shatter the franchise-record 108 points set last year and put them in elite company. Only seven teams in NHL history have registered at least that many points: the 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings (124); the 1995-96 Red Wings (131); the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens (129); 1976-77 Canadiens (league-record 132); 1975-76 Canadiens (127); 1972-73 Canadiens (120); and 1970-71 Boston Bruins (121). Of these teams, only the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.
(The President's Trophy was created prior to the 1985-86 season -- when the Edmonton Oilers registered 119 points in 80 games but did not win the Stanley Cup.)
Stay tuned, Caps fans, more history may be in the making.
So could this year's crop top them all? As we previously discussed, a third consecutive division title is pretty much a lock (the margin now stands at 25). The top seed in the Eastern Conference is looking more likely with the Caps holding a 10-point lead as of this morning. The President's Trophy even is in play as the Caps hold a one-point lead over the San Jose Sharks and four over the Chicago Blackhawks.
It's harder to predict the Caps' final record, even with the current 11-game win streak. Every game is winnable (obviously), but clearly the Caps aren't going to capture every contest. The tough ones that stick out include the three remaining games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the three-game road swing (Ottawa, Montreal, St. Louis) before the Olympic break, the first game after the break (March 3) at the Buffalo Sabres, and March 14 at Chicago (the teams' only meeting during the regular season in what could be a finals preview).
By my calculations, the Caps are on pace for 120 points -- which would shatter the franchise-record 108 points set last year and put them in elite company. Only seven teams in NHL history have registered at least that many points: the 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings (124); the 1995-96 Red Wings (131); the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens (129); 1976-77 Canadiens (league-record 132); 1975-76 Canadiens (127); 1972-73 Canadiens (120); and 1970-71 Boston Bruins (121). Of these teams, only the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.
(The President's Trophy was created prior to the 1985-86 season -- when the Edmonton Oilers registered 119 points in 80 games but did not win the Stanley Cup.)
Stay tuned, Caps fans, more history may be in the making.
February 2, 2010
Theodore Leads Caps to 11th Straight Win
Jose Theodore was brilliant all 60 minutes and the Caps' offense took until the third period to get into gear. But, when they did, the Caps scored three in the final stanza to beat the Boston Bruins, 4-1, tonight for their franchise-record 11th straight win.
Theo was the hero all night, making 41 saves -- many of the highlight-reel variety. The Bruins outshot the Caps, 13-5, in the first while the red, white and blue looked a bit lackadazical. However, the home-standing Bruins only had a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
In the middle frame, the Caps started to tilt the momentum a bit, getting a goal from Mike Knuble at 2:04 and started to even the shots-on-goal marker.
By the time the final stanza was eight minutes old, the Caps had scored twice and put the game away. The game winner at 5:04 was set up by Alex Semin, who despite three penalties extended his streak with a point to 10 games. Semin gathered the puck along the boards and fed it to a wide-open Brooks Laich in the slot, who fired it past an out-of-position Tim Thomas. Just 2:47 later, Massachussets native Tom Poti found Boyd Gordon open and the grinder's second goal of the year made the record-setting win all but a sure thing.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 36th of the year into the empty net at 19:28 to provide the final margin. But it all could not have been done without the stellar play of Theodore, who quietly won his eighth straight game and shined all night in Beantown.
Theo was the hero all night, making 41 saves -- many of the highlight-reel variety. The Bruins outshot the Caps, 13-5, in the first while the red, white and blue looked a bit lackadazical. However, the home-standing Bruins only had a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
In the middle frame, the Caps started to tilt the momentum a bit, getting a goal from Mike Knuble at 2:04 and started to even the shots-on-goal marker.
By the time the final stanza was eight minutes old, the Caps had scored twice and put the game away. The game winner at 5:04 was set up by Alex Semin, who despite three penalties extended his streak with a point to 10 games. Semin gathered the puck along the boards and fed it to a wide-open Brooks Laich in the slot, who fired it past an out-of-position Tim Thomas. Just 2:47 later, Massachussets native Tom Poti found Boyd Gordon open and the grinder's second goal of the year made the record-setting win all but a sure thing.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 36th of the year into the empty net at 19:28 to provide the final margin. But it all could not have been done without the stellar play of Theodore, who quietly won his eighth straight game and shined all night in Beantown.
Caps-Bruins Goodies
As the Caps prepare to face the Boston Bruins this evening (7 p.m, CSN-HD), the team recalled Karl Alzner from Hershey -- though it doesn't look like he's going to play. Jose Theodore will be starting tonight opposite Tim Thomas. After sitting behind Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth for much of the season, Theo has won seven straight games, matching his career best winning streak, while posting a 2.08 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage. It's the longest winning streak for a Caps goaltender since Cristobal Huet won nine in a row (2007-08) during his only time in the red, white and blue.
The Caps (80 points) lead the Southeast Division by 23 points over the Florida Panthers (57 points). The margin is the largest in any of the NHL's six divisions by eight points (Chicago has a 15-point cushion on Nashville in the Central Division). If the Caps can maintain their lead until the end of the regular season, they will become the first team to win the Southeast Division three straight years. The division was formed in 1998 and while every team has won a division championship, only the Caps and Tampa Bay Lightning (2002-03 and 2003-04) have claimed consecutive crowns. In addition to their two most recent division championships, the red, white and blue also won the division in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
Should the Caps win tonight, they would become the first team since the San Jose (Feb. 21-March 14, 2008) to win 11 in a row. (The last streak longer than 11 games was New Jersey's 13-gamer in 2000-01.)
The Caps also lead the Eastern Conference by eight points over the New Jersey Devils (who have played one fewer game) and two over the Buffalo Sabres (who also have played 54 games) and Pittsburgh Penguins (who have played two more). Other than the fifth-place Ottawa Senators (66 points in 56 games), no team in the conference has more than 60 points -- and only three points separates the sixth-place Philadelphia Flyers from the Atlanta Thrashers/Montreal Canadiens, who are tied for ninth and 10th. Even the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, who have the second-worst record in the league, are only 12 points out of a playoff spot.
The Bruins (23-21-9, 55 points, 11th in the East, two points behind eighth-place Florida), who finished first in the Eastern Conference last season, have lost seven in a row overall (0-5-2) and six straight at home (their last win occurred in the Winter Classic at Fenway Park). The last time they went winless in eight straight games was Dec. 22, 1955 and Jan. 12, 1956 -- 18 years before the Caps played their first-ever game.
Stat of the Day:
Ovechkin enters his 372nd career game with 496 points and is on the verge of becoming the first active player (and ninth player in NHL history) to record 500 points in his first five seasons (joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Peter Stastny, Mike Bossy, Dale Hawerchuk, Bryan Trottier, Denis Savard and Jari Kurri).
The Caps (80 points) lead the Southeast Division by 23 points over the Florida Panthers (57 points). The margin is the largest in any of the NHL's six divisions by eight points (Chicago has a 15-point cushion on Nashville in the Central Division). If the Caps can maintain their lead until the end of the regular season, they will become the first team to win the Southeast Division three straight years. The division was formed in 1998 and while every team has won a division championship, only the Caps and Tampa Bay Lightning (2002-03 and 2003-04) have claimed consecutive crowns. In addition to their two most recent division championships, the red, white and blue also won the division in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.
Should the Caps win tonight, they would become the first team since the San Jose (Feb. 21-March 14, 2008) to win 11 in a row. (The last streak longer than 11 games was New Jersey's 13-gamer in 2000-01.)
The Caps also lead the Eastern Conference by eight points over the New Jersey Devils (who have played one fewer game) and two over the Buffalo Sabres (who also have played 54 games) and Pittsburgh Penguins (who have played two more). Other than the fifth-place Ottawa Senators (66 points in 56 games), no team in the conference has more than 60 points -- and only three points separates the sixth-place Philadelphia Flyers from the Atlanta Thrashers/Montreal Canadiens, who are tied for ninth and 10th. Even the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, who have the second-worst record in the league, are only 12 points out of a playoff spot.
The Bruins (23-21-9, 55 points, 11th in the East, two points behind eighth-place Florida), who finished first in the Eastern Conference last season, have lost seven in a row overall (0-5-2) and six straight at home (their last win occurred in the Winter Classic at Fenway Park). The last time they went winless in eight straight games was Dec. 22, 1955 and Jan. 12, 1956 -- 18 years before the Caps played their first-ever game.
Stat of the Day:
Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Nicklas Backstrom have combined for 83 goals. Marco Sturm, Patrice Bergeron, and Blake Wheeler, the Bruins' top three goal scorers, have 40 strikes between them. (h/t to Tarik via the Boston Globe)
Ovechkin enters his 372nd career game with 496 points and is on the verge of becoming the first active player (and ninth player in NHL history) to record 500 points in his first five seasons (joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Peter Stastny, Mike Bossy, Dale Hawerchuk, Bryan Trottier, Denis Savard and Jari Kurri).
Does Defense Win Championships?
Much has been made about the Caps' defense, especially during its current 10-game winning streak. But, believe it or not, the team's current 2.67 goals allowed per game (11th in the NHL) is better than half of the four Stanley Cup champions since the lockout -- and half of the runners-up too.
Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed 2.84 goals per game (17th) while the Detroit Red Wings allowed 2.93 (tied for 19th with the Caps). The year before, the Wings allowed a minascule 2.18 (best in the NHL), while the Pens allowed 2.58 (10th). The Caps allowed 2.77 (19th).
In 2006-07, the Anaheim Ducks allowed 2.42 (7th), while the runner-up Ottawa Senators permitted 2.63 (10th). The big shocker were the 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes, who permitted a whopping 3.15 goals per game (19th), while the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers were a bit better at 2.95 (12th).
(Those two years the Caps were rebuilding and allowed 3.35 and 3.66 goals per game, respectively.)
As you see, this year's Caps are right on par -- and maybe even better off -- than those Stanley Cup champion squads. So defense can win championships, even if your blueliners are a bit (unjustifiably) maligned.
Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed 2.84 goals per game (17th) while the Detroit Red Wings allowed 2.93 (tied for 19th with the Caps). The year before, the Wings allowed a minascule 2.18 (best in the NHL), while the Pens allowed 2.58 (10th). The Caps allowed 2.77 (19th).
In 2006-07, the Anaheim Ducks allowed 2.42 (7th), while the runner-up Ottawa Senators permitted 2.63 (10th). The big shocker were the 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes, who permitted a whopping 3.15 goals per game (19th), while the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers were a bit better at 2.95 (12th).
(Those two years the Caps were rebuilding and allowed 3.35 and 3.66 goals per game, respectively.)
As you see, this year's Caps are right on par -- and maybe even better off -- than those Stanley Cup champion squads. So defense can win championships, even if your blueliners are a bit (unjustifiably) maligned.
February 1, 2010
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 1
Record/Standings Position: 37-12-6 (80 points), 1st Southeast Division/1st Eastern Conference/2nd NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 7-2, at New York Islanders
* Won, 5-1, vs. Anaheim Ducks
* Won, 4-1, vs. Florida Panthers
* Won, 3-2, vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday at Boston Bruins (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday at New York Rangers (7 p.m., CSN)
* Friday vs. Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSNPlus HD)
* Sunday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Noon, NBC-HD)
Injuries: None. Total Man-Games Lost: 164.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Braden Holtby from Hershey and assigned Michal Neuvirth to the Bears (Jan. 31), assigned Holtby to Hershey (Jan. 28), recalled Holtby from Hershey and assigned Karl Alzner to the Bears (Jan. 27).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps have won 10 straight, tying the franchise record.
* Don't look now, but the Caps have a 24-point lead in the division and an eight-point lead in the conference (with one more game played than the New Jersey Devils).
* Mike Green will miss two games this week as he finishes serving his suspension for elbowing Florida's Michael Frolik on Friday night.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Alex Ovechkin (NHL ranks: 2nd in goals, 5th in assists, 2nd in points, first in plus/minus); Nicklas Brackstrom (set career high in goals with 23); Jeff Schultz (second in plus/minus in NHL to Ovechkin, playing much better in his own zone).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Quintin Laing (playing time is dwindling); Tyler Sloan (despite contract extension, yesterday was his first action in four games); Boyd Gordon (playing solidly on the checking line, but only four points to show for it).
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 7-2, at New York Islanders
* Won, 5-1, vs. Anaheim Ducks
* Won, 4-1, vs. Florida Panthers
* Won, 3-2, vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday at Boston Bruins (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday at New York Rangers (7 p.m., CSN)
* Friday vs. Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN
* Sunday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Noon, NBC-HD)
Injuries: None. Total Man-Games Lost: 164.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Braden Holtby from Hershey and assigned Michal Neuvirth to the Bears (Jan. 31), assigned Holtby to Hershey (Jan. 28), recalled Holtby from Hershey and assigned Karl Alzner to the Bears (Jan. 27).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps have won 10 straight, tying the franchise record.
* Don't look now, but the Caps have a 24-point lead in the division and an eight-point lead in the conference (with one more game played than the New Jersey Devils).
* Mike Green will miss two games this week as he finishes serving his suspension for elbowing Florida's Michael Frolik on Friday night.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Alex Ovechkin (NHL ranks: 2nd in goals, 5th in assists, 2nd in points, first in plus/minus); Nicklas Brackstrom (set career high in goals with 23); Jeff Schultz (second in plus/minus in NHL to Ovechkin, playing much better in his own zone).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Quintin Laing (playing time is dwindling); Tyler Sloan (despite contract extension, yesterday was his first action in four games); Boyd Gordon (playing solidly on the checking line, but only four points to show for it).
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