A quick hat trick worth of info:
* The biggest omen for tomorrow's game against the Atlanta Thrashers is that Brooks Laich will be back in the line-up for the Caps, who have lost three straight and are desperately missing one of their heart and soul guys.
* It appears Semyon Varlamov will be in net tomorrow night, but the goalie situation beyond that is a bit of a sensitive subject for Coach Bruce Boudreau.
* Congrats to John Carlson, who was named to the AHL all-rookie team and seems to have cemented a spot on the Caps' postseason roster.
March 31, 2010
March 29, 2010
Weekly Snapshot, March 29
Record/Standings Position: 49-15-11 (109 points), 1st Southeast Division (clinched division title)/1st Eastern Conference (clinched top seed)/1st NHL (five-point margin)
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 4-3 (SO), vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
* Lost, 3-2 (SO), at Carolina Hurricanes
* Lost, 5-3, vs. Calgary Flames
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD, Versus-HD)
* Saturday at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks), Boyd Gordon (day-to-day), Scott Walker (day-to-day), Brooks Laich (day-to-day), Brendan Morrison (day-to-day), and Shaone Morrisonn (day-to-day). Total Man-Games Lost: 193.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Mathieu Perreault from Hershey (March 28).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps clinched the Eastern Conference yesterday despite the fact they've lost two straight games and haven't really looked right all week.
* In the race for the President's Trophy, the San Jose Sharks can earn 116 points and the Chicago Blackhawks can earn 115 points if they win out, meaning the Caps would need eight points to clinch that honor for the first time in club history.
* The important thing right now is health: that of the mental variety for most of the roster and that of the physical for the injured players.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Nicklas Backstrom (10 points in his last seven games, reached the 90 points for the first time in his career yesterday); Alex Semin (points in four straight and five of six); Jose Theodore (despite yesterday's poor outing, only has suffered three losses -- two OT and one regulation -- in 2010).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Alex Ovechkin (by his standards: only 11 points in March, despite reaching the 100-point plateau yesterday); Tyler Sloan (even with the all the injuries, still becomes a healthy scratch); John Erskine (looks slower than ever).
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 4-3 (SO), vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
* Lost, 3-2 (SO), at Carolina Hurricanes
* Lost, 5-3, vs. Calgary Flames
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., CSN-HD, Versus-HD)
* Saturday at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks), Boyd Gordon (day-to-day), Scott Walker (day-to-day), Brooks Laich (day-to-day), Brendan Morrison (day-to-day), and Shaone Morrisonn (day-to-day). Total Man-Games Lost: 193.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Mathieu Perreault from Hershey (March 28).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps clinched the Eastern Conference yesterday despite the fact they've lost two straight games and haven't really looked right all week.
* In the race for the President's Trophy, the San Jose Sharks can earn 116 points and the Chicago Blackhawks can earn 115 points if they win out, meaning the Caps would need eight points to clinch that honor for the first time in club history.
* The important thing right now is health: that of the mental variety for most of the roster and that of the physical for the injured players.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Nicklas Backstrom (10 points in his last seven games, reached the 90 points for the first time in his career yesterday); Alex Semin (points in four straight and five of six); Jose Theodore (despite yesterday's poor outing, only has suffered three losses -- two OT and one regulation -- in 2010).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Alex Ovechkin (by his standards: only 11 points in March, despite reaching the 100-point plateau yesterday); Tyler Sloan (even with the all the injuries, still becomes a healthy scratch); John Erskine (looks slower than ever).
March 28, 2010
Caps Clinch Eastern Conference Title
Despite taking a vacation day in their game against the Calgary Flames (an ugly 5-3 loss), the Caps have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs -- and guaranteed themselves home-ice advantage for at least the first three rounds of the playoffs. They "earned" this honor by virtue of New Jersey's ugly loss to the Philadelphia Flyers tonight.
The Caps, by normal logic, should have come out strong with a chance to clinch with a win against the Flames. Instead, they treated this afternoon's contest as an extension of their two-day break between games.
The first period was one of the worst 20-minutes stretches in a long time and, by the 10-minute mark, Jose Theodore (who somehow escaped being tagged with the loss) was on the bench, down 3-0. It was a four-goal deficit by the time the Caps scored -- a tally by Alex Ovechkin (his 46th of the season) at 3:49 of the second period. The Caps managed more shots -- five -- by the time Ovie scored than they registered the entire first stanza.
"We didn't have any energy -- it looked like we were skating in quicksand," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Their [the Flames] sense of urgency was so tremendous."
Instead of building on the momentum, though, the Caps returned to their lazy ways and somehow managed to keep the Flames off the scoreboard until Rene Bourque scored a goal that was softer than a roll of Charmin at 17:34. Grinder David Steckel notched his fifth less than a minute later.
In the third, the Caps outshot the Flames, 20-2, but only scored once -- a georgeous goal by Mathieu Perreault on the power play at 4:48. From there, they certainly tested the Flames but always were off by a step and couldn't tally again.
"It is easy to look like you are coming back when the other team is sitting with a three-goal lead," Boudreau said. "We didn't have that step. I don't know how to describe it ... We were on four cylinders instead of eight today."
The Caps have until Tuesday, when the Ottawa Senators visit Verizon Center.
The Caps, by normal logic, should have come out strong with a chance to clinch with a win against the Flames. Instead, they treated this afternoon's contest as an extension of their two-day break between games.
The first period was one of the worst 20-minutes stretches in a long time and, by the 10-minute mark, Jose Theodore (who somehow escaped being tagged with the loss) was on the bench, down 3-0. It was a four-goal deficit by the time the Caps scored -- a tally by Alex Ovechkin (his 46th of the season) at 3:49 of the second period. The Caps managed more shots -- five -- by the time Ovie scored than they registered the entire first stanza.
"We didn't have any energy -- it looked like we were skating in quicksand," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Their [the Flames] sense of urgency was so tremendous."
Instead of building on the momentum, though, the Caps returned to their lazy ways and somehow managed to keep the Flames off the scoreboard until Rene Bourque scored a goal that was softer than a roll of Charmin at 17:34. Grinder David Steckel notched his fifth less than a minute later.
In the third, the Caps outshot the Flames, 20-2, but only scored once -- a georgeous goal by Mathieu Perreault on the power play at 4:48. From there, they certainly tested the Flames but always were off by a step and couldn't tally again.
"It is easy to look like you are coming back when the other team is sitting with a three-goal lead," Boudreau said. "We didn't have that step. I don't know how to describe it ... We were on four cylinders instead of eight today."
The Caps have until Tuesday, when the Ottawa Senators visit Verizon Center.
March 26, 2010
No Clinching Yet
The Caps went down to North Carolina with the possibility of clinching the Eastern Conference title and making history. Well, they did set a new franchise record for points (109) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but haven't clinched the East yet. (The simplest scenario right now is a win against the visiting Calgary Flames on Sunday afternoon.)
The 'Canes have given the Caps trouble all year and Carolina, despite some sloppy play, managed to pull out a shootout victory one week after beating the Caps in OT at Verizon Center. Interestingly, the Caps now have 11 OT/SO losses, three fewer than the league leader, the Dallas Stars.
But perhaps the bigger news of yesterday was the fact that Ted Leonsis' group allegedly agreed on a purchase price for the Wizards, Verizon Center and TicketMaster. That could mean that the purchase will be finalized in the coming weeks. Either way, it was an important step -- and a good one -- in Leonsis' ever-expanding sports empire.
The 'Canes have given the Caps trouble all year and Carolina, despite some sloppy play, managed to pull out a shootout victory one week after beating the Caps in OT at Verizon Center. Interestingly, the Caps now have 11 OT/SO losses, three fewer than the league leader, the Dallas Stars.
But perhaps the bigger news of yesterday was the fact that Ted Leonsis' group allegedly agreed on a purchase price for the Wizards, Verizon Center and TicketMaster. That could mean that the purchase will be finalized in the coming weeks. Either way, it was an important step -- and a good one -- in Leonsis' ever-expanding sports empire.
March 25, 2010
Caps Face Hurricanes with Bigger Goals in Mind
The Caps, fresh off a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, travel to Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes. A win tonight would break the franchise record for points (108, set last season and equaled last night), tie the record for wins (50, also set last season) and bring the Caps one step closer to adding to their ever-growing list of accolades.
If the New Jersey Devils also lose tonight, the Caps would clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in club history. If that happened, the red, white and blue would secure the top seed in the East before any other team in the conference clinched a playoff spot. Talk about dominance.
Tom Boswell, who penned an artful column in today's Washington Post, asked Coach Bruce Boudreau after last night's game to put all of the season's accomplishments in perspective. Boudreau automatically responded that none of the regular-season achievements matter if a team doesn't succeed in the playoffs and essentially added a "just ask the San Jose Sharks" quip. (He didn't use those exact words.)
So while all of these franchise records are fun, and certainly securing home-ice advantage is uber-important, the paramount first comes in two months, when the team has a chance to, as Ed Frankovic eloquently wrote, "have a date in June with an engraver."
If the New Jersey Devils also lose tonight, the Caps would clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in club history. If that happened, the red, white and blue would secure the top seed in the East before any other team in the conference clinched a playoff spot. Talk about dominance.
Tom Boswell, who penned an artful column in today's Washington Post, asked Coach Bruce Boudreau after last night's game to put all of the season's accomplishments in perspective. Boudreau automatically responded that none of the regular-season achievements matter if a team doesn't succeed in the playoffs and essentially added a "just ask the San Jose Sharks" quip. (He didn't use those exact words.)
So while all of these franchise records are fun, and certainly securing home-ice advantage is uber-important, the paramount first comes in two months, when the team has a chance to, as Ed Frankovic eloquently wrote, "have a date in June with an engraver."
March 24, 2010
Caps-Pens Live
It's a playoff atmosphere for a regular season game here at Verizon Center. Jose Theodore and Marc-Andre Fleury are the starting netminders. Brooks Laich is not playing tonight due to the gash near his eye that he suffered during practice yesterday. Other scratches are John Erskine, Boyd Gordon (also injured), Milan Jurcina (ditto), Scott Walker (dinged a bit) and Tyler Sloan. Eric Godard, Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin are out for the Pens.
First Period
The game got off to a fast and furious start, with both teams coming out strong. But most of the shots on goal were headed towards Theo, who has been stellar so far. The Pens got an early power play after Tom Poti got called for delay of game. The Caps killed it off, though, but couldn't sustain any pressure.
The Caps look a step off so far, their passes not as crisp and they haven't been able to sustain as much pressure in the Pens' zone. Fortunately, Theo remains sharp, his rebound control perfect and he's been able to keep the Pens off the board. He's really turned into an elite-level goalie this calendar year, something the team certainly has needed.
The Pens went back on the power play at 14:03 when Tomas Fleischmann got called for tripping, sending a Pen into Theodore as Pittsburgh was threatening (again). The PK did a good job of limiting opportunities and the Caps escaped unscathed. Theo maintained his strong play as well.
After Theo robbed Pascal Dupuis twice with 2:50 remaining, tempers began to flare -- but no penalties were called. The Caps certainly are trying to turn the tide on what has been a very one-side game so far. Although they've had some opportunities, the Pens have dominated in both shots and zone time.
Shot totals in first period: Pens 17, Caps 9.
After one: Caps 0, Pens 0.
Second Period
The Caps quickly put away the barrage of the first period and struck in the period's first 69 seconds. Nicklas Backstrom threw the puck at the net and Mike Knuble put the puck (and himself) past Fleury to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. Backstrom notched his 60th assist on the play. Ovechkin's helper, his 53rd of the season, is one short of his career high.
But the Pens struck right back, when Max Talbot deflected a Brooks Orpik shot past a helpless Theodore to tie the game almost as fast as the Caps had seized ahead. Unfortunately, the cheers for both goals resulted in about the same noise level.
(Another marriage proposal during the first TV timeout of the period. I think that's about half-dozen so far this season. And it was during the kiss cam no less.)
The Caps finally earned their power play when Ovechkin was tripped by Kris Letang at 6:01. The Caps did get some opportunities but couldn't really establish any offensive-zone time and didn't score. Immediately after the advantage ended, Eric Belanger almost chipped the puck past Fleury, but the Pens' goalie managed to make the save.
The Pens got their third power play of the night when Alex Semin was called for high-sticking at 10:12, prompting the first "ref, you suck" chant of the game. The Caps killed it off with relative ease, but the "ref, you suck" chants got louder to the point of substituting that chant for the more familiar "Let's go Caps" when the corresponding organ tune was played (by Bruce, of course).
Fuel was added to the fire when Flash was called for tripping at 13:44. It appeared the Caps were going to get a power play (John Carlson apparently was clothes-lined) but that wasn't happening. The Pens now have four PP opportunities to the Caps' one.
And they made it pay off. Bill Guerin was wide open in the left slot (with Joe Corvo and Jason Chimera out of position) and put it past Theo after a nice feed from the ever-popular Sidney Crosby, who has been booed every time he touches the puck tonight. The Pens lead, 2-1.
That seemed to awaken the Caps, though, as they turned up the pressure and nearly tied the game when Carlson hit the post with just more than three minutes left. That was part of an onslaught that didn't result in too many shots but certainly showed the Caps are hardly out of the game and have increased the intensity.
After two: Pens 2, Caps 1.
Third Period
The Caps were able to even the shots-on-goal tally but haven't been able to sustain pressure for any long stretches. Fortunately, the Caps have outscored the Pens, 14-1, in the third period over the last two years (regular season only) so the team certainly hopes to build on that.
However, their penalty-infested ways continued when Jeff Schultz was sent to the box for holding at 4:11 -- further exacerbating a problem that has haunted the Caps for a while. You can have the best PK in the league, but if you keep taking too many penalties, it's not really going to help you because of other factors, such as reducing Ovechkin's playing time.
But, all that aside, Semin (of all people) tied the game shorthanded when he got a two-on-one and weaved around before unleashing his signature wrister past an unsuspecting Fleury at 5:36. It was Semin's 34th goal of the season, tying last season's total, and only the second "shorty" of his career.
And the Caps didn't stop there. Belanger took a circuatous route around the net and found Mike Green at the point, who ripped it to Eric Fehr, who put it past Fleury to give the home team a thunderous lead. The Caps scored two goals in less than two minutes after only scoring one in the previous 45. It certainly was an odd goal as Belanger basically skated around the perimeter of the Pens' zone without barely being touched. Fehr also faced little resistance.
The tide continued to go the Caps' way as they started to look more in-sync and turn up the pressure on the visitors. (Cue "unleash the fury" during the TV timeout.)
Theo's play early now stands even bigger, as the Caps certainly needed a while to get their mojo on tonight. They're certainly playing championship-caliber hockey now, even if they don't every game. But true contenders get breaks and other things to go their way -- such as a goalie keeping them in a game until the offense can get their act together. That's what is happening tonight and they might have two more points to give to Theo in appreciation.
But the Pens probably have more fight in them yet. And Theo came up even bigger as he made save after save to deny Pittsburgh. The crowd offered a loud "Theo, Theo" chant that showed they're quite supportive of their goaltender.
However, Pittsburgh found a way to even the score. Off a faceoff, the Pens cycled the puck to Chris Kunitz, who found Jordan Staal in the slot. Staal beat Theo high, glove-side to tie the score and take away some of the good the Caps had built. It was only the Pens' second third-period goal against the Caps over the last two regular seasons.
The Caps tried valiantly to tie the score after the Pens' goal, but more often than not either missed the net or had their shots blocked.
After three: Caps 3, Pens 3.
Overtime
The extra session, as expected, was chock full of up-and-down action. Ovechkin had a breakaway and nearly scored as he was being hauled down (no call, natch) and Chimera also had a semi-breakway that was fruitless. The Pens had a few opportunities that Theo quelled.
Ovechkin nearly ended the game when he passed it to himself and just missed a wide portion of the net with Backstrom standing right there. But, alas, we're heading to a shootout.
After OT: Caps 3, Pens 3.
Shootout
The Caps, for a change, will shoot second.
Letang -- goal.
Backstrom -- no goal.
Crosby (to huge boos) -- goal.
Ovechkin -- goal (sick move).
Guerin -- no goal.
Semin -- goal (triple-deke).
Kunitz -- no goal.
Knuble -- goal (game over!).
Final: Caps 4, Pens 3 (SO).
First Period
The game got off to a fast and furious start, with both teams coming out strong. But most of the shots on goal were headed towards Theo, who has been stellar so far. The Pens got an early power play after Tom Poti got called for delay of game. The Caps killed it off, though, but couldn't sustain any pressure.
The Caps look a step off so far, their passes not as crisp and they haven't been able to sustain as much pressure in the Pens' zone. Fortunately, Theo remains sharp, his rebound control perfect and he's been able to keep the Pens off the board. He's really turned into an elite-level goalie this calendar year, something the team certainly has needed.
The Pens went back on the power play at 14:03 when Tomas Fleischmann got called for tripping, sending a Pen into Theodore as Pittsburgh was threatening (again). The PK did a good job of limiting opportunities and the Caps escaped unscathed. Theo maintained his strong play as well.
After Theo robbed Pascal Dupuis twice with 2:50 remaining, tempers began to flare -- but no penalties were called. The Caps certainly are trying to turn the tide on what has been a very one-side game so far. Although they've had some opportunities, the Pens have dominated in both shots and zone time.
Shot totals in first period: Pens 17, Caps 9.
After one: Caps 0, Pens 0.
Second Period
The Caps quickly put away the barrage of the first period and struck in the period's first 69 seconds. Nicklas Backstrom threw the puck at the net and Mike Knuble put the puck (and himself) past Fleury to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. Backstrom notched his 60th assist on the play. Ovechkin's helper, his 53rd of the season, is one short of his career high.
But the Pens struck right back, when Max Talbot deflected a Brooks Orpik shot past a helpless Theodore to tie the game almost as fast as the Caps had seized ahead. Unfortunately, the cheers for both goals resulted in about the same noise level.
(Another marriage proposal during the first TV timeout of the period. I think that's about half-dozen so far this season. And it was during the kiss cam no less.)
The Caps finally earned their power play when Ovechkin was tripped by Kris Letang at 6:01. The Caps did get some opportunities but couldn't really establish any offensive-zone time and didn't score. Immediately after the advantage ended, Eric Belanger almost chipped the puck past Fleury, but the Pens' goalie managed to make the save.
The Pens got their third power play of the night when Alex Semin was called for high-sticking at 10:12, prompting the first "ref, you suck" chant of the game. The Caps killed it off with relative ease, but the "ref, you suck" chants got louder to the point of substituting that chant for the more familiar "Let's go Caps" when the corresponding organ tune was played (by Bruce, of course).
Fuel was added to the fire when Flash was called for tripping at 13:44. It appeared the Caps were going to get a power play (John Carlson apparently was clothes-lined) but that wasn't happening. The Pens now have four PP opportunities to the Caps' one.
And they made it pay off. Bill Guerin was wide open in the left slot (with Joe Corvo and Jason Chimera out of position) and put it past Theo after a nice feed from the ever-popular Sidney Crosby, who has been booed every time he touches the puck tonight. The Pens lead, 2-1.
That seemed to awaken the Caps, though, as they turned up the pressure and nearly tied the game when Carlson hit the post with just more than three minutes left. That was part of an onslaught that didn't result in too many shots but certainly showed the Caps are hardly out of the game and have increased the intensity.
After two: Pens 2, Caps 1.
Third Period
The Caps were able to even the shots-on-goal tally but haven't been able to sustain pressure for any long stretches. Fortunately, the Caps have outscored the Pens, 14-1, in the third period over the last two years (regular season only) so the team certainly hopes to build on that.
However, their penalty-infested ways continued when Jeff Schultz was sent to the box for holding at 4:11 -- further exacerbating a problem that has haunted the Caps for a while. You can have the best PK in the league, but if you keep taking too many penalties, it's not really going to help you because of other factors, such as reducing Ovechkin's playing time.
But, all that aside, Semin (of all people) tied the game shorthanded when he got a two-on-one and weaved around before unleashing his signature wrister past an unsuspecting Fleury at 5:36. It was Semin's 34th goal of the season, tying last season's total, and only the second "shorty" of his career.
And the Caps didn't stop there. Belanger took a circuatous route around the net and found Mike Green at the point, who ripped it to Eric Fehr, who put it past Fleury to give the home team a thunderous lead. The Caps scored two goals in less than two minutes after only scoring one in the previous 45. It certainly was an odd goal as Belanger basically skated around the perimeter of the Pens' zone without barely being touched. Fehr also faced little resistance.
The tide continued to go the Caps' way as they started to look more in-sync and turn up the pressure on the visitors. (Cue "unleash the fury" during the TV timeout.)
Theo's play early now stands even bigger, as the Caps certainly needed a while to get their mojo on tonight. They're certainly playing championship-caliber hockey now, even if they don't every game. But true contenders get breaks and other things to go their way -- such as a goalie keeping them in a game until the offense can get their act together. That's what is happening tonight and they might have two more points to give to Theo in appreciation.
But the Pens probably have more fight in them yet. And Theo came up even bigger as he made save after save to deny Pittsburgh. The crowd offered a loud "Theo, Theo" chant that showed they're quite supportive of their goaltender.
However, Pittsburgh found a way to even the score. Off a faceoff, the Pens cycled the puck to Chris Kunitz, who found Jordan Staal in the slot. Staal beat Theo high, glove-side to tie the score and take away some of the good the Caps had built. It was only the Pens' second third-period goal against the Caps over the last two regular seasons.
The Caps tried valiantly to tie the score after the Pens' goal, but more often than not either missed the net or had their shots blocked.
After three: Caps 3, Pens 3.
Overtime
The extra session, as expected, was chock full of up-and-down action. Ovechkin had a breakaway and nearly scored as he was being hauled down (no call, natch) and Chimera also had a semi-breakway that was fruitless. The Pens had a few opportunities that Theo quelled.
Ovechkin nearly ended the game when he passed it to himself and just missed a wide portion of the net with Backstrom standing right there. But, alas, we're heading to a shootout.
After OT: Caps 3, Pens 3.
Shootout
The Caps, for a change, will shoot second.
Letang -- goal.
Backstrom -- no goal.
Crosby (to huge boos) -- goal.
Ovechkin -- goal (sick move).
Guerin -- no goal.
Semin -- goal (triple-deke).
Kunitz -- no goal.
Knuble -- goal (game over!).
Final: Caps 4, Pens 3 (SO).
Tide Turning in Pens-Caps Series
The Caps, much to the chagrin of their loyal following, have been chasing the Pittsburgh Penguins for a while. Between all the playoff losses (including last season's seven-game heartbreak) and the regular season defeats, there has been much to mope about in the nation's capital. Overall, the Caps trail in the regular-season series, 81-86-16-4.
But all that has changed of late. They've won all but one (5-0-1) of the last six meetings regular-season meetings between the teams, including two already this season. The Caps have outscored the Penguins 14-1 in the third period the last two years and Bruce Boudreau is 6-1-2 against Sidney Crosby's squad.
Additionally, goalie Jose Theodore has not lost in regulation to the Pens since Jan. 3, 2006, when he was on the Montreal Canadiens. Theo was 3-0-1 last season against Pittsburgh and is 6-0-1 in his last eight games against the Pens. His play this year has been stellar as of late, going 16-0-2 in his last 18 games, the longest stretch without a regulation loss in Caps history.
Look for live coverage from the press box for tonight's game.
But all that has changed of late. They've won all but one (5-0-1) of the last six meetings regular-season meetings between the teams, including two already this season. The Caps have outscored the Penguins 14-1 in the third period the last two years and Bruce Boudreau is 6-1-2 against Sidney Crosby's squad.
Additionally, goalie Jose Theodore has not lost in regulation to the Pens since Jan. 3, 2006, when he was on the Montreal Canadiens. Theo was 3-0-1 last season against Pittsburgh and is 6-0-1 in his last eight games against the Pens. His play this year has been stellar as of late, going 16-0-2 in his last 18 games, the longest stretch without a regulation loss in Caps history.
Look for live coverage from the press box for tonight's game.
March 23, 2010
Continuing the Countdown
While the Caps are making sure they don't coast to the finish, and rightfully so, it's becoming more evident by the day that the club will earn its first-ever Eastern Conference regular season title and President's Trophy.
With the Pittsburgh Penguins' loss last night, only the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils can catch them in terms of points, and that's only if the latter two win out and the Caps lose out. The Devils host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, while the Sabres next play tomorrow night against Montreal Canadiens at HSBC Arena. Therefore, if the Devils lose tonight, the Caps can clinch a tie for the Eastern Conference title with a win (regulation or OT) over the Pens tomorrow night and a Sabres' loss. (A loss by the Sabres and Devils would make their maximum point total 108, which is the franchise-record the Caps would tie with a win over Pittsburgh.)
No changes in the race for the President's Trophy, as the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes (who have a very outside shot) were idle last night. In fact, since the Caps need about 14 points to clinch that honor, that alone will provide motivation in most of the remaining games.
With the Pittsburgh Penguins' loss last night, only the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils can catch them in terms of points, and that's only if the latter two win out and the Caps lose out. The Devils host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, while the Sabres next play tomorrow night against Montreal Canadiens at HSBC Arena. Therefore, if the Devils lose tonight, the Caps can clinch a tie for the Eastern Conference title with a win (regulation or OT) over the Pens tomorrow night and a Sabres' loss. (A loss by the Sabres and Devils would make their maximum point total 108, which is the franchise-record the Caps would tie with a win over Pittsburgh.)
No changes in the race for the President's Trophy, as the Chicago Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes (who have a very outside shot) were idle last night. In fact, since the Caps need about 14 points to clinch that honor, that alone will provide motivation in most of the remaining games.
March 22, 2010
Weekly Snapshot, March 22
Record/Standings Position: 48-14-10 (106 points), 1st Southeast Division (clinched division title)/1st Eastern Conference (16-point lead)/1st NHL (nine-point margin)
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 7-3, at Florida Panthers
* Lost, 4-3 (OT), at Carolina Hurricanes
* Won, 3-1, at Tampa Bay Lightning
This Week's Games:
* Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m., CSN-HD, NHL-HD)
* Thursday at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday vs. Calgary Flames (3 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks) and Boyd Gordon (day-to-day). Total Man-Games Lost: 181.
Recent Transactions: None.
Top Storylines:
* The Caps could clinch the Eastern Conference this week if they earn five standings pionts or, if they earn four and the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils don't win every game. (The maximum points accrued by those three teams now stands at 110.)
* In the race for the President's Trophy, the Chicago Blackhawks can earn 119 points if they win out, meaning the Caps would need 14 points to clinch that honor for the first time in club history.
* Today's amazing stat: the Caps would still lead the NHL in goals scored if Alex Ovechkin's 45 tallies were subtracted.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Eric Fehr (five goals, two assists in March); Jose Theodore (15-0-2, 2.48 GAA, .924 save percentage since Jan. 13); Nicklas Backstrom (tied career high in points with 88, seven assists away from tying last year's career-high total of 66).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Quintin Laing (only six games played in 2010); Tyler Sloan (only six games played in February and March); John Erskine (only four games played in March after barely missing a game all year).
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 7-3, at Florida Panthers
* Lost, 4-3 (OT), at Carolina Hurricanes
* Won, 3-1, at Tampa Bay Lightning
This Week's Games:
* Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m., CSN-HD, NHL-HD)
* Thursday at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday vs. Calgary Flames (3 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks) and Boyd Gordon (day-to-day). Total Man-Games Lost: 181.
Recent Transactions: None.
Top Storylines:
* The Caps could clinch the Eastern Conference this week if they earn five standings pionts or, if they earn four and the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils don't win every game. (The maximum points accrued by those three teams now stands at 110.)
* In the race for the President's Trophy, the Chicago Blackhawks can earn 119 points if they win out, meaning the Caps would need 14 points to clinch that honor for the first time in club history.
* Today's amazing stat: the Caps would still lead the NHL in goals scored if Alex Ovechkin's 45 tallies were subtracted.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Eric Fehr (five goals, two assists in March); Jose Theodore (15-0-2, 2.48 GAA, .924 save percentage since Jan. 13); Nicklas Backstrom (tied career high in points with 88, seven assists away from tying last year's career-high total of 66).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Quintin Laing (only six games played in 2010); Tyler Sloan (only six games played in February and March); John Erskine (only four games played in March after barely missing a game all year).
March 18, 2010
Caps Drop One to Carolina
The Caps went into RBC Center with lots of momentum, even without two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin. But what they got what a 4-3 OT loss and another shaky performance by Semyon Varlamov, especially on the game-winning goal by Ray Whitney.
Taking a 2-1 lead (with both goals coming from former 'Cane Joe Corvo) into the third, Carolina turned on the pressure with a tying goal from Brett Carson. Then, during a four-on-four, Mike Green got caught in the offensive zone -- leading to a Chad LaRose breakaway that gave the home team a 3-2 lead with 1:35 remaining. But Eric Fehr tied the game with 9.5 seconds left with Varlamov pulled and the Caps storming the crease.
Unfortunately, Whitney took away any hope for a somewhat miraculous win. That being said, the point the Caps earned pulled them closer to the top seed in the Eastern Conference -- although both the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils gains points tonight.
And it also showed that, most likely, Jose Theodore will be the top goalie once the postseason begins in mid-April.
Taking a 2-1 lead (with both goals coming from former 'Cane Joe Corvo) into the third, Carolina turned on the pressure with a tying goal from Brett Carson. Then, during a four-on-four, Mike Green got caught in the offensive zone -- leading to a Chad LaRose breakaway that gave the home team a 3-2 lead with 1:35 remaining. But Eric Fehr tied the game with 9.5 seconds left with Varlamov pulled and the Caps storming the crease.
Unfortunately, Whitney took away any hope for a somewhat miraculous win. That being said, the point the Caps earned pulled them closer to the top seed in the Eastern Conference -- although both the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils gains points tonight.
And it also showed that, most likely, Jose Theodore will be the top goalie once the postseason begins in mid-April.
Caps Hope to Continue Road Roll
In today's edition of "The Caps Are Really This Good," the Caps now have a "magic number" of 11 points (gained by them or lost by the Pittsburgh Penguins or New Jersey Devils) to clinch the Eastern Conference after the Devils beat the Pens last night. The Caps' 16-point lead is the same spread as between the second- and ninth-place teams.
The Caps play in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. They're 9-1-2 in their last dozen road games and 16-3 against Southeast Division foes this season.
Believe it or not, the Caps have averaged 4.89 goals per game in the nine games in which Alex Ovechkin has not played, posting a 7-2 mark in those contests. (No. 10 is tonight.) Overall, the Caps average 3.9 goals per game, the most in the league by a wide margin.
Since taking over the team captaincy early in January, Ovechkin has lead the Caps to a 23-3-3 record. The keystone of this season has been the depth displayed by the Caps. Other than Nicklas Backstrom, who has matured into a superstar this season, the forward that may have taken the biggest leap forward is Brooks Laich.
The Caps' No. 21, an unrestricted free agent after next season, is averaging more than a point per game in the last two months, with 23 points in 22 games since Jan. 17 (13 goals, 10 assists). His two-goal, one-assist game Tuesday in Florida gave him career highs in goals (24) and points (54), while his plus-11 rating is the best of his career as well. Laich has scored a career-high 11 goals on the power play, which gives him a share of the team lead.
The Caps play in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. They're 9-1-2 in their last dozen road games and 16-3 against Southeast Division foes this season.
Believe it or not, the Caps have averaged 4.89 goals per game in the nine games in which Alex Ovechkin has not played, posting a 7-2 mark in those contests. (No. 10 is tonight.) Overall, the Caps average 3.9 goals per game, the most in the league by a wide margin.
Since taking over the team captaincy early in January, Ovechkin has lead the Caps to a 23-3-3 record. The keystone of this season has been the depth displayed by the Caps. Other than Nicklas Backstrom, who has matured into a superstar this season, the forward that may have taken the biggest leap forward is Brooks Laich.
The Caps' No. 21, an unrestricted free agent after next season, is averaging more than a point per game in the last two months, with 23 points in 22 games since Jan. 17 (13 goals, 10 assists). His two-goal, one-assist game Tuesday in Florida gave him career highs in goals (24) and points (54), while his plus-11 rating is the best of his career as well. Laich has scored a career-high 11 goals on the power play, which gives him a share of the team lead.
Future Watch: It's Pretty Bright
Potential is a word thrown around a lot, especially in the world of sports. For the Caps, that concept has been talked about for a while -- even before the current record-breaking season. But if you listen to Coach Bruce Boudreau, who's usually right about these things, there are more troops coming soon.
"We've got talent at a lot of levels," the coach said in the recently-released Future Watch 2010 edition of The Hockey News. "Wait a couple of years, you'll see."
The Caps' rankings begin with three players -- John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Michal Neuvirth -- who have spent time with the big club. Carlson, ranked fifth overall by The Hockey News, is currently with the Caps -- apparently for good. Alzner and Neuvirth are in Hershey.
The praise for the the two defensemen couldn't be higher.
"Carlson was so impressive in training camp he forced his way into consideration for a spot with the big club, pushing past Karl Alzner on the depth chart. The subtleties of Carlson's game -- the way he precisely positions himself, correctly anticipates what's happening before it does and his ability to hold his own in physical situations -- speak to his maturity."
"Alzner is expected to become a cornerstone on the blueline, a fluid puck-mover who is steady in his own end.
The fourth player on the Caps, center Marcus Johansson, still is playing in Sweden and might end up in Hershey next season. Winger Mathieu Perreault, currently with the Bears, had a successful and short stretch with the Caps earlier this season.
The next five are goalie Braden Holtby, starring in Hershey; winger Stefan Della Rovere, still in the OHL; defenseman Dmitri Orlov in the KHL; center Anton Gustafsson, who is heading to Hershey from Sweden; and Oskar Osala, who was traded to Carolina in the Joe Corvo deal.
"We've got talent at a lot of levels," the coach said in the recently-released Future Watch 2010 edition of The Hockey News. "Wait a couple of years, you'll see."
The Caps' rankings begin with three players -- John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Michal Neuvirth -- who have spent time with the big club. Carlson, ranked fifth overall by The Hockey News, is currently with the Caps -- apparently for good. Alzner and Neuvirth are in Hershey.
The praise for the the two defensemen couldn't be higher.
"Carlson was so impressive in training camp he forced his way into consideration for a spot with the big club, pushing past Karl Alzner on the depth chart. The subtleties of Carlson's game -- the way he precisely positions himself, correctly anticipates what's happening before it does and his ability to hold his own in physical situations -- speak to his maturity."
"Alzner is expected to become a cornerstone on the blueline, a fluid puck-mover who is steady in his own end.
The fourth player on the Caps, center Marcus Johansson, still is playing in Sweden and might end up in Hershey next season. Winger Mathieu Perreault, currently with the Bears, had a successful and short stretch with the Caps earlier this season.
The next five are goalie Braden Holtby, starring in Hershey; winger Stefan Della Rovere, still in the OHL; defenseman Dmitri Orlov in the KHL; center Anton Gustafsson, who is heading to Hershey from Sweden; and Oskar Osala, who was traded to Carolina in the Joe Corvo deal.
March 17, 2010
Inside the Press Box: Jiri Fisher
Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find a link to the series archives on the right sidebar. Today's 30th installment: Voice of America reporter Jiri Fisher.
1. How did you start covering the Caps?
I started to cover the NHL almost two decades ago as a reporter for Czechoslovakian service of Voice of America here in Washington, D.C. Ice hockey is big in Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany and many other countries.
The former Czechoslovakian service used to have a feature during the hockey season called "Czechs and Slovaks in the NHL." We covered the NHL in general, and obviously focused on the players from the former Czechoslovakia and Russia. I am talking about many years ago when Czech players like Michael Pivonka, Jaroslav Svejkovski, Jan Benda, and indeed a brilliant Slovakian star, Peter Bondra, and another Slovak, Richard Zednik were on the Caps.
Later on the Caps, George McPhee and Ted Leonsis brought another Czech superstar, Jaromir Jagr, here and traded for Robert Lang, Frantisek Kucera and others. So, you can see we were always busy reporting about these guys and the rest of European, American and Canadian players on the visiting teams.
2. How many languages do you speak and do you feel that's helped you in covering a team with so many countries represented?
Besides my native Czech language, I speak Slovak. We had to learn in school in the harsh days of the communist Russian language. I am not fluent in Russian at all, but I can understand almost everything and, in the time of need, I can fluently ask for "bottle of vodka." I speak some German, Polish and Croatian.
Has the languages helped me? Indeed, it helps you to communicate effectively and gives you a better understanding about people from different countries and different cultures.
3. How long have you been working for Voice of America and what other responsibilities do you have?
I have been working for VOA for 25 years. At the present time, I work as a multimedia executive producer in the SAD Division. We broadcast mainly to Afghanistan in the Pashto and Dari languages, to Pakistan in Urdu and Pashto, to India in Hindi and to Bangladesh in Bangla. It's a very important region for all of us in the USA.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
Without hesitation, I have to say that the best hockey memory is connected to the two Stanley Cup finals I have covered. Particularly, when the Capitals got to the 1998 finals against the Detroit Red Wings. It took 24 long years for the Capitals to make it to the Stanley Cup finals. It was an absolutely awesome experience -- and I hope that this year we'll be there again.
I am still humbled and I feel strongly what a great honor and privilege I have to able to watch the game from the press box and, after the game, go to the locker room and interview the best hockey players in the world and pass the message to our audience. It's a very cool experience!
5. What occupies your time when you're not working?
Besides bicycling, water sports and pick-up hockey, it’s music and theater arts. I have studied directing and acting in Europe. I spent 12 years in Czech theatres and played numerous roles for television, radio and films. After arriving in the United States in 1980, I starred in the NBC soap opera, "Another World," in the long running principal role as Anton Capek and also acted on CBS' "As the World Turns."
I created "No Curtain Theatre" in Washington, D.C., in the summer of 1990 as a forum for international theatrical expression. I directed and performed in sold-out performances of Vaclav Havel's play, "Audience," with Dick Stilwell at GW's Marvin Center Theatre. (The Resident Associates Program of the Smithsonian Institution in the Baird Auditorium led to the theatre's founding.) The same year, we toured Czechoslovakia with the production, followed by performances in New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York City.
There is a lot of common ground between team sports and producing/directing a theater, film or TV. But that's another story for some other time. Thank for having me.
1. How did you start covering the Caps?
I started to cover the NHL almost two decades ago as a reporter for Czechoslovakian service of Voice of America here in Washington, D.C. Ice hockey is big in Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany and many other countries.
The former Czechoslovakian service used to have a feature during the hockey season called "Czechs and Slovaks in the NHL." We covered the NHL in general, and obviously focused on the players from the former Czechoslovakia and Russia. I am talking about many years ago when Czech players like Michael Pivonka, Jaroslav Svejkovski, Jan Benda, and indeed a brilliant Slovakian star, Peter Bondra, and another Slovak, Richard Zednik were on the Caps.
Later on the Caps, George McPhee and Ted Leonsis brought another Czech superstar, Jaromir Jagr, here and traded for Robert Lang, Frantisek Kucera and others. So, you can see we were always busy reporting about these guys and the rest of European, American and Canadian players on the visiting teams.
2. How many languages do you speak and do you feel that's helped you in covering a team with so many countries represented?
Besides my native Czech language, I speak Slovak. We had to learn in school in the harsh days of the communist Russian language. I am not fluent in Russian at all, but I can understand almost everything and, in the time of need, I can fluently ask for "bottle of vodka." I speak some German, Polish and Croatian.
Has the languages helped me? Indeed, it helps you to communicate effectively and gives you a better understanding about people from different countries and different cultures.
3. How long have you been working for Voice of America and what other responsibilities do you have?
I have been working for VOA for 25 years. At the present time, I work as a multimedia executive producer in the SAD Division. We broadcast mainly to Afghanistan in the Pashto and Dari languages, to Pakistan in Urdu and Pashto, to India in Hindi and to Bangladesh in Bangla. It's a very important region for all of us in the USA.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
Without hesitation, I have to say that the best hockey memory is connected to the two Stanley Cup finals I have covered. Particularly, when the Capitals got to the 1998 finals against the Detroit Red Wings. It took 24 long years for the Capitals to make it to the Stanley Cup finals. It was an absolutely awesome experience -- and I hope that this year we'll be there again.
I am still humbled and I feel strongly what a great honor and privilege I have to able to watch the game from the press box and, after the game, go to the locker room and interview the best hockey players in the world and pass the message to our audience. It's a very cool experience!
5. What occupies your time when you're not working?
Besides bicycling, water sports and pick-up hockey, it’s music and theater arts. I have studied directing and acting in Europe. I spent 12 years in Czech theatres and played numerous roles for television, radio and films. After arriving in the United States in 1980, I starred in the NBC soap opera, "Another World," in the long running principal role as Anton Capek and also acted on CBS' "As the World Turns."
I created "No Curtain Theatre" in Washington, D.C., in the summer of 1990 as a forum for international theatrical expression. I directed and performed in sold-out performances of Vaclav Havel's play, "Audience," with Dick Stilwell at GW's Marvin Center Theatre. (The Resident Associates Program of the Smithsonian Institution in the Baird Auditorium led to the theatre's founding.) The same year, we toured Czechoslovakia with the production, followed by performances in New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York City.
There is a lot of common ground between team sports and producing/directing a theater, film or TV. But that's another story for some other time. Thank for having me.
March 16, 2010
Without Ovechkin, Caps Rout Panthers
The Caps wasted no time in making a statement: they can win without Alex Ovechkin, smashing the Florida Panthers, 7-3, tonight in Sunrise. The team moved to 7-2 without the two-time MVP behind two goals from Brooks Laich and three points (one goal, two assists) from Brendan Morrison.
The red, white and blue also received two points each from Nicklas Backstrom, Shaone Morrisonn and Alex Semin -- while getting a mostly-strong goaltending performance from Jose Theodore.
Only five players failed to register a point. One of those was Tomas Fleischmann, who got the honor of playing on the top line with Backstrom (one goal, one assist) and Mike Knuble (assist).
The win gave the Caps 103 points and moved them 16 points ahead of the idle Pittsburgh Penguins in the race for the Eastern Conference title.
The red, white and blue also received two points each from Nicklas Backstrom, Shaone Morrisonn and Alex Semin -- while getting a mostly-strong goaltending performance from Jose Theodore.
Only five players failed to register a point. One of those was Tomas Fleischmann, who got the honor of playing on the top line with Backstrom (one goal, one assist) and Mike Knuble (assist).
The win gave the Caps 103 points and moved them 16 points ahead of the idle Pittsburgh Penguins in the race for the Eastern Conference title.
Caps Visit Panthers Without Ovechkin
The Caps will play without the suspended Alex Ovechkin for the ninth time this season (they're 6-2 without him so far). The Caps are 20-10-5 on the road this season and have won their last two away from Verizon Center. The red, white and blue has won all five meetings with Florida this season and are seeking the first sweep for either team in series history.
Even without the NHL's point leader -- and second-leading goal scorer -- the Caps still have plenty of firepower, starting with Nicklas Backstrom. The super Swedish center joins Ovechkin and Henrik Sedin as the only three players in the league with at least 28 goals and 50 assists. In addition to his goals and assists -- where he ranks an impressive fourth in points, tied for fourth in assists, tied for eighth in power-play goals and tied for sixth in plus/minus -- he's also 11th among NHL forwards with 51 blocked shots. Talk about a franchise player, and he's only 22.
Mike Green, at 24, has 24 more goals and 26 more points than any other defenseman in the last three seasons. Green has points in 13 of the last 14 games he has played (five goals, 14 assists). He leads all NHL defensemen in goals (17), assists (52) and points (69). His plus-31 rating is second among all NHL defensemen, trailing only teammate Jeff Schultz (plus-37). Green is on the verge of his second 70-point season; the only other active defensemen who have posted 70 points in a season are Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios. Seven defensemen have averaged a point per game for a season since 1994-95 and Green is the only one who has done so twice.
Finally, Washington's league-leading power play has converted on seven of its last 20 opportunities in the last five games, with at least a goal in every game. The Capitals have a chance to lead the league in power-play percentage for the first time and their 25.8 percent success rate would break last year's club record of 25.2 percent.
Even without the NHL's point leader -- and second-leading goal scorer -- the Caps still have plenty of firepower, starting with Nicklas Backstrom. The super Swedish center joins Ovechkin and Henrik Sedin as the only three players in the league with at least 28 goals and 50 assists. In addition to his goals and assists -- where he ranks an impressive fourth in points, tied for fourth in assists, tied for eighth in power-play goals and tied for sixth in plus/minus -- he's also 11th among NHL forwards with 51 blocked shots. Talk about a franchise player, and he's only 22.
Mike Green, at 24, has 24 more goals and 26 more points than any other defenseman in the last three seasons. Green has points in 13 of the last 14 games he has played (five goals, 14 assists). He leads all NHL defensemen in goals (17), assists (52) and points (69). His plus-31 rating is second among all NHL defensemen, trailing only teammate Jeff Schultz (plus-37). Green is on the verge of his second 70-point season; the only other active defensemen who have posted 70 points in a season are Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios. Seven defensemen have averaged a point per game for a season since 1994-95 and Green is the only one who has done so twice.
Finally, Washington's league-leading power play has converted on seven of its last 20 opportunities in the last five games, with at least a goal in every game. The Capitals have a chance to lead the league in power-play percentage for the first time and their 25.8 percent success rate would break last year's club record of 25.2 percent.
March 15, 2010
Ovechkin Gets Two-Game Suspension
Alex Ovechkin received a two-game suspension today for his hit on the Chicago Blackhawks' Brian Campbell during yesterday's 4-3 win by the Caps in the Second City. Unfortunately, this is the second suspension of Ovie's season and will once again raise questions about his playing style.
Say what you will about the extremely-inconsistent NHL suspension policy, but the fact remains that Ovie is one of the most exciting players in the league who is beloved by his teammates and fans around the world.
"We have no problem with the way Alex tried to finish his check," GM George McPhee said. "Unfortunately, an injury resulted. We are disappointed with the suspension but do not want to comment further."
The good news is that the Caps are a deep team that, unlike previous years, actually can win without their captain. The other good news is that the Caps already have clinched the Southeast Division and are closing in on the Eastern Conference title.
So they must work hard in the two games without Ovie -- against the inferior Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes -- and life should go on as normal.
Say what you will about the extremely-inconsistent NHL suspension policy, but the fact remains that Ovie is one of the most exciting players in the league who is beloved by his teammates and fans around the world.
"We have no problem with the way Alex tried to finish his check," GM George McPhee said. "Unfortunately, an injury resulted. We are disappointed with the suspension but do not want to comment further."
The good news is that the Caps are a deep team that, unlike previous years, actually can win without their captain. The other good news is that the Caps already have clinched the Southeast Division and are closing in on the Eastern Conference title.
So they must work hard in the two games without Ovie -- against the inferior Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes -- and life should go on as normal.
Weekly Snapshot, March 15
Record/Standings Position: 46-14-9 (101 points), 1st Southeast Division (clinched division title)/1st Eastern Conference (14-point lead)/1st NHL (five-point lead)
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 4-3 (SO), vs. Dallas
* Won, 4-3 (OT), vs. Carolina
* Lost, 3-2, vs. Tampa Bay
* Won, 4-3 (OT), at Chicago
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday at Florida (7:30 p.m., CSN)
* Thursday at Carolina (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Saturday at Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks). Total Man-Games Lost: 176.
Recent Transactions: None.
Top Storylines:
* The Caps have six 20-goal scorers; only one other team (Vancouver) has as many as four.
* As you may have heard, the Caps might be without Alex Ovechkin if he gets suspended after his hit yesterday on Brian Campbell.
* Nicklas Backstrom is now fourth in the league in points (83) and tied for fourth in assists (55).
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Backstrom (two more goals yesterday; two away from his first 30-goal campaign); Mike Green (52 assists puts him amongst NHL leaders); John Carlson (showing he belongs in the NHL).
Scratches (Who's Not?): John Erskine (more frequent scratch still makes you wonder why he's signed through next season); Tyler Sloan (probably should be playing in Hershey); Quintin Laing (doesn't look like he'll play for the Caps again).
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 4-3 (SO), vs. Dallas
* Won, 4-3 (OT), vs. Carolina
* Lost, 3-2, vs. Tampa Bay
* Won, 4-3 (OT), at Chicago
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday at Florida (7:30 p.m., CSN)
* Thursday at Carolina (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Saturday at Tampa Bay (7:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks). Total Man-Games Lost: 176.
Recent Transactions: None.
Top Storylines:
* The Caps have six 20-goal scorers; only one other team (Vancouver) has as many as four.
* As you may have heard, the Caps might be without Alex Ovechkin if he gets suspended after his hit yesterday on Brian Campbell.
* Nicklas Backstrom is now fourth in the league in points (83) and tied for fourth in assists (55).
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Backstrom (two more goals yesterday; two away from his first 30-goal campaign); Mike Green (52 assists puts him amongst NHL leaders); John Carlson (showing he belongs in the NHL).
Scratches (Who's Not?): John Erskine (more frequent scratch still makes you wonder why he's signed through next season); Tyler Sloan (probably should be playing in Hershey); Quintin Laing (doesn't look like he'll play for the Caps again).
March 14, 2010
Caps Prevail Over Hawks
In arguably their biggest test of the season -- save for maybe games against the Pittsburgh Penguins -- the Caps made a huge statement today, erasing a 3-0 deficit without the services of Alex Ovechkin to beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3 at United Center. Nicklas Backstrom continued his growth into elite status with his 27th and 28th goals of the season, the latter notching the OT game-winner on a beautiful individual effort.
It was the type of game the Caps have needed for a while. Not because their other recent wins haven't been impressive, but because this game came against a team they might face in the Stanley Cup finals and could be the best team in the Western Conference (although the San Jose Sharks probably have something to say about that).
Ovechkin's ejection -- for boarding Brian Campbell -- left the Caps without the league's two-time MVP but certainly not without a ton of skill. In addition to Backstrom, Brooks Laich and Eric Fehr scored goals for the visitors.
"We've got the most skill in the league, on any team," Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews said. "There's no reason, up 3-0, we can't go out and finish the team off."
The Caps certainly have a legitimate claim to override Toews' boast and continued to show that, even without Ovechkin, can outplay anybody in the NHL.
It was the type of game the Caps have needed for a while. Not because their other recent wins haven't been impressive, but because this game came against a team they might face in the Stanley Cup finals and could be the best team in the Western Conference (although the San Jose Sharks probably have something to say about that).
Ovechkin's ejection -- for boarding Brian Campbell -- left the Caps without the league's two-time MVP but certainly not without a ton of skill. In addition to Backstrom, Brooks Laich and Eric Fehr scored goals for the visitors.
"We've got the most skill in the league, on any team," Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews said. "There's no reason, up 3-0, we can't go out and finish the team off."
The Caps certainly have a legitimate claim to override Toews' boast and continued to show that, even without Ovechkin, can outplay anybody in the NHL.
March 12, 2010
Three-Time, Three-Time, Three-Time Division Champs
Not that this is a newsflash, but the Caps (officially) clinched the Southeast Division last night with Atlanta's 2-1 loss at Columbus. The team become the first member of the division to win it three consecutive times -- and has won the division five times over the 11 years it has existed, the most of anybody. It's the sixth division title in franchise history and the first time the team has won three in a row.
The Caps become the earliest team to win their division since the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens wrapped up the Norris Division with 17 games left in the regular season. (And went on to win the Stanley Cup.)
Attention now turns to the Eastern Conference, which the Caps have never won during any regular season in their history. They're 14 points up on the Pittsburgh Penguins (games are even) with 15 games to play -- meaning the Caps (99 points) need 17 standings points to accomplish that feat. (The Pens have 85 points and, if they win every game, would finish with 115.) Of course, like in baseball, more Pens losses means fewer points are needed by the Caps (e.g. magic number).
The Caps take the ice as the 2009-10 division champs for the first time tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a chance to surpass the 100-point mark in its 68th game. In the franchise's five previous 100-point campaigns, the earliest they reached the century mark was the 74th game of the 1985-86 season. With 15 games left, the Caps already have the sixth-most points (99) in their history and fifth-most wins (45).
The red, white and blue has five 20-goal scorers, more than any other team in the league. In addition, three players -- Tomas Fleischmann (19), Eric Fehr (17) and Mike Green (17) -- are within three goals of the 20-goal plateau.
Nick Backstrom has 54 assists (not 55 as was discussed during Wednesday's Carolina game) on the season. With one more, he'd join Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny as the only players to record 55 or more assists in each of their first three NHL seasons. Stastny did it in seven of his first eight seasons while the Great One accomplished the feat in an astounding all but three of his seasons. Pretty impressive company.
The Caps become the earliest team to win their division since the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens wrapped up the Norris Division with 17 games left in the regular season. (And went on to win the Stanley Cup.)
Attention now turns to the Eastern Conference, which the Caps have never won during any regular season in their history. They're 14 points up on the Pittsburgh Penguins (games are even) with 15 games to play -- meaning the Caps (99 points) need 17 standings points to accomplish that feat. (The Pens have 85 points and, if they win every game, would finish with 115.) Of course, like in baseball, more Pens losses means fewer points are needed by the Caps (e.g. magic number).
The Caps take the ice as the 2009-10 division champs for the first time tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a chance to surpass the 100-point mark in its 68th game. In the franchise's five previous 100-point campaigns, the earliest they reached the century mark was the 74th game of the 1985-86 season. With 15 games left, the Caps already have the sixth-most points (99) in their history and fifth-most wins (45).
The red, white and blue has five 20-goal scorers, more than any other team in the league. In addition, three players -- Tomas Fleischmann (19), Eric Fehr (17) and Mike Green (17) -- are within three goals of the 20-goal plateau.
Nick Backstrom has 54 assists (not 55 as was discussed during Wednesday's Carolina game) on the season. With one more, he'd join Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny as the only players to record 55 or more assists in each of their first three NHL seasons. Stastny did it in seven of his first eight seasons while the Great One accomplished the feat in an astounding all but three of his seasons. Pretty impressive company.
March 11, 2010
Caps Need to Stay Focused, Motivated
With the Southeast Division all but wrapped up, and the Eastern Conference not too far behind (they have a 15-point lead as of today), the Caps need to make sure they stay focused and motivated during the regular season's last month. During last night's 4-3 overtime victory over Carolina, the Caps blew a 2-0 for the second straight game and showed lapses of concentration and good play.
It was something that plagued them last season heading down the stretch. Yes, their 11-point division margin wasn't as great as the 33-pointer they currently boast, but they only played average hockey over the season's last month with a shot at the conference's top seed at stake. Then, against the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs, the Caps lost the first two games before pulling out the series in seven.
Teams that compete for a Stanley Cup need short series at the beginning of what turns out to be a long playoff run. There are always exceptions but, for the most part, having a five- or six-game series at the start of the postseason gives players and coaches rest for a two-month grind.
Just look at the Caps themselves. In 1998, they only needed 17 games to reach the Stanley Cup finals -- five more than the minimum. This is something the Caps need to emulate -- and it starts now, in March, with games that might not mean anything in the standings, but mean plenty for the long-term.
It was something that plagued them last season heading down the stretch. Yes, their 11-point division margin wasn't as great as the 33-pointer they currently boast, but they only played average hockey over the season's last month with a shot at the conference's top seed at stake. Then, against the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs, the Caps lost the first two games before pulling out the series in seven.
Teams that compete for a Stanley Cup need short series at the beginning of what turns out to be a long playoff run. There are always exceptions but, for the most part, having a five- or six-game series at the start of the postseason gives players and coaches rest for a two-month grind.
Just look at the Caps themselves. In 1998, they only needed 17 games to reach the Stanley Cup finals -- five more than the minimum. This is something the Caps need to emulate -- and it starts now, in March, with games that might not mean anything in the standings, but mean plenty for the long-term.
March 10, 2010
Caps-Hurricanes Live
Tonight marks the first meeting since last Wednesday's trades of the Caps and Canes. That means Brian Pothier and Oskar Osala will be facing the Caps for the first time; ditto for Joe Corvo and Scott Walker vs. the Canes.
Jose Theodore and Manny Legace are the starting goalies.
First Period
The Caps got off to a strong start and didn't waste too much time before striking first. John Carlson continued his good play when he made a pinpoint outlet pass to Brendan Morrison, who flung it to Alex Semin on a breakway. Semin made a sweet move on Legace to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.
The Caps also did well on the PK, successfully killing off a power play at 5:57 with Tomas Fleischmann in the box for tripping. The Canes only got one shot on the extra-man advantage. In fact, the Caps even got some offensive-zone time. It should be noted that Pothier got some power-play time.
But the Caps went right back in the box less than three minutes later, just after Nicklas Backstrom almost scored on a breakaway. The night's second PK was more of the same, another good sign for the Caps. In fact, the teams went four-on-four with 34 second left on the advantage when Sergei Samsonov got called from hooking at 10:25.
The Caps couldn't score on the ensuing opportunity, but they have kept the pressure up -- not as much as Monday's when they pumped a ridiculous amount of shots on Marty Turco.
The red, white and blue got on the positive side of the special-teams situation when they went on a power play 17:04
Thirty-seven seconds into the power play , Brandon Sutter got a breakway and was awarded a penalty shot after he tumbled into goal. The crowd was not happy with the call and Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau uttered a few choice words at the ref.
And the Caps didn't waste too much time taking advantage of Theo's heroics. After getting set up in the zone, Semin found Mike Green cutting at the point. Green one-timed a wrister past Legace to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.
The Canes, though, struck right back, when Patrick Dwyer took advantage of a crowded crease to beat Theo with a tap-in after his teammates pumped a few shots at the Caps' goal.
After one: Caps 2, Canes 1.
Second Period
The Caps turned up the pressure a bit at the beginning of the middle stanza, but Legace began his best Turco impression in making some heroic saves. Brooks Laich was especially robbed by the Canes' netminder, who kept the margin at one.
But that didn't last too much longer. For the second straight game, the Caps blew a 2-0 lead after dominating for the game's first portion. This time, Tuomo Ruutu found himself wide open in the face-off circle and fired a wrister past Theo to tie the game at two.
Less than a minute later, the Caps went on the power play when Ovechkin was tripped on a semi-breakaway. The Caps struggled to get set up for the first minute of the extra-man advantage, but they made it pay off when they finally did. Mike Knuble, Backstrom and Laich peppered Legace and the puck found its way onto Green's stick. The NHL's leading goal-scorer among defensemen put the puck between Legace's legs for his second of the night and 17th of the season.
The Caps went back on the PK when Scott Walker got called for clipping on what looked to be a legal hip check. The Canes didn't waste much time tying the game on their third power play of the night. Jussi Jokinen scored his 27th of the season when he got open in the slot and beat Theo with a wrister.
This is definitely one of Theo's weaker games of recent memory. For all the attention Semyon Varlamov's gotten for his shaky play, Theo has regressed tonight. He's still made some key saves and the Caps certainly need that for the game's remainder to pull out a win tonight.
The Caps went back on the PK with 44 seconds left when Corvo was called for a blatant interference violation. It was the definition of a pick -- and not a good one. The Caps' PK has looked better tonight but their penalty monger ways haven't improved.
After two: Caps 3, Canes 3.
Third Period
The Caps were able to kill off the remainder of Corvo's penalty at the period's onset. But it only took a few more minutes before a member of the Caps were back in the box. This time, it was Semin, who was called for slashing at 3:17. It's the team's fifth penalty of the night.
The PK got another shorthanded opportunity, but couldn't put the puck into a vacated net as the Canes' defenders collapsed around the crease until Legace could recover. The Caps shorthanded unit did a good job of not allowing the Canes to set up and kept firing the puck down the ice and were able to kill off the penalty.
Ovechkin got a decent shot on goal a few minutes after the penalty expired, but Legace was able to quell the rally. The Caps haven't had too many sustained stretches of pressure tonight -- and Carolina has done a great job of keeping up the pressure.
Comcast SportsNet just flashed a stat that Backstrom is one of three players to register at least 55 assists in his first three seasons. The other two: Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny. (By the way, Stastny did it in seven of his first eight seasons while the Great One accomplished the feat in an astounding all but three of his seasons.) Pretty impressive company.
He's also the fourth Cap all-time to post consecutive 80-point seasons, joining Ovechkin (who's done it every season he's been in the league), Mike Gartner and Dennis Maruk.
The Canes were able to spend more time in the Caps' offensive zone than the Caps were in the Canes' end, although the home team did continue their lead in shots on goal. It's hard to determine whether they've played better tonight or Monday, but they've certainly been less flashy tonight -- and Theo's been stable in the final stanza.
Corvo's also had a good game tonight -- being extremely responsible in his own zone and positioning himself well.
After regulation: Caps 3, Canes 3.
Overtime
As with many regular-season extra sessions, the action was fast and furious and end-to-end. The Caps had more great opportunities but, as with other times tonight, couldn't get the puck past Legace or missed the net entirely with their shots. They've had a solid game but again have met a goaltender who has played out of his mind.
But the Caps got the last word. Eric Belanger and Corvo tore down the ice on a mini breakaway. Belanger found a trailing Fleischmann, who fired it past Legace to give the Caps a big win.
Final: Caps 4, Canes 3.
Jose Theodore and Manny Legace are the starting goalies.
First Period
The Caps got off to a strong start and didn't waste too much time before striking first. John Carlson continued his good play when he made a pinpoint outlet pass to Brendan Morrison, who flung it to Alex Semin on a breakway. Semin made a sweet move on Legace to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.
The Caps also did well on the PK, successfully killing off a power play at 5:57 with Tomas Fleischmann in the box for tripping. The Canes only got one shot on the extra-man advantage. In fact, the Caps even got some offensive-zone time. It should be noted that Pothier got some power-play time.
But the Caps went right back in the box less than three minutes later, just after Nicklas Backstrom almost scored on a breakaway. The night's second PK was more of the same, another good sign for the Caps. In fact, the teams went four-on-four with 34 second left on the advantage when Sergei Samsonov got called from hooking at 10:25.
The Caps couldn't score on the ensuing opportunity, but they have kept the pressure up -- not as much as Monday's when they pumped a ridiculous amount of shots on Marty Turco.
The red, white and blue got on the positive side of the special-teams situation when they went on a power play 17:04
Thirty-seven seconds into the power play , Brandon Sutter got a breakway and was awarded a penalty shot after he tumbled into goal. The crowd was not happy with the call and Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau uttered a few choice words at the ref.
And the Caps didn't waste too much time taking advantage of Theo's heroics. After getting set up in the zone, Semin found Mike Green cutting at the point. Green one-timed a wrister past Legace to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.
The Canes, though, struck right back, when Patrick Dwyer took advantage of a crowded crease to beat Theo with a tap-in after his teammates pumped a few shots at the Caps' goal.
After one: Caps 2, Canes 1.
Second Period
The Caps turned up the pressure a bit at the beginning of the middle stanza, but Legace began his best Turco impression in making some heroic saves. Brooks Laich was especially robbed by the Canes' netminder, who kept the margin at one.
But that didn't last too much longer. For the second straight game, the Caps blew a 2-0 lead after dominating for the game's first portion. This time, Tuomo Ruutu found himself wide open in the face-off circle and fired a wrister past Theo to tie the game at two.
Less than a minute later, the Caps went on the power play when Ovechkin was tripped on a semi-breakaway. The Caps struggled to get set up for the first minute of the extra-man advantage, but they made it pay off when they finally did. Mike Knuble, Backstrom and Laich peppered Legace and the puck found its way onto Green's stick. The NHL's leading goal-scorer among defensemen put the puck between Legace's legs for his second of the night and 17th of the season.
The Caps went back on the PK when Scott Walker got called for clipping on what looked to be a legal hip check. The Canes didn't waste much time tying the game on their third power play of the night. Jussi Jokinen scored his 27th of the season when he got open in the slot and beat Theo with a wrister.
This is definitely one of Theo's weaker games of recent memory. For all the attention Semyon Varlamov's gotten for his shaky play, Theo has regressed tonight. He's still made some key saves and the Caps certainly need that for the game's remainder to pull out a win tonight.
The Caps went back on the PK with 44 seconds left when Corvo was called for a blatant interference violation. It was the definition of a pick -- and not a good one. The Caps' PK has looked better tonight but their penalty monger ways haven't improved.
After two: Caps 3, Canes 3.
Third Period
The Caps were able to kill off the remainder of Corvo's penalty at the period's onset. But it only took a few more minutes before a member of the Caps were back in the box. This time, it was Semin, who was called for slashing at 3:17. It's the team's fifth penalty of the night.
The PK got another shorthanded opportunity, but couldn't put the puck into a vacated net as the Canes' defenders collapsed around the crease until Legace could recover. The Caps shorthanded unit did a good job of not allowing the Canes to set up and kept firing the puck down the ice and were able to kill off the penalty.
Ovechkin got a decent shot on goal a few minutes after the penalty expired, but Legace was able to quell the rally. The Caps haven't had too many sustained stretches of pressure tonight -- and Carolina has done a great job of keeping up the pressure.
Comcast SportsNet just flashed a stat that Backstrom is one of three players to register at least 55 assists in his first three seasons. The other two: Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny. (By the way, Stastny did it in seven of his first eight seasons while the Great One accomplished the feat in an astounding all but three of his seasons.) Pretty impressive company.
He's also the fourth Cap all-time to post consecutive 80-point seasons, joining Ovechkin (who's done it every season he's been in the league), Mike Gartner and Dennis Maruk.
The Canes were able to spend more time in the Caps' offensive zone than the Caps were in the Canes' end, although the home team did continue their lead in shots on goal. It's hard to determine whether they've played better tonight or Monday, but they've certainly been less flashy tonight -- and Theo's been stable in the final stanza.
Corvo's also had a good game tonight -- being extremely responsible in his own zone and positioning himself well.
After regulation: Caps 3, Canes 3.
Overtime
As with many regular-season extra sessions, the action was fast and furious and end-to-end. The Caps had more great opportunities but, as with other times tonight, couldn't get the puck past Legace or missed the net entirely with their shots. They've had a solid game but again have met a goaltender who has played out of his mind.
But the Caps got the last word. Eric Belanger and Corvo tore down the ice on a mini breakaway. Belanger found a trailing Fleischmann, who fired it past Legace to give the Caps a big win.
Final: Caps 4, Canes 3.
Brian's Song: Pothier, Hurricanes Visit Caps
Brian Pothier spent nearly four seasons with the Caps before being shipped to division rival Carolina last Wednesday. Although he wasn't a huge contributor to the team, he was a good citizen and certainly earned his fandom while battling some serious ailments. Pothier now returns to Verizon Center to oppose the Caps for the first time since he was a member of the Ottawa Senators (a 5-2 Ottawa win on March 12, 2005).
Oskar Osala, who also headed south in the trade, will play as will new Caps Scott Walker and Joe Corvo (who suited up for Carolina for parts of a combined seven seasons). This, by the way, is only Osala's third-ever NHL game.
Tonight's forward lines as per Tarik:
The Caps have struggled on the penalty kill lately and will work on that during tomorrow's practice. However, they need to start fixing that tonight, as it was a major contributor to Monday's letdown against the Dallas Stars. (Not taking penalties at all wouldn't hurt either.)
The Hurricanes are 8-2-0 and have the best record in the NHL over the last 10 games. Carolina also is the last team to beat the Caps in regulation at home (beating them 6-3 on Dec. 28).
Oskar Osala, who also headed south in the trade, will play as will new Caps Scott Walker and Joe Corvo (who suited up for Carolina for parts of a combined seven seasons). This, by the way, is only Osala's third-ever NHL game.
Tonight's forward lines as per Tarik:
Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Mike Knuble
Tomas Fleischmann-Brendan Morrison-Alex Semin
Brooks Laich-Eric Belanger-Scott Walker
Boyd Gordon-David Steckel-Matt Bradley
The Caps have struggled on the penalty kill lately and will work on that during tomorrow's practice. However, they need to start fixing that tonight, as it was a major contributor to Monday's letdown against the Dallas Stars. (Not taking penalties at all wouldn't hurt either.)
The Hurricanes are 8-2-0 and have the best record in the NHL over the last 10 games. Carolina also is the last team to beat the Caps in regulation at home (beating them 6-3 on Dec. 28).
March 9, 2010
Goaltending Under Fire
In the four games since the Olympic break ended -- two started by Jose Theodore and two by Semyon Varlamov -- a set of dual realities has been created. In the games manned by Theo, the Caps have won 3-1 at Buffalo and 2-0 over the New York Rangers. When Varly has been between the pipes, the Caps have beaten the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-4, and lost to the Dallas Stars (in a shootout last night), 4-3.
Notice any patterns? You're not the only ones.
Varlamov has struggled since coming back from injury and, although he was better against the Stars, still looks like he's fighting the puck a bit and certainly hasn't regained the form that helped lead the Caps to the second round of last year's playoffs.
"The first two periods he was good," Boudreau said of Varly's play last night. "He was stopping the puck and he was smooth. The rebounds were not under control like he can do it."
Theo, meanwhile, has been lights out all the way back to mid-January, when the Caps embarked on a 14-game winning streak. As has been well publicized, he's in the final year of a two-year deal and surely his contract status has entered his mind. What happens after this year is a discussion for another day but, for the moment, Theo has made it abundantly clear that he should be the team's top goalie when the playoffs begin next month.
Notice any patterns? You're not the only ones.
Varlamov has struggled since coming back from injury and, although he was better against the Stars, still looks like he's fighting the puck a bit and certainly hasn't regained the form that helped lead the Caps to the second round of last year's playoffs.
"The first two periods he was good," Boudreau said of Varly's play last night. "He was stopping the puck and he was smooth. The rebounds were not under control like he can do it."
Theo, meanwhile, has been lights out all the way back to mid-January, when the Caps embarked on a 14-game winning streak. As has been well publicized, he's in the final year of a two-year deal and surely his contract status has entered his mind. What happens after this year is a discussion for another day but, for the moment, Theo has made it abundantly clear that he should be the team's top goalie when the playoffs begin next month.
March 8, 2010
Stars-Caps Live
It's not as intense a rivalry as Redskins-Cowboys, but indeed it's Washington-Dallas tonight at Verizon Center. The Caps are nearing a third consecutive division title while the Stars are 11th in the West, six points out of a playoff spot.
Semyon Varlamov and Marty Turco get the start in nets tonight.
First Period
Dallas came out strong, getting nearly all the early opportunities and challenging Varly a couple times. But the Caps were the ones to strike first. David Steckel hooked off (a la Michael Nylander) and found Tom Poti cutting into the slot and fired it past a helpless Turco. It was another great shift by the Steckel-Boyd Gordon-Matt Bradley line.
From there, the Caps turned up the pressure and, were it not for several Turco sprawling saves, would have been up at least 2-0. The Caps kept up the pressure but couldn't crack the veteran goalie.
Although Varly hasn't allowed any goals, he hasn't looked solid either.
The Caps continued to mount pressure but haven't been able to crack Turco, who is playing one of the best periods of his season. The Caps have outshot the Stars, 19-5, in the first 20 minutes but have only beaten Turco once.
After one: Caps 1, Stars 0.
Second Period
The Caps kept up the intensity but, like the first period, a peppering of shots didn't lead to any goals. The good news is that the Stars haven't been able to crack Varly yet either.
That theme continued through most of the period. At the 12:00 mark, the Caps were outshooting the Stars, 28-14, but still only had one goal. The Stars, to their credit, still managed to generate scoring chances. This game still has a playoff feel to it, although the talent discrepancy is apparent.
The game's first power play arrived at 12:17, when Karlis Skrastins was called for hooking. The Stars' problems got when Stephane Robidas was called for delay of game after putting the puck into the stands at 12:52.
On the ensuing power play, the Caps were a bit too cute and even lost possession in the offensive zone briefly when Mike Green gave the puck away to Mike Ribeiro. Otherwise, the Caps kept up the pressure but still could not score on the five-on-three.
The Caps finally got on the board with 15 seconds left in the other power play when Ovechkin rifled a wrister from the point that finally eluded Turco's reach. Semin and Backstrom got the assists on Ovechkin's 43rd goal of the season at 14:37. It was the Caps' 40th shot of the night -- and we're still in the second period.
The Caps went back on the power play at 17:01 when Steve Ott was called for interference. The Caps were able to start strong, but Green had another bad giveaway that interrupted the team's offensive-zone time. But the Caps recovered briefly, but giving Dallas too much time with the puck shorthanded.
The Caps couldn't convert and ended the second period with a two-goal lead on the scoreboard and 42-16 margin in shots on goal.
After two: Caps 2, Stars 0.
Third Period
The Caps got called for their first penalty of the night, when Green was called for hooking at 1:02. And it led to the Stars' first goal of the night. Brad Richards was left wide open at the face-off circle and beat Varly with a wicked slapshot, his 18th of the season.
The penalty mongers are back as Bradley was called for holding at 3:45. This is not a good way to bury an inferior opponent that they've been badly outplaying tonight. And the Stars made them pay. Trevor Daley fired a seemingly-harmless shot from the point with tons of traffic in front and Varlamov had no shot in saving it. The game's now tied.
And, not too much later, the Stars took the lead -- and it was a weak one. James Neal raced up the wing and fired a soft shot at Varly, who led the puck skid through his legs to give the visitors their first lead of the night. The Caps have really stank up the joint in the final stanza and given away a game they should be dominating. They've lost their intensity and skillful play that they had during the first 40 minutes, when Turco really kept the Stars in the game.
It's time for the nightly "Unleash the Fury" segment. Here's hoping the Caps follow the fans' intensity and wake up during the remaining 7:37 of the game.
The Caps continue to get chances, only to be beaten by Turco. It's obvious that the frustration has set in and they need to find a way to tie the game and keep the home winning streak alive.
And, when in doubt, look to Ovechkin. The Great Eight received a pass from Backstrom on the wing, made his signature dart to the slot and fired a wrister that Turco had no shot of saving. The chants of "M-V-P" began as did a graphic of Wayne and Garth's "We're Not Worthy" for an absolutely unbelievable shot -- the Caps' 49th of the night (tying the total they registered against the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 27 in a 5-1 win).
Neither team came that close during the rest of regulation, but Varly still looks like he's fighting the puck tonight. A few pleasantries were exchanged as time expired when the Stars ran into Varlamov without any penalties.
After regulation: Caps 3, Stars 3.
Overtime
The extra session was full of back-and-forth action. Ovechkin had a few great opportunities but couldn't convert. The Caps finished with 52 shots, three off their franchise record set in 2005 vs. Florida.
John Carlson had a good game and showed it again in the shootout. Backstrom looks to be his old self, but his face-off percentage took a hit tonight as he really struggled in that area tonight.
After OT: Caps 3, Stars 3.
Shootout
Caps shoot first with the crowd on its feet.
Ovechkin -- no goal
Jamie Benn -- no goal
Backstrom -- goal (backhand deke)
Richards -- goal (backhand deke)
Semin -- no goal
Neal -- no goal
Laich -- no goal
Ribeiro -- no goal
B. Morrison -- no goal
Eriksson -- goal (triple deke)
Final: Stars 4, Caps 3 (SO).
Semyon Varlamov and Marty Turco get the start in nets tonight.
First Period
Dallas came out strong, getting nearly all the early opportunities and challenging Varly a couple times. But the Caps were the ones to strike first. David Steckel hooked off (a la Michael Nylander) and found Tom Poti cutting into the slot and fired it past a helpless Turco. It was another great shift by the Steckel-Boyd Gordon-Matt Bradley line.
From there, the Caps turned up the pressure and, were it not for several Turco sprawling saves, would have been up at least 2-0. The Caps kept up the pressure but couldn't crack the veteran goalie.
Although Varly hasn't allowed any goals, he hasn't looked solid either.
The Caps continued to mount pressure but haven't been able to crack Turco, who is playing one of the best periods of his season. The Caps have outshot the Stars, 19-5, in the first 20 minutes but have only beaten Turco once.
After one: Caps 1, Stars 0.
Second Period
The Caps kept up the intensity but, like the first period, a peppering of shots didn't lead to any goals. The good news is that the Stars haven't been able to crack Varly yet either.
That theme continued through most of the period. At the 12:00 mark, the Caps were outshooting the Stars, 28-14, but still only had one goal. The Stars, to their credit, still managed to generate scoring chances. This game still has a playoff feel to it, although the talent discrepancy is apparent.
The game's first power play arrived at 12:17, when Karlis Skrastins was called for hooking. The Stars' problems got when Stephane Robidas was called for delay of game after putting the puck into the stands at 12:52.
On the ensuing power play, the Caps were a bit too cute and even lost possession in the offensive zone briefly when Mike Green gave the puck away to Mike Ribeiro. Otherwise, the Caps kept up the pressure but still could not score on the five-on-three.
The Caps finally got on the board with 15 seconds left in the other power play when Ovechkin rifled a wrister from the point that finally eluded Turco's reach. Semin and Backstrom got the assists on Ovechkin's 43rd goal of the season at 14:37. It was the Caps' 40th shot of the night -- and we're still in the second period.
The Caps went back on the power play at 17:01 when Steve Ott was called for interference. The Caps were able to start strong, but Green had another bad giveaway that interrupted the team's offensive-zone time. But the Caps recovered briefly, but giving Dallas too much time with the puck shorthanded.
The Caps couldn't convert and ended the second period with a two-goal lead on the scoreboard and 42-16 margin in shots on goal.
After two: Caps 2, Stars 0.
Third Period
The Caps got called for their first penalty of the night, when Green was called for hooking at 1:02. And it led to the Stars' first goal of the night. Brad Richards was left wide open at the face-off circle and beat Varly with a wicked slapshot, his 18th of the season.
The penalty mongers are back as Bradley was called for holding at 3:45. This is not a good way to bury an inferior opponent that they've been badly outplaying tonight. And the Stars made them pay. Trevor Daley fired a seemingly-harmless shot from the point with tons of traffic in front and Varlamov had no shot in saving it. The game's now tied.
And, not too much later, the Stars took the lead -- and it was a weak one. James Neal raced up the wing and fired a soft shot at Varly, who led the puck skid through his legs to give the visitors their first lead of the night. The Caps have really stank up the joint in the final stanza and given away a game they should be dominating. They've lost their intensity and skillful play that they had during the first 40 minutes, when Turco really kept the Stars in the game.
It's time for the nightly "Unleash the Fury" segment. Here's hoping the Caps follow the fans' intensity and wake up during the remaining 7:37 of the game.
The Caps continue to get chances, only to be beaten by Turco. It's obvious that the frustration has set in and they need to find a way to tie the game and keep the home winning streak alive.
And, when in doubt, look to Ovechkin. The Great Eight received a pass from Backstrom on the wing, made his signature dart to the slot and fired a wrister that Turco had no shot of saving. The chants of "M-V-P" began as did a graphic of Wayne and Garth's "We're Not Worthy" for an absolutely unbelievable shot -- the Caps' 49th of the night (tying the total they registered against the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 27 in a 5-1 win).
Neither team came that close during the rest of regulation, but Varly still looks like he's fighting the puck tonight. A few pleasantries were exchanged as time expired when the Stars ran into Varlamov without any penalties.
After regulation: Caps 3, Stars 3.
Overtime
The extra session was full of back-and-forth action. Ovechkin had a few great opportunities but couldn't convert. The Caps finished with 52 shots, three off their franchise record set in 2005 vs. Florida.
John Carlson had a good game and showed it again in the shootout. Backstrom looks to be his old self, but his face-off percentage took a hit tonight as he really struggled in that area tonight.
After OT: Caps 3, Stars 3.
Shootout
Caps shoot first with the crowd on its feet.
Ovechkin -- no goal
Jamie Benn -- no goal
Backstrom -- goal (backhand deke)
Richards -- goal (backhand deke)
Semin -- no goal
Neal -- no goal
Laich -- no goal
Ribeiro -- no goal
B. Morrison -- no goal
Eriksson -- goal (triple deke)
Final: Stars 4, Caps 3 (SO).
Weekly Snapshot, March 8
Record/Standings Position: 44-13-8 (96 points), 1st Southeast Division/1st Eastern Conference/1st NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Win, 3-1, at Buffalo
* Win, 5-4, vs. Tampa Bay
* Win, 2-0, vs. New York Rangers
This Week's Games:
* Tonight vs. Dallas (7 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Wednesday vs. Carolina (7 p.m., NHL Network, CSN-HD)
* Friday vs. Tampa Bay (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday at Chicago (12:30 p.m., NBC-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks). Total Man-Games Lost: 172.
Recent Transactions: Acquired Joe Corvo from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a second-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Jurcina from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; recalled John Carlson from Hershey (all March 3).
Top Storylines:
* As you might have heard, the Caps were a bit active at last week's trading deadline.
* The Caps haven't lost a beat and continue on pace to set all kinds of records.
* Corvo's line of the week (in part): "reigning Stanley Cup champions, and I won't mention their name in this locker room."
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Jose Theodore (making a really strong case to be the team's top goalie); Eric Fehr (new career high in goals); Mike Green (points in nine of his last 10 games).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Alex Ovechkin/Tomas Fleichmann/Alex Semin/Nicklas Backstrom (combined five points -- all assists -- since the Olympic break); Semyon Varlamov (lost some of the magic he had during last year's playoffs); Tyler Sloan/John Erskine/Quintin Laing (will be hard to crack the line-up with the new additions).
Last Week's Games:
* Win, 3-1, at Buffalo
* Win, 5-4, vs. Tampa Bay
* Win, 2-0, vs. New York Rangers
This Week's Games:
* Tonight vs. Dallas (7 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Wednesday vs. Carolina (7 p.m., NHL Network, CSN-HD)
* Friday vs. Tampa Bay (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday at Chicago (12:30 p.m., NBC-HD)
Injuries: Milan Jurcina (out 2-4 weeks). Total Man-Games Lost: 172.
Recent Transactions: Acquired Joe Corvo from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a second-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Jurcina from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; acquired Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft; recalled John Carlson from Hershey (all March 3).
Top Storylines:
* As you might have heard, the Caps were a bit active at last week's trading deadline.
* The Caps haven't lost a beat and continue on pace to set all kinds of records.
* Corvo's line of the week (in part): "reigning Stanley Cup champions, and I won't mention their name in this locker room."
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Jose Theodore (making a really strong case to be the team's top goalie); Eric Fehr (new career high in goals); Mike Green (points in nine of his last 10 games).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Alex Ovechkin/Tomas Fleichmann/Alex Semin/Nicklas Backstrom (combined five points -- all assists -- since the Olympic break); Semyon Varlamov (lost some of the magic he had during last year's playoffs); Tyler Sloan/John Erskine/Quintin Laing (will be hard to crack the line-up with the new additions).
March 5, 2010
A Good, but Strange, Return to DC
Those in the press box or upper 400s witnessed a strange sight during last night's 5-4 win by the Caps over the Tampa Bay Lightning: David Steckel and Matt Bradley watching the game in suits. Those two players were joined by Quintin Laing and John Erskine as some of the healthy scratches on the team's suddenly-full roster.
Not to take anything Laing and Erskine, but Steckel and Bradley's scratches were the most puzzling. Granted, it's one game and Coach Bruce Boudreau wanted to see the new charges -- Scott Walker, Eric Belanger and Joe Corvo -- in action.
The most impressive of the new players was Walker, who scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season and 150th and 151st of his career in the third period. (The last time Walker scored two or more goals in a game was on March 2, 2007, with Carolina, against Pittsburgh.)
Surely, Stecks and Brads will get their time while others occupy the press box. Steckel came up huge in the postseason and is one of Boudreau's favorites. Stecks, after all, ranks second in the NHL in face-off percentage, while Belanger is eighth. (The two other centers, Nicklas Backstrom and Brendan Morrison, aren't even close.)
Bradley has quickly become somewhat of a cult hero around these parts both on- and off-the-ice. His goals against the New York Rangers in last season's first round helped the team overcome a 3-1 deficit and he's netted eight goals this season. He's also got a tough side, most famously rescuing Alex Ovechkin from getting pummeled by Tampa's Steve Downie earlier this season.
The biggest question, though, is who might sit. Boyd Gordon, who centered the fourth line last night (playing between Walker and Jason Chimera, who arrived in December) is a top candidate. Chimera's speed and grit will help in the playoffs and, if Walker even resembles half of what he did last night, will prove to be a big addition.
Eric Fehr is another candidate, but he's finally started to show some of what was hoped for him when the team drafted him in the 2003 entry draft. He scored last night, his 16th of the season. Ditto Tomas Fleischmann (18 goals).
So all this could mean that Bradley, with his huge following, could watch more than he plays come the postseason -- which, if you think about it, shows how far the Caps have come.
Not to take anything Laing and Erskine, but Steckel and Bradley's scratches were the most puzzling. Granted, it's one game and Coach Bruce Boudreau wanted to see the new charges -- Scott Walker, Eric Belanger and Joe Corvo -- in action.
The most impressive of the new players was Walker, who scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season and 150th and 151st of his career in the third period. (The last time Walker scored two or more goals in a game was on March 2, 2007, with Carolina, against Pittsburgh.)
Surely, Stecks and Brads will get their time while others occupy the press box. Steckel came up huge in the postseason and is one of Boudreau's favorites. Stecks, after all, ranks second in the NHL in face-off percentage, while Belanger is eighth. (The two other centers, Nicklas Backstrom and Brendan Morrison, aren't even close.)
Bradley has quickly become somewhat of a cult hero around these parts both on- and off-the-ice. His goals against the New York Rangers in last season's first round helped the team overcome a 3-1 deficit and he's netted eight goals this season. He's also got a tough side, most famously rescuing Alex Ovechkin from getting pummeled by Tampa's Steve Downie earlier this season.
The biggest question, though, is who might sit. Boyd Gordon, who centered the fourth line last night (playing between Walker and Jason Chimera, who arrived in December) is a top candidate. Chimera's speed and grit will help in the playoffs and, if Walker even resembles half of what he did last night, will prove to be a big addition.
Eric Fehr is another candidate, but he's finally started to show some of what was hoped for him when the team drafted him in the 2003 entry draft. He scored last night, his 16th of the season. Ditto Tomas Fleischmann (18 goals).
So all this could mean that Bradley, with his huge following, could watch more than he plays come the postseason -- which, if you think about it, shows how far the Caps have come.
March 4, 2010
Caps-Lightning Live
The Caps donned some camouflage jerseys during warm-ups that were, um, less than easy on the eyes. Anyway, they'll be wearing their normal jerseys for the game that will have Semyon Varlamov and Mike Smith between the pipes.
First Period
After some lackadaisical play to start their first home game since Feb. 7, the Caps started to turn up the pressure. Alex Ovechkin uncorked a missle, but missed the net. But the same could not be said for Eric Fehr a couple minutes later.
Fehr found himself alone in the face-off circle and fired a wrister that beat Smith high glove side with precision for his16th of the season to give the Caps the lead.
After some more sustained pressure, including a golden opportunity for new Caps Scott Walker, the Caps went on the power play at 7:26 when Kurtis Foster was whistled for tripping. The ensuing power play didn't lead to much, although Ovechkin had another strong shot. Joe Corvo and Mike Green occupied the point at different moments.
The team doesn't overly look that with it, but they are unleashing more shots early in the game than they did last night. The 'Ning got their first extra-man advantage on a Mike Knuble hooking call and didn't take long for them to tie the score. Foster fired a wrister from the point and Steve Downie tipped it past Varly to tie the game at 11:55.
Moments later, the Caps got their second power play of the game. But it didn't matter as the team looked even more out-of-sync during the two-minute advantage than they did during the earlier power play. The Lightning even got about a minute in the Caps' zone, never a good thing.
The rest of the period was fairly mundane, with the Lightning catching up on the shot tally but there weren't too many scoring chances on either side.
After one: Caps 1, Lightning 1.
Second Period
The Caps struck early when Knuble converted a nice pass from Brooks Laich on a two-on-one breakaway. The Caps opened the period more strongly and were starting to get their jump when they went on their third penalty kill of the night. They looked a lot better than the first one and have separated themselves from the Lightning in terms of shots on goal.
But they haven't buried them on the scoreboard. That started to change when Knuble got his second goal of the game -- and it was from the crease, where he's been rocking it of late. Nicklas Backstrom fired a shot from up close, and the rebound came right to Knuble -- who scored his 25th of the season.
The Lightning struck right back when Vincent Lacavalier got his 16th of the season on a wrister from the slot with Jeff Schultz in the penalty box. Both of Tampa's goals tonight have come on the power play. The goals came less than a minute apart.
Green and Victor Hedman got coincidental minors at 13:08 to give us the game's first four-on-four. But that didn't last long as Laich was called for high-sticking just six seconds into it, so Tampa's now on a four-on-three for 1:54. And it got worse when Tom Poti was called for high sticking 44 seconds later. This is the wrong time for the penalty mongers to come out for the Caps, who has been starting to dominate. But if they can kill off the penalties, then the momentum could carry them for the rest of the game.
Varlamov came up huge during the penalty kill and received a standing ovation for this effort. This is truly a town that missed its Caps and is starting to show why Verizon Center has become one of the loudest buildings in the league.
The Caps were able to kill off all the penalties and not give up too many shots in the process. The place went bananas when Poti's penalty expired. The Caps even got a three-on-one as Poti left the box, but couldn't get a shot on goal.
The rest of the period saw some back-and-forth action as the Bolts continued to mount some pressure. It wasn't the strongest final 10 minutes of the stanza for the Caps, but they're still ahead going to the third period. After all, the middle frame is their weakest (in terms of goal scoring) this season.
After two: Caps 3, Lightning 2
Third Period
A bizzare beginning as the lights wouldn't come up to full strength, which lead to a weird scene: Bruce Boudreau and staff were on the bench, the Lightning were warming up, the clock had been set to 20:00 but the Caps were nowhere to be found. They finally came out and waited with everybody else as the lights attempted to come up. (People were high above ice level working.)
After about a five-minute delay, the stanza began -- but it took a few more minutes for the lights to return to full strength.The Bolts came out the aggressors, but the Caps were saved when Varly absolutely robbed Teddy Purcell on the doorstep to help the Caps keep their advantage.
The game was back-and forth from there -- including three icings in a row, two by the Caps. Alex Semin was on the ice for both of them and he was partly to blame for the infractions. He has not been playing well these past two games.
Walker scored his first goal as a Cap in his first game and it was the kind of strike that's expected of him: from up close. Green started the play with a shot from the point, and Walker was there to gather the rebound and backhand it past Smith. He got a very warm celebration from the rest of the team after the puck went into the net.
But, just like last time, the Lightning struck quickly as Lecavalier beat Varly easy on a breakaway from the left wing to bring the margin back to one. The Caps continued their poor play as Tampa tied it up at four when Steven Stamkos was left alone in the slot for his team-leading 38th goal of the season.
The Caps struck right back, though, when Walker scored his second of the night while falling down. Green had started the play by firing the puck from the point and Walker stormed the crease yet again. A pretty good debut if you ask me. He got a huge ovation for his goals, his fourth and fifth of the season, which gave the sellout crowd wings from Glory Days Grill (and the Bruce Springsteen song to boot).
Corvo almost got in the act when he just missed two wristers from relatively-close, but the score stayed intact. Varly also picked up his game a bit after giving up some relatively-soft goals tonight. He's definitely not as strong as he was last season.
The Caps managed to hold on, though, even getting a power play with 11 seconds left as Smith was on the bench. Smith returned to the net for the end of the game and the Caps' lead in the division ballooned to 30 points.
Final: Caps 5, Lightning 4.
First Period
After some lackadaisical play to start their first home game since Feb. 7, the Caps started to turn up the pressure. Alex Ovechkin uncorked a missle, but missed the net. But the same could not be said for Eric Fehr a couple minutes later.
Fehr found himself alone in the face-off circle and fired a wrister that beat Smith high glove side with precision for his16th of the season to give the Caps the lead.
After some more sustained pressure, including a golden opportunity for new Caps Scott Walker, the Caps went on the power play at 7:26 when Kurtis Foster was whistled for tripping. The ensuing power play didn't lead to much, although Ovechkin had another strong shot. Joe Corvo and Mike Green occupied the point at different moments.
The team doesn't overly look that with it, but they are unleashing more shots early in the game than they did last night. The 'Ning got their first extra-man advantage on a Mike Knuble hooking call and didn't take long for them to tie the score. Foster fired a wrister from the point and Steve Downie tipped it past Varly to tie the game at 11:55.
Moments later, the Caps got their second power play of the game. But it didn't matter as the team looked even more out-of-sync during the two-minute advantage than they did during the earlier power play. The Lightning even got about a minute in the Caps' zone, never a good thing.
The rest of the period was fairly mundane, with the Lightning catching up on the shot tally but there weren't too many scoring chances on either side.
After one: Caps 1, Lightning 1.
Second Period
The Caps struck early when Knuble converted a nice pass from Brooks Laich on a two-on-one breakaway. The Caps opened the period more strongly and were starting to get their jump when they went on their third penalty kill of the night. They looked a lot better than the first one and have separated themselves from the Lightning in terms of shots on goal.
But they haven't buried them on the scoreboard. That started to change when Knuble got his second goal of the game -- and it was from the crease, where he's been rocking it of late. Nicklas Backstrom fired a shot from up close, and the rebound came right to Knuble -- who scored his 25th of the season.
The Lightning struck right back when Vincent Lacavalier got his 16th of the season on a wrister from the slot with Jeff Schultz in the penalty box. Both of Tampa's goals tonight have come on the power play. The goals came less than a minute apart.
Green and Victor Hedman got coincidental minors at 13:08 to give us the game's first four-on-four. But that didn't last long as Laich was called for high-sticking just six seconds into it, so Tampa's now on a four-on-three for 1:54. And it got worse when Tom Poti was called for high sticking 44 seconds later. This is the wrong time for the penalty mongers to come out for the Caps, who has been starting to dominate. But if they can kill off the penalties, then the momentum could carry them for the rest of the game.
Varlamov came up huge during the penalty kill and received a standing ovation for this effort. This is truly a town that missed its Caps and is starting to show why Verizon Center has become one of the loudest buildings in the league.
The Caps were able to kill off all the penalties and not give up too many shots in the process. The place went bananas when Poti's penalty expired. The Caps even got a three-on-one as Poti left the box, but couldn't get a shot on goal.
The rest of the period saw some back-and-forth action as the Bolts continued to mount some pressure. It wasn't the strongest final 10 minutes of the stanza for the Caps, but they're still ahead going to the third period. After all, the middle frame is their weakest (in terms of goal scoring) this season.
After two: Caps 3, Lightning 2
Third Period
A bizzare beginning as the lights wouldn't come up to full strength, which lead to a weird scene: Bruce Boudreau and staff were on the bench, the Lightning were warming up, the clock had been set to 20:00 but the Caps were nowhere to be found. They finally came out and waited with everybody else as the lights attempted to come up. (People were high above ice level working.)
After about a five-minute delay, the stanza began -- but it took a few more minutes for the lights to return to full strength.The Bolts came out the aggressors, but the Caps were saved when Varly absolutely robbed Teddy Purcell on the doorstep to help the Caps keep their advantage.
The game was back-and forth from there -- including three icings in a row, two by the Caps. Alex Semin was on the ice for both of them and he was partly to blame for the infractions. He has not been playing well these past two games.
Walker scored his first goal as a Cap in his first game and it was the kind of strike that's expected of him: from up close. Green started the play with a shot from the point, and Walker was there to gather the rebound and backhand it past Smith. He got a very warm celebration from the rest of the team after the puck went into the net.
But, just like last time, the Lightning struck quickly as Lecavalier beat Varly easy on a breakaway from the left wing to bring the margin back to one. The Caps continued their poor play as Tampa tied it up at four when Steven Stamkos was left alone in the slot for his team-leading 38th goal of the season.
The Caps struck right back, though, when Walker scored his second of the night while falling down. Green had started the play by firing the puck from the point and Walker stormed the crease yet again. A pretty good debut if you ask me. He got a huge ovation for his goals, his fourth and fifth of the season, which gave the sellout crowd wings from Glory Days Grill (and the Bruce Springsteen song to boot).
Corvo almost got in the act when he just missed two wristers from relatively-close, but the score stayed intact. Varly also picked up his game a bit after giving up some relatively-soft goals tonight. He's definitely not as strong as he was last season.
The Caps managed to hold on, though, even getting a power play with 11 seconds left as Smith was on the bench. Smith returned to the net for the end of the game and the Caps' lead in the division ballooned to 30 points.
Final: Caps 5, Lightning 4.
New Charges Available Tonight vs. TB
Nothing like a back-to-back to start the season's final 20 games after the Olympic break. In the first part of the set, the Caps beat the Buffalo Sabres, 3-1, in a game that could be a preview of how the team will need to play in the postseason to ensure a long run. Jason Chimera, Mike Green and Boyd Gordon (on a gorgeous bank shot from his own end into an empty net) provided the scoring while the Caps only allowed one goal -- and that was on a turnover. It was a solid effort for a team that looked rusty at times but stuck to defense, a nice change.
Tonight's hosting of the Tampa Bay Lightning should be interesting for two reasons. One, the Caps have taken three of four games from their Southeast Division rivals this season and games between the two teams usually are intense. But there's also new blood into the battle -- sorta. Joe Corvo and Scott Walker should suit up tonight for the Caps, but they're used to facing Tampa Bay from their days in Carolina. Eric Belanger comes in from Minnesota, while Milan Jurcina (who will miss four-to-six weeks with a sports hernia) returns from Columbus. The new players should be around for this morning's skate.
(Tampa, by the way, traded former Cap Jeff Halpern to Los Angeles yesterday so he won't be playing tonight.)
Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in goal for the Caps, who should have a bit more of a jump after playing 60 minutes. Even though many called for a new goaltender, Jose Theodore has been playing very well this season -- and very easily could be the starting goalie come April. Let's not forget that he has shined in the playoffs with less stellar clubs in Montreal and, even more so, Colorado.
But, before then, Coach Bruce Boudreau must find a line-up that will suit his needs and that starts tonight.
Tonight's hosting of the Tampa Bay Lightning should be interesting for two reasons. One, the Caps have taken three of four games from their Southeast Division rivals this season and games between the two teams usually are intense. But there's also new blood into the battle -- sorta. Joe Corvo and Scott Walker should suit up tonight for the Caps, but they're used to facing Tampa Bay from their days in Carolina. Eric Belanger comes in from Minnesota, while Milan Jurcina (who will miss four-to-six weeks with a sports hernia) returns from Columbus. The new players should be around for this morning's skate.
(Tampa, by the way, traded former Cap Jeff Halpern to Los Angeles yesterday so he won't be playing tonight.)
Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in goal for the Caps, who should have a bit more of a jump after playing 60 minutes. Even though many called for a new goaltender, Jose Theodore has been playing very well this season -- and very easily could be the starting goalie come April. Let's not forget that he has shined in the playoffs with less stellar clubs in Montreal and, even more so, Colorado.
But, before then, Coach Bruce Boudreau must find a line-up that will suit his needs and that starts tonight.
March 3, 2010
Some Possible Line Combinations
GM George McPhee didn't say anything too noteworthy while discussing the Caps' new players -- all four of whom are scheduled to appear tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bruce Boudreau addressed the situation as well, but his real impact will be finding a way to fit them into a very crowded line-up. A glance into some possible lines:
We'll find out more at the skate tomorrow morning at Kettler.
Mike Knuble-Nick Backstrom-Alex Ovechkin
Alex Semin-Brendan Morrison-Brooks Laich
Tomas Fleischmann-Eric Belanger-Eric Fehr
Scott Walker-David Steckel-Matt Bradley
Mike Green-Jeff Schultz
Joe Corvo-Tom Poti
Shaone Morrisonn-Milan Jurcina John Erskine
We'll find out more at the skate tomorrow morning at Kettler.
Four New to the Red, White and Blue
Barring a really last-minute deal, the Caps have pulled off four trades today -- receiving Joe Corvo and Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes (in separate deals), Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild and Milan Jurcina back from the Columbus Blue Jackets. All but Corvo cost the Caps a draft pick. Brian Pothier and Oscar Osala are heading to Carolina in exchange for Corvo.
Walker brings some grit with him to the Caps, including a fine for punching one-time teammate Aaron Ward earlier this season. He's coming off a shoulder injury and isn't known for his scoring aptitude.
Belanger, presumably the second-line center the team was seeking, has 13 goals and 22 assists in 60 games for the Wild this season.
It's interesting the Caps chose to re-acquire Jurcina as he was dealt in December mostly because of his defensive liabilities. However, with the subtraction of Pothier in the Corvo deal, he provides depth and is a known quantity.
Corvo provides a defensive upgrade for the Caps and is solid in his own zone. And, like everybody else acquired today, Corvo will be a unrestricted free agent this summer. (Ditto Pothier, by the way.)
No word yet on whether any of the players will make it to Buffalo for tonight's game against the Sabres but, considering only Pothier was an active player, it shouldn't warrant any call-ups from Hershey.
Much more after GM George McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau provide their opinions. But, considering how many trades were made today, it's apparent that GMGM has determined that the Caps can win the Stanley Cup this season -- and nobody 'round these parts will dispute that.
Walker brings some grit with him to the Caps, including a fine for punching one-time teammate Aaron Ward earlier this season. He's coming off a shoulder injury and isn't known for his scoring aptitude.
Belanger, presumably the second-line center the team was seeking, has 13 goals and 22 assists in 60 games for the Wild this season.
It's interesting the Caps chose to re-acquire Jurcina as he was dealt in December mostly because of his defensive liabilities. However, with the subtraction of Pothier in the Corvo deal, he provides depth and is a known quantity.
Corvo provides a defensive upgrade for the Caps and is solid in his own zone. And, like everybody else acquired today, Corvo will be a unrestricted free agent this summer. (Ditto Pothier, by the way.)
No word yet on whether any of the players will make it to Buffalo for tonight's game against the Sabres but, considering only Pothier was an active player, it shouldn't warrant any call-ups from Hershey.
Much more after GM George McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau provide their opinions. But, considering how many trades were made today, it's apparent that GMGM has determined that the Caps can win the Stanley Cup this season -- and nobody 'round these parts will dispute that.
Trades, Sabres Await
As you might have heard, the NHL's trading deadline arrives at 3 p.m. today and there's no telling what the Caps might do -- if anything. But one thing is for sure: there will be moves around the NHL today and they will impact the Caps in some way.
Not to be forgotten is the fact that the Caps will be facing the Buffalo Sabres and silver medalist Ryan Miller tonight at HSBC Arena in their first game after the Olympic break. The Sabres lost in Pittsburgh last night, but Miller didn't play -- meaning he most definitely will start (and receive a huge ovation) tonight in Western New York.
No matter who dons the red, white and blue -- and the team could be shorthanded if a trade is made -- they will need to correct some of the mistakes that led to a three-game losing streak (albeit with two OT losses) before the break. That means good systems play, solid defensive zone play and reliable goaltending.
Not to be forgotten is the fact that the Caps will be facing the Buffalo Sabres and silver medalist Ryan Miller tonight at HSBC Arena in their first game after the Olympic break. The Sabres lost in Pittsburgh last night, but Miller didn't play -- meaning he most definitely will start (and receive a huge ovation) tonight in Western New York.
No matter who dons the red, white and blue -- and the team could be shorthanded if a trade is made -- they will need to correct some of the mistakes that led to a three-game losing streak (albeit with two OT losses) before the break. That means good systems play, solid defensive zone play and reliable goaltending.
March 2, 2010
A Convergence of Emotions
It's really easy, as sports fans, to think that athletes are robots who perform just to make everybody else happy. The couch GMs like to tinker with line-ups, suggest new destinations for "struggling" players and criticize those (especially goalies) who aren't living up to lofty expectations.
But athletes are people too. Tarik's profile of Jose Theodore's loss of his infant son this past summer tore on heartstrings for anybody who is a sports fan or not. It's the emotional story of a parent losing a child way too early. It also finally confirms what was suspected: that Theo's poor play earlier this season was grossly affected by the mourning of somebody who never saw their first birthday. And who can blame him?
Somewhat coincidentally, the trading deadline arrives tomorrow and, even though GM George McPhee will never admit it, the Caps most likely are going to make a move -- which will bring about another emotion: the altering of chemistry among teammates. Earlier this season, when Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina were sent to Columbus in exchange for Jason Chimera, the team was clearly affected by the change. The same has been true for other trades throughout the years for the Caps and throughout the NHL.
We've all, more than likely, suffered the loss of a loved one or friend -- and dealt with changing dynamics at our place of employment. It's difficult to live without emotion and just expect life to go on normally. One of the things that goes into being a sports fan is emotion: we ride the ups and downs of a team's season and invest ourselves into the quest for a championship.
So it's difficult to remember that the athletes we support (or dislike) are going through the same emotions as the rest of us. But, to fully appreciate them and possibly even become more fervent, understanding that is paramount.
But athletes are people too. Tarik's profile of Jose Theodore's loss of his infant son this past summer tore on heartstrings for anybody who is a sports fan or not. It's the emotional story of a parent losing a child way too early. It also finally confirms what was suspected: that Theo's poor play earlier this season was grossly affected by the mourning of somebody who never saw their first birthday. And who can blame him?
Somewhat coincidentally, the trading deadline arrives tomorrow and, even though GM George McPhee will never admit it, the Caps most likely are going to make a move -- which will bring about another emotion: the altering of chemistry among teammates. Earlier this season, when Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina were sent to Columbus in exchange for Jason Chimera, the team was clearly affected by the change. The same has been true for other trades throughout the years for the Caps and throughout the NHL.
We've all, more than likely, suffered the loss of a loved one or friend -- and dealt with changing dynamics at our place of employment. It's difficult to live without emotion and just expect life to go on normally. One of the things that goes into being a sports fan is emotion: we ride the ups and downs of a team's season and invest ourselves into the quest for a championship.
So it's difficult to remember that the athletes we support (or dislike) are going through the same emotions as the rest of us. But, to fully appreciate them and possibly even become more fervent, understanding that is paramount.
March 1, 2010
Weekly Snapshot, March 1
Record/Standings Position: 41-13-8 (90 points), 1st Southeast Division/1st Eastern Conference/1st NHL
Last Week's Games: None/Olympic Break
This Week's Games:
* Wednesday at Buffalo (7 p.m., Versus-HD, CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. Tampa Bay (7 p.m., NHL Network, CSN-HD)
* Saturday vs. N.Y. Rangers (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: None (we think). Total Man-Games Lost: 168.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Semyon Varlamov, Quintin Laing and Tyler Sloan to Hershey (Feb. 27).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps are back in action after the Olympic break with 20 games to go before the playoffs.
* The trading deadline is Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST and Ted Leonsis says don't expect anything big.
* If the Caps can continue their pace from the season's first 62 games, the squad will set all kinds of records.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Alex Ovechkin (we assume he'll resume his torching of the NHL on Wednesday), Alex Semin (also was hot before the hiatus), Mike Green (has something to show after being left off Canada's gold-medal winning team).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Brian Pothier (sources mentioning his name as trade bait), Quintin Laing/Tyler Sloan (being demoted never a good thing at this stage, especially after Sloan's contract extension), Semyon Varlamov (looked bad in limited action before break).
Last Week's Games: None/Olympic Break
This Week's Games:
* Wednesday at Buffalo (7 p.m., Versus-HD, CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. Tampa Bay (7 p.m., NHL Network, CSN-HD)
* Saturday vs. N.Y. Rangers (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: None (we think). Total Man-Games Lost: 168.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Semyon Varlamov, Quintin Laing and Tyler Sloan to Hershey (Feb. 27).
Top Storylines:
* The Caps are back in action after the Olympic break with 20 games to go before the playoffs.
* The trading deadline is Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST and Ted Leonsis says don't expect anything big.
* If the Caps can continue their pace from the season's first 62 games, the squad will set all kinds of records.
Top Line (Who's Hot?): Alex Ovechkin (we assume he'll resume his torching of the NHL on Wednesday), Alex Semin (also was hot before the hiatus), Mike Green (has something to show after being left off Canada's gold-medal winning team).
Scratches (Who's Not?): Brian Pothier (sources mentioning his name as trade bait), Quintin Laing/Tyler Sloan (being demoted never a good thing at this stage, especially after Sloan's contract extension), Semyon Varlamov (looked bad in limited action before break).
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