Capitals support DC Schools Beautification Day

Washington Capitals Charities brought fans and DC Public Schools together today at Powell Elementary for the annual DC Public Schools Beautification Day. The theme “Roll Up Your Sleeves and Transform Our Schools” was in full effect as volunteers painted, cleaned, stenciled, alphabetized, delivered, and constructed their way through an entire day benefiting the children and staff who begin their school year on Monday, August 23rd.


The clear and sunny day began with a rousing welcome from Capitals Announcer Wes Johnson and Director of Community Relations Elizabeth Wodatch, and was highlighted by opportunity to work alongside Capitals Defenseman Mike Green, who flew in from his summer break especially for this event.

Having participated in various volunteer opportunities over the years, we’d have to say that this was by far the hardest and yet most rewarding event we’ve completed to date. Not being ones to be stuck indoors, we selected gardening, but never expected to dig and transform two complete flower beds with a team of hardy guys and gals. Unbelievable amounts of broken glass, rocks, and weeds were removed from the sites ensuring safe locations for students to enjoy with their classmates for the next year. Flowers were planted including native species and the butterflies were already seeking out the Black-Eyed Susans and Dianthus as the final layers of mulch were being laid. Green dug right in, so to speak, and genuinely seemed disappointed when he had to move indoors to paint, hang signs, and tackle toilet duty. Can’t say we’d wish that on anyone, so good for you Greener, for being a good sport.

Return of Godzilla

Former Washington Capitals goalie, Olaf "Olie" Kolzig, is confirmed for an appearance at the second annual Washington Capitals Convention to be held on Saturday, October 2nd at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.


Kolzig, a player highly regarded for leading his led team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, played his final game for the Caps during the 2008 season and later signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. During his time in Washington he won the Vezina Trophy and earned 300 career wins.  This will mark the second time Caps fans have been able to show their appreciation to Kolzig for being the longest tenured professional in Washington sports, the last having been his return appearance to the Verizon Center when he was in goal for the Tampa Bay Lightning, and was given a standing ovation from fans.

Olie the Goalie was once known for his temper, but more recently for his dedication to Autism research on behalf of his son, Carson.  Kolzig, along with other athletes, began Athletes Against Autism  and The Carson Kolzig Foundation which is dedicated to research, empowerment, education and support of families affected by Autism disorders.

INOVA Blood Drive featured John Carlson Bobblehead

John "Captain America" Carlson

The Washington Capitals teamed up today with Inova Blood Donor Services at the Dulles Donor Center in Sterling, Va. Capitals defenseman, John Carlson, a member of the 2010 Calder Cup winning Hershey Bears, was in attendance part of the day to sign autographs.  Donors received a limited edition Carlson bobblehead and a Carlson jersey T-shirt.

One blood donation can save up to three lives. There is an immediate need for most blood types. More than 200 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, by patients at the 15 hospitals served by Inova Blood Donor Services. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit http://www.inova.org/donateblood.

Summertimetoblog

As some of you may know, teachers have very little time to do what they like to do in their spare time. In my case, that is writing, reading, and generally trying to stay current of trends and news of note. However, during the school year, I have very little of my own precious time as I am consumed with all things pertaining to “other peoples’ children”.


I have no children of my own, which in most cases, suits me just fine, as I love nothing more than spending the day with yours, and then sending them away. I fill their minds with all the knowledge I can, and it is up to them to retain it all. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an endless supply of minutia, but I try to give them a well-rounded schooling in the way things work, how to change the things that don’t, and how to cooperate with others while doing the aforementioned. You could think of me as the Bruce Boudreau of my classroom. Ok, maybe not. But this is a hockey blog after all.

After completely shutting down my classroom, and wishing the children a fond farewell, which was really more like “help-me-pick-up-this-room-before-you-run-screaming-out-the-door-for-the-last-time”, I now have time to ponder how I will spend my summer days. The Washington Capitals must have had this same feeling when their season ended almost two months ago. Sure, we all love a good vacation, but it’s how you spend that precious free-time that really helps you understand who you are. So far, I am a lazy, manicured, Target-shopping, tooth-breaking, traffic-cursing, wasp-teasing, NHL draft-watcher. Who will I be tomorrow? Stay tuned.

I do know, that after winning the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, Capitals Goalie Jose Theodore announced that he was probably not going to be returning the team. Jose lost his precious son, and it continues to define who he will be tomorrow. After losing the Norris for the second year in a row, Mike Green has been quoted as preparing to come back in the best shape of his life, after suffering a very disappointing loss in the first round of the playoffs. Captain Alex Ovechkin saw his fellow NHL players award him MVP, but had to endure his Russian comrades’ fall in the Olympics, and again in the Worlds. Who will they be tomorrow? Trades, picks, and free agency will help define this team over the next few days. I am glad I only have to worry about whether I applied sunscreen.

Still not ready

Lots of things to say, but if Mike Green can't do it, then neither can I. It has been a tough few days and we all feel like something dreadful has happened. It has, to some degree. When a team so full of promise for the 2010 postseason went out to an 8th seed in the first round, the community can't help but be let down. But we need a little perspective.


This is a group of young guys. Guys, who had they attended college, would just now be starting their professional careers. Let's consider #52 for a moment. He has already, in his young career, won an AHL Championship, been nominated for the Norris twice, and has donated countless hours to his community. Yes, his playoff left much to be desired, and he knows it. Do we honestly think that the athletes themselves don't know they've lost?

Team Captain Alex Ovechkin again blames himself for not getting enough goals. Last time I checked there was no "I" in TEAM, to be cliché'. But there is an "I" in LEARNING, STRIVING, and OVERCOMING.
If the GM, coaches and team can learn from any of these last three playoff experiences, it's that there is always room for improvement. Which also by the way, has an "I".

Game 7 Caps vs. Habs

Not wanting to exit the Stanley Cup Playoffs just yet, the Washington Capitals are in prime position to show the world just how serious a contender they are when they try to eliminate the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center tonight.

Having won the NHL's President Trophy, the Caps seek to put to rest doubters and naysayers.

We have been here before, the last two consecutive years in fact. After personally witnessing both the heartbreaking Round 1-Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers in OT in 2008, to the fateful Round 2-Game 7 undressing by future Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, we have to believe-our time is now.

This is not a time to dwell on the past, but to always look toward the future. Lift up our will and our voices. Give the team a chance to believe in themselves. And belief is what we have now. Belief in a team full of youth, vitality, hunger, and of all things, accuracy!
Let's Go Caps!

Game 1 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Caps look to tie series in Game 2

The Washington Capitals hope to see this first round series turn back in their favor tonight at the Verizon Center against the visiting Montreal Canadiens. The Caps lost game one of a potential seven game series in overtime when Habs Tomas Plekanec scooted around Capitals Defensemen Shaone Morrisonn and Joe Corvo, and fired a shot out of the reach of Goalie Jose Theodore.



Compelling that is was Plekanec who waged a war of words with Theodore, a former star goalie for the Habs. Nothing like a little rivalry to spark interest, but the Caps needs to keep their wits about them, stay out of the box, and focus on the little things that make them the NHL’s best team. An 8th seed in the East does not a typical Stanley Cup winner make, so it will take the amazing skills of goalie Halak to keep them in the running over the next week when a frustrated and hungry Capitals team takes the 3rd and 4th games on the road to Montreal. The Habs have the 2nd best Power Play in the league, just behind the Caps.

Left without a single shot on goal was Caps superstar Alex Ovechkin. Always one to shoulder the blame, Ovechkin admitted that he didn’t have good game, but he is not the sole reason the Caps lost this first match-up. The typical first line of Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble was shuffled a bit, and Center Brendan Morrison sat out as a healthy scratch with Backstrom, Belanger, Steckel, and Gordon sharing the Center duties. Boyd Gordon is just recently returning from an injury, and Morrison is expected to play tonight.

2010 Washington Capitals Team Photo

Capitals prepare for Ottawa Senators

Caps 3-29-10

Kettler Ice was certainly packed yesterday with lots of people enjoying the first day of Spring Break for area schools.  The team ran through a few drills, and the goalies worked on stopping those pucks after getting shown up by the Calgary Flames 5-3 the previous night.  Although the Caps were able to previously lock up the Southeast Division, and the Eastern Conference when the Devils were beat, they still have a few more regular season games to work on their playoff strategies.

Brooks Laich, who was injured by a John Carlson puck gleaning off the crossbar in practice, skated alone.  Wearing a cage, he hopes to be back on the ice by the weekend.  He followed up his morning skate with media interviewers. 

The Caps take on fifth ranked Ottawa Senators, who have won their previous four matches on Tuesday

Caps strike Lightning 3-1

With around 18,000 fans in attendance at the St. Pete Times Forum, the Washington Capitals welcomed Captain Alexander Ovechkin back to the ice after serving a two game suspension for shoving Chicago Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell. Although the team has historically done well enough without him in the line-up, having their captain back surely settled the nerves of the Caps, who have had a rough few days after suffering an overtime loss to Carolina the previous game.
It was the nifty passing of Washington’s Eric Fehr and David Steckel which allowed Capital’s Tomas Fleischmann to get the first goal of the game. Newly acquired Capitals defensemen Joe Corvo sat for the night, after scoring 2 goals against his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately, it was the Capitals’ defensive pairing of Jeff Shultz and Mike Green which allowed Tampa’s captain, Vincent Lecavalier, to tie the score. Not to be left out, Nicklas Backstrom’s indirect pass to speeding Alex Ovechkin, once again put the Caps in the lead, and gave Ovi his 45th goal of the season. Two Capitals’ power play opportunities would go unused, but the scare of the period occurred when Lightning goalie, Antero Niittymaki, almost scored a shorthanded goal after Jose Theodore left his crease during the delayed penalty. The helpless Caps watched helplessly as the puck sailed directly at their empty net, but thankfully went just wide of the opening.
In the second period, Theodore stole the show making beautiful save after beautiful save to prevent not only a shorthanded goal attempt by Tampa’s Martin St. Louis, but again stopped the ever flashy Lecavalier from stuffing the puck on a Lighting PP. Capitals trade deadline acquisition, Scott Walker, would leave the game after a fighting major, having suffered some sort of injury in his fight with Lightning’s Zenon Konopka, who also served a 5 minute major.
The third period had plenty of saves, hits, energy, and a goal by Alexander Semin to make it 3-1, assisted by Brooks Laich’s rebounded first attempt. Again, the stellar goaltending on the part of Theodore kept the team focused and motivated to reach for the win in their quest for the NHL President’s Trophy. As of tonight, the Capitals are still in 1st place with 106 points, with the next closest teams, San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks tied at 96 apeice.
Of note
Caps have been called far too many times for too many men on the ice lately. Once is too many, but twice in one week?
The early tentative play of Ovechkin didn’t take long to dissolve, as his goal and nice hits tonight on Tampa’s Thompson and Downie.
Mike Green took a Kurtis Foster slap shot to the boot, but was out on the ice for his next shift. Hopefully this won’t affect his game too much, as the team needs to be ready for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, March 24th at Verizon Center.

Capitals Rally to Defeat Blackhawks in OT 3-14-10

In a game many Chicago Blackhawks fans thought was over early, it was the Washington Capitals fans who were pleasantly surprised with the final outcome when the Caps rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Hawks in OT 4-3. The win, however, came at a loss for Ovechkin, who was ejected from the game after a hit on Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell, which resulted in a 5-minute Boarding, a-10 minute Game Misconduct, and Ovechkin’s eventual ejection.

Blackhawks Captain, Jonathan Toews, scored twice in the first period of play, putting the Hawks ahead of the Caps 2-0. Returning from the first period intermission, Hawks John Madden scored on even play to put the Caps solidly behind 3-0. Although the Caps fought for the entire period, they were still unable to catch-up to one of the NHL’s best teams.

Whatever Bruce Boudreau said to inspire the team during that second intermission, the players surely responded by coming out stronger and more focused. Things began to unravel for the Hawks in the third, when Defensemen Jordan Hendry earned a double minor for high sticking, sending the Caps to a 4-minute Power Play. Capitals Brooks Laich took advantage of the situation, scoring the first goal of the game with assists by Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. Backstrom’s assist was his 55th of the season. Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Fehr would go onto to score two more times to tie the game at 3-3, sending it to OT.

Once again, it would be Backstrom who showed the team what it takes to persevere in the face of adversity when his wrister sent the puck into the net at 3:10, giving the Caps 2 points and the win. The team now sits at first in the league with 101 points overall.

If you follow NHL hockey, you know that the General Managers spring meetings concluded just days ago, and the issue of head shots were discussed. A new rule penalizing blind-side hits to the head was sent to the league's competition committee, where it will then head to the NHL Board of Governors for final approval. If ratified, the rule would take effect next season. The rule states: "A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or is the principal point of contact is not permitted. A violation of the above will result in a minor or major penalty and shall be reviewed for possible supplemental discipline."

In this Caps fans humble opinion, if you watch the pushing motion as it begins, Ovechkin is leaning to the left, as is Campbell. Campbell looks to his left where Ovechkin is skating towards him, and as he follows, they both lean simultaneously to the right. It is as if they are synchronized, and the momentum of the shoving motion is enhanced as inertia takes Campbell toward the boards. He does tuck his right shoulder as he approaches the boards, which to me, provides further evidence that he knew he was going to hit, and took evasive action.

Will Ovechkin's "hit" constitute further punishment from the NHL beyond the scope of what was handed down into today? Stay tuned…

Capitals Defeat Penguins 5-4 in OT To Make It 14 In A Row

For those die hard Capitals fans who braved the record breaking wintery conditions in D.C., today’s game was certainly one of the best we’ve seen in awhile.
Going into today’s marquee matchup against the reigning Stanley Cup winner Pittsburgh Penguins, the Caps were on a 13 game win streak, including one previous win against the Pens, sat on top of the NHL in points, and enjoyed a record number of sell-out games. After the first goal was scored by Sidney Crosby, or Sid the Kid as he is popularly known, it became apparent to Caps fans that many of us couldn’t make to the game and instead, sold their tickets to…gasp…Pens fans. There were far too many of them at today’s game and they were loud and proud of Crosby, who scored the first goal of the game, unassisted.

"Sid the Kid" Courtesy of Brad Hoffman From Penguins 2-7-10

Shortly after Crosby’s first, he was enjoying another with Capitals Forward Brooks Laich in the penalty box serving 2 mins. for Interference against Pens Jordan Staal. Things got out of hand quickly as the Pens continued to press the Caps, who responded with more time in the penalty box late in the first when Mike Knuble settled the score for a hit on Alex Ovechkin by Pittsburgh’s Craig Adams.

From Penguins 2-7-10

Things began to look up for the Caps in the second period when Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the game, and his 40th of the season. Two minutes later, the Caps were again penalized, effectively removing top players Mike Knuble, Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin. Pittsburgh’s Jordan Staal scored twice more to put the Caps down 4-1. Eric Fehr made sure the Caps stayed in the game by tallying late in the second, but a livid Caps coach Bruce Boudreau took the referees to task, standing on the bench, screaming, huffing, and puffing. Whatever happened in the locker room during the second intermission, we may never know, but suffice it to say it woke the Caps up. But more on that in a minute…
Lately the Caps have been keeping their game tight, doing what works by crashing the net and effectively minimizing penalties. Today however, the puck just didn’t seem to bounce their way after multiple scoring opportunities developed and quickly faded with a quick and agile Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Some might blame it on the weather, some might blame it on the referees. The Caps looked outworked and the fans felt a flashback to Game 7 of the Playoffs. Even Owner Ted Leonsis and Coach Boudreau, who shared in the misery of power outages from the blizzard of 2010, must have thought-there goes our win streak. But one thing that we can learn from the Caps is to never say die.

From Penguins 2-7-10

The third period saw the moods shift, and the Caps spark return when Ovechkin scored his second, and then third goals of the game to make it the first hat trick of the season. Did anyone really doubt Ovi’s capacity to save the day? The crowd responded, giving Goalie Jose Theodore a standing ovation for a brilliant save, sending the game into overtime tied at 4-4.
The tipping point came at 2:26 of OT when Penguins Brooks Orpik was sent into the box for Hi-sticking. Ovechkin once again took the lead with a slapper, which Mike Knuble helped into the net to win the game. Mike Knuble was an integral part of the game today, and he deserved that game winning goal against Fleury, earning him the “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”-a fight, an assist, and a goal, and he is the second Cap to earn one this season.

From Penguins 2-7-10

Where did those cheering Pens fans end up? “Who Cares!" "We Won WINGS!"

Capitals Continue 13 Game Win Streak with 5 to 2 Win Over Thrashers

Winning their 13th game in a row, and keeping the top spot in the NHL, the Washington Capitals sent the Atlanta Thrashers packing and winless on the eve of one of the worst snowstorms the DC area has seen in years.

Just one day after the Atlanta Thrashers management dealt Captain and star player Ilya Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Johnny Oduya, Niclas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, and a first round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Thrash were dealt yet another blow in their playoff bid.

Although the Thrashers came out strong, getting the first goal of the night, they later folded easily under the firepower of the Caps young guns of Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, and Green, all of whom hadn’t scored together in the same game in quite some time. Jason Chimera posted a beauty of a goal with an assist by Matt Bradley, and Green helped the fans with another serving of FREE WINGS from Glory Days with an empty netter. It was also Green’s first game back after serving a three game suspension for elbowing Florida Panther Michael Frolik.

From Atlanta 2-5-10

From Atlanta 2-5-10

Oduya and Bergfors were both in the ice for their first games as Thrashers, but Cormier, who was Canada's captain at the IIHF World Junior Hockey tournament, is serving a suspension for elbowing Mikael Tam. Tam, an 18-year-old defenseman, went into convulsions on the ice due to the hit, was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with brain trauma and dental injuries. Tam has since been released and agreed to a recent meeting with Cormier, the details of which were not released in order to protect all affected parties.

Washington Goalie Michal Neuvirth, who had been recalled from AHL affiliate Hershey, received high praise for the win. Neuvirth earned the first star of the game after facing 45 shots, yet was humble in his response to reporters in the postgame saying it was “Jose’s streak” and he was “there to help him if he gets tired.” Jose has been stellar of late, with his win streak rivaling the one he had in his 2002 Vezina and Hart winning year with the Habs.

Despite the weather related issues facing the arrival of the Pens, who were due to fly into Newark,NJ,the game on Sunday is expected to go on as scheduled with a puck drop at 12:00. Please be alert for any changes on www.WashingtonCaps.com. Let’s Go Caps!

Capitals-4,Panthers-1: Green Suspended

Did Coach Bruce Boudreau ever dream that following the Post-Christmas trade of Captain Chris Clark and Defenseman Milan Jurcina for Columbus Blue Jackets Jason Chimera, his team would go on a nine game winning streak? As fans chanted “We Want Wings!” in almost as many nights as the Caps have played in the month of January, the team took it to the Panthers, who were sent home without the third straight win they were seeking.

Though admittedly not playing their best game, the Caps were the first to get on the board after Mike Knuble, in his typical net-crashing style, allowed Nicklas Backstrom to come in underneath and shove the puck past scrambling Florida Goalie Tomas Vokoun and Defensemen Dennis Seidenberg. Not to be upstaged, Knuble went on to score twice later in the game to earn his 17th and 18th goals of the season, with Backstrom earning assists off both goals.

From Panthers 1-29-10

Late in the second period, Caps Defensemen Mike Green would suffer an injury to his right leg after being hit by Florida player Dmitry Kulikov. Green's parents were both in attendace for the game and watched helplessly from the stands.  Green was helped off the ice by Eric Fehr and Jeff Schultz, while favoring his right leg.  The injury is being called a contusion, but that is not the least of Green’s worries. In the first period of play, Green gave Panthers player Michael Frolik an elbow to the head and was assessed a minor penalty of two minutes. Following a hearing today, Green has been suspended for three games and is not eligible to play again until Feb 5th.

From Panthers 1-29-10

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average salary, Green will forfeit $81,606.21. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. (www.nhl.com)

Although Green would remain out of the lineup for the remainder of play, the surprise of the night came in the third period when Caps Defenseman Jeff Schultz would score his second goal of the season, effectively giving the Caps some breathing room to make it 3-1.

From Panthers 1-29-10

Not normally one to allow his lines to remain stable for long, Boudreau has been known to keep the opposing teams guessing as to which players they would have to guard. Lately though, Boudreau has been content to allow his lines to do their job, which seems to be scoring goals. The Caps are in a goal scoring frenzy, passing all other teams in the NHL. Goalie Michal Neuvirth was again brilliant, earning him the third star of the game. He has effectively stopped 104 of the last 108 shots he has faced from some of the best scoring powerhouses in the league. Knuble would earn the second star of the game, and Backstrom the first.

Sunday the Caps will face another Southeast Division rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Capitals vs. Panthers @ 7:00 PM

Can the Washington Capital continue their game winning streak to make it 9 in row tonight against the Florida Panthers? After seeing the Caps flex their scoring muscle these past few weeks, one would hope so.


The Caps defeated Philly, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and the Phoenix Coyotes, all in one week mind you. Not stopping their winning there, they then went on to beat Tampa Bay, the NY Islanders, and the Anaheim Ducks. Throughout this process, the Caps amassed huge numbers of goals in the month of January, 200 so far, which is the most in the league.

Alex Ovechkin is also nearing a career milestone and could earn his 500th point in the very near future. Currently he has 493 career points and a +/- of 51.

Washington Capitals 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 3

The game of the day turned out to be quite a game indeed as the Caps iced the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3. This could have easily gone the other way as the Pens are every bit as talented and strong defensively as the best of them, but tonight just wasn’t their night, it was the Caps’.

Sidney Crosby scored the easy 1st goal with a bouncing puck, which seemed to take goalie Jose Theodore and defenseman Karl Alzner by surprise. Alzner tried unsuccessfully to clear the bouncing puck, but it was already declared a goal after two different Pens took a stab at it. Mike Knuble tied it up with a strategic goal, thanks in great part to an assist by Alex Ovechkin.

In the second, Eric Fehr scored to make it Caps 2-Pens 1, but Pittsburgh responded less than 30 second later and tied it up again 2-2. Kris Letang gave the Pens a nice lead with a goal, but Ovechkin made sure the Caps were not trailing too long and tied it up again on their first PP opportunity when goal scorer Letang was called for holding. The physical play really began to take both teams into a frenzy in the second period, which opened the door to allow the first Penguin penalty of the game.

In the 3rd, Thomas Fleishman took an Alexander Semin feed ahead, and scored a nifty goal on former Cap Brent Johnson to take an early lead. It was all downhill for the Pens from there as the Caps went on to score two more goals, one on an empty net.

It wasn’t just an ordinary game as Ovechkin played his heart out to score two goals and earned one assist in a game that could very well be the indicator of their Playoff potential. Crosby on the other hand, ended the night with a -1 +/-. Crosby a -1?? Surely he must have worn himself out with the 6 pt. game the other night.

Pittsburgh’s Ruslan Fedotenko had 3 assists on the night, and the Caps needed to keep him for making any more scoring opportunities. This is one player that you don’t take your eyes off of, and the Caps will surely work on shutting his game down when they meet up again at the Verizon Center on Sunday, February 7th. To be noted, the game has been scheduled for 12:00 and will be featured as the NBC Game of the Week. Interestingly, this is also Super Bowl Sunday. We know where we will be!

Big Match-Up Caps vs. Pens

Who is going to come out on top tonight in the big game? Will it be former Capital goalie Brent Johnson making the big saves against his former team? Or, will it be current Caps goalie Jose Theodore, who has had the hot hand lately, having just stood on his head against the Red Wings on Tuesday night?


With the Ovechkin/Crosby rivalry taking center stage, one has to hope that it is a game everyone wants it to be: evenly refereed, played cleanly and without injury, and most of all, entertaining. Pittsburgh is still smarting over the hit on Sergi Gonchar, but the Caps are smarting due to their 2nd Round Playoff loss, in the 7th game of the series, on home ice.  Ouch...

Let's Go Caps!!

Washington Capitals 3, Detroit Red Wings 2

From Detroit 1-19-10

I'm not going to rehash what was obviously a brilliant performance by goalie Jose Theodore. Aww, what the heck...If it wasn't for Jose, this damn game would have been over before we even settled into our seats for some nachos and a Coke; not diet.

Detroit outshot the Caps 15-3 in the first period, making it look as if the entire team was sleep walking. Matt Bradley, who always seems to come out strong in games that require that extra effort, spurred his team in the 2nd period with a goal to tie the score 1-1 in the final two minutes of play. In a period, which not been their best historically, the Caps held the Wings without allowing a single tally.

From Detroit 1-19-10

Coming out in the 3rd, the two teams played as if the playoffs were being held that night. Even the crowd understood the stakes, and responded with all the energy required to keep the Caps engaged to the end. Were it not for the refreshing performance from 1st star Theodore, who had been taking a backseat to the younger, less experienced Michal Neuvirth, it certainly could have been a very different ending.

As we head into Pittsburgh for Thursday's big tilt, let's keep in mind that the story of the moment is not Crosby's 6 pts, or Malkin's hattie. It is the brilliance of a goalie, whose moment many thought had passed, and a team who can win big games in surprising ways.

From Detroit 1-19-10

Capitals 5, Flyers 3

The Washington Capitals have successfully regained 1st in the Eastern Conference with a solid performance against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The first period was a back and forth battle for the lead after the Flyers scored the first goal of the game. Former Flyer, Mike Knuble, evened the score with a nifty goal at the net after a feed by Alex Ovechkin. The Flyers, who earned only 4 total minutes of penalties compared to Washingtons' 12, still managed to toss Alex Ovechkin off a play, resulting in his 6th career penalty shot. Ovechkin made it count, backhanding the puck past a sprawling Ray Emery. But, it was a two goal tally, one of which was shorthanded, and assist by "Iron Man" Brooks Laich that helped push the Caps to a lead in the 3rd period. Laich had been concerned over his play of late and spent some time reviewing video with Coach Boudreau. Keeping it simple and sticking to his net-crashing style, Laich finally had his hard work rewarded, earning the 1st star of the game.

The second star of the game was awarded to Alexander Semin, who tallied his 20th goal of the year, and the 3rd went to Alex Ovechkin, who tallied his 30th goal -for the 5th consecutive year!!

Brooks Laich Rockin' the Red in many ways

Caps forward Brooks Laich is many things-hockey player, drummer, guitar hero, and "ladies man". He really enjoys his music, with tastes running from AC/DC to Guns and Roses. Although he wants us to know that his preference for the track "Shook Me All Night Long" has nothing to do with his reputation as the ladies man, he adds that he "wants to put that one to bed"...hmmm...really trying hard aren't you buddy.

Puck Tracks Episode 2: Brooks Laich from Greg Wyshynski on Vimeo.

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Rough night for the Washington Capitals, who saw their hopes of a 4th straight win dashed in the opening period of play. Fighting to regain their footing in the second after goalie Michal Neuvirth was pulled, the Caps saw their edge lost again when replacement goalie Jose Theodore was unable to stop the Lightning's playmakers. The Caps were certainly happy to head out to their next stop in Miami with a disappointing 7-4 loss in regulation.

Notables:
Not surprisingly, Alex Ovechkin rose to the occasion after being sent to the penalty box for a hit on Steve Downie. In a move that many would consider "waking a sleeping dog", the Lightning player gave Ovechkin a swift stick to the left thigh when the duo exited their respective penalty boxes, to which Ovie responded exactly as Downie intended, removing his gear to "get it on". Matt Bradley, being the hero he is, quickly skated into the fray, leaving Ovie to simply watch the instigator take a pounding, not of his own doing. Check out the video below. Should Bradley have jumped in to defend the Captain, or should Ovie finish what he started?

Behind the Scenes-Shooting the Verizon Wireless Commercial

Following the debut of the new Verizon Wireless commercial featuring NHL players from the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers, Alex Ovechkin takes us on a tour of the shoot. (All the while providing his witty and humble take on reporting.)

Capitals Vs. Flyers Verizon Commercial

In case you haven't seen the newest Verizon Wireless commercial featuring Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green-or the back of his head, here is the finished product as it appeared during the Winter Classic.

Washington Capitals vs. Atlanta Thrashers 1/9/2010

What do you get Coach Bruce Boudreau, a Jack Adams winner, on his 55th birthday? You give him a stellar win against friend John Anderson and his Atlanta Thrashers, of course. On a night when Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth could have, and arguably should have been a star of the night with 38 saves, the Capitals rolled into Atlanta's Philips Arena later than expected, and rolled right over the competition.


Having faced issues with the charter flight the previous night, the team had to wait until morning to leave the D.C. area; only to play the same night against a Southeast Division team looking for their first playoff bid since the 06-07 season. What a birthday present it was for Boudreau, who saw his Caps come out a bit flat the first period, withstanding two separate Thrasher Power Plays opportunities when Boyd Gordon was called for tripping, and John Erskine was called for holding. Neuvirth held off the opponents facing 18 shots. Mike Knuble struck first getting the Caps on the board 1-0. With Atlanta on a Power Play minutes later, Alexander Semin scored a shorthanded goal, only to be followed by a Nicklas Backstrom goal late in the 1st to make it 3-0 in the final minute of play.

The Caps never looked back soundly defeating the Thrashers 8-1, with the only Atlanta goal coming off a Maxim Afinogenov tally late in the second.

Notables: Mike Knuble scored his 10th goal of the season, and Defenseman Tom Poti, whom Boudreau called upon to step up his offensive game now that he had earned the permanent “A”, scored a Power Play goal and earned an assist off of a second Semin goal in the 3rd period. Jason Chimera, newly acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, also scored his first goal as a Washington Capital.

Thrasher Captain Ilya Kovalchuk was held off the score sheet for the third time in as many games, ending the night with a -3. In the midst of contract negotiations, superstar Kovalchuk has to be weighing his role in the organization that was simply steamrolled by his future fellow Russian Olympians, Semin and Ovechkin.