Category Archives: capitals hockey

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Ciccarelli Going to Hall of Fame

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_2775’
courtesy of ‘Uncleweed’

The NHL announced its Hall of Fame inductees yesterday and former Capitals player Dino Ciccarelli will be the fifth Capitals player inducted into the NHL’s shrine of hockey history. Ciccarelli joins women hockey players Cammi Granato and Angela James in the player category.

Ciccarelli played four seasons with the Caps, from March 1989 when he joined the team near the trade deadline thru 1992. During his Caps career, Ciccarelli knocked in 112 goals and 209 points across 223 career games. All four seasons with the team, Ciccarelli and the Caps made the playoffs where Dino was among the top two playoff goal or point scorers every year. “This is a tremendous honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Ciccarelli told ESPN. “I really appreciate the support of my coaches, the fans and mostly importantly my family throughout my 19-year career.” Dino’s 19 year NHL career was with four other teams after the Caps: the Minnesota North Stars, Detroit, Tampa Bay, and Florida. Over his career, he recorded 608 goals and 592 assists in 1,232 games.

With the inclusion of Ciccarelli, the Capitals now have five members of the Hall who played on the team, joining Mike Gartner, Rod Langway, Larry Murphy, and Scott Stevens.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Capitals Preseason Schedule Out

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6274’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

Ready for Caps hockey yet?

Well, when you are, know that the first preseason game for the team is on Sept 22 in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. The first home preseason game is at the Verizon Center on Sept 28 against the Boston Chokes Bruins. The other two home games are Oct 1 and Oct 3, against Columbus and Nashville, respectively. There are six games in total on the preseason schedule; last year, the Caps went 4-2-0.

This weekend is the NHL Draft; I’ll have a rundown on how the Caps fared and their prospects next week. Only three more months before the puck drops…

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Weber Receives Hall of Fame Honor

Photo courtesy of
‘Newseum WTOP Microphone’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Yesterday the Hockey Hall of Fame announced that Ron Weber, the original play-by-play voice of the Washington Capitals, will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

Hired in 1974 when the Caps joined the NHL as an expansion team, Ron Weber had the dubious honor of calling all of the record-breaking 67 losses by the franchise in their first year on WTOP. Nonplussed, Ron stuck with the team for the next 23 years, never missing a regular season or playoff broadcast – a total of 1,936 consecutive games. Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, said in a Caps press release that “Ron has been a key contributor to the growth of NHL hockey interest in the DC area over his two-plus decades as the original voice of the Capitals. He’s very worthy of this honor.”

The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is named for the late “Voice of Hockey” in Canada and was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in recognition of members of radio and television who’ve made lasting contributions to both broadcasting and hockey. Ron will receive the award on November 8, 2010 in Toronto.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

NHL to Announce Caps, Pens for 2011 Winter Classic

Photo courtesy of
‘Pre-game Festivities at Heinz Field’
courtesy of ‘marc.benton’

According to one of my sources, the NHL will be announcing two outdoor games for the 2010-2011 NHL season. And yes, it looks like the Capitals will be part of the festivities. Rumored to be a participant since last summer, the Washington Capitals will be facing the Pittsburgh Penguins this coming New Year’s Day at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. (The other game is an all-Canadian affair between the Canadiens and Flames in Calgary, sometime in February.)

Honey, I know what I want for Christmas this year!

capitals hockey, Sports Fix, The Features
By

An Open Letter to the Washington Capitals

DSC_5948

Dear Ted, George, Bruce, and Alex:

I know right now you’re dealing with a lot of crap from pretty much every corner because of Wednesday’s loss. So I just wanted to toss in two words you may not have heard much over the last 48 hours:

Thank you.

Those two words are pretty well drowned out right now, given that in true DC fashion, everyone’s getting busy on offering their opinions on what went wrong and what you guys need to do to fix things. And don’t misunderstand me – I have my opinions on the matter as well, but now’s not really the time to list them. I really just wanted to take a moment during all of the hubbub and let you know how I feel as things settle down. They’re simple words, but they need said.

THANK. YOU. Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Ovechkin Named Hart Finalist

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6331’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

Some upbeat news for Caps fans today from the NHL offices: team captain Alex Ovechkin has been named as one of the finalists for the Hart Trophy. The Hart is given to the league’s MVP, as voted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. The award is given to the player who was determined as the most valuable to his team during the regular season.

Good thing the voting was already completed for this one before the playoffs began.

The other two finalists this year are Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks.

Ovechkin has won the award the last two years; if he wins his third in a row, he’ll be the first to do so since Wayne Gretzky won eight straight from 1980 to 1987. Ovie notched 50 goals for the third straight season and led the Capitals’ charge into the postseason after being named captain in January.

The Hart will be awarded at the NHL Awards Ceremony on June 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
By

Heartbreaker in Chinatown

Photo courtesy of
‘IMG_9124’
courtesy of ‘jessie.whittle’

As I exited the Verizon Center this evening, I saw a few things that spoke to what I had just witnessed.  Dejected Caps fans covered their Ovechkin jerseys with jackets and pull overs.  I walked past a sign showing a basset hound with its ears held out straight; “SURPRISED?” it asked. Frankly, yes.  Surprised, shocked, slightly embarrassed; the Caps, the best team in the NHL, had just been defeated by a number eight seed in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  How did it happen? I’m sure there a dozen perspectives.  Mine is that the Caps never quite figured out how to get inside the Canadien’s defense and play the net. Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Caps’ Green Finalist for Norris

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington Capitals Defenseman Mike Green’
courtesy of ‘marc.benton’

Congrats to Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green being named a finalist for the NHL’s Norris Trophy, awarded to the league’s top defenseman. Green was named one of three finalists on Friday, alongside Drew Doughty (LA Kings) and Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks).

Green was a finalist last year and a runner-up to Boston’s Zdeno Chara. Green led all defensemen during the regular season in goals (29), points (76), assists (57), and power-play goals (10). He faces some tough competition for the Norris with Keith and Doughty; the winner will be announced on June 23 during the NHL’s awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Cheer on Green and the Caps tonight as they attempt once again to close out their first round playoff series in Montreal versus the Canadiens.

capitals hockey, Downtown, Fun & Games, History, The Daily Feed
By

WDGASFGAR CAPS!!! Game 2

Photo courtesy of
‘Caps/Habs (April 15, 2010) – 17’
courtesy of ‘Garyisajoke’

Game of the season?  If not it was pretty close.  The Caps came in to game two of their playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens 0-1 and in desperate need of a win.  Game one was marked by poor luck, lackluster play and minimal energy. From the horn, it was obvious that the Caps knew they hadn’t been playing up to snuff. Ovechkin went for blood, with two big hits in the opening minutes, but Washington was, perhaps, too aggressive, allowing Montreal to score on their first shot in the first minute. The Canadiens widened their lead in the 7th minute when Kostitsyn scored his first of what would be three goals. At this point, the Caps management pulled starting goalie Jose Theodore, replacing him with Semyon Varmolov. Eric Fehr finally managed to answer in the 10th minute when he scored on a breakaway off of a deflected pass. The period ended with the Caps bruised but still contending.  Speaking of bruising, Ovi had 7 hits in the first period.  As a point of reference, that’s more than anyone else had in the entire game. Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Ovie, Caps Denied Game 1

Photo courtesy of
‘Alex Ovechkin’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

Nobody said it would be easy.

The Montreal Canadiens did what they set out to do last night in a capacity-filled Verizon Center – steal a win in the Washington Capitals home building. Oh, and they shut down some guy named Ovechkin, too.

Tomas Plekanec silenced the crowd just over 13 minutes into the first overtime, corralling a bobbling puck and sending it end-for-end over Caps goalie Jose Theodore’s left shoulder. “We were screwing around with [the puck] instead of taking it back and setting it up and coming out,” said Coach Bruce Boudreau after the game. “They came up and our defense was caught in transition so they backed up so Plekanec got a chance to walk into the top of the circle and he had a perfect shot.”

Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Capital Drama (Or Not)

Photo courtesy of
‘Vogel & Kolbe’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

The puck hasn’t even dropped for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Caps and the Habs, and already Couch Boudreau is lit, according to a blog post by Mike Vogel.

In his morning press conference today, Boudreau blasted the media for making stuff up and creating drama where there is none. “Before I go further, I don’t have a problem answering any questions, but get it right – that’s all I ask of you,” Boudreau said. He was referencing erroneous reports that Nicklas Backstrom had been injured (he’s been bedridden with an illness) and that star forward Alex Ovechkin had beaned goalie Jose Theodore with a hard practice shot (it was actually Dave Steckel’s shot that gave Theodore a stinger). The mainstream media has also been making a big deal over Boudreau’s comments comparing Theodore’s record over the last 20 games to New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur and Buffalo’s Ryan Miller. “Don’t try to create the controversy if it’s not there. If we say the controversy it is there, but don’t try to create it by making [crap] up, or stuff up OK? That’s all I ask.”

Interestingly, it’s been the mainstream media overblowing the reports from practices, not area bloggers. While the frenetic obsession of the Montreal reporters is legendary in hockey circles, it’s sad that our local press isn’t much better.

Well, at least a few of us “second stringers” know better. Watch for my recap of tonight’s game tomorrow morning.

capitals hockey, Special Events, Sports Fix, The Features
By

2010 Eastern Quarterfinals: Capitals vs. Canadiens

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6297’
courtesy of ‘bhrome’

Finally.

After what seemed like weeks of waiting – ever since the Olympics were over, really – the Washington Capitals finally enter the NHL postseason. First opponent in the opening salvos of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals?

The Montreal Canadiens.

The Caps desperately want to get the right skate forward this year; after last year’s rough start dropping the first two games at home against the Rangers, it’s something the team is aching to move past. And by all accounts from various team sources the last couple of days, they’re not only aware of it, they’re chomping at the bit to roll.

Despite the Habs’ recent struggles, however, the Caps cannot enter the series tomorrow taking Montreal for granted. True, the Habs enter the postseason after only notching three wins in their final 11 games. And true, forward Michael Cammalleri hasn’t been nearly as effective in his first nine games after knee surgery, nor has the netminder situation been anything spectacular. No team enters the NHL’s “second season” not wanting the prize at the end of the two-month campaign.

Let’s not kid around – both of these teams want the Stanley Cup. Montreal, to start its next century off right after last year’s dismal failure to celebrate their 100 years in style. Washington, to finally grab the golden ring of hockey that has been oh-so-close only a handful of times in its young (relative to Montreal) hockey existence.

So let’s look over the keys to Round One, starting here in the District on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Boston Wins in Shootout, Holds Ovie Pointless

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6274’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Yesterday’s showdown between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals was everything NBC hoped it would be as their Game of the Week. There was grit, goals, and grudges – all good ratings boosters – despite the fact that neither team had much to play for. With the Caps ensconced in the number one seed and the Bruins in the sixth slot (after clinching earlier in the weekend), it was less about playoff implications and all about momentum-building and individual milestones. In the end, Boston emerged victorious from the shootout with a final score of 4-3 and a three-game win streak heading into the postseason.

Alexander Semin finally reached the 40 goal plateau with a soft shot under Bruins’ goalie Tim Thomas with just over 2 minutes gone in the first. With Semin’s accomplishment – 40 goals, 84 points in a career-high season, it seemed to the sellout crowd that Ovechkin wouldn’t be far behind in ratcheting a few more goals to claim the Maurice Richard Trophy.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Caps Claim President’s Trophy

Photo courtesy of
‘Rock the Red’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Big weekend for the Capitals! First, the team notched its 51st win of the season against Columbus on Saturday. The league also announced a two game suspension on Atlanta’s Colby Armstrong for his elbow-to-the-head hit on Mathieu Perrault. However, the biggest news came last night, on an evening the Caps weren’t even playing.

The Colorado Avalanche, fighting for their own playoff berth, defeated the San Jose Sharks in overtime last night – giving the Washington Capitals their first-ever President’s Trophy. The team has 114 points with four games remaining in the season. The award gives the Caps home-ice all through the Stanley Cup playoffs, a distinct advantage for a team with a 28-5-5 record this season at home.

Congratulations to owner Ted Leonsis, GM George McPhee, and the rest of the Caps organization for the achievement! Now let’s just hope the alleged “President’s Trophy Curse” doesn’t come calling – only 7 previous winners of the Trophy have gone on to win the Stanley Cup since the award’s inception in the 1985-86 season.

Caps are home tonight against Boston; game starts at 7 p.m.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Bradley Snaps Streak; Caps Win

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6053’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

Matt Bradley scored his first goal in over two months midway through the third period last night, giving the Washington Capitals the victory over the Atlanta Thrashers with a final score of 2-1. The win also puts an end to a three game slide as the Caps enter the final stretch of regular season play. Atlanta’s loss puts them just a little more behind in the scramble for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The game was a refreshing change of pace for the Caps, who have been outscored 9-1 in the first periods of their recent skid. Last night, Nicklas Backstrom tipped in a Mike Green slap shot from the point in the last minute of the first, giving the Caps the lead going into the first intermission. Backstrom’s goal was his 30th on the season; his previous career high was 22, just last season.

Caps goalie Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves against the anemic Atlanta offense in his first win since March 4. The Caps’ next contest is an away game in Columbus on Saturday at 7 p.m.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Senators Outlast Capitals in Overtime

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6158’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

The Caps have claimed the top slot in the Eastern Conference and dominated their division. Despite sitting in a relatively safe spot for the playoffs – which begin in a little over two weeks – the Capitals have made a point to tell the fanbase they’re not going to take it easy these last few games.

Saying it is one thing. Proving it is another.

The Ottawa Senators came into Verizon last night riding a four-game win streak; the Caps were sitting with two losses. Ottawa hasn’t clinched a playoff spot just yet, even though they’re a pretty sure bet for fifth seed. But both teams are looking to hold the balance of rest and form during the last few games of the season; go into the playoffs after a stressful stretch run and a team could flame out early from exhaustion. It’s a balancing act that requires teamwork and a delicate coaching touch.

Last night, however, the Caps just couldn’t pull off that balancing act. Senators captain Alexei Kovalev scored on the power play in overtime with just 19 seconds remaining, giving the Caps their third loss in a row and the Senators a much-needed boost to extend their win streak to five. Continue reading →

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Caps Over Pens in Possible Playoff Preview

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_6093’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

The Washington Capitals hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins last night and for all the noise, excitement, and skill on display on and off the ice, one would think it was the NHL playoffs already.

The Caps won 4-3 in the shootout on Mike Knuble’s fake-out during sudden death. Knuble was a surprise to see come off the bench, as he’s been 0-4 ever since the shootout started in 2005. “I couldn’t believe Bruce was doing it to me,” Knuble said when asked about Coach Bruce Boudreau’s choice. “I didn’t play in overtime at all, so I thought my night was over. I told him when I got off the ice, ‘I don’t like you when you do that. Don’t do that stuff to me.'”

Knuble had a solid night during regulation, tipping in the first goal of the game at the start of the second period. The Penguins’ Maxime Talbot evened-up a little over a minute later, and the Penguins entered the dreaded third period up 2-1. Before last night, the Caps have outscored the Pens 14-1 in the third over the last two years. Alexander Semin and Eric Fehr continued the Caps’ domination and seemed to have the game well in hand until Jordan Staal flipped in the tying goal at 16:54.

The win has given the Caps 108 points on the season, tying the franchise record they set last year. With nine games to go, it’s a sure thing to see that record fall. Especially when six of the last nine are at home – the Caps own the NHL’s best home record at 27-4-4. Next up is a road game versus division rival Carolina tonight at 7 pm, then back home on Sunday against the struggling Calgary Flames at 3 pm. Both games are carried on the Comcast Sports Network.

(Still riding that hockey high? Relive the excitement from last night’s game through my “photo log” on Flickr.)

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Caps Clinch Southeast Division

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_5748’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

They didn’t even play last night and still the Caps keep winning. With Atlanta losing to Columbus 2-1 last night, the Washington Capitals clinched as Souheast Division champions for the third year in a row. This is a guaranteed Top 3 playoff seed slot and pretty much a no-brainer. I mean, who didn’t see this coming since November?

Congrats to owner Ted Leonsis, GM George McPhee, Coach Bruce Boudreau and the entire Capitals organization for their success so far this season.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

FLASH! OO-OOH…

Photo courtesy of
‘Semin Scores!’
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

A healthy scratch in Monday’s loss against the Stars, Tomas Fleischmann made quite the impact when he returned to the lineup in last night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Banging home a ripping shot from the right circle in overtime, Flash scored the game-winner and brought the Caps within one game of clinching the Southeast Division.

The Caps had quite the list of scratches for last night’s contest, no thanks to the very full roster of talent now on hand as team prepares for the playoffs. Boudreau has been rotating players through the scratch list in a delicate juggling act to work in new players and keep the team as rested as possible for the playoff run a little over five weeks from now. “I don’t like doing it but as long as we can, we’ll keep rotating guys in and out of the lineup to keep them fresh and sharp,” commented Boudreau after the 4-3 OT win. “The players don’t like it, but they understand it. They know what the common goal is, so they’re doing it for the common goal.”

Jose Theodore knocked away 28 shots against a struggling Hurricane team that showed some fight in fits and starts. Defenseman Mike Green had two power play goals, increasing his season total (and league lead for defenseman) to 17. Alex Ovechkin added two assists in his points race and Alexander Semin opened the scoring with his 31st of the season on a great backhand shot, fed by Brendan Morrison.

It was a reunion of sorts on the ice as well; former Caps defenseman Brian Pothier was on the ice for the Canes, and former Canes Joe Corvo and Scott Walker suited up for the Caps. The players were exchanged in a last-minute trade deadline rush only a week ago.

The Capitals can clinch the Southeast Division with either a loss by Atlanta tonight or garnering a point in Friday’s home contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
By

Ovie Nets Two, Caps Lose in SO

Photo courtesy of
‘Alex Ovechkin’
courtesy of ‘brianmka’

The good news? Alexander Ovechkin has found the net again. The bad? The Caps home game streak at Verizon has ended at 13 as the Dallas Stars stole a 4-3 shutout win.

The Caps seemed en route to another home win against the visiting Stars. After two periods, the Caps held a 2-0 lead and with a record of strong third periods, seemed destined to add to the record-breaking streak. The Stars have been lackluster of late; they entered the Verizon Center with a three game losing streak and have been outscored 17-5 since the Olympics ended.

“I thought the entire team had a hiccup in the third period,” says Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “They [Dallas] came on [in the third period] and thought, ‘Hey, we’re still in the game.’ Once they got the first one in, I knew it was going to be a dog fight.”

Continue reading →