Tag Archives: caps

capitals hockey, The Daily Feed
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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
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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
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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
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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.

Sports Fix, The Features
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Caps Trading: Are All the Pieces in Place?

Photo courtesy of
‘Verizon Center ice’
courtesy of ‘afagen’

Yesterday was the NHL’s trading deadline for the 2009-10 season. Many hockey pundits (or wannabes, like yours truly) thought the Washington Capitals might make a minor move or two, or possibly stand pat with the current lineup. When it was announced on Tuesday that Flyers goalie Ray Emery was out for the season for hip surgery, I especially thought for sure the Caps would do some dealing with the hated Flyers. Let’s face it, the Caps have a strong backlog in goal – Theodore’s finally proving himself (though I think it’s a little too late for any hope of contract renewal), Varly’s been solid – when not injured, and both Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby show significant promise for the future.

But once again, GM George McPhee had other plans. The Caps made four moves in the eleventh hour yesterday, pulling in two forwards (Eric Belanger, Scott Walker) and two defensemen (Joe Corvo, Milan Jurcina) and shedding Brian Pothier and Oskar Osala from the rolls. Osala has spent most of his Caps career with the AHL Hershey Bears, so his absence is a non-factor outside of potential future development. McPhee instead gave away four draft picks (three in the 2010 draft, one in the 2011 draft) in his wheeling and dealing.

So, what to make of this roster “shake-up”? Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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It Goes to Eleven!

Photo courtesy of
‘Amplifer Knobs’
courtesy of ‘Koonisutra’

Congratulations to the Washington Capitals for setting a franchise record last night! With their 4-1 whipping of the Boston Bruins, the Caps are sitting on an amazing 11 game win streak, stemming back from Ovechkin’s anointing as team captain.

It wasn’t a sure thing until the third period, however. Both teams fought a solid game through two periods, and the 1-1 score going into the last 20 minutes reflected it. But, as seems to be standard Caps operating procedure lately, around five minutes in the Caps just exploded. Brooks Laich and Alexander Semin made Boston’s Matt Hunwick pay on a turnover to gain the Caps’ first lead of the game. Boyd Gordon dropped in his second of the season and then Ovie capped it with an empty netter. Mike Knuble continued his strong play of late with the tying goal early in the second period.

The Caps are sitting pretty at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 10 point lead over New Jersey and face the New York Rangers tomorrow at Madison Square Garden.

Fun & Games, News, Sports Fix, The Daily Feed
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Caps 4, Coyotes 2: the Streak Continues

Photo courtesy of
‘Ovechkin Tosses First Star Puck to Crowd’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Perhaps this is a silly prejudice, but I feel like hockey teams from warm places have something to prove.  I know, I know, hockey teams don’t recruit from their localities and, like every other professional athlete, hockey players go to where the money is, but it doesn’t change the fact that I expect less from a hockey team from Arizona.  If the Phoenix Coyotes did have anything to prove, they’re certainly doing it this year.  With an impressive record, they came to DC, last night, as a very real threat to the Capitals five game winning streak.

The Capitals, with their aforementioned win streak and Ovechkin’s impressive scoring record, were definitely the team to beat and the Coyotes were determined to cut them down to size. The game opened with Phoenix playing aggressively and keeping the puck near the Capitals goal for most of the 1st period.  The Caps looked a bit tentative, early on, but managed to take advantage of their first power play, with Brooks Laich to scoring in the opening minutes.  The Coyotes answered in the 13th minute of the period, tying game. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
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Slapshot on Price Is Right

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In case you missed it, Caps mascot Slapshot was on the Price Is Right yesterday, helping to promote the start of the NHL 2009-10 season. He was one of four mascots invited onto the show, shilling a prize package for the showcase at the end. Out of the four, he easily showed off the best dance moves.

I admit though, the clip would’ve been better if he’d just bum-rushed the Panther’s mascot. I mean, the NHL wants division rivalries, right? What better way to begin the season?

The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Ovechkin in 2014

Photo courtesy of
‘Alexander Ovechkin’
courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’

The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver aren’t even here and already we may have a battle coming for the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia. But it’s shaping up to be not country vs. country, but Ovechkin vs. NHL.

Ovie told ESPN.com during an interview today that he will risk suspension and play for his country regardless of whether the NHL is formally involved or not.

“Nobody can say to me you can’t play for your country in the Olympic Games,” Ovechkin said.

The NHL has no commitment to take part in the Olympic games after next year’s celebration, which has some players questioning what to do. “I’ll go play in the Olympic Games for my country. If somebody says to me you can’t play, see ya.”

Even if it meant suspension by the Caps? Continue reading →

News, The Daily Feed, WTF?!
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Flyers Beat Caps AGAIN

Photo courtesy of
‘Tied Up’ courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

Yes, yes, I know. There’s no actual hockey going on. But, there is.

News came down today that the NHL and NBC have announced the teams and location for the 2009-10 Winter Classic. As expected, it’s in Boston at Fenway Park. Yep, the Boston Bruins hosting. And following prior year NHL logic, the other team will also be a rising powerhouse with a top-notch superstar, right? Like, as expected, the Washington Capitals with Russian powerhouse Alex Ovechkin?

Wrong.

Nope, the League, in its continued head-scratching pathetic screwball logic, has named the hated Philadelphia Flyers as the other team. That’s right, those despicable FLYERS. Supposedly, the decision was made because Philadelphia has a bigger hockey television market than Washington.

Say what? Guess the NHL and NBC forgot about the tremendous buzz the Caps/Pens series put on. Or the continual highlight-reel goals by Ovie, or his mounting hardware from numerous awards, or the fact that the Caps are one of the top five most exciting teams to watch…

Yeah, I know. I don’t get it either. Stupid ****ing Flyers.

The Daily Feed
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Knuble Flying to Caps

Photo courtesy of
‘Timonen and Knuble’ courtesy of ‘neat1325’

And in the annual NHL free-agency crazy day frenzy today, ESPN’s reporting that Flyers’ winger Mike Knuble has signed a two-year deal with the Capitals. The deal will hit the annual salary cap at $2.8 million a year. Looks like the Caps are getting some more much-needed grit on the offense.

Knuble had 47 points across 82 games last season, including 27 goals. He had 2 goals and one assist in the Flyers series against Pittsburgh.

The Daily Feed
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Fedorov Signs With Metallurg

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‘Fedorov’ courtesy of ‘borman818’

Russian news outlets are reporting that Caps forward Sergei Fedorov has signed a two-year contract with the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Continental Hockey League (KHL). There, he’ll be reunited with his younger brother Fedor.

Fedorov, 39, was reportedly negotiating with several NHL teams besides the Caps but decided in the end to return to his native Russia. His decision ends an 18-year career in the NHL, including three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings.

Fellow Russian Viktor Kozlov left the Caps last month and signed on with this year’s KHL champs Salavat Yulaev Ufa in May. With the two forwards now having moved on and relieving some salary cap space, tomorrow’s NHL Draft and the upcoming July 1 UFA “open season” will prove most interesting for the team. We’ll have a Draft roundup on Monday.

The Daily Feed
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Covering Ovechkin

Photo courtesy of
‘090127 Ovechkin-2’ courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

2K Sports has unofficially announced that Caps left winger and superstar Alex Ovechkin will be on the cover of NHL 2K10. The official announcement will be on Tuesday.

The company is hosting a motion capture session in Las Vegas next week, where the public can watch Ovechkin and Vancouver Canucks centerman Ryan Kesler wear motion capture suits and pull off their moves at an outdoor rink. If you’re in Sin City, the event is free at Ceasar’s Palace from 8-11 pm.

Alex’s response says it all: “It’s a good time to be Ovi!”

The Daily Feed
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Fedorov Back to Russia?

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‘090127 Fedorov’ courtesy of ‘Dan4th’

It’s quite possible the first summer Caps casualty may be Sergei Fedorov. According to the Russian newspaper Sport Express, the 39-year-old center will be signing a two-year contract worth over $7 million with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Continental Hockey League (KHL).

However, Fedorov’s agent has told the Washington Post that nothing is decided yet, other than that the Caps’ veteran center has had multiple offers from KHL teams. It’s possible Fedorov might return to the Caps next year as well, but nothing is set in stone. Any money sunk into a declining forward will surely take away prime salary cap space better used elsewhere.

The Caps have his rights until June 30th, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Fedorov scored 11 goals and 33 points this season but scored only one goal and eight points in this year’s playoffs. His goal was the Game 7 winner against the Rangers that got the Caps to the second round before losing to the Penguins in seven.

The Daily Feed
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Cast A Sphenisciformes Spell

Photo courtesy of
‘socks =P’
courtesy of ‘unknown flickr user’

Earlier this week we sent good joo-joo-bees to the Caps for their game six match against Pittsburgh, and while I’m not going to take credit for the win, I am going to continue sending DC good karma by offering up some Penguin-relative meal options for tonight’s game.

Continue reading →

Sports Fix
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Sports Fix: Capitals Soar, Wizards on Floor

Celebrate.png

Ovechkin Celebrates by clydeorama

Capitals
Record: 26-11-3
Last Two Weeks: 6-0
Place: First in the Southeast

The Caps roared through the holidays, racking up a six-game win streak and handily beating down the Rangers on Saturday in a defensive slugfest. The 2-1 victory saw the return of Alexander Semin as well as Semin’s first (slap)fight of his NHL career. With the injury bug now behind them, the Caps are in prime position to pull away from the ‘Canes (10 points behind) and cement their playoff position for April.

Ovechkin and company have the best 40-game start in franchise history, another feather in Coach Boudreau’s cap. However, Ovechkin was snubbed on Saturday when the NHL All-Star teams were announced; due to Montreal fan chicanery, Ovie finished sixth in the overall voting and won’t be on the starting lineup. Boudreau’s quote on ESPN: “It’s dumb. It’s not right the best player in the game is not a starter.”

All of us here at WLDC totally agree (even Ben!). Ovie should be joining Crosby and Malkin on the top line, not on-again-off-again Kovalev, oft-injured Koivu or flash-in-the-pan Tanguay. But alas, Habs fans are rabid and were out to fix the voting, hence Ovie receiving less than 500,000 votes (compared to the 1.2 million each Habs player received). We’ll see who the real All-Star is come January 25th.

Continue reading →

People, Sports Fix, WTF?!
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Minding the Net

Photo courtesy of ivanomak
Jose Theodore, courtesy of Ivan Makarov

I watch hockey. A lot. So when stuff happens that seems unusual, I’m not entirely phased. Tonight, however? Yeah, totally amusingly unusual and worth posting here.

My friends and I were engrossed in Boston’s ugly beat down of Atlanta tonight before we switched to Chicago’s eventual win over Colorado when we got wind of the ‘unusual’ over at the Caps game.

We’d heard that Theodore went down with a hip injury (or is that a “mid-body injury,” to use the NHL’s new method of reporting boo-boos?) earlier in the day and that Brent Johnson – he of the hot glove hand lately – would be in the net against the Senators. The NHL Network had been reporting Sergei Varlamov’s call-up to back up Johnson, so what was all the buzz about?

Lo and behold, Varlamov was going to be running late flying in from Houston where his other team – the Hershey Bears – was on the road and wouldn’t make the start of the game. Yeah, I know, it doesn’t sound unusual. Yet. Continue reading →