Caps Start Season 2-1

By Jesse Jones

Last season was supposed to be the season the Washington Capitals won it all. The team had the best offense and the best record in the NHL, and faced the eighth seeded Montreal Canadians In the playoffs. But the team failed to perform in the playoffs, and lost in seven.

Now it’s a new season, and the team is hungrier than ever, as they should be. They have arguably the best player in the league, the best offense, and one of the best coaches. But what’s been lacking was consistent goal tending and defense.  So, in order to make a change, the team let go of goalie Jose Theodore and decided to go with two young net-minders in Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth.

After a 5-1 preseason, the Caps finally took the ice to start the regular season in Atlanta October 8.  Things started out good for the Caps, as Brooks Laich scored the first goal of the season between the two teams.  But the momentum would not hold up, as the Thrashers scored the next 4 out of 5 goals between the two teams, including two by Evander Kane, and the Caps lost the season opener 4-2.

The following day, Washington had their home opener against the New Jersey Devils.  After falling behind 2-1 in the first period, the Caps played lights out and scored six straight goals, including two by Alexander Ovechkin, and Washington got their first win of the season 7-2.

Last night, the Caps had their second straight home game, this time hosting the Ottawa Senators.  Alexander Semin started the scoring in the first period, but the Senators tied the game up in the second.  Shortly after, Eric Fehr scored his second goal of the season to put the Caps up 2-1, before Ottawa tied it up 2-2 in the third, sending the game into overtime.  With 30 seconds left in OT, the captain, Alex Ovechkin , scored the game winning goal, and his third of the year.

After three games, the Washington Capitals have a record of 2-1, and have 4 points in the standings.  The goal tending of Neuvirth has been enough to help solidify the defense in the absence of Varlamov.  The team will look to improve their record and gain more points tomorrow night when they host the New York Islanders.

Where’s The Balance?

By Jesse Jones

Remember when Washington Capitals’ captain Alexander Ovechkin was suspended for his hit on Chicago Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell?  If not, here’s the hit:

Now compare that video with this hit from Chicago’s Marian Hossa during the playoffs Saturday:

Hossa was only given a five minute major, and no suspension will be handed down. Both hits are very very similar, yet Hossa only missed five minutes of the game, while Ovechkin was thrown out of the game and suspended. Could this be because Ovechkin’s hit resulted in an injury and Hossa’s did not? Or because it’s the playoffs? Who’s to know.

The NHL is one of the best professional leagues to keep balance with their decisions and rid the league of any “question marks” in the rule book. However, the punishments for these two hit are extremely different. Is this fair or foul? Let me know.

Caps To Play Montreal In First Round

By Jesse Jones

Although the Washington Capitals ended their regular season Sunday in an overtime loss at home to the Boston Bruins, they enter the 2010 NHL Playoffs on a roll, as they have won  nine of their last fourteen games, and have only one loss in regulation during that span. The top seed in the NHL will face off against the eighth seed in the East, the Montreal Canadians, Thursday at 7 PM. Washington won the season series 2-1-1.

Montreal (39-33-10) backed their way into the playoffs, as they got in thanks to an overtime loss Saturday night that gave them one point in the standings. In their past 11 games, the Canadians (also known as the ‘Habs’) have won just three games.

It’s well known that Washington (54-15-13) is all about explosiveness, but there are still doubts as to whether or not their defense and goal tending will be enough for them to make it to the conference finals and potentially win the Stanley Cup. The goalie position will be key for the Caps, as it is for any other team. Last season Simeon Varlamov was the man in the playoffs, but has been injured much of this season and has not been on par in his return, as he has only won two games in his past eight, and has allowed three goals or more in six of those games. Jose Theodore has played extremely well this season, going 30-7-7. He has allowed 2.88 goals a game, and has a save percentage of 91%. His numbers have spoken for themselves this season, and hopefully his playoff numbers will as well.

After a “dry spell” for Alexander Ovechkin, the Great Eight seems to be back on track. Ovie has scored four goals in the last three games to reach 50 goals on the year, and also scored his 500th career goal against the New York Rangers. And despite missing 10 games due to injury and two suspensions, Ovechkin finished second in the points standing with 109 points. Another plus for the Capitals is that the team is 30-4-8 since Ovechkin was named Captain on January 5th.

With all that being said, I believe that Washington will advance to the second round in five games.

Tune into Versus Thursday night at 7 PM to see the start of what hopes to be a long and successful playoff run for the Washington Capitals.

Caps Sweep Pens

By Jesse Jones

Yes, it’s not the playoffs, but the Washington Capitals have swept the regular season series with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last night’s game in Pittsburgh was just how every game has been; physical and high scoring.  Alexander Semin got the only goal in the first period to put the Caps up 1-0.  In the second, five total goals were scored by both teams.  Mike Knuble gave the Caps a 2-0 lead 42 seconds into the period, but Sidney Crosby cut that lead in half 6 minutes later.  21 seconds later, Tomas Fleischmann got the lead back up to two at 3-1.  Three minutes later, Jordan Leopold scored for the Penguins to cut the lead to 3-2.  After nine minutes of scoreless hockey, Matt Bradley scored for the Capitals and gave them a 4-2 lead.  In the third, Jordan Leopold scored again to make it 4-3, but from then on it was all about “The Great Eight”.  Alexander Ovechkin scored two goals, the second was an empty-netter with .2 seconds left in the game, to seal it for the Capitals.  Washington won the game 6-3.

It was a dominating performance for the Capitals.  Ovechkin scored his 47th and 48th goals of the season to tie him with Sidney Crosby for most goals in the NHL, despite missing numerous games.  The 4-0 sweep, albeit in the regular season, has to give Washington a huge boost in confidence with the playoffs coming up, and possibly a mental edge if they were to face one another at some point.

Ovie Being Congratulated By Caps Fans In Pittsburgh

Washington now has a record of 53-15-12, have 118 points, and have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy (best record in NHL).  The Caps have two more games left, both at home.  Friday night they host the Atlanta Thrashers, followed by the regular season finale Sunday against Boston at 12 PM on NBC.

Ovechkin Suspended

By Jesse Jones

It seems like every time I do a post about the Washington Capitals now, more information about what I blogged about comes out.

Before I blogged about the possible suspension facing Alexander Ovechkin. Well now, he has been suspended for two games.

Two games doesn’t seem like much to be worried about, but both games are on the road. Tomorrow the team will play the Florida Panthers, and travel to Carolina for a match-up with the Hurricanes Thursday.

Look to see how the team fares without the MVP on the road.

Will Ovie Be Suspended?

By Jesse Jones

In yesterday’s thrilling 4-3 overtime win in Chicago, captain Alex Ovechkin got thrown out early in the first period for a questionable hit on defensemen Brian Campbell that propelled him into the boards, breaking his collarbone and some ribs.  His season is in jeopardy.  Here’s the hit:

If you watch closely, it seems that Campbell started to fall right before contact was made, and just the extra contact drove him into the boards. I am a Capitals fan, but that hit was not close to being one of Ovechkin’s hardest hits, or was it illegal. What happened was just a fluke.

Now Ovie will meet with NHL head disciplinarian Colin Campbell to discuss the incident. Because of Ovechkin’s two misconducts earlier this season, there are speculations that he will be suspended. We will soon find out.

Huge Comeback Gives Caps 14 Straight

Ovechkin Scores His First of Three Goals

By Jesse Jones

Despite the three feet of snow to hit the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area, the Verizon Center was sold out and packed with Capitals fans ready to watch the best rivalry in hockey.

The Pittsburgh Penguins arrived in D.C. at 2:30 in the morning because all airports in the D.C. area were closed.  Some members of the team staff for both teams spent the night at the Verizon Center, and both teams would eventually reach the ice rink in the morning to play their 12:00 game.

The Penguins took an early 2-0 lead behind 2 goals by Sidney Crosby.   In the second period, Alex Ovechkin scored his 40th goal of the season to cut the lead in half.  However, Jordan Staal scored twice in about two minutes to put the Penguins up 4-1.  With about three minutes left, the Caps scored again behind an Eric Fehr goal.  The third period was all Washington, as Ovechkin scored twice to tie the game up and give him a hat trick.  After 60 minutes of play, the score was tied up at 4-4, and overtime was going to be the deciding factor.  On a Capitals power play, Ovechkin took a hard shot that bounced off the post, and was put in by Mike Knuble.

The game was played at the highest level, and was very scrappy.  Fights were breaking out, and a total of 18 penalties were called.

The Capitals overcame a 3 point deficit against the defending national champions in a playoff atmosphere to show good heart and dedication.

Washington has now won 14 straight games, and will look to get their 15th straight win over at Montreal Wednesday night.

Caps Win 12 Straight, Ovie Gets 500th Point

Ovechkin and Backstrom Celebrate

By Jesse Jones

Last night the Washington Capitals traveled to the Big Apple to face the New York Rangers.  The Caps had just came off their 11th straight win, and were looking for a franchise best 12 game winning streak.

They got it.

Down 5-3 in the second period, the Capitals got a huge boost by who else but Captain Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin got the puck and on a one-on-one, but it between the defender’s leg, and then with one hand, he shot it over Lundqvist’s left shoulder.  The puck just snuck past the blue line, and resulted in Ovechkin’s 500th career point.  The goal also propeled the Caps to score 2 more goals, and win 6-5.

Besides the great play of Ovechkin, Washington has been riding on the play of Nicklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore.  Backstrom scored 1 goal last night and assisted on 4 others.  His goal also proved to be the game winner.

Due to the injury to Semyon Varlamov, Jose Theodore has started all but 3 games in the 12 game streak.  Until last night, the most goals he had given up was 4, which was the first win of the streak.

Another aspect of the Capitals’ game that has improved has been the defense.  Since Ovechkin was named Captain, the defense has been more aggressive and has really locked down.

Washington is now on a franchise best 12 game winning streak, and look to make it 13 straight as they host Atlanta tonight at 7:00.

Caps Make A Statement

By Ben Linton

On a night where all eyes were watching Hockey, Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals triumped over the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby. The Capitals made a big statement last night with a convincing 6-3 over the Penguins at Mellon Arena.

Alex Ovechkin scored two goals and registered an assist, while Sidney Crosby scored one goal early in the game to give the Penguins their only lead of the night. Heading into the third period tied 3-3, the Caps unleashed a fury of offensive power and scored three goals in the final period to seal the deal.

With the win the Capitals improve to 32-12-6, good for first place in the Eastern Conference, while the Penguins drop to 31-20-1 and fourth in the East.

Now this was a great win for the Caps, but the Penguins did not have their starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who was out with a finger injury. He played very well in the Eastern Conference Semis last season and could make a big difference the next time these two play. Don’t forget that the Pens are still defending champs, something tells me that these teams will meet again later on into the playoffs.

Great Night. Great Players. Great Teams. Great Game. Great Result.

Caps Update

By Jesse Jones

Last night the Washington Capitals tried to defend their home ice against the divisional opponent Carolina Hurricanes.  They were down 3-0 early, but got the score within 1 at 4-3.  However, poor defense and goal tending cost them two more goals and the game, as they lost 6-3.

Before the game the Caps were in first place in the East, ahead of the New Jersey Devils who they had just recently beaten 4-1 last Saturday.  After the loss, they stand in second, one point behind the Devils (55, 54).  The third and fourth seeds are taken by the Sabres and Penguins.

Now onto the player that is most talked about on the team, and possibly in the league, Alexander Ovechkin.  Anybody remember when he was suspended and people were saying that he was going to fall off a little to make sure he doesn’t get suspended again?  Well those critics were wrong.  In 9 games back, Ovechkin has scored 7 goals and assisted on 10 other goals.  His penalty minutes in this stretch?  Just two.  His aggression is a little down, but his performance hasn’t fallen off one bit.

Washington faces the second place San Jose Sharks in San Jose Wednesday night.