Hockey Musings - Thursday September 23rd, 2010

Well I didn't get a chance to watch or listen to the Caps first pre-season game against the Blue Jackets last evening, but I did devour the information available this morning and have a few thoughts on things...

So before the more expected musings and storey lines out of last night's Capitals pre-season opener in the Buckeye State, one has to acknowledge the "little engine that could/because an ant can't move a rubber tree plant" storey of the day - namely Free agent Matt Hendricks, formerly with the Colorado Avalanche organization, using last night to make a solid case for a roster spot with a hat trick. It might not happen but with just six pre-season games and a couple of weeks before the season begins, he certainly is making a case for why the Capitals organization might at least want to reward him with one of their 50 available contract slots and a place in Hershey, at least. I mean even though it was only a pre-season game he did score three goals in a game where the Blue Jackets put a team on the ice that included all of their top six forwards and two pretty solid goaltenders. For me it's impossible not to latch on to a storey like this - Matt Hendricks wasn't on any Caps Fan's radars until this morning and now he is.

So what else is news/things to like about last night - Semyon Varlamov's reaction to Michal Neuvirth's contract extension announcement yesterday - just 30:09 of perfect performance, nothing more, nothing less - maybe I will go see him at the Capitals Convention...

Braden Holtby's night wasn't too shabby either - giving up just two goals - one to Rick Nash and one to Nikita Filatov on 19 shots on goal over 29:51 after the Capitals have gone up by a score of 3 - 0; especially given that Nash's tally came right after Holtby entered the game and was still basically cold, is nothing to be ashamed about.

In the "battle" for the second line Center roster spot, Tomas "Flash" Fleischmann ensured everyone is fully aware he has picked up the gauntlet and intends to win the duel. Last night Flash scored twice and had a primary assist in 16:17 TOI. Flash played primarily with Alexander Semin on one wing and at least during his scoring events three other players: Brooks Laich, Eric Fehr, and Matt Hendricks on the other side. Semin had three assists, was + 2 and led all Caps forwards in TOI with 18:12 last evening - including time on both the Power Play and Penalty Kill units. He did end up with two minor penalties, hopefully he gets the majority of those things, especially minors for "Delay of Game - Puck Over the Glass" out of his system now during the Pre-Season. Also, if he and Flash are going to to play together on the second line, I'm all for this approach to the pre-season until the Chemistry between them is ingrained for to both their "muscle memory's" - however long that takes. At the beginning of last season when Semin had it with B-Mo and then during the winning streak when he had it with Flash, this was a different team than when the second line didn't have that as an anchor.

In the battle for the two or three available roster slots on the Caps amongst the six or so possibilities the winners and the losers last night from the stats perspective appear to shake out as follows. W

Winnerz:
- Matt Hendricks: 3 goals, +3, 4 SOG, 1 hit on 19 shifts and 14:47 TOI;
- Marcus Johansonn: 2 assists, +2, 1 takeaway, on 20 shifts/16:00 TOI - his only negative last night was he went 5 for 14/36% in the faceoff circle;
- Andrew Gordon: 1 assist, +2, 4 hits, 2 shots on goal, on 19 shifts and 15:44 TOI - his only negative was he had 1 giveaway.
- Cody Eakin: Anytime you score a goal against a quality goal tender and quality opponents at the NHL level, especially when you are really fighting for a spot on a team's AHL level Affiliate, you can only view that as a very good night.

Loserz:
- Mathieu Perrault: Statistically, it was basically an unremarkable evening for MP85, however, the expectations just seem higher for him in a game like this and that's why I put him on the looser side of last night. Right now when fighter for a roster slot on this talent crowded team, if you're not winning, you are by definition loosing ground in your quest for those few available roster slots. Last night, statistically, Perrault wasn't a winner and nobody reporting on the event noted anything positive to make up for that lack of clear positives. His stat line last night: zero points, -1, 6 for 11 (55%) in the faceoff circle; 1 SOG, 1 takeaway, in 18 shifts and 14:54 TOI - like I said, unremarkable.
- Kyle Greentree: Not much on his stat line for 17 shifts and 12:24, besides with a Prime Number like 43 for a Jersey Number, isn't he destined to find himself playing in the "A" at the start of this season?

To be clear the only definition and difference between winning and losing in the category above is the answer to the question: "Did this player do anything last night to proactively make cutting him/sending him to the minors a harder decision?" The answer choices are digital, either: yes, or any other answer.

Of the blue line corps my take on who had good nights/bad nights - it doesn't look to me like anybody had a bad night nor does it look to me like anybody did anything to move up or down the depth chart.

Interestingly the Caps didn't play any of the "young guns" except Alexander Semin, I think that's a good sign. I already indicated why I would play Semin, as far as the other guys and the other clear opening night roster guys like Mike Knuble, Matt Bradley, etc who didn't play, I'm all for that. The other guys, the guys who did play need the TOI against opposition outside the organization to have a chance to show the staff what they can and will do. I don't think the others need the pre-season time until the last three pre-season games to get their timing, etc. fine tuned.

Last night didn't do much else other than continue to validate just how deep the Capitals organization is currently.

Of course in other Capitals news yesterday the Organization signed contract extensions with Goaltender Michal Neuvirth and Defenseman Tom Poti. If the available information is accurate relative to terms: Poti - 2 years (through the 2012-2013 season with a cap hit of $2.875M/year; Neuvirth - 2 years (through the 2012-2013 season with a cap hit of 1.15M/year); then these seem like smart moves/good signings for the Caps to me. I know some might argue but signing a solid NHL level top 4 D-Man who has been and is likely to play ATOI 20:00/game and play solid special teams for under $3M of Cap Hit seems like a smart thing for a GM to do. Besides, take a look at the pic with this post and recognize that Poti played several playoff games looking like this in 2009 for the Capitals, then tell me the guy doesn't have "grit." As for Neuvirth, here's a guy with nothing left to learn at the AHL level, a proven winner, with solid skills, and nothing but upside - signing him for a cap hit of $1.15M seems like another smart move, even though he only has 22 games of experience at the NHL level of play.

Well what's next for the Caps? Training Camp and the pre-season continues ....

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Well....

I can't wait for hockey to get rolling again, anything, even the opening of training camp will be news, the blogs everywhere - there's just not much hockey news. Watching OV & Semin party in Moscow has lost what little appeal it might have had. If this keeps up, I'll just have to focus on work for the next three weeks until we go to the beach for a week's vacation.

So what is there to talk about for Caps fans? Well Milan Jurcina's arbitration hearing is settled and the Caps now have at least 8 NHL quality defensemen under contract.

Here's my thoughts on the Caps current D-Men and their order on the depth chart: 1) Mike Green, 2) Tom Poti, 3) Brian Pothier, 4)Shoane Morrisonn, 5) Milan Jurcina, 6) Jeff Schultz, 7) John Erskine, 8) Karl Alzner, 9) Tyler Sloan, 10) John Carlson. Now many folks will argue with my placement of "Juice" at 5 and even Sha-Mo at 4 - I just think there is a comfort facto with them out there in the "defensively focused d-man role." It's clear 1, 2, and 3 are supposed to be the offensively minded blueliners when they are out there and not paired with each other though and it's also clear that Green is more at ease with either Sha-Mo or Schultz then Jurcina. However it's also clear from hits, etc. in the statistics the physicality that Jurcina brings to the Caps lineup is needed and desirable. Also, while it didn't seem like Alzner shied away from the physical side of the game, the only guys on the blueline last year who seemed to enjoy laying on a good body check more then a neat poke check or making a nifty outlet pass were "Juice" and John Erskine. So that's why I put both on the current depth chart above Alzner and Jurcina ahead of Schultz. Readers no doubt will have differing opinions and I'm sure there's lots of reasons to have and support them.

The bottom line here though is given Pothier is still really a question mark after being sidelined most of the past two seasons; and that you have to look at and talk more about Jurcina, Schultz, Alzner and Carlson in terms of potential and what they might do in the future; and you probably have to feel that both Morrisonn and Erskine are currently playing to their potential where they are on the Caps depth chart - the only two clear top four defensemen on the Caps roster right now are Green and Poti. What's that say or mean? Well let's start with this statement and fact - another season like last year and Mike Green will be the second Washington Capital who is a legitimate, acknowledged NHL superstar. The derision of Green's defensive play and lapses are, in my view, greatly exaggerated and misplaced. The only reason people talk about them so much is because it's so clear that he has tremendous talents and that's what you usually notice when he's on the ice. Tom Poti - like or hate him, you have to admit when you look at his stats he's a top tier defensemen, especially when you look around the SE Division. All that side what it means at the bottom line is at least two of the other eight guys on this list have to step it up and play all season long and through the playoffs like guys who are top four defensemen. If Pothier can come back fully from his injury and play all season long without any issues, he can do it, he's proven that. Of the others at least five of the other seven have the talent and innate skills to do it but they are all relatively young and untested. The obvious choice as most likely to do it this coming season - Shoane Morrisson - let's hope that Sha-Mo shows he deserves his relatively large paycheck. If Morrisson and Pothier and Green and Poti play like we know they can, then maybe the Caps can have the season and playoffs all of us Caps fans are rooting for.

Personally, I can't wait to find out if they can/do.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!

A One Point Night - Rangers 5 - Capitals 4 (SO)

Tonight the Washington Capitals basically escaped from Madison Square Garden with a point. It was a bit of a weird game, even though there were 8 goals scored in regulation in some regards the game was about the goaltending. The game was back and forth through the first two periods and at the end of two the score was tied 4-4, on two goals by Defenseman Mike Green. With tonight's tallies by Green, his 20th and 21st, he tied an NHL record for goals in consecutive games by a defenseman - seven, tying a record that was set in 1984. However, that wasn't enough to sink the normally low scoring Rangers as they managed to score four goals themselves during the first forty minutes of regulation.

At the start of the third period, the Caps decided to make it tough for themselves - during the third period they took 5 minor penalties while the Rangers took none. Despite the fact the Capitals gave the Rangers at least a one man advantage for 9:43 during 6 powerplays throughout the game, all eight goals scored in regulation by both teams were scored at even strength. However, playing one or two men down for over 9:20 of the final period sure seemed to slow the Caps down in what is often their best period. Jose Theodore and Henrik Lundqvist kept their teams in the game, particularly during the third period. Theo stopped 28 of 32 shots (save % = 0.875) while "King Henrick" stopped 26 of 30 shots (save % = 0.866), so it's hard to call tonight's game a "goalie's duel" but watching the game, it didn't seem like a horribly bad outing for either netminder. When the game ended at the end of overtime, both men between the pipes looked pretty on their games, the shootout was it's usual "thing" - if you like the gimmick you like it and if you don't you don't. I won't "go there" re: the "rebound goal." It really doesn't matter, in the end neither team really deserved to win, the caps deserved the point or points less then the Rangers due to the undisciplined hockey they played and penalties they took during the third period. The final score means the Caps didn't "sweep" the Rangers in this season's series instead going 3-0-1.

There were some highlights for the Capitals, not the least of which was Mike Green's two goal performance, though I'd expect both he and the rest of the Capitals would like the two points and a regulation win. However, Mike Green is on "as good a roll" as you can imagine. He has 49 points in 41 games - 21 goals and 28 assists. Currently, Green leads all NHL defensemen in scoring by a fair margin. He leads in overall points by six (6) points over Brian Rafelski of the Red Wings. He leads in goals by seven (7) over Sheldon Souray of the Oilers and Shea Weber of the Predators. He is also currently tied for third in overall +/- with the Bruins Zdeno Chara at + 24. Despite all these facts, amazingly, there are still some Caps fans who question whether he should be considered for the Norris Trophy. From my perspective there is no doubt he has scaled the ascent and reached the heights of the group of players who are in the top echelon of defenseman in the NHL.

The "energy line" tonight was "The Killer Bees": Left Wing Donald Brashear and Right Wing Matt Bradley were centered by Hershey Bear call-up Jay Beagle. Beagle has been out a while down in Hershey due to a concussion earlier in the year but he had a great training camp before going to "Chocolatetown." Tonight he played well, despite an anemic faceoff percentage, he had 3 shots (including one great scoring chance that almost beat Lundqvist), 2 hits and 2 takeaways. during 15 shifts and 7:41 Time On Ice.

Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann each had another good game. Each had a goal and an assist; on the night "Flash" was +3 while Fehr was +2. The first line - Ovechkin - Backstrom - Nylander played pretty well and further improved their timing. Well with tonight's final score the Caps are 3-1-1 so far in February and appear poised for their next two games on the road in Florida - it's a father-son trip so let's hope the Capitals aren't too distracted as they are now tied with the New Jersey Devils for second in the Eastern Conference.

Next up the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Saturday Night.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!

Capital Leaders Review

[ed note: No post on the Caps - Islander's game as I didn't get to see it since I had a prior social commitment - it's that time of year....by all accounts it was an ugly win, but I'm glad they don't have to give back the two points ....]

The season is 32 games old for the Washington Capitals - 50 games to go before the playoffs begin - the Capitals have picked up the pace again here in December so far going 6-2-0 since the beginning of the month (0.750 hockey). Washington is now 8 points ahead of second place Carolina in the Southeast Division standings; third in the Eastern Conference both by virtue of being the SE Division Leaders and on straight points; and fifth overall in the league 3 points behind the NY Rangers but with two games in hand over them. The Washington Capitals have arrived, last night they proved that not only can they be dominant over most on their good nights but they can still eke out an ugly win over at least some NHL teams when they are having a bad night. The change has been gradual but in the end the Caps have built themselves into this sort of team by having a core of players - not just one superstar, though there can be no doubt that the Caps have at least one superstar and who that player is.

A look at the overall league leaders and the stars of the month in October and November easily confirms that the Capitals - like the leagues other solid stable teams - are not "one trick ponies." As of this morning a look at the statistics for the leagues leading skaters - the top 50 statistical leaders for each of the major categories shows the following.

Goals:
#3: Alexander Ovechkin - 19 (30 games played);
#14: Alexander Semin - 14 (20 games played).

Assists:
#6: Alexander Ovechkin - 23;
#9: Nicklas Backstrom - 23 (32 games played);
#34: Alexander Semin - 17.

Points:
#3: Alex Ovechkin - 42;
#14: Nicklas Backstrom - 33;
#18: Alexander Semin - 31.

+/-:
#1: Alexander Semin - +20;
#17: Mike Green - +13 (21 games played);
#29: Alexander Ovechkin - +12.

Points per game:
#3: Alexander Semin - 1.55;
#5: Alexander Ovechkin - 1.40;
#28: Nicklas Backstrom - 1.03;
#42: Mike Green - 0.95.

Defenseman Points:
#10 Mike Green - 20.

Defenseman Goals:
#4: Mike Green - 8;
#47: Tom Poti - 3 (21 games payed);
#51: Milan Jurcina - 3 (32 games played).

Defenseman Points Per Game:
#3: Mike Green - 0.95;
#29: Sami Lepisto - 0.57.

Face Off Leaders (Face Off Won %):
#5: Boyd Gordon - 58.2% (29 games played - 335 faceoffs);
#12: David Steckel - 55.6% (29 games played - 333 faceoffs);
#58: Nicklas Backstrom - 48.9% (32 games played - 444 faceoffs);
#59: Michael Nylander - 48.6% (31 games played - 288 faceoffs).

Shooting % Leaders:
#7: Alexander Semin - 23.0% (averages 3.0 shots/game);
#39: Tomas Fleischmann - 16.7% (averages 2.1 shots/game; 29 games played).

Shots/Game Average:
#1: Alexander Ovechkin - 5.9;
#25: Mike Green - 3.3;
#47: Aleaxnder Semin - 3.0.

Hits:
#3: Alexander Ovechkin - 107;
#59: Milan Jurcina - 57.

Isn't nice to talk about real, meaningful statistics and facts instead of the obscure ones that used to get flashed up on the jumbo-tron during the "rebuild"? Remember things like: "Over the last 20 games Jeff Halpern leads the league in goals scored after his former high school in Potomac, MD's basketball team wins a game"?

Next up - the Saint Louis Blues on Thursday Evening at Verizon Center. Please keep "Rockin' the Red" - I know I will be.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!

Way Cool Game Ends - Final Score Caps 3 - Bruins 1

Well the "Beast of the East", the Conference leading Boston Bruins came to the Verizon Center tonight to play the Washington Capitals. At the end of regulation play, after a fast paced game, the Capitals had captured a two point victory. Two of the Caps previously injured players returned to the line up tonight: Alexander Semin and Tom Poti. Both played solid games tonight and figured in the outcome. The lineup was once again jumbled. Five "call ups": Alexandre Giroux, Oscar Osala, Karl Alzner, Tyler Sloan and Sean Collins, all played tonight and played well tonight. All things considered if you have to be dealing with injuries and making call ups to your AHL affiliate, it's better to be calling up the AHL's leading and number three goal scorers, Giroux and Osala respectively, than many other alternatives. However, the two biggest stories of the night were probably: the super play of Caps goalie Brent Johnson; and "the game within the game" battle/match-up between Alexander Ovechkin and Zdeno Chara. Brent Johnson stopped 33 of 34 shots, a save percentage of 0.970, including at least three "totally awesome" saves that robbed the Bruins and kept the Caps in the game during the first two periods.

The Capitals came out and started the game "ready to play." However just 41 seconds into the game Caps defenseman Shoane Morrisonn ended up in the penalty box with a high sticking penalty. That situation turned into a 4 on 4 and then a power play for the Capitals, when Stephane Yelle took an interference penalty at the 2:17 mark. The Caps went onto the power play at 2:41 and at 3:53 Nicklas Backstrom scored his ninth goal of the season, assisted by Alexander Ovechkin and Vicktor Kozlov. The period ended with the Caps up 1-0 despite being out shot 14-6. The difference at that point a power play goal, solid team play getting the puck into the Bruins' zone deep, and a nice save or two by Johnnie.

When the second period got underway, the Caps initially picked up where they left off, playing tight, crisp, committed hockey. At the 4:52 mark, Alexandre Giroux crashed the net during a scoring chance that was instigated by Vicktor Kozlov. Giroux was on the doorstep and "banged the biscuit into the basket" putting the Caps up 2-0. However late in the period the Caps got a little sloppy and Chara sprung Phil Kessel and Milan Lucic on a 2-1 breakaway that Kessel played superbly. Kessel made a move and then a great, crisp cross ice pass to Lucic, when the puck hit Lucic's stick he was looking at about half the net open, and he made a "wicked fast" writ shot that found the top shelf behind Johnnie. Once again the period ended with Caps holding a 1 goal lead.

The Capitals appeared to come out of the locker room for the third period determined to play the final period like they played the first period. All four lines and three defense pairs played the third period with drive and passion keeping the Bruins off their game. The Giroux-Nylander-Kozlov line kept the pressure up and at 1:22 Giroux was sprung on a 1-0 breakaway. He was hooked from behind and awarded a penalty shot. Unfortunately, he failed to score shooting the puck just wide of the net after seeming to have beaten Manny Fernandez. The Caps played intensely for the remainder of the period but couldn't get the puck past Fernandz and the score stayed 2-1 Caps. Then at 19:08, with Fernendez on the bench in favor of an extra Bruins skater, Alexander Semin played solid two way hockey, dug the puck off the boards in the Caps own end and started a breakout with Alex Ovechkin. Semin then fed Ovechkin who notched his 15th goal of the season when he put the puck into the Bruins' empty net. Despite the Bruins calling a timeout and attempting to regroup, the Capitals kept the momentum and the game ended in regulation caps 3 - Bruins 1.

Notable stats from tonight's game: shots on goal - Bruins 34, Caps 26; hits - Bruins 31, Caps 29; faceoff win % - Caps 61, Bruins 39; takeaways - Caps 14, Bruins 10; Giveaways - Bruins 12, Caps 18; blocked shots - Caps 18, Bruins 13. Notable plays of the night: 1) Milan Jurcina's stuff of Phil Kessel on the Caps doorstep at about the 15:00 mark of the third period. 2) Kozlov's great setup that led to Giroux's goal. 3) Several of the plays by the Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin line, especially in the first period. 4) The save Johnson made stuffing the Bruins and giving us all a scare that he had gotten hurt again. Notable Caps performances of the night: 1) Brent Johnson definitely deserved the #1 star of the night that he received. 2) Alexandre Giroux definitely deserved the #2 star of the night he got for his game winning goal as well as his +1, 3 shots, 3 hits, in his 13 shift, 10:14 TOI appearance. 3) Alex Ovechkin had 2 points - a goal and an assist, spent 19:44 on the ice, led the Caps with 5 shots and 4 hits in 21 shifts and could easily have been the third star of the evening. 4) Tom Poti - led the Caps in ice time with 29 shifts and 22:01 TOI, Poti also had an assist, 2 hits and 2 takeaways in his first game back in the line-up. 5)Alexander Semin had a solid first night back notching an assist, a hit and two take aways. 6) Karl Alzner was +2 in 20:44 TOI/27 shifts; Alzner 2 hits, a takeaway and blocked 3 shots. 7) Vicktor Kozlov had a 2 point night, took 4 shots and had 2 takeaways. 8) Brooks Laich and Boyd Gordon both won 11 faceoffs each. Overall it was a very good night for the Capitals with the exception of the giveaways which continue to plague the Caps. Of course you'd have to expect that to win against the Bruins, the way they are playing now, any team would need to play sold hockey all night long.

As far as the "guess the lines" and pairing contest - the actual Caps lineup for this game were as follows:

Ovechkin - Backstrom - Semin (YES!!!)

Giroux - Nylander - Kozlov

Osala - Steckel - Laich

Brashear - Gordon - Bradley

Poti(YES!!!!) - Sloan

Jurcina - Alzner

Collins - Morrisonn.

So even though my predictions weren't that close, they weren't that far off - except for my wishful thinking to get Mike Green back into the lineup. Solid play by all the Caps tonight enabled a more even distribution of the minutes played across the entire roster and that's probably good for the injury situation the Caps are now dealing with.

Next up, the Ottawa Senators at "the phone booth" on Friday.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here They Are ... Your Washington Capitals

The latest from Kettler per Tarik and Corey, the Caps' walking wounded are looking better. Per Tarik with Mark's Musings added as noted below...

Tarik's Blog Today: "* Tyler Sloan said he's ready to play and is expecting to be in the lineup."
[Mark's Musing: I'm shocked a 27 year old rookie who has his best shot ever at sticking in the NHL is driving hard to get back in the lineup and on the ice quickly. I love this guy, he has heart, he's big and strong, and so far he's played with his head not over it. I hope he's doing the same thing here. Only his next two games will tell though.]

Tarik's Blog Today "* Mike Green said he's "90-percent" and wants to play. But he's going to see how he feels tomorrow morning before declaring himself ready. So I would say he's questionable to doubtful."
[Mark's Musing: Here's a guy who needs to be at least 90% to play "his" game. If he comes back at just barely 90%, I hope he takes it easy and plays himself into the lineup over 2-4 games else re-injury is a real possibility as is the possibility of him getting caught up ice on one of his "patented, super fun to watch" end to end rushes into the offensive zone. That said, he and Poti can't return to the line-up soon enough for my preferences.]

Per Tarik's Blog Today: "* Alexander Semin came off early and only shrugged his shoulders when I asked him if he was ready. I would say he's questionable/doubtful. But Keith Aucoin appears to have been sent back to Hershey. (The team has not confirmed the move, but he was the only packing up a hockey bag). If he has in fact been demoted, based on today's practice, that would make the second line Fleischmann-Nylander-Semin. That, of course, is assuming Semin is ready. But we probably won't know that until tomorrow."
[Mark's Musing: Another guy who can't come back soon enough, but one who apparently learned last season of the pitfalls of trying to play through too many injuries. Sasha is just awesome, can't wait for him to come back and once again bring that "Sidney Who" attitude and world class skills to the ice.]


Per Tarik's Blog Today: "* Tom Poti practice(d) at full strength for the first time today, but said he's going to wait until tomorrow before deciding whether to suit up. "
[Mark's Musing: can't wait till he's back, the call ups have been fairly good but Poti's steady presence and minute munching are as missed as Mike Green's; having the two of them back is the difference between hoping for a win thanks to good games from young, green players and expecting a win from "THE Washington Capitals."]

*Eric Fehr came off after only a few minutes and Boudreau said he doesn't expect him to be ready.
[Mark's Musing: I'm still not sold he'll ever reach his potential, but for his own sake, he needs to get back into the line-up as soon as he can and show he has the "grit" to play through some injuries. I know his shoulder was "filleted" in the injury but it's just a fact of life at his level and this juncture of his career, that's what he needs to do. Professional sports athlete is a very "Darwinian," dog eat dog profession. Right now, his absence is giving plenty of other guys from Hershey a chance to show the Capitals fans what they can do. You have to wonder for example if Qunitin Laing had taken that same hit and had the same injury if he wouldn't have still suited up and played through it on Sunday.]

Per Tarik's Blog Today: "* Alex Ovechkin was taking a "maintenance" day, but will be ready to go tomorrow."
[Mark's Musing: Here's a guy who maybe should take a game off but there's no way he won't be on the ice against the conference leading Bruins. Also maybe someone should tell him that while he's in his current condition, there's no need for him to make a run at leading the team in hits; not that it'll make a difference. Does Ovechkin even have a gear that's 3/4 speed? We DC Metro Area Hockey fans should just be thankful for every day he plays here and every game we get to watch him. Now we know what it was like being a hockey fan in Edmonton from 1983 - 1988 and watching Gretzky and Messier in their primes.]

Per Tarik's Blog Today: "* Sergei Fedorov worked out yesterday, Boudreau said, and reported being sore this morning. So he was held out of practice. He doesn't appear to be all that close."
[Mark's Musing: This impact is subtle but looking at the face offs won% last game - that part of me wants him back on the ice... However, he's not a kid and since we need his leadership and experience for the end of the season and the playoffs, I don't want him back before he's healed fully. Remember the impact of Semin's high ankle sprain in a 24 year old guy last season. ]

Per Tarik's Blog Today: "* John Erskine is up and down but hasn't been on skates in a while. "
[Mark's Musing: I know lots of fans don't think this is that big a deal; I do and can't wait for him to come back. When you look at his stats he's actually having a "mini-breakout" year and is also a lot of grit in the line-up. ]

Next up - Boston at the Verizon Center tomorrow night.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caps 4 - Lightning 2; Caps Tied For First In Southeast Division

Ovechkin Ends "Drought" With Score In Third;

Large, Boisterous Monday Night Crowd Has Very Enjoyable Evening

Well, all I can say is WOW! First off a SOLID "2 Point Night" - that's what it was. Last night's nationally televised NHL Game on Versus was the game held at Washington, DC's Verizon Center and it was a very, very good "testament" to why more people ought to become NHL fans. Per the game summary a crowd of 17, 932 attended the game; the crowd included me and one of my USMMA college friends, Rob. Rob and I started last evening off by have a very nice dinner at the bar at Clyde's. I mention this because as we were finishing up our dinner Nicklas Backstrom's father and a group of his friends and family came in to gather and have a drink or two before coming over to the game. Rob and I made it over to the Phone Booth earlier enough to catch the warmups from our seats in Section 103 and I noted Pappa Backstrom did as well from his seat in 102. However, it did appear that a good part of the "Backstrom Party" decided they needed to provide CLyde's with a larger economic stimulus package and didn't arrive until just before the National Anthem. In any case, I digress, back to the WOW - game.

Quick summary: Olie Kolzig returned to Washington, got a short, dignified tribute on the jumbotron during the first major stoppage of play, and then got peppered by the Caps for three goals in the first while his teammates pretty much let the Capital's "Young Guns + 1 (Tom Poti)" do so. After that the Caps played pretty defensively in the second period. Unfortunately at one point they got back on their heels on a Tampa Bay power play and Brent Johnson gave up his first goal of the night and several us in Section 103 lamented for him since the way he's been playing he deserves a shutout. During the third period Caps "ace" Alex Ovechkin ended his goaless streak at nine (9) games when he was set up masterfully by young guns Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom. All six goals scored by both teams "were good ones - no softies". Both Tampa Bay goals were scored on the power play and the four goals given up by Olie Kolzig were all goals where he didn't get much help, if any, from the team in front of him. Every Capital in the game was +/- 0 or better, Poti, Tyler Sloan, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, and Mike Green finished the evening +2. In addition to Ovechkin, the Caps other goals were scored by Tom Poti, Mike Green, and Eric Fehr. The Caps accomplished their mission (proving they could establish themselves early and control a game "start to finish") when the first period ended with the score 3-0. Even more emphatically the Caps' first two goals came on their first two shots of the game. The best player on the ice for the Caps last night though was the game's number one star: Brent Johnson. Johnnie stopped 34 of 36 shots.

More Details follow below.
Last night, the Caps came out for the start of the first period apparently determined to show the world that, despite letting up four goals so far this season on an opponent's first shot, they can establish themselves in the first period and control a game from start to finish. Even though the Lightning tallied the first four (4) shots of the game, Brent Johnson stopped them all with "routine saves", if there is such a thing at the NHL level of play. Then on the Capital's first shot of the game at 8:20 of the first period, with the "energy line" on the ice, Defenseman John Erskine made a solid outlet pass to Donald Brashear. Brashear carried the puck down the ice to the right side faceoff circle hash marks, stopped and did a move Caps fan's are more accustomed to seeing from Alexander Semin or Michael Nylander, got himself enough breathing room to put the puck right on the stick of Tom Poti, who, as they say, "put the biscuit in the basket." The goal was Poti's second of the year and matches his goal total through 71 games last season. The play was truly beautiful, and really goes to show the depth of offensive talent the Capitals. The Capitals second goal followed a short while later, on their second shot of the game. At the 9:55 mark, Nicklas Backstrom found Alexander Ovechkin at the left circle faceoff dot who when two Lightning defenders moved toward him, dished the puck deftly over to Mike Green who was following up as he often does on the right side. Green then put the puck past a "naked" and frustrated Olie the Goalie, his fifth tally of the season. Caps 2, Lightning 0.

The Capitals then "took it" to the Lightning for the remainder of the first period, they had several other solid scoring opportunities and Kolzig responded sometimes with a little help but often alone in keeping the Bolts within striking distance. Then at the 16:24 mark, in a setup that looked like it had probably been played out at least several times on the ice sheet in Hershey, Pa, Dave Steckel and Brooks Laich setup Eric Fehr who had no problem putting a laser beam into the open side of the net. Once again on the Caps third goal, it was solid, while the Lightning did have defenders in the zone they were nowhere near Fehr and had left Kolzig to fend for himself. Finally after the Caps third goal the Lightning tightened up their play and started to go to the net on Johnson. However, it was too little to late. Even though in the second period the Lightning outshot the Caps 18-6 and outscored them 1-0, Brent Johnson came up big when he needed to do so and the Caps never let the Bolts get too much momentum. Also, after the second intermission, it seemed as if the Caps once again began pressing their opportunities and forcing the play as much or more than the Bolts.

From a shots on goal perspective, the Caps and the Lightning each had 12 in the third period. Scoring wise the Caps opened the third period scoring with an even strength goal at the 15:54 mark from ... wait for it .... "CAPS GOAL AT 15:54 OF THE THIRD PERIOD BY NUMBER 8, ALEXANDER OVECHKIN." Jeff Schultz sent an outlet pass to Alexander Semin, who shot and Ovechkin blazed it by Kolzig to put the Caps up 4-1.

Later in the period at 17:51 Caps Defenseman John Erskine was whistled off for roughing, on a call that never would have been a penalty even a couple of years ago. Erskine was simply clearing the crease and mixing it up a little, "old time hockey style" with the Lightning in traffic. Like the marginal calls against Caps Left Wing Donald Brashear in the second for high sticking and the uncalled for "unsportsmanlike conduct" he, an alternate captain got for objecting to that call against him, it was a penalty that I call all part of Bettman's ruination of the sport. Hockey is a physical, contact sport and if Mr. Bettman really wants to see more goals scored he should do two things: 1) outlaw "the trap", and b) further restrict the size/width of a goalie's equipment. Instead he and his band of henchman at NHL headquarters want to outlaw or otherwise hamstring good, solid physical defensive play. Once again in the final two minutes of the game the Caps found themselves shorthanded and despite a pretty good night for the Caps penalty kill unit, yielded a goal to Gary Roberts, his second of the night. The game ended 4-2, with Barry Melrose, smartly and classily NOT pulling Olie Kozig while he was down three and two goals respectively.

The three stars of the game were:
3. Eric Fehr, 13 shifts, 10:13 TOI, 4 SOG, 2 Hits, 1 goal, +1 for the night - truly a solid
outing and demonstrative of the promise he has for the future.
2. Tom Poti, the 31 year old defensman, logged 21:04 of TOI in 27 shifts including 5:57 of PK time, had 2 SOG, 1 goal and was +2 for the night. Poti was only on the ice for one of the Lightning's two power play tallies and with 3 points in the last three games is playing far above his 2007-2008 offensive production and on track to have similar TOI and +/- numbers.
1. Brent Johnson: Johnnie had a save percentage of 0.944 turning away 34 of 36 Lightening shots. The only two goals he let in were when the Caps were a man down and in heavy traffic. His play in the second period when the Caps seemed to set back slightly on their 3 goal lead and were outshot 18-6 was even more excellent than his play in the first and third periods.

A couple of side notes, interesting facts and other thoughts related to last evening.
- 1. I'm just no longer a fan of Steve Eminger. When he was a Capital, I felt he had the promise and could maybe one day even be on par with a guy like Mike Green. After last night, I've decided he just doesn't have the character or class to ever reach his athletic potential. When he got frustrated in the second half of the game he just played lazy and dirty. For the life of me, watching from my seat in the stands in the right corner, lower lever, I have no idea how he wasn't called for at least three minors for holding/slashing and yes interference.
- 2. Contrary to what I've seen written elsewhere in the blogsphere - NONE of the goals were Olie Kolzig's fault and while the ultra-competitive Kolzig always wants "every one of them back" and occasionally, even at age 38, makes super-human saves, it's hard to see how he could have stopped any of the Caps goals even with a second chance. I couldn't agree more with Barry Melrose's reported quote when referring to the skaters on his team: "If I’m those guys, I can’t look Olie in the face. Probably the biggest game he’s played in years and they show up and do that for him. Those guys should all be hiding their eyes when they walk by Olie Kolzig tonight.”
- 3. My friend Rob, a Redskins' season ticketholder commented very positively on the size of the crowd, the energy level of crowd and the large % of fans in the stands with Caps Jerseys, particularly Red Sweaters. I couldn't agree more and note that an attendance at just shy of 18,000 folks at a Monday Night game against a Southeast Division Team when it's not April with the Caps fighting for that last playoff berth is indeed a positive commentary on what the Caps are doing right and how much the region is embracing these Capitals, this Coach and it's management. For my professional sports entertainment dollar there is no better value to be had. - 4. When the game was over, the Caps found themselves with a 1/2 game lead for the Southeast Division lead, tied at 18 points with the Carolina Hurricanes but with a game in hand. This situation should make for an interesting Wednesday Night @ the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC when the two team next meet. So far for November, the Hurricanes are 3-3-0. The Caps are 3-1-1 so far in November including a 3-2 win in regulation at Verizon Center in DC on November 5th.
- 5. For the game the Caps as a team were +20 on the night; they out hit the Lightning 20-15; and they were 51% in the faceoff circle. But statistically they lost the SOG category 36-30 and the giveaways/takeaways battle. The Lighting had 12 giveaways and 16 takeaways, while the Caps had 22 giveaways and 5 takeaways. Tampa Bay also has 17 blocked shots to the Caps 8.
- 6. So far on the season counting last night's victory the Caps have 18 points in 14 games. From a points available - points captured perspective that is 0.643 hockey and on pace for a 105 point season. That's not as great as it sounds given that so far this season so many games have ended in "3 point nights" that it may take as many as 100+ points to make the playoffs. However, it's infinitely better than being on pace to compete for the lottery pick like the Caps were on pace to do last season at this point in time.

Next up: Coralina Hurricanes, at the RBC Center, in Raliegh, NC, tommarrow night. I'll be "Rockin' the Red" from my seat in the ol' den in Bristow, VA.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Cardiac Kids (aka Washington Capitals) Nab Two More Points; Beat Rangers 3-1

Well the Caps did it again, another two (2) point night. In a goalies duel and nail biter, the Caps prevailed. Brent Johnson played an awesome game stopping 28 of 29 shots (save percentage 0.966) including a penalty shot by Rangers star Chris Drury. The Caps scored the first two goals of the night by following up and getting traffic in front of the net and Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. First at the 9:14 mark of the first period the Caps tallied on a relatively bizarre power play goal. Brooks Laich scored his 3rd goal of the season when Alexander Semin took a shot from the right circle that bounced off goalie Henrik Lundqvist, hit the back glass and came back toward the net. The puck ricocheted off the crossbar and struck Lundqvist on the top of the mask before Laich tapped it in midair into the net. "After further review" it was determined that Laich's tip-in wasn't a high stick and the goal stood. Later at the 17:06 mark, Tom Poti's first goal of the season was also the result of solid follow-up and traffic in front of Lundqvist. Boyd Gordon skated down the left side toward the net, where his shot was stopped by Lundqvist. Poti skated in from the right side with sold follow-up and was in position to stuff in the rebound. Once again, "after further review" (New York tried to argue the net was knocked off its moorings during Gordon's rush) the goal was upheld.

Ranger's all-star goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, was stingy for the rest of the game and didn't allow another Capital goal, he finished with 25 saves on 27 shots (a save percentage of 0.926.) The only Ranger goal came on the power play at 6:27 of the third period when Aaron Voros got a wrist shot by Brent Johnson. This goal was also "old time hockey" - in heavy traffic in front of the net.

Perhaps the biggest, most exciting moment of the game came with 10:35 left in the third stanza, when New York captain Chris Drury was awarded a penalty shot. But as Drury was about to take a backhander, Brent Johnson slid to his right and poke checked the puck away from him preserving the Caps one goal lead. The final burst of excitement for the night, was provided when at the 17:45 mark Alexander Semin was called for tripping. At the time of the call, most of us watching probably thought it was merely just a simple bad call for slashing against Semin, however, it was an even worse/horrible call for tripping, since no one tripped and Semin's stick never touched anything but the Ranger players stick. The Caps penalty killing unit and Brent Johnson were very solid holding the Rangers at bay even when they pulled Lundqvist 19:13 opting for the 6-4, 2 man advantage. After exiting the penalty box Semin, intent on redeeming himself, got the puck at the 19:54 mark, deep in the Caps end, and rocketed a slapshot the length of the ice, dead center into the empty net, for the insurance goal; his 11th of the season.

The three stars of the game were: 1) Brent Johnson, 2) Henrik Lundqvist, 3) Boyd Gordon. Other notable good perfromances by Captials were turned in by: Tom Poti; Tomas Fleischmann, Tyler Sloan, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Jeff Schultz, David Steckel, Donald Brashear, and Brooks Laich. Michael Nylander had a "light night", only 14 shifts and 12:52 of TOI but he won 7 of 9 faceoffs. No words on any blogs indicating any injury problem but we'll be watching the "wires". Sloan recalled to Washington from Hershey for his fifth (5th) NHL game, turned in another solid performance: 24 shifts, 16:49 TOI, had one (1) shot on goal, and two (2) takeaways, and was +1 on the night. Semin had a two point night - the empty net goal and an assist and was +1. Tom Poti and Boyd Gordon were both +2. Alexander Ovechkin led the Caps in Hits for the second game in a row with 4 and had 3 shots on goal, and though he failed to score for the ninth (9th) straight game, he was a factor in the game. John Erskine had perhaps his best game of the year so far, logging 17:40 of TOI on 19 shifts, 2 shots on goal, 2 hits and 2 blocked shots. Once again tonight, the Caps played disciplined hockey and had fewer penalties then their opponent for the second straight game.

Next up - Olie Kolzig and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Monday evening at "the phone booth", I'll be there watching in section 103, Rockin' the Red, with one of my USMMA Class of 1982 College Buddies, Rob. I can't wait, this season just keeps getting better and better.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!

Preseason Game Report: Capitals 5, Flyers 1

[Editor's Note: Sorry for the big gap in posts, work has been hectic and I was on the West Coast working for the period September 23rd until returning via a "red eye" yesterday morning. As those of you who follow ICx Technologies know, it's been a great time for us during these past few weeks with some great contract wins. Additionally, on Thursday night, just after finishing watching the Vice Presidential debate while waiting for my last flight of the trip home from Sea-Tac to Dulles, I was subjected to a new random search during which the TSA personnel used an ICx Technologies' Fido PaxPoint. The random gate check and the subsequent utilization of ICx's product to check the plane was, like our contract wins over the last two weeks, another milestone as it means TSA is evolving it's protocols to capitalize on the instruments key features. So while having my personal life somewhat "hijacked" over the past couple of months hasn't been all that great, overall it's been worth it and I wouldn't change a thing. Last night's Caps-Flyers game was the first preseason game I've been able to attend this year and after a red-eye back to Dulles that arrived at 6AM, I watched the game through a couple of slightly bleary eyes so I don't expect this next post will be my best ever. Final note - this year I am splitting my tickets with a USMMA Class of 1982 classmate of mine so will only be in attendance at the "Phone Booth" for half of the home games blog posts for the others will be based on the perspective that we all get watching on TV. That said, hopefully, with the regular season getting ready to start, I'll be able to resume and continue worthwhile, meaningful blog posts here.]


Last night's Caps-Flyers game was another testament to how far the Capitals have come and how successful the now concluded "rebuild" has been. The richness and depth of the Capitals talent bank was readily apparent all night long and in all perspectives. The game ended in a 5-1 victory for the Capitals and they are now 5-1-0 on the preseason, fully rebounding from the 2-1 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday night.


The Caps outplayed the Flyers all night long. While only leading 1-0 at the end of the first period, the Caps outshot the Flyers 8-3 despite taking 4 penalties to the Flyers 2 during the game's first stanza. During the Flyers second power play (while Jay Beagle was in the "sin bin" for hooking), Alex Ovechkin scored his second shorthanded goal of the preseason. Ovechkin faked a slapshot, threaded the needle with a pretty "wrister" between now-Flyer Steve Eminger's legs, and put it through goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin's "5-hole" to put the Capitals up 1-0 at 15:00 of the first period. It was an awesome move and goal, the kind of goal Caps fans have come to expect from our hero and it brought the crowd, and seemingly the Capitals to life. The other highlights of the period were Jay Beagle and Chris Bourque's solid and energetic play as they both fight to show Bruce Boudreau and the rest of the coaching staff they deserve a spot on the big team's roster.

The second period started with the Caps (again) shorthanded and on the penalty kill. The Caps went up 2-0 on a very "Chris Clark-like" goal by Chris Clark on the power play. Clark took a pass from Ovechkin, took the first shot then followed up and "banged in" his own rebound at 3:50 of the period. At 8:50 into the period, while both teams were at full strength, Nicklas Backstrom made it 3-0 on a goal assisted by Brooks Laich and Ovechkin. It was a nice "old time hickey" goal made possible by Laich's usual scrappy play in front of the net. During the second period while Caps Goalie Jose Theodore didn't see much action (the Flyers had 7 shots during the second period) he was tested several times and met those tests every time and came up big twice. Theodore's play throughout the night was better than solid and he proved he's the real deal. Caps fans should have fun comparing Theodore to Christobel Huet next Saturday in the Cap's home opener against the Blackhawks. This author predicts more then a few "Jose, Jose, JOSE!!" chants if Theodore's play then matches his play last night.

The third period started with a lot of action. Chris Clark took an interference penalty and went to the penalty box at 3:50 of the period. The Flyers capitalized on the man advantage at 5:18 when Daniel Briere tallied with assists from Mike Knuble and Mike Richards. Briere, Philadelphia's $6.5 million per year, diminutive man followed up his power play goal with what was his worst shift of the night and probably the worst shift he's had in a long time. The Cap's fourth goal of the night came at 8:19 of the third period and ended a shift where "Little Danny" aka "Danny the Diver" aka "Dan The Man Caps Fans Love to Hate" had 2 giveaways and went -1. For the record despite his documented clip of Shoanne Morrisson, Briere's overall stats for the night were an inauspicious 1 goal, no assists, -3 on the night. Throughout the night, Briere was consistently "boo-ed" by the fans at Verizon Center. Personally, this author thinks the most hospitable, polite fans in hockey - Washington routinely is hospitable to fans of other teams who come to games - showed their usual well mannered restraint. We probably should however request that Caps and Verizon Center management ban the wearing of Daniel Briere Flyer jerseys, and for that matter any hockey jersey ever worn by Jaromir Jagr by attendees to Caps games. It just seems the right thing to do. The goal that ended Briere's worst shift of the game came off the stick of Thomas "Flash" Fleischman and was assisted by Chris Bourque and Sergei Federov. The final score of the game came at 14:03 when Eric Fehr banged home another "old time hockey" goal, following through and jamming the puck through and under Flyer goalie Martin Biron. Fehr's goal, the Capitals fifth of the night was assisted by Jeff Schultz and his defensive partner Sergei Federov.

Overall the Caps looked very good and played disciplined hockey. Shift changes though still not up to regular season standards went relatively smoothly. Average shift lengths were reasonable for everyone on the roster. Ovechkin and Mike Green had the longest average shift times at an acceptable 0:56/shift. As has been mentioned, Jay Beagle, called up from Hershey in recognition for his play last Wednesday in Philadelphia, made an impact in just about all 15 of his shifts including stepping into the fray between Scott Hartnell and Ovechkin in the third period to make sure the Caps star didn't need to get into a fight. Chris Bourque played with an abandon and style that he didn't display when he was called up to the big club last season. When he was paired with Ovechkin and Backstrom he played with the speed and skill needed to round out the talents of his line-mates and was the first guy in that pairing/line to really add to their speed. When he played with the other's fighting for a roster spot, he displayed a physical aspect to his game that not many 5'7" guys could at the NHL level. Bourque's stats were 3 shots, 1 assist, +1, and 1 hit in 17 shits and 12:08 of ice time. Mike Green led the Caps in ice time (24 shifts and 22:35), Alexander Ovechkin was second (21 shifts, 19:42) and "steady eddy" Tom Poti was third (25 shifts, 18:50). Karl Alzner had a solid night 1 blocked shot, 17:33 TOI in 23 shifts.

The Caps last preseason game is tomorrow at Verizon Center at 5PM, I've given our seats to Jason from our office, even though he grew up in Pittsburgh and indicates he's a Penguins fan. The Caps open their season on the road, Friday night, in Atlanta and then the home opener is on Saturday against the Blackhawks when they will raise their 2007-2008 Southeast Division championship banner to the rafters of the VC. Personally I can't wait till next Saturday. I hoping to watch Jose Theodore notch a shutout and the Great Eight have another four (4) goal night against Christobel Huet. That might be enough to stop others from wondering if the Caps have the right team to go all the way and it would be just deserts for Huet who left a sure contender when he opted for the free agency route he went for. The game should be even better since my favorite wing man will be there with me.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!

Caps 4 - Blue Jackets 3 (F OT)

Well, as anticipated, last night's hockey game in Columbus was a tough one and a nail biter. They say in big games, big players - play big. That was the case tonight for Alexander Ovechkin, Rick Nash, Tom Poti and to a lesser degree Alexander Semin, Victor Kozlov, Dave Steckel, Mike Green, Ron Hainsey, Adam Foote, Jason Chimera, and Nickolai Zherdev all came with their "A games on." Since I was channel flipping between the game and the election coverage on CNN and had a late telcon for work that caused me to miss the first 7:45 of the first period, I may have missed a few things but to me the highlights were:

- Tom Poti's play particularly his two saves/blocked shots, his hit and of course his first goal of the season that tied it up at 3-3 at 13:07 of the third period. Without Poti in the game it could easily have been a 5-2 loss at the end of regulation.

- Alexander, the great, Ovechkin's goals, both of them, but particularly the first where e scored on a 1 on 4 breakaway. Ovie, along with Dave Steckel also led the team in hits with three (3)

- Alexander Semin's goal, a classic example of "great hands". Also Semin's play all night, as he played smart, hustled every shift, and he worked to be in the low slot and in great scoring positions, even when guys like Foote were working to get him out of the slot. Semin also went the night without taking any penalties, let alone "bad" penalties.

- Seeing that the shuffle in lines one and two will work, a highlight was Eric Fehr's play. Fehr was ever present around the goal and pressing for the puck, forcing the Blue Jackets to give some more room to both Backstrom and Ovechkin. Fehr had 2 shots, 2 attempts blocked, 2 missed shots, and 1 blocked shot in 20 shifts and 16:46 of ice time. Altogether he had a good first NHL game of the season and played smart hockey.

- Even though it's hard to say this Rick Nash's first goal a "shortie" during a Caps 2 man advantage was a beutiful goal and a highlight. His second goal where the referee Bill McCreary took Shoanne Morrison out of the play, giving Nash another 1-0 breakaway was not as pretty all things considered.


- Finally, the biggest highlight, "a two point night" as the Caps travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers at Wachovia Center tonight.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!

Caps 5 - Panthers 3; Caps Are 7-2-1 in Last 10 Games

It's an awesome evening - because of the weather and other commitments I watched tonight's Caps game on TV from home so can only comment from the vantage point one gets via Comcast.

Tonight's game was exciting to watch and I'm not sure that was such a good thing. When the Panthers scored their third goal of the evening I felt exactly like Coach Boudreau and if my lip reading skills are any good - we said the same thing too. But this isn't the same team it was in early November so instead of folding the Caps came back to take the lead 4-3 on another beautiful goal by Alexander Semin on a rebound off an AO wrist shot after a great setup pass by Nicklas Backstrom.

The Caps were dominate except for the first 10 minutes of the second period, and how the Panthers got back in to the game during that time is a testament to their offensive capabilities. The Caps ended the first period leading 3-0; at the end of two it was 4-3 and of course at the final horn it was 5-3 Caps. For the evening Victor Kozlov had two goals on 4 shots; Ovechkin had goal and an assist on 9 shots; Backstom had 4 assists and 3 shots, 3 takeaways and won 9 of 20 face offs - the four assists tied a Caps rookie record according to Laughlin and Bennati; and Semin had a goal on two shots and put on two stick handling clinics for the Panthers defense. Brent Johnson had a solid night between the pipes for the Caps turning back 25 of 28 shots. Collectively the Washington pucksters out shot their Florida foes 35 - 28, won 61% of the face offs, killed 4 of 6 penalties (66.6%) and scored 3 power play goals on 5 chances (60%). Tom Poti logged 29:27 of ice time and according to super stats had a hit. I didn't see the hit and didn't see him finish a check all evening. From what I saw this wasn't number 3's best game, though he did end up +/- +2 for the night and he led the Caps in ice time by more than 4:00 on a night where they got a two goal win. Mike Green logged 25:10 of ice time had 2 assists but was +/- -1 for the evening since for the statistics he was on the ice for 1 Panthers goal at even strength and all three Caps power play goals. One of two pleasant surprise of the night was John Erskine's play. Erskine logged 18:31 of ice time on 30 shifts, scored a goal, and was +/- +2 for the night. Additionally Erskine did a good job playing a physical game and holding his own. The pleasant surprise was Jeff Schultz's play and his willingness to mix it up when the Panthers started taking liberties with Brent Johnson. The sixth defenseman tonight was Milan Jurcina (vice Steve Eminger); Jurcina had a decent night logging 15:16 of ice time on 21 shifts, 3 hits and a blocked shot.

Tonight's win means the Caps have played 0.654 hockey (a 107 point pace) since the coaching change; and when they wake up tomorrow, they will wake up in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points one point ahead of both the Florida Panthers and the Buffalo Sabres who both lost tonight. They will also be two points out of the playoffs, behind the eighth place Boston Bruins, the ninth place ninth place New York Rangers and the tenth place Atlanta Thrashers, all of whom have 49 points. They also now find themselves only three points behind the Southeast Division leading Carolina Hurricanes; however the Hurricanes have played 50 games so far this season, and Atlanta 49 games while the Caps have only played 47.

Things are getting interesting around the "Phone Booth" and they are also getting more fun to watch every game. If you were counting the Caps went 4-1 during this home stand and they are 6-1-1 versus Southeastern Division opponents and 13-7-3 against Eastern Conference opponents. Even more promising, if you are looking to be optimistic is the fact that of the 35 remaining games, the Caps will play Eastern Conference Teams 30 times (none of which will be against the best team in the east, the Ottawa Senators who the Caps beat 4-0 in this years series.) Additionally of the 35 remaining games, the Caps play Southeast Division opponents 13 more times (Atlanta: 4 times - 2 home, 2 away; Carolina: 3 times - 1 home - 2 away; Florida: 3 times - 1 home, 2 away; and Tampa Bay: 3 times - 1 home, 2 away) . Finally should the Caps find themselves really surging to solidify a playoff berth or the Southeast Division lead they finish the season with a three game home stand at Verizon Center against Carolina, Tampa Bay and Florida during the first week of April. Given the fact that this season they are 9-8-2 overall against Southeast Division rivals (even including the horrible month of November where they went 1-7-2 against SE foes), you have to at feel the Caps a realistic chance of making the playoffs.

Next up: Pittsburgh (without injured Sidney Crosby) in the Igloo in Steeltown on Monday; then a home & home against the Toronto Maple Leafs who have won their last three on Wednesday and Thursday. The next home game is Esskay dollar dog night on Thursday against the Maple Leafs. It's all good - LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,

Caps Win Shootout In Ottawa 8-6

The Caps came out flying against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place tonight. Just over 1 minute into the game, Alexander Semin took the puck from behind the Senator net and put it into the goal right in front of a stunned Martin Gerber. Semin's goal, his 6th of the season, was unassisted. Slightly over 3:40 later, the Caps power play, which had been dormant their prior three games, came alive when Alexander Ovechkin netted his 27th goal of the season and first goal of the night. Ovechkin's tally was assisted by Mike Green and Semin. At 11:36 of the period, Shoane Morrison took an interference call and the Senators' Daniel Alfredsonn netted his 23rd goal of the season with helpers from Wade Redden and Dany Heatley on the Senators' power play. As the first period ended, the Caps took a 2-1 lead into the locker room. Each team had taken two penalties and the game looked like it was going to be a good, close typical NHL Eastern Conference relatively defensive battle, even though the Caps had out shot the Senators 11-2.

The second period started with the Caps Nicklas Backstrom getting a tripping penalty at 0:43 which the Caps successfully killed off. At about 3:13 Backstrom, just out of the sin bin, made a nifty backhand move to outlet Ovechkin who then executed a textbook give and go with Tom Poti that resulted in the AO getting his second goal of the night (28th of the season) and giving the Caps a 3-1 lead. The Caps then had to kill off a questionable call tripping penalty that Tomas Fleischmann got at 4:06 before the Senators Mike Fisher got a questionable call for holding that went the Caps way at 5:43. After the brief 4-4 that resulted, the Caps power play converted a goal by Michael Nylander that was a beautiful setup by Rookie Nicklas Backstrom. It was one of those plays that Backstrom has made all month where he looks like a seasoned veteran rather than a rookie. It was also his second assist of the night/period. At this point (6:41 in the second period) the Caps were in clear control of the game by a score of 4-1 and in every statistical category but faceoffs won. At 8:49, Shean Donovan was called for holding and the Senators penalty killing unit played with abandon determined not to yield another goal to the resurgent Capitals. In fact a little over 1 minute into the penalty the Senators sprung their team captain, Daniel Alfredsson on a 1-0 breakaway that resulted in Mike Green interfering with him from behind and Alfredsson getting a penalty shot. If tonight's game was going to be storybook for Caps fans, Olie Kolzig would have stoned Alfredsson, but that was not the case; Alfredsson scored on a set of beautiful moves and a pretty goal at 10:06 re-energizing the Senators for much of the rest of the second period. At about the 18:00 mark, the Caps surged in response to a push by the Senators, siezed control of the pace of the game, and played the majority of the final two minutes of the second period in the Senators zone. After a couple of late scoring chances, Nicklas Backstrom got his first goal and third point of the night with assists from Victor Kozlov and Alexander Ovechkin with 00:03 left on the clock for the period (19:57). At the end of two it was Caps 5, Senators 2 and this game was looking more like a Western Conference shootout, but the Capitals still seemed to have things well in hand. The period ended with a hockey fight between the Senators Chris Neal and the Capital's tough guy Donald Breshear that saw "Brash" land numerous good punches in a fight started by Neal before Neal finally responded, they fell to the ice and the refs/linesman could break the heavyweight bout up. In addition to the fight, Brashear played a pretty solid game even though he only had 6:34 of ice time.

To say "all hell broke loose" in the third period would be cliche', but the goal total between both teams in the third period was seven (7). The Senators scored first on a slap shot by Jason Spezza at 4:08 and at 6:41 Mike Fisher scored his first of the night, and the Senators second shorthanded goal of the evening as well, pulling the Senators to within one at 5-4. The pace of play clearly picked up at this point and both teams responded playing exceptionally exciting hockey. It was clear somebody was going to score again but who? At 9:13, during a line change, Tomas Fleschman passed the puck to an oncoming Alexander Semin who drove into the Senators zone, with some excellent stick handling, before pulling up and passing the puck over to Michael Nylander who put the puck into the other side of the net, top shelf, on Gerber and putting the Caps up by two goals once again. At 11:38, Caps penalty killing machine and defensive forward, Dave Steckel was called for holding when the Caps were trapped in their zone for too long and he was pushing to try and break up a well developed play by the Senators awesome first line. On the resulting Senators power play, Mike Fisher netted his 13th of the season for his second goal of the night and the Senators were once again within one at 6-5 Caps. Clearly this game was not your usual defensive one goal Eastern Conference night any longer. The Senators sellout crowd was again energized and it seemed all bets might be off for the Caps. However, a little over a minute later, at 13:46 after getting a pass from Jeff Schultz; Alexander Ovechkin netted his third goal of the night (the third hat trick of his career) putting the Caps two goals up again at 7-5.

Since great teams never say die and never give up, and the Eastern Conference leading Senators are having another great year, that's exactly what they did at this point - "kicking it up another notch" as Emeril would say. The Capitals responded as well, Ovechkin began double-shifting, clearly the adrenalin of the hat trick trumped whatever negative effects his cut thigh was having. At about 17:30, the Senators pulled Martin Gerber for the extra skater and at 17:55 Mike Fisher scored his third of the night, getting his hat trick and making the score 7-6 Caps. The Caps responded and made several good plays, breaking up Senator rushes, and making it hard for the Senators to set up again, despite the fact they again were playing 6 skaters on 5. At just over 19:00, Ovechkin got a bouncing puck took it out and pushed it toward the net looking like he'd get his fourth of the night then, but it hit the outside of the post and icing was called on the Caps. The Senators took the next face off; Olie Kolzig made one of his 16 saves of the night and Ovechkin broke up another Senators play. This time Ovie pushed a solid wrist shot down the center of the ice and scored his fourth of the night; an empty netter at 19:32 as the six Senator skaters on the ice could do nothing but watch him collect his 30th goal of the season.

It wasn't pretty, but it was exciting to watch. The Caps got two points they very much needed on a night when all the teams in the Southeast Division played and the Hurricanes, Panthers and Lightning all lost, which means the Capitals are no longer in the cellar. The sole SE Division Cellar dwellers are now the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the rest of the Eatern Conference, Toronto and the Boston Bruins also lost however the Flyers and the Atlanta Thrashers won. The number 7 and 8 teams in the Eastern Conference are now Buffalo and the Bruins each tied with 40 points. The Caps are five points (2 1/2 games) back with 35 points. The point range between the final four playoff spots in the Conference is 1 game (42 points for # 5 Pittsburgh; 40 points for # 8 Boston); and the Caps have just completed their best month of hockey since the end of the 2002-2003 season.

Despite the final result, there were some things to look to improve tonight, while statistically Tom Poti had a good night (+/- +2; 23:11 of Ice Time and 1 assist), but when he looks at the game tapes he'll likely be unhappy with his play during the first period Alfredsonn goal; the Spezza goal; and the last two goals by Mike Fisher. In particular the two Fisher tip-ins where he gave Fisher enough room in front of Olie to make the plays will likely catch his eye. Since Poti is the team's number one defenseman, even though his offensive play tonight was very good, he got burned a couple of times in the Capitals end. As the number one, mature, go to defensive guy, he's just expected to be held to a higher standard. Mike Green's move, that resulted in Alfredsson's penalty shot probably wasn't a smart penalty either nor were the two other times he got caught too far up and yielded breakaways. But Green is young and other than the Alfredsson move, he got away with his mistakes because Kolzig made the saves. Poti is a big guy as are Schultz, Jurcina and Morrisonn, when those guys are on the ice, nobody should be able to camp in the low or mid-slot in front of the Caps net. On the other hand, Olie Kolzig had a better night than the stats indicate. Statistically, Kolzig stopped 16 of 22 (a SV % of just 0.727); but there were at least three times when he came up with the big save on the Senators big scorers that kept the Caps ahead. On the downside, for the first game in several, the third and fourth line did NOT contribute to the scoring.

When you go in to the Division Leader's home ice and come away with two points, you can't get too negative, but the third period of this game was not the best hockey the Caps have played this month. Bottom line: a two point night on the road - thanks for the excitement Caps!

Next game - home at Verizon Center, against these same Ottawa Senators. Hope to see you ring in the New Year; I'll be there rooting for two points to start 2008. LETS GO CAPS!!!!

Merry Christmas - Looking Forward To Tommarrow Night's Game

Merry Christmas, it's been a wonderful day here at home. I got several great gifts from my wife and son; they went all out and got me some fun gadgets for my bar that I got a real kick out of - a neat wine chiller from Brookstone and a bar caddy that dispenses pre-measured shots from 4 different bottles and looks pretty spiffy. I always get a real kick out of getting folks things they didn't ask for, but really like and wouldn't buy for themselves; this year I was on the receiving end of two of those, one from each of my favorite people in the world. Even better, tomorrow night I'll go to my first Caps Home game of December and my son is coming with me. The main reason I ever got Caps season tickets is/was to spend some time with my son, doing something we enjoy together; so when we can go to the games together it's especially great to me. Now that he is focused on finishing his senior year of high school in style, and busy doing all those things that teenagers do and that take time, it's rare we get to a weeknight game together, so watching the Caps vs. the Lightning this week will be a real treat.


What about this budding match up? Well, with a few puck bounces the Caps way, it's not hard to envision them finishing the night one (1) point behind the Lightning. The real questions leading up to the night center on the defensive pairings, with Brian Pothier still out and the issues with the Schultz/Erskine pairing evidenced last game, don't be surprised to see Steve Eminger on the blue line for the Caps. Eminger's mobility opens up a lot of possibilities for Coach Bruce Boudreau to consider; but, don't expect things to get too fancy until number 44 comes out and proves himself. It appears most fans will be rooting for him to do just that. One of the more enjoyable things for Caps fans to watch this season has been Mike Green's maturation and what looks like it will be a breakout season for the young defenseman. Jeff Schultz has had his ups and downs so far but also looks like he'll be a steady top four defenseman for the Caps, as well. With the continued tough road ahead to any chance of a post season appearance by their team, the Caps faithful are taking solace in the improving performance of these "home grown" young defensemen. A solid performance b y Eminger would give them another reason to celebrate the improving defensive side of the team.


Two of these pleasant "surprises" the last two games, have been Shoanne Morrisonn and Milan Jurcina. Against the Islanders, Jurcina looked like he was going to be caught out of position and burned twice, however on both occasions he got back and broke up the developing plays himself, finishing the game with a +/- rating of +1 after logging a respectable 16:10 of ice time. Morrisonn is clearly maturing into a stalwart, "defensive" D-Man and is being counted on for more ice time and to anchor the Capitals Defense in shorthanded situations. Statistically this handicaps him with regards to +/- ratings, yet Morrisonn has regularly had very good games like he did against the Isles where he logged 23:15 of ice time including 2:21 while the Caps were shorthanded. He ended the Isles game -1, he wasn't on the ice during any of the Caps goals and was out when Bill Guerin scored a relatively soft goal at 17:54 of the third period, while Morrisonn's defensive partner Mike Green was down on the ice after getting a cut to the head that could otherwise have resulted in a play stoppage had the referees seen the injury. Overall, for the year Morrisonn is -3, despite logging considerable ice time and a lot of penalty killing minutes. He has clearly shown he deserved the two year contract extension the Caps gave him this past off season when they re-signed him as a restricted free agent (RFA).


Another positive since the coaching change, has been Tom Poti's blue line play; Washington fans are no longer questioning managements foray into the free agent pool that landed Poti in DC this past off season. Despite the losing effort before the Christmas break, Poti led the team in ice team with 26:10 and had a +/- rating of +2 for the game. He leads the team in ice time and has done so in 24 of 30 outings this season; yet to score a goal this season, Poti is fifth on the team with 11 assists and overall is -3 +/- rating.


All in all tomorrow's contest should be a great home game for the Caps. The Lightning have the worst road record in the league this season and both teams come in to the game off losses. Everyone will be rested and the game should draw a fair sized crowd, given the holiday timing. If the Caps blank Lecavalier and St. Louis; AO gets a hat trick +1 and the Blue Jackets blank Kovalchuk, Caps fans might be on the road to getting what they want for Christmas. The team's star will be tied for the goal scoring lead, the team will be two points closer to pulling out of the cellar of the Southeast division, and the Caps will have completely dominated their division rival Lightning sending a resounding message to the league they are not the team they were before their coaching change. Merry Christmas & LETS GO CAPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caps lose to Isles 3-2 in OT; Probably Need to Play 0.674 Rest of Way to Make Playoffs

Tonight's game between the Caps and the Islanders ended up being a heart breaker for Caps fans like me. Olie Kolzig made a lot of key saves to keep the Caps in it and Alex Ovechkin's goal with the empty net (6 on 5) to tie it with under a minute left was cause for hope. Unfortunately, there were a lot of low points, the Caps were out shot 31-16 through three periods and OT and the final score didn't go their way. For their part, the Islanders played intensely all night earning the two points, and had far too many chances to put the Caps away long before Richard Park notched the OT winner.

Olie Kolzig kept the Caps in it however, he didn't have that "human wall night" the Caps needed in order to get two points while only putting 16 shots on net. In fact, on the Isles first goal and the game winner Kolzig couldn't be happy and probably would, as they say, like both those goals back. Speaking of the OT game winner by Park, it was a relatively soft goal and at the time their was an injured Mike Green down on the ice with blood coming from his ear. From a "slightly" biased Caps fan's perspective it would seem play should have been whistled dead, but that apparently is not the case. The Caps are now 4-4-2 so far in the month of December. With three more games against Eastern Conference opponents left before the New Year, the Caps really need 4 or 5 of the 6 available points if they are to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. That's a tough pill to swallow in December when the season's end is 3+ months away. Even though the Caps are clearly resurgent since the coaching change and are a far better team than their overall record of 13-19-4 would suggest.


On the plus side tonight - the Caps continue to have confidence and never give up. Olie had a solid night and looked like a number one goalie should. Alex Semin seems like he's back in the swing of things and the second line looked pretty solid, though I didn't think last night was Nicklas Backstrom's best outing. Despite being out shot by an almost 2-1 margin the Caps stayed in the game quite well. The Defense pairings of Morrisonn-Green and Poti-Jurcina were very solid. Milan Jurcina had a very solid game and made sure he didn't get burned regardless who he was on the ice with, ending the night +1 while Tom Poti ended the evening +2. Morrisonn - Green didn't fare quite so well ending the evening -1 however both had over 23 minutes of ice time. Tom Poti and Quintin Laing's penalty killing continues to look solid both players along with Dave Srteckel and Shoanne Morrisonn were on the ice for over 2:00 of the Islanders three power plays, and the Caps penalty killing was 100%.


On the minus side there were also many items to be disappointed about. First the Caps got out shot 2-1 and their forechecking didn't look as good as it has since the coaching change. This is as much a compliment of the Islanders play if not more so then an indictment of the Caps forechecking. As I noted the Semin-Backstom combination still clearly needs time to mature and Ovie hasn't scored an "even strength goal" in the last two games (last night's goal occurred with 6-5, despite being statistically counted as an even strength goal. On the defensive pairing negatives, I hate being right with my negative vibes - it was doubly bad for the Caps when my negative waves AND dmg's are both correct on the same play, as was the case with the Islanders first goal. The Defensive pairing on the ice was Schultz - Erskine; Erskine didn't have a chance and Schultz was pinching before Miroslav Satan broke out and Schultz couldn't get back. Just like I feared with this pairing the result was not good for the Caps. Of course Satan then when lateral across the front of the net on a 1-0 breakaway and Olie's cross movement was slow so he made the first move and got beat. It was a pretty goal that capitalized (no pun intended) on two Caps weaknesses - Olie's lateral mobility and Erskine's skating. As a counter to the penalty killing which held the Islanders to 0-3; the Caps powerplay was also 0-3 and languishes in mediocrity with regard to results, despite the presence of so many solid young offensive forces. Another tough pill to swallow is the Caps overall offensive production - only one Cap, Alex Ovechkin, has more than 10 goals as the season's midpoint nears.

Alex Semin's goal that tied the game was bittersweet, but at the end of two period the Caps had been out shot 20-8 by the Islanders, and the boys in blue certainly seemed be dominant. Overall with a 0.903 save percentage for the game and a 0.950 during the first two periods with lots of action, it's hard to put the game or blame on Olie. The vaunted Caps offense needs to get rev'ed up. It sure seemed the Caps were trying too many long passes and at times were man-handled by the Islanders. During the second period, two other occasions where the Islanders just rode the opposing Caps off the puck. One of those occasions occurred when Jeff Schultz was holding the puck too long. It seemed the reason for this mistake was again grounded in the pairing with Erskine, who was on the ice at the time - it seemed clear Schultz was looking for a winger to come back and get the puck from him so he wouldn't need to pass it to Erskine. Erskine and his Old Time Hockey style are fun to watch, and at times energize the rest of the team, but he almost let his temper get the best of him and gave up a man advantage. That said the operative word in the prior sentence is almost - he didn't draw a penalty and the Caps got the man advantage when Park was called for boarding. Unfortunately the Caps power play did not convert.

The best thing the Caps could have done was come out for the third period and act like they had an all out 20 minute hockey game to play; since essentially that was the case. The third period certainly seemed different then the first two - the tempo of the game and the Caps control of the puck seemed different. Each team had 7 shots and scored one goal so it was a much more even period statistically then the first two. However the truth be told, depite seeming to control the play frm 8:00 into the period through 15:00 or 16:00 into the period, the Caps let the Isles score a go ahead goal at 17:54 and had to pull Olie so Ovechkin could score a tying goal at 19:05 to force overtime. With a +/- of -1 in 12:58 of ice time for John Erskine and a -2 in 20:12 of ice time for Jeff Schultz last night; it would seem that Steve Eminger would have a fair chance of playing some during the last three games in December.



The amazing thing to most observers is that with only 30 points and the midpoint of the season quickly approaching the Caps still don't have to play over 0.700 hockey to make the playoffs. The reason is that when you extrapolate the current performance of the Eastern Conference teams only 6 teams are clearly on track to gain 92 or more points. The final two spots are clearly still up for the taking by any of the remaining 9 teams in the division. LETS GO CAPS !!!! Oh and Merry Christmas to all.