Where Are They Today - Unsigned UFA's That I Like and/or Follow For Whatever Reason....

Well hockey fans todays in today's post I figured I'd run through TSN's UFA tracker and try and figure out where the various players I like and/or otherwise follow for whatever reason who are listed by them as unsigned are today.  Do they have tryouts in somebody's camp?  Have they signed overseas? Are they still sitting by the phone?  Did they retire, etc?  This list will seem random to most readers - there's usually little logic or trend to the reasons why I care to know about how these players careers might continue from here on out.  I just do...  if I have a reason to care then I'll probably say why I care in this post as well, if I don't say that reason then I really don't know why they still are in my "field of view", etc.... So here goes in the order in general as they appear on the sort by last years team I looked at.

David Steckel - the now 32 year old Center with 9 NHL seasons and 425 regular season games played was invited to the Anaheim Ducks but remains unsigned.  Why I follow - always liked him, think he is a solid teammate and who doesn't like a Center who has from time to time led the NHL in face offs won %.  Also every time I've looked at him since he was traded I've shook my head that I can't believe he's had 9 seasons where he played at least a game in the NHL - it seems like he was a rookie yesterday.  Finally I hope he gets back in the league and lights things up so he's not just a trivial pursuit answer to a hockey question with Sidney Crosby's name in it - he's too much of a mensch to have that fate, IMO.

Ville Leino - the 30 year old Finnish Center who was bought out of his contract this past summer by the Sabres remains unsigned but was invited to training camp by the Boston Bruins.  If he remains unsigned this season he'll still make $1.22M/ year through the 2019 -2020 season.  That said I expect if he doesn't make the Bruins he will catch on somewhere in the NHL, the KHL or the Finnish Elite League.  Just watch a replay of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals and you'll see why this guy is going to continue to play for someone, just not anybody who will pay him as much as he was making before he was bought out.  I follow him because he was just so awesome, IMO, in those 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Michal Handzus -  According to Yahoo! Sports the 37  year old Center has reportedly been talking to several teams, but nothing has been worked out yet. At 37 years old and with 15 seasons in the NHL and $32.5 Million of career earnings and with a beautiful wife, it can't be too hard to be Michal even though it sounds like he's waiting for the phone to ring.

Martin Brodeur - The 42 year old goalie with just shy of $82M of career earnings and a at least one first ballot Hall of Fame career under his belt reportedly remains in search of a team who will sign him and give him the opportunity to win 12+ more regular season games and reach the 700+ Win plateau.  I follow him because hey who else is even close to 700+ regular season wins, BTW last season he won 19 games, had 3 shut outs and had a 0.901 SV%.  Not bad for a guy on the "back end" of his career.

Radek Martinek - The 38 year old defenseman remains unsigned and well below the radar. Why do I follow him - I don't really know I guess his name sounds cool and he looks like a stereotypical eastern euro villain in a James Bond flick whenever I look at a picture of him.

Joe Finley - The 6'8", 27 year old defenseman from UND was invited to the Montreal Canadians Training Camp but remains unsigned.  I guess both Canadians Management and Finley are hoping that by the end of camp he looks something like Hal Gill used to in the Red White and Blue of Montreal but I don't think that's going to happen.  Why do I follow him - I had high hopes for him coming out of the NCAA to the Bears and Caps and hey he's huge so there's that too...

Daniel Carcillo - The 29 year old professional "pest" has been signed to a tryout contract by the Penguins, who haven't had an "almost felon" on their team since trading Matt Cooke but I guess with all the coaching and GM changes they want to change that too. Listed as both a LW and a RW by TSN, I guess Carcillo in addition to his other talents is an "ambi-turner."

Paul "BizNasty 2.0" Bissonnette - the 29 year old wiing, with the awesome right hook, great sense of humor, $5.25M of career earnings and large internet/twitter following, was invited to the Saint Louis Blues traning camp.  Hope he makes the team as I love some of his tweets.  the guy cracks me up.

Jeff Halpern - The 38 year old Center and Washington DC native and former Capitals Captain with 14 seasons of NHL experience remains unsigned.  His was the first Capitals Sweater I bought and wore to games in our seats in Section 103 of Verizon Center.  It saddens me to know we've probably seen the last of "Halpy" in the NHL but with 14 seasons, 976 regular season games and 39 playoff games played, if he's waiting by the phones it's probably only so he gets another 25 regular season games in his career. 

Kieth Aucoin - "Coiner" - the 35 year old former Cap/Bear undersized Center signed with HC - Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League for this upcoming season and will ply his wares in Europe this winter.

Dustin Penner - The 31 year old, 6'4", 247 pound, two time Stanley Cup Champion, dog loving,  Left Wing remains unsigned for the 2014-15 NHL season.  With $24.7M of career earnings, if he's played his last NHL game I'll conjecture he'll be fine as he didn't seem like a guy who had flamboyant tastes, etc. but I'll also conjecture his hockey career isn't over yet.

Well only a couple more weeks to go till its:

LETS GO CAPS!!!

Capitals 3 - Devils 0; Has The Bell Tolled In New Jersey?

Well last night at Prudential Center in Newark, the Capitals "out-deviled" the New Jersey Devils, winning a game that was likely more important for the Devils that the Capitals by a score of 3 - 0. It wasn't a pretty win. It wasn't even all that fun to watch, However it was two important standings points and an important win at an important time of year. The game was the Capitals 73rd and the Devils 71st of the season; at the start of the game, the Caps were in first place in their Division and 2nd place in the Eastern Conference and the Devils were in 4th place in their Division and 12th place in the Conference - at game's end the standings hadn't changed. In fact, the only difference in the standings at the end of the night was the Caps are now six (6) points ahead of Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division and the same distance ahead of Boston who sits in Third Place in the Conference. So what was so important about last night's game? Two things: a) "runway" - as in something New Jersey, which has been on a tear since changing back to their old coach, is likely to run out of now before the season's end before they leap over the four teams they need to pass to make the playoffs in their remaining 11 games; and b) pride - something the Capitals needed to ensure they continued to demonstrate and grow in the game they are playing leading up to this years post season. The Caps needed to demonstrate pride as mush or more than the Devils last night for two reasons. Firstly, they needed to "bounce back" from their prior game loss to Detroit in order to make sure they stay out of the habit of loosing two games in a row between now and when they are forced to hang up their skates at the end of this season's playoffs. Secondly, the last time these two teams met in New Jersey, things looked a lot differently for both of them and the Caps left "The Rock" on the wrong end of a 5-0 beating.

So how'd the Caps do? Thanks to smart, disciplined play by the entire team, and some EXCELLENT goaltending by Michal Neuvirth, the Caps did very well last night, thank you very much. In a game that was well played by both teams, the Capitals showed they could be as disciplined and patient as any team coached by a guy named Jacques. In a game that was important to win, and was just two night's after loosing to the perennial NHL benchmark that is known as Detroit, "Neuvy" out played "Maarty" - as in future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur - stopping 33 shots and turning in a perfect SV% of 1.000 on the evening to Brodeur's 9 of 12/0.750 performance. The three stars of the game chosen by the local New Jersey media were: 1) Neuvirth (no arguments there); Mike Knuble (2 goals - no arguments there); and 3) Alex Ovechkin (2 assists and all over the ice - deserving for sure but hey NJ MSM didn't you get the memo?). The memo I'm talking about is the John Carlson memo of course. "Captain America" went all out for last night's game apparently. First he had Mama Carlson cook a really good New Jersey Italian meal at his boyhood home in Colonna for a bunch of the guys on Thursday night, then he bought 45 tickets for friends and family to the game, and then he played a superb game both defensively never being out of position, and offensively notching two assists of his own last night. I guess in order to edge out Ovechkin in that voting he should have given them some home cookin' too. Well even though according to the twtter "tweets" of the teammates who attended the dinner at the Carlson's no one left hungry, I'm okay with John Carlson still being hungry or at least a little so, the next time the Caps go to the "Rock" or the "Garden" to play either the Devils or the Rangers.

To be fair I'd guess the media picked Ovechkin over Carlson because Ovie was +3 on the night while Carlson was "merely" +2; and the Cap's first line was the best set of players when they were on the ice all evening long. Ovie was Ovie, MoJo90 was very good, and I don't know who was wearing the 22 sweater last evening, but if it was Mike Knuble he certainly didn't play like a 38 year old man. In fact, Knuble has been playing very well, even better than usual, and with a lot of energy the last couple of games. Is he making the case/trying to determine if he wants another year before he hangs up his skates? or is he playing harder to make sure he goes out with the best year possible sometime after the end of April this year? Stay tuned, hopefully it won't be until sometime in June we bring this discussion up again; and hopefully we all get a lot more chances to see just how awesome he can be between now and then. In any case Knuble scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season last night and is looking like he will probably put up the eighth (8th) 20+ goal season of his 15 year/14 season NHL career. The old man of the Capital's team certainly isn't looking like he is slowing down anytime soon and that's a great thing for we Caps fans to get to see/watch, especially this time of the year. It's yet another one of those things that is making me relish this spring even more than last. Michal Neuvirth, last night's game, one word - AWESOME. That performance, as I think back to the game, I have those silly, long drawn out movie lines going through my head like: "heeee'ssss baaaaaccccckkkkk". etc. Pretty cool. The Capitals do indeed have three young goaltenders, who are all playing very well when they are healthy. But based on Neuvy's last two outings - Detroit and New Jersey - I'm more than happy to say right now and for the rest of the season, the 22 year old Czech with the 23-11-4 record, 4 shutouts, and funny look on his face on his team headshot is the #1 goaltender. Neuvy's season long SV% is 0.916 and his GAA is 2.42 and he looked great last evening against New Jersey - especially when they were "swarming."

Did the Capitals really "out devil" the Devils last night? Hard to say when you look at every aspect of the scoresheet, except one - "the bottom line" - Caps 3 - Devils 0. Oh and the fact that Ovechkin, the third star of the game had ZERO shots on goal, yet had two assists and was +3. Against the Devils that's something. Usually when the Devils shutdown an opposing team's star they do it more effectively than that. If there is just one game we can all point to that demonstrates just how much more important team results are to Ovie this season then ever before, and just how much more mature a player he is now than say two seasons ago, last night's game should likely be "that game." When it comes to the question of out-deviling the Devils - sure the Capitals were out shoot by the Devils 33 -12 and still won the game 3-0. However it's the other aspects of the score sheet that show the Caps out mastered the Devils "at their own game" or perhaps more accurately "at Jacques Lemaire's game": a) faceoff wins: Caps 31 - Devils 28 (even with Jason Arnott out, nice to have you back Nicklas Backstrom!, oh and Knuble was a perfect 1-0 here too); b) Capitals PK unit - perfect - killed 8:00 of Devils power play; c) Capitals: 4 takeaways and 2 giveaways, New Jersey 7 takeaways and 15 giveaways; d) Caps 21 shots attempted 57% on goal. Every other place on the scoresheet the Caps are very close to the Devils as well, so yeah to me it looks like the Caps "out-deviled" the Devils last night. It wasn't all that fun to watch but hey, I liked the results and I love the looks on the faces of the hockey pundits on TV when they talk about this team. I don't really care that the Caps may be scaring other teams when they think about having to play against the Capitals in the playoffs. Nope, what I care about is I truly believe this team is constructed to and ready to make a run deep into those same playoffs.

Speaking of which next up for the Caps 72nd game of the season are the Flyers in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening. That should be a good game and it's nice to see the Caps now have three days to sort some things and/or get healthier.

LETS GO CAPS!!!

What A Differance A Day (and a season) Make... Caps 7 - Devils 2

Well I'm not sure I watched the same team in the live game I attended last night at Verizon as I watched sitting here in Bristow on CSN HD play in Atlanta on Friday evening. No I'm not talking about the minor change of Boyd Gordon in the line-up last night with David Steckel in the press box, either. I'm talking about the fact that last night at Verizon Center I and 18,276 other Washington Capitals fans watched a team that didn't abandon their game plan and didn't get flustered or frustrated despite being down 2-1 through the first period and being out shot throughout the game by the New Jersey Devils last evening.

Last night after the first period, instead of getting frustrated and trying to get too fancy and play outside their own very considerable abilities and talents, the Capitals came out ready to play in the second period. The adjustments and changes between the first and second period, were simple and straight-forward from what I could see, they resolved to not get out-worked and they simplified their game. The result was that just 1:59 into the second stanza, Tomas Fleischmann tied it up, and the battle was on. To be clear, this game was two separate games to me - the first game was from the opening face off through the 14:31 mark of the second period to put the Capitals up for good. Once the Great Eight scored his first goal of the game and the Capitals took the lead, frankly in something very uncommon for playing the Devils - they really never looked back. While the Devils continue to out shoot the Capitals, Michal Neuvirth played very well and he did get help from his blueline corps clearing out the front of the net - to the extent that is possible in "the new NHL" without getting penalized too often so the Caps responded. At the other end the Devils --- well, not so much. Through two periods Devils starter and future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur had a 0.750 SV%, yes you read that correctly. During the last 5:30 of the second period Brodeur allowed 3 pucks to find the back of the net, including loosing a penalty shot duel with Capitals Captain Alexander Ovechkin with just 48 seconds left in the period. Ovechkin's second goal of the game put the Capitals up 5-2 and set the stage for the Devils to replace Brodeur with back-up Johan Hedberg for the final 20 minutes of the game. When was the last time that happened, you know he of 110 career shutouts getting pulled from a game? Of course when was the last time that Glory Days had to fork over free wings for us Caps fans when we played Marty and the Devils? (I'm honestly asking that question since I'm not going to research that one, rather I'll just enjoy my wings compliments of the Devils.)

Well the third period was another instance of "what a difference a ... this time: season ... makes. The Capitals really did not let up at all. The game started to get a little "scrappy" right off the bat and as a result, the Capitals ended up with a Too Many Men on the Ice penalty at the 2:16 mark into the third period. The Devils tried to mount some pressure and get at least one of the three goals they were down back but the Capitals were doing a pretty good job on the Penalty Kill. Then at the 3:07 mark the Caps cleared the puck the length of the ice and Hedberg decided he'd come out of the net, play the puck and try and tack advantage of the Capitals new more aggressive penalty killing style since the forwards on the PK unit were pursuing the two NJ defenders coming back for the puck, you know ala Marty Turco style. However since Hedberg is decidedly NOT Marty Turco or Marty Brodeur when it comes to puck handling skills, when he totally flubbed the clearing attempt, Brooks Laich had virtually no choice but to put the puck into the basically empty net afforded him - Caps 6, Devils 2.

After scoring their sixth goal of the evening, the Capitals did seem to try and change their style of play a little to be more of a safe, defensive game. However, for whatever reason, the Devils seemed determined to try and turn thins around, or maybe they we a little embarrassed or insulted by this because from that point of the game on, the Devils really seemed to be trying to get something, anything going; however they certainly weren't playing any sort of disciplined hockey. First I think to both try and spark his team and to finish up a side battle that had been going on at some level all evening Devils heavyweight and designated agitator in front of the net David Clarkson and the guy I'd say is as close to him in role for the Capitals - Jason Chimera dropped the gloves and went at it, earning coincidental fighting majors at the 4:03 mark of the third period. That fight really didn't do much to change the tenor of the game or get the Devils fired up, and what little it did was squished when at the 8:34 mark of the period Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblonde got his first of 2 minutes of 21 penalty minutes (more on that in a few sentences) of the game, and Eric Fehr scored the Capitals seventh goal of the evening at the 10:27 mark of the period just as the power play was getting ready to end. That said with the score now 7-2 in favor of the Capitals, why did we need to "Unleash The Fury" - I mean that cheer works so well in close games at this juncture but did it really fit the moment when it was played last night?

At this point one might have thought that the last nine minutes of the game should be allowed to expire uneventfully and these two beasts of the East go on to regroup for their next opponents. However, that was not to be. I have to say of all the things I didn't expect to see and that surprised me last night up until the 15:43 mark of the third period it would have been the simple legend on the scoreboard - Capitals 7 - Devils 2. Then at the 15:43 mark just when I thought I'd seen it all in this game, Ilya Kovalchuck of the Devils and Mike Green of the Capitals decide to "go at it" - no simple quick get into hockey fight for these two, why should it be - when you fight as seldom as these two, you may as well "do it right." By that I mean - stop, put down your stick, drop your gloves, and remove your helmet and visor, then square off and go for it. Really but the surprises were through yet, while I'm inclined to call it a draw, if I had to pick a winner I'd go with Mike Green even though he's 2" shorter and 25# lighter than Kovy - it really just wasn't the Devils' night now was it?

Of course now here's where stories like this either end or get REALLY bizarre and ... well this one got really bizarre. After Green and Kovy were sent to the dressing room, just 4 seconds later Rod Pelley and Matt Hendricks decided to drop the gloves, a nice simple enough hockey fight that I'll again say was one where both guys got in a few good "licks" and went to the dressing room at the 15:47 mark. Are we done yet? Short answer no, just another two seconds and at the 15:49 mark Matt Bradley takes exception to something David Clarkson did or said, so Clarkson has his second fight of the evening and Bradley his first. Again this is a fight that if you were handicapping it before it happened you'd bet on Clarkson, but maybe his arms were tired from his scuffle with Chimera, I don't know but Brads got in two really good shots including an upper cut that appeared to "rock" Clarkson before they wrestled each other to the ice to end the fourth bout on the evening's "card".

Are we through yet? We should have been, I mean at this point I can't believe the referees didn't tell the two Captains - Alex Ovechkin and Jamie Langenbrunner - "Enough!, play hockey or else..." and maybe they did and Pierre-Luc Letourneu-Leblonde decided he didn't get the word or something. Because just off the next faceoff, just 4 seconds after the resumption of play, Leblonde basically mugged Marcus Johansson from behind with a move that looked like he was trying to rip his helmet off. At this point, John "Captain America" Carlson decided to finish off his night by translating his one goal and two assists into a Gordie Howe hat trick, so he came to the aide of the young Swede as Johansson was trying to figure out "where did that come from?" The basic melee that ensued took a couple of minutes to sort out and when the dust settled the penalty tally was:

- for Letourneau-Leblonde: 2 minutes Instigator; 2 minutes Slashing, 5 minutes Fighting, and 10 minutes Game Misconduct ...
- for Carlson: 2 minutes roughing; 10 minutes Game Misconduct.

Okay, so Carlson didn't get a 5 minute fighting penalty I'm still saying it was a Gordie Howe hat trick, I was there and I think he deserves it. Anybody else who was there that is reading this is free to chime in since I'm not sure what was and was not shown on TV. I'm also going to say that I think the league should review the action by PL Letourneau-Leblonde, IF the on ice officials had spoken to the Team Captains about how it was time to play hockey vice continue fighting, and if so Leblonde would get a couple games suspension. That's just my gut reaction, I haven't thought about what in place rules do and do not apply here.

I felt there were lots of good takeaways from last night's game:
#1 - Michal Neuvirth's goal tending was very good. He came up with several big saves when he had to and he played a very "tight" game right from the opening face-off..
#2 - Lots of "grit" and lots of simple, straight forward hockey. The reason the Capitals played better than New Jersey last night wasn't because they "out-finessed" them. It was because they played within themselves, didn't get frustrated and they out worked the Devils, and from where I sat it seemed like they did that for a full 60 minutes.
#3 - During the first two periods there were only five (5) minor penalties 3 for the Capitals and 2 for the Devils. Even though two of the three Caps minors were on Alexander Semin, I didn't feel like any of the three (Semin's two or Chimeria's) were "dumb" penalties. In fact I'm still trying to see why Semin was called for Interference the first Caps Penalty, but hey that's just me.
#4 - Scoring by lots of different Capitals
#5 - As a complete opposite to Friday night, virtually all the Defensive Pairings worked, actually from what I saw and can tell now, all of them did, there was no virtually about it#6 - ALL the young guns showed up and played well.
#7 - Alex Ovechkin actually makes a big lateral move on his penalty shot and then puts the puck in the net with a perfect shot past Marty Brodeur that only about 5% of the players in the NHL could make.
#8 - John Carlson: 'Nuff said.
#9 - Mike Green playing what I thought was a totally responsible game and ending up +2 on the night with 6 hits and 3 blocked shots.
#10 - Anton Volchenkov skating off the ice under his own power after taking a shot to the choppers. Never like to see something like that but glad that it looks like he'll be okay

Honorable Mention - For a crazy game with a total of 21 penalties called, I'd have to say the officiating was good, fair and balanced.

Sure it's easy to be happy when "your team" wins by a score of 7-2 in an Ice Hockey game, but this game was close and hard fought for the entire first period and the first 15:00 of the second period, and even thorough that first game within a game, the Capitals ended up leading by a score of 3-2.

Yesterday was a beautiful day so I took a couple of pictures on the way to the game and I had a few other images from the game that follow this post.

Next up: The Ottawa Senators at Verizon Center tomorrow -

LETS GO CAPS!!!


On the way to the game - what a nice afternoon.


A bizzare sight, the "Red Dress Run"... on H Street Just Before the Game...



Most of these people were in an even better mood as they left Verizon Center since the majority are Capitals Fans... LETS GO CAPS!!!

Canadian Woman Stonewall Americans For Women's Ice Hockey Gold: and Caps Fans New & Old - The Good, and The Bad

Last night the Canadian women's ice hockey team bested the United States 2 - 0. In doing so, they earned Canada's 8th Gold Medal of this Olympiad. It was also the first "even" match-up this tournament for either team and showcased just how far ahead of their competition both these squads are. It was a good game and the Canadians won it (versus we Americans loosing it.) To characterize the mood in Vancouver as "there is once again joy in Muddville" would not be understatement. While the Canadians "Own The Podium" expenditures have been subject of discussion, angst and some controversy of late, in getting their 8th Gold, Canada is now tied with the USA and Germany with that number of Gold Medals though USA still leads in overall medal count with 32. The Canadian women's accomplishment last night was this is their third straight Gold Medal. Three straight Gold Medals, especially in light of the already intense rivalry between Canada and USA in the sport is nothing to be minimized. Congratulations to both teams on a well played game. It was also very fun to see both these talented teams play a game where they were challenged and their best players were routinely compelled to raise their games. There were lots of good plays and good overall performances on both sides, but I'd have to say it was Canadian goaltender Shannon Szabados' 28 save shutout performance that made the difference for Team Canada last night.



Today it's the Men's Semifinal games. USA vs. Finland starts at 12:00 PST and Canada vs. Slovakia starts at 18:30PST. No predictions but I am on record as rooting for a USA vs. Slovakia Gold Medal Match-up. Three reasons: 1) We've already seen USA vs. Canada, been there/done that. 2) I'm American so I root for the underdogs unless of course they are playing against USA. and ... 3) Mike Green, hey I'm like a dog on a bone about some things. Like I said no predictions but I will give odds though. Odds the Gold Medal Game will be a USA - Canada rematch: 50/50, why so low you ask, two words Kiprusoff and Halak. Odds the Gold Medal Game will be Finland vs. Slovakia 16 - 1 against. Odds it will be USA vs. Slovakia 10 to 1 against. Odds it will be Finland vs. Canada 8 to 1 against. There now of course tomorrow we'll look back and as we prepare for something other than a USA vs. Canada rematch I will once again type those cliche' words "...and that's why they play the games on the ice."



With just 5 days until the Washington Capitals resume their NHL regular season, it's only natural at least some of my musings begin to return to things related to Cap's hockey. In doing so I started to think about how much I enjoy going to games at Verizon Center and what a great experience almost the entire evening usually is when you go to a game. I've shared these thoughts here before - what a great organization the Caps are, how they clearly value we fans, and what an exciting brand and style of hockey the talented Capitals team plays and we get to watch when they play. From time to time I've also mused, all be it, much more seldom about the few minor pet peeves and disappointments I have and have had when attending games here in DC. I don't know why but my musings today strayed into that place, not in too bad a way, just more in a "if only ... then going to games at Verizon would be perfect." So I'm going to share my top three things I'd like to see change when attending games at Verizon Center and if these five things changed, then for me going to Capitals games would probably be basically perfect. Keep in mind I know I'm a tough grader on these sorts of things so i do expect some to possibly comment about what a "nit-picker" I can be. Three reasons/things that if only they changed, attending Caps games at Verizon Center would be perfect.



#1 - If only the folks attending the game would really listen, understand and heed the announcer's words to stand for the National Anthem(s) and join in singing "proudly and respectfully" instead of screaming the words "Oh" and "Red" in the middle of it. If that were to happen when the Caps return to Verizon Center ice on Thursday March 4th, then it would allow me to feel the same pride in our community's support for our Nation's values and what we strive for, to the same degree and with the same joy I feel when we all seem to express our support and applaud for our troops when those attendees are announced during the game.



#2: If only fans would understand when it is and isn't appropriate to do the College Hockey "Its All Your Fault" chant at an opposing goaltender and only do it when it makes sense, then it would let me know folks who talk about how DC hockey is filled with "newcomers" and "bandwagon fans" are just so wrong; instead of substantiating their claims. For example lets just think about how silly and ignorant we fans look doing the "Its all your fault" chant and attempting to taunt a guy like Marty Brodeur during the Caps 4 -1 victory over the Devils at Verizon Center back during the day after Christmas. Folks, first the chant was being done after every goal including after the Caps leading scorer and one of the best guys in the league scored on a breakaway. Then later in the game when Ovechkin scored his second of the game after "It's All Your Fault" folks decided to add a chorus of mocking "Maarrrty, Maarrtty, Maarrtty". Sorry, we're in Verizon Center, unless we're at Madison Square Garden and wearing Rangers' Sweaters that's just a big fail. Especially given that the game came shortly after Marty earned his 104th Career Shutout. Why you ask - let's review: 1) When an opposing team scores on a breakaway, it's absolutely NOT all the goaltenders fault, in fact... well think about it, if you are smart enough to turn on a computer and read a blog you ought to be able to figure it out. 2) Do you really think you are going to "get into" the NHL's all time leader in shutouts head by chanting his name in mocking fashion? ... and if by chance you somehow do so with say oh about 10 minutes left in the second period to play, don't you think the odds are even you might be motivating him to return to his usually higher level of play instead of being just very good? And in so doing, isn't that the complete opposite of what you're hoping for if you're a Capitals Fan. 3)Isn't it just dumb and isn't that what we all look like thanks to you're less than completely well thought out behaviour? 4) By not doing it, you would save me from having to explain to an inquiring new fan, what that's all about and the right way to do it. Speaking of which, to get this all sorted out perhaps Ted Leonsis would consider springing for the fans in Sections 107, 108, and 109 who seem to just not understand these nuances but are so determined to make this cheer part of their game day experience, to go up to Boston and watch a few Hockey East games so they get proper tutoring in the subject at the source.





#3: If only the food choices were better and the lines for it shorter. The food choices inside Verizon Center are limited and the quality is adequate but not exceptional. Of course the food choices outside Verizon Center are many, varied and good so as long as you get to the Arena Area early and eat before entering the game it's not that big a deal. However, the real disappointment comes on games that start at noon on Sunday. There's really nothing that qualifies as breakfast or brunch food available inside Verizon Center except for Dunkin' Donuts and on those days the line for those donuts is outrageous. Also most of the places around Verizon Center don't open till 11:00AM so the choices are limited and if you go that route you are rushed, unless you have a reservation at Clyde's but that's still crowded and you are still somewhat rushed. It would be so perfect if the concessionaire would put together a new plan and approach with in seat service at least in the lower level, if not throughout the entire arena that includes more and better choices. it's clear some folks must be looking at improving in this are as I've seen some new choices popping up, but with every game being a sellout the inadequacies in this area have become even more noticeable this season.



Of course in recognition of "equal time" here's my 40 reasons why I gladly support the Capitals - e.g "The Good about Caps Hockey":



1) Caps Ownership & Front Office Staff: Clearly the Caps are the best deal, and best run of the DC pro sports teams these days. One only has to go to a Redskins or Nationals Game or even a Wizards game to realize how much better an experience going to a Caps game is - and that's not just because of the quality of the game on the playing surface. It's also because of the quality of the experience in the stands and in dealing with the organization if you are a "planholder". The Caps front office clearly understands and treats it's fan base as what it is - paying customers who deserved to be well treated. I've said this before and I'll say it again, we've been season ticket holders since 2005 and things have just gotten better and better. True this season, because of the large number of season planholder sales and sellout games we no longer have the luxury of "trade-in games" but that really doesn't matter since we can easily sell unused tickets for fair value and we still get treated well, all the time. After all the reason we no longer have that option is we have something we all wanted even more, a winning, popular, vibrant team.



2) The Caps Players and Coaching Staff: Throughout the entire NHL the athletes and coaches are very visible, accessible, approachable and involved in their communities. The Capitals are no different and are in fact as involved and approachable as ever; even as they have ascended to one of the league's bigger road draws, they are also approachable to fans in other NHL cities as well. The other key fact is they are down to earth, nice people from everything one can tell when you have those brief interactions with them here around DC.



3) The Style of Play When The Caps Practice Their Craft: I've said it before and I'll say it again - the Caps are usually the most fun team in the NHL to watch. They play an up-tempo style that is exciting and creates opportunities for exciting and fun to watch skilled hockey. For example, during that December 26th game against the Devils, there was a play in the second period Green - Ovechkin - Backstrom - Semin - Backstrom - Ovechkin that Martin Brodeur made a great save to keep out of the net. The Caps didn't score that time but it might have been the best play of the night in many ways. Some will read this and say - "Too many fancy passes..." but that time the Caps had no choice, it wasn't until Ovechkin got the puck the second time that anybody had a decent shooting lane. The speed at which a Caps game is played is pretty intense. Most nights when you go to Verizon Center a game starts at 7:00PM and you are heading to your car at or before 9:30. Given that the game and the intermissions between periods account for a "running time" of 1:31:00, and more often then not games are televised and there are TV timeouts at most stoppages of play; the games are moving as fast or faster then one would expect. It's better then going to the best current action films on most nights.



4) The fans who know the game and cheer appropriately. Simply put most hockey fans are indeed fans and know the game, that's no less true at Verizon Center than it is anywhere else in the NHL. They also respect folks around them and you don't get too many stupid folks screaming foul language of the sort you see at an NFL game. You also don't see nearly as many really inebriated folks so those two things might be related, eh?



5 - 39) The Washington Capitals Themselves: Look at that lineup - starting with Ovechkin and ending with Neuvirth, there's really not a guy on that list that I don't think can play the game well and isn't fun to watch them doing it?



40) The Caps 2010 Winter Olympians: The Caps should have at least 5 guys going to the Olympics: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Semyon Varlamov, Nicklas Backstrom, and Tomas Fleischmann. Every game was a virtual all star game of sorts but an all star game where the stars had to really play and play hard to win, not just a really nice and fun exhibition game. The Olympics are just cool. So is the fact the NHL is smart enough to understand, it needs to be about the game and the overall integrity of sport, not just about what's easiest for the NHL Board of Governors or about $$$. (hint, hint, hint going forward boys).



So as we settle in to today's daily grind...



U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A



Next up for the Washington Capitals the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, hopefully the Caps will be looking to give Ryan Miller his first loss in a couple of weeks when that game takes place.

Caps vs. Devils Tonight at Verizon Center; If Every Game Were Worth Three Points Week 12

The Caps take on the Devils tonight at Verizon Center in a match up of Eastern Conference heavyweights. It's gotten pretty crowded atop the Eastern Conference as the top four teams in the Conference make a move to separate themselves from the rest of the conference before the Olympic break. The Devils are currently in first place with 53 points in 35 games played (0.757); their division foes, the Penguins also have 53 points but have played 38 games (0.697) and so are in fourth. The Capitals are in second place with 52 points in 37 games (0.703) and the Buffalo Sabres are in third place with 47 points in 36 games (0.653). There is currently 4 points between the North East Division leading Sabres and the fifth place North East Division Boston Bruins who have 43 points in 36 games (0.597); while the sixth place Atlanta Thrashers have 40 points in 36 games (0.556). So tonight two of the four Beasts of the Easts face off in DC; a contrast of styles and a good game should be at hand. Both teams come into the game rested and ready to execute. The Caps are looking to win their third game in a row, while the Devils come into the game riding a 5 game winning streak and having just helped Martin Brodeur achieve his history making 104th shutout. Wingman and I will be "Rockin' the Red" in Section 103 and hoping the Caps finish tonight in first place in the Eastern Conference for no other reason then it will mean the Caps had a two point night and took on the Devils - one day and one game at a time.

Before we finish this blog post up in traditional fashion it's time for the "If Every Game Were Three Points" - Week 12 Edition. Remember in these standings a win in regulation is worth three (3) points; a win in OT or the Shoot Out is worth two (2) points; and a loss in the OT/SO is worth one (1) point; a loss in regulation is of course a goose egg - zero (0) points. So here's what the standings would look like going into tonight's games:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

I really don't think any commentary on who is where in these rankings versus in the actual standings at this point. Over 20% of the NHL's games continue to be decided in overtime and/or by the shoot out, and there has been some discussion of doing away with what is erroneously being classified as "the looser point." I couldn't be more against something in hockey then making taking an opponent to a tie in regulation worth nothing. The problem is this whole erroneous idea that it's the "looser" whose getting the extra point - that's because it's the "winner" who is getting the extra point, not the looser. What really needs to happen is that if you want to address this whole debacle properly is to make every game worth the same amount of points - three (3), and if a game ends tied in regulation you split the points. then things would make sense again - the way they did back when teams who finished a game in regulation in a tie, split the points. It's quite simple isn't it? If anything as things stabilize in this post salary cap era more games will go to OT not fewer. If you want the world to make sense then just agree that a game ought to be worth three points - every game.

So now it's time for us to get ready for tonight's game...

LETS GO CAPS!!!