Last night, the world of professional hockey changed for the Washington Capitals. Last night, their division rivals - the Florida Panthers took the control of leadership of the Southeast Division from the Carolina Hurricanes and handed to the red hot Caps.
Today's challenge facing the Capitals is retaining control of their destiny and clinching the division from those same Florida Panthers. The Caps have been RED hot the past three weeks and are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games. Caps goalies - Christobel Huet and Olaf Kolzig have been very good, indeed almost flawless since the trade deadline deal that brought Huet to the Caps; in the last 17 games they have a combined GAA of 1.71. Unfortunately, the Florida Panthers have been playing very well recently as well, have a very good, hot goaltender in Tomas Vokoun who played superbly last night in Raleigh, and the Panthers are riding the emotional high that comes with breaking an 0-14 streak at Carolina last night. The Panthers are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. Vokoun is 30-29-8, has a Save % of 0.919, and his GAA is 2.68 for the season, he left last nights game after the first period with back spasms. However, last night Vokoun and backup Craig Anderson jointly had a save percentage of 93.5% stopping 43 of the 46 shots the 'Canes threw at them. The Panthers also blanked the Hurricanes' power play on NINE (9) occasions. Clearly, the Panthers are playing for something as dear to them as the playoff spot is to the Capitals - RESPECT. While no one need tell Coach Boudreau and the Capitals it would be a mistake to look past the Panthers; it would be a mistake to look past Florida tonight. Another "Biggest Game of the Season" and another RED OUT at Verizon Center tonight. If the Caps win - as the saying goes they're in. If they lose - well that isn't worth talking about. No predictions other than the Caps will be flying tonight, and as long as they do that and play their game, in a variant on a quote from "Any Given Sunday" they will be great. No predictions other than it will be a great end to a really great season no matter what. Unfortunately, it'll take 93 points, not the conventional wisdom 92 points, to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference this year. LETS GO CAPS!!!!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
After Getting Little Help Wed. Night, Last Night The Caps Helped Themselves
Wednesday night the Caps got little help from the "hockey gods, so they just took matters in their own hands and helped themselves last night. Wednesday, the Penguins did beat the Flyers 4-2. However, the Lightning couldn't keep pace with the Hurricanes falling 6-2, and the Devils let the Bruins get out of "The Rock" with a point in a 3-2 shootout game that NJ did ultimately win. So at the start of the night the Caps found themselves 2 points behind Carolina with a game in hand for the Southeast Division title, and 1 point behind the Flyers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Yes it started out another as "Biggest game of the season - do or almost die game' for the pucksters from DC.
The Capitals let the Lightning get an early lead. However, Alex Ovechkin tied it up with his 64th goal of his season at even strength. Then there was a controversial disallowed goal that left the score at the end of the first 1-1. During the first period the Caps out-shot the Lightning 20-5; Lightning net-minder Karri Ramo had single-handily kept his team in the game.
The second period was much more even and ended scoreless, so the third period started still tied 1-1. During the third period the game went back and forth for five or so minutes before the Caps started to take control. At 7:26 Jussi Jokinen was whistled off for 2:00 for cross-checking and Alexander the Great potted number 65 of the season on that power play to put the Caps up by one goal. From this point on, the Caps really didn't look back, though the Caps did have to kill off a 4:00 minute high-sticking double-minor to John Erskine. The Caps really stifled the Lightning power play on that one and Tampa started to get a little frantic. Matt Smaby was whistled off for holding at 14:00 and even though the Caps didn't score on the power play, shortly after returning to even strentgh, at 16:36, the Caps got some secondary scoring and breathing room from Boyd Gordon - "Gordo" netted his third goal of the season off an otherwise rebound stingy Karri Ramo . Defenseman Tom Poti "iced" the game with an empty-netter at 18:53. Right about this time is when things got "a little interesting" Doug Janick came on the ice and took a run at Tomas Fleischmann at 19:37 that Matt Bradley didn't appreciate. The net of it was "Brads" ended up in a pretty good "hockey fight" with Junior Lessard. The two had a pretty good "dust-up" that it appears the feisty Capital got the better of (see it on hockeyfights.com here), check out the nice upper cut square to Lessard's face. Doug Janick got 2:00 for roughing and a 10 minute game misconduct. Why Lightning Coach John Tortorella didn't get the same and a bench minor for setting up the whole thing and instigating it is beyond me - the Lightning coach clearly intentionally precipitated the brawl by sending too many men out on the ice. I'm an old school guy, and not averse to fighting, but the bottom line is the hit by Cooke on Lecavalier was clean. Lecavalier was in the middle of the play, it was an open ice hit with the Bolts star in proximity of the puck, and the reason the Bolts star went down was because he went into one of his own men. Hopefully, Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman send a clear message with a VERY LARGE fine of say $150,000+ against the Tampa Bay club; the whole thing along with Torterella's post game interview comments were classless and unjustified. In any case when Caps enforcer Donald Brashear returned to the ice, none of the Lightning, not even the volatile Tortorella, took him up on his offer to "tango". Perhaps it was the fact that the relatively diminutive Bradley, had already beat down one of their goons, or perhaps they all want to be healthy to watch the "lottery". In any case as Caps Chick is oft quoted of late - "It was a TWO point night.
It was a good thing the Caps won in regulation as once again they got no help from the "hockey gods" tonight in their drive to the playoffs. The NY Rangers shut-out the Islanders 3-0 to clinch a playoff spot and are now alone in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 93 points. For a very short while Caps fans had some hope when Toronto took a 1-0 lead over Ottawa but the Senators came alive and never looked back drubbing the rival Maple Leafs 8-2 and really never looked back after Dany Heatly tied it up at 11:12 of the first period. The win moved the Senators up to fifth place in the Conference, a loss would have dropped them squarely into a final game melee with the Caps, Flyers and Bruins they now can avoid if they win out. The Senators are still not without the real possibility of missing the playoffs after a start to the season that was as hot as the Caps was cold. Montreal beat the Sabres 3-1 at Bell Center in Montreal mathematically eliminating Buffalo from the playoff race.
This morning the Caps find themselves in Eighth Place and even in points with the Bruins at 92 points for the season. Boston has a one game in hand and is in seventh. In any case, tonight it's LETS GO PANTHERS!!!!! if you are a Capitals fan. If the Panthers can get a win or hold the 'Canes to a point, the Caps fate is back in their own hands. Saturday, it's another "Red Out" at the Phone Booth - don't change a thing! If you were at last night's game do NOT, I repeat do NOT WASH anything you were wearing, wear it in the same manner you did last night, and do the exact same ritual if you are going to Saturday's season finale. THINK PLAYOFFS - only good karma between now and Sunday morning, PLEASE! Here's a view of how the remainder of the season could go and how the Caps could finish anywhere from 3rd to 9th in the Eastern Conference. For third, the Caps need some help tonight from the Florida Panthers - they have to hold the Hurricanes to 1 point or less in the Hurricanes' final game of the season. While not impossible, it will be a pretty big task for the Panthers, the 'Canes lead the series 5-2 including 3-0 at RBC Center. Like I said, LETS GO PANTHERS!!!!! (till tomorrow, when the Caps play them at Verizon Center for their own finale). Also Caps fans will be rooting for the Bruins over the Senators - in regulation - tonight. That will move the Bruins into 6th with 94 points and the Senators will drop to seventh with 94 points and have to watch the rest of the season to see if they finish 7th, 8th, or 9th depending on what the Caps and Flyers do. First and foremost for the Caps is they still need to WIN on Saturday against the Panthers. They could get in if they don't but the odds are much better if they do. It isn't necessarily "Win and You're In" but it's close. If the Caps "Win Out" on Saturday, the only way they finish out of the playoffs is if the Flyers (with 2 games to go - vs. the Devils tonight and the Penguins on Sunday) get 2 or more points AND Ottawa beats the Bruins tonight AND the Bruins beat the Sabres on Saturday. There are a lot of injury situations around the league that make these final games even more sporting, the Caps aren't the only ones missing key players but in the end championship teams don't make excuses, they make their own luck. The Caps last game of the season is at home on Saturday versus the same Florida Panthers they need to root for on Friday night. The Caps lead the season series against the Panthers 4-3 and have not lost to them since Thanksgiving. If NHL Rookie Coach Bruce Boudreau goes 4-0 on the Panthers this season that will be the Caps 7th win in a row. Last night's win officially makes the Caps the hottest team in the league right now as they are 9-1-0 in their last ten (10) games. LETS GO CAPS!!!
Other good blog posts to read today: #1) Peerless's account of the game and summary as to how the Caps can finish anywhere from 6th to 9th - he forgot 3rd....but hey whatever. As for his overall post and quality of the account, I stand in awe of his peerless talents. I have no opinion on his minority opinion about the disallowed goal since I listened on radio. #2) On Frozen Blog for the line "Its starting to become a hockey town!" #3) Caps Chick's A View From The Cheap Seats - always a daily read for Caps Fans for recognizing Karri Ramo as the Lightning's future in goal. I agree - the guy was absolutely shelled by the best, just look at the shot chart on ESPN.com, a somehow managed to keep his team in it through 2 1/2 frames of a great game.
One more time for good measure - LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!, everyone at the VC tomorrow, our goal should all be to be as loud and positive as Goat - see Section 105 for details. Forget Schwarzenegger, amened the Constitution for Alex - OVIE for President !!!!!!
The Capitals let the Lightning get an early lead. However, Alex Ovechkin tied it up with his 64th goal of his season at even strength. Then there was a controversial disallowed goal that left the score at the end of the first 1-1. During the first period the Caps out-shot the Lightning 20-5; Lightning net-minder Karri Ramo had single-handily kept his team in the game.
The second period was much more even and ended scoreless, so the third period started still tied 1-1. During the third period the game went back and forth for five or so minutes before the Caps started to take control. At 7:26 Jussi Jokinen was whistled off for 2:00 for cross-checking and Alexander the Great potted number 65 of the season on that power play to put the Caps up by one goal. From this point on, the Caps really didn't look back, though the Caps did have to kill off a 4:00 minute high-sticking double-minor to John Erskine. The Caps really stifled the Lightning power play on that one and Tampa started to get a little frantic. Matt Smaby was whistled off for holding at 14:00 and even though the Caps didn't score on the power play, shortly after returning to even strentgh, at 16:36, the Caps got some secondary scoring and breathing room from Boyd Gordon - "Gordo" netted his third goal of the season off an otherwise rebound stingy Karri Ramo . Defenseman Tom Poti "iced" the game with an empty-netter at 18:53. Right about this time is when things got "a little interesting" Doug Janick came on the ice and took a run at Tomas Fleischmann at 19:37 that Matt Bradley didn't appreciate. The net of it was "Brads" ended up in a pretty good "hockey fight" with Junior Lessard. The two had a pretty good "dust-up" that it appears the feisty Capital got the better of (see it on hockeyfights.com here), check out the nice upper cut square to Lessard's face. Doug Janick got 2:00 for roughing and a 10 minute game misconduct. Why Lightning Coach John Tortorella didn't get the same and a bench minor for setting up the whole thing and instigating it is beyond me - the Lightning coach clearly intentionally precipitated the brawl by sending too many men out on the ice. I'm an old school guy, and not averse to fighting, but the bottom line is the hit by Cooke on Lecavalier was clean. Lecavalier was in the middle of the play, it was an open ice hit with the Bolts star in proximity of the puck, and the reason the Bolts star went down was because he went into one of his own men. Hopefully, Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman send a clear message with a VERY LARGE fine of say $150,000+ against the Tampa Bay club; the whole thing along with Torterella's post game interview comments were classless and unjustified. In any case when Caps enforcer Donald Brashear returned to the ice, none of the Lightning, not even the volatile Tortorella, took him up on his offer to "tango". Perhaps it was the fact that the relatively diminutive Bradley, had already beat down one of their goons, or perhaps they all want to be healthy to watch the "lottery". In any case as Caps Chick is oft quoted of late - "It was a TWO point night.
It was a good thing the Caps won in regulation as once again they got no help from the "hockey gods" tonight in their drive to the playoffs. The NY Rangers shut-out the Islanders 3-0 to clinch a playoff spot and are now alone in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 93 points. For a very short while Caps fans had some hope when Toronto took a 1-0 lead over Ottawa but the Senators came alive and never looked back drubbing the rival Maple Leafs 8-2 and really never looked back after Dany Heatly tied it up at 11:12 of the first period. The win moved the Senators up to fifth place in the Conference, a loss would have dropped them squarely into a final game melee with the Caps, Flyers and Bruins they now can avoid if they win out. The Senators are still not without the real possibility of missing the playoffs after a start to the season that was as hot as the Caps was cold. Montreal beat the Sabres 3-1 at Bell Center in Montreal mathematically eliminating Buffalo from the playoff race.
This morning the Caps find themselves in Eighth Place and even in points with the Bruins at 92 points for the season. Boston has a one game in hand and is in seventh. In any case, tonight it's LETS GO PANTHERS!!!!! if you are a Capitals fan. If the Panthers can get a win or hold the 'Canes to a point, the Caps fate is back in their own hands. Saturday, it's another "Red Out" at the Phone Booth - don't change a thing! If you were at last night's game do NOT, I repeat do NOT WASH anything you were wearing, wear it in the same manner you did last night, and do the exact same ritual if you are going to Saturday's season finale. THINK PLAYOFFS - only good karma between now and Sunday morning, PLEASE! Here's a view of how the remainder of the season could go and how the Caps could finish anywhere from 3rd to 9th in the Eastern Conference. For third, the Caps need some help tonight from the Florida Panthers - they have to hold the Hurricanes to 1 point or less in the Hurricanes' final game of the season. While not impossible, it will be a pretty big task for the Panthers, the 'Canes lead the series 5-2 including 3-0 at RBC Center. Like I said, LETS GO PANTHERS!!!!! (till tomorrow, when the Caps play them at Verizon Center for their own finale). Also Caps fans will be rooting for the Bruins over the Senators - in regulation - tonight. That will move the Bruins into 6th with 94 points and the Senators will drop to seventh with 94 points and have to watch the rest of the season to see if they finish 7th, 8th, or 9th depending on what the Caps and Flyers do. First and foremost for the Caps is they still need to WIN on Saturday against the Panthers. They could get in if they don't but the odds are much better if they do. It isn't necessarily "Win and You're In" but it's close. If the Caps "Win Out" on Saturday, the only way they finish out of the playoffs is if the Flyers (with 2 games to go - vs. the Devils tonight and the Penguins on Sunday) get 2 or more points AND Ottawa beats the Bruins tonight AND the Bruins beat the Sabres on Saturday. There are a lot of injury situations around the league that make these final games even more sporting, the Caps aren't the only ones missing key players but in the end championship teams don't make excuses, they make their own luck. The Caps last game of the season is at home on Saturday versus the same Florida Panthers they need to root for on Friday night. The Caps lead the season series against the Panthers 4-3 and have not lost to them since Thanksgiving. If NHL Rookie Coach Bruce Boudreau goes 4-0 on the Panthers this season that will be the Caps 7th win in a row. Last night's win officially makes the Caps the hottest team in the league right now as they are 9-1-0 in their last ten (10) games. LETS GO CAPS!!!
Other good blog posts to read today: #1) Peerless's account of the game and summary as to how the Caps can finish anywhere from 6th to 9th - he forgot 3rd....but hey whatever. As for his overall post and quality of the account, I stand in awe of his peerless talents. I have no opinion on his minority opinion about the disallowed goal since I listened on radio. #2) On Frozen Blog for the line "Its starting to become a hockey town!" #3) Caps Chick's A View From The Cheap Seats - always a daily read for Caps Fans for recognizing Karri Ramo as the Lightning's future in goal. I agree - the guy was absolutely shelled by the best, just look at the shot chart on ESPN.com, a somehow managed to keep his team in it through 2 1/2 frames of a great game.
One more time for good measure - LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!, everyone at the VC tomorrow, our goal should all be to be as loud and positive as Goat - see Section 105 for details. Forget Schwarzenegger, amened the Constitution for Alex - OVIE for President !!!!!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Scoreboard Watch Tonight For Caps Fans
There are four games on the NHL Schedule tonight and three of them have implications for the Washington Capital's playoff chances. Tonight's games: Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils; Tampa Bay Lightning @ Carolina Hurricanes; Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit at Chicago.
Detroit at Chicago is almost a don't care no matter who you root for. A Detroit win clinches the Western Conference for the Red Wings and mathematically eliminates the Black Hawks from the playoffs. These are two things that in all likelihood will occur anyway sometime this week, anyhow.
It's hard to say, who if you are a Caps fan you should root for harder - the Tampa Bay Lightning - gasp, the New Jersey Devils - gasp, or the Pittsburgh Penguins - double gasp. In truth rooting for them all wouldn't hurt, and especially rooting for them to win in regulation.
The Caps are tied with Carolina and a Hurricane loss would put Washington's destiny in it's own hands. In thinking about that, a Lightning win in regulation has to be first choice by a hair. It may also be the most unlikely to occur, the Lightning are 5-4-1 in their last 10; and 11-21-6 in away games this season. The 'Canes are 6-3-1 in their last 10, and 23-12-4 at home this season. The only positives for the Lightning are they've had a day off while the Hurricanes were taken to task last evening by the Capitals; AND Kari Ramo could have another "career night" like he did last week when he stopped 38 of 39 to lead Tampa Bay over Carolina 2-1.
Pittsburgh at Philly and Boston at New Jersey - what is there to say. The Caps are one (1) measly point behind both the Flyers and the Bruins and this is their game in hand. Personally I'm rooting for a Brodeur shutout and a big night for the Pens who will be playing to see if they can clinch the Atlantic Division. My dad always said if you're going to dream - dream big, it doesn't cost any so I'd like the see all three - Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and New Jersey WIN tonight. That would put the Caps in control of their destiny for the Southeast division and 1/2 game back of both Philadelphia and Boston with two games to go. It's truly and exciting and interesting time to be a hockey fan in Washington, DC these days. In fact in DC right now - What's Not To Like? - The Cherry Blossoms are blooming. Alex Ovechkin has the NHL lead in overall scoring by 5 points and goals for the season by 11 goals. The Caps just won their 5th game in a row. The Nationals have a new ballpark and are 2-0; and the Wizards are looking reasonably good for a playoff spot. Who says this town is all about politics? LETS GO CAPS!!!!
Detroit at Chicago is almost a don't care no matter who you root for. A Detroit win clinches the Western Conference for the Red Wings and mathematically eliminates the Black Hawks from the playoffs. These are two things that in all likelihood will occur anyway sometime this week, anyhow.
It's hard to say, who if you are a Caps fan you should root for harder - the Tampa Bay Lightning - gasp, the New Jersey Devils - gasp, or the Pittsburgh Penguins - double gasp. In truth rooting for them all wouldn't hurt, and especially rooting for them to win in regulation.
The Caps are tied with Carolina and a Hurricane loss would put Washington's destiny in it's own hands. In thinking about that, a Lightning win in regulation has to be first choice by a hair. It may also be the most unlikely to occur, the Lightning are 5-4-1 in their last 10; and 11-21-6 in away games this season. The 'Canes are 6-3-1 in their last 10, and 23-12-4 at home this season. The only positives for the Lightning are they've had a day off while the Hurricanes were taken to task last evening by the Capitals; AND Kari Ramo could have another "career night" like he did last week when he stopped 38 of 39 to lead Tampa Bay over Carolina 2-1.
Pittsburgh at Philly and Boston at New Jersey - what is there to say. The Caps are one (1) measly point behind both the Flyers and the Bruins and this is their game in hand. Personally I'm rooting for a Brodeur shutout and a big night for the Pens who will be playing to see if they can clinch the Atlantic Division. My dad always said if you're going to dream - dream big, it doesn't cost any so I'd like the see all three - Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and New Jersey WIN tonight. That would put the Caps in control of their destiny for the Southeast division and 1/2 game back of both Philadelphia and Boston with two games to go. It's truly and exciting and interesting time to be a hockey fan in Washington, DC these days. In fact in DC right now - What's Not To Like? - The Cherry Blossoms are blooming. Alex Ovechkin has the NHL lead in overall scoring by 5 points and goals for the season by 11 goals. The Caps just won their 5th game in a row. The Nationals have a new ballpark and are 2-0; and the Wizards are looking reasonably good for a playoff spot. Who says this town is all about politics? LETS GO CAPS!!!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What's Not to Like? or I See Red People, I See Red People Everywhere!
Well as Caps Fans, "y'all", what was your favorite thing about tonight's home game against the Hurricanes? There was just so much to like. Here's my list what's yours? In really no particular order:
The easy thing to like - the final score.
Second easiest - 5 wins in a row. Will the Caps win out - it could indeed happen.
Others - Alexander Ovechkin's 63rd goal - a turnaround, blind slapshot on a rolling puck.
- Brooks Laich's goal - getting the powerplay going early.
- Matt Cooke's goal - the first of the game to get the Caps into a grove.
- Christobel Huet's stellar saves, there were many.
- Alexander Semin's powerplay goal to get 'Canes coach Peter Laviolette going "apoplectic" and probably useless from that point through the rest of the second period.
- Huet's "check" on the breakaway to stop a 1-0.
- Alexander Ovechkin stepping up when Staal made the tap of the stick on Huet.
- The defense being able to step up after Shoanne Morrison went down (possibly the only thing not to like).
- The fact the Caps outshot the Canes 39-22, yes Cam Ward is "that" good, if it weren't for him this game could easily have been 8-1 Caps.
- Bruce Boudreau not loosing any of his composure when there was bad calls against the Caps?
- Ted Leonsis wearing a Red Jersey instead of a suit - nice duds Ted, I would have been disappointed if you weren't in Red after that autodial phone call to the Caps faithful I got.
- The atmosphere in Verizon Center, especially the M-V-P chants for Ovie?
...Anyway I'll do an analysis tomorrow, I just enjoyed this game so much I wanted to post early and say I haven't had this much fun watching a pro hockey game since I was a kid in Philly and the Flyers won THE CUP. LETS GO CAPS!!!! I think the Cup will look good rolling down F street with the team.
The easy thing to like - the final score.
Second easiest - 5 wins in a row. Will the Caps win out - it could indeed happen.
Others - Alexander Ovechkin's 63rd goal - a turnaround, blind slapshot on a rolling puck.
- Brooks Laich's goal - getting the powerplay going early.
- Matt Cooke's goal - the first of the game to get the Caps into a grove.
- Christobel Huet's stellar saves, there were many.
- Alexander Semin's powerplay goal to get 'Canes coach Peter Laviolette going "apoplectic" and probably useless from that point through the rest of the second period.
- Huet's "check" on the breakaway to stop a 1-0.
- Alexander Ovechkin stepping up when Staal made the tap of the stick on Huet.
- The defense being able to step up after Shoanne Morrison went down (possibly the only thing not to like).
- The fact the Caps outshot the Canes 39-22, yes Cam Ward is "that" good, if it weren't for him this game could easily have been 8-1 Caps.
- Bruce Boudreau not loosing any of his composure when there was bad calls against the Caps?
- Ted Leonsis wearing a Red Jersey instead of a suit - nice duds Ted, I would have been disappointed if you weren't in Red after that autodial phone call to the Caps faithful I got.
- The atmosphere in Verizon Center, especially the M-V-P chants for Ovie?
...Anyway I'll do an analysis tomorrow, I just enjoyed this game so much I wanted to post early and say I haven't had this much fun watching a pro hockey game since I was a kid in Philly and the Flyers won THE CUP. LETS GO CAPS!!!! I think the Cup will look good rolling down F street with the team.
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