Theodore the Goalie
July 01, 2008
Uh, I'm not sure how this came around. I'll admit, I'm not a big Capitals guy, but I'm at least aware of the names in play. This one seems to have surprised many as Jose Theodore signed with Washington today.
...And the Hart Goes To...
June 13, 2008
Alex Ovechkin. In last night's NHL awards, the Capitals MVP became league MVP. He also won the Lester B Pearson Award to show that he's the Most Outstanding Player in the NHL as chosen by players. MVP and MOP. Hard to beat that.
End of the Kolzig Era
May 09, 2008
Yesterday, Olaf Kolzig, the long time starting goalie for the Washington Capitals, decided he would not be returning to the team next season.
He's been the only goalie that I associated with the Caps since I started really paying attention about a decade ago. It's tough to see Olie the Goalie, Godzilla, leaving the only NHL team he has played for. Kolzig led the team to it's only Stanley Cup Finals berth in 1998. It appears he knew for sure the end was near when the Caps didn't start him for Game 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers, with the team down 1-3 in the first round. I actually discussed that with some hockey fans. Whether they were going with the "hot hand" or just trying to ride with Cristobal Huet, it made Kolzig's decision easier.
Good luck to you Olie. Here's hoping we see you in net somewhere this winter.
Capitals 3, Flyers 4
April 22, 2008
Well the comeback was not completed. The game was high paced through and through and had to go OT to get done. Unfortunately, it was Philly who prevailed in the waning seconds of the only penalty called since the 2nd period.
I am what you would call a casual fan of the NHL and the Capitals. But the number of references to goaltender interference in this series and others seemed mind boggling. As Joe Beninati, the play by play man in the Capitals booth on Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic, said, it was a gray area when the Flyers second goal was scored. Sami Kapenen took out Cristobal Huet by sending Shaone Morrisonn into Huet, then scoring. Indirect goalie interference.
Watching the loss was OK, as it appears the Capitals gave it their all. But watching Eastern Motors commercials is just torture. Especially on Comcast Sportsnet's blurry so called "HD".
Congratulations to the Capitals on a great season. It looks like the NHL dream of Ovechvin-Crosby playoff matchup will have to wait at least another year.
Capitals Meet the Press
Ok, besides being a sports fan, I'm a political junkie. I know, it's a shock...life-long Washingtonian is interested in politics. One of my weekly rituals is to watch Meet the Press from NBC. At the end of the show, this past Sunday, Tim Russert declared "How about those Caps? In Pennsylvania tomorrow night. Beat the Flyers!" while holding up a Caps sweater. Sorry, I didn't see who's he had, as he only showed the front.
I'm glad he's going for the "home" team since his Buffalo Sabres aren't in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year.
Capitals 3, Flyers 3
April 21, 2008
Can you say Game 7!?
2-0 with 10:26 left in the 2nd, it was not looking good. Then Nicklas Backstrom scored. 2 minutes left in the second, Alexander Semin put "the biscuit in the basket", as Craig Laughlin would say. But the best was saved for last.
Capitals 2 Flyers 3
April 19, 2008
The Capitals constantly tried to apply pressure in all facets of the game from hitting to shooting on net. The only time the Flyers appeared to turn the tide is when the Caps took their pedal off the gas. The Flyers have consistantly played their game. When the Caps play physical and smart they're winning the five on five game. When the Caps let up they soon find their friends up north dominating them. It's difficult to play a style that's not your own when you're still finding your own style of up tempo end to end hockey. Washington must whether the storm and continue to be mentally tough to walk out of Philly with a win. The Caps must win two more games to play someone with a different style for a better match up. Here's to the Caps for a great game on NBC and pushing the series another game.
Capitals 1, Flyers 3
April 17, 2008
Well, I was hoping not to have to write this entry. And until late in the 3rd, it looked like I could have written a happier message.
The Capitals lost to the Flyers 4-3 in 2 overtimes. The intensity that seemed to be lacking in Game 3 was here. However, I think playing 80+ minutes drained them. The 2 OT's seemed like non-stop power plays, with both teams trading possession of the puck in 4 minutes intervals. Both Cristobal Huet and Martin Biron held their own in the overtimes, blocking shot after shot.
Unfortunately, Huet couldn't stop that last one. This does not bold well for the Caps as Game 1 was a shootout that they won on a spectacular 3rd period. With that and 3 straight losses, the next playoff series is getting out of reach. Somehow they have to score early and score often starting Saturday until the end the series, which hopefully will go to 7 games and 3 straight Caps wins.
Capitals 1, Flyers 2
April 16, 2008
Remember Alfred E Neuman from Mad Magazine? "What, Me Worry?" Maybe we should.
I missed the entire first period, and half of the second, so I'm not sure how play went early in the game. But watching it the rest of the game, it seemed like the Caps were trying, but not hard enough. It's the playoffs...you would think intensity would be knocked up a bit.
Granted, they came within a goal with only a few minutes to go, but you could say "Too Little, Too Late"
Capitals 1, Flyers 1
April 13, 2008
Well Game 2 didn't go as well as Game 1. Actually come to think of it, Game 2 was much like the 2nd Period of Game 1. Mostly Philly, little Washington. 
Photo by BMT
Capitals 1, Flyers 0
April 11, 2008
OK, regular readers might be confused. No, I am not the regular Caps commentator on this site, nor do I play one on TV. The above is not the final score, but the series standing right now. The Washington Capitals won the series opener, 5-4. The last of the NHL opening round series to start, the Caps started off fast, with Donald Brashear scoring just 3 minutes in.
Caps Win Southeast Division
April 06, 2008
The Caps clinched the playoffs and the division Saturday night vs. the Florida Panthers. It was a resounding slam dunk on a roller coaster season. As the Caps get ready for the playoffs and the schedule to be set let's look at the check list: Superstar - check, hot goaltending at the right time - check, leadership (Federov) - check, a second line capable of scoring - check so get ready for some playoff action in DC.
No one is saying to get the Cup ready for DC, but can any team look forward to playing the Caps and Ovechkin? The best game plan teams coming to DC can have is to play physical, impose their will while being aggressive, and take the lead early. The Caps don't boast a top playoff penalty kill percentage, which for so long used to be a staple for the Caps. Not having a complete defense to stop an aggressive team bending the Caps to their will results in penalties. It's these penalties that can lead to goals and in the playoffs this could be the difference between winning and losing. It's the Caps that must impose their will and take the lead early. When coaches say the first five minutes of the period set the tone, it's even more critical for a young team making the playoffs for the first time together.
The Capitals Busy at the NHL Trade Deadline
February 26, 2008
Party like its 1999 may be a Prince song but for all intensive purposes it could be 1998. The Caps acquired Sergei Federov & Cristobal Huet along with Matt Cooke and re-acquired Alex Giroux Caps Trade Recap. How times have changed for Federov. What Caps fan wouldn't want to see Sergei in a Caps uniform, but too bad it's
ten years too late. It would have been great to have Sergei on the Caps roster ten years ago wearing the red white and blue in the Finals or even five years ago, but alas the Caps were able to acquire him for the mere price of a 19 year old defensive prospect (Ted Ruth.)
Continue reading "The Capitals Busy at the NHL Trade Deadline" »
First Ovechkin Then Boudreau: How Lucky Can the Capitals Be?
February 07, 2008
It's about time that someone recognized Boudreau's great work with the Capitals ESPN - Boudreau. Caps fans have longed for someone to step in and make the necessary changes needed to right this ship. It's amazing the luck the Caps Organization has had. The Caps are like Inspector Clouseau. They can bungle all types of decisions and still come out smelling like roses. Much like Abbott & Costello movies, if the Caps were going to make a movie this season it would be Boudreau meets the Pink Panther.
Continue reading "First Ovechkin Then Boudreau: How Lucky Can the Capitals Be?" »
Boudreau Boudreau - Golly!
January 13, 2008
Much like David Letterman used to enjoy saying Boutros Boutros-Ghali during his tenure as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, one could also say Boudreau Boudreau and a golly for good measure! As Boudreau has taken the reigns of the Washington Capitals the team has continued to battle injuries, but has been able to steadily stay above .500 with discipline and focus.
Ovechkin Inked by Capitals for a 13 Year Extension
January 10, 2008
The Washington Capitals signed Alexander Ovechkin to a 13 Year extension for $124M Ovechkin's New Deal - ESPN. This is fantastic news for an ailing organization. The recent signings of Semin & Ovechkin to long term contracts push the Caps to the point where the future meets the present.
Continue reading "Ovechkin Inked by Capitals for a 13 Year Extension" »
The Kolzig Quandary
November 24, 2007
Before the rebuild began the Caps made the decision to retain Olie and trade Bondra. It appeared that Olie was playing well and would return solid value back. Ultimately, the Caps didn’t receive the value back for Bondra’s services.
Capitals - Hanlon Fired
November 23, 2007
Coach Hanlon fired on Thanksgiving. Should GM George McPhee be worried about a similar decision on Christmas or New Years Day, if things don’t improve?
