Comin Home

I'm coming home, I coming home, tell the world that I'm coming home...

So the Caps have taken the "home ice advantage" and are coming back to Verizon to play two.  Now in many sports this would be a great sign.  In the NHL Playoffs?  Not so much.  While I'm still going to give the Caps the "Unleash The Fury Advantage" these games could easily go 1-1 again.

Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday, I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgotten my mistakes...

Well not quite.  I remember the mistakes (Brooks Laich! Knuble stick to face!).  I remember the mistakes even more than I remember the great plays.  However, coming back home with a 1-1 "lead", all is forgiven.  Just don't do it again! (easy for me to say).

I'm coming home, I coming home, tell the world...


Well Caps fans?  Are you going to do the 8 minute "Ovi's Good" countdown?  Are you going to rock the red?  Are you going to unleash the fury?  Or are we going to hear a Let's Go Rangers chant like I did last night at the Nationals game?

So let everyone know today that the Caps are still alive.  Wear your red shirt to the office.  Knock out some of your front teeth and walk around in an Ovi jersey.  Drive down 66 honking your horn to the tune of Let's Go Caps!  Start that LUND-QVIST chant at the office.  TELL THE WORLD, THE CAPS ARE COMING HOME!

 

Come Clean, Bruins

Monday nights loss, was a tough one ,Caps fan. But we've got to let it go, and move on from that dirty game. Yeah, I'm using the word dirty. Entirely fitting considering Lucic and Marchand mercilessly going after Backstroms head. His suspension? Not a huge fan. I know why he got one and technically, that's fair. But with all this fabulous officiating going on, it doesn't really make me feel warm and fuzzy when Nicky gets a suspension, but Lucic doesn't. Oh, NHL, please change. Soon.

May I also point out my extreme annoyance and in general pissed off-ness due to the Caps inability to hold a lead. Hi, Caps, believe it or not, to win games you have to have one more goal than the other team and that generally happens by going to the net and, ya know, shooting. It was bad enough doing it once in a game, but twice? Killing me smalls, guys.

If the Caps can somehow manage to hold on to a lead, score occasionally, keep pressure in Bostons end and on their ever so classy goalie, we should be in high cotton. Granted, that won't be easy considering their best center is out for the game. But the Caps did win the majority of their games against the Bruins without him during the regular season.

I can't say for sure they're going to win Thursday, because I have no fliberty gibet idea, but if the Caps can press the attack and keep a good defensive presence, they have a gosh darn good chance.

My predictions? Let me look into my crystal ball of no pine apple idea...Hmm, I see Jay Beagle remaining in the line up, with Knuble still out. Maybe (please for hte love of grapes!) Hamrlick being pulled for Orlov...and maybe a serious Lucic tushy beating via Chimners, Hendy, and or Brouwster...the Crystal ball of no pine apple idea has spoken.

Now, a song to help you clear your mind for tomorrows game! (You'd never guess, but I liked this one when I was 8 too)

Written by Camilla Alsobrook (Camcoco), Caps BBall's Teen Corrospondent. Camilla also writes for Puck Buddy's and Captial Connection.

The battle of the dumpster fires

The Caps are down to the wire in terms of time to make the Playoffs, they have 4 games left and their opponents are the Habs, Lightning, and Rags, err, I mean Rangers.

Tonight the Caps face the mighty dumpster fire known as the Montreal Canadiens, or to some, as the we-only-like-French-speaking-people team. No matter their name, they’re impressively worse than the Caps this season.

The Canadiens are going to be coming into tonights game more pissed than a rattlesnake due to their 4-1 craptacular loss to the Rangers last night. Not bad motivation, eh? While the Canadiens might be on “fire”, with their record against, all the Caps need to worry about is a repeat of the Borque Incident.

I mean, you thought the Caps were bad? Montreal is a 29-35-14 measly for the season while the Caps are 39-31-8. Considering the Caps have fairly trounced Montreal the last 4 times they played them, it’s safe to say this is a win, no?

With that, Let me bring you down memory lane. Remember that freaking awesome 2009-2010 season? Ya know, when the Caps won the Presidents Trophy and were going to win the Cup hands down? Remember that little, 8th seeded team that made us pull our hair out? Yeah, those were the Canadiens.

It’s been two years and we’ve scincerely murdered them since then, but with the Caps deadline swiftly approaching, you can’t help but think that’s gotta ignite the flame a little. And, cripes, Caps, it’s the CANADIENS! If you guys can kill Detroit, then I think you guys can beat this dumpster fire of a team.

Other important notes:

-The Super Swede is back tonight! Win this one for Backy, guys.

-Neuvirths starting against Montreals irrelevant and terrible goalie.

-Renne Borque is going DOWN. Please…?

"Written by Camilla Alsobrook, Caps BBall's Teen Corrospondent.  Camilla also writes for Puck Buddy's and Captial Connection."

Biggest Game Of The Year Part 77

On Tuesday night at Verizon Center the Washington Capitals will face off against the Buffalo Sabres in what could be the game that makes or breaks the Caps for the 2011-12 season.  As it stands tonight, the Sabres and Capitals are tied in the standings with 84 points and 6 games remaining.  A loss for the Caps would be the equivalent of a 4 point swing, and could crush the Caps playoff chances.

With Winnipeg losing again tonight, they basically are out of the picture, and the final two playoff spots will most likely come down to the Sabres and Caps (unless the Sens pull off one of the worst collapses ever).

Last Friday when the Winnipeg Jets came to town it was a similar situation.  The Verizon Center started off as quiet as a mouse and then morphed into a playoff frenzy when the Caps took a 3 goal lead.  Somehow the Caps ended up losing, but getting what turns out to be a key pity point.  The Verizon better be amped the whole night because the Sabres are on a roll.

If Alex Ovechkin plays like he did the last game (notice I'm not saying the last 7 games where he scored 9 goals).  I'm saying last game.  A game where every time you looked up the was on the ice and in the vicinity of the Puck.  Firing shots, charging down the ice, and going all out.  That Ovi is what the Caps need.

Let's Go Caps...

It's Not Even Our Birthday, But We Wanna Put Our Name On It

On Tuesday night the Caps travel to Strong Island to face the far from strong Islanders.  Despite the Isle's record, this will be anything but Cake for the rolling Caps. 

As we all know, the Caps often win 3 games in a row lately.  However, they haven't been getting a win in game #4.  So tonight, game #4, is the point the Caps need to break through.

Right now Laich, Semin, Beagle, and Aucoin are playing good hockey.  The goalies right now seem to be a toss up in the eyes of the coach, which I hear is not exactly a good thing with the NHL playoffs looming.  Let's hope the Caps can lick the icing off...gross...

Toronto Pre-Game Update

Caps won.  Toronto Lost.  Tampa Bay Lost.  Sabres won.

Not a bad little Saturday, and the Caps go into Sunday's game against the Leafs up 2 points on the Jets and Sabres and 1 point behind the Panthers.

Both the Caps and the Panthers play today at 5pm and by 8pm we will know who is leading the Southeast division, and we will be know that GMU made the tournament.

The Caps opponent today have only won 1 game in their past 10.  However it doesn't seem to matter who the Caps play, the records can be thrown out the window for the rest of the year.  The Caps beat some good teams and lose to some bad teams.  Nobody knows which Caps team will show.

Questions for today's game:

• What penalty will Perrault pick up today?
• Will yesterday Semin show up?
• Will Ovechkin decide to play?
• How much time will Vokoun spend falling down and laying on the ice?
• If Knuble plays will he finally get a goal after missing on 2 breakaways and 1 empty netter?
• Will we see the magical Power Play we saw last game?

Tonight Is The First Night Of The Rest Of Your Life!

It's been a really really messed up week...
Two games of torture, Five days of bitter...
And my Ovi got benched in front of me...
He's a Russian dime, but it's not time for me to quit her...

We've seen the first part of the movie.  The team wins a bunch of games, life is good.  (Highway to the Danger Zone plays)  The team starts assuming they will win games and stops playing hard.  The losses start to pile up.  The team finds itself out of the playoffs.  (Love Hurts plays).  Then something magical happens.  The team bonds together over some event and decides to work together to achieve a common goal.  The team goes on the ice no longer as a group of individual stars, but as a team!  (Highway to the Danger Zone plays again!)

The Caps have lost a majority of their games since that great start.  They are really struggling. Well the only thing to say is...

La, la, la...whatever
La, la, la...it doesn't matter
La, la, la...oh well
La, la la...

That is the point in the movie we are at tonight.  Tonight, the Caps make their triumphant return to the NHL.  The Caps from games 1-7.  Remember those guys?  Ovi was smiling and not sitting on the bench.  Semin was committing those silly O-Zone penalties that we all hated but laughed at when the game was over and the W was in the books.  What a silly goose!  Green was healthy, Voko was Loco, and Knuble was Knubling.

Tonight is the time to start over.  Remember game 1, at Verizon Center.  A huge victory over the Carolina Hurricanes to start the 7 game winning streak.  Well, the Hurricanes are back.  The game is at Verizon.  The streak is at 0 and is dying to reach 7.  The time is tonight.

Tonight, Tonight, there's a party in the 400's top of Verizon...
Tonight, Tonight, and we're dancing on the edge of that weird chinatown gateway sign...
I don't know if I'll make it, but watch how good I fake it (diving)
It's all right, all right, Tonight, Tonight...

More Than A Feeling

The Caps finally won a game after the all star break but they don't have much time to rest as the Bruins come to town as a warm up act to the Super Bowl.  Oh crap, I'm not legally allowed to call it that.  For the Big Game.

Like most people I only watch the game for the commercials.  The Caps game I mean, not the Super Bowl.  An ad with Ferris Buehler has nothing on a kid playing hockey in the mud and messing up the carpet.  The "do you guys know how to post videos to facebook, do you guys know how to post videos to facebook" has nothing on "i'm gonna need a pretty big cupholder".  Oh is that too soon?  Is your family not laughing at that yet.

I guess I should talk about the hockey game.  Let's see.  According to internet research, the Bruins are the defending champions from last year.  I also seem to remember the Caps beating the Bruins a few weeks ago.  Bam, hockey analysis.  Now back to the important stuff.  Who is K. Acorn?  I've been away too long.

What Is Lightning? Caps @ Lightning

Tonight the Caps are playing the Lightning for about the 300th time this season.  A 7:30 start time.  I've written everything I can think of about the hockey team, so it is time to get really deep and basic at the same time.  What is lightning?  I am going to explain it, without looking it up..

Lightning was discovered by Ben Franklin when he put his kite in the air with a key and a mouse on it.  When the lightning hit the kite he was shocked by the key and Ben knew that it was electric (boogie oogie oogie).  But what caused this strange phenomenon.  Was it grandmaster flash...wait you don't get it...ok was it LL Cool J?  Ok if you still don't get it.  Was it John Travolta?  Ug you still don't get it.  Young people...

I think it is probably caused by static electricity or weather or something.  What the hell am I doing.  This is boring.  Wiki says lightning is a discharge followed by a thundering noise...Entire rest of this paragraph deleted due to being too gross...

In conclusion, the Caps play the Lightning tonight.  If they Caps are gonna win they are gonna have to discharge some pucks into the net which will be followed by the thundering sound of the zamboni horn and sirens or whatever happens when a goal is scored.  Lets win this one for Ben Franklin!

See what I did there!  Writing! (John Luvitz)  Enjoy this picture of what will happen tonight...

Eddie Money Edition

Islanders @ Capitals

Tuesday, January 17th (7pm) CSN

I've got...2 tickets to paradise...

Actually I don't have tickets.  I wish I did.  Instead I have tickets to every Wizards game.  Great.  The Verizon Center aka Paradise should be rockin' tonight as the Caps can walk on water and are on a roll headed towards first place in the Southeast division.  Someone give me free tickets!  I occasionally write a blog.  As Coconut Pete would say, "You think Eddie Money has to put up with this shit?"

Take me home tonight...

The Caps need to take this win and get back on top where they belong.  I don't want to let them go til I see the light, the light of first place.  The Islanders suck.  They can be my little baby.  They are tied for last place in the East.  DiPietro is injured of course and I don't even know who the backup is...perhaps another guy that signed a 40 year contract?

Baby hold on to me...

Whatever will be will be, but the Caps have an opportunity and they need to take it.  This is the first of back to back games and tomorrow night's game against Montreal looks like it could be filled with a lot of physical play and physical non play.  The key to not having a letdown is to come out and score early and put this team away.  Then think about some sweet revenge tomorrow

You've Got A Friend: Hurricanes @ Capitals

James Taylor Edition

Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals

Sunday, January 15th (5pm) CSN

I've seen fire, and I've seen rain...

Sometimes the Caps are fire.  They come out strong in the first period, get on the scoreboard early, play physical hockey, and win games.  Hot Hot Hot.    Sometimes the Caps are rain.  They turn the puck over, they fail on the power play, and they don't get enough shots on goals.  Cold Cold Cold.

I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end...

A 7-0 start that featured 30 goals.

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend...

A 13 game span that featured 9 losses and a coach being fired.

But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again...

As of late we have seen more fire than rain.  The Caps are only 2 games back of the division lead.  They have won 6 of their last 8 games and Tommy V has emerged as the team's goto goaltender.  How sweet it is!  Are good times here again?  This game against the Hurricanes is a good chance to find out.  Let's keep the fire burnin...

Calgary Ripken Junior

Tuesday -- January 2nd -- 7:00pm -- CSN
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@

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The red hot Washington Capitals will host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night as they look to keep their biggest winning streak under Dale Hunter alive.  The big three for the Caps over the course of that winning streak has been Alex Ovechkin (The NHL's 2nd star of the week), Alex Semin (injured with a cut), and Tomas Vokoun (bald).  Those three guys have stepped up their game and have been the spark needed for the Caps to get going.  They need to keep the train rollin'.

I don't know anything about Calgary.  I don't know any players, and I barely know where Calgary the city is. I've heard of the Calgary Stampeders if that counts.  I think Doug Flutie played for them and won the Super Bowl Grey Cup.  More great hockey knowledge.  That is what you get at Caps Basketball...

One time in college we went camping with our RA.  He got really drunk and started swaying back & forth.  Except one of the times he skipped the forth and fell into the fire.  It kinda hurt him.  So I know that about Flames.

More:  Mike Green may or may not play...Semin has a cut, could possibly not play...This will be the only time these two teams meet this season.

Caps vs Jackets

Some good and bad things...

Caps:  They are nice if you are bald.  They are nice if you are a baseball player.  They give me a headache when I wear them.  I hate when people wear them backwards.  I hate when people wear them at all.  I like winter hats.

Jackets:  Jackets win by a landslide.  I'm always so cold.  It is always freezing.  Jackets keep me warm.  Jackets let me play in the snow.  You can always take off a jacket, but you can't put one on if you don't have one!

I saw a story about the Caps players wearing blue jackets and realized that the Caps were actually playing a team called the Blue Jackets.  They are from Ohio.  Yeah hockey in Ohio. WTF.


Anyways since nobody let me know that this game was happening, there is no awesome game preview with random rap song lyrics that nobody understands.  Instead, a pregame poem.

The Caps play the Jackets,
In a battle of apparel.
Scoring on Columbus,
Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Ovi Ovi Oh,
Say can you see.
A hat trick for the fans,
A hat trick for me.

It is New Years eve,
So I won't watch this game.
I have to drink heavily,
And live up to my name.

So Go Caps Go
Last game in Eleven
If you could just win this,
It would be just heaven...

Hope you liked this in depth hockey analysis...You are welcome...

The Sabres Head To DC

Friday, Dec 29th:  Buffalo Sabres @ Washington Capitals (7:00pm) CSN

Finally the Sabres are coming to Washington.  Let's all welcome them to town and let them know that we ALSO have an Applebees and a Dave & Busters.

On Friday night the Caps will face the Sabres at Verizon Center for the 3rd time this season.  The Sabres have won each matchup, both in Buffalo by a combined score of 9-3.  The Caps are coming off a huge win at home against the Rangers on Wednesday night.  The Sabs leading scorer Vaneck (aka Vanek) who missed the previous matchup will be back on Friday.

Last week when the teams played the Caps gave up 4 goals in the first period and had no chance at fighting back.  It was almost unwatchable.

Vokoun should get the start after a good game on Wednesday...Semin & Ovi are coming off good games...

It is hard for me to preview this game since the two teams just faced each other last week and I already used my A+ material.  So some songs

Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight?

Come out tonight, Come out tonight?

Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight,

And try to get the puck past Vokoun...

And from Bob Marley...

Buffalo Sabres, Hockey Players
There was a Buffalo Sabre, in the heart of America,
Travelled from Buffalo, brought to Verizon,
Caps on a Revival, Scoring on Arrival

Rangers Will Face Caps With Or Without D-Bag

Wednesday, Dec 27th:  N.Y. Rangers @ Washington Capitals (7:30pm)

On Wednesday night at Verizon Center the Caps will welcome this years stars of HBO 24/7 the New York Rangers for a televised 7:30 matchup on Versus (not on Comcast).  The Rangers come to town on a 5 game winning streak and are currently the top seed in the East.  The Caps...I don't wanna talk about it.

According to the TV show, the Rangers have a guy on their team who is a full time model and part time hockey player named Sean Avery.  I tried to Google him but nothing came up.  I thought Google was broken but I realized that it was  because "safe search" was on and all articles containing the word 'douche' were omitted from the results.  He hasn't played in a while and he may be demoted.  Boo hoo.

I would think that Tomas Vokoun would be getting a shot in goal again, but who knows when it comes to Dale Hunter.

Hopefully the Caps can be on the HBO show in a better way than they were in the last one, which featured 5 goals on 5 shots from their game against the Flyers.

Mike Green was back practicing although he is not game ready yet...Matty P who was injured last game should be back...Lundqvist is coming off a 3-0 shutout win against the Isles...

Caps Return To The Land Of Applebees

Mon, Dec 26th:  Washington Capitals @ Buffalo Sabres (7:00pm) CSN+

On Tuesday night, while the Wizards will play their first game at Verizon Center, the Washington Capitals will be in Buffalo to face-off against the Sabres as it will be back to Applebees for the struggling Caps.  (Caps get the CSN + Treatment).  The Sabres are only 1 point behind the stagnant Capitals in the standings , but the Sabs have lost 3 in a row giving up a whopping 15 goals in those 3 contests combined.

The Caps are coming off of a 4-3 shootout loss to the Devils, where they went into the 3rd period down 3 goals and fought back in the game to get the OT pity point.  Hopefully the Caps can come in and play with the same desire and fight that they had in that final period on Friday night.

The Sabres game earlier in the year was the end of Bruce Boudreau.  The first time these two teams met in late November, the Sabres manhandled the Caps winning 5-1 in Buffalo.  The Caps were terrible in that contest giving up 2 shorthanded goals, but if Friday's game against the Devils is any indication, a feat like that could be repeated by the Sabs.  Enter Dale Hunter...

Why are the Predators a Sabretooth Tiger?  I keep clicking on their logo when I mean to click on the Sabres.  My mind can't deal with that...

Thomas Vaneck, the Sabre's leading goal scorer (17)  & Brad Boyes are questionable for the Sabres...Neuvy getting the start again, haven't seen Voko in a while...

That's A Lovely Accent You Have...New Jersey?

Friday, Dec 23rd:  Washington Caps @ New Jersey Devils (7:00pm)

*HONK HONK HOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK* *Strobe Light*

On Friday night (Christmas Eve Eve) the Capitals will head to New Jersey to face the Devils.  The Caps & Devs are close in the standings (who isn't these days) and have been playing at a similar level lately.  The Devils won 6 out of their last 8 games and the Caps have won 5 out of 8.  Washington is coming off of a win against the Predators where each member of the big 3 (Alex, Alex, Nick) scored a goal.

*HONK HONK HOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK* *Strobe Light*

Back in mid-November the Caps and Devils split a 2 day home & home series, the Caps winning 3-1 in NJ and the Devils winning 3-2 the next night in a shootout in DC.  #areuseriousbro

Remember This:

The Caps will be looking to keep their offense as crisp as it was when they played in the first period on Tuesday night and I would assume that Dale Hunter will be sticking with the hot goaltender Michal Neuvirth.   (But who knows)

*HONK HONK HOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK* *Strobe Light*

Last time I was in Jersey I was at a place called Djais.  It was like 11am but the place was filled with Jersey Shore type people.  Every 1 minute the DJ would cut the song off, play a car horn sound like 10 times, and flash a strobe light, at which point everyone in the bar went absolutely bonkers.  Later, like 4 of my friends made out with the same girl.  At one point there was a beer bottle in the middle of a circle and people were dancing around it and with it like it was a person.  When we stumbled out of the bar it was still daylight...

Lets put another shrimp on the barbie...or at least another win in the standings...

*PUKE*

CVP II: Cap vs Predator Requiem

Tuesday, Dec 20th:  Nashville Predators @ Washington Capitals (7:00pm)

On Tuesday night the Nashville Predators will come to Verizon Center to face the Washington Capitals for their 2nd and final matchup of the season. The first time these 2 teams met in Nashville and the Predators defeated the Caps 3-1 behind some sweet goaltending from Pekka Rinne who saved 39 out of 40 shots.

The Predators are red hot and have won 5 straight games and 7 out of 10 while the Caps have only won 4 out of their last 10.  The Caps have only scored 1 goal in their past three games and have not been getting enough shots on goal.  Dale Hunter has moved MarJo up to the 1st line in place of Ovi to try to get some offense going...

Mike Green was skating and Jay Beagle was cleared for hitting, but both are still not ready to come back to action yet.  Cody Eakin has been sent back to Hershey...

The Varlamonster Vs The Neuive? Not Anymore

Saturday, Jan 17th :  Washington Caps @ Colorado Avalanche (9:00pm)

On Saturday night the Caps look for their 2nd straight win as they head a mile in the sky Jetsons style to visit the Colorado Avalanche.  This will be the only meeting between the two teams this season.  The Avs are struggling at 14-18, but the Caps are only 4 points better at 16-14.


The Caps are starting to turn their record around and have won 4 out of their last 6 and the Avs are headed the other way losing  4 out of 5.  The Caps get Mike Green back in the locker room, but not back on the ice.  The Avs will be without David Jones and Brandon Yip, who will be replaced by a couple minor leaguers. 


Varley and his sub par 3.14 GAA are "injured" and will not be playing... :(

 If Dale Hunter goes with the hot goalie, Neuvy is his man.  Although his GAA is a crazy 3.38,  Michal earned his 1st shutout of the season on Thursday night against the Jets in Winnipeg and he has only given up 1 goal in his last 4 periods.

Since this is my first season with the Caps, I don't know much about Varlamov or the circumstances on which he left town.  I do know that if the more the Avalanche lose, the better it is for the Caps because Varley was traded for Colorado's 1st round pick.  However, it seems like lots of Caps fans are still big Varley fans...knowing hockey it will be Vokoun vs Giguere...

Jet Up Jet Out & Jet Somethin'

Thursday, Dec 15th:  Washington Capitals @ Winnipeg Jets (8:30pm)

On Thursday night the Caps (15-14, 31) will face the Jets (14-16, 32) over 1,500 miles away from home in Winnipeg.  Yeah, the Jets are under .500 but have more points than the above .500 Caps.  Yay NHL!

The Jets are coming off a win against the number 1 team in the NHL, the Minnesota Wild, after being blown out 7-1 the game before against the Red Wings.  The Caps are coming off of taking a blowout beating of their own, a 5-1 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday night.

Last time the Caps came to Winnipeg in November, they lost 4-1 in front of Pat Sajak and a loud MTS Center crowd happy to have hockey back.  Winnipeg has a great crowd and they can get very loud.  If it is anything like the last meeting, the fans will be all over Ovechkin all night, booing and chanting his name.

The teams faced each other less than a week later in DC and the Caps defeated the Jets in Overtime 4-3 where Bruce Bourdreau thought he was in the midst of saving his job.  The Caps dropped 2 games after that and BB was Gone Baby Gone.

These days the offense can't really trust the goalies so in order to win this game the Caps are going to have to score some goals and the D needs to shut down the Big Red Machine, Evander Kane.

• Other stories about the Jets