Caps Crush Bolts...Wait...It's Tied? GIFs To Explain

The Caps led the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 and 5-1.  Somehow, after 60 minutes was up, the game was tied and the teams went into overtime.  You can figure out who won by the GIFs.  There is nothing really else to write, so I'll let these GIFs explain everything for you:

Caps Overcome Two Goal 3rd Period Deficit, Win 2nd Straight

Down 5-3 with half the 3rd period behind them, Washington Capitals fans began to push the panic button.  Fans were firing the GM, cursing the team, and getting internally angry.  Read some of the tweets below.

But the Caps didn't care about those fans or what they thought.  Instead they just played hockey, tying up the game and winning it in OT.

In OT Backstrom slapped a perfect pass to Troy Brouwer setting him up on the breakaway.  Brouwer couldn't get the puck past the Florida goaltender but he followed his shot and stuffed the puck into the net for the Caps 2nd straight win.

The Caps scored first on a Mike Ribiero powerplay goal but the Panthers came back and notched 2 to go into the 2nd period leading 2-1.  One of the "highlights" of the opening session was the "fight" that took place between Alexander Ovechkin and Kris Versteeg (watch it here).

Alzner and Hendricks each scored in the 2nd period, but the Panthers got 2 goals of their own putting the Caps in a 4-3 situation going into the final frame.

After the Panthers scored almost 7 minutes in, right when the fans began to give up, the Caps came back with a Eric Fehr deflection goal and then an Ovechkin PPG off of the initial faceoff in a matter of seconds.

Just 32 seconds into the OT, Brouwer scored the game winner.

Ribeiro continues to be the Caps best player scoring a goal and picking up 2 assists.  Backstrom and Ward also had 2 assists.  Ovi also had an assist to go with his goal.  HOCKEY!  ASSISTS FOR EVERYONE!!!

The Caps won 2 in a row for the first time this season.  Next up, the Lighting on Valentines Day.  Be mine!

Backy, Brouwer, & Wolski Score, Caps Win

The Washington Capitals picked up their 2nd win of the season over the similarly struggling Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night at Verizon Center.  Things were chippy early on but the Caps benefited from Nick Backstrom's first goal of the season, and goals by Brouwer and Wolski to secure a 3-2 victory.

The festivities got started early when John Erskine gave a possible cheap shot elbow (no penalty) to the face of Wayne Simmonds who fell to the ice, his head smashing on the ice.  Simmonds was bleeding and was knocked out of the game with a head injury.

Before the ensuing faceoff, Matt Hendricks and Zac Rinaldo (Watch the GIF here) dropped the gloves. Rinaldo threw about 12 turbo speed punches that didn't really land anywhere while Hendricks struggled to get 1-2 shots in.  Both players were ejected from the game because of the timing of the fight.

After a scoreless first period the Flyers got on the board early in the 2nd.  But the Caps came back and scored 3 straight goals including a breakaway goal for Backstrom's first tally of the season.  The Flyers scored in the 3rd leaving the Verizon faithful on the edge of their seats waiting for another Capitals collapse.  But the Caps stayed strong and picked up the victory.

Holtby ended with 30 saves and 2 GAA, showing that it is going to be very helpful having multiple goalies that Oates can trust.

EB Yanks the mic from Joe B, who is quite shocked

One of the highlights of the game was when two of the Sports Junkies (EB & Cakes) from 106.7 the fan joined Locker & Joe B in the booth.  Fans seemed to be quite upset as the Junks livened up the broadcast booth.  It was interesting to say the least (read the Transcript & see photos here)

The fun doesn't stop...Caps get the Penguins on "Big Game" Sunday...

Wizards Worst Team In The League...What? Caps? Really?

The Washington Capitals lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night at the Air Canada Center 3-2.  With the loss and a Florida win, the Caps are now in last place in the NHL.  Meanwhile, the Wizards are 29th out of 30.  Not a good year for Ted Leonsis.

The Maple Leafs attempted 40 shots on goal compared to the Caps 22.  Much of that had to do with the fact that the Leafs had 8 powerplays compared to the Caps 2.  However despite the penalty discrepancy, each team only netted 1 goal on the PP thanks to the Caps PK and some great goaltending by Michal Neuvirth.

The Caps got on the board less than 2 minutes in with a goal by the team's leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin Joel Ward (4) on a nifty pass by Mike Ribeiro which had Locker in quite the tizzy.  But the Leafs cashed in on the powerplay soon after.

Ovechkin notched a powerplay goal (I don't remember the last time he scored on even-strength) in the 2nd period off a pass by, you guessed it, Mike Ribiero.  Ribz is the Caps assist leader with 7 already on the season.

When the Caps weren't on the PK they were knocking the Leafs backwards.  But in the 3rd period the Maple Leafs went on a barrage, tying the game and then taking the lead in a matter of minutes.

The Caps made a final push in the final minutes (including Ovechkin running laps around the goal), but when an Ovi shot hit the post in the closing seconds, the Caps chances were up.  Final score, Leafs 3, Caps 2.

Next up for the LAST PLACE Caps, the Flyers at home on Friday...

John Erskine's Point Streak Hits 2 Games, Caps Lose To Sens

The Washington Capitals started the game strong with a 2 goal lead in the first period, but the Senators fought back with help from a dominant 2 periods by Craig Anderson, and took home the victory, scoring a game winning power-play goal on a shady penalty call by the referees.

With under 3 minutes remaining former Washington Capital Sergei Gonchar placed in the timely power-play game winner sending the Caps out of the Canadian capital with their 4th loss.

The Caps played a strong first period outshooting the Sens 14-9.  The full court pressure was on, which according to Locker is called the "first man pressure".  The Caps scored 2 goals in the period, their first goal on a fast break where Wolski made a great pass to Brouwer, who made a tiny move and stuck the puck in the net.  The goal all started out with bad stickplay by the Senators in the Caps zone.

The second goal came on a Matt Hendrix faceoff win, as the Caps powerplay expired, Hendy got it to Erskine who knocked it over to Beagle who fired the puck towards goal that ended up being deflected into the net by the man who started the play, Matt Hendrix (that is how I spell it, cuz he rocks).

That's a 2 game point streak for John Erskine if you are counting.  Adam Oates was smiling like a mug after that goal (see the GIF here)

The Caps looked like they were going to take the game, but the Sens ended up getting a goal right before the end of the second period and then one quick into the 3rd period to even up the game.  The 2nd off a faceoff on a little nudge towards goal that went through Neuvirth's legs. Bad.  Then with time running down, Gonchar notched that BS power-play goal for the Seators win.

My favorite play of the game took place in the first period as Mike Green took the puck towards the Senators net.  He flicked the puck up in the air, a saucer pass that was more like a soccer cross about 7 feet in the air as Joel Ward crashed the net looking for the header. Well, he didn't actually try to head it in, he tried to baseball swing it in, but still, it looked very soccery.


Notes & Questions:

• What the hell is "hooking off"? Sounds gross Locker
• Neuvy almost committed a trapezoid penalty, which would have crushed me, damn trappy
• What are these new NHL rules, what is "concealing the puck"
• Your name is pronounced "Jack-Up" what the hell
• Is Neal on every team?
• Senator's coach Mustache...epic
• Sort of get Cycling, is that like rotating to keep spacing in Basketball?
• Hitting someone in the face with a stick is OK on a followthrough? 

Caps Tickets Easy & Cheap, Fans Quiet & Booey, Team Losey

Let me tell you the kind of stuff you have to do to push Wizards tickets.  You can't just give them away for free, but you have to PAY people to attend instead.  (And they still don't want to go).

The Caps were different though...or so I thought...

Empty Seats Everywhere, Fans Exiting Early - Thursday vs Montreal from Verizon Center

Last week I purchased two tickets to the Washington Capitals second home game at Verizon Center which took place on Thursday night.  The tickets, worse than my Wizards season tickets that cost me $9 per game, ran $50 each plus fees, a price I would not typically pay for a non playoff type game.

In the past I had been to only a few games, mostly because of the price, and the games I did attend, the amount of money that I paid did not match the amount of money on the ticket.

Which is why I was shocked when on Thursday morning, when I realized I would have trouble going to the game, that nobody wanted to take these hot tickets off me for face value.

Then I was made aware of something very surprising to me.

The Most Beautiful Loss In The World

252 Days...

When the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning dropped the puck on Saturday night, it was a few hours over 252 days since the Caps faced off against the New York Rangers in their final period of action back in May of 2012.  Since that time the Caps were eliminated from the playoffs, an 8th seed won the Cup, a season was almost cancelled, and earlier in the day, the NHL made its "triumphant" return.

And that is what makes this scene so beautiful.  Caps fans were expecting to take that game 7 against the Rangers at the end of last season and when it didn't happen their mouths began to water as we awaited the next season to begin.  Both the players and the fans were hoping the season started the next day.  Instead the lockout happened and it didn't even happen as regularly scheduled.

A Concussion Means The Caps Won

As the 3rd period began, all I could do is watch the clock.  "Why aren't you moving faster!"  The clock ticked down, but the Bruins chances of scoring didn't stop.  Holtby was stopping everything, but  the Caps have been down this road before.  Every single shot, pass, check...I was freaking out.  The Bruins were going to score...it was inevitable...

Then all of a sudden there were 9 seconds left in the game.  Somehow I was still breathing and my heart was still doing whatever a heart does with blood to keep me alive.  The faceoff was in the Caps zone and the Bruins had a chance to tie the game.  I couldn't watch.  I literally focused both of my eyes on the clock.  The puck was dropped, the Bruins got the puck, and...

There were still 9 seconds on the clock...HOW!  I was jumping up and down, my hands were on my head, I was yelling but not making words.  Those 9 seconds lasted an eternity.  Then I realized why it was seeming so long.  THEY DIDN'T START THE CLOCK!  There was a faceoff and some puck movement, but 0 time had ticked off.  I screamed at the TV.  My face almost exploded!

As I grabbed the shoulders of the stranger next to me I'm pretty sure my heart stopped beating.  I couldn't feel my body.  My whole life flashed before my eyes.  The Bruins were getting the puck near the goal and the time wasn't going quick enough.  Suddenly Holtby had the puck and I heard a buzzer.  The period was over??? Was I imagining the sound.  Did Holtby even have the puck?

I stared at the TV hoping that puck was in Holtby's glove...that was about the time my head hit the floor.  Although my cranium had just smashed into the solid beer covered ground of the bar I had a huge smile on my face.  I knew that the fact that I was on the ground in pain meant that the Caps had really won.  It was true!  I wasn't dreaming!

After a few woozy seconds I got back off the floor.  Although I was still happy the Caps won I was now quite angry at my friend for knocking me over when it happened.  Who does that!  I did not actually get a concussion, but the second part of the post title was true.  The Caps Won!

Caps Collapse, Down Goes Thomas, Caps Win

I will never call him Hendricks...he will be known as Hendrix because he made Tim Thomas rock & roll...

As Tim Thomas fell to the ground he suddenly realized what had just happened to him.  He had his ankles broken and there was nothing he could do about it.  His body collapsed to the ground and he didn't even have to look to know the puck was in the net.  Frustrated and embarrassed, Thomas slammed his goalie stick a few times in anger.  Not only had Matt Hendrix scored, but he had made the defending Stanley Cup champion goalie Tim Thomas look like that marathon runner who's legs just gave up on him right at the finish line.  #Filthy.

Earlier in the night, the Washington Capitals were cruising to a great win against the Bruins in Boston.  However, with under 4 minutes remaining, as I was about to leave the bar, the Bruins scored 2 quick goals to send the game to overtime.

With a 2-0 lead and only half a period remaining, I started looking ahead to the Buffalo game tomorrow night.  But the Bruins decided that I was too premature.  They put in 2 goals in the final 4 minutes, the second going right through Neuvy to tie up the game with under 2 minutes remaining.

That brings us back to the shootout where Matty destroyed Tim Thomas' soul.  After that, Thomas ended up saving an Ovi shot, but couldn't stop anything else and the Capitals pulled off the huge overtime upset.

As Laich's game winning shootout goal went in the net, the bartender started counting the people in the bar.  A few minutes later the 30 people in the bar all had red shots in front of them and after a LETS GO CAPS toast it was down the hatch.  Very nice.

Tomas Vokoun who came back from injury left as soon as he arrived and Nuevy was left with the responsibility to stop the Bruins.  The Voko injury is making it look like he won't be a lock for the playoffs (if they happen) so Neuvy may be forced to be the man.

Chimera was ejected from the game after boarding a Bruin on a semi-unnessisary play.  He not only boarded him but he seemed to leave his feet to do it.  No clue if there will be a suspension, it was not an elbow to the head or anything, but we will see.  Chimera was jawing with the Bruins as well as the crowd as he was escorted to the locker room.

The Sabres play tomorrow night, a loss would put the Caps back into a tie, and the Caps next game is on Saturday against the Canadians.  4 games left.  Holy hell this is close....

Buffalo Fans Cheer, Caps Fans Boo, Welcome To DC Home Games

In the latest "biggest game" of the season, the Washington Capitals lost to the Buffalo Sabres on by a score of 5-1 in front of a booing Verizon Center that was filled with Buffalo fans.  What started as a game 7 atmosphere quickly disappeared after each Sabres goal and by the end of the game fans were actually booing.

Are you serious?  I understand that DC sports franchises have been disappointing.  I've booed the Wizards, Redskins, and Nationals in my day.  However none of those three teams was a playoff team.  They were jokes of franchises.  The Capitals are fighting for a playoff spot.  Do people in the area not see how awesome this is?  Do fans really think they deserve wins every night as fans?

The Verizon Center has been dead quiet for the past month or more.  The fans have gotten really loud, but only when the Caps are winning by multiple goals, or during the final few minutes of the game.  Verizon may have been a playoff atmosphere in regular season's past, but this is DC.  If you don't win, we sell our tickets to the opposition, fans boo, and fans stop caring.

All I know is that I'm enjoying each game.  I'm a freaking Wizards fan.  You guys don't know how good you have it!

Oh and in the game?  The Caps were flat, the Sabres played good hockey.  Ryan Miller dominated (44 saves) and the Caps goalies choked (5 GA).

The season is FAR from over, but also close to being over.  5 games left.  Back 2 points.  Defending champs in their house next game on Thursday. Panthers & Rangers both left on the schedule.  Good Luck.

Ovechkin Puts It All Together For A Huge Caps Win

Heading into the night the Washington Capitals were the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference and were looking in at the playoffs from outside.  The team came out and did what they needed to do, picking up a win and two points in a decisive 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild behind the leadership of Alexander Ovechkin and the goaltending of Braden Holtby.

Alex Ovechkin has been playing light's out hockey over the past several games.  However, tonight was the first time that Ovi looked like a leader out there.  It seemed like he never even came out of the game and while he was on the ice he was wherever the puck was.  Ovi not only scored and had an assist, but he made a few defensive plays.  Most importantly he was flying all over the ice, and he never quit.

Braden Holtby saved all 28 shots that came his way and it was no easy task.  Holtby played playoff style goalie and the crowd at Verizon Center really appreciated the effort.  With Vokoun out, Holtby has filled in nicely and with performances like the one against the Wild, the coach may have a tough decision to make come playoff time.

With the season running out the Caps better hope they find a seat when the music stops and the game of playoff musical chairs is over.

The NBC announcers still hate Semin & Ovechkin...Humangus game on Tuesday at Verizon...HUGE...Nobody tells DJ Request what to play...

Was That The Caps Or Wizards Out There?

For the second straight night the Washington Capitals came out of the gate firing behind the streaking play of Alexander Ovechkin.  And for the second straight night Ovechkin, his heart, and the rest of the Caps disappeared late in the game and Washington ended up with an Overtime loss in a game they should have won.  Jets 4, Caps 3 (OT).

Alex Ovechkin has been playing some great hockey.  The key word in that sentence is "some".  What is the point of scoring goals if you don't win the game.  After Alex doesn't score for a while he begins to let up and he stops playing hard every single shift.  It is so frustrating to watch because sometimes I feel like his teammates "want it" more than he does.  I expect a captain to DIE on the ice, something that guys like Allen Iverson would do.  So why doesn't Ovi play that way?

I can't even write about the actual game...

While the Caps did get a point, they didn't deserve it.  Meanwhile the Beefaloes have caught up to the Caps in the standings with each team having 7 more games to play.  That is a lot of games.  A lot of games where 1 point isn't going to be good enough.  The Senators are helping the Caps out by losing and may help the Caps get into the playoffs if they continue their freefall.  Winnipeg is also hanging around.

The Caps have set a new NHL record for most "must-wins" in a single year, and they plan to keep adding to the record....Sunday, Verizon, Wild, 5pm, Huge...Time is running out...

Ovechkin Impresses Then Disappoints In SO Loss

The Caps played hockey the same way I play my girlfriend.  She comes in all excited.  She is ready for a lot of quality minutes from me.  I have passion in my eyes.  I'm ready to go, and go long.  I'm all amped up, she's all amped up.  And 26 seconds into it I score then roll over and go to sleep for an hour...Disappointing...and sad...

Alex Ovechkin scored his 6th goal in 5 games only 26 seconds into the game to give the Caps a quick lead but the rest of the game the Caps played back, and didn't really attack.  When the Caps did have good offensive looks they missed the net or hit the post and they just couldn't put in that 2nd goal that they needed.

Holtby saved 27 out of 28 but it wasn't enough as Humangus Bridezilla was just as good saving 30 out of 31.  Marjo missed a penalty shot where the Flyers goalie just stuck his stick out and tripped him, but there was no call.

The Caps ended up losing in the shootout, but gained an important 1 point to finish out the road trip with 5 out of 10.

One of the things I noticed was the difference between Hartnell and Ovechkin.  Hartnell I can tell does not have the natural skill and talent that Ovi has, but he plays hard.  Ovechkin on the other hand scores many of his goals with talent, but he takes off certain plays and doesn't always have the killer instinct.

In the OT period Hartnell seemed to refuse to come off the ice.  He was going to fight as hard as he could to score.  He didn't care he was supposed to line change, he knew it was OT and he had to be on the ice.  On the Caps end of the ice, Ovechkin decided to just dump the puck in with 13 seconds left and head for the bench instead of going hard for that time to try to get the game winner.  Hartnell has more goals than Ovi, but is less talented.  That OT period showed me the reason why.

Big game tomorrow night at the V-Center...Jets...7pm...Beefalo on our tail...

Ovi & Caps Make Some Dirty Goal

Alex Ovechkin put it best during the first intermission.  He said it is always good to "make some dirty goal".  The Caps did just that, scoring 4 goals in Detroit on Monday night for a big road trip 5-3 win and a big 2 points in the standings.  The Caps play the Flyers in Philly on Thursday and they really needed a win.  Braden Holtby was a little shaky but saved 30 and picked up the win in place of the injured Vokoun.

The game started out with Ovi taking a stick to the face to which he flailed like he was shot with a machinegun and then layed on the ground like he was dead.  Luckily for the Caps there was no diving call and Ovechkin got some revenge for the face shot by hitting the back of the net with the puck for the 1-0 lead.  Finally the Caps score first.

Knuble scored  a few minutes later and he is starting to turn around, 3 goals in 4 games.  2-0 Caps.

A few minutes later the Red Wings went down the ice with no trouble at all and no defense and the Caps ended up being bailed out when a Wings goal was wiped out after Mike Green was pushed into the net.  A huge turnaround because the goal was washed out, the bad D was washed out, and the Caps got a powerplay on an interference call and Ovi tipped in his own shot for his 2nd goal of the night.  3-0 Caps.

In the 2^nd period, Matt Hendrix committed a blatant o-zone hold and the Wings took advantage with a goal.   3-1 Caps.

However, in the final three minutes of the period Aucoin put the Caps back up by a score of 4-1 and seconds later Chimera missed a fast fast fast break opportunity keeping the Wings within striking distance for the final session.

Thirty six seconds into the final frame, the Wings got a tip in goal which was basically Holtby’s fault, and the Wings cut the lead to 2 with plenty of time left.  4-2 Caps.

That goal got the Wings fired up and the energy shifted in favor of the Wings.  They used that energy to cut the lead to 1 with 7 minutes left in the game after a bunch of ugly hockey taking place in front of the net led to a score.  4-3 Caps.

The remainder of the 3rd period was a Red Wings onslaught were the Caps seemed to be playing their Prevent defense that they have been doing with the lead as of late.  Chimera put an end to all that nonsense and put in an empty netter to seal the deal.  5-3 Victory for the Caps.

Wow it is feeling like playoff hockey...powerplay 3 for 4...Caps 50 Papa John’s … Enjoy your half price pizza wings and more tomorrow...

Caps Look Terrible, Losing By Only 3 Was A Miracle

The Capitals lost to the Blackhawks 5-2 in Chicago on Sunday night and picked up another loss on the roadtrip from Hell that could cost them a playoff spot.  The Blackhawks weren’t dumping and chasing. They were taking the puck across the blue line undefended and getting great shots.

A terrible first period with bad defense, no energy, no forechecking, and an offense that didn't get their first shot until 16 minutes into the game really put the Caps in a bad spot for the rest of the game.

The Hawks scored twice in the first frame, the 2nd goal for the Blackhawks was a loose puck headed towards the Capitals Zone that Orlov jogged after while a speedy Hawk Stalburg swooped in like the Flash and with Orlov surprised put in a breakaway move on Neuvy.

Mike Knuble scored a huge goal in the second period (and he may be out of his slump) to cut the lead to 2-1 but the Blackhawks scored again a few minutes later to make it 3-1 and then again on a wrap around that outwrapped Neuvy's sliding leg to give the B-hawks a 4-1 lead.

Ovi went coast to coast and through the legs on the toedrag move to give the caps a second goal, vintage Ovechkin.  This goal probably made the success rate of his move this season somewhere around 5%.  The goal was huge because it cut the lead to 2 going into the final period.

The Caps couldn't do anything in the 3rd and their offense was just bland, boring, with no energy until the final 4 minutes when it was too late.  Redwings tomorrow followed by Flyers on Wedensday to end the Road Trip from Hell.

Jets Squeak By The Caps

The Caps lost a tough one to the Jets 3-2 on Friday night in Winnipeg.  The crowd in the Peg was loud.  I mean really loud.  That place would be fun to visit for a game.  However they did moan and groan every single check demanding a Caps penalty which was pretty stupid.  The game was filled with big hits and bodies were flying all over the place.  You would think this game meant something maybe.

The Jets got the scoring started with a goal but while the in house announcer was announcing the goal and assists and while Joe B was worried the Winnipeg crowd would be really effective with a lead Brooks Laich tipped in a Marjo shot to tie the game.

The Jets scored again late in the second period after Alex Ovechkin had no idea what he was doing on defense.  Ovi basically skated in circles being indecisive and not committing to anyone.  A few seconds later the Jets had a very very very near miss that would have been a backbreaker.

The Jets had a double powerplay 5 on 3 for most of the final 2 minutes of the period.  The PK went crazy with Beagle blocking shots and Vokoun making some killer saves.  Right after the PK fresh out of the box the Caps had a semi breakaway and the Jets were called for holding with 8 seconds left in the period...and...

27 seconds into the final period on the powerplay, Perrault scored a huge goal to tie the game.
The Jets scored again in the 3rd and the Caps had 1 last chance with a powerplay in the final 2 minutes.  With a pulled goalie it was 6 on 4 but the Caps couldn't get the puck in the net.

Vokoun had some huge saves and was looking like a brick wall.  You would think every save hit a post (there were a couple dings) the way the crowd reacted.  Voko also came far out of the crease a bunch of times like he always does.  Dale Hunter has been back and forth for much of the season but earlier he had Vokoun as the main man and I think Voko is going to be the guy from here on out.

Marjo got leveled and wobbled to the bench, hoping it isn't a concussion...he did come back though which means he passed the concussion test.

Next up Sunday vs Chicago, but next Friday in DC the Caps have a huge game against the Jets that is going to be a playoff atmosphere...can't wait

Game Notes:

• Joe B is on a calling arena's "barns" kick
• Locker said a Semin play was "soap on a rope"
• Brouwer looks like Kurt Warner or a Punter the way his shoulder pads are so oversized
• "Ovi Sucks" chant
• We get it, Aucoin has a big stick, I do too but you don't hear people talking about it.
• Locker was getting pissed at the refs because "the fan's made the call"
• Beagle had an awesome game on special teams
• Byfugleson on the Jets pretended he was putting his sword away after slaying a dragon

Caps Win, DVR Loses

The Washington Capitals defeated the New York Islanders in a shootout on Tuesday night in a game where my DVR decided that it would turn off during the overtime period so I smashed it til, it turned off.  It went back on and isn't broken but thanks to the internet I know the Caps won.

The game was not looking good for the Caps in the early going as they trailed 3 goals halfway through the 2nd period thanks to 2 power play goals.  One of the goals came about 5 seconds after an Ovi penalty, off of a faceoff loss, which has been a huge problem for the Caps as of late.

I don't really believe it, but the stat sheet says that Mike Knuble scored?  Is he even on the team anymore?  After the goal by the mystery man, the Islanders came back to take the 3 goal lead but Alex Ovechkin scored a goal in the final minutes of the 2nd period to give the Caps some hope.

In the 3rd period the Caps completed the comeback after an Orlov goal and another one from Ovi after it looked like he shot and tipped, shot and tipped.  He didn't give up after the misses, which is a good sign for Ovechkin.  The Caps kept the Isles off the board while Caps fans held their breath, and the Caps picked up the 1 pity-point.

The Overtime period went by without a score so they headed to a shootout (according to my sources).  The shootout came down to Jimmy Hendrix who rock & rolled the puck into the net for the HUGE victory.

Keith Aucoin kept up his superior play and he is on quite a roll.  He picked up three helpers in the contest.  Jay Beagle who was also playing well picked up a trio of his own, except his were penalties.  Ovechkin picking up two tip-in goals shows that he is crashing the net and  with the other Alex struggling, it was nice to see him step up.

The Panthers kept up with the Caps and picked up a win at Toronto to keep the Caps back a point....We have to wait til Friday for the next game a biggie against the Jets in Winnipeg.  If you are a Caps fan don't go into a bar and tell them to change a college basketball game to the Caps please...just sayin...

Semin Plus Powerplay Could Equal Playoffs

The Capitals shut out the Leafs 2-0 at Verizon Center on Sunday afternoon to keep the point train rolling behind Alex Semin's second great game in a row.  Ovechkin better watch out, Alex McBeal is catching up in the goal stats.

The Caps Powerplay in the first period consisted of 2 straight minutes of the puck in the offensive zone featuring great shot attempts, passes, and rebounds.  That makes 2 great power plays in the past 2 games and that is one thing that can turn the Caps into a playoff team.  Even after the powerplay was up the Caps kept the pressure on and the puck stayed in the zone for another 30 seconds or so.  (Although they didnt' score).

Later in the period a classic Semin penalty gave the Leafs a man advantage and the Caps previous powerplay work was rewarded when Laich anticipated a Toronto drop pass and broke away to score a short handed goal.

After a scoreless 2nd peroid, Matt Perrault scored in the first 3 minutes of the 3rd period.  Can I finish, Can I finish, Can I finish!

Late in the 3rd period Marjo missed the emptiest net in the history of hockey which can not be described in words, so find the video somewhere.  It was very Knublesque...

Michael Michael Motorcycle had 23 saves and picked up the shutout although the Leafs didn't threaten him too much.  He did make a huge save in the 3rd Period.

Florida picked up the win today also, no shift in the standings.  Next up for the Caps are the Islanders on Tuesday night...

Caps Get Huge Win Against Defending Champs

The Caps picked up a huge win and a huge 2 points in the standings as they defeated the Boston Bruins  4-3 on Saturday Afternoon in New England in a game that featured some solid play by Alex Semin and what may have been the best Caps power play of the entire season.  Vokoun had a few wonderful saves that outshined his typical positioning mistakes.

The Capitals scored 2 quick goals in 25 seconds during the 1st Period to take a big lead only halfway through the first.  However as we all know you can't get too excited when something like this happens.  By the first 5 minutes of the 2nd Period the game was tied.

A goal that the Caps are no strangers to giving up happened with only 6 seconds left in the 1st.  A Bruins goal off of a faceoff loss where all u have to do is hang on for a few seconds sent Vokoun crashing to the ground in disbelief after he saw it in the net.

In the 2nd period Alex Semin stepped up and brought the puck deep in the zone.  When 2 Boston defenders crashed into each other, Alex sent a perfect pass across the crease to the wide open net crashing Jay Beagle who put the puck in the net.  Awesome pass.

Then later in the 2nd period something beautiful happened.  The Caps played possibly their best power play of the entire season.  It was beautiful spacing, beautiful passing, open shot attempts, and keeping the puck in the zone.  The Caps good hockey was rewarded as Laich ended up tipping in a huge power play goal to give the Caps a 2 goal lead once again.

Going into the 3rd with that solid but not certain 2 goal lead, the Caps fended off the Bruins.  Knuble bricked a wide open layup that would have been the Dagger, and soon after the Bruins scored to put them within a goal with three intense minutes left to play.  The last 3 were brutal but Voko somehow didn't allow anything to get in the net, I honestly don't know how he did it.

With the Panthers picking up an OT Pity-Point last night, the Caps are now 1 point out for the Division lead and the third playoff seed.  The Caps also picked up 2 points on the trailing Jets who have still played 1 more game than the Caps.  No rest for the weary, game tomorrow at 5pm vs the Leafs.

Newsflash: Ovechkin Is Still On The Roster!

The Caps picked up a huge win at home on Thursday night over the Tampa Bay Lightning to get 2 humangus big points in the standings in front of the deadest crowd of the season at Verizon.  Despite the lack of fan assistance the Caps managed to score a game tying goal in the final 4 minutes of the game (the Lightning stopped playing offense and ran a prevent defense) and then Ovechkin put it in the net in the OT for the deuce.

Now 2 points is great, but the way the Caps won is following their latest pattern.  This seems to be what the Caps do these days.  They trail in the final minutes, and have to score a goal with time running down to win or force an OT. We'll take it, but it needs to change.

The Caps have now gotten 1 1/2 points per game in the last 2 games which is what they may have to average for the rest of the season in order to slip into the playoffs.  Although they are also only 2 points out of the top of the division.  Really?  Really?

We can thank the Caps a bit, but can also thank the rest of the division and conference for not taking control of their own destiny.  How are the Caps still in the hunt?

They keep calling it a "must-win" and it isn't really.  Until you look at the upcoming road trip and at the Caps season record on the road.  But with the Jets/Panthers/Sabres et al, anything can happen and we can save the "must win" for when we hit the final 5-10 games.

(announcer, who is like "omg what if they lost" - the answer is they would be in the same position they were before tonight (if the Jets lose) and the season would be far from over.  The "must-win" thing that the media and fans are using is getting annoying)