Erat Scores First Goal, Caps Fans Wave Goodbye To Forsberg

Martin Erat was traded for Filip Forsberg, one of the Caps top prospects, just a few weeks ago.  The move brought with it a lot of negative fan reaction towards the trade and towards the Caps general manager George McPhee.

But on Tuesday night when an Alex Ovechkin's shot/pass hit Martin Erat perfectly on the stick for the easy tap in goal, Erat earned his first point as a Washington Capital and the trade was immediately vindicated.  At least, that's what a lot of people think (sarcastic or not)...check out the fan reaction on Twitter.

Backstrom Gets Cheap Shot, Ovechkin Gets Angry

On Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nicklas Backstrom was boarded dangerously into the wall near the bench by the Leafs Jay McClement.  Alex Ovechkin was not having any of that.  The great 8 sped over to the aid of Nicky and tried to lay down some good old fashion ice justice on the Leafs before a giant scrum broke out and everyone hugged.  The GIF:

Caps Nicklas Backstrom Garden Gnome Shipped From Pittsburgh

In possibly the dumbest and most useless post of all time on this site, we were made aware of a very interesting fact about those Nicklas Backstrom Garden Gnomes that were given out last night.  They were made in China, but came on a truck from...PITTSBURGH!!!

@russianmachine anyone notice where thos gnome is from? #pittsburgh twitter.com/brit_carlson74…
— Brittney (@brit_carlson74) February 6, 2013

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...

Alex Ovechkin Skating In Circles, His New Move

The Maple Leafs defeated the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, and during the game Alex Ovechkin displayed his newest move.

Early in the game, Ovechkin came down the right side, circled around the net, and passed it off on a powerplay.  Then in the final seconds, Ovi went for 2 laps before turning the puck over.

I'm getting so dizzy right now...BTW...Caps lost:

And here is Locker signing the Telestrator and being weird

Classic Locker & Joe B: Locker Signs Off The Broadcast

Thursday night's matchup between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs started off strong with Joe B & Locker wearing what appeared to be almost-matching suits.  Of course we all know about Joe B and his suits (if you don't, read here).

Later, after the end of the 1st period with Locker on the telestrator, he got a little fired up.  This time, it wasn't in an angry way at the "hold it here" guy.  Instead he was pumped up for a Joel Ward goal.  He got so amped that he basically dropped the mic and walked out, or the hockey announcer equivalent, which was signing his name on the telestrator.

Locker:  "Could you ever pound that!!!!!! and since were’ in Canada Joe B, I’m signing off, take us to break my good friend

Joe B: "Well..."

Locker: "Take us to break!!!"

Joe B: "Your signing off and you’re directing me????  ... Off to break we go...

John Erskine Crushes Phil Kessel

John Erskine, the Washington Capitals defender, didn't take much time in Thursday night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs to make an impact.  In the opening minutes of the game, Erskine smashed Phil Kessel of the Leafs cleanly with no penalty.  It was a jarring hit that left the crowd saying "oooh".  Take a look:

Other From Erskine:

• Erskine's Scores Then Toothless Smile

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...

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?

Caps Win, Hats Rain Down From The Sky

Washington Capitals 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 2

The Washington Capitals (15-13) defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-14) on Friday night at Verizon Center for their 2nd straight victory, a solid 4-2 win.  The highlight of the game came in the final 2 minutes of the game as Dennis Wideman notched his third goal on what may or may not be the first Defender hat trick for the Caps in the last 1 million years (or since 2000).

Dennis Wideman has decided he doesn't want the hat trick, and is bringing it to all of our attention.  I like it!  EARN IT don't TAKE IT!

The Capitals avenged the 7-1 blowout that was handed to them by the Leafs earlier in the year scoring all four of their goals on the Power Play (out of only 6 tries).  Wideman was involved in every goal of the night scoring 2-3 and assisting on 1-2 (pending statistician review)

Vokoun played Ok in goal saving 26 out of 28, but gave up another gift to the Leafs.  On that goal Vokoun seemed to have the puck in his glove but it trickled over his hand and sat motionless on the ice an inch from the goal behind him for the easy punch in  by the Leafs as Tommy did his famous coffin save attempt.  (puts his hand by his sides and just falls flat on his back...Also could be called the turtle stuck on his back save)

Alex Ovechkin had one assist, but he played much better than that with several great shot attempts that just didn't get in the goal.  After the previous game breakthrough, it looked like Ovi didn't take any steps back on Friday night.

Game Notes:

• I actually think I understand roughing, fighting, majors, minors, and game misconducts.
• Heard the crease referred to as "the paint" another great thing to keep the basketball fan inside me happy.
• They had the CEO of Legal Seafoods in the booth which was interesting (was a Bruins fan pretending to be a Caps fan)  Usually guests in the booth is akward, this one was not.  I want lobster.

The Maple Leafs Are Ok...Pizza Is Better

Friday, Dec 9th:  Toronto Maple Leafs @ Washington Capitals (7:00pm)

On Friday night the Caps (14-13) return to the Verizon center for a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-13). The Capitals are looking to keep up the momentum that was sparked in the 3rd period of their game on Wednesday night and channel it into the start of a big streak.

The last time these two teams met the Caps were embarrassed as they lost 7-1 in Toronto in their worst performance of the year so far. In that matchup the combination of Neuvirth and Vokoun were just as terrible as the offense and I believe Bruce Boudreau was all but gone after that loss. (he lasted another week).

Alex Ovechkin is looking to continue his charge in front of the home crowd after a big game on Wednesday (and avoiding any punishment for the cheap shot he gave out). If the Great 8 can play with the fire he had against the Senators the Caps should be in good position for a high scoring affair.

While I wrote this post I enjoyed a delicious smorgasbord of Papa John's pizza, breadsticks, parmasean garlic breadsticks, and cheesebread. Thanks Caps, let's get another win on Friday night and 4-5-6 goals so we can get 50% off again!

I also just realized that this hockey team is named after a Leaf. Not a killer animal, a leaf. That is all...

Welcome To Toronto

Here is some info on the Leafs. I don't think I'll do this every game, but maybe I will. All of the following are on Twitter and the links take you to their web sites where they have Leafs coverage.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS TWITTER LIST

Toronto Star:

• Mark Zwolinski: Sports Reporter
• Dave Feschuk
• Damien Cox
• Kevin McGran
• Paul Hunter

Globe & Mail:

• Jeff Blair
• James Mirtle
• David Shoalts

Toronto Sun:

• Ryan Wolstat
• Rob Longley
• Mike Zeisberger

Sportsnet 590 The Fan:

• Brady & Lang In The Morning
• The Jeff Blair Show
• Hockey Central At Noon
• Eric Smith Show
• Prime Time Sports
• Sportsnet Today
• Sportsnet Tonight
• Sportsnet Overnight

AM 640:

• Radio Guy-Andy Frost (not on Twitter)
• Leaf's Breakfast

Blogs:

• Mike Ulmer's Blog
• Pension Plan Puppets
• Editor In Leaf
• Puckin Eh'
• Toronto Mike

Players On Twitter:

• Coach Wilson
• Tyler Bozak
• Phil Kessel
• Jake Gardiner
• John-Michael Liles
• Mike Komisarek
• Carl Gunnarsson
• Colby Armstrong
• Joffrey Lupul
• Nazem Kadri (AHL)
• Mike Zigomanis (AHL)
• Dale Mitchell (AHL)
• Tyler Biggs (CCHA)

Maple Leafs TV Broadcast Team

A Magician Named Gob & The Leafs

Well, I will tell you this, Michael. I don't have a son --(he does)-- But if I ever do, I'm either going to take him to the cabin in the woods, or I'm going to promise to take him and then not take him. But the one thing that I will NEVER do is not tell him that I'm taking him to a cabin in the woods, and then not take him! - GOB Bluth

At one point in my life, despite the fact that I rarely watched hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs were my favorite NHL team. I don't remember if I liked them because of NHL '94 or if I played as them in NHL '94 because I liked them. I do remember winning icing free Stanley Cups and scoring hundreds of goals with Doug Gilmore.

On Saturday night, the Capitals will be traveling to Toronto (Ol' South America way) to face those very Maple Leafs, except this time I will be rooting against the Leafs. Many of their fans are famous comedians because every comedian in the history of the world is from Canada. Most notably, Mike Myers (Not Wayne Campbell) and Will Arnett.

Both the Caps & the Leafs have lost 5 out of 6, so we will see who can try to break out of their slump tonight. The loser is probably going to be the team that Makes a Huge Mistake. So who should I root for? Yeah, the guy in the $500 suit is gonna root for the Maple Leafs instead of the Caps...Come On! Maybe Ovechkin will come out strong with a hat trick illusion. (A hat trick is something a whore does for hat money)

Leafs isn't even a thing! Why aren't they the Maple Leaves! I get it, one leaf many players, but still, grammatically annoying.

First place chick is hot, but has an attitude, doesn't date magicians. Second place is someone weird usually, like a Chinese girl or a geologist. But third place, although a little bit plain, has super low self-esteem...