Caps Cross-training Warmups

Comcast keeps taking us behind the scenes before each Caps game for a closer look at some of the Capitals player warm up. Looks like aside from hockey players we've got racquetball jugglers, baseball pitchers, and soccer players. Take a look at some of these different sport cross-training warmups:

Alex Ovechkin Gives Brad Pitt A Custom Caps Jersey

Here's a picture of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov handing Brad Pitt a customized Washington Capitals PITT jersey at a movie premier for Fury at the Newseum on Wednesday. Hmm...Pitt sounds kind of like the start of...Pittsburgh...Via Kuzy & Ovi's Insta:

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And here is the Great 8 with Pitt

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You can also watch it all unfold from Comcast:

Crazy Shia LaBeouf was also in DC for the premier, and boy do I wish I was at a bar that he showed up at. Fury is a movie about tanks or something. Alex Ovechkin is a player about hockey.

Rookie Liam O'Brien Is Pretty Awesome

Caps rookie center Liam O'Brien has only played 3 NHL games but he's already starting to get some notice from fans. O'Brien got into a fight in his first career NHL game (and the Caps opening game of the season) and during Tuesday's shootout loss to the Sharks had a rather interesting game in the 6 minutes he was on the ice.

Check out these two GIFs including a very funny tongue sticking out move:

Backstrom Goal Overturned For Some Reason

Yay, it is something in hockey I don't understand.  Nick Backstrom scored a goal by smashing his hockey stick into the goalie mask of the goalie, and the puck bounces off the goalie and into the net.  After a quick discussion, the refs overturn the goal.

It appeared they thought there was a high stick penalty, and while they didn't add the penalty, the refs decided the goal wasn't allowed.  Or there was a high stick.  Or...ug...Whatevs.  Someone please explain in comments!

Minutes later the Caps couldn't score on a powerplay and then the Stars scored posing this sarcastic pondering from Locker.

"I thought it was tied, wasn't it?"

Mikhail Grabovski's Hat-Tastic GIF

The newest Washington Capital Mikhail Grabovski started his Caps career off with a bang.  Three goals, which I believe is called a Hat Trick. Here are all three in the hatty!

Alex Ovechkin's First Goal Of The Season

Here is the first of possibly 60+ goals (according to Craig Laughlin during the pregame).  A lucky bounce off a stick right to Ovi who went high up into the crossbar for his first goal of the season, on the Power Play.  GIF!

Mike Wilbon Picks Capitals vs Blackhawks as his Finals Matchup For 2nd Straight Year.

Last year before the season started, Washington Post columnist and NBA player name dropper Mike Wilbon picked his preseason Stanley Cup Matchup; Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks.  Well he was half wrong.

The Blackhawks went on to win the Stanley Cup while the Capitals sort of creeped into the playoffs (although winning the division) before being eliminated in the first round.

And just hours before the season opener, Wilbon has once again picked his Stanley Cup Matchup; Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks...again.

"They [Blackhawks] begin against the Washington Capitals, in what I am calling a preview of the NHL Finals" -MW

Kornheiser, when asked which would be better, the Hawks repeating or Ovechkin finally winning a championship, said both would be good.  He added that Ovi winning would be good for I-95 (what?) before crushing him with facts seconds later.

"It's also a good thing, for I-95, if Alex Ovechkin not only finally wins a championship...he's never even gotten to the conference finals, he has been a 3x MVP, a total dud in the playoffs, most recently" -TK

Then Wilbon kind of yammered about the Caps needing to start fast, and yada yada yada before exclaiming how much he loves the Blackhawks.  He didn't even mention Michael Jordan...

A Redskins Fan Guide To The Caps & The NHL 2013

Here are some things that Redskins fans should read that may convince them to give hockey a shot tonight.

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Rocking The Red

If you go to FedEx Field, you will often note that there are 5 billion people wearing the other team's jersey.  There are a lot of Skins jerseys, but the stadium isn't packed to capacity with maroon & black (JZ).  And my god is it annoying when there are 40,000 terrible towels waiving in Maryland, it makes you want to jump off of Gheorge Muresan's head and fall a thousand feet (or 7 and a half feet) to your death.

At a Caps game we call it "Rocking the Red".  95% of those in attendance wear red.  The other 5% are Penguins/Rangers/Flyers fans who think it is funny to wear the jersey of a team that isn't even playing, people who didn't read the invitation (which clearly said to rock the red), and the classic Guys In Pink Shirts At Wizards Games (or Caps Games).


Less Racism

The Washington Football team is called the Redskins.  The Washington Hockey team is called the Capitals.  One is more racist than the other.  Clearly the Caps.  But I did hear that Capitals call each other Capitals, so maybe it isn't racist.


Somebody Left The Gate Open

I have now seen the Bud Light Rodney flips over cheese puffs while screaming at the TV commercial 400 times this Redskins season.  It is pretty much the worst 30 seconds of my life x 400 times.




But for the Caps games we have something better.  The Beatles meet Michael Jackson meet Picaso.  It is called Somebody Left The Gate Open. While Skins fans see Rodney 400 times, Caps fans see the gate commercial 4,000,000 times (I counted).  This is pretty much the greatest song ever created in the history of the universe.  And to hear it 2 times during every commercial break for 82 games is just heaven.  I guarantee by game 3 you will be singing it in the shower, and one day you may walk down the aisle to it. (shhhh don't tell them).


Joe B & Locker

Because hockey is like normal sports, and not like the NFL, we have our own personal Capitals announce team.  While Redskins fans get to hear Dick Stockton pronounce Roy Helu 20 different ways while Rhonde Barber tries to compose a sentence, Joe B & Locker make for an entertaining, homerific hockey game.  And oh the banter...that precious banter...

Toughness

If Brian Orakpo looks at Tom Brady's Ugz, there is a 15 yard penalty and possible suspension.  If John Erskine breaks Joe Thornton's face, there might be a 2 minute penalty...maybe.


Playoffs

After the Caps Alex Ovechkin won rookie of the year, the team made the playoffs...EVERY YEAR after that.  After the Redskins RG3 won rookie of the year, he made a documentary about how great he was and then came back and started 0-3.  (Although the Caps are from DC, so its not like they ever advance far)


Hybrid Icing

It just sounds cool.  You know you want to watch it.


D'Angelo Hall Is Not On The Roster

Ok, sure he has more TDs this season than RG3 (not really), but the Onion put it best: "Has an amazing knack for gaining separation from a receiver".


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If you want even more fun, here is 2011's guide

Tom Wilson Was Trending, Back To The Future!

During Sunday night's Washington Capitals playoff game, rookie Tom Wilson lost a skate creating one of the funnier scenes of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs as he struggled to get to the bench on one leg (cool GIF here).  The play caused "Tom Wilson" to start trending locally on Twitter.

So why were some people confused about this?

Tom Wilson's Skate Blade Falls Off, His Comical Journey To The Bench

During the Caps vs Rangers game 6 at Madison Square Garden, Caps rookie Tom Wilson, playing in just his second career NHL game, checked a Rangers player into the boards behind the Ranger's  goal and the blade of his skate broke off.

Wilson was trapped far away from his bench with no way to skate back...here is Wilson bumbling and stumbling, trying to make his way to the freedom of his bench.  It's all good when you don't get hurt!  Check it out!

Here's What Home Ice Advantage Sounds Like

We put together some clips of the crowd reactions from the Caps huge game 5 overtime win over the New York Rangers so you can see what it is like to be in a nervous but excited arena during the NHL playoffs.  And then, at the end, it all comes together as the crowd goes insane when the Caps pull out the win on a Mike Ribeiro game winner.  Check out the video.

Impromptu Go-Go Dance Party Breaks Out On F Street After Caps Defeat Rangers

On Friday night at Verizon Center, after the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Rangers with an exciting overtime goal, a big thunderstorm broke out just as the huge crowd was exiting the Verizon Center.  That didn't stop the over-excited crowd from expressing their joy after witnessing an amazing and important victory.

A large group of fans gathered around a street performing band and a huge dance party broke out.  While many people (and the band) were packed under a small corner overhang, several were just dancing in the rain, soaking wet.  It was fun and a really cool scene.

At one point a father puts his tiny daughter on his shoulders and the crowd begins to dance with them as the little girl bounces like crazy as she holds up a "World's Biggest Caps Fan" sign.  You can see what you missed in the video below.

Rock The Red Shots And RFD

Barred in DC is a new local bar review blog taking a look at and reviewing bars all over the DMV.  We asked them to take a look at some of the bars that are more relevant to DC sports fans and the pre-game, in-game, and post-game experience.

Their first stop was RFD (Regional Food And Drink) just a block away from Verizon Center and a huge pre-game meetup spot for Caps fans.  While you are deciding where to go before tonight's big game 5 against the Rangers, check out what they have to say about RFD and their Rock The Red shots.

Is This Rangers Player Mocking Alex Ovechkin?

Derek Stepan scored a go-ahead / game winning goal to give the Rangers the 4-3 victory and afterwards launched himself into the boards, Ovi style.  Was this mocking Ovi?  Was it something he does all the time.  Is it a celebration that is not just for Ovi?  Here's the GIF and you can answer my question.

Rangers Fans Ruin Anthem By Screaming During It

Before the start of Game 2 of Rangers/Caps of the NHL playoffs, A group of New York Rangers fans at Verizon Center decided to wait for a quiet moment between stanzas in the National Anthem to scream "Let's Go Rangers".  It was really annoying and ruined what is typically a nice patriotic moment before games.  Video follows.

Caps vs Rangers Playoff Song Taylor Swift Style

We've been having fun so far these playoffs so we thought we'd have more fun.  We were at both game 1 and 2 and got some footage of Caps fans around the Verizon Center.  Instead of just doing a slideshow or something, we decided to make it a Taylor Swift song and video.  Um...whatever is below is what happened...uh...word.

Mike Green Sinks Goal, Verizon Breaks My Ears

The Caps just won game 2 of the series against the Rangers in overtime on this game winning goal by Mike Green.  A tired and nervously quiet Verizon Center after 60 minutes of no scoring, goes from 0 to 11 in about 2 seconds.  Listen & watch as the roof blows off.

Score Goals Like Ovechkin, Diamonds On The Ice, Caps vs Rangers Playoff Song

Every season we like to have a little fun and create some songs to help pump us up for the playoffs.  After about 10 failed attempts to make a Ke$ha or Kelly Clarkson song, we ended up going with a Rihanna song.  Check it out.

Learn How To Do The Matt Hendricks Hendy Shuffle

When Matt Hendricks did a little dance after scoring a goal the other night, we couldn't stop smiling.  Not only was it a great goal that helped the Caps clinch the playoffs, but it was a great display of emotion, and just a bunch of fun.  The Hendy Shuffle was born.

After the game we couldn't stop doing it ourselves.  Getting food from the Fridge, Hendy Shuffly. Walking the dog, Hendy Shuffle.  Business meeting, Hendy Shuffle.  So we thought we'd put together a video to teach YOU how to do the Hendy Shuffle.  It's simple, just follow along with Matt Hendricks, Alex Ovechkin, and Nicklas Backstrom!

Caps Are Southeast Division Champions Once Again

Here is what it looks like from the Verizon Center as Ovechkin seals the deal and sends the Caps into the playoffs as the 3rd seed. (Via EllisJJ2)




Click the volume to unmute (via @CapsRocket91)


Oh and free wings too, lol, you think it would say SOUTHEAST CHAMPS