New Caps Coach Barry Trotz Doesn't Have A Car

Caps new coach Barry Trotz was on the Junkies this morning talking hockey and said something quite odd. After the Junks asked him a question about driving (I think), the coach let the radio hosts know that he didn't have a car. Trotz said something along the lines of, "why do you need a car when you can walk".

In case you were wondering, the brisk walk from Kettler to Verizon is just a 6 mile, 2 hour trek.

Alex Ovechkin Plays Dead

Here is Ovi getting knocked on his back and acting like he is taking a relaxing nap.

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?"

Three Fun Ovi Gifs Cuz

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!

Joe B & Locker, Finga Gunzz

It didn't take long for Washington Capitals announcers Joe Beninati and Craigh Laughlin to give us our first regular season Caps GIF of 2013.  Much like Gilbert Arenas, Joe B & Locker decided to go with a DC Classic, the Finga Gunzz!

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

Jay Leno Fans Upset Hockey Is On

So it is the Stanley Cup Finals and an actual main TV network, NBC, is broadcasting hockey.  Amazing.  The game went into 2 overtimes (so far) and delayed the start of a new episode of Jay Leno.  Jay Leno fans tuned in to see Kevin Hart on Leno and were not happy...They do not like hockey...LOL:

My favorite is the "government conspiracy" person:

I would much rather be watching @kevinhart4real on Leno right now than this hockey game. Just can't get into hockey.
— Ryan Chastain (@RyanChastain1) June 13, 2013

Annoyed the Stanley Cup started Wed and still playing on Thurs. I'm just tryn to see @kevinhart4real on Jay Leno. I need hockey to end!
— Sharon Caldwell (@sharon_n_ga) June 13, 2013

Thank you, hockey, for going into double fucking overtime while I'm trying to watch Kevin Hart on Jay Leno... 😠😠😠
— Evan Fasciano (@evan_fasciano) June 13, 2013

This hockey game is making me miss Leno. I'm nothing at work tomorrow without being able to talk about those delightful headlines.
— M.F. (@bklynMF) June 13, 2013

Fucking hockey 2ot really where the fuck Leno and Fallon at?
— lockingitup (@misterbishi) June 13, 2013

.@jeremyscahill is supposed to be on Jay Leno right now but this hockey game is in double overtime *government conspiracy*
— Farah Sattar (@Farah_Sattar) June 13, 2013

God damn it, hockey. I AM MISSING LENO!

— Morg (@mjportash) June 13, 2013

I just want to watch Jay Leno and its all about hockey omg

— Natalie Martinez (@MessicanX14) June 13, 2013

Will this hockey game ever end??? I was really pumped for Leno tonight....

— Chad Eichman (@ChadEichman) June 13, 2013

If i miss Jay Leno tonight because of this stupid hockey game im gonna be pissed off

— BIG Mike (@michaelnisly) June 13, 2013

@traceadkins WTH...Dont these hockey teams know you are on Jay Leno!

— Tammy McLendon (@tammyrenay) June 13, 2013

WHERE IS MY LENO DAMMIT TURN OFF THE HOCKEY

— Ryan Papaserge (@RyanPapaserge) June 13, 2013

Mike Wilbon Calls Ovechkin Pathetic, Tony Dubs Caps "Choking Dogs"

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon talked about Alexander Ovechkin on Tuesday following the Caps game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.  They discussed how Ovechkin was complaining about no penalties in game 6 and Ovi's conspiracy theory.  Here is what Wilbon had to say:

"I was in Chicago in the United Center watching Bulls/Miami last night and I get a tweet with the score, a picture of the scoreboard when it was 3 nothing, and I'm like Ok, the Washington Capitals have choked like few other NHL franchises have choked over a period of 30 years, But I don't even believe this, this photo is doctored, I couldn't believe that. When you go out like this, you have to SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!"

More quotes follow:

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.