Capitals 4, Maple Leafs 6
The Capitals were able to get the lead one more time and Leafs fans were shaking their heads at the end of the first period, "Not again." The Capitals may have won the first period, but they lost the next two periods the Leafs powered their way to a win at home. It's almost fitting that these two teams split their series, a tale of two teams. One packed with experienced and proven winners, another with talented upstarts.
The Capitals work ethic in this game was outstanding, and I loved their never say die attitude. Something that very much comes from coach Glen Hanlon. Alexander Ovechkin scored twice (again), but the Leafs were much too determined and at home. It's hard to win on the road in the NHL, for any team.
The Leafs are a powerhouse club that really needs more solid defense. In terms of goaltending, there is none better than Eddie Belfour (except maybe Olaf Kolzig) and I thought last night he won that game for the Leafs. The two quick goals in the second period by Chad Kilger and Jeff O'Neill gave the Maple Leafs new life, and made sure they were the next to score to take the lead.
The Capitals just needed that one more goal, to make the lead just that much larger, but allowed the Leafs to play their brand of physical play and to defend their home ice.
Overall Grade: A-
The Capitals not only lost the game, but lost a future prospect as well. Just a month into the season, Petr Sykora decided that the NHL wasn't for him. George McPhee agreed for the transfer and the Capitals are dealt another personel blow. Sykora returned to the Czech Republic to play in his former league. Sykora missed the last 3 games due to back spasms. Maybe that will free up more money to land some suitable defense.
The Capitals play a rare afternoon game Friday at home in another home and home series against the New Jersey Devils. The Caps have the potential to win if they continue their hard work and win the one-on-one battles.
Wash Post covers both the game and Sykora's exit.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Monday, November 07, 2005
Caps Win At Home
Capitals 5, Maple Leafs 4
It was a game of firsts for the budding Capitals. First game the Capitals scored more than 3 goals, first game the Capitals won when scoring the first goal, first game the Capitals had a two goal lead, first game the Capitals shot more than 30 shots in a game, the Capitals first back to back wins. Was it any surprise that the Capitals finally found their nitch, using their offensive talent to keep good teams off kilter?
Alexander Ovechkin scored twice (including the game winner) earning the first star of the game. Jakub Klepis got his first NHL assist and Olaf Kolzig stopped 26 to give the upstart Capitals a winning record at home at 5-3.
The Maple Leafs looked tired and uninterested the whole game, even up to the end of the third period they looked as if they were simply going to win. In short the Capitals outworked the Leafs in one on one battles and made a point of throwing the puck to the net more. Special teams were the key for the Caps as their first two goals came off a powerplay shot from Bryan Muir, and a shorthanded tally by Matt Pettinger.
When the Leafs scored back to back goals late in the first, I knew the Capitals were thankful for the horn at the end of the period. And they used that intermission wisely, coming back on the ice and in 1:21 scored the only even strength goal the Caps could muster.
Overall Grade: A
Wash Post covers the details including Kolzig praising special teams:
The Caps need to continue their hard work against the Leafs Tuesday night. The home and home games played back to back will test the Capitals in a playoff like setting, games against the same opponent back to back. The Caps do have a lot working against them, like their away record, which is a disappointing 1-4.
Most of the talk around Toronto was about Brendan Witt, who many think the Leafs should trade for. The Leafs need a solid defenseman that can come to the plate and make smart plays and Witt matches a lot of what they need. The problem is the Leafs have nothing to trade for him. The Capitals need more experienced defensemen in their line up, so a trade seems unlikely now. However, closer to the playoffs, it may be a different story.
It was a game of firsts for the budding Capitals. First game the Capitals scored more than 3 goals, first game the Capitals won when scoring the first goal, first game the Capitals had a two goal lead, first game the Capitals shot more than 30 shots in a game, the Capitals first back to back wins. Was it any surprise that the Capitals finally found their nitch, using their offensive talent to keep good teams off kilter?
Alexander Ovechkin scored twice (including the game winner) earning the first star of the game. Jakub Klepis got his first NHL assist and Olaf Kolzig stopped 26 to give the upstart Capitals a winning record at home at 5-3.
The Maple Leafs looked tired and uninterested the whole game, even up to the end of the third period they looked as if they were simply going to win. In short the Capitals outworked the Leafs in one on one battles and made a point of throwing the puck to the net more. Special teams were the key for the Caps as their first two goals came off a powerplay shot from Bryan Muir, and a shorthanded tally by Matt Pettinger.
When the Leafs scored back to back goals late in the first, I knew the Capitals were thankful for the horn at the end of the period. And they used that intermission wisely, coming back on the ice and in 1:21 scored the only even strength goal the Caps could muster.
Overall Grade: A
Wash Post covers the details including Kolzig praising special teams:
"Special teams was the difference tonight," Capitals goaltender Olie Kolzig
said. "Penalty killing was unbelievable, even though we gave up that
five-on-three goal. Other than that, we were terrific."
The Caps need to continue their hard work against the Leafs Tuesday night. The home and home games played back to back will test the Capitals in a playoff like setting, games against the same opponent back to back. The Caps do have a lot working against them, like their away record, which is a disappointing 1-4.
Most of the talk around Toronto was about Brendan Witt, who many think the Leafs should trade for. The Leafs need a solid defenseman that can come to the plate and make smart plays and Witt matches a lot of what they need. The problem is the Leafs have nothing to trade for him. The Capitals need more experienced defensemen in their line up, so a trade seems unlikely now. However, closer to the playoffs, it may be a different story.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Oh My, Another Shootout Win
Capitals 3, Thrashers 2 F/OT, SO
When I picked up my wife from work and made our way through traffic to the phone booth, I could see that she wasn't quite up for a hockey game. We parked in the MCI garage and made our way to our seats and we settled in for the game. I was excited to be there, a game were Gary Bettman himself attended (it's like royalty, but not really) and couldn't wait to watch Alexander Ovechkin play live for the second time this season.
I told myself, don't get involved in the game, let it go. If they lose, they lose. The Capitals were blown out the night before by Philadelphia, and Atlanta looked as if they were actually glad to play against the struggling Caps. My wife looked at me in her bored mood and started giving me trivia questions from the program. "Who do the Capitals play on Nov. 11?" "New Jersey" "Correct!"
The Caps played hard in the first even though it seemed the whole period was being played at their end. I was admiring the Thrashers ability to control the puck, with the occasional Capital break the other way that made the thinned crowd oh and awe. Then it happened. Stupid Peter Bondra puts the puck high over Olaf Kolzig's outstretched leg to score first. I looked to my wife and said, that is actually a good thing. Everyone around us looked at me like I was mad, then I told them "Look, the Caps are 0-4 when they score first."
Then it happened, Bryan Muir stormed out of the penalty box and gets a lucky bounce and a break away to the net. I actually stood up when I saw the Thrasher defensemen look the other way. "He doesn't know the puck is behind him," I screamed and a split second later it's past Mike Dunham and the place went nuts.
Jakub Klepis (yes, I said Jakub Klepis) scored his first NHL goal less than a minute later, and things were looking up while my wife continued to shoot trivia questions at me. "What is the average age of the Capitals?" "27" "Right."
Midway through the third, my new hero, Ovechkin knocks a errant pass down storms in and scores, the place erupts, except the ref is pointing to the off sides dot. What? Knocked down with a high stick. My wife keeps at it, "What is Ben Clymer's hometown?" "Bloomington MN" "How did you know that?"
The Thrashers tie the game and all looks lost until Jeff Halpern makes a good hit against a Thrasher player (not sure who) then Ilja Kovalchuk takes a cheap shot at Halpern, checking him in the back. The ice explodes with gloves, sticks, helmets flying everywhere. The only ones not fighting were the goaltenders. It was one of the better drop the gloves fight I have seen live in a long time. "Who is the Thrasher's strength and conditioning coach?" "Jay Bear" "Ok, seriously, your scary."
Then came the shootout, my first live shootout. I stood because Ted Leonsis told me too. And the Capitals didn't disappoint. Ovechkin's goals slipped past Dunham. Then Bondra was up against Kolzig. I cringed as he took the puck. Kolzig leaned toward the left, which was odd because if Bondra cut it across, Kolzig would be in no man's land and Bondra would have the whole net to backhand the shot in. I thought, Bondra make your move. But he never cut it and ran out of room shooting it right into Kolzig's pads. I actually jumped like a giddy schoolgirl.
My wife was entertained too, "Wow that was pretty exciting, I actually had fun." There is a god. Capitals work hard to pull a great win, and my wife and I get to go home happy.
Overall Grade: B+
I loved the overall effort, and Klepis was outstanding. Although I didn't know who he was at first (Whose #38 out there? No idea). The Capitals may have a new face to keep in the lineup.
Wash Post has the details. Caps face the Maple Leafs next, on Sunday.
When I picked up my wife from work and made our way through traffic to the phone booth, I could see that she wasn't quite up for a hockey game. We parked in the MCI garage and made our way to our seats and we settled in for the game. I was excited to be there, a game were Gary Bettman himself attended (it's like royalty, but not really) and couldn't wait to watch Alexander Ovechkin play live for the second time this season.
I told myself, don't get involved in the game, let it go. If they lose, they lose. The Capitals were blown out the night before by Philadelphia, and Atlanta looked as if they were actually glad to play against the struggling Caps. My wife looked at me in her bored mood and started giving me trivia questions from the program. "Who do the Capitals play on Nov. 11?" "New Jersey" "Correct!"
The Caps played hard in the first even though it seemed the whole period was being played at their end. I was admiring the Thrashers ability to control the puck, with the occasional Capital break the other way that made the thinned crowd oh and awe. Then it happened. Stupid Peter Bondra puts the puck high over Olaf Kolzig's outstretched leg to score first. I looked to my wife and said, that is actually a good thing. Everyone around us looked at me like I was mad, then I told them "Look, the Caps are 0-4 when they score first."
Then it happened, Bryan Muir stormed out of the penalty box and gets a lucky bounce and a break away to the net. I actually stood up when I saw the Thrasher defensemen look the other way. "He doesn't know the puck is behind him," I screamed and a split second later it's past Mike Dunham and the place went nuts.
Jakub Klepis (yes, I said Jakub Klepis) scored his first NHL goal less than a minute later, and things were looking up while my wife continued to shoot trivia questions at me. "What is the average age of the Capitals?" "27" "Right."
Midway through the third, my new hero, Ovechkin knocks a errant pass down storms in and scores, the place erupts, except the ref is pointing to the off sides dot. What? Knocked down with a high stick. My wife keeps at it, "What is Ben Clymer's hometown?" "Bloomington MN" "How did you know that?"
The Thrashers tie the game and all looks lost until Jeff Halpern makes a good hit against a Thrasher player (not sure who) then Ilja Kovalchuk takes a cheap shot at Halpern, checking him in the back. The ice explodes with gloves, sticks, helmets flying everywhere. The only ones not fighting were the goaltenders. It was one of the better drop the gloves fight I have seen live in a long time. "Who is the Thrasher's strength and conditioning coach?" "Jay Bear" "Ok, seriously, your scary."
Then came the shootout, my first live shootout. I stood because Ted Leonsis told me too. And the Capitals didn't disappoint. Ovechkin's goals slipped past Dunham. Then Bondra was up against Kolzig. I cringed as he took the puck. Kolzig leaned toward the left, which was odd because if Bondra cut it across, Kolzig would be in no man's land and Bondra would have the whole net to backhand the shot in. I thought, Bondra make your move. But he never cut it and ran out of room shooting it right into Kolzig's pads. I actually jumped like a giddy schoolgirl.
My wife was entertained too, "Wow that was pretty exciting, I actually had fun." There is a god. Capitals work hard to pull a great win, and my wife and I get to go home happy.
Overall Grade: B+
I loved the overall effort, and Klepis was outstanding. Although I didn't know who he was at first (Whose #38 out there? No idea). The Capitals may have a new face to keep in the lineup.
Wash Post has the details. Caps face the Maple Leafs next, on Sunday.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Caps Routed!
Capitals 1, Flyers 8
And I was so hoping for a shootout in this game. Three words describes this game: 8 unanswered goals. The Caps did a good job in this game working hard, until Chris Clark scored for the Capitals.
Overall Grade: D-
Caps need to put in the effort, and in many cases, this is just talent overcoming growth. The Caps were hurting too with three top players out of the line up with injuries. Matt Bradley, Dainius Zubrus, and Petr Sykora all sat this one out. Their contributions on special teams were sorely missed.
This season is turning out to match my prediction for this team a month ago. The Capitals will have plenty of blow-outs losses and close wins. So far, so good. Caps need to again learn from their mistakes and apply it to the next game which is tonight against the Thrashers.
TV note - Caps game will be on News Channel 8 tonight, as the Wizards vs. Knicks will be on Comcast Sports net. Sunday, WB50 will carry the game at 5 pm.
If you really want to read the gory details, go ahead and read the Wash Post. I am going to practice my amnesia and look forward to the game tonight at the MCI Center.
And I was so hoping for a shootout in this game. Three words describes this game: 8 unanswered goals. The Caps did a good job in this game working hard, until Chris Clark scored for the Capitals.
Overall Grade: D-
Caps need to put in the effort, and in many cases, this is just talent overcoming growth. The Caps were hurting too with three top players out of the line up with injuries. Matt Bradley, Dainius Zubrus, and Petr Sykora all sat this one out. Their contributions on special teams were sorely missed.
This season is turning out to match my prediction for this team a month ago. The Capitals will have plenty of blow-outs losses and close wins. So far, so good. Caps need to again learn from their mistakes and apply it to the next game which is tonight against the Thrashers.
TV note - Caps game will be on News Channel 8 tonight, as the Wizards vs. Knicks will be on Comcast Sports net. Sunday, WB50 will carry the game at 5 pm.
If you really want to read the gory details, go ahead and read the Wash Post. I am going to practice my amnesia and look forward to the game tonight at the MCI Center.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Flyers Future Faces Capitals
Preview Capitals vs. Flyers
The future looks bright for the Capitals, but they won't be the only youth on the ice at the Wachovia Center tonight. Ken Hitchcock will be starting three rookies in the center position against Washington tonight. Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and R.J. Umberger will be the rookie players in very important positions.
This won't be the all-star lineup Flyers that we have seen in Philadelphia's previous games. Keith Primeau will be out of the lineup, nursing a concussion.
This is a great opportunity for the Caps to steal one away from the Flyers, if they continue their hard work and disciplined system. Hitchcock's team will be ready for the Caps, and it should be pretty entertaining.
Capitals recall Nolan Yonkman and Tomas Fleischmann from Hershey. Fleischmann is 10th in the AHL in scoring with at least a point in each of last nine games. Yonkman is returning after a short stint for conditioning.
By the Numbers:
The future looks bright for the Capitals, but they won't be the only youth on the ice at the Wachovia Center tonight. Ken Hitchcock will be starting three rookies in the center position against Washington tonight. Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and R.J. Umberger will be the rookie players in very important positions.
This won't be the all-star lineup Flyers that we have seen in Philadelphia's previous games. Keith Primeau will be out of the lineup, nursing a concussion.
This is a great opportunity for the Caps to steal one away from the Flyers, if they continue their hard work and disciplined system. Hitchcock's team will be ready for the Caps, and it should be pretty entertaining.
Capitals recall Nolan Yonkman and Tomas Fleischmann from Hershey. Fleischmann is 10th in the AHL in scoring with at least a point in each of last nine games. Yonkman is returning after a short stint for conditioning.
By the Numbers:
- 0-3: Capitals' record when they are the first team to score (Vancouver is a perfect 8-0 when scoring first).
- 11.2%: Capitals' power play percentage, good enough for 29th in the league (only the Blue Jackets are worse).
- 24: Number of hits credited to Alexander Ovechkin.
- 25:50: Amount of time per game (minutes:seconds) Jamie Heward has been on the ice (ranked 12th in the league among all players).
TV - Comcast Sportsnet, Radio - 570 AM. Go Caps!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Jappy Jagr
Is it any wonder that Jaromir Jagr is now a superstar scorer after the NHL cracked down on hooking and holding? Not Really. Jagr has always had the potential to be a great goal scorer and produce goals on a consistent basis. In 46 games with the Capitals during the '03-'04 season, before being traded to New York, Jagr accumulated a mere 16 goals. This season, in 13 games, he has already managed 12.Jagr is an elite European player, which means when it comes to playing in the North American style (i.e. smaller rinks, hooking, holding), Jagr would get frustrated. Watching him play in D.C., Jagr would be hooked and held extensively in the first half of the game. Then he just gave up. Spending the rest of the game along the boards and dumping the puck.
In Pittsburgh, Jagr could depend on Mario Lemieux to give him the space needed to play well. It was the support he needed in Washington, someone to take the sticks so Jagr had room to create. However, for the Capitals, Jagr was the one that had to take the sticks, and that role didn't fit well with him there.
Now that the North American style of play has been laid aside, Jagr is finding new life, and space, to score goals. Helping the Rangers to take 3rd in the Eastern Conference standings. A surprise since many thought the Rangers were to be the worst team in the league.
Many players that have played well in the league before almost look like a fish out of water. Players that had the ability to create with a stick in their belly, now look like they almost don't know what to do with the puck when it lands on their sticks. John Leclair is one of those players that would grind it out in front of the net and get garbage goals. Now his muscle has to be used for something else.
Players like Leclair, or Mark Recchi will soon start to adapt. They are great players that know the game of hockey, it will just take time. Jagr on the other hand made the transition rather quickly, and the Rangers are benefiting.
-- Other Notes --
- The Capitals have now taken legal matters against Alexander Semin, saying he was in breach of contract. Both Semin and his agent are being sued for failure to report to the Caps. General Manager George McPhee used this only as a "last resort" against the talented forward. Go get 'em George!
- Mats Sundin will practice with his teammates after the Maple Leaf star's left orbital bone was broken after a puck hit him in the face. No word on when he will be able to play again or if he will be wearing a visor. He will probably do both.
- The Carolina Hurricanes maybe the Southeast Division's new power house. The Hurricanes have an Eastern Conference best 8-2-1. It's definitely Hurricane season.
- Rich Hammond explains how things aren't that rosy for the NHL. He makes a few valid points.
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