Capitals 2, Islanders 1
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Two teams with surprising records faced off in a Columbus Day (Thanksgiving Day in Canada) matinee. It was the Capitals that came out on top even though the Islanders scored first. It wasn't all roses for the Caps, they came out sluggish in the first and got lucky in the second. It was the first game where the Capitals were badly outshot (31 - 12).
Islander Richard Park started the scoring for the Islanders that had a little bit of a jump on the Caps in the first period. Many of the guys were standing around as the Islanders buzzed. But the Caps penalty kill remains perfect on the season and the Caps just outlasted their opponents. And having Olie Kolzig to stop 30 shots doesn't hurt either.
Viktor Kozlov scored his 2nd goal of the season in the second to get the Caps on the board, a rocket that beat Rick DiPietro's glove. Then Brooks Laich got the game winner off a Brain Potheir shot. Laich scooped up the rebound and beat a sprawling DiPietro to score on the open net. A year ago, the Caps would have folded at the pressure the Ilanders put on. But the Caps stuck to their game plan and prevailed.
Just a few observations. It looks like Glen Hanlon is still playing with the lines a bit. There was a time where Micheal Nylander and Alex Ovechkin were on the same line. I didn't think that Laich had a great training camp, but he came up big in this game. John Erskine has a bone to pick with Billy Guerin, the Islanders' captain. The two were at it all game long, with hit after hit, and cheap shot after cheap shot. The two were teammates in Dallas.
Caps will return home for practice then it's a rare trip to New York on a Friday night at MSG.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Injury Bug Strikes Again
As per Tarik, Alex Semin doesn't look like he will be making it to Nassau Colosseum. He may miss more than that if his ankle becomes an issue this season. Semin last night looked as if he was a tad bit behind everyone, even though he had some good quick shots and some room to move.
Which leaves the Nylander/Backstrom line incomplete. To my surprise, I would have thought Nylander would have gotten more top line status with Ovechkin and Kozlov, but Hanlon is sticking to the Swedish tandem. Now it looks as if Matt Bradley is getting the call to the second line.
Another thing I have noticed is that Brian Sutherby is hardly being missed in all this shuffle. He did not play in the last two games, and I am not sure if he is on the roster for the Islander game. Sutherby had a pretty tough season last year, but does that mean the gritty forward sits out as an alternate this season? Appears so.
Which leaves the Nylander/Backstrom line incomplete. To my surprise, I would have thought Nylander would have gotten more top line status with Ovechkin and Kozlov, but Hanlon is sticking to the Swedish tandem. Now it looks as if Matt Bradley is getting the call to the second line.
Another thing I have noticed is that Brian Sutherby is hardly being missed in all this shuffle. He did not play in the last two games, and I am not sure if he is on the roster for the Islander game. Sutherby had a pretty tough season last year, but does that mean the gritty forward sits out as an alternate this season? Appears so.
Home Sweet Home
Capitals 2, Hurricanes 0
Scoresheet - Wash Post
The 'Canes were seeing red. Not just from the new uniforms the Capitals wore for the first time at home or from the many in attendance wearing red, but from the Caps new game. The possession game is working for the Capitals.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 99th career goal, Milan Jurcina added the insurance and Olie Kolzig posted the shutout (his career 35th). Now that is what I call domination. This early success has got Caps fans buzzing, but it won't take long for opposing teams to work out a defense against it. But for now it's working and the Caps are a great improvement from last season.
Uncle Ted wasn't in red, sure he had a red tie on. But he was in a dark suit and blue shirt, but no red. I thought that was a bit weird. As far as red goes, I did like the red uniforms on the boys this year. It took a little while to let my eye adjust, but the look was good. Besides if they keep winning, I could care less about what they are wearing.
Ovie played a masterful game once again, the like with Viktor Kozlov and Ovie has been exciting to watch. The Alex Semin, Micheal Nylander and Nicklas Backstrom line could use a little pick me up though. Semin just looked lost out there, also looked about half speed.
Next game is against the Islanders Monday night. The Islanders have been surprisingly tough in there last two contests. The Caps must remain out of the penalty box and continue what ever it is they have been doing so far, because it's working.
10/8 Capitals at Islanders, 2 pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Satellite Radio: XM Ch. 204
Terrestrial Radio: 1500 AM, 107.7 FM and 820 AM
Scoresheet - Wash Post
The 'Canes were seeing red. Not just from the new uniforms the Capitals wore for the first time at home or from the many in attendance wearing red, but from the Caps new game. The possession game is working for the Capitals.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 99th career goal, Milan Jurcina added the insurance and Olie Kolzig posted the shutout (his career 35th). Now that is what I call domination. This early success has got Caps fans buzzing, but it won't take long for opposing teams to work out a defense against it. But for now it's working and the Caps are a great improvement from last season.
Uncle Ted wasn't in red, sure he had a red tie on. But he was in a dark suit and blue shirt, but no red. I thought that was a bit weird. As far as red goes, I did like the red uniforms on the boys this year. It took a little while to let my eye adjust, but the look was good. Besides if they keep winning, I could care less about what they are wearing.
Ovie played a masterful game once again, the like with Viktor Kozlov and Ovie has been exciting to watch. The Alex Semin, Micheal Nylander and Nicklas Backstrom line could use a little pick me up though. Semin just looked lost out there, also looked about half speed.
Next game is against the Islanders Monday night. The Islanders have been surprisingly tough in there last two contests. The Caps must remain out of the penalty box and continue what ever it is they have been doing so far, because it's working.
10/8 Capitals at Islanders, 2 pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Satellite Radio: XM Ch. 204
Terrestrial Radio: 1500 AM, 107.7 FM and 820 AM
Friday, October 05, 2007
Starting Off On The Good Foot
Capitals 3, Thrashers 1
Scoresheet - Wash Post - AJC
You could feel the nervous anticipation around the beltway. Caps fans turned there televisions to Comcast SportsNet to get the new Capital season started. The Caps started on the road against Division rivals Atlanta Thrashers. It was time to see what the boys could do.
The baby blues have a potent offense that looked a little lackluster in this game. Glen Hanlon's possession game was something to see as it seemed for the entire first period the Capitals had the puck deep in Atlanta's zone. Micheal Nylander scored on the power play in the first and two minutes later John Erskine scored a bomb from the blue line (set up by Ken Klee, wrong team Ken) and like that the Caps were up 2-0.
Viktor Kozlov added a goal in the third and the Caps hold off a late Thrasher surge to spoil the Atlanta's crowd home opener and opened the season impressively. Brent Johnson was good in net. Besides the goal that was shot at an extreme angle by rookie Bryan Little, Johnny was solid in net stopping 28 shots. In fact shots on goal was a lopsided 40-29 in favor of the Caps. Remember last season when that 40 was against the Capitals? I do, and it's nice to see the tables turn.
The new additions were immediatly felt with goals both by Nylander and Kozlov. Alex Ovechkin played one of the best games I have seen him play. Even though he only had an assist, Ovie was back playing defense and was dominating the play when he was on ice. He even got clipped up high on a follow through shot and got a little blood on the uniform (which beaded off - no more blood on the jerseys, say it ain't so).
The Caps played a dominating road game. This is an extremely different team from a year ago. The Capitals look confident and energized. Uncle Ted was right - the rebuild is over.
Scoresheet - Wash Post - AJC
You could feel the nervous anticipation around the beltway. Caps fans turned there televisions to Comcast SportsNet to get the new Capital season started. The Caps started on the road against Division rivals Atlanta Thrashers. It was time to see what the boys could do.
The baby blues have a potent offense that looked a little lackluster in this game. Glen Hanlon's possession game was something to see as it seemed for the entire first period the Capitals had the puck deep in Atlanta's zone. Micheal Nylander scored on the power play in the first and two minutes later John Erskine scored a bomb from the blue line (set up by Ken Klee, wrong team Ken) and like that the Caps were up 2-0.
Viktor Kozlov added a goal in the third and the Caps hold off a late Thrasher surge to spoil the Atlanta's crowd home opener and opened the season impressively. Brent Johnson was good in net. Besides the goal that was shot at an extreme angle by rookie Bryan Little, Johnny was solid in net stopping 28 shots. In fact shots on goal was a lopsided 40-29 in favor of the Caps. Remember last season when that 40 was against the Capitals? I do, and it's nice to see the tables turn.
The new additions were immediatly felt with goals both by Nylander and Kozlov. Alex Ovechkin played one of the best games I have seen him play. Even though he only had an assist, Ovie was back playing defense and was dominating the play when he was on ice. He even got clipped up high on a follow through shot and got a little blood on the uniform (which beaded off - no more blood on the jerseys, say it ain't so).
The Caps played a dominating road game. This is an extremely different team from a year ago. The Capitals look confident and energized. Uncle Ted was right - the rebuild is over.
Here We Go
The Capitals start their season today in Atlanta, then catch a flight home for their home opener (and the debut of the red jerseys) Saturday night against Carolina. Since the off season acquisitions of Micheal Nylander, Tom Poti and Viktor Kozlov, there has been a huge buzz about the Washington Capitals.
It's not just the fans that are impressed with the team's attempt to move from a rebuilding franchise to a competitive one, but many others in the hockey world are taking notice. One thing is for sure - the expectation level for this team far exceeds that of previous years.
For the Capitals to be successful they must find that chemistry level fast. The Capitals have probably the two best trigger men in the league in Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. Now those acquired have to compliment the dynamic duo. If that chemistry fails, the Caps are looking at an uncomfortable season and lost opportunity.
The Caps must play well against their division rivals. Even though the season schedule will have a different look next year, the Caps still play their rivals 8 times this season. If they have hopes of making the playoffs, they must dominate the Southeast.
I will be watching the line combos for this game since Semin did not make the trip to Atlanta nursing a sore ankle. The anticipation for this game is at it's peak. It's finally time. Drop the puck.
Capitals at Atlanta Thrashers - 7:30 pm
Local TV: Comcast SportsNet
XM Radio: Ch. 207
Terrestrial Radio: 1500 AM, 107.7 FM and 820 AM
It's not just the fans that are impressed with the team's attempt to move from a rebuilding franchise to a competitive one, but many others in the hockey world are taking notice. One thing is for sure - the expectation level for this team far exceeds that of previous years.
For the Capitals to be successful they must find that chemistry level fast. The Capitals have probably the two best trigger men in the league in Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. Now those acquired have to compliment the dynamic duo. If that chemistry fails, the Caps are looking at an uncomfortable season and lost opportunity.
The Caps must play well against their division rivals. Even though the season schedule will have a different look next year, the Caps still play their rivals 8 times this season. If they have hopes of making the playoffs, they must dominate the Southeast.
I will be watching the line combos for this game since Semin did not make the trip to Atlanta nursing a sore ankle. The anticipation for this game is at it's peak. It's finally time. Drop the puck.
Capitals at Atlanta Thrashers - 7:30 pm
Local TV: Comcast SportsNet
XM Radio: Ch. 207
Terrestrial Radio: 1500 AM, 107.7 FM and 820 AM
Monday, October 01, 2007
Pardon My Absence - Klepis Traded?
It's funny how your priorities change when some one in your family is rushed to the hospital. Don't know when I will post over the next couple of days, but will try for the 3 of you that read this blog (including my mom, hi mom!).
Caps lose their last preseason game where the last two periods were an exercise in DON'T GET HURT. I kind of figured after the first period, the second and third were just formalities.
Ben Clymer wants out. He doesn't want to be here, which could be part of the reason his butt was shipped to Hershey. Expect his trade soon.
Rumor Alert: Jakub Klepis has been traded/shipped/sent away/packed and no longer apart of the Caps org. Don't know the details, and it is just a rumor, so take at face value.
That is all I got, try to get back on when I can.
Update: I am full of it, apparently. There is no story of Klepis being sent anywhere (other than Hershey).
Caps lose their last preseason game where the last two periods were an exercise in DON'T GET HURT. I kind of figured after the first period, the second and third were just formalities.
Ben Clymer wants out. He doesn't want to be here, which could be part of the reason his butt was shipped to Hershey. Expect his trade soon.
Rumor Alert: Jakub Klepis has been traded/shipped/sent away/packed and no longer apart of the Caps org. Don't know the details, and it is just a rumor, so take at face value.
That is all I got, try to get back on when I can.
Update: I am full of it, apparently. There is no story of Klepis being sent anywhere (other than Hershey).
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