Caps Today

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:18 am

langleyparkjoe wrote:What does the last number in the stats mean? For example: W-L-T-?

It used to be for ties, now it is for overtime losses because a team still gets a point in the standings even if they lose in OT.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:57 am

A gold coin – Keith Aucoin is making things difficult for Washington ’s top brass, but in a good way. The undrafted forward has five points in his last five NHL games, including two goals in his last three games filling in for injured forwards Boyd Gordon and Donald Brashear. In addition to points, Aucoin has brought a spark and energy to a lineup that is still not settled with only three games remaining before the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 30-year-old pivot was leading the AHL with 94 points (25g-69a) in 69 games (now currently tied with Hershey’s Alexandre Giroux with 94) at the time of his recall and was recently named to the 2008-09 AHL First All-Star Team.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:07 am

Sir_Monk wrote:
langleyparkjoe wrote:What does the last number in the stats mean? For example: W-L-T-?

It used to be for ties, now it is for overtime losses because a team still gets a point in the standings even if they lose in OT.

Oh ok thanks bruh

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:15 am

This isnt related to the Caps but did anyone see Sidney Crosby get in that fight last night? If hes gonna fight he should at least learn how to do it right. Both of his fights this year he just either cheap shots the guy or just throws him to the ice.

That being said I really hope we dont end up playing them in the playoffs. They seem to be clicking at the right time and we know they are capable of going to the finals.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:32 am

Striking distance – Alex Ovechkin has points in 18 of the last 19 games (13g-18a), slicing into Evgeni Malkin’s lead in the scoring race in the process. Malkin had 11 more points than Ovechkin when Ovi’s current streak started, but that lead has been cut to two points entering the season’s last three games. Ovechkin leads the league in points per game (1.39) and hopes to build on his 106 points on the season tonight in Atlanta . He won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer a year ago and is bidding to become the first repeat winner of that award since Jaromir Jagr took home four in a row from 1998-2001. A tie would go to Ovechkin based on his advantage in goals.

Two up, two down – The Capitals enter Tuesday night's game two points ahead of New Jersey for second-place in the Eastern Conference, while Alex Ovechkin is two points behind Pittsburgh 's Evgeni Malkin for the NHL scoring lead. Washington , New Jersey and Pittsburgh all have three games remaining, and all are in action Tuesday night. Ovechkin is bidding to become the first repeat winner of the Art Ross Trophy since Jaromir Jagr (four straight, 1998-2001).

Remaining Games

WSH: @ATL, @TB, @ FLA

NJ: vs. TOR, @OTT, vs. CAR

PIT: @TB, vs. NYI, @MTL

Five More Notes No Media Person Should be Without

Four score – Each of Washington 's top four scorers – Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green – will average more than a point per game for the season. No NHL team has gotten a point per game from its top for scorers since the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins ().

Washington has three of the top 10 players in the league in points per game (Ovechkin, Semin and Green) and four of the top 13 (Backstrom; minimum 15 GP). The last time the Caps had four players with 70-plus points was 1992-93.

Goal oriented – Washington has scored 20 goals in its last four games, a 5.0 average. The Capitals rank third in the league with a 3.24 goals per game average and their 256 goals scored are the franchise's most since potting 277 in 1993-94.

Power grid – The Capitals rank No. 1 in the NHL on the power play (25.3%), something the franchise has never done for a full season. They are 10-for-28 (35.7%) on the power play in the last four games. They have scored at least one power-play goal in 23 of the last 30 games and are 30.8% in that time (37-of-120), including 43.5% in the first period (20-of-46). The Capitals' opponents in that time have received 21 more power-play opportunities but have scored 13 fewer goals (24-for-143, 83.2% penalty killing). Washington 's power play should set the club record for a full season (23.9%, 1984-85).

Century to remember – Alex Ovechkin's 106 points give him his third 100-point season and put him within two points of the NHL's scoring leader. He leads the league with 1.39 points per game. He is just the fourth player in league history to post 100-plus points in three of his first four NHL seasons (Gretzky, Lemieux, Hawerchuk). There had only been two 100-point seasons in Washington 's 30-season history prior to his arrival.

Ovechkin has extended his point-scoring streak to eight games (six goals, 11 assists). He has points in 18 of the last 19 games. During that span he has had a hand in 17 of the 31 goals scored by the Capitals (54.8%).

A valuable coin – Keith Aucoin has five points in his last five NHL games (2g-3a). The AHL's co-leading scorer (94 points) and an AHL First-Team All-Star, Aucoin had a goal and an assist Sunday, including the first power-play goal of his NHL career. While Aucoin has been with the Capitals his Hershey linemate, Alexandre Giroux, has tied him for the AHL lead in points.

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:28 pm

Remaining Games

WSH: @ATL, @TB, @ FLA

NJ: vs. TOR, @OTT, vs. CAR

PIT: @TB, vs. NYI, @MTL

I hope we win all of the remaining games so we can get ourselves that #2 seed. It looks like we are about to beat ATL, up 4-2 with a minute to go.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:36 am

Taking care of business – Last season the Capitals got hot at the right time going 11-1-0 to end the season and clinch the Southeast Division. Their margin of error was so small that they needed to win their last seven games to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Things have been a little different this season. The Caps had a mediocre March with a 6-5-2 record, but their division lead was never seriously threatened. With the playoffs on the horizon, the team is peaking at the right time. Washington is 4-0-1 in their last five games and one of the players helping turn things around is Tomas Fleischmann who has five points in his last three games (two goals, three assists) after going 14 games without a point.

Bob 0119 wrote:
I could be wrong here, but I think that if the Caps win at least one more, or the Devils lose one of their next two, than the Caps will have locked down 2nd place.

The Caps face Tampa tomorrow, and are currently 5-0-0 against them this season. A win tomorrow sweeps Tampa and locks up second place.

I think

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:21 am

A man of all seasons – Brooks Laich likes to go to the net a place where most forwards don’t like to go because they get pushed around. The 25-year-old has been rewarded as of late with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his last six games. The last time Washington played Tampa Bay , 14 days ago, Laich recorded three assists a new career high. The Wawota, Saskatchewan native has a career high 30 assists and 50 points, while his 20 goals are one off his career high 21 goals which he achieved last season. He is averaging more than three minutes more of ice time per game than last year and leads the Caps with 21.8 shifts per game.

Note of the Night

The best? – A win tonight would give Washington the most points in franchise history and tie the 1985-86 team for the most wins in franchise history (50).

Most Points, Capitals Season

107 1985-86

106 2008-09

102 1999-00

Most Wins, Capitals Season

50 1985-86

49 2008-09

48 1983-84

Five More Notes No Media Person Should be Without

Shooting for two – Washington needs one point in its last two games (or a point lost by New Jersey) in order to clinch the second seed in the Eastern Conference for the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin next week.

Remaining Games

WSH: @TB, @ FLA

NJ: @OTT, vs. CAR

Theo's 500 – Jose Theodore's next appearance will mark his 500th career game in the NHL, making him just the eighth active goaltender to reach that milestone (54th all-time, tying his former teammate and goaltending coach, Jeff Hackett).

Theodore's 31-16-5 record this season gives him the best winning percentage of his career and his third 30-win season. He joins Jim Carey and Olie Kolzig as the only goaltenders to win 30 games in a season for the Capitals. Since Dec. 23, Theodore is 23-10-4 (2.61, .909). Theodore's win Sunday against Atlanta lifted him over .500 for his career (214-213-44) for the first time since he was 5-4-2 on Feb. 17, 1997.

Elite company – Alex Ovechkin's two assists Tuesday night in Atlanta gave him 200 for his career and making him just the third player in the NHL to record 200 goals and 200 assists in his first four years in the league. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are the only other players to accomplish the feat.

Perfect 10 – The Capitals enter tonight's game with 10 straight wins against Tampa Bay , a streak that started when Bruce Boudreau took over as head coach. A win tonight would match Washington 's longest winning streak against one opponent in franchise history (tying an 11-game streak against the New York Islanders from March 12, 1998, to March 15, 2000).

Longest Capitals Winning Streaks Against One Team

11 vs. N.Y. Islanders, 3/12/98 to 3/15/00

10 vs. Tampa Bay , 12/15/07 to present

9 vs. St. Louis , 3/17/92 to 3/25/97

9 vs. Pittsburgh , 12/2/84 to 11/20/85

Four score – Each of Washington 's top four scorers – Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green – will average more than a point per game for the season. No NHL team has gotten a point per game from its top for scorers since the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins (Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis and Petr Nedved).

Washington has four of the top 13 players in the league in points per game (Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Green; minimum 20 GP). The last time the Caps had four players with 70-plus points was 1992-93.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:53 am

Primetime player – Last night the Capitals secured second place and set a new franchise record for most points in a season with 108. Goaltender Jose Theodore has played a part in that success from the start and has been particularly hot as of late. Theodore is 4-0-1 with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in his last five games. The Laval , Quebec , native is 32-16-5 this season for his third 30-win season and is 215-213-44 in his career. Since Dec. 23 Theodore is 24-10-4 with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. As the Capitals move into the playoffs Theodore will be an important part in their success – and he has never lost a first-round playoff series.

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:19 pm

Bob 0119 wrote:Primetime player – Last night the Capitals secured second place and set a new franchise record for most points in a season with 108. Goaltender Jose Theodore has played a part in that success from the start and has been particularly hot as of late. Theodore is 4-0-1 with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in his last five games. The Laval , Quebec , native is 32-16-5 this season for his third 30-win season and is 215-213-44 in his career. Since Dec. 23 Theodore is 24-10-4 with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. As the Capitals move into the playoffs Theodore will be an important part in their success – and he has never lost a first-round playoff series.

I hope Theodore can keep up the good performance throughout the playoffs. If he can be great in the playoffs we can win the Cup with the offense we have in front of him.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:36 pm

One thing's for sure. If the Caps offense and particularly their power play keeps clicking the way it has this season, and specifically the last 4 games or so, Theo won't have to play like Olie Kolzig in '98.

Man, what a post-season Olie had that year. Even during "The Sweep," Olie played well enough for us to win the Cup.

If only someone -- ANY one -- could have played well on offense in that finals. ;furious;

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:02 pm

I've been off my blog game for a little while now, but found myself with some free time today.

Wanna know where the playoffs are headed? Did you know there's a chance the Caps may not have to face either Pittsburgh or Philly on their way to the finals?

Who would the Caps play if the playoffs started today?

Click here to find out!

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:04 pm

I know we don't have an oponent yet, but when day do the playoffs start on?

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:09 pm

JansenFan wrote:One thing's for sure. If the Caps offense and particularly their power play keeps clicking the way it has this season, and specifically the last 4 games or so, Theo won't have to play like Olie Kolzig in '98.

Man, what a post-season Olie had that year. Even during "The Sweep," Olie played well enough for us to win the Cup.

If only someone -- ANY one -- could have played well on offense in that finals.

I always wonder what would have happend if Tikk had not missed the empty net and we had gone on to win game 2. At the time I was not that bumed out losing to Detorit, considering the teams previous playoff history I was overjoyed we went as far as we did.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 4:20 pm

Sir_Monk wrote:
JansenFan wrote:One thing's for sure. If the Caps offense and particularly their power play keeps clicking the way it has this season, and specifically the last 4 games or so, Theo won't have to play like Olie Kolzig in '98.

Man, what a post-season Olie had that year. Even during "The Sweep," Olie played well enough for us to win the Cup.

If only someone -- ANY one -- could have played well on offense in that finals.

I always wonder what would have happend if Tikk had not missed the empty net and we had gone on to win game 2. At the time I was not that bumed out losing to Detorit, considering the teams previous playoff history I was overjoyed we went as far as we did.

Back then I was happy. When I took off my fan glasses and put on my reality glasses, I knew we had no chance of beating that team in the finals. I was happy we finally got over the hump and thought for sure we were on our way to competing for the cup year in and year out. Looking back and seeing what was to come, I know wish we would have been more competitive in that final series, with the knowledge that we couldn't even make the playoffs most of the years since, and couldn't beat Pittsburgh when we did. Stupid Jagr. (even though I was on board when he came in, I like to pretend I wasn't now, just like with the Deion Sanders thing. :oops:

)

Sir_Monk wrote:I know we don't have an oponent yet, but when day do the playoffs start on?

The slate will be set on Sunday, and given the close nature of things at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, I don't know that we will know anything before then. It'll probably come down to the last game.

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:45 pm

Comcast just said we will either play the Canadiens or the Rangers in the first round. We are 3-0-1 against NY and 3-1 vs. Montreal.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:13 pm

MDSKINSFAN wrote:Comcast just said we will either play the Canadiens or the Rangers in the first round. We are 3-0-1 against NY and 3-1 vs. Montreal.

I think both of them could put up a very tough fight. The records aside, all of those were very close games, including my favorite game this season when we came back from 4-0 down to beat the Rags in NY.

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:23 pm

Sir_Monk wrote:
MDSKINSFAN wrote:Comcast just said we will either play the Canadiens or the Rangers in the first round. We are 3-0-1 against NY and 3-1 vs. Montreal.

I think both of them could put up a very tough fight. The records aside, all of those were very close games, including my favorite game this season when we came back from 4-0 down to beat the Rags in NY.

I agree. The Rangers played us tough every time we played them this year along with the Canadiens. I think either one would be a tough series. And that game against NY was my favorite this year too...Classic Ovi game.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:42 am

Game last night vs. Florida... :moon:

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:36 am

A fair return – Eric Fehr does not garner headlines from the media and probably is not the Cap that other coaches spend hours trying to stop, but after starting the season as a healthy scratch the 23-year-old has turned in a productive season. He had 12 goals and 13 assists in 61 games this season, but when he was in the lineup the Caps won more often. With Fehr on the ice the Caps were 39-16-6, as opposed to their 11-8-2 record when he did not play. Fehr averaged 11:14 of ice time this year, but ended the season tied with Alex Ovechkin for fifth on the team with a +8 rating. The team was 10-1-1 when he scored a goal this year and 16-3-1 when he recorded a point. Fehr played a season-high 15:51 against the New York Rangers, the Capitals first-round playoff opponent, on Dec. 23 and had one goal.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:34 pm

Bob 0119 wrote:A fair return – Eric Fehr does not garner headlines from the media and probably is not the Cap that other coaches spend hours trying to stop, but after starting the season as a healthy scratch the 23-year-old has turned in a productive season. He had 12 goals and 13 assists in 61 games this season, but when he was in the lineup the Caps won more often. With Fehr on the ice the Caps were 39-16-6, as opposed to their 11-8-2 record when he did not play. Fehr averaged 11:14 of ice time this year, but ended the season tied with Alex Ovechkin for fifth on the team with a +8 rating. The team was 10-1-1 when he scored a goal this year and 16-3-1 when he recorded a point. Fehr played a season-high 15:51 against the New York Rangers, the Capitals first-round playoff opponent, on Dec. 23 and had one goal.

Hey Bob, can you tell me the difference of what I highlighted?

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:00 pm

langleyparkjoe wrote:
Bob 0119 wrote:A fair return – Eric Fehr does not garner headlines from the media and probably is not the Cap that other coaches spend hours trying to stop, but after starting the season as a healthy scratch the 23-year-old has turned in a productive season. He had 12 goals and 13 assists in 61 games this season, but when he was in the lineup the Caps won more often. With Fehr on the ice the Caps were 39-16-6, as opposed to their 11-8-2 record when he did not play. Fehr averaged 11:14 of ice time this year, but ended the season tied with Alex Ovechkin for fifth on the team with a +8 rating. The team was 10-1-1 when he scored a goal this year and 16-3-1 when he recorded a point. Fehr played a season-high 15:51 against the New York Rangers, the Capitals first-round playoff opponent, on Dec. 23 and had one goal.

Hey Bob, can you tell me the difference of what I highlighted?

Sure, points are a combination of goals and assists.

3 goals equal 3 points

3 assists equal 3 points

3 goals and 3 assists equal 6 points.

For real complication you should check out +/- ratings!

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:04 pm

To save you the trouble of asking +/- (or plus/minus) is a running tally of goals scored while you were on the ice, even if you had nothing to do with it pointwise.

Everytime your team scores while you are on the ice you get a plus one (+1)

Everytime your team is scored upon while you are on the ice you get a minus one (-1)

The theory is that plus/minus is similar to a QB ratting in that you get a feel for how good the player is without actually knowing anything about them.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:11 pm

wow man, learning hockey is like i'm in school all over again :lol:

thanks for the info man. oh btw, i shaved for the last time yesterday so i'm gonna start the beard now... or should i wait until first game?

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:55 pm

langleyparkjoe wrote:wow man, learning hockey is like i'm in school all over again thanks for the info man. oh btw, i shaved for the last time yesterday so i'm gonna start the beard now... or should i wait until first game?

You know, I never thought about it. I asked a guy I work with who is a huge Blues fan, who thought it should be from the end of the season. I figured it would be the day of the first playoff series. Ether way, GO CAPS! I really wish I could make a trip to DC for a game.