Caps Today

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:37 am

Taking a closer look – Before the puck drops at Verizon Center on Wednesday for the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs here are some things you should know. The Capitals won the series 3-0-1 against the New York Rangers (Nov. 8, 3-1, Dec. 23, 5-4 ot, Jan. 3, 2-1, Feb. 11, 4-5 so), and this year was the first time the Capitals won a series against the Rangers since 2005-06 where they won 2-1-1. Seventeen different Capitals registered at least a point against the Rangers this season. Leading the charge was Alex Ovechkin who had three goals and two assists, while Nicklas Backstrom had five assists. Tomas Fleischmann (2g-1a) and Mike Green (3g) both had three points against the Rangers this season. One of the most exciting games in the series was on Dec. 23 when the Capitals came back from a four goal deficit to force overtime before Shaone Morrisonn scored the winner. Goalies will play a big part in the series as Jose Theodore was 2-0-1 against the Rangers this season, but has never faced them in the postseason.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:45 am

Sir_Monk wrote:
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.

I think you can safely start it from anytime between the time the team has clinched a playoff spot, until the official start of the playoffs.

I started when they clinched, but some people wait until the first game. I think either is fine.

Some "purists" may disagree and say that it shouldn't start until the regular season ends, but I don't like to nit-pick, besides, by the time the first round ends, I'll have a pretty respectable beard going! I should look like a member of ZZ top by the time the Cup round comes along!

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:21 pm

Bob 0119 wrote:
Sir_Monk wrote:
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.

I think you can safely start it from anytime between the time the team has clinched a playoff spot, until the official start of the playoffs.

I started when they clinched, but some people wait until the first game. I think either is fine.

Some "purists" may disagree and say that it shouldn't start until the regular season ends, but I don't like to nit-pick, besides, by the time the first round ends, I'll have a pretty respectable beard going! I should look like a member of ZZ top by the time the Cup round comes along!

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:44 am

Ovechkin vs. Lundqvist – It’s Alexander the Great

vs. King Henrik as the Capitals and Rangers drop the puck in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals tonight at Verizon Center . There are few goaltenders that Ovechkin has had more success against in his four-year career than Lundqvist (2.43 GAA, .916 save percentage). Seven of Ovechkin’s 219 career goals have slid, whipped or trickled by Lundqvist, including two this year. Those seven goals are tied for the fifth most that Ovechkin has scored against a goalie all-time. Buffalo ’s Ryan Miller, who has yielded nine career goals to No. 8, is the only goalie outside of the Southeast Division that Ovechkin has victimized more often than Lundqvist (Atlanta’s Kari Lehtonen tops the list with 16). Ovechkin has scored on 67 different goaltenders in his four years and Lundqvist is one of only six goalies that Ovechkin has scored on in every season. He tallied once during his rookie year and has scored twice on Lundqvist every year after that. Four of Ovechkin’s seven career goals against Lundqvist have come at Verizon Center , while the other three were registered at Madison Square Garden . Ovechkin has tallied two power-play goals and five (including both this year) even-strength goals against Lundqvist.

Note of the Night

Back for more – The Capitals return to the playoffs for the second year in a row, their first consecutive trips since 1999-00 and 2000-01. Whereas everyone who played for Washington in last year's playoffs was making their Capitals postseason debut, only three players who could see action tonight have never played a playoff game for Washington: Brian Pothier, Jose Theodore and Simeon Varlamov.

Five More Notes No Media Person Should Be Without

Ovi's encore – Reigning most valuable player Alex Ovechkin enters his second playoff series after making a big impact a season ago against Philadelphia . Ovechkin had the game-winning goal in his first playoff game, added another game-winner in Game 6, and finished tied for second in league scoring in round one with nine points (4g-5a) in 7 GP.

Winning Theo-ry – Goaltender Jose Theodore enters his first playoff series as a Capital having won all four first-round series he has played as a No. 1 goalie. Theodore led Montreal to first-round wins in 2002 and '04 and led Colorado to wins in 2006 and '08. He has a 19-26 career playoff record with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage; he has posted a save percentage of at least .902 in every year he has played in the playoffs.

Style guys – This series pits the No. 3 scoring team in the NHL ( Washington , 3.29 goals per game) against the No. 6 defensive team ( New York , 2.58 goals against per game). Washington ranked tied for 19th on defense, while the Rangers finished 28th offensively.

There are similar dichotomies on special teams, where Washington 's second-ranked power play (a club-record 25.2%) will face the best penalty kill in the league (87.8%). The Capitals scored on four of 15 power-play opportunities against the Rangers in the regular season (26.7%).

Going Green – Mike Green, whose 31 goals in the regular season were eight more than any other NHL defenseman, had three more goals than any Rangers player. Green has five goals against the Rangers in his career, including two goals in the most recent meeting and two overtime goals in 2007-08.

I Laich April – Brooks Laich had four goals in the last four games of the regular season and had eight points in six games in April. In the last two Aprils, including last season's playoffs, Laich has 16 points (6g-10a) in 16 games. He had points in each of the last five games of the playoff series last year.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:32 pm

I bought my sweet butter flavored popcorn from Giant last night and some beers.. I'm ready for 2nite.. wait, beers and popcorn... maybe I'll change that to either beer & wings or popcorn & coke. :lol:

Let's go Caps!!!!

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:40 pm

langleyparkjoe wrote:I bought my sweet butter flavored popcorn from Giant last night and some beers.. I'm ready for 2nite.. wait, beers and popcorn... maybe I'll change that to either beer & wings or popcorn & coke.

Let's go Caps!!!!

I'm so stoked for the game tonight! sucks that I have to work until 8:30, thank goodness for DVR.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:46 pm

I wish I coulda gone tonight, but I gotta work, and I'm getting ready to move.

The atmosphere at Verizon is going to be absolutely electric!

I'm fired up and Rockin' the Red at work!

I can only imagine how I'd be if I were amongst 18,000 screaming Caps fans!

It's not going to be an easy game by any means, but the Caps seem to do better against tough opponents!

If the Caps can stay out of the box, and put New York on the PK, they should have a good game.

The Caps have a .707 win percentage at home this year. They have a .756 when they score first.

They have a .833 win percentage when leading after the first period, and a .868 when leading after two!

Here's hoping!

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:52 pm

I'm thinking about going home early, I can hardly sit still at work!!! GOOOOO CAPS!

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:36 pm

the 92.7 crew is at some place called... ummm.. dag it RFD Grill? or something like that... near the phone booth.. man the phone booth must be rockin right now. I'm pretty siked about the game man.. i hope if you can't watch it you tivo dat thing.. i'm gonna dvr it anyway cause i'll miss some of it

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:42 pm

langleyparkjoe wrote:the 92.7 crew is at some place called... ummm.. dag it RFD Grill? or something like that... near the phone booth.. man the phone booth must be rockin right now. I'm pretty siked about the game man.. i hope if you can't watch it you tivo dat thing.. i'm gonna dvr it anyway cause i'll miss some of it

I was at Verizon back in 2001 for the first game against Pitt, it was nuts then, I can only imagine what it is like now. GOOOO CAPS!!! I have to DVR most Caps games since I don't get off of work most nights until the game is well into the second period.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:16 am

Any hope that Varlamov might see action in game 2? good god was Theo awful. I'm starting to get that sinking feeling that goes hand and hand with a Caps playoff "run".

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:20 am

Oh man that was gut wrenching... I'll say this much though, we played aggresive the whole game but man oh man, Theo Theo Theo... maybe we could get Alvin or Simon in there? Like dat one? :lol:

Isn't his nickname like 3 or more Theodore?

It's all good, I still have faith that we will prevail in the end. My gosh I hope so cause I've been reaaaaaally trash talking to a NYer here at work.

[-o<

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:07 am

langleyparkjoe wrote:Oh man that was gut wrenching... I'll say this much though, we played aggresive the whole game but man oh man, Theo Theo Theo... maybe we could get Alvin or Simon in there? Like dat one? Isn't his nickname like 3 or more Theodore?

It's all good, I still have faith that we will prevail in the end. My gosh I hope so cause I've been reaaaaaally trash talking to a NYer here at work.

Unforunately, it appears Bruce is sticking with Theo for game two...

I'll have to use that "3 or more" thing; that's funny!

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:35 am

Kozlov’s time – Viktor Kozlov played in 21 career playoff games without a goal until last night when he scored with 49 seconds left in the second period. The Togliatti, Russia native previously had six assists and four penalty minutes in 21 career playoff games with Florida , New Jersey , New York Islanders and Washington . During the regular season the Capitals were 10-1-1 when Kozlov scored a goal. He is currently on a four-game point streak in the playoffs after recording an assist in his last three playoff games against Philadelphia last season. In the regular season Kozlov ranked sixth on the team with 41 points (13g-28a).

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:44 am

Not sure of the implications, but I just got a taxt from the Caps PR dept. saying the team hit the practice ice 25 minutes early today...

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:33 pm

Bob 0119 wrote:Not sure of the implications, but I just got a taxt from the Caps PR dept. saying the team hit the practice ice 25 minutes early today...

I hope that 25 minutes was used on goaltending and defense. To bad BB wont sit Threeorfourordore but hopefully Pothier gets the nod in place of Jeff Schultz.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 12:40 pm

I don't know how much this means, but I just got a text from the WaPo's Caps Insider that says BB has yet to name a starter for game 2......Varly gives up huge rebounds, but in the few games he started he seemed much better at stoping shots with traffic in front of him

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:19 pm

All in all the Caps played a fairly good defense. They only allowed 21 shots on goal.

Stopping 17 of 21 is no bueno.

Here's hoping Theo finds his groove, 'cuz I don't know if Varly is ready to take us all the way through.

Don't get me wrong, the kid's good but really, really green!

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:45 pm

Man, that was bad last night. As much as i would like to blame it on Theo the defense was bad after the 1st period. But having said that Theo just lets goals go past him that he should be able to stop. I wish this off season we could stumble upon the next Broduer or Lundqvuist(?). He made some incredible saves vs. the Caps last night.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:48 pm

Well friends, its all good, we'll get them back on Sat. night

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:31 am

Time well spent – Having two days between playoff games is a rarity in the NHL, but that’s the position the Capitals and Rangers find themselves in today, awaiting tomorrow afternoon’s Game 2 at Verizon Center. Fourteen Caps took the ice yesterday for an optional skate; head coach Bruce Boudreau figures to put the full squad through their paces this morning. Boudreau teams have been at their best with some extra time to prepare – the Capitals were 13-4-4 this season when coming off two days between games, including a 6-0-3 record in that situation since mid-January.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:45 am

I didn't realize the game was so early, that kinda sux. I'm going to try and get down to one of those bars/restaurants around the phone booth to watch it. Man oh man, I'm getting so much heat from my NY co-worker today. The jerk came in wearing a Mark Messier jersey and he came straight to my desk smiling. I just shook my head because I'm wearing a Ricky Ervins jersey as I don't own any Caps jerseys yet so i really couldn't talk much trash. It's really hard to talk trash about a sport you don't know much about... man oh man Bob, I wish you here to defend it. :lol:

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:32 am

langleyparkjoe wrote:I didn't realize the game was so early, that kinda sux. I'm going to try and get down to one of those bars/restaurants around the phone booth to watch it. Man oh man, I'm getting so much heat from my NY co-worker today. The jerk came in wearing a Mark Messier jersey and he came straight to my desk smiling. I just shook my head because I'm wearing a Ricky Ervins jersey as I don't own any Caps jerseys yet so i really couldn't talk much trash. It's really hard to talk trash about a sport you don't know much about... man oh man Bob, I wish you here to defend it.

Tell him you'll be able to talk trash at the end of the series. :lol:

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:49 am

langleyparkjoe wrote:I didn't realize the game was so early, that kinda sux. I'm going to try and get down to one of those bars/restaurants around the phone booth to watch it. Man oh man, I'm getting so much heat from my NY co-worker today. The jerk came in wearing a Mark Messier jersey and he came straight to my desk smiling. I just shook my head because I'm wearing a Ricky Ervins jersey as I don't own any Caps jerseys yet so i really couldn't talk much trash. It's really hard to talk trash about a sport you don't know much about... man oh man Bob, I wish you here to defend it.

Tell him it's 2009 not 1994, Messier retired, get a new jersey.

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:19 pm

langleyparkjoe wrote:I didn't realize the game was so early, that kinda sux. I'm going to try and get down to one of those bars/restaurants around the phone booth to watch it. Man oh man, I'm getting so much heat from my NY co-worker today. The jerk came in wearing a Mark Messier jersey and he came straight to my desk smiling. I just shook my head because I'm wearing a Ricky Ervins jersey as I don't own any Caps jerseys yet so i really couldn't talk much trash. It's really hard to talk trash about a sport you don't know much about... man oh man Bob, I wish you here to defend it.

It was fated.

That night:

The New York Yankees beat Tampa Bay
The Texas Rangers beat the Orioles
and the New York Rangers beat the Caps

Clearly the cards were stacked against us.

Tell him to laugh all he wants, they still gotta win three more games.

The Caps won Game 1 versus Philly last year, and lost in Game 7.