The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Anybody else watch the All Star game?

How about Ovie getting the first goal and (even though it doesn't officially count) the last goal of the night for the East?

Bob 0119 wrote:Anybody else watch the All Star game?

How about Ovie getting the first goal and (even though it doesn't officially count) the last goal of the night for the East?

That was cool. The move he put on the goalie in the SO was amazing.

No. 1 vs. No. 2 – Washington looks to continue their dominance against the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins tonight for the third of four meetings between theses two teams and the first of two meetings in Boston . Ten points separate these two teams, with the Capitals one of only three teams to beat the Bruins twice in regulation this season (the other two are Buffalo and Minnesota ). With the Wild in the Western Conference and Buffalo 20 points behind in the East, of the three teams the Bruins are most worried about Washington in second place. Washington won the first two meetings at home by a margin of 7-3 (Dec. 10, 3-1 and Dec. 18 4-2). However the Caps have not won a game at the TD Banknorth Garden since a 2-1 overtime win April 10, 2006. Washington is attempting to win for the fourth straight time against Boston , something the Capitals have never done in the 125-game series history.

Note of the Night

Beating the B's – Washington attempts to beat the Bruins for the third time this season tonight and the fourth in a row stretching back to last year. The Capitals have never beaten Boston four times in succession in the teams' 125-game all-time series.



Washington, Buffalo and Minnesota are the only three teams this year that have handed the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins two regulation losses.



Five More Notes No Media Person Should be Without



Even? Hardly – The Capitals haven't given up an even-strength goal in more than three games, spanning 198:34.



Rising to occasions – Washington is 13-4-2 against the other seven Eastern Conference teams that would make the playoffs entering Tuesday's games.



Saluting Bruce – Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau, who boasts a 67-32-10 record in 110 career games and last year's Jack Adams Award, was honored Monday in Worcester , Mass. , with his induction into the AHL Hall of Fame. A legendary player and coach in the AHL, Boudreau coached seven current Capitals on the 2006 Calder Cup championship Hershey Bears team.



Turn on the red light – Washington has been held to two goals in three straight games for the first time this season and just the second time in head coach Bruce Boudreau's tenure (also three games Jan. 23-29 of last year).



Hey now – Tonight's game includes five players and a coach who took part in this past weekend's NHL All-Star Game festivities. Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals' only representative, scored a goal on a pretty passing play with Boston center Marc Savard and added the shootout goal that ended the game, while Boston goaltender Tim Thomas stopped both Western Conference shootout attempts he faced. Ovechkin (Breakaway Challenge) and Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara (Hardest Shot) were among the winners in Saturday's SuperSkills competition.

Sneak spring preview? – Washington and Boston – the top two teams in the Eastern Conference – hooked up last night in a game that at times had the pace and intensity of a playoff matchup, not the first game after a six-day all-star break. It was the second time in less than two weeks that the two teams played a memorable game and the first of the three meetings to go to overtime, as the Caps are now 2-0-1 against Boston . If this was a playoff preview, it could be an awfully fun spring in D.C. – and the winner between these teams could go on to play the Caps’ Saturday opponent, Detroit .

I'm not a hockey expert, so could someone explain the rationale for the penalty-killing strategy we were running last night?

Whenever the Capitals were on the power play, the Bruins were aggressive, forcing Washington to move the puck. When the Capitals were on the penalty kill, especially in overtime, they just boxed in real tight and tried to protect the goal. It allowed Boston to creep up incredibly close unchallenged. It seems like that strategy is susceptible to funny bounces (like the one that cost the Caps the game).

I don't get it. Boston's strategy seems much better. I'm sure there's a reason the Caps did what they did...so what is it?

Steve Spurrier III wrote:I'm not a hockey expert, so could someone explain the rationale for the penalty-killing strategy we were running last night?

Whenever the Capitals were on the power play, the Bruins were aggressive, forcing Washington to move the puck. When the Capitals were on the penalty kill, especially in overtime, they just boxed in real tight and tried to protect the goal. It allowed Boston to creep up incredibly close unchallenged. It seems like that strategy is susceptible to funny bounces (like the one that cost the Caps the game).

I don't get it. Boston's strategy seems much better. I'm sure there's a reason the Caps did what they did...so what is it?

It's so that they can help block the shooting lanes and clean up any loose rebounds.

Boston's last shot was actually a pass that Morrison would have interrupted and might have had a chance to clear, but the funny bounce resulted in a score.

Being aggressive is good, but it can also leave your goalie on an island. That's why the Caps have been so good on the power play this year (even though they weren't as great last night, but it was Tim Thomas they were facing), because they find the passing and shooting lanes around aggressive penalty killers.

Bob 0119 wrote:Boston's last shot was actually a pass that Morrison would have interrupted and might have had a chance to clear, but the funny bounce resulted in a score.

Yeah, but it's not exactly like Boston got lucky. The only reason the game was still going was because of the incredible save Theodore made in a pretty similar situation just a possession or two before.

I get the arguments that packing it in closes down the lanes, but I just don't see how allowing the puck to get that close to the net uncontested can be a good idea. It also doesn't strike me as a style of play that meshes well with the Capitals strengths.

But again, these are just the musings of a casual fan, I don't have the first clue what I'm talking about. Here's to hoping we get the penalty kill figured out sometime soon.

Steve Spurrier III wrote:

Bob 0119 wrote:Boston's last shot was actually a pass that Morrison would have interrupted and might have had a chance to clear, but the funny bounce resulted in a score.

Yeah, but it's not exactly like Boston got lucky. The only reason the game was still going was because of the incredible save Theodore made in a pretty similar situation just a possession or two before.

I get the arguments that packing it in closes down the lanes, but I just don't see how allowing the puck to get that close to the net uncontested can be a good idea. It also doesn't strike me as a style of play that meshes well with the Capitals strengths.

But again, these are just the musings of a casual fan, I don't have the first clue what I'm talking about. Here's to hoping we get the penalty kill figured out sometime soon.

I know I sometimes come across like I'm an expert, but mine is just as much a hypothesis as yours.

When the Caps are 4-on-5 they play the same way, and use one guy to force pressure to keep the puck moving, but when you are 3-on-4 I believe you want to take away as much of the net as possible from the distance shooters, and be there to shove away the corner guys trying for the tip in.

It seems to me to be the only theory that makes sense for the low pressure penalty kill that the Caps do. Ususally, it works well for the Caps because they don't give up a lot of rebound shots (which is usually the backbreaker of any penalty kill) and can gain possesion and clear.

Last night...not so much.

I felt the Caps played a pretty good game against a great opponent. They are certainly in a good position to make the playoffs as a division winner, and if I remember correctly they were about 10-points behind Carolina last year and managed to overtake them on their last game of the regular season.


Edit: Considering that the Caps are 24th in the league in penalty kill %, I'd imagine it's an area that could certainly use some addressing.

Skating Outside – The Capitals will take a trip down memory lane today and practice at 6 p.m. outside at Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase , Md. Many of the Caps grew up playing the game outdoors and tonight’s festivities give them a chance to return to their youths, if only for an hour. The team will play three-on-three hockey at the rink. Goaltenders Jose Theodore and Brent Johnson will serve as team captains and drafted their respective teams yesterday after practice. Tonight’s practice is closed to the public but open to the media.

Back at Full Strength –The Capitals will be playing Saturday’s matinee with their full roster from the beginning of the season (minus Brian Pothier), the first time since early November. Only four players (Nicklas Backstrom, Brooks Laich, Milan Jurcina and Matt Bradley) have played in all 49 games for the Caps this season. Overall the Caps have lost 245 man games to injury this season, but have maintained first place in the Southeastern Division and the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Getting used to back-to-back games – The Capitals won back-to-back games this past weekend for only the second time this season (first time Dec. 12-13). Washington has played nine back-to-back series with three more remaining (Feb. 14-15, Feb. 28-Mar. 1, Mar. 16-17). The Capitals have never lost both games in regulation in a back-to-back series so far this season. Washington scored 11 goals in the two games the most for any back-to-back games this season. Alex Ovechkin scored five of the 11 goals, including a hat trick on Sunday to extend his lead by four over Philadelphia ’s Jeff Carter (32). Last season Washington played 18 back-to-back games, winning both games three times and losing both games five times.

What a great weekend to be a Caps fan!

We have increased our lead in the Southeast to 13-points!

Also, if you haven't been doing so already, check out my weekly recap here

Bob 0119 wrote:What a great weekend to be a Caps fan!

We have increased our lead in the Southeast to 13-points!

Also, if you haven't been doing so already, check out my weekly recap here

It was. And it was great to see us beat the Red Wings because it proves to all the people that say we arent a "great" team yet that we can beat elite teams like the Red Wings and the Bruins 2 out of 3.

Coming to an End –The Capitals will end their season series against the Devils tonight, and also hope to end the Devils’ eight-game winning streak. The Capitals have found their offense in recent games, scoring 11 goals in their last two games. It comes at a good time; the Devils have outscored opponents 30-15 during their eight-game winning streak. It has been nearly three months since the two teams last met in November as part of a home-and-home series. Since then the teams have posted nearly identical records (Caps are 22-11-1 while the Devils are 24-8-1) while vying for the second spot in the Eastern Conference. A win tonight would give the Capitals wins in back-to-back season series with the Devils for the first time since 1990-91 (4-3-0) and '91-92 (5-2-0).

Note of the Night

Bicentennial celebration – Alex Ovechkin scored five goals in two games this weekend to bring his career total to 199 goals in 294 career games. Ovechkin, who has scored 32 more goals than any other player since he entered the league in 2005-06, needs one goal to become just the fourth player in NHL history to score 200 goals in his first four years in the league.

Most Goals, First Four Years in NHL

1. Wayne Gretzky 241

Mike Bossy 241

3. Mario Lemieux 215

4. Alex Ovechkin 199

5. Luc Robitaille 196



Five More Notes No Media Person Should be Without

Strength of schedule – Washington is one of five teams in the NHL with 65 or more points. With Tuesday night's game, the Capitals will have faced three of the other four top teams in the four games since the All-Star break. Washington lost in overtime at league-leading Boston Jan. 27 and beat Detroit , 4-2 on Saturday. Washington is 4-1-3 this season against teams that entered the week with 65 or more points and 13-4-3 against the other teams in the Eastern Conference that would make the playoffs if the season ended today.



Goal rush – Washington has scored 11 goals in its last two games after being held to two goals in four straight games.



Goal rush II – Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green, who last year became the first teammates since Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey to lead the league in goals and goals by a defenseman, respectively, took over the NHL lead in those categories this weekend. The duo combined for seven of Washington 's 11 goals on the weekend.



52 pick up – Mike Green, the NHL's Third Star of the Week, is bidding to become the first Washington defenseman to lead the league in defenseman scoring outright (Sergei Gonchar tied for the league lead in 2001-02). Green is currently tied with Andrei Markov with 40 points; his 15 goals lead all defensemen. He led all defensemen with 18 goals last year and, assuming good health and based upon his goals per game to this point, he is on pace to score 27 this season.



Green has 20 points (8g-12a) in the last 15 games and 31 points (12g-19a) in his last 25 games, including his first career four-point game Sunday against Ottawa . Washington is 25-9-3 with Green in the lineup and just 7-6-0 when he was out with an injury. He is fourth among NHL defensemen in plus/minus rating (+20).



Comebackers – Washington has only scored first twice in the last seven games, but the Capitals are 5-1-1 in that time. Washington is 11-11-2 when allowing the first goal this season.

Power restored – Washington’s power play, after an 0-for-11 stretch, has come alive and led the team’s offensive resurgence in the last three games, all wins. The power play has accounted for six of the team’s 15 goals in that time, including three out of five goals (on four power-play opportunities) last night in New Jersey to end the Devils’ eight-game winning streak. Washington has clicked on 27.0% of its power plays since Nov. 12 and its 23.5% rate for the season ranks fourth in the NHL.

Ovechkin Scores, Caps Win – The headline here says it all, as the Caps are pretty much unbeatable when Alex Ovechkin scores. He has 36 goals in 23 games this season and Washington is a staggering 21-1-1 in those games. The numbers are even more impressive when he scores a power-play goal, as the Caps are a perfect 9-0-0 when No. 8 scores with the man advantage (last loss was last season on Dec. 17, 2007 at Detroit ). The Caps are even 1-0-0 this season when Ovechkin scores a shorthanded goal. All of this brings us to the Kings, who are one of two teams that Ovechkin has never scored against ( San Jose being the other). Granted, Ovechkin has only played Los Angeles three times, so he has had fewer opportunities to score against them then some of the other teams he has tormented over his young career. However, if Ovechkin scores tonight, it will certainly be a goal he will remember – regardless of the game outcome – as it will be the 200th of his career.

Note of the Night

Going Green – There are only 14 players in the NHL – all forwards – who have averaged more points per game than Washington defenseman Mike Green (1.08). Green has goals in four straight games, matching the most ever by a Capitals defenseman. In the last 16 games he has eight goals and 14 assists.



Green's 42 points and 16 goals lead all defenseman. The NHL's Third Star of the Week, he is bidding to become the first Washington defenseman to lead the league in defenseman scoring outright (Sergei Gonchar tied for the league lead in 2001-02). Washington is 26-9-3 with Green in the lineup and just 7-6-0 when he was out with an injury.



Five More Notes No Media Person Should be Without

Division doings – Washington enters Thursday's game with a 14-point lead in the Southeast Division, its largest lead of the season and largest since a 15-point bulge from March 11 through March 14, 2001. That 15-point advantage was the biggest division lead in Capitals history.



Bicentennial celebration – Alex Ovechkin scored five goals in two games this weekend and now has a career total of 199 goals in 295 career games. Ovechkin, who has scored 32 more goals than any other player since he entered the league in 2005-06, needs one goal to become just the fourth player in NHL history to score 200 goals in his first four years in the league.

Most Goals, First Four Years in NHL

1. Wayne Gretzky 269

2. Mike Bossy 241

3. Mario Lemieux 215

4. Alex Ovechkin 199

5. Luc Robitaille 196



Goal rush – Washington has scored 16 goals in its last three games after being held to two goals in four straight games. Eight players have accounted for those 16 goals. The Capitals have scored at least one goal in each of the last 12 periods.



Power surge – Six of Washington 's 16 goals in the last three games came on the power play, including a 3-for-4 effort Tuesday night in New Jersey . Those goals have come on the heels of an 0-for-11 stretch; Washington is now six for its last 10 power plays. Washington has scored on 27.0% of its power-play chances (43-of-159) since Nov. 12. The Capitals ranked as low as 27th in the league on the power play (14.8% on Nov. but have risen to fourth.



Western woes – The Capitals have suffered eight of their 15 regulation losses to Western Conference opponents (7-8-0). They have three games remaining against teams from the west (vs. Los Angeles , Feb. 20 vs. Colorado , March 10 at Nashville ).

“200” – Alex Ovechkin scored five goals in two games this past weekend and scored one goal last night to record his 200th goal of his career. He now has 200 goals in 296 career games. Last night Ovechkin became only the fourth player in NHL history to score 200 goals in his first four years in the league, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux. Ovechkin currently ranks fourth among all-time Capital goal scorers, trailing Mike Ridley by 18 goals; Peter Bondra leads the list with 472. The three Capitals in front of Ovechkin on the list each needed at least eight years to get their goals (Ridley 8, Gartner 10, Bondra 14).


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 6, 2009



Capitals Recall Karl Alzner from Hershey



ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled defensemen Karl Alzner from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.



Alzner, 20, has played in 27 NHL games this season, recording one goal, three assists and a +3 rating. He recorded his first NHL point Dec. 4 in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders and recorded his first NHL goal the next game in a 2-1 victory at Toronto on Dec. 6. The 6’2”, 206-pound Burnaby , British Columbia , native is third among NHL rookies in ice time (19:46 per game).



Alzner, Washington’s first-round draft choice (fifth overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has played in 24 games this season with Hershey, recording two goals, eight assists and a +16 rating, which is tied for 10th in the AHL.

Bob 0119 wrote:
Alzner, Washington’s first-round draft choice (fifth overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has played in 24 games this season with Hershey, recording two goals, eight assists and a +16 rating, which is tied for 10th in the AHL.

did someone get hurt? I thought with Poti back, we were up against the cap with Alzner playing in DC?

Sir_Monk wrote:

Bob 0119 wrote:
Alzner, Washington’s first-round draft choice (fifth overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has played in 24 games this season with Hershey, recording two goals, eight assists and a +16 rating, which is tied for 10th in the AHL.

did someone get hurt? I thought with Poti back, we were up against the cap with Alzner playing in DC?

If someone's hurt, the Caps aren't ready to announce it yet.

The Caps also picked up a second defenseman from Toronto's AHL team, Staffan Kronwall.

I asked someone I know who works for the Caps PR department, and he dodged the question entirely...sort of.

I'll post my question, and his response and let you decide.

Bob 0119 wrote:
I noticed today's email didn't have any new injuries on it, but that you
guys have picked up two defensemen. Is somebody injured or is Coach
planning a fire-sale on the blueline?

and the response

Caps PR wrote:
Alzner will be in tomorrow; not sure who will come out. Kronwall has
some immigration issues, so he won't be ready to play by tomorrow.

I do know that Coach Boudreau wasn't happy about seeing Alzner get shipped back to Hershey, but after the way the Caps played last night, I expect this is Boudreau sending a message to some of his defenders.

Shultz had an uncharacteristically bad game. I'm wondering if he'll be heading to PA.

All’s Fehr – Eric Fehr’s back-to-back 50-goal seasons in junior hockey and consecutive 20-goal seasons in the AHL offer a promising peek at the offense that the 23-year-old Manitoba native could bring to Washington ’s lineup. Lately, he has delivered. Fehr, a 6-foot-4 right wing who is known for burying chances in the slot and around the crease, has three goals, two assists and 20 shots in his last five games; that matches his goal total from his first 52 career NHL games. A hard worker and popular player in the Capitals’ locker room, Fehr’s offensive development has helped spark the Capitals (4-1-0 in those last five games) and compensate for the loss of right wing Chris Clark to wrist surgery.



Note: NBC Sports has announced that it will televise the March 22 Capitals game vs. Pittsburgh as its NHL Game of the Week, moving that to a 12:30 p.m. start time.

Really appreciate how you update us on these kind of things when ya can Bob.. I'm really getting into hockey and the Capitals.

Thanks!

ChocolateMilk wrote:Really appreciate how you update us on these kind of things when ya can Bob.. I'm really getting into hockey and the Capitals.

Also, have you been checking out my blog?

http://www.the-hogs.net/blogs/2009/02/09 ... ecap-2909/

Mike Green has been named one of the NHL's Three Stars of the Week for
the second week in a row (he was also Third Star last week). Green is
one of five Capitals to be honored as one of the stars of the week/month
this season (joining Nicklas Backstrom, Brent Johnson, Alex Ovechkin and
Alexander Semin).