Caps game tonight

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:50 am

The Caps game tonight will also see Alexnder Ovechkin receive last year's Calder Cup trophy as the NHL's outstanding rookie.

Here's the presser:

Capitals to Honor NHL Rookie of the Year Alex Ovechkin on Oct. 14
Calder Tribute Night to include ceremony and giveaways

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Capitals will honor NHL Rookie of the Year Alex Ovechkin with a Calder Trophy ceremony prior to Saturday’s home game against the Atlanta Thrashers at 7 p.m., at Verizon Center. All fans in attendance will receive a limited edition commemorative Alex Ovechkin coin as well as a 2006-07 Capitals magnetic schedule.

Fans will be allowed to bring cameras and have their picture taken with the Calder Trophy, which will be available on the Verizon Center concourse beginning at the first intermission until the beginning of the third period. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early. SportsTalk 980 will be on hand with giveaways and prizes and all fans are encouraged to donate canned food items as they enter the arena to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.

In addition to capturing the Calder Trophy, Ovechkin was named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team in 2005-06, the first Capitals forward ever to earn that honor. He was just the second rookie in NHL history to record 50 goals and 100 points, leading all NHL rookies in goals (52), points (106), power-play goals (21), shorthanded goals (tied, 3), power-play assists (tied, 31), power-play points (52) and shots (an NHL rookie record 425).

Capitals season ticket plans are now available for the 2006-07 season. Full season tickets, weekend plans and 11-game plans start as low as $14 per game. Plan holders can also take advantage of the Caps PowerPay option – monthly payments with no fees or charges. Single-game tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets. Call 202-266-CAPS, email ticketsales@washcaps.com or visit WashingtonCaps.com for more information.

Capitals Next Five Games

Thurs., Oct. 12 at Minnesota 8 p.m. Comcast SportsNet; WTNT 570 AM

Sat. Oct. 14 Atlanta 7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet; SportsTalk 980

Wed., Oct. 18 Florida 7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet; SportsTalk 980

Thurs., Oct. 19 at Atlanta 7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet; SportsTalk 980

Sat. Oct. 21 Tampa Bay 7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet; SportsTalk 980

Editor’s note: Alex Ovechkin coin photo attached.

The Caps are playing well. They lost Thursday's game to Minnesota in a shooutout, but they still earned a point, and the Wild were 3-0 and rolling going in... it was a good result.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:41 pm

Watching it now....we're tied.... 1-1

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:35 am

Another close loss after the shootout on Thursday. Our young guys are looking good, though.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:29 am

Hey it's not a loss when it's in a shootout... you still get a point... so it's still as good as a tie.

If they can keep eking out points while they settle in, then they'll be a lot better off than last year where they were out of the running before they found their legs and more importantly, their identity. This team may not be there yet, but they're already establishing an identity.

They've played tough hockey in every game, and that's what Coach Hanlon is going to have to keep them doing if they want to get to the playoffs this year.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:46 am

BossHog wrote:Hey it's not a loss when it's in a shootout... you still get a point... so it's still as good as a tie.

If they can keep eking out points while they settle in, then they'll be a lot better off than last year where they were out of the running before they found their legs and more importantly, their identity. This team may not be there yet, but they're already establishing an identity.

They've played tough hockey in every game, and that's what Coach Hanlon is going to have to keep them doing if they want to get to the playoffs this year.

What are your thoughts on the Caps' chances to get in the playoffs, Boss? Which team would be the bigger surprise as a playoff contender at this point: the Skins or Caps?

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:16 am

Irn-Bru wrote:What are your thoughts on the Caps' chances to get in the playoffs, Boss? Which team would be the bigger surprise as a playoff contender at this point: the Skins or Caps?

Aye, that's a loaded question isn't it?

The way the Skins are playing right now, I don't think there's any question that it's the Caps... because right now, the Redskins don't have much chance of making the playoffs. They'll have to likely win a minimum of 8 of their last 10 games to even have a shot at a wildcard.

If the Caps can win just over 50% of their games... they should make the playoffs.

I'd say 50% is more doable than 80%.

It'll be a long road for the Caps though. It's a tough grind when you have to play your best EVERY night to earn a victory. If they don't bring their best, they won't go home with a 'W'. But for Caps fans, it should be really exciting to see Semin off to such a good start. As great as Ovie is, he can't do it all himself... together the two Alexanders can do much, much more damage.

And Kolzig is a great goalie (as well as an absolutely fantastic human being we have come to learn). Any time you have a good goalie that can get hot and win games by himself... you've got a chance every night.

Brent Johnson is too good a goalie to be riding the pine too (not that that's bad for the Caps). If the Caps can be competitive until the trade deadline... I think Johnson would have real value to someone who might be already out of the running and be willing to give up a good, veteran defenceman for Johnson's future services. IMO, the Caps still need some solid blue line help for serious playoff contention.

But with Ovie and Olie... anything is possible for the Caps.

My 2 cents

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:17 am

Didn't mean to bash the Skins with my comment, just trying to get your perspective.

My thoughts have been that Zubrus and Semin in particular have looked very good. I know that players can be streaky in a long season, but to see a young guy (Semin) performing so well--especially when all eyes were on Ovechkin to start the year--and a seasoned veteran (Zubrus) stepping it up really gives me hope.

That, and like you say, Ovie and Olie too. . .it's going to be a fun year to watch Washington.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:23 am

The key to Zubie is consistency. He plays really well at times, and at other times, you just scratch your head. Hopefully, this will be his season to finally put it all together.