Capitals Vs Jets March 2, 2013 Game Review

The game got a little physical as the Capitals beat the Jets in Winnipeg, CA on March 2, 2013.
Photo © John Woods / AP Photo / Canadian Press.

Washington Capitals 3 Vs Winnipeg Jets 0 = Road Game Shutout Win

On Saturday - March 2, 2013, the Washington Capitals played the Winnipeg Jets in a mostly high paced and very physical game. Hoping to win, and gain two standings points, Washington ended up doing well against a team that had won five of their last six games.

The Capitals were without their often injured defenseman Mike Green for the fourth time this season. Green has only played all 82 games of a regular season one time, and has missed 100 of the last 183 games.

Gritty 6'0" 215 Lb left-wing forward Aaron Volpatti played in his first game for Washington. The Capitals had just picked him up off of waivers. He came in with four fights so far this season, and quickly added another one. Volpatti found himself in a tussle with Winnipeg tough-guy Anthony Peluso (RW) near the end of period one.

Matt Hendricks has been playing well for the Caps, though it had been several games since he got a goal. Hendricks usually takes on a grinding role on the third or fourth line, but was rewarded with a start at first-line left-wing position for this contest. He showed his thanks for that assignment by scoring the first goal of the game, with the assistance of center Mike Ribeiro and defenseman John Erskine, about eleven minutes through the second period.

During the zone time in which that goal came, Winnipeg right-wing Blake Wheeler went down after blocking a hard shot from Erskine. Many Jets fans loudly voiced their anger that play was allowed to continue. Officials did not stop the action, because Washington was in possession of the puck, and were able to safely play around Wheeler. Had he been more seriously hurt it would've been different, and Wheeler did return to the game shortly after the incident.

Early in the third period, Troy Brouwer put the puck in the net right off the face-off, for his ninth of the season. He did so with the help of second-line center, and draw winner, Nicklas Backstrom. Less than a minute later, flanked by wingers Alex Ovechkin and Eric Fehr, Mike Ribeiro batted in a rebound from an Ovechkin shot for the third Capitals goal.

Although he had made some rather sparkling saves for Winnipeg during the game, the losing goaltender was Ondrej Pavelec, with 17 saves out of 20 shots on goal. Maybe, he didn't get enough action overall to be completely into the game for 60 minutes? I don't think that was the case, myself.

Fortunately for Caps fans, netminder Braden Holtby was solid again, in his ninth straight start, with 35 saves. The 3 - o win is Holtby's third shutout of the -2012-2013- NHL season.

It was also great to see all the energy that Washington brought to the game. The forechecking and production of scoring chances got their offense going. We got strong defensive play, even from some of the players who sometimes don't put in the effort. Overall, the Capitals played as a team, and they need to continue to do so.

Game Highlights: Washington Capitals At Winnipeg Jets On March 2, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 03/02/13: Caps players John Erskine, Eric Fehr, Matt Hendricks, Mike Ribeiro address the media after a 3-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets.

Adam Oates Postgame 03/02/13 Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets.

Jets Vs Capitals January 22, 2013 Game Review

Good Caps fans said they missed team, bad fans booed them - Washington, DC January 22, 2013.
Photo © Alex Brandon / AP Photo.

Winnipeg Jets 4 Vs Washington Capitals 2 = Home Game Loss

The Washington Capitals weren't very good in the season opening game, this past Saturday. Like the score shows, they weren't much better in the home opener on Tuesday night (January 22, 2003), when they lost to the Winnipeg Jets.

The Capitals looked just like what they were, a team undergoing change in the early days of a lockout shortened -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season. Although they had the advantage (?) of a couple days off, it was the Caps that looked like the tired bunch. They were not as sloppy as in game one, but several players just didn't put in the effort.

Discipline was out the window in this game too. Washington outdid Winnipeg in penalties, eight to six. The Jets outdid the Caps on the power-play, two to one. It wasn't until 18:44 into the third period, before right-wing Troy Brouwer (1 Goal) scored Washington's lone PPG. Forward Matt Hendricks (1 Goal, 2 Fights) got their first goal ten minutes into the game, at even-strength.

Other relevant statistics: Nicklas Backstrom (C) earned two assists, while Alex Ovechkin (LW/RW) and Mike Ribeiro (C) were credited with one each. Ondrej Pavelec earned the win for the 'Peg, while Caps goaltender, Braden Holtby, certainly partially guilty in earning the loss.

Winnipeg Jets At Washington Capitals January 22, 2013 Game Highlights

01-22-13 Caps Postgame Locker Room: Caps players Matt Hendricks, Braden Holtby, Troy Brouwer, Mike Ribeiro and Karl Alzner address the media after a 4-2 loss against Winnipeg.

01-22-13 Adam Oates Postgame: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 4-2 loss against Winnipeg.