Maple Leafs Vs Capitals February 5, 2013 Game Review

Johansson scores in period one, but Caps drop game to Leafs - Washington, DC February 5, 2013.
Photo © Alex Brandon / AP Photo.

Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Vs Washington Capitals 2 = Home Game Loss

It was the same old song and dance for the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night - February 5, 2013, when they lost 3 - 2 at home. This time, Washington lost to a probably fairly tired Toronto Maple Leafs, who had been beaten up the night before.

Michal Neuvirth, was back between the pipes for for the Capitals, whom head coach Adam Oates seems to have the most confidence in, and rightfully so. Neuvirth has been performing consistently well, although with the help of other players, that doesn't show up in his personal statistics or team stats.

Ten minutes into the first period however, Neuvirth had a moment of indecision, and / or miscommunication with defenseman Tom Poti. Neither one of them really took charge of the puck, behind the net during a breakout, and Toronto's James Van Riemsdyk made them pay. Van Riemsdyk scooped up the puck and quickly made his way to the front of the net for the stuff. It looked bad for Michal and the Washington two-and-a-half minutes later, when Van Riemsdyk managed to score a second time. He had plenty of time and a couple whacks at the puck, while hanging out by the goal crease, and no one from Washington there to impede him.

The Capitals did answer back, while on a power-play three minutes before the end of the opening period, when forward Marcus Johansson finally scored his first goal of the season. Nicklas Backstrom (C) gained control of the puck behind the Leafs' net, and passed it out to defenseman Tomas Kundratek, who relayed it to Johansson. Similar to Van Riemsdyk's second goal, Marcus lifted the puck over goalie Ben Scrivens unopposed.

Unfortunately for Washington, a goal by Korbinian Holzer (D) put the Leafs back to two ahead during the second period, while the teams were at even-strength. This turned out to be the game winner, for Toronto.

Mike Ribeiro (C) scored the Caps' only other goal, which came in the third period. It was another PPG, with assists by forwards Troy Brouwer and Alex Ovechkin. They produced a few scoring chances as the clock wound down, but did not convert.

I was glad to see Johansson get his first goal. Maybe, that will spur him on to get it going. He certainly has had more energy and effort, since being a healthy scratch. Players will respond in different ways, but it seems like it's worked on him.

The power-play is starting to click for Washington, and that is a real good sign. They keep their legs moving, and maintaining a fair amount of puck possession, they will draw more penalties. The Capitals are doing a lot of things well at times. If they string enough good habits together, at the same time, the goals and the wins will come. With 21% of this short season already gone, it needs to happen now.

Game Highlights: Toronto Maple Leafs At Washington Capitals February 5, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/05/13: Caps players Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson, Tomas Kundratrek, Michal Neuvirth and Tom Poti address the media after a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/03/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sabres Vs Capitals January 27, 2013 Game Review

Washington Capitals celebrate first win of season - Washington, DC January 27, 2013.
Photo © Nick Wass / AP Photo.

Buffalo Sabres 2 Vs Washington Capitals 3 = Home Game Win!

The Washington Capitals finally won themselves a game on Sunday - January 27, 2013, after having lost their first four (first time since 1993-1994), to start the -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season. Washington's victory came at home, and at the expense of the Buffalo Sabres, giving Adam Oates his first win as an NHL head coach.

Goaltender Michal Neuvirth had played very well in the two previous hockey games for the Capitals, earning the confidence of coach Oates, and a third consecutive start in net. He was, once again, his consistently brilliant self.

Most of the Caps players have shown improvement from game to game, and particularly in the third period of the last game, when they gained an overtime point against the New Jersey Devils. There are some who were ready before the first puck drop.

Yet a few, like defenseman John Carlson seem to be annual "slow-starters". Marcus Johansson was one of the healthy scratches for this game. I don't remember either of the previous head coaches ever sitting Johansson out. Perhaps this is a hint to the young forward, as he hasn't shown the urgency that he should be showing on the ice.

As usual with Washington so far this saeson, the other team scored first. Halfway through the first period, after a turnover by Carlson, Buffalo's Tyler Ennis sent a backhand shot into the net. However, the next three goals were all by Washington Capitals. The first of those came at 16:02, when right-winger Joel Ward scored his third goal of the season, on a play that started when Sabres goalie Ryan Miller turned over the puck with a bad clearing pass. Miller didn't get awarded with an assist, but Capitals forwards Jason Chimera and Mike Ribeiro did.

Both Ward and Chimera gained assists about three minutes into the second period, when Caps defenseman John Erskine eluded Drew Stafford (RW) at the point, and scored his first goal since 2011.

For the first time this season, Washington did not get into a high penalty count. There were only five penalties in the entire game, and the Capitals only received two of those. They did capitalize in a big way on one of Buffalo's three called infractions.

The Caps had to feel pretty good, actually leading (by one goal) in a game. Then, about five minutes into the third period, they added a power-play goal. The goal, which was the first of the season for Alex Ovechkin (LW / RW), turned out to be the game winner. He picked a good time to get his goal scoring started. Marcus Foligno (LW) added another for the Sabres in the middle of the final period, punching in his own rebound, amongst some serious crease area traffic.

This game was a joy to watch, after having to endure the four previous loses, and the lesser quality of play in those disappointments. It was great to finally see a truly good game. Both sides played hard, and there were still few mistakes. Everybody played with high energy all the way through the whole 60 minutes. These were professional NHL hockey players, and they were all playing to win.

Game Highlights: Buffalo Sabres At Washington Capitals January 27, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 01/27/13: Caps players Troy Brouwer, John Erskine, Mike Ribeiro and Joel Ward address the media after a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Alex Ovechkin Postgame 01/27/13: Caps captain Alex Ovechkin addresses the media after scoring the game-winning PPG in today's 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres.

Adam Oates Postgame 01/27/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Washington Capitals Review: April 11 - 20, 2012

Capitals and fans celebrate goal in Quarterfinal Game 3 on April 16, 2012.
Photo by Patrick McDermott / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

The Washington Capitals, having finished the regular season in 7th place on April 7, began their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series on April 12, 2012. Last year's Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins (2nd place), were the tough opponents they drew for the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Washington, as usual for them, would have to endure a seven game series. The first four of which took place during this 10 day period.

Also the usual for Capitals players, they were taken advantage of by dirty players, and still came out looking bad and being bad mouthed by their opposition and NBC personnel covering these nationally televised games. Players on both teams were being riled up by their enemies.

After three games, where Caps center Nicklas Backstrom was constantly physically abused in ways that go against the rules, his stick rode up into the face of a Bruin he shoved just after the end of Game 3. Backstrom, recently back from missing 40 games with concussion, came out of every scrum with his helmet removed. Several times, he was yanked around by his head, yet no penalties even called on the abusing Boston Bruins players. Somehow, it was decided that Nick Backstrom was the bad guy, and he received a one game suspension.

Most of the other series occurring around around the league were getting a little too rough. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins were absolutely beating the snot out of each other, something I happily knew would happen. After a few games with the intensity prematurely ramped-up, things calmed down a bit in most of those match-ups.

Junior's Eyes supplies a sampling of game reviews, highlights videos and other Capitals related updates below, in reverse chronological order.


April 19, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Bruins 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...With goals from Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin, and a 44-save performance from Braden Holtby in the nets, the Caps eked out a 2-1 win in Game 4 at Verizon Center on Thursday night...


Capitals Lunchbox, Season 2, Episode 20
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

In which Joe Beninati, Kellie Cowan and I talk discuss Games One through Three of Caps/Bruins, the Nicklas Backstrom suspension, who needs to step up, what's going right and wrong for Washington and more...

April 17, 2012

Nicklas Backstrom suspended one game for cross check
By Katie Carrera at Capitals Insider

...In a video explanation on NHL.com, Shanahan explains that he took into consideration that Peverley was not injured on the play and that Backstrom has no prior supplemental disciplinary history. Shanahan detailed that while Peverley does raise his stick toward Backstrom’s face, the center’s aggression in reaction went overboard...


Alan May Tells It Like It Is
By J.P. at Japers' Rink

Friend of the blog Alan May is never shy about sharing his opinions, and he's got a lot of 'em regarding how the Caps' first round series with the Bruins has been officiated so far, specifically with regards to Nicklas Backstrom's treatment by the guys in stripes. Have a look:

And if that's not enough for you, here's a little package CSN Washington has put together documenting the Bruins' borderline (and then some) play:

None of this is to say that the Caps have been angelic, of course - they certainly haven't been. But with all the coverage Backstrom's match penalty has gotten, along with Claude Julien's persistent complaints about the Caps' stick-work, it's good to get both sides' perspectives out there. Good on May and CSN for doing so.


Taking the High Road
By Becca H at Japers' Rink

...Nicklas Backstrom in particular has been a target of the Bruins' physicality, receiving multiple (uncalled) shots to the head from various Boston players in the first game, and it was clear that it bubbled over tonight. The usually disciplined Swede found himself in the penalty box three times for various infractions, and then capped it off with a game-ending match penalty for a crosscheck to the head of Rich Peverley - a move that could cost him a spot in Thursday's pivotal Game 4.

To some extent the frustration and the accompanying retaliation is understandable; everyone has a breaking point, and perhaps last night was just that collective point for the Caps. And it certainly doesn't help when the officials play into the Bruins' hands, giving Boston the benefit of the doubt on several plays - including one that sent Brooks Laich to the box for what I can only assume was the audacity to fall down, assisted by After-the-Whistle All-Star Milan Lucic...


April 16, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins 4, Capitals 3
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Boston’s improved net-front presence – and Washington’s mistakes – were a factor as the Bruins skated off with a 4-3 win to take a 2-1 series lead on Monday night at Verizon Center...


April 15, 2012

Dale Hunter on Braden Holtby: ‘Holtsy’s our goalie’
By Katie Carrera at Capitals Insider

Michal Neuvirth continues to progress in his recovery from a leg injury and it’s possible he may be available for one of the three games this week, but regardless of when the 24-year-old Czech is ready, there will be no goaltending controversy.

On Sunday, Coach Dale Hunter squashed any second guessing that might arise in the coming days and put his support behind 22-year-old Braden Holtby, who has shined in Games 1 and 2 against the Bruins, stopping 72 of the 74 shots he’s faced...


April 14, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 2, Bruins 1, 2OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...The Caps pulled even in the best-of-seven set with a 2-1 win in double overtime in Saturday’s Game 2 at Boston’s TD Garden, courtesy of a Nicklas Backstrom goal at 2:56 of the second extra session...


April 12, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins 1, Capitals 0, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Missed It By That Much – As the No. 7 seed opening on the road, the Caps’ goal is to win one of the first two games in Boston and relieve the Bruins of home ice advantage in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the two teams...


April 11, 2012

Capitals-Bruins: five storylines to watch
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

There’s no lack of subplots in the Capitals’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins, which kicks off with Game 1 Thursday at TD Garden. With only one more day of practice before the puck drops on this Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup, here are some of the biggest storylines to watch...

Washington Capitals Review: April 1 - 10, 2012

Capitals celebrate win against Rangers at MSG April 7, 2012, in New York City. Photo by Scott Levy / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

The Washington Capitals took two out of three games, to end the 2011-2012 NHL regular season . For their efforts, they landed at the seventh playoff spot out of eight, in the Eastern Conference. The standings remained so close, that they didn't know where they'd end up or who they would face in the playoffs until it was over on the last day.

In the interest of catching up within the available time, and my overall health, this will be a lean list of post links. We have the game reviews from Mike Vogel at the team's website, which include highlights videos. To cap it off, the last week of the season is summarized by The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator.

None of the between-game Capitals feature stories that might have normally been in the list are to appear here. This way, we will soon become a little more timely with the playoffs action that is now well under way. We get along now, in reverse chronological order, as usual.


April 8, 2012

That Was The Week That Was -- Week 26 (April 1-7)
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...The Caps finished the regular season with seven consecutive weeks avoiding a losing week – four winning weeks and three .500 weeks (by standings points). Week 26 was a winning week, but it sure did not start as if that seemed likely...


April 7, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 4, Rangers 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

One Season Over, Another Just Beginning – Both the Capitals and the New York Rangers had something to play for in Saturday night’s regular season finale for both teams. Washington needed a win to keep hope alive for its dim divisional title hopes, and the Rangers were seeking a win that would have secured the Presidents’ Trophy – awarded annually to the league’s top regular season club – for them...


April 5, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 4, Panthers 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Coffee Is For Closers – The Washington Capitals have recently endured some woes related to protecting leads in games, but they got over that hump in fine fashion on Thursday night at Verizon Center. The Caps jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then bent but never broke on their way to a playoff berth-clinching 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers in the 2011-12 regular season home ice finale...


April 2, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Lightning 4, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Too Much, Too Late – On Monday morning, the Capitals spoke about the need to know where Lightning sniper Steven Stamkos is at all times on the ice and the need to limit his time and space. For the better part of 59 minutes, the Caps did that well enough at limiting Stamkos that they had a chance to take at least a point home with them from their Monday night visit to Tampa Bay...

Washington Capitals Review: March 12 - 21, 2012

Marcus Johansson keeps puck from Detroit's Ian White
during game in Detroit, Michigan on March 19, 2012.
Photo by Dave Reginek / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

Junior's Eyes goes back to the middle of March 2012 through a sampling of Washington Capitals game reviews, highlights videos and more.

Washington was in the middle of rebounding a bit in the Eastern Conference standings, at the start of this segment. Unfortunately, they faltered somewhat, with more of the 'Jekyll and Hyde' play effort inconsistency that they've been known for throughout this NHL hockey season.

In reverse chronological order, here is the review list.


March 21, 2012

Powerless
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

...Heading into tonight’s NHL action, the Caps’ total of 221 power play opportunities this season ranks 27th in the NHL. Only Colorado (204), Dallas (215) and the New York Islanders (220) have had fewer power plays.

The Caps have been shorthanded 247 times themselves this season. Eleven teams have been shorthanded more than Washington has thus far...


March 19, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 5, Red Wings 3
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...A night after they flatlined their way through the first period en route to a 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago, the Caps turned the tables on their hosts in the Motor City...


Mathieu Perreault Shows That Crashing The Net
Isn't Just For Big Guys
By Rob Parker at Japers' Rink

...Unlike their bigger-bodied brethren who get the job done with brute force, the smaller players that go to these high-traffic areas need to use guile and timing to find loose pucks in high-percentage scoring spots. After the jump, we'll take a look at how one Washington Capital - one of the smaller players in the League - has been scoring dirty goals by crashing the net...


March 18, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Blackhawks 5, Capitals 2?
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Faulty First – By the time the Capitals recorded their first shot on goal in Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks in Chicago, their hosts already owned a 2-0 lead. The Hawks thoroughly outplayed the Caps in the game’s first 20 minutes, and while Washington has authored some thrilling comebacks of late, they haven’t done so against teams of Chicago’s caliber...


March 17, 2012

The plot thickens
By Joe Beninati (Capitals TV Play-By-Play) at CSN - Washington, DC

This will not come as a surprise to any of you, but this is going to be one crazy race in the Southeast Division and in the Eastern Conference. The Caps visited MTS Centre in Winnipeg Friday riding the confidence of a four-game win streak. Despite a gutsy effort, they would not leave victorious. When the final seconds ticked off the clock, the rabid fans in this long-forsaken, hockey-mad city sunk their teeth into a 3-2 win for the Jets which moved them to within two points of Washington on the Eastern Conference ladder...


March 16, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Jets 3, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Four-Pointer Decided in Four-on-Four – The Caps and the Winnipeg Jets hooked up in a pretty good hockey game on Friday night in Winnipeg. It wasn’t a playoff game, but it had playoff implications and both teams played it that way for the full 60 minutes...


March 14, 2012

Pep rally
By Joe Beninati (Capitals TV Play-By-Play) at CSN - Washington, DC

For the second time in as many meetings the Caps showed the Islanders they would not quit until there was a winner decided. Two weeks ago the dramatic come-from-behind win was staged in the final five minutes of regulation time. In this game Tuesday, Washington would rally back from a three-goal deficit on two different occasions, before tripping up the New Yorkers in a shootout, 5-4...


Capitals’ leaders send message, sparking rally past Islanders
By Tarik El-Bashir at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

During the second intermission of Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout win on Long Island, veterans Matt Hendricks and Mike Knuble acknowledged that more than one leader stood up to deliver a strong message to everyone in the Capitals’ dressing room...


March 13, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 5, Islanders 4, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Two The Hard Way – The Washington Capitals came out flat for the first 20-plus minutes of the first game of an important five-game road trip on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders. The Caps took minor penalties in the first minute and the last minute of the first frame, surrendering a power play goal against on the second one. Of the first two goals scored in the game by the Isles, neither was put into the net with a hockey stick, and neither touched an Islander last before entering the net...


Matt Hendricks' slick shootout winner for Caps
Posted at CSN - Washington, DC

Matt Hendricks scored in the fourth round of a shootout and Michal Neuvirth was great in OT leading the Capitals to a dramatic three-goal comeback over the Islanders.


March 12, 2012

George McPhee on Alex Ovechkin: ‘The league has adjusted to Ovi;
now it’s his turn to adjust’
Posted by Rick Maese at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

On Sunday, The Post took a closer look at how Alex Ovechkin has changed in recent years. Capitals General Manager George McPhee agreed to sit down for interview last week. He was very insightful, but we couldn't fit everything in the article. Below is a transcript with more of McPhee’s comments on his star player...