Capitals Vs Maple Leafs 03/24/2009 Review

Curtis Joseph celebrates shootout win over the Capitals.
Photo by Chris Young - AP Photo / Canadian Press.

Capitals 2 - Maple Leafs 3 SO

All hail goaltender Curtis Joseph. He stole the show last night, after replacing his Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Martin Gerber in net with 57 seconds of regulation left on the clock. The Washington Capitals showed no mercy, bombarding Joseph with shots, but CuJo was impenetrable.

Capitals goalie Jose Theodore was sharp in net too, but the team overall were not the overpowering force they should've been, while facing a team that hasn't been very good this season. Most of the first 59 minutes of play were not awe inspiring. Neither team brought their fans more than a few moments of excitement until the very end.

The game tying goal by Washington's forward Brooks Laich came at 19:03 in the third period. The crease in front of Toronto's net was very crowded when Laich jammed the puck through Gerber, or maybe i should say with Gerber, across the goal line and into the net. Gerber thought he had the puck stopped, and there should've been a whistle. He was so mad about the goal being ruled good, that he started shoving his way though everybody. While he was flipping out, he earned himself a game misconduct, for making contact with a referee and a linesman. That's when he was replaced by Joseph.

CuJo only played a total of 5:57 including overtime, before the game went to a shootout. He stopped nine quality shots during that time. Five of those shots came in immediate succession, from the area just in front of the goal. I can't lie, my daughter Chelsea and I found that sequence rather thrilling. We are both fans of Joseph. He was her favorite goalie when he played for Detroit. The Red Wings used to be her favorite team as well. Still, it's a shame his heroics came against our beloved Capitals. The shootout that followed also proved fruitless for Washington.

With another chance to move closer to the top of the conference thwarted, it's a good thing the Caps have a bit of a cushion within their division. The team has until Friday to make adjustments, when they'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning at home.

Maple Leafs Vs Capitals 03/05/2009 Review

Martin Gerber poke checks Michael Nylander on wrap around attempt.
March 5, 2009 photo by Nick Wass / AP Photo.

Maple Leafs 2 - Capitals 1

The Washington Capitals suffered their third straight loss at home last night. This time, it was at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs. As the score indicates, it was much closer than the two previous losses.

On Sunday, the Capitals lost to the Florida Panthers 6-2. Then on Tuesday, they fell to the Carolina Hurricanes with a score of 5-2. Losing by a score of 2-1 makes it seem like they must have played at least a little bit better, and they did. They also did it without their best offensive player and best defensive player.

Forward Alex Ovechkin suffered a minor injury (bruised heel) during practice on Wednesday and did not play. Defenseman Tom Poti only lasted one very short shift in last night's game before he was out with a reoccurring groin injury.

Even without the services of Ovechkin and Poti, you would think Washington had enough offensive fire power to overcome the Leafs. The only one to get the puck into the net for the Caps was Alexander Semin, who has now scored a goal in five straight games. There were plenty of other chances, but trade deadline acquisition goalie Martin Gerber was sharper than he's been in a long time during his first game playing for Toronto. The Leafs' defensive core also did their job well.

Sergei Fedorov played very well again. Both forwards Fedorov and Eric Fehr spent some time playing defense in this game to help make up for the missing Tom Poti. The Capitals sure could have used Fedorov more in the face off circle, but you have to play the cards you're dealt. Perhaps the mixed up lines led to communication problems. After the game, Mike Vogel said they looked out of sync and asked Fedorov if the problem was that they weren't used to playing together on those jumbled lines. Sergei's response was "Don't you think it's too late in the season to think that way?". With all the different line combinations that head coach Bruce Boudreau has used throughout the season, that's mighty hard to argue with.

It's just a slump, and the Caps' play will improve. Let's hope it improves before Sunday, when the Pittsburgh Penguins waddle into town.

Senators Vs Capitals 01/01/2008 Review

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Senators 3 - Capitals 6

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The Washington Capitals good fortune at the end of 2007 carried over into 2008 as they beat the Eastern Conference leading Ottawa Senators again. The score wasn't quite as high as when they beat the Senators in Ottawa on Saturday, but 9 goals makes a total of 23 for these two teams just two games. Thankfully, that just doesn't happen very often. Also thankfully, the Capitals were able to be the victors both times.

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The Caps started off the first period about as flat looking as you possibly could. Immediately, they found themselves in their own end trying with great difficulty to clear the puck. Watching Brooks Laich casually lose the puck twice within seconds had me starting to wonder about their chances in this one. They did clear the puck, but not for very long at all. At 1:54 Chris Neil easily beat out Jeff Schultz and rolled right in, deked once and put it in goal. Then, Brian McGrattan kept his recent promise that any time there's another heavyweight on the ice, he would challenge him. Washington's Donald Brashear obliged. It wasn't much of a fight, but it got the two of them matching major penalties. The Matt Bradley, David Steckel, Matt Pettinger line was much better at helping the defence to keep the puck out of the Cap's end. But, they weren't covering everybody's shift. Ottawa's second goal came at 4:46, when Dean McAmmond sent one over Olie Kolzig's catching glove, while Tom Poti and Milan Jurcina were apparently busy dreaming about whatever they got for Christmas. The Sens were now ahead 2-0. Things weren't looking good at this point.

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But then, a leftover Christmas miracle arrived. For the first time in 23 games and only the fourth time this season, Washington's Viktor Kozlov scored a goal. This, his first goal at home, came off a beautiful pass by Nicklas Backstrom. With this amazing occurrence, my hope began to be restored. Shortly after that, the Caps went on the Power Play when Chris Phillips crosschecked Alexander Semin, sending him face first into the wall. Later on, we would learn that Semin's tailbone was injured. At the time though, he was able to muster enough energy to retaliate, and so it was time for 4 on 4. Somehow, the referees didn't see a reason to give Phillips the extra two minutes he had surely earned. But, then Washington started to take over. At 6:59, Michael Nylander got his tenth of the season when Martin Gerber couldn't get a handle on the puck after making a save. Just 35 seconds later, Mike Green sent a wrist shot over the catching glove of Gerber, making the score Senators 2 - Capitals 3. Gerber was relieved of duty. The Senators' Ray Emery took over, after having only one start in the last nine games.

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Still in the first period, things were getting a bit chippy. A delayed penalty was called on Phillips for slashing Tomas Fleischmann. The broken stick that lay on the ice after going across the stick and the leg of Flash, was pretty damning evidence. Emery was much sharper than Gerber and the Capitals would not score on the PP. However, it was soon time for Brooks Laich to redeem himself for his earlier lack of energetic play. There was a lot of traffic in front of Ottawa's net. The puck made it's way across the edge of the crease with Washington's Boyd Gordon and Donald Brashear swatting at it along with goaltender Emery trying to clear it. On his second attempt and on his knees, Brooks backhanded the puck past Emery. Later, with Brashear and Neil getting physical, Sens' Shean Donovan joined the excitement, elbowing Brash. Then, Christoph Schubert high sticked Caps' Alexander Ovechkin at the end of the period.

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The Capitals started the second period with 1:17 left on the PP. They were immediately into the offensive zone. Nylander was in control of the puck, passing it back and forth even when he clearly had good scoring chances, as usual. After 52 seconds of this, Green saw an opening and one timed it for his tenth goal this season. It was the first 5 on 3 PP goal this season for Washington. The Caps were now ahead by three. Ref Dean Warren couldn't seem to get out of the way toward the middle of the game. At one point Ovechkin used him to get around a defender, and later he was knocked on his backside. Was he trying to play defense for Ottawa? This is about the time when it was noticed that Poti was missing from the game. It later turns out that the Washington defenseman had acquired an "upper body injury". Olie Kolzig continued his excellent netminding, making a saves on some well screened shots from the Sens. The period ended Senators 2 - Capitals 5.

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Just over a minute into the third, Andrej Meszaros took a hard pass and sent the puck into the net top shelf. Shortly after that, Ovechkin was smashed into the wall and he headed to the bench. No word on any significant injury, so hopefully he's alright. About the middle of the period, it seemed like it was the Matt Bradley Show. First a nice backcheck, then he cleared the puck, and then Brads almost put Neil into the Caps bench. Again, there were plenty of nice saves by Kolzig. He would not be letting anything through for the rest of the game. With 1:51 left in the game, with Emory pulled for the extra skater, Gordon hit the bullseye from long range. .

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The Capitals continue their hold over the Senators as the new year begins. Let's hope they can start to do similarly well against a few other teams. It feels good to be on another win streak. Maybe a longer one than we've seen so far this season.

Capitals Vs Senators 12/29/2007 Review

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Capitals 8 - Senators 6

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Like previous games in Canada so far this season, it was a high scoring contest. Really high. Thankfully, it ended up in favor of the Washington Capitals once again. The Ottawa Senators must be totally bewildered as to how the Caps seem to have their number.

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Just 1:01 into the games' first period, Alexander Semin put Washington on the board. He picked off the puck as Ottawa's Martin Gerber misplayed it. Semin quickly wrapped around the net and backhanded the puck in for the first goal. About three minutes later Alexander Ovechkin, with several stitches in one thigh after getting slashed with a skate in Thursday's game vs Pittsburgh, gets his first goal of the game, putting the Caps in front 2-0. Daniel Alfredsson put the Sens within one when he got his first, beating Olie Kolzig. However, Alfie had to wait for confirmation as the goal was reviewed before being awarded. The puck had deflected off one of the Caps on the way in. The period ended 2-1, with the Capitals outshooting the Senators 11-2.

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Less than four minutes into the second period, Washington's Nicklas Backstrom took the puck at the wall in the Capitals end, and sent a long outlet pass up the ice. Ovechkin and Tom Poti did a little give and go, which ended with Ovie putting in his second goal of the game. Soon after play resumed, the referee somehow missed Washington's Tomas Fleischmann being hooked. But, immediately after that, the ref was "Johnny On The Spot", and called Flash for hooking when he returned the favor. Soon after that, the Senators' Mike Fisher took his team off the Power Play by doing a little fishing (hooking) of his own. Time for some four on four hockey. Ovechkin, hopping onto the ice for a shift, immediately took the puck right to the net. But, it wasn't quite time for a "Hat Trick" yet. Less than 30 seconds later, the Capitals' Michael Nylander got his first goal of the month off another nice pass from Nick Backstrom. Caps were now ahead of the Sens 4-1. At this point, the Senators only had five shots on net. The Capitals were dominating in just about every facet possible.

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At about the mid point of the game, the Sens' Alfredsson got a breakaway and hightailed it up the ice. Ovechkin caught up with him and took him down in order to keep him from scoring. However, Alfie got his 24th goal of the season, scoring on the penalty shot. Washington still in the lead 4-2, were still looking good. They spent a lot of time in possession of the puck, with some good cycling. Brian Pothier, who has really been playing well lately, sent a hard slapper toward the net, knocking the stick out of the hands of a defender. His broken thumb doesn't seem to be holding him back any. With less than three minutes left, the Capitals' Mike Green had a hard time getting around Gerber to grab the puck that was squirting away from the netminder. He bumped his knee against Gerber's mask on the way by. Gerber, who had already been bumped by Donald Brashear earlier, was joined by Sens fans in complaining to the ref about the love taps. Seconds later, Ottawa's Chris Neil crushed Backstrom against the side wall. Then, Ovechkin dashed up the ice with the puck and passed it to Viktor Kozlov, who shot it toward the net. Backstrom picked up the rebound and deposited the puck into the net as he skated by with only 2.6 seconds left in the period. Backstrom kept a serious looking expression on his face, while waiting out a fairly long goal review. A great big smile busted through though, as soon as the goal was confirmed. It was rather hilarious watching the replay from above and in slow motion. The goaltender Gerber and two Ottawa defenders swatted at the puck several times in vain as it made it's way across the goal line. I couldn't help but laugh at their pathetic attempts to stop the puck. Just enough time left for a faceoff. Right off the draw, in an attempt to fire up his team and fans, Neal picked a fight with Brashear. Big mistake. Though Donald lost his balance at the end, it was only after getting in several hard unanswered lefts. At the end of two, Capitals still dominating 5-2.

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Backstrom took a hooking penalty as soon as the third period got underway. But, for the third time in the game, Ottawa quickly killed off their own PP, this time by getting caught with too many men on the ice. However, this is about the time where Washington's dominance started to fade just a bit. At about four minutes into the third, Ottawa's Jason Spezza stole the puck from an unsuspecting Backstrom, as the Caps were starting to do a line change. He sent a long range shot in past Olie's stick and outstretched right leg, making it Capitals 5 - Senators 3. About one minute later, it was like watching a replay as Kolzig found himself stopping a similar shot with exactly the same move. At 6:19 the Senators' Wade Redden was caught tripping Semin, putting the Caps on the PP. Just seconds later, Fisher took the puck around Green and sent in a shorthanded goal top shelf. The goal put the Sens within one. A couple minutes later, it didn't go unnoticed when the Caps came very close to having too many men on the ice themselves. Right after that, Nylander got his second goal of the game off a pass from Semin during a two on one. The boos from the Sens fans got much louder then. But then Fisher deflected in a Redden slapper, and the crowd switched from booing to cheering, as the Senators were back within one goal again.

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Still in the third period, at 13:46 Alex Ovechkin sent a hard slapshot in, getting his third career "Hat Trick". That put the Caps in front 7-5. A couple minutes later, the ref couldn't get his skates out of the way of the puck. I guess he was tired from all that pointing at the net. No bother. Then, one of the poor tired refs whistled rather late on an Ottawa offside call, drawing more boos and dirty looks. About a minute later, Fischer got his "Hat Trick" by deflecting a long range shot. With about 1:30 left in regulation, Gerber was pulled from the net for the extra skater. Ovechkin, not quite across the center line, sent in a long shot which barely missed. The puck bounced off the goal mouth edge, and the Caps were called for icing. With 27.6 seconds left in the game, and Gerber still out for the extra skater, Ovechkin got off another long range shot. Bulls eye! Goal number four of the evening for Alex Ovechkin. It's the first four goal game in Alex's career. Final score, Capitals 8 - Senators 6.

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When asked about Ovechkin after the game, Head Coach Bruce Boudreau said, "He played OK. I might give him the day off tomorrow". Then he added, "I was looking for his skate to cut his other thigh, if that's what he's going to do". That's OK coach. I think Alex will do just fine without further injury.

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