June 19, 2013

Washington Capitals End-of-Season Roundtable, Part VI: How would you rate the goalies?

May 29, 2013 by

With the conclusion of Washington Capitals season, too early yet again, it’s time for appreciation, evaluation and critique. In this seven part series, the Caps staff at District Sports Page, and a few friends, will be taking an in-depth look at what went right, what could be better, suggest some changes and grade out the team position-by-position.

Our panel: Dave Nichols, Editor-in-Chief of DSP; Abram Fox, Caps Team Editor of DSP; Katie Brown, Caps Beat Writer for DSP; Sky Kerstein, 106.7 The Fan and DSP contributor; Ted Starkey, SBNation.com and DSP contributor, Adam Vingan, NBCWashington.com; and Harry Hawkings, RocktheRed.net.

PART I: What was the Capitals’ biggest accomplishment this season?

PART II: What was your biggest disappointment about the Caps this season?

PART III: What single adjustment would you advocate for next season?

PART IV: How would you rate the offense this season?

PART V: How would you rate the defense this season?

PART VI: How would you rate the goalies this season? [Read more...]

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Washington Capitals Game 47 Recap: Capitals fall to Senators in overtime, 2-1

April 25, 2013 by

Since the Washington Capitals had already secured a playoff spot Tuesday, they didn’t have a lot to play for against the Ottawa Senators Thursday night. The Senators, however, were still trying to clinch a playoff spot as of Thursday.

An interesting juxtaposition, to be sure, but one that made Alex Ovechkin’s 600th game and the return of Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson otherwise uneventful up until late in the game.

Courtesy of an overtime goal by former Capitals defenseman Sergei Gonchar, Ottawa punched their Stanley Cup playoff ticket by virtue of a 2-1 win over the Caps before a subdued Verizon Center crowd. [Read more...]

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Washington Capitals Game 40 Recap: Capitals extend win streak to five in Montreal

April 9, 2013 by

The Washington Capitals visited the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night, their first trip to the Bell Centre this season, using a late-season winning streak to reach the top of the Southeast Division. They continued their heady play of late, going into one of the most hostile barns in the league and emerged a 3-2 victor for their fifth straight win.

On top of the world (for the moment), the Capitals were riding high off captain Alex Ovechkin’s return to form. Winning four games in a row, the Capitals were ready to prove they could keep pace with a non-Southeast Division team.

Ovechkin, tied for the lead league in goals (25, with Tampa Bay Lighting’s Steven Stamkos), but was still facing criticism because the majority of his goals (21), had been scored against Southeast teams, with only four goals against playoff-contending teams.

Montreal would prove a fine test for Ovechkin, who passed with flying colors. He scored his 26th goal of the season midway through the second period, taking the lead in the NHL scoring race and making another Rocket Richard Trophy look likely to be added to his collection.

Less impressive than the goal itself was Ovechkin’s  stickwork as he flew down the wing, past defenders, before he scored to tie the game at 1-1. It wasn’t a super-new move for Ovechkin, but proof that he’s growing and evolving as a player, no doubt due to being under the tutelage of head coach Adam Oates.

Defenseman Jack Hillen sent a slapper toward Canadiens goalie Carey Price that initially appeared to have been tipped in by either Jason Chimera or Eric Fehr, to put the Capitals up 2-1. Hillen was credited with the goal, but it was eventually given to Fehr, as it looked like he ever-so-slightly tipped it in from his position in the crease. Hillen and fellow defenseman Steven Olesky picked up the assists.

Hillen finally did get his first goal as a Capital, though, in the third period off a shot from the point that beat Price glove side. The Capitals went up 3-1, and Hillen had another two point night, just like that.

Goaltender Michal Neuvirth earned his second consecutive start and was solid all evening, making the saves that kept his team in the game and no doubt rewarding the trust of his coach in his ability to relieve Braden Holtby.

The Capitals held on to win, 3-2, bringing them to five consecutive wins, their longest streak of the season. They are now at 44 points, and holding on to the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , ,

PHOTOS: Washington Capitals Practice, March 28

March 29, 2013 by

Dave and I are back in DC for a visit so we went over to Kettler Iceplex on Thursday, March 28 to watch the Washington Capitals practice. The last time we saw the Caps on the ice in person was in September before the lockout. We’re looking forward to seeing a few games at Verizon Center in the next couple of weeks!

There was a scary moment when Alex Ovechkin left the ice after catching a puck with his chin. He didn’t return to practice and tweeted photos from the doctor’s office before and after the 22 stitches. Ouch.

Here are a handful of photos from practice. It was great to take hockey photos again! As always, please feel free to comment on the post. I really appreciate feedback. Thanks.

This is what hockey fans do on their spring break! - Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

This is what hockey fans do on their spring break! – Washington Capitals practice at Kettler, 3/28/2013 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CAPS: Happy Birthday, Michal Neuvirth

March 23, 2013 by

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY MICHAL NEUVIRTH!

The Washington Capitals Goalie was born on 03/23/1988 in Usti Labem, Czech Repulbic. Neuvy was the Caps’ second round pick (34th overall) in the 2006 NHL entry draft.

Follow Neuvy on Twitter (@mneuvirth30) and make sure to wish #30 a happy birthday.

Michal Neuvirth - Captials practice at Kettler, September 14, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Michal Neuvirth – Captials practice at Kettler, September 14, 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Michal Neuvirth -Practice April 27(Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Michal Neuvirth -Practice April 27(Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Michal Neuvirth in goal (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Michal Neuvirth in goal (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

Neuvy at Casino Night 2012 (Cheryl Nichols/District Sports Page)

 

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , ,

Washington Capitals Game 26 Recap: Late Three-Goal Comeback Powers Washington’s 3-2 Victory Over Carolina

March 14, 2013 by

With the season already all but lost, the Washington Capitals earned a satisfying measure of revenge Thursday night with a late 3-2 comeback win in Raleigh over the Carolina Hurricanes, who shut out the Caps in the team’s previous meeting two nights prior. Mike Ribeiro scored the eventual game-winner with just 2:44 left in the third period.

Alexander Ovechkin registered his 700th career point on a power play marker one minute and one second into the third frame that tied the game at two, and earned an assist on Ribeiro’s goal.

Joey Crabb also scored for the Capitals, and Michal Neuvirth made 36 saves in the win, in his first start since February 7. Alexander Semin and Patrick Dwyer scored for the Hurricanes, while Dan Ellis earned the loss, his sixth in six tries versus Washington. [Read more...]

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Washington Capitals Game 24 Recap: Rangers dominate and down Caps 4-1

March 10, 2013 by

After a rough loss against the other New York team, the Islanders, on Saturday, the Caps returned home to take on the New York Rangers but were not able to spring forward in the standings losing 4-1.

The New York Rangers decided to take a conservative approach and went with their backup netminder Marty Biron between the pipes for Sunday’s matinee. Despite his steady presence in the backup role, he was fooled early on a shot from the point just two minutes into the game. Capitals defenseman Steve Olesky fired a shot from the right point and passed Biron to give the Capitals an early 1-0 and gave Olesky his first NHL goal. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , ,

Washington Capitals Re-Sign Holtby & Erskine; Brouwer goes off as Caps prepare for Canes

February 25, 2013 by

ARLINGTON, VA–Crazy day today in Arlington as the Washington Capitals re-signed goalie Braden Holtby and defenseman John Erskine to two-year deals as they prepare for the return of Alexander Semin and the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow.

Braden Holtby, 23, signed a two-year contract extension worth $3.7 million.  Holtby has has played in eleven games this season, has a  5-6-0 record with a 3.37 GAA and a .896 Save pct. plus one shut out.  Holtby had a 1.95 GAA, .935 save pct. in the playoffs last season.  Holtby will start his seventh game in a row tomorrow night.

“Just trying to do it ahead of time,”  Capitals General Manager George McPhee said.  “We all believe there is a lot of upside there, good young goalie.”

John Erskine, 32, signed a two-year contract extension worth $3.925 million.  Erskine has played in eleven games this season and has one goal and one assist.  This is John Erskine’s eleventh NHL season and has been playing with John Carlson for the majority of the year.

“I thought he should’ve played more last year,”  McPhee said on Erskine.  “Unfortunately he didn’t.”

The veteran defenseman is very happy with his current role.

“Things have worked out this season and I’m glad to be here a couple more years,”  Erskine said.

If that wasn’t enough, forward Troy Brouwer went off on Alexander Semin and the system they played under Bruce Boudreau.

“Some nights you didn’t even know if he was gonna come to the rink,”  Brouwer said on Semin.

On playing under Bruce Boudreau, Brouwer said, “It was very laxidasical…kind of guys were able to do whatever they pleased. There wasn’t a whole lot of accountability and then when we had a little bit of trouble and there needed to be accountability it wasn’t received exactly with open arms, I’ll say.”

Brouwer does though enjoy playing under Adam Oates, “Everyone’s still accountable. Everyone has to do their job, but he’s letting guys play the way that makes them successful.”

Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin says he still talks to Semin once a week and wishes he was still playing here.

“Yeah. Of course. He’s great player, good guy, but you know it’s a business.”

On the injury front…Mike Green (groin) says he’s “100 percent” and ready to go for tomorrow.

Marcus Johansson (upper body) is still not ready to go.  “Marcus is progressing,”  McPhee said.  “We’ll see how he is the next few days.”

Nicklas Backstrom (sick) missed practice today and went to go see the doctor.   ”A little under the weather, we’ll see how he is tomorrow morning,”  McPhee said.

Jason Chimera (lower body) left practice early today.  “Nothing major, should be fine. Just being careful,”  McPhee said.

Brooks Laich (groin) hasn’t skated in nine days.  McPhee says he is “concerned about it” and has his “fingers crossed”.  McPhee added that Laich’s current treatment that he is on takes two weeks.

McPhee said “we’ll see” if they’ll need to make a recall tomorrow and added that “it’s already been discussed and what we might do if we need to recall”.

The Caps forward lines today looked like Chimera-Ribeiro-Ovechkin, Fehr-Johansson-Brouwer, Wolski-Perreault-Ward, Hendricks-Beagle-Crabb.

Oates said we could see Michal Neuvirth in net on Wednesday in Philadelphia on the second game of a back-to-back.

Listen here to what George McPhee, Adam Oates, Troy Brouwer, Braden Holtby, John Erskine, Mike Green, Karl Alzner, Alex Ovechkin & Michal Neuvirth.

George McPhee Practice Audio

02-25-13 George McPhee Presser RAW

Adam Oates Practice Audio

02-25-13 Adam Oates Practice RAW

Troy Brouwer Practice Audio

02-25-13 Troy Brouwer Practice RAW

Braden Holtby Practice Audio

02-25-13 Braden Holtby Practice RAW

John Erskine Practice Audio

02-25-13 John Erskine Practice RAW

Mike Green Practice Audio

02-25-13 Mike Green Practice RAW

Karl Alzner Practice Audio

02-25-13 Karl Alzner Practice RAW

Alex Ovechkin Practice Audio

02-25-13 Alex Ovechkin Practice RAW

Michal Neuvirth Practice Audio

02-25-13 Michal Neuvirth Practice RAW

 

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CAPS: Washington Capitals Players and Better Halves Visit Children’s National Medical Center

February 18, 2013 by
Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom (19) and defenseman Jeff Schultz (55) work on arts and crafts with patients at Children’s National Medical Center during a Feb. 15 visit. Capitals players have made a tradition of visiting Children’s National Medical Center each season since 1984. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom (19) and defenseman Jeff Schultz (55) work on arts and crafts with patients at Children’s National Medical Center during a Feb. 15 visit. Capitals players have made a tradition of visiting Children’s National Medical Center each season since 1984. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti works on an arts and crafts project with a child at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. during a Feb. 15 visit. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Washington Capitals defenseman Tom Poti works on an arts and crafts project with a child at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. during a Feb. 15 visit. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Following an afternoon of arts and crafts, Washington Capitals players and their better halves take a group photograph with patients at Children’s National Medical Center. Back row (l-r): Jessica and Tom Poti, Michal Neuvirth and Monika Hybnerova, Ashley and Jay Beagle, Tomas Kundratek and Alannah Dzerdz, Nicklas Backstrom and Liza Berg, Mackenzie Schultz. Front row (l-r): Donna Oates, Jeff Schultz. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

Following an afternoon of arts and crafts, Washington Capitals players and their better halves take a group photograph with patients at Children’s National Medical Center. Back row (l-r): Jessica and Tom Poti, Michal Neuvirth and Monika Hybnerova, Ashley and Jay Beagle, Tomas Kundratek and Alannah Dzerdz, Nicklas Backstrom and Liza Berg, Mackenzie Schultz. Front row (l-r): Donna Oates, Jeff Schultz. (Photo Courtesy of Washington Capitals)

 

ARLINGTON, Va. – During the past two years, 10-year-old Ellie Schleyer has been visiting Children’s National Medical Center for an undiagnosed brain disorder.

In between bloodwork and tests on Feb. 15, she discovered several Washington Capitals players and their better halves at the hospital for an afternoon of arts and crafts.

In the hospital’s atrium Ellie joined several other children along with Nicklas Backstrom and Liza Berg, Jay and Ashley Beagle, Tomas Kundratek and Alannah Dzerdz, Michal Neuvirth and Monika Hybnerova, Donna Oates, wife of head coach Adam Oates, Tom and Jessica Poti and Jeff and Mackenzie Schultz.

“To see the kids get so excited when the guys come is just priceless,” said Mackenzie Schultz. “A lot of kids are here fighting through things that we can’t even imagine at such a young age. Just to put a smile on their face and make one day a little better is so important.”

Ellie’s father, David Schleyer, said the visit had a positive effect on Ellie, who made each player she worked with a piece of art.

“For her, it’s an opportunity to express something other than sadness,” he said. “To see the players giving her time and admiring her artwork says a lot about their character.”

The Capitals have made a tradition of visiting Children’s National Medical Center each season since 1984.

“It’s definitely hard for the children to be in the hospital, so we’re happy to be with them and play games and make them happy,” said Kundratek. “It’s pretty awesome to be here and spend some time with them.”

Located in Washington, D.C., Children’s National Medical Center is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the metropolitan Washington area and is the only freestanding children’s hospital between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Norfolk and Atlanta. Serving the nation’s children for more than 140 years, Children’s National is a proven leader in the development and application of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury.

Filed Under: Beyond the Game Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Washington Capitals Practice Update & Audio for Feb. 8: McPhee, Oates & More

February 8, 2013 by

The dead-last Washington Capitals held practice Friday after a blow out loss in Pittsburgh Thursday night. Capitals General Manager George McPhee met with the media today to discuss the Caps struggles and said “I like the people here”.

“With respect to the way we’re playing [with regards to] systems, I like the way we’re playing,”  McPhee said.  “I think if you’re watching, our team has really adjusted to the system pretty quickly — we wanted it right away, but it’s quicker than we were hoping for. The issue with our club right now, in my mind, is all these penalties that we’re taking. It’s too much.”

But he says penalties are only half the problems.

McPhee added,  “We’re giving up too many goals and it seems to be related to a lot of these penalties that we’re taking. It’s too hard on the team and it’s too hard on the goaltenders.”

McPhee also talked about on what he can do to fix this.

“If there’s something I can do to make the club better, I will…I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

McPhee added, “We’re going to make good decisions. We’re not going to do anything short-term. We’re not going to blow anything up.”

The Caps forward lines today were: Johansson-Backstrom-Brouwer, Wolski-Ribeiro-Ovi, Fehr-Perreault-Ward, Chimera-Crabb-Beagle-Hendricks.  All eight defenseman practiced.  John Erskine and Mathieu Perreault are likely back in the line-up tomorrow.  Braden Holtby will be in goal tomorrow.

Brooks Laich practiced today and McPhee said “He’s improving and hopefully we’ll see him soon.”

McPhee said that he heard last week that Dmitry Orlov is probably a month away.  McPhee said Jack Hillen is likely another six-to-eight weeks away.

Listen here to what George McPhee, Adam Oates, Troy Brouwer, John Erskine, Tom Poti, Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth & Joel Ward had to say today.

George McPhee Press Conference Part 1

02-08-13 George McPhee Presser 1

George McPhee Press Conference Part 2

02-08-13 George McPhee Presser 2

Adam Oates Practice Audio

02-08-13 Adam Oates Practice RAW

Troy Brouwer Practice Audio

02-08-13 Troy Brouwer Practice RAW

John Erskine Practice Audio

02-08-13 John Erskine Practice RAW

Tom Poti Practice Audio

02-08-13 Tom Poti Practice RAW

Braden Holtby Practice Audio

02-08-13 Braden Holtby Practice RAW

Michal Neuvirth Practice Audio

02-08-13 Michal Neuvirth Practice RAW

Joel Ward Practice Audio

02-08-13 Joel Ward Practice RAW

Filed Under: Caps/NHL Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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