February 5 - Washington Capitals vs. Atlanta Thrashers

Best sign I saw at this game read "We Beat The Snow for 13-0".

And 13-0 it is!

The Caps beat the Thrashers 5-2 in an exciting game that started when you could see DC's streets and ended with several inches of snow on the ground. Part way through the game the announcer came on to warn people that DC's buses were stopping at 9 and the metro was ending above-ground service at 11. What was most impressive was how full the arena was in spite of the terrible weather. All of DC has been panicking about this storm for several days, the grocery stores are empty,  and yet, Caps fans showed up.

Michal Neuvirth had 43 saves and an amazing performance. Ovie scored a sweet goal on the power play. Green had a great, nearly full-rink empty netter. Backstrom scored another beauty and Semin and Chimera scored 68 seconds apart in the beginning of the third period. But the victory was really due to Neuvirth.

The majority of the crowd stayed through the end of the game and left the arena to find some significant snow on the ground.

Neil in the middle of F Street as we began our walk home

 

 The hockey fans heading out into Snowvechkin.

 

Trees on our walk home. (This morning some of them had broken limbs that were weighed down by the snow.)

The Penguins' arrival in DC is in question. I still want to go see the game tomorrow at noon,  but it's looking like that may not happen.

Meanwhile, as the snow continues to fall this morning, the awesome cover from yesterday's Washington Post is still on display in neighborhood newsstands.

 

  

Aahh.. Snowvechkin...

January 27 - Washington Capitals vs. Anaheim Ducks

Best headline I saw after this game was in the Washington Examiner and read "Caps Cook Ducks, 5-1".

This game was awesome. The Capitals took 49 shots on goal. Michal Neuvirth stopped 30 shots and only let one in. And the Caps just couldn't stop scoring.

Ovie got a fluky goal in the first period that he called "the easiest in my career". And after a slow second period, the Caps were on fire in the third.

One might think that it gets a little boring to head to the arena, sit up in 419 and see the Capitals outscore their opponents night after night after night. But, really, it doesn't. It's amazing. Especially when the teams they are playing are good and the Ducks are. The winning streak is extending and the Caps are climbing in the standings and as a fan, I couldn't be happier.

January 26 - Washington Capitals vs. NY Islanders (at NY)

Another amazing game. Another amazing win. Neil and I ordered the new, and surprisingly tasty Dominoes pizza and watched this one from home.

Final score: 7-2 including a goal and an assist from rugged defenseman John Erskine. He hadn't scored a goal in 109 games and his assists are few and far between.

It's not like the Islanders are a bad team this year either. This was an awesome and extremely convincing victory. Everything the Caps are doing is working and it's really exciting to be a fan.

Theo was hurt in this game an Neuvirth relieved him for the third period. All indications are that it's not a serious injury.

January 23 - Washington Capitals vs. Phoenix Coyotes

I went into this game a little worried. The Caps have a history of playing really well against known rival teams (see Pittsburgh) and then putting together real stinkers against teams from the West that they only play once or twice a year. The Coyotes have been winning a lot and I wanted the Caps winning streak to continue. Turns out, I need not have worried. The Caps won 4-2 and Michal Neuvirth had a great comeback after being pulled in two consecutive games.

Maybe all the good fortune came from this guy who I saw on the way into the game:

This guy's head was practically shellacked in thick shiny red. If I see him again I HAVE to ask what it is, how he does it and how he gets it off for work the next day. ;)

January 12 - Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (at Tampa Bay)

Meh. This was not the best, and also not the worst game of the year. But whenever an opponent scores 7 goals against the Caps, it's a little concerning. The final score, 4-7 was at least not of blowout proportions, but really, the Lightning trounced all over the Capitals and our two goalies.

Neuvirth was pulled after the first period when the lightning had 4 already. I don't think any but the last goal were he fault, though. The Caps were not playing defense. They let far too many people in black jerseys get way too close to the net. They just weren't skating.

Theo came in as relief goalie and ended up getting scored on three times and again, I didn't think it was all his fault. Both goalies also made some spectacular saves. The Lightning were just shooting machines and the Caps needed to shoot more, skate more and defend more.

Harumph.

The most interesting part of the game was in the final minutes when Tampa Bay tough guy Steve Downie started fighting with Ovechkin and Matt Bradley intervened. I was thrilled that Bradley prevented Ovie from hurting his precious hands, but that's probably because I am a girly sports fan who loves Alex Ovechkin and never wants him to get hurt.. I realize that to others, it might have looked a little bit like Bradley stole Ovie's fight. But surely all hockey fans realized the need to protect the MVP. The DC Sports Bog has an amazing play by play of the fight that made me laugh out loud and I really can't do better, so check this out if you know what's good for you.

Here's to a better game tonight!

Caps Video You Should Watch

First a video showing Michal Neuvirth's new mask. I like how it's got Caps logos on both sides. :)




And now, one of the most hilarous videos ever featuring Ovie as a reporter behind the scenes at the Verizon commercial shoot. I particularly love all his comments about Brooks Laich and then their body fat discussion at the end. How can anyone not love this guy? Enjoy!

January 9 - Washington Capitals vs. Atlanta Thrashers (at Atlanta)

Woo! Another convincing win! We watched the first period from our friend Lia's house as we wrapped up an epic game of Trivial Pursuit 90's edition, so we missed some of Neuvirth's outstanding saves, but I did catch Semin's great shorthanded goal.

After a taxi home during the first intermission, we paid more attention for the last two periods. In the end, the Caps had eight goals from Knuble (2), Semin (2), Backstrom, Steckel, Chimera and Poti. The Thrashers got one goal, just one. It was great to see Chimera score his first goal as a Capital. Sure, it was the 8th goal and not a real necessity, but I'm sure it was a confidence booster, nonetheless.

Wins on the road like this one are almost more exciting than when they thoroughly dismantle the opposing team in a home game. It's important to see that the Caps have what it takes to win in enemy arenas. (Though the Atlanta arena looked pretty empty last night)

Ovie had an assist on one of Knuble's goals, but was pretty quiet, otherwise. I am hoping he gets a bunch of goals soon so he can pull ahead in the most goals category. I think he's a goal behind first place in the NHL right now. Not too shabby.

The Caps have two more road games before they're home to play Toronto on Friday night. I hope they play just as confidently and effectively in Florida this week.

December 26 - Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils

Amazing game! We kept the Devils to only one goal. Ovie opened the scoring. Green and Backstrom also scored and Matt Bradley got a goal which is always an amazing sign for the game to come.

Michal Neuvirth made 29 saves and beat Martin Brodeur - the record-holder in shutouts and an amazing goalie. It was a really exciting game and a solid win over a team that beat the Caps in the three previous meetings this season. Whewh!

The Caps pr staff did a big thing about it being Hockey Night in Washington, which was pretty cute since it was Saturday night.

Even though the goals came mostly from the top players (and Bradley), it still looked like a solid team effort.

Beating New Jersey put the Caps back at the top of the eastern standings and secured a win over a team that they could very well face come playoff time.

A nice aside: Nick Backstrom (who was named to the Swedish Olympic team) got his 200th point of the night and was up on the big screen where Ovie and Semin were messing with him and waving their gloved hands in his face which was cute. Backstrom ended the night with 202 career points in 202 career games.

December 23 - Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabers

I was so nervous about this game after Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller kept the Caps from scoring in their last meeting. But, the Capitals kicked butt. It was a great game and it was particularly great to see Micheal Neuvirth so strong in goal.

I clearly waited too long to post about this game because I don't remember many details. I do, however, remember the awesome feeling of savoring the win over a tough team.

New years resolution # 1. Update blog right after games from now on.

December 12 - Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Bummer. In spite of a stellar start to the game (which we missed because Comcast didn't have CSN+ on any channel) the Capitals completely collapsed and lost to the lowly Leafs.

Neil and I had to leave home and go to the Green Turtle to watch the game. For whatever reason, the bar was completely empty. We got a booth with our own TV, which was fun, and we ate some bad food and watched a bad game.

We'd left a holiday party early to make it home to watch the game and it was pretty disappointing to see them lose in such spectacular fashion. Based on Theo and Neuvirth's performances as of late, we really need Varly back in net. I have faith in both Theo and Neuvy, but they really didn't take the opportunity to step up their games last week. Varly is traveling with the team this week, but not expected to play.

Here's hoping the Caps bring their A game when they play the Avalanche tonight. We'll be staying up late to watch.