Capitals-Bruins Winners & Losers

First off, realize that this post-game format is a cheap imitation of Mr.Irrelevant's Winners & Losers.

Dap given, now let's get on to the Capitals' impressive 4-1 win:

Winners:

Jose Theodore. Theo circa 2002 showed up for tonight's game and displayed tremendous poise throughout the game. In some games last year, Jose looked rattled and uncomfortable between the pipes. But tonight, his composure was where it should be... at an NHL level. It's like the cliché goes, 'Competition makes everyone better'.

Brooks Laich. Dating back to March 27th last season, Laich has picked up 18 points (8+10) over the span of 21 games. Laich notched his sixth career two-goal game with both goals coming on the doorstep with the man advantage.

Alex Ovechkin. In four of his first five seasons, Ovechkin has picked up a two-goal game in either the first game or second game of the season. Two goals isn't too shabby for just five shots on goal. The Backstrom-to-Semin-to-Ovechkin passing exhibition that set-up Alex's first goal was a thing of beauty. If only every team gave Ovechkin a 10-foot buffer zone to pick his corner.

Nicklas Backstrom. Nicky B. is going to make a killing by feeding Ovechkin and company. It took Backstrom eight games last season to reach three assists, something he did for the 10th time in his short career. Offense aside, 3/8 (38%) on face-offs is unacceptable.

Special Teams. 2/4 with the extra man is great, but killing off all five Boston power plays is even more impressive. Boston was ranked 5th last year in PP efficiency and we should be thankful to have guys like David Steckel and Quintin Laing on the PK.

Face-Offs. 61% (30/49) will work every night. Backstrom was the only Capital with a sub-60% efficiency. Other than Nicklas, here's how the other guys fared:

Brendan Morrison - 8/11 (73%)

Boyd Gordon - 5/7 (71%)

David Steckel - 11/18 (61%)

Brooks Laich - 3/5 (60%)

Medium:

John Erskine. He dropped the mitts when he had to and got in some good jabs in a fight that ultimately ended in a draw.

Boyd Kane. Earlier, Bruce Boudreau said of Kane: "You're asking a guy to play the best nine minutes he can." Well, Kane finished with 9:12 of TOI and was completely unnoticeable...Meaning he had a fantastic game. Somewhat of a pleasant surprise for the 48th most valuable Cap.

New Additions. Even though they were the only two forwards on the first two lines not to pick up a point, Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison both had solid games. I did not see Knuble as much as I thought I would, but when I did see him, he was right in Tim Thomas' grill. B-Mo also played a sound offensive game, and only lost three draws the whole night.

Possession. It might have been me, but there were times when it looked like Boston controlled the tempo and play in the Caps' zone. Most noticeably during the first five minutes of the game and right after Patrice Bergeron scored. The Caps were playing good defense and were not allowing many quality shots during these short segments, but the more time spent chasing the puck, the more likely something bad will come of it. Other than this, I could not really find anything to include below...

Losers:

VERSUS. For not being a part of my cable package and for not showing more Junior Seau, the Capitals new equipment manager. It's actually for his new TV show, but ya'll knew that.

Notable Stats:

• In the third period alone, Mike Green and Ovechkin doubled Boston's shot total.
  
• The Capitals had zero giveaways the whole game. No, seriously.
• The Caps' 4-1 win in Boston was their first in regulation in 15 games here, dating back to Dec. 2 2000.

Pre-Game: Capitals @ Bruins

I am in the Bronx for the weekend visiting a friend of mine and I'll get back to the blog most likely on Monday.

Post-Game: Capitals @ Bruins

The Caps probably could have left Beantown with a 2-point night, but in my opinion, there's nothing wrong with an OTL against the best team in the Conference.

• Mike "FUCK YEAH" Green can thank Brooks Laich for the traffic in front on Green's goal, which should have been on the powerplay if you watch it again.
• Jeff Schultz sure had a good view of Shawn Thorton's goal. Thorton skated right by Schultz...on the backhand, while Jeff offered a weak poke check attempt.
• Marc Savard celebration= Briere fist pump + Ovechkin leap.
• Michael Nylander was off the hook for about 10 minutes before he took a dumb penalty that led to Savard's goal.
• Green and Alex Ovechkin combined for 17 shots, and Donald Brashear was the only forward not to register a shot on goal.
• Tomas Fleischmann has six points in eight games this month and had another great game last night.
  
• I trust Jose Theodore...do you?

Next up, the Detroit Red Wings.

Pre-Game: Capitals @ Bruins

Following last year's All-Star break, the Capitals went on the road to face a tough Northeast division test in the Montreal Canadians. The Caps failed that test, falling flat on their face in the opening frame (three goals allowed in the first period), allowing Cristobal Huet to his final shutout as a member of the Canadians.

This year, Washington has to play in Boston for their first game back from break. Zdeno Chara is fresh of repeating his crown in the hardest shot, and Marc Savard may have become my new favorite player doing his best job trying to save VERSUS horrendous commentators.

Since the turn of the century, the Caps have only won in regulation once playing Boston on the road. It also doesn't help that the B's are 17-3-2 at home, and are second best in the league with a 32.2% efficiency.

Tim Thomas looked ridic in the All-Star game, and Timmy has only lost twice on home ice. He's kinda had the Caps number, going 8-2-1 against Washington lifetime, but has allowed nine goals in his last four and a half periods (against the Caps).

For a first place team, the Caps sure don't act like it on the road. There are teams in fourth place in their respective division that have a better away record than the Capitals 11-12-2 mark. Washington is 5-6-1 against playoff teams (if the season ended today) on the road. Now would be a good time to hit .500 before the mighty Wings come to town for an afternoon tilt on Super Bowl Saturday.

Pre-Game: Capitals vs Bruins

The Caps lead with a familiar storyline against a Northeast powerhouse. Last year, it was the Ottawa Senators, whom the Capitals beat all four times, outscoring the Sens 22-12. This year, they have already beat the Eastern Conference leading Bruins 3-1 on home ice. Washington has uncharacteristically lost two of the past three at home, and have managed only three goals over that span.

Boston knows a thing or two about winning on the road, having won all seven away games since losing to the Caps on December 10th. In addition, the Bruins have the best win percentage (62%) when trailing after the first. One stat going in the Caps favor is that the Bruins are only one of two teams that has never won a game when trailing going into the third. The Bruins are 0-6-1 when losing after two periods.

The B's are led by Marc Savard who has just made a killing playing against Washington. His 42 points in 32 games rank just one point behind Savard's 43 points (31 games) in his career against Pittsburgh.

Tim Thomas should get the start tonight and has dominated the Eastern Conference. Against the Atlantic and Southeast Divisions, Thomas is 9-0-2. Timmy is also 8-1-1 against the Caps in his career.

It seems as though each game the Caps play is a pivotal game. First the Flyers' game was the most important, the Pens' game is a 'must win', and now Washington has to face a Boston team that has won 14/16 and maintains an 11 point lead on the Caps.

NHL Image of the Night- December 30th

Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins fights with Tim Wallace of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Boston defeated the Penguins by the score of 5-2. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

Pre-Game: Capitals vs Bruins

Washington Capitals Preview---AP Preview---Boston Bruins Preview


Tonight, the Washington Capitals will be healthier, kinda. Tyler Sloan will return to action, Tom Poti will be listed as questionable and Mike Green's return is right around the corner.

Frankly the Capitals will need more than just Sloaner to take out the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins.

Boston is 17-2-1 in their last 20, and have a stellar road record of 9-3-3.

Here goes the laundry list of Bruins stats:

• #1 in 5/5 goals for/against ratio (1.72).
• #1 in team plus/minus rating (+31).
• #1 in goals against (55).
  
• #3 in goals scored (92).
  
• #5 in power play efficiency (23.5%).
• 13-3-2 when scoring first.
• 5-0 in games that Phil Kessel has more than one point.
• Tim Thomas stat line: 11-3-3/1.90/.940%/2 shutouts.

Yeah...These guys are good.

Shaone Morrisonn (1st round, 18th overall) and Milan Jurcina (8th round, 241st overall) were both drafted by Boston in 2001 and played for Boston before suiting up for the Capitals. Mo has 2 assists in 12 games vs the B's and Milan is +4 in 6 games against his former team.

Brent Johnson should be in net today, and is 2-3-1/2.94/.904 against Boston. Johnny has yet to lose in regulation at home, sporting a 5-0-1 record at the Verizon Center.

Boston won the previous meeting between the two teams in the shootout earlier this season. Washington will be without eight players that played in that game.

Post-Game: Capitals @ Hurricanes

Washington Capitals Recap--AP Recap--Carolina Hurricanes Recap

Matt Michael (inside joke, don't worry if you don't understand) Leighton was pretty much flawless tonight, stopping almost everything that came his way. Nicklas Backstrom was able to beat him top shelf on the power play, but Leighton had no chance.

Washington fired 39 shots on net, and as Locker would say, Leighton was a "...cat on a hot tin roof." tonight. Leighton has now faced 76 shots in two games versus Washington this year, giving up six goals.

Godspeed to Mike Green (among others) for a speedy recovery. It's just not fair having Sami Lepisto out on the ice. Lepisto was -2, took a penalty, and turned the puck over to Eric Staal who netted the game-winning goal seconds later.

Meanwhile, I did not notice Sean Collins that much...which was a good thing. He just might be my new favorite Capitals defender. The only time when I did notice Collins, was when he was breaking up scoring chances in the third period.

Alexandre Giroux notched two shots on goal in just under 12 minutes...not much going on here though. If he sticks around, he should find a groove, but I don't expect him to last too much longer at this moment.

Alex Ovechkin had a chance to tie the game when he was awarded a penalty shot. The 'Canes must have done their research, because as soon as OV got a step, the 'D' man took him down, and the ref signaled for a penalty shot. OV was 0-4 in his career, barely got a shot off, and is now 0-5...He skated 26 minutes (waayyy too much), and this is the third time this season he has hit double digits in shots (11 tonight).

Next up is the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins (four game win streak) on Wednesday.

NHL Image of the Night- November 21st

The Panthers' Nick Boyton throws a punch at the Bruins' Milan Lucic. Boston won the game 4-2 and is now 11-1-1 in their past 13 games. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

NHL Image of the Night- November 13th

Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins collides with Alexei Kovalev of the Montreal Canadians in the first period. Boston won the game 6-1 and they are now in first place in the Northeast Division. Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

NHL Image of the Night- November 6th

The Boston Bruins players and ice crew members help pick up hats thrown on the ice after rookie Blake Wheeler's third goal of the night. Boston beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.