The Washington Capitals: 99% Entertaining
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 11:20 AM EST
80 comments
Believe it or not, the Washington Capitals have plowed through nearly a quarter of their schedule already (didn't Rookie Camp end, like, last week?). And for Caps fans - who wake up this morning to see their team atop the Eastern Conference standings (and with the League's fewest regulation losses) - most of the first quarter of the season has been pretty enjoyable, at least from an entertainment standpoint.
How so? Besides the ever-entertaining cast of characters donning the red, white and blue on a nightly basis, the Caps have been in every game they've played and have kept fans on the edges of their seats... when they're not standing up cheering goals, that is (and at bargain prices, no less).
Consider that the Caps have played just over 1,097 minutes of hockey this season. For a shade over 223 of those minutes, they've had a lead of two goals or more and have been down two goals (but never more) for just under 14 minutes (including last night's stretch of 6:48 down a pair). What that means is that approximately 20% of the time this season, the Caps have had a cushioned lead, 79% of the time they've been either up or down a goal or tied, and just over 1% of the time, they've been behind by more than one Alex Ovechkin one-timer or Alex Semin laser.
The team's win percentage in one-goal games leaves something to be desired, but the Caps are a combined 6-0-0 in games decided by two or more goals and are one of only five teams yet to lose a two-goal game, one of only two not to get blown out by three or more, and the only one not to be beaten by two or more yet this season.
So while the Caps still have a lot to work on as a team, one thing they seem to have down pat is keeping their fans engaged game-to-game... even if some of that late-game excitement is self-created (and not in a good way).
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Smiles from ear-to-ear here. Thank you Caps. Thank you Ted.
It’s an honor to be a fan of this team.
And I’ll be able to put the defibrillator paddles away sometime this season. Surely?
IS PЯACTICE ЯINK NOW, MAYBE NOT TOO LONG
by Your Nation's Capital on Nov 12, 2009 11:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
And I’ll be able to put the defibrillator paddles away sometime this season. Surely?
haha, i hope so!
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
by kellobellow on Nov 12, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Who’s the other team that hasn’t been blown out by three (or more)? And which other teams haven’t lost by 2?
And I feel like the Caps haven’t been playing as well as the record indicates. The fewest regulation losses stat really surprised me. I guess it’s just high expectations and all that business.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 12, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Have not lost a game by three or more: Washington, Chicago
Have not lost a game by two: Washington, Islanders, Tampa, Florida, Pittsburgh
So the Caps are the only team in the League that hasn’t lost a game by two or more goals.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Which report did you use to calculate the minutes spent in each of these scenarios?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 12, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just the game reports. Why – your numbers different?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope, I was just curious if there was a specific report that did the work for you. So you went through each game and checked the game summery?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 12, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. Maybe I can get Mike Rowe to tag along with me one day for an episode of “Dirty Jobs.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, that’s definitely tedious. I’ve done the same thing. I’m impressed you had that kind of dedication so early in the morning.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 12, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can barely get out of bed, let alone calculate tedious numbers. Bravo.
by TFG on Nov 12, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed. That fact alone deserves a rec for this article.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 12, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nah...
Your work doesn’t stink enough for Mike Rowe.
Now what you really need from Discovery channel are the folks from TimeWarp. Maybe they can speed up your research leaving you more free time…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Nov 12, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can definitely see this post being linked to by Ted’s Take.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 12, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
We talk about “killer instinct” and putting teams away – and the Caps definitely need work there – but I wonder how many, if any, other teams have spent 1/5th of the season up at least two goals.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 11:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just curious, but do you have any info if the Caps have ever been first in the conference this late in the season?
by b.orr4 on Nov 12, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I do!
Per @WashCaps (via Elias), “The last time the Caps were in first place in the conference this late in a season was a 3-way tie on 4/7/2000.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Really! For some reason I don’t recall that team being that good. Thanks.
by b.orr4 on Nov 12, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I feel like the Caps have been brutal in the third, but looking at the record, how anecdotal is that feeling? Really, how good would they be if they hadn’t given away points in the last 5 minutes of games (30+ points after 18 games?).
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
by Sct112 on Nov 12, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
displaced caps fan
hey guys i’m a displaced caps fan in upstate ny and i was wondering if anyone knows if you can get csn-dc on time warner cable for cheaper than nhl center ice?
by goyanks69 on Nov 12, 2009 11:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think there’s any way to get it without Center Ice on your TV. There is also a paid online version of CI that is quite good – but not significantly cheaper (if at all). If you’re the black market type, most games are also streamed free over the internet, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t legal and the quality is often poor.
by grapejoos on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
i hate watching tv streaming online from some third party site…i wish they had a game by game center ice so that i could pay like 3-5 dollars and watch a game instead of a monthly charge
by goyanks69 on Nov 12, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Something much cheaper than Center Ice is getting a friendly avatar. It’s not only free, it also helps put a face on displaced Caps fans.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 12, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The NHL will never do that
they would make much less money (I assume)
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
by smutsboy1 on Nov 12, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No clue… better fit in Caps Clips.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Coming from St. Louis...
I know your feeling. Never any caps games, might need to just bunker down and buy centerice, but damn that’s money. Hey NHL, you want to get more fans? Put your games on the internet for free or at least much less.
&*^%@#$ black market quality…
by Bman21212 on Nov 12, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
interesting aside
I don’t know how many of you followed last year’s NCAA tournament, but they had every single game online for free, and they showed commercials just like on tv…NHL and MLB and NFL and NBA should follow suit
by goyanks69 on Nov 12, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah tv show are doin that. and its great. It would be bad for tv, and i’m not sure that the NHL would be making more money. Center Ice is def making them a lot, but idk if online showings would make more. They probably have a tv deal and can’t even do that now. Maybe something for the future.
by hockeyman33 on Nov 12, 2009 8:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They probably do have some contract restriction, but it might hurt short term profits but would be huge long term. I’m willing to watch with TV ads and banner ads, just get me my Caps online!
by Bman21212 on Nov 12, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A legal way? No, there isn’t one, the only way to get a RSN out of market and not have the games blacked out would be to hack a DirectTV or Dishnetwork box.
by Doncosmic on Nov 12, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve always wondered if this would be considered hacking:
If you were out of market but still had an address (or even just PO Box) in market to get bills sent to … but already owned your own dish and box … why couldn’t you just program the in-market zip code into your box, and point your dish to the correct place in the sky? Does the satellite know not to send certain signals to certain latitudes? I can say I’ve tried simply changing the box’s zip code while already having an out-of-market address and that doesn’t work.
by six hole on Nov 12, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Very possible. The satellite doesn’t know where the signals are going. You just need the provider to program your card for the market.
I’ve heard of people doing that, but I don’t know the legal ins and outs on the topic.
by Smithy on Nov 12, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know what else is amazing? They have only been held to less than three goals in three games this season ( once by Detroit and twice by the Devils). They haven’t scored less than two yet.
by Kolzilla on Nov 12, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I do recall my “Bold Prediction” or whatever we had earlier this season to be “Caps score 3.5+ per game.”
I’m satisfied.
by TFG on Nov 12, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
One of mine was that Nyls would be gone by the end of November * fingers crossed * It could still happen!
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Nov 12, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have to take issue with this post because it clearly doesn’t take Devils games into account, and that’s clearly more than 1%.
(/snark)
by DrinkingPartner on Nov 12, 2009 11:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Who’s the guy next to Semin?
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 12, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Some European over-celebrating for a change as we count down the days ’til he gets cut in half.
</Cherry’d>
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Whee! code geek humor.
Semin was the second gunman on the grassy knoll, clearly he must be traded.
by Chris meet Alex on Nov 12, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A nugget worth sharing
Got this from Vogs’ writeup of last night’s game and I find it more than a little encouraging…“Fehr became the 10th different Capital to score at least one goal in the four games since left wing Alex Ovechkin has been sidelined with an upper body injury.”
by mechanicsville on Nov 12, 2009 12:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great nugget… better fit in Caps Clips.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also a great nugget:
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 12, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Rec’d through the roof for bringing ’Cuse a championship, baby!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As a Kansas fan I am not amused.
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Nov 12, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wicked [whatever this is], he looks proud.
Semin was the second gunman on the grassy knoll, clearly he must be traded.
by Chris meet Alex on Nov 12, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll second that! (I know, I know – no avatar yet; go easy . . . )
by kfjje on Nov 12, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey—there’s a few out there like the one I found.
by OldPhil on Nov 12, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe so, but he’s no Rumeal Robinson.
by mechanicsville on Nov 12, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rec’d cuz snitches get stitches.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 12, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Damn, thanks for beating me to it.
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 12, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Onion posted a story on him missing a slam dunk – that had me laughing on a Metro ride home from a Caps game, and a lot of people staring at me.
Please, sir, I want some BMo.
by Steck It Out on Nov 12, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hard to read The Onion in public without looking like a psychopath.
Void Boyd! Go with Perreault!
by jordanDC on Nov 13, 2009 8:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know, I was wondering about that right before I “hit the post”…next time.
by mechanicsville on Nov 12, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Quarter of the way through....
And who thought Carolina would be this terrible? Then, they go a lose Cam Ward for an entire monf.
Just for speculative purposes, looking at their roster quickly, Ray Whitney (37), Matt Cullen (32), Scott Walker (35), Stephane Yelle (35), Joe Corvo (32), Niclas Wallin (34), and Aaron Ward (36) are all older players who will be UFAs after this season and could help teams looking to add at the Deadline for down the stretch. Maybe its still too early to throw dirt on them yet, but I can’t see them really recovering at this point, especially with Ward’s injury.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 12, 2009 12:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not me… better fit in Caps Clips.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 12, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good Building Block
Good job by the Caps with definitely a couple moments of greatness.
But this is just the beginning of the season and a great time to take a recap of the good with the bad and focus in on those and work to improve in those areas in the next ~20 or so games.
People sitting a game for 3rd period uncalled for penalties should be instituted, even superstars. The message should be: you cost the team you loose time…
but will it happen
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
by kurlNdrag on Nov 12, 2009 12:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
NO LEAD IS SAFE, in either direction
…makes it exciting of course, also causes great agita. The feelings go hand in hand, I suppose.
Boudreau said as much in his post-presser last night, and I agree: At no point last night did I feel we would lose the game (in regulation at least)…I mean, the Icelanders could’ve scored 5 goals in the first and I feel like we would’ve still had a chance. That’s probably more of a testament to NYI’s lack of skill than our scoring potential (cue Pens Game 7 nightmare) but it is a good feeling when you’re watching… I really had no doubt that we would score more than 3 last night.
by DonnieKnutts on Nov 12, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
agree
I wasn’t worried when we were behind…
but then I became worried once we had a lead.
which was- weird.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
by smutsboy1 on Nov 12, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But that’s life in Caps land. When the one goal lead is established, the first thing you do is look at the clock and mutter that there’s too much time left in the game.
by gfcaps fan on Nov 12, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But that’s life in Caps land. When theone goallead is established, the first thing you do is look at the clock and mutter that there’s too much time left in the game.
Fixed that for you. No lead is safe with these guys.
Our lives are this moment, the music, the dance ....
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
by gotsparkly on Nov 12, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good perspective JP… sometimes we forget how well this season has gone when we’re complaining about the penalties and other boneheaded moments.
by Rob Yunich on Nov 12, 2009 12:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m happy to see us at the top of the Eastern standings, but tonight’s Devils-Pens game will put one of those teams ahead of us. Sigh. Let’s just hope it’s the Devils.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Nov 12, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pgh can’t pass Caps with a win tonight b/c they will have played more games.
by mechanicsville on Nov 12, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My bad. I thought it went by wins then games played, but it’s the other way around. Brain fart.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Nov 12, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I personally feel fortunate that we’re able to have a conversation as to whether they’ll stay atop the Eastern Conference!
by mechanicsville on Nov 12, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OUCH.
“Vancouver Canucks forward Darcy Hordichuk was automatically suspended for one game, and Canucks coach Alain Vigneault fined $10,000 by the NHL for violation of the instigator rule.”
“Hordichuk was assessed an instigator penalty with 4:56 left in the third period of Tuesdays’ game against the St. Louis Blues.”
-NHL.com
by IRockTheRed on Nov 12, 2009 3:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
:: checking the DGB flowchart ::
Not a superstar, not Avery, not Pronger. Ban him!
IS PЯACTICE ЯINK NOW, MAYBE NOT TOO LONG
by Your Nation's Capital on Nov 12, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Might fit better in Caps Clips…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 12, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or the fanshot regarding the DGB flow chart even!
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 12, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did JP deputize you as thread sheriff?
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 12, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
You know, after the third time he had to do it, I was hoping folks would take the hint.
I think you develop more of a radar for threadjacking after you write a few well-researched fanposts. It kind of sucks to put an hour+ into something and have the discussion be about anything but the research you did.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 12, 2009 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
T to the his.
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 13, 2009 7:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Gouldie.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 13, 2009 7:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Word.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 13, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So, if it’s not a guy named Malkin or anyone else on the Penguins, then it’s an automatic suspension!
Please, sir, I want some BMo.
by Steck It Out on Nov 12, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No question that the Caps are an entertaining team. Even though they are not playing all that well, they are finding ways to win or at least not to lose in regulation. I think it is good that they build up a big cushion because I have a feeling that they will have a letdown after the Olympic break. It will take awhile for Ovie, Semin, Green and Backstrom to get back mentally after the Olympic pressure and excitement. The Caps could have more players playing in the Olympics than any other team.
Proud to be a Caps fan. Its a Great Day for Hockey.
by 4capitals2 on Nov 12, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A little too entertaining. If this was last year’s team I’d be pretty happy right now. But its not. They start taking care of the little stuff and the current stats will look weak. This team, when it wants to, can/should impose its will in the majority of games it plays. The Cup or Bust window has opened. Instead of opening it a crack I want to see the glass kicked out.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 12, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If hockey is anything like baseball, then record in one-goal games is utterly meaningless in terms of predicting future performance. I don’t know if that’s the case or not, but I strongly suspect it is. If so, then the Caps’ mediocre performance in one-goal games is actually a positive, since if they had done very well in one-goal games we might expect that to regress down the line.
by LSF76 on Nov 12, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I tell you – I could watch this brand of hockey all year and not get bored. Leonsis must be thrilled.. he’s definitely got the best product on a rink, night in and night out, from an entertainment perspective… and the record’s none too bad, either. =)
Hopefully we’ll be just as optimistic sixteen playoff wins later, but one thing at a time.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
