Capitals/Rangers: Knuckles and Bongos

by J.P. on Apr 14, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

With word out of Kettler that Donald Brashear is skating, assigned to a line and ready to return to game action (even though no one fights in the playoffs any more), we figured now's as good a time as any to revisit the post-season history of pugilism between the Caps and Rangers, using the format we threw out at you back in February to look at the top Caps fights over the past four seasons.

Not surprisingly, you'll see the names Brashear and Colton Orr often on this list - neither man has fought anyone in the NHL more than he has tussled with the other (six times in total), with The Donald coming out on top far more often than not (though he did lose their last bout). And, in case you're wondering, no current Cap has ever dropped 'em with Sean Avery.

So here's the list of all the fights between the Caps and Rangers since the start of the 2005-06 season (ranked as rated by you, the fans, at hockeyfights.com):

Combatants	Date	Rating	Winner
Donald Brashear vs. Colton Orr	12/12/07	7.5	Brashear
Donald Brashear vs. Colton Orr	2/11/09	7.5	Orr
Donald Brashear vs. Brendan Shanahan	12/30/06	6.5	Brashear
Donald Brashear vs. Colton Orr	12/30/06	6.4	Brashear
Matt Bradley vs. Aaron Voros	2/11/09	6.2	Voros
Chris Clark vs. Wade Redden	1/3/09	6.1	Redden
Donald Brashear vs. Colton Orr	2/10/07	5.5	Brashear
Brian Sutherby vs. Ryan Hollweg	2/10/07	5.2	Sutherby
Donald Brashear vs. Colton Orr	11/11/06	4.5	Brashear
Alexander Semin vs. Marc Staal	1/3/09	4.1	Staal
Shaone Morrisonn vs. Colton Orr	12/30/06	3.7	Orr
Chris Clark vs. Jason Strudwick	12/3/05	NR	N/A

Finally, here's a that top-rated tangle (ouch):

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Comments

Couldn’t one classify the Semin-Staal altercation as something other than a “fight”? LOL

by Fauxrumors on Apr 14, 2009 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

And I’m sorry, as embarrassing as that fight was for Semin (lord knows it was embarrassing) Staal turtled up. Fight winners don’t turtle up.

That should have just been classified as a laugher. end of story.

by vt caps fan on Apr 14, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

did he turtle, or fall down because semin’s jersey came right off?

by snowburnt on Apr 14, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

He turtled because Semin (probably inadvertantly) hit him in the face/head with a wicked elbow that knocked his helmet off (see the youtube video in the hockeyfights link at 1:17-1:18). Staal spent a long time deliberately pulling off Semin’s jersey, so I don’t think that was what knocked him down.

The idea that Staal won that fight is a joke – he landed fewer blows (hey, it’s true) and ended up on the ice turtled with Semin playing the bongos on him. Perhaps you could say there was no winner, but Staal lost that fight IMO.

by grapejoos on Apr 14, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Awesome, I’m a Semin fan, based on the look on his face as he went to the penalty box I think he knew he was going to get some stuff afterwards.

by snowburnt on Apr 14, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Staal turtled. End of story.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 14, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

What I meant was, Semin looked like he had fun, and realized he was “playing the drums” and seemed to just enjoy the moment.

by snowburnt on Apr 14, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn’t a direct comment to you – was to anyone who thinks that Staal did anything else.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 14, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That should be a Semin win! WHO was standing when it was all said and done?

Exactly.

by DrinkingPartner on Apr 14, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Semin-Staal Bitch Slap

How can that NOT be rated Numero 1 on the hit parade?

by Uncle C on Apr 14, 2009 8:59 AM EDT reply actions

Who would you rather see getting a sweater tomorrow night: 87 or 15? For me it’s easy: 15.

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Apr 14, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

No question. 15.

I said it before and I’ll say it again – I see no need to dress 87 until that need is demonstrated, whereas the need for one of the team’s best PKers has been demonstrated time and again all year.

I don’t, however, believe that Bruce feels the same way.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 14, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

15. I’d rather have his PK ability then 87’s fists.

by vt caps fan on Apr 14, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

15, but I think Bruce leans on the older guys like Brash for sentimental reasons. Or at least it appears that way.

by wittcap79 on Apr 14, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

You know what? That’s a poll via fanpost. Check it out here.

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Apr 14, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Seeing a lot of “Caps in 7” predictions out there from the, ahem, “analysts”.

Do they really think the Rags can stretch this series to 7, or is this just a lazy way to CYA?

Man, I cannot wait for friggin Wednesday. This is the longest 3 days of the year.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 14, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

I think they think the Rags can stretch it to 7, and I do too. The regular season games were against an inferior Rangers team to the one the Caps are going to play and all of the games were close. Given the general distrust in Theo, it’s not hard to imagine Lundqvist stealing/Theo losing a couple of games here.

The Caps can certainly win this in a hurry if either a) they can score on Lundqvist like he’s nothing special or b) Theo plays very well. If not, it’s going to be a war.

by grapejoos on Apr 14, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think that Antropov, Morris, and Avery make the team that much more dangerous. If anything, I feel better because they no longer have Prucha.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 14, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

They gave up some talent in the Morris deal, but I think it’s hard to argue that they aren’t a better team after adding those 3 guys.

In any event, even if you think they’re worse now, the point is that the Rangers have a different coach and have made some material roster changes since the last time these teams played – the Caps have not really played this Rangers team yet (not that regular season performance is terribly relevant, though the PP% is giving me some comfort).

by grapejoos on Apr 14, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Here are my lines for tomorrow

Kozlov – Backs – Ovie
Semin – Feds – Laich
Fehr – Nylands- Flash
Bradley – Steckel – Brash

1) Things can shuffle on the top 2.
2) Gordon sits because he has been off due to injury
3) Brash plays for toughness and experience…We want to send a physical message early, and he has to be there.
4) Steckel, Brash, Gordon…maybe even Nylander if he looks slow and does nothing could be changed in and out through the series.

Anyway you look at it, we have one guy extra up front…the type of series and individual performance will dictate the lineup. It’s a tough problem to have…and a good problem to have if someone gets banged up.

by SA-Town on Apr 14, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Would switch the top two centers, myself.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Are all of your right wings on the left of the line aesthetically, or are Koz, Semin, Brads, and Fehr to play Left Wing?

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 14, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

depends on if you are in front of them or behind them. :-P

by snowburnt on Apr 14, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Brash has been sitting from injury also. His injury was a knee which is going to hurt his already limited mobility. Gordon injured his hand which is going to make his non-threatening hands more neutralized. If Gordon can hold a stick and put enough on the puck to ice it on a PK he gets the jersey.

by Rob Parker on Apr 14, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions