Saturday Caps Clips: Caps @ Kings Game Day
by J.P. on Jan 2, 2010 9:22 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of this afternoon's Caps visit to Los Angeles from Vogs, Peerless, NHL.com and CSN Washington, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Battle of California for coverage from the other side of the match up.
- Yesterday was another tough practice for Gabby's boys. [Capitals Insider]
- In Winter Classic 2011 "news," Scott Hartnell and Blake Wheeler think the Caps should be featured, rumor has it the Caps could be headed to Pittsburgh's Heinz Field for the game (though some would prefer their baseball park) or staying at home (though the thought of a game at FedEx makes me wretch), and at least one quote-worthy source claims that "[t]he league will be looking to work around the Capitals to get them into this game." Oh, and the boss is definitely interested.
- Mike Green's new Geico ad debuted yesterday, and it includes what should be Bruce Boudreau's answer to any and all game-related questions: "Ask Mike Green. He was on the ice the whole time." [FanShot]
- And here's that new Verizon Wireless ad featuring the Caps and Flyers, which makes me envision Mike Richards meeting with a fate similar to the bald German boxer in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (as recreated with Legos here... awesome). [FanShot]
- The Washington Times sports section is officially no more. Here's Corey's last Caps piece (a typically great one, by the way) and his heart-felt goodbye post, and Steinz' roundup of eulogies. We miss you already, buddy.
- Milan Jurcina and Chris Clark talk to Jackets' play-by-play voice Jeff Rimer (who formerly held the same position with the Caps) about the trade that brought them to Columbus. Moderately painful stuff. [Jackets TV (video)]
- Speaking of the vacant captaincy, the Caps have options. [WaPo]
- Peerless gets to Number 1 in his fantastic series of the top Caps stories of the year. [Peerless]
- Puck Daddy's Top 10 Goals of the Decade features a couple of familiar tallies that will never get old. [Puck Daddy]
- Speaking of Puck Papi, congrats to a couple of crazy kids who are getting hitched after meeting at the Awards Show Viewing Party we hosted with him back in June. [OFB]
- Predictions for June, 2010: "Washington Capitals win hockey's Stanley Cup. Israeli planes bomb and eliminate Iranian nuclear weapons site." Um, how about we get to pick one? [McClatchy]
- The G&M's midway power rankings have the Caps fourth, noting "Fate in hands of young goalie Semyon Varlamov." [G&M]
- Add Dennis Seidenberg to the list of people who would love to line up and lay out Alex Ovechkin. [FanHouse]
- If the Hart Trophy was handed out today, would AO be worthy of the three-peat? [5ive Hole]
- Eric Duhatshek says "no" to that last question, but would hand Mike Green the Norris as of now, though he wouldn't have picked him for Team Canada. So he believes that the "the defense player who demonstrates... the greatest all-round ability in the position" isn't good enough to make the Canadian Olympic squad. Huh? [Globe and Mail]
- Looking back on the decade in Bears hockey. [LDN]
- The Bears are 10-1-0-0 since Chris Bourque rejoined the team. [Patriot-News]
- Braden Holtby is an ECHL All-Star (though he could be worthy of a similar honor one level up by the time the AHL holds its festivities). [Stingrays]
- Hey, look who's in the background here.
- Per the HHoF, on this date one decade ago, "Washington's Brian Bellows had a goal and an assist for his 1,000th career NHL point in the Capitals' 5-2 win at Toronto," two years to the day before "Montreal's Jose Theodore became the second goaltender in NHL history to score a goal while recording a shutout, as the Canadiens won 3-0 against the Islanders in Long Island."
- Happy 29th birthday to Miroslav Zalesak, and happy 40th to two-time Cap Rick Tabaracci (who has five more regular season wins for the franchise than Varly in 47 more games played).
- Finally, have fun out there today, guys and gals - I look forward to hearing all about the Inaugural Japers' Rink Pick-Up Game.
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Tarik’s been trying to stir things up the past two days, hasn’t he? First he runs yesterday’s story suggesting that the Caps are viturally a done deal for the Winter Classic next year. Everyone else in the hockey press is running with it. Good or bad idea? Well, the pressure’s on, NBC, how do you kick them out of it now? (Not that they wouldn’t try.)
Then today, he runs with the who will be captain story. I know it’s already on video that Alex pretty much wants it; this just adds more fuel to the fire. I’d guess that no matter how they stretch out the process, the odds that the next captain is anyone other than him are pretty low.
And just to throw out a pitch to the Bourque lobby, think he’s got a little of the Mike Green burn in him right now? He seems to be tearing it up in Hershey. I haven’t really seen enough of him to have a valid opinion, but is he going to be another AAAA player in his career, or does he have a chance to make good on his next NHL opportunity?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Bourque Question
I think the only fair answer to that is: who knows? It’s pretty evident that Giroux at nearly 30 will never be more than a AAAA player, but CBo is what? 23, 24? Past evidence suggests that what works for us and what works for the Pens are usually two different things.
I think he’ll get another crack at the big time – what he does with it is up to him.
Unleash the Alex!
That’s about what I thought. He’s going to get another look in Washington, I bet, since his extended chance up with the team got unexpectedly cut off and Washington has positive memories of his performance. I don’t know how many more he gets beyond that, though.
I also think he’s getting a push from his younger brother – Ryan Bourque is kicking tail and taking names on the US WJC team.
Unleash the Alex!
In my experience, most of the players who suddenly burst on the scene at age 25 or older are guys who lacked for opportunity before, and are suddenly getting their first real shot.
Chris Bourque has not lacked for opportunity.
I’m not saying it won’t happen. I’m saying the odds are not with him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 2, 2010 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, this is an impressive list of links. Time to get the coffee and settle in to read!
by mercurialwinger on Jan 2, 2010 10:11 AM EST reply actions
Amen, brother. I don’t normally rec link lists, mainly because it doesn’t occur to me, but this one is a really good one.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 2, 2010 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
I rec’d it for this line specifically:
Mike Green’s new Geico ad debuted yesterday, and it includes what should be Bruce Boudreau’s answer to any and all game-related questions: “Ask Mike Green. He was on the ice the whole time.”
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jan 2, 2010 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Holtby gets the win versus WBS yesterday, is 8-1-1/1.29/.953, 15-3-2-2/2.18/.929 (by hungover math) across the A and E.
"I know it holds 17 1/2 beers."
In unrelated-to-Caps news, the second coach of the year to get the boot is Andy Murray of the Blues, per KK.
Unleash the Alex!
Why Bruce owes everything to Andy Murray) (for those who don’t know the story).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nah, he could always go to the Canadian National Program or even to TV work, to say nothing for a team that may be looking for a coach later in the year.
"I know it holds 17 1/2 beers."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 2, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Man, that interview really was hard to watch. The guys looks pretty torn up. (I guess that’s not a surprise, but still, not fun to see.)
A trade like that has to be tough. People in regular jobs get transferred all the time, but usually they have a while before it happens, and they can also choose to quit rather than accept a transfer. In sports, it happens and in hours or minutes you’ve got to pack a suitcase and get outta town. And these guys were here for quite a while and had some roots.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
No, it wasn’t fun to watch at all. I had the impression watching Jurcina that he didn’t want to be there at all.
Unleash the Alex!
The Captain is my first toast today at Bailey’s.
But only the first – I’ve got a list.
Come thirsty, my friends.
ALEX, FЯEE
Not in the Clips, this from ESPNLos Angeles, doing their best to perhaps jinx by flattery? http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/columns/story?id=4789334
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nice Quick quote:
“I think,” said Jonathan Quick earlier this week, “I’m going to try and get to church before that game.”
I could have been equipment manager, but nooooo!
And … wow. I got more than I bargained for when I looked for the quote. He’s apparently pretty serious about it.
Unleash the Alex!
Oh, yeah. There was something in the Post’s “On Faith” section sometime last year, probably while he was out with the post-concussion stuff. Read it as part of a side discussion I was having about the players.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I’m kinda glad J.P. didn’t touch the other hockey related predictions in the McClatchey article
by Doncosmic on Jan 2, 2010 11:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Whoa! is all anyone can say to that.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
But would she be better or worse than Bettman, and could Alaska be worse than Phoenix
by Doncosmic on Jan 2, 2010 11:39 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I hope that is rhetorical and yes. I don’t like some of the things Bettman has done, but he’s actually gotten some things right over the years. As for the second thing, yeah I’m sure Anchorage could support an NHL team.
A man gotta have a code
Yes it’s rhetorical and I actually think if the new arena had been built downtown near the old one then the coyotes would be doing just fine right now
by Doncosmic on Jan 2, 2010 11:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
They’d have still struggled but certainly a bit less. They never could have built downtown with US Airways being there, but had the original plan at Los Arcos gone through it would have been a better situation. Another reason to dislike Scottsdale. They’d have lost less STH, but if you suck for 5-6 years it doesn’t matter where you play for the most part.
A man gotta have a code
I wish I had a badass last name like that. Lookin’ good.
So… Chimera #25 or Kozlov #25?
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Jan 2, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
No news on that front yet. Anyway, if Neuvy’s in goal, I guess he’s our #1 — until the SAVior is back. (SAV are the initials of Varly)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Varly will play in HER today or tomorrow.
Plus he had a short interview without a translator. gO vARLY!
ALEX, FЯEE
Speaking of Puck Papi, congrats to a couple of crazy kids who are getting hitched after meeting at the Awards Show Viewing Party we hosted with him back in June. [OFB]
OFB at their best. If you haven’t read this, I recommend it. Fun stuff.
OFB is more and more cementing their status as the unofficial “features section” for the Caps. I’d like to see them embrace that role and focus on it (and less on providing news or analysis, which others do better). These kinds of pieces really are very enjoyable.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Obvious 2011 Winter Classic
Capitals vs. Rangers at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michie_Stadium
The Bears are 10-1-0-0 since Chris Bourque rejoined the team.
That’s nothing. The Bears are 23-0-0-0 since my Pro joined the team in NHL 10 (Christmas present).
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jan 2, 2010 1:05 PM EST reply actions
Anyone going to the game today?
Still early here on LA, but will be walking over from the Old Bank District around noonish.
Obstreperously Avatarless
If the Hart Trophy was handed out today, would AO be worthy of the three-peat? [5ive Hole]
5ive Hole’s analysis is almost the exact opposite of my philosophy. In every sport, MVP is treated as “most outstanding player,” and we should just accept that’s what it means in 2010 (and what it’s meant virtually every year in every sport). A player’s teammates should affect the analysis only inasmuch as they help shed a light on the quality of that player’s own achievements. Lemieux was no less great for having Jagr next to him; Gretzky was no less great for playing with Messier, Kurri and Coffey.
5ive Hole’s idea that it should be “the player who is the most valuable to one of the best teams in the league” is nice, but it’s inconsistent with the actual definition of the Hart, which is supposed to go to the “player adjudged most valuable to his team” (as 5ive Hole acknowledges). So limiting the award to one of the best teams in the league is quite literally a change to the meaning of the award. A proposed change that we pretty much beat do death a year and a half ago. (The irony of a Caps fan suggesting in 2010 that “losers” should be ineligible for the Hart trophy is pretty rich).
And even if there were a new trophy awarded to the “best player on a good team,” it’s hard to reconcile the choice of Kane with this paragraph:
But first, some controversy. I don’t think a case can be made for any single player from the San Jose Sharks to be an MVP candidate. Heatley-Thorton-Marleau are all having exceptional seasons and it would be impossible to make a case for any of them to be the most valuable to their team, so I am eliminating them. That’s not to say they aren’t having a tremendous impact on the league, just that they are so good that if you take one away I think the Sharks are still one the better teams in the NHL.
Really? Every Shark is eliminated because they’re all so good, so the choice is a Hawk as #1? Because the Hawks are that much less deep than the Sharks? Ever heard of Jonathan Toews? Duncan Keith? Brent Seabrook? Marian Hossa? etc. etc. etc.
I guess the 5ive Hole award should be “the player who is the most valuable to one of the best teams in the league, so long as that team isn’t so flush with talent that it’s tough to tell who’s really responsible for all the wins.” And using that definition, how could it possibly not be Gaborik or Miller?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 2, 2010 2:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Too early to be talking Hart, IMO. Lotta hockey to be played between now and awards night.
ALEX, FЯEE
Hopefully it stays just where it is.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
I thought they lost 2 games without Ovi, excluding the Columbus game. Both against the Devils.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yeah, their record is 6-2-0 without AO. Both losses to the Devils without him were in regulation.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 3, 2010 8:23 PM EST up reply actions
as i learned from your fantasy team’s rotowire update, K_C, apparently the caps have lost 6 of the 7 games where AO played but didn’t score a point.
so there’s that!
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 3, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 1:00 PM EST)
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