Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight’s return of the Rangers from Vogs and NHL.com, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partners over at Blueshirt Banter for the other side of tonight’s matchup.
- The rivalry between the Caps and Rangers has been reborn thanks to some recent playoff meetings – and at the heart of it all is Henrik Lundqvist. That handsome bastard. [Puck Daddy]
- Your Capitals Minute for today. [Capitals Voice]
- News and notes from yesterday’s practice:
- In general. [Monumental video (Oates, Chimera)]
- You’ve probably noticed that the Caps are shooting themselves in the foot with the slow starts and turnovers. Don’t worry, so has Adam Oates. Whew! [WaPo, RMNB]
- Alex Ovechkin left practice early yesterday after not feeling 100% but should be fine. Whew again! [WaPo, CSNW]
- With two NHL games officially under his belt, newcomer Nate Schmidt is taking it all in – and learning the ropes from Steve Oleksy. [WashTimes, WJON]
- Ovechkin chats with NHL Network’s Kathryn Tappen about the Caps’ playoff woes, playing in DC and whether he’d prefer a Cup or a gold medal. (Spoiler: he wants both.) [Caps]
- Realignment has put the Caps in the tougher Metropolitan Division, so no more “coasting” for them… [THW]
- …except that Metro crew may not be as tough as some people (but not all people, ahem) thought it would be. [CSNW]
- A few leftover thoughts on Monday’s win (and be sure to check out Clyde’s always awesome pictures):
- In general. [WaPo, Capitals HIll]
- Ovechkin and Jason Chimera both avoided disciplinary hearings after a couple of questionable hits Monday night… [WaPo, CSNW]
- …but Chimera didn’t get off scot-free, as he was slapped with the maximum fine for his actions, close to $4500. [NHL.com, WaPo]
- Radio hits:
- John Carlson chats with Lavar and Dukes… [106.7 the Fan]
- …while Eric Fehr checks in with The Drive… [ESPN 980]
- …and Joe Beninati airs his dulcet tones in Baltimore. [WNST]
- After getting his first goal of the season last night, is it possible that the “old” Brooks Laich is back? As long as it’s not the “old and busted” Brooks Laich, here’s hoping. [Caps Outsider]
- Despite what the owner believes (or at least what he’s said publicly), this is not a Caps team without flaws. [THW]
- Fantasy hockey roundup from Monday’s action. [Fantasy Hockey Scouts]
- Checking in on the Caps’ prospects across the AHL, OHL, NCAA and beyond. [THW, McKeen’s Hockey]
- Least surprising revelation ever: Ovechkin likes Tiesto (and Eminem) before games. Most shocking: David Backes has an affinity for… Matisyahu? And l’chayim to you, too, sir! [CBC]
- Caps players in jerseys, jeans and bike helmets, touring the monuments on Segways. Always, always funny (although sometimes it’s funnier than others… sorry, Green). [Bog]
- Speaking of funny… these are some amazing pics of the Caps with puppies (and props), from a photo shoot for this year’s calendar to benefit Homeward Trails. On sale December 3! [Bog]