Your savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night’s win from us (with quotes and the night in GIFs), Vogs, Monumental video (Oates, Backstrom, Urbom, Wilson, Holtby), NHL.com, AP, WaPo, WashTimes (McNally!) CSNW, Frankovic, Rock the Red, RMNB, and from the New York state of mind, the NY Post, Islanders Point Blank and Lighthouse Hockey.
- There was a big milestone in this one, as Tom Wilson picked up his long-awaited first NHL point – and then his first NHL goal… [Rink, RMNB]
- …and was therefore entitled to the rite of passage that many before have experienced: an Alex Ovechkin shaving cream pie right in the face. Not the eyes, Ovi!! [Monumental video, CSNW, NBC4]
- It may have been laughter and shaving cream in one locker room, but things weren’t quite as jolly in the other. [PHT]
- And per Elias: “Nicklas Backstrom assisted on three of the Capitals‘ four power play goals in their 6-2 win over the Islanders. It was the second time this season that an NHL player recorded three power play assists in one game; Daniel Alfredsson did so in the Red Wings‘ 5-2 win over the Flyers on October 12. This was the third time that Backstrom racked up three power play assists in one game in his NHL career. The only other NHL player with three such games since Backstrom entered the league in October 2007 is defenseman Kimmo Timonen.”
- Your Capitals Minute for today. [Capitals Voice]
- Brendan Shanahan admits that he hated Ray Emery‘s actions Friday night… and that he’s powerless to do anything about it. For now. You’re up, GMs. [ESPN, CBS Sports, Philly.com, PHT]
- One possible solution would be an automatic suspension for goalies leaving the zone to fight – Justin Bourne weighs in on the idea. [BHS]
- Breaking down the end of the Caps’ penalty-killing streak, which came to an end late in Saturday’s win over Florida. [Rink]
- A mere bump in the road, that – the Caps’ special teams have been mighty special overall. [RMNB]
- News and notes from pre-game:
- In general. [Monumental video (Oates, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Rinkside Update/Chimera)]
- He’s baaaaack… [WaPo, CSNW, AP]
- …and for the first time since last March, he’s got a new linemate – Martin Erat. [CSNW]
- Mike Green has picked up his fair share of assists, but as he waits on that first goal he’s choosing to stay patient. [CSNW]
- Wilson’s future is not on the fourth line. Of course it’s not – it’s on the Caps’ power play unit at the end of lopsided games, obviously. [RMNB]
- His tenure in DC was brief, encompassing only 20 games (regular season and playoffs), but Jason Arnott had a big impact on the Caps during his time here. Best of luck in retirement, sir. [NHLPA, Puck Daddy]
- Caps fans are a diverse group of special pandas, but can be broken down into 12 types – what kind are you? [Capitals Hill]
- Joel Ward spills the beans to the Junkies about his rookie dinner, which ended with an $8000 check at the end of the night. Ouch. [106.7 the Fan]
- Movember rolls on in all its hairy grandeur, and the hairiest of them all is Karl Alzner. How does his ‘stache stack up against other famous facial hair throughout history? [Caps Outsider]
- Speaking of hairy grandeur, those lucky enough to attend last night’s game went home with a Troy Brouwer bobblehead… avec mustache. [Caps Outsider, RMNB]
- Finally, happy 35th birthday to Keith Aucoin, happy 56th to Rollie Boutin and Nelson Burton and happy 55th to Paul MacKinnon.