Your savory breakfast links:
- Their even-strength performance is vastly improved over last year’s squad, but the question remains: are the Caps still too reliant on the power play? [Rink]
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night’s loss from us, Vogs, Monumental video (Trotz, Ovechkin, Backstrom, Niskanen, Holtby, highlights), NHL.com, AP, WaPo (blog, gamer), CSNW (blog, gamer), ESPN NYR Blog, NYDN, DSP, RMNB, BrooksLaichyear, Blueshirt Banter,
- Time to head home for the holidays on today’s Morning Drive. [Capitals Voice]
- Check out our recap of Road to the Winter Classic Episode 2, and marvel at the magic of John Carlson‘s socks. [Rink]
- More on the second episode of the series. [NHL.com, DC Sports Bog]
- Show creator Ross Greenburg (who spoke with our own Stephen Pepper earlier this week) has some answers for critics of Episode 1. [Puck Daddy]
- Want some bonus content? The EPIX cameras were on hand to capture Lauren Santora‘s special day with the Caps, and the results are pretty awwwwww-some. [@EpixHD]
- Winter Classic update:
- Blackhawks CEO John McDonough talks about the non-rivalry aspect of this year’s game, the plus side of being the visiting team and more. [NHL.com]
- See the rink being built in super-speedy fast forward. Who says nothing ever gets done in Washington? [Caps OT]
- More on that pretty drawing of what things could look like at Nats Park on January 1… although that snow may just be a pipe dream. [WaPo, WBJ]
- A chat with Jason Samenow, founder of the awesome Capital Weather Gang blog, provides a bit more info on just what we can expect at the game. Weather-wise, that is. [Puck Buddys]
- And more on those amazing ads adorning various Metro stations around the District. [WaPo]
- Could it be that the Winter Classic is not as shiny and wonderful as it once was? [PDL]
- Justin Peters hasn’t panned out exactly the way the Caps might have hoped; are there other backup options out there? [Stars and Sticks]
- News and notes from yesterday’s morning non-skate:
- In general. [Dump ‘n Chase, Monumental video (Trotz)]
- The Caps still have a couple of tough stops before returning “home” to host the Blackhawks on New Year’s Day. [NHL.com]
- After playing on the top line for well over a month, Tom Wilson has been stapled to the bench a couple of times in recent games because of “dying” pucks. [NBC4, CSNW]
- The Caps and Rangers have been battling it out over that third spot in the Division, which means last night’s game was a biggie. Welp. [WaPo]
- Jay Beagle: Goal-scorer. [WaPo]
- A few leftovers from Monday night’s win over the Sens. [Rink (Clyde’s pics), WaPo]
- The NHL season can be a grind even for fans – so sometimes it’s the little displays of individual brilliance, like Alex Ovechkin‘s goal over the weekend, that keep us going. [The National]
- World Juniors news and notes:
- Previewing the Czech team at the upcoming World Junior Championships, a squad that features a couple of blue-chip Caps prospects. [Buzzing the Net]
- For those not interested in the Big Two at this year’s tournament, you might want to keep an eye on some of these kids. [Toronto Sun]
- Got a case of the Mondays? The Hershey Bears-themed ‘Old Barn Hockey Show’, now in its seventh season, has the cure for what ails you. [Patriot-News]
- Ranking the League’s goal horns, 1-30. [THW]
- Merry Capsmas, everyone! [GM On a Couch]
- And a Happy Hanukkah to the many, MANY (okay not that many) members of the Tribe in and around the NHL. Love u, Mitch Korn! [Puck Daddy]