Your savory breakfast links:
- Atypical optimism and typical paranoia abound as the Japers’ Rink crew weighs in on the Caps at (or around) the halfway point. [Rink]
- Previews of tonight’s battle in Dallas from Vogs, NHL.com, the Caps (game notes), AP, Peerless and the Dallas Morning News, and be sure to check out our SB Nation pals over at Defending Big D for the other side of tonight’s matchup.
- It’s been a month and a half, but Justin Peters has waited patiently for his turn in net – and now it’s here. [Pressbox DC]
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night’s loss from us, Vogs, Monumental video (Trotz, Niskanen, Laich, Johansson, Holtby), NHL.com, WaPo (gamer, blog), CSNW, AP, Puck Daddy, Tennessean, Sports Network, Peerless, DSP (recap, three stars), RMNB, and On the Forecheck.
- More on Trotz’s homecoming to Nashville, including many stories from his colorful past (and check out the video tribute the team showed during the game). [WaPo, Puck Daddy (and again), Tennessean, NHL.com, CSNW (and again), ESPN]
- Of course, everyone’s glad that he didn’t get confused and end up behind the wrong bench. [Rink (Backwards Slapshot)]
- The Caps have a handful of prospects representing the organization on the latest ranking of the top 50 drafted prospects. [ESPN ($)]
- News and notes from yesterday’s pregame skate:
- In general. [Dump ‘n Chase, Monumental video (Trotz, Chimera, Rinkside Update/Orpik)]
- Questions asked, questions answered. [On the Forecheck]
- Matt Niskanen may not be the flashiest of the Caps’ defensemen, but he gets the job done. Almost always. [WaPo]
- After fracturing his shoulder blade while playing for the Bears, Nate Schmidt faces a long recovery – but he’s doing so with optimism, and probably a big ol’ smile on his face. [WaPo]
- As the Caps continue to climb the standings, Tom Wilson is feeling less and less inclined to fight. For which we’re all grateful. [WaPo]
- Joel Ward talks about his coach, his future, being the “Big Cheese” and why it has nothing to do with flatulence. [Puck Daddy]
- Hey, so apparently the Caps traded some guy named Filip Forsberg (?) to Nashville. Anyway, it seems to be working out okay for the Predators, so that’s nice. [WaPo]
- The East is starting to even things out with the West in terms of power, and the Caps are starting to move up the ranks of the Super 16. [NHL.com]
- Are the Caps as good as they look? [CSNW]
- If they are, it’s because of Barry Trotz, who is generating some buzz as a contender for the Jack Adams Trophy. [ESPN ($), Sportsnet]
- An open letter to CSN about Courtney Laughlin and increasing her role at the network. [Caps Outsider]
- Ranking the Metropolitan’s top four teams, one to four… [The Score]
- …and ranking the DC pro sports teams, five to one. [Mister Irrelevant]
- Taking a look back at some trades that the Caps shouldn’t have made – bet you can’t guess! [Stars and Sticks]