Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight’s home opener against the Calgary Flames from Vogs, NHL.com and Peerless, and be sure to check out our SB Nation pals over at Matchsticks and Gasoline for the other side of tonight’s match-up.
- Tuesday night saw a trio of young Caps make their NHL debuts; now it’s Sean Monahan‘s turn, as Calgary’s 6th overall pick this past summer is set to kick off his season tonight. [Flames, Calgary Herald]
- A few leftover notes from Tuesday’s loss in Chicago:
- Some general observations and thoughts about the game. [Dump ‘n Chase, WaPo, WashTimes, CSNW, WNST, Globe and Mail, Grantland (and more from DGB)]
- Down by one with just a few minutes remaining Tuesday night, the Caps drew – and squandered – a five-on-three power play. Reason for concern? We hash it out. [Rink]
- Should that five-on-three have actually been a six-on-three? [Stars and Sticks]
- Mikhail Grabovski’s Caps debut was one for the history books as Grabo became the first Cap to ever score a hat trick on opening night. [WaPo, BHS]
- Connor Carrick‘s NHL debut didn’t go quite as smoothly… but mistakes aside, he got to play his first NHL game in front of friends and family. Which is awesome. [CSNW]
- Chicago’s dramatic Cup banner ceremony should serve as motivation for the Caps to have one just like it. One would imagine such motivation is unnecessary, but… yes, please. [WashTimes]
- An average of 935,000 people tuned in to watch Tuesday’s game, setting a cable record for season openers. And an average of 935,000 people got quite a treat. [Awful Announcing, PHT]
- News and notes from yesterday:
- In general. [Monumental video (Oates, Green, Brouwer, Rinkside Update/Erskine), Capitals Report]
- More on Eric Fehr and Adam Oates’s decision to move him to center. [NHL.com]
- Not everyone is thrilled with Oates’s choices so far – like for example, Martin Erat, who admits to being frustrated by his limited role. After one game. K. [WaPo, CSNW, PHT]
- Realignment has brought the Caps new, more difficult division rivals – and they’re ready to face the challenge. [WaPo]
- Set aside some time – like, a lot of it – to read Vogs’ feature on the Caps’ core gearing up for another run. [Dump ‘n Chase]
- Previews! Predictions! Previews and predictions!!
- A thinking fan’s guide to the NHL season. Or at least a guide filled with statistics and stuff. [Deadspin]
- Breaking down the Metropolitan Division from a couple of new division rivals. [Pensblog, Shutdown Line]
- Previewing the Hershey Bears’ 2013-14 season, which kicks off Saturday against visiting Adirondack:
- Under the guidance of Mike Haviland, the Hershey Bears are ready to start a new era. [Patriot-News]
- The AHL is undergoing the same change as the NHL, where youth is served and first-year prospects make up a good chunk of each roster. [Patriot-News]
- The second Hershey Hall of Fame class has been unveiled, including alums Tim Tookey and the late Arnie Kullman. [Patriot-News]
- Four years ago the Bears began a journey that would end with a Calder Cup championship. So where are they now? (Hint: some of them are now wearing red.) [Patriot-News]
- Statistical analysis says that Flyers‘ center Sean Couturier is kind of a big deal… and so is Mikhail Grabovski. [Flyers Faithful]
- Speaking of Grabovski – he’s pretty good, no? Quick, everyone, repeat after me: it’s only one game. It’s only one game. It’s only one game. [NHL.com, Caps Outsider]
- Very cool video of Alex Ovechkin‘s journey to Greece, including footage of a very excited Ovi preparing for and running in the torch relay. [Monumental video]
- If you’re heading to Verizon Center for tonight’s game, be sure to check out the torch and the stylish (and very colorful) relay outfit from Ovi’s run, both of which will be on display. [Caps]
- According to Troy Brouwer, the entire Caps’ team is invited to Ovi’s wedding next summer. Wonder if the invitations will extend to those who write about the team, as well…hint hint. [Alex Ovetjkin, RMNB]
- Go behind the scenes as the Caps film the new opening video, with lights and cameras and Brooks Laich acting like a diva, obviously. [Monumental video]
- If you’ve ever had to decide between watching a Caps game and getting in your exercise, you’re in luck – now you can combine the two! [Capitals Hill]
- Breaking news: Mike Green has tattoos. Lots and lots of tattoos. Film at elev-…actually no film, the picture will suffice. There are a lot of them. Journalism!!1 (We kid, Dan, we kid.) [Bog]
- Finally, happy 41st birthday to Michael “Circles” Nylander.
USA TODAY Sports