Your savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night’s loss from us, Monumental video (Oates, Laich, Ovechkin, Oleksy)], NHL.com, AP, WaPo, Peerless, F Street Faithful, RMNB, DSP (quick take, gamer), and from deep in the heart of Texas, Defending Big D.
- The Caps had hoped that taking an early lead would allow them to roll four lines and get a bit more balance. Well, it was a nice thought. [Dump ‘n Chase]
- They had a chance to take the lead a second time but had it negated when the refs ruled incidental contact with the goalie – aka a Nicklas Backstrom crosscheck to his head. [WaPo, RMNB]
- News and notes from game day:
- In general. [Monumental video (Oates, Ovechkin, Laich, Rinkside Update/Carlson)]
- Braden Holtby has Adam Oates‘s trust – and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Holtby. [CSNW]
- It’s official, Jack Hillen is out for 4-6 months after having successful surgery to repair a fractured tibial plateau. Related… ow ow ow. [WaPo, CSNW]
- Catching up with former Caps’ prospect Cody Eakin, who seems to be settling into Dallas quite nicely. [WaPo]
- Of course, the biggest story prior to yesterday’s game was the epic saga of Joel Ward vs. the bathroom stall. Final score: Ward 1, stall 0. [Rink, NHL.com, WaPo, Sporting News, Puck Daddy, Defending Big D, RMNB]
- The Caps are currently a bit bottom-heavy at forward and desperately in need of some defensive help. Seems like there’s a way to alleviate both issues… [Stars and Sticks]
- Fantasy news and notes, including more drooling over Mikhail Grabovski because that’s really all there is to do. [Yahoo]
- Power rankings! Which, unsurprisingly, were completed before last night’s loss. [CSNNE]
- Meanwhile, down on the farm (teams):
- The 2013-14 journey for the Bears has officially begun, and they’re ready for a comeback season. [SHOE, Capitals Outsider, THW]
- Unfortunately that journey began with a bit of a stumble, as the Bears erased a two-goal deficit (and scored two shorthanded goals) only to fall to Adirondack in overtime. [Patriot-News, THW]
- Get to know your 2013-14 Bears by position. [Patriot-News (forwards, defensemen, goalies)]
- New captain Dane Byers was honored to be chosen as the Bears’ new captain. [Patriot-News]
- With Hershey’s season underway, it’s time for the reining Kelly Cup champs up in Reading to begin defending their title. [Royals, Reading Eagle]
- And in prospect news,, Andre Burakovsky was named the first star in the Erie Otters home opener, picking up five points (a goal and four assists) in Erie’s 8-4 win. [OHL, GoErie.com]
- Finally, happy 23rd birthday to Marcus Johansson.