Your savory breakfast links:
- Comparing the Caps’ recent malaise to those experienced by other slumping contenders over the years. [Rink]
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night’s overtime win from us, Vogs, Monumental video (Trotz, Alzner, Holtby, Carlson), NHL.com, AP, WaPo, CSNMA, Frankovic, FiCP, NoVa Caps, RMNB, StarsandSticks, DSP, Devils, NJ.com, NorthJersey.com and All About the Jersey,
- Congrats to Karl Alzner on appearing in his 500th career game! [Caps Outsider]
- The Caps are a mediocre team that is lucky to be atop the NHL standings. K. [Puck Daddy]
- Previews of tonight’s visit from the Blues from Vogs, Peerless, and NHL.com, and be sure to visit our SB Nation pals over at St. Louis Gametime for the other side of tonight’s matchup.
- Caps’ alum Mike Marson will be honored during tonight’s game; read more about him and the struggles he faced in the NHL of the 70s. [Rink]
- Looks like the Caps will be facing Blues goalie Jake Allen tonight. [STL Dispatch]
- Welcome back, Troy Brouwer, and thanks for everything. [NoVa Caps]
- Who’s better: Henrik Lundqvist or Braden Holtby? [The Score]
- Presidents’ Trophy scenarios, to rest or not to rest, forward line combos and more in the Friday 6-pack. [CSNMA]
- News and notes from yesterday’s pregame non-skate. [Dump ‘n Chase, Monumental video (Trotz)]
- T.J. Oshie missed practice Thursday with the flu, then sat out his first game of the season last night and may be out again tonight. [CSNMA, STL Dispatch]
- John Carlson, meanwhile, got the green light to return to the lineup… which was a pretty good thing for the Caps. [WaPo, TSS]
- The Caps have the luxury of being able to get in some rest as needed; they’re planning to use it as a weapon for good. [CSNMA]
- Wrapping up the week in power rankings. [Rink]
- Finally, happy 50th birthday to Robin Bawa.