Your savory breakfast links:
- Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov arrived back in Russia and were thrust into an impromptu photo shoot. [Championat, TASS, RMNB, NoVa Caps]
- They’ll soon be joined by Andre Burakovsky, who has been added to Team Sweden’s roster and will be making his first World Championship appearance. [Caps, WaPo,
- Five ways the Caps can improve their chances of winning a Cup next season. [CBS DC]
- It would be helpful if Kuznetsov shows up next year; don’t worry, he knows. [WaPo]
- The Caps had some bad luck in the second round, but it wasn’t the only reason they eventually fell to Pittsburgh. [WNST (Frankovic), CSNMA]
- Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn… *sigh* the 2015-16 Washington Capitals. [Puck Daddy]
- Assistant Coach Todd Reirden might be getting a look as a head coach in the NHL sooner rather than later. [AP, NoVa Caps]
- Wayne Gretzky knows a thing or two about winning Cups, and he believes stars aren’t – and shouldn’t be – defined by just that anymore… but he does think Alex Ovechkin will win one. [Edmonton Journal]
- The world is still talking about Michael Jenkins‘ “spirited” report following the loss Tuesday night. Because he rocks. [WaPo, HuffPo]
- Different season, same Caps. [The Sports Quotient]
- It may feel awful right now – losing to a hated rival always does – but remember, the darkest hour is just before dawn. [NoVa Caps]
- Checking in on the farm:
- A 6-2 loss to the WBS Penguins has the Bears facing a Game 7 tomorrow night. [Patriot-News, Caps Outsider]
- Meanwhile the Stingrays rode a Vitek Vanecek shutout to a 1-0 series lead over Wheeling. [Caps Outsider]
- Waiting in the wings is a strong group of prospects – and as is Caps tradition, a lot of them are European. [HF]
- So which ones should the team get a look at next season? [TSS]
- A handful of former Caps are still kicking in the playoffs… so, who do you want to win? [Caps Outsider, Stars and Sticks]
- Looking ahead to some key dates for the Caps’ offseason. [NoVa Caps]
- Former Capital Dave Christian wants Congress to pay more attention to the growing concussion problem in the NHL. [HuffPo]
- Finally, happy 48th birthday to Steve Seftel.