Why Boyd?

There is a lot of knashing of teeth this morning about the selection of Boyd Gordon to take the decisive -- and ultimately unsuccessful -- Gimmick shot in last night's 6-5 loss to the Devils.

Fair question.

Viktor Kozlov and Alex Ovechkin had already tried and failed, and the Caps didn't have, say, a Sergei Fedorov available to use his vast store of experience in that situation. Alexander Semin, with his bag of stick-handling tricks, was sitting this one out, too. So...Gordon?

Well, to whom could the Caps turn in that situation?

There was Michael Nylander, who was 11-for-27 in his career in the Gimmick phase of the game, including 1-for-2 this year. But there is the fact that Nylander hasn't had a real goal of his own since the Pittsburgh game on October 16th. Then again, his was the game-winning Gimmick goal against Nashville on October 28th.

There was also the possibility of Brooks Laich, but he was 2-for-10 for his career in this thing and hadn't had a successful attempt since the 2005-2006 season (neither of his successful attempts had been on the road).

Nicklas Backstrom? The kid's been on a roll lately, and he was 1-for-3 in his career attempts.

Gordon was also 1-for-3 in his career attempts, but failed even to get a shot off as Scott Clemmensen guessed right and poke-checked the puck off of Gordon's stick before an attempt could be made.

In retrospect, we suspect Coach Boudreau was playing a hunch of sorts. But all other things considered, we just wish Matt Bradley took things into his own hands one more time.

Do Special Teams Matter?

Well, you'd think they would, just intuitively. But over our morning coffee we took a quick look at the "Index of Specialness" -- the sum of a team's power play effectiveness and that of its penalty kill, and what we found was that 15 of the top 20 teams in the index were in the top eight of their respective divisions (as of this Sunday morning):


But does it really matter any more than how a club does at even strength? Well, 13 of the top 17 clubs in 5-on-5 goals scored-to-goals allowed ratio are in the top eight of their respective conferences:

If you take a moment to combine the two (and we're really too lazy this morning to undertake anymore sophisticated that literally combining the two), then what you suspect is true...

...good teams are good teams on both special teams and at even strength. But there are interesting things to be found within. Buffalo (5th vs. 25th), Carolina (15th vs. 26th), and Calgary (12th vs. 28th) are all substantially better in the Index of Specialness than they are at 5-on-5, yet all are top-eight teams. For you Caps fans, note that the Caps are ranked high in this combined measure, but are none-too-special (18th in the IoS). Boston is first in the combined measure, but only 13th in th IoS.

The NHL is said to be a league of special teams these days? Really?

Discuss.

And now...four

Not bad, eh?

A ONE-Point Night: Devils 6 - Caps 5 (OT/SO)

Well, now we know the wisdom behind the phrase, “play for 60 minutes.”

Actually, 59:59 would do for the Caps to escape Newark with a point in the standings, as Alex Ovechkin scored a doorstep goal with one tick left in regulation to earn the Caps the point in a 6-5 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils.

This was one of those games that one might have figured the Caps were going to lose, no matter what. They fell behind early (an unlikely goal from David Clarkson at 1:09), gave up yet another first minute goal (Jamie Langenbrunner at 41 seconds of the second period) and generally looked pretty indifferent on defense most of the night. If giving up five goals can be said to be a good goaltending performance, then Jose Theodore had one. The Devils that took the ice tonight shouldn’t score more than two goals against anyone (they’d gone four in a row without doing so), but if you’re going to go out, stand around, and watch things go on around you in your own end…well, five goals happens. Theodore was especially good in the first, when the Devils had several point blank chances, as the shot chart for the period indicates…


Perhaps it was too much a case of finding the possibilities against Scott Clemmensen, returning to the nets for a second consecutive evening for the Devils, a little too mouth-watering for any attention to be paid to the other end of the ice. And a few Caps certainly had big evenings. None had a bigger one than Nicklas Backstrom (how fat is he now?). The center had his first five-point game as a Cap (he had three four-point nights in his rookie year), his 1-4-5, +3 putting him now on almost a point-a-game pace for the year (2-14-16 in 17 games). He is 2-10-12, +10 in his last four games (still think he’s fat?).

Backstrom wasn’t alone. Alex Ovechkin was 2-1-3, +3 himself. He had a whopping 20 attempted shots (12 of them on goal), three hits, and a blocked shot. His night left Ovechkin 4-6-10, +11 in his last four games (about that "slump?"...over). Add in goals by Tomas Fleischmann, who had another night of several highlight reel stickhandling moves (if he ever starts finishing these, Caps games are going to be track meets), and Viktor Kozlov, and it was a good night for the offense.

It was a night, though that had just too many breakdowns and too much passivity in their own end for the Caps. And some guys had difficult nights individually. We’re not sure what to make of Chris Clark. He came into the game without a point since the third game of the year (his only point this year) and was not on the plus side of the ledger in seven straight games. He finished this game scoreless and minus-2 (although he certainly had no hand in the Devils’ fifth goal, by Brian Gionta, but we’ll get to that).

Michael Nylander is another player who has us scratching our head. He came into this game with one point in his last seven and left this one scoreless (and minus-2 to go to -4 in his last eight games). It’s worth noting that Nylander and Clark both logged about 12 minutes tonight. For Nylander, it was his second lowest amount of ice time this season. To complete the comparison, the 12:52 was the second highest time on ice total for Clark in his last nine games.

Some other things we saw…

Mike Green had a rather quiet night, and that’s not altogether a good thing. He looked to have underestimated the speed of Patrik Elias entering the Capital zone in the final period, but even with that he seemed to have a decent angle to foul the rush by Elias. But Elias got his shot away cleanly over Jose Theodore’s glove to score the Devils’ last goal.

The home-and-home might not have been tougher on anyone than it was on the Devils’s John Madden. Last night, Madden did his defensive thing, finishing the game even and winning eight of 12 draws. He was on the ice for only one of the Caps’ three goals. Forward to tonight…Madden was on the ice for all five Washington goals, won 13 of 24 draws, and finished -3. Bet he’s feeling 35 tonight.

The best player on the ice for the Devils might have been the one that didn’t get a goal. Travis Zajac had three assists, was plus-3, and abused Michael Nylander in the faceoff circle (winning five of six on his way to splitting 22 draws).

From the “reward a player for hustle” file, Donald Brashear got 10:56 in ice time tonight, following up on the 11:17 he got last night. It’s the first time Brashear has had consecutive double-digit results in ice time since January 1-3 last season.

If you’d have told me that the Devils would get only one shot on goal from Zach Parise tonight and seven from David Clarkson, I’d have been thinking Theodore would have had a shutout. The Caps just let too many secondary contributors who hadn’t really contributed much lately for the Devils too much freedom to roam. It was, for example, the first time since the first two games of the year that Patrik Elias had goals in consecutive games (Elias had a pair in this one). Gionta had two goals total in 15 games before netting one in this one. Ditto Jamie Langenbrunner, and he hadn’t scored one in seven games.

But since losing to Buffalo, 5-0, on the first day of the month, the Caps are now 5-0-2, and this was the first of those seven games in which the Caps gave up more than two goals. As if one needed reminding, offense makes the highlights, but defense wins in the end. All-in-all, a point earned is a good thing, especially when you didn’t even have that with two seconds left. It isn’t the best way to start on a trip west, but it isn’t the worst way, either. Nice job getting the point, boys.

A TWO-point night: Caps 3 - Devils 1

Rollin’-rollin’-rollin’
Keep those two points rollin’

That’s five in a row for the good guys as the Caps defeated a gimpy but game New Jersey Devils team, 3-1 tonight at Verizon Center, or as it’s becoming known, “Bruce’s House of Horrors.” The win gave the Caps a 7-0-1 record at home (13-0-1 dating back to last season) and put them four points ahead of Carolina with a game in hand for the Southeast Division lead.

It was bobblehead night – the featured Cap being Coach Bruce Boudreau – although most of the bobbling of head was done by Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen, who saw chance after chance coming his way and skittering just past a post or just off the end of a stick in close. Clemmensen stopped 24 of 26 shots, but was more lucky than good on this night as the Caps seemed to get far more chances than usual against this team.

Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann, and Alex Ovechkin did the honors – Laich redirecting a drive by Ovechkin in an example of the goal from “Dirty Jobs” area, Fleischmann making us look good by snapping a one-timer off a feed from Viktor Kozlov (his 500th career NHL point), and Ovechkin sticking the dagger in the Devils with an empty netter.

At the other end, Jose Theodore was staking a claim to regain his number one status with a 32-save effort, the only goal he allowed coming as the result of a ghastly line change that left Patrik Elias alone without a Cap within 20 feet of him as he converted a breakaway on Theodore.

If not a dominating effort, the Caps were clearly the better team and gritted one out against the plucky, throw-sand-in-your-skates Devils. What we saw…

-- Dainius Zubrus…two shots, two faceoff wins (in 12 draws). No hits, no blocked shots, no takeaways, no shots that were missed or blocked. Mighty skimpy score sheet. Want him back, Caps fans?

-- Alex Ovechkin had a difficult night on the score sheet, despite going 1-1-2. He was originally credited with the first goal, but the scoring was changed to credit Brooks Laich. Then, he was originally credited with an assist on the Fleischmann goal, but that was changed to credit Mike Green. There was no doubt who scored the third goal.

-- Give Paul Martin credit. He was out there toughing it out for the Devils (his playing was reported to be a game-time decision as he had an injury) with two hits, two takaways, and a blocked shot in more than 22 minutes.

-- Tom Poti had a pretty quiet score sheet, himself, but he had a fine game in his own end, cleaning up a lot of loose pucks and getting the biscuit out of the zone on the penalty kill. We don’t remember him being this responsible in a lot of his other stops along the way in the NHL.

-- And it seems a contract has done John Erskine a world of good. He has ramped up his game quite a bit since inking the new deal. Tonight, he kept things simple and just kept the puck moving. And five blocked shots? He must be channeling Quintin Laing.

-- Brooks Laich had another one of those games we might call “score sheet buffet.” A goal, an assist, two hits, a takeaway, four blocked shots, and he won six of 11 draws. Fine game.

-- Alexander Semin did not appear in the third period. He is said to have a…no, not even an injury by hemisphere (lower body?...upper body?)…he’s just called “day-to-day.” Let's hope it's just "day"...as in "available tomorrow night."

-- Tomas Fleischmann is what one might refer to as a “sneaky SOB.” He had several occasions of all-but-undressing a defender with his puck-handling, leaving him with excellent chances (“that he really needs to finish” is the clause to end that thought, but tonight, saying it would be picky).

-- In the Battle of the Defensive Centers, it was John Madden with four shots, one takeaway, one blocked shot, and eight of 12 draws won; versus David Steckel with one shot, one hit, one takeaway, four blocked shots, and nine of 13 draws won. Call that one a draw (although Madden had the tougher assignment).

-- Deuces were wild for Mike Green…two assists, two shots, two shots blocked, two giveaways.

-- And here is the stat that really caught our eye…21:34. That was the ice time for Tyler Sloan, who continues to impress by doing things simply. Only Green had more ice time among the defensemen. If I was Milan Jurcina, I'd be concerned.

Good thing the Caps took the four games at home these past eight days, for now they go on the road against New Jersey to complete the home-and-home, then on to Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Minnesota.

Finally, we give up. This Pittsburgh-Washington thing has finally jumped the shark. Even on a night honoring Bruce Boudreau with his own bobblehead, you can’t escape it (if you read the fine print on the bottom of the box)...

Melrose Fired, Peerless Translates Press Release

Barry Melrose was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning today. As is the custom with such things, the Lightning released a statement about the firing and the selection of a replacement, former associate coach Rick Tocchet. Consider this translation of the highlights a public service...

“This was a tough decision to make. Barry is a good man and we have a great deal of respect for him. We wish him nothing but success."

Translation: "We'd have done this a month ago, but it would have really made Oren, Len, and me look like a bunch of boobs."

"However, the results were unacceptable and the players have to understand that we need to be better. Hopefully this change helps push them."

Translation: "Hey, we can't fire the players. We're in hock up to our eyeballs to pay these losers. We'll just cross our fingers they can win a few games by accident."

“As for Rick Tocchet, we think this is a great opportunity for him and we believe he’s the type of coach who can take the team to the next level. Our players have a great deal of respect for him.”

Translation: "Scotty Bowman wasn't available."

photo: Dirk Shadd/St. Petersburg Times

NHL, Ticketmaster partnering on ticket re-sale service

"The Official Resale Ticket Provider of the NHL" is how it is billed.

"Ticket holders seeking to sell tickets through NHL.com can do so in the dependable and convenient domain of the official ticket exchange. The ticket resale service provides fans the opportunity to find and buy tickets in a fan-friendly and secure environment. It also enables ticket buyers to electronically validate the resold tickets at the time of purchase."

"Fan-friendly"..."secure"...can I have cookies with that warm milk, too?

What's wrong with this picture?

Is it going to be the "Montreal Canadiens vs. the Western Conference All Stars?"

Just wondering...

The Bilateral Periorbital Hematoma

Dan Steinberg, in DC Sports Bog, notes that Tom Poti has one of those injuries that doesn't hide itself well, as do sprains, strains, and the like.

Black eyes.

Having the memory of suffering this malady from time to time ourselves, we thought we'd do a little research on the matter and see just what one does to treat the affliction. Poti noted that ""You've just kind of got to let it run its course. Usually it starts black, and then turns blue, and then yellowish greenish, and then it goes away." But what do the experts say?

According to the Mayo Clinic, one should take care of the injury by "using gentle pressure, apply a cold pack or a cloth filled with ice to the area around the eye. Take care not to press on the eye itself. Apply cold as soon as possible after the injury to reduce swelling, and continue using ice or cold packs for 24 to 48 hours. Be sure there's no blood within the white and colored parts of the eye."

The online site, WebMD suggests that for self-care at home...

- Ice helps to decrease swelling by constricting blood vessels, by decreasing fluid accumulation, and by cooling and numbing the area.

- Apply ice for 20 minutes an hour every hour while awake, for the first 24 hours. Ice should not be applied directly to the injury.

- To avoid potential cold injury to the site, wrap the ice in a cloth or use a commercial ice pack. A bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth makes a good ice pack.

- Protect the area from further injury. Stay away from athletic or other possibly injurious activities until after the eye has healed.

- Forget the old adage about putting a steak or a piece of raw meat on a black eye. No scientific evidence supports this claim. In addition, there is a danger in putting potentially bacteria-laden meat on a mucous membrane or an open skin injury.

Interesting...vegetables, but no meat. Wonder if brussels sprouts work better than peas and carrots.

We also came across remedies that included some truly strange applicatons...

- Using the back of a spoon to dissipate the blood (didn't say if it was a teaspoon or a tablespoon...guess that depends on the size of the bruise)

- Eating pineapple or papaya (something about an enzyme, but we're thinking this is a ruse by the tropical fruit lobby)

- Witch Hazel

- "restful sleep' (we think this was in a Tempur-Pedic mattress ad once)

- A mixture of 1 part cayenne pepper and 5 parts melted Vaseline, to be mixed and cooled, then applied once a day.

- A tea made with confrey root or buchu, in which a rag is then soaked and applied to the bruised area

Of course, if you can't get to the grocery store for frozen peas or to your neighborhood health foods store for confrey root, there's always the old school remedy...

...leeches.

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Caps vs. Devils Home-and-Home Two-fer

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!!

It’s a home and home two-fer prognosto for your hockey weekend against the New Jersey Devils. In fact, this is the first home-and-home of the fall season, and such occurrences can pose special difficulties for teams that host a team one night and who visit the same team the following night. So, with that in mind, we asked Miss Ettie Quette about the proper customs for hosting and attending hockey games with the same parties…

Miss Quette…the Caps are hosting the New Jersey Devils this evening. What is the proper attire for a Friday fete?

"Well, the traditional hockey jersey is so tired and worn for hockey games. The ‘in’ fashion this autumn for these events is something with a hint of piping on it. Perhaps piping from the shoulder to the accented waist…"

You mean, like the Reebok Edge Uniform System?

"Precisely?"

And what of refreshments? What does one serve at these parties? Wine?

"Oh, no…never wine, not for hockey celebrations. Gatorade. Or, if the host is feeling especially daring – PowerAde."

Are there any special accoutrements the smart host will pay attention to for such evenings?

"Well, you’ll want to have lots of tape on hand for sticks, to secure leggings, to wrap joints, that sort of thing."

The Caps will be hosting the event this evening. Is there anything that Coach Boudreau and the boys can do to make it a successful event?

"They should just be themselves. Alex Ovechkin is such an effervescent personality. He should be able to capture the moment and be the belle of the ball, so to speak. Alex Semin is more of that mysterious sort so many dinner guests find exotic and captivating. Matt Bradley can keep the men enthralled with talk about his taste in cars. It should be a memorable evening."

And tomorrow, the Caps will return the favor by visiting the Devils in Newark…

"...ugh…Newark"

Any advice for the boys on what they might bring for their guests as a gift?

"A bad attitude."

Thanks, Miss Quette, I’m sure that with this advice, this home-and-home is sure to be the talk of the season…

This weekend, the Caps will be taking on the only team in the NHL that has not won a game when being outshot. If that isn’t an incentive to throw pucks at the Devils’ net, then not seeing the steely stare of Martin Brodeur coming back at them is another one. Kevin Weekes is a fine journeyman goalie, but he is not Brodeur. And against the Caps, it doesn’t get any better. Weekes is 2-14-1 in 18 career appearances against Washington (3.24, .892). He is 0-6-1 in his last seven appearances against the Caps (3.44, .850).

If you’re thinking “backup” (and given the home and home, this is a possibility), Scott Clemmensen is 1-1-0, 2.28, .933 in three career appearances against the Caps. As for the comparisons between the clubs (as of games through November 12)...


New Jersey has scored a total of 37 goals this year. Of that number, Zach Parise has 11. He’s been a model of consistency in that regard, scoring goals in ten of 15 games. Here is the odd part – his goalless streaks have come in twos (Oct. 13-16 and Nov. 3-5). He did not score in his last game, against the Rangers, so if the pattern holds he’ll be shutout on Friday but score on Saturday.

While Parise’s 11-6-17 scoring line is good for a tie for tenth in the league, the Devils are struggling to find offense elsewhere on their roster. Travis Zajac (2-9-11) is tied for 86th, and after that, you’d really be in the depths of the rankings to find another Devil (OK, Patrik Elias, tied for 130th). It is a team that has scored two or fewer goals in nine of 15 games, and in their last five have scored a total of only seven goals in going 1-4-0.

The struggles for the Devils on offense extend to their special teams as well. Their rank of 29th on the power play does not come by accident. No team has had fewer man-advantage opportunities (59), and no team has fewer power play goals (seven). They will come into the first game of the home-and-home 2-for-26 on the power play (7.7 percent) in their last five games.

Just to pile on here, New Jersey has scored only 10 goals of any sort in six road games. Three of those came in a 4-3 shootout win over the Caps on October 18th when the Devils scored a pair of third period goals to take a lead they could not hold. Zach Parise is the only Devil with more than one goal on the road (four). That they have allowed only 14 goals on the road has helped them salvage a 3-2-1 road record.

At home, Jersey has at least a resemblance to a productive hockey team on offense – 27 goals in nine games, again, led by Parise (seven). What the home scoring for the Devils suggests is quite a home/road disparity. Jamie Langenbrunner has three goals at home, none on the road, as does David Clarkson (who?). Travis Zajac, Dainius Zubrus, and Jay Pandolfo have a pair at home, none on the road. But with the extra production at home, so have their goals allowed jumped – 25 in those nine games, 12 of which have been power play goals allowed.

The Peerless’ Players to Ponder

New Jersey: John Madden

Madden is not a big scorer. He has one point in his last five games. But if he doesn’t score a point, doesn’t take a shot, doesn’t set foot in the offensive zone, for that matter, he could be the most important man on the ice for the Devils in the absence of goalie Martin Brodeur. He will draw the big defensive assignments, and for a team that is at once offensively challenged, perhaps missing important defensemen (Paul Martin’s playing will be a game-time decision; Andy Greene is out), and without its hall-of-fame-in-waiting goaltender, defense will be especially important. That is Madden’s stock in trade. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, with the Alexes on one line and the Devils trying to match the Madden line with that pair, and whether the Caps will at some point split up the Alexes to see how that affects matchups.

Washington: Tomas Fleischmann

Fleischmann had a nice start to the season, going 4-2-6 in his first 11 games. But, he is scoreless in his last four and a minus-2. With so much attention being paid – and sure to be paid this weekend – to the BOSS line of Backstrom, Ovechkin and Semin, getting scoring from other places will be important. Fleischmann does not have a lot of career success against the Devils (1-0-1, -2 in nine career games), but there would be no time like the weekend to turn that around.

The Caps, if not yet quite firing on all cylinders, are starting to get the kinds of performances they need from the big players in their lineup. If they can start to get some secondary scoring from the like of a Flesichmann or a Michael Nylander, this becomes a very difficult team to beat. In that respect, they are catching the Devils at their most vulnerable – New Jersey is a pretty beat up team right now, and they will be starting a goalie in at least one of these games (Weekes) who has had little career success against the Caps. We see that as the makings of a good weekend…

Caps 4 – Devils 1 (Friday)

Caps 3 – Devils 2 (Saturday)

Geez...will they be joined at the hip until death?

...bizarre, ain't it?

Man Bites Dog!

Semin is on a pace for +93, Ovechkin for +64, and Green on a pace for +55.

We're not suggesting they'll finish there, but yeah, tell us you had THAT prediction when the season started.

A TWO-point night: Caps 5 - Hurricanes 1

And the points keep coming…

That could apply to the Caps, who have won four in a row to take sole possession of the top spot in the Southeast Division, or to the boys on the BOSS line – Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin – who combined for a 4-8-12, +12 night in thoroughly demolishing the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1.

Alexander Semin led the way with his first five point night as a Cap, as he had a hand in all of the visitors’ scoring (2-3-5). With that explosion, Semin took over the league lead in goals (13), points (27), plus-minus (+17), and is in a tie for most game-winning goals (3). After 15 games, Semin has put together quite a start. How impressive is it?...

-- Semin now has nine multi-point games. Last year, he had seven…total.

-- He has been held off the score sheet only twice in 15 games. Last year, he was scoreless in ten of the first 15 games he played.

-- Last year, after his first 15 games, he was 2-3-5, -7. He is now 13-14-27, +17.

-- He is on a pace to go 71-76-147, +93.

…yeesh.

Semin was hardly alone last night, though. His linemates – Ovechkin and Backstrom – had fine nights of their own. Ovechkin had a three-point night (1-2-3) and was plus-4, while Nicklas Backstrom had a four-point night with his first goal of the year (1-3-4) and was also plus-4.

Getting Ovechkin and Backstrom into a scoring rhythm was especially encouraging as they – with Semin – can keep teams honest in having to cheat toward their own end of the ice to defend rather than look for breakouts the other way. Almost as impressive as the scoring, none of the three were charged with a giveaway – they were smart, as well as effective, with the puck. Some other things of note…

-- Speaking of giveaways, only one skater was charged with a giveaway (John Erskine). We don’t know if that was strange scoring (Carolina was credited with 20 takeaways), but the Caps generally seemed to play a lot smarter with the puck than in some other games we’ve seen this year.

-- Let’s not forget the other plus-4 in the group. Mike Green had a fine night, too…1-1-2, plus-4, and five shots on goal.

-- Is Eric Staal now number three in the Staal Family Rankings? Missing open nets twice in an early flurry is not how the franchise center is supposed to perform. Going minus-2 and losing 11 of 15 faceoffs didn’t help the Hurricane cause, either.

-- Folks got a glimpse of what Jose Theodore can be for this team. No, not an emergency injury relief backup…a guy who can keep the Caps in games and give his team a chance to do what it can do at the other end of the ice. True, Theodore had a lead, and he didn’t have to stand on his head for the last two periods. But he was fine in relief of the injured Brent Johnson. He was solid, made the saves, and didn’t allow any cheap goals that could have let the Hurricanes back into the game.

-- We noted in the prognosto that if the Hurricane defense was fully engaged in the offense, it could be a difficult game for the Caps. Well, they had one point – Joni Pitkanen earning an assist on the Scott Walker goal. Otherwise, the Hurricane defense had eight shots (six others blocked and three misses).

-- We wonder…when Shaone Morrisonn comes back, is he going to resume his role as Mike Green’s partner? Jeff Schultz is 0-1-1, plus-6, in three games since Morrisonn went out (he was +4 last night).

-- OK, Cam Ward gave up five goals to Atlanta…Michael Leighton gave up five goals to the Caps. Who’s next for Peter Laviolette?...Daniel Manzato?

-- The Caps were 13 of 19 on draws in the offensive zone, making sure that they could keep offensive pressure on the Hurricanes (conversely, Brandon Sutter by himself was one of eight in the defensive zone for the Hurricanes). They were also 12 of 21 in the defensive zone (David Steckel took 12 of those draws, winning seven).

-- His knee might still be bothering him, but it really would be nice to get Viktor Kozlov off the schneid…he is without a point in his last five games (longer than any scoreless streak he had last year). But he might be close. Four shots last night gave him 11 in his last three games (he had only ten in seven games up to that point).

-- They say a lead-off walk in baseball always comes back to haunt you. We’re thinking the same thing about delay-of-game penalties for shooting the puck over the glass. It’s a dinky little penalty that always seems to bite the team that does it in the butt. Last night, Milan Jurcina got caught, and Scott Walker scored his goal five seconds later.

It was a fine all-around night for the Caps. While all the scoring came from the young guns (5-9-14, +16, for Semin, Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Green), the rest of the team chipped in a solid effort at keep the Hurricanes – who often pile up goals in home games against the Caps – from ever getting going.

While it’s tempting to put that 2-3-1 stretch (both wins coming in extra time) out of our minds, it should serve as a reminder that no club can just pull on their sweaters and get a win. Last night, the Caps out-skated, out-hustled, and out-talented the Hurricanes in announcing that their being at the top of the heap in the Southeast is no fluke, and it isn’t likely to end soon…so long as they put in the effort.

That will be put to the test in a home-and-home with New Jersey this weekend, and with a western road trip to follow. But for now, that was quite a game. Well done, boys.

Dealing with Attendance

If you haven't noticed, more people are showing up for Caps games. Comparing the first seven home dates of last year to the first seven home dates of this year, the Caps have seen 3,447 more people (on average) spinning the turnstiles at Verizon Center (17,684 average). That is a 24.2 percent increase over the first seven home games' average of last year (14,236).

That is a good thing, from the perspective of the Caps' bottom line and the level of crowd spirit in the arena. But, with so many new fans hitching a ride on the Caps' bandwagon, there is a certain lack of knowledge about how to behave at such events. And, being the helpful sort, your old pal Peerless has some tips for you newbies to Caps games. Herewith are our top-ten tips and things to remember for the novice hockey fan...

10. It is not funny to shout when an icing call is made, "Icing?...I didn't even know we were having cake!"

9. Interference does NOT get a 15 yard penalty in hockey.

8. Don't get into the habit of shouting "OH!" during the Star Spangled Banner. It sucks...really. And, it's more a Baltimore thing, anyway.

7. No, the little guys who play during intermission are NOT the "second team" or the "junior varsity."

6. Speaking of intermission, there are two of them. There isn't a "half time." Don't go home after the second period.

5. There is a "Horn Guy," "The Voice," and now, a "Cowbell Guy." If you have ideas about becoming your own rooting section, the positions have been taken. You're not going to improve on this.

4. Unless you bring kazoos...we love kazoos.

3. For you basketball fans new to hockey...they give TWO assists for a goal (even though a goal counts for two points in basketball...well, most of them).

2. Shootouts suck...trust me.

1. And here is your number one tip. Consider it a warning. You LEANERS out there. You know who you are...the folks sitting in the first row of the balcony who think nothing of leaning out to the edge of your seat without a thought in the world about the fact that the folks behind you now can't see half of the ice sheet?...You paid for the whole seat. USE IT!

Thank you, and happy hockey watching.

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Caps vs. Hurricanes, November 12th

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!!

It’s a marquee matchup, as Wes Johnson might say, between teams 1 and 1A in the Southeast Division as the Caps visit Raleigh, North Carolina, to take on the Hurricanes.

We were doing some research on hockey and North Carolina, and we compiled from hockeydb.com this list of players born in the Tar Heel State to suit up for a National Hockey League team…

…ok, so it’s not a long list. Perhaps it’s the lack of ice in those parts, and maybe it’s just the predilection for eating large amounts of pig. We were wondering about preparing pig in the North Carolina way and were looking for a culinary expert to give us some tips, but all we could come up with was The Swedish Chef, who we’ve learned is quite a hockey fan. We sat down with the chef (and Nicklas Backstrom, who served as interpreter) to get his take on the Caps, the Hurricanes, and tonight’s matchup…



Chef, It’s a pleasure to meet you…

“Leekooise-a I'm soore-a (Likewise, I’m sure).”

Chef, have you had a chance to watch any Caps games this year, and if you have, what has impressed you the most?

“I'fe-a seee a cuoople-a gemes, und I reelly leeke-a thees gooy reeght here-a. (I’ve seen a couple of games, and I really like [Backstrom]).”

Well, Nicklas looks like he’s about to break out; he’s put together a string of good games, even though he hasn’t shown up a lot on the score sheet. He’s had six assists in nine career games against the Hurricanes, but hasn’t netted a goal himself. Think he will tonight?

“Ooh, ebsulootely (oh, absolutely).”

Speaking of the Hurricanes, they had one taken away from them late in the game last Thursday. What’s your take on the home team?

“I lufe-a zeeur mescut (I love their mascot).”

You love their mascot?

“Yeeh, veet feeneger sooce-a und cule-a slev (yeah, with vinegar sauce and cole slaw).”

Chef, I’ve always wanted to ask you…the lyrics you used to sing in the intro to your cooking show…what do they mean?

"Yorn desh born, der ritt de gitt der gue, Orn desh, dee born desh, de umn børk! børk! børk! (five on four, and still you cannot score…why don’t you just try to SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK?)"

Really?...well there’s a scoop, I guess. Chef, the Caps are coming into this game atop the Southeast Division and…

"Surry, boot I hefe-a tu cetch a plune-a. Hur kommer jag till flygplatsen?"

Well, we’ll let Professor Backstrom take care of that…As for the game, this contest reunites the contestants of last Thursday in a game the Caps won, 3-2, in what has to be regarded as a heist that would make Willie Sutton proud. Not much has happened since then to alter our take from the game six days ago, but here are some things to think about…

Carolina is 1-1 in two games since the game on November 6th, both in Raleigh. They scored only four goals in doing so, beating Ottawa, 2-1, then losing to Atlanta, 5-2. What is odd about the results is that it was Michael Leighton posting the win in the nets and allowing only one goal to the high-powered Senators, and Cam Ward getting lit up by the Thrashers for five goals (four of them on nine shots in a brutal second period).

Eric Staal will be entering the game without a point in his last four games. His brother, Jordan, had a hat trick and four points last night against Detroit. If brotherly competition has meaning, Staal will be someone to watch.

Rod Brind’Amour is dead last in plus-minus in the NHL (-13) and is on pace to go -71.

Sergei Samsonov seems to want to keep Brind’Amour company. He’s minus-5 in his last six games and is minus-8 overall (11th worst in the league). At least Brind’Amour has 10 points. Samsonov has three.

The Caps have had 22 skaters dress this year. Of that number, 21 have points. Only Chris Bourque, who played in only one game, does not have a point.

The Peerless’ Players to Ponder

Carolina: Tim Gleason

You might think, sure, the Hurricane blueliner could get the assignment of defending when Alex Ovechkin is on the ice, and perhaps that’s true. But there is an odd statistic about Gleason that bears noting. He has six assists on the season (no goals), and five of them have come in the Hurricanes’ six home games. OK, three of them were on opening night, but still. Actually we point out Gleason to note a broader point. Carolina defensemen are 8-32-40 this year (by comparison, Caps defensemen are 9-17-26). The 5-2 loss to Atlanta ended an eight-game streak in which defensemen registered at least one point. Over that stretch, Hurricane defensemen were 6-14-20 (the Hurricanes had a total of 22 goals in those games). If the Hurricane defense is fully integrated into the offense tonight, it could make for a difficult night for the Caps.

Washington: Alex Ovechkin

OK, Ovechkin broke the nine-game streak without a goal. He still does not have a goal on the road this year. But here’s the thing – Ovechkin has had nine instances of going without a goal in four or more games in his career. Generally, he’s emerged from them with a vengeance (streaks and aftermath)…

Nov. 19-Dec. 1, 2005 (six games): three goals in three games
Jan. 26-Feb. 7, 2006 (five games): eight goals in seven games
Mar. 30-Apr. 8, 2006 (six games): four goals in four games
Dec. 29, 2006-Jan. 4, 2007 (five games): three goals in two games
Feb. 3-8, 2007 (four games): one goal in one game
Feb. 15-24, 2007 (five games): four goals in three games
Mar. 15-21, 2007 (four games): two goals in one game
Mar. 24-31, 2007 (four games): three goals in two games
Feb. 15-27, 2008 (seven games): six goals in three games

Ovechkin has 17 goals in 25 career games against Carolina, ten of them in Raleigh. As if he wouldn’t command enough attention, he now has the burden of a streak lifted and is going into a rink where he’s had a lot of success. This could be a big night.

Washington is 4-7-1 in Carolina since the lockout. They were outscored 17-8 in four games last year in Raleigh (1-3-0). The Caps can’t let the Hurricanes get off fast. That’s a recipe to get swamped in Carolina. But, given the way that Brent Johnson has played and, just as important, how his teammates have been playing in front of him, the Caps certainly have it in them to reverse that trend. If you’ve been reading this space for any length of time, you know that we think they will…

Caps 5 – Hurricanes 3

Sittin' at the end of the bar...

Did you know that...

-- This is the best Capitals record (8-4-2) after 14 games since the 1995-1996 season, when they started 9-5-0.

-- The Caps have scored 42 goals through 14 games. Last year, they did not score their 42nd goal until game 19, also against Tampa Bay. The Caps lost that one, 5-2. Olaf Kolzig lost that game, too. (edit: oops, not he didn't...Brent Johnson did).

-- The Caps have allowed 40 goals through 14 games (not including Gimmicks). Last year after 14 games?...40.

-- The 8-4-2 record puts the Caps on a pace for 47-23-12 (106 points). Think Caps fans would like that regular season result?

-- Three teams have two players ranked in the top-ten in plus-minus: Boston, Chicago, and Washington. The Caps are the only team with two Alexes in that group (Semin, ranked first, and Ovechkin, tied for sixth).

-- Speaking of Ovechkin, he is tied for eighth in hits among forwards, despite his having missed two games.

-- Mike Green is picking up where he left off. He's tied for second among defensemen in goals scored.

-- Alexander Semin has a 24.4 percent shooting percentage. Picking his spots well, or not taking enough shots? Discuss.

Veterans Day 2008

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

And with that, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first “Armistice Day.” Seven years later, Congress would adopt a resolution to direct the President to issue an annual proclamation calling upon all Americans to observe “Armistice Day” in the United States. Armistice Day would become a Federal holiday in 1938, and the name “Armisctic Day” would become “Veterans Day” in 1954.

While it has become something of a commercial event like other Federal holidays, it is an opportunity for Americans to remember the contributions that military veterans have made to ensure the blessings of liberty that Americans have enjoyed in the 89 years since Wilson’s declaration.

But in addition to remembrances of the contributions of those many veterans, it seems as worthy to remember the contributions of the families of those veterans, those mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who have sacrificed much – time spent apart from their loved ones, the burden of helping their wounded recover, and in laying to rest those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

To all of those who serve in uniform and their families, thank you.

A TWO-point night: Caps 4 - Lightning 2

I love it when a good prognostication comes together.

Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat. The Caps played about eight minutes of superior hockey tonight. The rest was, well…not. But it was good enough for a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay in Olaf Kolzig’s return to Verizon Center.

Perhaps it was the circumstances – the subplots to this game and all (Kolzig’s return, Alex Ovechkin’s goal drought, Barry Melrose behind the Lightning bench being a walking fire hazard with his mulletized look…) – and perhaps it was as Coach Bruce Boudreau alluded to after the game that it is very difficult to assemble three great periods of hockey (he suggested Melrose probably read the Lightning the riot act at the first intermission – we agree – which might have inspired the Lightning to actually look as if they cared in the second period). But for whatever reason, the Caps looked as if they could beat anyone in those eight minutes in the first period. They looked a little too ripe for the plucking in the other 52 minutes. Oh, shoot, maybe we’re just being picky.

OK, that’s out of the way. And having said that, it was a night of firsts…

-- Kolzig’s first game back in a visitors’ uniform…Steve Eminger’s too. Matt Pettinger has to wait; he was scratched for this one.

-- Eric Fehr’s first goal of the year and first hard hat for his effort.

-- Alex Ovechkin’s first goal in a month (30 days, to be precise)

-- Tom Poti’s first “goals-in-consecutive-games” streak with the Caps

-- Brent Johnson’s first “first-star-in-consecutive-games” streak with the Caps

You could say that the Caps did it with balance, and you’d be right. Eleven different players had points on the four goals, Ovechkin the only one with two, and 14 of the 18 skaters were on the plus side of the ledger (the other four being even).

But the “BOSS” line –Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Semin Score” had a good night in particular – a goal and three assists for the trio, who were also a combined plus-6 (although those five giveaways by Ovechkin get your attention, too).

We do wonder, though, at what seems almost to be the artist’s temperament of Alexander Semin. Capable of spellbinding puckhandling and a lethal shot, he’s also capable of a “whaaaaa….?” moment as when he had what looked to be a clear shot from between the top of the circles, but passed to an open wing vacated by a teammate. Good with the bad…

Eric Fehr deserved the hard hat. Yeah, he had what was credited the game winning goal, but Fehr did a lot of other things, too. A high-scoring player in junior, that part of his game hasn’t really crystallized, yet. But there he is, hustling on the forecheck, chasing down opponents, and doing a lot of the heavy puck-lugging that Viktor Kozlov might otherwise do. He had a good game.

One thing the Caps did very well tonight was to use their sticks in the passing lanes. The Lightning did not often get the chance to make cross-ice passes without a Cap stick getting in the way. Again…the little things.

And, the defense did a very good job for most of the game sweeping away rebounds and loose pucks in front of Johnson. Ok, that’s two things.

It seems rather clear to us that Vincent Lecavalier is not yet quite right. We can’t remember a game against the Caps in which he was less of a factor or more invisible.

Oh, and to those fans imploring a Cap – any Cap – to hit Martin St. Louis?...good luck. You don’t survive to be a generously listed 5’9” winger at the age of 33 in this league without having learned certain survival techniques in the land of the large.

Steven Stamkos might someday be a great player, but for the moment, he looks like a rookie. We’re reminded of the scene in the locker room in the movie, “Bull Durham,” when Crash Davis tells Nuke, “Look, Nuke--these Big League hitters are gonna light you up like a pin ball machine for awhile--don't worry about it. Be cocky and arrogant even when you're getting beat. That's the secret. You gotta play this game with fear and arrogance.”

This is a blocker. The Caps looked to be aiming over this early and often (successfully). We wonder why they more or less stopped after the first period.

Steve Eminger had just about as bad a homecoming as did Kolzig…he was on the ice for the Caps three goals in the first period.

Ryan Craig had six shots for Tampa to tie for the team lead. I swear, I don’t remember one of them.

Was that a tone-setter when Ovechkin freight-trained Vaclav Prospal less than 90 seconds in?

Donald Brashear is really showing some flash in his offensive game. The patience he displayed on setting up Tom Poti for the first goal…well, maybe he’ll be teaching Swedish before too long, too.

That’s 5-1-1 in the last five games for the Caps. But they have a hard stretch coming up – at Carolina, home and home with New Jersey, then on the road west for games at Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Minnesota. Getting six of six points in this abbreviated home stand is something to build on as they undertake the next chore. Well done, boys.

Creatures of a changing routine

Most folks are creatures of routine. Those of us who don’t pull on a sweater and earn our living on the ice usually wake up, pour a cup of coffee, read the morning paper (or Google the news), drive to the train station or the bus stop or to the office, then settle in for a day on the job.

We can’t imagine athletes are any different. In fact, athletes might be more creatures of routine than thee and me. Stories of superstitions and ritual abound in the athletic sphere, but perhaps there isn’t anything more complicated than how one arranges his locker or puts on his equipment.

There are routines fans see every night at the rink, too. It all starts with how the team makes its entrance – the starting goaltender leading his club onto the ice. For a decade in MCI, now Verizon Center, the starting goaltender for the Caps on more nights than not wore the number ’37,’ and turned left as he stepped onto the ice.

Tonight, that goaltender will wear the same number, but for another team.

And, he will turn right.

Things, they do change.

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Caps vs. Lightning, November 10th

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!!

Winding down after a thrilling 3-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday night, we were thumbing through the ol’ TV Guide to see what was on the tube on Sunday morning. We found an old episode of a show on PBS that was, well…illuminating…

GUEST: What started my player collection was this one right here.

APPRAISER: Oh...

GUEST: I found this one in Philly – Philadelphia.

APPRAISER: But this wasn’t really a purchase, was it?

GUEST: No, I traded for him – for a couple of draft picks, but then I signed him to a big contract -- $3.5 million, four years.

APPRAISER: You did WHAT?! OK, OK…what else have you brought?

GUEST: Well, I picked up this rather recent piece – only 28 years old – for seven years at $31.5 million. Think I got a good deal?

APPRAISER: Well, how has he performed?

GUEST: 51 points in his best year.

APPRAISER: And you’re paying $4.5 million a year?...Oh, yeah…you got a great deal (laughing). I see you have more…

GUEST: Now here’s a nice piece…rough around the edges, he’s been to five other cities before I gave him a $2.4 million contract.

APPRAISER: And he’s how old?

GUEST: 42

APPRAISER: --sigh-- What’s next?

GUEST: Well, this one has 524 career goals. I picked him up for just $1.25 million.

APPRAISER: And this one is how old?

GUEST: 40

APPRAISER: You've got all sorts of names represented, cities represented, and also time periods. You’ve got a Prospal, a Roberts, and a Recchi. You've got everything represented from the 1990s...

GUEST: Yes, I do.

APPRAISER: It's an absolutely..uh, interesting collection. Have you brought anything else?

GUEST: I have an old goaltender…more than 300 wins, been to a Stanley Cup final.

APPRAISER: OK, so how old is this one?

GUEST: 38, but it’s a young ’38.’

APPRAISER: Well, of course he is. And let me guess, you signed him to a great deal.

GUEST: Mm-hmm. $2.5 million.

APPRAISER: I see you have a collection of other pieces here…

GUEST: Oh, yes... a Vrbata, a Hall, and this delightful Meszaros…

APPRAISER: For how much?

GUEST: Oh… a little less than $30 million altogether.

APPRAISER: Please tell me you’re kidding…

GUEST: Well, no, I’m not…but all together, how many points do you think I’ll get with this collection?

APPRAISER: How many do you think?

GUEST: 95?... 100?... 105?

APPRAISER: More like 80.

GUEST: (exhales)

APPRAISER: There, there…you’re new at this, so don’t worry, you could get better at this.

GUEST: Thank you.

HOST: And thanks to our guest tonight on the Antiques Roadshow, Oren Koules. Join us next time, when we check in with the Detroit Red Wings and their collection of antique finery…


It’s the last game of the three-game home stand as the Caps host the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Caps have won the first two games of the home stand and remain unbeaten in regulation at home (5-0-1). The Lightning come to town on a 5-2-1 run and a 3-2-1 road record. Looking at the comparison of team statistics, there are a couple of numbers that stand out…


…first, 5-on-5 play. While the Caps started the year quite well in this area, it is Tampa Bay that looks to have the substantial edge here, which argues for the Lighting looking for a more loosely called game. But it’s hardly seemed to matter to the Caps whether they start well or not. In fact, they are doing slightly better in spotting the opponent a lead. That is not, however, a long-term formula for success.

These teams are experiencing something of a role reversal in the scoring numbers. The Lightning – long more of a run and gun sort of team with the likes of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and the departed Brad Richards – is finding a way to win through goaltending and defense. Meanwhile, the Caps – a team with more of a tradition of grit and team defense – is doing it more with finesse and top-end skill, although even here their performance has been something less than folks might have expected.

What Tampa Bay does recall from their past is balance. Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Vaclav Prospal, returning to Tampa after a stint in Philadelphia, are all in double digits in points (compare that to Washington, with one player – Alexander Semin – in double digits). Lecavalier, with 6-5-11 in 13 games, is on a pace for 69 points. That would be a lower total than any season since he had 66 points in 2003-2004. Some might see that as disappointing, untll they remember that 2003-2004 was the year the Lightning won their only Stanley Cup. Lecavalier does, however, seem to come up big against the Caps. In 52 regular season games against the Caps, he is 24-27-51. The interesting stat for him might be that he has three career shorthanded goals against Washington, although it seems unlikely he’d add to that total – he’s averaging 14 seconds of shorthanded time on ice so far.

If Lecavalier has been a thorn in the side of the Caps, St. Louis has been a pain in their butt. He’s not off to a blazing start, either (3-7-10, +1), but he usually finds a way against the Caps as well. In 44 career games, he is 17-24-41, +10, with a pair of shorthanded goals of his own. He does get some time on the PK (averaging about a minute and a half a game), so that might bear watching.

But the story at forward is all the additions. Tampa Bay loaded up on imports in the off season – Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Adam Hall, Radim Vrbata. Combined, this group is 6-9-14, -4 (Vrbata missed five games with injuries). We’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to conclude whether this is the sort of production one should expect for more than $12 million in cap hit.

The Lightning have seen fit to add a number of defensemen, too. Andrej Meszaros, Lukas Krajicek, Marek Malik, Matt Carle…oops, Steve Eminger. If you’re looking for investment opportunities, think about companies that make revolving doors. Tampa seems intent on doing what it can to keep those firms going. As a group, the defense might be maligned in some quarters, but no Lightning defenseman having played more than half of their games has a minus record. Only Paul Ranger has as bad as an “even” record.

But the story for this game will be the return of former Caps Eminger, Matt Pettinger, and Olaf Kolzig. Eminger and Pettinger have played only a total of three games between them for the Lightning as in-season pick ups. However, Kolzig was signed in the off season to a one-year deal ($2.5 million) to serve as Mike Smith’s backup and mentor. Kolzig, who seems likely to get the nod on Monday, has performed well in his own right. In three games, he is 1-1-1, 2,67, .925. His performance in each of the games he’s played – against the Rangers, Sabres, and Islanders – serves as a possible indicator of what to expect on Monday night. Against the Rangers and Sabres – two teams with a combined record of 19-8-4 – Kolzig stopped 66 of 70 shots (.943 save percentage) in posting a win and a loss. Against the Islanders, he gave up four goals on 36 shots, the last of which came in overtime after he badly misplayed the puck behind his own net.

The Peerless’ Players to Ponder

Tampa Bay: Steven Stamkos

The top overall pick of the 2008 amateur draft has found the early games of his career somewhat difficult. Stamkos is 2-2-4, -3, in 13 games. However, aside from a 2-1-3, +2 effort against Buffalo, he is 0-1-1, -5 in 12 other games. The Calder favorite is tied for 22nd among rookie scorers, but it hasn’t been a product of shyness. He is tied for the lead among rookies in shots taken (although his total of 30 would be tied for 127th in the league).

Washington: David Steckel

Steckel has seven goals in 89 career games in the NHL. Four of them have come at the expense of the Lightning in seven career games. He was 3-3-6, +3, in the last three games he played against the Lightning last year. But he’s in this as much to keep a sputtering Tampa Bay offense (2.15 goals a game) sputtering some more. As a defensive specialist, he would likely get a chance to skate against Vincent Lecavalier. Steckel could be important to stopping Lecavalier and his teammates when they have the puck, and in keeping them from getting it in the first place. Despite his considerable skills, Lecavalier is not an especially gifted faceoff man. Steckel has won 56.5 percent of his 108 draws taken.

The Caps were 6-2-0 against the Lightning last year, including 5-0-0 in their last five meetings. However, four of those wins were of the one-goal variety, so even last year, the differences between the clubs wasn’t all that stark. Tampa is, at least on paper, a better team than last year, and they have players with more than a little incentive to renew acquaintances in a special way. But the Caps appear to be emerging from the 2-3-2 funk they were in from October 18th – November 4th. And, they’re doing it with defense and goaltending (four goals allowed in the last three games). That’s a recipe for an unfriendly homecoming for Olie the Goalie…

Washington 4 – Tampa Bay 2

Quick!...Somebody call the WAAAAAAAAAA-mbulance

Oh, the injustice! One commentator's indignation over last night's events...

"The Caps were engaged from the outset, crashing both the net and the netminder with impunity..."

"It was Michael Nylander early who landed atop Lundqvist, and it was Alexander Semin later who barreled into him, an act egregious enough to prompt the goaltender to chase referee Dan Marouelli when no call was made."

"It did not help when Tom Poti scored the 2-0 goal less than a half-minute after Semin had crushed the King on his crown, sending the puck into the net after one of the pegs had come off its moorings. The decision by video review in Toronto to allow the goal to stand was as questionable as Marouelli's decision not to penalize Semin."

"It was pretty clear that a penalty should have been called. It was also pretty clear that the Caps had little regard for the Rangers' ability to deter such behavior..."

No one does "we wuz robbed" like Larry Brooks.

A TWO-point night: Caps 3 - Rangers 1

Well, well…wasn’t that a whole bucket o’ fun?

The Caps beat the Rangers on Saturday night, 3-1, before a crowd of 17,948 at Verizon Center. The game had a bit of a playoff air to it with a lot of up-and-down play, a pair of excellent goaltending performances, and the kind of ugly goals that the Caps need to see more of.

Brooks Laich got his ugly on in the first period with a strange power play goal, the puck taking more turns and more ricochet’s than you’d see in a cartoon gunfight. Alexander Semin sent a drive that Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist got a piece of. The puck sailed off the glass behind Lundqvist and bounced all the way back to bounce off the cross bar behind Lundqvist. The puck then bounded off Lundqvist’s mask where Brooks Laich swept it into the net out of mid air past the bewildered goalie. The play was reviewed to ensure that Laich did not strike the puck with a high stick, and the goal stood.

The second goal was credited to Tom Poti, but the hero of the play was Boyd Gordon. Gordon collected the puck on the left side and skated in. Dmitri Kalinin tried to angle Gordon off the puck, but the winger dipped his shoulder, got leverage, and worked his way in to Lundqvist. The puck trickled off Gordon’s stick before he could complete a deke, and it squirted to Lundqvist’s left. Tom Poti jumped in and lifted the puck past the sprawled Lundqvist, and the lead was two. This play also was reviewed to determine if the right post (away from the play) had been lifted off its peg before the puck crossed the goal line. The review confirmed the goal, and the Caps took a two-goal lead into intermission.

The Rangers made things interesting in the third as Aaron Voros scored a goal on Caps goalie Brent Johnson’s short side, the puck apparently tipped ever so slightly by Tom Poti’s stick. From there, it was a case of the Caps closing down the Rangers, making it difficult for the visitors to even exit their own zone with any comfort. As the clock was ticking down to two minutes, though, Alexander Semin had a brain cramp and took a tripping call when he got his stick into Scott Gomez’ skates. Strangely, the Rangers let almost the entire two minutes of the power play burn off before pulling Lundqvist to get a 6-on-4 advantage. By the time the Rangers went for the second extra man, the effort needed to finish off the penalty kill was not as great, and six seconds after the power play expired – with Lundqvist now on the bench – Semin redeemed himself by picking up a loose puck in the right wing faceoff circle, spinning, and firing a length-of-the-rink wrist shot into the heart of the Ranger net to complete the scoring.

Some things we saw…

This was the most complete game the Caps played since beating Vancouver in the third game of the season. In all three zones, the Caps dominated play. Especially on the forecheck, they made life difficult for the Rangers exiting their end. They did not allow Nikolai Zherdev, Markus Naslund, Scott Gomez, or Chris Drury to gather any momentum skating through the neutral zone. Rarely did the Rangers enter the Capitals’ zone under control of the puck, and once in, often found themselves chasing the puck right back out of the zone.

Hey Brandon Dubinsky…show up early for practice tomorrow. You’re doing faceoff drills. One-for-13 ain’t gonna get it done.

How good was the Caps defense? OK, here it is…Wade Redden and Ryan Callahan led the Rangers with four shots apiece. If those two are leading the team in shots in this game? I like the Caps’ chances. Nikolai Zherdev, Markus Naslund, Brandon Dubinsky, and Scott Gomez – the Rangers’ top four scorers – had a total of six shots among them. OK… now I really like the Caps’ chances.

OK, Ovechkin didn’t have a point, and he’s become so frustrated, it seems, that he’s taken to celebrating goals before they are goals…but he is this close. If not for the sterling play of Lundqvist (and if we’re picking sides for pick up hockey, I take him as my goalie), Ovechkin has at least a pair of goals (the ones he “celebrated”).

Speaking of Ovechkin, we suspect there will be a call from one brother to another…”hey, Eric…does he hit guys like that all the time?”…”yeah, Marc, he does…all the time.”

We’re starting to say this more often, but Nicklas Backstrom had his best game of the year. From controlling the puck, to finding the open man, to standing up to physical play, he had a very good game. And he almost headed in the puck on the goal scored by Laich. And there he was, in the middle of a scrum coming to the aid of Brent Johnson when the Rangers were taking some liberties. He will, however, perhaps see Lundqvist in his sleep after having three whacks at the puck with Lundqvist down and out on the doorstep with only his glove to save him.

Tomas Fleischmann isn’t going to deliver many hits or take many without giving up the puck, it seems, but he can be fairly described as “shifty.” On many an occasion this evening, he was lined up by a Ranger and managed to duck out of trouble with the puck.

Tyler Sloan had a fine game by keeping things simple. In his own zone, it was “get the puck, clear the puck.” No muss, no fuss.

Once again…no penalty killing time for Ovechkin. Is it us, or does he look fresher as a result?

As if it needs saying, Brent Johnson is in a zone. He is now fifth in goals against and tied for fifth in save percentage. Since losing in relief in the season opener in Atlanta, he’s 3-0-2, 1.75, .942. What goalie controversy?

It gets more than a little tiring hearing fans yelling at Jeff Schultz every time he gets within a stick length of someone, “hit him, Schultz!” Here’s a guy who played more than 19 minutes, recorded an assist, and blocked a couple of shots. He was on the ice for the Rangers’ power play goal, but he wasn’t in the vicinity of the play when the puck was shot. He was busy defending his man on the other side.

We heard on the radio after the game that John Erskine won the “hard hat” for this one. He deserved it. It was his best game of the year, too.

And, if Erskine gets the “hard hat,” Brooks Laich gets the “tool belt.” He has a solid game all around tonight. A goal, tied for the team lead in shots, a couple of hits in 16:30 of work.

This was a good test for the Caps, given that the Rangers – and especially Lundqvist – have played solid hockey for just about all of the early going. That they got a pair of goals by sheer will – Laich and Backstrom driving to the net on the first, Gordon bulling his way in with Poti jumping into the play on the other – is an encouraging sign. But it can’t be a one-time thing. Tampa Bay comes to town on Monday, and they are 5-2-1 after starting the year 0-2-3. And, the Capitals alumni club of Olaf Kolzig, Matt Pettinger, and Steve Eminger will be looking to take a measure of bragging rights.

But tonight, this was a game well-played against a quality opponent. Well done, boys.

Varlamov records first shutout

Simeon Varlamov returned to the Hershey Bears from the injury list in a big way last night, blanking the Albany River Rats, 3-0, for his first career shutout in the AHL. For more, check out Hershey Bears Hockey, John Walton Hockey, Derek Meluzio at Stack the Pads, the Patriot-News report on the game, and of course, the the Bears' website.

It doesn't get easier for the Bears. They're at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight and at Bridgeport tomorrow for the next two games of a five-game road swing.

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!! -- Caps vs. Rangers, November 8th

The Peerless Prognosticator is ON THE AIR!!!

It’s Hockey Night on Fun Street as the Caps entertain…host…lay out a spread of tea and cucumber sandwiches…what’s the word?...thwart?...annihilate the New York Rangers?...well, we’ll get to that. But The Peerless, being something of a political junkie, understands that in these few days since the election in the United States there are a group of people who are heartbroken, crestfallen, and just in a funk about what to do next.

No, we’re not talking about McCain/Palin supporters, we’re talking pundits! What do these folks do, now that there is no need for their pontificating, their white boards, their touch screens, and their practiced indignation? As part of our effort to care for this forgotten class, we’ve invited a few to join us for their take on the game…Chris Matthews of MSNBC’s “Hardball”…you’re an east coast guy – born in Philly and all that. You must have grown up with hockey…the Caps are at home to the Rangers tonight. Any thoughts on what the Caps need to do tonight?

“I know one thing: There are a billion Islamic people in the world today, and there will be about 2 billion by the time we're dead. They're not going to give up their religion just because the Rangers are coming to town.”

Well, the Rangers are coming to town as the top team in the East, you’d have to think they’d be the favorite in this one. Would you agree?

“I can't find a reason to be for the Rangers. I've looked, and I can't, so I'm not.”

A lot of Caps fans might agree. George Will, these are very different teams. The Rangers added by subtracting, losing Jaromir Jagr and replacing a large part of their club. The Caps played more of a “stand pat” strategy. Any thoughts on which one will work better in the end?

“A society that thinks the choice between ways of building a hockey team is just a choice between equally eligible ‘lifestyles’ turns hockey message boards into cafeterias offering junk food for the mind.”

I see your point. But I take it you’re more a hockey fan than, say, a football fan.

“Football incorporates the two worst elements of American society: violence punctuated by committee meetings.”

What about bloggers, Dr. Will…any thoughts on the emergence of bloggers in hockey coverage?

“If your job is to leaven ordinary lives with elevating spectacle, be elevating or be gone.”

We’ll try to keep that in mind. Finally, we have Keith Olbermann, the outspoken host of MSNBC’s “Countdown.” Keith, you come out of the sports journalism world, having spent some years at ESPN. Your take on the Caps so far?

“Even on the greatest teams, there's always one role player.”

OK, well let’s use your format. What are the five stories for the Caps this year…

"Well…Number five – the emergence of Alexander Semin. Number four – where’s Ovie? Number three – Is it ‘holy’ or ‘hole-y’ Jose? Number two…"

This is your “worst person in the world” segment, right?

“Right…we’ll start with who is ‘worse,’ and that honor goes to…Nikolai Zherdev, who when asked about whether he was looking forward to playing against fellow countryman Alex Ovechkin, said, “just a game…two points.” Mighty presumptuous there, aren’t you young whipper-snapper?

"And the ‘worser’ award tonight goes to Kelly Hrudey, who is the living embodiment of the thought that goaltenders are a species that has taken too many rocks to the coconut. Hrudey, nominally a hockey ‘analyst’ has gone on the record to say that ‘This year, with mostly the same players, the Washington Capitals are a bad team.’ Wonder what he thinks of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team with but two more points having played one extra game.

"Tonight, we select, as if this could be any surprise, Gary Bettman as the worst… person… in the wor-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-rld…"

Why?

“’Why?’…just how long have to been at this hockey blogging thing?”

With all apologies, Keith, the number one story is tonight's game, which pits the Rangers, who are on top in the East, against the Caps, who are at the bottom of the top eight. The thing is, the Caps have four games in hand on the Blueshirts and trail them by nine points, so perhaps the gap is not as pronounced as you’d think first off.

The Rangers come into the game with the most standings points earned in the Eastern Conference (2nd in the league to San Jose) and ranked high in most of the number categories…



New York, which struggled for years as they tried to assemble a team that had more fantasy potential than on-ice production, became a good team when they improved from the goal outward. That is reflected in the numbers, and their standing. First in goals against in the league and second in penalty killing means that they don’t beat themselves much, and that they are in just about every game they play. Compare that to Washington, which is middle of the road in both categories and pretty much middle of the road in the standings.

The Rangers haven’t abandoned entirely their tendency to add parts from the outside, but they appear to have done it more intelligently recently, and what risks they’ve taken have paid higher dividends. No one reflects the high return on risk so far better than Nikolai Zherdev. Seen as a somewhat immature, selfish, indiffferent player in his four years in Columbus, he has set aside those descriptions so far to unleash the talent that made him the fourth overall pick in the 2003 draft. Zherdev leads the Rangers in scoring (5-9-14) and is an eye-popping +11 (tops in the league) in 16 games – quite a number for one thought to have no interest in two-way play.

Markus Naslund is another player picked off the scrap heap, of sorts, who has produced early. Having seen his production decline every year in Vancouver from 104 points in 2002-2003 to 55 points last year, Naslund was allowed to walk away from the Canucks and was signed by the Rangers to a two-year, $8.0 million contract. It’s paid off for the Rangers so far, as Naslund is tied for second on the team in scoring, with a third of his 12 points on the power play.

The surprises, if there are any, are the emergence of Brandon Dubinsky and Aaron Voros. Dubinsky had a good rookie season last year, skating for large parts of the season with Jaromir Jagr. But this year, his 4-8-12 production in 16 games has him on a pace for 62 points. There seems to be some grit in his game as well, having taken 23 minutes in penalties (3rd on the club).

Speaking of grit, there is the matter of Aaron Voros. One of the free agent signings you probably didn’t pay much attention to (he played for Minnesota last year), Voros has assumed the role of a passable replacement for the departed Sean Avery. It shouldn’t be surprising. Voros had 14 fights in 55 games with the Wild last year. He has four in 16 games this year. He might have been a pest in the upper plains last year, but being one in New York gets one a reputation a lot more quickly. He caused Tampa goalie Mike Smith to go all Hextall on him this past week (drawing nine minutes in penalties from the goalie)…




Voros leads the team in penalty minutes (34), but he’s also chipped in 10 points (tied for fifth on the team).

On defense, the big addition was Wade Redden from Ottawa. Redden, whose game seemed to fall off after the departure of Zdeno Chara to Boston, has not yet recovered the level of play he displayed over the five seasons ending in 2006 (he averaged 11-33-44, +25), but he’s been a steady performer so far. He’s on a pace to go 10-20-30, +20. The other addition, if it can be called that, on the blue line is long time Sabres defenseman Dmitri Kalinin. One of those steady guys for Buffalo for years, he was limited to 46 games last year because of knee and shoulder injuries. He hasn’t had the success the other additions have had, though, as he is a team worst minus-6 in 16 games.

In the end though, the Rangers will rise or fall on the play of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. He had some questions about his knees in the off season, but hasn’t let that impair his play so far. He has a 9-3-1 record, and his 2.00 GAA and .928 save percentage put him squarely among the league leaders in those categories (fourth and tied for sixth, respectively). Lundqvist is 7-2-1 in 10 career appearances against Washington (2.51, .913), but he is 4-0-1 in his last five games against the Caps.

The Peerless Players to Ponder

New York: Chris Drury

Drury, who is not generally thought of as a top-end scorer, despite his other skills, has scored at almost a point a game pace in his career against Washington (6-14-20, -1, in 22 games). He was held without a goal in his first 11 games this season, but has five in his last five contests, including a hat trick against Tampa Bay in his last game (but you knew that if you watched the whole video clip).

Washington: Mike Green

After going 4-2-6, +5 in his first five games, Green is 0-3-3, -1 in his last seven contests. However, he’s had success against the Rangers. In seven career games against New York, Green is 2-4-6, both of his goals being game-winners. Green also managed a plus-3 in almost 28 minutes of play against Carolina in the last game, so perhaps he’s on the brink of a breakout all around.

The Rangers have been streaky this year. They opened the season with a five-game winning streak, and they’ve had a four game winning streak as well. In between, they were 1-2-1. There is a pattern here…streak, stumble (1-2-1), streak. Right now, they are on a 1-2-0 run in their last three games. If the pattern holds…

Washington 3 – New York 2 (OT)