Capitals Insider: January 2, 2011 - January 8, 2011
Open thread: Capitals vs. Panthers
The Washington Capitals (23-12-6) play their second of four straight games against Southeast Division opponents, hosting the Florida Panthers (18-19-2) tonight at Verizon Center. Faceoff: 7 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: 1500 AM.shsMiniCopyright {display: none; } .shsMiniCopyrightText { display: none;} var now = new Date(); var nowSecs = now.getTime(); document.write( '...
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Washington Post Sports Editors
| January 8, 2011; 5:30 PM ET |
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Florida Panthers, Lineups
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Boyd Gordon nearing return after staph infection
After missing the past nine games because of a staph infection in a toe on his right foot, Boyd Gordon was cleared to skate hard, take part in practice with his teammates and endure a lengthy bag-skate with the scratches on Saturday morning. Coach Bruce Boudreau said he expects the...
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Katie Carrera
| January 8, 2011; 1:22 PM ET |
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Boyd Gordon, Injuries
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Capitals look to set a tone early against Panthers
Washington's first meeting of the season against the Panthers came in the midst of its eight-game skid with Florida taking a rare two points away from Verizon Center in a 3-0 win on Dec. 9. That contest was the lone Florida win over the Capitals in the past seven contests...
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Katie Carrera
| January 8, 2011; 12:03 PM ET |
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Florida Panthers
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Semyon Varlamov first goaltender off the ice for Capitals
As expected, Semyon Varlamov was the first goaltender off the ice for the Capitals this morning at KCI meaning he should make his fifth straight start tonight at Verizon Center against the Florida Panthers. Some other quick notes from the morning skate: --Mathieu Perreault said on Friday that he didn't...
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Katie Carrera
| January 8, 2011; 10:58 AM ET |
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Florida Panthers
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Capitals' Marcus Johansson growing more confident
While it's uncertain how long any of the Capitals' latest line combinations will last beyond Friday's practice, Coach Bruce Boudreau commented on how the recent strong play of Marcus Johansson made him think, why not put Alex Ovechkin next to the rookie center in this round of tinkering? It won't...
By
Katie Carrera
| January 7, 2011; 2:26 PM ET |
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Alex Ovechkin, Bruce Boudreau, Marcus Johansson
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Bruce Boudreau looking to spark Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom
As is always the case with Coach Bruce Boudreau's line tinkering, we'll have to see how long any particular combination lasts -- whether a shift or a game -- but the latest tweaks are an effort to spark the Capitals' star players, particularly Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin "and...
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Katie Carrera
| January 7, 2011; 1:04 PM ET |
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Alex Ovechkin, Bruce Boudreau, Nicklas Backstrom
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Alex Ovechkin participating fully in Capitals' practice
As expected this morning, Alex Ovechkin is participating fully in practice after receiving a cortisone shot in his left arm following Tuesday's game against Tampa Bay, which prohibited him from handling the puck the past two days. There is a new look to Ovechkin today though as he is skating...
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Katie Carrera
| January 7, 2011; 11:11 AM ET |
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Alex Ovechkin, Boyd Gordon
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Reflecting on the first year of Alex Ovechkin's captaincy
A year ago Wednesday, Alex Ovechkin was named captain of the Capitals. At the time, Tarik El-Bashir wrote that it was a formality more than anything as Washington had long since been perceived as Ovechkin's team. In the year since the "C" was officially added to Ovechkin's jersey, the Capitals...
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Katie Carrera
| January 7, 2011; 9:24 AM ET |
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Alex Ovechkin
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Mike Green: 'There's a bit of hate' between Capitals, Penguins
This likely won't come as a surprise to anyone -- especially after seeing Wednesday's '24/7' finale -- but Capitals defenseman Mike Green didn't have much nice to say about the Penguins when he called into The LaVar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes on Thursday afternoon. Pointing out that a...
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Lindsay Applebaum
| January 7, 2011; 7:37 AM ET |
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Mike Green
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Capitals' prospects impress at World Junior Championships
Evgeny Kuznetsov celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against Team Finland in the quarterfinals. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press) This morning when he arrived at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Alex Ovechkin made sure he found all of his Canadian teammates so that he could raise his arm in the air and celebrate Russia's...
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Katie Carrera
| January 6, 2011; 4:01 PM ET |
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Alex Ovechkin, Cody Eakin, Evgeny Kuznetsov
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George McPhee's impression of the Winter Classic and completed '24/7' series
Now that the Winter Classic is over and HBO's "24/7" series has aired in its entirety, Capitals General Manager George McPhee shared his perspective at KCI on Thursday on both the event and documentary-style show chronicling it. As he has said since news broke that Washington and Pittsburgh would allow...
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Katie Carrera
| January 6, 2011; 2:30 PM ET |
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George McPhee, HBO 24/7, Winter Classic
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Alex Ovechkin needed cortisone shot, expected to practice Friday
Alex Ovechkin received a cortisone shot on an undisclosed area following the Capitals' 1-0 overtime loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday and has been prohibited from handling the puck for two days, which was why he wore the gold no-contact jersey in practice this morning, according to Coach Bruce Boudreau....
By
Katie Carrera
| January 6, 2011; 1:23 PM ET |
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Categories:
Alex Ovechkin, Injuries, Mathieu Perreault, Matt Hendricks
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Alex Ovechkin wearing no-contact jersey
Alex Ovechkin took the ice for practice at KCI in a gold jersey, which typically signifies no contact. He is taking part in most of the drills, sometimes mirroring the first line. I'll have an update on his status once the players are off the ice. Some other quick observations:...
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Katie Carrera
| January 6, 2011; 11:05 AM ET |
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Categories:
Alex Ovechkin, Mathieu Perreault
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Statistical analysis: Midseason Capitals awards
Half the of the 2010-11 campaign is in the books, and now it's time to give out some midseason awards: *The Langway "Undersecretary of Defense" Trophy *The Kolzig Award *The Hunter Trophy *The Bonzai The Langway "Undersecretary of Defense" Trophy This trophy is awarded to the Capitals' best overall defenseman....
By
Neil Greenberg
| January 6, 2011; 9:39 AM ET |
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Categories:
John Carlson, Semyon Varlamov, Statistical analysis
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Recapping HBO's '24/7' finale: Capitals, Penguins face off in Winter Classic
If there was any question about the mutual dislike between the Capitals and Penguins, viewers of the final episode of HBO's "24/7" series got another front-row seat to the animosity between the two clubs. While the Winter Classic's postponement and ultimate outcome were already known prior to the finale, another...
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Katie Carrera
| January 6, 2011; 7:34 AM ET |
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Morning Roundup
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Video: HBO Sports president on '24/7' series
Ross Greenburg, the president of HBO Sports, was a guest on Washington Post Live tonight to discuss the "24/7" series, which is centered on the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins leading up to the NHL Winter Classic. The ins and outs of hockey "really didn't have a place -- yet...
By
Washington Post Sports Editors
| January 5, 2011; 7:58 PM ET |
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HBO 24/7, Winter Classic
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Capitals defensemen John Carlson, Karl Alzner earning more responsibility
Over the past three games, the defensive pairing of John Carlson and Karl Alzner has skated against the three different opponents' top lines -- combinations that have included Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Michael Cammalleri. In those three contests, Washington's young defense tandem hasn't been...
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Katie Carrera
| January 5, 2011; 1:28 PM ET |
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Categories:
John Carlson, Karl Alzner
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Capitals' scoring slump has Coach Bruce Boudreau looking for answers
The Capitals took today off, but Coach Bruce Boudreau is in his office at Kettler Capitals Iceplex dissecting game film trying to see what might help his team score more goals. Over the past nine games, which dates back to Dec. 15 against Anaheim, Washington has scored just 22 goals...
By
Katie Carrera
| January 5, 2011; 12:08 PM ET |
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Categories:
Bruce Boudreau, Penalty kill, Power play, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Ted Leonsis: HBO's '24/7' on Capitals, Penguins is 'landmark television'
If somehow you managed to miss the news that the final episode of HBO's "24/7" series, about the Capitals and Penguins leading up to the Winter Classic, will air tonight, consider this a friendly reminder. The fourth installment will premiere at 10 p.m. on HBO and be replayed immediately at...
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Katie Carrera
| January 5, 2011; 11:14 AM ET |
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HBO 24/7, Ted Leonsis
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Matt Hendricks on Winter Classic, HBO's '24/7'
[Video] Matt Hendricks was on Washington Post Live yesterday before the Caps' game against Tampa Bay. He talked about what it was like playing in the Winter Classic and how he kind of misses the HBO cameras poking around the locker room. Your Browser DoesNot Support IFrames....
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Washington Post Sports
| January 5, 2011; 10:30 AM ET |
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Matt Hendricks, Winter Classic
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Capitals get another crack at Tampa Bay in short time
The Washington Capitals invested plenty both emotionally and physically in last night's game against Tampa Bay, and although they lost in overtime, 1-0, a handful of players took some solace knowing the team played well defensively and gets another crack at the Lightning soon. After coming out a bit flat...
By
Gene Wang
| January 5, 2011; 7:58 AM ET |
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Matt Hendricks, Morning Roundup, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Capitals fall, 1-0, in overtime to Lightning
After two meetings with offensive fireworks, one might not have expected the low-scoring, goaltending duel that the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning played on Tuesday night. But with an advantage in the Southeast Division standings at stake, intensity remained high until Martin St. Louis scored in overtime to give...
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Katie Carrera
| January 5, 2011; 12:00 AM ET |
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Semyon Varlamov, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Open thread: Capitals vs. Lightning
The Washington Capitals (23-12-5) are hoping some of the momentum from a Winter Classic victory carries over tonight against Steven Stamkos and the surging Tampa Bay Lightning (23-11-5). Tampa Bay has been bulking up for what could be its first playoff appearance since 2006-07, trading for veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson...
By
Lindsay Applebaum
| January 4, 2011; 5:30 PM ET |
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Categories:
Lineups, Tampa Bay Lightning
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NHL won't discipline David Steckel for collision with Sidney Crosby in Winter Classic
David Steckel and Sidney Crosby wait for the puck to drop in the first period. Crosby took issue with Steckel's collision with him late in the second period. (Toni Sandys/Washington Post) The NHL has ruled David Steckel's collision Saturday with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby incidental contact, reports ESPN's Pierre...
By
Lindsay Applebaum
| January 4, 2011; 2:57 PM ET |
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David Steckel, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winter Classic
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Capitals know Steven Stamkos, Lightning won't make it easy
(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Tonight's game will lack the pageantry and national intrigue of the Winter Classic, but when the Caps face the Lightning at Verizon Center, there will still be plenty at stake. The Caps and Lightning enter tonight tied atop the Southeast Division with 51 points -- though...
By
Greg Schimmel
| January 4, 2011; 1:23 PM ET |
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Tampa Bay Lightning
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Capitals' Eric Fehr hopes Winter Classic success jumpstarts his scoring
(By Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) Eric Fehr stole the headlines when he scored twice to help the Capitals beat the Penguins in the Winter Classic on Saturday, but the enigmatic forward acknowledged Tuesday he needs more than one big game to turn his season around, regardless of the...
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Greg Schimmel
| January 4, 2011; 12:26 PM ET |
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Eric Fehr, Winter Classic
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Semyon Varlamov likely to start for Capitals vs. Lightning
Tom Poti participated in the Capitals' optional skate Tuesday morning and said he hopes to play tonight against Tampa Bay. The veteran defenseman missed the Caps' previous three games after he suffered a concussion against Pittsburgh on Dec. 23. "I'm feeling OK," Poti said. "Hopefully I can play tonight." John...
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Greg Schimmel
| January 4, 2011; 11:29 AM ET |
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Categories:
Michal Neuvirth, Semyon Varlamov, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tom Poti
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HBO shoots -- and scores -- with '24/7' series
The final installment of HBO's examination of the rivalry between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday. The series didn't give away much about the game we didn't already know, writes columnist Tracee Hamilton, but it did produce compelling television that was a win for everyone...
By
Lindsay Applebaum
| January 4, 2011; 10:12 AM ET |
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HBO 24/7
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Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau on John Carlson for Calder Trophy, HBO and the Winter Classic
John Carlson and Karl Alzner have been successful shutting down some of the Capitals' toughest opponents, most recently Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-1 Winter Classic victory. In an interview on NHL Live Monday, Coach Bruce Boudreau raved about the young defensive pair. "We had them playing...
By
Lindsay Applebaum
| January 4, 2011; 7:39 AM ET |
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Bruce Boudreau, HBO 24/7, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Winter Classic
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As Winter Classic rush wears off, Capitals turn focus to reclaiming Southeast Division
Party's over. The Winter Classic was an uplifting game for the Capitals, but now we're getting into "the guts of the season," as winger Mike Knuble put it Monday at practice. Forty down, 42 to go. Washington must now focus on its game Tuesday against the Southeast Division's Tampa Bay...
By
Lindsay Applebaum
| January 3, 2011; 3:33 PM ET |
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Tampa Bay Lightning
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Final Winter Classic thoughts from Capitals
The Washington Capitals wrapped up their first practice since beating Pittsburgh, 3-1, in Saturday night's much-hyped Winter Classic, and the mood in the locker room at KCI was as much relief as exultation. "The win is nice," center Brooks Laich said. "If you lose that hockey game, you don't ever...
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Gene Wang
| January 3, 2011; 1:58 PM ET |
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Brooks Laich, Winter Classic
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Michal Neuvirth struck in face during practice
UPDATED Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth apparently got hit in the face with a stick during the early portion of pratice this morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, forcing him from the ice and to the locker room for further assessment. Neuvirth appeared more than a little annoyed as he took off...
By
Gene Wang
| January 3, 2011; 10:21 AM ET |
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Michal Neuvirth
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Capitals are on an upswing, but Alex Ovechkin's slump is still a reality
(By Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) The Washington Capitals won the Winter Classic at Heinz Field and have gone 4-0-1 in their last five games. Captain Alex Ovechkin, of course, is part of his team's success, but on a personal level, he's underachieved this season. Ovechkin is being smothered...
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Washington Post Sports Editors
| January 3, 2011; 9:53 AM ET |
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Alex Ovechkin, Winter Classic
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Capitals-Penguins Winter Classic scores big in NBC ratings
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby under the bright lights of Heinz Field on prime-time TV = success. From Puck the Media: According to TV By The Numbers, the Winter Classic won the night in the coveted 18-49 demo with 4.56 million total viewers. CBS and Fox had more viewers,...
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Washington Post Sports Editors
| January 3, 2011; 7:33 AM ET |
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Winter Classic
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Winter Classic adds new chapter to Capitals-Penguins rivalry
(By Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post) There were a lot of unusual elements to this latest contest between the Capitals and Penguins--- the Winter Classic hoopla, the rain, the outdoor ice rink and so on -- but one thing that remained unfettered in light of the special circumstances was these...
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Katie Carrera
| January 2, 2011; 2:36 PM ET |
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Pittsburgh Penguins, Winter Classic
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Winter Classic video: Capitals fans relish tailgating in Pittsburgh
Before the Capitals' 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night, fans were out in full force outside Heinz Field. And rain or shine, they all seemed to be having a pretty good time before the Winter Classic kicked off. Check out the video below: (Video by Evelio Contreras/The...
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Washington Post Sports Editors
| January 2, 2011; 12:54 PM ET |
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Winter Classic
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Winter Classic: Rain creates a showcase on slush
(By Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) For the Capitals and Penguins, one of the toughest parts of a Winter Classic that began with the thermometer showing almost 52 degrees and got a heavy dose of rain in the third period was adjusting to the ever-changing conditions. Capitals General Manager...
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Washington Post Sports Editors
| January 2, 2011; 10:49 AM ET |
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Winter Classic
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Winter Classic: Eric Fehr steps up for Capitals
(By Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post) Eric Fehr hasn't had the easiest 2010-11 season. He's struggled to score and been a healthy scratch four times, including two out of the four games leading up to the Winter Classic. But on the outdoor rink at Heinz Field, in the rain,...
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Katie Carrera
| January 2, 2011; 8:55 AM ET |
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Eric Fehr, Winter Classic
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Semyon Varlamov shines in the Winter Classic
If there were any players who might have been the most impacted by the continually deteriorating weather conditions at Heinz Field for the NHL's Winter Classic, it was the two goaltenders. While Marc-Andre Fleury seemed to slide out of the net when making saves throughout the contest, Semyon Varlamov didn't...
By
Katie Carrera
| January 2, 2011; 1:01 AM ET |
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Semyon Varlamov, Winter Classic
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David Steckel says collision with Sidney Crosby in Winter Classic was unintentional
The above video shows the end of the second period, when David Steckel turned up ice and collided with Sidney Crosby, which sent the Pittsburgh captain tumbling to the ground. No one was quite sure what happened on the play at the time, but upon looking at a review,...
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Katie Carrera
| January 2, 2011; 12:40 AM ET |
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David Steckel, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winter Classic
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