Tonight's Lineup

Go Caps Go

Theodore is coming up big.

Good period. Hope Theo continues like this, he seems confident.

Update on Daren Machesney playing for Team Canada in the Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland (though they spelled his first name wrong!):

"Darren Machesney solid in goal as Canada beats Karlovy Vary 3-1"

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2008/12/26/7856796-cp.html

Also, I thought that was a pretty solid period of play by the Caps. Theo looked good.

Another dominant period and nothing to show for it, always scary. GO CAPS!

For anyone thinking about making the trip to Hershey Saturday night, Tim Leone (Harrisburg Patriot-News) is reporting that Michal Neuvirth will be in goal:

"Goalies Michal Neuvirth and Bobby Goepfert, both recalled from South Carolina (ECHL), practiced Friday afternoon with the Hershey Bears at Hersheypark Arena. Bears head coach Bob Woods said Neuvirth is scheduled to start and make his AHL debut Saturday night when Binghamton visits Giant Center.

Washington reassigned Andrew Gordon to Hershey. Gordon, who practiced with the Caps Friday morning, sat out Hershey's practice due to illness.

Dean Arsene, delayed by weather-related travel issues from British Columbia, where he spent Christmas break, arrived on the ice as practice was breaking up. Woods said he believes Kip Brennan's immigration paperwork issues have been cleared up and he'll be available to play this weekend."

For the luv of Pete, why didn't Nylander take that open shot?

getting more and more pissed about the ice... it's so terrible! Puck is crazy-bouncing on every pass. Shameful.

KOZZIE!!!

yes, kozlov

FINALLY KOZLOV!!!!

not so fast Mr Beninati, Clark didn't seem to be in the crease for that one... was he?

In any case I'm happy Clark was there.

i don't think it's really stretching to say backs is one of the best passers in the league already

I agree. Backstrom is one of the best passers and an excellent stickhandler.

What's he gonna be like when he gets some experience?

Joe B

Ok they show the voided goal again... I'm confused... Clark really looked outside the blue...

The rule says:

Goaltender interference is a penalty and offensive in ice hockey whereby a player is found in the goal crease when a goalie is establishing their position in the same area.

It's borderline, they should have at least watch it again... am I wrong?

I think Nyls deserves a goal tonight. IMO, he's been flying all over the ice-making passes, shooting. I really like what I'm seeing from him, so far.

Kozlov has been producing points like crazy as of late; not Ovi crazy, but he's been producing more than usual, for him.

WOOOOT!

YEAH BABY!

somebody is playing number 1 goaltender.....????

crap!

Hello Mr. Vanek, have you met Mr. Ovechkin?

well that penalty on OVI was totally BS...

So glad I never completely gave up Theodore. Right now, he's been solid. Hopefully it continues!

OH MY GOD!!!!! OVI!

WHAT A GOAL!!!!! OVIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

OV: My gawd that waz sick!!!!!!!

Well I guess you KNOW HIM KNOW BEE ATCH!!!!

oops, had a few. KNOW sometimes = NOW

that was incredible

Let's go Caps!

ATL leads CAR, 3-2 (End 2nd)
TB leads FLA, 3-1 (End 2nd)

wow... all you can say is wow...

As they say... LOL WHUT!!!!

how do you all think Clarkie has faired in his first game back since coming out from injury? I think he's done fairly well.

This team is on a mission. Goldtending is the only question.

this sucks so much

weak goal. come on Caps!

If Giroux and Fehr dont start cashing in on their point blank opportunities .... they are going to miss something special

Love this late Christmas gift!

I am getting too used to this winning stuff!!!!

solid win, good game by Theo

Well done boys!

Theo has been really good, and the team seems to have played for it. You can't really blame him for any of the two goals. Overall it was a great game :D OVI for MVP. I still stand that his first goal was valid :D

Right on all. JT played solid. Hope this boosts his confidence and he goes on a tear. Great win.

theo looked good - 5 periods in a row and no bad goals. BB will stick with him vs. TOR even if johnson is better.

What game. Starts out to be a fairly sound game- very defensive. Then comes the thrid period, and it becomes wide open. Even though the puck got past him, twice, I thought Theodore was solid. Hope he keeps building off this.

The defense played very well tonight. Very impressed with Collins the most. He looked comfortable, and he was shooting on all cylinders tonight.

elicea,

I agree, Collins was solid. Like I said, I think Collins and Alzner gained a spot on the team. Up to the other guys gained it back, now they're the back-up.

(although Alzner was partly responsible for the first goal)

SOLID theodore SOLID...done.

mauree

Agree.

IMO, Collins took the spot Sloan used to occupy.

A 10 pt. lead in the SE is possible tonight:

ATL leads CAR, 4-3 (9:26 3rd)
TB leads FLA, 3-1 (8:50 3rd)

Thank GOD for Carolina....they WILL NOT LET US REST!!!

At least Tampa won in OT.

The energy in the building tonight was tremendous. Unlike in years past, there weren't very many tickets available to Buffalo fans and we didn't have to put up with "let's go Buffalo".

great game. buffalo looked good, always well coached. Lalime was appreciative of the start and showed it.
That makes the victory all the sweeter. Backstroms pass to kozlov was ridiculous; he slows things down like the matrix. Helmer had a good night. His pass up to Ovechkin was great; fast, and unexpected. Kozlov has been shooting harder, finally. Alzner had some mistakes, like on that sabre goal, but rookies mess up. it's ok. Sloan had some rough patches too, but the team is able to bail them out. good signs.
Theo looked strong and it's about time.
Ovechkin: nothing like him, ever. I can't wait to see the future draftpicks that grow up emulating this guy. Caps fans are the luckiest in the league!