Tonight's lineup: Caps at Panthers

Ha ha! I called it on Neuvy. I bet he is good tonight. I hope that Ovi finds his old self.

The Florida broadcast had the 4th line of the Caps as:

Morrissonn - Fehr - Morrison

It's a good thing you updated the line-ups, because as soon as I saw what they were reporting, I lost it.

Should be a good night for redemption from last night, here's hoping for a 5-2 victory.

Bears at Norfolk tonight:

Middle of the 1st, Hershey leads 1-0
Goal: Kyle Wilson
Assists: Carlson & Pinizzotto
Holtby in net.

lets go caps!!

I assume Theo will be traded before Mar 3.
Can anyone make sense of the D pairings? SMo with Green?

awesome, thanks tess!

come on caps, lets make tarik sad that he missed the game!!!

btw how great is it to see caps fans right behind our bench? almost feels like home

That started with Ovechkin turning the puck over at the other end trying to force it through too many Panther sticks.

Green needs to make sure Weiss can't make that pass if.

Well piss poor back checking and the puck's in their net. BACKCHECK the damn puck.

If Fehr was out to lunch a couple games ago, what was Backstrom there?

Also, poor pass by OV. But oh well, lots of time.

GREAT individual effort my Morrison. Too bad you couldn't kick it in that time HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

What ever happened to the start fast Caps that we had early in the year.

WTF was Morrison doing on the breakaway with no stick?

Whenever Ovechkin makes those risky lateral passes that end up on opposing sticks, I watch to see what happens at the other end.

I'm surprised it doesn't cost us more often.

We payed the price this time.

I love Ovechkin but he needs to start taking shorter shifts so he actually has the energy to backcheck and to beat guys to the puck in the O-zone too.

What ever happened to the start fast Caps that we had early in the year.

WTF was Morrison doing on the breakaway with no stick?

Posted by: icehammer97 | January 13, 2010 7:50 PM | Report abuse

Nothing wrong with a little creativity! Too bad they don't allow goal kicks, maybe he missed his calling!

Shorter shifts may also improve his decision-making.

He really needs to eliminate the dangerous and unnecessary passes.

He's fearless, which is mostly a good thing but it also leads to him not worrying about taking too much risk with and without the puck.

ouch, MG on the ice for 7 of the last 8 opponent goals

Horrible giveaway by Sloan behind the net.

Vo-goon is playing lights out. Gonna be hard to crack him. We need rebounds, screens, and crashing the net.

Is he a pest or is he a goon. I consider the two roles different. Maybe Downie is a bit of both. Chimera can be a pest--from everything I've read. But I don't think he is a huge fighter tho' as Stecks proved every good ole' hockey play will drop the gloves when necessary.

Posted by: Capsyoungguns | January 13, 2010 7:21 PM | Report abuse

Downie's a very effective checker for the Bolts. Tocchet relies on him a lot. He's just a player who plays on the edge. No different from a few hundred players before him that were also effective in that role. He's like a Darcy Tucker type. Nothing goonish about him.

And boy did Steckel get his clock cleaned by Konopka. Someone needs to teach the Caps how to defend themselves in a fight. We have the worst fighters in hockey. Steckel has a 5 inch height advantage over Konopka and ZK was still able to land shots at will. Hold him off Dave!

Let's hope the replay doesn't hurt us.

i think that wasa goal....bruuutal

shoot 2-0

2-0

Another turnover by Ovechkin leads to a scoring opportunity at the other end.

Neuvirth lets in another sharp angle softie.

That goal was on Backstrom - lazy backchecking.

Both of Florida's goals started with Ovechkin trying to do too much at the other end leading to turnovers.

Jesus this team is playing poor right now.

Something's off again tonight so far.

Knuble is definitely ruffling feathers in the crease

Just get the puck out of the zone please! And don't clear it to the other players!!

FloridaCapsFan

Backstrom was the only forward that did backcheck.

It seems like another lazy effort by the whole team except Semin. He has has good chances and is skating.

Neuvirth has to make the save on that second goal but it started with a bad play by Ovechkin at the opposing blueline.

If they don't bring it to a 1 goal game or better at 30 minutes, this game is over. ...prove me wrong boys, please!

I'm going to the bathroom....hopefully when I get back...things change!

Another first period effort with poor results.

Remember, Florida has rested legs and is playing at home. They are likely to have the edge when it comes to energy over the next 40 minutes.

It will take good execution and limited mistakes to get back into this one. It's unlikely that we'll be able to outwork them.

The story of the first was two bad turnovers by Ovechkin that directly led to both of Florida's goals.

Neuvirth also let in a real softie. There wasn't much behind that backhand and it was coming from a severe angle.

another game - another disaster
I don't know what's wrong with Backstrom these days - two VERY LAZY plays from him today /couple yesterday/ - two goals for Florida. Very bad def - panthers spend 20 min in our zone.Pathetic!
This game is lost!!!

Caps4,

From what I saw he had a chance to cover the center guy and cut the pass off but he didn't skate hard all the way.

@Tondi

Backstrom is far less responsible for those goals than Ovechkin and Neuvirth (on the 2nd one).

At least Ovi is trying.

This is getting very painful! LET'S GO CAPS!!!!!!!

@tmac2yao
not true- as FloridaCapsFan said - Backstrom had a chance to cover the center guy and cut the pass off but he didn't skate hard all the way.
Second goal was a deflection from Back's stick - not a soft goal

You mean to tell me Alzner AND Carlson should not be starting on the blue line? Sloan? Morrisonn? We should find out in these games what we have, and decide if we want, or need to trade them.

You couldn't bring them in last night?

And when will Ovechkin score again? Others are starting to leave him in the dust. I know he has played in less games, but he isn't scoring.

This game is lost!!!

mass hysteria - LOL

1st goal - Ovechkin tries to backhand a pass through the Florida defense and it gets picked off, leading to the rush the other way.

2nd goal - Ovechkin tries to get fancy along the boards right in front of the opposing blue lines. Then he tries to jam it through the guy and it leads to a turnover and a rush the other way. Then, Neuvirth lets in a softie from a bad angle.

Backstrom may not have backchecked hard but he was not the root problem.

backstrom is so lazy his check scored both goals

Okay, Backstrom could have backchecked better.

That just adds to the poor play.

It started with Ovechkin turnovers and the second goal still should've been stopped by Neuvirth despite the Ovechkin turnover and the poor backcheck by Backstrom.

Backstrom may have added to the situation but he certainly didn't create it.

The first giveaway was such a terrible and risky pass by Ovechkin that I can't blame Backstrom for reacting late.

I'm shocked nobody is pointing fingers at Ovechkin, who was directly responsible for both of those plays getting started in the first place.

It seems like the guys have enough in the tank to come from behind and tie it up, but not much in reserve to put any sort of nail in the coffin or take the lead. (apologies for all the cliches)

Oh well, maybe there will be some more interesting fights. I turned it off too early last night and missed the drama.

The second goal was incredibly soft. Neuvirth has to stop that, even if it was deflected.

It was from a bad angle and had nothing on it.

I'd blame Ovechkin first for both goals, then Backstrom and Neuvirth for their parts in not making up for Ovechkin's mistakes.

OV has been causing turnover after turnover since he's been back from his "upper body" injury.

We need to make some changes before the 2nd period!

CHIMERA!

JASON!!

Nice!! Chimera making his name known!!

nice goal

Who said Chimera stinks yesterday? Looks pretty good to me.

I'd add that on the first goal, Backstrom was skating hard forward and nearly parallel to Ovechkin in the offensive zone when Ovechkin made that horrible pass backwards towards our end of the ice that got picked off.

I'll need to see the replay again but it's hard to blame Backstrom for not predicting that poor decision by Ovechkin and getting caught out of position. He had to change direction and skate the length of the ice to get back into the play.

Nice individual effort by Chimera.

Chimera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Early strike. Let's keep coming.

that was a soft one

Second softie from Neuvirth tonight by my count.

Let's hope our PK is better then last night. And as I am writing that they score. I can't believe I am saying this but I want Theo

A WEAK GOAL by Neuvirth. Absolutely weak. He should've had it. Just awful. Inexcusable.

f'm. gawd our pk blows as of late.

COME ON! That was a soft one.

Maybe BB should question the effort of Ovechkin and see if he comes out like he did in Edmonton.

PK has been sucking the last 2 games!

backstrom looks like nylander on the pk...skates tight little circles and puts no pressure on opponent's point men.....what a brutal lack of effort on his part AGAIN...on for all 3 goals and closest to the goal scorer each time

Florida is starting to set up camp in our end like they did throughout their PP.

The one time we had a 2-on-1 along the boards during that PK (Backstrom and Laich), we couldn't win the puck.

Another one and Neuvirth gets pulled again.

Neuvirth's confidence looks shaken. Hope he can find it back in a hurry.

Bring up Alzner, Carlson and Holtby.

Bears update:
End of the second, Norfolk leads 2-1

We need to start winning the battles along the boards!!

Neuvirth's had a couple of misses the last two nights. And this PK has to clear the puck. Really that simple.

Really that simple.

Posted by: CDon | January 13, 2010 8:41 PM | Report abuse
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Not for this team. They have trouble clearing the puck on a nightly basis.

Please put in Theo

Third softie for Neuvirth.

Pull him.

I'm done.

Pull him. Caps should have had a PP prior, but our goalie absolutely has to have that save.

Green just got walked through as well.

Horrible.

Everything is horrible in our own end these days.

another soft goal, but green got caught flatfooted again

I wasn't expecting a repeat of last night, but here we go.

Why the heck was he trying to do a two pad slide there???

Not a good night for Neuvy.

Come on Theo!

This team is officially in a slump. From the crappy goaltending to the lazy forechecking. Neuvy another weak one and gets the hook the second straight night. I am concerned about goaltending now. This is not good. Not the end of the world but it's concerning.

It's over. Vdog is looking way too good tonight (or the Caps are looking way too bad) to let the caps score 4 goals on him.

This time he deserved to get pulled.

This is hard to watch. Better be a different group entirely on Friday. Green has been a disgrace, and Shultz is back.

Our defense is soft as butter, not to mention turnover prone.

Did we eat stupid sandwiches before the game????

Green just got walked through as well.

Horrible.

Everything is horrible in our own end these days.

Posted by: tmac2yao | January 13, 2010 8:46 PM | Report abuse

Green did his job he made sure the shot didn't come from the middle. You can't keep guys from not shooting all of the time and he made the shot come from the outside at a bad angle and Nuevy just was useless.

@Jonathan6

I'd be at least as concerned about our Charmin soft defense.

Need to crash the net and screen Vokoun. He's been able to see every shot Caps have thrown his way.

@icehammer

Gren HAS to take the body or win the puck. He did neither.

That mucker got his 1st goal of the season after plodding right through Green.

Not trying to be a Negative Nancy but..

a) One way to measure how well a team is playing is by how many power plays they receive. If you exclude all the shenanigans at the end of last game, the Caps have only got 2 power plays in the past two game. TWO! That is a classic sign of a team being outworked or, at best, not working hard enough to draw penalties.

b) One thing I have always heard about Neuvy is that he never loses his composure. However, he seems to have lost it the past couple games, and lost it hard. I am not counting him out or anything, but he seems to be pretty low on confidence at the moment.

Pulling Nuevy was the right move.

Next, pull Mike Green.

...You can't keep guys from not shooting all of the time ....

Posted by: icehammer97 | January 13, 2010 8:48 PM

You can when you play the body, which the Caps, and especially Green never do. The puck won't score on it's own. These guys are so frustrating for an old defensemen like me to watch.

Time to get Alzner back in the lineup. Maybe Carlson up soon.

Green also had a horrible giveaway moments before that last goal. He was behind the net and sent a lazy pass off the boards that didn't even make it out of the zone.

@icehammer

Gren HAS to take the body or win the puck. He did neither.

That mucker got his 1st goal of the season after plodding right through Green.

Posted by: tmac2yao | January 13, 2010 8:50 PM | Report abuse

Green was coming over from being in the middle after Shultz got beat his job was to keep the puck to the outside and he did take. Like Locker said all the guy had was the backhand. When the D makes it so the shooter only has one option at is is from the side of the net then he has done his job. If Nuevy makes the very easy save no one says anything about Green on that play because it wasn't a bad play.

i feel weird saying this but Ovi does not look like himself the past couple games

i feel weird saying this but Ovi does not look like himself the past couple games

Posted by: _stevo | January 13, 2010 8:54 PM | Report abuse
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Ever since he got the captaincy it seems he feels he has to do everything. He's been trying to do too much, I feel.

There's a goal back.

UnleashTheCaps how many times have teams been hitting Ovechkin or Semin and they shoot right before the hit and score? Hitting is way overratted these days. Langway won two Norris trophys and was one of the best D men in the league and he didn't hit much at all. The D's job is to keep shots from the outside and take away passes.

Neuvirth absolutely should have stopped it but I disagree with your read of the play.

Green was in between that grinding oaf and the goal and the grinding oaf just pushed the puck through Green and skated around him almost unimpeded even if he was limited to a backhand.

Green has to take the body or the stick or the puck and he did none of those things.

That was a classic case of what not to do as a defender in that situation. Not only was it bad, I can't think of a way he could've done much worse.

Brendan Morrison has been absolutely useless for a good month or so.

Keep Chimera out there. Hes having a whale of a game I think.

kudos to Chimera

Need Varlamov back ASAP so Neuvirth can finish the year in Hershey. He's not ready.

Chimera handled himself well there. Nice to see.

yeah chimera!!!!

25 won the fight!

Chimera is definitely making a fan out of me this game. Goal, assist, fight.

tmac2yao he goes for the hit and the players cuts to the inside and can make one of several moves on the goalie. That is how it could have been worse. Shultz was the one who got beat on the play. Green had to come onto Shultz's side to make that play.

Norfolk scores...now leading 3-1.
The winning streak is in jeopardy.

And as I was typing, Patrick MacNeill scores for the Bears. Now 3-2 with about 14 minutes to go in the third.

icehammer97 Funny you should say that. I've seen people stopping OV in his tracks a lot this year, and his numbers prove it. True he's missed more games this year than previous years, but he also went 11 games w/o a goal last year so I think that evens out. He hasn't even scored a hat trick this year.

Guess we have to disagree. I still think playing the body is more effective then having a winger deek around you. Just my opinion.

Norfolk scores...now leading 3-1.
The winning streak is in jeopardy.

And as I was typing, Patrick MacNeill scores for the Bears. Now 3-2 with about 14 minutes to go in the third.

Posted by: tess2201 | January 13, 2010 9:04 PM | Report abuse
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Come on Bears!

chimera with the Gordie Howe hat trick. He kicked Campbell's a**.

GO BEARS!!!

chamera w/a gordie howe game.

Hey Chims got a Gordie Howe hat trick!!!

@icehammer

We'll have to agree to disagree.

That was one of the worst defensive plays I've seen in a long time.

Not only did Green fail to take the body, stick or puck but the guy was a friggin' grinder who is nearly no threat whatsoever to score.

And you act like the guy had speed. It was a play in tight space. There was no risk of missing the guy if he took the body.

Taking the body doesn't necessarily mean lining him up and going for a hit. In this case, it simply means pushing into his body so he can't skate unimpeded toward the goal.

Or take his stick.

Or the puck.

I have to imagine very few will agree with you that Green made a good defensive play there.

I wouldn't be surprised to see comments about it on NHL on the Fly and in the postgame interviews.

Here's to hoping the Pens lose tonight! Opening beer # 5

Side note: Did you guys know Gordie Howe himself only ever had one Gordie Howe hat trick?

Also, here is what I think. Varly has stepped in for a big chunk of the season and played well. Neuvy had a hot streak for (roughly) 6 games or so. It's time for Theo to step in. Even if it means him having 3 solid games until Varly returns. He needs to step in now and help this team amass some wins.

Giroux scores on the power play!!
Tie game 3-3.
11:54 left in the 3rd

hockey is not like basketball, there's a reason why they have a goalie out there.

you can disect every play if you want but to me it's just a waste of time because everyone is gonna make mistakes and you can't be perfect on every play.

Time to go back to Theo for a while. Neuvirth's had some nice starts, but if he's going down when Varly's back, then Theo needs to get some ice time so he's still sharp.

WOOOOO!!! BEARS!!!

Giroux scores on the power play!!
Tie game 3-3.
11:54 left in the 3rd

Posted by: tess2201 | January 13, 2010 9:10 PM | Report abuse
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WOOT!

btw, really appreciate the updates

We have a plethora of good goalies. How's that for the word of the night?

no penalties on FL so far. hopefully we'll have a couple of PPs in the 3rd.

@joek443

It's not a matter of being perfect.

It's a matter of the frequency of not being perfect.

We are struggling too often at too many things in our own end whether it's dealing with opposing forechecks or getting to pucks first or winning battles along the boards or making smart plays under pressure or killing penalties.

joek443,

Exactly, that's why team work is important. Each much cover the other's mistakes.

just curious. Is Alzner and Calrson a defensive pairing in Hershey?

Feeling Neuvy just purchased an express ticket back to the minors.........and the number 1 goalie is? don't count Theo out. Time for Varly to get back in shape and make a move. Time will soon run out.

Carlson*

Some interesting reading material. I don't believe it by ANY means, but it is a report coming from Sportsnet.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/01/13/brophy_kovalchuk_ovie/

Again, I do not believe it, as OV is obligated to play in North America, but it's still weird that this made the website.

Sorry, I meant to say "must". BTW, where's tominfl tonight? Did he swing on down to Miami from Tampa. If he did, he's not allowed to go to anymore of the team's FL games - bad luck you know.

Oh yeah!!! Needed that!!!

sweet! nice job Ovie!

The Great 8 has returned WOO HOO BANG

OV!! Back on!

@ tmac2yao

yes I get all that but with decent goaltending, this game would be tied at 2 going into the third period

check that, they would be up by one early in the third even all those mistakes

elicea:
They were a defense pair early in the season and worked really well together. Then Alzner spent some time in DC, and when he came back to Hershey, Carlson was leaving for the World Juniors. We haven't had a home game since Carly's been back so I don't know if they are back together or not.

tmac2yao part of my argument comes from being a non-physical D man (despite being bigger then most guys I play aganst). I take the puck away if I can but most of the time I worry most about making the guy go wide and most of the time force them to circle around the net and most of the time they end up forcing a pass. I know I am not in the NHL but I know from experience you don't always have to take the body to be a solid D-man.

YEAH! GAME ON AGAIN!

Caps NEED the kill here.

@tess2201

They seemed like they'd be a god pairing, and now I know that they do work well together. thanks

Damn!
Norfolk scores with 7 seconds left!
4-3

about damn time a penalt was called.

Got the kill, got the PP now lets get the goal

Theo's been good since coming in.

Finally. time for the PP to do its job

come on pp! don't be too cute. please please please please please

well a couple of decent chances but just couldn't light the lamp

another cross ice pass by Ovechkin that didn't work. At least this time it didn't cost us.

The Geico, Charlie Daniels fiddle commercial is hilarious.

Additionally, I am blowing off my girlfriend and all her friends in order to watch this game, so they better come back. Either way I will hear about it, but hopefully it won't be all for nothing.

Aldred15, Caps>wife/girlfriend,etc

nice, Greener.

WOOOOOOOOOT!

TIEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD UP. Praise Jesus.

!!! YEHA!!!!!!!!

hell yeah

GREEEEEEINIE!

@icehammer

I hear you about your view of the play. I'm not expert, I was just offering how I saw it.

Green is an invaluable player to this team because of what he can do offensively. I just see plenty of room for improvement in his own end.

SORRY .... BACKS

tmac2yao part of my argument comes from being a non-physical D man (despite being bigger then most guys I play aganst). I take the puck away if I can but most of the time I worry most about making the guy go wide and most of the time force them to circle around the net and most of the time they end up forcing a pass. I know I am not in the NHL but I know from experience you don't always have to take the body to be a solid D-man.

Posted by: icehammer97 | January 13, 2010 9:25 PM |

see; Lidstrom, Zubov, etc.

"that's how you do it son" ~ charlie daniels

Come on Theo, hold the team in. This would be a big win, even though we have a 460 point lead on the division.

Semin is due for one, I am predicting he gets, or plays a key role in, the game winner.

they oughta just make Green a forward. hat way he doesn't have as far to skate when he jumps up in the play and when he has to backcheck. He's a liability defensively and he's a phenom offensively

As for Alzner, he's no better currently than what we have. This team needs two strong veteran defenders added if they want to present a stiff defense in the playoffs. I have to laugh when even Schultz gets caught up ice. How does that happen?

@_stevo

Well done on the hilarious commercial quote.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH almost. Knubs.

but I know from experience you don't always have to take the body to be a solid D-man.

Posted by: icehammer97 | January 13, 2010 9:25 PM |

see; Lidstrom, Zubov, etc.

Posted by: richmondphil | January 13, 2010 9:45 PM | Report abuse

anytime a defenseman on our team isn't physical, fans like to point to other non-overtly physical defensemen as examples of being successful without taking the body frequently. Thats too simplistic a comparison. Just because Lidstrom isn't a banger it doesn't mean that Alzner, Green and Schultz are Lidstrom.

if Paul Coffey was a d-man, a HOF one at that, he was much worse than Green ever is in his own end.

Did I ever say that?

He said you don't have to be a hitter to be a solid d-man. I gave examples. Don't put words in my mouth.

Semin has been Caps best forward tonight.

Wow - I'll take the point. Let's get one more. THe way this one was going - let's steal the second one haha :)

Got my OT beer ready. Come on Caps!!!!

I'm absolutely stunned that we're going to get at least a point out of this...but I'll DEFINITELY take it. Come on, Caps!!!

Jonathan6: I still want to see a replay of that. The red light came on, the referee emphatically waved it off, and no announcement was made? I guess the Caps would've raised more of a stink if it did go in, but still...

you can tell Laich is really gripping his stick tight, missing the net from less than 15 feet

what a play by SLOAN!!!!!!!!!!!

THEODORE!

THEo...nice save

what a dive

awe. Brooksie...

stupid play brooks

What a careless OT period from the Caps. OV's last shift was way too long. Bad pinches. This team is mostly being careless recently and not valuing possessions. Good on Theo for making some big saves.

Someone help me here..it looks like Semin got the puck first...should that have been called?

This is one of those times where I think it would appropriate to call a trip and a dive. Guess the refs saw it otherwise.

And after a few tense moments, off to a shootout.

Theodore's been outstanding.

theo steals at least one point

I think I just flatlined there for a second....

Straight up, Theo has been EXCELLENT this game. I know he has been inconsistent this year, but all that aside he has kept them in this one. I honestly feel like he deserves third star if the Caps win.

@GregAnnapolis - I thought for a second that went in and out of the net fast but replay sovlved that.

Damn was that a heart attack OT period. Props to THEO for standing tall tonight.

Fantastic work by Theo in relief!

Theo holding it down tonight! Flawless so far. Sorta worried about next year with Glass Varlamov and Youngster/inexperienced Neuvy.

"Q" with another great block.

We're lucky to have even gotten a point on the back end of a back to back after the way the game started.

Anything else at this point is gravy.

I thought that Knuble tip-in went in on first look but I guess not.

In my mind, it's time to give Theo the bulk of the starts until Varly returns. I really thought Theo would start tonight's game anyway. I like the way Neuvirth played, and he showed himself to be a dependable netminder. But if he's going to be sent down when Varly's healthy, you have to start playing Theo more to keep him sharp. I know I wrote this earlier, but I think it's important he gets some time.

Little thing that doesn't make a single highlight.

With about 20 seconds left on the Florida PP, the puck trickled back to McCabe for a perfect one timer. Laing dove head first to barely tip the puck enough to throw off McCabe and make the shot impossible. It's such a small moment, but a huge one.

COME ON!! THEO THEO THEO THEO!!!

Jonathan6, I must have missed the replay while I was kvetching (the word that was here was a booboo, apparently...) about it online then. ;) Good to hear that it was the right call.

the clink of the post...

Here it comes.....

YEAH BMo!!!

NICE move morrison

NICE move morrison

YEAH BMO/Laich

oh my aching heart....

brooksie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BROOKSIE!!!

FLASH!!!!

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SWEET.....

FLASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH we stole that point.

great comeback.....thanks theo, stole us 2 points

Flaaaaaaaaaaaash! :D

Two points, I'll take 'em, man!

4 points out of 6, not a bad road trip.

FLASSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

WHAT A WIN!

WOOOOOOO!!!!!

Yeah! Now I will casually try to insert myself in the party of my girlfriend and her friends as if I was there all along and didn't blow them off for the past 2 hours.

How the heck did he get that puck into that little corner?

I'll sleep well tonight!! Thank you Caps!!!

After several seasons of watching the Caps outwork the opposition but still lose due to lack of goaltending/general skill, it is oddly refreshing to see us win games where we're completely outworked...

2 the hard way

I must say, I thought it was over when I saw Laich tee up to the puck. Theo earned those 2 points tonight.

FLASH!!!!
Whether we stole it or not, I'll take the points.

@ Aldred15 Hahaha! Classic. been there so many times myself. good luck

The Cardiac Caps strike again. It's especially nice to get another division win with the stretch of games we've got coming up in the next week-plus. Also nice to see the Chimera deal really start to pay off tonight. Looking forward to being back at the Phone Booth!

phew! jose was great on the relief, especially considering their two breakaway shots and the shootout... look for him to start next game!

-two points Caps didn't deserve. But I'll gladly take it
-Way to play, Theodore.
-Neuvy looked shaken. Hopefully he bounces back.
-Nice to see Brooks score. Now do it in regulation.
-Again, I thought Semin was Caps' best forward.
-Congrats to Chimera on the Gordie Howe
-Lastly, and definitely the most important note of the night: defense was porous. Really hope a reliable, vet, shutdown D-man make his way to Washington.

- Great win tonight. Theo should be star of game with Semin a close second...the dude hustled his a## off.
- Also, great that BB gives BMO and Laich early chances in SO to get them both off the snide...and it works...great coaching. Definately worth the gamble. I predict both those guys will be finding the net soon.
- Next in net..Theo for sure. Neuvi dropped the ball big time tonight. Time for Theo to reestablish himself...which he can. Confidence is a wonderful thing.

Lets Go CAPS!!!

And "South Florida Media" picks some interesting ones for the three stars:

1 Flash
2 Weiss
3 Ovechkin

As said in the movie Major League: "Nice catch Hayes, but don't ever fing do it again."

And "South Florida Media" picks some interesting ones for the three stars:

1 Flash
2 Weiss
3 Ovechkin

Posted by: GregAnnapolis | January 13, 2010 10:26 PM | Report abuse
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Can goaltenders get one of the stars? I can't recall a netminder ever getting it.

So what happened in the Bears game?

It looks like Norfolk scored with 7 seconds left at even strength to win the game.

Was anybody listening?

@elicea

Goaltenders can definitely get a star and often do.

In fact, last night was a great example.

Brodeur was first star of the game and Lundqvist was second.

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20092010/GS020682.HTM

hmm. Well I thought Theodore and Vokoun deserved stars tonight.

goalies can def get stars... and do. i have no idea how they picked those stars. i guess flash could get one for the game winner but ovie? im not saying he doesnt contribute but chimmy's grodie howe hat trick, jose's strong performance etc all seem to overshadow him stars-wise...

How did chimera not get a star?

Yea, they don't always get it right.

Then again, it's a subjective vote.

Great comeback by the Cardiac Caps! I tuned in at 2-4 and it was well worth it. Theo saved the day and Tomas delivered the second point. Never a dull moment!

Brooks Laich has taken some bad penalties past two games at the worst possible times. If this was Semin, he would be cursed, berated, garbage thrown at you name it. But because he is Brooks (Blue Collar North American) Laich he gets a pass. I am not saying that we should give Brooks a Semin Treatment nor does Semin deserves that treatment. But Laich should certainly be called out.

Defense wasn't a main issue today. It was against Lightning, 2nd, 3rd, 4th goals are all the goals Top NHL netminders will stop 99% of the time.

Another Lesson to anyone who turns off or gives up on this team when they are down by 4 or less goals. Should have learned last year when they came back against Rangers 4-0. If this team is down by 4 or less goals in the 2nd period they are one of the few teams in NHL who can comeback and will probably mount a furious attempt at it.

By the way, Ovechkin had plenty of daylight to end that shootout after 3 rounds.

Vokoun was a statue on that shot.

He basically gave Ovechkin a couple of holes to pick from but Ovechkin couldn't take advantage of it. He shot it right into Vokoun's gut area.

yea totally subjective... but usually they at least watch the game! oh well... they've been off lately, wondering who will get the hard hat

Didn't comment when it happened, but that was some fancy footwork by B-mo when his stick broke in the first period.

Didn't comment when it happened, but that was some fancy footwork by B-mo when his stick broke in the first period.

Posted by: elicea | January 13, 2010 10:50 PM | Report abuse

And a great shootout goal... he can play soccer and hockey!

@tmac2yao

When they showed the replay of it, I was surprised Ovie missed the shot. Specifically when Vokoun's 5-hole was pretty wide open.

Yea, shootouts certainly aren't a strength of his at this point.

I'd never take him out of the top 3 shooters though for the simple fact that I think it's important for him, confidence-wise, to be put in that position.

I believe he will improve with experience, as well.

I am still convinced that Knuble goal went in with about 3:15 left in the game.

I watched the replay at least 50 times. I know it probably didn't go in since no one said anything but man it looked in.

I've watched the Knuble tip about 10 times and I'm virtually certain it went in and bounced straight off the pads in the back. In the end it didn't matter, but I can't believe they didn't even review it. If it isn't the puck, there is something small, circular and black in the net.

Great game by Chimera. We'll call that a "natural" Howe Hat Trick.

Please no more CardiacCaps references. I am also a Bengals fan (I'm Canadian so it's extra weird) and we all know how Cincy made out (I will fight Shayne Graham if given the chance). CardiacCaps >>>>>>> CardiacCats and therefore cannot share Cardiac.

Yea I couldn't believe there wasn't even a review on it. It definitely looked like it hit the goal dead center off the pad and bounced back.

I know it doesn't matter now, but I am annoyed because I thought it was in. Oh well.

@digster

I was sure it was a goal when it happened in real time.

After watching several replays, the puck pretty clearly hit the post. I was best able to see that when I hit pause and went frame by frame.

There was something about the camera angle and the way the puck bounced that probably made it deceiving to the naked eye at full speed.

@Tmac2yao, I didn't see it hit the post. But let's say it did. What on earth is the other black thing in the net? Digster and I saw the same thing. Now, we're sitting here watching on tv and not standing on the ice, but I know what I saw, and there is clearly something puck-shaped in the net. Like I said, it doesn't really matter. but in a league with a much-trumpeted war room to review all goals, you would think they would at least take a look.

@lightshow

I agree with your comment on Laich for the last couple of days. If that had been Semin instead, he'd be getting castigated big time and fans would be calling for him to: 1) get healthy scratched; 2) trade him for Kovalchuk or Phaneuf or any other available star; 3) traded for a bag of pucks.

Am I calling for either of those options for Brooksie? No.

Come back, Brooksie, where ever you are. I think you're getting too nervous.

I think that if I were a Capitals player, I would be a combination of Brooks Laich and Alex Semin.

I was at the game and was afraid we were seeing a replay of last night's game. (And I was in Tampa last night and wondering if I had brought bad vibes from the North.)

Great comeback! Maybe Brooksie's shootout goal will give him to confidence to get out of his slump like Nick Backstrom's shootout goal against Montreal did back in December.

Other things. Is Neuvy now headed back to Hershey? And then who replaces him? (I noticed Hershey lost also but have no idea if Holtby was in goal or not.)

Semin may not have shown up on the scoresheet but it seemed that his presence on the first line seemed to give them (i.e. Nicky and Ovi) the spark they needed. Frankly, the first line stunk during first period and wondered if it was time to break them up. (But they got their act together later.)