Washington Capitals Hockey Schedule
Wednesday
9/22/2010
7:00 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Washington Capitals PRE
Saturday
9/25/2010
7:00 PM
Nashville Predators vs Washington Capitals PRE
Tuesday
9/28/2010
7:00 PM
Washington Capitals vs Boston Bruins PRE
NEWS
By Bud L. Ellis
Ten consecutive victories, tying a franchise record. A new standard for most wins in a month. Victories in 12 of their past 13 games.
It was quite a month for the Washington Capitals, who started January looking for their rhythm and ended the month atop the Eastern Conference.
Alex Ovechkin snapped through the go-ahead goal with 6:26 left, and the Caps held on for a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay at the Verizon Center, extending their winning streak to a club record-tying 10 games.
The win caps a month during which the Caps won 13 times, setting a new franchise record. Washington sits in first place in the East, eight points ahead of New Jersey, and only one point behind San Jose for the most points in the NHL.
Nicklas Backstrom opened the scoring with a power play goal 57 seconds into the second period. Brooks Laich lit the lamp at the 12:56 mark, making it 2-0.
Tampa tied the game with two goals in a 2:45 stretch of the third period. But Ovechkin broke the tie with 6:26 to go.
Washington, which plays five of its last seven before the Olympic break on the road, travels to Boston on Tuesday.
—30—
Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 5:14 pm by bud
Tags: Alex Ovechkin, Boston Bruins, Brooks Laich, National Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, Nicklas Backstrom, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Verizon Center, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
Perhaps the Washington Capitals should leave all their calendars on January when the month ends, because they’ve been just about unstoppable this month.
The Eastern Conference leaders continued their dominant month Friday night. Mike Knuble scored twice, and Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom both finished with three points as the Caps extended their win streak to nine games, downing Florida 4-1 at Verizon Center.
Washington, which also got a goal from Jeff Schultz and 35 saves from Michal Neuvirth, is one win away from tying the franchise record for longest winning streak. The Caps go for 10 in a row Sunday at home against Tampa Bay.
The Caps lead the East by six points over New Jersey and seven over Buffalo. Washington moves into a tie for second in the NHL with Chicago at 78 points, one behind San Jose.
Backstrom scored first for Washington at 7:26 of the first. Neuvirth allowed a goal early in the second, but the high-flying Caps offense only needed 25 seconds for Knuble to give Washington the lead for keeps. Schulz and Knuble scored in the third.
Washington tied a franchise record for most wins in a month, improving to 12-2 in January and winning for the 11th time in 12 contests. The Caps last won 12 games in a month in December 1984.
—30—
Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 10:46 am by bud
Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Jeff Schultz, Michal Neuvirth, Mike Knuble, National Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, Nicklas Backstrom, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Verizon Center, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
The last time the Washington Capitals were this hot, George Bush (the older one) had just taken residence in the White House.
It was March 1989, and the Caps had just pulled the trigger on two deals that landed Dino Ciccarelli, Bob Rouse and Calle Johansson. Starting on March 9 of that year, Washington would win eight straight games, the franchise’s longest winning streak until this year’s Caps ripped off eight straight games, winning No. 8 Wednesday night with a 5-1 victory over Anaheim at the Verizon Center.
Both streaks share a common characteristic: lots of goal scoring. The 1989 Caps scored four or more goals in the first seven wins of their streak. This year’s Caps have lit the lamp for four or more goals in seven of their eight wins during the streak. During the 1989 streak, the Caps outscored the opposition 43-17. This year, it’s a 40-18 difference.
Washington’s 1989 streak ended with a loss to the Islanders on March 28. The current Caps will try to push their winning stretch to nine in a row on Friday night at home against Florida. A win there, and Washington will take aim at the franchise record of 10 straight – set in 1983-84 – on Sunday at home against Tampa Bay.
—30—
Friday, January 29, 2010 at 5:00 am by bud
Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Bob Rouse, Calle Johansson, Dino Ciccarelli, Florida Panthers, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Just like that, the Washington Capitals turned a nip-and-tuck affair into a blowout win, continuing their torrid January.
The Caps scored three goals on three shots during a dizzying 2:30 span of the third period Wednesday, running away with a 5-1 victory over Anaheim that pushed Washington’s win streak to eight games.
Shaone Morrison, Mike Knuble and Alexander Semin scored during the decisive 150-second span that propelled the Caps to their 11th victory in the past 12 games. With the win, Washington extends its lead in the Eastern Conference over New Jersey to six points (76-70).
Morrisonn’s goal at 1:45 of the third snapped a 1-1 tie. Knuble made it 3-1 with a goal just 54 seconds later. At 4:15 of the third, Semin scored to make it 4-1.
Semin added his second goal, and fourth in two nights, on the power play at 11:47. Alex Ovechkin scored Washington’s other goal, that coming just 36 seconds into the contest.
Washington, which ends January with home games Friday against Florida and Sunday against Tampa Bay, improves to 12-1 at the Verizon Center since late November. The eight-game winning streak is the longest since 1989, and just two off the franchise record, set in 1983-84.
—30—
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 5:00 am by bud
Tags: Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, Mike Knuble, National Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, Shaone Morrisonn, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
Things are going so well for the Washington Capitals right now, they’re getting offense from unlikely sources.
Defenseman John Erskine scored his first goal in more than two years Tuesday night, and a four-goal first period was more than enough for the white-hot Caps in a 7-2 blowout of the New York Islanders.
The win pushes the Caps’ winning streak to seven games, and Washington’s lead in the Eastern Conference to five points over New Jersey. At 74 points on the season (34-12-6), the Caps trail only San Jose and Chicago for best record in the NHL.
This one was over early. Brendan Morrison scored just 1:05 into the contest, and the first of two Alexander Semin scores nearly four minutes later made it 2-0. Ahead 2-1 late in the first, the Caps busted through for two goals in the final 1:47 of the period. Mike Knuble and Semin both lighting the lamp to make it 4-1 after a period.
Erskine got in on the action in the second, scoring his first goal since Jan. 19, 2008, at 2:36 of the second. Jason Chimera scored later in the second and Brooks Laich closed the scoring in the third.
Even a lower-body injury to goaltender Jose Theodore couldn’t slow the Caps. Theodore got the win in goal, but left after the second period. The Caps term the injury as day-to-day, and Michael Neuvirth didn’t allow a goal in the third.
Washington returns home to open a three-game homestand Wednesday against Anaheim. The Caps now are 10-2 in January.
—30—
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 4:59 am by bud
Tags: Alexander Semin, Anaheim Ducks, Brendan Morrison, Brooks Laich, Chicago Blackhawks, Jason Chimera, John Erskine, Jose Theodore, Michal Neuvirth, Mike Knuble, National Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
The old saying goes that defense wins championships. During their smoking-hot January, the Washington Capitals have taken it one step further:
Don’t give up a lot of goals, and you stand a good chance of winning.
And winning has been what the Caps have spent most of January doing, posting W’s in nine of 11 contests this month. Washington hits the ice at the New York Islanders on Tuesday riding a six-game winning streak, and the Southeast Division leaders sit atop the Eastern Conference with 72 points.
Goaltending is a big reason January has been so delightful for the Caps.
The combination of Jose Theodore and Michal Neuvirth have given up two goals or less in seven of 11 games this month. Add in an offense that’s scored four goals or more in nine games in January, and a penalty kill that’s a perfect 14-for-14 in the past three games, and it’s easy to see the formula that’s lit the fuse for the Caps.
Washington closes January with three consecutive home games. On home ice, the Caps are 18-3-3 this season.
—30—
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 8:55 pm by bud
Tags: Jose Theodore, Michal Neuvirth, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
A guy named Alex kept the Washington Capitals rolling Saturday night.
And yes, that Alex scratched the scoresheet, Alexander Ovechkin scoring his 33rd goal of the season. But that came with six seconds left and the Caps’ sixth-consecutive victory in hand.
It was Alexander Semin who starred on this night, scoring a goal and assisting on the other three Washington tallies in a 4-2 home victory over Phoenix.
That’s how it’s gone lately for a Caps’ team that now is 9-1 in its past 10 games. The victory gives Washington 72 points on the season, tops the Eastern Conference and third overall in the NHL (behind San Jose’s 76 and Chicago’s 74).
Trailing 1-0, the Caps tied the game in the first period on an Brooks Laich power-play goal. Eric Fehr gave Washington the lead for keeps with a power-play goal at the 13:22 mark of the second period, and Semin scored four minutes later to push the lead to 3-1.
That was enough for Michal Neuvirth, who earned the victory in net.
Washington improved to 18-3-3 at home. After a road trip Tuesday to face the Islanders, Washington ends January with three consecutive home games.
—30—
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 9:17 pm by bud
Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich, Chicago Blackhawks, Eric Fehr, Michal Neuvirth, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
While the nation celebrated the arrival of 2010, the Washington Capitals could be excused for that frown on their face.
The Caps closed the 2009 portion of their schedule on two down notes, losing at home to Carolina – the team with the worst record in the NHL – then dropping a road game at San Jose on the penultimate day of the year.
It wasn’t much better on the second day of the new year, Washington losing at Los Angeles. But since then, the Capitals have been just about perfect.
Washington has won eight of its past nine games since that 2-1 loss to the Kings in Tinsletown. Only a 7-4 loss at Tampa Bay on Jan. 12 has dented the Caps’ 2010 ledger. Washington has won five straight since that loss in Tampa, win No. 5 coming Thursday night at Pittsburgh.
The Caps open a stretch Saturday where they play four of their next five games at home, starting with a home game against Phoenix. After a trip to New York to face the Islanders, Washington faces Anaheim, Florida and Tampa Bay at home to close the month.
With a big lead in the Southeast Division and a three-point advantage in the Eastern Conference, the Caps look like a Stanley Cup contender at this point. And if they’re playing come June, their good work in January will have put them in position.
—30—
Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:38 pm by bud
Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
A rocky beginning turned into a satisfying night for the Washington Capitals.
After allowing three goals in the first 30 minutes against fellow Eastern Conference power Pittsburgh, Jose Theodore slammed the door shut the rest of the way. Alex Ovechkin scored twice, and Tomas Fleischmann’s breakaway goal early in the third period propelled the Caps to a 6-3 victory.
The victory pushes Washington’s win streak to five games, and keeps the Caps entrenched atop the East standings. Washington, with 70 points, leads Buffalo by three points.
Theodore made 35 saves, scrambling to keep the Caps in it during the first period and a half. But the Caps, who got early goals from Mike Knuble and Eric Fehr, pulled away in the third period.
Ovechkin tied the game at 3-3 with a power-play goal at the 16:25 mark of the second. Fleischmann then gave Washington the lead for keeps 2:32 into the third, and Nicklas Backstrom followed 53 seconds later with a power-play goal to make it 5-3.
Ovechkin closed the scoring with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Washington, which lost to the Penguins in seven games during last spring’s playoffs, won in the first meeting of the season between two of the Eastern Conference’s top powers.
—30—
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 10:05 pm by bud
Tags: Alex Ovechkin, Buffalo Sabres, Eric Fehr, Jose Theodore, Mike Knuble, National Hockey League, Nicklas Backstrom, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tomas Fleischmann, Washington Capitals
By Bud L. Ellis
At this stage of the season, only three teams in the National Hockey League have more wins than the Washington Capitals.
The way things are going, the Caps could be among another group of four come late spring.
Jose Theodore stopped 44 of 46 shots, and David Steckel’s goal with 5:59 left capped a quick comeback as the Caps beat Detroit 3-2 on Tuesday, Washington’s 31st win of the season.
Only Chicago (34), San Jose (33) and New Jersey (32) have more victories than the Caps, who moved ahead of Buffalo and back into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with the victory. Buffalo lost later Tuesday at Anaheim, 5-4.
Down 2-1, the Caps used two goals in a 46-second span of the third period to take control against the Wings. Nicklas Backstrom converted on the power play with 6:45 remaining to tie the game at 2-2. Steckelthen flicked home the go-ahead goal off a rebound with 5:59 left.
All of that was plenty for Theodore, who was sharp in making his third consecutive start for the first time in three months. Even without Alexander Ovechkin recording a shot — the first time that’s happened to the star in his NHL career — the Caps still had enough on this night.
The victory extends Washington’s win streak to four games, and gives the Caps a 7-3 mark in their past 10 contests.
—30—
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:05 am by bud
Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Buffalo Sabres, David Steckel, Detroit Red Wings, Jose Theodore, National Hockey League, Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
