By Bud L. Ellis
A loss on home ice is a rare experience for the National Hockey League’s best team. So to the surprise of nobody, the Washington Capitals found a way to rebound.
Two nights after seeing their 13-game home winning streak end in a shootout loss to Dallas, the Caps came through in extra time against Carolina. Tomas Fleischmann scored the game-winner, as Washington extended its streak of earning at least one point in home games to 15.
Carolina was the last team to beat Washington at the Verizon Center in regulation, that coming on Dec. 28. The Caps lead the NHL in points with 99, and are 14 points ahead in the Eastern Conference.
Mike Green scored twice for Washington. Alexander Semin added a breakaway goal in the first period. Alexander Ovechkin finished with two assists, and Jose Theodore got the win in goal.
Washington plays host to Tampa Bay on Friday.
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Friday, March 12, 2010 at 8:14 pm by bud
Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Jose Theodore, Mike Green, National Hockey League, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tomas Fleischmann, 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.
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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
