Uncork the bubbly - Sports Illustrated has picked the Caps to finish 29th. SI's worst team in the NHL? The Rangers. Now, I don't think the Caps are better than the Rags, but it's still nice to see someone pick our boys to not finish last; picking the Rangers to finish DFL is just icing on the cake. On to this morning's papers...A double dose of Tarik el-Bashir today. First, the WaPo's Caps beat writer covers the most recent cuts, notes that Mike Green not being sent down yet is a surprise, as the defenseman's hard work has earned him another week with the big club, and has a couple of quotes from Jeff Friesen on his trade to DC and from Glen Hanlon on the experience Friesen brings to town. Also mentioned is a new line combination of Alexander Ovechkin-Dainius Zubrus-Jeff Halpern that el-Bashir describes as "intriguing." Indeed. As if that wasn't enough, we get a fluff piece on Jamie Heward (that I admittedly didn't read). Good work, Tarik!
The WTimes' coverage adds little (other than "rumors that Washington is shopping for another strong, experienced defenseman") but does note that new Cap Friesen will wear the same number he wore in Jersey - #12. As Tarik el-Bashir might put it, intriguing.
Tuesday's Scoreboard:
- Patrick Sharp scored twice and Antero Niittymaki made 31 saves as the Flyers (4-0) beat the Isles 5-3. Alexei Ya$hin had two of the Islander goals.
- Martin Brodeur stopped all 15 shots he faced in just over 30 minutes and the Devils got goals from Zach Parise, Vladimir Malakhov and Alexander Mogilny in Jersey's 3-1 win over the Rangers.
- In Pittsburgh, a big night for Mario Lemieux, who had a goal and three assists in the Pens' 7-2 rout of Columbus. Sidney Crosby, skating on a line with John LeClair and Mark Recchi, added a late assist in his first game at his new home rink.
- Montreal beat Boston 4-3 in overtime. No one did anything particularly noteworthy in the game.
- The Sabres scored four times on the power play and beat the Leafs 5-2 as Ryan Miller saved 34 of 36 shots for Buffalo.
- Marty Turco's 18 saves helped the Stars beat the Blues 3-1.
- Edmonton third-string goalie Mike Morrison stopped all 21 Flames shots in the Oil's 4-0 win over Calgary. Chris Pronger and Ales Hemsky each had a goal and an assist for Edmonton.
- Colorado beat Detroit 2-1 thanks to David Aebischer's 26 saves and goals by Alex Tanguay and Andrew Brunette.
- Ryane Clowe's two goals powered the Sharks (5-0) past the Kings 5-3.
- Blue Jackets defenseman Rostislav "Rusty" Klesla will miss 4-6 weeks with a stress fracture in his right leg. This is a major early blow to an improved Jax blueline.
- Sean Avery has apologized for his moronic remarks about the League's French-Canadian players. "I certainly did not want to offend anyone with my comments earlier (Tuesday)," he said. "I am an emotional guy who sometimes says things that shouldn't be said. I apologize if I offended anyone."
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