2 Girls, 1 Cup

There's a clip making the rounds on the Intertubes these days that is, in all likelihood, more vile than anything you've ever imagined, much less seen. It's called "Two Girls, One Cup" and it's so repulsive that people's reactions to seeing it for the first time is considered entertainment unto itself.

Well, in an effort to keep you all in the loop, I thought it my duty to share it with you. But be forewarned - it's awful. With these cautionary words in place, I present "Two Girls, One Cup"...

Friday Roundup/Gamenight: Caps @ 'Canes

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

If last night's soliloquy didn't get you fired up for tonight's Caps/'Canes game, I guess nothing will (but be sure to check back around lunchtime - but not after you've eaten - for a little something special).

Anyway, the injuries to Chris Clark and Boyd Gordon have necessitated a call-up from Hershey, and it's Quintin Laing. I was curious to see if Bruce Boudreau would look to replace the injured regulars with a similar type player (is it a too bad Brian Sutherby's no longer around?) or someone with a little more offensive punch, and I guess we got our answer (and will have to wait to see if Chris Bourque can get more NHL ice time under Gabby than the 8:19 of ice per game that Glen Hanlon gave him).

Laing is a 6'2", 175-pound winger who is, per his TSN.ca scouting report, "an extremely industrious forward" who "[h]as the size scouts love from the wing position" and is "a sound player without the puck." However, he "[c]ould use his size more to punish opponents" and "[d]oesn't own soft hands or a goal-scorer's mentality." Sounds like he'll fit right in. In 19 games for Hershey this season, he has two goals, five assists and is plus-eight, and if you're wondering why a 28-year-old has played in only three NHL games in his career, I'm sure Q will make it pretty evident pretty quick. On the plus side, however, he knows Boudreau's system.

The last time the Caps visited Carolina, they turned in one of the worst performances in a season full of stinkers, losing 5-0 in a game that might not even have been as close as the score. But Bruce Boudreau's Caps are 1-0 against Carolina courtesy of a big 5-2 win last Saturday night, so let's hope the Caps can get back to scoring - and winning - in Raleigh.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

The Board of Governors has approved a new schedule matrix that will ensure that everyone plays everyone at least once a year. "The NHL: Where The Only Constant Is Change."

Daily Awards

• Hart: J.P. Dumont (G, 3A, +2, 4 SOG, killer name)
  
• Ross: J.P. Dumont (4 points)
  
• Norris: Zdeno Chara (2G, 5 SOG, 4 hits)
  
• Vezina: Roberto Luongo (26-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Zdeno Chara (2G)
  
• Calder: Tobias Enstrom (G, 2 SOG, 3 blocked shots)
  
• Aiken: Martin Gerber (L, 6 goals allowed on 35 shots against)
  

Distance And Dollars

With another pair of scintillating Southeast showdowns on tap for this weekend, I figured now's as good a time as any for a little fun with geography and economics. For example, did you know that there's not a single team in the former Patrick current Atlantic) Division whose home ice is further away from D.C. than the RBC Center in Raleigh, site of tomorrow night's game against Carolina? Sure enough - the Flyers (132.41 miles), Devils (216.13 miles), Rangers (226.76 miles), Penguins (246.03 miles) and Isles (250.02 miles) all play closer to the Verizon Center (used herein to include the MCI Center) than do the 'Canes (273.93 miles), the Caps' closest geographic rival in the Southeast Division. And there's only one Eastern Conference city further from Washington than Tampa... Miami, where the Caps will be Saturday night.

Think it doesn't matter? Think again. A pregame chat with Vogs the other night had me wondering about the revenues lost (or, perhaps more accurately, that the Caps have been screwed out of) by being taken from a division with their traditional rivals and thrown in with Gary Bettman's NASCAR set.

Mind you, I'm not talking about extra travel costs - let the Western Conference teams gripe (legitimately) about that. I'm talking about lost ticket revenues. In a minute, you'll see what I mean. Let's take a look at the Caps' average home attendance against the teams in their current division since the lockout:

1. Carolina - 15,091 (and it's probably worth noting that two of the ten 'Canes games were home openers)
2. Atlanta - 13,181
3. Florida - 12,836
4. Tampa Bay - 12,192
   

Now for the average home attendances against their former division rivals over the same time period:

1. Pittsburgh - 16,800
2. Philadelphia - 15,517
3. N.Y. Rangers - 15,278
4. New Jersey - 13,847
   
5. N.Y. Islanders - 12,282
   

See what I'm getting at? There are three teams in the Atlantic Division that are bigger draws at Verizon Center than any Southeast Division team and, other than Carolina (whose fans actually do travel pretty well when the mules aren't otherwise in use plowing the tobacco fields), there's not a single team in the Southeast that outdraws any of the Atlantic teams at the VC other than the Isles. Bottom line: the Caps' average attendance for home games against Atlantic Division teams since the lockout is 14,761. Against Southeast Division teams? 13,329.

Take the numbers back a bit further and it's more of the same. Since the beginning of the 2000-01 season, Atlantic teams are averaging 15,970 fans per game at the VC - Southeast teams only 14,477. Only Detroit (in four visits) has been a better Verizon Center draw than the Pens and Flyers, and the Rangers are fifth on the list (St. Louis, surprisingly, is fourth, but in only three visits). The 'Canes are seventh. Atlanta, Florida and Tampa? 23rd, 25th and 27th (Minnesota is bringing up the rear). Here's the kicker - the average attendance at the Verizon Center since the beginning of the 2000-01 season for Rangers, Flyers and Pens games has been 16,781 and for Thrashers, Panthers and Lightning games, that number drops to 14,109.

I'm no math wiz, but this all means that attendance for the Caps against their old division rivals (all five of them) is - and has for some time been - more than 10% higher than it is against their current division "rivals" (all four of them). That's an awful lot of bodies, lost revenue, asshole Pens and Flyers fans and marketable match ups.

But instead, we get the Panthers four times a year. And we get 10,526 people. In fact, of all the games the Caps have hosted since the start of the 2005-06 season against the nine teams we're talking about, six of the seven worst-attended games were against either Tampa or Florida, and the only four sellouts came against the Pens (three times) and the Rangers. [Sidenote: Would you rather see the building half-full with 10,000 Caps fans in it or sold out with 10,000 Caps fans and 8,000 Pens fans? It might be a tough call for you, but probably not as much for Ted Leonsis and company - the dollars that come in from Pittsburgh are just as green as those from D.C. (and the more dollars there are coming in, the more dollars there are to be reinvested in the team).]

Obviously some of these numbers can be partially explained by the unbalanced schedule and the lack of demand caused by a relative lack of scarcity - I have little doubt that a fourth home Devils game of the year would draw about as much as a fourth Thrashers game. But more - much more - of the issue is the distance (and, of course, the lack of history) between the Caps and any of their Southeast Division foes. Hockey in D.C. is a tough sell, to be sure. But it certainly didn't get any help the day the rest of the Patrick Division moved on without the Caps.

Update (11/30, 6:37 AM): For more of Leonsis's thoughts on the matter (and other things), check out the interview he did with William F. Yurasko last year. Great stuff.

Rebuild Got You Down? What You Need To Know

Maybe proclamations that The Rebuild^™ was over were a bit premature. Then again, maybe it is over and, unbeknownst to us, what was being built was actually just a crappy one-bedroom Ranch Style house. Being the eternal optimist, I prefer to take the former point of view.

With that in mind, then, here are some words of wisdom regarding the need for patience in such endeavors from the late Corporal MacArthur S. Ito (rest in peace, old friend):

Semin "Healthy"; Clark And Gordon? Not So Much

This news is less than optimal.

Ironic Article Of The Day

In today's Patriot News, Tim Leone had an article entitled "Bears Welcome Shootout Success" the morning after Hershey's parent club lost its seventh straight shootout and 12th of their last 13. The Caps haven't won a shootout since February 4, 2007.

Thursday Roundup/Panthers 2, Caps 1 (SO)

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]

Well, the initial adrenaline rush that accompanied the coaching change has worn off leaving the same Caps team trying to learn a new system. The result? What we saw Wednesday night. A few thoughts on the game:

• If Tomas Vokoun catches with his left hand, the Caps win that game. Period.
• He doesn't, and they didn't. Period.
  
• Neither Chris Clark nor Alex Semin were available for the shootout. Semin's injury would appear to be that same ol' ankle, and he's day-to-day, and Clark's malady wouldn't seem to be significant.
  
• Both Vokoun and Olie Kolzig were awesome through overtime but beatable in the shootout (I wonder what the highest combined total in a shootout is).
  
• It was awfully nice of Brooks Laich to wear the #21 in honor of Sean Taylor. It was nicer still to see Shaone Morrisonn honor Taylor by hitting everything that moved early on.
• Speaking of Laich, if you want to see what his shootout move looks like when it's successful, it's #6 here (and I could easily go another 35 games without seeing the Caps in one of those skill competitions).
• Last word on Laich - he's always a good guy to talk to, and last night was no exception. Check out his post game interview (warning: MP3).
  
• It took the Caps more than ten minutes to get their first shot of the second period, meaning that in the other 55 minutes of hockey, the team fired 33 shots on goal (11 of which came off Alex Ovechkin's stick).
• The Caps won a paltry 44% of the game's faceoffs, with Nicklas Backstrom going 0-for-8 and Viktor Kozlov only slightly better at 1-for-6.
  
• If only David Steckel could lift the puck.
• Another 30+ minutes of ice time for Tom Poti, and a hair over 30 for AO as well.
• Why can't the Caps get players like Richard Zednik?
  
• Finally, if a picture's worth a thousand words, this one that KB took in the locker room post game says it all:

Next up, the Hurricanes in Raleigh on Friday night. Then the Panthers. Again.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Michal Neuvirth was named to the Czech World Junior team.... Happy 58th birthday to #7, Yvon Labre.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Mike Knuble (G, 2A, +2, 3 SOG)
  
• Ross: Mike Knuble, Pat Kane, Milan Hejduk (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Andrej Meszaros (2G, 4 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Tomas Vokoun (32 saves on 33 shots against in shootout win)
  
• Richard: Andrej Meszaros, Martin Havlat (2G each)
  
• Calder: Pat Kane (3A, +2)
  
• Aiken: Johan Holmqvist (3 goals allowed on 10 shots against in just 40 minutes of work)
  

Wednesday Roundup/Gamenight: Cats @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Had enough exhilarating Caps-Panthers action yet? No? Good, because you'll be getting another couple of heaping portions of it tonight and Saturday night. By the end of Saturday night, the Caps will have played four of their previous ten games against Florida. Memo to Gary: that's why people hate baseball.

Gratuitous scheduling rant out of the way, let's turn our attention to the game, a home game of sorts for the Panthers. Why? Because they're 9-2-0-1 in D.C. since the start of the 2003-04 season.

But those weren't Bruce Boudreau's Caps, so let's wipe that slate clean and start anew, something we had thought the Caps had done last Thursday. Monday night's game against the Sabres, however, looked a bit too familiar. The turnovers were the readily apparent manifestation of what killed the Caps, but to me, they were more the symptom than the disease. As Rage noted to me in an email (and I'll paraphrase), when the Caps looked good, it was largely the result of great individual efforts, whereas when the Sabres looked good, it was the result of crisp passing and skating to open spots. I couldn't agree more.

Now, some of that certainly can be attributed to a new coach with a new system and some new linemates - you wouldn't expect everything to come together overnight. But a lot of it was simply players taking unnecessary risks in bad places on the ice, and that has little to do with systems and teammates and everything to do with focus.

Speaking of Michael Nylander, he's an NHL-worst minus-13 (tied, interestingly enough, with that stalwart defensive defenseman for whom everyone was clamoring in the offseason, Scott Hannan). But if you want an encouraging spin on that stat - and who doesn't? - head over to Peerless's neighborhood.

And sure, Alex Semin may have two more giveaways in the seven games he's played this season than Nyls has all year, as well as the worst giveaway-to-takeaway ratio of any forward in the NHL with at least two takeaways (sorry, no link - I did the calculation myself), but as he shakes off the rust, that will no doubt change - he had a respectable ratio last year.

So let's just throw out that Sabres game and see what the Panthers game brings. Most importantly, let's hopefully continue to start everything anew.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Ted Montgomery's take on the Caps, two months in: "Semin's been hurt and the defense has been awful."... Greg Wyshynski has a much more insightful review of the Caps' season so far.... Please. Stop. The. Stupidity.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Pavel Datsyuk (2G, including the game-winner, A, +2, 6 SOG)
  
• Ross: Pavel Datsyuk, Jarome Iginla (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Matthias Ohlund (2A, +2, 4 hits, 3 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Roberto Luongo (26-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler, Alexei Kovalev (2G each)
  
• Calder: Carey Price (43 saves on 46 shots against in shootout win)
• Aiken: Miikka Kiprusoff (3 goals allowed on 15 shots against in just 24:30 of work)
  

Is This The Year?

H/t to ihatethepens on the link

Tuesday Roundup/Sabres 3, Caps 1

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]

I'm a bit conflicted about last night's game. In some ways, it was good that the Caps gave up the game's first goal. Along the same lines, it wasn't the worst thing in the world that they trailed by two heading into the third period. Why? Because it was important to see how this team would respond in such situations. And, for the most part, they responded pretty well. Outside of a couple of absolutely miserable turnovers around the midpoint of the second period, the Caps played well enough to be in the game until the end, dominating the game for stretches at a time (though I can't recall exactly how, given more than a few awful performances). I know that we're well beyond the point where "close" counts for much, but this dose of reality should clarify what - and perhaps more importantly who - needs work.

Some other thoughts on the game:

• If there's worse ice in the League than that at the VC, I haven't seen it.
  
• Alex Ovechkin's goal was another one for the highlight reel - what an individual effort.
  
• Speaking of sensational, Olie Kolzig's third period stop on Jochen Hecht might be his save of the year so far.
• Is Alex Semin's passing accuracy so atrocious because he passes so infrequently or vice versa? Someone ask the owl.
• Five bucks says Matt Bradley is wearing a suit and not a sweater for Wednesday night's game.
• Then again, the entire second line had scratch-worthy games themselves. How Michael Nylander, Tomas Fleischmann and Semin were credited with only three giveaways among the three of them is beyond me (and when is last year's Semin going to show up - this year's stinks so far).
  
• Nicklas Backstrom was awesome again last night. He might need to scoot up to the top line again soon.
  
• The John Erskine-Steve Eminger pairing made me shudder every time they took to the ice, and it wasn't because of Emmy (who notched his first assist of the season on the Ovechkin goal).
• Andrew Peters is quite the tough guy, challenging Donald Brashear when the latter was at the end of a long shift and begging off when they were both fresh.
• Tom Poti played 31 very solid minutes on the blueline. As I said the other day, new coach, new Poti.
• AO had nine shots on goal and only three that were blocked or missed the net. He's locked in right now, which is amazing considering how little help his linemates are providing.
• The Caps won 40 of 66 draws (61%) and out-hit Buffalo by a similar ratio, 15 to 10.
• The third line had a pretty solid night, as evidenced by the fact that the top line of Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy and Ales Kotalik was held off the score sheet.
• For a Cornell guy, Versus' Darren Eliot sure does say some stupid things.
  

So while Bruce Boudreau figures out which of GMGM's players are "his guys" and the team learns a new system, there will be some bumps along the way. Unfortunately, the Sabres are a team that makes you pay for your mistakes, and they certainly did so last night. Wednesday night's opponent, however, is much more forgiving, and that game against the Panthers is just about a must-win for this Caps team. And if they play like they did tonight (and the second line bounces back from this stinker), they should win.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

On this date in 1985, Bengt Gustafsson set a team record with an assist in a ninth straight game.... Another week, another Flyer likely headed for Suspensionville. Anyone want to guess on for how long?... The Rangers have dropped the team option on Jaromir Jagr's contract for next year, meaning the only way the Caps will be on the hook for a dime of his '08-'09 salary is if he hits his performance incentives (and check with The Peerless to see how he's doing on that front).

Daily Awards

• Hart: Jochen Hecht (2G, including the game-winner, A, +2, 3 SOG)
  
• Ross: Marc Savard (4 points)
  
• Norris: Zdeno Chara (2A, +4, 3 SOG, 2 hits)
  
• Vezina: Dwayne Roloson (W, 36 saves on 37 shots against)
  
• Richard: Mike Modano, Jochen Hecht, Glen Murray (2G each)
  
• Calder: Andrew Cogliano (Game-winning goal, +1, 4 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Martin Biron (3 goals allowed on 14 shots against in just 23:42 of work, and he would've had the loss if NHL scorekeeping rules made any sense)
  

Another Milestone: Boudreau's First NHL Loss

Photo: AP

Monday Roundup/Gamenight: Sabres @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Game Three A.H. brings a familiar foe to town tonight, namely the defending New York State Champs. Call it a hunch, but I'm guessing there won't be as many Sabres fans in attendance at tonight's game at the Verizon Center as there were back on April 7. Granted, it's a Monday night this time around (as opposed to a Saturday afternoon), but a .500 Buffalo team just doesn't bring 'em out of the woodwork the way a 30-games-over-.500 Sabres team does.

Anyway, the Sabres have been rolling of late, winning four straight (three of which were victories over Montreal) and outscoring their opponents 15-5 in those games to get back to .500 (10-10-1). Their power play has gone 4-for-12 and their penalty kill has been 12-for-14 over that stretch, which has certainly helped in piling up the wins. And, like the good Sabres teams of recent years, balanced scoring is the name of the game - despite being in the top third of the League in goals per game, they don't have a single player in the League's Top 70 scorers (Derek Roy's 17 points leads a team that has nine double-digit point-getters - contrast that with the Caps' four).

The Sabres have had trouble winning away from home - their three road wins is tied for the second-fewest in the League - but they'll face a Caps team whose three home wins are tied for the fewest in the League. Then again, the Caps are undefeated at home under Bruce Boudreau. Let's see if they can't keep the streak - and hope - alive.

Why The Sabres Will Win:

"Because Thomas Vanek has started taking over games and controlling play, even when he's not on the scoresheet. Because the penalty kill just held the top PP in the league to 1/9 over the course of two nights. And because the young guys are finally starting play like they really believe they don't need Drury and Briere instead of just saying it." - Top Shelf

"The Sabres will win the battle of the basement-dwellers for one reason: the turnaround has begun. Four games really is a winning streak. Lindy, and the Sabres will beat the Caps on the back of Thomas Vanek to move above .500." - In The Crease

"The Caps are on a coach-killing high...which might be cause for alarm if the Sabres weren't on an even more potent rediscovering-their-moxie-after-recovering-from-a-bad-break-up high. The Caps' journey toward self-discovery is just beginning, but the Sabres are back in the game for reals." - The Willful Caboose

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Michael Nylander isn't worth what the Caps are paying him. At least that's what a guy at ESPN.com says, so you know it's true.... Boudreau's just like John Tortorella with less hair.... Since was already throwing a Larry Brooks piece (of garbage) at you yesterday, I decided it would be too much to also make you read something from Bruce Garrioch, so I saved it for today. Apparently GMGM is the next in line to be fired (not that I wholly doubt the veracity of what Garrioch says on this point), and Olie Kolzig will soon be an Oiler. I'm sure.... Ten years ago tonight the Caps sent Rod Langway's number five to the rafters prior to the final game to be played at the Capital Centre in Landover. In that game, Peter Bondra became the second player to score 250 goals with the team (Mike Gartner, of course, was the first).... Finally, I think I stumbled upon a new marketing opportunity for Coach Boudreau(x) and, perhaps, Jeff Schultz.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Ryan Getzlaf (2G, +2, 4 SOG, 2 hits, 83% faceoffs won)
  
• Ross: Jamal Mayers, Todd Bertuzzi, Ryan Getzlaf, Francois Beauchemin (2 points each)
  
• Norris: Francois Beauchemin (2A, +1, 3 hits, 2 SOG, 2 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Roberto Luongo (27-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Jamal Mayers, Ryan Getzlaf (2G each)
  
• Calder: Mike Smith (W, 39 saves on 41 shots against)
  
• Aiken: Alex Tanguay (0 points, -2)
  

Sunday Roundup/Caps 5, 'Canes 2

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]

The storybook start to Bruce Boudreau's NHL coaching career continued with an impressive 5-2 win over Carolina in the coach's home debut. Two games, two impressive opponents, two wins... too bad change didn't come a little earlier.

Some notes on last night's game:

• Before the third period started, I said that the period would be very telling - would Boudreau try to hold on for the win or keep his foot on the gas? Was the team's psyche still so fragile that they'd fold like a cheap suit? To be honest, I wasn't thrilled with the answers I got on the ice - the Caps came out tentative, gave up the early goal, and didn't get a shot on goal for the first ten minutes or so of the third. But whereas a week ago, they'd have found a way to lose the game, last night they found a way to hold on and win it. That, in and of itself, is somewhat telling.
  
• Boudreau has done two things so far that make him, by far, my favorite Caps coach since Glen Hanlon: he has used Mike Green on the power play and has scratched Jeff Schultz.
• Don't look now, but there's only one player in the League with more goals than Alex Ovechkin. He's coming for you, Ilya.
• There's also only one rookie in the League with more assists than Nicklas Backstrom (and only Chicago's two super rooks have more points).
  
• Boudreau's power play is now 4-for-7 and his penalty kill is 8-for-9.
• Michael Nylander had a goal and two assists, but finished the game with a minus-two rating (hard to do in a 5-2 win). We'll certainly take it, though - his two power-play helpers were borderline-magical.
• I can't remember the last time I saw as many different Caps slapping their sticks on the ice to call for the puck during a game. To me, that means two things: 1) players were more wide open than usual - a good thing, and 2) players now want the puck - a great thing.
• Matt Bradley had five hits in just 8:36 of ice time. That's called knowing your role and making the most of limited minutes.
• The Caps were killed in the faceoff circle, winning only 30 of 74 draws (41%). Viktor Kozlov, at 6-for-22 (27%) "led" the way. David Steckel, however, managed to win 10 of his 16 draws (63%).
• Boudreau has vowed to use all eight of his defensemen, and if he's looking for candidates to make room in the lineup for Schultz and Steve Eminger, Milan Jurcina and John Erskine volunteered themselves by allowing Erik Cole to split the two of them and score Carolina's first goal with eight seconds left in the second.
• Olie Kolzig made some great stops and ended up with great numbers (37 shots against, by the way, is far too many to allow), but he seemed to me to be slightly out of position and flopping around a little more than usual. Bottom line, though, is that he got the job done in the second of back-to-back games, which is important, as Boudreau has said he will lean on Kolzig more than his predecessor had.
• Of course, the save of the night belonged to Shaone Morrisonn, swatting a puck out of the crease area a split second before Ray Whitney would have slammed it home.
• Glen Wesley, who assisted on the 'Canes' second goal, played his first NHL game a month-and-a-half before Nicklas Backstrom was born.
  

Next up for the Caps - on their first winning streak since the three gamer that started the season - is another tough test, a Buffalo team that has seemingly gotten it's stuff together. Can Gabby's Cappies get to 3-0? I'm not betting against it.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

I knew Boudreau looked familiar.... I wonder if the Caps are in the hunt for Fabian Brunnstrom.... Wanna read something that's going to make you angry (courtesy our old buddy Larry Brooks)? Of course you do. Challenge yourself to see if you can slog through the stupidity long enough to make it to the second page of the article.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Daniel Briere (Game-winning goal, 2A, +2)
  
• Ross: Sergei Gonchar, Michael Nylander, Daniel Briere (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Sergei Gonchar (3A, +2)
  
• Vezina: Marc-Andre Fleury (28-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Alexander Ovechkin, Brian Gionta (2G each)
  
• Calder: Daniel Winnik (G, A, +2, 5 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Andrew Raycroft (L, 2 goals allowed on 7 shots against in just 8:24 of work)
  

Two Games, Two Wins For Gabby

Photo courtesy AP

Winning sure does beat the hell out of losing, doesn't it?

Saturday Roundup/Caps 4, Flyers 3 (OT)Gamenight: 'Canes @ Caps

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats - AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Many an eyebrow was raised when the new sheriff in town placed his twenty-year-old playmaking pivot in between a pair of plumbers on the fourth line. A goal and two assists - and, more importantly, a win - later, pursuing that line of inquiry will have to wait a bit.

Nicklas Backstrom, who had the first multi-point game of his career just five minutes into the second period of Friday's game, showed the patience of a veteran on his second NHL goal, the overtime game-winner.

Was he especially fresh for overtime as a result of his fourth line time (he had 13:45 of ice time - more than two minutes less than he had been averaging per game so far this season, and the least ice he's seen in nearly a month)? Maybe.

Was he feeling less pressure centering this trio than one of the top two on a team that's not scoring? Probably.

Was he a little more confident as a result of the confidence his new coach was showing in him (Nick had 1:22 of time on the penalty kill Friday, which is just 47 seconds less than he had in his first 21 NHL games)? Perhaps.

Whatever it was, it worked. Here's some more of what did - and didn't - work in Bruce Boudreau's Capitals coaching debut:

• Backstrom's pass on the Mike Green goal was brilliant and the finish sensational. It's glimpses like these of kids not yet 23-years-old that give one hope.
  
• New head coach, new Tom Poti? T.P. had half as many points Friday (two) as he had all season prior.
  
• New head coach, same Jeff Schultz. A horrendous delay of game when the Caps were already down a man and a failure to tie up Jeff Carter's stick on the Flyers second goal - will Gabby bench this guy?
• On that second Flyer goal, Olie Kolzig has to be set earlier.
  
• Matt Pettinger missed a golden opportunity to give the Caps the lead in the final minute or so with a short-handed rush that found him alone in the slot. Still, I thought Petty had a pretty strong game, and it's only a matter of time before he gets back on the score sheet.
• I can appreciate sticking up for a teammate, but Chris Clark went a little overboard defending Boyd Gordon (maybe I missed something - visor rule?). His double minor, as KB pointed out, went a long way towards letting Philly back in the game, and is exactly the kind of penalty a team like the Flyers tries to rope you into taking.
• I didn't think Alex Ovechkin had one of his best games (save for more or less creating the game-winner), but his stat line still looks good - assist, +1, 4 shots on goal, 3 hits, 3 takeaways, 1 giveaway.
• Michael Nylander won 10 of 14 draws (71%). As a team, the Caps are ninth in the NHL in faceoff percentage.
• The Flyers give up the most shots against in hockey and take the fewest. Yesterday's totals were just about right on those averages, and if Philly doesn't reverse those two trends somewhat, I can't see them going all that far - Biron is just not good enough.
• Friday marked the Caps' second win all season when allowing more than one goal and first win in a game in which they allowed a power-play goal.
  

So one game, one win. We'll certainly take it. Game two is tonight at the VC against the Hurricanes, who are coming off a big win last night against the Bolts. Expect to see Brent Johnson in goal... and Nicklas Backstrom on the fourth line - where, perhaps, he belongs for now.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

The Hockey News ran a nice piece on Boudreau yesterday.... Scott Morrison on Glen Hanlon and Boudreau.... Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this "Great Moment in Biron Brothers History": on this date four years ago, the fantastically talented Mathieu Biron became the first NHLer to score a goal on his brother (Martin) since Phil Esposito did it back in 1980.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Nicklas Backstrom (Game-winning OT goal, 2A, +2, 2 SOG, 50% faceoffs won)
  
• Ross: Jamie Langenbrunner, Nicklas Backstrom, Radim Vrbata (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Chris Pronger (2G, +1, 4 SOG, 3 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Martin Brodeur (22-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Chris Drury, Chris Pronger, Radim Vrbata (2G each)
  
• Calder: Nicklas Backstrom (Game-winning OT goal, 2A, +2, 2 SOG, 50% faceoffs won)
• Aiken: Johan Holmqvist (L, 4 goals allowed on 22 shots against, including 3 on 12 in the third period of Tampa's 4-3 loss)
  

Journey Of A Thousand Miles Starts With Step One

And Nicklas Backstrom ain't bad either...

Friday Roundup/Gameday: Caps @ Flyers

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Game One of the Bruce Boudreau era, and if you know what to expect from the Caps, let's hear it, because I sure don't (and if you were Bruce, how would your line combos and D-pairings look?). And while we're talking uncertainty, here's one for you - Alex Semin is questionable for the game with that same nagging ankle injury. Sweet.

As for the Flyers, they're fourth in the League in scoring, tenth in goals against average, have a great power play and a good penalty kill and are 6-1-1 at home - I think we know what to expect from them, namely one hell of a test for the visiting Caps.

Three weeks ago, the Caps and Flyers played a tight one at the Verizon Center - let's see if a reinvigorated Caps team can steal one on the road in a matinee in the City of Brotherly Love.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Seven of the current Caps played under Boudreau in Hershey: Tomas Fleischmann, Mike Green, Boyd Gordon, David Steckel, Brooks Laich, Jeff Schultz and John Erskine.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Martin Erat (G, 2A, +2 in 3-2 win)
  
• Ross: Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Ryan Malone, Martin Erat (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Sergei Gonchar (G, A, +2, 3 SOG, 3 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Nikolai Khabibulin (30 saves on 31 shots against in shootout win)
  
• Richard: Ryan Malone, Jason Spezza (2G each)
  
• Calder: Tyler Kennedy (G, 3 hits, 2 takeaways)
  
• Aiken: Marc-Andre Fleury (2 goals allowed on 4 shots against in just 10:55 of work)
  

Meet The New Boss

Photo courtesy AP

Caps Fire Hanlon, Name Boudreau Interim Head Coach

Per the press release:

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have relieved Glen Hanlon of his coaching duties and named Bruce Boudreau the team’s interim head coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Boudreau, 52, has coached championship teams in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL and is in his third year as the head coach of the Hershey Bears, Washington’s AHL affiliate. He led the team to the Eastern Conference championship and the Calder Cup finals in each of his first two years in Hershey, winning the Calder Cup in 2006. Boudreau has compiled a 103-45-11-16 record with the Bears (a .666 winning percentage), including an AHL-best 51-17-6-6 record (.713) last season. Seven current members of the Capitals played for Boudreau with the Bears.

Boudreau becomes the 14th coach in Washington Capitals history. He will make his debut behind the Capitals’ bench tomorrow at Philadelphia (1 p.m., Comcast SportsNet, Talk Radio 3WT: 107.7 FM, 1500 AM, 820 AM).

Boudreau is in his ninth season as an AHL head coach, having compiled a 340-216-56-43 career record. He spent four years with the Manchester Monarchs and two years with the Lowell Lock Monsters before joining the Bears. Before ascending to the AHL, he was the head coach and director of hockey operations for the Mississippi Sea Wolves (ECHL), where he won the 1999 Kelly Cup championship.

After making his head-coaching debut in the Colonial Hockey League with the Muskegon Fury in 1992-93, Boudreau took over the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League (IHL) in 1993-94. The Komets advanced to the Turner Cup finals his first season at the controls, and Boudreau was named the 1993-94 IHL coach of the year.

Boudreau played parts of eight seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks, recording 70 points in 141 NHL games. A third-round pick of the Leafs in the 1975 NHL draft, Boudreau enjoyed one of the best seasons ever by a Canadian junior player during 1974-75. He picked up 165 points for the Toronto Marlboros, a Canadian Hockey League record until Wayne Gretzky surpassed the mark during the 1977-78 season.

An outstanding AHL player, Boudreau ranks 11th all-time in scoring in league history with 316 goals and 799 points. No AHL player in the 1980s notched more points than Boudreau, as he played for the New Brunswick Hawks, Baltimore Skipjacks, Nova Scotia Oilers, Springfield Indians and Newmarket Saints during that time. He won the 1987-88 John B. Sollenberger Trophy for leading the league in scoring, and was also a member of the 1992 Calder Cup champion Adirondack Red Wings.

No timetable has been set for naming a head coach beyond Boudreau’s interim status. The rest of the Capitals coaching staff will remain in place.

Thanksgiving Open Thread

Photo courtesy OffWing Photo

Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. Such has been the story of the last month or so for the Caps, and I know it has taken a toll on all of us.

But it's just a game. Take today to recognize what really matters in your life, and we'll see you back here on Friday. Happy holiday to all.

Wednesday Roundup/Gamenight: Thrashers @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Opening night. Seems like forever ago, doesn't it?

But it wasn't so long ago (less than seven weeks) that these same Caps opened the 2007-08 season with a win on the road against the defending Southeast Division Champs. Actually, check that - it wasn't these same Caps. Those Caps were without Alex Semin. And they dominated, out-shooting the host Thrashers 40-29 and out-scoring them 3-1.

Since then, the Caps have gone 5-13-1. They've scored three goals in less than a third of those games and have managed to win - get this - one game in which they've allowed more than a single goal against. Let me rephrase that: in games in which the Caps have allowed two or more goals, they're 1-13-1. The power play is 4-for-33 (12%) in November, and the Caps are still looking for their first win all season in a game in which they allow a power-play goal.

It also wasn't so long ago that these same Thrashers were 0-6-0. Actually, check that - it wasn't these same Thrashers. Those Thrashers had their number one goalie, Kari Lehtonen.

But Atlanta, led by Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa (shocking, I know), has made it all the way back to .500, going 10-4-0 since the dismissal of head coach Bob Hartley. They've scored three or more goals in nine of their last ten games and have scored multiple power-play goals in a game five different times with Don Waddell behind the bench.

Quite obviously, these are two teams going in opposite directions right now... just like the Caps and Sens were two weeks ago. On any given Wednesday night in the NHL, any team can beat any other team - maybe this Wednesday will be the Caps' night.

Update. From the Thrash morning skate:
Johan Hedberg will get the start in net tonight. Hedberg is 5-2-2 lifetime against the Caps, with a 2.84 GAA and .849 Sv%.

With the early season turnaround in Atlanta, interim Head Coach Don Waddell was asked if he had any advice for the Capitals. Unsurprisingly, he responded with the politic,

I know them both [McPhee and Hanlon] very well. They're good hockey people. And good hockey people find ways to get out of difficult situations.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Matthieu Perreault is one hot prospect who's tearing up Le Q.... While things may be bad at the moment, at least we have Alex Ovechkin's Hall of Fame induction to look forward to (cue "Yeah, as a Maple Leaf" comment in 3... 2... 1...).... Which NHLer's name sounds more like a Star Wars character - Tuukka Rask or Jarkko Ruutu?

Daily Awards

• Hart: Chuck Kobasew (2G, including the game-winner, A, +1, 4 SOG)
  
• Ross: Chuck Kobasew (3 points)
  
• Norris: Cory Sarich (+1, 6 hits, 4 takeaways, 0 giveaways)
  
• Vezina: Tuukka Rask (W, 30 saves on 32 shots against in NHL debut)
• Richard: Chuck Kobasew, Owen Nolan (2G each)
  
• Calder: Tuukka Rask (W, 30 saves on 32 shots against in NHL debut)
  
• Aiken: Jose Theodore (L, 3 goals allowed on 14 shots against)
  

Fehr Skates

With all that's going on in Washington, it's nice to see a little nugget from Hershey. Indeed, it's perhaps fittingly tucked in a blurb about Bruce Boudreau as a potential replacement for Glen Hanlon, in the event that one is needed.

Nevertheless, there it is:

Eric Fehr, sidelined since last season, has begun skating.

It's not much, but it's something of a pleasant surprise. The article continues:

"He skated well," Boudreau said. "I don't want to put a pressure point on. Whenever he can play he'll play. He's feeling a lot better now than he did three weeks ago. That's a very good sign."

Indeed it is.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled lynch mobbery.

Tuesday Roundup/Panthers 4, Caps 3

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]

When the Caps surrendered the dreaded last-minute goal with 51 seconds left in the first to break a 1-1 tie, you had a feeling that the team would need a shot in the arm to get back in the game - be it a pep talk, a shake-up in the lines, the right coaching adjustment, a lucky bounce - even though they were only down a single goal.

Well, they didn't get it.

In fact, it was the Cats who got the lucky bounce and that was that. Another game, another loss, but this one featured something new - the debut of the "Fire Hanlon" chant. Frankly, the team might owe it to Hanlon for all he's done for the organization to let him go while he still has his dignity - he doesn't deserve to be remembered as he will be if things keep going the way they're going and they keep him around for much longer. Something's gotta give, and sooner rather than later. Some other notes on the game:

• Sure, the Caps put some lipstick on the pig, but that wasn't a one-goal loss.
• Is Glen Hanlon desperate? Playing Alex Semin for 18-plus minutes in his first game back after saying the Russian would be eased back into the lineup might suggest so.
• As for Semin, he was manhandled at times, but also sure does like to embellish things, doesn't he? Still, his presence in the lineup unquestionably changes things a bit.
  
• Nicklas Backstrom has to do a better job of tying up his man in front on the first Panther goal.
• Brooks Laich's shorty was only the Caps' second of the year (Matt Bradley had the other), and it tied Laich with Tomas Fleischmann for third on the team in goals with four. Again, good on Brooks - bad on most of his teammates.
  
• Speaking of Flash, he registered his first block shot of the season in the first period, leaving Joe Motzko and Chris Bourque (who have each played just three games) as the only Caps without a blocked shot.
  
• The Caps still haven't scored a 5-on-3 goal yet this season - they're 0-for-6 in those situations.
• The power play is now 3-for-33 in the last nine games.
  
• Speaking of missed opportunities, I was in the press box but passed up the chance to exact some revenge on Panther color analyst Denis Potvin for the knee-on-knee hit that essentially ended Bengt Gustafsson's career. Sorry, Caps fans.
• John Erskine looked, uh, rusty on the Cats' second goal. I thought he was supposed to clear opposing players from in front of Olie Kolzig, rather than vice-versa.
• Remember when Matt Pettinger and Boyd Gordon got the occasional assist at least? Eight games and counting for each without a point.
  
• Chris Clark's hooking penalty midway through a second period power play was unforgivable and unnecessary.
• Mike Green had a pair of bad penalties, but drew one on a nice end-to-end rush. Typical Mike Green game.
• At one point in the third period, the Caps had a 3-on-2 break that they quickly turned into absolutely nothing, which allowed the Panthers a 3-on-2 break the other way that resulted in a quality scoring chance. That's coaching.
  

Anyway, after the game I headed down to the morgue, err, locker room. Olie Kolzig was sitting in his stall, pads still on, looking very much like Rodin's Thinker (and moving just as much). It was literally five to ten minutes before any of the assembled throng of media dared to approach him. Not good times.

Next up: Atlanta who, in case you haven't noticed, has clawed all the way back to .500 after their 0-6-0 start.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

Word is that Bob Hartley has been offered a job coaching in Russia.... A small handful of Rangers games this season are being broadcast in Chinese. The wins will be just as satisfying, but after an hour, you'll be hungry again.... Just when you thought Todd Bertuzzi couldn't be a bigger scumbag, there's this.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Dany Heatley (Game-winning goal, 2A, +3)
  
• Ross: Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Michal Rozsival (G)
  
• Vezina: Mike Smith (22-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Olli Jokinen (2G)
  
• Calder: Mike Smith (22-save shutout win)
  
• Aiken: Johan Holmqvist (OTL, 4 goals allowed on 24 shots against, including two in the final six minutes of regulation)
  

Caps Trade Sutherby

As you've no doubt heard by now, the Caps have sent center Brian Sutherby westward, trading him to the Ducks for a second round pick in 2009.

You'll recall that the Caps resigned Suts, a former first-round pick, to a 1-year, $800,000 deal this past summer, meaning that, in essence, they bought a second round pick in '09 for just under $200,000.

Monday Roundup/Gamenight: Panthers @ Caps

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

When Alexander Semin comes off the IR later today, Glen Hanlon will have a full, healthy roster to work with for only the second time this season. The results of the first two games? A 2-0 win over the Hurricanes and a 5-3 victory over the Lightning. This is significant for two reasons. First, because it gives us all some hope that things can turn around - with six of the Caps' next eight games at against Southeast Division rivals, it's nice to recall what this team, when healthy, can accomplish.

Perhaps more importantly, however, Semin's return to the lineup should officially mark the end of the excuse-making. Don't get me wrong, taking a 38-goal scorer out of the lineup is a big hit. Add in Chris Clark's, Tom Poti's and Boyd Gordon's absences, and injuries have undeniably played a leading role in the tragedy we've all watched through the first quarter of the season - not all excuses are illegitimate ones. But provided that Sasha is actually ready to go at something resembling 100%, we'll hopefully get our first extended chance to see the team that George McPhee has assembled, and we'll get to see how Glen Hanlon coaches 'em up.

Up until this point, it's been perfectly fair to judge each of the aforementioned members of the Caps brass on their job performance, but any such analysis has been somewhat incomplete. Sure, it's a GM's job to put together a team with enough depth to handle some injuries, and it's a coach's job to adjust when players miss time - both men can fairly be judged against those performance standards. But we all know that the "if we were healthy" talk has some measure of merit to it (obviously a significant amount of merit, in fact, to the powers that be), so now that the team is healthy, it's time to see what they - and the suits - can do to try to save this season.

On a side note, the team will have to make a roster move to free-up a spot for Semin's return - any guesses as to what that move might be? A new "injury" to one of the scratches? Someone put on waivers?

In some ways, tonight's game against Florida marks a new beginning for this Caps team - and it may just be the beginning of the end for some of them.

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

The NHL has released it's preliminary draft rankings for the 2008 Entry Draft. Unfortunately, this list is becoming increasingly important to Caps fans with each passing week.... If you missed Martin Brodeur's save on Daniel Briere during the third period of Saturday night's game, make sure to check it out, especially the overhead shot (and don't miss Danny picking his nose and wiping it on his jersey).... Jakub Klepis is en fuego.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Nicklas Lidstrom (G, 2A, +1, 5 SOG, 3 blocked shots)
• Ross: Nicklas Lidstrom, Nikolai Zherdev, Rick Nash (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom (G, 2A, +1, 5 SOG, 3 blocked shots)
  
• Vezina: Roberto Luongo (W, 29 saves on 30 shots against)
  
• Richard: 18 players tied with 1G apiece
  
• Calder: Josh Harding (W, 27 saves on 28 shots against)
  
• Aiken: Miikka Kiprusoff (L, 4 goals allowed on 21 shots against)
  

Sunday Roundup

It looks as if Alex Semin will be back in the lineup for tomorrow night's game against Florida, which is quite obviously a good thing for a team in desperate need of scoring. Semin's return and Milan Jurcina's crappy play of late have caused a bit of a ripple effect of line juggling, leaving the forward and defense combos at this morning's practice as follows (per Tarik):

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Clark
Semin-Gordon-Pettinger
Fleischmann-Nylander-Kozlov
Brashear-Steckel-Laich

Erskine-Morrisonn
Schultz-Pothier
Poti-Green
Jurcina-Eminger

I guess the thinking there is that you might as well play Semin with two guys who could barely score into an empty net, since they won't be passed the puck anyway.

Here's the question of the day, though - is Glen Hanlon's discipline applied consistently and/or should it be? My point here is that Milan Jurcina is far from the only Cap to make a mistake in the past month, but he seems to be punished for his screw-ups more openly, whereas other players seem to get free pass after free pass. Thoughts?

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

The Caps passed on claiming Ilya Bryzgalov off waivers, allowing the Coyotes to claim the Russian netminder, who promptly went out and shut out the Kings in his Phoenix debut.... Chris Bourque had a pair of goals in Hershey's win over Bridgeport last night, but the interesting note in the Lancaster Online summary is that Bears coach Bruce Boudreau "is rumored to be a possible replacement if management decides to fire Caps coach Glen Hanlon." Not that that's news, I just hadn't seen it in print.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Patrick Sharp (3G, including the game-winner, A, +4, 7 SOG)
  
• Ross: Patrick Sharp (4 points)
  
• Norris: Michal Rozsival (2G)
  
• Vezina: Ilya Bryzgalov (28-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Patrick Sharp (3G)
  
• Calder: Eric Nystrom (2A, +1)
  
• Aiken: Antero Niittymaki (2 goals allowed on 2 shots against in just 20 minutes of work)
  

Saturday Roundup/Bolts 5, Caps 2

[AP Recap - Game Summary - Super Stats]

I think my feelings on the season so far can best be summarized in this not-for-the-easily-offended and (depending upon where you work) not safe for work montage. Now that that's out of the way...

Half-way through last night's game in Tampa, the Caps and Bolts were tied at two. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the second period, the visitors were facing a two-goal deficit and, for all intents and purposes, the game was over.

Chalk it up to playing the second of back-to-back road games, a blown non-call by a linesman or whatever other reason you've got, but in the standings it's just another loss for a team that is now 3-11-1 since three straight wins to start the season. Some other thoughts on the conclusion of a fruitless trip to the Sunshine State:

• Tampa's three even-strength goals had two noteworthy things in common: Michael Nylander and Viktor Kozlov were on the ice.
  
• Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin were a dominant duo in the first period, but #8 was largely on his own thereafter.
• Stop me if you've heard this one before, but both special teams stunk (0-for-4 on the power play, 2-for-4 on the penalty kill) and the team didn't get enough of the shots it attempted through to the opposing goalie (30 shots on goal, another 37 attempted, blocked or missed).
• More on that last stat - the Caps got 45% of their attempted shots on goal, while the Bolts got 52% of their shot in on (or behind) Brent Johnson.
  
• It's been a week since I asked whether it was possible that Milan Jurcina actually stinks. After his giveaway last night that led to the Jan Hlavac goal and subsequent benching, we may be getting closer to an answer to that question (and to another Steve Eminger sighting).
  
• Someone give me a good reason why the Caps shouldn't claim Ilya Bryzgalov off waivers, and I'll give you a good reason they should (hint: his initials are B.J.).
• Only three Caps have more goals on the season than Brooks Laich. Good on Brooksie. Bad on nearly all of his teammates.
  
• Why did it take so long for a Cap to show up when Ryan Craig was getting up in AO's grill after a second period whistle? Oh yeah, because Jeff Schultz was the nearest guy in a white jersey.
• Hey, Vinny - as long as you're up there, how 'bout picking some cherries for the rest of us?
• Here's a brutal stat for you - the Caps are now 0-10 when allowing a power-play goal in a game.
  

Finally, I'll leave you with this quote from Glen Hanlon:

"You sound like a broken record, you work hard and you're not getting rewarded. Normally, if you would lose some games like this and you'd have a practice the next day, you'd have certain things to work on. But what do you work on (after this game)?"

Uh, Coach... if you have to ask...

Next up, the Panthers at the V.C. on Monday night. Things have to get better, right? Right?!

Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:

CNNSI.com's Allan Muir shares his thoughts on how "six staggering teams" can save their respective seasons. Judging from his omission of the Caps from that list, perhaps one can assume that he either doesn't consider them to be staggering or that he doesn't believe their season can be saved. Any bets on which it is?... Last night, NBC Nightly News ran a great feature on a great guy - former Cap Joe Juneau.... Wes Goldstein is ready to call Tom Poti a bust. Are you?... Jakub Klepis had a four-point night for Hershey last night.

Daily Awards

• Hart: Jussi Jokinen (4G, including the game-winner, +4, 5 SOG)
  
• Ross: Jussi Jokinen, Sergei Zubov (4 points each)
  
• Norris: Sergei Zubov (4A, +2)
  
• Vezina: Johan Hedberg (31-save shutout win)
  
• Richard: Jussi Jokinen (4G)
  
• Calder: Clarke MacArthur (2G, +2, 2 SOG)
  
• Aiken: Josh Harding (L, 3 goals allowed on 11 shots against in just 11:59 of work)
  

Hockey MythBusters, Part II

Alex Ovechkin is having a crappy season so far.

At least that's what some would believe. While it's true that Alex has two fewer points through 18 games than he did last year and two fewer goals than he had through 18 games in his rookie year, he currently has career-bests (through 18 games) in plus-minus, power-play goals, PIMs and shots on goal and is on pace to have more takeaways and fewer giveaways than in either of his first two seasons and shatter his career-highs in hits and blocked shots.

As if that wasn't enough on its own, Alex is doing it all with very little help - he has scored 29.3% of his team's goals so far this season (as opposed to 19.7% last year and 22.6% in 2005-06). Putting that in perspective, if Eric Staal had scored a similar percentage of Carolina's goals so far this season, he'd have potted 20 already, and would be on pace to challenge the NHL single-season record for goals scored.

So Alex Ovechkin is on pace to have his best all-around season as a pro in a season in which scoring is down League-wide, and is doing so on the slowest-starting team he has played on in his three years in the League while playing (and living) with contract uncertainty hanging over his head.

To paraphrase Jay-Z, the Caps have 99 problems but AO ain't one. Hit me.
H/t to Nate Ewell on the percentage of team's goals stat.