Joe's is Moving

Joe's Washington Hockey is moving on over to the fine digs at HockeyAnalysis.com so reset your bookmarks and head on over to see me at the new place by following this link:

capitals.hockeyanalysis.com

Hope to see you soon,
Joe

Game #41 Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: January 6, 2009 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 5-6-1-0
Caps Game 41 Record: 9-14-9-1
All-Time vs. PHI: 64-93-19-0
All-Time home vs. PHI: 36-37-13-0
Last Season vs. PHI: 2-2-0
Last Meeting: 12/20/08, WAS 1 PHI 7

This Year:
WAS Record: 26-11-3
Standings Points: 55
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 2nd
Last Game: 1/3/09, WAS 2 NYR 1
Streak: Win 6

PHI Record: 21-10-8
Standings Points: 50
Division Rank: 2nd
Conference Rank: 5th
Last Game: 1/3/09, PHI 1 LA 2 (OT-SO)
Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 92 NYLANDER, 28 SEMIN
Forward Line 3: 16 FEHR, 39 STECKEL, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY
Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 27 ALZNER
Defense Pair 3: 62 COLLINS, 55 SCHULTZ
Goalie: 60 THEODORE
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Philadelphia
Forward Line 1: 12 GAGNE, 18 RICHARDS, 22 KNUBLE
Forward Line 2: 19 HARTNELL, 17 CARTER, 9 UPSHALL
Forward Line 3: 14 NODL, 13 METROPOLIT, 45 ASHAM
Forward Line 4: 32 COTE, 24 GRATTON, 47 SBISA
Defense Pair 1: 25 CARLE, 6 JONES
Defense Pair 2: 23 VAANANEN, 44 TIMONEN
Defense Pair 3: 5 COBURN, 41 ALBERTS
Goalie: 43 BIRON
Back-up Goalie: 49 MUNROE

Injuries:
Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR, 91 FEDOROV (ankle) DTD, 4 ERSKINE (concussion) DTD, 3 POTI (groin) DTD, 14 FLEISCHMANN (illness) DTD

Philadelphia – 48 BRIERE (GROIN) IR, 61 BEAULIEU (undisclosed) IR, 77 PARENT (torn labrum) IR, 2 HATCHER (knee) IR, 4 RATHJE (BACK) IR, 30 NITTYMAKI (groin) DTD, 36 POWE (hip) DTD, 24 GRATTON (abdominal pull) DTD, 46 KALINSKI (leg) DTD, 12 GAGNE (upper body) DTD, 15 LUPUL (undisclosed) DTD, 28 GIROUX (head) DTD, 45 ASHAM (knee) DTD

Caps Milestones:
Brooks Laich needs 1 point to reach 100 in his career.
Mike Green needs 3 points to reach 100 in his career.
Tom Poti needs 9 points to reach 300 in his career.
Viktor Kozlov needs 6 goals to reach 200 in his career.
Alex Ovechkin needs 10 goals to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:
The Capitals are red hot, winning 11 of their last 12 games, but they face the team that gave them the 1 loss in that stretch. The Philadelphia Flyer pounded the Caps 7-1 back on December 20th and that didn’t sit too well with the team. To say that these two teams dislike each other would be an understatement to say the least. The Caps were quite put off in the last game as Philly, with a 7-1 lead, had their #1 power play on the ice in the final minutes of the third period trying to pile on the score. Look for this game to be ultra-physical as both teams try to send a message. Watch for the rematch between Donald Brashear and Riley Cote as Brashear pummeled Cote twice in Philly. This will be a very closely contested game but I think the difference will be the Caps 3rd and 4th line play. This will be fun.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 PHI 3

Official Preview

Game #40 Recap - Capitals 2 Rangers 1

Last night's game was an interesting to say the least. The Caps were victorious 2-1 over the visiting Rangers 2-1, running their home record to 17-1-1. The Caps got a power play goal from Mike Green and a shorthanded goal from Alex Ovechkin but the craziest moment of the evening came in the third period when Alexander Semin and Marc Staal dropped the gloves. If you haven't seen the video yet go here. It had me absolutely rolling with laughter. All I can say is that Semin has no future as an enforcer. Not only did he get 5 minutes for fighting but a game misconduct for not having his jersey tied down. I don't know which is worse Semin "playing the bongos" or Staal taking it. Too funny. Semin had just returned to lineup after missing 6 games with a back injury. The Caps now winners of 11 of their last 12 and face a big test on Tuesday with Philly coming to town.

Of Note:

• Alex Ovechkin scored the 4th shorthanded goal of his career. It was the 5th game-winner of the season for Ovechkin, who has 29 in his career. He is now tied for the NHL lead in goals with 27 and is second in points with 53. He has 363 career points tying him with Adam Oates for 15th most in Capitals history. Oh yeah, with 9 shots-on-goal for the game he tops the 1,500 shots-on-goal career milestone.
• Mike Green scored his team-leading 8th power play goal of the season. The back door goal was set up by some sweet passing from Viktor Kozlov and Alexander Semin.
• Stopping 21 of 22 shots-on-goal Jose Theodore picked up his 13th win. Don't look now but his GAA and save percentage are getting to be a bit more respectable at 2.98 and .892.
• David Steckel continued to play well and picked up the assist on Ovechkin's goal. It was the first time he and Ovechkin had connected for a score. Steckel has points in 3 consecutive games.
• The Caps victory gives them the best record thru 40 games in franchise history. The Caps are 26-11-3 so far this season.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #40 New York Rangers at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: January 3, 2009 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 5-9-2-0
Caps Game 40 Record: 13-16-3-1
All-Time vs. NYR: 84-74-18-4
All-Time home vs. NYR: 48-31-9-3
Last Season vs. NYR: 2-2-0
Last Meeting: 12/23/08, WAS 5 NYR 4 (OT)

This Year:
WAS Record: 25-11-3
Standings Points: 53
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 2nd
Last Game: 1/1/09, WAS 7 TAM 4
Streak: Win 5

NYR Record: 23-13-3
Standings Points: 49
Division Rank: 2nd
Conference Rank: 4th
Last Game: 12/28/08, NYR 5 NYI 4
Streak: Win 1

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 33 GIROUX, 92 NYLANDER, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 3: 39 STECKEL, 21 LAICH, 16 FEHR
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY
Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 27 ALZNER
Defense Pair 3: 62 COLLINS, 26 MORRISONN
Goalie: 60 THEODORE
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Rangers
Forward Line 1: 91 NASLUND, 19 GOMEZ, 29 KORPIKOSKI
Forward Line 2: 25 PRUCHA, 17 DUBINSKY, 13 ZHERDEV
Forward Line 3: 10 DAWES, 23 DRURY, 24 CALLAHAN
Forward Line 4: 20 SJOSTROM, 15 BETTS, 28 ORR
Defense Pair 1: 18 STAAL, 3 ROZSIVAL
Defense Pair 2: 5 GIRARDI, 6 REDDEN
Defense Pair 3: 27 MARA, 45 KALININ
Goalie: 30 LUNDQVIST
Back-up Goalie: 40 VALIQUETTE

Injuries:
Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR, 91 FEDOROV (ankle) DTD, 4 ERSKINE (concussion) DTD, 28 SEMIN (back) DTD, 3 POTI (groin) DTD, 14 FLEISCHMANN (illness) DTD

Rangers – none

Caps Milestones:
Brooks Laich needs 1 point to reach 100 in his career.
Mike Green needs 4 points to reach 100 in his career.
Tom Poti needs 9 points to reach 300 in his career.
Viktor Kozlov needs 6 goals to reach 200 in his career.
Alex Ovechkin needs 11 goals to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:
The New York Rangers come to town with a lot of motivation. This is the first meeting with the Caps since they blew a 4-0 lead to lose just before Christmas. New York were also dropped to second place in their division this season as Philly took control of the top spot in the Atlantic Division. However, the Caps have been unbelievable at home this season with a 16-1-1 record. Look for an incredibly physical game as the Ranger try to get a little payback against the Caps. Good news for the Caps as Donald Brashear will return to the lineup. Watch for the Capitals secondary scorers as I think they will be the key. They contributed big time against Tampa. This should be a fun one to watch.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 NYR 3

Official Preview

Game #39 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: January 1, 2009 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 13-6-3-1
Caps Game 39 Record: 14-13-5-1
All-Time vs. TAM: 49-24-6-4
All-Time home vs. TAM: 26-10-4-2
Last Season vs. TAM: 6-2-0
Last Meeting: 11/10/08, WAS 4 TAM 2

This Year:
WAS Record: 24-11-3
Standings Points: 51
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 2nd
Last Game: 12/30/08, WAS 4 BUF 2
Streak: Win 4

TAM Record: 10-16-10
Standings Points: 30
Division Rank: 4th
Conference Rank: 13th
Last Game: 12/30/08, TAM 1 MON 2 (OT-SO)
Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 33 GIROUX, 92 NYLANDER, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 3: 39 STECKEL, 21 LAICH, 16 FEHR
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY
Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 27 ALZNER
Defense Pair 3: 62 COLLINS, 26 MORRISONN
Goalie: 60 THEODORE
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Tampa
Forward Line 1: 12 MALONE, 4 LECAVALIER, 26 ST. LOUIS
Forward Line 2: 24 PETTINGER, 38 SZCZECHURA, 8 RECCHI
Forward Line 3: 20 PROSPAL, 11 HALPERN, 76 ARTYUKHIN
Forward Line 4: 36 JOKINEN, 91 STAMKOS, 18 HALL
Defense Pair 1: 14 MESZAROS, 54 RANGER
Defense Pair 2: 44 EMINGER, 22 MALIK
Defense Pair 3: 2 KRAJICEK, SMABY
Goalie: 41 SMITH
Back-up Goalie: 37 KOLZIG

Injuries:
Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR, 91 FEDOROV (ankle) DTD, 4 ERSKINE (concussion) DTD, 28 SEMIN (back) DTD, 3 POTI (groin) DTD, 14 FLEISCHMANN (illness) DTD

Tampa – 33 KOCI (broken hand) IR, 10 ROBERTS (lower body) IR

Caps Milestones:
Mike Green will play in his 200th career NHL game.
Brooks Laich needs 1 points to reach 100 in his career.
Mike Green needs 6 points to reach 100 in his career.
Tom Poti needs 9 points to reach 300 in his career.
Viktor Kozlov needs 6 goals to reach 200 in his career.
Alex Ovechkin needs 12 goals to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:
The Capitals have won 4 in a row and 9 of their last 10 games but needs to be weary of a Tampa team that visits the Phone Booth for New Year’s. Tampa is on a roll of their own winning 3 of their last 4. Tampa is looking like Washington South with former Capitals Jeff Halpern, Matt Pettinger, Steve Eminger, Jamie Heward and Olie Kolzig in the lineup. The Caps must maintain focus and give the Bolts the same Washington welcome we’ve grown accustom to seeing this season. The Caps are 15-1-1 at home this season. Look for a physical game as the Blots try to mirror the toughness of Head Coach Rick Tocchet. Watch Matt Bradley and David Steckel who both have career highs in points against Tampa. If the Caps play true to form, I think they win going away.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 TAM 1

Official Preview

Game #38 Recap - Capitals 4 Sabres 2

For the second time in five days the Caps beat the Sabres. For the Caps it was good to get a win on the road in a building that has always given the team trouble. The Caps took a 2-0 lead in the first period and would not allow the Sabres to get on track the rest of the game. The Caps got another goal in the second for a 3-0 lead before Buffalo scored midway through the third. The teams traded last minute goals to closeout the scoring with a 4-2 final. The Caps are winners in 9 of their last 10 games and hold the fourth best record in the NHL.

Of Note:

• Nicklas Backstrom scored the game-winning goal and assisted on Laich's goal. The young Swede has 42 points on the season, 8 points in the last 4 games, and is 5th in the NHL with 31 assists. Remarkably, he only has 8,440 All-Star votes.
• Chris Bourque (47 votes) scored the first goal of his NHL career. Bourque was recalled to replace Donald Brashear (534 votes)who is out with a leg injury.
• Brooks Laich (1,381 votes) opened the scoring with a power play goal. For Laich, it was his 6th goal in the last 9 games.
• Stopping 31 of 33 shots, Jose Theodore (1,332 votes) picked up his 11th win on the season.
• Boyd Gordon (46 votes) picked up the 4th shorthanded goal of his career when he cleared the puck out of the Caps end of the ice straight into the Sabres empty net.
• Viktor Kozlov (122 votes) had another impressive game. The big Russian picked up 2 assists and has 8 points in his last 9 games.
  
• With an elbowing call in the second period Chris Clark (140 votes) hit a career milestone of 600 penalty minutes. He's only 1,900 behind the Donald.
  

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #38 Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres

Where: HSBC Center, Buffalo, NY

When: December 30, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:
Caps Record on this Date: 6-6-5-0
Caps Game 38 Record: 14-15-3-1
All-Time vs. BUF: 34-76-15-1
All-Time at BUF: 17-40-6-0
Last Season vs. BUF: 1-3-0
Last Meeting: 12/26/08, WAS 3 BUF 2

This Year:
WAS Record: 23-11-3
Standings Points: 49
Division Rank: 1st
Conference Rank: 2nd
Last Game: 12/28/08, WAS 4 TOR 1
Streak: Win 3

BUF Record: 17-14-5
Standings Points: 39
Division Rank: 3rd
Conference Rank: 8th
Last Game: 12/27/08, BUF 4 NYI 3
Streak: Win 1

Game 1: 11/01/08, WAS 0 BUF 5
Game 2: 12/26/08, WAS 3 BUF 2

Probable Line-Ups:
Washington
Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV
Forward Line 2: 33 GIROUX, 92 NYLANDER, 17 CLARK
Forward Line 3: 39 STECKEL, 21 LAICH, 16 FEHR
Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY
Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN
Defense Pair 2: 23 JURCINA, 27 ALZNER
Defense Pair 3: 62 COLLINS, 26 MORRISONN
Goalie: 60 THEODORE
Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Buffalo
Forward Line 1: 26 VANEK, 9 ROY, 21 STAFFORD
Forward Line 2: 41 MACARTHUR, 55 HECHT, 29 POMINVILLE
Forward Line 3: 20 PAILLE, 22 MAIR, 12 KOTALIK
Forward Line 4: 76 PETERS, 37 ELLIS, 61 AFINOGENOV
Defense Pair 1: 6 SEKARA, 44 SPACEK
Defense Pair 2: 5 LYDMAN, 10 TALLINDER
Defense Pair 3: 27 NUMMINEN, 34 BUTLER
Goalie: 30 MILLER
Back-up Goalie: 40 LALIME

Injuries:
Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR, 91 FEDOROV (ankle) DTD, 4 ERSKINE (concussion) DTD, 28 SEMIN (back) DTD, 3 POTI (groin) DTD, 14 FLEISCHMANN (illness) DTD

Buffalo – 52 RIVET (shoulder) IR, 42 GERBE (upper body) IR, 15 CONNOLLY (ribs) IR, 28 GAUSTAD (mouth) DTD

Caps Milestones:
Brooks Laich needs 2 points to reach 100 in his career.
Mike Green needs 7 points to reach 100 in his career.
Tom Poti needs 9 points to reach 300 in his career.
Chris Clark needs 2 penalty minutes to reach 600 in his career.
Viktor Kozlov needs 6 goals to reach 200 in his career.
Alex Ovechkin needs 12 goals to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:
The team heads to Buffalo to face the Sabres with a very different look from when the two teams met 2 games ago. With Mike Green and Jeff Schultz back in the lineup the back line goes from 4 Hershey call ups to only 2. Of course, you must acknowledge how well the players called up have performed since the Caps starters started dropping like flies. After the Minnesota game on Nov. 24 to now, the Caps made 20 recalls (that I can count) from Hershey and went 12-4-0 over that span, pretty impressive. Granted the Caps have not been fielding the team they would like but learning curve has been relatively short and they have been getting the job done. Tonight’s match is one that gives me a bit of concern. The Caps are playing decent hockey and just beat the same Buffalo team on Friday. However, the Caps have suffered big time playing at Buffalo in their history, winning only 17 of 63 meetings, the latest a 5-0 loss back on Nov. 1. Look for the Caps to play an aggressive game and put the body to the smaller, speedier buffalo forwards. They need to wear these guys down throughout the game. The Caps need to get some offense early and keep sustained pressure on the Sabres. Watch the Caps top line tonight, Alex Ovechkin didn’t get the NHL’s 1st Star of the Week for nothing.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 BUF 3

Official Preview