The Capitals Acquire Scott Hannan from Colorado

Per the Washington Capitals,

Tomas Fleischmann has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche for veteran defenseman Scott Hannan. From the press release:

Hannan, 31, is an 11-year NHL veteran who has played for Colorado and the San Jose Sharks. The 6’1”, 225-pound defensive defenseman has played 775 career games, recording 30 goals, 150 assists, 456 penalty minutes and a +22 rating. This season Hannan has six assists and a +1 rating while playing all 23 games for the Avalanche.

Hannan has played at least 71 games in each of his 11 pro seasons, including 97.2% of the games since he made the NHL full-time in 2000-01. He has averaged 18:37 of ice time per game this season and 22:02 per game in the course of his career. His teams have made the playoffs eight times in 10 seasons prior to this one.

A first-round pick of the Sharks, 23rd overall, in the 1997 Entry Draft, Hannan broke into the league after an all-star career with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League. He was a teammate of current Capital Matt Bradley with the Sharks and signed with Colorado as a free agent on July 1, 2007.

Game #25 Recap: Caps 3 Carolina 2 (OT-SO)

The Capitals had a strong first period and lead the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin scored goals as Washington controlled much of the play. Eric Fehr won a puck battle along the boards a fed the puck to Johansson who walked out and beat the goalie to open the scoring. Semin finished off a sweet backhand pass from Alex Ovechkin on a 2-on-1. One minute into the second period the lead was cut in half. The Capitals continued to pressure Carolina but goalie Cam Ward stood tall in net. With 3 second remaining in the game and the goalie pulled the Canes tied the game and forced overtime. Both teams traded chances in the overtime but the game was decided in the shootout. After watching a Carolina miss, Alex Ovechkin took the puck and looped around to the left wing side of the ice. He angled in on Cam Ward and with a shimmy, a fake and a shot beat him upstairs glove side. No one else scored in the shootout, Caps win.

Of Note:

• Semyon Varlamov won his third game of the season. He stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced and all 3 attempts in the shootout. His effort was good enough for the #3 Star of the Game.
• Alexander Semin score goal #18 on the season tying him for #2 in the NHL.
• The Capitals killed off all 3 Carolina power plays but failed to convert on their lone power play attempt.
• Eric Fehr, alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom each had 1 assist each. Ovechkin has 22 assists on the season and is tied for second most in the NHL.
• Washington Dominated the face-offs winning 33 of the 55 draws but lost the one at the end of the third period that set up the tying goal.
• On the defensive end John Carlson had a strong game with 25:09 of ice time mainly against Carolina's #1 line. He put 4 shots on goal, delivered 4 hits along with 1 takeaway and 3 blocked shots.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary
Shootout Summary

Game #25 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 28, 2010 5:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-8-2-1

Caps Game 25 Record: 13-19-2-1

All-Time vs. CAR: 38-23-7-5

All-Time at Home vs. CAR: 21-11-2-1

Last Season vs. CAR: 3-1-2

Last Meeting: 11/24/10, WAS 3 CAR 2

This Year:

WAS Record: 16-6-2

Standings Points: 34

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 11/22/10, WAS 0 NJ 5

Streak: Win 2

CAR Record: 10-10-2

Standings Points: 20

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 9th    

Last Game: 11/27/10, CAR 3 BOS 0

Streak: Win 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 21 LAICH, 19 BACKSTROM, 8 OVECHKIN

Forward Line 2: 28 SEMIN 90 JOHANSSON, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 44 FAHEY

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Carolina

Forward Line 1: 59 LAROSE, 12 STAAL, 39 DWYER

Forward Line 2: 14 SAMSONOV, 16 SUTTER, 53 SKINNER

Forward Line 3: 15 RUUTU, 19 TLUSTY, 20 BODIE

Forward Line 4: 36 JOKINEN, 29 CARTER, 26 COLE

Defense Pair 1: 6 GLEASON, 77 CORVO

Defense Pair 2: 25 PITKANEN, 7 WHITE

Defense Pair 3: 4 MCBAIN, 44 HARRISON

Goalie: 30 WARD

Back-up Goalie: 60 PETERS

Injuries:

Washington – 52 GREEN (upper body) DTD, 89 SLOAN (undisclosed) IR

CAR – None

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Nicklas Backstrom needs 2 shots on goal to reach 600 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals returned to form shutting out the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-0 on Friday and will try to build more consistency into their game. The Carolina Hurricanes come to Verizon Center fresh off a 3-0 shutout of the Boston Bruins. They will be looking to repay the Caps who beat the Canes in Raleigh four nights ago. Look for the Caps to keep up the physical play as they really threw off Tampa with timely hits. I think the key to game will be the first period and the matchup between the Capitals defense and the speedy Carolina forwards. If the Caps can bottle up the Canes in the neutral zone it will be a good night for the home team. Watch for another big game from Alexander Semin who has lit up the Canes for 23 goals in 31 games.   

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 CAR 2

Official Preview

Game #24 Recap: Caps 6 Tampa Bay 0

Washington got a first period goal from John Carlson and that would be enough for the Caps who blanked the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-0. John Erskine scored early in the second and then it was the Alexander Semin show. Semin scored a natural hat trick in the span of 4:29. The first was set up on a 2-on-1 aerial pass from Marcus Johansson. The second and third came on the power play set up by Nicklas Backstrom. Tom Poti chipped in a goal in the third to round out the scoring. The Caps ended the Lightning's 5-game winning streak and held NHL leading scorer Steven Stamkos scoreless with just 1 shot on goal. Semyon Varlamov stopped all 17 shots he faced for his second consecutive win and third shutout of his career. The Caps take on the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow at the Verizon Center.

Of Note:

• Alexander Semin is now second in the NHL with 17 goals on the season. The hat trick was his third of the season and second against the Lightning. He set a Capitals record with the fast hat trick in team history. The mark was formerly held by Peter Bondra.
• Marcus Johansson had his fist multiple point game of his career. I think he has a few more in his future.
• The Capitals dominated the face-off dot winning 55% of the draws. The Caps have been at 50% or higher in face-off percentage for the last 11 straight games.
• Alex Ovechkin collected 2 power play assists as the Caps scored on 2 of 4. The penalty killers did not allow a goal on 5 Tampa attempts including a lengthy 5-on-3.
• Brooks Laich, Matt Hendricks, and Brian Fahey picked up 1 assist apiece. For Fahey it was the first point in his NHL career.

Official Summary
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #24 Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  November 26, 2010 5:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 5-5-4-1

Caps Game 24 Record: 16-14-4-1

All-Time vs. TAM: 59-26-6-4

All-Time at home vs. TAM: 31-11-4-2

Last Season vs. TAM: 4-2-0

Last Meeting: 11/11/10, WAS 6 TAM 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 15-6-2

Standings Points: 32

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 11/24/10, WAS 3 CAR 2

Streak: Win 1

TAM Record: 13-7-2

Standings Points: 28

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 4th    

Last Game: 11/24/10, TAM 5 NYR 3

Streak: Win 5

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 21 LAICH, 19 BACKSTROM, 8 OVECHKIN

Forward Line 2: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 44 FAHEY

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Tampa

Forward Line 1: 26 ST. LOUIS, 91 STAMKOS, 9 DOWNIE

Forward Line 2: 6 MALONE, 19 MOORE, 16 PURCELL

Forward Line 3: 21 RITOLA, 49 JONES, 42 TYRELL

Forward Line 4: 18 HALL, 44 THOMPSON, 10 BERGENHEIM

Defense Pair 1: 39 LUNDIN, 13 KUBINA

Defense Pair 2: 7 CLARK, 77 HEDMAN

Defense Pair 3: 5 OHLUND, 8 JONES

Goalie: 41 SMITH

Back-up Goalie: 33 ELLIS

Injuries:

Washington – 22 KNUBLE (jaw) IR, 52 GREEN (undisclosed) DTD, 89 SLOAN (undisclosed) IR

TAM – 12 GAGNE (neck) IR, 4 LECAVALIER (hand) IR, 32 SMABY (ankle) IR

Caps Milestones:

Tom Poti will play his 200^th game with the Washington Capitals.

Jason Chimera needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals face the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second time this season at Verizon Center. With a 5 game winning streak the Lightning are playing well but the Capitals started to get some of their form back with a win in Carolina. The teams are 1-2 in the SE division and will want to make a statement. Tampa’s Steven Stamkos is on pace for 50 goals in 50 games so the Caps will have to keep him under wraps. Look for a fast paced physical game as both teams will try to control the play. The Key for the Capitals is to get in on the forecheck and keep the play in the Tampa end of the ice. Be sure to watch the matchup between Nicklas Backstrom and Dominic Moore of Tampa, they did not play well together last game. I think this will be a high scoring game with the Caps pulling it out in the third period.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 6 TAM 4

Official Preview

Game #23 Recap: Caps 3 Carolina 2

The Capitals got back on the winning track with a 3-2 victory in Carolina. The Caps controlled much of the action for the first two periods and built a 2-0 lead. Alex Ovechkin was moved to the right wing position to try and spark the two-time MVP who has been largely unOvielike this season. The move appeared to spark the Capitals captain who was all over the ice. He was involved in the play, hitting everything, and moving his feet the whole time out there. He assisted on Nicklas Backstrom's goals in the first and second period. Ovechkin put a game high 10 shots on goal. The beginning of the third period saw the Caps let down and allowed Caroline back into the game with 2 goals against. But with 8 minutes left in the game it was Ovechkin again. With the Caps on the power play, Ovechkin fired a shot from the point that Brooks Laich deftly deflected into the net for the go ahead goal. The Caps held off the Canes for the rest of the contest.

Of Note:

• In goal, Semyon Varlamov returned from injury and looked solid in net for the win. He stopped 30 of 32 shots and was beaten on a deflection and a goal mouth scramble.
• Ovechkin picked up the primary assist on all three Capitals goals. In the process he passed Kevin Hatcher for 10th place in All-Time Assists and Dale Hunter into 4th place in All-Time Points. He finished the game with 3 assists, a +2 rating, 10 shots on goal, 5 hits, and 1 takeaway. Now that sounds like an Ovechkin stat line.
• In a strong game Nicklas Backstrom had 2 goals on 5 shots. Along with Ovechkin, Tomas Fleischmann and John Carlson picked up assists on the Backstrom markers.
• The Capitals dominated the face-off dot winning 37 draws while losing only 29. Boyd Gordon and David Steckel led the way winning a combined 24 of 32 draws.
• The Capitals and the Canes both went 1 for 4 on the power play. 
• Tom Poti was back in action for the first time since November 13th. He played 24:30 with a +1 rating and a blocked shot.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #23 Preview: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes

Where: RBC Center, Raleigh, NC

When:  November 24, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 4-10-2-0

Caps Game 23 Record: 12-15-6-2

All-Time vs. CAR: 37-23-7-5

All-Time at CAR: 16-12-5-4

Last Season vs. CAR: 3-1-2

Last Meeting: 10/27/10, WAS 3 CAR 0

This Year:

WAS Record: 14-6-2

Standings Points: 30

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 11/22/10, WAS 0 NJ 5

Streak: Loss 3

CAR Record: 9-9-2

Standings Points: 20

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 10th    

Last Game: 11/20/10, CAR 1 NAS 2 (OT-SO)

Streak: Loss 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 2: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 21 LAICH, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON,10 BRADLEY

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 15 GORDON

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 89 SLOAN

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Carolina

Forward Line 1: 14 SAMSONOV, 12 STAAL, 59 LAROSE

Forward Line 2: 36 JOKINEN, 16 SUTTER, 39 DWYER

Forward Line 3: 53 SKINNER, 15 RUUTU, 26 COLE

Forward Line 4: O’SULLIVAN, 18 MATSUMOTO, 19 TLUSTY

Defense Pair 1: 6 GLEASON, 77 CORVO

Defense Pair 2: 25 PITKANEN, 7 WHITE

Defense Pair 3: 4 MCBAIN, 44 HARRISON

Goalie: 30 WARD

Back-up Goalie: 60 PETERS

Injuries:

Washington – 30 NEUVIRTH (leg) DTD, 3 POTI (lower body) IR, 22 KNUBLE (jaw) IR

CAR – None

Caps Milestones:

Eric Fehr will play in career game #200 tonight.

Jason Chimera needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

With three losses in a row, Washington heads to Raleigh to face Southeast Division rival Carolina. The Caps have been terrible on the road this with a 5-4-1 record while they are 10-1-1 at home. The Capitals inconsistent play and porous defense has led to 14 goals against in the last three games. The team will look to get back to basics on the road tonight. Watch for the team to get back to the systems that made Washington the highest goal scoring team in the league last season. I think the Caps will pull out a victory tonight but it will be much tighter than you would normally think.  

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 CAR 2

Official Preview

Game #22 Recap: Caps 0 New Jersey 5

In a game they should have won, Washington gave up the lead early and had no answer for the New Jersey Devils. The 5-0 shutout is the third loss in a row for the Caps. Capitals goalie Braden Holtby gave up 3 first period goals including a late penalty shot. The second period was no better as the Devils put two more on the board for 5 in the first 15-minutes on the contest. The Caps simply could not manufacture any offense all night long. The team went 0 for 3 on the power play where they only mustered 4 shots on goal. The Caps are in need of some work on the fundamentals as they have given up 14 goals in their last 3 games and were shutout twice. The Caps need to make a shift in their play soon as they are in Raleigh on Wednesday for a date with the Hurricanes.

Of Note:

• Braden Holtby took the loss stopping 18 of 23 shots. Meanwhile, his team was stopped on all 30 shots fired at the New Jersey net.
• The Capitals penalty killers allowed one goal on two attempts but the goal was the first of the game at 5:49 in the first period.
• Eric Fehr and Alex Ovechkin led the team with 5 hits each.
• Defenseman Tyler Sloan was injured in the first period and left the game with only 3:25 of ice time.
• As a team, Washington blocked 3 shots in the game. However, New Jersey wasn't much better with 6.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary