Game #3 Recap - Capitals 5 Canucks 1

Total team defense by the Capitals dominated the Vancouver Canucks last night. The Caps held their opponent to 10 shots on goal, a new team record for the fewest shots against by an opponent. With 5 goals in the first 2 periods the Caps chased Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo from the net at the second intermission. Alexander Semin started the scoring in the first and scored again in the second. Mike Green and Milan Jurcina also scored goals and Michael Nylander finished the scoring with a penalty shot goal.

Caps goaltender Brent Johnson was lonely for most of the game. After giving up a power play goal on Vancouver's first shot of the game, Johnson saw only 2 more shots until the 3rd period. He stopped all 7 third period shots in route to his 100th career NHL victory. The Caps had Vancouver completely disoriented for most of the evening as the Canucks could not move the puck through the neutral zone due to the aggressive forecheck of the Capitals. Watching the performance last night it was evident that this Capitals team works together as a team it has the ability to be a top team in this league.

Of Note:

• Alexander Semin's two goals gives him 77 career goals, all as a member of the Caps. He moves ahead of Syvain Cote and ties him with Geoff Courtnall for 30th on the Capitals All-Time Gaols list. Semin leads the Caps with 6 points through 3 games.
  
• Sergei Fedorov was paired on the blue line with Milan Jurcina. The pair combined for a goal, an assist, 8 shots on goal and a +/- rating of +5.
• Mike Green scored his 3rd goal of the season last night. All three goals have come on the power play.
• The team went 2 for 4 on the power play with the second being Nylander's penalty shot goal. The lone goal against the Caps came on the power play. Washington finished the game killing 3 of 4 Vancouver power play attempts.
• Viktor Kozlov left the game early with an apparent leg injury. It is expected thet Eric Fehr will replace him for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.
• In his first action of the season Boyd Gordon recorded an assist. Mike Green, Tomas Fleischmann, Chris Clark, Sergei Fedorov, and Brooks Laich also recorded assists.
• Michael Nylander, in addition to his penalty shot goal, had two assists for a 3-point night.

Official Recap
Game Sumarry
Event Summary

Game #3 Vancouver Canucks at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: October 13, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:

Caps Record on this Date: 4-12-2-0

Caps Game 3 Record: 10-16-6-1

All-Time vs. VAN: 38-33-9-1

All-Time At Home vs. VAN: 22-15-4-0

Last Season vs. VAN: 0-1-0

Last Meeting: 10/26/07, WAS 2 VAN 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 1-1-0

Standings Points: 2

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 12th

Last Game: 10/11/08, WAS 4 CHI 2

Streak: Win 1

VAN Record: 2-0-0

Standings Points: 4

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd

Last Game: 10/11/08, VAN 5 CAL 4 (OT)

Streak: Win 2

Probable Line-Ups:

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 91 FEDOROV, 28 SEMIN 14 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, NYLANDER, 17 CLARK

Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 23 JURCINA

Goalie: 60 THEODORE

Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Vancouver

Forward Line 1: 22 D. SEDIN, 33 H. SEDIN, 9 PYATT

Forward Line 2: 21 RAYMOND, 38 DEMITRA, 18 BERNIER

Forward Line 3: 14 BURROWS, 17 KESLER, 37 RYPIEN

Forward Line 4: 24 HORDICHUK, 10 JOHNSON, 36 HANSEN

Defense Pair 1: 2 OHLUND, 23 ELDER

Defense Pair 2: 3 BIEKSA, 8 MITCHELL

Defense Pair 3: 6 SALO, 55 O’BRIEN

Goalie: 1 LUONGO

Back-up Goalie: 41 STANFORD

Injuries:

Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR

Vancouver – 7 NYCHOLAT (back) IR

Caps Milestones:

Victor Kozlov needs 3 points to reach 500 in his career.

Matt Bradley needs 5 points to reach 100 in his career.

Michael Nylander needs 4 points to reach 100 with the Capitals.

Preview:

This should be an interesting matchup at the Verizon Center this evening. The Vancouver Canucks come to town with a 2-0-0 record and have scored 11 goals in a home-and-home series against the Calgary Flames. The Caps finally settled down in the last two periods on Saturday and played more of the brand of hockey we became accustom to last season. The defense tightened up and the players got back to the system of aggressive forechecking. In the first two games the Caps faced an outstanding effort by the opposing goaltender and you can count on that again tonight. The Canucks captain is their goalie, Roberto Luongo, and he is arguably the best in the business. However, in Vancouver’s two victories he has only faced 54 shots. Look for the Capitals to shoot early and often. In the game against Chicago, only one Capital skater did not register a shot on goal. When the Caps are on their game they really rack up the shots. Watch for the line of Brooks Laich, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Semin. They have combined for 6 points in the first 2 games and netted the game winner against the Hawks.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 VAN 3

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Game #2 Recap - Capitals 4 Blackhawks 2

After raising the 2007-08 Southeast Division Championship banner to the roof of the Verizon Center, the Caps started out right where they left off in Friday's game in Atlanta. Sloppy defense and soft goals left the Caps in a 2-0 hole halfway though the first period. The Caps got within one goal as Donald Brashear forced a turnover at center ice and David Steckel setup Matt Bradley for the put away.

The second period looked more like the team we were all excited about. Chicago was hemmed in their end for most of the period and steady goal tending by Jose Theodore who stopped all 6 shots he faced in the period. Alex Ovechkin knotted the score at 2-2 with a wrist rocket from the high slot. In the third period you got that inevitable feeling as the Caps poured on 16 shots and finally took their first lead of the season on a reviewed goal from Brooks Laich. With the Blackhawks scrambling, Ovechkin sealed the deal with his second goal of the game at 18:24. The Caps are back in action on Monday against Vancouver.

Of Note:

• All six goals were scored at even strength. The Caps had 4 power play attemps and Chicago had 5.
• The 2-goal effort by Ovechkin was his 31st multiple goal game in his career.
• Alexander Semin had a nice assist on Laich's goal and leads the team with 4 points.
• David Steckel, Donald Brashear, Tom Poti, Jeff Schultz, and Jose Theodore also assisted on Capitals' goals.
• The team was much better in the face-off circle tonight winning 50% of the draws. Sergei Fedorov led the Caps winning 13 and losing 4.
• The Capitals outshot the Hawks 34-21. After allowing 10 first period shots the Caps allowed only 11 in the second and third combined.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #2 Chicago Blackhawks At Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When: October 10, 2008, 7:00 PM

History:

Caps Record on this Date: 5-10-2-0

Caps Game 2 Record: 10-20-3-0

All-Time vs. CHI: 24-16-5-5

All-Time At Home vs. CHI: 21-15-5-1

Last Season vs. CHI: 0-1-0

Last Meeting: 3/19/08, WAS 0 CHI 5

This Year:

WAS Record: 0-1-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 14th

Last Game: 10/10/08, WAS 4 ATL 7

Streak: Loss 1

CHI Record: 0-1-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 12th

Last Game: 10/10/08, CHI 2 NYR 4

Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 91 FEDOROV, 28 SEMIN 14 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, NYLANDER, 17 CLARK

Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 23 JURCINA

Goalie: 60 THEODORE

Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Chicago

Forward Line 1: 16 LADD, 19 TOEWS, 24 HAVLAT

Forward Line 2: 88 KANE, 10 SHARP, 33 BYFUGLIEN

Forward Line 3: 32 VERSTEEG, 36 BOLLAND, 11 SKILLE

Forward Line 4: 37 BURISH, 46 FRASER, 28 ADAMS

Defense Pair 1: 4 HJALMARSSON, 51 CAMPBELL

Defense Pair 2: 2 KEITH, 7 SEABROOK

Defense Pair 3: 5 SOPEL, 6 HENDRY

Goalie: 38 HUET

Back-up Goalie: 39 KHABIBULIN

Injuries:

Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR

Chicago – 43 WISNIEWSKI (torn acl) IR

Caps Milestones:

Victor Kozlov needs 3 points to reach 500 in his career.

Matt Bradley needs 5 points to reach 100 in his career.

Michael Nylander needs 4 points to reach 100 with the Capitals.

Preview:

The Capitals were given a dose of reality last night falling to the Atlanta Thrashers 7-4. The team will attempt to rebound from the loss against a familiar foe. Cristobal Huet who helped to lead the team to the SE Conference Championship last season returns to Verizon Center as a member of the Blackhawks. Huet’s debut for the Hawks was not a pleasant one as the NY Rangers defeated Chicago 4-2 last night. The Caps will raise the Championship banner tonight and they had better lift their play. Look for the Caps to be much more disciplined in their system and play much tighter defense. This should be a very competitive game but I think the team will rebound for the victory.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 CHI 2

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Game #1 Recap - Washington 4 Atlanta 7

The Capitals come out flat as a pancake. The team failed to execute their system, allowed Atlanta 9 power play opportunities and the goal tending was not good. With that being said, the Caps were still in this one with about 6-minutes to go. Atlanta then poured on 3 goals in 2:10 to finish off a disappointing night for our boys.

Maybe it was nerves or putting to much pressure on themselves but the team looked absolutely out of sync. Lets hope this was a wake up call because if they think the opposition is going to lay down before them, they are in for a long season. A little amnesia would help right now as the team heads home to face Chicago tonight in the home opener.

Of Note:

• Alexander Semin was a bright spot for the Caps scoring the first goal and assisting on two others.
• Mike Green scored two goals on the same power play and assisted on another.
• John Erskine, Donald Brashear, and Matt Bradley each received fighting majors in an unneeded show of aggression in the final minutes.
• Alex Ovechkin was held off the scoreboard and was stopped on a penalty shot early in the third period that would have given the Caps a 5-4 advantage.
• The Caps won 29 of 73 face-offs. Not a good night.
• Chris Clark recorded his 800th career shot on goal.

Game Summary
Event Summary
Official Recap

Game #1 Washington Capitals at Atlanta Thrashers

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta GA

When: October 10, 2008, 7:30 PM

History:

Caps Record on this Date: 6-4-0-0

Caps Game 1 Record: 16-15-2-0

All-Time vs. ATL: 24-16-5-5

All-Time At ATL: 10-9-2-4

Last Season vs. ATL: 4-3-2

Last Meeting: 3/21/08, WAS 5 ATL 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 0-0-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: na

Conference Rank: na

Last Game: na

Streak: Loss na

ATL Record: 0-0-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: na

Conference Rank: na

Last Game: na

Streak: na

Probable Line-Ups:

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 KOZLOV

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 91 FEDOROV, 28 SEMIN 14 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 14 FLEISCHMANN, NYLANDER, 17 CLARK

Forward Line 4: 87 BRASHEAR, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 26 MORRISONN, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 3 POTI

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 23 JURCINA

Goalie: 60 THEODORE

Back-up Goalie: 1 JOHNSON

Atlanta

Forward Line 1: 17 KOVALCHUK, 12 WHITE, 14 WILLIAMS

Forward Line 2: 13 KOZLOV, 9 CHRISTENSEN, 20 ARMSTRONG

Forward Line 3: 11 PERRIN, 19 REASONER, 21 STERLING

Forward Line 4: 36 BOULTON, 23 SLATER, 27 THORBURN

Defense Pair 1: 39 ENSTROM, 28 HAVELID

Defense Pair 2: 2 EXELBY, 6 HAINSEY

Defense Pair 3: 4 BOGOSIAN, 18 SCHNEIDER

Goalie: 32 LEHTONEN

Back-up Goalie: 1 HEDBERG

Injuries:

Washington – 2 POTHIER (concussion) IR

Atlanta – HOFFMAN (broken hand) IR

Caps Milestones:

Victor Kozlov needs 4 points to reach 500 in his career.

Matt Bradley needs 5 points to reach 100 in his career.

Michael Nylander needs 5 points to reach 100 with the Capitals.

Preview:

Washington starts the new season in Atlanta tonight. The club returns most of the team it finished last season with the exception of goalie. The team is counting on free agent acquisition Jose Theodore to handle the duties in net. There are a lot of expectations going into this season as Head Coach Bruce Boudreau starts his first full campaign behind the Caps bench. The team embraced his high octane, offensive system last season which allowed players like Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green to flourish. With the return of Michael Nylander and Chris Clark from injury, this is as strong a team as I have seen in a long time. My big question is whether or not the Caps, with the constraints of the salary cap, can keep the intensity up over the long haul of the season. My hunch is that they can.

Tonight’s match up pits Coach Boudreau against his good friend John Anderson. Anderson was hired to coach the Thrashers in the offseason and it will be the first NHL opener for both coaches. Look for Alex Ovechkin to try and get things started early for the Caps. He loves playing the Thrashers with 20 goals and 20 assists in 24 games. The Caps just completed a very good preseason finishing 5-1-1 and the last game looked liked they just wanted to be done and get on to tonight’s game. I think the team will explode out of the gate and put a bunch of goals on the board.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 ATL 1

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