Opening Night 2011-12 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  October 8, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 4-8-0-0

Caps Game 1 Record: 17-17-2-0

All-Time vs. CAR: 41-23-7-6

All-Time at home vs. CAR: 23-11-2-2

Last Season vs. CAR: 5-0-1

Last Meeting: 3/29/11, WAS 1 CAR 2 OT-SO

This Year:

WAS Record: 0-0-0

Standings Points: 0

CAR Record: 0-0-0

Standings Points: 0

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 20 BROWER, 90 JOHANSSON, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 21 LAICH, 42 WARD

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 15 HALPERN, BEAGLE

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 6 WIDEMAN, 44 HAMRLIK

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 29 VOKOUN

Carolina

Forward Line 1: 15 RUUTU, 12 STAAL, 36 JOKINEN

Forward Line 2: 23 PONIKAROVSKY, 53 SKINNER, 22 DALPE

Forward Line 3: 19 TLUSTY, 16 SUTTER, 59 LAROSE

Forward Line 4: 39 DWYER, 37 BRENT, 13 STEWART

Defense Pair 1: 6 GLEASON, 25 PITKANEN

Defense Pair 2: 28 FAULK, 51 KABERLE

Defense Pair 3: 5 ALLEN, 4 MCBAIN

Goalie: 30 WARD

Back-up Goalie: 33 BOUCHER

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (groin) LTIR, 4 ERSKINE (upper body) IR

CAR – None

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 2 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals start a new season at home against SE Division rival Carolina. The Caps look a bit different this season as new players were brought in after last season’s second round playoff exit. Washington brought in veteran free agents all over the lineup. The biggest surprise was picking up stand out goaltender Tomas Vokoun after trading Semyon Varlamov to Colorado. He took a pay cut to come to Washington because he wants to win and that’s what we fans love to hear. Look for this game to start off fast. Carolina will be in the second half of back-to-backs so the Caps need to match their energy to start and turn in up in the second period. I think Carolina will have a tough chore trying to beat the Caps at home on opening night.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 CAR 2

Capitals Cut Some More

Yesterday saw the Capitals fall in Baltimore 2-0 to the Nashville Predators in their first action of the preseason.

Recap 

Prior to the game the following players were sent to their junior teams:

Samuel Henley, Luke Lockhart, Garrett Ross, James Oligny

In addition, Tyler Ludwig and Taylor Stefishen were cut. Stefishen was acquired during the summer in a trade with Nashville. If the Caps sign him prior to June 1st they will have to send a 7th round draft pick to Nashville.

Good luck to all the young men.

First Cuts

The Capitals trimmed their roster for the first time with the following cuts:

Edmondson, Reid
Frazee, Thomas
Tabisz, Nick

As well as returning the following to their junior teams:

Carrier, Samuel
Elliot, Mitch

Good luck in all endeavors young men.

Capitals Return to the Ice for 2011-12 Training Camp Tomorrow

The Caps open this season training camp on Saturday September 17th and the Kettler Iceplex in Arlington, VA. The following is the roster of players expected to attend:

Forwards

23           C             AUCOIN, KEITH

19           C             BACKSTROM, NICKLAS

83           C             BEAGLE, JAY

36           R             BOUCHARD, FRANCOIS

56           L              BOURQUE, CHRISTOPHER

20           L              BROUWER, TROY

64           F              CARROL, ANDREW

25           L              CHIMERA, JASON

67           R             FORD, MATT

43           L              GREENTREE, KYLE

15           C             HALPERN, JEFF

38           C             HANSON, CHRISTIAN

26           C             HENDRICKS, MATT

90           C             JOHANSSON, MARCUS

34           F              KANE, BOYD

17           L              KING, D.J.

22           R             KNUBLE, MIKE

58           F              LACROIX, MAXIME

21           C             LAICH, BROOKS

53           L              MICFLIKIER, JACOB

51           F              MINK, GRAHAM

8              L              OVECHKIN, ALEXANDER

85           C             PERREAULT, MATHIEU

16           C             POTULNY, RYAN

24           F              RECHLICZ, JOEL

28           L              SEMIN, ALEXANDER

42           R             WARD, JOEL

Defensemen

27           D             ALZNER, KARL

57           D             BAIER, PAUL

59           D             BROUILLETTE, JULIEN

74           D             CARLSON, JOHN

62           D             COLLINS, SEAN

4              D             ERSKINE, JOHN

52           D             GREEN, MIKE

44           D             HAMRLIK, ROMAN

46           D             MCNEIL, PATRICK

45           D             MISKOVIC, ZACH

72           D             ORESKOVIC, PHIL

3              D             POTI, TOM

39           D             RICHMOND, DANNY

55           D             SCHULTZ, JEFF

41           D             WELLAR, PATRICK

6              D             WIDEMAN, DENNIS

Goaltenders

70           G             HOLTBY, BRADEN

30           G             NEUVIRTH, MICHAL

35           G             SABOURIN, DANY

29           G             VOKOUN, TOMAS

Click here for the official Schedule of Events 

 

Playoff Round 2 Game #4 Recap: Caps 3 Tampa Bay 5

In the end the Capitals just couldn't get it done. The team lost Game #4 5-3 and were swept out of this year's playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Washington had no answer for Tampa's 3rd line line of Sean Bergenheim, Dominic Moore and Steve Downie. The trio combined fro 2 goals and 6 point in Game 4 and gave the Capitals fits all series long. The game started with the Capitals sticking to their game plan and methodically trying to break the Tampa 1-3-1 trap defense but the Lightning scored the first goal with Alex Ovechkin in the box for a charging penalty. Washington responded with a power play goal of their own when Ovechkin's point shot deflected off Jason Arnott and Marco Sturm's shoulder into the net. At the beginning of the second period the Caps started getting sustained pressure in the Tampa zone but couldn't solve the Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson. Then the Lightning counter attacked and in a goal mouth scramble the loose puck found its way onto Bergenheim's stick and he flipped it into the Capitals net for a 2-1 lead. Tampa stretched its lead to 3-2 when Begenheim put back a rebound from a Moore shot. Washington got renewed life a little over a minute later when John Erskine intercepted a clearing attempt and threw a shot at the net that beat a surprised Roloson to bring the Caps back to within one at 3-2. The goal was like a jolt of electricity to the Caps, who's energy level was noticeably raised. This carried over to the third period as the Caps swarmed the net but Sturm was called for goalie interference and the penalty kill went to work. After killing off the first minute of the penalty Tampa retook their two goal lead when a point shot beat a screened Michal Neuvirth who threw up his hands in frustration as the screen was by two of his own teammates. The Caps really began pressing and a turnover led to another Lightning goal. In a last attempt to get back in the game, Washington pulled Neuvirth for an extra attacker and John Carlson scored to bring the Caps back to within two. The Caps battled all the way to the final horn but it was not enough. All was done for this season's Washington Capitals. After all this team was been through this season it seemed like they were destined for much more but such is the way in sports. So, we say goodbye to this year's Washington Capitals but fear not, they will return again next fall to embark upon another marathon journey to claim the elusive Stanley Cup. I would like to add a big thank you to all the readers who have been following this year's team with me, it sure has been a lot of fun.

Of Note:

• Michal Neuvirth stopped 32 of 37 shots and finished the playoffs with a 4-5 record. He sported a 2.34 GAA and a save percentage of 0.912 in his 9 games. The rookie was solid and seemingly unflappable in net. The Caps have a real winner in this kid.
• Alex Ovechkin had 1 assist in Game 4 and 2 goals and 4 points in the series. In this year's playoffs he was easily the best player on the Capitals with 5 goals and 5 assists to boost his career playoff totals to 25 goals and 25 assists in 37 games.
• The Capitals gave up 2 power play goals on 5 attempts in Game 4 and finished the post season with 5 goals against on 38 chances while the power play went 5 for 35 with 1 power play goal in Game 4.
• Jason Arnott had 2 assists in the game and Brooks Laich had 1. Laich almost had a goal in the first period when he deflected a John Erskine shot square off the left post. 
• Boyd Gordon won 9 of the 12 face-offs and led the NHL in face-off percentage winning 68.8% of the draws he took.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game Highlights:

Playoff Round 2 Game #4 Preview: Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning

Where: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL

When:  May 4, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

All-Time Playoff Series Record vs. TAM: 0-1

All-Time Playoff Game Record vs. TAM: 2-7

Last Meeting: 2003, WAS 2 TAM 4

This Year:

WAS Record: 48-22-11

Standings Points: 107

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st

TAM Record: 46-25-11

Standings Points: 103

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th    

2010-2011 Regular Season Series: 4-1-1

Nov. 11, 2010 WAS 6 TAM 3

Nov. 26, 2010 WAS 6 TAM 0

Jan. 4, 2011 WAS 0 TAM 1 (OT)

Jan. 12, 2011 WAS 0 TAM 3

Feb. 4, 2011 WAS 5 TAM 2

Mar. 7, 2011 WAS 2 TAM 1 (OT-SO)

Playoff Series Schedule and Results:

Apr. 29, 2011 WAS 2 TAM 4

May 01, 2011 WAS 2 TAM 3 (OT)

May 03, 2011 WAS 3 TAM 4

May 04, 2011 at Tampa

May 07, 2011 at Washington*

May 09, 2011 at Tampa*

May 11, 2011 at Washington*

*If required

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 44 ARNOTT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 18 STURM, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 4 ERSKINE, 23 HANNAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Tampa

Forward Line 1: 6 MALONE, 91 STAMKOS, 9 DOWNIE

Forward Line 2: 16 PURCELL, 4 LECAVALIER, 26 ST. LOUIS

Forward Line 3: 49 B. JONES, 19 MOORE, 10 BERGENHEIM

Forward Line 4: 18 HALL, 44 THOMPSON

Defense Pair 1: 2 BREWER, 5 OHLUND

Defense Pair 2: 7 CLARK, 39 LUNDIN

Defense Pair 3: 8 R. JONES, 77 HEDMAN

Defense Pair 4: 47 BERGERON

Goalie: 35 ROLOSON

Back-up Goalie: 41 SMITH

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (upper body) IR, 6 WIDEMAN (lower body) DTD

TAM – 12 GAGNE (undisclosed) DTD, 13 KUBINA (undisclosed) DTD

Preview:

Its do or die time for the Capitals. They are in a 0-3 hole and must win the next 4 games to advance to the next round. It’s a daunting task but if it’s going to happen it starts tonight. The Capitals need to tighten up on their systems and play with what Tampa is giving them. They had a tremendous second period last night but followed it with a terrible third. Look for the Capitals to come out strong in the first period tonight and play an aggressive forecheck and funnel everything to the net. I expect a more even effort and the Caps will need contributions from its third and fourth lines. Alex Ovechkin has been good in this series but he is going to have to take his play to another level. It all starts here in Game 4. The Caps need a win and I think they get it.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 TAM 1

Official Preview