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Actually, Alex Ovechkin Would Prefer To Play Defense, Blocks 2 Shots in 20 Seconds (GIF)

On May 12, 2013, In Photos, Video, By Ian Oland

A few days ago, a funny GIF of Alex Ovechkin was passed around the internet, showing Ovi slumping his shoulders after some defensive breakdowns down low led to a lay-up goal by Stepan. Then Deadspin published an article titled Alexander Ovechkin Would Prefer Not To Play Defense, which Peter and Alan May debunked pretty thoroughly.

While no one is saying he’s Pavel Datsyuk, Ovechkin plays some hard defense when needed. Example: game six, when Ovi blocked a couple of shots in a short burst– laying his body down in the effort.

Matt Hendricks: Unsung Hero of Game Five

On May 11, 2013, In Video, By Ian Oland

While Mike Ribeiro got all of the accolades after scoring the OTGWG to give the Caps a 3-2 series lead Friday night, a few other Capitals gave valiant performances as well. One of those players was checking-line forward Matt Hendricks, who, in just 9:42 of ice time, blocked seven New York Rangers shots, a game high. He also had four hits.

Last year, after the Caps beat the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, I spoke to Hendricks about his role as a wagon, a guy who sacrifices his body and does all of the little things to win.

Tagged with: Matt Hendricks • Wagon

Mike Ribeiro’s Game-Winning Overtime Goal (GIFs)

On May 11, 2013, In Photos, Video, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

Game five of the Capitals-Rangers series was just as taut as the preceding four, but the Caps seemed to have the upper hand from the second period on. Still, it took until overtime for the game to be decided– and by none other than the Caps’ much-maligned bad boy, Mike Ribeiro.

Often known as a hot-head weak on the faceoff dot and prone to bad penalties, Ribeiro was the opposite of that on Friday night. Ribeiro won 70% of his faceoffs– many of them crucial defensive-zone draws– and drove play better than any other Caps forward. His pestering of Brian Boyle drew the penalty that led to Joel Ward’s tying goal, and his relentless occupation of Lundqvist’s net led to a pivotal game-winner.

You wanted CRASH THE NET? I give you MIKE RIBEIRO.

Tagged with: Mike Ribeiro

A Playoff #PerryCelly: Mathieu Perreault Freaks Out After Game Five Overtime Win

On May 10, 2013, In Video, By Ian Oland

Video via @dcsportsbog

Mathieu Perreault finally gives the people what they want: a playoff #PerryCelly. It’s a short and sweet celebration, just like MP85. What. A. Win.

Get the shirt here.

Tagged with: #PerryCelly • Mathieu Perreault

Braden Holtby and Adam Oates Disagree About Turnover That Led to Goal

On May 10, 2013, In Opinion, Video, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Bruce Bennett

Thursday night, the New York Rangers opened the scoring in game four after Braden Holtby made an aggressive play that ultimately backfired. Holtby fired a saucer pass up the center of the ice that was intercepted by Taylor Pyatt, who knocked the puck out of the air with his stick. Brad Richards ultimately scored on an empty net.

With three out of four games in the Caps/Rangers series having been decided by one goal, it was a play too risky for Holtby to try. Capitals’ head coach Adam Oates agreed with that sentiment Thursday after practice.

Tagged with: Adam Oates • Braden Holtby

Did Alex Ovechkin Get Hurt in Game Three?

On May 9, 2013, In Opinion, Photos, Video, By Ian Oland

Ovi reacts after being slashed by Brad Richards in the third period of game three. (Photo credit: Bruce Bennett)

A few summers ago, Alex Ovechkin did an interview with Mike Vogel where he slouched. I didn’t think it was a big deal. A few screenshots later, Ovi’s bulging belly was the topic du jour and commenters everywhere opined about the Russian machine’s new chubbiness. The whole Fat Gate thing was ridiculous to me, because if you’ve ever seen Ovechkin, you’ve noticed how strong his core area is. It sticks out past his chest. It’s one of the reasons why Ovechkin’s such a physical player and has such explosiveness in his strides.

But since Ovechkin absorbed a crushing hip check from Anton Stralman to his leg, hip, and core in the first period of game three, he hasn’t been quite the same player.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Anton Stralman • Brad Richards • Dan Girardi • GIF • Ryan McDonagh

Craig Laughlin Jinxes, Telestrates Furiously After Too Many Men Penalty

On May 6, 2013, In Video, By Chris Gordon

Locker puts on a smile after Washington’s Game 3 loss.

No matter what happens to the Washington Capitals in their first round matchup against the New York Rangers, we won’t be hearing Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin after next week. Once the Eastern Conference Semifinals roll around, NBC has exclusive rights to the games. Locker, it seems, is going out in style.

During Monday’s Game 3, the former Cap was in top form. It started when the Caps took a 1-0 lead. Despite taking a couple of penalties, the Capitals were weathering the storm in first period, so well, in fact, that the Madison Square Garden crowd started booing as the final seconds ticked off Joel Ward’s minor.

“You couldn’t script it any better for the visiting Washington Capitals,” Laughlin exclaimed, finishing his sentence just as Brad Boyle unleashed a wrist shot to tie the game.

Tagged with: Craig Laughlin

Tom Wilson Scores First AHL Goal, Draws Two Penalties, and Yaps Constantly in Bears 5-4 Loss

On May 6, 2013, In Caps Prospect, Photos, Video, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s Kyle Mace

Washington Capitals 2012 first-round pick Tom Wilson has played just two games for the Hershey Bears, but he’s already made a huge impact. After scoring 9 goals (including a hat trick) and 17 points in 12 playoff games with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, Wilson scored his first professional goal on Sunday for the Hershey Bears. And it happened because he got under the skin of 2011-12 AHL leading scorer Chris Bourque.

Tagged with: Chris Bourque • First AHL Goal • GIF • Mark French • Tom Wilson

This is Why They Call Mike Green “Game Over” (GIF)

On May 4, 2013, In Photos, Video, By Ian Oland

Epic celebration! (Photo credit: Greg Fiume)

In the last couple years, Mike Green has struggled mightily with injury. His goal production has slumped, and he has failed to put up more than 8 goals and 24 points in the last two seasons. But over the summer, Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee went all in on #52, giving him a three-year contract extension and a substantial pay raise. A lot of people, including me, were critical of the signing. We were wrong.

That confidence McPhee showed in his struggling player has paid off this season, as Green has returned to form, scoring 12 goals and tallying 26 points in 35 games. Against the Rangers on Saturday, Green did what he did best– scoring the game-winning overtime goal, the only goal of the game. AND HOLY #$%& WHY I AM WRITING SO SERIOUS. WHAT A GOAL WHAT A GOAL WHAT A GOAL!

Tagged with: Game Over • GIF • Mike Green

More Steve Oleksy Face Violence (GIF)

On May 4, 2013, In Photos, Video, By Ian Oland

GIF by welshhockeyfan

Two days after Steve Oleksy took a wrist shot to the cheek, he absorbed even more facial violence in game two, this time getting high-sticked in the mouth by Derek Dorsett. Dorsett was whistled for a minor penalty, and Binky, just like on Thursday, didn’t miss a shift. But his poor face.

Tagged with: GIF • Steve Oleksy

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Russian Machine Never Breaks

Actually, Alex Ovechkin Would Prefer To Play Defense, Blocks 2 Shots in 20 Seconds (GIF)

Matt Hendricks: Unsung Hero of Game Five

Mike Ribeiro’s Game-Winning Overtime Goal (GIFs)

A Playoff #PerryCelly: Mathieu Perreault Freaks Out After Game Five Overtime Win

Braden Holtby and Adam Oates Disagree About Turnover That Led to Goal

Did Alex Ovechkin Get Hurt in Game Three?

Craig Laughlin Jinxes, Telestrates Furiously After Too Many Men Penalty

Tom Wilson Scores First AHL Goal, Draws Two Penalties, and Yaps Constantly in Bears 5-4 Loss

This is Why They Call Mike Green “Game Over” (GIF)

More Steve Oleksy Face Violence (GIF)

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