Russian Machine Never Breaks

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

Scary Hug: Joel Ward Feared Alex Ovechkin Would Injure Him While Celebrating Game Five PPG

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

Photo by Tom Turk | tomturk.com | piraticalphotography.com

Third line checker Joel Ward isn’t usually on the power play, but last night in the second period head coach Adam Oates played a hunch on the Capitals first extra-man advantage of the game.

“My name was called and I just went out there,” Ward said after the game. “I was excited to be out there. I just tried to pay attention to the details and get in my spot.”

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Celebration • Joel Ward

19-Year-Old Tom Wilson’s Wild Friday Night

On May 11, 2013, In Interview, News, By Chris Gordon

Photo credit: Greg Fiume

Tom Wilson is barely 19 years old. Most kids his age spend their Friday nights drinking at parties in their precious time off from contributing nothing at all to society. Yeah, you know who you are.

Wilson, though, is bettering our world — he’s a hockey player after all — and he made his NHL debut Friday night. Granted, he skated a team low 6:24, but he threw a few nice hits and pushed some Rangers around after the whistle — typical fourth line stuff. His play wasn’t particularly interesting. The game it came in, though, was. The Caps won game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in overtime to take a 3-2 series lead.

“It was unbelievable — chills,” Wilson told me of his debut, repeating a version of that line countless times while standing in the far corner of the Capitals locker room at Verizon Center. “It was everything I imagined; it was a dream come true.”

Tagged with: Tom Wilson

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

HANK SMASH: Henrik Lundqvist Is Not Happy With This Turn of Events (GIF)

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

GIF by welshhockeyfan

Henrik Lundqvist is dreamy and one hell of a goaltender. But tonight, you can’t help but feel sorry for the 31-year-old Swede, after stopping 33 Capitals shots and falling just short in overtime.

Oh wait, who am I kidding? No, I don’t. Enjoy the GIF.

Tagged with: GIF • Henrik Lundqvist

Joel Ward Infinitely Jumps After Ribeiro OTGWG (GIF)

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

Mathieu Perreault may get all the attention for his post-game #PerryCellys, but don’t sleep on Joel Ward, who couldn’t stop jumping on the bench after Mike Ribeiro’s clutch game-winning goal in overtime of game five.

Tagged with: Celebration • GIF • Joel Ward

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

Caps beat Ranger 2-1 (OT): Ribeiro Rules!

On May 10, 2013, In Game Recap, Playoffs, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

Ack. I’m all jammed up like a Phish live record over here. This series is not good for people, plants, or other living things. The corrupted bastardization of hockey the Rangers have foisted upon the Capitals is some perverse thing not spoken of in polite circles. Where’s all the end-to-end action? The shot totals in excess of 40? The goalies giving up goals like Galileo dropped the orange? The Rangers forced the Caps into a constipated brand of hockey that is actually making my back seize up as if I were eating pancakes. Everything is all tensed up, and it goes on way too long. We’re supposed to enjoy it, but it’s really just survival.

The Rangers grabbed a lead in the game’s first minute, putting the entire DMV area’s bowels on red alert, but playoff hero Joel Ward tied it up in the second. The Caps leaned in during the third period, but we headed to overtime anyway– where Mike Ribeiro became a Capitals legend.

Caps beat Rangers 2-1 (Overtime). Caps lead the series 3-2. Sunday is an elimination game for New York.

Tagged with: Mike Ribeiro • New York Rangers • Washington Capitals

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

Tom Wilson To Make NHL Debut Tonight In Game Five

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

Photo credit: Chris Gordon

Tom Wilson has had a crazy year. He’s played for both the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL and the Hershey Bears of the AHL. Now, after scoring a hat trick with Plymouth a few weeks ago against Dale Hunter’s London Knights and scoring his first professional goal with Hershey Sunday, Wilson will make his NHL debut Friday against the New York Rangers in game five.

Tagged with: NHL Debut • Tom Wilson

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Russian Machine Never Breaks

Matt Hendricks: Unsung Hero of Game Five

Scary Hug: Joel Ward Feared Alex Ovechkin Would Injure Him While Celebrating Game Five PPG

19-Year-Old Tom Wilson’s Wild Friday Night

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

HANK SMASH: Henrik Lundqvist Is Not Happy With This Turn of Events (GIF)

Joel Ward Infinitely Jumps After Ribeiro OTGWG (GIF)

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

Caps beat Ranger 2-1 (OT): Ribeiro Rules!

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

Tom Wilson To Make NHL Debut Tonight In Game Five

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