GIF

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.

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

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

Braden Holtby’s Misplay Forces Caps to Play Catch-Up All Night (GIF)

On May 8, 2013, In Photos, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Kathy Willens

In Braden Holtby‘s first full season in the NHL, he dominated, proving that his great play in years past wasn’t a flash in the pan. He may very well be the long-term solution in net for the Washington Capitals, and the first guy to carry the load in net since Olie Kolzig left nearly a decade ago. But there are parts of Holtby’s game that are still raw, and tonight, that may have cost the Capitals the game.

New York dominated the first period, but Washington almost got out unscathed. That is until Holtby played a loose puck at the left circle. Instead of going the safe route and dumping the puck up the boards to a teammate, Braden decided to sauce a pass through the middle of the ice. The puck did not reach its intended target. Instead, it was whacked down by Taylor Pyatt and eventually shot into an empty net by Brad Richards.

Tagged with: Braden Holtby • GIF

Alex Ovechkin Slams Into Derek Stepan’s Forearm, Refs Make Terrible Call, Martin Erat Injures Arm (GIF)

On May 8, 2013, In Photos, By Chris Gordon

Erat lies on the ice after colliding with Ovechkin and Stepan. (Photo credit: Bruce Bennett)

The Washington Capitals power play was very good this season; they scored a lot of goals on it. In the first period of game 4 on Thursday Night, though, it was very bad — so bad that the Rangers had more shorthanded chances than the Caps had shots on goal. One of those opportunities for New York was rather disastrous for Washington.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Derek Stepan • GIF • Martin Erat • Pierre McGuire

Mike Green Scores Again (GIF)

On May 6, 2013, In Photos, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Kathy Willens

The Capitals lost to the New York Rangers 4-3 on Monday, but let’s not let the sadness get the best of us. There were some good moments in the game, most notably Mike Green‘s exemplary play throughout. In 24:32 of ice time, Green had two shots, blocked two others, led his team in possession, and scored his second goal of the playoffs. And it was a beauty.

Tagged with: GIF • Mike Green

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

The Capitals Bench After Mike Green’s Overtime Goal (GIF)

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

GIF by welshhockeyfan

Odd thing about low-scoring overtime wins: half the players mob the goal-scorer and the other half (and I’m extending mucho kudos for this) mobs the other guy, the goaltender.

Way to go, Mike Green and Braden Holtby. And bravo to the guys who remembered how they got to OT in the first place. This lovely GIF is going right next to Joel Ward’s bench-clearer in Boston on our GIF mantel shelf.

Tagged with: Braden Holtby • Capitals Bench • GIF • Mike Green

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

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Russian Machine Never Breaks

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

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

Joel Ward Infinitely Jumps After Ribeiro OTGWG (GIF)

Did Alex Ovechkin Get Hurt in Game Three?

Braden Holtby’s Misplay Forces Caps to Play Catch-Up All Night (GIF)

Alex Ovechkin Slams Into Derek Stepan’s Forearm, Refs Make Terrible Call, Martin Erat Injures Arm (GIF)

Mike Green Scores Again (GIF)

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

The Capitals Bench After Mike Green’s Overtime Goal (GIF)

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

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