Photo credit: Bruce Bennett

Game three of the quarterfinal series between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers was an opportunity for a statement. The Capitals could have played just as they had last week and put NYR in a headlock. That didn’t happen. Instead, the Capitals got drawn into a quagmire on rocky ice– a penalty-punctuated, back-and-forth battle that they could not win despite dominating the even-strength game.

Rangers beat Capitals 4-3. Capitals still lead the series 2-1.

• The Caps got off to a rollicking start, killing off Alex Ovechkin’s penalty for gregarious hockey-hugging and then scoring the game’s first goal when Nicky Backstrom deflected John Carlson‘s shot past Henrik Lundqvist. MSG went silent, but it did not last.
• Joel Ward high-sticked Derick Brassard– wait, seriously? Again? Ugh this was like the worst part of last year except for the entirety of Dale Hunter’s coaching decisions. Brian Boyle scored a gorgeous goal as the man-advantage expired– beating both Mike Green and Braden Holtby near-side.
• And then came the too many men whistle, which was completely appropriate, but applied to the wrong team. (Pic by hockeyshopped)
  
  So that’s a travesty right there. Some folks said that possession is necessary for an excessive manliness whistle, but these folks are incorrect. Any of those Rangers players more than five feet from the bench (n=7) could and should have been assessed for the call.
• The penalties kept coming in the second period, as it took the Rangers just 7 seconds to convert Braden Holtby‘s trip of Nash into a lead.
• The Madison Square Garden ice is not known for its pristinity (checked: actual word) in early May. While there was some fancy finesse play in each period’s opening minutes, the back half devolved into chippy junk. That was bad for the Capitals’ game, particularly since the Rags’ wrangled up a lot of power plays in the first half of the middle frame.
• Mike Green filled in the one-goal hole late in the second with a really pretty wrister to the top shelf, where mama hides the double stuff Oreos. I’m just gonna keep on harping on the “healthy Mike Green is scary Mike Green” thing until the lamestream media (fake snark) picks up on it.
• The Caps defense rolled out the red carpet to Aaron Asham, who caught a pass from below the goal line to re-establish the Rangers lead early in the third. Yucky D too much tonight.
• Jack Hillen, whom we all love so hard, sent a flubbery wrister off the faceoff that ballooned past Lundqvist (after a Jay Beagle tip– I called it!) like so many Gummy Bears cartoons. Do you remember when cartoons were about a food product that was literally all sugar? Ahh, childhood.
• John Carlson and the top line were not able to clear the zone during a sustained Rangers possession, giving Derek Stepan the opportunity to put the Rangers up a goal with six and a half minutes left. That lead stuck.
• Alex Ovechkin drew a high stick with two minutes left in regulation. The resulting power play was a little too hesitant considering the state of the ice. Crash the net, y’all.

Joe B suit of the night

That’s okay. A Caps-Rangers series isn’t supposed to be a walk in the park. They’re supposed to be torrid, evenly matched, heart-rending affairs, and this was one of those.

If any lesson can be taken from this, it’s that Madison Square Garden ice sucks, and the Caps must simplify to succeed there. That means less passing and more shooting– hoping against hope to get the puck elevated and towards Lundqvist, who frankly enjoys an unfair advantage on home ice.

I’m not filled with negativity or disappointment after this one. It’s hard to be bitter when Eric Fehr played like such a stud. I don’t think bad whistles were the sole culprit, and I do think the Caps deserved most of those calls. If they play the same game over again with a bit more discipline, they’ll get the win.

The Caps will be coming back to Verizon Center this weekend. The only question is whether they’ll be bringing a win home with them. I think so.

Let the boys play. Hahaha RT @mfiller90: @russianmachine twitter.com/MFiller90/stat…

— RMNB (@russianmachine) May 7, 2013

Photo via @zeekcw

Braden Holtby has always been an aggressive goaltender. From stealing sticks of opposing players to jumping into scrums, the Holtbeast is not afraid to assert himself. Heck, he’s even slashed Evgeny Kuznetsov in the ankles. Well, two nights after jumping on top of Erik Condra, Holtby cross-checked Travis Moen into the air after the Canadiens forward skated just a wee bit too close to the net.

GIF by me!

You can tell Holtby didn’t completely think this through because Jack Hillen took a stick to the face and got knocked over too. But hey, sometimes the greatest things in life are improvised.

Holtby on defending himself vs Moen: “Guys driving to the net like that, I’m going to take my safety into my own hands.”

— Katie Carrera (@kcarrera) April 21, 2013

Video

Ouch! (Video via Fedor)

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

Thursday night against the Hurricanes, the Washington Capitals continued their march up the Eastern Conference standings with some Ovi scoring and Brouwer yelling (what else is new) as they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes. Tonight, they looked to extend their six-game winning streak against another flailing Southeast Division team from more humid parts, the Tampa Bay Lightning. They did. It was fun ’cause the Caps scored a lot of goals, until Tampa did that too.

It started with a Brouwitzer, then a Hillen blast (just kidding), and then some Russian dude with a missing tooth. In the second it was JASON FREAKING CHIMERA, Panik for Tampa, Panik puns for people on Twitter, and a Fehr tap in. The third, as usual, was where the Caps screwed things up, with two St. Louis goals, another for Panik, and one for Purcell. However…

OVERTIME = GAME OVER GREEN.

In the end, there were wings for the people in the stands and two points for the people on the ice. Caps edge Bolts 6-5 (OT).

• Tonight was a matchup between the league’s top two scorers: Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos. If the Lightning were any good, it might even be a matchup of two MVP candidates. Ovi wasted no time taking over the lead with the final scoar of Washington’s three goal first period. Forehand, backhand, one-legged flying celebration, glass smash.
• The amazing turnaround for Ovechkin continues. The hockey world had given up on Ovi two months ago; now he’s on pace to win his third Rocket Richard Trophy.
• Nine shots on goal for Ovechkin, seven for Mike Green. I hear these guys are doing well lately. Greenie won it in overtime.
• Seventeen goals in 15 games for the Great Eight. EVERYBODY TO RIGHT WING.
• Troy Brouwer is also hot hot hot. Unleashing another Brouwitzer on the power play, Troy registered his third goal in two games. Sadly, though, he didn’t swear maniacally at Alex Semin after this one.
• Also, also doing well lately: Jack Hillen. This guy’s month just keeps getting better. Contract, baby, goal, goal. Don’t look know, but JH38 is becoming a fan favorite. Seriously.
• Jason Chimera scored his first goal since NBC was worth watching — March 17 — tonight, converting a sublime tick-tack-toe with Mathieu Perrault. And Peter missed it. Again. Because he was in New Jersey. I know.
• The third line was super awesome tonight. In addition to Chimera’s goal, Eric Fehr had a tap-in tally and Matty P. had two succulent assists.
• Nate Thompson‘s unplanned meeting with a Green slap shot shows once again shows that visors are good for you. Yes, Thompson ended up bleeding all over the ice, but he could have easily lost an eye — that’s what was behind the shield.
• The Caps keep collapsing late in the game and it continues to be super annoying. This game was 5-1 at one point. Please stop, guys.
• Richard Panik put some fancy moves on while all alone in front and Marty St. Louis (that short dude) fired a delicious snipe over his catching glove to start the Tampa comeback. In the third, it was those two guys again.
• And then… disaster.
• With two and a half minutes left, Teddy Purcell fired a backhander past Holtby. Verizon Center could not believe it. The fans should know better by now.
• The Capitals gave up 40 or more shots for the second straight game.
• There’s a reason Tampa’s hockey team is called the Lightning: thunderstorms are forecasted in the area for the next three days. This information is useless to you.
• This tweet made CSN. Ian is very proud.
• Marcus Johansson deserves all the credit in the world tonight. His beautiful move to the net drew the game’s decisive power play.

Joe B. Suit of the Night

I was one of the team’s biggest doubters in the winter, but after seeing Adam Oates’s handiwork — with the system, the power play, and Alex Ovechkin — it’s hard not to think this team might be able to make a run in the playoffs. This team, believe it or not, may actually be good — as long as you play a two period game. This game was a tale of two different teams. The first one was unstoppable, as fun as those amazing (regular season) Caps teams from a few years ago; the second was pathetic. At least they still won, their seventh victory in a row.

Pete H. will back in the saddle for Leafs v. Caps on Tuesday. Enjoy your Sunday. Boo Orioles.

Request for #Caps fans: Please start chanting MVP after Ovechkin goals.

— Ian Oland (@ianoland) April 13, 2013

Photo credit: Francois Lacasse

The Washington Capitals have had it too good for too long. After filling their greedy maws at the trough of the Southeast for so long, they traipsed up to French Canadia to lay a beating upon the beast of the Northeast, the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs, sporting one of the best power plays and possession numbers in the league, were a worthy foe, but the Caps had Ovi. And that’s all you really need these days. Just a big plate of Ovi and wash it down with some Backstrom. Put some greasy Fehr in there if you want, but Ovi is the main dish.

Caps beat Habs 3-2.

• Despite a dominant opening five minutes by the Caps, the Canadiens grabbed an early lead. From behind the net, Prust sent a sneaky pass to late-man Lars Eller, who– and stop me if you’ve heard this one before– was eminently open in the Caps’ slot. Neuvirth didn’t have a chance– unless you expected him to abandon the net and mark a man.
• Alex Ovechkin was shotless nearly halfway through the game, but he scored on his first shot– a weird knucklepuck that Jim Palmer might describe as a “spoonball” between extended stories about himself. Ovi’s move before the shot was the lateral version of every between-the-legs move you’ve ever seen him do. It was gorgeous. Alex Ovechkin is your NHL goal-scoring leader. Alex Ovechkin is the captain of your hockey team. Alex Ovechkin is f#@(&ing awesome. UPDATE: Stamkos scored. We’re back in a tie.
• If Ovechkin gets a trophy– any trophy– be it Hart or Richard or Lindsay, shouldn’t Adam Oates get the Jack Adams? It was Oates who put him at right wing, paired him with Nicky Backstrom (after a too-long failed experiment with Ribeiro), and implemented a 1-3-1 system for the power play. These are Ovi’s goals, but Oates has his smudgy fingerprints on ‘em too.
• Two much quieter plays by Ovechkin I want to highlight: his diving block in the third period (btw Caps were block-crazy tonight– it was like 2010 playoffs in reverse) and his eagerness to deal away the puck in the offensive zone. Ovi did it twice– once in the second period to Johansson and once in the third to Backstrom. Ovechkin seems to have internalized the lesson that he need not touch the puck all the time; he need only touch it last.
• Jack Hillen sent a puck into Carey Price’s blocker pads. The shot went skyward and when it fell, the Caps had the lead. Eric Fehr got credit for the goal, which I didn’t necessarily see, but Fehr certainly deserves it, seeing as he was tilting the ice in the Caps’ favor while the rest of the team was getting mired in their own zone.
• Jack Hillen lost credit for that Fehr goal, but he finally recorded his first Capitals goal in the third period– an outside slapper screened by Alex Ovechkin, who is also awesome. Hillen has 4 points in the last 2 games. He’s been shutting down the opposition (he was basically white on Tavares’ rice last week) and driving play since his return. Some RMNBers were giving me grief about my praise of Hillen earlier, but I think I’ll just pre-emptively take their groveling apologies to le banque.
• Here’s my impersonation of Habs fans: le boooo, le boooo, le pepe le pew was really messed up if you think about it, le boo. If Verizon Center can do that: a) it’d be really annoying, and b) maybe the Caps could get some more friendly whistles. Whattaya guys say? Should we all become cranky canucks?
• Michal Neuvirth put forth the performance that he needed– and we all knew he had in him. Neuvy was pressured heavily in the back half of the first period and most of the second, but he was stout in net. He made a couple insane-o saves, and certainly justified Oates’ decision to play him in back-to-backs. I’m so glad to see the struggling netminder come into his own. Well done, Neuvy.
• Some Canadian guy scored a deflected goal past Neuvy with 3 minutes to go. Whatever.

Joe B suit of the night

Bailamos? Bailamos.

The Caps continue winning– somewhat improbably– dicey road games. Once again, they do it on the strength of Alex Ovechkin. But this time they do it against a truly elite team, a playoff team, a poutine-eating, wine-swilling, French-kissing team. This time they did it with decent possession (although they had to block a truckload of shots in the effort) and secondary scoring.

I’ve been one of the Caps’ biggest doubters, but I… think… the Washington Capitals might be legit. I’m not plotting any parade routes or anything, but I am genuinely excited to see what they do next. That’s a great feeling for a fan, and it’s one I’m so grateful to feel again.

Crash the net.

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

At 7:30 PM, Jack Hillen was stepping onto the ice at an arena just outside Miami. He had chatted with his wife Caitlin, nine months pregnant with their second child, four hours earlier. She was doing well as the couple prepared for the birth of their second child, due on April 17. It was a pedestrian game for the 27-year-old defensemen, playing just under 17 minutes. He was on the ice for one goal in the Washington’s 4-3 win over the Panthers. Outside the visitor’s locker room at BB&T Center, though, Hillen got some news.

“Congratulations, you had a son,” Team Services Manager Ian Anderson told him.

“Oh, you mean she’s in labor?” Hillen responded.

“No, you had a son,” Anderson said.

“That came quickly,” replied Hillen.

“I didn’t know,” Hillen said Sunday night as he stood in front of Alex Ovechkin’s locker at Verizon Center. “I didn’t know.

“What can I say?” he continued. “Everything was fine. I had no idea. It was just a normal day.”

This season, to be trite, has been up-and-down for Hillen. Just minutes into the team’s first game, Hillen was shoved hard into the boards, injuring his shoulder. He didn’t return to the lineup for almost two months and when he did, he was part of a much changed Capitals blueline. Recently, however, Hillen has played great: he’s shutting down the opponent’s stars, getting time on the power play, and picking up points. Five days ago, he signed a two-year extension with the Capitals.

In the span of 26 hours this weekend, Hillen had a child, played a hockey game, played another hockey game, assisted on a goal, fell down, and assisted on another goal. What did you accomplish on your days off?

One thing Hillen didn’t do, however, was sleep well.

“A lot going on, a lot going on,” Hillen said. “I’m blessed.”

“I just need to get some sleep,” he added.

Saturday, Hillen’s night didn’t end until a few hours before sun up. The Capitals didn’t get back from Florida until the early hours of the morning and while his teammates went off to their beds, Hillen had some things to attend to: like seeing his son Knox for the first time. The problem was Hillen’s wife isn’t in Washington. With Hillen coming to the Caps on a one-year deal this offseason, she decided to stay in Minnesota with his parents.

“At 3:30 in the morning last night, she wasn’t sleeping so I sent her a text,” Hillen said. “We FaceTimed.”

This is Hillen’s second child, and the second birth he’s experienced in season. While with the New York Islanders in 2010, his first son Finn was born the day before an 11-day road trip.

If you’re wondering why the Hillens give their kids such weird names, it’s more than just a hockey player thing (i.e. Gunnar and Lennon Hendricks). Hillen explained that his family is really freaking big — “60, 70, I can’t even tell ya” — and he and his wife wanted their children to have names that stuck out.

“We didn’t want to name our kids after anybody,” said Hillen. “We just thought they were interesting.”

For all their millions and glorification, hockey players are still people, ones with jobs that sometimes require them to move across the continent every few years. They spend weeks at a time traveling, leaving their families at home or in back at their offseason residence. It’s a charmed life, but not without its hardships.

“It’s a tough business,” Adam Oates said. “That’s part of it. Not everybody agrees with that, but I do.”

“It sucks,” Hillen added. “I just want to hold them but I can’t.”

Photos by Chris Gordon

The past decade has seen the United States involved in two wars — one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan. We’re all aware of them, we’ve seen the headlines. But for most Americans, the country’s battles are an abstraction. It’s something on the news, not part of the stories of other human beings.

Some Americans, though, can’t remove themselves from them — the wars have taken members of their family. Husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers: the all have loved ones who will never come home. This has unfolded thousands of times throughout the past 12 years.

“Even eight years later we still grieve,” Patty Stubenhofer, whose husband Mark was killed in Iraq in December 2004, said. “The biggest thing is to know we’re not alone, that there are people that remember.”

Losing a loved one in the military is unspeakable, but there are many organizations trying to ease the burden. One of them is TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Last season, TAPS partnered with the Capitals as part of the team’s annual Courage Caps program, which raises money for military charities through the sale of specific t-shirts and hats, some of them signed by Caps players. In 2011, Washington generated over $100,000 for TAPS through the program. For the second straight season Courage Caps — which was started five years ago by the team and has raised over $300,000 — will benefit TAPS, which offers various counseling and support services to families of fallen service members for free. This gear’s Courage Caps gear will be available starting next week on the Capitals’ website and in team stores.

“We’re really excited how the program has taken off, especially last year,” Elizabeth Wodatch, the head of the team’s charity work, said. “It really has an impact.”

Photo by Caps Community Relations

On Sunday, the Caps hosted some of the families helped by TAPS for a skating party at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. The four Americans on the team — John Carlson, Joey Crabb, Matt Hendricks, and Jack Hillen — took the ice with around 150 kids and adults who have lost loved ones in the military.

“I had a blast helping out all those little kids,” Crabb told me. “They looked so happy out there. That’s great with some of the stuff they’ve gone through just to get back to being kids.”

The players were on the ice with the families are about an hour, sharing stories of their loved ones and “not talking about the Capitals’ record, or the power play and penalty kill” according to Crabb. One mother even gave Carlson her fallen son’s dog tags (seen posing on the right). It was the first time on the ice for some of the children, who were often helped along by members of the Caps offering tips for beginners. (Hendricks is right; don’t make the mistake trying to walk on the ice instead of pushing off.)

“Some of them are doing a great job, some of them are struggling, but we’re making it fun for everybody and that’s what it’s all about,” said Hendricks.

“This is a great honor for us to be out here today,” he added. “These families have been through tragedy and we’re just here to say thanks, give them a little bit of joy today. Without the men and women that do what they do for our country, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy this great freedom.”

In addition to the support services TAPS provides, the families also benefit from the community it offers, and knowing that other people are going through the same thing.

“The kids have met other kids and talk to each other,” said Stubenhofer, a mother of three. “Knowing that they’re not the only one whose dad didn’t came to their baseball game helps them a lot. It doesn’t make them happier but it makes them not feel so different.”

Photos

Photo credit: Scott Audette

Welcome back, everybody! After 250+ days, we’ve finally got new Capitals hockey to watch and kinda enjoy. I say kinda because these Capitals, whom those not dissuaded by cliché might call the new-look Caps, didn’t have their act together on Saturday. Opening the season in Tampa, the Capitals had troubles with even-strength offense and all kinds of special-teams stuff.

Eric Brewer scored the first anti-Caps goal of the year with an outside shot that caught Holtby screened by his own defenders. Joel Ward tied it up with a first-period powerplay goal assisted by Tom “Iron Groin” Poti. That tie was shortlived, as Vincent Lecavalier exploited a defensive breakdown by Holtby & co. to score an easy one.

Joel Ward recorded a second goal to tie the game early in the second period, but Martin St. Louis restored the Tampa lead with a powerplay sweep-in a few minutes later. Wojtek Wolski ingratiated himself to Caps fans with a crucial four-on-four goal late in the second, knocking a rebound past Anders Lindbäck.

Martin St. Louis got his second of the night, a heartbreaking  shot from outside during a third-period 5 on 3. Cory Conacher scored the first goal of his career, also the night’s proverbial dagger, on a 3-on-1 breakaway. Ryan Malone scored on the powerplay to make it painfully obvious that the Caps were gonna lose.

Bolts beat Caps 6-3.

• The good news: Tom Poti, just now returned from extended injury, recorded an assist in his first game back in the bigs. Poti had limited service since Oates dressed seven defenders, but I’d say it was a successful outing for the guy, who last played NHL hockey against Tampa two seasons ago (Poti had the team’s best plus-minus that postseason, btw).
• The bad news: special teams, in general. The Caps had plenty of opportunities with a man-advantage, but converted on just one. On the other hand, they allowed Tampa to score three powerplay goals.
• After much discussion, Alex Ovechkin actually served on the penalty kill. I think this is a wretched idea. We need Ovechkin optimized, not comprimised. I agree he needs more ice time, but I want that ice time spent in the offensive zone. Ovi needs to take more faceoffs in the offensive zone during even-strength and see fewer circumstances that ask him to block shots with his goal-scoring bones.
• We now have anecdotal evidence that Joel Ward was not used effectively last season. In a modest amount of ice time, Ward record two goals, one-third of his 2011-2012 total. If Saturday was disappointing overall, Ward’s performance should give us some degree of hope.
• New guy Jack Hillen took a bad hit behind the net from Tampa creep Vincent Lecavalier. The hit reminded me of the Brian Campbell-Alex Ovechkin hit a few years ago that led to one fractured clavicle and one suspension. Here’s hoping Hillen fares better than Campbell.
• Braden Holtby fell to earth as we knew he would eventually. Holtby surrendered a goal on the first shot of the night and stopped just 9 of 12 at even strength. He needs to be better, but that’s true of the whole team. Delay panic.
• Alex Ovechkin got busted for embellishment in the second period, and I think it was the right call. Ovi has a bad habit of appealing to the refs with a bit too much melodrama. It’s one small piece of his game I’d rather see gone.
• On the other hand, the hard-hitting side of Alex Ovechkin will always be appreciated.
• Wojtek Wolksi made his presence known in his first game in a Capitals sweater. Wolski’s goal changed the complexion of the game, and his intermission interview introduced us to a thoughtful, articulate player. I really think some big top-six minutes will pay dividends.
• Martin St. Louis : Washington :: Knuble : Pittsburgh.

Joe B suit of the night

Game one of an abbreviated 48-game campaign is in the books. The lesson, in short: The Caps still have a lot of work to do. At even-strength, on the power play, while a man down, the Caps are not yet at the performance level we need them at. And considering this season is more of a sprint than a marathon, there is no shortage of motivation for them to get their acts together.

Adam Oates is a smart guy, and this is a talented hockey team. I think they’ll get it done. What do you think?

On a personal note, thanks for coming back to RMNB for another season of hockey jokes and more hockey jokes. I fully intend to write about games that are won, and those might be kinda funny. So stick with us. We’re in it together now.

Photo credit: Chris Gordon

Me neither.

Since the Caps last played hockey– sometime during the Medieval Warm Period, they’ve lost a few guys. Alex Semin left via free agency for Carolina, Mike Knuble returned to the exotic beauty of Michigan, Tomas Vokoun made a pit stop in Breezewood before heading up to Pittsburgh, and Dennis Wideman got such a ludicrous and undeserved payday in Calgary that you’d think he had left congress to start lobbying for the MPAA.

You’re gonna see some new faces on Saturday night, so here’s a quick refresher on the additions the Capitals made just before the lockout sucked the last ounce of joy out of the universe.

Mike Ribeiro, #9, Center

The fabled second-line center. Ribeiro comes to the Caps from Dallas, where he was a star in both name and deed. We can expect the man whom Oates mistook for a rapper (is it the chain?) to anchor a line in the top six, where he will be expected to reinvigorate the Caps offense. I’m really worried I’m gonna spell his name wrong (e before i, e before i).

Read RMNB coverage of Mike Ribeiro

Wotjek Wolski #17, Left Wing

Let’s start with this: pronounce the Ws like Vs. Wolski did some cool stuff in Colorado, but he kinda washed out in New York and Florida. He’s had some abdominal or groin injury that cost him a chance at a big contract, allowing George McPhee so snatch him up cheap. Wolski is playing on a one-year, $600k– making him a low-risk/decent-reward gamble. I think we will see Wolski do some great things — but only if he’s getting a chance in the top six.

Read RMNB coverage of Wojtek Wolski

Joey Crabb #15, Right Wing

I think I’m in the minority here, but I like the Joey Crabb signing. Crabb is a grinder, a responsible shutdown forward who could free up guys like Joel Ward to do more offensive production. But it’s not all smiles and sunshine; I think I speak for all of us in expressing my existential dread at the forthcoming puns coming out of Adam Vingan’s twitter feed.

Read RMNB coverage of Joey Crabb

Jack Hillen #38, Defense

Hillen did not get a qualifying offer from Nashville, and so George McPhee plucked the defender from the purifying waters of Lake Minnetonka. A few weeks ago, Hillen seemed like a crucial addition to the Caps’ defensive depth, but if Tom “Iron Groin” Poti is truly in good health, Hillen could be riding the pine for a bit. That’s a good thing.

Read RMNB coverage of Jack Hillen

What are your expectations for these guys? And what kind of awful puns will Adam drop on us this year?

Miss the media? “Not really,” says Ovechkin. (Photo credit: @SWhyno)

This morning, a bunch of Washington Capitals players jumped back on the ice for an informal practice. Those who skated include Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby, Mike Green, Mike Ribeiro, John Carlson, Michal Neuvirth, Matt Hendricks, Jason Chimera, Jay Beagle, Jack Hillen, and John Erskine.

At 11am, Caps general manager George McPhee then spoke to the press for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the earth. GMGM revealed that injured defenseman Dmitry Orlov is “improving” but questionable for opening night (but you already knew that), and side-stepped questions on Nicklas Backstrom’s health, acknowledging that the team can’t examine him until a new CBA is ratified. Hershey Bears defense prospect Cameron Schilling will also be given a shot to make the team out of training camp. McPhee’s full comments are below.

A little bit later, Caps head coach Adam Oates ran the gauntlet of DC reporters as well.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the question What, I am the most beautiful one here again? in Russian (available for only 500 rubles here), also spoke to the press, after initial reports he wouldn’t. Ovi talked about his engagement to Maria Kirilenko, saying he no longer has that “feeling anymore where you can do whatever you want. You have a girl with a tennis racket and she can hit you.” Well played. He also reiterated that if the new CBA would have cut into his salary, he would have been much more inclined to stay at home and play in Russia.

Braden Holtby talked about what it’s like to finally be back at Kettler after spending the last few months with the Hershey Bears.

Finally, here’s video from practice today.

The missing piece! (Photo credit: Frederick Breedon)

The Caps have signed defenseman Jack Hillen, a former Nashville Predator who was UFA this summer at the age of 26 after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Preds. The Capitals have signed him to a one-year, one-way deal worth $650,000.

Hillen is expected to be a depth defenseman and compete with fringe players such as John Erskine and Jeff Schultz for a sixth or seventh spot on the blueline. He played 55 games with Nashville last season, and had 6 points and 20 PIM. He also once got hit in the face with an Ovechkin slapshot. In fact, if you Google search his name, the first two suggestions you get are “Jack Hillen face” and “Ovechkin.”

Hillen was born in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where as a child he likely purified himself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka [NSFW].

This is a hard move to figure out, considering how many third-pairing defenseman the Caps already have. We now have eight defenseman on the roster, and McPhee has stated that he expects minor-league acquisition Cameron Schilling to compete for a spot as well, which would make nine.

We’ll be confused if this is a standalone signing with no more roster moves to come, but it feels like there’s more to this story.