Recap: Caps Stay Alive, Win Game Six 2-1

On May 9, 2012, In Game Recap, Playoffs, By Ana Hansen


This is his Ranger-killing face. (Photo credit: Patrick McDermott)

Braden Holtby has not lost back-to-back games in the NHL in 29 games now. The Caps are the first team ever to win four straight games following overtime losses.

Let’s talk about resilience. Two wins this series following some of the most heartbreaking losses in recent memory, two instances of the Caps picking themselves back up and putting themselves back together. Two times when it wasn’t just talk. For the second time this postseason, we’re going to seven games.

The Great 8 scored on the power play, 88 seconds in. I could not make this up if I tried. Chimera finished off a strong play from Semin to make it — stay with me — an actual two-goal lead. It lasted for most of the game, but unfortunately someone on NBC said “shutout”, so Marian Gaborik scored. Caps beat Rangers, 2-1. 

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Braden Holtby Smiling and Other Scenes From Caps Practice

On May 6, 2012, In Photos, Playoffs, By Chris Gordon

Photos by Chris Gordon. Click to enlarge.

A day after their thrilling 3-2 victory over the Rangers to even the series, Washington took to the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex Sunday morning. As they prepared to head to New York for a pivotal Game 5 Monday, the team’s sprits were high and the beards long. Below, check out some of my photos from the skate.

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Reviewing Jason Chimera’s Behind-the-Net Goal

On May 1, 2012, In Photos, Playoffs, By Ana Hansen

Photo credit: Bruce Bennett

This year has been something of a breakout for Jason Chimera, with the speedy winger hitting a career-high 20 goals and becoming a key piece of the Capitals’ depth. You didn’t have to tell Henrik Lundqvist he could score — Chimera now has goals in three consecutive postseason games against the Rangers, going back to the last game of the Caps/Rangers series in 2011, and has become something of a personal nightmare for the All-Star goalie.

You can’t expect the goals to come easy against a netminder of that caliber though, and Chimera’s tally in the Caps’ 3-2 win on Monday was anything but. Following a crazypants individual effort from Matt Hendricks and an equally crazy almost-save from Lundqvist, Chimera finished off the team’s efforts to tap the goal in. We take a closer look below.

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Reviewing Brooks Laich’s Perfect Saucer Pass to Jason Chimera

On April 29, 2012, In Analysis, Photos, Playoffs, By Ian Oland

There was a point during the Capitals’ 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers when it seemed like victory was within reach. That moment came at the close of the second period.

Brooks Laich skated the puck into the Rangers’ zone with ten seconds left to go. He had a decision to make. Leading a 3-on-2 break in the closing seconds, he could have either pulled up and shot the puck from the perimeter, hoping for Jason Chimera to convert the rebound, or he could send a lateral pass over to the Capitals leading scorer, Alex Ovechkin, and see what magic he could make.

Instead, Laich opted for option C: a high-risk, high-reward hailmary saucer pass to Jason Chimera that would have to travel over two defenders’ sticks and somehow find the tape of his stick.

He chose C, and he made it work. Let’s review.

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A Flashback to Capitals vs Rangers 2011

On April 27, 2012, In Analysis, Playoffs, Statistical Analysis, By Peter Hassett

The Washington Capitals have pulled the New York Rangers for their opponent in the second round of the playoffs (check the schedule here). This will be the sixth time in history that the Caps and Rangers will square off in a best-of-seven series. But unlike recent years, the Rangers are no underdogs. They finished in first place in the Eastern Conference, just barely missing the President’s Trophy after a loss to some no-name team in the final game of the regular season. Meanwhile the Caps are the scrappy team that no one expected to slay the dragon in round one. It’s going to be a big series between two old Patrick Division rivals.

In preparation, we peaked back at last year’s quarterfinal series between the Caps and Rangers in hopes that it might give us a glimpse at the future. No matter their predictive value, these five games were a freaking blast. Join me for some good memories behind the jump.

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Know Your Enemy: New York Rangers

On April 26, 2012, In Playoffs, By Ana Hansen


Photo credit: Len Redkoles

The Washington Capitals took their future into their own hands with a big overtime win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night. As John Walton said, “the king is dead, and the Caps are still dancing.” The Caps have waited until now to find out who their round two dancing partner would be while a couple Games Sevens shook out. But now we know who will join the Caps in the conference semifinals.

The Washington Capitals will face the New York Rangers in the second round. This is fine with us: we’re in a mood right now and there’s nobody the Caps cannot beat. Still, of all our team’s potential dancing partners, the Rangers are the ones who usually step on our toes. Follow us past the jump to have your memory refreshed on exactly who these guys are, and what they’ve been up to since we saw them last.

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Caps-Fan-Hating Brad Marchand Swears He Didn’t Dive

On April 25, 2012, In GIF, Playoffs, By Ian Oland

There are some facts in the world that are undeniable: the earth is round, the sky is blue, and Brad Marchand is a diver.

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Marchand Dives, Chara Loses Jock on Jason Chimera Goal

On April 22, 2012, In Playoffs, Video, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

With 42 seconds left in the second period, the Capitals tied Game Six up with a bizarre play that resulted in both Brad Marchand getting bloodied and Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara being faked out of his jock. Let’s review, shall we?

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Cale Chimera Practiced with the Caps Again

On April 5, 2012, In Photos, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: David S.

At this moment, the tensest of the Capitals’ season, the team still knows how to have fun. Going by these pictures from David and Deanna, Jason Chimera’s son Cale practiced with the team again on Wednesday and it was all smiles. We saw the feisty little dude on the ice back in January, and here he is again– doing conditioning with Mathieu Perreault, besting Brooks Laich in a smile contest, and giving pointers to his dad on how to score his 21st of the season.

We already know how grumpy attitudes and dourness can affect this team’s play, so this is an encouraging sign for tonight’s big game with the Panthers. Or maybe this is confirmation that the Caps have completely depleted the Hershey roster and are desperate for new blood. Eh, let’s go with the first one. Many more pics behind the jump.

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Flyers beat Caps 1-0, Two Straight Shutouts, Ovechkin Benched

On March 4, 2012, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Nick Wass

With fewer than 20 games left, the Washington Capitals badly needed a win from the Philadelphia Flyers to stay competitive. This Sunday night rendezvous held pretty high stakes for the Caps, and the team responded with a distinguished effort. But effort ain’t goals.

After a scoreless first period, Eric Wellwood redirected an outside shot from Pavel Kubina to make it 1-0. That’s the whole story. Flyers beat Caps 1-0.

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