Jay Beagle

Caps Rally In Uniondale, Beat Islanders, 3-2

On February 27, 2011, In Game Recap, By Brandon Oland

Photo credit: Mike Stobe

Matt Hendricks proves once again why DJ King's unneeded on this team. (Photo credit: Kathy Kmonicek)

Hendy tried to spark the team, but instead he got his face Kanopka'd. (Photo credit: Kathy Kmonicek)

With the Washington Capitals in danger of losing a second game in two nights, their flabbergasted head coach Bruce Boudreau called a timeout and made some adjustments.

He scrapped his floundering top line and put together his dream team trio in a desperation last resort to try and spark a squad that inexplicably could not create scoring chances.

It worked.

With Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin playing together, the Capitals rallied from two goals down to beat the rapidly improving New York Islanders, 3-2, Saturday night for a pivotal road win just two days before the trade deadline.

This Ain’t No Puppy Bowl, Caps beat Pens 3-0

On February 6, 2011, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Matt Cooke and Alex Ovechkin in happier times. (Photo credit: Mitchell Layton)

Once again the Super Bowl Sunday rendezvous between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins was a rousing success. Through three periods of hockey, the Caps laid siege to the Penguins’ net and their depleted forces.

Mathieu Perreault won a battle below the goal line to feed Brooks Laich, who was waiting eagerly in Fleury’s paint. His greasy backhander put the Caps up 1-0. On the penalty kill in the second, Marcus Johansson scored perhaps his prettiest goal yet, a no-look backhander. 2-0. Desperate in the third, the Penguins’ offense relented and allowed Mike Knuble the empty netter. Shutouts don’t feel so bad from the other side. Caps beat Pens 3-0.

Tagged with: Brooks Laich • Dave Steckel • Jay Beagle • John Erskine • Karl Alzner • Mathieu Perreault • Matt Cooke • Michal Neuvirth • Mike Green • Mike Knuble • Pittsburgh Penguins • Tim Wallace • Washington Capitals

Thrashers beat Caps 1-0, Shutout Number Seven

On January 26, 2011, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Here’s a picture of Ovechkin eating snow for the billionth time. (Photo credit: Scott Cunningham)

To all our friends stuck on the roads during this crazy #thundersnow storm, safe travels. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

So the final game for the Washington Capitals before the All-Star break found them meeting the Atlanta Thrashers in the not-so-balmy temperatures of Georgia. It did not go well.

Nik Antropov settled a lucky bounce in the Caps zone, leading to an easy goal against Semyon Varlamov. That was it. No other goals. Shutout for Ondrej Pavelec. Thrashers beat Caps 1-0.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Atlanta Thrashers • Brooks Laich • Jay Beagle • Mathieu Perreault • Matt Bradley • Mike Green • Ondrej Pavelec • Semyon Varlamov • Shutout • Washington Capitals

Introducing: Feed The Machine

On January 21, 2011, In Feed the Machine, By Russian Machine Never Breaks

One of the things we love about Russian Machine is how engaged and creative our audience (that’s you!) is. All that artwork and those guest posts are among the very best work we’ve ever published here, and we want to keep that going. So we’ve invented a new column that requires your help.

Helmed by Neil Greenberg, Feed the Machine is our version of the “Dear Abby” column, except crazier. Here’s how it works: you email us your thoughts about anything. Maybe you have a question about those impenetrable statistics (PDO, what’s that?) or an observation you’d like to share on Joe Beninati’s wardrobe. Maybe you’d like us to demystify the arcana of AHL-NHL eligibility rules. Maybe you need dating advice and it hasn’t occurred to you that we’re the worst possible people to ask. Whatever. Just drop us a line, and we’ll get back to you– by writing about it on here on the site.

The lines are open, and operators are standing by to take your call.

Let’s get it started.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Andrew Gordon • Jay Beagle

Penalty Parade: Panthers beat Caps 4-3 (OT)

On January 11, 2011, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

The Swedish War Machine. (Photo credit: Joel Auerbach)

The Washington Capitals better get used to playing on the road. With 22 of their remaining games away from Verizon Center, the boys have to play with the discipline that was lacking tonight in tonight’s date with the Florida Panthers. The second consecutive meeting between the southeast rivals was decorated with twelve minor penalties, six apiece. But it was the Caps and their uncanny ability to place those penalties at the worst possible times that cost them the game.

The Panthers could have taken the Caps out entirely with three early goals by Santorelli, Reasoner, and Booth– two of those tallies thanks to two-man advantages. But the Caps rallied back with a pretty give-and-go and by Marcus Johansson via Laich and a Mike Knuble wrister off an Alex Ovechkin pass. MoJo struck again in the third with the tying goal, a crash-the-net maneuver that compelled Tomas Vokoun to bobble and release the puck into the net. In overtime, Mike Green’s hook put the Caps once more at a disadvantage, which Dennis Wideman exploited. Narf. Panthers beat Caps 4-3 (OT).

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Brian Willsie • Florida Panthers • Jason Chimera • Jay Beagle • John Carlson • Marcus Johansson • Michal Neuvirth • Mike Green • Mike Knuble • Nick Backstrom • Tomas Vokoun • Washington Capitals

Caps Care Casino Night, Year Two

On January 11, 2011, In Guest Post, Photos, By Peter Hassett

Editor’s note: One year ago, Emily Karol gave a newborn RMNB a kick in the pants with her report on the first Casino Night. This year she does the same with the added bonus of Chris Gordon’s photos.

By the way, Emily is looking for a roommate. Available February 1st, she’s got a single bedroom with a private bathroom and a walk-in closet located just 3 miles from Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Email her if you’re interested. Awesome people only, please. Take it away, Emily.

When I learned that the 2nd annual CapsCare Casino Night and Auction would take place on January 9th, I couldn’t be more excited. I attended the first Casino Night and had a blast, but this year’s festivities hit on the birthdays of both Bruce Boudreau and me. Who could pass up the chance to wear a pretty dress, drink some cocktails, and schmooze with fabulous people on your birthday? Not me.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Alex Semin • Brett Leonhardt • Brooks Laich • Bruce Boudreau • Chris Gordon • Dave Steckel • Emily Karol • George McPhee • Jason Chimera • Jay Beagle • Jeff Schultz • John Carlson • Karl Alzner • Marcus Johansson • Mathieu Perreault • Matt Hendricks • Michal Neuvirth • Mike Green • Nicklas Backstrom • Semyon Varlamov • Tom Poti • Tyler Sloan

Capitals Almost Back To Normal

On January 2, 2011, In Opinion, Statistical Analysis, By Neil Greenberg

After a miserable eight-game losing streak, the Caps are finally starting to see some puck bounces go their way and are 5-0-1 in their last six. Good times ahead? We’ll see, but this is sure better than losing.

The scoring chances showed us this was just a matter of time. Remember, I use a specific definition of what I consider a scoring chance based on shot quality data and log everyone who is on the ice at the time using the script from Vic Ferrari. As always, you can find the spreadsheet online.

At even strength, the Caps put the scoring chances in their favor throughout the season, but when they failed to get the puck bounces to go their way it was a tough stretch of eight games. Once the bad luck started to even out, bringing their conversion percentage back to their season average, the Caps were able to right the ship:

Tagged with: Andrew Gordon • Carlzner • Eric Fehr • Jay Beagle • Mathieu Perreault • Michal Neuvirth • Scott Hannan • Semyon Varlamov • Washington Capitals

Riding Fehr’s Two Goals, Capitals Win Winter Classic 3-1

On January 2, 2011, In Game Recap, Winter Classic, By Ian Oland

Ovi tackles his teammates after Mike Knuble's second period goal. (Photo credit: Dave Sandford)

Photo credit: Gregory Shamus

After a year of build-up and three glorious episodes of HBO’s 24/7, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins finally met at Heinz Field in front of 68,111 loud, screaming fans to compete in the 2011 Winter Classic. Much like the 39 games before and the 42 games to follow, this game counted the exact same amount in the standings: two points.

But both you and I know it meant waaaaaay more than that. You could see it in how the Caps played, celebrated and spoke after the game. This was the biggest game they had ever played in their NHL careers. And it showed.

At 8:17pm the first puck dropped. It would then take over twenty-two compelling game minutes to see the 2011 Classic’s first goal. In the second period, Marc-Andre Fleury made a routine stick save along the ice on Alex Ovechkin. Kris Letang then took the rebound and alertly flung the puck up ice where he found a streaking Evgeny Malkin. The Capitals’ defense, caught on a bad change, allowed Malkin to go in all alone on Semyon Varlamov. Malkin went five-hole and the the Penguins took a 1-0 lead.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Alex Semin • Bruce Boudreau • Carlzner • Eric Fehr • Jason Chimera • Jay Beagle • John Erskine • Marcus Johnasson • Mike Knuble • Mike Rupp • Pittsburgh Penguins • Sidney Crosby • Washington Capitals

Varly Triumphs, Caps beat Habs 3-0

On December 28, 2010, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Mitchell Layton

The Washington Capitals finally met their playoff pals, the Montreal Canadiens, for the first time since that awful, awful night. Recently de-Halak‘d, the Habs remain a formidable team and one that the Caps had no trouble getting amped up to face.

Hershey import Jay Beagle got on the big board first with a stunning no-look, behind-the-back, knick-knack, paddywack shot over Carey Price’s shoulder. Mike Green took a freight train into a timing play to make it 2-0 off a Nicky Backstrom pass. The score was unchanged until Price abdicated his throne, which is like chumming the water to a shark like Alex Ovechkin. His empty netter finalized the score. Caps beat Habs 3-0.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: Andrew Gordon • David Steckel • Eric Fehr • Jay Beagle • Jeff Schultz • John Erskine • Montreal Canadiens • P.K. Subban • Semyon Varlamov • Shutout • Washington Capitals

Caps beat Devils 5-1, Andrew Gordon Scores First NHL Goal

On December 21, 2010, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

First of many for Andrew Gordon. (Photo credit: Mitchell Layton)

That is how you do it! The Washington Capitals have done the unthinkable: playing two smart games back to back.

Who better to get us started that Andrew Gordon? His goal-crashing shot off a speedy Marcus Johansson pass was the night’s first goal and the first of Andrew’s NHL career. (We knew you could do it!) The Devils responded with a Patrik Elias whizzer from above the circles, expertly screened by former Cap Danius Zubrus. Hershey’s own Jay Beagle returned fire with a chip-in up close. On a breakaway. Jason Chimera brushed off a hook and converted. Alex Ovechkin pulled an honest-to-goodness statue-of-liberty play with John Carlson, who launched a neutrino puck into Marty Brodeur’s net. Finally, Mike Knuble gingerly diverted a Tom Poti shot for the free wings. Caps beat Devils 5-1.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Alex Semin • Andrew Gordon • Anton Volchenkov • Jason Chimera • Jay Beagle • John Carlson • Martin Brodeur • Matt Bradley • Michal Neuvirth • Mike Green • New Jersey Devils • Nick Backstrom • Washington Capitals • Wings!

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Russian Machine Never Breaks

Caps Rally In Uniondale, Beat Islanders, 3-2

This Ain’t No Puppy Bowl, Caps beat Pens 3-0

Thrashers beat Caps 1-0, Shutout Number Seven

Introducing: Feed The Machine

Penalty Parade: Panthers beat Caps 4-3 (OT)

Caps Care Casino Night, Year Two

Capitals Almost Back To Normal

Riding Fehr’s Two Goals, Capitals Win Winter Classic 3-1

Varly Triumphs, Caps beat Habs 3-0

Caps beat Devils 5-1, Andrew Gordon Scores First NHL Goal

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