Russian Machine Never Breaks

When They’re Bad They’re Horrid: Devils Beat Caps, 5-0

On March 2, 2012, In Game Recap, By Ana Hansen


From the exasperated facial expressions of babes… (Photo credit: Mitchell Layton)

How many times have we said “this is the worst game all season”? It seems like it’s been half a dozen times at least, maybe more. Someone make a slideshow of this and get back to us, complete with sad eighties breakup music.

I don’t know if this was The Definitive Worst Game of the Season, if only because it has so much competition, but it was pretty bad. Please come down from the ledge and let’s talk about it. We’re here for you.

Zach Parise scored a pretty PP goal on a pretty pass from Patrik Elias. Michal Neuvirth let another Parise shot trickle through to make it two goals on four shots. Former Cap Dainus Zubrus closed out the first period with a slapstick falling-down third goal. Parise scored a third for the hat trick, but no hats were forthcoming at the Verizon Center, no sir. Patrick Elias capitalized on a shorthanded chance on a Caps PP. Devils beat Caps, 5-0.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • •
 
10 Comments
Leave A Response

Video: Michal Neuvirth Robs Gunnarsson, Save of the Year Candidate

On February 25, 2012, In Video, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: Nathan Denette

During the second period of the Capitals-Leafs game, Michal Neuvirth denied Toronto’s Carl Gunnarsson with a flashy glove save that deserves a spot on this week’s highlight reel. Video is below the jump.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

It’s Good to Be Home: Caps beat Habs 4-1

On February 24, 2012, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Mitchel Layton

Friday night’s meeting between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens was an exciting one. The only thing that muddled the joy is that funny feeling that this may be one of the last times we see this version of the team play..

Mathieu Perreault got on the board by redirecting a Jason Chimera pass along the crease that Tomas Kaberle deemed not worth his time. Jason Chimera took the puck for an 80-foot stroll, pushing Carey Price into the net along with the puck. 16 seconds later, Marcus Johansson dropped a pass to Dmitry Orlov, who set up Alex Ovechkin waiting in the circle for a one-timer. That shot found the back of the net, giving the Caps a solid 3-0 lead going into the third.

Rene Bourque ended the shut out (actually 260 minutes and 4 seconds long) with a shorthanded goal. Joel Ward got the empty netter, and that was that. Caps beat Habs 4-1.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 
19 Comments
Leave A Response

RMNB Week in Review: Ovi is a Rock Star

On February 17, 2012, In Video, Week In Review, By Ana Hansen

John Carlson “Zaching.” (Via Captain America’s Twitter)

This week, the Caps went 0-2-0 against the New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks. They were outscored 7-6 and used two different goalies while Tomas Vokoun was sick with the flu, recalling Braden Holtby on Monday for his first NHL appearance this season. Sadly, that was all the hockey for the week, and the Caps had three days off so that they could talk about their feelings, bowl with season ticket holders, and get into the “Zaching” trend. Unfortunately, the week ended with Alex Ovechkin and Dennis Wideman getting into it at practice, but nothing heals like winning, so it’s time for the Caps to start doing some of that.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the Flyers acquired Nicklas Grossman and the Sharks acquired Dominic Moore, the Anaheim Ducks are making a serious run for the playoffs, the Preds were confused about whether or not they’ve won the Stanley Cup, Caps ECHL affiliate Stingrays got some attention for a really weird goal, the Red Wings broke the all-time record with 21 straight home wins, and Jaromir Jagr turned 40.

If you’re still wondering the most important question — how does everything in the world relate to the Washington Capitals? — we’ll break it down for you after the jump.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

A Timeline of Caps Goalies Giving Up Goals From Center Ice

On February 14, 2012, In Video, By Ana Hansen

Tomas Vokoun

Vokoun reacts after letting a Dustin Byfuglien shot from the red line go in. (Photo credit: Greg Fiume)

After Monday’s loss to the San Jose Sharks, the Capitals are 2-4-1 in February and find themselves in ninth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Caps have clearly struggled without superstars Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom, but the most bizarre aspect of the Capitals recent play has been their propensity for giving up goals from center ice.

The first goal of the Caps’ 5-3 loss to the Sharks was marked as having been scored from 69 feet since the puck deflected off Joe Pavelski, but the fluke bounce that got behind Braden Holtby came from another 80-foot shot that turned into a goal against. The terrible part is that we can say “another” — Pavelski’s goal Monday was the third puck shot from at least 80 feet that’s resulted in a goal this month. All three Caps starters in net this month, Michal Neuvirth, Tomas Vokoun, and Braden Holtby have allowed one each.

Let’s review this bizarre phenomenon.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 
14 Comments
Leave A Response

Rangers beat Caps 3-2, Alex Ovechkin MIA

On February 12, 2012, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Scott Levy

Sunday afternoon’s date between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers was a mixed bag. There were some tasty kibbles of Good Sasha and Chimdog, but also some rancid defensive morsels  in there as well. And not nearly enough Ovi snacks, which is supposed to be the best part.

Ryan Callahan stopped the puck with his skate and scored while Neuvy was out of the  paint. In the second period, Jason Chimera dropped a pass to Alex Semin, who slapped home the tying goal. Ryan McDonagh put the Rangers up and then promptly injured himself on a bad patch of ice (he came back a few shifts later). Brandon Prust got a 2-on-1 breakaway and scored the shorthanded dagger. John Carlson took a slapper that bobbled under Henrik’s five hole. The Caps valiantly attempted the comeback but ran out of time. Rangers beat Caps 3-2. Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • •
 
11 Comments
Leave A Response

Must-Win Game… Lost: Panthers beat Caps 4-2

On February 1, 2012, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Alan Diaz

The Washington Capitals have three dates with the Florida Panthers in February, and these games will determine their chances for a postseason. This one was a so-called “four-point game”, and the Capitals came up tragically short.

After a scoreless first period, Mikael Samuelsson faked a hardaround and then fired a shot to Neuvirth’s far side– hitting the post then net. It was a fluke-y, no-look shot from almost 90 feet out, but it caught Neuvirth being lazy, and that’s what matters. Brooks Laich tied it up with a feisty top-shelfer from the crease during 4-on-4 play. Samuelsson got his second of the night with the go-ahead goal on a third period power play. After a long adjudication, Stephen Weiss was awarded a goal that had been washed out at first.

John Carlson made it a one-goal game with a leisurely slapper from the high slot, but Shawn Matthias grabbed an empty netter a few moments later. Panthers beat Caps 4-2.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • • • •
 
20 Comments
Leave A Response

The Score’s Top 10 Goals Features the Caps Not in a Good Way

On January 30, 2012, In Video, By Peter Hassett

Justin Bourne of The Score published a video on Tuesday capturing his top 10 goals of the 2011-12 season (so far). It’s a good list with a ton of action, but it might stir up some bad memories for you. Not only are no Washington Capitals players on the list, but three of the ten goals happened against D.C. goalies.

Enjoy the video and follow me past the jump:

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • •
 
4 Comments
Leave A Response

RMNB Week in Review; Alzner Fights, Ovechkin Raps

On January 20, 2012, In Week In Review, By Ana Hansen

Photo credit: paparazzi.ru

This week, the Caps went 3-1-0 against the Lightning, Hurricanes, Islanders, and Habs, and if you asked someone who they thought was the only team to beat us, they would probably be surprised by the answer. Despite being outshot 77-136, the Caps still managed to outscore opponents 9-7 and take 6 of 8 points. Especially if you blindly ignore that Tuesday ever happened, it was a pretty good week.

Elsewhere in the NHL, a compelling case was made for wearing helmets in warmups, Mrs. Pronger made us sad about Chris Pronger again, Brian Elliott was re-signed in St. Louis, Chara and Alfredsson were named captains of the All-Star Game, Rangers owner James Dolan apparently has no idea the Stanley Cup is not awarded in January, and Ryan Kesler and Alain Vigneault had a lovers’ quarrel.

In case you were wondering the most important question–how does everything in the world apply to the Washington Capitals?–here’s a helpful guide to what’s terrible this week.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • •
 
6 Comments
Leave A Response

Lil Mikey Neuvirth Comes Back Big: Caps beat Habs 3-0

On January 18, 2012, In Game Recap, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Richard Wolowicz

The Washington Capitals invaded Montreal like pillaging barbarians, and they only needed 16 shots to do it.

Hometown boy Mathieu Perreault ripped a wrist-shot high on Carey Price’s far side to score in the first five minutes. Marcus Johansson had to fence with Andrei Kostitsyn, but he got a shot off to make it 2-0. Alex Ovechkin’s puck slipped through a few legs during a supersized power play. Caps beat Habs 3-0.

Continue Reading

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • •
 
21 Comments
Leave A Response
« Older Entries Newer Entries »