Retired - Washington Capitals

[mikerocksthered]

per @kcarrera and @CapsNewNetwork via twitter:

BruceBoudreau says No Alex Semin tonight.

[mikerocksthered]

Unfortunately it is 7:12pm on a Friday and I am still working.

Here are the starting lines for tonights game:

Posted at 5:30 PM ET, 02/ 4/2011
Open thread: Capitals at Lightning
By Katie Carrera


Faceoff: 7:30 p.m., St. Pete Times Forum; TV: CSN; Radio: 1500 AM

The Capitals try to shrink Tampa Bay's lead on the top spot in the Southeast Division. Lineups will be posted shortly after warm-up.

Update: 7:06 p.m.
Based on warm-up here's what the lineup should look like against the Lightning:

Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Chimera
Laich-Perreault-Beagle
Hendricks-Johansson-Knuble
Gordon-Steckel-Bradley

Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Schultz-Green
Erskine-Hannan

Goal
Varlamov
Neuvirth

Scratches: D.J. King and Tyler Sloan

[mikerocksthered]

Capitals 3 Penguins 0

The Capitals seem to have at least started to turn the corner and were able to play a solid sixty minutes of hockey. The Capitals managed to stay out of the penalty box for the entire first period, then only found themselves in the box two times in the last two periods, not counting offsetting fighting penalties. The Penguins did not do as good of a job with this, spending twice as much time in the penalty box. Unfortunately the Capitls were not able to produce a power play goal during their four chances. The Capitals outshot the Penguins in the first period eight to five, tied them at ten a piece in the second, and where outshot in the third period six to seven. Overall the Caps outshot the Penguins twenty-four to twent-two. The Capitals have been struggling with putting shots on goal, so this was a key to their success.

The first goal of the night and only goal of the first period was scored by backhanded Brooks Laich(11) shot, assisted by John Erskine(7) and Mathieu Perreault(6).

The second goal of the night and also a backhander, came from rookie Marcus Johannson. Johannson's seventh goal of the season and his first short handed goal was assisted by Jeff Schultz(7). The Capitals were able to hold the Penguins off for the rest of the period and headed to the second intermission up two to zero!

The third and final goal of the night came from Mike Knuble(13) with an empty net shot assisted by Matt Hendricks(9).

In goal, Michal Neuvirth played very well stopping all twenty-two shots that he faced and recorded his second shutout of the season. Marc-Andre Fluery ended the game with a 2.01 goals-against-average and .913 dave percentage.

Ice Time Leaders:

Even strength:
Scott Hannan - 20:39

Power Play:
John Carlson - 7:25

Short Handed:
John Carlson - 2:26

Total Ice Time:
John Carlson - 27:46

Face-off Wins:
Nicklas Backstrom - 14 of 17 (82%)

Blocked Shots:
Matt Hendricks - 3
Nicklas Backstrom - 3

Hits:
Matt Hendricks - 5

Injuries:
Mike Green left the game after blocking a shot with his face and did not return. He is questionable for Tueday nights game against San Jose.

[mikerocksthered]

Washington Capitals (29-15-10) vs. San Jose Sharks (28-19-6)

Capitals at home: 17-5-7
Sharks on the road: 15-9-3

Last ten games:
Washington 5-2-2
San Jose 7-2-1

The Capitals look to continue their two game winning streak tonight against San Jose on home ice. Alex Semin will play tonight after missing twelve games witha groin injury. According to Washington Post beat writer Katie Carrera, "Boudreau said Semin played hurt for three weeks prior to his roughly month-long absence that began on Jan. 8." During those three weeks Semin had no goals and only two asssits in seven games. Semins returned prompted Jay Beagle's reassignment today to the Hershey Bears.

The Capitals are one of four teams in the NHL that have two players who have scored over fifty points this season. Twenty NHL teams don't have a one fifty point player.

Washington continues to lack production on the power play, but have been very successfull in killing power plays. The Caps have only allowed goals in two of the last thirty-seven short handed situations and are currently ranked second in the NHL. Marcus Johannson scored his first shorthanded goal Sunday against the Penguins, which was also the first shortie by a Capitals rookie since Alex Ovechkin in 2005-2006.

The Capitals have not faced the Sharks this year and will play them again before the season ends. Last year the teams faced off twice and each team tallied a win on home ice.

Mike Green who was injured on Sunday against Pittburgh is questionable for tonights game. There has been a lot of talk on twitter suggested that he will play or won't play. There was a tweet quoting GM George McPhee that said he would not play, so I would lean that direction, but I would also not be surprised to see Green end up in the starting line-up. If Green does not play tonight, look for John Carlson to lead the Caps in ice time as well as increased ice time for Scott Hannan.

Michal Neuvirth was the first goalie off of the ice during the morning skate today and will be the starting goalie tonight. Eric Fehr, Tom Poti, and DJ King participated in extra practice after the morning skate and will not play tonight.

[mikerocksthered]

from http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/

Posted at 6:12 PM ET, 02/ 8/2011
Open thread: Capitals vs. Sharks
By Washington Post Sports Editors
The Washington Capitals (29-15-10) and San Jose Sharks (28-19-6) have both struggled at times this year after coasting through the 2009-10 regular season, but both teams are on an upswing heading into tonight's contest.

Washington has earned points in eight of its last nine games and San Jose is 7-0-1 in its last eight. The Sharks have history on their side, having won 12 of their last 13 contests against the Capitals.

Faceoff: 7 p.m., Verizon Center; TV: CSN; Radio: 1500 AM

Update: 6:39 p.m.
Based on warm-up here's what the lineup should look like against the Sharks:

Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Chimera
Laich-Perreault-Semin
Hendricks-Johansson-Knuble
Gordon-Steckel-Bradley

Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Schultz-Hannan
Erskine-Sloan

Goal
Neuvirth
Varlamov

Scratches: Mike Green and D.J. King

I like the Laich-Perreault-Semin line!!!!

[Dean Youngblood]

from http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/



I like the Laich-Perreault-Semin line!!!!

This is exactly what I have been waiting what feels like decades for.

[mikerocksthered]

This is exactly what I have been waiting what feels like decades for.

Please continue to hold.......

[Dean Youngblood]

Where has Mikerocksthered been?

Interesting to see Orlov taking the skate with the big club.

Lines this am: 8-19-90-22, 21-85-28, 25-15-26, 17-39-10. Seven D including Orlov

[mikerocksthered]

Where has Mikerocksthered been?

I am still around but have been very busy with work the last few weeks. I am hoping to get back to my regular postings this weekend.

Quick Update:

Listening to NHL live today it seems there is some uncertainty about Green and Backstrom for tonights game. Backstrom is expected to play tonight.According to Katie Carrera, "BB said Green would play then backed off slightly to say the defenseman would take warmup. Greens probably back tonight though."

Matt Hendricks who has been sick will be back in the lineup tonight.

Eric Fehr is still a few weeks from being game ready.

Staal and Gabroik are out for the Rangers, so that should help the Caps out quite a bit.

Just saw this on twitter:

@skykerstein 3 scouts listed on the media chart at Verizon Center tonight, 2 stars 1 flyers #Caps #Rangers

GMGM is playing his trading cards close to the belt as usual. The Caps needs a 2nd line center. If this year is like last year I doubt anything will be known about possible trades for the CAPS until a few hours before the deadline.

I have not had time to see who the starting goalie will be tonight, but I would imagine it will be Neuvirth since he is coming off of the shutout against the Penguins.

Orlov has been practicing with the Caps because he is having visa issues and could travel to Toronto with Hershey.

[mikerocksthered]

Tonights starting lines:

Posted at 5:30 PM ET, 02/25/2011
Open thread: Capitals vs. Rangers
By Washington Post Sports Editors

Faceoff: 7 p.m., Verizon Center; TV: CSN; Radio: 1500 AM

Update: 6:37 p.m.
Mike Green skated in the warmup line rushes alongside John Erskine, so it looks like the two-time Norris Trophy candidate will play his second game out of the eight contests since he was struck in the head by a puck. By pairing Green with Erskine, the Capitals are probably better able to manage his minutes and gradually ease him back into the mix.

Based on warmup, here's what the lineup should look like against the Rangers:

Forwards
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Laich-Johansson-Semin
Chimera-Perreault-Gordon
Hendricks-Steckel-Bradley

Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Schultz-Hannan
Erskine-Green

Goal
Neuvirth
Varlamov

Scratches: D.J. King and Tyler Sloan

[dyzfunctioned]

Some brutal stats:

#Caps current streak of 38 straight games without scoring more than one PPG in game has been verified as longest in franchise history.

#Caps streak of 18 straight home games without consecutive wins is longest since team went final 20 home games of 03-04 season.

[mikerocksthered]

Caps claim Marco Strum (LA) from waivers and place DJ Kings on waivers.

[mikerocksthered]

Capials 0
Rangers 6

Just as the Capitals seemed to be clicking with their new "defensive" style of play after a shutout against the Penguins, they have again proven that they are not able to play consistantly from one night to the next. The Capitals were able to out shoot the Rangers thirty-five to twenty-eight, out hit twenty-six to seventeen, match in penalty minutes and takeways, but failed themselves with giveaways. The Capitals had fourteen giveaways to the Rangers eight. The Capitals defense has to get better at not making bad passes in the defensive and nuetral zones. While John Carlson has stepped up to play a major defensive role for the Capitlas he is the biggest offender of poor passing leading to giveaways.


The Capitals failed to score on five separate power play opportunities while the Rangers were able to convert on two of four chances. This means that the Capitals power play is continuing to be a problem and now their penalty killing is starting to lag. Perhaps it is time for Bruce Boudreau to give some of the grinders like Matt Bradley and Matt Hendricks some power play time. Last year the Capitals scored most of their power play goals from a distance in front of the goal. It seems the emphasis has changed to getting the puck behind the net then making a short pass to someone directly in front of the goal. The only problem with this is there are usually two to three defenders in that area and only one Capital. The Caps need to start crashing the net (as the guys from RMNB like to say) or start taking shots from outside. The lay up from behind the net is not working! The other major problem with the Caps power play is their ability to keep the puck in the zone. The Capitals spend a healthy portion of the man-advantage time playing fetch.

Here are your fantasty statistics from last night for the Capitals. Mike Green's injury during the first period gave John Carlson the most ice time with 26:50 and the most power play time with 7:53. Carlson also had two shots on goal, two hits, two giveaways, and ended the night minus-3. Alex Ovechkin played 22:44 including 7:54 of power play time. Although finishing the night minus-1 and with no goals or assists, he might be the most valuable player from a fantasy standpoint with eight shots on goal, six hits, and one face off win. Nicklas Backstrom ended the night with decent fantasy numbers. He had five shots on goal, 19:16 total icetime, and one hit. Backstrom was one of five players who did not finish with negative plus/minus rating. Thirteen players finished the night with negative plus/minus ratings. John Erskine had the second most hits recording five for the night. Brooks Laich won more face-offs than any other Capital, winning eight of ten, while David Steckel was below average winning six of twelve. Matty P won four of eight face-offs, was credited with one giveaway and finished the night minus 2.

There has been no news on Mike Green's status for tonight. He left the game last night after receiving a hard hit by Derek Stepan. There was chatter last night about the likelihood of Stepan being suspended for the hit, but as of now it does not look like that will happen. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN via twitter, Stepan was assessed a fine for the hit. This just in from Katie Carrera of The Washington Post, Mike Green has returned home to Calgary after the death of his Grandmother.

Jay Beagle has been recalled from the Hershey Bears. Beagle has played twenty-two games with the Capitals this season and in that span has scored two goals, one assist, six penalty minutes, won fourty-three face offs, twenty one shots on goal, twenty-six hits, and is plus-1. There is no word on who he will be playing for tonight, but I suspect it could be Perreault, who did not play very well last night. There are rumors on twitter this afternoon that Perreault has be assigned to Hershey, but that has not been confirmed and does not appear to be the case.

Semyon Varlymov was expected to start in goal tonight for the Capitals, but left the ice early during the morning skate with an injury. There are currently no details, but Michal Neuvirth will start tonight.

The Capitals have claimed Marco Strum from waviers today and place DJ King on waivers.

There have been a lot of updates as I have been working on this report today, so I will be sure to post anymore updates as the day progresses. The starting lineup will be posted shortly before face-off tonight.

UPDATE: Perreault has been reassigned to Hershey. Todd Ford has been recalled from Hershey to backup Neuvirth.

[mikerocksthered]

Strum new from twitter:

@VogsCaps Mike Vogel
Just talked to him. He's flying out in less than two hours, but headed to DC. @Brnny202: Any word on Sturm's availability to play tonight?

[mikerocksthered]

Dmitri Orlov will make be playing for the Herhsey Bears tonight.