Author Topic: CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30  (Read 5524 times)

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Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Topic Start: December 26, 2006, 03:57:25 AM »
This Thread Dedicated To The Following Games

Dec 26 @ Buffalo Sabres - 7:00PM
Dec 27 vs. Montreal Canadiens - 7:30PM
Dec 29 @ New Jersey Devils - 7:30PM
Dec 30 @ New York Rangers - 7:00PM

Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #1: December 26, 2006, 04:02:39 AM »
Caps Stay Busy Against Sabres in Buffalo
Dec. 26 vs. Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena
Time: 7:00 pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio:  WTNT 570 AM

Washington Capitals(16-12-7)
Buffalo Sabres (25-7-3)



Washington continues its busy stretch of holiday hockey with its first visit of the season to Buffalo on Tuesday. The Caps are in action on the day after Christmas for the first time in five years.

The Capitals are in the midst of a stretch in which they must play six games in nine nights, a period that began with last Friday?s home game against New Jersey. Tuesday?s game against Buffalo begins an even busier stretch within that span. Starting with the game against the Sabres, the Caps will play four games in five nights for just the second time in the last 23 years. Washington will play those four games in four different cities.

The Caps are coming off a satisfying 3-2 win in Toronto on Saturday. Playing with a depleted defensive corps, Washington used three second-period power play goals and another strong netminding performance from Olie Kolzig to beat the Leafs and prevent a losing streak from reaching three games.

Three of the defensemen ? Mike Green, Jeff Schultz and Lawrence Nycholat ? in the lineup for that Toronto game were members of the 2006 Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears. Green has been with the Caps all season, but Schultz and Nycholat were recalled from Hershey last week when foot injuries felled Bryan Muir and John Erskine and Shaone Morrisonn came down with the flu.

The Caps climbed to 39 standings points with that win, reaching that total 11 games earlier than last season. The win in Toronto was also Washington?s fourth straight on the road. It gives the Capitals their longest road winning streak since Feb. 14-Mar. 7, 2001 when they won five straight away from the District. The streak is the longest current run of its kind in the NHL.

Washington?s 8-4-4 road record is tied for third among all Eastern Conference clubs this season; only Buffalo and Atlanta have been better away from home.

The Capitals? power play unit is 14th best in the NHL with a 17.7% success rate. Washington stands 20th in the league in penalty killing with a kill rate of 81.6%.

Buffalo roared out of the gates this season, winning 10 straight games to start the campaign. The Sabres haven?t slowed much since, losing consecutive games just once and setting the pace in the Eastern Conference standings. Buffalo had no regulation losses in October, three in November and four thus far in December.

The Caps slowed the Sabres a bit in the lone previous meeting between the two teams this season, beating Buffalo 7-4 at Verizon Center on Dec. 2. Ryan Miller started that game in goal for the Sabres, but was chased after surrendering three goals on nine shots in a span of just seven minutes. Martin Biron took the loss in relief. A handful of fighting majors and game misconducts were assessed in the second period of that game when Washington's Alex Ovechkin checked Buffalo's Daniel Briere into the boards in front of the Sabres' bench.

Biron has started each of Buffalo?s last two games, ending a stretch of 14 consecutive starts in goal for Miller. The Sabres are 1-2-1 in their last four games, and they?ve dropped two straight games at home.

Buffalo?s power play ranks 18th in the NHL with a 16.8% success rate. The Sabres are just 7-for-70 (10%) with the extra man in their last 13 games. Buffalo features the league?s 15th best penalty killing corps with a success rate of 82.7%.

Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #2: December 26, 2006, 04:37:22 AM »

Offline Dave B

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #3: December 26, 2006, 12:20:32 PM »
Quote from: "Senators2005"
(Image removed from quote.)


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #4: December 26, 2006, 05:19:37 PM »
Quote from: "Dave B"
Quote from: "Senators2005"
(Image removed from quote.)


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
:?:

Offline 2k6nats

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« Reply #5: December 26, 2006, 05:26:07 PM »
Quote from: "Senators2005"
Quote from: "Dave B"
Quote from: "Senators2005"
(Image removed from quote.)


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
:?:
Can someone stop the madness!  I mean, publicity is good, but God, get rid of John Mellencamp!

Offline UMDNats

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #6: December 26, 2006, 05:35:38 PM »
That commercial would be awesome if they didn't play it every 2 seconds. I love the Caps one.

Offline UMDNats

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #7: December 26, 2006, 05:39:03 PM »
BTW, I hope AO destroys Briere CLEANLY so that Briere and his pansy self can shut up.
Oh, and a Caps WIN

Offline ColtonWillems

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« Reply #8: December 26, 2006, 06:36:04 PM »
If you all want real, intense, rivalry hockey...tune into the Rangers Islanders game tonight.

Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #9: December 26, 2006, 06:50:05 PM »
Quote from: "ColtonWillems"
If you all want real, intense, rivalry hockey...tune into the Rangers Islanders game tonight.
Crap that...don't you know we're playing the Sabres again this evening?  Although I doubt there will be much Briere-Ovechkin noise considering the fines and suspensions last time.

By the way...anybody going to the Canadiens game tommorow night besides me and Ali?

Offline UMDNats

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« Reply #10: December 26, 2006, 07:23:29 PM »
Caps already down 3-0, we're gonna get raped.

Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #11: December 26, 2006, 07:32:48 PM »
HOLY CRAP 5-0...now where can I find that Ranger game Colton was talking about again?   :?


Online Ali the Baseball Cat

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« Reply #12: December 26, 2006, 08:15:16 PM »
We've lulled them into a false sense of security  :roll:

Offline UMDNats

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« Reply #13: December 26, 2006, 09:30:20 PM »
6-3 now, Caps making a game of it.

If only the bounces went out way in the 1st.

AO sniped the hell out of Miller. Shut up those dumbass Buffalo fans.

Offline Senators2005

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« Reply #14: December 26, 2006, 10:05:17 PM »
Final at HSBC Arena

Washington 3
Buffalo 6



Sabres jump out to early six-goal lead in win vs. Caps
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Chris Drury had two goals and two assists, sparking Buffalo's six-goal first period in the Sabres' 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

Ales Kotalik had a goal and two assists while Maxim Afinogenov and Thomas Vanek added a goal and assist each for the NHL's top-scoring team. Brian Campbell also scored in a game that was decided before it was 11 minutes old.

Buffalo needed only nine shots to build a 6-0 lead when Vanek, from the right circle, banked a wrister in off Capitals defender Brian Pothier in front with 9:03 left in the first period.

Buffalo scored four times in a 5:39 span, including two goals 15 seconds apart, and six in a span of 9:06. Remarkably, the six-goal first period wasn't even a season best for the Sabres, who scored seven times in a 7-2 win over Tampa Bay on Nov. 20.

The Sabres (26-7-3) improved to 2-2-1 in their past five games, including a 3-2 overtime loss at St. Louis on Saturday.

Alex Ovechkin, booed loudly after he cut the Sabres' lead to 6-2 late in the second period, Chris Clark and Kris Beech scored for the Capitals (16-13-7), who had a four-game road winning streak snapped while opening a stretch of four games in five nights.

The Sabres got some payback against Ovechkin for his blind-side hit on Daniel Briere that sent Buffalo's co-captain headfirst into the boards during Washington's 7-4 win earlier this month.

Ovechkin was ejected from the game. Briere was not severely injured, but the Sabres were unhappy that the NHL did not suspend Ovechkin for a potentially dangerous play.

The sold-out crowd jeered Ovechkin beginning with his first shift, and booed even louder when he celebrated his goal by holding his hand to his ear.  :twisted:

Olie Kolzig prevented a blowout, allowing two goals on 33 shots, in replacing Capitals starter Brent Johnson, who was chased after allowing four goals on six shots.

Johnson shattered his stick across the crossbar and heaved what was left of his shaft down the ice as he left the game. He then threw his mask down the hallway leading to the team's dressing room, and spent the rest of the game standing at the team's bench with his hands on his hips.


Offline Dave B

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« Reply #15: December 26, 2006, 10:42:24 PM »
Quote from: "Senators2005"
Quote from: "Dave B"
Quote from: "Senators2005"
(Image removed from quote.)


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
:?:
That song is the worst.  At least the video is good

Offline Senators2005

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CAPS Week 13: Dec 26 - Dec 30
« Reply #16: December 27, 2006, 08:15:49 AM »
Caps Head Home to Host Habs
Dec. 27 vs. Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center
Time: 7:30 pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio:  WTNT 570 AM

Montreal Canadiens (21-9-5)
Washington Capitals (16-13-7)

Montreal is the only Eastern Conference foe the Caps have yet to face in 2006-07. That changes on Wednesday when the Habs head into the District for their first Verizon Center visit this season.  

On Tuesday night in Buffalo, Washington opened a grueling stretch in which it must play four games in five nights and five in seven. The evening did not go well.

Washington spotted the Sabres half a dozen first period goals in a span of just 9:06, the third quickest six goals in NHL history. It was the first time in Washington franchise history that the Caps surrendered six goals in the first 20 minutes. The Caps came back with a goal in each frame, but fell 6-3.

Just under three years ago (Dec. 31, 2003), the Caps began their most recent stretch of four games in five nights with a 7-1 setback to the Sabres in Buffalo. The Capitals were 0-3-1 in those four games that bridged 2003-04. The spell came in the midst of a seven-game winless streak (0-6-1) for the Caps.

Tuesday?s loss in Buffalo ended Washington?s four-game road winning streak, dropping the Caps? road record to 8-5-4.

The Caps are playing without several regular blueliners, which has necessitated the recent recalls of defensemen Jeff Schultz and Lawrence Nycholat from Hershey of the AHL. Playing in his second game with the Caps on Tuesday in Buffalo, Nycholat picked up his first NHL point when he assisted on Alex Ovechkin?s 25th goal of the season. Nycholat was also one of just two Washington players to finish the night with a ?plus? defensive rating; he was plus-1.

Washington won the first two meetings between the Caps and the Habs in 2005-06, but Montreal took the next two. The Caps did get a point in a Mar. 30 overtime loss to the Canadiens in Montreal.

Each game the Capitals play during this busy week is against an Eastern Conference foe with more standings points than Washington.

The Capitals? power play unit was 14th best in the NHL with a 17.7% success rate going into Tuesday night?s tilt. The Caps were 0-for-4 with the extra man in the Buffalo game. Washington entered the Sabres game 20th in the league in penalty killing with a kill rate of 81.6%. The Caps successfully killed six of seven Buffalo power plays on Tuesday.

While the Caps were forced to awaken early on Tuesday for a trip to Buffalo for Tuesday?s game with the Sabres, Montreal has been idle since suffering a 4-2 loss at Boston on Saturday in the first game of a four-game road trip. While the Caps were going at it with the Sabres, the Habs were relaxing in their Washington hotel rooms in preparation for Wednesday?s game at Verizon.

The loss to the Bruins halted the Habs? five-game winning streak, the team?s longest of the season. Montreal is 9-5-2 on the road this season and is 7-2-2 overall in the month of December, with both regulation losses coming at the hands of the Bruins.

Montreal is off to one of its hottest starts in recent decades, piling up 21 wins in the season?s first 34 games for the first time since the 1978-79 Canadiens did so. That Montreal club went on to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup title. With 47 points in 34 games, the Habs are also off to a better start than the 1992-93 outfit, the most recent Montreal team to win it all.

The Habs pack the league?s most potent power play. Montreal has connected at a rate of 23.5% this season, and they have 38 power play strikes in 34 games.

The Canadiens have been especially deadly with the extra man in the month of December, clicking on 16-of-48 (33.3%) power play chances this month. Montreal has registered multiple power play goals in six of its 11 games this month.

Montreal is second in the circuit with a penalty kill success rate of 88.3%. The Habs also lead the NHL with 11 shorthanded goals.

Offline Senators2005

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« Reply #17: December 27, 2006, 08:21:36 AM »
Glad this game takes place immediately after being molested by the Sabres last night - allows us to move on as soon as possible and try and forget it.  I'll be at the game tonight so I won't be commenting or giving the wrap-up until I get back.  

HORN - HORN - HORN!



LETS GO CAPS!

Offline ColtonWillems

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« Reply #18: December 27, 2006, 06:13:50 PM »
http://break.com/index/young_hockey_phenom.html

^LOOK HOW GOOD THAT KID IS! He's 13.

Offline UMDNats

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« Reply #19: December 27, 2006, 07:17:19 PM »
Quote from: "ColtonWillems"
http://break.com/index/young_hockey_phenom.html

^LOOK HOW GOOD THAT KID IS! He's 13.



That kid's got some sick moves, but that's just a shootout competition. Playing a real game is much different, as I'm sure you know.

Some of those moves....damn

Offline ColtonWillems

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« Reply #20: December 27, 2006, 07:45:20 PM »
Quote from: "Nats19"
Quote from: "ColtonWillems"
http://break.com/index/young_hockey_phenom.html

^LOOK HOW GOOD THAT KID IS! He's 13.



That kid's got some sick moves, but that's just a shootout competition. Playing a real game is much different, as I'm sure you know.

Some of those moves....damn


Oh I know. A real game and a shootout are two different things entirely, ( I mean, even I can do that move when he kicks the puck and then goes to his backhand; yes I have done it before) but still, those moves are ridiculous.

Offline UMDNats

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« Reply #21: December 27, 2006, 07:51:19 PM »
Yea, definetly some awesome moves for a 13-year old.

Offline Senators2005

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« Reply #22: December 28, 2006, 12:28:34 AM »
Final at Verizon Center

Montreal 4
Washington 1



Streaking Habs continue to dominate struggling Caps

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Montreal goalie Cristobal Huet wasn't too upset about falling short of his 14th career shutout.

Huet made 30 saves, Mathieu Dandenault and Aaron Downey scored first-period goals and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Wednesday night for their sixth win in seven games.

Alexander Semin knocked in his own rebound at the left post on a power play with 2:56 to go, ruining Huet's attempt at the shutout.

"Whether it's 3-0 or 4-1, it really doesn't matter," Huet said. "We won. That's what's important."

Saku Koivu and Sheldon Souray also scored and Guillaume Latendresse had two assists for Montreal, which has won three straight against Washington. The Canadiens bounced back after opening a four-game road swing with a 4-2 loss at Boston on Dec. 23.

Montreal held Washington's top line in check until the end and got an early boost from Dandenault and Downey, who notched their first goals of the season in the decisive opening period.

"Right now, when guys are getting chances, they're making the most of them," said Souray, who finished with a goal and an assist. "That's good -- we need everyone to contribute. We can't rely on our top line, or our top two lines, to do the offensive work every single night. It's nice when other guys can contribute."

Washington -- in a stretch of six games in nine days, including four in five nights in four different cities -- has lost two straight and four of five games.

"It could be bad because we've got so many games," Capitals right winger Chris Clark said. "Or maybe we can bounce back because we've got so many games and we don't have a lot of time to dwell on it."

Washington didn't have many quality chances through the first 40 minutes. Semin streaked out of the penalty box with 3:12 left in the second, darted down the right wing and forced Huet to brush aside his backhander.

Huet went down to his knees to block an Alexander Ovechkin shot from between the circles early in the third period. Ovechkin was held to five shots.

"As a team, we were aware of who was out there and we did a great job of shutting [Ovechkin] down," Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek said.

The Capitals wasted three power plays and a 14-7 shots advantage in the first period, and Montreal grabbed a 2-0 lead on tallies by Dandenault, who broke a 27-game goal drought, and Downey, scored his first since April 17, 2006.

Dandenault scored on a run to the right post, converting a cross-crease pass from Latendresse at 12:36. Downey made a dash down the slot, redirecting a right-boards feed from Radek Bonk by Olaf Kolzig, who blocked the puck only to have it bounce high, off his right shoulder and in.

Koivu tipped Souray's shot past a screened Kolzig for a power-play goal with 5:14 left in the third for a 3-0 lead. Souray answered Semin's goal with a shorthanded empty-netter with 45 seconds remaining.


Offline Senators2005

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« Reply #23: December 28, 2006, 12:37:38 AM »
I had totally awesome seats!   :twisted:   I was in the second row right behind the Capitals penalty box.  The Comcast late night replay is showing the Wizards instead of the Caps so I have no idea if I got on TV.  If any of you saw a guy in a Nationals cap & blue hoodie sweatshirt banging on the penalty box glass after the Brashear fight - that was me.   :lol:

Very good crowd for a mid-week game!  Almost every seat in the lower 100s and the uppers were filled.  And believe it or not - this wasn't due to a whole lot of Habs fans.  That being said, I sat next to a guy who had just come down from Montreal for the game & see AO.  We had a great conversation about the Expos and our new Nats and he told me some great Hab stories.  Really cool guy.


Offline ColtonWillems

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« Reply #24: December 28, 2006, 10:59:21 PM »
Quote from: "Senators2005"
Very good crowd for a mid-week game!  Almost every seat in the lower 100s and the uppers were filled.  And believe it or not - this wasn't due to a whole lot of Habs fans.  That being said, I sat next to a guy who had just come down from Montreal for the game & see AO.  We had a great conversation about the Expos and our new Nats and he told me some great Hab stories.  Really cool guy.
I love when you can have a laid back conversation with an opposing team fan, not like those @$$hole flyers fans. Good luck on Saturday!