How bout them Caps?

[damnit458]

So I'm sure there aren't as many Caps fans as skins fans on this board, but I think there's enough of us to warrant a thread.

Anyway, the Caps are 9-4-2 and in first place of the SE division despite injuries, inconsistent goaltending, and a slumping Ovechkin. While at least one (perhaps two) of those seem to be ending, this offense seems to be heating up. A 5-1 victory over Carolina in Raleigh tonight is without a doubt the best victory this season (with the Vancouver game a close second), and the 4th victory in a row.

So, if all goes well, we'll be talking about them well into April/May

Go Caps!

Oh, and if anybody want's to go to a few games I figure this would be a good thread for it. I'm going to be home for a month or so in a few weeks, and I'll definitely be going to a few games. The friends that I drag there are always out in DC before and after so if any of you guys want to meet up before/after just post in here.

[Maengelito]

Ovechkin is certainly slumping by Ovechkin standards but he's still putting up points. Semin is the one thats on fire.

I sorta felt bad for Olie that they showed this Olie tribute during one of the TV timeouts while he was down 2-0 to his former team but ah well, Go Caps!

[damnit458]

I sorta felt bad for Olie that they showed this Olie tribute during one of the TV timeouts while he was down 2-0 to his former team but ah well, Go Caps!

From what I read it was planned from the get-go to be the first TV time-out, and he just happened to give up goals on the Caps' first two shots.

That said, I thought the video was a good act on behalf of the Caps. Considering he's playing for a divisional team, I think that was more than enough until he retires.

[DavidL]

Went to the Canes game last Thursday for student rush night!!! Great game, and a buddy of mine with me caught a puck! Definitely fun to get out to the games, and would be up for going with other MMers!

Caps have looked pretty good opening off; looks like we have found some successful lines, especially after tonight!! Yea, Ovie was slumping, but it is really reassuring to see others step up in his place. Look forward to seeing how the rest of the early season plays out--

[Hunter]

Now this is a thread I can get behind!

I listened to the game tonight on internet radio, and haven't been able to watch anything besides highlights all year. But Semin is ridiculous, he's leading the league in points, goals and +/- ! Hopefully he can keep it up.

I think Ovie is coming out of his slump, he had three points tonight and eight points in his last four games, so that's good news. There's a lot of talent on this team and they're all young (Except Old Man Federov), so I'm really trying to enjoy the season.

[Mike]

i don't really care for hockey, but i can always be enticed to head to a game... getting out in the real world is always better than sitting at home. lemme know if anyone schedules anything [i'm bowing out of this thread].

[damnit458]

i don't really care for hockey, but i can always be enticed to head to a game... getting out in the real world is always better than sitting at home. lemme know if anyone schedules anything [i'm bowing out of this thread].

I've found with all of my friends that didn't really care for hockey that once I got them out to a game they loved it. I'm not really sure what exactly it is, I haven't really met anybody that hasn't enjoyed going to see games.

If I remember correctly the leafs and rangers both come into DC in December or early January, so I'm probably going to try and catch both. I heard last night that the Verizon Center is averaging over 18,000 for attendance per game which is nuts.

Ed: I decided to get NHL CI this year and it was easily the best decision I've made in a long time. I went back and forth over the price at the time, but now that I'm able to catch pretty much every game on TV I love it.

The only depressing thing is I dont get Versus with the package I get from Direct TV, so I miss a few of the games.

Hunter, I'm surprised you don't watch the games streamed online. The quality usually sucks (depending on who is streaming it) but I figure it's better than listening.

[Mike]

i guess i didn't make it clear "i only enjoy going to games."

[Hunter]

I haven't had that much success streaming hockey games online. I can never seem to find a stream to the caps games, but I always seem to be able to watch the skins games online.

In other hockey news, the Dartmouth men's hockey season started and I go to those games from free. Friday's are great during hockey season because I get free beers at 5 from the engineering school, grab food on the way to a hockey game at 7, then go out to a bar. I heart winter.

[damnit458]

Good 2-1 win over the Devils tonight, although Semin is now listed as day to day which sucks. Hopefully he'll be ok, and the injury won't linger.

They've given up one even strength goal in 5 games now I believe, and Theo looked spectacular tonight. Lets hope it keeps up as they have a long 4 game road trip starting tomorrow night in Jersey.

[DavidL]

Good 2-1 win

You mean 3-1! Cant forget Ovie's empty netter aha-- Yep looked good again, solid play from Jose which is good to see.

[DavidM]

Yea, if both goalies continue to play well this team has the potential to be really good! Also great to see some production out of the second line tonight. 10-4-2 puts us right up there with the top teams in the east.

Edit: Semin is listed as an upper body injury (shoulder) but is probable for tomorrow.

[damnit458]

Good 2-1 win

You mean 3-1! Cant forget Ovie's empty netter aha-- Yep looked good again, solid play from Jose which is good to see.

I'm pretty drunk so cut me some slack :wink: . Anyway, what they do tomorrow will be very important. You don't want to start a four game road trip on a bad game. Honestly with the way NJ is torn up thus far through injuries I think the Caps could very likely come away with 2 points tomorrow.

Considering they have to play San Jose this trip, and it's west coast, I feel like 4/8 points will be enough to make it successful.

[Evan]

how bout that offense? (and not as much defense...)

[damnit458]

how bout that offense? (and not as much defense...)

Yeah...I can't wait until they move Nylander and have some cap space to either call up Alzner or some of the other more deserving defensive prospects at Hershey. The offense on the other hand has looked pretty good, despite numerous nagging injuries.

As long as they can grab two points out of the next two games I think the road trip will be successful. Considering this might be their toughest stretch of the season, taking 4 out of 8 points on the road on the west coast should be sufficient.

[damnit458]

So the Caps have been through the second longest road schedule, and have the best home record in the east, and are still in first place in the Southeast. They've been doing it despite injuries to most of their top 6 Dmen. Honestly this is a team to get yourself and your friends excited around. They may not be the best but they're exciting as hell.

Anyway are any you of you going to games this late december/early jan? I should be going to the 28th game where they retire Gartner's number but I'm trying to make a few others and I was just wondering if any of you were planning on going.

[Hunter]

I'm going to the game on the 28th too! It's the only one I can make while home for break.

And yes... I'm very excited by this team. They've been devastated by injuries, but all that seemed to do is allow them to win while giving some of the young guns experience. I do lots of shit talking on the caps behalf up here (especially to a girl I know who's brother plays for the penguins).

[DavidM]

Great comeback tonight! Imagine what they could do with a legitimate #1 in net.

[Evan]

wow. I cant believe they came back. I walked by a sports bar while doing last minute shopping and saw the score was 4-1

[WRXtranceformed]

Hockey is still going on? Fuck sake... it's almost as bad as basketball and baseball. My ADD is way too bad for sports like that, who the shit can follow a sport that has 100+ games in a season??