The Red Army!

The Red Army dissolved in December 1991, never to return... Until now.

I present to you the new Red Army! Of the Washington Capitals that is.

+

The Capitals rebuilding process is finally paying off. The Washington Capitals are one of the youngest teams in the league and are on there way to forming a dynasty in the league. Whether the Capitals win the series against the pens or fall to the unlucky own goal bounces in OT, this is still a victory for the team.

We have proven we have the potential to go far in the playoffs and will so in the future. Ovechkin has shown he is a dominate force in both the playoffs and in the regular season. The one doubt people had about us in the playoffs was our net minding. This seems to have been solved, though he is unseasoned and only 20 years old he has shown great potential and has performed admirably.

The CAPS are down 3-2 in the series after starting off 2-0, can we come back and take the series? History says no, but I say yes. Lets rewrite history and kick some penguin ass. It's all or nothing boys.

LETS GO CAPS. C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS

Does Ovechkin Compare to "The Rocket?"

Monday, 03.16.2009 / 2:21 PM / NHL Insider
By John McGourty - NHL.com Staff Writer

Is Ovechkin too flashy?
Alex Ovechkin's critics, including CBC's Don Cherry, have taken him to task over his goal celebrations.Not surprisingly, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau vehemently disagrees. He said Ovechkin has many positive attributes that young players everywhere should try to emulate."You have to love to play the game. You can't deny that Alex loves to play the game," Boudreau said. "I always say show it. Let's show our emotions. Sport is an emotional thing. We used to complain that the Russians showed no emotion. Now we're complaining because they show too much? "I like Alex because if I'm the father of a hockey player, I want to be able to show him how much fun it is to be a hockey player.""I think it's exciting," Nashville Predators captain Jason Arnott said. "I think it's great for the League because the fans love it and the kids love it. That's just the way he is.""It's just his love for the game coming through," Predators veteran forward J.P. Dumont said. "We all love it, don't get me wrong, but every time he scores it's like it could be his last goal in the NHL. He's trying to promote hockey and that's a good way."-- John McGourty

There was only one Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, a player so strong, so determined, so skilled and so passionate the NHL named its annual goal-scoring championship award after him.Richard was the first NHL player to score 50 goals in 50 games (1944-45) and the first to score 500 goals in his career. He retired in 1960 after 19 seasons with 544 goals and 421 assists for 965 points in 978 games.Richard led the Canadiens to eight Stanley Cups and was their captain in their unparalleled five straight Stanley Cups from 1956-60. He retired a champion and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, the usual three-year waiting period waived.Today, Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin is the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy holder after scoring 65 goals in 2007-08. Ovechkin also added 47 assists for 112 points, earning the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer. Ovechkin has 212 goals and 187 assists for 399 points in 312 NHL games. By comparison, Richard had 195 goals and 131 assists for 326 points in his first 312 games; impressive totals for both men.With one goal tonight against the Thrashers (7 p.m. ET, VERSUS, RIS, TSN2), Ovechkin, a fourth-year player, will have his third 50-goal season. He had 52 goals in 2005-06 when he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Ovechkin's only season under 50 was 46 in 2006-07. He has missed only four games in four seasons and three of them were earlier this season when he went home to Russia to see his ailing grandfather.There never has been another Rocket Richard, a fiery blend of speed and strength, a stocky body with overwhelming strength, plus a wild look in his eyes as he bore down on goalies. A product of Montreal who played for the Canadiens, Richard also embodied Gallic pride and wore his ethnicity as a chip on his shoulder. It's doubtful the city and all of Quebec ever will embrace an athlete as it did "The Rocket," who died May 27, 2000, at age 79.By the same token, there hasn't been a player since Richard that so closely resembles him in size, strength, skating, shooting and scoring as Ovechkin, whose passion for winning closely rivals Richard. "I think that's a great comparison and as good a comparison as I've heard in a long time," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "The only thing Alex doesn't have is the temper that Rocket had, where he would blow up and go nuts. Alex is the same fiery type of guy with the same physical attributes that Rocket had in his day that Alex has in this day."Ovechkin handled the comparison with a blend of humility and pride.
Remember 'The Rocket'

Philadelphia Flyers left wing Simon Gagne is one of the top Quebec-raised players in the NHL and he grew up listening to his father and grandfather tell Rocket Richard stories. He was asked if Quebecers would accept a comparison between Ovechkin and Richard."I'm definitely too young to have seen Mr. Richard play," Gagne said. "That's a tough call to make. I definitely have a lot of respect for the way Mr. Richard played the game. There is a movie now about his life and I have had a chance to watch it, seeing all the things that he went through and learning that he battled a lot of things outside of hockey."I think he opened the door for a lot of French-Canadians to play in this League now. I have a lot of respect for what he did. Ovechkin is still a young player, but he has the potential to be at the top, too."-- John McGourty

"It's a big honor for me," Ovechkin said. "He was the first player to score 50 goals in a season. It's a big honor for me when they compare me, but I don't want to be like Richard or somebody else; I want to be myself. I want to be the best and I try to be the best."Fair enough; Richard wasn't trying to be the second coming of Howie Morenz, either. So would it be a heresy in Quebec to compare Ovechkin to Richard?"No, not at all. You are right," said Rejean Houle, a Canadiens star in the 1970s and the team's former general manager. "Ovechkin is going for the net all the time. He wants to shoot and score, like the Rocket. Ovechkin is an unbelievable player. It's true, the Rocket was unique, one of a kind, but you can at least see some things about Ovechkin that are like the Rocket."The Capitals were in Philadelphia last week and the Flyers surprisingly were unguarded in their praise for Ovechkin.Scott Hartnell said Ovechkin is more than a goal scorer, saying he's one of, if not the most competitive players in the NHL, and a coil of power."He's just a specimen," Hartnell said, shaking his head. "I don't know what kind of workout he does in the summer or during the year, but he's just so physically strong in the corner. He's so quick. His first few strides he's up to full speed and he hangs on to the puck. Trying to bump him off the puck is almost impossible. He sounds almost like a hockey god the way I'm talking about him, but he's almost that good. His snap shot's harder than most guys' slap shots. I'd love having him on my team, but you face him maybe four times a year and probably in the playoffs."He's one of the guys you key on, you try to be physical with and try to wear him down, but it seems like he always wants to come back for more. I think he's the hardest guy in the League to play against. He's so physical, he gets in on the forecheck, he's hitting our defense, he's penalty killing, he's out there almost the full two minutes of a power play, and obviously, five-on-five, he's surely dangerous. He's right up there for tops with me."He's tops with goalie Antero Niittymaki, too.

"I think that's a great comparison and as good a comparison as I've heard in a long time. The only thing Alex doesn't have is the temper that Rocket had, where he would blow up and go nuts. Alex is the same fiery type of guy with the same physical attributes that Rocket had in his day that Alex has in this day."-- Bruce Boudreau
"He comes in so fast every time and every part of his body is moving so fast, it's tough to say if he's actually looking for a spot or if he's just trying to get it anywhere in the net," Niittymaki said. "He shoots a different spot every time. There're a lot of guys who score a lot of goals and they have their favorite spot. Ovechkin seems to find a way to put it in the net. It's off to the side, or low, high, glove side, five-hole sometimes, so you have to be aware of everything. I think that makes him a little special.Thanks to Ovechkin, the Capitals have led the Southeast Division all season and are poised for Stanley Cup Playoff success. His teammates believe he can lead them to the Stanley Cup."Yes, he proved it last year in the World Championship," Caps forward Tomas Fleischmann said. "No doubt about it."

Notes and Predictions

Green's Norris Potential

During the offseason this year, I was quite vocal about Washington's needs and subsquent moves. Its no secret that I believed our primary efforts should have gone towards resigning Cristobal Huet. I loved Mike Green and everything he brought to the team, but I felt his 18 goals were the ceiling of his talent. He wanted 5 million a year. I thought we could've spent the money better elsewhere. Well, Mr. Green, congragulations on making me look like a moron. And to be honest with you, I've never been so happy to eat my words. Washington fans knew last year that they had something special in Mike Green. After a record setting 8 straight games with a goal (he goes for his ninth today against Florida) the rest of the NHL has taken notice too. While coaches and players everywhere are singing his praise, blogs and message boards are buzzing: can Mike Green walk away with the Norris Trophy at this season's end?

Detractors continually point to the defensive aspect of his game, labeling him as a mediocre in his own end. They claim him to be nothing more than a fourth forward, getting the majority of his points on the powerplay. Green's +27 rating begs to differ. Among defensemen, only Dennis Wideman has a better plus/minus at +29. Because of Bruce Boudreau's high-octane system, Mike Green frequently joins (and even leads) the rush into the offensive end. This causes a forward to backcheck a little more than usual. Should that forward miss his assignment, opposing teams are able to generate an odd man rush. Green's speed, however, enables him to catch up and often break up the play.

Green has drawn compirsons to Paul Coffey, and appropriately so. He is averaging over a point per game (50 in 43), and has a legitamate chance to score 30 goals this season. Along with teammate Alexander Semin, Green boasts one of the sickest wrist shots in the league. His stickhandling skills are on par with Semin and Ovechkin. But will the overabundance of his offensive talent outweigh the misconception of his merely-adequate defensive ability? The competition is tough. Nick Lindstrom, the perennial Norris Trophy winner (he's won 6 of the last 7) finally seems to have loosened his grip on the award. Lindstrom, along with Chicago's Duncan Keith, Nashville's Shea Weber, and Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer will all garner serious consideration along with Green. But the 2009 Norris Trophy is Zdeno Chara's to lose. Anchoring the NHL's best team, the Bruins allow an astoundingly low 2.18 goals per game. Chara has everything to do with that. The 6'9 monster has been rock solid all season long, and his offensive production thus far (13 goals and 2o asssists) is certainly enough to satisfy typical Norris requirements. Now don't get me wrong - Green still has a decent shot. And if he continues to score at a record setting pace, voters will have no choice but to take note.

Side Note - Between Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green, the Washington Capitals have 4 players averaging more than a point per game. On behalf of the fans who remember the not-so-long-removed days when Jeff Halpern was our leading scorer: WOW.



Predictions
Hart Trophy - This situation is very similar to last year's. The player who is far and away leading the league in points is also playing for a bubble team. Just as many claimed last year that Ovechkin should only win the Hart if his team made the playoffs, so too will I say that Evgeni Malkin must lead his team into the top 8 before he's crowned as the MVP.

Honorable Mentions - Ovechkin, Iginla (always), Parise (is there anyone else more under the radar than this guy), Datsyuk.

Norris Trophy - Chara's solid season becomes phenomenal when accounting for the Bruins record. Its his to lose.

Honorable Mentions - Mike Green, Duncan Keith, Brain Rafalski, Scott Nidermayer. (Out of curiousty, when will Dion Phaneuf emerge into the dominating talent we all expect him to be?)

Vezina Trophy - Yes, Tim Thomas has been utterly ridiculous this year. But he's backed by a fantastic team. Similar arguments can be made for Evgeni Nabakov. Niklas Backstrom, however, has put together a gem of a year (.926 save % and a GAA of 2.22), and has singlehandedly kept the Wild in contention out west. He gets the nod this year.

Honorable Mentions - Tim Thomas, Evgeni Nabakov, Miikka Kiprusoff, Scott Clemmensen.

Calder Trophy - The only easy decision here. Steve Mason has been a god between the pipes. He should get Vezina consideration as well.

Honorable Mentions - Kris Versteeg, Bobby Ryan, Blake Wheeler.


And now, onto my more random preditions...

1. San Jose will win the President's trophy. They have a few games in hand on the Bruins, and I think the B's will falter a little down the stretch.

2. Pittsburgh will make the playoffs this year. Historically, Florida crumbles, and their pressing need to trade away their best player does not bode well for a playoff appearance. Additionally, I think Buffalo will fade down the stretch.

3. Even if the New Jersey Devils win the Cup, Zach Parise will not get the attention he deserves. Instead, all the talk will center on Clemmensen's play sans-Brodeur, Brodeur's triumphant return, and Shannahan's veteran presence in acquring yet another Cup. Sorry Zach. Keep scoring all those goals. People will notice sooner or later.

4. Peter Forsberg will never play in the NHL again. A world class talent, yes, but good riddance.

5. Ilya Kovalchuk will NOT be traded until around draft day, when Atlanta can trade him for a decisive first round pick.

6. Ron Wilson will get fired yet again. Some team will hire him next year. He'll lead them to the SCF and lose. Then he'll get fired.

7. Canada's cup drought will continue. Toronto and Ottawa are terrible this year. Neither Edmonton nor Vancouver have the necessary skill or grit to beat San Jose or Detroit in a 7 game series. Montreal has been slipping as of late. Calgary seems to have the most legitimate shot, but like Edmonton and Vancouver, I just don't see them beating the heavyweights in the Western Conference.

8. The New York Islanders WILL make the playoffs next year. No, that's not a typo - you read it right. Before you immeditely dismiss this relatively inane notion, consider:
a) Rick Dipietro will be back next season. A successful team is built from the net on out, and Dipietro is a solid goaltender.
b) Kyle Okposo and the rest of the young guns are getting some necessary development this year. They will enter next season with more confidence in their abilities, and more importantly, a better understanding of the system.
c) They stand a good chance to land the #1 pick this season and nab Tavares, who would fit in nicely on the Island.
d) They play in the Eastern Conference, where vertical mobility is much easier. Outside of 3-4 solid teams, it's a relative crapshoot. With key players that should begin the season healthy, coupled with a good draft and perhaps a free agent pickup or two, the Islanders should sneak in through the 7th or 8th seed,

9. The greatest moment in Phoenix's NHL history will remain Ovechkin's ridiculous goal from his rookie season....ouch.

10. Steven Stamkos finally seems to be growing into his own. Assuming that either Lecavalier or St. Louis get traded, Stamkos will be asked to fill a much larger role next year. Expect 60-70 points.

All-Star Game

Another All-Star game has come to past. And this was one to remember. With 23 Goals Scored, 102 shots taken and the game being decided by a shootout. What more could you ask for in a game.

Ovechkin finished with 1G and 2A. He also scored the game clinching goal to win the Shootout. Kovalev scored the first goal in shootout to win the game. Kovalev finished with 2G and an A.

As for the break away challenge. Ovie is still the raining champ. He dazzled everyone with his dramatic display of finesse and creativity. With the help of Evgeni Malkin, using two sticks, doaning a straw hat with a Canadien flag and a pair of Elvis sunglasses, Ovie was able to score on a left handed shot. He also barely missed on a behind the back shot which dinged the post wide right.

Now, it's time to get back to the 2nd half of the regular season.

GO CAPS!

Ovie Says "Hey! Get On My Shoulders!" - Caps Accept Offer

Alex Ovechkin was certainly in Nassau Coliseum Monday afternoon. Where the rest of the team was remains a mystery. Yet the Capitals managed to beat the Islanders 2-1 in overtime behind Ovechkin's league leading 30 and 31st goals of the year. His OT game-winner saved face for a Capitals team that, for the majority of the game, appeared disinterested and unmotivated. The recent trend of sloppy play inside of their own zone continued, but the league-worst Islanders failed to capitalize on the numerous turnovers that the Capitals seemingly gift-wrapped for them. However, another recent trend also continued - this one better: the exceptional play of Jose Theodore. After being (hopefully) prematurely labeled as a free-agent-signing bust, the former league MVP has returned to form as of late. Since December 23rd, Theodore has gone 8-2, allowing 2.20 goals per game. The only goal he allowed came when New York had a two-man advantage with only 7:32 left in the game, and many of his 27 saves were worthy of applause.

With Boston's OT loss to St. Louis, DC is now only 8 points behind the Bruins for 1st in the Eastern Conference. With 35 games left, Washington is poised to make a crucial run and claim that top spot as its own. Consider that the Capitals have played only 8 of their divisional games (Boston has played more games against the SE). Now consider how weak the Southeast is. So while the Washington's remaining schedule could yield the franchise's first ever President's Trophy, in order for them to get there, they have to start waking up for every game. After the playoff-like intensity displayed against Philadelphia, Montreal, Pittsburgh and Boston, the Caps came out flat against an injury depleted team...who owned the league's worst record...and started a goalie who was 0-5. And yes, his GAA was nearly 4 (Don't even ask me what his save percentage was).

Yet this unfortunate trend of "playing down" to certain opponents is nothing new. Their first regulation loss on home ice this season? Courtesy of the perennially-out-of-the-playoffs Florida Panthers (sorry Florida). Washington is 19-3-3 against Atlantic and Northeast Divisions, typically the heavyweights in the Eastern Conference. Yet they are a modest 5-3 against their subpar counterparts in the Southeast. If Washington truly considers itself to be a topflight team - if they really want to be uttered in the same breaths as "Detroit" and "San Jose" - they need to realize that each of the 82 games they play this year hold equal significance. Getting an easy two points now will save you from needing to get those two points later. They were fortunate to escape Long Island with said two points, but that fortune will change if their motivation doesn't. After all, Ovechkin's shoulders are only so wide.

Capitals v Penguins

I would like to officially open this blog with a Congratulations to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on their road win against the Penguins.

It was easily the best game of the year. The Capitals overcame a 3 game loosing streak to defeat their rivals the Penguins 6-3.



Ovie finished with 2G and an Assist. Backstrom also recorded 3 Assists and Tomas Fleischmann recorded a Goal and an Assist.

Congratulations to the Capitals.

C. A. P. S. CAPS CAPS CAPS