After a great start in goal by Philipp Grubauer on Black Friday as the Washington Capitals defeated the Lightning, the team boarded to Toronto for a 2017 first round rematch with Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The playoff rematch wasn’t the big storyline of the day, however, this night was about two Alex’s: the captain Alex Ovechkin and 13-year old Alex Luey. Luey is one of Ovechkin’s biggest fans and a youth hockey player for the Niagara Falls Flyers. Continue reading “Capitals Top 10 Moments of the Regular Season: #4 Alex Ovechkin Hat Trick for Cancer Survivor Alex Luey”
Tag: Philipp Grubauer
Capitals Top 10 Moments of the Regular Season #6: Philipp Grubauer Tames the Bolts
One of the interesting things surrounding the Capitals improbable journey to the Stanley Cup was the goaltending saga. First, Philipp Grubauer played good but was unable to get a win. Later on in the season, Braden Holtby had a bit of a slump before a mental reset and the playoffs helped the Holtbeast regain his form.
Grubauer had his best season in Washington and his hot stretch began on Black Friday as the Capitals welcomed the Tampa Bay Lightning, who had an incredible season of their own which saw them dominate the Eastern Conference. Grubauer and the team came up big in the first of what would soon be many memorable wins against the Lightning.
Date: November 24, 2017
Result: Capitals 3, Lightning 1
Philipp Grubauer got off to a poor start but it wasn’t primarily his fault. For the most part, his starts would come in the back end of back-to-back affairs. Sometimes these instances came after a win the night before. Alas, Grubauer’s record heading into this Black Friday matchup was 0-5-1.
It wasn’t that Grubauer was playing bad. It was a variety of things. Most notably the backend as the Capitals were dealing with a young blue line filled with guys who had no prior NHL experience. Additionally, an injury to veteran Mat Niskanen was also a big blow.
The Lightning struck first 1:22 into the game on a power play goal from Vladislav Namestnikov. The Capitals would tie it late in the first with 1:24 left when Alex Ovechkin buried a one-timer from Tom Wilson.
Devante Smith-Pelly put the Caps ahead in the second on a give-n-go from Jay Beagle. Beagle would get the empty netter to give the Caps the 3-1 win.
In front of his parents, Grubauer gave his best performance of the season. He stopped 25-of-26 shots for a .962 save percentage. It would be the first of many occasions where Grubauer would come up big. His hot stretch while Braden Holtby needed the mental reset was a big reason as to why the Caps were able to not only make the playoffs but capture the Metropolitan Division and leading to better things to come.
What will moment #5 be?! Tune in next week to find out!
Miss any of the previous moments? Catch up below.
10. Capitals Top 10 Moments of the Regular Season: #10 A Comeback to Defeat the Rangers
9. Capitals Top 10 Moments of the Regular Season: #9 Nicklas Backstrom’s 200th Goal
7. Washington Capitals Top 10 Moments: Alex Ovechkin Dual Hat Trick
Capitals Stanley Cup DVD: A Great Trip Down Memory Lane
Like many of you, I’ve spent my summer binge-watching Capitals playoff and Stanley Cup Finals games from this past spring, reliving and soaking in every single moment. However, I was waiting for the Capitals and the NHL to release a DVD commemorating the entire run. On July 31, that DVD came out.
Continue reading “Capitals Stanley Cup DVD: A Great Trip Down Memory Lane”
Grubauer Changes Sweaters
Washington Capitals trade Philipp Grubauer
We knew it was going to happen, we just didn’t want to believe it.
Philipp Grubauer, beloved backup goalie, is no longer a Washington Capital.
On Friday the Caps traded him to the Colorado Avalanche WITH Brooks Orpik in a surprise move. Caps got a second round pick out of it. We didn’t see all that coming.
No Shortage of Good Goalies Looking for Contracts, Including Caps Grubauer
The writing is on the wall – it is highly likely that Philipp Grubauer will not return to the Washington Capitals as a back-up goalie. Brian MacLellan said as much on Wednesday during the media interviews. Grubi wants, and deserves, a starting spot.
So what are the likely options being touted about? How about replacing Jaroslav Halak of the Islanders. Halak could be on the move which means this might be the best option available for Grubauer. The Isles seem dissatisfied with their backup goalies so we think they won’t be moving them into the starting spot anytime soon. Continue reading “No Shortage of Good Goalies Looking for Contracts, Including Caps Grubauer”
Caps And Fans Party Down Constitution!!
Photos by Brittney Marcum
It’s a PARTY as only the Stanley Cup Champions Washington Capitals could throw!!
Fans began arriving early. Some headed into DC for work and planned to sneak out to celebrate. Continue reading “Caps And Fans Party Down Constitution!!”
Capitals Summer Gets Busy; More Than Just the Cup
Now that the excitement has died down a bit over the Capitals winning the Stanley Cup– we joke- it’s time to look ahead to some key dates for the NHL:
Continue reading “Capitals Summer Gets Busy; More Than Just the Cup”
Stanley Cup Champions Washington Capitals Salute the Fans
Remember this day children:
June 12, 2018 The Washington Capitals celebrated with their fans in one big giant humongous party down Constitution Avenue.
Continue reading “Stanley Cup Champions Washington Capitals Salute the Fans”
Caps Morning Skate Videos- pre Game 3
We shot a bunch of videos this morning. Most are on twitter, but not all of you follow us there. It’s a good thing to follow us on Twitter @incoldplacesdc and Instagram @friendsincoldplaces for great photos and videos.
Capitals Win the First Round: Outstanding Players
Despite losing the first two games of the series at home, the Washington Capitals won the other four consecutively to win the series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games. Now, for the third time in a row, they’ll face their archrival Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 2.
The Capitals, ranked first in the Metropolitan Division, picked up the Blue Jackets who got the Wild Card 1 berth. Even with the home ice in their favor, Washington lost the first two games in OT at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Continue reading “Capitals Win the First Round: Outstanding Players”