I have a feeling we’re gonna see the Tampa Bay Lightning again in the post-season. Just call it a hunch. I probably have ESPN or something.
Tag: Tampa Bay Lightning
A New Capitals Rivalry Rising??
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been the main rival of Washington Capitals since the 1990’s and heated up when Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby and were drafted in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The rivalry begins with the regular season and carries into the playoff matchups. Other major rivals for the Caps in the Metropolitan Division have included the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, although not like that with the Penguins.
Apparently, a new rivalry is rising although not with a team in the same division. It looks like the Tampa Bay Lightning are going be a frequent opponents for the Caps in the regular season and playoffs and a new primary rival. Continue reading “A New Capitals Rivalry Rising??”
Backstrom Joins the Capitals 20 Goal Club
As fans watch and wait for Alexander Ovechkin to snag another 50-goal season, the quiet Swede Nicklas Backstrom hit 20 goals in Tampa Bay on Saturday. This is the sixth time in his NHL career and his fourth consecutive 20-goal season. His all-time high was 33 in the 2009/10 season. Continue reading “Backstrom Joins the Capitals 20 Goal Club”
The Week Ahead for the Capitals
The Capitals ended the previous week with a loss to the league’s current number one team, the Tampa Bay Lightning. They have a chance to redeem themselves when Tampa comes to Washington on Wednesday.
John Carlson Wins Hardest Shot Competition
The Washington Capitals, at least in the case of defenseman John Carlson, finally won something on Friday night. Although it doesn’t officially end their current seven game winless stretch, Carlson stole the spotlight in the Hardest Shot challenge at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at SAP Center in San Jose. It’s been a long time coming for Carlson and in 2019 he finally was voted into his first All-Star game. Continue reading “John Carlson Wins Hardest Shot Competition”
Caps Road to the Cup, Top 10 Moments from the Playoffs #3: A Game 7 Road Shutout to Advance to the Finals
Game 7’s have not been kind to the Washington Capitals blah blah blah. We already knew that. But something was different about this team. The Caps dominated Game 6 at home to stave off elimination and went back down to Tampa, a place where they did win two out of three games in that series, with a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 20 years. Meanwhile, Capital One Arena opened their doors and held a watch party allowing fans to catch the game on the videoboard. Continue reading “Caps Road to the Cup, Top 10 Moments from the Playoffs #3: A Game 7 Road Shutout to Advance to the Finals”
Top 10 Capitals Moments of the Playoffs #9: Caps Dominate Bolts to Force Game 7
This moment would be the Washington Capitals biggest test. For the first time this past spring, the Capitals were on the ropes. A win would keep their season alive while a loss would’ve sent them packing. So far in the Eastern Conference Finals at that point, the Caps took the first two games in Tampa Bay but dropped their next three games to the Lightning, including two at home. Refusing to end the season on their home ice, the team and the fans brought the noise, the hits and the thunder as the Caps won 3-0 to force Game 7. Continue reading “Top 10 Capitals Moments of the Playoffs #9: Caps Dominate Bolts to Force Game 7”
In Defense of Tom Wilson
Caps fans are still walking on air after the team finally overcame their Game 7 demons and dispatched the Lightning to advance to the fourth round, securing the team’s first shot at the Stanley Cup in 20 years. It was a dominant performance in all aspects of the game and even the analysts who are paid to pick nits had a hard time finding much negative to say after the final horn sounded.
The one controversy swirling among the fan base today concerns the donnybrook that occurred between Tom Wilson and Braydon Coburn in the first period. Was it a heroic showing by the team’s enforcer, standing up appropriately for Kuznetsov’s dignity and his team’s honor? Or was it a bone-headed loss of control by a crucially important top line player who should have known better than to risk ejection in such a significant game? The answer depends on whom you ask.
Capitals in Tampa Bay Monday at 7:30
The Capitals are in muggy Tampa today for their first away game since the stunner in Saturday at home. The Lightnings have lost 69 games to the Caps – the most to any team.
Coach Trotz indicated he would be sticking with the lines from Saturday with the exception of a goalie change. Philipp Grubauer will be in the net tonight.
In December 2015 Grubi stepped in against the Lightning after Braden Holtby let in three goals, helping bring a 5-3 win for the Caps. This will be his fourth game against them-he has won three so far. During the 2016-17 Season, Grubauer was the Caps goaltender in 24 games, winning 13 games, three of them shutouts.
The lines as we know them for the Capitals are:
Much of the buzz coming from Tampa Bay has been about Alex Ovechkin and what might happen tonight. The Caps will likely put them on the defensive. The line to watch tonight is Vlad Namestnikov, Steven Stamkos, and Nikita Kucherov. Peter Budaj should be in the net.
What to Expect in Week Ahead: 28 November to 4 December 2016 for Capitals
The past week (November 21 – 27) we saw two wins and a loss. In the two home games before and after Thanksgiving we saw a spark in the Caps that gave us hope. And then there was the sad game in Toronto that had us asking what the heck is going on???
The Caps have plenty of time to work out whatever is holding them back. First game isn’t until Thursday.
Game Schedule
Thursday, 1 December, NY Islanders at Verizon Center, 7:00 pm on
Saturday, 3 December, at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:00 pm on CSN-DC
Practice/Morning Skate (Schedule subject to change)
Monday the Caps held practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex at 10:30.
Tuesday practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex at 10:30
Wednesday practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex at 10:30
Thursday Morning Skate will likely be an optional skate.
Friday TBD
Saturday morning skate Tampa Bay
Special Events
Thursday is German Heritage Night at Verizon Center. FWe’ll have to see if he is net as the week unfolds.ans typically wear black, red and gold and cheer on Germany’s own Philipp Grubauer.
Per the Caps website: “Join us as we kick-off the first of four Caps Heritage Nights, celebrating hockey’s German heritage. Fans who purchase a Heritage Night package will receive an exclusive Capitals Oktoberfest-themed beer stein and the opportunity to attend a postgame Q&A with German Capitals player(s). All fans in attendance will enjoy German themed food and drink specials from Aramark and thematic experiences throughout the concourse with Slapshot and the Red Rockers.”
Theme tickets are available through washingtoncaps.com
Thursday is Third Jersey Night!