A Hockey Game: Ducks Blank Caps 2-0

April 10, 2016 10:12 pm

This game meant nothing to the Washington Capitals, but for their opponent a Pacific Division title was on the line. Former Capitals bench boss Bruce Boudreau came back to Verizon Center for the first and only time this season, except for when somebody thought it was a good idea to send the Anaheim Ducks to the phone booth during a blizzard that kept me trapped on my street for four days.

The Mites on Ice played a better game than the Washington Capitals. They were probably playing for popsicles or something.

Anyway, the Caps didn’t score while Corey Perry tallied his 34th goal of the season and Nick Ritchie — rejected Jersey Shore character — tipped in his second of the year. Ducks blank Caps 2-0.

Yes, I made a Jersey Shore reference. I am sorry.
Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, and Brooks Orpik didn’t play tonight because it would be super dumb if they got hurt in this game of shinny. Meanwhile, Jay Beagle is on the shelf after getting hit in the ankle with a puck last night.
Ovi certainly made the most of his free time, including participating in this fantastic pregame tribute in honor of Justin Williams’s 1,000th career regular-season game.
Jason Chimera played on the first line so you sure as heck aren’t getting much analysis from me, statistical or otherwise.
Actually, I do have a point to make. Michael Latta is a good fourth line player. I think he should be in the lineup for the playoffs. Sunday night, he was Washington best possession player. But despite playing good hockey, Latta got into brawl with Clayton Stoner. The Caps don’t need a bruiser. If they do, Tom Wilson has that covered — I guess. Punches are meaningless in the playoffs. Talent wins Cups.
One fan in the upper bowl kept screaming “Ducks Suck!” I guess he gets props for being awake.

Remember when the Ducks scored 10 goals … in the entire month of October?

— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) April 11, 2016

For weeks, Bruce Boudreau was seemingly one more loss away from being fired for the second time in his NHL coaching career. But the Ducks never pulled the trigger. After Sunday’s win, Anaheim has 103 points, tied with the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers for the fifth-highest total in the NHL. Bruce is a great guy. When he spoke to reporters before the game, Boudreau was delighted at what his old organization and some of his old players have accomplished. I’ll have more on that tomorrow. He did great things in Washington and he continues to be an excellent coach in Anaheim. And his peers agree.
Braden Holtby did not play. That’s fine.