The handshake line after a playoff series has long been used in hockey as a sign of respect between two teams.
However, Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisatl appeared to use the post-series handshake line to express his feelings towards Vegas Golden Knights star defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo.
By Faith Harris 4 months ago
When Kings fan Dylan Smith went with his girlfriend Emma to watch the Los Angeles Kings face off against the Edmonton Oilers for Game Three on Friday, the couple was prepared for plenty of excitement. But when they went down to watch the Kings during warmups, that action got a little too real when a puck shot by Kings center Gabriel Vilardi hit Emma directly in the head.
With Emma okay and recovering before the game, word got out to Vilardi about her injury. The Kings forward wasn’t going to let her leave empty-handed.
Both Emma and Dylan got the surprise of a lifetime when they were told by staff Vilardi had gifted them a stick, complete with his own personal apology.
By Faith Harris and Katie Adler 5 months ago
Going into the 2023 postseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs had not won a playoff series in 17 years, the fifth-longest streak in NHL history. With his team down 3-2 in the final period of Game Three and facing a 2-1 series deficit, Leafs’ superstar Auston Matthews decided he wasn’t letting his team go down without a fight… literally.
Matthews, who scored his first goal of the playoffs in the first period, dropped his gloves for the first time in his career, taking on Steven Stamkos and exchanging punches with the 500-goal scorer.
It marked the first time in league history two 60-goal scorers have fought each other per Sportsnet Stats.
By Faith Harris 5 months ago
Former Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov has officially become a dad.
Sammy, 26, posted on Instagram announcing the arrival of his son early Thursday afternoon.
“Welcome son, mom and dad will always be there❤️❤️,” he wrote.
By Faith Harris 6 months ago
Capitals’ general manager Brian MacLellan gave an injury update on John Carlson during his annual post-trade deadline press conference.
MacLellan said that the first-pairing defenseman could officially return to the lineup, perhaps, as soon as the end of March. But it’s also possible Carlson’s season may be over as well.
By Faith Harris 7 months ago
The Capitals’ newest call-ups from Hershey, defensemen Vincent Iorio and Gabriel Carlsson, have their numbers with the team. The two were promoted to Washington due to injuries to Nick Jensen and Martin Fehervary and the demotion of Dylan McIlrath to Hershey.
Vincent Iorio will wear no. 6 with the Capitals while his partner Gabriel Carlsson will wear no. 18.
The two have been a defensive pairing for the Hershey Bears throughout the 2022-2023 season.
By Faith Harris 7 months ago
HERSHEY, PA — Nearly a half hour after the Hershey Bears defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 4-3 in a shootout Saturday, AHL rookie sensation Ethen Frank walked into the team’s interview room, wearing a wheat colored trenchcoat over a black suit and tie. That night, Frank extended his point-scoring streak to three after assisting on a Mike Sgarbossa goal in the third period. Frank sat down in a fold-out Hershey Bears’ 2011 All-Star Game chair across from me, as I conducted my first interview during my first credentialed professional hockey game.
At that moment, both of us were new to situations like this, but both of us seemed to know we would be doing more of it in the future.
Signed to an AHL-only deal, Frank had been in the news lately as a prospect many teams were interested in signing for the 2023-24 season. Going into the chat, I wanted to know more about the potential deals he might have had coming, but Frank proved to be elusive on contract talks, only saying “I just let my game speak for myself.” He did say though, that his dream would be to eventually sign an NHL contract.
The following week, hidden within the chaos of the trade deadline, was the March 1st date, where NHL teams were permitted to begin handing out contracts for the next season. Before this date, any contract signed would only be applicable to the current season. Frank would have his NHL dream fulfilled when the Capitals signed him to a one year, two-way contract worth $775k at the NHL level and $205k in the AHL.
The deal gives Frank an opportunity to make the Capitals out of Training Camp during the 2023-24 season.
By Faith Harris 7 months ago
Unfortunately, traded players, Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway, aren’t the only Capitals we have to begin saying goodbye to tonight.
Capitals’ team dog Biscuit is nearing his graduation from the team and his training program. Thursday, “Caps Canines Night” was one of Biscuit’s final games as team dog at Capital One Arena.
As the senior dog at the event, the Capitals gave Biscuit the honor of doing the ceremonial puck drop, and it’s too cute not to see.
By Faith Harris 7 months ago
Nicklas Backstrom was the Capitals’ hero against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
Tied 2-2 after regulation and overtime, the Caps-Pens game was decided in a shootout.
There, Backstrom’s name was called in the third inning and he scored on his forehand, sealing a huge division rivalry win and an extra standings point for the Capitals. The victory moved the Capitals into sole possession of the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
By Faith Harris 8 months ago
There’s seemingly no player that Tom Wilson is shy to drop his gloves with (no matter what Ryan Reaves says). During his 10-year career in the NHL, Tom’s fought 76 different times.
But on Sunday, Tom admitted that he got apprehensive and had to set limits for himself when asked to fight.
By Faith Harris 9 months ago
