Ian Oland

About Ian Oland (@ianoland)

Oland, a 2006 graduate of UMBC's art school, is a co-founder of RMNB and serves as an editor, publisher, and author. During his time with RMNB, he has done features for the Caps' TV show CRL, written a story for the print edition of the Washington Post, and helped first-report the Chelyabinsk meteor in the English language. Oland's favorite blog memories include raising enough money to get reader Ryan Ellis into a NASCAR race with a RMNB sponsored car and holding the Stanley Cup for the first time. Follow Ian: Twitter | Instagram

Alex Ovechkin tallies 814th and 815th career goals, Kaapo Kahkonen becomes 168th goalie Ovi’s scored on

Alex Ovechkin’s night started off quiet, but by the end, he had his first multi-goal game in 60 days.

Ovechkin scored two consecutive goals late in the third period against the San Jose Sharks to help the Caps win 8-3.

The goals were Ovi’s 814th and 815th career goals of his career. He now trails Wayne Gretzky by 79 goals. The lamp lighters were also Ovechkin’s 34th and 35th goals of the season.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Capitals vs Sharks live analysis and updates (March 4, 2023)

This is your place to check for updates and comment along with the Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks game on March 4, 2023.

The Washington Capitals are back in action and will play their first game after the trade deadline against the San Jose Sharks. GM Brian MacLellan, who traded five pending unrestricted free agents last week, made zero moves on trade deadline day, deciding to hang on to several other veterans, like Conor Sheary, because he didn’t like the return.

While at forward the Capitals will remain mostly old, the team will have one of its youngest blue lines in years against the San Jose Sharks. Rasmus Sandin, who the Caps acquired in the Erik Gustafsson deal, will make his debut for Washington on the first pairing. The Caps first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Vincent Iorio, will make his NHL debut along with Gabriel Carlsson, his defensive pairing partner in Hershey.

The Capitals’ direction, as explained by Brian MacLellan on Friday night, is kind of confusing and maybe a little disconcerting, but hopefully, the new kids in the lineup can erase those vibes.

Today’s game is on NBC Sports Washington. Puck drop, in San Jose, is a little after 6 pm (EST).

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Vincent Iorio will make his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks. Hendrix Lapierre broke the news to him.

Vincent Iorio has been a revelation during his rookie season with the Hershey Bears. Now, due to injuries to two regulars, Nick Jensen and Martin Fehervary, the Coquitlam, British Columbia native will make his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, March 4.

Iorio, the Capitals’ first overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, will become only the fourth defenseman from his draft class to make his big-league debut joining Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres (1st overall); Brandt Clarke, LA Kings (8th); and JJ Moser, Arizona Coyotes (60th).

The 20-year-old, who is considered the top defensive prospect in Washington’s system, participated in Capitals practice on Friday.

“It’s pretty cool,” Iorio said. “You watch the guys on TV all the time. It’s pretty jaw-dropping. I’m just happy to be here.”

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Beck Malenstyn on the Capitals’ big three prospects: Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, and Vincent Iorio

HERSHEY, PA — Beck Malenstyn, a Capitals’ fifth-round pick in 2016, has spent parts of three of the last four seasons in the NHL.

A frequent injury recall from Hershey, Malenstyn has been in the Capitals’ system since 2018 and is a defensively-responsible, checking line forward with the Bears. His hard work and dedication to the game have earned him opportunities throughout his career. Beck has a nose for the net and has shown off some offensive upside in Washington too, posting two points (1g, 1a) in five games this season.

In some ways, Malenstyn is the opposite of Hershey Bears teammates’ and the Capitals’ top prospects: Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, and Vincent Iorio. All three players are dripping with skill, were the Caps’ top overall picks in their respective drafts, and have made appearances for the Capitals in their rookie seasons. All three are being groomed for the NHL and will likely have every opportunity to succeed.

With those clear contrasts, I thought Beck would be the perfect guy to ask what he sees in these three prospects and what is most valuable about them.

“I think across the board, they’re three very different players, but all have a ton of skill.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Brian MacLellan on what he said to Alex Ovechkin in their meeting about the direction of the Capitals

The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir reported last week that Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan met with the team’s captain, Alex Ovechkin, as the Caps’ strategy shifted to sell and retool ahead of the trade deadline.

El-Bashir wrote that Ovechkin “[was] not happy about the situation” but understood why MacLellan was initiating the selloff due to injuries to key players and where the team was in the standings.

MacLellan, taking questions from the press for the first time since early December, was asked about what was said in the private meeting.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Capitals sign Nicolas Aube-Kubel to one-year extension

The Washington Capitals re-signed depth forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel to a one-year extension an hour before the NHL trade deadline.

Claimed off the waiver wire early in the season, NAK has tallied eight points (2g, 6a) in 30 games with the Capitals this season.

The 26-year-old Aube-Kubel will make $1.225 million next year, a raise of $225k.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Erik Gustafsson gives up shorthanded goal during first shift with Toronto Maple Leafs

Erik Gustafsson made his debut for Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night as his new team took on the Calgary Flames.

The former Capital’s night did not go well. The Gus Bus played only 9:52 — fewer minutes than any other skater on the team, forward or defender.

Gustafsson also gave up a shorthanded goal on his first shift. Flames forward Blake Coleman scored the unassisted shorty 2:32 into the game.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Vincent Iorio and Gabriel Carlsson called up to the Capitals

The Washington Capitals are giving two defensemen in their system a chance at the NHL level.

The team called up prospect defensemen Vincent Iorio and Gabriel Carlsson on Friday. The two players will join the Capitals in San Jose ahead of the team’s game against the Sharks, Saturday afternoon.

The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir first reported the news on Twitter.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Red Wings deal Jakub Vrana to St. Louis Blues, retain 50% salary

Jakub Vrana is on the move again.

Hours before the NHL’s trade deadline, the Detroit Red Wings traded The Snek to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and center prospect Dylan McLaughlin, who has only played six games in the AHL this season. Detroit is retaining 50 percent of Vrana’s remaining contract.

The Blues will be Vrana’s third NHL team over the last two years.

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By Ian Oland 2 weeks ago

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Peter Laviolette says Capitals ‘were ready to use’ Evgeny Kuznetsov as a defenseman in overtime after injuries

Evgeny Kuznetsov is one of the most skilled centermen in the NHL, but his defense, at times, has gotten a bad rap. Under Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette though, the Russian centerman has been utilized in a more defensive posture, posting career-highs in penalty-kill minutes over the last two seasons.

Wednesday, with Nick Jensen and Martin Fehervary out injured and only four rearguards available, Laviolette was ready to go to the next level with Kuzy, and unleash Defendy TheNetsov.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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