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

TJ Oshie carries puck on blade, flips it to himself in ‘stick-handling play of the year’

TJ Oshie just casually did one of the most amazing things ever in a game.

In what Craig Laughlin called “the stick-handling play of the year, maybe of the last five years,” Oshie caught a chip out of the Capitals’ defensive zone. But he did it at chest-level with the blade of his stick. Oshie then carried the puck through the neutral zone on his blade, lobbed it over a Devils defender, caught it with his blade again, and gained the offensive zone with possession.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Live blog: Capitals take on Devils who are without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier

Sixteen days after beating the New Jersey Devils 6-4 up in their barn, the Washington Capitals are back in Newark for a weekend back-to-back that will also see them play the New York Islanders in Belmont, NY.

The Capitals will be without a few regulars due to injury, including Anthony Mantha and Darcy Kuemper, but will see a return to the lineup from Nic Dowd, who’s missed the last nine games. Charlie Lindgren will get the start against former Capital Vitek Vanecek.

The Devils will be without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier in the lineup.

Tonight’s game on Monumental Sports Network. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Darcy Kuemper will not dress against Devils after being ‘nicked up’ in 4-3 loss to Panthers

Hunter Shepard, the Hershey Bears’ starting goaltender, was called up to the Washington Capitals on Friday for his second stint with the NHL team the season.

While the move seemed curious at first, the reason became crystal clear when Spencer Carbery held his press conference with media after the team’s morning skate in Newark, NJ.

Darcy Kumper has a minor injury.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Capitals recall Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Hunter Shepard from Hershey

The Washington Capitals made several important roster moves ahead of its game against the New Jersey Devils, Friday night.

With Anthony Mantha unable to travel on the road trip, the Capitals recalled 2022 Stanley Cup champion Nicolas Aube-Kubel from the Hershey Bears. Mantha, who was hit in the side of the head by a deflected shot, was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Nic Dowd is is also back and off IR after missing the last nine games due to an upper-body injury.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Henrik Lundqvist on never playing a game for the Capitals: ‘It was not meant to be’

Legendary goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend. But before he traveled to Toronto for the ceremony, he talked about the final chapter of his hockey career that never came to be.

After being bought out by the New York Rangers in 2020, Lundqvist signed with the Washington Capitals to serve as either the team’s backup or co-starter.

But that moment never happened due to a medical condition that required open-heart surgery.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Spencer Carbery blasts Capitals, Evgeny Kuznetsov after overtime loss to Florida Panthers: ‘What are we doing?’

Spencer Carbery has been patient with his team for most of the season. He preached to his players to trust the process after a disastrous five-game start that had them sitting dead last in the Metropolitan Division. And he’s gone out of his way – while being refreshingly honest with the media about what he sees – to defend, encourage, or perhaps spin his answers at times to protect his players.

But Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Florida Panthers — one of the Eastern Conference’s most talented teams — was a different animal (pun intended). A frustrated Carbery named names and called out “mind-boggling” and “egregious” mistakes with the puck in his postgame press conference, showing his competitive drive.

Take for example the Panthers’ overtime game-winner 15 seconds into the frame.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Alexa Landestoy lands new gig with NHL Network: ‘It’s a dream come true’

Alexa Landestoy is adding another job to her vast broadcasting portfolio.

Wednesday, Landestoy was officially hired by the NHL Network to be a host. Alexa made her debut anchoring On The Fly, NHL Network’s nightly recap program, at 12:30 am Thursday morning.

“Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love & support!!” Landestoy said on social media. “Really means the world to me 🥹.”

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Live blog: Capitals take on Panthers as season-long, five-game homestand ends

After another three-day break in action, the Washington Capitals are back to take on the Florida Panthers — last year’s surprise Stanley Cup Final participant from the Eastern Conference.

The Panthers come into Capital One Arena with a 6-4-1 record (13 points), which is only good for fifth in a bonkers Atlantic Division. The Boston Bruins lead the division with 21 standings points and have won 10 of its first 12 games. After a scintillating playoff performance, Panthers captain Matthew Tkachuk only has two goals to start the season. Center Sam Reinhart paces the Panthers with eight tallies and 13 points after his second consecutive 30-goal season last year.

“The last couple of years, they’ve been a team that comes in and competes really hard,” Tom Wilson observed per NHL.com. “You’ve got to be ready for them. They have a well-rounded group over there, and they’re playing really good hockey the last couple of years.

Meanwhile, the Capitals are 5-4-1 and in search of their second winning streak of the season. Evgeny Kuznetsov (illness), who was a game-time decision, will play. Darcy Kuemper will get the start in net.

You can watch tonight’s game on TNT. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm. This is the final game of the Capitals’ season-long, five-game homestand.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Biscuit formally placed as facility dog at Walter Reed, receives honorary designation of Marine Corps Corporal

His name isn’t Biscuit anymore. It’s U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Biscuit. Or Cpl. Biscuit, for short.

Wednesday, the Capitals announced that their precious team pup was formally placed as a facility dog at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Biscuit recently completed his training and is now the seventh Walter Reed Facility Dog dedicated to easing stress and enhancing the well-being and mental health for patients and staff.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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