Peter Hassett

About Peter Hassett (@peterhassett)

Caps at Senators pregame: Hurray for Twixtmas

So we’re all in that shapeless, languid time between Christmas and the new year, but not for long. The penultimate Caps game of 2018 is tonight as the Caps visit the Ottawa Senators, who are happy to announce they are only the third most dysfunctional team in the league this week, thank you very much to Philly and Dallas.

Attune your CRT television to NBCSWA at 7 PM or just point your new smartphone to this here streaming link. Chris will deliver your recap, and Ian has the night off, so expect some hi-jinx.

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Claude Giroux dances around three Bolts to score goal-of-the-year candidate

As RMNB’s resident Claude Giroux fanboy, I’m obligated to tell you about his latest and perhaps prettiest ever goal.

If you’re the kind of person who watches highlights, I’m sure you’ll soon see this one in a compilation. If you’re Tampa Bay defenseman Ryan McDonagh, I’m sure you’ll see this goal in your nightmares.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Matt Niskanen injured as Caps beat Canes 3-1

With the high holidays nearly over, the Washington Capitals returned to action on Thursday, playing host to the Carolina Hurricanes, who are not great. The game was quiet until late, when it got dangerous.

After a scoreless first, the Caps got on board twice in the second period — first with Chandler Stephenson exploiting a turnover forced by Smith-Pelly, then with TJ Oshie deflecting John Carlson’s shot on the power play.

Matt Niskanen left the game in the third period and shortly thereafter Sebastian Aho cracked Braden Holtby’s shutout bid. The Canes pulled Petr Mrazek late and John Carlson punished them for it, scoring an empty-netter instantly.

Caps win 3-1!

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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If the Caps are worried about speed and the PK, they should look closely at Devante Smith-Pelly

Amidst trade buzz, Caps forward Andre Burakovsky had not dressed for a game in nearly two weeks. But now that we’re into the holiday roster freeze and he cannot be moved, there’s less of a reason to keep Burakovsky out of the lineup. Still, considering that the Caps have won 12 of their last 15 games, it was probably not an easy decision for head coach Todd Reirden to bring him back. Tonight Burakovsky steps in as Dmitrij Jaskin and Travis Boyd will be scratches.

While it’s good to see Burakovsky back in the lineup, I wonder if the team’s anxiety over its mediocre penalty kill is sabotaging lineup decisions overall. Ideally, Burakovsky should really slot in for Devante Smith-Pelly.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Penguins beat Caps 2-1 in a frustrating, entertaining game

Maybe you’re like me and you were worried that the Caps winning the Cup might have dulled the relationship between them and the Penguins. If that’s the case, then you, like me, were dead wrong. Wednesday night’s date between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals was a riotous affair from the first minute to the last. I just didn’t like how it ended.

After a scoreless (but not uneventful) first period, Lars Eller netted a pretty goal assisted by Tom Wilson but made possible by a great Matt Niskanen hit at the Caps blue line. The Penguins got on the board with a power-play goal off Sidney Crosby’s stick, deflecting Evgeni Malkin’s pass. Before the period was up, Bryan Rust got an extra greasy goal in the paint to give the Pens a 2-1 leading heading into the third. The Caps put up a ferocious effort in the final frame, but they couldn’t come back, snuffing their win streak at five games.

Caps lose 2-1.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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About Andre

Caps forward Andre Burakovsky has missed the team’s last three games as a healthy scratch. While a missed game here or there for a bottom-six player isn’t noteworthy, three consecutive games – with the last two occurring on back-to-backs – has raised some eyebrows. For whatever reason, on Saturday Coach Todd Reirden opted to play tired players instead of a rested Burakovsky. Compounding matters, that same night we heard rumors that Vancouver is interested in trading for the 23 year old, though Washington has been cagey about the details.

I’m sure we’ll learn more about Burakovsky’s status soon; for now I think it’s safe to say he and the Caps are not on good terms.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Philadelphia Flyers to fire coach Dave Hakstol, hire Joel Quenneville (Update: Quenneville denies)

Dave Isaac of the Courier News reports that the Philadelphia Flyers have made the decision to fire head coach Dave Hakstol and hire former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville.

Update, 4:45 PM: Blues reporter Andy Strickland says the report is untrue.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Caps vs Sabres pregame: What will Ovi do next?

Tonight the Washington Capitals will play the Buffalo Sabres for the first time this season. Last time we saw the Sabres they were toilet tier, tanking for the number-one pick in the draft, which they won. Now with Rasmus Dahlin in addition to Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner (picked up from the Canes), the Sabres all of a sudden look daunting. Their record is virtually equal to the Caps, and they recently recorded a ten-game win streak. Even for a unrested Caps team, this could be a fun game, if only because Ovechkin will be on ice.

Puck drop in DC is at 7:00 PM and you can watch on NBCSWA on television or from your preferred gadget. The divine Elyse will have your recap.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Ovi gives RMNB a hat trick for our birthday as Caps beat Red Wings 6-2

The Washington Capitals stomped a mudhole in the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. It’s just that simple.

Goals came fast and furious: Connolly on the PP, Boyd with some fourth-line fireworks, Ovi with a goofy redirect then a good goal, Oshie chased Bernier. In the third period Dylan Larkin cracked the shutout, but Ovi responded by completing the hat trick with a powerful slapshot. Adbelkader’s forecheck set up Nyquist for a sneaky short-side goal, but that was that.

Caps win 6-2!

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Caps at Blue Jackets pregame: For the top of the Metro

The Washington Capitals’ last extended road trip of 2018 ends tonight as the Blue Jackets welcome them to exotic, tropical Columbus, Ohio. The Caps and the Blooj sit just one point apart at the top of the Metro standings, so the winner of this one will also be your division leader.

The puck will drop at 7 PM, at which point you will be at the mercy of Chris for game coverage. Put your TV on NBCSWA or synchronize your smart device to this here link for streaming action.

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By Peter Hassett 2 months ago

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Posts by Peter Hassett

About Peter Hassett (@peterhassett)