010715 | RMNB

The Guys Behind the Guys: Caps beat Isles 4-1

The Washington Capitals had never played in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, home of the New York Islanders. That unfamiliarity led to an unorthodox game from the Caps, replete with a dirty hit by Marcus Johansson, Karl Alzner’s confident offense, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for Tom Wilson. Okay, well it was mostly unorthodox. Let’s do the goals.

Like I said, Jason Chimera scored again, a low-angle tap-in made possible by the hard work of third-line center Marcus Johansson, then Alex Ovechkin put the Isles in a two-goal hole after Karl Alzner stoutly delivered the puck into the offensive zone.

Brock Nelson scored in the second period, but who cares, because then Nate Schmidt restored the two-goal hole thanks to a glorious takeaway and assist by Nick Backstrom, who also got the empty-netter.

Caps beat Isles 4-1!

(more…)

Alex Ovechkin Crashes Evgeny Kuznetsov’s Post-Game Interview (Video)

When Alex Ovechkin scored his 20th goal of the season — an empty-net tally in the game’s final minute — it unleashed some joking on the bench between him and fellow countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov.

(more…)

By Ian Oland On January 8, 2015 0 Comment

Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov Meet Russian Junior National Team After Morning Skate

Team Russia put up a valiant effort but lost to Canada 5-4 in the World Junior Championship. Silver sucks, but they got an awesome consolation prize. The team stuck around for two days in Toronto and hung out with fellow countrymen Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov after the Caps’ morning skate Wednesday.

It looks like it was fun.

(more…)

By Ian Oland On January 8, 2015 0 Comment

Evgeny Kuznetsov Gets Fancy, Passes Puck Through the Legs (GIF)

Earlier in the evening, I noticed that Evgeny Kuznetsov was playing with more confidence. In the third period, Kuzy went from confident to downright cocky, as he passed a puck to Joel Ward through his legs.

(more…)

By Ian Oland On January 7, 2015 0 Comment

After Game, Alex Ovechkin Gives Stick to Little Girl Celebrating Birthday

Photo: Luke Fox

Alex Ovechkin‘s goodwill tour continues. What a moment after the Leafs game.

(more…)

By Ian Oland On January 7, 2015 0 Comment

Nothing Can Stop Us Toniiiiight: Caps beat Leafs 6-2

Perfect picture is perfect. (Photo: Graig Abel)

Setting the scene: One of the world’s best scorers in a foreign country on a team that has consistently failed to meet sky-high expectations. After hitting rock bottom in puck possession under their disastrous former coach, they’ve got renewed hopes.

I honestly forget what team I was writing about there, but here’s my recap of Wednesday’s Caps-Leafs game.

The Caps struck first as Evgeny Kuznetsov carved the Toronto defense to set up Marcus Johansson.

The Leafs returned fire in the second period with a tip-in goal by Daniel Winnik. Eric Fehr got a shorthanded goal with the help of Jay Beagle to put the Caps back in the lead, then Brooks Laich scored off an offensive-zone faceoff to make it 3-1. Toronto responded with a rebound goal by Trevor Smith, but Marcus Johansson got his second of the night a couple minutes later.

In the third, Eric Fehr got his second of the night as well. I haven’t seen Bernier stunned like that since the time someone asked him who Nelson Mandela was. Alex Ovechkin got the empty-netter and that was that.

Caps beat Leafs 6-2! Bailamos!

(more…)

By Peter Hassett On January 7, 2015 0 Comment

Hockey Violence: Alex Ovechkin Knocks Over Dion Phaneuf Like He Weighs a Feather (GIF)

We’ve been through this. Alex Ovechkin is half man, half machine. Hence: our blog name. Yet, in the highlights below, Dion Phaneuf thought it was a good idea to slash Ovechkin after the whistle.

No. It was not.

(more…)

By Ian Oland On January 7, 2015 0 Comment

Evgeny Kuznetsov Blows by Jake Gardiner, Assists on Marcus Johansson Goal (GIF)

The first half of the season was a struggle for Evgeny Kuznetsov. Lately though, we’ve been seeing some more confidence from Kuzy during even strength. Playing Toronto on Wednesday night, Kuznetsov skated nearly the length of the ice on a 2-on-4 attack before dishing to Marcus Johansson for a beautiful, one-timer goal.

It was a delicious apple– of the Russian variety!

(more…)

By Ian Oland On January 7, 2015 0 Comment

Caps at Leafs Pregame: Phil the Thrill

For once, it’s not our team that’s the hot wreck. The Capitals, with their stable coach and winning record and improving possession, traveled to Toronto last night in anticipation of tonight’s game against the Maple Leafs, who just fired coach Randy Carlyle and are currently in the process of deciding whether or not they should maybe eat their young.

7 PM on CSN.

Team	Record	Possession	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	20-11-7	52.0%	100.2	23.5%	78.9%
Toronto Maple Leafs	21-16-3	44.9%	101.7	20.1%	82.2%

(more…)

By Peter Hassett On January 7, 2015 0 Comment