020917 | RMNB

Caps vs Blue Jackets pregame: This again?

The Caps and Blue Jackets played on Tuesday in Columbus. In a weird scheduling quirk, they are playing again 72 hours later in DC with neither team having played in between. Bring your ponchos because we’re on the back nine of a week of Torts hockey.

Not to be confused with Torts hockey is the return of Trotz hockey. That is, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz has removed young and talented but underachieving Andre Burakovsky from the lineup in favor of an inferior hockey player named Alex Chiasson.

The game starts at 7 PM on NBCSW. Outstanding human being Peter will have your recap.

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Henrik Zetterberg thinks the Columbus Blue Jackets are ‘a tougher team to play against’ than the Capitals

While The Washington Post’s Barry Svrluga is already planning a parade, Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg had some interesting thoughts after his team’s 6-3 loss to the Capitals.

Two nights earlier, Detroit played another Metropolitan Division superpower, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Zetterberg was asked to compare the two teams.

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By Ian Oland On February 10, 2017 0 Comment

According to Barry Trotz, Andre Burakovsky’s injured hand will force the Swede ‘to miss some time’

In the first period, Andre Burakovsky blocked a shot with his right hand. Burakovsky returned to the bench, but would be unable to continue in the game. Burakovsky’s hand appeared badly bruised when captured by CSN Mid-Atlantic cameras, and the Swede grimaced in pain when Head Athletic Trainer Greg Smith flexed his hand.

After the game, Barry Trotz updated the media on Burakovsky’s injury and it does not sound good.

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By Ian Oland On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

Good Boy: Evgeny Kuznetsov gives puck back to linesman with his mouth (GIFs)

The Washington Capitals put up a six spot on the Detroit Red Wings, Thursday night. But with a minute left, Evgeny Kuznetsov almost made it 7-3. After taking a centering pass from Dmitry Orlov, Kuznetsov deked and almost scored on Petr Mrazek.

But it’s what happened after that save that has everyone talking.

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By Ian Oland On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

OH MAN: Caps beat Red Wings 6-3

Caps win and this team is so good.

The game kicked off with a Marcus Johannson goal off a beautiful Kuznetsov pass. Did the third line do anything amazing? Of course, Brett Connolly would pull through to tie up the game 2-2 going into the second period.

The second period happened quickly and a goal from TJ Oshie would put the Caps up 3-2. Burakovsky and Connolly scared us all with a couple of injury shake ups. Connolly would return, Burakovsky would not.

The third began with a sick backhander from Zetterberg, tying the game at 3-3. A rocket from John Carlson would put the Capitals up top 4-3. The Capitals would then go to their first power play of the game and TJ Oshie would score again because of course. Nick Backstrom would put an extra cherry on top for his 16th goal.

Caps beat Red Wings 6-3. Bailamos, baby.

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By Elyse Bailey On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

Fatima Al Ali’s selfie with Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Zetterberg

To conclude her trip in Washington DC, the Capitals had Fatima Al Ali drop the puck during the team’s ceremonial faceoff Thursday against the Red Wings. After Fatima dropped the puck, she asked Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Zetterberg to take a selfie. The two players obliged.

This is the incredible result.

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By Ian Oland On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

Brett Connolly ties career-high in goals after getting banged up

Wednesday night, RMNB’s Nathan Sick wrote about Brett Connolly’s brilliant season and the dominance of the Capitals’ third line. The trio of Andre Burakovsky, Lars Eller, and Connollly are second in the league with a 61.6 shot attempt percentage and first in the league with an 88.1 goals for percentage.

Well don’t look now, but Big Game Brett just scored again. Connolly now has goals in three-straight games and just tied his career high in a season (12).

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By Ian Oland On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

Andre Burakovsky leaves game after blocking shot with his right hand (GIFs)

Andre Burakovsky turned 22-years-old today, but his present from the hockey gods was a bad one.

Late in the first period, Burakovsky went to one knee to try and block Brendan Smith’s shot from the point. The puck struck Burakovsky on the right hand.

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By Ian Oland On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

Fatima Al Ali drops puck during ceremonial faceoff, takes selfie with Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Zetterberg

About an hour after a three-judge federal appeals panel unanimously refused to reinstate President Trump’s travel ban, UAE hockey player and media sensation Fatima Al Ali dropped the puck during a ceremonial faceoff between Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg. The Verizon Center is 1.2 miles away from The White House.

Fatima was given a free trip to Washington DC after impressing Peter Bondra with her unbelievable stickhandling skills. Thursday night, Fatima concluded her dream trip in style by dropping the puck in front of approximately 18,000 fans.

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By Ian Oland On February 9, 2017 0 Comment

Caps vs Red Wings: Going for eleven

The bye week is almost here and the Capitals are still destroying, but before the boys can rest they need to host the Detroit Red Wings. Lately, the Red Wings have not been looking too hot. Beginning their three-game road trip and sitting at an 11.4 powerplay percentage, the Red Wings are going to have a tough time trying to beat the Capitals, who are trying to extend their home-game winning streak to eleven.

Puck drop is at 7 PM on CSN.

Team	Record	SA%	PDO	Power Play	Penalty Kill
Washington Capitals	37-11-6	52.7%	104.0	21.5%	84.7%
Detroit Red Wings	22-21-10	47.6%	99.0	11.4%	81.4%

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By Elyse Bailey On February 9, 2017 0 Comment