Washington Capitals

Capitals Assign Crabb to Hershey

2013-03-23T17:49:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have assigned right wing Joey Crabb to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Crabb, 29, has collected two goals and eight penalty minutes in 26 games with Washington this season. He recorded career highs in goals (11), assists (15), points (26) and games played (67) in 2011-12 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished last season ranked 11th on Toronto in points and eighth in goals while his plus-one rating finished tied for fifth on the team. In addition, Crabb registered 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in nine games with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL) last season and recorded three assists in eight games with the United States at the 2012 World Championships. The Anchorage, Alaska, native has appeared in 170 career NHL games with Atlanta, Toronto and Washington, compiling 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) and 93 penalty minutes. He has collected 172 points (73 goals, 99 assists) in 299 career AHL games with Chicago and Toronto. The 6’1”, 190-pound forward won a Calder Cup championship with the Chicago Wolves in 2007-08, posting one goal and five assists in 24 playoff games. Crabb was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the seventh round (226th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft after spending four seasons at Colorado College (NCAA).

Predictability not problem for Caps power play

2013-03-23T17:18:32+00:00

Adam Oates didn't want the pressure and expectations that come with having the NHL's top power play. But he's got it with the Washington Capitals.The Caps have a power-play goal in four straight games and five of their past six. And it's not because they changed a whole lot.

"There's ...

Braden Holtby unfazed by potential goaltender equipment changes

2013-03-23T17:04:07+00:00

The NHL's 30 general managers held their annual meeting March 20 in Toronto to discuss a variety of possible changes to the game. Among the topics were a coach's challenge, which lost steam out of concern it would slow the game down; hybrid icing; and making visors mandatory for all new players while creating a grandfather clause to allow current players to choose.

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Braden Holtby unfazed by potential goaltender equipment changes

2013-03-23T17:02:02+00:00

The NHL’s 30 general managers held their annual meeting March 20 in Toronto to discuss a variety of possible changes to the game. Among the topics were a coach’s challenge, which lost steam out of concern it would slow … Continue reading →

Joey Crabb clears waivers, assigned to Hershey

2013-03-23T16:16:21+00:00

Joey Crabb cleared waivers Saturday and has been assigned to the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears.

Coach Adam Oates explained that when it came time for the Capitals to make a roster move that would allow for them to activate top defenseman Mike Green from injured reserve Thursday, depth at right wing made Crabb expendable.

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Joey Crabb clears waivers, assigned to Hershey

2013-03-23T16:14:29+00:00

Joey Crabb cleared waivers Saturday and has been assigned to the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears. Coach Adam Oates explained that when it came time for the Capitals to make a roster move that would allow for them to … Continue reading →

Joey Crabb clears waivers, Caps send him to Hershey

2013-03-23T15:52:07+00:00

Joey Crabb clears waivers, Caps send him to Hershey

Alex Ovechkin leads the way in Capitals' 4-0 win against Winnipeg

2013-03-23T05:08:12+00:00

With just more than six minutes remaining in the second period of Thursday night's game in Winnipeg, Alex Ovechkin stepped on the ice for what turned out to be an old-fashioned rock 'em sock 'em shift by the star winger.

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Capitals capture four points in Winnipeg, sweep back-to-back games against Jets

2013-03-23T04:45:14+00:00

As House of Pain's "Jump Around" the Capitals' victory song of choice for the past several weeks blared on repeat from the visitors' dressing room at MTS Centre following a 6-1 win Friday night, there was a sense of mission accomplished.

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Capitals capture four points in Winnipeg, sweep back-to-back games against Jets

2013-03-23T04:43:33+00:00

As House of Pain’s “Jump Around” – the Capitals’ victory song of choice for the past several weeks – blared on repeat from the visitors’ dressing room at MTS Centre following a 6-1 win Friday night, there was a sense … Continue reading →

Whale Grab the Extra Point in Shootout Victory Over Hershey

2013-03-23T04:08:00+00:00

HARTFORD, Conn. – Kris Newbury was the lone scorer in the third round of a shootout, helping the Connecticut Whale claim a 3-2 victory over the HERSHEY BEARS on Friday night at Hartford’s XL Center. The two teams played a penalty-free yet physical first period. The hosts eventually got on the board first on a strong effort through neutral ice by Nick Palmieri. The Connecticut winger stickhandled past two BEARS poke-check attempts, carried to the bottom of the left circle and slid a backhand shot underneath the pad of goaltender Philipp Grubauer at 5:32. HERSHEY tied the score at 12:16 following a broken two-on-one rush. Jon DiSalvatore attempted a pass to Nicolas Deschamps but the pass was blocked. Deschamps followed the play behind the net, walked out in front and fired a shot that was padded aside by Whale netminder Jason Missiaen. Deschamps got enough of his rebound to tuck the puck under Missiaen’s pad for his first goal with the BEARS. Jeff Taffe earned his 41st assist of the season on the play. The BEARS would take their first lead of the game at 11:45 of the second on hard work by Boyd Kane. The BEARS captain drew two men to him just inside the offensive zone, and then slid a perfect pass ahead to Ryan Potulny. From the inside of the left circle, Potulny let a snap shot go that sailed over the blocker of Missiaen. The assist was the 499th career AHL point for Kane. But inside the final minute of the middle period, Connecticut tied the score. Kris Newbury picked up his 38th assist of the campaign when he fed the center point for Blake Parlett. The defenseman then sent a slap shot past a screened Grubauer at 19:04. Neither team would score in the third period, a frame that featured the first power plays of the game. The Whale would kill off two HERSHEY chances, and the BEARS denied the shortened opportunity of Connecticut. At the 3:18 mark of overtime, Connecticut forward Christian Thomas was impeded on a solo scoring chance, earning him a penalty shot. Grubauer lunged out with his right pad to make a save, and keep the game tied. Newbury struck in the third round of the shootout when he tucked a backhand shot from in close underneath Grubauer. Missiaen was credited with all five stops in the Whale net. Missiaen finished with 35 saves on 37 HERSHEY shots to improve to 10-4-2. Grubauer drops to 10-5-2 with 26 saves on 28 shots through regulation and overtime. The BEARS finished the night 0-for-2 on the power play and 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. With the win, Connecticut jumps into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 70 points, one point ahead of the eighth-place BEARS. The BEARS continue their road trip tomorrow, March 23 with a 7:00 PM matchup against the Manchester Monarchs from Verizon Wireless Arena. The club will return home on Saturday, March 30 for a 7:00 PM matchup against the Providence Bruins. All fans in attendance will receive a ticket to Pocono International Raceway for the June 8th NASCAR Event Weekend, and all fans will also have the opportunity to come down onto the ice post-game for the Dietz and Watson Ham Shoot and a chance to win Eater food items. Tickets for the three remaining BEARS home games may be purchased at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR or online at TicketMaster.com.

This Date in Caps History - March 23

2013-03-23T04:01:00+00:00

On March 23, 1986, the Capitals pulled out a thrilling 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Capital Centre. Philadelphia's Ron Sutter started the scoring at 1:38 of the first period when he beat Washington netminder Pete Peeters. Washington's Bobby Carpenter answered at 3:22 when he tucked the puck behind Philly's Bob Froese. It was Carpenter's 27th goal of the season. Gaetan Duchesne's 11th of the year came at 4:40 and it gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead. Tim Kerr scored his 51st of the season on a Philadelphia power play at 11:22 to tie the score. Kerr netted his 52nd at 15:48 to close out the first period scoring and give Philly a 3-2 lead. The Capitals outshot the Flyers by a 12-8 margin in the period. Scott Stevens evened it up for Washington at 1:22 of the second with his 11th of the season. Dave Christian scored his 38th of the year for Washington at 4:41 to give the Caps the lead and chase Froese to the bench. He was replaced by veteran Chico Resch after allowing four goals on 15 shots. Craig Laughlin scored his 25th of the season on a power play at 11:30 to give the Caps a two-goal cushion at 5-3. Just 11 seconds later, however, Ilkka Sinisalo bagged his 35th of the year for Philly to pull the Flyers within a goal. Washington had 11 second period shots on goal to Philadelphia's four. Brian Propp scored his 36th of the season for Philly at 1:37 of the third to tie the score at 5-5. Just over a minute later, the Caps took the lead for good on Bobby Gould's 14th of the season. The Caps held off the Flyer attack from that point on; the Flyers outshot the Caps 11-10 in the final frame but the Caps enjoyed a 33-23 advantage on the game.

Check out all of the postgame videos from tonight’s 6-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets.Adam...

2013-03-23T03:04:10+00:00

Check out all of the postgame videos from tonight’s 6-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets.

Adam Oates: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/adam-oates-postgame-3-22-13/index.jsp

Braden Holtby: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/braden-holtby-postgame-3-22-13/index.jsp

Alex Ovechkin: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/alex-ovechkin-postgame-3-22-13/index.jsp

and Laich / Ribeiro / Beagle / Hendricks: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/caps-postgame-locker-room-3-22-13/index.jsp

Plus, some highlights!

Ovechkin Goes Top Corner: http://video.capitals.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=226415&lang=en

and Brouwer’s goal: http://video.capitals.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=226416&lang=en

And of course, highlights from John Walton and the Capitals Radio Network.

Caps get two goals in the first: http://capitalsvoice.monumentalnetwork.com/listen-to-laich-and-brouwer-score-in-the-1st-caps-lead-2-0-after-one/index.jsp

Two goals in the second: http://capitalsvoice.monumentalnetwork.com/caps-rolling-in-winnipeg-with-a-4-0-lead-in-the-second-period/index.jsp

and two more goals in the third means it’s time for “Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Goodnight Winnipeg”: http://capitalsvoice.monumentalnetwork.com/caps-complete-a-much-needed-sweep-of-the-jets-friday/index.jsp

Caps will be off tomorrow as they travel from Winnipeg to New York City for Sunday’s game against the New York Rangers.

Capitals vs Jets: Washington trounces Winnipeg to sweep back-to-back games

2013-03-23T02:20:00+00:00

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Washington Capitals didn’t want to dwell on their sterling showing in the first of back-to-back games against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. They fully expected the Southeast Division leaders to come out with a better effort Friday night in the second half of this unofficial doubleheader and didn’t want to be caught resting on the performance of a previous game.

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Capitals trounce Winnipeg 6-1 for second victory in two nights over Jets

2013-03-23T02:10:21+00:00

WINNIPEG, Manitoba --

Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals enjoyed their two-game stay in Winnipeg.

Holtby made 30 saves as the Capitals beat the Jets 6-1 on Friday, a victory that followed a 4-0 win against the Jets on Thursday.

"Anywhere you can come and get two wins, it's a ...

#Caps captain Alex Ovechkin coming off the ice after...

2013-03-23T01:38:59+00:00

#Caps captain Alex Ovechkin coming off the ice after tonight’s 6-1 win against the Jets. #CapsJets

MTS Centre ice ready for tonight’s matchup. #CapsJets:...

2013-03-22T23:09:41+00:00

MTS Centre ice ready for tonight’s matchup. #CapsJets: Round 2 coming up next.

Gallery - Jets vs. Capitals

2013-03-22T23:00:00+00:00

Gallery - Jets vs. Capitals

Open thread: Capitals at Jets

2013-03-22T21:48:11+00:00

Winnipeg Coach Claude Noel wasn't pleased following his team's 4-0 loss to the Capitals Thursday night. "They're playing chess," he said. "We're playing checkers."

Friday morning Noel said simply that the Jets must play "harder and better" and Washington is bracing for their foes to do just that. The Capitals have played two of their best all-around games this season at MTS Centre, but to defeat Winnipeg for a third time in this raucous environment will likely be a challenge and Coach Adam Oates knows they must be prepared.

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Open thread: Capitals at Jets

2013-03-22T21:46:02+00:00

Winnipeg Coach Claude Noel wasn’t pleased following his team’s 4-0 loss to the Capitals Thursday night. “They’re playing chess,” he said. “We’re playing checkers.” Friday morning Noel said simply that the Jets must play “harder and better” and Washington … Continue reading →

Braden Holtby to start again against Jets

2013-03-22T17:56:12+00:00

Goaltender Braden Holtby earned shutouts in each of his last two games against the Winnipeg Jets, so it should come as little surprise that Coach Adam Oates has opted to start the 23-year-old again on Friday night in the second of back-to-back games at MTS Centre.

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Braden Holtby to start again against Jets

2013-03-22T17:54:30+00:00

Check out all the video interviews from today’s morning skate at the MTS Centre as the Caps...

2013-03-22T17:40:32+00:00

Check out all the video interviews from today’s morning skate at the MTS Centre as the Caps play the second half of back-to-back contests in Winnipeg tonight.

Adam Oates: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/adam-oates-pregame-3-22-13/index.jsp

Alex Ovechkin: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/alex-ovechkin-3-22-13/index.jsp

Braden Holtby: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/braden-holtby-3-22-13/index.jsp

Brooks Laich: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/brooks-laich-3-22-13/index.jsp

Puck drop tonight at 7 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet. Radio coverage on the Capitals Radio Network at 6:45 p.m. Check back to Monumental Network today at 5 p.m. today for Two-Man Advantage with Mike Vogel and John Walton.

The problem with the Capitals' power play

2013-03-22T16:25:13+00:00

There was a lot of optimism about Washington's power play when Adam Oates was hired as head coach, especially around his idea to switch to a 1-3-1 system during the man advantage. Early results indicate it appears to be working.

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The problem with the Capitals’ power play

2013-03-22T16:24:23+00:00

There was a lot of optimism about Washington’s power play when Adam Oates was hired as head coach, especially around his idea to switch to a 1-3-1 system during the man advantage. Early results indicate it appears to be working. … Continue reading →

Capitals need to replicate winning performance against Jets

2013-03-22T14:51:08+00:00

The Capitals played one of their most complete games of the season Thursday night in their 4-0 win at Winnipeg.

Washington limited the Jets to just 20 shots on goal, the lowest total by an opponent this season, and worked in waves offensively. The Capitals forced and made the most of numerous turnovers; their first two goals came as the result of hustle plays after a Winnipeg player lost the puck. And while he wasn't tested often, a testament to the play in front of him, goaltender Braden Holtby made key stops when needed.

Read full article >>

Capitals need to replicate winning performance against Jets

2013-03-22T14:49:31+00:00

The Capitals played one of their most complete games of the season Thursday night in their 4-0 win at Winnipeg. Washington limited the Jets to just 20 shots on goal, the lowest total by an opponent this season, and … Continue reading →

Morning Pixels: Caps ask junior team to change their jerseys

2013-03-22T13:42:08+00:00

The Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League uses the same color scheme as the Caps -- red, white, and blue -- and the logo on their sweaters bears a striking resemblance to the Caps as well. So much so, in fact, that the Caps decided it wasn't cool.

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Alex Ovechkin leads the way in Capitals’ 4-0 win against Winnipeg

2013-03-22T05:07:53+00:00

With just more than six minutes remaining in the second period of Thursday night’s game in Winnipeg, Alex Ovechkin stepped on the ice for what turned out to be an old-fashioned rock ‘em sock ‘em shift by the star winger. … Continue reading →

#Caps captain Alex Ovechkin signs a few autographs after...

2013-03-22T04:04:41+00:00

#Caps captain Alex Ovechkin signs a few autographs after tonight’s 4-0 win over the Jets.

This Date in Caps History - March 22

2013-03-22T04:01:00+00:00

On March 22, 1992 the Washington Capitals defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 in a Sunday matinee contest at the Capital Centre. Edmonton's Joe Murphy scored the lone goal of the first period - his 30th of the season - at 15:39. The Capitals fired 12 shots on Edmonton goaltender Ron Tugnutt in the first while the Oilers answered with seven on Washington's Jim Hrivnak. Dino Ciccarelli evened the score at 1-1 on a Washington power play at 6:06 of the second period, Al Iafrate and Mike Ridley assisting. The goal was Ciccarelli's 33rd of the season. Just 1:40 later, the Caps took the lead for good on Iafrate's 17th goal of the season, Peter Bondra and Michal Pivonka assisting. At 13:14 of the second period, Ciccarelli made it 3-1 Washington with his second of the afternoon, this one an unassisted tally. At the 18:30 mark of the second, Dmitri Khristich scored his 33rd of the season to push the Washington advantage to 4-1. Calle Johansson and Kevin Hatcher assisted on Khristich's power play goal. The Capitals slammed the Oliers in second period shots on goal, 17-4. Hatcher tallied at 12:06 of the third period with help from Alan May and Nick Kypreos. Bondra netted the Capitals' sixth unanswered goal and his 27th of the season on a Washington power play at 15:16 with Ridley earning the lone assist. Bernie Nicholls closed out the scoring for the Oilers at 17:32 of the final frame. The Caps held an 11-9 third period advantage in shots on goal and doubled up on the Oilers in shots for the game at 40-20. With a goal and an assist, Iafrate was the game's number one star. Ciccarelli's two goals - including what proved to be the game-winner - earned him the afternoon's second star. Hatcher got the third star, also with a goal and an assist.

Braden Holtby, Capitals shut out the first-place Jets

2013-03-22T03:26:27+00:00

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA — The Washington Capitals arrived here for back-to-back games against the Southeast Division-leading Winnipeg Jets knowing their postseason aspirations couldn’t withstand a pair of losses. Their desperation was reflected in their play; they came out flying.

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#Caps goalie Braden Holtby comes off the ice after recording his...

2013-03-22T02:31:29+00:00

#Caps goalie Braden Holtby comes off the ice after recording his 4th shutout of the season in tonight’s 4-0 win. #CapsJets

Capitals dominate Jets in game they needed to win

2013-03-22T02:20:01+00:00

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Braden Holtby made 19 saves and Alex Ovechkin had a goal and two assists as the Washington Capitals defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-0 Thursday night.

Nicklas Backstrom scored and had an assist for Washington (13-16-1), while Troy Brouwer and Marcus Johansson added goals as well.

It was ...

Ovechkin Goes Top Corner

2013-03-22T00:00:00+00:00

Alex Ovechkin stakes Washington to a 4-0 advantage with a long-range wrister.

Gallery - Jets vs. Capitals

2013-03-22T00:00:00+00:00

Gallery - Jets vs. Capitals

Open thread: Capitals at Jets

2013-03-21T23:34:11+00:00

These back-to-back games against the Winnipeg Jets will have a significant impact on the Capitals season one way or another. Washington can start closing the gap on the Southeast Division leading Jets and the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff field but if it falters here finding a road to the playoffs will go from difficult to daunting.

Read full article >>

John Walton from his location for today’s Press Row. It...

2013-03-21T23:32:46+00:00

John Walton from his location for today’s Press Row. It was cold. Check out the full show here: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/press-row-3-21-13/index.jsp

Open thread: Capitals at Jets

2013-03-21T23:32:19+00:00

#Caps on the ice for warmups at MTS Centre. #CapsJets: Round 1...

2013-03-21T23:30:33+00:00

#Caps on the ice for warmups at MTS Centre. #CapsJets: Round 1 in 30 minutes.

Capitals set to waive Joey Crabb

2013-03-21T23:14:14+00:00

Washington will waive winger Joey Crabb Friday, the team announced prior to Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Crabb, 29, was designated as a non-roster player Thursday, opening a spot on the 23-man active roster for the Caps to activate Mike Green from the injured reserve list.

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Capitals set to waive Joey Crabb

2013-03-21T23:12:44+00:00

Washington will waive winger Joey Crabb Friday, the team announced prior to Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. Crabb, 29, was designated as a non-roster player Thursday, opening a spot on the 23-man active roster for the Caps to … Continue reading →

Capitals to waive Joey Crabb, clear space for Mike Green

2013-03-21T23:04:52+00:00

Capitals to waive Joey Crabb, clear space for Mike Green

Check out all video interviews from today’s morning skate at MTS Centre. Ovechkin:...

2013-03-21T19:58:54+00:00

Check out all video interviews from today’s morning skate at MTS Centre.

Ovechkin: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/alex-ovechkin-3-21-13/index.jsp

Oates: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/adam-oates-pregame-3-21-13/index.jsp

Laich: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/brooks-laich-3-21-13/index.jsp

Fehr: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/eric-fehr-3-21-13/index.jsp

and Ward: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/joel-ward-3-21-13/index.jsp

Plus check out Monumental Network original shows from today.

Press Row: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/press-row-3-21-13/index.jsp

and Scouting Report with SB Nation: http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/scouting-report-w-sb-nation-caps-jets-3-21-13/index.jsp

Puck drop tonight at 8 p.m. EST. Make sure to check out Two-Man Advantage with John Walton and Mike Vogel right here at 5 p.m.

Adam Oates: Mike Green a game-time decision against Jets

2013-03-21T18:50:07+00:00

Mike Green said he will play Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets, but for the second straight day Coach Adam Oates expressed some caution and said the defenseman will be a game-time decision.

Green has missed 10 straight games and 13 of the past 15 with a nagging groin injury and while his addition would certainly be a boost to the lineup, the Capitals need to be confident that he's truly ready to return.

Read full article >>

Adam Oates: Mike Green a game-time decision against Jets

2013-03-21T18:48:32+00:00

Mike Green said he will play Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets, but for the second straight day Coach Adam Oates expressed some caution and said the defenseman will be a game-time decision. Green has missed 10 straight games … Continue reading →

Capitals face tough climb to playoffs with condensed schedule

2013-03-21T17:46:26+00:00

Most of these Washington Capitals players aren't used to needing to climb the standings to get into playoff contention. They had to a little bit last season under coach Dale Hunter, and some were around in 2007-08 when Bruce Boudreau's team went from last to first.

That run showed "it's ...

Capitals morning skate: Brooks Laich on second line, Mike Green taking rushes (updated)

2013-03-21T16:59:15+00:00

The Capitals are on the ice at MTS Centre in Winnipeg with full attendance of all those who made the trip at the morning skate. As expected, Brooks Laich is back on the ice after taking a day off Wednesday and skating on the second line with Mike Ribeiro and Troy Brouwer.

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Capitals morning skate: Brooks Laich on second line, Mike Green taking rushes (updated)

2013-03-21T16:57:15+00:00

The #Caps are on the ice at the MTS Centre for today’s...

2013-03-21T16:28:50+00:00

The #Caps are on the ice at the MTS Centre for today’s morning skate. #CapsJets tonight at 8 p.m.

Capitals reinforce power-play details before taking on Jets

2013-03-21T14:10:17+00:00

The power play has been one of the bright spots this season for the 14^th place Capitals. But even owning the third best success rate in the league at 24.2 percent doesn't mean there aren't things that need improvement.

Read full article >>

Capitals reinforce power-play details before taking on Jets

2013-03-21T14:09:09+00:00

The power play has been one of the bright spots this season for the 14th place Capitals. But even owning the third best success rate in the league at 24.2 percent doesn’t mean there aren’t things that need improvement. … Continue reading →

This Date in Caps History - March 21

2013-03-21T04:01:00+00:00

On March 21, 1991, the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Islanders by a 6-2 score at Nassau Veterans' Memorial Coliseum. New York's teenaged phenom Dave Chyzowski opened the scoring for the Islanders at 11:47 of the first period with an assist from future Capitals defenseman Joe Reekie. For Chyzowski - the second player taken overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft - it was his fifth goal of the season and one of only 15 he would score over the course of a 126-game NHL career. Chyzowski's goal was the lone tally of the first period. The Isles managed seven shots on Washington goaltender Mike Liut and the Caps had seven against New York netminder Glenn Healy. The Caps evened things up early in the second period on Al Iafrate's ninth goal of the campaign at 2:04. Rod Langway and Mike Ridley assisted. Just 14 seconds later, Tim Bergland netted his fifth of the season to give the Caps a 2-1 lead. Steve Leach and Nick Kypreos were credited with helpers on the Bergland goal. Kelly Miller scored his 23rd of the season on a Washington power play at 4:22, Calle Johansson and Kevin Hatcher assisting. At 6:32, Leach scored his 10th goal on a Washington power play to give the Caps a 4-1 lead. The goal - assisted by Dmitri Khristich and Johansson - was the Caps' fourth in a span of just 4:28. At 10:56, John Druce scored Washington's fifth unanswered goal, his 21st of the season. Michal Pivonka and Khristich assisted. Randy Wood scored for the Isles at 16:43 to bring New York to within three. Washington doubled up the Islanders in second period shots on goal, 12-6. Jeff Hackett replaced Healy in the New York nets at the start of the third. Dave Tippett scored the lone goal of the third period for Washington at 15:31. The Isles outshot the Caps 10-7 in the final frame but the Capitals enjoyed a 26-23 advantage for the evening. Liut was named the game's number one star for his 21-save effort in the Washington goal. Two assists got Johansson the second star and Miller's game-winning goal earned him the third star designation.

Capitals in desperate need of points, not moral victories

2013-03-21T00:11:58+00:00

PITTSBURGH — After their gut-wrenching loss here Tuesday night, some members of the Washington Capitals tried to take comfort in the fact that they had played one of their more complete games of the season, holding the Eastern Conference leading Pittsburgh Penguins largely in check with strong defense.

Read full article >>

Ovechkin with a Blast

2013-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

Alex Ovechkin is left all by his lonesome at the left circle and fires a one-timer on the power play to extend the Caps lead.

Adam Oates on Mike Green: 'We've got to make sure he is ready'

2013-03-20T22:02:17+00:00

Mike Green said he's ready to play and plans to face the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, but Coach Adam Oates was unsure whether the 27-year-old defenseman would be in the lineup.

"Obviously we need Mike. We've got to make sure he is ready. I know he wants to play," Oates said. "I know he wants to play, but we've gone down this path before. He was ready to play last time and it lasted two days."

Read full article >>

Adam Oates on Mike Green: ‘We’ve got to make sure he is ready’

2013-03-20T22:01:50+00:00

Mike Green said he’s ready to play and plans to face the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, but Coach Adam Oates was unsure whether the 27-year-old defenseman would be in the lineup. “Obviously we need Mike. We’ve got to make … Continue reading →

Caps inaugural season ticket ad from 1974

2013-03-20T20:25:11+00:00

Reader @Jordanfabian passes along the above ad for the Capitals' inaugural season. It appeared in a 1974 Redskins game program.

If you think football season tickets are rough, get ready for NHL hockey.
Redskins tickets are hard to come by.
Hockey's gonna be worse.
We've seen it happenin' with other new NHL teams in Atlanta and Philadelphia (Just try to get a season ticket today).
And it's gonna happen here.
Get in on the first season of a brash, scrappy new team.
Watch things get rough on the ice, not at the box office.

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Capitals try to stay positive after disheartening loss at Pittsburgh

2013-03-20T20:11:13+00:00

PITTSBURGH — Reeling from their fifth loss in seven games, several Washington Capitals players sat in the visitors' locker room at Consol Energy Center on Tuesday and found positives.

Center Nicklas Backstrom said, "I think we were the better team out there," and coach Adam Oates called the game at the ...

Mike Green says he'll play; Adam Oates not so sure

2013-03-20T20:10:33+00:00

Mike Green says he'll play; Adam Oates not so sure

Mike Green says he'll return to Capitals' lineup Thursday

2013-03-20T19:41:52+00:00

PITTSBURGH -- Mike Green expressed confidence that he'll return to the Washington Capitals' lineup Thursday at the Winnipeg Jets, but coach Adam Oates wasn't as definitive.

"Obviously we need Mike. We've got to make sure he is ready," Oates said Wednesday after the team's practice at Consol Energy Center. "I ...

Maintenance day for Brooks Laich, other practice notes (updated)

2013-03-20T17:35:16+00:00

Brooks Laich did not practice with the Capitals at Consol Energy Center Wednesday afternoon, a day after he made his season debut.

It was a planned maintenance day for Laich, who skated 12:51 in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Penguins in his first game since recovering from a groin injury that has sidelined him since November. Laich, 29, did off-ice strengthening work while his teammates skated and while he was the only player who made the trip to Pittsburgh that did not take part in the session the versatile forward said he made it through his season debut with a clean bill of health.

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The #Caps are on the ice at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh...

2013-03-20T17:34:49+00:00

The #Caps are on the ice at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh before heading to Winnipeg for back-to-back #CapsJets in Manitoba.

Maintenance day for Brooks Laich, other practice notes (updated)

2013-03-20T17:34:18+00:00

Brooks Laich did not practice with the Capitals at Consol Energy Center Wednesday afternoon, a day after he made his season debut. It was a planned maintenance day for Laich, who skated 12:51 in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the … Continue reading →

Capitals practice update: Maintenance day for Brooks Laich

2013-03-20T17:03:50+00:00

Capitals practice update: Maintenance day for Brooks Laich

Capitals to Host Second Washington AHL Showcase

2013-03-20T16:00:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals and Verizon Center will host the second Washington AHL Showcase Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, at 5 p.m., between the Hershey Bears and the Syracuse Crunch. The game date is subject to the AHL and NHL scheduling process. Next year’s event will mark the second-consecutive season in which Verizon Center has hosted the Washington AHL Showcase. The AHL Showcase will feature the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears, as they face-off versus the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate, in regular-season AHL action. The Hershey Bears defeated the Norfolk Admirals, 2-1, in the 2012 AHL Showcase on Dec. 6, 2012, in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,506. Current Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby and defensemen Steven Oleksy, Dmitry Orlov and Tomas Kundratek helped the Bears earn the victory. Hershey has qualified for the playoffs each of the last seven years and won the Calder Cup in back-to-back seasons as the champions of the AHL in 2009 and 2010 as well as in 2006. Hershey has reached the Calder Cup final in four of seven seasons it has been affiliated with Washington. Syracuse, in the midst of its first season of affiliation with Tampa Bay, currently leads the AHL’s Eastern Conference. In addition, the Crunch has the fifth-longest tenure of any active AHL team and will be marking their 20th anniversary next season. For more information on 2014 Washington AHL Showcase contact 202-266-CAPS or visit WashingtonCaps.com.

One-timers: Brooks Laich's debut, Capitals find positives in defensive play

2013-03-20T14:59:09+00:00

With 48 games in 99 days, there's not a lot of time to digest what happened in any single contest. So as we churn through this compressed Capitals season, I'll be rounding up my thoughts and analysis of each game here. If you missed them, check out the game story from how a missed opportunity on the power play translated into a 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh with more on that key, four-minute power play.

Read full article >>

One-timers: Brooks Laich’s debut, Capitals find positives in defensive play

2013-03-20T14:57:10+00:00

With 48 games in 99 days, there’s not a lot of time to digest what happened in any single contest. So as we churn through this compressed Capitals season, I’ll be rounding up my thoughts and analysis of each … Continue reading →

Brooks Laich not 'overextended' in season debut for Caps

2013-03-20T14:39:23+00:00

Brooks Laich not 'overextended' in season debut for Caps

Morning After: Penguins 2, Capitals 1

2013-03-20T14:20:13+00:00

Morning After: Penguins 2, Capitals 1

The saddest Caps fan of the game

2013-03-20T13:51:10+00:00

When the Capitals were awarded a pair of consecutive two-minute power plays in the third period Tuesday night, everyone immediately decided that those four minutes would decide the game. If the Caps scored, the visiting team would ride that momentum and a generic distaste for Matt Cooke to an impressive road win over one of the NHL's hottest teams. If the Penguins held, their newly awakened home crowd would cheer loud enough to make the boys in dark sweaters skate faster, or hit harder, or shoot more accurately, or otherwise pull away from the pesky Caps.

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More on the Capitals' missed power play opportunity

2013-03-20T11:24:11+00:00

When Matt Cooke went to the penalty box in the third period for boarding and received another minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after complaining about the initial call, the stakes were clear. The next four minutes would determine whether the Capitals or Penguins would triumph Tuesday night.

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More on the Capitals' missed power play opportunity

2013-03-20T11:24:11+00:00

Read full article >>

More on the Capitals’ missed power play opportunity

2013-03-20T06:23:22+00:00

Penguins build momentum off penalty kill

2013-03-20T04:32:23+00:00

Penguins build momentum off penalty kill

This Date in Caps History - March 20

2013-03-20T04:01:00+00:00

On March 20, 1994, the Washington Capitals blanked the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 in an afternoon game in Florida. Kelly Miller scored Washington's first goal of the game and his eighth of the season at 3:13 of the first period with help from Sylvain Cote and Steve Konowalchuk. The Capitals managed a dozen shots on Tampa Bay goaltender Daren Puppa in the first while the Bolts answered with seven against the Capitals' Don Beaupre. Just 57 seconds into the second period, the Caps made it 2-0 on Keith Jones' power play goal, his 13th goal of the season. Dale Hunter and Al Iafrate assisted on the Jones goal. As they did in the first period, the Capitals outshot Tampa Bay 12-7 in the second period. Calle Johansson closed out the scoring with another power play goal - his seventh tally of the campaign - at 4:57 of the third period. Kevin Hatcher and Michal Pivonka picked up the assists on the final Washington goal of the afternoon. The two teams combined for 138 minutes in penalties for the game. The Bolts edged the Caps in third period shots on goal, 9-8 but Washington led in that category on the afternoon, 32-23. With a 23-save shutout, Beaupre was the game's first star. Miller's game-winning goal was enough to get him the second star and Tampa Bay defenseman Marc Bergevin was the game's third star. One day later, the Caps and Bolts made a deal just prior to the NHL's trading deadline. Joe Reekie - an original member of the Lightning - was dealt to the Capitals in exchange for defenseman Enrico Ciccone and a third round draft pick. Reekie's last game as a member of the Lightning was against Washington.

Failed 4-minute power play costs Caps in loss at Penguins

2013-03-20T03:32:40+00:00

PITTSBURGH | When Matt Cooke mouthed off at the officials after being called for boarding Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals had their break: a four-minute power play.

Four minutes to untie the score. Four minutes to gain ground in the playoff race. Four ...

Caps players Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Braden Holtby, John...

2013-03-20T03:04:00+00:00

Caps players Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Braden Holtby, John Carlson and Eric Fehr address the media after a 2-1 loss against the Penguins.

Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 2-1 loss...

2013-03-20T03:03:00+00:00

Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 2-1 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Capitals vs. Penguins: Washington fails to capitalize on four-minute power play and loses more ground

2013-03-20T02:58:00+00:00

PITTSBURGH — The Washington Capitals owned the third-best power play in the NHL heading into Tuesday night’s game and had already scored once with the man advantage against their heated rival. So when Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke received a pair of minor penalties in the third period of a tie game, the ensuing four-minute power play seemed like a gift.

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Updated: Caps keep up with Penguins, can't come up with win

2013-03-20T01:51:25+00:00

Updated: Caps keep up with Penguins, can't come up with win

Caps Report 3/20/13

2013-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

Mike Vogel and John Walton with this week's Caps Report answering fan questions from CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gallery - Penguins vs. Capitals

2013-03-19T23:30:00+00:00

Gallery - Penguins vs. Capitals

The #Caps are on the ice for warmups at the CONSOL Energy Center...

2013-03-19T23:02:56+00:00

The #Caps are on the ice for warmups at the CONSOL Energy Center wearing their third jerseys. #CapsPens

Capitals at Penguins: Easing Brooks Laich back in

2013-03-19T22:48:08+00:00

Capitals at Penguins: Easing Brooks Laich back in

Open thread: Capitals at Penguins

2013-03-19T22:36:31+00:00

In the final regular season meeting between the two rivals this year, the Capitals look to end Pittsburgh’s winning streak at nine. It certainly won’t be an easy task given how the Eastern Conference leading Penguins simply seem to … Continue reading →

Brooks Laich's return should bring intensity to Capitals

2013-03-19T22:35:20+00:00

PITTSBURGH — Brooks Laich slept fine Monday night. Knowing full well he was making his season debut Tuesday at the Penguins, the Washington Capitals forward insisted he was "focused on the hockey game," not himself.

Let the rest of his teammates share the excitement. Laich is back after missing the first ...

Check out all of the Caps gameday coverage for tonight’s #CapsPens matchup from the CONSOL...

2013-03-19T21:48:54+00:00

Capitals notes: Dmitry Orlov relieved to be back in NHL

2013-03-19T19:57:09+00:00

PITTSBURGH — Dmitry Orlov sat in the corner of the visitors' locker room Tuesday at Consol Energy Center as cameras surrounded Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin. The young Russian defenseman still isn't confident in his English, even as he spoke eloquently about his difficult season and the time he missed with ...

Dmitry Orlov ‘so happy’ to be healthy and back with Capitals

2013-03-19T19:56:02+00:00

Dmitry Orlov was excited for what he expected to be his second season in the NHL this past summer. But while he was in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears during the lockout, Orlov suffered a pair of … Continue reading →

Dmitry Orlov happy to be back with Capitals

2013-03-19T19:23:58+00:00

Dmitry Orlov happy to be back with Capitals

And Brooks is pretty juiced to be back on the ice tonight.

2013-03-19T19:06:18+00:00

And Brooks is pretty juiced to be back on the ice tonight.

Braden Holtby: Capitals ‘haven’t been even close to intense enough’

2013-03-19T19:04:26+00:00

Brooks Laich’s return should help the Capitals in a number of ways. He will eventually fill the top-line left wing spot, round out the top-six and allowing the rest of the forwards to play in their natural spots. He … Continue reading →

Also - Ovi got a haircut.

2013-03-19T19:02:17+00:00

Also - Ovi got a haircut.

Braden Holtby says Capitals have lacked 'intensity'

2013-03-19T18:57:03+00:00

Braden Holtby says Capitals have lacked 'intensity'

Tomas Vokoun on groin injury: 'I rushed back and look at what happened to me'

2013-03-19T18:50:56+00:00

Tomas Vokoun on groin injury: 'I rushed back and look at what happened to me'

Alex Ovechkin on how to beat Penguins: ‘We just have to get on top of Crosby right away’

2013-03-19T18:40:15+00:00

Seven points out of a playoff spot with 20 games left to play in the regular season, the Washington Capitals need points. It just so happens that to get any Tuesday night, they’ll need to go through the rival … Continue reading →

Penguins find different ways to win during nine-game streak

2013-03-19T18:21:58+00:00

Penguins find different ways to win during nine-game streak

Brooks Laich to make season debut vs. Penguins

2013-03-19T17:33:45+00:00

After weeks and months of a tedious recovery process from a lingering groin injury, Brooks Laich will finally make his season debut for the Capitals Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Laich, 29, was back to business-as-usual mode after the … Continue reading →

#Caps forward Brooks Laich at today’s morning skate. Laich...

2013-03-19T17:07:54+00:00

#Caps forward Brooks Laich at today’s morning skate. Laich will make his 2012-13 debut tonight against the Penguins.

Brooks Laich likely to return against Penguins

2013-03-19T15:45:52+00:00

Update, 1:30 p.m.: Laich will indeed return tonight against Pittsburgh. More here. All signs at the morning skate at Consol Energy Center point to Brooks Laich being ready to make his long-awaited return to the Capitals lineup tonight against … Continue reading →

Brooks Laich to make season debut Tuesday at Penguins

2013-03-19T15:34:52+00:00

Brooks Laich to make season debut Tuesday at Penguins

The #Caps are on the ice for morning skate at CONSOL Energy...

2013-03-19T15:30:38+00:00

The #Caps are on the ice for morning skate at CONSOL Energy Center. #CapsPens tonight at 7:30.

Alex Ovechkin’s move to right wing starting to pay off

2013-03-19T15:07:57+00:00

Not much has gone right for the Washington Capitals this season, but one bright spot has been the production of star winger Alex Ovechkin since his move to the right wing. It wasn’t pretty at first. Ovechkin had no … Continue reading →

Is Alex Ovechkin the A-Rod of the NHL?

2013-03-19T14:58:42+00:00

Is Alex Ovechkin the A-Rod of the NHL?

This Date in Caps History - March 19

2013-03-19T04:01:00+00:00

On March 19, 1993, the Capitals defeated the Hartford Whalers 5-2 on the strength of Dmitri Khristich’s second hat trick of the season. Mark Janssens got Hartford on the board first when he beat the Caps’ Don Beaupre just 1:47 into the first period. But Khristich pulled the Caps even at 2:51 with his 26th goal of the season. Khristich then put the Caps on top with his second goal in 59 seconds at 3:50. Peter Bondra’s 30th of the year came at 16:13, with Khristich picking up an assist. Washington’s Pat Elynuik notched his 17th of the season at 17:48, the fourth goal of the period against Whalers netminder Mario Gosselin. The Caps outshot the Whalers 16-5 in the period. Midway through the second period, Hartford’s Eric Weinrich scored to shorten the Caps lead to 4-2. Jim McKenzie—now playing for the Capitals—assisted on Weinrich’s goal for Hartford. Washington again outshot the Whalers, 12-9. The Caps defense was particularly stingy in the third, permitting just three Hartford shots on goal. Khristich completed his hat trick with a shorthanded empty-netter at 18:45 to wrap up the win for Washington.

Capitals recall Dmitry Orlov

2013-03-18T20:23:25+00:00

The Capitals recalled defenseman Dmitry Orlov from the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears Monday and he will join the team in Pittsburgh. Already without Mike Green (groin), John Erskine (left hand/wrist) and Tomas Kundratek (right leg/knee) Washington’s defense suffered another … Continue reading →

Capitals Recall Orlov from Hershey

2013-03-18T20:06:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Dmitry Orlov from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Orlov, 21, has recorded 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) and 16 penalty minutes in 22 games with Hershey and has tallied three assists in his last two AHL contests. He collected 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) and 18 penalty minutes in 60 games with the Capitals during his rookie season in 2011-12. Orlov finished the season ranked fourth in scoring among rookie defensemen despite finishing ranked 23rd in average ice time per game (16:52). Orlov, a 6’0”, 210-pound defenseman from Novokuznetsk, Russia, was Washington’s second-round selection, 55th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has registered 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists) in 56 career AHL games with Hershey and helped lead Team Russia to a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, recording nine points (one goal, eight assists) in seven games while being named to the tournament All-Star team. In addition, Orlov represented Team Russia at the 2010 World Junior Championships and was one of Russia’s top three performers at the 2009 Under-18 World Championships. Orlov will participate in Washington’s morning skate on Tuesday. He will wear No. 81.

Capitals recall Dmitry Orlov

2013-03-18T20:03:10+00:00

Capitals recall Dmitry Orlov

Alex Ovechkin says he hasn't changed, but game isn't same for Capitals star

2013-03-18T19:42:16+00:00

Alex Ovechkin raised his arms in the air but never cracked a smile. Red light turning and Verizon Center crowd cheering, the Washington Capitals star was surrounded by teammates, then fist-pumped on the way back to the bench but never jumped into the glass or flashed the trademark grin that ...

Photo

2013-03-18T16:50:13+00:00

Jason Chimera's first goal of season a relief for Capitals

2013-03-18T15:44:45+00:00

Jason Chimera's long, international nightmare is over.

The puck was in the net, the red light was on and the expression on his face made it look like the weight of 27 games, 13 arenas and almost two months' worth of pressure was off his shoulders.

"Finally," Washington Capitals captain ...

Morning After: Capitals 5, Sabres 3

2013-03-18T14:35:06+00:00

Morning After: Capitals 5, Sabres 3

Steve Ott antics tick off Steve Oleksy and Caps

2013-03-18T04:26:37+00:00

Steve Ott antics tick off Steve Oleksy and Caps

This Date in Caps History - March 18

2013-03-18T04:01:00+00:00

On March 18, 1977, the Capitals blanked the visiting Colorado Rockies by a 5-0 score. The win was Washington’s 20th of the season, exceeding the total number of games (19) the Caps won in their first two seasons combined. The Caps’ record stood at 20-39-14 at night’s end. Caps center Guy Charron started the scoring against his former team, tallying against Rockies goalie Doug Favell with help from Bob Sirois and Bryan Watson at 11:18 of the first period. Hartland Monahan scored for the Caps at 15:47 of the same frame to push the Washington advantage to 2-0. Craig Patrick and Gerry Meehan picked up the helpers on the Monahan goal. After a scoreless second, Patrick scored from Charron and Bill Riley at 3:05 of the third. At 9:43 of the third, Riley scored with Sirois and Charron collecting the assists. Bill Collins closed out the scoring at 16:58 of the third with Ace Bailey picking up the lone assist. In addition to a goal and an assist, Riley collected 22 minutes in penalties in the third period, tying a club record held by three players including himself. Two games earlier, Riley had collected 22 minutes worth of third-period penalties in a game against Detroit. Roger Crozier started in goal for the Caps, but could not finish. Ron Low played the last 20 minutes. Crozier made 20 saves and Low nine in the combined shutout. Thirty-six years later, the Crozier-Low shutout is still one of only two in Caps history. Al Jensen and Pat Riggin combined on a whitewash of the New York Rangers on April 3, 1983. Crozier collected the win, the last of the 206 he earned as an NHL goaltender. He had been obtained from Buffalo for cash two weeks earlier. Crozier went on to serve the Caps as an interim coach and an interim general manager; he remains the only man in franchise history to have played for, coached for and managed for the Capitals.

Capitals seize opportunity, beat Sabres

2013-03-18T03:42:35+00:00

Alex Ovechkin knew the situation. The captain saw the Southeast Division-leading Winnipeg Jets were losing and realized the opportunity the Washington Capitals had in front of them Sunday night.

“It’s kind of situation where you look at yourself and you look at different ...

Taffe's Four Points Contribute to Big Win Over Phantoms

2013-03-18T01:34:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Jeff Taffe scored twice and set up two others, three teammates had multiple-point games and Philipp Grubauer made 36 saves to push the HERSHEY BEARS to a 5-2 win over the Adirondack Phantoms on Sunday evening at GIANT Center. Despite being outshot 12-1 early in the first period, the BEARS would be the team to go in front with 45.3 seconds left. Garrett Stafford started the play by passing down the wall to Taffe in the left corner. Taffe then chipped a puck in front that trickled into the pads of Phantoms goaltender Brian Boucher. Peter LeBlanc fished the puck loose and quickly tucked a backhander home for his seventh goal of the season. Penalty trouble then plagued Adirondack in the second period, as the BEARS would earn three power plays. With Matt Pope and Zack FitzGerald in the box serving coincidental roughing penalties, the BEARS capitalized with open ice when Boyd Kane worked a puck loose from the left corner and fed a wide-open Ryan Potulny at the net front for a tap-in and a 2-0 lead. Just 1:08 later, on a four-on-three power play, Dmitry Orlov worked the puck from the center point to the right circle for Casey Wellman. Wellman then fired a cross-crease pass to Taffe, whose one-timer eluded Boucher for a 3-0 lead. The BEARS earned another power play early in the third period and made it count for a 4-0 lead. Wellman blasted a feed from Taffe off of the skate of a Phantoms defenseman and past Boucher at 4:06. The Phantoms finally broke the weekend shutout bid of Grubauer at 4:26 when Marcel Noebels slammed a rebound of Garrett Roe’s chance in front into the net. At the expiration of a penalty kill, Orlov exited the penalty box and joined Taffe on a two-on-one rush. The two played catch, with Taffe finishing off the play at 12:49 for a 5-1 HERSHEY lead. The Phantoms added their second goal with 1:55 left when Jason Akeson set up Garrett Roe from behind the net, and Roe’s one-timer from in close snuck under Grubauer’s pad. Grubauer improves to 10-5-1 with the win, while Boucher stopped 19 of 24 shots and fell to 3-5-1. The BEARS finished 2-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Jon DiSalvatore (0-2-2), Orlov (0-2-2) and Wellman (1-1-2) all recorded multiple-point efforts in the BEARS’ 30th win of the season. The HERSHEY BEARS will now embark on a three-game road trip beginning in Hartford’s XL Center on Friday, with a 7:00 PM faceoff against the Connecticut Whale. The BEARS will return home on Saturday, March 30 for a 7:00 PM matchup against the Providence Bruins. All fans in attendance will receive a ticket to Pocono International Raceway for the June 8th NASCAR Event Weekend, and all fans will also have the opportunity to come down onto the ice post-game for the Dietz and Watson Ham Shoot and a chance to win Easter food items. Tickets for the three remaining BEARS home games may be purchased at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR or online at TicketMaster.com.

Gallery - Capitals vs. Sabres

2013-03-17T23:00:00+00:00

Gallery - Capitals vs. Sabres

Matt Hendricks' value to Capitals on rise as gloves drop

2013-03-17T19:16:24+00:00

Matt Hendricks understands his role with the Washington Capitals sometimes involves dropping the gloves. But coach Adam Oates values Hendricks on the penalty kill and in other situations.

"I know Adam doesn't want me fighting," Hendricks said. "We've talked about that numerous times."

But Hendricks had six fighting majors through ...

Matt Hendricks talks about fending off, fighting Bruins

2013-03-17T16:46:05+00:00

Matt Hendricks talks about fending off, fighting Bruins

Capitals morning skate: Tomas Kundratek tests right leg

2013-03-17T14:32:40+00:00

Capitals morning skate: Tomas Kundratek tests right leg

Mitchell Provides Heroics in Overtime Victory

2013-03-17T05:49:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Garrett Mitchell finally solved Bridgeport Sound Tigers goaltender Kenny Reiter at 2:49 of overtime, sending the HERSHEY BEARS to a 1-0 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 10,825 on Saturday night at GIANT Center. The two team...

This Date in Caps History - March 17

2013-03-17T04:01:00+00:00

On March 17, 1983, the Capitals won their third straight game, beating the Bruins 2-1 at Boston Garden. The Bruins outshot Washington 15-8 in the first period, but the Capitals netted the lone tally. Bengt Gustafsson took a pass from Rod Langway and beat Bruins netminder Pete Peeters at 12:44 to put the Caps on top. Boston again held the shot advantage in the second period, sending 12 shots netward while Washington managed seven. Neither team was able to find the back of the net, however. At the 11-minute mark of the third, Gustafsson struck again, beating Peeters to give the Caps a 2-0 lead. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Caps goaltender Pat Riggin lost his shutout. Boston's Mike Krushelnyski scored, with Barry Pederson and Raymond Bourque picking up the assists. Riggin earned the victory for Washington, stopping 39 of 40 shots along the way.

Capitals bullied by Bruins in 4-1 setback

2013-03-16T23:41:32+00:00

BOSTON | The Washington Capitals shipped up to Boston and got handed a beating.

They were bruised and battered after the whistles and between them got blown out of the building 4-1 by the Bruins. Goaded into fights and involved in a lot ...

Gallery - Bruins vs. Capitals

2013-03-16T17:00:00+00:00

Gallery - Bruins vs. Capitals

Capitals Assign Schilling to Hershey

2013-03-16T14:00:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have assigned defenseman Cameron Schilling to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Schilling, 24, made his NHL debut o...

This Date in Caps History - March 16

2013-03-16T04:01:00+00:00

On March 16, 1991 the Washington Capitals blanked the Philadelphia Flyers by a 6-0 score in front of a sellout crowd of 18,130 at the Capital Centre in Landover. Mikhail Tatarinov put Washington up 1-0 with a power play goal at 8:09 of the first period. John Druce and Al Iafrate assisted on Tatarinov's seventh goal of the season. Dmitri Khristich scored his 10th of the season at 9:48 of the first with help from Druce and Michal Pivonka. Dale Hunter notched his 16th of the season on a Washington power play at 14:49 of the first to make it 3-0, Capitals. Play started to get a bit chippy in the second half of the first period. Four sets of matching minors were handed out: Philly's Jeff Chychrun and the Caps' Alan May were both whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct at 13:06. The Flyers' Keith Acton and Washington's Ken Sabourin were both assessed roughing minors at 16:27. Philadelphia's Mike Ricci and Washington's Calle Johansson were sent off at 18:45 for cross-checking and roughing, respectively. Philly's Craig Berube and Washington's Steve Leach each got two for high-sticking and five for fighting at 19:51 of the first session. Washington fired a dozen shots at Philadelphia's Ken Wregget in the first while the Flyers mustered eight against the Capitals' Don Beaupre. Tatarinov's second of the game and eighth of the year made it 4-0 Washington at 1:37 of the second period. Pivonka and Khristich gained assists on Tatarinov's second of the night. After Tatarinov's second goal, Wregget was removed from the pipes and was replaced by former Caps Pete Peeters. Just 17 seconds after the goal, May and Chychrun fought with May getting an additional minor for instigating. At 9:26 of the second, the Caps' Kevin Hatcher scored his 22nd goal of the season to push the Washington lead to 5-0. Johansson and Pivonka picked up assists on the Hatcher goal. Each team had eight shots on goal in the second period. The rough stuff continued in the third. Sabourin and Normand Lacombe picked up matching roughing minors at 1:45. At 6:35, all hell broke loose. Berube got a double minor for attempting to spear and then he dropped the gloves with Washington's Hunter. Both players got two for high-sticking, five for fighting and a 10-minute misconduct. Other skirmishes broke out all over the ice and when the dust settled seven misconducts were handed out. Iafrate got a game misconduct for Washington and teammates May, Leach and Sabourin each got 10-minute misconducts. Acton, Scott Mellanby and David Fenyves each picked up 10-minute misconducts for Philadelphia. Wregget went back into the Philly nets at the start of the third. At 4:33 of the third, Peeters went back into the nets for the Flyers again. At 12:35 of the third, Pivonka scored his 17th of the season to close out the scoring, Druce and Johansson assisting. The Caps outshot the Flyers 12-9 in the third period and 32-25 on the game. Tatarinov's two goals got him the game's first star. Pivonka had a goal and two assists, enough for second star honors. Druce's three assists win him the third star designation.

Caps aim to continue dominance of Bruins

2013-03-15T23:17:06+00:00

BOSTON | Without fail, the Washington Capitals are underdogs against the Boston Bruins. Each time they've met in the past 14 months, the Caps have been below the Bruins in the standings and not expected to win.

Yet the Caps seem to have the Bruins' number, winning four of the ...

This Date in Caps History - March 15

2013-03-15T04:01:00+00:00

On March 15, 1994, the Capitals earned a thrilling 5-4 win in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Igloo in Pittsburgh. Randy Burridge opened the scoring for the Caps with a power play goal – his 21st of the season – at 5:31 of the first period. Pittsburgh’s Kevin Stevens tied the score on a Penguins power play at 9:11. The Pens outshot the Caps 14-7 in the first period. Calle Johansson scored his sixth of the season at the three-minute mark of the second to give the Caps the lead once again. Pittsburgh’s Joey Mullen answered with his 35th – a power play strike – at 13:32 of the second. The Caps held an 11-7 advantage in shots in the middle frame. Dale Hunter gave the Caps their third lead of the night when he netted his eighth of the season at 1:23 of the third period. Burridge tucked his second of the game behind the Penguins’ Tom Barrasso at 5:21 of the third to give the Caps a 4-2 lead. Tomas Sandstrom scored for the Pens at 7:01 to make it a one-goal game and Stevens beat Washington’s Don Beaupre for his second of the game at 11:16 to knot the score at 4-4. The Caps outshot Pittsburgh 12-6 in the third. Washington had both of the game’s shots on goal in the overtime session and made one of them count. Just 40 seconds into the fourth frame, Burridge completed his hat trick to give the Caps the two points. It was his second hat trick of the season and the second of two during his Capitals career. Burridge was named the number one star, Stevens was number two and Washington’s Mike Ridley earned third star honors. Ridley picked up three assists including one on Burridge’s game-winner.

Mike Ribeiro goal gives Capitals crucial comeback victory

2013-03-15T03:17:07+00:00

RALEIGH, N.C. – Alex Ovechkin clanked his shot off the post, and Mike Ribeiro only got a piece of the puck. Two minutes felt like 20 as the Washington Capitals' hopes for a regulation victory hung in the balance.

"We were waiting to ...

Gallery - Hurricanes vs. Capitals

2013-03-14T23:00:00+00:00

Gallery - Hurricanes vs. Capitals

NHL realignment will bring Capitals old rivals, new challenges

2013-03-14T20:52:11+00:00

RALEIGH, N.C. — Realignment was a "difficult, emotional process" for the NHL to go through, commissioner Gary Bettman said. The league will have four divisions beginning next season, and the Washington Capitals will find themselves grouped with some old rivals.

But their difficult, emotional process will just be getting started next ...

Capitals Acquire Nicolas Deschamps from Toronto

2013-03-14T19:40:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Nicolas Deschamps from Toronto in exchange for defenseman Kevin Marshall, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Deschamps will report to Hershey. Descham...

Marcus Johansson feeling like himself again after concussion

2013-03-14T16:39:32+00:00

Alex Ovechkin's transition to right wing has had its share of hiccups. The most violent moment came when he collided with Washington Capitals teammate Marcus Johansson during a training camp scrimmage on Jan. 15.

Ovechkin left for the locker room briefly but returned soon after. Johansson finished the scrimmage like ...

NHL Board Approves Realignment, Division-Based Playoff Format

2013-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

Capitals Acquire Chay Genoway from Minnesota

2013-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Chay Genoway (pronounced GEHN-oh-way) from Minnesota in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2014, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today...

This Date in Caps History - March 14

2013-03-14T04:01:00+00:00

On March 14, 1989, the Washington Capitals defeated the Winnipeg Jets by a 6-3 score at Winnipeg Arena. Washington jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 2:35 of the first period on Michal Pivonka's sixth goal of the season. Bob Gould and Mike Ridley picked up the assists. Just over a minute later, the Caps made it 2-0 on Geoff Courtnall's 36th of the season. Steve Leach and Calle Johansson picked up the assists on Courtnall's goal. Kelly Miller's 15th goal of the season pushed the Washington lead to 3-0 at 6:28 of the first, Ridley and Pivonka assisting. Ridley netted his 36th of the season at 14:31 of the first to give the Caps a 4-0 lead. Pivonka and Miller collected the helpers on Ridley's goal. Washington had 11 shots on Winnipeg netminder Pokey Reddick and the Jets also had 11 against Caps goaltender Pete Peeters. Dave Ellett broke the goose egg for Winnipeg when he netted a shorthanded goal at 10:58 of the second period. Brent Ashton shrunk the Capitals' lead to 4-2 when he scored for the Jets at 17:25. Each team had 10 shots on goal in the second period. At 3:33 of the third period, Ashton scored again - this time on a Jets power play - to pull Winnipeg within one at 4-3. Courtnall restored some breathing room when he scored his 37th of the season and second of the night on a Washington power play at 15:02 of the third. Bengt Gustafsson and Dave Christian collected assists on Courtnall's third period strike. With 35 seconds remaining in regulation, John Druce iced it for the Caps with an empty-netter, his seventh goal of the season. Peeters picked up the lone assist on the Druce goal. Both clubs had 11 shots on goal in the third and 32 on the evening. With a pair of goals, Courtnall was named the game's first star. Winnipeg's Ashton also had a pair of goals and he was the number two star on the night. Pivonka had a goal and two assists, good enough for the evening's third star.

Capitals notes: Michal Neuvirth to make first start since Feb. 7

2013-03-13T19:23:23+00:00

Adam Oates hesitated when asked about his starting goaltender for the first time in awhile. Braden Holtby was clearly the man, starting 13 of the Washington Capitals' past 14 games, but Michal Neuvirth will get the nod Thursday night at the Carolina Hurricanes.

"We need a good start," Oates said. ...

Capitals put forth 'terrible effort' in loss to Hurricanes

2013-03-13T04:02:41+00:00

Nicklas Backstrom couldn't see many positives.

Staring up at the Southeast Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes going into Tuesday night, the Washington Capitals stared up at the scoreboard at the end of the game to see a crushing, 4-0 defeat.

“Our effort is not good ...

This Date in Caps History - March 13

2013-03-13T04:01:00+00:00

On March 13, 1987, the Capitals put a 10-2 beating on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Capital Centre. Gary Leeman got Toronto on the board first at 2:18 of the first period. Lou Franceschetti netted his 11th of the season at 4:22 of the first to knot the score at 1-1. Dave Christian scored his 20th of the season at 18:14 of the first to give the Caps a lead. Washington outshot the Leafs by a 12-5 margin in the first frame. Toronto's Wendel Clark scored his 30th of the season on a Toronto power play at 4:44 of the second to tie the score at 2-2. At 14:49 of the second, Larry Murphy scored his 20th of the season on a Capitals power play to give Washington a lead it would not relinquish. The Caps launched 17 shots at Toronto's Ken Wreggett in the second while the Leafs managed only five against Washington's Bob Mason. The third period was scoreless for nearly nine minutes before all hell broke loose. Mike Gartner scored his 36th of the season at 8:49 to make it 4-2 Caps. Toronto's Greg Terrion was whistled for holding at 9:32 and the Caps' Craig Laughlin made him pay just over a minute later. Laughlin's power play goal - his 20th tally of the season - chased Wreggett to the bench as Allan Bester took over between the pipes for the Leafs. The Caps reached Wreggett for five goals on 37 shots during his 50:37 in the nets. At 15:24, Toronto's Clark was given a five-minute major for fighting and a two-minute minor for instigating. Franceschetti received only a two-minute minor for roughing, so the Caps set out on a five-minute power play. At 16:07, Gartner scored his second of the game to make it 6-2 Washington. At 16:52, Toronto's "Big Daddy" McGill was slapped with a five-minute major for fighting, giving the Capitals a 5-on-3 advantage for the remainder of the game. From that point on, it was open season on Bester as the Caps scored four 5-on-3 power play goals in a span of 1:56. Garry Galley scored his sixth of the season, Dave Jensen scored his sixth and his seventh and Ed Kastelic scored the first of the two goals he would score during his 73-game stint in a Capitals uniform. The Caps pummeled Toronto with 22 shots to the Leafs' 10 in the third and outshot their foes by 51-20 on the night. Bester gave up five goals - all on the power play - in just 14 shots. The seven power play goals in one game is a record as is the eight power play goals by both teams.

Gallery - Capitals vs. Hurricanes

2013-03-12T23:00:00+00:00

Gallery - Capitals vs. Hurricanes

Gallery - Hockey School at Steuart Weller Elementary School

2013-03-12T15:41:00+00:00

Gallery - Hockey School at Steuart Weller Elementary School

Capitals Recall Schilling from Hershey

2013-03-12T13:28:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Cameron Schilling from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Schilling, 24, has recorded 14 po...

This Date in Caps History - March 12

2013-03-12T04:01:00+00:00

On March 12, 1996, the Capitals put a 9-0 beating on the Vancouver Canucks at USAir Arena. Washington winger Pat Peake got the scoring started when he netted his 15th of the season at 6:32 of the first. Todd Krygier and Joe Juneau picked up the assists. Juneau registered his 300th career point with the assist. The Capitals put 10 shots on Vancouver goaltender Kirk McLean while the Canucks had eight shots against Washington netminder Jim Carey. Peake's second of the night and 16th of the season made it 2-0 Capitals at 2:15 of the second. Linemates Juneau and Krygier again claimed the assists. That line struck again at 7:49 when Krygier scored his 10th of the season and first since being reacquired from Anaheim four days earlier. Juneau got the lone assist. At 11:16, Calle Johansson picked up his ninth goal of the season on a Washington power play, Peter Bondra and Michal Pivonka assisting. Kelly Miller scored his fifth of the season with help from Dale Hunter at 13:43. With just 52 seconds left in the second period, Sergei Gonchar made it 6-0 with his 11th goal of the season. Gonchar's goal came on a Washington power play with assists from Pivonka and Craig Berube. The Caps outshot the Canucks by a 12-6 margin in the second, putting five of the 12 shots in the net. McLean was relieved by Corey Hirsch to start the third period. Mark Tinordi scored his third of the year with an assist from Hunter at 2:22 of the third. At 8:08, Krygier scored his second goal of the game and registered his fourth point of the night to make it 8-0, Washington. Peake and Johansson were credited with the assists. Bondra closed out the scoring at 9:03 with his 30th goal of the season, Berube and Pivonka assisting. The Capitals outshot the Canucks 9-7 in the third period and 31-21 on the night. Krygier's four-point career night earned him the game's number one star. Peake had two goals and three points, good enough for the second star designation. Carey's 21-save shutout enabled him to come away with third star honors.

Gallery - STH Skate at Verizon Center

2013-03-11T20:57:00+00:00

Gallery - STH Skate at Verizon Center

This Date in Caps History - March 11

2013-03-11T04:01:00+00:00

On March 11, 2000, the Capitals beat the New Jersey Devils by a 4-2 score and also raised Dale Hunter's number 32 sweater to the rafters where it will remain forever. After the stirring pregame ceremonies which included a video tribute to the Caps' scrappy ex-captain, the puck was dropped. Washington took a 1-0 lead at 3:26 of the first when Chris Simon netted his 24th goal of the season. At 4:31 of the first, Joe Murphy scored his 10 of the season and his third as a Capital to extend the Caps' cushion to 2-0. The Devils bounced right back on Deron Quint's fourth of the season at 5:09 and Scott Gomez's 18th at 8:02. The Devils outshot the Capitals by a 15-7 margin in the period. The second period was scoreless, with New Jersey holding a 10-7 advantage in shots. The Devils were also on the receiving end of the stanza's only power play. Caps goaltender Olaf Kolzig gave the crowd something to cheer about when he stoned New Jersey's Sergei Nemchinov on a penalty shot at 11:40. The Caps' Ulf Dahlen beat New Jersey netminder Martin Brodeur at 1:42 of the final frame. The goal - Dahlen's 12th of the season - proved to be the game-winner. Steve Konowalchuk added his 14th into an empty net in the game's final minute to make the final 4-2, Washington. The Devils outshot the Caps in the third, 10-6 and 35-20 on the night.

Senators Swipe Two Points in Final Three Seconds

2013-03-11T02:51:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – The Binghamton Senators scored twice on the power play – Derek Grant’s tally coming with 2.3 seconds remaining on the clock – helping the visitors steal a 3-2 win against the HERSHEY BEARS on Sunday evening at GIANT Center. The B...

Gallery - Capitals vs. Rangers

2013-03-10T16:30:00+00:00

Gallery - Capitals vs. Rangers

Capitals Assign Philipp Grubauer to Hershey

2013-03-10T13:35:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have assigned goaltender Philipp Grubauer to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Grubauer, 21, made his NHL debut on ...

This Date in Caps History - March 10

2013-03-10T05:01:00+00:00

On March 10, 1986 the Capitals made a pair of deals just prior to the NHL's trading deadline. In the most significant of the two transactions, the Capitals dealt defenseman Darren Veitch to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for defensemen John Barrett and Greg Smith. It was a case of Washington dealing a young, offensive-minded defenseman to a team that was out of the playoff race for a pair of veteran stay-at-homers. Veitch had been a blueline regular in Washington since being drafted with the Caps' first pick (fifth overall) in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. His best season with the Capitals was 1981-82 when he totaled nine goals and 53 points in 67 games. Injuries dogged Veitch during his days in DC. He went on to have two solid seasons with the Wings before completing his NHL career with the Maple Leafs in 1990-91. Barrett was a six-year veteran when he came to Washington. He contributed two goals in nine playoff games for the Caps in the spring of 1986 and also spent the 1986-87 season with Washington. Barrett was dealt to Minnesota in February of 1988 and he closed out his NHL career by getting into one game with the North Stars that season. Barrett totaled two goals and five points in 69 games over two seasons in Washington. Smith was a veteran who began his NHL career with the California Golden Seals in 1975-76. Washington turned out to be the last of five stops during his 13-year NHL career. Smith spent parts of three seasons with the Caps, totaling one goal and 19 points in 113 games. Smith added a pair of goals in nine games during the 1986 playoffs. He retired after the 1987-88 season. The other swap sent defenseman Peter Andersson to the Quebec Nordiques for a third round pick in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. Andersson had played in 160 games with the Caps over three seasons, registering nine goals and 42 points. He played in a dozen games for the Nords that year and then returned to his native Sweden where he played six more seasons prior to his retirement after the 1991-92 season. With the third rounder obtained from Quebec, the Caps selected goaltender Shawn Simpson. Although Simpson never made it to the NHL as a player, he has served the organization in several capacities over the years including television color analyst, scout and his current role as director of hockey operations and general manager of the Portland Pirates.

Admirals Complete Sweep of Bears

2013-03-10T04:06:00+00:00

NORFOLK, Va. – Patrick Maroon scored two third-period goals to help the Norfolk Admirals pull away from the HERSHEY BEARS by a 4-1 final score on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope, and help sweep the weekend set between the division rivals. Just ...

This Date in Caps History - March 9

2013-03-09T05:01:00+00:00

On March 9, 1998, the Capitals beat Calgary Flames by a 5-2 score in front of 12,011 fans at MCI Center. The Capitals struck first when Peter Bondra scored his 38th of the season on the power play at 5:58 of the first period. Esa Tikkanen – playing in his first game with the Capitals – picked up the primary assist. Just 38 seconds later, Dale Hunter’s sixth goal of the campaign made it 2-0, Capitals. Calgary’s German Titov halved the Washington advantage with a goal at 11:54. The Capitals fired eight shots at Calgary netminder Rick Tabaracci and the Flames mustered six against Washington’s Bill Ranford. Aaron Gavey tied the game for Calgary at 3:49 of the second period. Washington’s Calle Johansson scored on a power play – his 14th of the season – at 13:56 to give the Caps the lead once again. Tikkanen registered another assist on Johansson’s goal. The Caps outshot the Flames 14-11 in the middle frame. Bondra scored his 39th at 3:21 of the third and Andrei Nikolishin netted his third of the season at 4:24. The Flames outshot the Caps 6-5 in the third but Washington held a 27-23 advantage on the evening.

Admirals Stifle Bears in Friday Night Victory

2013-03-09T04:46:00+00:00

NORFOLK, Va. – Sami Vatanen and Patrick Maroon each recorded three points, and Frederik Andersen only had to make 16 saves as the Norfolk Admirals cruised to a 5-1 win over the HERSHEY BEARS on Friday night at Norfolk Scope. The Admirals held t...

This Date in Caps History - March 8

2013-03-08T05:01:00+00:00

On March 8, 1980 the Capitals put a 9-5 hurting on the Hartford Whalers in front of 10,521 fans at the Capital Centre. Washington's Bob Sirois started the scoring parade with a shorthanded goal at 8:02 of the first period with a single assist from Ryan Walter. Just over two minutes later, Sirois struck again, this time while Washington was enjoying a two-man advantage. Mike Gartner and Robert Picard assisted on the goal that gave the Caps a 2-0 lead. At 11:22 of the first, Bengt Gustafsson tallied for the Caps while Washington had a 4-on-3 manpower advantage. Picard and Rolf Edberg assisted on the Gustafsson strike. Hartford got on the board at 12:21 when Bernie Johnston scored while both teams were playing with four skaters. Washington bombarded Hartford goaltender John Garrett with 17 shots in the first period while the Whalers countered with just six against the Capitals' Wayne Stephenson. The Capitals opened up a 4-1 lead when Picard netted the team's third power play goal of the evening at 9:35 of the middle frame. Mark Lofthouse and Dennis Maruk assisted on Picard's goal. Antero Lehtonen scored for the Capitals at 10:07 of the second to up the Washington lead to 5-1. Maruk and Sirois collected the assists on Lehtonen's goal. At 11:30, Alan Hangsleben scored against his former Whaler teammates with help from Gustafsson and Picard. Hartford's Blaine Stoughton closed out the scoring for the second period when he tallied at 14:58 to make it 6-2, Capitals. Hartford outshot Washington by a 16-6 margin in the middle period. Mike Rogers scored for the Whalers at 2:51 of the third to pull Hartford to within three at 6-3 but the Capitals weren't done. Gartner scored a pair of goals in succession, the first at 5:22 and the second at 9:18. Paul Mulvey assisted on the first and Walter on the second. Rick Ley scored for the Whalers at 10:17 to make it 8-4 in favor of Washington. The legendary Gordie Howe - playing in his final game ever at the Capital Centre - picked up the primary assist on Ley's goal. Gustafsson scored Washington's fourth power play goal of the night at 11:52 with assists from Edberg and Picard. After Gustafsson's goal, Caps head coach Gary Green lifted netminder Stephenson and replaced him with backup Rollie Boutin. At 15:17, Rogers completed the night's scoring with his second of the game. The Whalers outshot Washington 12-10 in the third and edged the Caps 34-33 in shots on goal for the game. Stephenson gave up four goals on 29 shots; Boutin was touched for one goal on five shots. With five points on the night, Picard broke his own club record for points in a game by a defenseman. Washington's total of four power play goals in a game tied the club mark and the nine-goal outburst also tied a franchise mark and set a new home ice record for goals in a game by the Caps. Sirois was named the game's first star. He had two goals and an assist on the evening. With a goal and four assists, Picard was the number two star. Gartner earned the third star with two goals and a helper.

Capitals Recall Philipp Grubauer from Hershey

2013-03-07T14:46:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Philipp Grubauer from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Grubauer, 21, made his NHL debut o...

Capitals Prospect Report

2013-03-07T14:18:00+00:00

Connor Carrick and the Plymouth Whalers have won 12 of their last 13 games, dating back to Feb. 8. This past week, Carrick himself helped the Whalers cause notching a total of six points (one goal, five assists) in four games. This includes a two-assist performance against Erie which ended up being a 7-2 win for Plymouth (Mar. 1). Carrick and the Whalers continue their run as the regular season winds down in March. After a hefty load last week, the Whalers only have one game slated for this week when they face Saginaw (Mar. 10). Chandler Stephenson put together a strong week for the Regina Pats as he tallied two goals and three assists this week. A chunk of those came when Regina blew out Moose Jaw 7-2 (Mar. 2), and Stepehnson himself recorded one goal and three assists in the effort. Stephenson and the Pats have a heavy slate of games this week as they face Edmonton (Mar. 6), Prince Albert (Mar. 8), Saskatoon (Mar. 9) and Moose Jaw (Mar. 12). Riley Barber and Miami University of Ohio Redhawks received the regular season trophy for the CCHA this past week. Barber, a freshman, finished as the leading scorer for his team with 36 points. He had the most goals on the team and was second in assists with 21; the leader in assists had 22.

This Date in Caps History - March 7

2013-03-07T05:01:00+00:00

On March 7, 1989, the Washington Capitals made two of the most significant trades in franchise history. The Caps traded away all-time leading scorer Mike Gartner, offensive defenseman Larry Murphy, and goaltender Clint Malarchuk. The two separate swaps brought feisty forward Dino Ciccarelli and promising young blueliner Calle Johansson to DC. Washington general manager David Poile sent Gartner and Murphy to Minnesota in exchange for Ciccarelli and defenseman Bob Rouse. Gartner was in his 10th season with the Caps and held franchise records with 397 goals, 392 assists, 789 points and 758 games played. Murphy remains the only Capital defenseman to lead the club in scoring (81 points in 1986-87). Ciccarelli spent three-plus seasons in Washington, scoring 112 goals and 209 points in 223 regular season games. He added 21 goals and 35 points in just 32 playoff games. Rouse's stint as a Capital lasted less than two years. He played in 130 games and totaled nine goals and 42 points before he was shuffled to Toronto as part of the package that brought Al Iafrate to DC. Johansson came to the Caps from Buffalo along with a second round draft pick in 1989 in exchange for defenseman Grant Ledyard, goaltender Clint Malarchuk and a sixth round selection in the 1991 Entry Draft. Buffalo used its sixth round choice to select center Brian Holzinger while the Capitals tabbed netminder Byron Dafoe with the second rounder from the Sabres. Malarchuk's Sabre career spanned 102 games over which he was a .500 goaltender. Ledyard spent more than four years with the Sabres, performing serviceably on the Buffalo backline. Johansson has played more games with the Capitals than any other defenseman in team history and trails only forward Kelly Miller on the team's all-time list. Johansson has registered 106 goals and 452 points in 875 games in a Capitals sweater.

This Date in Caps History - March 6

2013-03-06T05:01:00+00:00

On March 6, 1997, the Capitals beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche by a 6-3 score before a sellout crowd of 18,130 at USAir Arena. Playing in his second game as a Capital after joining the team in a March 1 trade with the Bruins, Adam Oates scored his second goal as a Capital and his 20th of the season at 7:40 of the first period. Colorado’s Peter Forsberg answered at 19:53 of the period to send the clubs to the locker room deadlocked at 1-1. The Caps outshot the Avs 15-11 in the first. Peter Bondra gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 5:05 of the second period with his 37th goal of the season. Colorado’s Mike Ricci answered at 6:12 but the Caps’ Michal Pivonka netted his fifth of the season on the power play at 7:06 to restore the Washington lead. Just 31 seconds later, Colorado’s Valery Kamensky scored to tie the game at 3-3. Bondra beat Colorado netminder Craig Billington on a power play at 11:37 to give the Caps the lead for good. Bondra completed his hat trick at 13:50 to give Washington its first two-goal cushion of the night. The Avalanche held the advantage in shots at 12-9 in the middle frame. Bondra scored his fourth goal of the game and his 40th of the season on a Washington power play at 8:37 of the third period. It was Bondra’s ninth career hat trick, the third four-goal game of his career and the fourth time he had scored more than three goals in a game. Newly acquired netminder Bill Ranford won his second game in as many starts for Washington.

This Date in Caps History - March 5

2013-03-05T05:01:00+00:00

On March 5, 1980, the Capitals defeated the St. Louis Blues 7-5 before a Capital Centre gathering of 8,103. Robert Picard opened the scoring for Washington at 6:52 of the first period with Mike Gartner and Paul Mulvey picking up assists. At 13:08, Gartner made it 2-0 with Ryan Walter and Mulvey helping out. St. Louis rookie Perry Turnbull halved the Washington lead when he beat Wayne Stephenson at 16:02. Ninety-five seconds later, Gartner struck again, with Mulvey and Walter again picking up assists. A mere 20 seconds after his second goal of the game, Gartner completed the hat trick, beating St. Louis goaltender Mike Liut and extending the Washington lead to 4-1. Mulvey picked up his fourth assist of the game and the period on the play. When Bob Sirois scored a pair of goals within two minutes midway through the middle frame, it appeared as though Washington would rout the Blues. Sirois's second goal chased Liut from the pipes. He was relieved by Doug Grant after allowing six goals on 18 shots. But there was no quit in the visitors. Ralph Klassen made it 6-2 Caps when he scored with just over four minutes remaining. Then, with only 11 seconds left in the period and the Capitals playing a man short, Mike Zuke brought St. Louis to within three. The Capitals' Rolf Edberg scored at 10:12 of the third to give the Caps more breathing room at 7-3. Less than a minute later, Wayne Babych scored for St. Louis. With 4:20 left in the game, Blair Chapman scored to make it 7-5 Caps. Washington held on for the victory, despite being outshot 35-29 by St. Louis.

Amateur Hockey Roundup

2013-03-05T04:33:00+00:00

NVSHL The final game of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League season came down to Briar Woods and Langley high school. The two teams faced off in the championship game last Friday (Mar. 1). Briar Woods, who lost last season in the championship game, won the contest 7-2. Every time Langley managed to score, Briar Woods answered right back and would continue to add to their insurmountable lead. This is Briar Woods first championship win in hockey. The league also named its First Team All-Stars for the season. They include: goaltender Dustyn Moyer (Woodbridge), defensemen Patrick O’Connor (Stone Bridge) and Brendan Walsh (Briar Woods), along with forwards John Litscher (Battlefield/Patriot), Evan Sterling (Langley) and Trevor Mack (Stone Bridge). Brendan Walsh, from the champion Briar Woods Falcons, was named NVSHL player of the year. MAPHL Gonzaga defeated Calvert Hall 6-1 in the MAPHL championship game. The game winner came when senior Jack Slater tallied a shorthanded goal in the second period. Slater would record another goal on a power play to finish his high school career with a multiple-goal game. The All-Conference Team for the AA division includes: Nick Platais (Gonzaga), Jack Barton (Landon), Chris Meloni (Gonzaga), Taylor Dremluk (St. Albans), Breanainn McNeally (Archbishop Spalding) and Jack Slater (Gonzaga). The All-Conference Team for A division includes: Meghan Moloney (St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes), Isaiah Davis-Allen (St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes), Sean Donnellan (Good Counsel), John McGrath (Loyola), Drew Norenberg (St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes) and Chris Sabate (Good Counsel). MSHL There were two championships in this league as both the Class 1A and Class 2A games concluded the 2012-2013 season. Severna Park faced Washington County in the 1A game where Nick Bondra, son of Capitals alumni Peter Bondra, scored a hat trick, including the game winner in overtime. The Class 2A game featured Winston Churchill and Easton. Both teams had a combined five shutouts in the playoffs leading up to the game, with Churchill having yet to give up a goal. Easton finally broke through in that regard, but it wasn’t enough as Churchill won 6-1 with senior Zach Arden, who dominated the score sheet this year, having a hand in every goal scored for his team. Congratulations to all teams across all leagues on a successful season.

Capitals Sign and Recall Steven Oleksy from Hershey

2013-03-05T02:01:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Steven Oleksy to a three-year, two-way contract and recalled him from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced...

This Date in Caps History - March 4

2013-03-04T05:01:00+00:00

On March 4, 1995 the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-1 in front of a throng of 16,210 at USAir Arena. Dale Hunter's power play goal gave Washington a 1-0 lead at 8:22 of the first period. Michal Pivonka and Calle Johansson assisted on Hunter's third goal of the season. Just over four minutes later, Pivonka netted another power play marker - his fourth goal of the season - to give the Caps a 2-0 lead, John Slaney and Joe Juneau assisting. Paul DiPietro halved the lead for the Canadiens at 13:53 of the first period. The Capitals put 14 shots on Montreal's Patrick Roy in the first period. The Canadiens answered with eight against Washington netminder Jim Carey. Keith Jones scored his sixth of the season at 6:02 of the middle frame to restore Washington's two-goal advantage. Johansson and Juneau assisted on Jones' goal. Peter Bondra netted an unassisted goal - his ninth of the season - at 16:23 of the second to push the Washington lead to 4-1. Montreal outshot the Capitals 14-6 in the second period. Pivonka scored the lone goal of the third period and his second of the game at 18:24. Bondra and Joe Reekie collected the assists on the final Washington goal of the evening. Each team had seven shots on goal in the third period; Montreal led 29-27 in that department for the game.

Bears Score Four Unanswered Goals to Defeat League's Best

2013-03-04T04:39:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Jeff Taffe scored two goals and added two assists, and Philipp Grubauer stopped all 20 shots he faced in a relief appearance, to help the HERSHEY BEARS defeat the AHL-leading Syracuse Crunch 5-3 on Sunday evening at GIANT Center for...

This Date in Caps History - March 3

2013-03-03T05:01:00+00:00

On March 3, 1996, the Washington Capitals shutout the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 before a sellout crowd of 18,130 at USAir Arena. With 46 seconds remaining in the first period, Sergei Gonchar scored his 10th goal of the season to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead. In a tightly contested defensive struggle, the teams combined for just eight shots on goal in the period. Washington outshot the Flyers 5-3. The Flyers opened the throttle in the second period, pouring 16 shots at Capitals goaltender Jim Carey. Washington managed only five shots of its own, but two of them found the back of the net behind Philadelphia goaltender Ron Hextall. With Chris Therien off for holding, Steve Konowalchuk netted his 22nd goal of the season. The power play goal gave Washington a 2-0 advantage. Less than two minutes later, Jeff Nelson sprung Kevin "Killer" Kaminski on a breakaway. Kaminski skated in, deked and put the puck past Hextall just as he was hauled down from behind. The puck, Hextall and Kaminski all went careening into the net and the cage slid off its moorings and into the end boards. The goal was Kaminski's first of the season and turned out to be his only goal of the season. Each team had eight shots on goal in the third, but there was no more scoring. Carey made 27 saves to register his sixth shutout of the season and the 10th of his Washington career. The whitewash was Carey's second in as many days; he shut out the Boston Bruins in Boston the previous afternoon. By the end of the Philadelphia contest, Carey boasted a shutout streak of 175:38.

Bears Stun Admirals With Late Comeback

2013-03-03T04:20:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Ryan Stoa tied the game and Ryan Potulny buried the winner with 45.1 seconds left to play, as the HERSHEY BEARS stunned the Norfolk Admirals with a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at GIANT Center. After a failed clearing bid by the...

This Date in Caps History - March 2

2013-03-02T05:01:00+00:00

On March 2, 1979 the Washington Capitals defeated the Vancouver Canucks by a 6-2 score in Vancouver. Paul Mulvey put the Capitals on the board first when he converted a Rolf Edberg pass at 8:32 of the first period. Vancouver had 10 shots on Washington netminder Gary Inness in the first while the Caps countered with seven against Canucks goaltender Gary Bromley. The Canucks tied the game at 1:54 of the second on a goal by Bob Manno. Edberg restored the Capitals' lead at 9:06 of the second period when he scored with help from Dennis Maruk and Rick Green. At 16:38 of the middle period, Mulvey connected for his second of the night with Dennis Hextall collecting the lone assist. With just 35 seconds left in the second period, Edberg netted his second of the night to give the Caps a comfortable 4-1 lead. Robert Picard and Maruk assisted on Edberg's second goal of the game. Vancouver outshot Washington 11-8 in the second period. Veteran Dunc Wilson relieved Bromley in the Vancouver nets at the start of the third period. Washington's Tom Rowe enabled the Caps to open up a 5-1 lead with a goal at 3:07 of the third, Edberg and Guy Charron assisting. Rowe's goal tied Ryan Walter's club record of scoring a goal in five consecutive games. Rob Tudor pulled the Canucks to within three at 5-2 when he tallied at 6:36 of the third period. Vancouver appeared to get some life just 22 seconds later when the Canucks' Ron Sedlbauer was awarded a penalty shot, but Inness stoned him to keep the Washington lead at three goals. Jack Lynch ended any hope of a Vancouver comeback when he scored at 7:13 to close out the night's scoring. Hextall collected the lone assist on Lynch's goal. The Caps outshot the Canucks 10-6 in the third but Vancouver held a 27-25 advantage in that category for the evening. The win gave Washington 48 points on the season, matching the club's total for the entire previous campaign. With his two assists on the night, Maruk matched the club single season record of 46 set by Guy Charron in 1976-77.

Bears Hold On to Defeat Penguins

2013-03-02T04:23:00+00:00

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Dany Sabourin held off a furious charge by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, making 24 of his 32 saves over the final two periods to help the HERSHEY BEARS hold on for a 3-2 victory on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Are...

This Date in Caps History - March 1

2013-03-01T05:01:00+00:00

On March 1, 1997, the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins hooked up in a six-player blockbuster trade. When all the dust settled, Adam Oates was wearing a Washington Capitals uniform. The Capitals – fighting desperately for a 16th straight NHL playoff berth – shipped three young players to Boston in exchange for three proven veterans. The Capitals obtained Oates, rugged right wing Rick Tocchet and veteran goaltender and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Bill Ranford. Boston received center Jason Allison, left wing Anson Carter and 1996 Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Jim Carey. The Caps ended up missing the playoffs by a single point that season. Oates and Allison are now the captains of their respective teams. Tocchet left Washington to sign with Phoenix as a free agent and is now with the Philadelphia Flyers. Carter was a contract holdout in Boston last fall and was subsequently swapped to Edmonton for Billy Guerin. Ranford and Carey are both retired. Oates has totaled 60 goals, 215 assists and 275 points with Washington. Allison has registered 91 goals, 166 assists and 257 points in Beantown. Washington went to the Cup finals in Oates’ first full season with the Caps; Boston has won only one playoff series since the trade.

Capitals Claim Aaron Volpatti Off Waivers from Vancouver

2013-02-28T17:20:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have claimed left wing Aaron Volpatti (vohl-PA-tee) off of waivers from Vancouver, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Volpatti, 27, has recorded one goal and 28 penalty mi...

Capitals Assign Philipp Grubauer and Casey Wellman to Hershey

2013-02-28T16:41:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have assigned goaltender Philipp Grubauer and forward Casey Wellman to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Grubauer, ...

This Date in Caps History - February 28

2013-02-28T05:01:00+00:00

On February 28, 1978, the Washington Capitals defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-4 before a crowd of 7,105 at the Capital Centre in Landover. Randy Pierce put the Rockies on the board first when he beat Washington netminder Bernie Wolfe on a Colorado power play at 4:01 of the first period. Washington's Bill Riley scored on a power play at 9:25 to even the score at 1-1, Rick Green and Ace Bailey assisting. The Rockies re-took the lead on Ron Delorme's goal at 10:57. When Dennis Owchar scored for Colorado at 13:39, the Rocks went up by a pair. Washington got late goals from Mark Lofthouse and Bailey to pull even before the buzzer sounded at the end of the first period. Guy Charron and Bob Girard assisted on Lofthouse's goal; Riley got the lone assist on Bailey's tally. The Caps put a dozen shots on Colorado netminder Doug Favell in the first while the Rocks countered with eight against Wolfe. At 4:23 of the second period, Washington went in front for the first time on Bugsy Watson's unassisted goal. Bailey scored his second of the game at 17:19 of the second to give Washington a 5-3 lead. Gerry Meehan and Gord Lane picked up the helpers. Ownchar's second of the game pulled the Rocks back to within one at 19:21. The Caps outshot the Rockies 15-7 in the second period. Bailey completed his hat trick and registered his 100th point as a Capital with an unassisted goal at 7:38 of the third. Riley closed out the scoring with his second of the game at 18:02. The Rockies outshot Washington 15-9 in the final frame. Bailey's hat trick was the sixth one in Washington history and the first in more than two calendar years. Prior to Bailey's three-goal effort, Tony White's February 21, 1976 hat trick had been the most recent by a Capital.

Capitals Recall Philipp Grubauer from Hershey

2013-02-27T15:19:00+00:00

This Date in Caps History - February 27

2013-02-27T05:01:00+00:00

On February 27, 1996, the Capitals beat the New York Rangers by a 5-3 score at Madison Square Garden in New York. The game was originally scheduled for January 8 but had to be postponed because of a major snowstorm. Calle Johansson got the Capitals on the board first when he netted a power play goal at 3:58 of the first period. New York's Mark Messier tied the game at 6:17 but the Capitals regained the lead on another power play goal - this one by Pat Peake - at 10:17 of the first. Olaf Kolzig faced 12 Ranger shots in the period while the Caps managed nine against New York's Glenn Healy. The Rangers fired 20 shots on Kolzig in the second period and finally tied the game when Sergei Nemchinov scored at 16:55. At 19:38, Nemchinov netted another to give New York a 3-2 lead. The Capitals mustered a dozen shots in the middle period but failed to beat Healy. At 2:56 of the third, Michal Pivonka got the equalizer for Washington. Just over two minutes later, the Caps took the lead again on a goal by Joe Juneau. Juneau added a shorthanded insurance tally at 12:03 of the final frame to make winners of Kolzig and the Capitals. The Caps outshot the Rangers 21-9 in the third and 43-41 on the night. With a pair of goals - including the game-winner - Juneau skated off with first star honors. Steve Konowalchuk - who assisted on both of Juneau's goals and paced the Caps with seven shots on goals - was the number two star. New York's Nemchinov was named the third star on the strength of his two-goal game.

Capitals Launch NHL’s First Social Rewards Program

2013-02-27T00:46:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals announced today the launch of a comprehensive social loyalty program that will reward fans for engaging with the team via social media and at the Verizon Center. The free #CapsPowerPlay program is the fi...

Capitals Recall Casey Wellman from Hershey

2013-02-26T14:12:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Casey Wellman from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Wellman, 25, has recorded 34 points (10 ...

This Date in Caps History - February 26

2013-02-26T05:01:00+00:00

On February 26, 1980 the Washington Capitals defeated the Los Angeles Kings by a 5-3 score at the Capital Centre. Washington's Wes Jarvis started the scoring at 3:54 of the first period with assists from Paul MacKinnon and Robert Picard. Washington took a 1-0 lead to the locker room at the first intermission. The Capitals launched 15 shots at the Kings' Doug Keans while Los Angeles answered with 10 against Washington's Wayne Stephenson. Early in the second period, Washington pushed its lead to 2-0 on a goal by Ryan Walter. Walter's goal came on a single assist from Pat Ribble at 1:36. At 2:56 of the second, the Kings halved the lead on Charlie Simmer's power play goal. Just 2:12 after his first goal, Simmer scored on yet another Los Angeles power play to knot the score at 2-2. Ribble wasted little time in getting the lead back for the Capitals. A mere 40 seconds after Simmer tied it, Ribble took a pass from Paul Mulvey and beat Keans to give the Capitals a 3-2 lead. Washington nipped the Kings in second period shots on goal, 11-10. At the 13-second mark of the third, LA's Marcel Dionne tied the game with an even strength tally. With Simmer off for holding at 12:35, Washington's Mark Lofthouse scored to give the Capitals a 4-3 lead. Bob Sirois and Bengt Gustafsson assisted on Lofthouse's goal, which would prove to be the game-winner. Mike Gartner added an empty-netter with 27 seconds remaining to ice it for Washington. Picard and Walter picked up assists on Gartner's insurance goal. With a goal and an assist on the evening, Ribble was named the game's first star. Lofthouse's game-winner got him the second star and Gartner was named third star.

Capitals Re-sign John Erskine

2013-02-25T17:38:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman John Erskine to a two-year, $3.925 million contract extension, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Erskine will earn $1.925 million in 2013-14 and $2 ...

Capitals Re-sign Braden Holtby

2013-02-25T16:58:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed goaltender Braden Holtby to a two-year, $3.7 million contract extension, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Holtby will earn $1.7 million in 2013-14 and $2 mill...

This Date in Caps History - February 25

2013-02-25T05:01:00+00:00

On February 25, 1982 the Washington Capitals pounded the St. Louis Blues 9-1 at the Capital Centre in Landover before a paltry crowd of 8,740. The Blues scored first, getting out to a 1-0 lead at 1:45 of the first period on Jorgen Petterson’s 30th goal of the season. The Capitals outshot the Blues by a whopping 20-6 in the first period. The Capitals’ Ryan Walter evened the score at 2:45 of the second period when he netted his 31st goal of the season with help from Greg Theberge and Chris Valentine. At 6:43 of the second, Lee Norwood gave Washington a 2-1 lead with his second goal of the season. Lou Franceschetti and Mike Gartner collected assists. Bobby Gould netted his 13th goal of the season with help from Dennis Maruk and Gaetan Duchesne at 9:13 of the second. Just under five minutes later, rookie sensation Bobby Carpenter tallied his 20th goal of the season to push the Washington lead to 4-1. Franceschetti and Gartner assisted on the 18-year-old Carpenter’s milestone goal. Washington put 13 shots on St. Louis netminder Mike Liut while the Blues answered with nine on the Capitals’ Dave Parro. Just 34 seconds into the third period, Carpenter scored to make it 5-1 Washington. And just 25 seconds after that, he scored his second goal of that shift and third of the game to complete a natural hat trick. Terry Murray earned the lone assist on Carpenter’s second goal of the game and Franceschetti picked up the solo helper on Carpenter’s third goal of the evening. Valentine netted his 18th of the season – an unassisted tally – at 10:43 to give the Capitals a 7-1 advantage. Carpenter scored his fourth of the game and 23rd of the season at 17:38 with assists from Gartner and Murray. Randy Holt closed out the game’s scoring when he picked up his second goal of the campaign just 18 seconds after Carpenter’s fourth goal. Maruk assisted on the Holt goal, which was Washington’s ninth unanswered tally. That tied the club mark originally set against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 11, 1981. The Caps edged the Blues in third period shots on goal, 13-12. Washington enjoyed a 46-2 advantage in that category on the evening. Carpenter was the easy choice for the game’s first star. He became the fifth player in team history to score four goals in a game; Maruk did it twice. With three assists and a first-period fight with the Blues’ Bill Baker, Franceschetti was a goal shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick. He was named the game’s No. 2 star. Walter was the third star.

Devils Win Wild One on the Boardwalk

2013-02-25T03:39:00+00:00

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Mike Sislo and Joe Whitney led the Albany Devils offense, scoring two goals each and spoiling Casey Wellman’s three-point game in a 6-4 win over the HERSHEY BEARS on Sunday evening at Boardwalk Hall. The Devils grabbed the...

This Date in Caps History - February 24

2013-02-24T05:01:00+00:00

On February 24, 1987, the Capitals thumped the Detroit Red Wings by an 8-2 score at the Capital Centre in Landover. Washington unleashed an offensive fury against Red Wing netminder Greg Stefan. Bobby Gould netted his 18th of the season at 2:45 of the first. Dave Christian scored his 17th at 5:48. Mike Ridley scored his 26th on a Washington power play at 14:27 and Dave Jensen’s fourth of the season made it 4-0 Washington at 18:39. The Caps outshot the Wings 10-8 in the period. Washington continued its onslaught when Mike Gartner scored his 31st of the campaign at the 53-second mark of the second stanza. Jensen’s second of the game came at 1:31 and it chased Stefan from the nets. Glen Hanlon took over between the Detroit pipes with the Wings down 6-0. With a minute remaining in the second, Alan Haworth scored his 20th goal of the season – a power play strike – to push the Washington lead to 7-0. The Caps held an 11-9 advantage in shots on goal in the second period. Detroit’s Tim Higgins broke the shutout spell when he beat Caps netminder Pete Peeters at the 30-second mark of the third period. Brent Ashton scored the Wings’ second goal of the night at 13:17. Gartner’s second of the game closed out the scoring at 16:53. The Wings outshot the Caps 17-9 in the third and 34-30 on the night. Gould earned first star honors on the strength of his first period goal and overall strong play. Jensen’s two goals were good enough to get him the second star designation and Ridley attained third star status with a goal and an assist.

Grubauer Grabs First AHL Shutout in Front of Sellout Crowd

2013-02-24T04:03:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Philipp Grubauer made 40 saves to pick up his first AHL shutout, while Patrick McNeill’s fluke shorthanded goal stood up as the game-winner in a 3-0 decision over the Adirondack Phantoms on Saturday night at a sold-out GIANT Center....

This Date in Caps History - February 23

2013-02-23T05:01:00+00:00

On February 23, 2000, the Capitals defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2 in overtime at the MCI Center. The victory enabled Washington to pull within three points of Southeast Division leading Florida, which had enjoyed a 16-point advantage over the Capitals just over a month earlier. Joe Murphy started the scoring for Washington with his first goal as a Capital at 3:10 of the first period. Florida's Ray Sheppard tied it on a power play at 9:34 of the opening period. Washington dominated play in the period - outshooting the Panthers by an 18-6 margin - but Florida's Trevor Kidd kept his team in the game with some timely stops. Washington again had the better of the play in the middle period, outshooting the Panthers, 13-6. Both Kidd and Washington's Olaf Kolzig kept the opposition off the scoreboard in the period. Florida took a 2-1 lead at 9:41 of the third period when Viktor Kozlov beat Kolzig on a penalty shot. It was the third penalty shot Kolzig had faced in his career and the first time he had been beaten. With just 3:28 remaining in regulation, Steve Konowalchuk knotted the game for Washington. Konowalchuk was running on adrenaline as he had been up virtually all of the previous night while his wife was giving birth to their son. With seconds remaining in the contest, Florida's Peter Worrell was whistled for an elbowing call when he got one of his wings up in Richard Zednik's face. The Caps held a four-on-three manpower advantage as the two teams took to the ice for the overtime session. A turnover at the Florida blueline gave the Caps possession and the Panthers committed to Sergei Gonchar, who had the puck. Gonchar found Chris Simon cruising in from the blueline and the big winger had all the time he needed to power the puck past Kidd. The Caps had a 3-2 win and had crept closer to the Cats in the Southeast standings. Washington outshot Florida by a 44-23 count on the night. Simon's game-winner made him the number one star while Kidd's net heroics got him the nod as the second star. Proud papa Konowalchuk got the third star with his late game-tying tally.

Bears Fight Back For Point in Binghamton

2013-02-23T04:33:00+00:00

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Jeff Taffe scored two goals and Jon DiSalvatore scored the game-tying tally to force extra time, but the Binghamton Senators scored twice in the shootout to get past the HERSHEY BEARS in a 5-4 decision on Friday night at Broome ...

Fifth Season of Caps Red Line to Debut on Feb. 25 on Monumental Network

2013-02-22T22:01:00+00:00

ARLINGTON, Va. – Caps Red Line (CRL) presented by GEICO will debut its fifth season on Monumental Network (monumentalnetwork.com) on Monday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. CRL is a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes look at the Washington Capitals. A new episo...

This Date in Caps History - February 22

2013-02-22T05:01:00+00:00

On February 22, 1981, the Capitals scored seven goals and still lost in an 11-7 defeat at the hands of the Quebec Nordiques. A crowd of 10,346 witnessed the goal-scoring spree at the Capital Centre in Landover. Quebec's Peter Stastny started what would be a big night for him by scoring to give the Nords a 1-0 lead at 5:45 of the first. Brother Anton Stastny and Michel Goulet picked up the assists. Washington's Jean Pronovost tied the game on a Capitals power play at 8:18, Rick Green and Mike Gartner assisting. Anton Stastny scored at 9:46 of the first to give Quebec a 2-0 lead. Peter Stastny and Goulet assisted. Washington managed seven shots on Quebec's Dan Bouchard in the first while the Nords countered with six against the Caps' Mike Palmateer. Washington knotted the score at 1:56 of the second when Green scored a power play goal with an assist form Glen Currie. Just 41 seconds after Green tied it, Quebec regained the lead on Anton Stastny's second goal of the night. The two clubs continued trading goals when Washington's Ryan Walter scored at 6:09 of the second with assists from Gartner and Bengt Gustafsson. Just 19 seconds after Walter's goal, the Nords took the lead for good when Peter Stastny bagged his second of the game, brother Anton assisting. Jacques Richard scored for Quebec at 13:27 of the middle period to give his team a 5-3 cushion over the Caps. Linemates Dale Hunter and Marc Tardif assisted. The Capitals drew within a goal at 5-4 when Dennis Maruk scored on a power play at 14:48 with help from Gustafsson and Gartner. But Peter Stastny completed his hat trick at 18:51 with a 4-on-3 power play goal. Again, brother Anton picked up an assist. Less than a minute later, the Nordiques scored another 4-on-3 power play goal. This time it was Pierre Lacroix who found the back of the net. Peter Stastny picked up one of the assists. The Nords outshot the Caps 16-11 and took a 7-4 lead to the dressing room for the second intermission. Quebec wasted little time in adding to its lead in the third. Just 34 seconds in, Anton Stastny completed his hat trick on a 5-on-3 power play with help from brother Peter. That goal chased Palmateer to the Washington bench. After allowing eight goals on 23 shots, he was replaced by Wayne Stephenson. Thirty-three seconds into Stephenson's tenure in the nets, Richard beat him on a power play for his second of the night. Anton Stastny picked up another assist. With the clubs back at even and equal strength 26 seconds later, Richard scored again to complete his hat trick and the third hat trick of the night for Quebec. That made it 10-4, but there was no quit in the Caps. Eighteen seconds after Richard's third goal, Green scored his second of the night for Washington to make it 10-5. Wes Jarvis and Bob Kelly assisted on the Green goal. The Caps closed the gap to 10-6 at 3:48 of the final period when Gustafsson scored with assists from Maruk and Kelly. Gustafsson scored another goal on a Washington power play at 7:21 to make it 10-7. Jarvis and Pronovost assisted on Gustafsson's second goal of the evening. Finally, with just five seconds left in the game, Peter Stastny closed out the scoring with his fourth goal of the night. Of course, Anton gained an assist on this goal. The Caps outshot the Nords 12-11 in the third period but Quebec held the advantage in that category on the game, 33-30. Each team had four power play goals. With four goals and eight points, Peter Stastny took first star honors. With three goals and eight points, brother Anton Stastny earned the game's second star. Washington's Gustafsson won the third star designation with two goals and four points.

This Date in Caps History - February 21

2013-02-21T05:01:00+00:00

On February 21, 1993, the Capitals scored three power play goals and a shorthanded goal to beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 at the Capital Centre. Mike Ridley scored on the power play at 9:06 of the first to give the Caps a lead they would not relinquish. The goal-Ridley's 20th of the season-was assisted by Peter Bondra and Pat Elynuik. The Caps outshot the Blues 10-7 in the first. Todd Krygier gave Washington a 2-0 advantage early in the second when he scored an unassisted goal while the Caps were down a man. Craig Janney answered for St. Louis when he beat Don Beaupre at 6:05 of the middle stanza. With just 12 second left in the second, Ridley scored his second power play goal of the game to restore Washington's two-goal margin. Early in the third period, Sylvain Cote scored his 17th of the season-the Caps' lone even-strength goal of the night. Kevin Hatcher's 24th goal came on the power play at 13:46 and gave the Caps a 5-1 bulge. With just 1:45 remaining in the game, Brett Hull scored on the power play to make it 5-2. The goal was Hull's 43rd of the year. The victory was the 95th of Beaupre's Capitals career, putting him one ahead of Al Jensen for the team's all-time lead. Olaf Kolzig recently passed Beaupre - who had 128 wins as a Cap - atop the team's all-time list.

This Date in Caps History - February 20

2013-02-20T05:01:00+00:00

On February 20, 1993 the Washington Capitals throttled the Los Angeles Kings 7-3 in a Saturday matinee contest at USAir Arena. Keith Jones got Washington on the board first with his seventh goal of the season at 2:48 of the first period. Kevin Hatcher and Dale Hunter assisted. At 12:18, Steve Konowalchuk pushed the Washington lead to 2-0 with his fourth goal of the season, Paul MacDermid assisting. The Capitals put 11 shots on Kings netminder Kelly Hrudey in the first while Los Angeles countered with eight on Washington's Don Beaupre. The game stayed close until the waning minutes of the second period when the Capitals opened it up. Mike Ridley's 19th of the season made it 3-0 at 17:00, Hatcher and Kelly Miller assisting. At 18:35, Peter Bondra netted his 28th of the campaign with help from Al Iafrate and Michal Pivonka. Twenty-three seconds after Bondra's goal, Jones struck for his second of the game with an assist from Dale Hunter. At 19:25, Dmitri Khristich scored to make it 6-0 with help from Bondra and Pivonka. The Capitals scored four goals in a 2:25 span at the end of the second period. The Kings edged the Caps in second period shots on goal, 12-11. Robb Stauber took over in the Los Angeles goal for Hrudey at the start of the third period. Mike Donnelly broke Beaupre's shutout spell at 4:51 of the third period with Wayne Gretzky picking up the primary assist. Exactly a minute later, Rob Blake scored for LA to cut the Caps' lead to 6-2. Bondra scored his second of the game with an assist from Ridley at 9:28 to make it 7-2, Washington. Marty McSorley scored at 16:01 of the final frame to close out the scoring. The Kings edged the Caps in third period shots on goal, 8-7 but Washington outshot Los Angeles 29-28 on the afternoon. The Capitals swept the three stars for the game. Jones' two goals got him the first star. Bondra's two goals - including the game-winner - and three points earned him second star honors. Pivonka took the third star with a pair of assists. Exactly a week earlier, the Capitals had trounced the Kings 10-3 in Los Angeles. Washington scored the last six goals in that game and the first six in the February 20 game, combining for a total of 12 unanswered goals against LA. Less than four months later, the Kings were in the Stanley Cup finals against the Montreal Canadiens.

This Date in Caps History - February 19

2013-02-19T05:01:00+00:00

On February 19, 1980, the Capitals registered their first-ever victory over the Montreal Canadiens before 13,551 fans at the Capital Centre. The evening started ominously, as Caps defenseman Robert Picard took a puck off his forehead during warm-ups. He took 12 stitches to close the wound and returned to the ice for the start of the game. After a scoreless first period, Picard got the Capitals on the board when he beat Montreal goaltender Denis Herron at 10:53 of the second period. Less than two minutes later, the Canadiens' Pierre Mondou tied the game when he tucked the puck behind Capitals netminder Wayne Stephenson. After two periods, the score was tied at 1-1 and Montreal held an 18-13 advantage in shots on goal. The Habs came out with a fury in the third period. The Canadiens peppered Stephenson with shots-14 in all. But he held firm, kicking aside every Montreal bid. Stephenson helped his own cause at 12:53 of the third when he and Bob Sirois assisted on Bengt Gustafsson's go-ahead goal. The Caps continued to quell the Montreal barrage, and were finally able to breathe easy when Mike Gartner scored into an empty net with 50 seconds remaining in the game. Despite mustering just three shots on goal in the third, the Caps scored the only two goals of the period and came away with the victory. Before they finally put an end to Montreal's mastery, the Caps were 0-31-3 against the Canadiens. In those 34 contests, the Caps were outscored by a total of 195-55.

This Date in Caps History - February 18

2013-02-18T05:01:00+00:00

On February 18, 1976, the Capitals absorbed an 11-4 pounding at the hands of the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. Washington's Blair Stewart put the Caps on the board first when he beat Rangers netminder John Davidson at the 59-second mark of the first period. It was the last lead the Caps would enjoy on the evening. Wayne Dillon tied it for New York at 6:47 with Steve Vickers and Rod Gilbert assisting. Ron Greschner's power play goal-also from Vickers and Gilbert-gave the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead. With just over three minutes remaining in the first, Gerry Meehan scored a power play goal for the Caps to knot the score. Yvon Labre beat Davidson at the buzzer, but the goal was disallowed as the puck crossed the line after time had expired. The Rangers started rolling in the second. Assisted by Vickers and Nick Beverley, Rod Gilbert gave New York a 3-2 lead with his goal at 3:19. Six minutes later, Gilbert returned the favor, setting up Vickers to make it 4-2. One minute after Vickers' goal, Billy Fairbairn scored for New York and the rout was on. Vickers potted his second of the game to make it 6-2 before Stewart's second brought the Capitals within three. With New York holding a 5-on-3 advantage, Phil Esposito scored. Vickers picked up his fourth assist of the night on the play. The Rangers opened the third with a 7-3 lead and opened the scoring in the period when Pat Hickey tallied at 1:13. Jack Lynch scored on a Washington power play to make it 8-4, and the Caps were done for the night. Rick Middleton scored at 12:02 and Vickers completed the hat trick-and notched his seventh point of the night-exactly three minutes later. Hickey's second of the game closed out the scoring and gave the Rangers a lopsided victory. Vickers' seven-point performance was the greatest individual output registered in a single game against the Caps at the time. Wayne Gretzky had a seven-assist night against Washington in 1980 to equal Vickers' feat, and the Stastny brothers-Anton and Peter-each notched eight points against Washington in a 1981 game. The Rangers joined the NHL in 1926-27, and never before or since Vickers' performance against the Caps has any Ranger managed a seven-point game.

Bears Finish Weekend on Winning Note in Rochester

2013-02-18T00:45:00+00:00

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Philipp Grubauer made 35 saves and Ryan Potulny scored a shorthanded goal to kick-start the HERSHEY BEARS offense in a 4-1 victory over the Rochester Americans on Sunday afternoon at the Blue Cross Arena. The game started out...

Marlies Snap Bears Seven-Game Point Streak

2013-02-17T22:46:00+00:00

TORONTO, Ontario – Drew MacIntyre made 17 saves for his first win in his first appearance with the Toronto Marlies, a 2-1 decision over the HERSHEY BEARS on Saturday afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies were handed the first power play of t...

This Date in Caps History - February 17

2013-02-17T05:01:00+00:00

On February 17, 1989 Washington put an 8-2 thumping on the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton. Washington wasted no time in getting started. Mike Ridley beat Edmonton's Grant Fuhr just 30 seconds into the contest for his 30th goal of the season. Forty-three seconds later, Bengt Gustafsson's 16th of the year made it 2-0, Caps. Geoff Courtnall notched his 29th at 12:56 to complete the first period scoring. The Caps outshot the Oilers by a margin of 18-8. Washington continued its domination in the second. Jim Thomson's second of the year came at 10:39. Lou Franceschetti followed with his sixth at 13:52 and Rod Langway's second of the season came at 19:15. The Caps carried a 6-0 lead into the second intermission, having outshot Edmonton 8-4 in the second. Steve Leach scored washington's seventh unanswered goal at 3:16 of the third. Edmonton's Esa Tikkanen broke the shutout spell of Caps netminder Pete Peeters with a pair of goals - the first at 7:29 and the second at 8:54. Ridley netted his second of the night at 18:53 to close out the scoring. It was Washington's lone power play tally of the evening; the first seven were all scored at even strength. The Caps outshot the Oilers 8-7 in the third and 34-19 on the night. Mike Ridley earned first star honors with a pair of goals and an assist. Gustafsson was the number two star with a goal and a helper. Scott Stevens had an assist and earned the third star designation. Langway had a goal, an assist and a plus-four rating for the game.

Bulldogs Come Back to Defeat Bears in Shootout

2013-02-16T07:36:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Ryan Stoa scored a pair of first-period power play goals while Peter LeBlanc and Garrett Stafford set them both up, but the Hamilton Bulldogs battled back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the HERSHEY BEARS in a shootout, 3-2, on Friday ...

This Date in Caps History - February 16

2013-02-16T05:01:00+00:00

On February 16 1975, the Washington Capitals blanked the Kansas City Scouts 3-0 in front of a crowd of 14,214 at the Capital Centre in Landover. It was the first shutout in the team’s brief history. Stan Gilbertson got Washington on the board with a goal at 12:55 of the first period. Ron Jones and Mike Marson assisted. The goal was Gilbertson’s first as a Capital; he came to Washington from the Blues less than a week earlier along with Ace Bailey in the deal that sent Denis Dupere to St. Louis. At 18:35, Marson scored a power play goal to make it 2-0. Mike Bloom and Gilbertson assisted on Marson’s goal. Washington managed 13 shots on Kansas City’s Denis Herron while the Scouts had 13 of their own against the Caps’ Ron Low. The Capitals made it 3-0 on a goal by Ace Bailey at 7:53. Gord Brooks and Tommy Williams assisted on the Bailey goal. Bailey’s goal was also his first since coming to Washington. Each team had a dozen second period shots on goal. The Caps outshot the Scouts 11-7 in the scoreless third period and 36-32 on the night. Low authored the first shutout in franchise history. The win was Washington’s third straight on home ice and gave the club a 2-2 mark in its four games since head scout Red Sullivan took over behind the bench. It raised the Capitals’ overall record to 6-47-5. The win came one night after the Caps suffered their 30th straight road loss in a 7-1 shellacking to the Blues in St. Louis. Low was pulled after surrendering four goals in the first nine minutes of the third period of the loss in St. Louis. “I felt lousy at St. Louis,” Low told the Washington Star-News after the shutout win over the Scouts. “Tonight, it wasn’t like I felt so good. I just felt like I do when I don’t feel lousy. I was grateful they played me right away rather than letting me sit around and mope about the other game.” The loss mathematically eliminated Washington from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

This Date in Caps History - February 15

2013-02-15T05:01:00+00:00

On February 15, 1976, the Capitals recorded their sixth win of the season, an 8-5 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings at the Capital Centre. Yvon Labre got the Capitals on the board first with a goal at 4:07 of the first period. Harvey Bennett and Gerry Meehan picked up the assists on Labre's goal. Detroit knotted the score at 1-1 on Nick Libett's goal at 16:25 of the first. Washington fired 10 shots at Detroit netminder Eddie Giacomin while the Wings responded with 11 against Capitals goaltender Ron Low. Washington grabbed a 2-1 lead at 3:22 of the second frame when Jean Lemieux scored a 4-on-4 goal with help from Ron Lalonde and Ace Bailey. Just over a minute after Lemieux's goal, the two clubs were playing with three skaters a side when Detroit's Bill Hogaboam scored to tie the game again. The Wings took a 3-2 lead on Bill Lochead's goal at 10:13. The see-sawing continued at 11:54 of the second when Meehan scored his first Capital Centre goal to tie the game at 3-3. Bennett and Jack Lynch gained helpers on the Meehan tally. Detroit's Dan Maloney gave the Wings the lead again at 16:02 when he beat Low. The Wings outshot the Caps 9-7 in the second period. Lemieux netted his second of the game on a power play at 3:01 of the third to draw Washington even at 4-4. Hartland Monahan and Bailey were credited with the assists on the second Lemieux goal. Lemieux became just then second Washington defenseman to score two goals in a game. Just eight seconds after the Caps tied the game, they took the lead on Nelson Pyatt's 22nd goal of the season. Mike Lampman picked up the lone assist on Pyatt's goal, which tied Tommy Williams' team record for goals in a season. The Lemieux and Pyatt goals were also the fastest two goals in Caps franchise history. At 7:38 of the final period, Bennett put the Caps up by two at 6-4. He was helped by Lemieux and Bob Paradise. When Ron Lalonde scored on a Bob Sirois setup at 14:06 of the third, it appeared that the Caps had matters well in hand. But Detroit's J.P. LeBlanc scored at 15:03 to pull the Wings within two with just under five minutes remaining. With 42 seconds remaining. Meehan removed all doubt when he took a Blair Stewart feed and deposited the puck into the vacant Detroit net. Detroit outshot the Caps 14-11 in the third period and 34-28 on the evening.

This Date in Caps History - February 14

2013-02-14T05:01:00+00:00

On February 14, 1997 the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-4 in overtime before a sellout crowd of 18,130 at USAir Arena. Mike Eagles' first goal of the season got the Caps started at 1:59 of the first period. Steve Konowalchuk's 11th goal of the season gave the Caps a 2-0 lead at 17:05. Lee than a minute later, former Cap Dino Ciccarelli halved the Washington lead with his 21st goal of the season. Each team had 10 shots on goal in the first period. The Capitals struck for a pair of power play goals in the second period. Peter Bondra scored his 35th of the season at 5:56 and Andrew Brunette netted his third at 12:29. The Caps outshot Tampa Bay 8-4 in the middle period. The Lightning came out hard in the third and got on the board quickly on John Cullen's 14th goal at the 39-second mark. Former Cap Bill Houlder scored at 13:36 to pull the Bolts to within one and Paul Ysebaert's power play goal at 14:59 knotted the score and sent the game to overtime. The Lightning outshot Washington by an 11-4 margin in the third period. The Capitals got the only two shots on goal of the overtime period and made good on the second one when Konowalchuk pumped his second goal of the game past Bolts netminder Rick Tabaracci, who had come on in relief of starter Daren Puppa midway through the second stanza. Despite giving up the three third-period goals, Jim Carey was credited with the win for Washington.

Bears Grab Hard-Earned Point in Shootout Loss to Admirals

2013-02-11T14:30:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Ryan Potulny led the way with two third-period goals and helped the HERSHEY BEARS storm back from three goals down to earn a point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday evening at GIANT Center. The Admirals gra...

Taffe, DiSalvatore Help Bears Power Past Senators

2013-02-10T03:19:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Jeff Taffe and Jon DiSalvatore combined for two goals and three assists, and Philipp Grubauer made 23 saves to help the HERSHEY BEARS skate to a 4-3 win over the Binghamton Senators on Saturday night at GIANT Center. The BEARS ea...

Bears Skate to Shootout Win in Cleveland

2013-02-06T06:44:00+00:00

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Dany Sabourin turned aside four of five Lake Erie Monsters shooters, and stopped 35 shots through 65 minutes of play to help the HERSHEY BEARS skate to a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena. It took all of 42 ...

Penguins Win Another Overtime Battle Against Bears

2013-02-04T14:26:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Chad Kolarik scored a power-play goal with just over 10 seconds left in overtime, sending the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 2-1 victory over the HERSHEY BEARS on Sunday afternoon at GIANT Center. Goaltender Dany Sabourin, w...

Bears Fire Away and Defeat Monarchs

2013-02-03T03:43:00+00:00

HERSHEY, Pa. – Mike Carman factored into all of the HERSHEY BEARS scoring, assisting on goals by Barry Almeida and the game-winner by Cameron Schilling in a 2-1 victory over the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday night at GIANT Center. Having not ...

Pumpkin Carving with Slapshot

2012-11-01T17:58:50+00:00

	Pumpkin Carving with Slapshot Slapshot went head-to-head with a world renowned Jack-O-Lantern carver. Find out who won the title as "World's Greatest Pumpkin Carver." For more videos on t...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 304 5 ratings
	Time: 02:55	More in Sports

USA Warriors Ice Hockey at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

2012-09-14T19:36:28+00:00

	USA Warriors Ice Hockey at Kettler Capitals Iceplex The USA Warriors came to KCI for a sled hockey game and a game against the US Lawmakers. Caps Matt Hendricks was there to drop the ceremonial first puck. For...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 307 4 ratings
	Time: 03:53	More in Sports

Mike Ribeiro Press Conference

2012-07-17T17:01:10+00:00

	Mike Ribeiro Press Conference Caps forward Mike Ribeiro addresses the media for the first time as a member of the Washington Capitals. For more videos on the Washington Capitals visit Cap...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 1518 10 ratings
	Time: 11:15	More in Sports

Adam Oates' Introductory Press Conference

2012-06-28T17:14:01+00:00

	Adam Oates' Introductory Press Conference Watch George McPhee, Dick Patrick and Ted Leonsis introduce Adam Oates as Washington Capitals head coach. For more videos on the Washington Capitals visit Ca...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 1056 10 ratings
	Time: 28:22	More in Sports

Alex Ovechkin and Jason Chimera make Robert's Wish Come True

2012-03-27T22:09:05+00:00

	Alex Ovechkin and Jason Chimera make Robert's Wish Come True Robert is a Make-A-Wish recipient and his wish was to come to a Caps game and meet the star players. After the NY Islanders game on Feb. 28, his wish came tr...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 3074 17 ratings
	Time: 03:22	More in Sports

Thurgood Marshall Elementary Adopted School Tour

2012-03-04T17:48:06+00:00

	Thurgood Marshall Elementary Adopted School Tour Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward takes a tour of Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, this year's Caps Care adopted school, to see the new improvements....	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 623 2 ratings
	Time: 02:31	More in Sports

Caps Roommates: John Carlson & Karl Alzner

2012-02-12T05:18:45+00:00

	Caps Roommates: John Carlson & Karl Alzner On this episode of Caps Roommates, we watch Washington Capitals players John Carlson and Karl Alzner from the road in Raleigh, NC on an off-day before taking...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 4800 22 ratings
	Time: 05:23	More in Sports

Caps Breakaway - Most Likely to be on Dancing with the Stars

2011-12-23T23:23:00+00:00

	Caps Breakaway - Most Likely to be on Dancing with the Stars	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 1492 7 ratings
	Time: 02:24	More in Sports

Monumental Sports & Entertainment: Family-To-Family Program

2011-12-20T23:19:27+00:00

	Monumental Sports & Entertainment: Family-To-Family Program Players from the Monumental Sports & Entertainment family (Washington Capitals, Mystics, Wizards) deliver gifts to families in need in the Washington D.C. ar...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 301 0 ratings
	Time: 02:04	More in Sports

Dale Hunter's First Press Conference

2011-12-13T02:52:27+00:00

	Dale Hunter's First Press Conference The Washington Capitals named Dale Hunter the 15th coach in team history on November 28, 2011. Watch his first press conference as the former Capitals forwar...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 526 5 ratings
	Time: 12:58	More in Sports

Washington Capitals at the Capital Area Food Bank

2011-11-27T01:50:58+00:00

	Washington Capitals at the Capital Area Food Bank Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson joined Slapshot, CSN's Alan May, Mix 107.3's Chilli Amar & Caps fans at the Capital Area Food Bank helping feed t...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 670 1 ratings
	Time: 03:04	More in Sports

Cody Eakin First Goal Shaving Cream Pie'ing

2011-11-16T00:57:03+00:00

	Cody Eakin First Goal Shaving Cream Pie'ing Washington Capitals Forward Cody Eakin gets a massive shaving cream pie to the face after scoring his first NHL goal. For more videos on the Washington Capit...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 3451 10 ratings
	Time: 00:28	More in Sports

Brooks Laich and Joel Ward Joke in Vancouver

2011-10-28T23:15:56+00:00

	Brooks Laich and Joel Ward Joke in Vancouver Washington Capitals players Brooks Laich and Joel Ward joke with one another during an interview at Rogers Arena about Laich not passing to Ward during a 2 o...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 4944 7 ratings
	Time: 00:50	More in Sports

Caps Breakaway - Least Likely Player to Join Twitter

2011-10-25T16:16:55+00:00

	Caps Breakaway - Least Likely Player to Join Twitter	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 2024 14 ratings
	Time: 01:31	More in Sports

Caps Breakaway - Best/Worst Road Roommate

2011-10-18T21:40:57+00:00

	Caps Breakaway - Best/Worst Road Roommate On the first episode of Caps Breakaway, the guys on the Washington Capitals talk about the best and worst guy to have as a roommate on the road on the team. ...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 3266 23 ratings
	Time: 02:01	More in Sports

Flashes of Hope with Jason Chimera and Brooks Laich

2011-10-15T17:13:08+00:00

	Flashes of Hope with Jason Chimera and Brooks Laich Washington Capitals players Brooks Laich and Jason Chimera teamed up with Flashes of Hope and the Washington Capitals to bring children to Kettler Capitals I...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 1431 22 ratings
	Time: 04:11	More in Sports

Washington Capitals Players and Season-Tickets Holders at Six Flags

2011-10-07T14:26:23+00:00

	Washington Capitals Players and Season-Tickets Holders at Six Flags	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 2293 10 ratings
	Time: 03:06	More in Sports

Jason Chimera Joins Nicklas Backstrom's Media Scrum

2011-10-05T18:12:41+00:00

	Jason Chimera Joins Nicklas Backstrom's Media Scrum	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 2237 18 ratings
	Time: 00:20	More in Sports

Mathieu Perreault with Rooftop Hockey

2011-10-05T17:31:58+00:00

	Mathieu Perreault with Rooftop Hockey Washington Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault skates with the players from Rooftop Hockey League at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. For more videos on the Washingt...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 1337 6 ratings
	Time: 02:47	More in Sports

Alex Ovechkin Gets a Birthday Shaving Cream Pie to the Face

2011-10-04T20:12:23+00:00

	Alex Ovechkin Gets a Birthday Shaving Cream Pie to the Face Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin gets a shaving cream pie to the face after a press conference. For more videos on the Washington Capitals visit Caps365: http:...	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 4264 10 ratings
	Time: 00:33	More in Sports

Alex Ovechkin, MVP and more

2009-01-18T22:36:28+00:00

	Alex Ovechkin, MVP and more Alex Ovechkin video feature from Washington Capitals game entertainment.	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 2903 19 ratings
	Time: 03:49	More in Sports

The Goal

2009-01-08T21:04:27+00:00

	The Goal	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 3802 19 ratings
	Time: 05:38	More in Sports

2008-09 In-Game Intro

2008-10-14T19:22:27+00:00

	2008-09 In-Game Intro The Caps Rock the Red in the 2008-09 in game opening.	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 15673 44 ratings
	Time: 01:28	More in Sports

Ovechkin Skates with Crazy 8's Kids

2008-09-24T20:53:41+00:00

	Ovechkin Skates with Crazy 8's Kids Caps forward Alex Ovechkin skated with nearly 100 kids for his Crazy 8's Clinic.	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 62859 97 ratings
	Time: 03:41	More in Sports

Hits of the Year 2007-2008

2008-05-01T14:33:25+00:00

	Hits of the Year 2007-2008 The best hits of the Washington Capitals 2007-2008 season.	From: WashingtonCapitals Views: 53058 108 ratings
	Time: 01:27	More in Sports