Washington Capitals

Holtby could lead Caps against Bruins

April 10, 2012

Caps goalie Braden Holtby has played just 21 regular season games in his short career.

Now, he's the Capitals' probable game one starter when they open their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, where he could make his first career playoff start on Thursday.

Oh by the way, he's facing the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins...in Boston. At just 22-years-old, Holtby will be the youngest goaltender to start for any team in the 2012 playoffs. Welcome to the big show kid.

The reason the Caps could have to turn to the youngster is due to injuries to both veteran starter Tomas Vokoun and backup Michal Neuvirth, who played very well down the s...

Caps clinch spot in 2012 Playoffs

April 6, 2012

Mike Dusak

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They waited until game 81, but the Washington Capitals will be going to the NHL playoffs for the fifth-straight year thanks to a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers and a Buffalo Sabres loss at Philadelphia.

The old saying, "It wasn't pretty," doesn't even come close to describe the '11-12 Capitals road to the playoffs.

There were injuries to Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom, a so-called down year for superstar captain Alex Ovechkin and the firing of a coach mid-season.

When the dust settled after Thursday night, the Capitals find themselves a win and a Florida loss away from the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Biza...

Panthers clinch playoff spot for first time since 2000

April 6, 2012

Hockeybroad

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Everybody was making jokes at the Panthers' expense last summer. There were the Dale Tallon jokes, with the Florida GM filling out the roster with great speed, and sizeable contracts. As free agency opened, the league looked on in awe as Florida announced signing after signing. There was the roster, filled with players that most hockey fans across the league were ready to dismiss as a laughable collection of misfits who didn't seem to fit in anywhere else. By the time training camp opened, half the roster had been turned over, and the team was being led by a first-year NHL coach.

Most people thought the Panthers would be lucky if they could claw themselves a few spots h...

Final Week Final Thoughts

April 2, 2012

NickSymon

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Heading into one of the better weeks in sports as the NHL regular season winds down and playoff spots are finalized, I thought I would give some thoughts on the season and things I look forward to heading into the playoffs.

A Minute with Bill Clement

March 31, 2012

Matt Bernot

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One of the most distinctive voices in all of hockey belongs to CSN-Philly color analyst Bill Clement. His “Clementisms” such as “twine seeking missile” are favorite sayings among anyone who listens to him call a game.

Recently however, Clement is making headlines for another reason; he recently released a book titled “EveryDay Leadership” about his personal views on leadership and how it can help people be more successful.

Caps face uphill playoff battle following 5-1 loss to Sabres

March 28, 2012

Mike Dusak

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To say that Tuesday's 5-1 shellacking the Buffalo Sabres gave the Washington Capitals was embarrassing would be an understatement.

To say that it happened with the eight seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs on the line and at home? Unacceptable.

The Sabres' sixth-straight win was more than convincing. They looked like a team ready for the playoffs. They looked like a team hungry to get into the playoffs. They looked like a team that wants to get into the playoffs.

Washington, on the other hand, squandered a chance to put themselves two points ahead of Buffalo with a so-called must-win home game. A win would...

Caps tame Wild, jump back into 8th in East

March 25, 2012

Mike Dusak

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A day after being sent out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture by the Buffalo Sabres, the Washington Capitals responded with one of their best performances of the year to leap back into the playoff picture.

Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist, Braden Holtby made __ saves, as the Capitals shut out the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Sunday night.

But the captain's best play of the night was a defensive one, when he nullified a short-handed chance for the Wild with a sliding breakup of a Mikko Koivu pass on a two-on-one for the Wild.

After a scoreless first period in which the Caps squandered two powerplay chances, the offense awoke in the s...

Ovechkin scores twice, Caps hold off Wings late 5-3

March 19, 2012

Mike Dusak

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Alex Ovechkin decided it was his turn to step up.

The Washington Capitals captain scored twice and lead by example on the road as his Capitals held on to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Monday night at Joe Louis Arena.

Beating the Red Wings at the Joe hasn't been easy this season. The Wings have won 28 of 34 games at home this season, but a three-goal first period fueled the playoff-desperate Caps past the battered Wings, who are still without captain Nicklas Lidstrom.

The Caps entered the nights action as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The win gives the Caps 80 points, four ahead of idle Winnipeg (who has a g...

Falling Wings Look To Capitalize At Home

March 19, 2012

A.K. Bennett

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The Red Wings return home to face off against the Washington Capitals at 7:30 PM tonight. The injuries continue to mount for Detroit as Johan Franzen (back spasms) and Darren Helm (MCL sprain) have joined several others on the injured list. Detroit's Central Division title hopes are fading quickly and now the focus is on keeping a lead over Nashville for the 4th seed and home ice advantage in the first round.

Washington is battling Florida for the Southeast title and its possible the division winner will be the only team from the Southeast to make it into the playoffs. The Caps are 8th in the East and currently 5 points back of Florida and 2 points ahead of division rival Wi...

Blackhawks continue to tune up for playoffs against Capitals

March 18, 2012

Maggie Avila

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In their only meeting of the regular season this year the Blackhawks will take on the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have not had the kind of year that is normal for them and have struggled along with their superstar Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin still is leading him team in points with 53 29 goals and 24 assists.

The Capitals (36-29-6) are currently hanging onto eighth place in the east with the Winnipeg Jets breathing down their necks in the ninth spot only just two points behind. The Capitals also are coming off of a 3-2 loss to the Jets. So the Capitals come into this game desperately wanting to win and collect points to stay ahead in last playoff spot.

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