DC Pro Sports Report for May 8, 2009

The Nats big bats power the team to an upset win in Los Angeles, the Caps are angry at the refs and Canadians, the Redskins are getting advice from Mike Holmgren, Brendan Haywood sounds off about a lot of things and the DC United are looking for a home. But first, our top story.

TOP STORY

Our top story is the Capitals going into this weekend with 2 games to play over the next 2 nights and nursing a fragile 2-1 lead in their best of 7 series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The series has become chippy, with players getting physical on the ice and the Caps complaining about lousy treatment from the officials. Oh, and we also have our first death threat of the series. Read Red Alert, DC Pro Sports Report’s daily rundown of all Caps news.

REDSKINS

1. The Redskins signed WR Keith Aloi and cut P Zac Aterberry, leading me to wonder: Who the hell are these people? Read it.

2. WR Devin Thomas, who did absolutely nothing to justify his draft position last year, says he’s going to make a real impact this season. We’ll see. He can start by getting healthy and into football shape. That’d be a nice change. Read it.

3. Retired [for now] coach Mike Holmgren likes QB Jason Campbell and thinks the Redskins should stick with him. Smart man. Read it.

4. SS Chris Horton was the only good news out of the draft last season and he’s now looking to build on his rookie success. Read it.

5. Head Coach Jim Zorn thinks the offense is progressing quicker this year. Of course, outrunning a glacier isn’t all that difficult. Read it.

6. DT Albert Haynesworth’s new teammates are impressed. Read it.

CAPITALS

1. Crazy-ass Pittsburgh fan makes death threats against Alex Ovechkin. Read it.

2. Head Coach Bruce Boudreau and GM George McPhee sound off on what they believe is poor officiating in the Caps-Pens series. Are fines coming? Read it.

3. McPhee is actually very annoyed by the officiating. Read it.

4. A bigger problem than officiating [in my opinion] was the way the Caps allowed the Pens to dominate possession of the puck and maintain almost constant pressure on Goalie Simeon VarLAmov. Read it.

5. The schedule is about to get tough for the Caps and Pens. Read it.

6. The bad news for the Caps: Evgeni Malkin is back. Read it.

7. The Post examines the roads traveled by Bruce Boudreau and Pens coach Dan Bylsma. Read it.

8. The Penguins are pretty confident going into game 4. Read it.

9. The Caps are very annoyed at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Read it.

NATIONALS

1. The Nationals defeated the LA Dodgers 11-9 last night, ending LA’s 13-game home winning streak in their first game without suspended slugger Manny Ramirez. Rookie P Jordan Zimmerman gave up a grand slam and 6 runs in the first inning, but then settled in and shut down the Dodgers over the next 5 innings. Meanwhile, the Nats fought back offensively. Nick Johnson and Adam Dunn each had 2 hits and 3 RBI, while Ryan Zimmerman scored 2 runs and extending his consecutive game hitting streak to 25. Anderson Hernandez added 3 hits of his own and it was enough to hold on despite the pathetic bullpen giving up 3 runs in the final 2 innings. Read it. And the box
score.

2. If you’re concerned because the Nationals are on a pace to lose over 200 games this year, Phil Wood says don’t worry because pace don’t mean squat. Read it.

3. The Nats continue to tinker with their godawful bullpen. Lefty Mike Hinckley is sent down and former Red Ron Villone is called up. Read it.

WIZARDS

1. Brendan Haywood chatted online at ESPN yesterday. Here are edited highlights:

Shawn (NY): What are the Wizards biggest needs this off-season?

Brendan Haywood: I think our biggest need is a backup power forward and a magic wand that will help everybody stay healthy.

Dolph (Arlington, VA): Brendan, if you were GM of the Wizards who would you draft with the #1 overall pick and why?

Brendan Haywood: I think if your a GM for the Wizards, you would have to go with Blake Griffin. He’s someone that can get physical and play hard. In the future he is somebody that can lead a team.
…
CL Arlington VA: When you’re back on the court this fall, what can you do to help the younger big guys (Blatche, McGee) with trapping up top but still getting back on their guy in the post, something you’ve gotten quite good at?

Brendan Haywood: Both those guys have the skill but it come down to being in shape and wanting to do it. It’s nothing I can do to help them, they have to what to do it on their own.

Justin Behling (Boyceville, WI): Do you see the Wizards getting back into playoff contention next season with a healthy lineup?

Brendan Haywood: If we’re healthy then we will be one the top 4-5 teams in the East. It’s not a question if we will make the playoffs, it’s what seed we are going to be.