Thank you Atlanta Thrashers for losing tonight. With the loss, the Washington Capitals have now won the Southeast Division for the third consecutive year!
The Washington Capitals defeated the pesky Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in overtime on a game winning goal by Tomas Fleischmann. Flash's goal was fed by Eric Belanger who took the puck at center ice, moved toward the net, then made a nice side pass to Flash who hit it home for the game winner.
Once again, the Caps took little time to get on the board with Alexander Semin scoring a little over 2 minutes into the game to give the Caps a 1-0 lead. Sixteen minutes later, Mike Green scored his first of two on the night on the Washington power play to give the Capitals a 2-0 lead. 18 seconds later, Carolina's Pat Dwyer scored to pull the 'Canes to within 1 at the end of the first intermission.
Tuomo Ruutu scored near the 9 minute mark into the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Mike Green scored his second of the game in the second period, again on the Capos power play, a bomb from the point, to give the Caps a 3-2 lead. Less than 4 minutes later Jussi Jokinen struck and tied the game at 3-3 to end the second period.
Despite 23 shots on goal, in which the Caps out shot the 'Canes 13-10, there was no scoring in the third period. Jose Theodore wins his third straight stopping 28 of 31 shots on goal.
Washington finished the game 2 for 4 on the power play and the penalty kill unit, struggling recently, killed 4 of 5 Carolina opportunities.
Just a few weeks ago, D Joe Corvo and F Scott Walker were trying to stay enthusiastic and energetic on a struggling, aging Carolina Hurricane team that was in last place, holding up the rest of the Eastern Conference. A few weeks later, Corvo and Walker are are sailing toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the best team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals. At 97 standing points, the Capitals sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 13 point lead over Pittsburgh and a whopping 31 point lead in the Southeast Division. Wins tonight and tomorrow can clinch a third straight Southeast Division title for Washington.
But it is not just the change in scenery for Corvo and Walker. The Carolina Hurricanes shipped out 5 veterans, got a lot younger and have embarked on a youth movement, while at the same time, climbing out of the Conference cellar and just sitting 9 points out of the final 8th playoff spot.
So what does it mean? It means the Capitals will be facing a team that is desperate for any points. One point. Both points. Regardless, the Caps will not be facing a Carolina team that once was looking at each game as hopeless emotion. But for Walker and Corvo, it is also a golden opportunity to shine right before their former teammates. Walker was a healthy scratch last game. Rest assured, Walker will be in the lineup tonight. It also marks the return of Brian Pothier, dealt to Carolina for Corvo, to Washington.
Talking goalies . . . There has been a ton of talk about Semyon Varlamov and his recent struggles. Indeed, Varly has struggled since returning from a long injury layoff. However, don't read too much into it. Put it this way, it is good for him to work out the kinks and rust now, 13 points up in the Eastern Conference, than later, in the playoffs.
Before his injury, Varly was an impressive 12-1-2 for the season. In his three games since returning he is 1-1-1. Varly has faced 83 shots on goal and saved 70 of them for an unimpressive save percentage of .843. The Caps defense has not been overly impressive since the return from the Olympic break, but I will not use that as an excuse for Varly. Varly has left several softies through the net, period. Excuses won't help the young Russian net minder.
Let there be no doubt though, right now, at this point, #60, Jose Theodore, is the best goalie on this team, and in the last two months, one of the best net minders in the NHL. Overall, Theo is 22-7-6 with a GAA of 2.79 and a save percentage of .910. Since the new year arrived, Theo has posted a record of 13-1-2. 10 of the 14 consecutive wins during the long winning streak came with Theo in net. Since January 1, Theo has saved 451 of 487 shots for a save percentage of .926. He has been red hot in his first two games in March, posting a 2-0 record, .981 save percentage, and his first shutout of the season.
However, the Caps have to continue to balance goal tending play. The more balance there is, the fresher Theodore will be come playoffs. In addition, Varly must have his opportunities so he can get his game back on track.
Leave Varly be. He will return to form. Believe in varly.
Check out Storming the Crease for a more in depth look at the Caps goal tending.
The Washington Capitals have signed their 2008 second round draft pick Dmitri Kugryshev to a three year entry deal.
Kugryshev played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) this season for the Quebec Remparts and put together a nice season. He fiished 5th overall in the QMJHL with 83 points including 28 goals and 55 assists. His 55 assists was 4th overall in the QMJHL. He was a +15 and 8 of 28 goals came on the power play.
Kugryshev is a 20 year old Caps draft pick out of Russia.
There was a ton of talk pre-trade deadline about the need of the Washington Capitals to improve their goal tending. Not here. You didn't get that here. In reality, the goalies that were available, wouldn't have been a significant upgrade enough to justify what would have likely been given up to nab either Tomas Vokoun or Tim Thomas. The deadline moves are proving to not only be popular, but have jelled nicely with the Caps.
Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov now set off to prove the trust from the Caps organization was well placed. They have done well so far, helping the Caps post a 3-0 record since the Olympic Break and trade deadline expiration. Specifically, Theodore is making the case for the full time starting role.
That's the latest in a string of strong performances that has put the 33-year-old in firm control of the No. 1 spot. The numbers since Jan. 13 -- the day Washington began a franchise-record 14-game winning streak -- are revealing. Theodore is 12-0-2 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. Over a full season, that save percentage would rank third in the NHL and the goals-against average would be tied for 10th.
Theo just looks good in Net. He looks comfortable and appears to be seeing the puck as well as he ever has since coming to Washington last season. He has made some sensational saves, moving in the net real well. Got to admit, in a weird switcharoo from late last season, I feel much more confident now, when #60 is between the pipes, than anyone else. Why? Because you just know Theo is on top of his game. To me there is little question who is the starting net minder in Washington at this point. It is $60.
Newbie D Joe Corvo is growing more comfortable and recorded his first point with the Caps against Tampa Bay. Corvo is better after his slicing injury sustained in a November game against his new club.
"He just dumped the puck in, and I just tried to finish him off, rub him out," Corvo said. "At the time, his knee was against the boards and his skate was up. My leg swung around with full force and his leg had nowhere to go because it was against the boards. His skate went all the way in, slashing everything."
Corvo, a 32-year-old native of Illinois, was rushed to nearby Rex Hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery and needed more than 100 stitches. He missed Carolina's next 28 games, and being sidelined stirred mixed emotions.
Corvo's place in Washington is going well. He is able to record good minutes, reducing Mike Green's work load, therefore keeping Green fresher.
"It's good," Green said. "If we're on the power play a lot, it tires me out a little bit, and then five on five, it's difficult to be effective defensively. It's good to have another defenseman who can step up and play some of those minutes."
Jose Theodore already made the case that the Capitals did not need to improve goal tending at the trade deadline. He is now showing the Caps their trust in him was worthy. Theo turned away all 30 Ranger shots to lead the Caps to a 2-0 win over New York, the 13th straight home win for Washington.
Washington's first goal came late in the first period with just a few seconds left in a 2 man advantage for the Caps. Eric Fehr took a pass from Tomas Fleischmann to put it under Rangers goalie Alex Auld for the 1-0 lead. Newly acquired defenseman Joe Corvo also assisted on the goal, his first point as a Capital.
The final goal came in the second period, another first for a new Washington Capital, this time Eric Belanger. The goal was created by two beautiful passes to set up Belanger's tally, started by an Alexander Semin cross ice pass to Brooks Laich who found Belanger in the middle in front of Auld and went five hole to give the Caps the 2-0 lead. Belanger's tally was the final marker of the night.
The Caps did not bring their best play tonight. This game was won in the net from sensational goalie work by Theodore, making some game saving, breath taking saves. It was one of Theo's best performances of the season. Kudos toTheo, he is the DCPSR Player of the Game.
The Caps are now 20-2 under Captain Ovechkin and have won 13 straight at home. They are now 3-0 since the Olympic Break and improve overall to 44-13-8 with 96 points, 14 ahead of second place Pittsburgh.
When you think about what all Nicklas Backstrom brings, increased goal tallies (26) and 51 assists (4th in the NHL) and a total of 77 points (4th in the NHL), you think offense. But, Nicklas Backstrom is so much more. Here it is again. Check out these two blocks. Backstrom broke his stick during a critical penalty kill, but instead chose to sacrifice the body to save the Caps.
Everyone wondered how the new Washington Capitals, obtained at the trade deadline, would mesh. How long before any impact. Answer, at least for one player, 24 hours.
Newcomer Scott Walker, obtained from Carolina for a 7th round draft pick, scored two goals, including the game winner, to help lift the Caps to their second consecutive win in as many nights, and start the post-Olympic break off at 2-0. Both Walker goals were pretty backhands in front of the net. It's called, net presence. Best thing is, Walker had a total of three goals on the season, and nearly equaled that in his Caps debut. Let's face it, there are no easy chances in Carolina. But even further, you had to love the grittiness Walker brought to the ice.
Mike Knuble also continues his hot stick, scoring two goals as well, as the Capitals downed the Lightning 5-4 at the Verizon Center. The Caps improved to 24-3-3 at home and improve to 43-13-8 on the season and hold a 14 point lead in the Eastern Conference over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Eric Fehr scored the game opening goal a little over the 6 minute mark on a nasty, Ovechkin-type slapper that went through Tampa goalie Mike Smith. Speaking of Ovechkin, he was held scoreless last night, but you can't say Ovie did not have the opportunities. Ovie had several scoring chances, some of them pretty significant, including a breakaway. The bottom line last night was --- Mike Smith just has Ovechkin's number. Tampa pest Steve Downie scored the equalizer half way through the first period. Caps out shot Tampa in the first period 14-9.
Both Knuble goals came in the second period, 6 minutes apart to put the Capitals up 3-1. They were goals 24 and 25 for Knuble, who has been the hottest Cap over the last 13 games. Since January 26th, Knuble has netted 11 goals and added 6 helpers. He has had 3 multi-goal games since that date.
Both Walker goals came in the third period, just 4 minutes apart. They were goals 4 and 5 on the season for Walker.
Semyon Varlamov nabbed the win stopping 25 of 29 shots on goal. He improves to 13-2 on the season.
Game Notes:
* Kudos and cheers to Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom was instrumental in a second period penalty onslaught, including significant time with a 2 man advantage. Backstrom broke his stick early in the two man advantage and blocked two shots, sacrificing his body. Again, he has proven, he is the ultimate gamer, period. He brings much more than just passing and points to this Caps team.
* The Caps defense failed to show up last night. However, they can't be the blame for all 4 goals allowed. Some of the goals were softies that Varlamov just has to stop. Varly did very little to give Coach Bruce Boudreau the confidence to hand him the starting job over a ever consistent growing Jose Theodore. That being said, the Caps defense simply sucked last night.
DCPSR Player(s) of the Game: MIKE KNUBLE AND SCOTT WALKER
Yesterday the Washington Capitals finished with a flourish before the trading deadline. Here, again, is what the Capitals gave up and what they got in return.
Caps Give Up: 2010 Draft: 2nd round, 6th round, and 7th round picks, 2001 Draft: 2nd round pick, veteran D Brian Pothier
Caps Acquire: F Scott Walker, F Eric Belanger, D Milan Jurcina, and D Joe Corvo
So how do you think the Capitals did? Were these the trades they needed to make for a run at Lord Stanley's cup or did they come up short, leaving themselves exposed to gritty, playoff-ready teams? Tell us what you think of the trades the Capitals made yesterday by voting in our new poll in the upper left hand side of this page. Thanks!
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Just a few weeks ago, D Joe Corvo and F Scott Walker were trying to stay enthusiastic and energetic on a struggling, aging Carolina Hurricane team that was in last place, holding up the rest of the Eastern Conference. A few weeks later, Corvo and Walker are are sailing toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the best team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals. At 97 standing points, the Capitals sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 13 point lead over Pittsburgh and a whopping 31 point lead in the Southeast Division. Wins tonight and tomorrow can clinch a third straight Southeast Division title for Washington.
Talking goalies . . . There has been a ton of talk about Semyon Varlamov and his recent struggles. Indeed, Varly has struggled since returning from a long injury layoff. However, don't read too much into it. Put it this way, it is good for him to work out the kinks and rust now, 13 points up in the Eastern Conference, than later, in the playoffs.
The Washington 
There was a ton of talk pre-trade deadline about the need of the Washington Capitals to improve their goal tending. Not here. You didn't get that here. In reality, the goalies that were available, wouldn't have been a significant upgrade enough to justify what would have likely been given up to nab either Tomas Vokoun or Tim Thomas. The deadline moves are proving to not only be popular, but have jelled nicely with the Caps.
Everyone wondered how the new Washington Capitals, obtained at the trade deadline, would mesh. How long before any impact. Answer, at least for one player, 24 hours.
Yesterday the Washington Capitals finished with a flourish before the trading deadline. Here, again, is what the Capitals gave up and what they got in return.
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 
