Today’s Game: Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators

Game Time: 7:00 PM. Tonight the Washington Capitals Verizon Center is playing host to the Ottawa Senators. Currently on a four game streak (coming back from a five game losing streak), the Senators are gaining both confidence and momentum as they prepare to take on the Caps tonight and close out the Capitals’ season series. Hoping to bounce back from Sunday’s sloppy game, Washington (49-15-11) will skate towards sercuring its first President’s Trophy and their 50th win. “You just put that one behind you and live for the next day,” forward Mike Knuble said. “It’s no indication of anything. It’s just one of those games you’re probably due for. It’s probably good for us at this point.”

Thankfully tonight is the last game this season against a Canadian opponent, whom the Caps are 6-5-3 against this season. The Caps need to come out firing and not let up, as Ottawa is 2-27-1 when trailing after 2 periods. (RTR.net)

After being pulled 3 goals, and 10 shots, in the first period Sunday’s game, Jose Theodore will be back in the net. And, if the games are anything like they have been at the Verizon Center previously, the Senators will have a tough time handeling our high-powered offensive plays.

The Senators are 2-1-0 overall against the Capitals this season and have held Washington’s league-leading power play without a goal in eight chances. However, Ottawa has allowed 37 goals — nine by Ovechkin — while losing seven straight at the Verizon Center. (ESPN)

Ottawa’s penalty killers are ranked 6th in the NHL, so a good chunk of the game will center around Washington’s power play unit, ranked 1st. Ovechkin is sure to play a hand in this game as well, after reaching his 100 points during Sunday’s game. Currently second in the NHL standings for points and goals (46),  Alex is sure to bring his hard-hitting energy and offensive leadership to the game and give the Sens a difficult defensive situation and little time for offensive plays.

Where Ottawa lacks offensively, they more than make up for defensively. In their last four games, Brian Elliott has stopped 116 of 120 shots. His goaltending is incredible, as he has gone 17-6-0 with a 2.09 goals-against average in his last 25 outings. Despite a 4.13 GAA, Elliott is 3-0-0 in four starts against Washington.

Will the Caps bring the fury tonight? Of course they will! Tune in at 7PM to Comcast Sportsnet to see how it all goes down and make sure to follow our twitter for game updates: http://twitter.com/CapsGoaltending

The Caps vs. The Flames: Post Game Wrap Up

Sunday’s game left many Caps fan with the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths. The Washington Capitals, for the third game in a row, were still unable to clinch their 50th win of the season. Washington fans may have underestimated the drive of the Calgary Flames – who, as you may or may not recall are fighting for a spot in the playoffs – after they were shutout by the Boston Bruins the previous night. The Flames came out roaring hot, slamming 4 goals into the net of Jose Theodore (in the first 10 minutes of the game, mind you) before he was pulled out and replaced by Varlamov. To Jose’s defense, it didn’t look as though the Caps defensive line was too awake during the first period at all.

In fact, Caps fans booed the team as they made their way to the locker room after the first. The Verizon Center fans have only witnessed 9 losses at home this entire season and their team is #1 in the NHL; while it’s true the 1st period was perhaps the worst the Capitals have played the entire season, the jeering from the crowd was extremely unnecessary.

The team seemed to wake up for the second and third period, but it was just too late. The final score left the Caps short by just 2 points: 

5-3 , Flames.

The good news of the game was that for the fourth time in his last five seasons, Alexander Ovechkin reached his 100 point mark. The bad, as RockTheRed.net points out, is that three of the Flames’ goals were scored as result of a goalie deflection. Some were bad luck, some were on defensive meltdowns. Either way, they need to be ironed out before to long.

For game highlights, check out capitals.nhl.com. Courtesy of 1067 the Fan, we have a period-by-period breakdown of the game. Check it out after the jump.

Why Jose Theodore Is the Caps’ Playoff Answer

Bleacher Report recently posted an article about why Jose Thedore is more appropriate as the starter goalie during the playoffs for the Washington Capitals:

Theodore has performed exceptionally in big games as well, showing he can play under the pressure that cracked him last year. He had a season-high 46 saves in a 3-2 win over Detroit. He made 38 saves in a 6-3 win over archrival Pittsburgh on Jan. 20 and 35 in a win over the Pens on Feb. 7.

Theodore shut out the New York Rangers 2-0 on March 6, and he also came off the bench in a 5-4 OT win against Florida. After Varlamov let in four goals, Theodore came in and didn’t allow any more goals as the Greatest Show on Ice came back and won the game.

Theodore had a brilliant performance against Sidney Crosby and the Pens for the third time. He made 39 saves in the 4-3 shootout win against the Penguins and swept the season series.

Even more brilliant was his clutch shootout performance. After allowing two goals to fall down 2-0 in the shootout, Theodore met the task and didn’t allow a goal after Crosby’s. Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Mike Knuble scored three straight to win it in round four.

Give us your opinion: Do you think Varly or Theo should be the Washington Capitals’  playoff answer? To read the entire article, click here.

Today’s Game: Washington Capitals vs. Calgary Flames

Game Time: 3:00PM. As the Caps skate closer to clinching home-ice advantage throughout the postseason, the Calgary Flames are doing all they can to avoid being eliminated from the playoff all together. Having lost two games in a row, the Flames are hoping to keep their postseason hopes alive as they try for a rare road win over the Capitals this afternoon.

With a win tonight,  the Capitals will win the regular season Eastern Conference title for the first time in franchise history.  The Capitals also have their sights set on the President’s Cup (most points in the NHL for the regular season) which they currently lead by 7 points over San Jose.  For the Caps Jose Theodore (27-7-6, 2.76 GAA, .912 sv. pct.) will be in goal.  Jose is 17-0-2 since January 13th and has put a tight grip on the starting playoff goaltender spot for the Capitals.  Also the Caps they will be without Walker (knee), Laich (face), Gordon (back), Morrison (strain), Morrisonn (wisdom teeth), Mathieu Perreault has been recalled(emergency) and will play with Fehr and Chimera.  For the Flames, who lost 5-0 in Boston last night, they will start Mikka Kiprusoff (32-25-9, 2.27 GAA, .921 sv. pct) in goal.  The Flames are 9th in the Western Conference and are falling out of the playoff picture. (1067 the fan)

For real time game info, follow us on Twitter @CapsGoaltenders.

Bruce Boudreau Pre-Game

Washington Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau speaks before the game against the Flames.

Check out the interview here!