Sports of the Nation's Capital and the Czech Republic

The Capitals once again showed Canada that they have no relevance whatsoever to the United States. And to Washington DC. By destroying the Gay-ple Leafs, the Caps earned two points in both games of their back-to-back. 4 points in two nights. Not bad. The Caps play the Islanders on Tuesday – at home. The Caps need the points, so lets keep this up.

Worth Noting:

Mojo Jojo had a beautiful wrap-around goal tonight 32 seconds into the game. He also had an assist.

Semin had another one before the game turned 5 minutes old. By scoring, he continues to average around a point per game for the last 30 games. 30 points in the last 31 games to be exact. Not bad, Sasha, not bad.

Ovechkin was held goal-less, however, he had two assists, so it’s all good. He now has 26 points in the last 28 games.

Jeff Halpern shocked Toronto with a gritty goal in the second. At this point, all the Toronto fans left, and most televisions in Ontario were presumably either thrown out of windows or smashed with hammers.

Keith Aucoin (Yes, Keith Aucoin!) had a goal and an assist. That brings his grand total up to a goal and an assist in 8 games for the Caps this year. Yes.

Michal Neuvirth had a shut out through two periods until a CSN commentator jinxed it in the second intermission. It’s not your fault, Neuvy, we all know. The Leafs’ second goal was scored by knocking over Neuvirth and then bouncing the puck in off of him. I did not realize that goaltender interference isn’t called on Toronto (sarcasm). Neuvy made 28 saves out of the total 30 shots on the night for a 93.3 S%. I like what I’m seeing there.

The trade deadline is on Monday, so this was the last game the Caps will play before some players are possibly traded. They definitely left a good impression on McPhee, so he might have some trouble giving up some players – excluding: Hamrlik, Knuble, and Erskine.

The Caps face the Isles on Tuesday at the Verizon Center. As good as Neuvy has been, I expect him to be in the crease on Tuesday again.

– Poke Czech

I know, Ovi, we feel the same way about the last two days.

If you want to give up on the season, then yes, trade Semin. However, right now, he is the most consistent player on the team, and the most talented (while Ovi is injured). And who knows how long Backstrom could be out? Or Ovi? The Capitals lack of scoring cannot be pinned on Semin (who is averaging a point a game in the month of February).

So sure, if you want to give up on the season, then trade Semin. But considering that we are only two points out of a playoff spot, the season is not over for us, so let’s not treat it like it is.

On another note: look at Neuvy when he was drafted! He looks like he’s getting ready to go pick up his girl for prom. I would expect Neuvirth to make the start versus Montreal tomorrow.

"I'll have her back by 11, you know."

He’s trending world-wide!

The Caps beat the Pants – technically, in Florida, but at a home away from home. One can only imagine that Florida was bragging about their 13,000 fans showing up to their half empty arena. Regardless, the Caps won. It was the tale of Russia tonight. Ovechkin started it off with a blast from 7 feet out. Then Semin made Theodore look like the ignorant bum he is.

Another Caps player scored tonight. Tomas Fleischmann was on the board late in the first period. Whoops – Scratch that. He scored for the Capitals’ rejects (You know who I mean – Theodore, Bradley, Sturm, and Fleischmann. Versteeg and Campbell are just along for the ride of postseason failure if the Pants can somehow get the 8th seed). The Caps’ Rejects had 23 shots that, frankly, could have been stopped by Guy Boucher’s scar. The Caps had 41 shots.

Alexander Semin – otherwise known as “The Guy,” has a goal and an assist. #ResignSasha, am I right?

Alexander Ovechkin had a goal.

Dmitry Orlov had an assist on Semin’s blast from heaven.

The Caps killed all 3 of their penalties tonight. Woo. And they scored 1 goal on the power play – 1 of 6 powerplays.

The Caps take on Tampa Bay at Verizon Center 3 tomorrow. The Caps trail the Pants by 2 points in the Southeast division race. If the Caps beat Tampa tomorrow, then the Caps will temporarily be in first place. The Caps officially regain first if the Caps win tomorrow, and Bruce Boudreau beats the Pants on Sunday. Yes, Bruce Boudreau. Make the playoffs, Ducks. I smell another amazing hockey movie…

Oh, and no one likes you Mikael Samuelsson. And no one likes Brett Connolly either.

Go Caps

Yeah.

Now granted, one of them was in a shootout – in a game the Caps should have won in regulation.

Caps play again Friday against the Florida Pants. It would be a good time to wake up and start winning, because Florida is starting to pull away.

-Poke Czech