Capitals News

Theodore recognizes his purpose
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October 12
Washington Times
 columnist Thom Loverro
"Before the puck was dropped for the Washington Capitals' home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night, the Caps had a ceremony to raise the 2007-08 Southeast Division championship banner. Coach Bruce Boudreau would rather they have hung the net from the goal his team defended in Atlanta on Friday in its season-opening 7-4 loss. That is the memory the coach wants fresh in minds of his players - not last season's honors. "I am trying to get away from talking about last year because that was last year and this is this year, and it is a whole different scenario," Boudreau said before Saturday night's game. "The more we start thinking about last year then you have results like ..."
Ovechkin earns a new assignment
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October 12
Washington Times
 
"All game long Saturday night, Alex Ovechkin flew around the Verizon Center ice during the Washington Capitals' home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. Emphasis on all game long. Since arriving in the District, Ovechkin has driven the Capitals during five-on-five and man-advantage play, using his world-class skills to rejuvenate the entire franchise. He continued Saturday night with two goals in the Capitals' 4-2 win over Chicago, a game the Caps trailed 2-0 less than nine minutes in. But if the first two games provide any indication, Ovechkin will have to do even more this year. Two short-handed preseason goals during an experimental run on the penalty kill have turned into a regular ..."
Caps win 4-2 against Blackhawks
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October 12
Washington Times
 
"Most of Brooks Laich's 21 goals for the Washington Capitals last season came from deflections, rebounds and other dirty work around the goal mouth. His first this season was of the same variety, and it decided the Caps' first victory of the 2008-09 campaign. Laich's goal snapped a 2-2 tie at 15:33 of the final period in a 4-2 victory Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks in front of a sellout crowd at Verizon Center. Coach Bruce Boudreau, Chris Clark, Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Fedorov watched last season's division championship banner being raised. Alexander Semin carried the puck to the net, and Laich's second whack helped it across the goal line. There was no immediate signal for ..."
Caps win 4-2 against Blackhawks
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October 12
Washington Times
 
"Most of Brooks Laich's 21 goals for the Washington Capitals last season came from deflections, rebounds and other dirty work around the goal mouth. His first this season was of the same variety, and it decided the Caps' first victory of the 2008-09 campaign. Laich's goal snapped a 2-2 tie at 15:33 of the final period in a 4-2 victory Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks in front of a sellout crowd at Verizon Center. Coach Bruce Boudreau, Chris Clark, Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Fedorov watched last season's division championship banner being raised. Alexander Semin carried the puck to the net, and Laich's second whack helped it across the goal line. There was no immediate signal for ..."
Hawks pay per review
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October 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The best way to silence a hostile crowd is by scoring early. The Blackhawks did that twice Saturday -- with third-line wingers getting the goals to boot. The early scores by Kris Versteeg and Jack Skille subdued the sellout crowd of 18,277 at the Verizon Center. At least for a while, that is. The goals inspired a more spirited performance from the Hawks, but they couldn't prevent a second straight 4-2 road loss. So the Hawks are 0-2 in a season that started with extremely high expectations. At least the Hawks showed some improvement in Game 2. They blew a 2-0 lead and allowed two goals by Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, but the game really turned on one controversial play. It was 2-2 ..."
Blackhawks can't hold lead vs. Ovechkin, Capitals
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October 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"A lot of promises are made in the nation's capital, and some of them are even kept. The Blackhawks were trying to show a different kind of promise this weekend, one that would establish them as a force in the 2008-09 season. Instead they remain winless after losing to the Washington Capitals 4-2 Saturday night before a crowd of 18,277 at the Verizon Center. The Capitals' Brooks Laich scored the pivotal goal with 4 minutes 27 seconds remaining in the third period and Alex Ovechkin scored twice to help send the Hawks home from an opening weekend on the East Coast with no points. The Hawks dropped their first game 4-2 Friday night to the Rangers in New York. Nikolai Khabibulin, who missed a ..."
Bad memories bring hopes back to earth
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October 11
Washington Times
 columnist Thom Loverro
"The Washington Capitals in December will retire the No. 11 of Hall of Famer Mike Gartner and hang it from the Verizon Center rafters. On Saturday night, the Capitals play their home opener at the Verizon Center, and they will hold no such ceremony to retire No. 68. But you had better believe that the number of Jaromir Jagr still hangs over this franchise - particularly in a season such as this with high expectations. The legacy of Jagr - the $77 million disappointment who came to Washington in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins the summer of 2001 to so much fanfare - is simply this: Never forget. Never forget how excited fans were when Jagr arrived. Never forget the pride of supposedly ..."
Don't believe the hype
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October 11
Washington Times
 
"Bruce Boudreau had unfurled the caution flag. The Washington Capitals coach reminded his players how the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings on Thursday lost their opener to the Toronto Maple Leafs. "Don't let that happen to you," Boudreau warned his team before it started its new season at Atlanta on a wave of optimism based on last year's Southeast Division title. "People say good things about us, but talk is cheap. You have to do it. We have to play with the same passion as last year." The message didn't seem to register, as the Thrashers upended the Caps 7-4. Atlanta's two goals in 29 seconds late in the third period provided a comfortable cushion after the Caps rallied ..."
Capitals' Opener Is a Net Loss
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October 11
Washington Post
 
"With one of the NHL's most potent lineups, the Washington Capitals aren't expected