Japers Rink

Short answer: the second the game started. …but I suppose we can talk about a few things in this one. The first period, which was where the wheels came off (and never really got put back on), saw the Caps fell behind 3-0 in the first 14ish minutes of the period and gave up two of the three on the power play. So that was bad. Then it got worse. Logan Thompson – who struggled in … [Read more...] about Capitals-Hurricanes: How the Game Was Lost

Did Alex Ovechkin score? He sure did! Goal #892, breaking Frederik Andersen’s shutout. Plus: Alex Ovechkin scored, which is always a win. And Leonard looked even more comfortable in his second game, easily the best Capital on the ice for most of the night (low bar) – and if his teammates had been able to finish any of their shots on this night, he probably could have grabbed an … [Read more...] about Capitals vs. Hurricanes Recap: Caps Can’t Cut Canes’ Crap in 5-1 Loss

Did Alex Ovechkin score? He did! #891…and four to go. Plus: Expectations around Ryan Leonard’s NHL debut were high, and the kid looked very good in his first NHL action, throwing some hits (and absorbing a few without issue) and getting involved in the offense with his speed. He was particularly noticeable on Dylan Strome’s goal in the third, a play on which he didn’t get an … [Read more...] about Capitals vs. Bruins Recap: Caps Snap Streak in Leonard’s Debut, 4-3

Spencer Carbery and the Capitals’ coaching staff have a very interesting dilemma to deal with, after the team announced the signing of 2023 draftee Ryan Leonard earlier today. File this under “good problems to have”, because the team’s forward lines have been pretty well set for a bit now – so where exactly do you slot the newest Washington Capital? First and foremost, it’s … [Read more...] about Finding a Spot for Ryan Leonard

Did Alex Ovechkin score? Yes. He scored goal #890. Plus: Both Jakob Chychrun and Aliaksei Protas joined some new clubs, with Chychrun scoring his 20th of the season and Protas picking up his 30th – new career highs for both. Minus: The Caps took too many stupid penalties, giving up goals on two of them. It’s fine now that they are top of the league but these are penalties that … [Read more...] about Capitals vs. Sabres Recap: Caps Comeback Cut Short in 8-5 Loss