http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/106 Recent articles about the Washington Capitals en-us Gritty forward Matt Bradley stopped by The Gardens Ice House in Laurel on Nov. 9 to skate around with kids learning how to play, to sign autographs, and most importantly, to hang out with the captains of the beer league teams. Representing the Screaming Squirrels ice team, I had the opportunity to meet Matt and [...] Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:22:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Matt_Bradley_Talks_With_Beer_Leaguers/1539249 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Matt_Bradley_Talks_With_Beer_Leaguers/1539249 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Matt_Bradley_Talks_With_Beer_Leaguers/1539249 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/0/a072c28ada4352f2f41f647aa3fb560421642c3b/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f87069035.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1933BD8BFB5D2C6073C87E711FB1F5FC0B9.jpg Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Washington Capitals center Michael Nylander is headed to Russia. McKenzie also reports that: “Nylander makes the final call on whether he’s going to Russia but it looks like he’s prepared to do it. Not formalized just yet, though.” – 12:22pm On a somewhat related note, Dan Steinberg kills two brids with one stone in his Washington Post Chat: Stockholm, Swe: Could the Washington Redskins find a roster spot for Michael Nylander? Da... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:53:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Nylander_to_Russia_Pending_Final_Approval/1538304 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Nylander_to_Russia_Pending_Final_Approval/1538304 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Nylander_to_Russia_Pending_Final_Approval/1538304 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/b/0b809c741b093673d2c0f06cdbadff431c114c30/small/Washington_Capitals_v_3624.jpg Has there ever been a week of hour-to-hour hyperventilating over the health status of a hockey player in D.C. the likes of which we’ve seen with Alexander Ovechkin here the past week? I think not. This is unchartered territory for Washington’s hockey fans. The Russian Machine at long last has broken down. He seemed indestructable. Now we know he’s a physical mortal (somewhat), and deprived of his prowess we are not taking his absence well. We are not getting any work done ... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:45:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/On_Injury_Confidentiality_and_Its_Collision_with_a_New_and_Rabid_Fanbase/1536852 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/On_Injury_Confidentiality_and_Its_Collision_with_a_New_and_Rabid_Fanbase/1536852 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/On_Injury_Confidentiality_and_Its_Collision_with_a_New_and_Rabid_Fanbase/1536852 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/2/42e297f1d65adbb80e75ae542263f3ec3ea855f6/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f88575748.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1937776ED92A93314C8DEC218FB7B69FC9A.jpg Alex Ovechkin's timetable to return to the lineup for the Washington Capitals remains unclear, but all signs at practice Monday point to sooner rather than later. Ovechkin was on the ice in a noncontact jersey with his teammates near the end of their practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, and then he came back out for a short solo session with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish. "I wish it was going to be tomorrow, but I need to make sure I'm good and my body feels good... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:45:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Ovechkin_could_return_to_Caps_by_weekend/1536477 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Ovechkin_could_return_to_Caps_by_weekend/1536477 Alexander Ovechkin strikes me as someone who would have an incredible sense of humor but one of his jokes fell flat over the weekend when he reportedly jokingly told a reporter over the weekend that he may be out more than a month. Ovechkin, who was quoted by Yahoo! on Saturday night as saying he could [...] Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:25:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Alexander_Ovechkin_Is_No_Yakov_Smirnoff/1533094 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Alexander_Ovechkin_Is_No_Yakov_Smirnoff/1533094 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Alexander_Ovechkin_Is_No_Yakov_Smirnoff/1533094 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/2/a2f22138dbf5ebba2ef69f8b2fd7b91c849895f4/small/2009_NHL_Awards_2cd5.jpg Alex Ovechkin says he was joking when he told a reporter over the weekend that he could be out more than a month. The Washington Capitals star practiced lightly Monday and said he would actually miss about a week. He hasn't played since leaving a Nov. 1 game against Columbus after he was hurt in a scrum. The Capitals said last week that Ovechkin, whose 14 goals and 23 points lead the team, was week to week with what they called an upper-body problem. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:48:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Ovechkin_Injury_quip_a_joke_I_39ll_be_back_in_a_week/1532592 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Ovechkin_Injury_quip_a_joke_I_39ll_be_back_in_a_week/1532592 The Washington Capitals denied a report Sunday that Alex Ovechin's return from an upper-body strain will take longer than the original timetable given. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:07:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Washington_Capitals_deny_Alex_Ovechkins_return_to_take_4_5_weeks/1526151 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Washington_Capitals_deny_Alex_Ovechkins_return_to_take_4_5_weeks/1526151 The Washington Capitals denied a report Sunday that Alex Ovechin's return from an upper-body strain will take longer than the original timetable given. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:07:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Washington_Capitals_deny_Alex_Ovechkins_return_to_take_4_5_weeks/1526152 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Washington_Capitals_deny_Alex_Ovechkins_return_to_take_4_5_weeks/1526152 Injured Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin(notes) was watching Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers with Mike Green(notes) (also injured) in one of the rooms of the Verizon Center the press box. He later met with some young fans outside of the locker room to sign some autographs. That's when I got the chance to ask him a few questions about his "upper body injury" and his journey back from it. Keep in mind Ovechkin didn't indicate if the following "diagn... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:15:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Chatting_with_Alex_Ovechkin_about_his_weeks_of_injury_rehab/1524883 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Chatting_with_Alex_Ovechkin_about_his_weeks_of_injury_rehab/1524883 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Chatting_with_Alex_Ovechkin_about_his_weeks_of_injury_rehab/1524883 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/7/a7e4bfa67b71d5e7bdf1a56d06ad1c6b47dc4111/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f86192351.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193E66F6A66FD8D516E15DD3F16B1462078.jpg The first fifth of Capitals’ season leaves the club with a 10-3-4 record, 24 points, and first-place place tie for the the conference lead with the archrival Penguins. But is the Capitals position in the standings reflective of an authentic Cup-contending team? At the moment, Washington is the streakiest team in the league and has been incredibly inconsistent through 17 games. After two wins to start the season, DC lost four in a row, then won six consecutively, followed by three straight los... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:07:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/First_Fifth_Review/1523265 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/First_Fifth_Review/1523265 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/First_Fifth_Review/1523265 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/8/58e67c7cbe47fa6ea0794d0deb85843be6a3572a/small/Florida_Panthers_v_64c7.jpg Michael Nylander has been put on waivers, Capitals Insider reports. This means the veteran Swede has agreed to waive his no-movement clause. Any team can claim him until noon tomorrow, but if no GM picks him off the wire it’s still no guarantee he’ll be put in the minors, writes Tarik. The Capitals are trying to free up some cap room in similar fashion to what Pittsburgh did last year with struggling forward Miroslav Satan. Nyls’ $4.875 million cap hit will come off the boo... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:45:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Nylander_Put_on_Waivers/1519657 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Nylander_Put_on_Waivers/1519657 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Nylander_Put_on_Waivers/1519657 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/b/0b809c741b093673d2c0f06cdbadff431c114c30/small/Washington_Capitals_v_3624.jpg Terrific post written by our friend Katie over at Rock the Red.net. Check it out here, and read on for an excerpt where she defines the “Hershey Mentality,” which is particularly relevant tonight as Tyler Sloan scored the first goal down in Florida: That “Never Give Up” attitude is what Caps’ prospects are learning. That’s why Tyler Sloan had a goal Wednesday night. That’s why Mathieu Perreault had two assists in his NHL debut. That’s why Fleishmann has 4 points in 4 games. That’... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:45:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Chocolate_Colored_Lenses/1516524 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Chocolate_Colored_Lenses/1516524 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Chocolate_Colored_Lenses/1516524 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/e/1e6d78bc99934895659cdbc3623cf325696b2dd8/small/Washington_Capitals_v_7c40.jpg Thomas L. Jenkins Today The Washington Post published an obituary for Washington, D.C., resident Thomas L. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins, as seen in this photo from my season ticket-holder booklet, was featured in the 2009-2010 Washington Capitals ticket book, and was clearly a dedicated fan. This excerpt from Mr. Jenkins’ obituary was particularly illustrative of his devotion to the sport we all love: “He had a boisterous personality,” said his son, Neil Jenkins, 19, a student at... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:25:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Farewell_to_a_Fan_Among_Fans/1509569 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Farewell_to_a_Fan_Among_Fans/1509569 The Washington Capitals have recalled center Mathieu Perreault from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) and assigned center Keith Aucoin to Hershey, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Perrault had a couple of stellar performances in the preseason. To read more about OFB's impressions on ... Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:02:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/A_little_man_looking_to_make_a_big_impact/1493525 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/A_little_man_looking_to_make_a_big_impact/1493525 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/A_little_man_looking_to_make_a_big_impact/1493525 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/5/558c845b47c5711518496fd8f4be82c567a6f699/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f91184679.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D029F942A1CFC353D638957F5C24267BCCB6DF448CD162782E.jpg The coach of the Washington Capitals says he hopes Alex Ovechkin won't be sidelined more than two weeks with an upper-body strain. Coach Bruce Boudreau spoke after Tuesday's practice. The NHL's two-time MVP did not take part but was more optimistic, saying maybe he'll come back this weekend. On Monday, the team said Ovechkin was week-to-week after he was hurt in Sunday's overtime loss to Columbus. Ovechkin had an MRI and was expected to travel with the team while rec... Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:56:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Capitals_39_Ovechkin_could_be_sidelined_2_weeks/1492088 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Capitals_39_Ovechkin_could_be_sidelined_2_weeks/1492088 From my vantage there were two lead storylines from Sunday's 5-4 defeat by Columbus. Storyline 1A trumps storyline 1B by a wide margin: How badly is he hurt? "Day to day" is the official company line, as is the proverbial "upper body injury"; no update on his health will be ... Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:42:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/For_Mike_Knuble_a_Jekyll_and_Hyde_Sunday_Night/1483352 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/For_Mike_Knuble_a_Jekyll_and_Hyde_Sunday_Night/1483352 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/For_Mike_Knuble_a_Jekyll_and_Hyde_Sunday_Night/1483352 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/4/04881def3abb70f75aa99c55b7cbe30e45b2735e/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f83205070.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193589ACFE00AF9405417B73A48CAF7CC2D.jpg At long last, fans of the Washington Capitals have reading material about someone from their favorite team. I’m not too sure if anyone else in Caps history wrote a book. Sure, Bruce “Gabby” Boudreau has only been around for two seasons, but hey, he’s the guy who we believe will get it done, right? So here [...] Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:41:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Boudreau_8217s_Book/1475632 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Boudreau_8217s_Book/1475632 With a goal and two assists, Capitals defenseman Jeff Schultz outscored teammate Alex Ovechkin (who was held without a point) as the Capitals beat the Thrashers, 5-4. In the first period, Schultz had a beautiful head-man pass to Eric Fehr, who scored on a breakaway. In the second period, Schultz dumped the puck from the Caps’ [...] Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:47:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Jeff_Schultz_the_Hero_in_Atlanta/1419332 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Jeff_Schultz_the_Hero_in_Atlanta/1419332 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Jeff_Schultz_the_Hero_in_Atlanta/1419332 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/9/198ba229673111df743e4adb3bf1782c0ac41536/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f83205069.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193589ACFE00AF9405493E2084316D61C85.jpg Just like Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green, the Capitals’ leading assist guy, third year center Nicklas Backstrom launched a new website at www.backstrom19.com. It’s a very well-done site, better than most for professional athletes. Way to go, Backie. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:39:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Backstrom_Launches_New_Site/1376440 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Backstrom_Launches_New_Site/1376440 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/Backstrom_Launches_New_Site/1376440 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/d/8d565e8777013d1af380dfbe356dd99f7e06cd5e/small/Washington_Capitals_v_8693.jpg