Who: Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
Where: Madison Square Garden
When: Thursday, November 1, 7:00 pm

Broadcast Info: CSN, 3WT; MSG, 1050 ESPN Radio

Media Notes:
Caps’ Website
Rangers’ Website
NHL.com
Washington Post
Washington Times

Season Series: Caps 0-1-0, Rangers 1-0-0
Season Standings: Caps 5-6-0, 3rd in division, 11th in conference; Rangers 4-6-1, 4th in division, 12th in conference

Last Game:
The Caps started the season flying high, going 3-0 for the first time in years and outplaying their opponents a large part of the time. The penalty killing units were extremely efficient, killing off every single man advantage handily. And then in one fell swoop the Rangers ended it, dominating first period play and scoring three power play goals in the opening frame. The Caps would kill off three more penalties and Kolzig would turn aside 38 shots over the course of the game but it wasn’t enough and the Caps fell, 3-1 in the game and 3-1 on the season.

Tonight’s Game:
Well, I think it’s safe to say that the Caps have to a) stay out of the penalty box and b) kill off whatever penalties they’re given.

It is equally important if not more, though, that the Caps start believing that they can win every night no matter what happens to the team or who their opponent may be. Minus the services of three key components on Monday night they were able to hand the Leafs a thoroughly one-sided defeat. Now they have to build on that, armed with the knowledge that even with injuries they can win.

Is New York a tougher opponent? Marginally, sure. And yes, MSG tends to have a weird paralyzing effect on the Caps, at least in recent years. If they play like they have these past few games, though, wins and losses aside, they should be able to send Jagr and friends home crying. And wouldn’t that be fun for all of us to see…

On his penchant for diving: I’m not a diver! I swear! I’ve never once taken a dive. Everyone is just out to get me and they try and knock me over – can I help it if I’m particularly easy to trip?

On his penchant for diving after being shown this clip: That was…um…see, the thing that happened there was…crap. No comment.

On his love life: Yes, I was dating Elisha Cuthbert, but I got smart. I got rid of that tired old baggage and I’m playin’ the field, sowin’ some oats, trollin’ the streets. So ladies, if you’re interested, Sean A. is lookin’ for play. The A-Man is open for business. Anyone? Anyone?

On his style of hockey: I like to think of myself as an entertainer as much as an athlete, you know? I mean, the New Yorkers pay a lot of money to see me…er, us. They pay a lot to see us. I figure I should give them a show. In fact I’m probably more of an entertainer than a hockey player. Way more. Ask anyone I’ve played with or against.

On his style in general: I’m kind of a mix between metrosexual and pimp daddy Sean. Lots of chrome and leather and animal prints, with a dash of elegance and sophistication thrown in – just to keep you on your toes. Take my roster photo, for example. A little urban chic, trendy glasses, looking sharp and then…BAM! I hit you with the mini-mohawk. I think it gives me an element of douchebaggery that the ladies love. Right? Ladies? Anyone?

Come on, I can get you Henrik Lundqvist’s autograph! No? How about Chris Drury?

…Scott Gomez?

It’s a non-gameday Wednesday, so of course that means assorted goodies for your reading pleasure.

- First up – Mike Vogel, of course, has a great piece on Peter Bondra’s retirement over at the Caps’ website. Reading about the various milestones, the franchise records, the evolution of one of Washington’s great athletes just reminds me how amazing he was as a Capital – something I think we forget from time to time with a couple of young superstars burgeoning here in the District.

- Morrisonn, Green and Jurcina stopped by the NHL Store in Manhattan and made an appearance on NHL Live on XM Center Ice. Some highlights:

• Jurcina talking about having to learn English and about the difference between playing in Boston and Washington.
• Morrisonn discussing getting “jumped” by Vinny and offering the quote of the day: “Next time I don’t want to lead with my face onto the ice.” Indeed.
• Mo grew up idolizing Cam Neely, switched his allegiance from Vancouver to Boston when Neely was traded and had the opportunity to meet him when he was drafted by the Bruins; Green idolized Scott Niedermayer; Jurcina was a fan of the Red Wings and Canadiens but loved Chris Pronger
• Favorite movies: Morrisonn, Braveheart; Green, Dumb and Dumber (oh Mike…really??); Jurcina, no favorite movies
• What they do on days off: sleep. Bet you didn’t see that one coming.
• By the way if you’ve never heard Green, Morrisonn and Jurcina talking together before and you get the chance, be sure that you’re caffeinated. Let’s just say that Mo was probably the most animated of the three…

- Karl Alzner was voted team captain by his Calgary Hitmen teammates, a process the team does later in the season to allow the team to get to know one another. Said Hitmen coach and GM Kelly Kisio, “I think Karl is a student of the game. He’s there every night and competes hard every night.” Karl will look to lead the Hitmen out of a recent slump in which they’ve dropped 5 of their last 7 – this is after starting the season 9-1. Good luck and congratulations to Karl!

- Mr. Happy Sunshine Guy Tarik reports that its not looking good for any of our three injured players returning tomorrow night against the Rangers. Clark is still day to day, Semin skated with the team but not at full speed, and Poti is still nursing a groin injury – and we know how long those can take to fully heal.

People need to stop panicking, though. We beat Toronto…and no, the Leafs are not exactly a formidable opponent. Who says the Rangers are? They have Jagr and a slew of centers unable to play with him; they have a defense about as good as Toronto’s; their only asset really is their goaltending. If the Caps play like they did north of the border, they’ll be fine.

Plus I’m not ready to count Clark out for the game until I hear official word otherwise. The fact that he flew to NYC when the Caps return home again on Friday gives me hope that he’ll be back sooner rather than later – I guess we’ll wait and see.

- Finally, happy 24th birthday to injured (or “injured”?) defenseman Steve Eminger – you still have the love of the Cheap Seats, Stevie!

There are some players that flit in and out of an organization, whose impact is never truly felt, whose mark is never really made on the team or the fans.

And then there are the people who, regardless of what jerseys they may have worn in their final game, will forever be linked in our minds with a certain team. Ray Bourque will always be a Bruin; Steve Yzerman always a Red Wing.

Here in DC we have had quite a few of the former, players who barely distinguish themselves in a Caps sweater before moving on. But we’re also lucky enough to have several who are indelibly stamped on our brains as one of ours and only ours.

Dale Hunter. Rod Langway. Olie Kolzig.

And Peter Bondra.

Regardless of how he may have left the team or how he attempted to come back, Bondra – Bonzai to those who followed him lovingly – is one of those people.

It was announced today that Bondra will officially retire to become the GM of the Slovakian National Team, an appropriate role for someone whose poster likely adorned the walls of the young talents he will soon be guiding.

I doubt I’m alone in admitting that, while all that was basically missing was the “official” part for the last few months, the news is still a little jarring.

Those of us who were lucky enough to watch Bondra from the start know that there have been few superstars like him in Washington hockey history. He was never mistaken for a power forward or a great playmaker or a Selke candidate – he was a sniper, pure and simple.

But what a sniper…no player was able to bring the fans out of their seats quite the way Bondra did back then. The way people lean forward in their seats now when Ovechkin or Semin have the puck, that’s what happened when Bondra was on the ice. He was breathtaking, exhilarating, surprising. His goal celebrations were one of a kind, full of joy and excitement and pure hockey happiness.

When Bondra was traded along with the bulk of the superstars back in 2003-04, there was many a tear shed in DC. For most of us it seemed to be the unthinkable trade – how do you send someone away who was such a cornerstone of the organization, so beloved by fans and so integral a part of Caps history? Seeing him in a Senators jersey, a Thrashers jersey, a Blackhawks jersey, always seemed wrong somehow. Watching him score his 500th career goal was bittersweet because it was done in Chicago, in front of cheering fans who didn’t know him like we knew him.

Yet I’m not here to argue that he shouldn’t have been traded or that we should have re-signed him, because I believe the organization did the right thing on both counts. But even if I didn’t, that’s not what this should be about. Bondra has been the center of controversy here in DC these last few years – and frankly its a shame. One would hope that his legacy with the Caps would not come down to petty arguments over money and flagrant manipulation of the media. Those years should be nothing but a footnote in the history of Peter Bondra with the Washington Capitals; a sidebar item, not a headline.

So I choose to remember him as the man who put fear into the hearts of goaltenders, who terrorized the Lightning for five goals in one game, who reinvigorated a franchise and made us cheer night after night. I choose to remember him as #12 with the goofy smile, the wicked shot. I choose to remember him as Bonzai.

Good luck to Peter in all his future endeavors. We wish him all the best.

Who: Your Nation’s Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Where: Air Canada Centre
When: Monday, October 29, 7:30 pm

Broadcast Info: CSN, 3WT; Leafs TV

Media Notes:
Caps Website
NHL.com
Washington Post
Washington Times
Toronto Star
Toronto Sun

Two beat up teams with mediocre records meet in a clash of the titans as the Caps venture north of the border for the first time this season. The Caps are potentially without captain Chris Clark, out with that lacerated ear just as he managed to start picking up points, and are almost definitely without the services of Alexander Semin (ankle) and Tom Poti (groin). Meanwhile the Leafs are missing Bryan McCabe…okay, maybe not missing, but he’s injured. They’re also without the services of Darcy Tucker, Kyle Wellwood and Carlo Colaiacovo.

Here’s the difference. Even with the injuries the Leafs have played better these last few games, winning two straight against the Rangers and the Penguins – two teams the Caps were unable to defeat. Of course, they did lose to the Thrashers as well…but everyone has their moments. The Caps on the other hand haven’t had a full roster since the home opener and it shows, dropping five of their last six after a 3-0 start.

Bottom line, the Caps need to find a way to score. They need to get the scoring from someone other than Ovie. And they need to remember how to play special teams – both of them. Without those three, no way do they pull off a win here. Sounds simple, right? We’ll see.

I’m feeling very not creative today so…we won’t be getting to know anyone on the Leafs today. Besides, without Darcy “Mother” Tucker in the lineup, what fun would it be?

Go Caps.

A couple of interesting developments:

- The Caps signed Alexander Semin to a two-year, $9.2 million contract extension today that will pay him $4.2 million this year and $5 million next season. I know there are some around here that don’t particularly like Semin and I’ll admit he has a tendency to commit lazy penalties and turnovers…but I love him. This is great news.

- Tom Poti’s groin injury hasn’t quite healed enough and he’ll be out of the lineup – bad news for a defense that struggled last night, but in the long run I’d much prefer that he heal completely. Groin injuries are no joke and as we’ve seen so many times, the nagging ones can change a player’s game completely if not given time to heal. Of course, this means a repeat of the Erskine and Green show…I feel a headache coming on already.

- Continuing on the injury front, as we know Clark won’t be in the lineup tonight but may return on Monday for the Leafs. Bigger news is what’s happening in his absence – Backstrom gets his first shot at centering the big line, working as a pivot for the first time this season between Ovechkin and Kozlov. Young Nicklas really continues to impress me with how calm and mature he’s seemed so far, so I’m excited to see how he looks in his natural position.

- Fleischmann returns to play with Nylander and Semin – Flash showed some improvement after moving from the first to second line, but we’ll see how he does with Semin instead of Backstrom. Of the three he’s probably going to be responsible for working the boards so…yeah. Expect a lot of meetings between Flash’s rear and the ice. Checking line likely stays in tact, with Bradley probably remaining on the fourth line with Steckel and Brash.