Johnny Be Very Good
The only thing I can think of to say after a game like that is…it’s about time.
It wasn’t always pretty. Not everything was a nice play, there were mistakes, and Ovie still couldn’t score. But none of that matters because what happened tonight was a return to Caps hockey – mistakes and all. And those are just part of the fun, right?
In front of a sea of red and a healthy but not suffocating smattering of blue, the Caps and Rangers put together what ended up being a just slightly too exciting game that saw the Caps dominate in the first and then, miracle of miracles, hang onto the lead for the entire game.
Congrats to Tom Poti for getting revenge on all the Rangers fans who ever booed him and scoring a very nice tip-in goal that ended up being the game-winner. Congrats to Backstrom for almost getting his first of the year and for having another solid game. Congrats to Brent Johnson for a great performance, particularly in the third – stopping the penalty shot far outweighed the softie he gave up, as did the many many acrobatic saves he made throughout the night. And to the rest, a great effort all around.
Did it feel like Ovechkin was closer tonight to scoring a goal or five? He came so close so many times, even putting his hands up in celebration not once but twice after being robbed by Lundqvist. Of course, this is what is great about Ovie – after that first premature celebration he was laughing right along with the rest of us, and got a nice cheer from the crowd.
Ah, yes, the crowd. Nothing like a visit from an Atlantic Division rival to make things interesting in the stands, right? For the most part it just seemed to rev up the hometown fans and made for a more electric atmosphere; but naturally there are always those, fans of both teams, who feel the need to make complete jackasses of themselves. Tonight was no exception.
And it’s not that I don’t get the passion and the energy – I get that we’re all dedicated fans who can go overboard. What I don’t get is why you would spend money on a ticket just to get your butt thrown out, thus missing the thrilling finish of a really good game. Morons.
So it looks like we’ve got ourselves a little – and I do mean little – winning streak going. What’s better is that the Caps still have not lost in regulation at home, and someone may have to correct me if I’m wrong but they may be the only Eastern team who can claim that.
Now if only #8 can get it rolling, we’ll be golden.
To be fair to Johnny, the “softie” wasn’t even really his fault–it redirected off of Poti’s stick. He had an awesome game.
Ovie and Backie do look ready to bust loose at any minute. It’s going to be glorious!
And I love playing the Rangers. Always an awesome time.
Comment by Melissa — November 8, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
Did it deflect? I was on the other end of the arena so I maybe didn’t see it as clearly – good! That’s even better
And me too…playing the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins almost makes up for the dull dull dull time we usually have against the other two Atlantic Division teams. Snore.
Comment by CapsChick — November 8, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
Yep. It was deflected off Poti’s stick, otherwise it would have been either off target, or more likely a pass to the opposite side.
And you are correct about us being the only team in the East to go undefeated in regulation at home (5-0-1). Joe B confirmed as much during the post game analysis.
Although I’ve always thought the “in regulation” whenever one is talking about certain team achievements is a little cheezy. A team could go 0-0-82 and be undefeated “in regulation”. Which is another reason I’m not sold on the loser point either.
Comment by NS2NOVA — November 8, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
Just looked at the stats and you have to go back to March 9th of last year against the flightless waterfowl for our last out right loss. (Yes, the dreaded Backstrom own goal game)
Comment by NS2NOVA — November 8, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
Hahahah. I love Rangers fans. Was it me or did they shoot themselves in the foot by annoying the crowd into drowning them out?
God that was fun. And the best part? I had a lovely, civil conversation with a Rangers fan on the ride home on the Metro. How often does that happen with Pitt or Philly? And we shook hands.
Yes, we are the only Eastern Conference team unbeaten in regulation at home.
Agreed that Ovi and Backstrom both looked way better out there and they’re about ready to bust loose … and when tehy do, ho boy look out.
I wonder if the reason our D was so much better tonight was that they knew they had a goalie in the net that they could count on? Kind of like Huet last year?
Comment by this space for rent — November 9, 2008 @ 12:02 am
NICE shot on that save by Johnson!!!
I didn’t take the camera last night. Wish I had, though…
Comment by i rock the red — November 9, 2008 @ 9:16 am
this space for rent: i think your absolutely right that the D plays better in front of Brent. they looked a lot more relaxed and were more comfortable playing agresssive to cut the rangers off before they crossed the blue line, instead of backing off and letting them come in close.
the good and bad with this team is that i think they are a very emotional team. so the mental game is even more important to them and they just don’t feel comfortable in front of Jose.
Comment by passerby — November 9, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
In your picture of OV in this post he is using a new twig, Nike Bauer one95…stuck in a scoring slump, looks like he is trying everything to get out of it!
Comment by Geoff — November 9, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
Olaf Kolzig was the all time best for Washington, in my opinion of course. Anyway great site. I’ll return here for sure.
Comment by violator — November 12, 2008 @ 11:28 am