Kukla's Korner Hockey

Category: Washington-Capitals

My Own Personal Hockey Nightmare

by Paul on 02/10/12 at 02:50 AM ET
Comments (4)

My team, playing at home, scores two goals early in the 3rd period to go up 2-0.  Then the home team gets a 4 minute power play and does nothing with it (sorry, they did score a goal), knowing if the do score, the game is basically over.

Then it happens, home team takes a 2 minute penalty and just over a minute later, a player on the home team plays the puck with a broken stick and is caught.

Now down 3 to 5, but still with a 2 goal lead, you think, ok, kill the 5 on 3 and your team is still good.

But the visiting team scores on the 2 man advantage and 12 seconds later, ties the score on a weird goal.

Of course, the nightmare ends when the visiting team wins in the shootout.

It happened tonight, Winnipeg visiting Washington.  Nightmare video below…

Continue Reading »

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Caps’ Backstrom Hopes To Be Ready For The Playoffs

by Paul on 02/09/12 at 12:11 PM ET
Comments (0)

from J.P. of Japers’ Rink,

[Recently Caps centerman Nicklas Backstrom spoke with Swedish outlet Gefle Dagblad about his recovery from the concussion that has sidelined him since January 3. A translation of the resulting article appears below, courtesy of our good friend Malin.]

“I don’t know when I will be able to play again, but I hope I will be ready for the playoffs.”

It was in the game against Calgary on January 3 that Rene Bourque delivered an elbow to the head of Nicklas Bäckström. The elbowing happened in the neutral zone.

“It was an unnecessary hit. I feel like he could have just skated by me instead.”

Bourque was suspended five games for that cowardly cheap shot. Since then Bourque has changed teams and he is now playing for the Montreal Canadiens where he is free to play without any restraints or problems.

Bäckström himself on the other hand has yet to play in a single game since he got hurt. He has now missed 15 games and it is still unclear when he will be able to return to the ice.

“I’m getting better, but it takes time,” he says.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Nicklas+Backstrom,

Video- Ovechkin Has A Few Things On His Mind

by Paul on 01/24/12 at 07:59 PM ET
Comments (0)

Alex Ovechkin answers questions from the media, mostly regarding his suspension and the All-Star game.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Alex+Ovechkin,

No All-Star Game For Ovechkin

by Paul on 01/24/12 at 12:08 PM ET
Comments (26)

via Katie Carrera tweet,

McPhee says Ovechkin isn’t comfortable participating in ASG as suspended player. Doesn’t want to be a distraction. Ovechkin will not attend.

added 12:20pm, via Darren Dreger tweet,

As we reported last night. The NHL is disappointed Ovechkin won’t be in Ottawa, but won’t discipline him for not going.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: 2012+ASG, Alex+Ovechkin,

Leonsis Does Not Agree With Ovechkin Suspension

by Paul on 01/24/12 at 11:35 AM ET
Comments (7)

from Ted Leonsis of Ted’s Take,

I do not agree in any way with the suspension of Alex Ovechkin for 3 games. I support Alex Ovechkin. He is our bedrock player – our Captain; and he and his family know that we are always here to support him.

The decision has been made; and George McPhee will address the media today with our thoughts and concerns about the suspension.

While there is a lot of emotion and concern today – we have a game to play tonight against perhaps the best team in the league and we then have 2 games on the road against division foes, after the All Star game.

Tonight – we will play without Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and Nick Backstrom. These are our three best players and represent a third of our payroll; there is simply no way short term to make up their productivity unless other players step up – and we must be focused on winning and not on being shorthanded. Our team mentality must and will stay positive.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Alex+Ovechkin,

Is Ovechkin Thinking Of Skipping The All-Star Game?

by Paul on 01/23/12 at 10:50 PM ET
Comments (13)

via Bob McKenzie tweets,

Will have video link to Insider Trading soon, but lead item tonight is likelihood of Ovechkin taking himself out of NHL All-Star Game.

Which is to suggest I believe Ovechkin is likely to opt out of ASG tho no decision has been made and will be addressed by Caps tomorrow.

Ovechkin, even tho suspended, is eligible for ASG. Should all get sorted out Tues. Nothing final yet. But, IMO, I’d be surprised if he goes.

Watch Insider Trading at TSN.

added 10:54pm, via Darren Dreger tweets,

If OV skips the All Star don’t expect the NHL to discipline. League obviously wants him in Ott, but won’t make a big deal if he’s a no-show.

In 2009 NHL suspended Lidstrom and Datsyuk for not attending ASG in Mtl. A softer and gentler approach this time around.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Alex+Ovechkin,

Oveckin Suspended Three Games

by Paul on 01/23/12 at 06:24 PM ET
Comments (28)

via Bob McKenzie tweet.

Three game suspension for Alexander Ovechkin.

More as it comes in…

added 6:33pm, Shanahan explains the suspension.

added 6:43pm, you can read the NHL release below…

Continue Reading »

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Alex+Ovechkin,

Take A Tour Of Ovechkin’s New Home

by Paul on 01/23/12 at 02:50 PM ET
Comments (5)

from Tony Manfred of Business Insider,

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin bought a $4.2 million house in McLean, Virginia earlier this month.

The house features 5 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, and a massive 11,000 square feet of space.

take a photo tour of the home…

Filed in: NHL Teams, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Alex+Ovechkin,

Video- Did The Refs Miss This Hit By Ovechkin Today?

by Paul on 01/22/12 at 01:56 PM ET
Comments (38)

The recipient was Zbynek Michalek.

added 4:25pm, some folks requested the elbow from Michalek on Hendricks, so the video is posted below…       

Continue Reading »

Filed in: NHL Teams, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Alex+Ovechkin,

Will Caps Seek Payback For Backstrom Hit?

by Paul on 01/18/12 at 01:15 PM ET
Comments (1)

from Chuck Gormley of CSNWashington,

Back on Jan. 3, when Rene Bourque knocked Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom out of the lineup with a hard elbow to the chin, the Capitals were criticized for not responding on the ice.

Tonight in Montreal , the Capitals get their chance for paybacks.

Bourque, who was a member of the Calgary Flames at the time of his hit on Backstrom, is now a member of the Montreal Canadiens. He served a five-game suspension for his elbow on Backsrom, but in the NHL there is always retribution to pay on the ice.

Or is there?

“I’m not touching that question,” Capitals center Brooks Laich said.

“I don’t know,” said Matt Hendricks. “I don’t get involved in that stuff.”

C’mon. Can’t anyone in the Capitals locker room address the obvious as they head into tonight’s showdown against Bourque and the Canadiens?

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

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