ROCK THE RED
Tomorrow night will be the first time in the post-lockout NHL that the Washington Capitals will step onto the ice for a playoff game.
And it's about time!
In the Caps previous two seasons in the new NHL, they racked up a total of 57 wins in 164 games. Ouch. This season's turnaround has seen the Caps win 43 games, their highest total since 1999-2000, when they won 44 games.
Here is a look at how the Caps have fared, historically, in the playoffs.
Caps Playoff History: 1982-83 to Today
Number of times the Capitals have made the Playoffs: 18
Number of Series Played in: 28
Games Played: 154
Record in Series: 10-18
Record in Games: 69-85
Goals For: 468
Goals Against: 485
Playoff Records By Game:
Game 1: 18-10 (Home: 11-4 | Road: 7-6)
Game 2: 13-15(Home: 8-6 | Road: 5-9)
Game 3: 10-18(Home: 3-10 | Road: 7-8)
Game 4: 14-12(Home: 7-7 | Road: 7-5)
Game 5: 6-17(Home: 3-10 | Road: 3-7)
Game 6: 7-9(Home: 3-3 | Road: 4-6)
Game 7: 1-4(Home: 1-3 | Road: 0-1)
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ROUND 1: CAPITALS VS FLYERS
As the Caps are getting set to take on the Philadelphia Flyers, starting tomorrow night at the Verizon Center, I thought it would be a nice idea to run down the keys to this matchup.
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History
Yes. It is true. The Caps and the Flyers do indeed have a history of battling in the playoffs, albeit their last post-season meeting took place in 1988-89. That series ended with the Flyers winning 4 games to 2.
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Capitals vs. Flyers:
Number of Series: 3(Wash: 2 Philly: 1)
GP:16
Wins: 9(Home: 6 | Road: 3)
Losses: 7(Home: 3 | Road: 4)
GF: 65(Home: 29 | Road: 25)
GA: 55(Home: 27 | Road: 23)
So, historically, the Capitals should be more than comfortable in terms of lining up against the Flyers. The reality is that these numbers are in fact so historical that they are well beyond appicable to the current edition of the Caps|Flyers playoff match.
So let's review the keys to thsi showdown with the Broad Street Bullies:
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The Capitals Lineup:
This is a review of possible line combos(most likely) and their impact on the upcoming series with the Flyers. Lineups have yet to be announced and it is unsure of who will be playing exactly where.
First Line:
LW: Alexander Ovechkin
C: Nicklas Backstrom
RW: Viktor Kozlov
Playoff Factor: Alex and Nick are as green as can be when it comes to the playoffs, but there is no doubt they are as anxious as can be to get their feet wet. Viktor Kozlov, on the other hand, has a touch of playoff experience, but not much. He has played in 14 playoff games over the span of his career, accumulating only 3 assists and a -7.
X- Factor: AO and Nick are both going to be huge X-factors for the Caps, and while Kozy has not fared so well in the playoffs, that is likely not to be the case this season. If Washington is going to win any games in the playoffs this year it will be because this # 1 line played up to its potential.
Second Line:
LW: Alexander Semin
C: Sergei Fedorov
RW: Matt Cooke
Playoff Factor: This will be the most important line for the Capitals in the 2nd season. Matt Cooke has played in 32 playoff games while out in Vancouver, earning 8 goals and 4 assists while being a + 6. He is going to need to be an absolute spark plug for the Caps and will be heavily counted on for his high energy. Alexander Semin has never participated in the NHL playoffs before either, yet his play of late and his return to form over the 2nd half of the season, Semin will be counted upon heavily for his sniper scoring.
X- Factor: Sergei Fedorov. He should be considered as the most important playoff factor for the Caps, but his playoff expertise will be much more of an X-factor for the Caps this year. His presence has been a major help for Bruce Boudreau and has gone a long way in calming this young Caps squad and certainly in helping the teams play improve. Sergei has played in 162 playoff games. Awards aside, he has scored 50 goals and has assisted on another 113 for a total of 163 playoff points. His point a game average in the playoffs go hand in hand with the 3 Stanley Cup rings that Sergei boasts. Sergei's experience, coupled with the awesome explosiveness of AO, AS and NB, will provide the Caps with an excellent offensive corps heading into the series vs. Philly. It should also be mentioned that Fedorov is a dynamic penalty killer and an incredible faceoff man, both accessories in an already lethal playoff resume.
Third Line:
LW: Tomas Fleischmann | Eric Fehr
C: Brooks Laich
RW: Matt Bradley
Playoff Factor: Only Matt Bradley has seen time in the post season of these 3 players, and Matt saw only very limited ice while playing with the Sharks in 01-02. This line will be needed to play a shutdown role, yet will be counted on to provide energy and a touch of scoring.
X-Factor: Brooks Laich. His 21 goals this year and his efforts in replacing Chris Clark have gone a long way in helping the Caps while their Captain has been out. He will be required to play the grinding role he has played over the last couple of months and will be a key in scoring goals low down around the Flyers net.
Fourth Line:
LW: Donald Brashear
C: Boyd Gordon
RW: David Steckell
Playoff Factor: The Big Bad Donald, who is a super nice guy, has played in 49 playoff games in his career. The other two have never seen post season action, a testament to how young this Caps squad is! Nonetheless, the 4th line will play a major role in shutting down the Flyers. Their size and defensive capablilties(and faceoff winning abilities) will be heavily needed against a tough Flyers team.
X-Factor: David Steckell. The big bodied rookie has been excellent on the draw this season and has improved in many areas of his game. He will be required to step it up in the post season and will be counted on to add a physical dimension to his game to help subdue Philly's strong offense.
Extras:
RW: Chris Clark; the team's captain has missed 64 games this season, bothered with various injuries. It is unsure if he will make it into the lineup for the playoffs, but he is on the verge of solving his current groin problem and it is a possibility that if he feels well enough to go, that he will return to the team at some point in the first round. Chris played in all 26 games of the Calgary Flames run to the Stanley Cup finals in 03-04 and his leadership and experience would be a very welcome addition to this post seasn version of the Capitals.
C: Michael Nylander; Nyls' has been out of the lineup since late January, having undergone surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and other damage to the area. Although he has been unable to participate in any of the games during the stretch run, there is the possibility that if the Caps make it to the second round, that Nyls' will be able to make a return to the lineup. His leadership was a key part of the team's development through the middle portion of the year and is still today very much a key to ths team's success. With a possible return in the 2nd round, Nylander would bring 44 games of playoff experience, including 34 points in those 44 games. His leadership would compliment the current team's veteran leader, Sergei Fedorov, as well as captain Chris Clark.
Extras: Quintan Laing; Laing has not seen much action over the last month, yet that will not rule out his possible insertion into the lineup over the course of this series. He has proven himself to be a true playoff warrior and is no doubt ready to sacrifice himself in order to help the team. If Quintan does make it into the lineup, he will bring with him an awesome energy level and tremendous shot blocking ability.
The Defense:
1st Pairing:
Mike Green and Shaone Morrisonn: Mike has become the team's true number 1 d-man this season and Shaone has complimented him perfectly. The two of them have rounded into a tremendous balance of hard work, incredible offensive talent(MG) and much improved defensive responsibility(SM). Green will be counted on for high minutes and ShaMo will be right there to back Mike up. Neither have participated in the post season, but considering they are the # 1 pairing, there will be no time to stop and smell the flowers.
X-Factor: Both players will be counted on as X-factors. Greenie's offensive outburst has become something that the Caps have gotten used to relying on and they will continue to do so as they seek playoff success. ShaMo got injured at the end of the season, but thanks to the long break, has been given enough time to recover and will be ready to go for Game 1.
2nd Pairing:
Tom Poti and Jeff Schultz: These two took awhile to get going, but as the Caps went on their 2nd half run, they became very important. Poti has been trough a few injuries this season and Schultz has had to overcome a rough rookie start, but now both will be counted upon as a quality second pair that will be in charge of maintaining Philly's deep secondary scoring. With six 20 + goal scorers on the Flyers, Poti and Schultz will need to become a 1b pairing.
X- Factor: Tom Poti. He is really the only defender that the Caps have who has playoff experience. He has never gone past the first round, but his experience will still prove valuable in helping his rookie counterpart through this first series.
3rd Pairing:
John Erskine and Milan Jurcina: As the 3rd pairing on the back end, these guys will not see too many important m,inutes, but will be required to be a stabilizing force for the top two pairing, giving the top 4 a rest when they need it.
X-Factor: None. Neither of these two have seen the playoffs before and so it is unlikely to expect big things from them. Erskine has progressed from being the 7th defenseman while Jurcina has fallen down the ranks. It will be interesting to see how these guys play against the Flyers!
Extra: Steve Eminger; Although Eminger only saw action in 20 games this year, he performed respectably. He may or may not see the ice this post season, but under Bruce Boudreau has finally regained some of his confidence and some playoff experience may be just the thing this former first rounder needs to get going.
Goaltending:
1A: Cristobal Huet;Huet has only seen 6 games of playoff experience in his career, but since his arrival in Washington, Cristobal has proven to be the teams unquestionable number one goalie. His play is one of the main reasons why the Caps are where they are today. Of course, Huet will be counted on to be just as hot during the playoffs, but the beautiful situation the Capitals have is that they have an excellent 1B in Olaf Kolzig.
1B: Olaf Kolzig; Kolzig has undergone a strenuous year with the Capitlas, but there is no question that is as happy as can be now that the Caps are back in the post season. Although his role as the teams number one netminder has been shared and virtually usurped by Cristobal Huet, Kolzig's 25 wins have gone a long way in helping the Caps to the post season.
X-Factor: Olaf Kolzig. Of course. Compared with Huet, Kolzig has participated in 45 playoff games in his career and is the only goaltender in Caps history to have led them to a Stanley Cup final. Although he will not be the starter in game 1, if Huet falters at any point, Kolzig will be ready in the wings, waiting to show his playoff mettle.
2: Brent Johnson; Brent has been relegated to the backup of the backup status, but his contributions and role in the dressing room are still as important as ever. It is unlikely that he will see any action in the post season, but is still available, just in case.
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Caps Notes
Red Man Group to Hit the Streets of Downtown D.C. Today
Group will “Rock the Red” around downtown D.C. in honor of Caps playoff run
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will be sending a street team labeled the “Red Man Group” throughout metro-D.C. to get fans in the playoff spirit beginning today, April 10. The team will visit Georgetown University and George Washington University, and will also be making stops throughout the downtown D.C. area to “Rock the Red” in honor of the team’s Stanley Cup quarterfinal series against the Philadelphia Flyers, which begins with Friday’s Game 1 at Verizon Center (7 p.m.).
Today and tomorrow (Friday, April 11) from 3 to 5 p.m. the group will visit both college campuses and get students pumped up for Washington’s playoff series. They also will be around Verizon Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on both days getting fans near the arena prepared for tomorrow’s Game 1 action and will stop by Ballston Common Mall, attached to the Capitals practice facility, throughout the day to continue to spread the playoff fever throughout the area.
The group, consisting of three men in all red and wearing Caps jerseys, will continue to promote the team’s “Rock the Red” campaign throughout the city. They will be seen throughout the area playing the drums, ringing the cowbell and blowing the bullhorn wherever they go. Capitals mascot Slapshot will also partake in the playoff festivities, riding around downtown D.C. in a team-branded convertible.
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As you can tell the Capitals are a very young squad and will be relying heavily on that fact to get them far in th post-season. I will be back later this evening with a further breakdown of the series and a nice look at the Flyers. Tomorrow I will be posting the Monster Game Day Blog as the Capitals and Flyers Series gets under way.
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Go Caps!!!!!
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