Caps 5 - Isles 4(SO) - Highlights
Notes
- Alex Semin opened the scoring only 8 seconds(!!!) into the game and tallied another later on the power play. Welcome back Sasha.
- The Isles stormed the Caps tonight, ousting Theodore in the first 7 minutes of the game by scoring 3 times on 5 shots. All of this after the Caps had grabbed the early lead.
- Varly played a very, very strong game in relief of Jose. Perhaps it's just me, but I always feel that a goalie who is called into a game within the first period of action always fares better than the mid-game call. Less time to cool down from warm up and more time to get comfortable with the pace of the game. Entering a game when the momentum or pace is clearly in one team's favor is always a tough job.
- Despite the poor start by Theo and the quick 3-1 defecit, it was nice to see the Capitals battle back to tie the game and then get the lead. That is workmanship and effort. Talent and ability will only get this team so far, as they are learning. Desperation, emotion and fortitude are key elements that build winning teams and these are things that this Capitals squad are starting to show.
- The tying goal by the Islanders and Trent Hunter on the power play with under 3 minutes to go was a tough one, but showed the resiliency of this young New York team. The Isles are no match for the Capitals on paper or in terms of "roster talent", but the amount of heart and team-work they show are clear signs that no one should take this team lightly.
- Finally, Kudos to Chris Clark on the shootout winner. 11 rounds is a long time in the shootout, but if you're going to put on a show for the Troops on Veteran's Day, that's definitely the way to do it.
Nylander
Although Eklund has reported that Michael's transfer to the KHL, and Dynamo Minsk in particular, is complete, I have yet to hear if it is final or not. Not to say that will not be Michael's final destination, but I have yet to hear so, so I cannot confirm this on my end.
Update: According to Tarik, Eklund is most certainly correct and Nylander appears headed to Dynamo Minsk on a loan. It was (apparently) first reported by RDS, but I am not sure what time they posted their report.
Regardless of where the news is coming from, one thing is for certain, neither the KHL, Michael Nylander or George McPhee or the Capitals have confirmed as much.
Not until one of those 4 sources announce the completion of the transfer will we finally know.
More to come, I'm sure of it.
I was not really expecting word to come down today as to a decision, unless, of course, a miracle trade were to have occured.
For now, we continue to sit and wait.
It's safe to bet that the Russia transfer is all but a done deal, but again, as we have seen so many times in the past and as Bob McKenzie kindly pointed out, until it is all said and done and Michael is officially in Russia, then Michael isn't in Russia.
In all reality, word will likely come down at some point in the morning or during the day tomorrow of the final details, whether they have been signed off on or not.
In either case, it all but appears done that Michael Nylander and the remainder of his pro-rated $4.875 are off of the Washington Capitals salary cap.
Considering that fact, what do the Caps do?
I will be back with more as soon as I get it as well as an updated blog on the game and this situation in the morning.
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Go Caps!!!!!
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