Caps make playoffs, draw Bruins. Bring it.

They're in. They avoided a first round bout with the Rangers. They drew the defending champs. Why not?

For the non-bandwagoners, throw your minds back in time about 14 years or so. The Caps were just starting their improbable run to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance. They lost their number one goalie early in the season, leaving the reigns to be seized by the relatively unknown Olaf Kolzig. This year's Caps have lost their "top two" goalies in Tomas Vokoun and Michael Neuvirth, leaving the crease to rookie Braden Holtby. Both year's teams drew the Boston Bruins in the first round. Anyone see a similarity here?

Olie Kolzig scraps with Byron Dafoe of the Boston Bruins. The two were both the "best man" at one another's weddings.

Sure, the '98 Caps were a four-seed with home ice advantage while this year's Caps are seeded seventh, going against the league's 2010 playoff MVP in goaltender Tim Thomas, along with he and the Bruins' very shiny Stanley Cup rings. But the Caps also have reasons to believe that this upset can very well happen. 

The Caps took the year's season series with a record of 3-1-0, including two wins in Boston. Of course the Bruins  team the Caps saw during the regular season will be completely different than the playoff version. Here are the big questions that will determine this series:

Can Braden Holtby keep up with Tim Thomas?

In his last start against the powerhouse New York Rangers, Holtby recorded a 35 save effort, including several big stops against several of the Rangers' big stars. Holtby also recorded a stinker against Buffalo days earlier, allowing 3 of 18. Can Holtby get the job done? Absolutely, but he needs to avoid having one of his "off" games. Holtby's game is very similar to former goalie Olaf Kolzig's. He keeps himself big in his stance, square to the shooter and likes to aggressively cut off the angle. When Holtby keeps his game simple and avoids over-handling the puck outside of his crease, he is a very difficult goaltender to get one past, partly due to his size, and partly due to his stellar lateral movement. The Bruins are a team that score a lot of "ugly" playoff goals. Holtby's style of play, in theory, should be the perfect answer to the Bruins' offense.

Which Tim Thomas shows up to play?:

Every goal scored on Thomas will have to be earned in the coming days.

In nine of his last sixteen appearances, Thomas has recorded a save percentage of less than .900 on the night. However, when Thomas is on his game, he is among the toughest goaltenders in the league to slip one by. Thomas stands at only 5'11", but compensates for his lack of size with his quick movements and his will to keep the puck out of his net at all costs. Last spring, the hockey world caught a glimpse at what the 37 year old goalie is capable of doing when he's on. Caps fans, and players, will have their fingers crossed that he fails to duplicate such a performance again this spring.

What does Dale Hunter do about Boston's desire to match Chara and Seidenberg against Ovechkin and Backstrom?:

Last game in Boston, the Bruins lacked Dennis Seidenberg on the blue line but still used the home ice advantage to match Zdeno Chara against Alex Ovechkin. To counter this, Dale Hunter could split his top two players apart, leaving the Bruins to chose putting Chara against Ovechkin and Johansson, or Backstrom and Semin. Claude Julien would have a much more difficult time getting line match ups that he was comfortable with, especially if Backstrom continues to improve his game as the series progresses. Ovechkin cannot be ignored either though, as through his 23 games against the Bruins since they acquired Chara in 2006-'07, he has put up 10 goals and 15 assists. Will the Caps continue this trend throughout the series? Maybe only during games in Boston where they don't have the last change? It worked against teams before before, maybe it will work again.

How do MoJo, Perreault, and Aucoin players perform against Boston's bigger lineup?

Mathieu Perreault caps off his hat trick against the Bruins earlier this year.

Marcus Johansson notched the Caps lone goal and Mathieu Perreault stepped up in the absence of Alex Ovechkin in the Capitals' 5-3 victory over Boston on January 24, 2012, netting three goals against Tukka Rask, with Johansson contributing an assist. Perreault would return the favor, assisting on Johansson's lone goal in a 4-1 Caps loss on February 5th. Johansson picked up another goal and assist in the Caps' 3-2 shootout victory in Boston on March 29th, earning him first star accolades for the night. For the Caps to pull off the upset, there will need to be more performances like this from the little guys up front.

How will the series play out in the coming days? We must wait to find out, but next to the Penguins/Flyers matchup, Caps v Bruins could potentially be the most exciting first round series of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Caps keep clicking

What is happening with the Washington Capitals of late? Is this a breakthrough, or just one big tease for an epic fall out of the playoffs for the first time in five years? Whatever the case, I must admit, I am some kind of pleased with what I have seen with this team for the last four games now, and not solely because they have resulted in an unheard of four game win streak. No, it's the little things that are going the Caps way all of a sudden, the intangibles, that make playoff teams and playoff runs, such as the following:

Tonight the Caps feel behind by three goals on the road, while in the midst of a three game win streak. They could have easily shipped it in, thinking "three of the last four is still pretty good," but they didn't. Alex Ovechkin put the Caps within two goals during the final minute of the second period, crashing the net and getting a dirty rebound goal, or a "playoff" type of goal. Young blue-liner Dmitri Orlov picked up his third goal of his rookie campaign, charging the net when an open passing lane presented itself early in the third, much as Mike Green has made a name for himself doing. Ovechkin got the tying goal in the third, getting a third wack in tight on Islanders' goalie Evgeni Nabokov, yet another "ugly" goal, though it was about as pretty as an ugly goal gets. Put Matt Hendrick's and his one move on the ice in a game-set-match shootout attempt, there's your fourth win in a row. Brilliant comeback, or better yet, a "vintage Caps" comeback.

Before that, the Caps shut out a desperate team on the outside looking in with the Toronto Maple Leafs in town. Michael Neuvirth was forced to make only 23 saves during his 60 minutes in net, and no more than a couple of them were legitimate scoring threats.

Mike Knuble finally got the very large monkey off his back, netting his second goal since December 5th, or 35 games. Believe it or not, Knuble's tally came in typical Knuble fashion: get to the net and see what happens.

Keith Aucoin, once a small plug-in when the Caps were in need of a little help (no pun intended), had a three point night and has averaged a point a night in his last five contests.

Jeff Schultz doesn't look like a defensive liability when he's on the ice of late, and has been able to contribute his fair share of puck movement in the offensive zone when called upon.

Michael Neuvirth has looked uncomfortable in the net, struggling to control rebounds and minimize his movements that have made his career thus far, but is still finding a way to win. Tomas Vokoun has picked up his play since two rough outings against Carolina and Ottawa, and figures to deserve a start in Winnipeg in the wake of Neuvirth's rough night.

Of course the Caps still have their struggles. John Carlson has largely been invisible of late, unless seen standing in front of his own net after a puck has gone in it. The Caps still are having to find ways to climb their way out of holes, trailing the Islanders by three tallies tonight and staging late comebacks against Tampa Bay and the Islanders during their last visit to DC. But even problems come with perks, such as seeing the Captain score two clutch overtime goals. And this serves as a sweet reminder of what could come in April if Washington's finest russian returns to top form for a playoff run.

Mike Knuble said after tonight's game that certain "leaders" stepped up vocally during the second intermission on the island, willing their teammates to find a way to win against the odds. Well, there's something we haven't heard much of this year. Having Knuble back in the locker room is a true asset to a young team in need of leadership and direction if anything is going to get done after game 82. With Nicklas Backstrom clearly not coming back anytime this year, everyone in the locker room will have to step up if there is to be any hope of playoff run in DC this spring.

Dale Hunter needs to let his veteran net-minder take his place between the pipes for the foreseeable future and prepare him for a playoff run, the one he was brought in to excel and lead. It will be a tough climb to chase down the red-hot Florida Panthers for this year's Southeast division crown. The Caps have quietly put together a three-game road winning streak, while the upcoming four road games in Winnipeg, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia will determine if anything is to come of this season.

Just remember, it was the fourth seeded Capitals that made a run to the finals in 1998, not the division champion New Jersey Devils. Your move, Caps. Make it happen.

The sickest spring break ever

Minus the part where I won't be on some beach overseas surrounded by smoking hot drunk chicks all break like many of you will, this should still be pretty fun. Here's the plan:

Friday: Get in car with the other guys going on trip, drive to Chicago. Staying at buddy's place, along with another guy from home.
Saturday: St. Patty's day in Chicago. May God have mercy on our souls.
Sunday: Caps/Blackhawks game in Chicago
Monday: Caps/Red Wings game in Detroit. Jump the boarder late night after the game.
Tuesday: Spend the day going around Toronto - Niagara Falls, Hockey Hall of Fame - Toronto Maple Leafs/New York Islanders game.
Wednesday: Jump boarder again. Buffalo Sabres/Montreal Canadiens showdown.
Thursday: Drive down to Philly. Eat Cheesesteaks, discuss how Rocky was overrated, get threatened by strangers on the street, etc. Caps/Flyers game.

Should be one hell of a trip. I'll keep you all entertained with pictures as best I can.

Just your average weekend in the Hockey World


I dare you to find me a sport played by more down to Earth guys. It's just not possible. Absolutely great stuff from the Boston Bruins, as well as the Burke family.

10 NHL headlines you won't see by 3 pm tomorrow

It's the greatest hockey day of the year - NHL Trade Deadline day! To celebrate, here are some things that probably won't happen:

10. Sidney Crosby retires, allowing Penguins to make room for Ovechkin

9. Flyers find answer for playoff goaltending woes, add Roberto Luongo

8. After solid outing in Worchester Sharks pre-game puck spike, San Jose adds Rob Gronkowski for toughness

7. After partying out of control last night, Kings break up Carter, Richards

6. Florida Panthers forfeit season after entire roster tests positive for steroid use

5. Nashville adds more celebrity husbands, convince Mike Comrie to un-retire; Carrie Underwood pleased

4. John Biebe and rest of Saturday game crew seen shoveling off a new rink in preparation for Phoenix Coyotes relocation to Mystery, Alaska

3. Washington Capitals trade with Ducks, re-acquire Bruce Boudreau

2. Bruins' Chara, Marchand get two-for-one price, set on matching nose jobs

1. LeBron James convinces Rick Nash to take his talents to South Beach

HAPPY TRADE DEADLINE DAY, EVERYONE!!!