Author Archive

Walk-off Wall Banger From An Unlikely Hero Propels Nats Over Pirates

‘IMG_0682′ courtesy of ‘Lane 4 Imaging’ What is the best thing for a team that has gone through a traumatic week it after having to replace the manager and then suffer through a terrible road trip, culminating in a sweep 3000 miles away? A win. That wish was fulfilled in Davey Johnson’s first home game [...]

Padres Small Ball Better Than Nats, Take Rubber Match 5-4

‘Washington Nationals’ courtesy of ‘Keith Allison’ A scrappy game was played between two scrappy teams at Nats Ball Park on Sunday afternoon with the Padres proving to be the scrappiest of the bunch on the weekend, taking the rubber match 5-4 and the weekend series two games to one. The Nats and the Padres are [...]

Zimmermann Hard-Luck Loser As Nats Bats Silenced By Friars

If you set up a script for how to win a baseball game, it would go something like this: Get good starting pitching that gives you at least six innings and allows less than three runs. Make good defensive plays that keep the other team off the board and line up three quality relievers to [...]

A Little Brains, Heart and Nerve: Say Goodnight, Washington Capitals

‘IMG_1503.jpg’ courtesy of ‘bridgetds’ I could wile away the hours, Conferrin’ with the flowers, Consultin’ with the rain, And my head I’d be scratchin,’ While my thoughts were busy hatchin’ … The Bruce Boudreau Era is done. Make no mistake about it. Heading into the postseason the question was not so much about how far [...]

Caps Dropped By Bolts In Overtime of Game 2

‘Ovechkin Tosses First Star Puck to Crowd’ courtesy of ‘clydeorama’ A group of reporters huddled around a television in the press room at Verizon Center on Sunday night after the Capitals had lost Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinals 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime. Deadlines momentarily forgotten, the [...]

Fire Missing As Caps Dropped By Lightning in Game 1

Everybody who was cogently paying attention to the game knew that the Caps were starting to screw themselves when an old friend, the through-the-legs drop pass made an appearance on the rush. It is a play that is emblematic of a team that thinks it can play the how it wants, like they are on a pond or a river, as Boudreau said. An arrogant team. A team that thinks it can show up and win by virtue of its presence on the ice against an inferior opponent that is dog-tired from coming back three games to win a seven game series against the Penguins.

How To Quench Lightning

Ramos hits a couple dingers but Nats dropped by Mets 6-4

’2ND’ courtesy of ‘MissChatter’ There is only so much that Wilson Ramos can do for the Nats. He catches pitches, he does not pitch. He has one bat, not eight. His glove is made for catching fastballs, not tracking down dying quails in the outfield. Yet, he did what he could on Tuesday night for [...]

We are louder: Caps usher Rangers out of the playoffs in Game 5

For the first time in the Bruce Boudreau era, the Caps have close out a playoff series in less than seven games. Did anyone think that was possible?

Werth gives cold Nats 4-3 win over Brewers in extra innings

’1ST’ courtesy of ‘MissChatter’ There was no heat at Nationals Park on Friday night. Game time temperature was 56 degrees, decreasing with the breeze and as the sun went down. It was colder than the press box at Verizon Center where the Caps were taking on the Rangers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference [...]

Good Sasha: Caps prove they can take the Rangers in Game 1

Washington held strong and were rewarded, taking the game 2-1 for a one game to none series lead as Alexander Semin scored for the first time in 15 playoff contests, racing a rocket from the slot to the back of the net in overtime.

Caps vs. Rangers: What will it take to escape the first round?

For the Caps, look out for Mike Green. If he can get back to his smooth-skating, puck-moving self, it will go a long way to helping Washington establish offensive presence and wearing down Lundqvist and the Rangers’ defense.

What will it take for the Caps to win the Cup?

’2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Logo’ courtesy of ‘jpowers65′ Are you ready to rock? The 2010-11 Washington Capitals regular season was just a long exercise in patience. It was never supposed to be a definitive statement of what the Caps are or where the franchise stands in the pantheon of almost-great NHL hockey teams. If anything, [...]

Caps finish home schedule strong, anticipate playoffs

‘The Gentleman’ courtesy of ‘Brian Isemann’ It is a Wednesday night in April. Washington, D.C. was about 65 degrees in the afternoon with a bit of a chill breeze coming from the water. The townsfolk are buzzing about cherry blossoms and how utterly bad the Nationals are going to be. For years in D.C., this [...]

Thunder and finesse from Ankiel and Nats power past Braves

’7TH’ courtesy of ‘MissChatter’ One swing of Rick Ankiel’s bat made John Lannan and the Nationals winners for the first time in 2011 on Saturday as Washington beat the Braves 6-3 in a soggy affair at Nationals Park. Ankiel took a 91 mile-per-hour four-seam fastball from Braves starter Tommy Hanson to right field above the [...]

Caps top Blue Jackets, suffer on the blue line

‘IMG_4634.jpg’ courtesy of ‘bridgetds’ The Caps want to start tuning up for the playoffs. After grinding out an 4-3 overtime victory against the Blue Jackets on Thursday at Verizon Center, they have 101 points, eight points more than the Lightning in the division with four to play (six for Tampa). Washington trails the Flyers by [...]

Nats starting pitching: Yes, as bad as you think

’1ST_4709′ courtesy of ‘MissChatter’ Cherry blossoms have come to D.C. and with them the idea that it should be Spring here in the nation’s capital. Yet, the weather does not seem to agree with a patina of chill and frost still clinging to the ground every morning as we wait for the bright sun and [...]

Capitals revamped defense: Stanley Cup worthy?

‘IMG_6246.jpg’ courtesy of ‘bridgetds’ Nine straight games. Pretty good for a team that folk said was in complete disarray and out of the Stanley Cup picture three months ago. The Caps current streak now exceeds its lowest point of the season, the eight-game losing streak in December that led up to the Winter Classic. The [...]

Capitals look good against Blackhawks, still more work to be done

‘IMG_2530.jpg’ courtesy of ‘bridgetds’ Everybody around the Capitals are starting to get a little bit antsy. Washington is a point back for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, it has won eight straight games and doing so in gritty style. The trade acquisitions are paying off and it does not seem to matter who [...]

Capitals gone streaking: Seven in a row as Holtby withstands Hurricanes

‘IMG_6630.jpg’ courtesy of ‘bridgetds’ Things are really starting to go the Capitals way. Seven wins in a row. A fresh young goaltender riding a hot streak. A string of victories in one goal games. And now they have retaken second place in the Eastern Conference within striking distance of the Flyers for the top spot [...]