D6
EZ SU
KLMNO CAPITALSPREVIEW
ROSTER FIRST LINE
Alex Ovechkin Left wing, No. 8
Nicklas Backstrom Center, No. 19
Mike Knuble Right wing, No. 22
SECOND LINE
Brooks Laich Left wing, No. 21
Tomas Fleischmann Center, No. 14
Alexander Semin Right wing, No. 28
THIRD LINE
Jason Chimera Left wing, No. 25
Marcus Johansson Center, No. 90
Eric Fehr Right wing, No. 16
FOURTH LINE
Boyd Gordon Right wing/center, No. 15
David Steckel Center, No. 39
Matt Bradley Left/right wing, No. 10
OTHER FORWARDS
D.J. King Left wing, No. 17
Matt Hendricks Center, No. 26
FIRST DEFENSIVE PAIRING
Jeff Schultz No. 55
Mike Green No. 52
SECOND DEFENSIVE PAIRING
TomPoti No. 3
John Carlson No. 74
THIRD DEFENSIVE PAIRING
Karl Alzner No. 27
John Erskine No. 4
OTHER DEFENSEMAN
Tyler Sloan No. 89
GOALTENDERS
Semyon Varlamov No. 1
Michal Neuvirth No. 30
THREE KEYS VITALS
Age: 25 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 234 Years: 5
Age: 22 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 210 Years: 3
Age: 38 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 227 Years: 13
VITALS
Age: 27 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200 Years: 6
Age: 26 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195 Years: 5
Age: 26 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 209 Years: 5
VITALS
Age: 31 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 210 Years: 9
Age: 20 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 197 Years: 0
Age: 25 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 218 Years: 5
VITALS
Age: 26 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 201 Years: 6
Age: 28 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 218 Years: 5
Age: 32 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 200 Years: 9
VITALS
Age: 26 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 233 Years: 4
Age: 29 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 208 Years: 2
VITALS
Age: 24 Ht: 6-6 Wt: 232 Years: 4
Age: 24 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 205 Years: 5
VITALS
Age: 33 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 198 Years: 11
Age: 20 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 211 Years: 1
VITALS
Age: 22 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 215 Years: 2
Age: 30 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 224 Years: 8
VITALS
Age: 29 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 214 Years: 2
VITALS
Age: 22 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 207 Years: 2
Age: 22 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 203 Years: 2
SCHEDULE
OCTOBER 8 at Atlanta
9 vs. New Jersey 7 11 vs. Ottawa
7
13 vs. N.Y. Islanders 7 16 at Nashville 19 vs. Boston 21 at Boston 23 vs. Atlanta 27 at Carolina 28 at Minnesota 30 at Calgary
7:30 CSN CSN CSN
8
CSN, Vs. CSN
7:30 Versus 7 7 7 8
CSN CSN CSN CSN
10 CSN
NOVEMBER 3 vs. Toronto 5 vs. Boston
7 7
7 vs. Philadelphia 5
7 5 7
CSN CSN CSN
9 at N.Y. Rangers 7:30 Versus 11 vs. Tampa Bay 7 13 at Buffalo 14 vs. Atlanta 17 vs. Buffalo 19 at Atlanta
CSN CSN CSN CSN
20 vs. Philadelphia 7 22 at New Jersey 7 24 at Carolina
7
26 vs. Tampa Bay 5 28 vs. Carolina
5
7:30 CSN CSN CSN CSN CSN CSN
DECEMBER 1 at St. Louis 2 at Dallas 4 vs. Atlanta 6 vs. Toronto 9 vs. Florida 11 vs. Colorado
8 CSN+
8:30 CSN 7 7 7 7
CSN CSN
12 at N.Y. Rangers 7 15 vs. Anaheim 18 at Boston 19 at Ottawa
7 7
7 7 7
CSN, Vs. CSN CSN CSN
CSN+ 7:30 CSN
21 vs. New Jersey 7:30 Versus 23 vs. Pittsburgh 26 at Carolina 28 vs. Montreal
CSN
CSN+ CSN
JANUARY 1 at Pittsburgh
1
4 vs. Tampa Bay 7 8 vs. Florida 11 at Florida
7 12 at Tampa Bay
14 vs. Vancouver 7 16 vs. Ottawa
18 at Philadelphia 7 20 at N.Y. Islanders 7 22 at Toronto
7 7
NBC CSN CSN
7:30 CSN+ 7:30 CSN CSN CSN CSN CSN
3 CSN+
24 vs. N.Y. Rangers 7:30 Versus 26 at Atlanta
CSN
FEBRUARY 1 vs. Montreal 4 at Tampa Bay 6 vs. Pittsburgh 8 vs. San Jose
7:30 CSN 7:30 CSN+ 12:30 NBC 7
CSN
12 vs. Los Angeles 12:30 CSN 14 at Phoenix 16 at Anaheim 17 at San Jose 20 at Buffalo
9
10 CSN 10:30 CSN 3
21 at Pittsburgh
25 vs. N.Y. Rangers 7 26 at N.Y. Islanders 7
Versus NBC
7:30 Versus CSN+ CSN
MARCH 1 vs. N.Y. Islanders 7 3 vs. St. Louis 6 at Florida
7 at Tampa Bay
9 vs. Edmonton 7 11 vs. Carolina 13 vs. Chicago 15 at Montreal 16 at Detroit
18 at New Jersey 7
7 5 7
7 3 7
CSN CSN CSN
Versus CSN CSN NBC
CSN+
7:30 CSN, Vs. CSN
22 at Philadelphia 7:30 Versus 25 at Ottawa 26 at Montreal 29 vs. Carolina 31 vs. Columbus
7:30 CSN+ 7 7 7
CSN CSN
CSN, Vs.
APRIL 2 vs. Buffalo 5 at Toronto 6 vs. Florida 9 at Florida
7 7 7 7
CSN CSN CSN CSN
2009-10
Goals: 50 Assists: 59 Points: 109 +/-: +45
Goals: 33 Assists: 68 Points: 101 +/-: +37
Goals: 29 Assists: 24 Points: 53 +/-: +23
2009-10
Goals: 25 Assists: 34 Points: 59 +/-: +16
Goals: 23 Assists: 28 Points: 51 +/-: +9
Goals: 40 Assists: 44 Points: 84 +/-: +36
2009-10
Goals: 15 Assists: 19 Points: 34 +/-: -1
Goals: 10 Assists: 10 Points: 20
Goals: 21 Assists: 18 Points: 39 +/-: +18
2009-10
Goals: 4 Assists: 6 Points: 10 +/-: +4
Goals: 5 Assists: 11 Points: 16 +/-: +4
Goals: 10 Assists: 14 Points: 24 +/-: +6
2009-10
Goals: 0 Assists: 0 Points: 0 +/-: -4
Goals: 9 Assists: 7 Points: 16 +/-: +1
2009-10
Goals: 3 Assists: 20 Points: 23 +/-: +50
Goals: 19 Assists: 57 Points: 76 +/-: +39
2009-10
Goals: 4 Assists: 20 Points: 24 +/-: +26
Goals: 1 Assists: 5 Points: 6 +/-: +11
2009-10
Goals: 0 Assists: 5 Points: 5 +/-: -2
Goals: 1 Assists: 5 Points: 6 +/-: +16
2009-10
Goals: 2 Assists: 4 Points: 6 +/-: -1
2009-10
Rec.: 15-4-6 GAA: 2.55 Save Pct.: .909
Rec.: 9-4-0 GAA: 2.75 Save Pct.: .914
OUTLOOK
How the fiery superstar responds after a year in which he made early exits in the Stanley Cup playoffs and Olympics will go a long way to determining how the Capitals finish.
Firmly entrenched as the franchise center after signing a 10-year, $67 million contract extension, the sublime passer has established himself as an elite pivot.
The personable veteran shows no signs of slowing down as he thrives in front of the net. Comfortable entering the final year of his contract, he provides stabilizing perspective.
OUTLOOK
A valuable leader, he posted career highs in goals and assists last season. Entering the final year of a three-year contract, he’ll look to continue the upward trend.
Armed with a new contract and clean bill of health, the versatile forward has made the full- time switch to center. He set career highs in goals and points last season.
His dynamic talent and wicked wrist shot were on display last year, but he had a forgettable postseason. He’s slated to earn $6 million in the final year of his contract.
OUTLOOK
A feisty physical presence, he meshed well with the Capitals after arriving via trade from Columbus last December. He has the ability to grind and lead a strong forecheck.
The smooth skater could make a rapid rise up the depth chart and challenge for significant ice time. (Statistics are from the 42 games he played with his Swedish team.)
A regular contributor at even strength, he hopes to continue his upward progression in point production and increase his impact on the power play.
OUTLOOK
Plagued by muscle problems in his back, he appeared in only 36 games last season. In his limited action, the longest-tenured Capital won 61 percent of his draws.
The faceoff specialist finished second in the league among qualifying players, winning 59.2 percent of his draws. He logged the most short- handed minutes of any forward on the team.
The fan favorite posted career highs in goals and assists in just 11 minutes per game. A mainstay on the penalty kill, he will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
OUTLOOK
Healthy after shoulder and hand injuries limited him to just 13 games the past two seasons, the bona fide heavyweight instantly adds extra toughness.
He played his way onto the roster after arriving at training camp on a professional tryout. Has experience at all three forward positions and adds grit to the lineup.
OUTLOOK
The towering Schultz notched a career high in points and led the league in plus/minus while solidifying his place as a top-four defenseman. Also led the team in blocked shots with 129.
Led all NHL defensemen in goals and points for the second straight season and finished as runner-up for the Norris Trophy, but once again struggled in the playoffs.
OUTLOOK
The team’s short-handed ice-time leader anchors an otherwise young defensive corps. He has fully recovered from the gruesome eye injury he suffered in last year’s playoffs.
Likely a Capitals defensive cornerstone for the foreseeable future, he thrived in his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs. His uncanny instincts should ease his transition to the NHL.
OUTLOOK
After bouncing betweenWashington and Hershey the past two years, the stay-at-home defenseman has an opportunity to find his comfort level as an NHL regular.
The rugged role player did not suit up in any playoff games this past spring and will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He has worked on his strength and skating ability.
OUTLOOK
After appearing in 40 NHL games last season, the workmanlike player hopes to show he can be a regular contributor for a team carrying seven defensemen instead of eight.
OUTLOOK
Sidetracked by an undisclosed injury, the projected starter went on injured reserve but is expected to return quickly. Dany Sabourin likely will be a backup in the meantime.
After becoming the first goaltender to win back-to-back Calder Cup championships since the late 1970s, the technically sound Czech wants more than a backup role in the NHL.
Neuvirth ready for heavy workload Michal Neuvirth is expected
to start in the Capitals’ season opener Friday against the Atlan- ta Thrashers, and if he is needed to play the team’s first three games in four days, the 22-year- old goalie said he is prepared. “I’ve done it a lot in my ca-
reer,” Neuvirth said of playing several games in a short time period. “But I’mjust focusing on [Friday] night. I want to be sharp and that’s what I’mthink- ing right now. . . . I’m pretty excited. I can’t wait for the game and I’m going to get a little nervous before the game, but I think I can handle the pressure.”
With Semyon Varlamov on
injured reserve with what he told CSNWashington was a groin injury—the same ailment he battled on several occasions last season — the Capitals may rely on Neuvirth more early on than they had planned. Coach Bruce Boudreau
wouldn’t rule out the chance of playing Neuvirth in all of the first three games, but it’s still possible that veteran Dany Sab- ourin, who likely will be sent to the minor leagueHershey Bears after Varlamov returns, could pick up some ice time. While there is no definite
timetable for Varlamov to fully return to the roster, Boudreau said he anticipates that Varlam- ov will be able to participate fully in practice on Tuesday. Varlamov was a late scratch
for the Capitals’ preseason game against the Bruins on Sept. 28 and did not practice with the team again until Oct. 5. “I’m discouraged for him be-
cause it’s happened before, and it’s taken him a while to get ready,” Boudreau said. “It was just something that we wanted to make sure didn’t get as bad as in previous years.”
—Katie Carrera JOHN MCDONNELL/THE WASHINGTON POST
Marcus Johansson, top right, made the opening night roster after an impressive training camp and preseason. The Caps’ 2009 first-round pick could take on a big role for a team in search of centers.
Goaltending duo The Capitals were patient while their blue-chip prospects matured over the past two seasons, and the future is now. Michal Neuvirth inked a two-year, $2.3 million contract extension through 2012-13 and is poised to make his case for the starting job in Washington after anchoring the Hershey Bears to back-to- back American Hockey League titles. Meanwhile, Semyon Varlamov was limited in the preseason by an undisclosed injury despite returning to Washington more than a month early to prepare. Through 51NHLgames in the regular season and playoffs, Varlamov has handled high-pressure situations. His biggest challenge is remaining healthy. Neuvirth and Varlamov likely will split time throughout the season to see who will be the Capitals’ go-to guy.
Depth at center Tomas Fleischmann has been converted into a full- time center to start the season, but after the team experimented with the switch a few times least year, it’s up to the Czech forward to stay there. “He prefers to play there,” Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But we need to see the consistency there.” Howquickly Swedish rookie Marcus Johansson acclimates to the North American game also will have an impact. If Johansson, who has strong defensive instincts, debuts with confidence like countryman Nicklas Backstrom did in 2007, don’t be surprised to see him logging crucial minutes by the middle of the season.
Young defense Though the Capitals’ perceived need for a veteran, shutdown defenseman has been a hot-button topic throughout Boudreau’s tenure as coach, the team didn’t make any offseason acquisitions. They are banking on John Carlson and Karl Alzner to be ready for full-timeNHL duty after excelling in juniors and with the minor league Hershey Bears. All signs indicate that Carlson, 20, and Alzner, 22, are prepared for the transition, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a learning curve as they embark on a full season. They have a combined 73 games of regular season experience in the NHL. —Katie Carrera
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128