Capitals Insider

Breaking down the Capitals’ unrestricted free agents

Katie Carrera — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:45:58 GMT

Last week when asked how much change the roster needed heading into next season, General Manager George McPhee replied “not a whole lot” and reiterated his confidence in the Capitals’ style of play. There will always be some tinkering in any … Continue reading →

Should the Capitals re-sign Mike Ribeiro?

Katie Carrera — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:26:42 GMT

For three seasons from 2009-10 through 2011-12, the Washington Capitals auditioned all types for the role of second-line center, with mixed and largely insufficient results. It wasn’t until this lockout-shortened year that they finally found a solution to the persistent … Continue reading →

Losers? No. Chokers? Perhaps.

Neil Greenberg — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:42 GMT

The Washington Capitals, contrary to what some may say, do not have a culture of losing. This organization has made the playoffs six straight seasons despite having four different coaches over that span, including three in the past two seasons. … Continue reading →

Should the Capitals re-sign Matt Hendricks?

Katie Carrera — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:10:34 GMT

Many might look at Matt Hendricks, a fourth-line grinder with just 17 points in the past two seasons combined, and think that the Capitals could simply replace him if they can’t come to terms with the impending unrestricted free agent. … Continue reading →

Wojtek Wolski signs with KHL team

Katie Carrera — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:48:24 GMT

One of the Capitals’ impending unrestricted free agents won’t be returning to Washington next season. Seldom-used winger Wojtek Wolski signed with Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League, the team announced Monday morning. Wolski’s agent, Joe Resnick, confirmed that … Continue reading →

Tom Wilson eager to make an impact for Caps

Katie Carrera — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:05:43 GMT

Highly-touted prospect Tom Wilson made his NHL debut in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it remains to be determined whether the young winger will be on the Capitals’ opening-night roster next fall. As encouraged as the Capitals were by Wilson’s … Continue reading →

Tom Poti will not return to Capitals

Katie Carrera — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:37:32 GMT

Veteran defenseman Tom Poti hopes to continue his playing career but will not return to the Capitals next season. After showing he could still hold his own in the NHL after missing more than two years with injury, Poti is … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin played with fractured left foot in Games 6, 7 against Rangers

Katie Carrera — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:44:45 GMT

Update 3:27 p.m.: The Capitals have confirmed Ovechkin’s injury. Original post: Alex Ovechkin played the final two games of the Capitals’ first-round series against New York with a hairline fracture in his left foot, according to a league source with … Continue reading →

Capitals head into offseason with coaching stability

Katie Carrera — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:14:59 GMT

For the first time in three years, the Washington Capitals have some sense of stability as they head into the offseason. There won’t be any questions about who the coach will be, like there were last offseason after Dale Hunter’s … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin, Russia eliminated from World Championship

Katie Carrera — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:14:56 GMT

Three days after the Washington Capitals were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, Alex Ovechkin and Russia were knocked out of the IIHF World Championship. Russia fell, 8-3, to the United States in the quarterfinals Thursday in Helsinki, marking its … Continue reading →

Injury updates on Martin Erat, Brooks Laich

Katie Carrera — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:54:05 GMT

Martin Erat suffered a dislocated elbow in Game 4 against the Rangers but expected to return to the lineup in the second round had Washington advanced, the veteran winger said Wednesday. “It’s kind of sad. When I was getting ready … Continue reading →

Images from Capitals breakdown day

Lindsay Applebaum — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:06:56 GMT

Breakdown day: a little bit like the last day of school, but a lot more depressing. We’ll have more in the coming days on exit interviews, the outlook for the Caps this summer and an examination of the roster, but … Continue reading →

George McPhee on playoff officiating: ‘It sure didn’t feel right’

Katie Carrera — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:24:54 GMT

After New York eliminated the Capitals from the Stanley Cup playoffs Monday night, Alex Ovechkin sounded off about the possibility of a league conspiracy to force the series to a seventh game. “Not saying there was a phone call, but … Continue reading →

The five stages of grief (Capitals fan edition)

Lindsay Applebaum — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:16:40 GMT

Barry Svrluga’s story on the Caps’ rite of spring — that being the annual heartbreaking playoff loss — brought out some insightful comments from readers about their history rooting for the team and how they’re coping this time around. There … Continue reading →

Free agents Mike Ribeiro and Matt Hendricks would like to stay in Washington

Mark Giannotto — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:04:31 GMT

The Capitals have two prominent unrestricted free agents heading into this offseason, and both said Wednesday they would like to return to Washington next season. Forwards Mike Ribeiro and Matt Hendricks spoke separately with reporters when the Capitals held … Continue reading →

Five questions the Capitals need to answer soon

Neil Greenberg — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:26:54 GMT

The Capitals won the Southeast Division while Alex Ovechkin claimed the Rocket Richard Trophy for the most goals scored. The Great Eight is also a finalist for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player. As the third … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin: ‘One guy can’t win the championship’

Katie Carrera — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:19:30 GMT

For all that Alex Ovechkin managed to do during the regular season, from leading the Capitals to the postseason by averaging a goal a game in the final 23 contests to being named a finalist for the Hart Trophy, … Continue reading →

Alex Ovechkin to play for Russia in IIHF World Championship (updated)

Katie Carrera — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:03:34 GMT

The day after a Game 7 gut-punch elimination from the first round of the playoffs, the Capitals announced that Alex Ovechkin is heading to Helsinki to play for Russia in the quarterfinals of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship. … Continue reading →

Leonsis on Game 7 loss: ‘I personally feel like I have let the community down’

Lindsay Applebaum — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:29:16 GMT

Ted Leonsis posted some initial thoughts Tuesday on the Caps’ “painful” 5-0 Game 7 defeat to the Rangers, congratulating New York and commiserating with devastated fans. Here’s an excerpt: We exit Round 1 in seven games, after having a 2-0 series lead. … Continue reading →

First line vanishes as Capitals eliminated by Rangers

Katie Carrera — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:53:34 GMT

As the Capitals made their push at the end of the regular season to claim a playoff berth, it was the top line that led the way. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom both averaged more than a point per … Continue reading →

Capitals players left stunned following Game 7 defeat

Katie Carrera — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:23:45 GMT

View Photo Gallery —Caps crushed by Rangers, 5-0, and eliminated from Stanley Cup playoffs Early exits have become an annual routine for these Washington Capitals and each time the elimination brings a little more disappointment, a little more frustration especially … Continue reading →

Caps vs. Rangers, Game 7: Live updates and analysis

Lindsay Applebaum — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:00:46 GMT

Rangers ‘really don’t care’ Washington has home ice for Game 7

Mark Giannotto — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:41 GMT

New York Rangers Coach John Tortorella has gone on record in the past with his assertion that home ice only matters in the NHL playoffs during a Game 7. But with the Rangers facing that scenario tonight in their Eastern … Continue reading →

Capitals ‘need to be a more disciplined hockey team’ in Game 7

Katie Carrera — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:51 GMT

While the Capitals haven’t been happy about the discrepancy in penalties dished out in this series, they know that they could have avoided some of the calls they received in Game 6. Of the five minors Washington was whistled … Continue reading →

Capitals must turn the page, start fresh in Game 7 against Rangers

Katie Carrera — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:23:06 GMT

View Photo Gallery —New York defeats Washington, 1-0, to force Game 7 The Capitals are quite familiar with the agony-inducing, pressure-packed contests that are a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Winner-take-all nailbiters where every shift and every mistake … Continue reading →