Caps @ Bruins 3-8-2008 Wrap Up/ Caps vs. Penguin Scum 3-9-2008 Preview

The Local Yokels:

(Com)Post. Times.

The Neutral Observers:

NHL.com AP Wire.

The Other Side:

Boston Globe: turned on, taking one for the team, praising a goon, helping out, Chara out, Rangers thumbnails. Boston Herald: taking advantage, fighting spirit, stress relief, dishing it out and taking it, backup steps up, top pick improving. Bruins.com.

Final Thoughts:

Not that I think it would have mattered very much with "our problem," but after the 15:07 mark of the first period yesterday, the Caps did not have another Power Play until 9 seconds left in the game. While somewhat better than what happened on Wednesday night in Loserville...er...Buffalo (when we didn't get anything until the final seconds) you have to wonder just what is going on with the officiating here these past two games because it wasn't as if the Bruins stopped fouling until the end of the game (and the penalty called with 9 seconds left, they had to call). Though you do have to give Boston credit, they were able to score twice as many 5-on-3 goals in the final 5 minutes of yesterday's game as we have all season. Of course, by now you all know the worse news as not only did Philadelphia and Carolina win, but Carolina the Buffaslugs played another wonderful three point game so we lost as much ground as we possibly could yesterday.

69 down 13 to go.


Washington Capitals (32-37; 72 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 11th Eastern Conference, 22nd Overall) vs. Pittsburgh Penguin Scum (38-31; 83 points; 2nd Atlantic Division, 4th Eastern Conference, 6th Overall):
Caps Game #70, Home Game #35, NHL Game #1,038

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 12:38 pm. Washington TV: None. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Pittsburgh TV: None. Radio: WXDX 105.9-FM. U.S. National TV: NBC. Canadian National TV: TSN. NHL Center Ice: N/A.

With the earlier time change mandated by a misguided Congress trying to create more energy through conservation and not actual production; the Caps today face the Penguin Scum for the fourth and final time this season at the Phone Booth some 22 and a half hours after playing in Boston to starta four game homestand. The Penguin Scum currently lead the season series 2-1 after winning the first two games and losing the last one in a gimmick. The NHL Schedule makers have further rewarded the Penguin Scum with time off since Thursday's 5-2 loss in Florida to the Panthers.

What The Natives Are Saying:

Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: rivalry renewed, piling up the points, Hossa out. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: following a similar path, full circle, pressure mounting, scouting the Caps.

What Do I Expect Today?:

The "Bruce Boudreau Principle" in which the Caps have not lost consecutive games in regulation under Boudreau will face its most serious test today after yesterday's debacle. The Caps are playing on extremely short rest and are facing a team that has given them fits over the years. Something fluky always happens against us when we play the Penguin Scum and when you factor in the officiating we've faced recently, any continuation of that will not be a help. There is a reason for hope though; us Caps fans know what a Florida vacation in the middle of the season can do to you. We can only hope that Penguin Scum have too much sand in their legs and won't be ready to play today. Otherwise make sure you have an air sickness bag and/or a bucket ready if you're watching this game on TV. The Canadian Diving Team Captain, Secondary Assist Cindy Crosby has triumphantly returned from her ankle sprain that nearly cost her life. But the best doctor's in the world along with Cindy's steely resolve, passion for the game, and total desire to win to win the Stanley Cup brought her back from the brink. This return of course has relegated Evgeni Malkin-Lindros back to his supporting role which will make it more difficult for him to catch A.O. in the scoring race. But that Malkin-Lindros' is able to challenge A.O. for the scoring title while playing second fiddle to Cindy only shows just how much better he is than A.O. anyway. The Caps may have to score another 10 goals in order to get any attention from the broadcast crew.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Penguin Scum 4
Winner by Sykora

(34-34 on the season)