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Alexander Semin: 'I Try To Stay Away From Reading Newspapers ... Often It's Just Total Nonsense'

2012-05-15T19:42:13Z

The good folks at Russian Machine Never Breaks have proved themselves to be an indispensable resource, and they came up big again today by publishing an interview with Alexander Semin, which took place at the team's breakdown day yesterday, before Semin jetted off to Stockholm for the final days of the World Championships.

Three days in to the Capitals' offseason, Semin is proving to be their most talked-about player and the interview, done by Igor Kleyner, is a good look at a man who is at a crossroads in his career.

You should read the whole thing, but a couple of the most interesting quotes are after the jump.

Semin on Dale Hunter's system:

Of course, personally, I like to play the open style hockey more, the one we used to play. It's more fun -- open, creative passing, creating things off the rush. That's the style of hockey I enjoy playing, but I understand, like it or not, in the playoffs you win if you play defensive hockey.

And Semin on the media:

I try to stay away from reading the newspapers, because often it's just total nonsense. Sometimes you grab a newspaper after the game, try to read about the game I played in, and it's just ... I don't even know how it's possible, which game did this reporter watch? He watched the game, why does he need to invent stuff? Yeah I understand, to keep people interested ... but I played in that game, so I don't need to read this.

Like we said, read the whole thing.

VIDEO: Bryce Harper Discusses First Major League Home Run

2012-05-15T18:45:42Z

As we write this, the Washington Nationals are losing to the San Diego Padres in the bottom of the fourth inning. Which means that we have to put this video up before all of the good feeling from Monday night's 8-5 come-from-behind win over San Diego completely dissipates.

The biggest story from the game (apart from the unfortunate injury to Sandy Leon), was Bryce Harper's first major league home run, which came in the bottom of the third inning and gave the Nats a 4-1 lead. You can see video of the home run here.

After the game, as could be expected, the media crowded around Harper's locker to have a word. CSN Washington was good enough to give us three minutes of video from that scrum, which you can see below.

We love the idea of the veterans pushing Harper out to get a curtain call. Shows how much he's become a part of the team.

And as we type this, Harper's just hit his second home run. We'll just go ahead and credit this post for that.

JaVale McGee And The Great Platypus Caper

2012-05-15T16:50:55Z

So, this is what former Wizard and current Nugget JaVale McGee tweeted yesterday ...

Just copped a pet platypus .... #swag
— Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) May 14, 2012

And this was the picture he posted of them ...

We let it slide because, frankly, those didn't look like JaVale McGee's hands. Also, wouldn't an athlete want to include a picture of his face with those adorable little platypuses?

Anyway, we let it slide, but others didn't. It got picked up here. And here. Even our own Bullets Forever linked to it.

Today, McGee tweeted this.

Uh ok didn't know that Peter an Paul ( my pet platypus') were poisonous..... If ur hand turns Barney purple that's not good right?
— Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) May 15, 2012

That was followed by this.

Jokes up!!!!!!!
— Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) May 15, 2012

And this ...

I can believe I fooled fans into believing I bought some platypus' but reporters?
— Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) May 15, 2012

And, finally, this ...

Media: u guys didn't check ur sources before writing the story? All u had to do is go to google images...Smh...Sbn...Some others n dc. SHAME
— Pierre McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) May 15, 2012

And we're done here.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Capitals/Rangers Game 7 Draws 1.68 Million Viewers

2012-05-15T15:38:17Z

Because we're nerds about this sort of thing, we can't help but do one last post about the TV ratings for the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Capitals and the New York Rangers.

The entire series drew large TV audiences, thanks to the presence of the New York market (as well as, of course, the various Capitals stars). So it was a little disappointing to see that the climactic Game 7 at Madison Square Garden drew only 1.68 million viewers, a tick below the 1.85 million that watched Game 3, which ended in a triple-overtime victory for New York.

The numbers can be explained. The game was played on Saturday night, when many people who might have watched the game at home instead went out to bars, which generally aren't counted in these things.

And even discounting that, NBCSN's numbers do compare favorably with the ratings at this time last year. Game 2 of the Bruins/Flyers series was the most-watched game of the first two rounds in 2011, drawing a smidgen under 1.7 million viewers.

All numbers via the indispensable Puck The Media.

Jay Beagle Suffered Broken Foot In Game 5 Against Rangers

2012-05-14T20:07:48Z

Jay Beagle had played in Washington's first 12 Stanley Cup playoff games, recording a goal and an assist, and generally excelling as a defensive forward.

So when the Capitals took the ice for warm-ups at Verizon Center prior to Game 6 against the New York Rangers Wednesday night, many observers were stunned to see Jeff Halpern, who had not dressed for the entire playoffs, in Beagle's place.

An injury to Beagle was immediately suspected, but no one outside the organization knew the full extent of it until Monday's breakdown day media availability.

Jay Beagle broke his foot on G5 PK when Stralman shot hit bone directly in left foot. Tried to play G6, had surgery next day
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 14, 2012

Dale Hunter, for what it's worth, told the media two hours before Game 6 that Beagle would play, a lie that's told by all hockey coaches at this time of year. But even allowing for the fact that skating puts less stress on a broken foot than walking, the fact that Beagle even attempted to play in Game 6 (George McPhee said that Beagle's foot was broken in a place that denied him balance) speaks to the desire that every hockey player has to win that trophy.

VIDEO: Capitals GM George McPhee Rages During Final, Futile Power Play

2012-05-14T16:05:01Z

Capitals General Manager George McPhee has a well-earned reputation for being a nervous wreck during every game that his team is involved in. If you don't believe us, check out this clip from "24/7" last year. And that was after a routine game against Boston in December.

Some bright spark at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, no doubt know of McPhee's penchant for agony, thought it would be a good idea to have a camera ready to jump to McPhee for a reaction shot any time the on-ice action demanded it.

That's how we wound up with video clips like this one, which was shot during Washington's 2-1 triple overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 3. Look at the man. We're amazed he wasn't rendered catatonic by Game 7.

And speaking of Game 7 ...

When Ruslan Fedotenko was whistled for delay of game with 8:41 to go and the score 2-1, the call represented Washington's best chance to get back into the game. What ensued was possibly the worst power play that didn't result in a shorthanded goal in the history of the NHL. As you might expect, George McPhee was not pleased.

That's the beauty of Game 7s: they turn even General Managers into frustrated spectators.

Videos via Russian Machine.

VIDEO: Harris English Hits Volunteer On First Tee Shot At TPC Sawgrass

2012-05-12T22:17:46Z

Harris English is a rookie on the PGA Tour, with a win on the Nationwide Tour as an amateur to his credit. English had been playing well in the first two rounds of the 2012 Players Championship, entering Saturday's final round at seven-under par for the tournament, just one shot off the lead. Then Harris English stepped to the first tee box and drove one like I do on the weekend. His tee shot on hole one smacked a volunteer right in the head. Since the volunteer is OK, you can laugh and enjoy the video after the jump, even though the poor guy looks to be in rough shape initially.

Video courtesy of SB Nation and Brian Floyd:

This tee shot was the start of a rough day for Harris, as he has bogeyed the first hole, carded a triple-bogey on the second hole and added in a double-bogey on the fifth hole for good measure. Harris is six-over for the day, and now 10 shots off the lead.

For real-time leaderboard updates throughout the tournament, visit Golf.com.

We'll keep you up to date with all the latest news and updates for this tournament in this StoryStream. Still not enough golf for you, head over to Waggle Room or the SB Nation Golf Hub Page.

Robert Griffin III, Baylor Had No Playbook, According To College Teammate

2012-05-12T17:17:19Z

Kendall Wright was the 20th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, chosen by the Tennessee Titans. Wright was also new Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III's teammate at Baylor, and the wide receiver dropped an interesting nugget during Titans rookie orientation on Friday. Via Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean:

"I think we are the only team that didn't have a playbook," Wright said of Baylor. "It is kind of a different kind of learning deal. We see it visually and we run it, and it just sticks with us when you are out there running it."

Wright, who caught 302 passes for 4,004 yards and 30 touchdowns, did point out that despite not having an actual playbook he had to learn more than 300 plays in the Baylor offense. Receivers looked to the sideline for play calls from the coaches, while RGIII ran the no-huddle offense on the field.

For more on the Washington Redskins, check out Hogs Haven and stay tuned to SB Nation DC. For more in depth coverage of the NFL, be sure to check out SB Nation's NFL hub.