SB Nation DC - Flyers Vs. Capitals: Washington Overwhelmed By Philadelphia, Loses 5-1 At Verizon Centerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-12-14T09:45:03-05:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23959592011-12-14T09:45:03-05:002011-12-14T09:45:03-05:00VIDEO: Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin Slam Into Each Other
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<p>It was a pretty awful night for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> on Tuesday. Everything that could have gone wrong for Washington did in their 5-1 loss. That includes this cringe-worthy sequence where the two most-maligned players on the roster -- <span>Alex Ovechkin</span> and <span>Alexander Semin</span> -- slammed into each other, ending an offensive rush.</p>
<p>Here's the sad sequence in slow, slow motion, via @<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/recordsANDradio/status/146791503799390208">recordsandradio</a>.</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/12/14/2635320/alex-ovechkin-alexander-semin-capitals-vs-flyersMike Prada2011-12-14T09:26:53-05:002011-12-14T09:26:53-05:00Tomas Vokoun Needs To Use Experience To Help Struggling Washington Capitals
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<p>Tomas Vokoun has never played for a Stanley Cup contender. Now that he is and the Caps are struggling, Vokoun must take from his experience and steal games for the Caps to succeed.
</p> <p><span class="sbn-auto-link">WASHINGTON, D.C. - </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> general manager George McPhee was content to start the 2010-11 season with <span>Michal Neuvirth</span> and <span>Braden Holtby</span> as his young, but promising goaltending tandem. That is, until a proven veteran fell into his lap.</p>
<p><span>Tomas Vokoun</span>, with 13 years of experience to his credit, wanted to play for a Stanley Cup contender for the first time in his career and took a steep pay cut to do so. He signed with the Caps for one year and $1.5 million after earning $6.3 million in the final year of his four-year contract with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a>.</p>
<p>Former head coach Bruce Boudreau anointed Vokoun as the starting goaltender upon his arrival, which made sense, considering he would be the first true No. 1 goalie this team has had since <span>Olaf Kolzig</span> in 2007-08. He was also supposed to provide a steady presence in net. While the former may still be true five months later -- Vokoun has received 21 starts so far this season -- the latter hasn't been that way lately.</p>
<p>That much is obvious after yet another shaky (at best) performance by Vokoun in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>. Vokoun allowed four goals on 21 shots in 40 minutes before being pulled in favor of Neuvirth to start the third, the third time this season that he has been pulled.</p>
<p>"It was terrible performance," Vokoun said. "Certainly not pleasant and it's unfortunate in a game like that, but there's really not much to say. It was a bad performance by me."</p>
<p>In what the Caps considered a measuring stick game against the Eastern Conference's best team, Vokoun allowed a <a href="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,441&event=WSH93">soft goal</a> to <span>Scott Hartnell</span> late in the first period that seemed to deflate not only the goaltender, but the entire team. The Flyers poured it on in the second period, scoring three goals, <a href="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,441&event=WSH279">two</a> of which were <a href="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,441&event=WSH298">deflected</a> and another one that can be <a href="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,441&event=WSH460">considered soft</a>.</p>
<p>"The first one I saw was a bad goal," Vokoun said. "Second one, actually <span>Mathieu Perreault</span> tipped it right in front of me. Third one, I think their guy tipped it. It was their guy and [<span>Marcus Johansson</span>] just went in front of me when the puck was coming. The fourth one I didn't see it and it just went through our defenseman. But still, you got to make the saves. There's no excuses. It was a bad game. I didn't help the team at all and that's my job."</p>
<p>Tuesday's game was a microcosm of Vokoun's season, which has been plagued by inconsistency. In his first start, he allowed five goals on 28 shots, but settled down in a 6-5 shootout win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> on October 10. Vokoun then allowed two goals or fewer in six straight starts before giving up three or more in the following three. Overall this season, Vokoun has allowed three or more goals in nearly half of his appearances (10 of 22) and has done so in six of his last nine starts.</p>
<p>Vokoun's 2.81 goals against average is ranked 48th among NHL goaltenders and his .906 save percentage is 42nd. His goaltending partner, Neuvirth, isn't doing much better. In limited action, Neuvirth's 3.73 GAA and .875 SV% are both ranked 70th out of 71 ranked goaltenders this season.</p>
<p>"Sometimes, [Vokoun's] going to have a bad one," <span>Troy Brouwer</span> said. "That's when the team needs to pick him up and help him out. But we didn't help him out. We're not giving him any help, tonight especially. We just let guys walk over the blueline, they looked us off coming over the blueline and we just couldn't stay with them. We were passing them up and just giving them too much opportunity."</p>
<p>As Brouwer noted, the Capitals are not giving Vokoun much support, scoring just one goal in six of Vokoun's last 10 starts. But with that said, the bottom line is clear. If Washington isn't scoring, Vokoun has to be better and keep his team in the game.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span>Entering the season, Vokoun had a 2.56 GAA and .923 save percentage in four seasons with the Panthers, and his .922 save percentage was the highest among goaltenders since the NHL lockout. In those four years in Florida, the Panthers were never a serious playoff contender and relied on Vokoun to win games for them on a nightly basis (he earned 101 of the Panthers' 141 total wins in his four seasons).</p>
<p>When Vokoun arrived in Washington, it was thought that he didn't need to steal games for the Caps to succeed. He just had to be good. Yet, with a 15-13-1 record, the Caps are out of the current playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, territory Vokoun knows.</p>
<p>With that said, Vokoun needs to tap into that mentality and steal games for the Caps as they continue to struggle. Otherwise, the Caps will have more rough nights in their future.</p>
<p>"Like I said, it was a horrible game," Vokoun said. "It's disappointing and it's going to be [a] tough night tonight, but tomorrow's [a] new day and just got to get back to work and start over."</p>
<p><i>For more on the Capitals, visit <a href="http://www.japersrink.com">Japers' Rink</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/12/14/2635212/tomas-vokoun-washington-capitals-philadelphia-flyersAdam Vingan2011-12-13T21:38:27-05:002011-12-13T21:38:27-05:00Flyers Vs. Capitals: Washington Loses 5-1 To Eastern Conference Leading Philadelphia
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> were routed at home on Tuesday night by the Eastern Conference points leaders from Philadelphia. A three goal second period gave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a> a comfortable lead which the Caps could not overcome. <span>Tomas Vokoun</span>, who gave up the three goals on just twelve shots was replaced in the third period by Michael Neuvirth.</p>
<p>Neuvirth allowed the Flyers fifth and final goal, as they piled it on in a 5-0 shutout that would hold for most of the third period. <span>Jakub Voracek</span> notched his fifth of the season on a deflection in front of the net. Voracek camped out in front and was able to knock it down and through the wickets of Neuvirth. The goal was reviewed, as Voracek's stick was close to being above the crossbar when he deflected it but replay upheld the call and the 5-0 lead.</p>
<p>The Caps would finally break the shutout with six minutes to go. <span>Jeff Halpern</span> fired a wrister that beat Flyers' goalie <span>Ilya Bryzgalov</span> for Washington's first goal of the night. It was obviously of little consolation, however, as the Flyers were well on their way to burning the final six minutes and sealing their 19th win of the season. Even without <span>Chris Pronger</span> and team points leader <span>Claude Giroux</span>, the Flyers overwhelmed the Caps in a disheartening home loss at Verizon Center.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><em style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Capitals, please visit <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #093369; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="blank" href="http://www.japersrink.com/">Japers' Rink</a>, SB Nation's Caps blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #093369; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="blank" href="http://philly.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Philly</a> and <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #093369; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="blank" href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Broad Street Hockey</a>, SB Nation's Flyers blog.</em></span></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/12/13/2634512/flyers-vs-capitals-recap-philadelphia-beats-washingtonBrendan Porath2011-12-13T20:38:51-05:002011-12-13T20:38:51-05:00Flyers Vs. Capitals: Philadelphia Flies Past Caps In Second Period, Opens 4-0 Lead
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> considered Tuesday's game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> a measuring stick game. After the second period, said stick is broken into pieces.</p>
<p>Three goals from the Philadelphia Flyers punctuated a period where the Caps were outplayed en route to a 4-0 deficit after 40 minutes.</p>
<p><span>Marc-Andre Bourdon</span> opened the scoring in the second period with a goal from the point that deflected off a few sticks in front and past <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> at 7:23. <span>Wayne Simmonds</span> continued the bleeding at 14:19 when the play he started ended with him deflecting the puck into the net, while <span>Maxime Talbot</span> put the finishing touches when his goal bounced high off Vokoun and behind him at 17:33.</p>
<p>Despite giving up three goals on 12 shots in the period, Vokoun finished it as <span>Michal Neuvirth</span> remained on the bench. The Caps had 10 shots on goal, but Ilya Bryxgalov stopped them all to keep the Flyers in control.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/12/13/2634415/flyers-vs-capitals-score-tomas-vokounAdam Vingan2011-12-13T19:45:04-05:002011-12-13T19:45:04-05:00Flyers Vs. Capitals: Scott Hartnell's Goal Gives Flyers 1-0 Lead
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<p>With leading scorer <span>Claude Giroux</span> out of the lineup, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>' next leading scorer made sure to make his presence felt.</p>
<p>Scott Hartnell's goal late in the first period has given the Flyers a 1-0 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> after 20 minutes.</p>
<p>Hartnell extended his career-high goal-scoring streak to six games at 16:16 when he got around <span>Cody Eakin</span> in the neutral zone and created enough space to fire what seemed like a harmless wrist shot past <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> for his 15th goal of the season. <span>Jaromir Jagr</span>, receiving hearty boos from the Verizon Center crowd, assisted on the goal.</p>
<p>The Caps failed to scored on two power plays and only have five shots on goal. The Flyers have 21 seconds left to work with on a power play with <span>Troy Brouwer</span> in the penalty box for tripping.</p>
<p>The Flyers are 11-0-0 when leading after the first period this season.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/12/13/2634223/flyers-vs-capitals-scott-hartnell-goalAdam Vingan2011-12-13T13:10:49-05:002011-12-13T13:10:49-05:00PHOTO: Get Your Very Own Jaromir Jagr Sign
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<p>Yeah, so these exist, thanks to the brilliance of <a href="http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2011/12/13/download-and-print-the-jagr-signs/">Russian Machine Never Breaks</a>.</p>
<p> <a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/919813/jaromir-jagr-caps-sign.jpg"><img alt="Jaromir-jagr-caps-sign_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/919813/jaromir-jagr-caps-sign_medium.jpg"></a>
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<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/919816/jagr-40-million-sign.jpg"><img alt="Jagr-40-million-sign_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/919816/jagr-40-million-sign_medium.jpg"></a></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/12/13/2633341/photo-get-your-very-own-jaromir-jagr-signMike Prada2011-12-13T12:28:59-05:002011-12-13T12:28:59-05:00Capitals Vs. Flyers: Claude Giroux Concussion To Sideline Philly's Star Indefinitely
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<p>When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> (15-12-1, 31 points) host the Eastern Conference-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a> (18-7-3, 39 points) on Tuesday night, they will not have to contend with Flyers winger <span>Claude Giroux</span>, the NHL's points leader with 39. <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/sbaickerCSN/status/146631612375904257" target="blank">According</a> to Sarah Baicker of Comcast SportsNet, Giroux has a concussion and will be "out indefinitely" as he recovers.</p>
<p>Giroux recorded a goal in the previous meeting between Washington and Philadelphia this season, a 5-2 victory for the Capitals. The Caps improved to 6-0-0 on the season with that win and went on to win their next game, moving their record to 7-0-0 to start the year. Since that time, however, the club has gone 8-12-1 and seen the dismissal of coach Bruce Boudreau.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old Giroux took a knee to the head in Philadelphia's 5-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> on Saturday, which caused the concussion.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Capitals, please visit <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/" target="blank">Japers' Rink</a>, SB Nation's Caps blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/" target="blank">SB Nation Philly</a> and <a href="http://www.broadstreethockey.com/" target="blank">Broad Street Hockey</a>, SB Nation's Flyers blog.</em></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/12/13/2633239/flyers-vs-capitals-claude-giroux-concussion-injury-update-nhl-newsEvan Dunlap2011-12-13T10:54:34-05:002011-12-13T10:54:34-05:00Flyers Vs. Capitals: Tomas Vokoun To Start, Jeff Schultz Likely Scratched Again
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<p>BALLSTON, Va. - Only <span>Mike Green</span>, was is out of town <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2011/12/12/2630096/mike-green-injury-flyers-vs-capitals/in/2395959">seeing a specialist</a>, was missing from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a>' morning skate Tuesday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. That has been a common occurrence lately, as are the lines that the Caps will likely start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>:</p>
<p><span>Alex Ovechkin</span> - <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span> - <span>Alexander Semin</span></p>
<p><span>Troy Brouwer</span> - <span>Marcus Johansson</span> - <span>Jeff Halpern</span></p>
<p><span>Jason Chimera</span> - <span>Brooks Laich</span> - <span>Joel Ward</span></p>
<p><span>Cody Eakin</span> - <span>Mathieu Perreault</span> - <span>Mike Knuble</span></p>
<p><span>Matt Hendricks</span>, who has missed two games with a right knee injury, will likely miss his third as he took part in extra work after morning skate. Joining him was <span>Michal Neuvirth</span> - meaning that <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> will start - and <span>Jeff Schultz</span>, who will be the defensive healthy scratch for the second consecutive game after only earning about four minutes of ice time in his last game on December 7 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a>.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/12/13/2632823/flyers-vs-capitals-tomas-vokoun-start-jeff-schultzAdam Vingan