The Definition of "The Crowd Goes Wild!"

Posted by Cheryl Nichols, Contributor and Photographer for Caps News NetworkMost of the post-game interviews mention how loud the Verizon was during the last few minutes of Game 7. I think my ears are still ringing in fact!If you were not able to be at the "Phonebooth" last night, here are a few video clips to make you feel like you were there. Or relive it again. I got the chills watching it

CAPS WIN!!! Advance to Second Round Against Penguins

Sergei Fedorov scored with 4:59 remaining in the game, breaking a 1-1 tie and bringing down the house, as the Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 2-1, advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since their trip to the finals in the 1997-98 season.The Capitals became just the 21st team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-1.Fedorov, 39, took a

ROUND ONE, GAME SEVEN: Enough Said

The Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers in Game Seven of their best-of-seven first round Stanley Cup playoffs series. It's the second straight season the Capitals have clawed their way from behind to force a Game Seven in the first round.This game is full of sub-plots, adding to the pressure, mystique and challenge that comes with Game Seven.RANGERS "KING" HAVING TROUBLE DEFENDING HIS

Brashear Gets Six Game Suspension

Washington Capitals winger Donald Brashear was given a one-game suspension for his pre-game altercation with New York's Colton Orr, and a five-game suspension for a "shoulder hit to an unsuspecting player," Blair Betts, according to Collin Campbell, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.Betts has a fractured orbital bone and is out indefinitely.Brashear's suspension will be

ROUND ONE, GAME SIX REVIEW: Escape From New York

The Washington Capitals built a 3-1 first period lead, thanks to goals from three different defensemen, and cruised to a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden to even the best-of-seven series at three games apiece.For the second year in a row, the Capitals have come from behind in a series to force a Game Seven at home. Washington hopes this season the result will be

TWO-MINUTE RE-CAP: Back to Gotham

CAPS WIN!!!Bradley scores twice, one a highlight reel break-away and one form the goalline that snuck between Lundqvist's pads.Lundqvist lifted after two.Varlamov makes 20 saves for his second playoff shutout.Tortorella gets in a fight with a fan, gets a beer bath and he swung a stick in the fan's direction.Orr and Voros do what they do best, get kicked out for taking bad penalties.Ovie adds to

ROUND ONE, GAME FIVE: Protect This House!

The Washington Capitals, down three games to one, host the New York Rangers in Game Five of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's do-or-die for the Caps, facing elimination to the seventh seed in a series they were heavily favored in.GREEN NAMED AS NORRIS FINALIST, BUT NOT FEELING WELLDefenseman Mike Green, one of three Norris Trophy finalists and just the seventh defenseman in NHL

Green Norris Finalist

Congratulations Mike Green!!Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved. Professional Hockey Writers' Association selected three finalists for the Norris Trophy to be presented at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 18.Mike Green - Washington CapitalsZdeno Chara - Boston BruinsNicklas Lidstrom - Detroit Red Wings (Winner of six of last seven Norris Trophies)

ROUND ONE, GAME FOUR REVIEW: Caps Down, Are They Out?

The Washington Capitals had 39 shots on goal, and hit the post twice, but only got one puck behind Henrik Lundqvist as they fell in Game Four to the New York Rangers 2-1.Alex Ovechkin gathered his first goal of the series, and hit the post late in the third period. Sergei Fedorov also clanged one off a pipe. And as hard as Sean Avery tried to give the Caps an advantage, they just could not

TWO MINUTE RE-CAP: What's Wrong With Mike Green?

The Washington Capitals had 39 shots on goal, and hit the post twice, but only got one puck behind Henrik Lundqvist and fell in Game Four to the New York Rangers 2-1.Alex Ovechkin gathered his first goal of the series, and hit the post late in the third period. Sergei Fedorov also clanged one off a pipe. And as hard as Sean Avery tried to give the Caps an advantage, they just could not capitalize

ROUND ONE, GAME FOUR PREVIEW: Play It Again, Sim(eon)

Photos of Varlamov and Avery (c) C. Nichols 2009. Photo of Ovechkin courtesy of AP.The Washington Capitals, fresh off a 4-0 shutout of the New York Rangers in Game Three of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, look to play a carbon copy in Game Four tonight at 7:00 p.m. from fabled Madison Square Garden.THE NEW IRON CURTAINTwenty-year old rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov shut down and

TWO MINUTE RE-CAP: Shutout for Varly; Two Goals for Semin

I watched Game Three from the Red Loft bar at Nationals Park, waiting out the two-hour rain delay. The only reason we trudged out in the rain was the prospect of seeing Nats rookie Jordan Zimmermann make his MLB debut, and I knew I'd be able to watch the game at the Red Loft.Mission accomplished on all fronts.Alexander Semin scored twice, with Brooks Laich and Tom Poti chipping in, and Simeon

ROUND ONE, GAME THREE PREVIEW: On Broadway

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.The Washington Capitals travel to New York to face the Rangers in Game Three of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs down two game to none. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 35 shots he faced in Game Two, leading the Rangers to a 1-0 victory, sweeping the Caps off their home ice.CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE? Washington had 35 shots on goal, with another

ROUND ONE, GAME TWO REVIEW: Now What?

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau went to his bench Saturday, calling upon rookie backup goalie Simeon Varlamov to start Game Two in place of Jose Theodore, who admittedly played poorly in Game One.Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.The change mattered not, as the Caps offense took a holiday, playing sloppy and loose in the neutral zone, and

ROUND ONE, GAME TWO PREVIEW: Changes for the Caps?

The Washington Capitals, down 1-0 to the New York Rangers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, may be making some lineup changes for Game Two, Saturday at 1:00 p.m. If you don't have tickets, the game will be broadcast on NBC as the national game.CHANGE IN GOALIES?Caps coach Bruce Boudreau is playing it close to the vest whether he will stick with veteran Jose Theodore, who by his own

ROUND ONE, GAME ONE REVIEW: Caps Lose Focus, Rangers Take Advantage

Washington, DC--In the first period of last night's Stanley Cup Playoffs Round One matchup, the Washington Capitals completely dominated the seventh seeded New York Rangers in every category on the ice--except the scoreboard.Then after an early second period goal by Tomas Fleischmann, the Eastern Conference's second seed appeared to lose focus, especially much-maligned goalie Jose Theodore, and

CAPS GAME NIGHT--STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ROUND ONE, GAME ONE

The Washington Capitals, second seed in the Eastern Conference, host the seventh-seeded New York Rangers in Game One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at 7:00 pm from what promises to be a raucous, sold out, red-clad Verizon Center.Tonight's game will be the fifth this season between the two teams. The Capitals won the regular season series three games to one, but these Rangers bear little resemblance

Mohawks and Redheads!

Caps Defenseman Mike Green got his playoff mohawk yesterday while talking with Elliot in the Morning on DC101. Steinberg reports that Ovechkin and Green dyed their hair red! It is not too late to "Rock the Hawk!" Click here for more information. ROCK THE RED!!!

Rock the Hawk 2009

ROCK THE RED AND ROCK THE HAWK!!Caps defenseman Mike Green is getting a mohawk for the playoffs. If you let Elliot of DC101 shave your head, he will give you a ticket in the "Rock the Hawk" section at the Caps playoff game! Must be 18+. Here is more information. See updated info. Rock the Hawk 2008 participant after 1st Caps playoff game, 4/11/08Photo C. Nichols (c) 2008. All Rights Reserved

Breaking Down the Caps-Rangers Series

Everybody is doing it, but here is Caps News Network's Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Preview.SEASON SERIES: Caps took season series three games to one.Nov. 8 at DC: WAS 3-NYR 1 Brent Johnson made 28 saves and Brooks Laich, Tom Poti and Alexander Semin tallied for the Caps.Dec. 23 at NYR: WAS 5-NYR 4 (OT) Shaone Morrisonn scored 59 seconds into overtime to cap the thrilling comeback. Caps were

CAPS GAME 1 = Wednesday, April 15th

Posted by Cheryl NicholsNHL.com posted the schedule tonight for round one of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.Caps host Rangers this Wednesday, April 15th at 7pm.Caps Press Release:ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals begin their quest for the Stanley Cup at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, when they host the New York Rangers in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series at Verizon Center to kick off the

GAME 81 REVIEW: CAPS CLINCH SECOND SEED!

The Washington Capitals (50-23-8-108) clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference with at 4-2 victory over the woeful Tampa Bay Lightning last night.The win also gives this team the franchise record for most points (108) and tied for most wins (50), matching the 1985-86 team. The Capitals face the Florida Panthers, elimiated from the playoffs last night, on Saturday with the chance to

CAPS GAME NIGHT--GAME 81: Lightning Standing In the Way of Milestones

The Washington Capitals (49-23-8-106, first in Southeast, second in East) face the Tampa Bay Lightning (24-38-18-66, fifth in Southeast) needing only one point to clinch the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.A win over Tampa Bay tonight, or Florida on Saturday, would set the franchise mark for points in a season and tie the team's record for wins (50) in a season.The Capitals have

GAME 80 REVIEW: Caps Take Second Straight from Thrashers 4-2

The Washington Capitals stretched their lead for second seed in the Eastern Conference to four points with two games remaining after defeating Southeast Division foe Atlanta last night 4-3. The Caps also beat Atlanta Sunday at home 6-4.The home-and-home wins give Washington 49 victories and need one win in their last two games to record 50 wins for only the second time in franchise history.New

Grow One for the Cause

There's a tradition in hockey that players start growing a "playoff beard" as soon as their team qualifies for the playoffs. It's a symbol of unity and support for your teammates. The Caps (and other NHL teams) are taking the tradition one step further…asking fans, front office staff and media members to participate as well for charity.The Washington Capitals "Beard-a-thon" benefits Caps Care,

CAPS GAME NIGHT--GAME 80: The Caps Go Down to Georgia

The Washington Capitals (48-23-8-104, first in Southeast, second in East) travel to Atlanta to meet the Thrashers (34-39-6-74, fourth in Southeast) looking to complete a home-and-home sweep and get the season-ending three-game road trip started on the right foot.Washington needs to win two of their last three games to hit 50 wins for only the second time in franchise history.The Capitals hold a

Caps Lose Game, Clinch Division Title

In an uneven but exciting affair, the Washington Capitals lost in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres 5-4. Needing a single point to clinch the Southeast Division championship, the Caps received just that.But an overtime goal by Jason Pominville, off a turnover in his own end by future hall-of-famer Sergei Fedorov, ruined the celebration.As the Sabres collected on the Verizon Center ice to celebrate,

CAPS GAME NIGHT--GAME 78: Caps Hope to Rattle the Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres (37-30-9-83, third in Northeast, 10th in East) enter tonight's game against the Washington Capitals (47-23-7-101, first in Southeast, second in East) in a position all too familiar to Caps fans.Currently, Buffalo is in tenth place in the conference, six points behind eighth place New York Rangers, with six games remaining. They actually have two games in hand over the Rangers,

GAME 77 REVIEW: Green's Pair Beats Isle's Three of a Kind

Mike Green scored a pair of power play goals 1:23 apart in the third period to lead the Washington Capitals over the league-worst New York Islanders 5-3 before 18,277 at Verizon Center. It's just the eighth time in history the 30-goal mark has been reached by a defenseman.Once again, the Capitals (47-23-7-101, first in Southeast, second in East) found themselves playing down to lower competition

CAPS GAME DAY--Game 77: Caps Host Worst Team In The League

The Washington Capitals (46-23-7-99, first in Southeast, second in East) host the New York Islanders, owners of the worst record in the NHL (25-41-9-59, fifth in Northeast) at 7:00 pm from Verizon Center.The undermanned Islanders have lost all three meetings to the Capitals this season, being outscored 12-7.New York ranks near the bottom of the league in goals per game (2.48) and have scored the