WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 21: Goalie Jose Theodore of the Washington Capitals looks on as the puck passes by him from Patrick Kaleta of the Buffalo Sabres during a NHL preseason hockey game on September 21, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing Photo)
After last nights 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres I walked away wanting more, not quite able to put my finger on my feelings. After a few more steps it came to me. The last time I was in Verizon Center it was game 5 of the playoffs with the Penguins.
Right…. it is the preseason. Last night was the the first night that Theodore was in the net. We also got a peak at line that included new comer Mike Knuble with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin. After the game coach Bruce Boudreau let us in on a little secret saying, “The first time they practiced it (the power play) was this morning… we’ll start practicing that a lot more.”
So it goes in the preseason, the Caps were 0-for-5 on power plays, including a 5 minute power play over the waning minutes of the first period and the beginning of the second. For Buffalo’s part their win came from a pair of goals that came within 11 seconds of each other in the second period.
There are some good things to report. Hockey season will be quickly upon us and the intensity of the players and fans will amp up.
Enjoy a slide show from Monday night’s game below.