Alex Ovechkin (#8) turns and skates away as the buzzer sounds and the Canadiens realize they’ve advanced to the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Montreal topped the Washington Capitals 2-1 in game seven. (Photos by Kate McGovern / OffWingPhoto)

Semyon Varlamov makes a save during tonight’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers. The Washington Capitals won 2-1, earning their 50th victory of the season. (Kate McGovern/Off Wing Photo)

Nicklas Backstrom fights for the puck in tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames. The Washington Capitals lost 5-3. (Kate McGovern/Off Wing Photo)

WASHINGTON D.C. (January 23) – The Washington Capitals defeated the hard-charging Phoenix Coyotes 4-2 on Saturday night.

Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich (21) goes old school after having his helmet
removed by a Phoenix Coyotes check behind the net. (Pete Silver/OffWing Photo)

Click below for a slideshow of images from Saturday night’s game, and lots more from OffWing Photo!

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 26: Chris Clark of the Washington Capitals attempts to score on goalie Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils during a NHL hockey game on December 26, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

By Allen Clark
OffWing Opinion

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 26) – Tonight the Washington Capitals picked up a big win over the second place NJ Devils. The Caps’s 4-1 win over the Devils moved the Capitals a point ahead of the Devils in first place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Alex Ovechkin gave the Caps a 1-0 lead at 4:09 of the first and Matt Bradley made it 2-0 for Washington at 13:54. Late in the first New Jersey’s Rod Pelley scored a goal and the Devils had opportunities to draw even when they benefited from the game’s first four power play chances. But Washington was able to kill each NJ power play opportunity against the Devils extra-man unit that the entered the game with the league’s fourth-best road power play numbers (25.9%).

Nicklas Backstrom’s goal at 9:52 of the second made it 3-1 Caps. Mike Green finished the Caps scoring for the evening when he netted his eighth of the season in the first minute of the third period.

Washington Coach Bruce Boudreau was pleased with the effort, “I think we played a complete game. I thought early in the third period we started to sit back a little bit too much, but then we went back at them and took it to them in the last half of the third. I thought it was a great effort on our part.”

For more photos from tonight’s game click on the image below to view a slideshow.

Following the win the Capitals also announced that they had resigned  Alexander Semin to a one-year contract extension. Semin, 25, is in his fifth season in the NHL, all with the Capitals.

Semin has 32 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 29 games this season, tied for third on the team in goals and fourth in points. In 283 career games the 6’2”, 208-pound native of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, has recorded 248 points (122 goals, 126 assists) and already ranks 26th in Capitals history in points.

Semin, who was named to the 2010 Russian Olympic team on Thursday, ranks ninth among active players 25-and-younger in goals and 12th among that group in points.

WASHINGTON D.C. (November 25) — Semyon Varlamov, the Washington Capitals 21-year-old goaltender, recorded his first regular-season shutout by making 25 saves against the Buffalo Sabres in a 2-0 victory Wednesday night that was completed without the Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin, following a third period ejection for a hard shoulder check called boarding and resulting game misconduct at 3:38.

Defenseman Mike Green (#52) cuts off a pass from Buffalo Sabres’ forward Michael Grier (#25). (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

“You lose the most prolific scorer on the planet Earth, which is tough,” said Capitals’ defenseman Brian Pothier.  “But you have to kill a 5-minute penalty.  As Ovie’s skating off the ice, we’re telling him, ‘We’ve got this one for you.’  He does so much for our team.  Every night, he bails us out.  We could sure do it for him.”

Ovechkin put the Capitals up 1-0 at 6:24 of the first period, his 17^th of the season.  Shots came slowly, both teams playing aggressive, trapping defense.  There were no penalties in the first two periods.

Alex Ovechkin (#8) scores in the first period to put the Capitals up 1-0 over the visiting Buffalo Sabres. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Eric Fehr scored the Capitals’ second goal with 6:22 in regulation, redirecting Brendan Morrison’s centering pass.

Foward Eric Fehr (#16) scores at 6:22 of the third period, sealing the Capital’s 2-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Prior to the singing of the National Anthem, there was moment of silence in memory of Mr. Abe Pollin, Capitals owner from 1974 to 1999, who used his own money to build Verizon Center and revitalized the Washington D.C. Chinatown area, along with numerous other real estate improvement projects around the District. Pollin died Tuesday at the age of 85 from a rare brain disease.  Funeral services were held Friday and a public memorial service is scheduled on Decemeber 8th at Verizon Center.

Click below for a slideshow of images from Thursday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 27) – They got mad, they got even, and they doubled up.

The last thing on the agenda Tuesday night was the Olympics, yet this game provided an enticing preview of the future matchup featuring Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger.

Both teams stormed the ice and by the end of the first period had combined for 21 shots on goal, but solid goaltending from Capitals Jose Theodore and Flyers Ray Emery kept the score at nil.

Washington Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore (#60) gets low to protect the net, scoring 41 saves against the Philadelphia Flyers. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Flyers goaltender Ray Emery (#29) controls the puck against a furious first period Capitals offense. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

In the second, Philadelphia’s physical play started to wear on the Capitals attack.  The Flyers Scott Hartnell scored on a power play at 3:06.  Philadelphia successfully stymied two Capitals power plays, including a 2-man advantage lasting over 90 seconds.  Philadelphia poured it on with a second power play goal from a Braydon Coburn slapshot, and threatened to bring an abrupt end to the Capitals four-game winning streak.

The red sweaters were down 2-0, but they weren’t out.  “We got a little bit angry, it was good for us,” said Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals forward.  Late in the second period, Alex Ovechkin found the net, bringing life to the team and the crowd.  Two minutes later, Backstrom capitalized on a power play to tie the game 2-2.

Alex Ovechkin (#8) celebrates with teammate Alexander Semin (#28). (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Despite 21 shots on net, the third period was all Washington.  Jose Theodore held his ground, amassing 41 saves.  Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau tipped his hat to Jose’s performance, saying “Theo kept us in the game..he was really solid.”

Jose Theodore (#60) defends the net behind forward Scott Hartnell (#19) to hold the Capitals lead and defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

At 5:24 of the third, Alexander Semin beat Emery from the top of the zone with a shot that deflected off Flyers’ defenseman Kimmo Timonen.  It was Semin’s seventh goal of the season, putting the Capitals on top 3-2.

Ovechkin scored the final blow with an open net goal at 19:14 to seal the win at 4-2; it was Ovechkin’s eleventh goal of the season.  Nicklas Backstrom scored four points with one goal and three assists.

Click below for a slideshow of images from Tuesday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.

Ovechkin Hat Trick Bests Nashville

Alex Ovechkin turned in a stellar performance tonight with a hat trick to lift the Washington Capitals to sudden-death victory over the Nashville Predators.

After skating a great first period that saw Alex Ovechkin score twice, the Washington Capitals fell flat for two periods. Nashville evened the score in the second period and skated to a two-all draw through overtime and into the shoot-out.

Capitals Winger Mike Knuble summed it up this way, “When we had them up 2-0 we let them hang around too long and that’s when teams are kind of dangerous. We had trouble, took some penalties, which takes guys off the ice and gets them out of sync. Next thing you know they score and they’re back in the game. It almost came back to bite us.”

In the shoot-out the Predators were shut-out by Washington goalie Semyon Varlamov, while Ovechkin’s third goal sealed the victory for Washington.

Goalie Simyon Varlamov of the Washington Capitals makes a diving save in a shootout.

After a four-game winless streak that ended on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Washington was looking to capture some momentum in tonight’s solitary match-up between Washington and Nashville. The Caps have now improved to a 4-2-2 record.

Coming into tonight’s game Alex Ovechkin already led the NHL leader in points (14), goals (7) and shots (55). After tonight’s performance by the Alex improved those stats with 16 points, 10 goals, and 61 shots.

“Best Player In The World”

“He’s (Ovechkin) is obviously the best player in the world. He made some great goals tonight and the shootout goal is just kind of icing on the cake for him. He had a great night,” said Predators Goaltender Dan Ellis. “He’s a dangerous player and he gets his goals whether you got three guys on him or five guys on him, it doesn’t matter, he finds a way and that’s what makes him the best player in the world.”

For more photos from tonight’s game click on the image below to view a slideshow.

WASHINGTON D.C. (October 15) — The Washington Capitals made a statement Thursday night, ending a 4-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore (#6o) allows only one goal by Sharks’ foward Benn Ferriero (#78).  Theodore was replaced with 3rd year goalie Semyon Varlamov after experiencing back spasms.  Theodore is expected to return with no persistant injuries. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Goals from Matt Bradley and Alexander Semin (his sixth of the season, tied for second in the NHL) combined with two from NHL goal leader Alexander Ovechkin completed the offensive assault. The win ended the Sharks’ 11-game win streak against the Capitals, which included 6 consecutive road wins dating back to February 1999.

San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov (#20) deflects a wrist shot to hold a 1-1 tie with the Washington Capitals at the end of the first period. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Following a strong playoff performance last season, the young Capitals team exhibited strong discipline by staying out of the penalty box, while leaving San Jose short-handed for over 8 minutes in the first period, which included two 5-on-3 power plays. 

Alexander Ovechkin (#8) celebrates his second goal in 28 seconds to extend the Washington Capitals second period lead to 3-1 over the San Jose Sharks.  (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Alexander Ovechkin (#8) adds two to his NHL-leading goal total with two scores against San Jose in the second period.  The Capitals go on to win the game 4-1. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Breaking a 1-1 tie in the second period, Ovechkin found the net twice in 28 seconds, exploiting the exhausted Sharks’ defensemen and scoring his first and second goals against San Jose in his career. Both goals were assisted by Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison.

San Jose forward Steven Zalewski (#48) gives chase to Capitals defenseman Jeff Schultz (#55) in the third period at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (Pete Silver/OffWingPhoto.com)

Click below for a slideshow of images from Thursday night’s game and more from OffWing Photo.

This just released….. after 14 NHL seasons and 719 games Olaf Kolzig announced his retirement today.

Kolzig retires with a number of Capitals goaltending records, including:

• Career games played (711), minutes (41,259), wins (301), save percentage (.906), saves (18,013) and shutouts (35)
• Single season games played (73, 1999-00), minutes (4,371, 1999-00), wins (41, 1999-00) and save percentage (.920, 1997-98)

OLAF KOLZIG RETIRES AFTER 14 NHL SEASONS

…veteran goaltender played in 719 games

TORONTO (September 23, 2009) – After 14 seasons, veteran goaltender Olaf Kolzig announced his retirement today from the National Hockey League.

Kolzig, 39, a two-time NHL All-Star (1998, 2000) and former Vezina Trophy winner (2000), appeared in a total of 719 NHL games, 711 of those with the Washington Capitals. His 303 career wins rank him 21^st all-time among goaltending wins leaders. Olaf also posted a career 2.71 GAA along with a .906 save percentage and 35 shutouts.

“I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to play the game of hockey at the NHL level for many seasons and I am grateful for everything the game has given me,” said Kolzig. “I would like to thank my family, all my teammates and the fans for making my time in the NHL so special.”

Drafted 19^th overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Kolzig, 39, was the first South African-born player to be drafted into the NHL. Prior to joining the Capitals on a full-time basis, Kolzig played his junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL). On November 29, 1989, Kolzig achieved a rare feat for a goaltender when he scored a goal while with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL.

“Olie” or “Godzilla” as he came to be known to fans and teammates, made his NHL debut in the 1989-90 season with the Capitals. While Kolzig appeared in game action with the Capitals in both the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, he steadily began earning more playing time in 1994-95 in Washington. From the 1997-98 season through until the 2007-08 season, Kolzig provided exceptional play as the Capitals’ starting goaltender.

In the 1997-98 NHL season, Kolzig led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. During those playoffs, Kolzig amassed four shutouts and posted a 1.95 GAA. Kolzig’s finest season came in 1999-00 with the Capitals, when he recorded 41 wins, including five shutouts and a 2.24 GAA. That season, Kolzig also played in the All-Star game, was named to the NHL First All-Star Team and captured the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender.

During his time as the Capitals’ starting goaltender, Kolzig was one of the most popular players in franchise history. Following the 2007-08 season, Kolzig signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. An injury cut his 2008-09 season with the Lightning short, with Kolzig playing just eight games. He was then dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline.

Kolzig, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, also holds German citizenship, which has enabled him to represent Germany in numerous international hockey competitions. At the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Olaf helped lead Germany to two wins during the tournament, a competition that featured the best players from around the world for the first time in Olympic history. Kolzig’s other international hockey experiences representing Germany include: the World Championships (1997, 2004), the World Cup of Hockey (1996, 2004), and the 2006 Torino Olympics.

Kolzig is a dedicated humanitarian and supporter of many charities. He and his wife founded the Carson Kolzig Foundation in support of their son Carson. Kolzig also co-founded Athletes Against Autism, along with former NHL players Byron Dafoe and Scott Mellanby, and he received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2006 for his leadership qualities and humanitarian contributions.

“While I appreciate everything the game has given me and certainly will miss it, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and remaining involved in hockey in some capacity,” Kolzig added.

Olaf and his wife Christin will reside in Kennewick, WA with their three children.