Fortnightly Record: 3-2-3 (9 pts)
Overall: 56-18-9 (120 pts)

Finally. The Washington Capitals get to start their Stanley Cup run.

It couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Caps have been slogging along over the last couple weeks, after clinching the best record in the entire NHL. They lost three games in a row for the first time all year. They did give key players some rest in the last game, a 2-0 loss to the Ducks.

The Caps finished with the most wins in a single season in their history.

Alex Ovechkin just reached the 50 goal milestone (his seventh time!), with an incredible hat-trick against St. Louis on Saturday. He wanted it.

Now the playoffs. It’s time to ratchet the energy level back up to mid-season form when they couldn’t lose to anyone. You know expectations are at an all time high.

The Caps play the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.

Game #1 starts here in DC, at the Verizon Center, on Thursday, April 14. Then Game #2 is here on Saturday, April 16.

 

Get your tickets to the games here.

Go Caps!

ResultsContinue Reading

 

Fortnightly Record: 4-2-0 (8 pts)
Overall: 53-16-5 (111 pts)

The Capitals had a couple bad losses over the last two weeks, yet four wins. They are putting together a strong finish.

There are eight games left in the NHL season, and the Caps have a 16 point lead in the Metropolitan Division and are 12 points better than any other team in the NHL.

Let’s celebrate that they clinched the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs!

Alex Ovechkin leads the league with 43 goals and has an outside shot at reaching the 50-goal plateau again (which would be his 7th time in his career and 3rd year in a row). Bring it on!

Evgeny Kuznetsov has slowed down in recent weeks, but has 53 assists, still good enough for 4th in the league.

There are four home games left, including tonight’s tilt against the Blue Jackets.

 

Get your tickets to tonight’s game here.

 

Results

March 15, 2016: Hurricanes at Capitals – Win (2-1 OT)

March 18, 2016: Predators at Capitals – Win (4-1)

March 20, 2016: Capitals at Penguins – Loss (2-6)

March 22, 2016: Capitals at Senators – Win (4-2)

March 25, 2016: Capitals at Devils – Win (1-0 OT)

March 26, 2016: Blues at Capitals – Loss (0-4)

 

March 14-27 Fortnightly Report Card: B-

 

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

Fortnightly Record: 4-2-1 (9 pts)
Overall: 49-14-5 (103 pts)

The Capitals lost two games in a row for the first time since February 2nd. They haven’t lost three games in a two week span since November!

Are they slowing down? Time to get worried?

No. It’s a long season and they still are playing better than most teams. Luckily both New York teams behind them in the standings have lost two in a row as well. The Caps remain 18 points clear of the Rangers in their division and still have the best record overall by a whopping 12 points.

Part of the problem could stem from the fact that Alex Ovechkin hasn’t scored in five games, three of which the Capitals lost. So, once Alex gets back to form things will turn around. Also, Evgeny Kuznetsov hasn’t scored in six games either. Hard to win if your two top players aren’t producing goals.

The Capitals next play at home against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, March 15 and then play Nashville on Friday, March 18.

Get your tickets to the games here.

 

Results

March 1, 2016: Penguins at Capitals – Win (3-2)

March 2, 2016: Maple Leafs at Capitals – Win (3-2)

March 4, 2016: Rangers at Capitals – Loss (2-3)

March 5, 2016: Capitals at Bruins – Win (2-1 OT)

March 7, 2016: Capitals at Ducks – Win (2-1 SO)

March 9, 2016: Capitals at Kings – Loss (3-4 OT)

March 12, 2016: Capitals at Sharks – Loss (2-5)

 

February 29-March 13 Fortnightly Report Card: C+

 

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

Fortnightly Record: 5-2 (10 pts)
Overall: 45-12-4 (94 pts)

Well, in the only game I managed to attend this season (February 24th against the Canadiens), the Capitals decided not to show up until the last ten minutes of the third period. Far too late to overcome a three goal deficit, but at least they kept it entertaining for those that stuck around.

With 21 games remaining, the Caps should have no problem qualifying for the playoffs. The only question is, can they finish the season as division winners, with the #1 seed AND have enough juice to make a run in the playoffs? We hope. We hope.

Alex Ovechkin brings his league leading goal scoring ability (40 goals) to the upcoming three game homestand. He looked flat and uninspired on the 24th, but rebounded for a goal in the game after. With 312 shots on goal so far this season (52 better than the next best), he is definitely getting his chances.

The Caps next play at home on Tuesday, March 1st against Pittsburgh. Then they play Toronto and New York Rangers to close out the homestand.

Get your tickets to the games here.

Results

February 16, 2016: Kings at Capitals – Win (3-1)

February 18, 2016: Capitals at Islanders – Win (3-2 OT)

February 20, 2016: Devils at Capitals – Win (4-3)

February 22, 2016: Coyotes at Capitals – Win (3-2)

February 24, 2016: Canadiens at Capitals – Loss (3-4) (Attended)

February 26, 2016: Wild at Capitals – Win (3-2)

February 28, 2016: Capitals at Blackhawks – Loss (2-3)

 

February 15-February 28 Fortnightly Report Card: B

 

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

 

Fortnightly Record: 6-1 (12 pts)
Overall: 34-8-3 (71 pts)

Justin Williams punctuated the Capitals 5-2 victory over the hated Rangers on Sunday, with a hat trick. Only his second hat trick of his career. Williams has been a great pick-up for the Caps this year, second only to Alex Ovechkin in goals scored (16) and 4th on the team in total points (31).

Braden Holtby (Goalie) also left the game with dehydration, but seems like he’ll back and just fine.

The Capitals own a jaw-dropping 17 point lead over the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division. The lead just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

They had another 5-game winning streak, snapped in Buffalo, and managed to win six out of the last seven.

The Capitals are playing lights out. Almost no one can beat them. The only thing left to wonder, at just over halfway through the season, is if they can sustain this pace into the post-season. They have been notorious at not meeting expectations in recent years.

But…rather than dwell on that too much now, let’s enjoy the ride, because it will be fast and furious.

The Capitals next play Tuesday, January 19 at Columbus. Then they have the perfect remedy for the cold in DC, a 5-game home stand. Among the teams they play include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the Islanders.

 

Get your tickets to the five games here.

 

Results

January 5, 2016: Capitals at Bruins – Win (3-2)

January 7, 2016: Capitals at Islanders – Win (4-1)

January 9, 2016: Capitals at Rangers – Win (4-3 OT)

January 10, 2016: Senators at Capitals – Win (7-1)

January 14, 2016: Canucks at Capitals – Win (4-1)

January 16, 2016: Capitals at Sabres – Loss (1-4)

January 17, 2016: Rangers at Capitals – Win (5-2)

 

January 4-January 17 Fortnightly Report Card: A-

 

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

Fortnightly Record: 4-1-1 (9 pts)
Overall: 28-7-3 (59 pts)

After a splendid nine game winning streak, the Capitals have slowed down just a fraction, losing their last two.

Yet, they still hold a 10 point lead over the New York Islanders, for first place in the Metropolitan division.

Evgeny Kuznetsov continues to lead the Caps in Assists with 23 (ranked eleventh in the league) and Alex Ovechkin has 21 goals so far (good enough for fifth overall in the league).

Outside of Dallas, no team has been playing as well as the Caps on a consistent basis.

The Capitals next play at Boston on Tuesday, 1/5/16. The Bruins are on a mini-slump, losing four out of the last five games, so look for the Capitals to take advantage and start another winning streak.

The Caps have three road games before returning to DC this Sunday, 1/10/16 against Ottawa. Get tickets here.

Results

December 21, 2015: Capitals at Hurricanes – Win (2-1)

December 26, 2015: Canadiens at Capitals – Win (3-1)

December 28, 2015: Capitals at Sabres – Win (2-0)

December 30, 2015: Sabres at Capitals – Win (5-2)

December 31, 2015: Capitals at Hurricanes – Loss (2-4)

January 2, 2016: Capitals at Blue Jackets – Loss (4-5 SO)

December 21-January 3 Fortnightly Report Card: B

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

Fortnightly Record: 6-1 (12 pts)
Overall: 24-6-2 (50 pts)

Your Washington Capitals have made a statement. They are here and they will not be trifled with.

Their latest victim is their bitter rivals, the New York Rangers. After taking a 3-1 lead in the 1st Period of Sunday’s game (December 20), the Rangers were probably feeling pretty good about themselves. But then the Capitals decided to crush them. Mercilessly. They scored six straight goals to dominate the game, 7-3.

With that victory, the Caps have extended their first place lead in the Metropolitan Division to 8 points (over said Rangers). At 50 points on the season, they are tied with Dallas for the most points in the league. And they have played one less game than Dallas.

They also have a 5-game winning streak, and have won 12 of their last 15.

The Caps are firing on all cylinders. Tonight they play at Carolina and look to continue their recent brilliance. And dominance.

 

Results

December 8, 2015: Red Wings at Capitals – Win (3-2 SO)

December 10, 2015: Capitals at Panthers – Loss (1-4)

December 12, 2015: Capitals at Lightning – Win (2-1)

December 14, 2015: Capitals at Penguins – Win (4-1)

December 16, 2015: Senators at Capitals – Win (2-1)

December 18, 2015: Lightning at Capitals – Win (5-3)

December 20, 2015: Capitals at Rangers – Win (7-3)

 

December 7-December 20 Fortnightly Report Card: A+

 

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive

Fortnightly Record: 5-0-1 (11 pts)
Overall: 18-5-2 (38 pts)

The Capitals are hot now, winning six straight games before finally succumbing to the Winnipeg Jets on the road in overtime.

But they have won five of six games over the last two weeks and sit only 1 point behind the New York Rangers for first place. The Rangers have also played three more games overall, so it should be easy for the Capitals to regain first place.

Alex Ovechkin is tied for 10th place in goals scored in the league (12), while Nicklas Backstrom (9) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (8) are close behind. Kuznetsov also leads the Capitals with 26 offensive points (8 goals/18 assists).

It is suddenly looking bright for DC sports. The Washington Football Team is in first place (pending tonight’s Monday Night Football game outcome vs. Dallas) and the Capitals are looking like the cream of the NHL so far.

They knocked off the powerhouse, Montreal Canadiens, on the road last Thursday. An impressive feat against the current #1 team in the Eastern Conference.

An exciting few months of hockey are in store.

 

Results

November 23, 2015: Oilers at Capitals – Win (1-0)

November 25, 2015: Jets at Capitals – Win (5-3)

November 27, 2015: Lightning at Capitals – Win (4-2)

November 28, 2015: Capitals at Maple Leafs – Win (4-2)

December 3, 2015: Capitals at Canadiens – Win (3-2)

December 5, 2015: Capitals at Jets – Loss (1-2 OT)

 

November 23-December 6 Fortnightly Report Card: A

 

2015-2016 Fortnightly Report Card Archive