» Caps Today and Game Notes for @ Philly

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Today’s Storyline

Superstar showdown – Alex Ovechkin has averaged nearly a goal per game against Philadelphia in his career (14 goals in 16 games), but faces a new challenge tonight. The Flyers’ biggest offseason addition was 6’6”, 214-pound defenseman Chris Pronger, who, like Ovechkin, has won a Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP. The two figure to be on the ice at the same time a lot. It’s a matchup Ovechkin won’t shy away from – last season at Anaheim , where Pronger was a year ago, Ovechkin posted a goal and three assists.

NOTE OF THE NIGHT

Leading the way – Washington has the top four scorers in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin (6 points), Nicklas Backstrom, Brooks Laich and Alexander Semin (5 points each) are the only players with more than four points this year.

FIVE MORE NOTES NO MEDIA PERSON SHOULD BE WITHOUT

A lot to Laich – Brooks Laich's two-goal, one-assist effort in the opener included the first goal of the NHL season, and he added another goal and an assist Saturday. He is tied with Alex Ovechkin for the league lead in goals (entering Monday's games). He has already surpassed his goal total from last October. Laich has goals in four straight regular-season games, dating back to last season (six goals in that time), and has eight goals and nine assists (17 points) in his last 10 games.

Three to get ready – Alex Ovechkin has opened the 2009-10 season with back-to-back three-point games, something he hasn't done since Nov. 15-19 of last season. Ovechkin's six points and three goals give him the early NHL lead in those categories.

Welcome aboard – Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison both scored their first goals as Capitals in their Verizon Center debut in red, white and blue on Saturday. Morrison also added an assist.

Familiar face – Mike Knuble returns to Philadelphia , where he played for four seasons, as a Capital after signing with Washington on July 1. Knuble played 310 career games for the Flyers, the most of his five NHL stops, compiling 114 goals and 107 assists (221 points). In the first five games of this season Knuble will face all four of his former teams.

Powerful stuff – Washington already has three power-play goals this season (3-for-7, 42.9%), but none by its top three power-play goal scorers last season (Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom). Brooks Laich (2) and Mike Knuble (1) have accounted for all of Washington 's PPGs through two games.

Gametime33 · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 4:12 pm Post subject:

Nice preview of the notable early season performances.

Brooks Laich is becoming an offensive threat not unlike a young Rod Langway.

He is a personable guy. Very much the media's muse.

His fast start reminds me of Alex Semin's hot October in 2008.

Albeit, without the back injury.

He has been durable in his Caps' career. So barring any major fisticuffs from other goons in the league, Laich should be able to continue to develop his strong offensive skills alongside the Great No. 8.

On a deep forward-heavy team like the Caps' have it is encouraging to see No. 21 emerge from the shadows of his other teammates.

Rock the Red!

flask1nsfan · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

Its a good game so far. Need the boys to tighten up on D and get some pucks in the net.

Sir_Monk · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Well that one sucked. I got home with like 4:00 mins in 3rd period, seems like we were lucky to get to OT with the way we played at the end of the game. At least from the score, must have been a heck of a battle. I noticed that the recap was posted at the front of washingtonpost.com, I guess the success of this team is paying off since I can't remember the Caps ever making to front page of the Post's website for a regular season game, not to mention a regular season game during the middle of the NFL. Sucks we did not get two, but at least we got one.