FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Well, the last post here taught me that there are way more folks on Fan Nation interested in the BCS and college football than there are about the NHL. This really shouldn't come as a surprise, but I was a bit taken aback by the views numbers for that last post compared to the others.

But, as I watch the Fiesta Bowl, it's back to regular programming, looking back at Saturday's massive 2-1 win over the visiting New York Rangers at Fort Verizon. Washington improved to 17-1-1 at home by rallying from 1-0 down on goals from Mike Green and Alexander Ovechkin in the second period. Green's goal was the culmination of a beautiful power play that featured slick passing and a cross-ice pass in front of the crease from Semin to Green, who had only to tap the puck past Valiquette to tie the game. Ovechkin later gave Washington the lead (and the win) with a short-handed floater from the right wing to the far post. It was a case of Washington winning a game because it has Ovechkin and the other team doesn't. Ovechkin had the goal, 9 shots, and some key hits, including one good hit for leadership, decking Marc Staal in the corner seconds after Staal had hit Semin in open ice.

That of course set up the memorable moment from the game, when Semin went all Ralphie from A Christmas Story on Staal after a goal-area scrum. Staal tried disengaging Semin's equipment (kinky) and succeeded more than he figured he would, falling to the ice carrying Semin's jersey and pad with him. Hey Mark, the Caps store sells Semin jerseys for $150, no tax, I'm sure you can afford it. Anyway, toward the end of the scrap, Staal fell to the ice and Semin began drumming like Keith Moon on crack (the living Keith Moon). 

Semin was universally lampooned for his lack of fighting skills, but he got more of something in anyway. I can't say he got more punches in, because I'm not sure they were punches - but the important thing is that he stood up for himself. I've talked often this season about how Washington's stars and goalies have been getting run all season long with little consequence. Semin finally made someone pay for it - OK, he tried to anyway. And Ovechkin did his part to go get those folks that needed to get got (I heard that phrase on Gangland once). 

Beyond that, I thought it was a pretty good effort for the Capitals. They held the Rangers to a mere 22 shots, and Theodore made a couple good saves. It wasn't a typical Washington game in terms of open offense, but they won it anyway and that's a good sign. Teams that go deep in the playoffs will need to be able to do that. 

Nothing else really stood out. I think the only thing that was funnier than the final score was the group of 15 or so **** Ranger fans in Section 428 that got an escort out of the building by the yellowcoats with about 2 minutes left. They earned it with their douchebaggery - you know, the prep in the Yankee hat who makes sure everyone can hear him, the lardass in the Lundqvist jersey who wants to fight the whole section (including probably the other Ranger fans) but would end up looking like a mangled surfer (and a fat one at that) after a shark attack. 

So Tuesday night, it's the Flyers at Fort Verizon for their first visit since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals last year. That series, that last game, and the 7-1 loss at Philly a couple weeks back (Washington's last loss) have renewed a rivalry that was among the league's best in the mid- to late-1980s. As this AP story tonight shows.

For whatever Washington has done this season - the best 40-game record in league history (55 points, 26-11-3), the Capitals must win tonight. They need to send a message that they can beat Philly. They're the only team in the East they haven't figured out. There are going to be fights, there are going to be scrums, and the injury list will probably be a little longer after this game. 

But whatever. 

At the season-ticket holder party at Six Flags in October, I was in line for autographs from Ovechkin and Jeff Schultz. I congratluated them on last season, but also said, "But don't lose to those dirty Flyers." 

Like I said, don't go losing to those dirty Flyers tonight.