There was a lot going on here at Kettler Capitals Iceplex as the Caps held a morning practice before a two-game road trip to Boston and New York – teams struggling to keep their seasons from imploding. More on that later.
Bruce Boudreau held an optional practice – though a good number of players took part, including suspended defenseman Mike Green. He had a ton of interesting things to say afterwards. I’ll have a post on that in a few minutes. But Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Brooks Laich, Brian Pothier and Tom Poti were not in attendance.
The big news of the day, of course, is that 10-game winning streak. It matches the franchises’ best ever – first set in 1983-84. The Caps can break that mark with a win in Boston on Tuesday night. None of the players have been involved with a streak this long at the NHL level. Jose Theodore said he once won 24 in a row in juniors. Bruce Boudreau – and David Steckel for that matter – won 13 in a row while with AHL Manchester during the 2004-05 lockout and had a 10-game win streak during the playoffs at Hershey in 2005-06. That was en route to a Calder Cup, of course. So how long can this keep going?
“Well, I’d like to say another 50 games,” Laich told reporters after Sunday’s 3-2 win over Tampa Bay. “But you know what – it’s very tough to win. It’s tough physically. It’s tough mentally. But also you have to keep pushing. You can’t overlook any opponent or any game and you have to stay desperate to win. We’re going to get some rest here and then wrap it up for Tuesday.”
Have to mention the surprise visit by the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have a game in Atlanta tomorrow night, but chose to stay another night at the Mayflower and have practice at Kettler this morning. The practice facility in Atlanta is about 30 miles from the airport so it made more logistical sense to stay here. I guess they’ve never been to the facility before because the team rolled in complete with suits and ties and had no idea where to go. So they just stood watching the Caps’ practice for about five minutes. Then they paraded through the media room here – a little awkward save for local boy Jeff Halpern – but then some tried to turn right into the Caps’ dressing-room area. John Erskine – skating off the ice – and Tampa Bay pest Steve Downie crossed paths with equal “What the..? looks on their faces.” The Lightning were set straight by Caps officials and went off to another dressing room in the middle of the building. They held practice at 12:30. Spoke with forward Ryan Malone afterwards. Will have some good stuff from him on the upcoming Winter Olympics where he’ll try to help Team USA to a medal.
Boudreau said there was no real update on rookie goalie Semyon Varlamov. The 21-year-old hopes to practice Tuesday in Hershey, but the Bears have a game Wednesday night in Norfolk. They may not even practice on Thursday. But if Varlamov does get a few good workouts in and his strained knee feels strong he could start on Saturday night for Hershey. Varlamov skated on his own before today’s 11 a.m. practice.
The Bruins (21-23-9, 51 points) have lost seven games in a row and 11 of 13 overall. Six of those losses came at home at TD Banknorth Garden. They’re certainly dealing with injuries. But this streak is getting ridiculous. Technically, the Bruins’ last home win wasn’t even at home – it was the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Fenway Park. The last time Boston was this futile in front of its own fans was in 1924-25. That would be the complete opposite of the Caps’ situation these days.
An added note: The Caps are doing their annual fathers/mentors trip this week when the player’s get a chance to have their dads – or someone close to them – tag along on the road trip, go to dinner with the team with various fun activities planned. The last few years the event was usually on a Florida trip. This time they get to visit the Northeast – including a stop at the Sam Adams’ brewery in Boston.
“I hope they make it to the game,” Boudreau cracked. “They’ll be loud. Better security around them I hope.”
