Boston Bruins at the World Championship Update for May 20: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Boston Bruins fans have two things to be proud of at the conclusion of the 2012 IIHF World Championship: Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. They both leave Finland as medalists and Chara even paid tribute to a departed friend while receiving his accolades.

Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin Help Russia Win Gold at IIHF World Championship

Source: Bleacher Report

Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and the Russians defeated Slovakia 6-2 to win gold at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Slovakia opened the scoring just over a minute into the first period on a slap shot from captain Zdeno Chara.

Slovakia would hold the lead until the midway point of the period when Ovechkin slipped a backhand pass to Semin, who scored five-hole to even the score at one.

It was all Russia in the second period. Alexander Perezhogin and Alexei Tereshenko made it 3-1 before Semin notched his second of the game to give Russia a commanding three goal lead.  

Pavel Datsyuk registered his third point of the game on a goal that made it 5-1 Russia in the third period. Chara scored his second of the game on the power play midway though the third, but that was it for Slovakia. Evgeni Malkin capped a brilliant tournament with a goal late in the third, to secure a 6-2 Russian win. 

Russia would finish the tournament with perfect record of 10-0 to capture their 26th gold medal in tournament history. 

The Washington Capitals' playoff run caused Ovechkin and Semin to miss the entire preliminary round, but they made up for it in the medal round.

Ovechkin had two goals and an assist for three points in three games, while Semin’s two goals and three assists gave him five points in three games. Not bad for a player who was a non-factor in the Capitals’ 14 playoff games, registering only four points and a minus-four rating.  

Read more Washington Capitals news on BleacherReport.com

Russia beat Slovakia 6-2 to win ice hockey world title (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Russia battled from a goal down to win the world championship on Sunday, beating 2002 champions Slovakia 6-2 in the final.

World Championship 2012 Gold Medal Game

Source: Japers' Rink by EmilyB

World Championship 2012 Gold Medal Game

Russia takes on Slovakia for all the cookies.

Sunday Caps Clips

Source: Japers' Rink by EmilyB

Your savory breakfast links:

● It was a good news / bad news kind of day for the Caps and Caps' prospects still playing hockey.

● The good news, of course, is that Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Evgeny Kuznetsov will be playing for a title in today's World Championship final. The puck will drop on the gold medal match against Slovakia at 1:30pm Eastern.

○ The 6-2 victory over defending champion Finland was powered by a dominant performance by

Sunday Off-Topic Open Thread

Source: Japers' Rink by EmilyB

Sunday Off-Topic Open Thread

Slovakia beat Czechs, face Russia in the final (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Slovakia grabbed their ticket into the world ice hockey championship's title-decider with a tight 3-1 semi-final win over former compatriots Czech Republic here on Saturday.

Slovakia beat Czechs, face Russia in hockey final (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Slovakia grabbed their ticket into the world ice hockey championship's title-decider with a tight 3-1 semi-final win over former compatriots Czech Republic here on Saturday.

Malkin's hat-trick dethrones Finland in world hockey (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NHL scoring champion Yevgeni Malkin scored a hat-trick in the world championship semi-final to put Russia into the title-decider and dethrone defending champions Finland following a 6-2 win here on Saturday.

Malkin leads Russia to gold medal game

Source: CSN Washington

Alex Ovechkin netted his second goal in as many games and Evgeni Malkin posted a hat trick for the Russians.

Chimera takes the mound

Source: CSN Washington

Capitals forward Jason Chimera will throw out the first pitch Sunday before the Nationals clash with the Orioles.

Saturday Caps Clips

Source: Japers' Rink by J.P.

Your savory breakfast links:

● Mike Green thinks the Caps are close... but will he be here to see things through? [CSNW, Puck Daddy, SB Nation DC, with

Saturday Off-Topic Open Thread

Source: Japers' Rink by J.P.

Saturday Off-Topic Open Thread

Last four teams battle for World ice hockey final berth (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are preparing to do battle for a place in the ice hockey world championship final, guaranteeing the title for a European nation after the USA and Canada crashed out.

Braden Holtby Digital Portrait Unveiled

Source: Capitals Outsider by Ben Sumner

NHL digital portrait artist visit site to read more]

Braden Holtby Digital Portrait Unveiled - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Rangers-Devils Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) For one game, at least, in the Eastern Conference finals, the New Jersey Devils found a way to beat Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers.

Rangers set to counter Devils' success in Game 3 (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) For one game, at least, in the Eastern Conference finals, the New Jersey Devils found a way to beat Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers.

Mike Green: 'We're going to win it'

Source: CSN Washington

Defenesman Mike Green believes the Capitals are closer to winning a Stanley Cup than they've ever been, and he wants to be a part of it.

Rangers rookie Chris Kreider making it look easy in impressive jump from NCAA title to NHL playoffs (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Kreider went from big man at Boston College to a rushed-in rookie on a tight-knit Rangers team, but his power-forward skills and quietly confident ways have eased the transition.

Rangers rookie Chris Kreider making it look easy as he jumps from NCAA title to NHL playoffs (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Kreider went from big man at Boston College to a rushed-in rookie on a tight-knit Rangers team, but his power-forward skills and quietly confident ways have eased the transition.

Top Five Individual Postseason Performances in New Jersey Devils History: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The New Jersey Devils have won the Stanley Cup three times in their history (1995, 2000 and 2003). Furthermore, they have been to the postseason 21 times in their team history (22 in franchise history). Needless to say, they have had plenty of good postseason performers along the way. So, without any further ado, here are the top five postseason performances in Devils history.

Capitals hope to draw on lessons from Dale Hunter

Source: The Washington Post by Katie Carrera

When Dale Hunter met with the Capitals’ players as a group for the last time on breakdown day, he left them with one final message: “It’s in your hands now.”

Although he coached in Washington for only six months, Hunter was credited with changing the culture by players and teaching the team “the ‘how’ of how to win” by General Manager George McPhee.

Read full article >>

Will Mike Green return to the Washington Capitals? (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

With Coach Dale Hunter leaving and with offensive dynamo Alex Semin apparently headed to free agency — even if he denies that's a done deal — the next significant decision for Washington Capitals GM George McPhee could be the future of defenseman Mike Green. Green is an RFA this summer, and has been part of the Capitals' core since the lockout. (Not to mention his time modeling for Club Scarlett ). He's 26 but injury prone. He's taken hits for his playoff production, but stepped up with four points in a contract postseason during 2012. Green wants to come back to the Caps, and told Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington that he believes "we're going to win a Cup here." But as far as staying the Caps, Gormley writes: Under the terms of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, to retain his rights the Capitals are required to make Green a qualifying offer equal to his 2011-12 salary of $5 million. … After four seasons of playing no fewer than 68 games, Green has missed 83 games the past two seasons and that could impact the term and value of his next contract. In all likelihood Green will accept only a one-year deal that will take him into unrestricted free agency at the age of 27 next year. If the Caps cannot come to an agreement with Green, they likely would receive a first-, second- and third-round draft pick, dependent on his 2012-13 salary and the rules of a new CBA. The Capitals other RFAs include defenseman John Carlson, who is coming off his rookie deal; as well as forwards Matthieu Parreault and Jay Beagle. Along with Semin, the most significant UFA is defenseman Dennis Wideman, who stepped up into Green's role as top offensive defenseman during the regular season (23:54 TOI) but saw that time reduced during the playoffs (20:44) as Green's increased. I've run hot and cold on Green during his time with the Capitals, but like so many of his teammates there's no question he stepped up his game in that Hunter Hockey playoff run. Unless the Capitals seek to jettison him from the core, a 1-year deal seems like it's in the cards, giving him and the remaining young guns a chance at some unfinished business.

Capitals' Mike Green: 'We're going to win it'

Source: CSN Washington

Defenesman Mike Green believes the Capitals are closer to winning a Stanley Cup than they've ever been, and he wants to be a part of it.

The Noon Number

Source: Japers' Rink by J.P.

78.9 - Percentage of Washington Capitals regular season goals in 2011-12 (excluding empty-net and penalty shot tallies) which came at even-strength, the highest percentage since before the lockout. The past seven seasons, broken out:

Year Gs %ES %PP %SH 2011-12 209 78.9 19.6 1.4 2010-11 205 75.1 22.4 2.4 2009-10 301 72.4 26.2 1.3 2008-09 251 64.9 33.5 1.6 2007-08 231 70.1 28.1 1.7 2006-07 227 65.2 29.5 5.3 2005-06 227 61.7 32.2 6.2

Ovechkin, Semin lead Russia to win

Source: CSN Washington

Alex Ovechkin scored a goal and Alxander Semin added two assists to lead Russia into the semifinals of the World Hockey Championships.

2011-12 Rink Wrap: Troy Brouwer

Source: Japers' Rink by Becca H

From Alzner to Wideman, we're taking a look at and grading (please read the criteria below) the 2011-12 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Caps for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2012-13. Next up, Troy Brouwer.

Troy Brouwer #20 / Right Wing / Washington Capitals

Height: 6-2

Weight: 214

Born: Aug 17, 1985

NHL Seasons: 3 (and parts of three others)

Contract Status: $2,350,000 cap hit through 2012-13;

Cataractes prepared for Memorial Cup run despite long layoff (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Shawinigan will take the ice for the first time in a month to face the WHL-champion Edmonton Oil Kings in the Memorial Cup opener.

Friday Caps Clips

Source: Japers' Rink by EmilyB

Your savory breakfast links:

● The search for a new coach will be competing for attention with roster construction and may take some time. [WaPo]

○ The case for Marc Crawford. [Caps Outsider]

○ The case for Bob Hartley and/or Paul Maurice. [Caps 101]

○ The

Friday Off-Topic Open Thread

Source: Japers' Rink by J.P.

Friday Off-Topic Open Thread

Washington Capitals Will Miss Dale Hunter During the 2013 Season

Source: Bleacher Report

The Washington Capitals fell just short of making the Eastern Conference final this year, dropping their series to the NY Rangers four games to three, losing Game 7 by a score of 2-1. Earlier this week, in a somewhat surprising announcement, head coach Dale Hunter announced that he would not be returning to the team for the 2013 season.

That announcement may have been greeted by some as good news, but in the big picture it is a disaster for the Washington Capitals franchise and fans.

Hunter was the perfect coach for the Capitals—as the co-owner of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, he did not need the job as the Capitals coach. With that in mind, he had nothing to fear from the players or from management. That fact left him free to implement the structure and game plan that he felt was best for the success of the team.

And that is exactly what Hunter did.

As the head coach, he came in and didn’t consider ego, salary or the name on the back of the sweater. Hunter did the exact thing that every coach claims they will do, but few rarely do: He put the team first and had great success leading the team to within one game of the Eastern Conference final.

When Hunter left, Alex Ovechkin was asked his opinion on the man who had coached him throughout the playoffs, telling the Washington Post, "It's his decision so we have to live with it."

When asked his opinion on how Hunter coached the team, the Capitals captain said, "It doesn’t matter if I like it or not, because he’s my coach and I have to listen. How he said, you have to be a plumber. So I was a plumber."

In those words the message seems clear: Ovechkin had no interest in playing the style of hockey that Hunter wanted him to play.

With that in mind, perhaps Hunter saw the writing on the wall and decided he didn’t need the drama and didn’t need to deal with a diva who frankly had no right to act like one. Ovechkin may have been the straw that stirred the drink in Washington a few years ago, but over the past two seasons, he’s been an average player on an average team—a player, who like it or not, needed to earn his ice time just like the third- and fourth-line players did under Hunter.

I’m not saying it was a him-or-me situation in Washington, but there was tension brewing between the one-time superstar and his head coach. Knowing it’s easier to fire a coach when things come to a head, perhaps Hunter thought: Why prolong the inevitable?

With Hunter stepping down, the Capitals franchise is far worse off right now than they were when he paced behind the bench in the one suit and tie that he owned.

Read more Washington Capitals news on BleacherReport.com

()

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Too Bold Tortorella Not Impressed by Star Power: A Fan’s View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

There was much discussion in and around the New York area, and probably throughout hockey circles everywhere, concerning New York Ranger coach John Tortorella's bold decision to bench Marian Gaborik in the third period of Game Two against the New Jersey Devils (May 16) at Madison Square Garden.

The Case for Crawford

Source: Capitals Outsider by Jeff K

Credit: US Presswire

visit site to read more]

The Case for Crawford - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Finns, Russia go through, Slovaks upset Canada (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Holders Finland advanced to the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships with a last-gasp winner against the United States on Thursday, but Olympic champions Canada were shocked by Slovakia.

Playoff Hockey Hugs: Ovechkin is hockey bird; Everybody loves Lundqvist; Shot-Blocking: The Musical (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Hockey Hugs is a feature that celebrates the best in hugging from around the NHL, because who doesn't love a good hug now and then? Seen a particularly good hug photo lately? Send it to puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or tweet @HarrisonMooney . Welcome once again to hockey hugs, the feature that celebrates hockey's special moment after the special moment. The image databases are full of photos like the one above right now, with members of the New York Rangers looking amorously at Henrik Lundqvist. Honestly, I could probably do a countdown exclusively featuring photos of Lundqvist's teammates giving him a romantic eye. He is beloved. I chose the one between Lundqvist and Chris Kreider because, between Kreider's thin moustache and his creepy stare, he looks like he's moments away from love-knifing his goaltender and softly singing Gerard McMann's "Cry Little Sister" while he skates away. Speaking of photos with a treacherous undertone, check out Ryan Carter and Travis Zajac at your right. Sure, they look to be making merry, but a closer inspection reveals some alarming details: Carter's face is beet red and Zajac's open-mouthed smile is a touch evil. I'm 79% certain Zajac is trying to crush Carter's head. Anyway. The top 5 hockey hugs of the last two weeks are far less sinister.

ESPN’s Colin Cowherd vs. NHL writers; longest game record; Roenick, Modano beards (Puck Headlines) (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media. • In case you haven't heard, Colin Cowherd of ESPN insulted the entirety of the hockey media on Thursday (you can watch the video at the bottom of the post) by calling coverage amateurish and saying, "You're getting a lot of young, cheap people covering hockey and it's not like newspapers send their best people to hockey." He's of course talking about summer interns like Michael Farber of SI, Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe, Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail, Kevin Allen of USA Today, Jeff Klein of the NY Times and Pat Hickey of the Gazette. Not to mention the scores of writers over the age of 40 in any hockey press box Cowherd's never been in. [ Awful Announcing ] • Here are John Tortorella's 13 minutes of media time from Thursday's conference call. [ NYDN ] • Mirtle makes the case that the New Jersey Devils should be embraced by Canadians: "To many, the Devils are still this no-nonsense, Scott Stevens led defensive squad that celebrated its three Cup wins in the parking lot -- even though they're now full of personality, led by Parise (who talked at length after Game 2 about how DeBoer pushes them to be aggressive in the offensive zone) and have a beautiful new rink that has a read-and-black pavilion out front to potentially parade around in." [ Globe & Mail ] • Glendale's funding of the Phoenix Coyotes has partially led to 49 people losing their jobs. [ Globe & Mail ] • No Adrian Aucoin for Game 3 vs. the Los Angeles Kings. [ Orlesky ] • The Dino Ciccarelli Award for best postseason rookie. Has to go to Holtby, right? [ Backhand Shelf ] • GM George McPhee is going to take his time before naming the next Washington Capitals coach. [ Capitals Insider ] • Sad news: The Dayton Gems are folding. [ Dayton Daily News ] • Big congrats to the 40 men who played hockey for 246 hours and raised $1.4 million for charity in the "world's longest hockey game." [ Calgary Sun ] • Carrie Underwood totally sticks up for her man Mike Fisher during Nashville Predators games, ya'll: "When somebody trips Mike or does something dirty, I'm like: 'Are you KIDDING me?' Yeah, I get pretty heated." [ Metro ]

Caps dream team: Semin, Kuznetsov, Ovechkin

Source: CSN Washington

Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Evgeny Kuznetsov are Russian teammates this week. But will they ever play together as Capitals?

Finns and Russia go through, Slovaks upset Canada (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Reigning champions Finland advanced into the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships with a last-gasp winner against the USA, but Olympic gold medallists Canada suffered a shock loss to Slovakia.

Washington Capitals Fantasy Playoff Run

Source: Capitals Outsider by Ben Sumner

Capitals Outsider reader Dave Phillips decided that the difference between winning and losing is only in our heads. If we convince ourselves that the Caps had beaten the Rangers, we can continue this … [visit site to read more]

Washington Capitals Fantasy Playoff Run - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Playoff Hockey Hugs: Ovechkin is hockey bird; Everybody loves Lundqvist; Shot Blocking: The Musical (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Welcome once again to hockey hugs, the feature that celebrates hockey's special moment after the special moment. The image databases are full of photos like the one above right now, with members of the New York Rangers looking amorously at Henrik Lundqvist. Honestly, I could probably do a countdown exclusively featuring photos of Lundqvist's teammates giving him a romantic eye. He is beloved. I chose the one between Lundqvist and Chris Kreider because, between Kreider's thin moustache and his creepy stare, he looks like he's moments away from love-knifing his goaltender and softly singing Gerard McMann's "Cry Little Sister" while he skates away. Speaking of photos with a treacherous undertone, check out Ryan Carter and Travis Zajac at your right. Sure, they look to be making merry, but a closer inspection reveals some alarming details: Carter's face is beet red and Zajac's open-mouthed smile is a touch evil. I'm 79% certain Zajac is trying to crush Carter's head. Anyway. The top 5 hockey hugs of the last two weeks are far less sinister.

Caps kick it with D.C. United

Source: CSN Washington

McPhee ‘not in any rush’ to find new Capitals coach

Source: The Washington Post by Katie Carrera

Capitals General Manager George McPhee must spend the offseason searching for a new coach while also making decisions on how to reshape the team’s roster, two tasks that would seem to go hand in hand. So which to do first?

Read full article >>

The Noon Number

Source: Japers' Rink by J.P.

13.5 - Percentage of the 2011-12 Capitals' regular season goals which were scored by defensemen, the highest percentage since 16.5% in 2008-09. (In the playoffs, the number jumped to 17.2%.)

What's in Semin's Future?

Source: CSN Washington

Over the past few days, Semin and his agent Mark Gandler, have been trying to explain the future of the Capitals enigmatic right wing.

2011-12 Rink Wrap: Jay Beagle

Source: Japers' Rink by J.P.

From Alzner to Wideman, we're taking a look at and grading (please read the criteria below) the 2011-12 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Caps for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2012-13. Next up, Jay Beagle.

Jay Beagle #83 / Center / Washington Capitals

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Born: Oct 16, 1985

NHL Seasons: 1 (and parts of three others)

Contract Status: $512,500 cap hit in 2011-12; RFA summer 2012

Broken foot ended Jay Beagle’s season

Source: The Washington Post by Katie Carrera

Jay Beagle knew something was wrong the instant the puck struck his left foot in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Rangers. He’s blocked plenty of shots in his career but this time the pain didn’t fade after a few minutes; instead, each time he tried to skate pain shot through his leg.

Read full article >>