The Most Wonderful Day of The Year (For Caps Fans)

That's right kids, the Caps Hockey season kicks off tonight. (And there was much rejoicing)

The Caps take on the Thrashers tonight in Atlanta. It won't compare to being at the Verizon Center tomorrow evening, but nevertheless, Hockey is in full swing for the Caps and their fans.

The prospect of this season has been especially anticipated by Caps fans. In fact, it has made most of us down right giddy. All of the solid free agent signings, the new look, the new HD score board- it has all left the fan base waiting for the puck to officially drop. And fellow Caps fans, you can now take joy in the fact that today is the day. We have been promised that the rebuild is over. Some sports prognosticators have deemed us in the basement again, while others have said we will put on one heck of a show and leave many scratching their heads. Tonight, the ice meets the skate.

Time for the team to put the naysayers to bed.

Your Semi-Marquee Matchup: Caps take the Bus to Philly

Vs.

The Caps go to Philly tonight for a little pre-season action.

Last night the Caps came out strong, but slowed down in the 2nd, and fell apart in the 3rd. In the end, they were able to hold out and pull out a win.

I'd like to get pumped about tonight, but knowing that A: I won't be able to watch, B: The line ups are not going to feature our most skilled players, and C: It is just a pre-season game, I'm going to cut this pre-game build up a bit short.

In case you didn't know, here is the line up for tonight, courtesy of Dump and Chase:

Forwards

43-Fleischmann, 19-Backstrom, 38-Klepis

50-Motzko, 15-Gordon, 21-Laich

87-Brashear, 39-Steckel, 27-Clymer

56-Bourque, 16-Sutherby, 10-Bradley

Defensemen

26-Morrisonn, 23-Jurcina

4-Erskine, 44-Eminger

78-Boumedienne, 9-Pollock

Goaltenders

1-Johnson, 37 Kolzig

More detailed posting shall come forth as we dive into the season. Eh... it's my pre-season too, so give me time. I'll get there!

Go Caps!

Your Semi-Marquee Matchup: Canes take on the Caps

Vs.

The Caps take on the Hurricanes tonight in the first home pre-season game of the....umm... 07-08 pre-season.

It should be a good game, as according to Tarik, most of the core players are on the ice. The one issue that may pose a problem tonight is there is no one on tonight's roster that would likely drop the gloves if need be. As much as Ovie may wish to throw down in the pre-season, as we have seen before, Hanlon (and the DC fan base) would prefer he not.

So here is tonights lineup:

Goalies:
Kolzig
Johnson

Forwards:
Ovechkin, Kozlov, Fleischmann
Semin, Nylander, Backstrom,
Bourque, Laich, Klepis- (Anyone else think this is the dead man walking line?)
Pettinger, Steckel and Gordon

Defense:
Morrisonn, Eminger
Schultz, Green
Poti, Pothier

I'm not going to try to determine who will win tonight, as my wife has reminded me, it doesn't count yet. But, if things go the way they did during the first face off with the Canes, I think the Caps will put on quite a show, knowing that last time key players were missing from the lineup, and the Caps still put up a very good fight against a star studded Canes lineup. (But then again, it doesn't count yet....)

Other news for the night is the premier of the HD video screens at the arena. Supposedly a new sound system has been installed as well. As much as all the fans in attendance would love to see them really kick the wheels and see what it can do tonight, I am truly prepared to be underwhelmed until the official opening night. Also, the fact that the team will be in their white jerseys for all pre-season home games leads me to conclude that Uncle Ted plans to put on the big show with the new HD system and new red jerseys on October 6.

Normally, Pre-season games lack in the attendance column. Most say about 3-5,000 attend. I think the new buzz about the team and the new HD set up may draw a few extra gawkers tonight. If you decide to make it to the game tonight I'll see you there. Otherwise, make sure you check out the game at the caps web site or on NHL.tv

LETS GO CAPS!

Hey Kids- THIS is not sports writing at its finest

Nothing gives me indigestion more than a so called sports writer who does nothing but bash a sport that he obviously has never seen beyond a few highlights on sports center.

Today, Norman Chad is that so called sports writer.

It seems as though Mr. Chad had nothing better to write about today, so he chose to mail it in with an obligatory, uninformed, hockey bashing. I won't quote what he said here, I'll give you the joy of reading it on the Post web site, however, he did metion the fact that the NHL schedule could lead to only two months without hockey- July and August. I take that this was meant to be an insult. The funny thing is, my reaction was a gleefull "reaalllly?!?!?".

Even though the post has such quality writers as Tarik, I suppose they have to balance it out with people like Mr. Chad.

Thanks to CapsChick for bringing this article to light...

Tomorrow The Fun Begins

Tomorrow, the drought is over for the Hockey deprived in DC. Finally, after three preseason games out of town, the Caps will face the Carolina Hurricanes in a pre-season match in the Verizon Center. I'm giddy just thinking about it. Eventhough my wife reminds me its "only a preseason game- it doesn't count", I must disagree. It may not count in the standings, but it counts to those who have had to get their hockey fill from you tube videos, web broadcasts of the super series, and numerous viewings of Slapshot. For once, it will be hockey. In the Verizon Center.

No more Saturday mornings at Kettler watching drills in hopes to fill that cold, icy desire.

My friends, it's hockey season. Let the fun begin.