Daily Caps Report, Theodore Starts Tonight

http://dcprosportsreport.com/?p=1767

The Washington Capitals are riding a 4 game win streak, fresh off a 5-1 thumping of the Carolina Hurricanes, in Carolina, and sole possession of first place. Things are good, real good.

The Caps embark tonight on a back to back duel with the Brodeur-less New Jersey Devils. Tonight, they face the Devil at the Verizon Center, then tomorrow they travel to New Jersey.

Caps will take on this back to back stint with Jose Theodore in goal. Red hot Brent Johnson injured his hip in the first period of the Carolina game and is feeling much better, but will not play tonight. Theodore came in and and provided the Caps two shutout period to preserve the 5-1 bashing of the ‘Canes. Perhaps the time off for Theodore proved to be worthwhile.

Theodore said not playing has allowed him time to refine his game under the tutelage of goaltending coach Dave Prior. Yesterday, he had a long conversation with Prior after practice, then returned to the crease for another 20 minutes of one-on-one practice.

“I’ve been working hard and I’m not that far out of being on top of my game,” said Theodore, who after the Carolina game was presented with the hard hat, awarded to the team’s unsung hero after wins.

More on Theodore form the Washington Times.

Thanks to Dan Steinberg …for bringing us an image of Brent Johnson’s new mask at DC Sports Bog, one fo the best Sports blogs out there.

Dan also shares with us how beat up Tom Poti is.

More Injury News … D Shaone Morrisonn practice yesterday and will skate this morning, but it is uncertain as to whether he will play. Tyler Sloan, called up form Hershey when Morrisonn got injured, is still in DC. Sergei Fedorov on the other hand, did not practice yesterday, is expected to skate this morning, but it is not expected to play.

2008 First rounder Inked …The Caps have agreed to a three year entry level deal with 2008 first rounder, D John Carlson. Carlson is playing for the London Nights in the OHL, who are sitting in first place with a 14-5 record. Carlhad an assist and +1 rating in his last game on Sunday.

Ovie and Sid colling a fued? … Alexander Ovechkin is looking to cool the ‘fued’ with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby. Ovie looked to tone down what he calls misinterpreted statements by Alexander Semin on Sidney Crosby.

“I think it’s just the translation, and the media guys like you, you always want to say something to fire someone [up],” Ovechkin said on a conference call. “I talked with [Semin] about it and he said it was just a bad translation.

“Everybody knows about Sidney Crosby and how he plays hockey and how good he is.”

And on his breaking out of the slump the last two games …

“It’s like we just woke up,” said Ovechkin. “It [a slump] happens sometimes during the season where you can’t score and you can’t get points.

“I’m still getting great chances to score goals and I think I’d be [worried] if I wasn’t getting the chances . . . then I might be thinking I don’t want to play hockey anymore,” he cracked.

In Hershey … The Bears begin a three consecutive game play stint tonight. They start out tonight in Philadelphia, then host Philly at the Giant Center on Saturday night and Binghamton on Sunday night. After starting out a red hot 8-2, the Bears have struggled recently, going 1-3 in their last 4 games.

Caps prospect goalie Simeon Varlamov gets the nod tonight in Philadelphia, no word on who minds the net on Saturday and Sunday. As much as I like Daren Machensey, since II am taking my son to the Bears game on Saturday, I would love for him to get a chance to see Varlamov.

More at DC Pro Sports Report