Highlight Night

Well, that was interesting. After an exhausting day, the first thirty minutes of tonight's game nearly put me to sleep. Thankfully, I was able to struggle through and get rewarded by witnessing three beautiful Capitals goals. It ended up being much closer than it really needed to be, something that is somewhat troubling given the tough stretch the Caps have ahead of them. I would have liked to have seen them able to take it easy there in the third, but as the Caps have learned a few times this season, you just can't do that.

As for the penalty shot awarded to Mats Sundin. Rule 25.8 Subsection iii:

The player in possession and control (or, in the judgement of the Referee, clearly would have obtained possession and control of the puck) must have been denied a reasonable chance to score (the fact that he got a shot off does not automatically eliminate this play from the penalty shot consideration criteria. If the foul was from behind and he was denied a "more" reasonable scoring opportunity due to the foul, then the penalty shot should be awarded)

I suppose you could look at what happened on the play and interpret that a certain way so as to justify the awarding the penalty shot, but given the quality of the scoring chance Sundin managed to get, I'm going to go ahead and get up on my high horse and say that I don't care how many games you've officiated, the right call there is, at most, a two minute tripping call. (After watching the replay, I actually think the right call would have been a two minute diving call on Sundin, but that is neither here nor there.)

Ultimately, though, I think the Caps have to be pleased with this one. Especially given the depleted defensive corps and the questionable officiating. It's also a big win because, as has been mentioned already, the next week or so is going to be absolutely brutal, what with the five games in seven nights.

Recaps From People That Matter:
-A View From the Cheap Seats
-Capital Punishment
-On Frozen Blog

Standings Watch: I Watch So You Don't Have To (Because You Shouldn't Be Watching To Begin With, Probably)!
The Caps didn't pick up any ground tonight in the Southeast Division as the Thrashers were winners over the Devils. In terms of conference standings, the Caps managed to knock the Leafs out of the logjam at eighth, but remain tied with the Islanders.

Ovechkin vs. Crosby Again Some More
At the Christmas Break:
-Ovechkin is 24-23-47 in 35 games. He is now tied with Marian Hossa for the NHL goal scoring lead.
-Crosby is 17-38-55 in 31 games. He stands atop the points scoring leaderboard.

I will be out of town for Christmas, so you won't hear from me again until Thursday night. Lucky you. Happy Holidays!