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Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:07 am EDT

Fight video: Rookie does what Penguins couldn't, TKOs Capitals

By Greg Wyshynski

We were having tasty pints at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Falls Church, Va. last night during the Washington Capitals/Pittsburgh Penguins game. Capitals veteran grinder Matt Bradley and Penguins rookie forward Paul Bissonnette dropped the gloves off the face-off, and a buzz filled the room.

As we've said for years: Casual sports fans may not understand off-sides or icing, but there are certain universal languages spoken in hockey that elicit a response. Like, for example, a nasty punch in a fight that sends a guy down on his rump and bleeding from the face:

Bradley is, as you know, a Friend of Puck Daddy. We imagine banning that YouTube clip might make his next "5 Ways I'd Change the NHL."

As for the game, it provided ample evidence that the Capitals and Penguins are fundamentally different teams than last season. The Capitals feel behind 3-0 by taking too many penalties and the continued shaky goaltending of Jose Theodore early on in games. The difference is that last season, you could knock out out the Caps with a three-goal lead, or at least expect them to cough up one late after that four-goal rally.

Not last night.

To close the deal like that, and without Alexander Ovechkin scoring a single point, left a major impression. Coach Bruce Boudreau put together a line of Tomas Fleischmann-Michael Nylander-Alexander Semin that blew up, and moved Sergei Fedorov to defense when Tom Poti went out with an injury. These are the adjustments to adversity that win big games, especially on the road.

As for the Penguins, their deficit on defense was apparent in the third period, when the Capitals dominated at even strength. If that's Gonchar and Whitney leading the team's D-men in TOI rather than Hall Gill and Rob Scuderi, who knows what the third period looks like.

Bottom line is that team defense suffered mightily as the game wore on. One can only assume that's part of what Coach Michel Therrien was referring to when he said the blown lead was "immature, and unacceptable."

The Pensblog, in their singular fashion, nails it for Pittsburgh:

Its only one game, so no one here is ladling out almond flavored koolaid, but it's half a year from when we're looking at the standings and think back to games like this one. You can't have a 3-goal lead and skate off the ice without a point.

Related: Goons and Pugilism, Puck Videos, Crosby vs. Ovechkin vs. Malkin

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65 Comments

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  1. Dynamo38
    1. Posted by Dynamo38 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    It saddens me to say that while this game was amazing and I can't wait for the next meeting, Jose (and the Caps D men) must learn that there are 3 periods in a hockey game not 2. The Caps don't seem to have anything going right in the first 20 minutes and yet they are so focused and committed to winning they never quit. This is what was lacking from Caps teams of the past. Gabby is nothing short of a miracle worker and his dedication to his young players is evident every time they take the ice. GO CAPS!
    Also, Malkin is a bastard...that hit on Semin in the first period was inexcusable and I hope the league sits him down for a couple.
  2. tothrules
    2. Posted by tothrules Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

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    A little hypocritical to criticize Malkin. The hit was from behind, but from the replay, it was obvious that he let up at the end. Ovechkin, however, spent the entire night headhunting. To criticize Malkin without mentioning Alex the Gr8 is ludicrous.
  3. sleza
    3. Posted by sleza Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:55 pm EDT

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    ovechkin obviously gets $9 million a year for running after malkin when ever caps play against penguins...
  4. demondg1
    4. Posted by demondg1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    Malkin blasting Semin on the boards looked uglier than it was, but a penalty none the less. But what's the deal with AO headhunting Malkin? The continually skated the width of the ice, taking himself way out of position, and was launching himself full speed at Malkin. Leaving his feet nearly every time. Did Malkin nail his girlfriend in Russia or something? But he's the likable face of the game, can't call a charging penalty on him.
  5. Sombrero Guy
    5. Posted by Sombrero Guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    AO didn't headhunt anybody. The only hit close to Malkin's head was when Malkin dropped to his knees like a 2 am hooker to avoid a hit. Half of the "hits" on Malkin occured when Malkin tried to hit Ovechkin and bounced off him.
    Now if anyone can explain how Malkin didn't get 5 and a game for boarding I'm waiting.....
  6. books
    6. Posted by books Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Does this win mean that Ovechkin is now officially better than Crosby... :)
  7. Jon H
    7. Posted by Jon H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    If you can't admit AO was headhunting your letting your bias blind you. AO was continually out of position taking runs at Malkin.
  8. Dynamo38
    8. Posted by Dynamo38 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    @ Sombrero Guy: Absolutely dead on accurate, I completely agree.
    @ demondg1: The likable face of the game? Are you high? You can't even look cross eyed at Syd without the ref raising his arm so don't even try it. The Caps played miserable the first period but how the hell do the Pens get a 5 on 3 when Erskine's clear attempt is deflected but it's called delay anyway? Because the Pens get those kinds of calls, not the Caps or what you claim to be "the likable face of the game"
  9. Ch M
    9. Posted by Ch M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

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    Coming soon to Bradley's "5 ways I'd change the NHL" would be to allow Bradley to tag-in Brashear to finish his fights for him.
  10. gmann
    10. Posted by gmann Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    @Dynamo38: The puck was not deflected as could be seen clearly on replays. Secondly, Ovechkin was taking runs at Malkin all night long. I don't know what got his panties in a bunch, but he is an [profane]. Also, Malkin's hit was clearly a penalty, and I agree that the league needs to crack down on hits from behind, but players also need to take personal responsibility to protect themselves from more danger. Semin clearly turned his back into that hit when he didn't need too. At least Malkin let up when he saw Semin turn his back (something Ovechkin probably wouldn't have done.) If you want to talk about blown penalty calls how about Gill's b.s. penalty for roughing and the missed high-sticking penalty on Gill when the game-winning goal was scored.
  11. iFidel
    11. Posted by iFidel Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    How bout that Punkin Ale? good stuff right there. Cant wait till' Brash goes at it with Bistronnette.
  12. Wyshynski
    12. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ iFidel --
    Went Punkin Ale, then Brown Ale, and then ... hmmm. Nope, can't recall.
  13. Maraldo
    13. Posted by Maraldo Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    Good look by Bradley to not hit Bissonnette when he fell to the ice, although he did get knocked around, that was a class move I wish the fsn crew would have brought some attention to that
    And yes AO was headhunting, but he didn't charge or leave his feet, so other than it being a bit odd to keep going at malkin like that, he wasn't really doing anything wrong
  14. Jason
    14. Posted by Jason Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    i don't know why ovie has a grudge against malkin or vice versa. and i don't care. that's the kind of rivalry that gets players and fans pumped about these games. all i know is regardless of the outcome i'll be looking forward to the intensity of the next pens game. i think you guys were proven correct when you said that the pens are the caps greatest rivals. though it hurt to watch my team blow a 3 point lead, as a pens fan, that was still a really fun and intense game to watch. hopefully washington can get some of their own fans in the seats when we travel to dc, because its going to be a ridiculous game.
  15. JeremyPitt
    15. Posted by JeremyPitt Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Malkin got 2 for boarding.. correct call. Semin turned & Malkin let up. And if you're complaining about that, how about the no call when Gill got sticked in the face right before the winning goal? And I agree, AO could have been called at least 3 times for charging. Remember that when you complain about Malkin's hit. The Caps won the game... stop belly-aching...
  16. ogrezilla
    16. Posted by ogrezilla Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    i like how the article singles out Scuderi and Gill for the defensive letdown even though they only gave up 1 goal out of 4 each. Scuderi completely shutdown ovechkin every time he came his way, not to mention saved an early goal from backstrom. Gill held the fort like a champion. Seriously, if that's gonchar or whitney on the ice instead of Scuderi on those 1 on 1 breaks ovechkin had, he would have probably scored at least one goal. I love Gonchar and Whitney, but Scuderi is the best defensive defenseman on the team.
    What caused these goals was stupid turnovers by the rest of the team. You could point out anyone else from the team for the defensive letdown and I wouldn't argue for a second, but Scuder and USS Gill played solid from start to finish.
  17. Wyshynski
    17. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ ogrezilla --
    The point is that you could have Gonchar and Whitney AS WELL AS Scuderi and Gill, which could have certainly changed the 5-on-5 domination of the Capitals in the third. This wasn't meant to be a slag on those two, but 21 minutes a night is a lot to ask from what is a second-pairing at best.
  18. .................................................!
    18. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Ovechkin and Malkin clearly hate each other, it's awesome. It's especially awesome because Ovechkin dominates Malkin in every way, and poor Malky-poo had his feelings hurt, so he had to run Semin from behind into the boards. Classy.
    Also, anyone notice at the end of the game OV and Crosby jawing at each other? I can't wait 'til the East Finals when OV gets to bury that little b*tch for good.
    What a game last night. Fleischmann! WTF!?!?!
  19. Patrick D. Vision
    19. Posted by Patrick D. Vision Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    That game should really scare Pens fans. This team had trouble clearing the zone last season WITH whitney and gonchar. I thought getting Eaton back would help, but it does not seem to have done so. Hopefully the defense will get themselves together but until they do, perhaps Staal should go back to the 3rd line so we have a good back-checker to maybe help us clear the puck.
    @ Dynamo-- Malkins hit was frustration manifesting itself. Ovechkin took his head out of the game and was doing nothing but gooning Malkin. It was still a cheap hit that deserved 5 minutes.
  20. Patrick D. Vision
    20. Posted by Patrick D. Vision Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    @ b.reed.
    Read the box score genius, then tell me again how Ovechkin dominated Malkin... maybe you should stick to Ultimate fighting Championships hockey is sort of complicated. The object is to put this little black cylinder into one of the nets on either side of the rink. Malkin did that, Ovechkin did not. Malkin also helped somebody else do it, again, OV didn't.
  21. CarltonBanks
    21. Posted by CarltonBanks Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    With out big Brashear in there to keep things going, Ovechkin laid the smack down to keep the caps fired up and in the game, something worthy of a big C on his chest in my opinion. As for the charging calls, even the FSN, a highly biased Pittsburg broadcasting team, acknowledged it was not charging.
  22. .................................................!
    22. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    @ Patrick D. Vision (i like the handle btw)
    "Ovechkin dominates Malkin in every way" --- notice how I use the present tense. Currently, as hockey players, Ovechkin dominates Malkin. He is a better scorer, leader, and clearly the engine that drives the Caps, even when he doesn't score. Leaving aside the fact that OV knocked Malkin around like a rag doll all day, he was better and his team was better last night, especially in the third period when it mattered most. But feel free to point to statistics to make you feel better if you like. I dunno, you love numbers so much, maybe stick to accounting. Hockey is a little more complicated.
  23. BC Caps
    23. Posted by BC Caps Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    @ RussionRocket: I missed that the first time. I was going to say the same thing about Bissonnette at the end. Nothing wrong with that fight. Take a number, Brads.
  24. BC Caps
    24. Posted by BC Caps Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    @ RussionRocket: I missed that the first time. I was going to say the same thing about Bissonnette at the end. Nothing wrong with that fight. Take a number, Brads.

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