WORLD JUNIORS CAPITALS REPORT

What a finish to the World Junior Championship in Buffalo, NY. If you do not have NHL Network, did not know it was on, or turned the TV off after the second period with the Canadians up 3-0, you missed out on a thrilling finish. Russia stormed back from a deep hole and stunned the Canadians 5-3 in what is being called one of the worst collapses in the history of the WJC.

The Championship game featured two of the Capitals top prospects and they did not disappoint. Evgeni Kuznetsov, or All Day Kuznetsov (ADK) as my roommate and I named him (2010 1st Round) looks like the real deal. He played big minutes in crunch time for Russia and was all over the ice. He has superb stick handling skills and seems to have eyes in the back of his head sometimes, a la Nick Backstrom. One hockey talking head even compared him to a young Pavel Datsuyk, which is mighty high praise. He also showed his ability to preform in the clutch as we scored two goals and assisted on another in the 3rd period of the quarterfinals, including the game winner, and set up the tying goal in the finals with an insane spin o rama pass. On the Canadian side, Cody Eakin (2009 3rd Round) was the energizer bunny. He played on the top trio for Canada and seemed to be the guy who did all the little things. Think Matt Bradley meets Eric Fehr meets Matt Perreault. He grinds, has a decent shot, and has great speed. He also was incredibly versatile played both wings and the middle.

Other noteable Capital prospects in the Tourney:

- Dimiri Orlov (D- Russia): Bomb from the point and solid defensively. He is also huge.

- Patrick Wey (W- US): Was somewhat buried on the US roster but showed a good shot when given the chance.

After watching Russia play twice, I think I understand why the Capitals have not gone after a center, even though everyone thinks they should. There is a good chance next year that the top three centers are Backstrom- Kuznetsov-Johansson. Many people are not going to like this comparison, but that is the Penguins model to a T and it has worked out pretty well for them. Two top flight centers (hopefully for Kuznetsov) and a responsible defensive center who can score (a la Staal in Pittsburgh). Johansson might never put up 30 goals or 50 assist, but he has all the makings of a perfect 3rd line pivot who can shut down the other teams top line. And even if Semin and Knuble leave (which I think they will) the Capitals are way deeper on the wing that Pittsburgh.

Just goes to show that the Capitals are not in a must win this year mode. Although it sure would be nice......

THIS IS SPORTSCENTER

New "This is Sportscenter" ad featuring Ovechkin and Varly as Russian spies.

KUZNETSOV AT THE WORLD JUNIORS

Caps 1st round pick had 2 goals and an assist.... in about 5 minutes to lead Russia to victory over Finland in the prelims at the World Juniors. Here is the helper and the winner. Wonder how he will look next to Semin.....

The assist on the GTG

And the OT winner

CAPS PLAYERS AND FANS TAKE THE CLASSIC BY STORM

FINAL SCORE: CAPITALS 3- PENGUINS 1

W: Varlamov

L: Fluery

Goals: Was- Knuble (Backstrom, Green), Fehr (Johansson), Fehr (Chimera)

Pit- Malkin (Letang, Fluery)

DC HOCKEY SPOT RECAP

Every regular season win counts the same, 2 points in the standings. This one sure felt like it was worth more than that. DC Hockey Spot witnessed the Capitals defeat the Penguins in person at the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field (although at times it felt like a neutral site game). In a game billed as a match up between the two greatest players in the world, the outcome was determined by the lesser players. Varlamov was stellar all game and the defense managed to neutralize the favorite to win the MVP Award, Sidney Crosby. Eric Fehr scored the game winner on a puck handling gaff by Marc-Andre Fluery and added another on a breakaway in a wet and sloppy 3rd period to send the 25,000+ Caps fans in attendance into an overpowering "C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS".

HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS, AND TIDBITS

MVP: Varly got it from the NHL Media, but I am going to give it to Eric Fehr. He had been in a slump pretty much all season, but seemed to break out in a big way last night. He easily could have had the hat trick if he had buried a wrap around early in the 2nd. And this breakaway reminded Cap fans of what the Great 8 use to be.....

Highlight of the Game: Pretty much the whole event. I was there and it was pretty incredible. 70,000 hockey hanging out all day for a classic rivalry under the lights? What can beat that. And to top it off, the Capitals go home victorious.

Lowlight of the Game: Ovechkin missing on a breakaway and then again on a turnover and then not hustling back on D, resulting in the Malkin strike. Really do not know what is wrong with him

Revelation of the Night: Maybe the Capitals can play playoff hockey. While this game was unique with the terrible ice and the rain, the Capitals played a physical and defensive minded game that is needed in the playoffs. In fact, the best line of the night might well have been the 4th line with Steckel, Beagle, and Hendricks.

Disappointment of the Night: The quality of the ice all game and the rain in the 3rd. It would have been nice to have a more clean 3rd to really bring the intensity level up, but again, hard to find anything to complain about. On a side note, the second Fehr goal was both awesome and huge as it put to rest the two excuses for Pens fans; that the Caps won on a soft goal and that they did not have to try and score on the bad ice(since they did).

Surprise of the Night: Penguin fans, for the most part, are not that bad. There were the occasional "Cup" chants and Semin jokes, but most were almost cool. Shout out to the guy sitting next to me, whoever he was. He was pretty damn cool.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While the win in Pittsburgh under the lights on national TV might well have been one of the biggest in the regular season in Capitals history, an equally big story was the way Capital fans turned the tables on Pittsburgh. For years, US Air and MCI/Verizon had been a home away from home for Penguin fans. While the infestation in DC has ended over the last few years I am pretty sure Capital fans have never traveled like they did this weekend. 25,000+ made the trek to Pittsburgh and were insane throughout, starting with the "RED" chant during the anthem (and a note to DC fans, stop yelling "O". It is for the Orioles. We have the Nationals). The "C-A-P-S" cheer was at times louder than the "Let's Go Pen's" chant and it seemed the players noticed. Many mentioned that they heard us after each goal (and how could they not hear 25,000). And every rest stop along the way home from Pittsburgh on the god awful PA Turnpike was swarming with Caps fans. It was pretty fucking cool.

RAIN THREATENS CLASSIC

Outside my hotel room in Monroeville, PA the rain continues to fall, threatening the much hyped match up between the Penguins and Capitals. The game has already been moved from 1pm to 8pm, when rain is less likely. While the idea of the Classic under the lights is awesome, if rain is still in the area the game should just be moved to Sunday. We are about to find out whether the NHL cares more about ratings and money or the integrity of the game. A Classic with tons of stoppages, delays, or worse, postponement once it starts will really turn this event into a farce.

In other Classic related notes:

- 30,000 Red clad fans are expected to descend on Heinz Field tonight. Pretty impressive. Check of the DCSportsBog for a story about how Capital fans took over one of the biggest bars in Pittsburgh for a New Years Eve Party (which unfortunately did not include DC Hockey Spot, which was 10 miles away and without any to party with).

- Jordan Staal is expected to see his first action of the season tonight.

- It has long been said that DC cares about this rivalry a lot more than Pittsburgh does. False. Check out this article in the Pittsburgh City Paper.... http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2011/01/pittsburgh_city_paper_loves_ov.html#more

- Capital and Penguin alums played to a 5-5 tie at Heinz Field yesterday. While the return of Mario Lemuiex was the highlight of the event, Peter Bondra scored the game tying goal late for the Capitals.