Michal Neuvirth put in a fantastic night’s work, leading the Caps to a 5-2 win against Atlanta,their thirteenth straight. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Before we get into the LNA, it’s worth noting that — at this hour — a large majority of the professional and Division I sporting events scheduled to be played tomorrow will still go on as planned. The one major question? The Wizards’ 7 p.m. tip at the Verizon Center against Atlanta. Both the Wizards and the Hawks were on the road Friday, and both need to fly into D.C. in order to make the game; with the flight situation currently quite murky, it’s no sure thing that both teams will be able to make it into town in time. The Wizards are already operating a ticket exchange for people who know they won’t be able to make it to the game tomorrow. We’ll obviously keep an eye on the situation during the day tomorrow and update when decisions are made. Now, to the games:
Capitals 5, Thrashers 2: Bummed that the Caps failed to win the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes? Why? The last thirteen games haven’t been proof enough that the Capitals’ offense don’t really need the help? Sure, Kovalchuk would have added depth. But even without key cogs, the Caps are still a legitimate threat: according to the stat department at Comcast SportsNet, Washington is a ridiculous 17-3-2 in games that Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and Alex Semin have missed. But the Caps are at full strength; the now Kovalchuk-less Thrashers waddled into the Verizon Center, and the Caps proceeded to prove that they don’t need no stinkin’ Ilya. A pair of third period goals, scored but 68 seconds apart and both on odd-man rushes, from Alex Semin and Jason Chimera buried Atlanta. Michel Neuvirth got the nod to rest Jose Theodore, and played incredibly well, setting the stage for a serious goalie controversy — Neuvirth certainly earned his first star of the game with 43 saves.
Wizards 92, Magic 91: It hasn’t happened very often this season, but Caron Butler provided announcer Steve Buckhantz with a “DAGGER!”-worthy moment, hitting a 19-footer with half a second left to beat the Magic. The second win for Washington against Orlando this season was delivered after an inspired performance from the Wizards saw them overturn a 21-point deficit after the first quarter. Butler and Randy Foye spent the second half slicing through the Magic defense, scoring 34 combined points in the third and hiting 14 of 14 from the free throw line.
