'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
This week the Hurricanes signed Alexander Semin to a five-year, $35 million contract, the longest and most lucrative of the mercurial winger's NHL career. It's a bit more of a risk considering the tenure, but it's one Carolina made after Semin's strong performance so far.
Ovechkin still enjoys scoring goals, but he's no longer the kid at Christmas he used to be. The goals don't come quite as easily anymore, at least not often enough to drown out the wave of criticism around him.
Ten points back of the Carolina Hurricanes after Tuesday night's shutout loss, the Caps are perilously close to falling out of the race altogether as the two teams meet again Thursday.
When Cam Ward went down with a knee injury, it looked like trouble. Neither backup Dan Ellis nor minor league starter Justin Peters was considered a bonafide replacement, but the Hurricanes made it clear they would ride with them. So far, it has proven successful.
After building up a reputation with the Caps of being a supremely talented winger with inconsistency in his game and his habits, Semin is making the most of a fresh start in Carolina.
NHL players showed up in force on Thursday as the union prepared to respond to the league's proposal to end the lockout and start a full season Nov. 2.
Jordan Staal wanted a family reunion, and the Pittsburgh Penguins obliged.
Jordan Staal wanted a family reunion, and the Pittsburgh Penguins obliged.
Jordan Staal wanted a family reunion, and the Pittsburgh Penguins obliged.
On the morning of Nov. 28, it didn't take more than a couple of hours after the Washington Capitals announced the firing of Bruce Boudreau and the hiring of Dale Hunter until the Carolina Hurricanes made their coaching change.
It's a big enough problem for the Washington Capitals or any hockey team when the power play goes horribly bad. It's even worse when the opposition has more offense short-handed and even scores a goal.
It's been a rough season for the Carolina Hurricanes. They've gone through a coaching change just like the Washington Capitals but haven't been able to sniff the playoff picture and are sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Bright spots have been hard to find, especially over the past month with phenom Jeff Skinner out with a concussion.
The NHL called off plans Friday to realign and adopt a modified playoff format next season after the players' association refused to agree to the changes.
Eric Staal looked very much like an All-Star when he put up two goals and an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 8 at Verizon Center. Fewer players have had a more frustrating stretch since.
It's no secret that coach Bruce Boudreau likes to juggle his lines. Even newcomers such as Troy Brouwer are well-aware of his reputation to shake things up, early and often.
"I don't know if it's him [who is] different. I think their team is just different," Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal said. "Playing against Alex when it was [his] rookie year, he was everywhere all over the ice and finishing everything that moved, which was great."
Alex Ovechkin says he hasn't changed, but game isn't same for Capitals star →
