|
|
|
Joined: 01-06-2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :BOSTON -- Alex Ovechkin looks as if hes ready to carry the Washington Capitals to one of the Eastern
BOSTON -- Alex Ovechkin looks as if hes ready to carry the Washington Capitals to one of the Eastern Conferences final playoff spots. Coming off a strong game two days earlier, Ovechkin collected his 800th career point and raised his league-leading total to 43 goals with a pair of power-play scores, leading the Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon. "I think were just playing more solid right now," said Ovechkin, who became the 150th player to collect 800 points. "We dont have time to make mistakes. Every point right now is very important for us." Joel Ward and Eric Fehr also scored, and Braden Holtby made 36 saves for the Capitals, who won their fourth straight in their push for the playoffs. "I think we were missing our swagger a little bit," Ward said of his teams play before the Olympic break. "When our team plays with a little bit of cockiness we seem to get wins. We were missing that before the break. Were finding ways to win. The bottom line is were winning games." Ovechkin had the go-ahead goal and two assists in a 5-4 win at Florida on Thursday. Its his first season of 40-plus goals since collecting 40-plus in his first five seasons from 2005-06 to 2009-10. The Capitals star winger even impressed Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask with his second goal. "The second one it seemed like he was going short side and it just kind of knuckled in," Rask said, breaking into a slight smile to show how impressed he was with the shot. "I was trying to ask him and he was kind of shaking his shoulders. Its funny when you see those. He was kind of leaning into it. Its like impossible to go the other way and it goes the other way. Youre like, Come on, buddy." Washington, which hosts Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, remained one point behind the Flyers for the conferences eighth and final playoff spot. Patrice Bergeron and Shawn Thornton had Bostons goals. Rask stopped 27 shots in his first start since winning the bronze medal with Finland at the Sochi Olympics. It was just the Bruins second regulation loss in their past 13 games (8-2-3). The Bruins lost 5-4 in overtime at Buffalo on Wednesday. "Were getting caught cheating too much in the offensive side and its ending up in the back of the net," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "Its something we need to fix because were giving up too many goals." Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was disappointed how his team started out. "For sure that wasnt our best game," he said. "We could have done a number of things differently and better. We have to learn from games like this, especially against an opponent like this." The Capitals opened a 3-0 lead on second-period goals by Ovechkin and Ward. Similar to his first score of the game, Ovechkin one-timed a blistering shot over the right shoulder of Rask inside the far post from the left circle for his milestone point. Ward stole a puck near the blue line from defenceman Johnny Boychuk, broke in alone and shifted to his backhand before tucking a shot behind Rask for an unassisted score midway into the period. The Bruins cut it to 3-1 on Bergerons power-play goal 41 seconds later when he snapped off a shot from the slot that beat Holtby inside the left post. Thorntons centring pass was inadvertently tipped past Holtby by defenceman Mike Green as he was skating hard to the net battling for position with Bruins forward Gregory Campbell at 17:32. The goal was originally credited to Campbell, but changed early in the third. But the Capitals made it 4-2 when Fehr scored on a clean breakaway midway into the third. He poked the puck into an open area near centre ice from his own blue line, skated in on Rask and beat him between the pads. Holtby made a key pad save on Chris Kellys breakaway bid while his team was on a power play with 3:06 to play. Washington led 1-0 after one on Ovechkins first goal. He one-timed John Carlsons pass from the left circle inside the far post at 18:39. The Capitals held Boston to one shot on goal when they were short-handed for a full two minutes after Jay Beagle was called for holding and Tom Wilson high-sticking during the delayed penalty early in the first period. "That was a big kill for us," Holtby said. "I didnt know it was a 5-on-3 until I looked up on the faceoff. The guys made some big plays. I think one or two shots got through." NOTES: Capitals RW Martin Erat, who had to leave Thursdays game after injuring his left foot, tried to skate during pregame warmups but came off quickly and was not in the lineup. ... Washington C Mikhail Grabovski was also out after re-injuring his left ankle Thursday. ... It was the first of three meetings between the teams. ... Nicklas Backstrom collected an assist on Ovechkins first goal to pass Peter Bondra for seventh place on the clubs all-time list with 354 assists. ... It was the second game since the Olympic break for both teams. ... Boston faces the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. ... Washingtons entered the game with the leagues second-best power play. <a href="http://www.baseballtigersgear.com/Willie-Horton-Jersey/">Willie Horton Jersey</a>. As the only competitor to try two quads, much less complete them, Kovtun ended the day nearly nine points ahead of Japans Tatsuki Machida, who opened with a clean quad but then stepped out of the triple toe loop that was the second jump in his combination. <a href="http://www.baseballtigersgear.com/Victor-Martinez-Jersey/">Victor Martinez Tigers Jersey</a>. - A Tuesday funeral is planned in Toronto for 20-year-old Saginaw Spirit forward Terry Trafford. <a href="http://www.baseballtigersgear.com/Mark-Lowe-Jersey/">http://www.baseballtigersgear.com/Mark-Lowe-Jersey/</a>.The long-haired pivot, who joined the Alouettes midway through the CFL season and put up a 9-3 record as a starter, will be listed as the top quarterback in training camp next spring.With a full training camp under his belt, the Alouettes will see if he has what it takes to get them back to the Grey Cup game after a four-year absence. <a href="http://www.baseballtigersgear.com/Cameron-Maybin-Jersey/">Cameron Maybin Jersey</a>. -- Cole De Vries had a couple of key strikeouts during what could have been the inning that doomed him to defeat against the Kansas City Royals, allowing him to escape further damage and keep the game tied up. <a href="http://www.baseballtigersgear.com/Ian-Kinsler-Jersey/">Ian Kinsler Tigers Jersey</a>. Last year, Islanders forward Colin Mcdonald released a "Do It For Colin" campaign to promote his teammate and friend John Tavares for the EA sports honour:The most popular sports voting video ever has to go to Chris Bosh who showcased his comedic abilities in his effort to get fans to vote him into the 2008 All Star Game:You can vote for TJ and other star players for the NHL 15 cover vote here. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Its looking like Ryan will have more help in Sundays game at Arizona. Running back Steven Jackson, who has missed four straight games with a hamstring injury, practiced Wednesday and said he feels ready to "give it a go." Left tackle Sam Baker, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, also was in full pads. The Falcons are still awaiting receiver Roddy Whites return from hamstring and ankle injuries. Ryan completed 20 of 26 passes with three touchdown passes and no interceptions in last weeks 31-23 win over Tampa Bay. His 148.4 passer rating was the highest of his career and the top rating of any NFL quarterback this season. The bad news was the offence lacked balance with only 18 yards rushing. A healthy Jackson would be a much-needed boost for an offence that lost receiver Julio Jones for the season earlier this month. "Its going to be a big thing for us," Ryan said. "Hes a great player." Jackson has been held out since pulling the hamstring in the second game of the season against the Rams, his former team. It has been a slow recovery for Jackson. Jackson said it hasnt been easy to sit out the four games and wait five weeks, including the teams bye week, to be cleared for practice. "Ive seen the doctor more times than Id like to and finally he and I are on the same page," Jackson said. "I feel encouraged enough in the progress Ive made to give it a go." Jacksons plan was to start slowly on Wednesday, the first practice of the week, and build up to Sundays game. "I dont think any time after Week 1 youre 100 per cent, but I think Im feeling to this point good enough to give it a go and be out there and be effective like day one," he said, adding his left "feels a lot better. "Once again I will be very aware I still have some days to heal and Ill be there on Sunday." Coach Mike Smith said he checked in with Jackson twice during the practice. "I had an opportunity to ask him a couple of times in practice and itt seemed like it was going well," Smith said, adding the next test will be how Jacksons hamstring responds on Thursday.dddddddddddd "Hopefully hell get more reps tomorrow and increase it as the week goes on," Smith said. Jackson said the recovery has been frustrating. "What makes a hamstring so difficult is youre actually able to run but once you hit top gear, thats when you feel it," he said. "Walking around, I feel no issue. Jogging, I feel no issue. But when its time for me to make runs and cuts that I need to do, thats what makes a hamstring difficult." The Falcons continued to miss Jackson even when winning last week. With Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling sharing the carries, Atlanta couldnt move the ball on the ground. Rodgers caught two touchdown passes. The Falcons rank 30th in the league with their average of 68.3 yards rushing per game. Jackson said he didnt feel rushed by the team to return and boost the running game. "Overall the team hasnt been where we want it to be in the running game, but I feel no added pressure," he said. "The organization and the training staff have been more than willing to work with me to make sure that Im 100 per cent." Jackson, 30, signed a three-year, $12 million deal with Atlanta after posting eight straight seasons with more than 1,000 yards rushing at St. Louis. Jackson has been durable through his career. He missed only two starts the last four seasons. "Coming into this season, I definitely didnt want to miss any games," Jackson said. "I take great pride in being a workhorse." Jacksons last game was Sept. 15, so hell be well-rested. "Oh man, I feel fresh," he said. "Im still hungry as ever. ... Maybe I can be a difference-maker." NOTES: White, Snelling (ankle) and LB Stephen Nicholas (thigh) did not practice. Jackson, Baker, CB Robert Alford (ankle), TE Chase Coffman (knee), LB Akeem Dent (ankle) and DT Corey Peters (shoulder) were listed as limited by the team. ... Practice began on the outdoor fields but moved to the teams indoor facility due to heavy winds. "Got to have completions," Smith said. <a href="http://www.wholesalejerseysforcheapauthentic.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> <a href="http://www.cheapchinajerseysforsale.com/">Cheap NFL Jerseys</a> <a href="http://www.wholesalejerseyssundaynfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> <a href="http://www.chinastorenflfactory.com/">Authentic Jerseys From China</a> <a href="http://www.nflmallwebsitecheap.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> <a href="http://www.cheapjerseysauthenticfromchina.com/">Wholesale NFL Jerseys</a> ' ' ' |
|
|
|
