Photo: Washington Capitals
In honor of Thanksgiving day, there are several things Capitals fans should be thankful for. Here are 10:
10. Capital One Arena
Capital One Arena is about to have its 20th anniversary on December 2, when the Capitals face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Capitals have lots of great memories from games over the past year such as the Capitals’ 5-0 victory to break the Blue Jackets’ 16 game winning streak, the Capitals setting a record with 15 straight home wins, and Alex Ovechkin’s 1000th point against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 11. Caps fans are also thankful for arena staff, who are always helpful despite the long hours they put in week after week.
9. The Washington Capitals Fan Base
Capitals fans have gone through some tough times, especially when the team was eliminated by the Penguins on May 10. Even with the change the Capitals went through in the offseason, the fan base has flooded Capital One Arena every game to show support for the Washington Capitals.
8. Capitals Charity Work
The Capitals have done a lot of great charity work over the past year, most recently the Capitals’ Food Drive last Saturday during the team’s 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Capitals also host regular blood drives to help those in need. The Capitals are also participating in Hockey Fights Cancer month and held Hockey Fights Cancer night on November 2, when they won 4-3 over the New York Islanders. MSE Foundation is auctioning off the lavender warm-up jerseys they wore prior to that game. They’re available until Second Intermission of the Capitals game on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. And of course, there’s the annual Caps’ Canine Calendar and Courage Cap sales to support worthy causes.
7. Our Readers
From NoVa Caps, we are thankful for every reader that takes the time to read our stories every day. You guys are the very best and we look forward to staying in touch with you. Keep posting your pics and tweets to us as we love to see them.
6. NBC Sports Washington
Thank you NBC Sports Washington for not forcing all of us Capitals fans to hit the mute button because of the NHL on NBC Sports Crew. The Caps announcing crew and in-studio talent are always insightful. Thank you for also providing additional coverage before and after the game and making sure that all of us keep up with the latest Capitals news.
5. We live in Washington, not Pittsburgh
All Capitals fans are thankful that we live in Washington where everyone rocks the red. No other team, most notably Pittsburgh, would be as much fun to support. Living our lives wearing black and gold is a world absolutely none of us wish to live in.
The Capitals center led the team with 86 points last season and had 6 goals and 13 points in the postseason last spring. Backstrom does some of the teams’ most important work such as running the power play, killing penalties, getting on the scoresheet consistently. Through 22 games this season, Backstrom has 3 goals and is 5th on the team with 16 points. He has not scored a goal since October 14, but he continues his strong two-way play and is sure to start lighting the lamp again soon. Backstrom turns 30 today, so Happy Birthday Nick!
3. T.J. Oshie
Ever since the Capitals acquired T.J. Oshie in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on July 2, 2015, Oshie has been one of the most consistent Capitals players. Since coming to Washington, he has scored 69 goals and 126 points in 171 games. He has also been strong in the playoffs, scoring 10 goals and 22 points in 25 games. Oshie has been clutch, consistent, and great for the fanbase in Washington. The Capitals were able to lock him up to an 8-year contract extension five months ago today.
2. Alex Ovechkin
After scoring 33 goals in 82 games last season, Ovechkin has been getting back to his old scoring ways. The 32-year old winger has 14 goals and 21 points through the first 23 games and was named one of the NHL’s Top 100 players of all time earlier this year. He scored the second goal last night with a very nifty move on the breakaway with 5 seconds left in the first period. He is 28 goals away from his 600th career goal, which he could potentially reach later this season.
Breakaway bar down @ovi8 #Capsgiving pic.twitter.com/Mh6QTDqWTB
— #CapsGiving🦃 (@Capitals) November 23, 2017
The main reason why the Capitals are as successful as they are this year is because of their goaltender. He is coming off of back-to-back Vezina Trophy nominations and has delivered so far this season, earning a 12-5-0 record with .920 save percentage and a 2.62 goals against average in 17 games this season. Holtby is the Capitals’ franchise leader in wins and shutouts. He made 29 saves in the team’s 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators last night. Holtby’s performance this season has been all the more impressive given the turnover in the Caps’ defensive corps.
By Harrison Brown
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