Capitals Invade the Island with a 7-2 Win

Sorry that HM has been remiss in her reporting duties sports fans, but Twin B thought he was doing me a big favor when he decided to "clean my files" as instructed by the icon on my laptop and downloaded the world's nastiest computer virus. So I've been without the use of my laptop for a few days - thanks kiddo!

Last night's contest between normally gritty New York Islanders and the league-leading Capitals looked a little bit like a Squirt house game on the part of the Isles at times, as they literally seemed to be standing dead in their tracks and helpless to defend an absolute onslaught of goals (despite the mid-game goal tender change). Brendan Morrison started the party early (like 65 seconds into the first period) and no one on the visitors bench needed any smelling salts to keep the good times rolling at the Coliseum! Mike Knuble's exemplary net-crashing skills led to another first period Capitals' tally. And Alex Semin had yet another extraordinary performance, contributing two goals towards the high-scoring rout. Semin now has six points in his last two games (3g-3a) and points in six straight (4g-8a). Someone buy that kid a vodka shot already will you? Keep up the dazzling work Sasha - let's see more of that brilliant stick work tonight!

Alex Ovechkin was held without a goal and unfortunately one of his rocket-fired shots led to a very scary incident when it hit Islander player Jack Hillen straight in the face, resulting in a trip to the hospital. Ovi expressed his concern for his fallen opponent before he was taken out of the arena, and HM joins all hockey fans in wishing Hillen a speedy recovery. Isles net minder Dwayne Roloson got the hook after letting in four Capitals goals, leaving Rick DiPietro (who recently returned to action after a long absence following surgery) to mind the crease. DiPietro didn't have much success either as the Caps racked up another three goals to finish off the Islanders. Jason Chimera, Brooks Laich and big John Erskine all lit the lamp for the visitors and Erskine's goal was his first in 109 games. Jose Theodore left the game starting the third period, leaving Michal Neuvirth to finish it up. Theo has some sort of  "lower body injury" but no word on anything specific. A huge Hockey Mom high five to all the boys for a solid effort and sweet win, adding some padding to the points total and keeping them at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with 74 points.

The not-so-mighty Anaheim Ducks roll into D.C. tonight for a meeting at Verizon Center. They are coming off a loss at the hands of the Atlanta Thrashers and will be without one of their key offensive players with Teemu Selanne on injured reserve. Despite being at the lower end of the Western Conference list, they still play a very agressive style of hockey and have some very big rigs in the likes of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf and should not be taken lightly...goalie Jonas Hiller will most likely be facing the streaking Caps after pretty much unseating Stanley Cup winner JS Giguere early on in the season. The Caps will also see a familiar face on the opposing bench in Steve Eminger, who's pretty much played on half the teams in the league so far in his young career.

And not sure if you've been following the whole situation with World Juniors Team Canada's captain Patrice Cormier's suspension or not, but Puck Daddy is reporting that his Quebec Major Junior League team is going to appeal.  Hockey Mom has not written about the disturbing incident in which he basically tried to annihialate Mikael Tam with his elbow in what looked to be a pre-meditated hit, leaving Tam convulsing on the ground with brain trauma. You can "google" the video footage of this horrific incident at your discretion, but HM must warn you that it's one of the most nauseating hits I've ever seen in all my hockey watching. Cormier, a New Jersey Devils draft pick,  received a suspension for the rest of the season. Apparently, he doesn't "get" the serious nature of hits to the head and not sure that he's learned any lessons at all from this terrible incident...HM would throw the book at him!