Mid Week Musings: Caps Getting Ready for First Showdown with Pens

The Caps appear to be back on track after their rousing defeat of the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, which saw youngster Andrew Gordon net his first NHL goal. Gordon wasn't the only young gun aiding the offense, Jay Beagle and John Carlson also kicked in markers for the 5-1 win. Gordon was so pumped up about his goal, he planted a kiss on the cheek of fellow rookie Marcus Johansson! The win gave the boys an added confidence boost but unfortunately saw another player knocked out of action due to injury. Everyone's favorite grinder, Matt Bradley, suffered a broken thumb and will be sidelined from 2-4 weeks. Get well sooner than later Brads -  you will be missed...

And unless you've been hiding under a rock in fear of the holiday madness, every sports fan in D.C. knows that Sidney Crosby and his band of hooligans will be rolling into the Verizon Center tonight (every sound bite is sure to be well-documented for next week's episode of HBO's 24/7). As much as Caps fans love to hate this villain from the Dark Side (who's trying to do his best bad boy look with the growth of that pretty cheesy mustache), the guy is a work horse who's on a scoring roll. The Pens are coming off a big win against the Florida Panthers and "The Kid" matched the second longest NHL scoring streak in 18 years at 22 games with a first period goal. Peerless and Japers have more insight on tonight's rival game and Caps News Network gets thoughts from the players on the importance of this contest. Meanwhile, last night's 24/7 was another outstanding production, ending on a much lighter note than last week's episode (if you're a Caps fan) with the boys celebrating the end of the losing streak with a Jersey Shore fist pump dance in the locker room (everyone with the exception of the shy Nick Backstrom who needs some help from the "Situation" in the dancing department). HM is hoping the boys get to do some more fist-pumping after tonight's game - the Bog has the complete run down on episode two of 24/7.

HM is attending a holiday get-together with the boys tonight but was reassured prior to accepting the invitation that, yes, the game will be on during the soiree (it is Caps/Pens after all). As we count down the hours until puck drop, I leave you with some other news from around the rinks:

• All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, a new hockey stick and a Rock' em Sock 'em video. On Frozen Blog talks about Christmases past with some of the Caps.
• With the World Juniors tournament right around the corner, American Hero John Carlson reminisces on last year's GWG.
• Please send bunches of prayers and positive thoughts to Yale player Mandi Schwartz as she continues her fight with cancer...
• HM has had her fill of crazy hockey parents (and some folks may well lump me in that category at times) but this "hockey dad from hell " takes the cake (stick tap to Kukla). I've got three words for him: GET A LIFE...

Happy hockey everyone and Let's Go Caps!