Capitals News to Note

If you're like me - missing my weekly episode of HBO's 24/7, Capitals Red Line returns to Comcast SportsNet on Saturday, February 5 at 9 a.m. for your Caps behind-the-scenes viewing pleasure (minus the locker room expletives - this show's family-friendly). New episodes will air on Comcast SportsNet every Saturday at 9 a.m. through March 26.  


In addition to the new, consistent time each week, CRL features three new segments this season; a special segment following Caps defenseman John Carlson’s rookie season, One on One with Mike Vogel and Cap to Cap. Host Guerin Austin returns for another season as well as Elliot Segal from Elliot in the Morning and the long-awaited return of “Professor” Bradley (can I get a "beat dat beat up fist pump for the return of Professor Bradley). Now if we can just get Matt Bradley healthy and back on the ice!


In other news, the Capitals will honor 2010 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Dino Ciccarelli at Turn Back the Clock Night when the Caps host the Canadiens at the Phone Booth on Tuesday,
Feb. 1. The Caps will wear their NHL Winter Classic-style throwback jerseys – which will be available in a silent auction during the game – and all fans in attendance will receive a limited edition Ciccarelli Upper Deck trading card, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet.


Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early for the 7:30 p.m. game, as Ciccarelli will be honored and will participate in a ceremonial puck drop. Select Capitals alumni will be signing autographs for fans on the concourse. Entertainment throughout the evening will focus on Ciccarelli’s era with the Capitals (1989-92) and will include tribute videos and an appearance by the Capitals’ former mascot, Winger.


Ciccarelli spent 19 seasons in the NHL, four of them in Washington. He recorded 112 goals and 97 assists (209 points) in 223 career games with the Capitals. He joined the team via trade March 7, 1989, and scored 12 goals in 11 games to close out that season. He led the team with 41 goals and 79 points in 1989-90 and had a team-high 38 goals in 1991-92, his final season with the Caps.



All four of Ciccarelli’s Capitals teams made the playoffs and he was among the top two playoff goal or point scorers on the team each year. Only Alex Ovechkin (1.29) has a better career playoff points per game for the Capitals than Ciccarelli (35 points in 32 games, 1.09).


Ciccarelli joined Mike Gartner (2001), Rod Langway (2002), Larry Murphy (2004) and Scott Stevens (2007) as Capitals in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

And in other news and notes, here are some other happenings around the rinks:

• Homer McFanboy expounds on the scoring slumps of Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble.
• Ravings of a Rink Rebel previews some of the best in women's hockey happening here this weekend during the Women's Junior Hockey League Challenge Cup.
• A funny take on the scoresheet from last night's loss at the hands of the Blueshirts from Capitals Outsider.
• On a sad note, the Boston Bruins' Marc Savard may have some tough decisions to make in terms of his future as he suffered yet another concussion this weekend.
• Speaking of concussions, Sidney Crosby has bowed out of this weekend's NHL All-Star Game, as has his team mate Geno Malkin.
• Injury will also keep Atlanta Thrashers d-man Tobias Enstrom off the ice against the Caps tomorrow in addition to missing the All-Star festivities.
• Talk about a goalie controversy - the New York Islanders have suspended former Sharks and KHL net minder Evgeni Nabokov after he said "nyet" to reporting to the Isles after they claimed him off waivers.