HM's Random TGIF Musings and Other Sundry Items

Welcome to the start of what's shaping up to be a rainy weekend here in D.C. sports fans! Speaking of storms, the Caps will host the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 42-goal scoring wunderkind Steven Stamkos at the Phone Booth tonight. The Capitals clinched the Southeast Division title last night (big Hockey Mom fist bump) as Atlanta fell to Columbus. Despite that crowning achievement, the boys still have to keep their eyes on the big prize (the one made of silver that's perfect for sipping post-victory champagne from, named after that Lord Stanley fellow) and stay focused and determined in each and every game. The Lightning, like the Hurricanes, always bring their "A-game" when playing the Caps and I don't expect tonight to be any different especially as Stamkos is aiming to reach that elite 50-goal mark by season's end.

The Capitals will face a much more formidable opponent on Sunday when they meet the young and gifted Chicago Blackhawks in the NBC game of the week. The Hawks sit at the number three spot in the league, one below the San Jose Sharks and are loaded with firepower from the likes of Patrick Kane, captain Jonathan Toews, Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Troy Brouwer and Dustin Byfuglien. HM already has her ear plugs on the ready for any potential Caps-bashing nonsense from everybody's favorite commentator Mike Milbury. I'm hoping NBC has former Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick on board this Sunday to keep Mad Mike in check!

And here are some other tidbits I found of interest for your Friday hockey reading pleasure:

• Puck Daddy gives former Capital  and new Carolina Hurricane Brian Pother a gold star for his game-winning overtime goal against our pal Sidney Crosby and his flock of Penguins.
• Back to the much dicussed Matt Cooke hit on Marc Savard - Allen Maki of the Globe and Mail foresees a nasty game in store for next week's rematch between the Pens and Bruins and asks what happens if Sidney Crosby becomes the next victim of a Cooke-like hit as players may try to retaliate for the league's lack of punishment to the perpetrator? (stick tap to Kukla's Korner)
• And finally, a huge Hockey Mom high five to the Capitals organization for all of their involvement in the local youth hockey community per Ted's Take. My boys have had the opportunity to play on Verizon Center ice as part of the youth hockey program and the Caps at School efforts are a fantastic way to keep education fun while building excitement and creating a whole new generation of young hockey fans!