So... what happened? 2017 Edition

So here's what happened. Family stuff came up, I had to deal with several deaths, I totaled my car which knocked me outta commission for a couple months, and... the Caps lost in the second round (AGAIN! FML) to the stupid Penguins (I hate their fanbase so much). Anyways, onto this year. I've purchased a ton of game-worn jerseys which will be added at some point... I don't know how to get snapchat videos to do what I want, but I started using Instagram, so that'll make it a lot easier to post videos from my phone onto here. Let's see... what else... I'll be following the OHL (hereafter referred to as "The O") and the WHL (hereafter referred to as "The Dub") as well as college hockey and AHL hockey as much as possible. I won't be following any leagues overseas, the ECHL or anything lower, or the QMJHL because it's a soft league and the last player the Caps drafted from there was Mathieu Perreault, otherwise the league sucks. I'll probably post on weekends and every couple of days. If there's hockey on NBCSN, odds are I'll probably be typing something up that night. I think the most fun I'll be having this season is that I'll be trolling pretty hard this year with my jerseys and signs at Caps games. After three years of being a "serious and devoted" Caps fan, I'm gonna have some fun and mess with people. Let's see if I can get Mike Milbury to fight me :-P

So... what happened?

I started this blog following the Caps, but stuff came up and I saw it was no longer feasible to post about every game. Also, my jersey collecting went from collecting premiers to game-worn jerseys. I may still post pre-game previews, but the post-game stuff probably won't come for a few days (especially if I went to the game). But truth be told, there's plenty of guys that follow that stuff. Right now, I'm most interested in hockey jerseys. I'm pretty big into the OHL and WHL jerseys as well as NHL and AHL. I have found that the ECHL jerseys are crazy hard to follow and track, but I will nonetheless try to do so. I'll be posting some of gamers up here now that I have a decent collection of them as well as some game-issued, team-issued, and authentics. The only premiers I would still buy are the outdoor games and the one-off jerseys (unless they're only available in authentic like with the flying skate jersey the Canucks wore last season). I'll have a post up later with some of my gamers.

Caps vs Flames: Third time's a charm (hopefully)

Well, it's the Caps and Flames. Tonight Ovechkin is going for the record for most goals scored by a Russian born player. Here's tonight's matchup:

Notice how I flipped over the Caps jersey to highlight whom we'll all be watching with great anticipation tonight. After a pair of overturned decisions that past couple of games, Ovechkin will very likely be putting it in tonight (or at least trying harder than he did in Detroit).

Jerseys story: I got the Flames jersey in Calgary when I was going through Western Canada from FanAttic in Calgary, they had a few of these left and most were either Medium or XL (just like on the site). Unfortunately, they didn't have any Calgary Hitmen jersey (because that's what I originally went there for), so I just got the Flames Throwback jersey.

The Caps jersey is a birthday gift from my sister a loooooooong time ago and I've worn it to almost all the games I went to while in undergrad. Last season I got a bunch of signatures on it. Ovie being top and center with Kuzy to the left of his name (funny how they both end up on the top line together). Other names on there are Laich, Orlov, Chris Brown, Aaron Volpatti, Mike Green, and a few other guys I'll have to update later.

My Prediction: Ovie gets the goal, Caps win 4-1!

TUESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY NIGHT: CAPS AT RANGERS!

Tonight, the Caps-Rangers rivalry returns on... local television? whaaaaaaaaa, are you kidding me?

Ok, it's time to break down some numbers..

	Capitals	Rangers	Edge
Road PP% vs Home PK%	18.2%	85%	Capitals
Road PK% vs Home PP%	85.7%	16.7%	Rangers
GF (Road vs Home)	2.67	3.14	Rangers
GAA (Road vs Home)	2.33	1.57	Rangers
Win % (Road vs Home)	100%	78.6%	Capitals
Shots For % (Road vs Home)	57%	50.9%	Capitals
Fenwick For % (Road vs Home)	55.4%	49.2%	Capitals

I'm going with the Caps winning a low scoring game either 2-1 or 3-1. I've also discovered that eating the chicken dog at Shake Shack causes the Caps to lose, so I stopped after two times. Another match-up I'd like to point out is T.J. Oshie vs Rick Nash. Here's the history between them...

Yea, it's a few years old, but do you think Nash has forgotten? We likely won't see them on the ice against each other, but if we do... Nash better watch out! My prediction: Caps win 3-1

Other stuff: So I'm going back (when I have time) and trying to pull screen shots from games and gifs and what not. I already have most of the games written up, but none with pics and gifs and vids and all that good stuff. I'm going to be busy until the 19th, and then that weekend and Thanksgiving weekend, you'll start seeing some of the older games pop up.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY NIGHT! Caps-Penguins Preview 10/28/15

Tonight's matchup involves the Shittsburgh Pengwhines Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals facing off for the first time this season.

Last year the Caps dominated the Pens the first three match-ups before the refs FINALLY helped the Penguins win the last game (with Bettman in the house to make sure the required result came out). Tonight, the Pens bring their dysfunctional, we-can't-score, the-hockey-gods-took-Crosby's-skills-and-gave-them-to-McDavid, please-help-us team to DC to take on a Caps team that is firing on all cylinders, well most of them. The Pens have the second worst Goals-per-Game at 1.63 while allowing 2 goals per game. The Caps are on top at 4.14 goals per game and 13th and 2.57 goals allowed per game, which means you're more likely to cover the spread with the Caps, than not cover the spread (Vancouver being the one game they didn't). The Caps power play is second in the league at 31.8% while the Pens are dead last at 7.1%. The Pens have a better PK at 84.6%, which is ahead of the Caps 83.3%, but this team doesn't know how to score with the talent they've got. I honestly hope the Caps come out firing and just run over the Penguins (I'd be so happy!)

Other news: I'll be posting recaps of the Caps-Canucks, Caps-Oilers, and then Caps-Pens later this week / next week. I'm super stoked as I found myself on tv at the Oilers game after the fact and will probably gamecenter both games to see if I made it on camera with my cousins. I also met Alan May at Rexall place and will include that in my report! Keep your eyes peeled folks!

This past week in Hockey (for me)

Yea... so about that... if there's anything my recent trip has taught me, it's definitely that I don't have enough time to make QUALITY daily posts with all the stuff I have to do. So I guess from here on out, I'm going to stick to only Caps games (so only about 75 more game day posts about that) and then start posting stuff that I have been working on, but haven't had the time to complete.

Things I have been working on:

• Jersey Collection showcase
• Predictive analysis for fantasy hockey and nhl games in general
• Hockey memorabilia collection (seriously, this is becoming a problem)
• Getting snapchat videos up on here (and having them rotate properly) or creating my own site ($$$) to host it

Also, a list of Caps roadtrips coming up that I plan on attending

• January 5th @ Bruins
• January 7th @ Islanders
• January 9th @ Rangers
• NHL All-Star Weekend (TBD)
• March 7th @ Ducks
• March 9th @ Kings
• March 12th @ Sharks

While I should point out that I'm a huge Caps fan, I really love hockey and thus far I've seen two hockey games that do not include the Caps (those being the two extra WHL games I saw this weekend). I'm still trying to figure out how I want to make this, but I do want it to chronicle my journey more than anything. With that, I have a flight taking off in about 3 hours that I need to catch and will post more stuff throughout the week.Look forward to game day previews and jersey pics (yes I have Penguins jerseys, they're all blank and that's a story for another time because it is very emotional story)

Saturday Night Hockey! 10/24/15 Part 2

6:00PM - ANAHEIM DUCKS VS MINNESOTA WILD
The Ducks are in a rut, they need a W very badly, fortunately, they've had the Wild's number for quite some time... including this year, so let's go with the Ducks
MONEYLINE: DUCKS O/U: 5 goals (UNDER)

7:00PM - NEW YORK RANGERS VS PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Broadway vs Broad Street....  the Flyers have played amazingly at home while the Rangers have rediscovered their scoring touch. I like the Rangers on the road in this game.
MONEYLINE: RANGERS O/U: 5 goals (OVER)

8:00PM - NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS ST. LOUIS BLUES
The Islanders haven't won since last Saturday while the Blues apparently only lose the teams who's cities are start with M(Minnesota and Montreal). The Blues are starting their homestand with the Isles and they swept them last season.
MONEYLINE: BLUES O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

8:00PM - PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS
I don't like the Penguins, the Preds have only lost one game this season, not time to make it two just yet. Also, with Rinne in net, they have the better shot at winning this game.
MONEYLINE: PREDATORS O/U: 5 goals (UNDER)

8:00PM - FLORIDA PANTHERS VS DALLAS STARS
Stars are the highest scoring team in the NHL, the Panthers can also score, so that explains the Over
MONEYLINE: STARS O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

9:00PM - COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS VS COLORADO AVALANCHE
In Torts we don't trust. Avs didn't lose to the Hurricanes last game as much as they lost to Cam Ward who finally started playing like his 2006 self again, or maybe it was just a one time thing. Avs at home will have a better shot than the Jackets on the road to going 0-9-0.
MONEYLINE: AVALANCE O/U: 5 goals (UNDER)

10:30PM - CAROLINA HURRICANES VS SAN JOSE SHARKS
Canes come up to the Shark Tank after no offense in LA (or Colorado or Washington for that matter) and the Sharks are nothing but offense. No further explanation required.
MONEYLINE: SHARKS O/U: 5 goals UNDER)

Hockey Night In Canada! 10/24/15 Part 1

So after witnessing Kuznetsov's first Hat Trick last night, we're driving to Kelowna to see the Rockets play the Hitmen in WHL. Yes, my first WHL game! I'm stoked. I'm going to have to update my records when I get back to DC (or on the flight home). Also going to post stories and pics and all that stuff from Edmonton and Vancouver next week when I get back.

7:00PM - NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS BUFFALO SABRES (BELL TV)
For all intents and purposes, the Sabres seem to be Canada's adopted Canadian team. The Devils are on a surprising three game win streak (I really didn't think they'd ever have a win streak longer than 1 game this year) and the Sabres just got smoked by the Habs.
MONEYLINE: SABRES O/U: 5 goals (UNDER)

7:00PM - TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS MONTREAL CANADIENS (CBC)
This is easy, Habs aren't going to lose to the Leafs.
MONEYLINE: HABS O/U:5 goals (OVER)

7:00PM - ARIZONA COYOTES VS OTTAWA SENATORS (CITY TV)
Coyotes are on a four game losing streak. Sens should get the W after two shootout losses.
MONEYLINE: SENATORS O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

8:30PM - TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (SPORTSNET 1)
The re-match of the Stanley Cup finals. With the Blackhawks at home, I think they'll win this Saturday match-up against the Bolts.
MONEYLINE: BLACKHAWKS O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

10:00PM - DETROIT RED WINGS VS VANCOUVER CANUCKS (CBC)
The Red Wings are coming off a loss to the Flames and flew to Vancouver after that. The Red Wings are in a funk and it's not likely that they'll snap out of it in Vancouver. It's more likely they'll do it next game against the Hurricanes. For the record, Rogers Arena is a crazy awesome place. Look for my posts on the game when I get back to the states.
MONEYLINE: CANUCKS O/U: 5 goals (OVER)

Friday Night Hockey! 10/23/15

Got into Edmonton 3 hours before puck drop. I'll be updating all the other stuff as well as posting information on my roadtrip when I get back to DC. It will be large, and I'll try to figure out how to get my snaps up.

7:00PM - MONTREAL CANADIENS VS BUFFALO SABRES (CONDON VS JOHNSON)
The Habs are on fire and I don't see the Sabres being able to stop them, especially with Chad Johnson in net. I really don't see a reason for the Habs to lose tonight.
MONEYLINE: HABS O/U: 5 goals (OVER)

7:30PM - BOSTON BRUINS VS NEW YORK ISLANDERS (GUSTAVSSON VS HALAK)
The Bruins are not that good and the Islanders are pretty damn good at home with Halak. Chara is playing in his 1,200th game tonight, but odds are, they're not going to win.
MONEYLINE: ISLANDERS O/U: 5.5 goals (UNDER)

8:00PM - TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS WINNIPEG JETS (BISHOP VS PAVELEC)
Bolts and Jets are two potent offenses, but the Bolts obviously have more firepower.
MONEYLINE: BOLTS O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

9:00PM - DETROIT RED WINGS VS CALGARY FLAMES (HOWARD VS HILLER)
The Flames are finally done with their musical roulette of goalies? No idea, but I think the Red Wings are upset at losing to the Oilers last game, so they'll definitely be out for blood.
MONEYLINE: RED WINGS O/U: 5.5 goals (UNDER)

9:00PM - WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS EDMONTON OILERS (GRUBAUER VS NILSSON)

This is the matchup tonight, and most likely the jerseys tonight. I'm excited to see McJesus in person and how they fare against the Caps. I'm stoked to Grubauer in net tonight and with the Oilers throwing out Nilsson, the Caps should eat them up. Also excited to see Ovechkin score another goal to continue the streak :-)
MONEYLINE: CAPITALS O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

10:30PM - CAROLINA HURRICANES VS LOS ANGELES KINGS (WARD VS QUICK)
Canes got lucky against the Avs (because Ward stood on his head and had that crazy stick save (will be added later)), I don't see a repeat of that against the Kings so I'm expecting a heavy hitting, low scoring game.
MONEYLINE: KINGS O/U: 5 goals (OVER)

Thursday Night Hockey 10/22/15 Part 2 (CAPS VS CANUCKS PREVIEW)

8:30 PM - FLORIDA PANTHERS VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (LUONGO VS CRAWFORD)
I like the Blackhawks, but I don't think they'll have it today. They only seem to win on the weekend dates (Friday and Saturday thus far). The Panthers are rolling with Bobby Lu and all their guys just putting up goals.
MONEYLINE: PANTHERS O/U: 5 goals (OVER)
10:00PM - WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS VANCOUVER CANUCKS (HOLTBY VS MILLER)
First off, I'm inserting this picture

Now, for the game. The Canucks have yet to win a game at home and the Caps have yet to lose a game on the road. As a result, I'm going with the Caps, Ovie scoring a goal at the end I'll be sitting in and a beat down on the hapless Canucks as a result.

Now for some info on the jersey. I got it from SportsK.com. They Heritage jersey for the Canucks has some unique novelties. For starters, it doesn't have numbers on the arms. The other thing is that this jersey was introduced the year prior to celebrate 100 years of hockey in Vancouver. Then it was recycled for the Heritage Classic with the patch added on, and reused again last year for a one-off game. It looks nice, but it hasn't brought the Canucks much luck
MONEYLINE: CAPS O/U: 5.5 goals (OVER)

10:30PM - LOS ANGELES KINGS VS SAN JOSE SHARKS (ENROTH VS JONES)
Two former backups (well, Enroth is still a backup) face-off tonight. I'm calling it like I see it. The Sharks are finally done with their East Coast road trip and after dropping the last two games, they come home and rest up for the Kings. We saw on opening night, the Kings got destroyed by the Sharks at home, they're starting to win again, but the Sharks were so dominating opening night, I see no way the Kings can win (although they might finally score a few goals).
MONEYLINE: SHARKS O/U: 5 goals (OVER)