Capitals

Quick Links

Fresh Take: Even if Tampa wins on Wednesday, the Caps are still the champions

Fresh Take: Even if Tampa wins on Wednesday, the Caps are still the champions

By Travis Thomas March 20, 2019 10:43 AM

Trending Now

1:15

DCSL Fresh Take: Action Jackson, AP's records, Joe Burreaux

2:11

Make-A-Wish: Nashayla spends a day with the Wizards

3:21

Exclusive: Willie Snead on Baltimore Ravens' exciting season

1:07

Hershey Bears break world record for largest Teddy Bear Toss

0:29

Behind the scenes of the Caps Canine Calendar photoshoot

The Capitals face the Lightning on Wednesday night. For our new feature, Fresh Takes, Travis Thomas explains why he's not concerned about if the Caps take this one or not.

For years I had to listen to Penguins fans tell me that the Capitals would never beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs when it counted most.

There was nothing more I wanted in the world than to shut those fans up. But time after time, it happened and they ended up being right. I find myself in the same position now as a Caps fan when it pertains to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

I get it, they are leading the league in points by a country mile. They have already wrapped up the President 's Trophy. Nikita Kucherov could literally stop playing right now and still win the Hart Trophy.

Last weekend, the Lightning outclassed the Caps 6-3 in an impressive win. Despite all of this, I still believe the Lightning will crumble when it matters most because that’s what they always do.

Or at least in important recent Caps history they have.

Let’s remember: The Lightning were the top dogs in the East last season as well and the Capitals beat them in an electrifying seven-game series. 

I’ll never forget the dominance on display in Tampa for Game Seven where Washington skunked them 4-0.

So go ahead Tampa, maybe you win again tonight. Heck, maybe you win in Tampa next weekend against the Caps as well.

Just remember, when it counts, that’s when Champions always rise up. We’ll see you in May again, I’m sure of it.   

MORE CAPITALS NEWS:

Quick Links

Capitals service dog Captain wins Sports Dog of the Year

Capitals service dog Captain wins Sports Dog of the Year

By Zach Brook December 13, 2019 5:40 PM

As if any other candidate would even come close, Captain was named Sports Dog of the Year on Friday afternoon.

The four-legged phenom has been everywhere this fall, making his presence felt all over the DMV, and his popularity has extended nationwide.

Captain doesn't take days off and is always ready to have some fun.

He was there to maintain the peace during the biggest shopping day of the year and he made sure your Cyber Monday gifts arrived on time. 

He inspires greatness and has been a driving force behind the Mystics' WNBA Title as well as the Nationals' World Series victory.

He knows when its time to put in the work as well. He's always on time for meetings, and he has never missed a practice.

He's preparing to assist a Veteran or First Responder one day, and he's already making progress.

And he's always ready to celebrate.

MORE CAPITALS NEWS:

Quick Links

D.C. youth coaching legend Neal Henderson gets his due with U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction

D.C. youth coaching legend Neal Henderson gets his due with U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction

By Brian McNally December 13, 2019 2:38 PM

Trending Now

2:11

Make-A-Wish: Nashayla spends a day with the Wizards

3:21

Exclusive: Willie Snead on Baltimore Ravens' exciting season

1:07

Hershey Bears break world record for largest Teddy Bear Toss

0:29

Behind the scenes of the Caps Canine Calendar photoshoot

1:48

Sympathetic pregnancy is real. Just ask NBA All-Star Bradley Beal

WASHINGTON — For 40 years Neal Henderson has given underprivileged kids the chance to play hockey at Fort Dupont Ice Arena.

On Thursday, Henderson was honored for his life’s work with induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Henderson was inducted along with NHL greats Tim Thomas and Brian Gionta, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and U.S. Olympian Krissy Wendell. He heard kind words spoken about his program, the Fort Dupont Cannons, from the likes of Bettman, Alex Ovechkin and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and also received a video tribute. 

It’s been quite a week for Henderson, who drew a sustained ovation from the crowd at Tuesday’s Capitals-Boston Bruins game when acknowledged on the big video board at Capital One Arena. 

“It’s amazing. Something I never believed I could be a part of,” Henderson said. “It’s the zenith of my life other than being married and having a son. I’ve enjoyed what I have done. I didn’t do it for the reasons of being here. I did it for the love of kids and the parents who trusted me with their children.”  

Henderson said he “became completely numb” when he got the phone call learning he’d be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. The Cannons developmental program, based at Fort Dupont, is designed to help local underprivileged kids play an expensive sport that is out of reach for many. Fort Dupont features the oldest minority hockey league in North America. 

It’s not a route to the NHL. But Henderson has helped kids play high school and college hockey, passing on the lessons he’s learned over decades: That hard work and character matter. That education is crucial. He believes hockey helps forge those traits. The Cannons give kids a chance to travel to other cities to play games. They were an integral part of the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone campaign, which seeks to broaden the sport, make it more inclusive, help better communities.

A clip showed during Ovechkin’s tribute video after being named the Wayne Gretzky International Award recipient at Thursday’s induction dinner, showed the Stanley Cup at Fort Dupont with the Cannons. That was Ovechkin’s idea, according to Leonsis.

“I asked Alex ‘Where do you want to go?’ He said ‘I want to see kids at Georgetown Cancer Center.” And we went there. And then he wanted to pay homage to Coach Neal,” Leonsis said. “And so we went to Fort Dupont. It’s great that he’s here.”

Henderson said he hoped his induction would help encourage more people of color to embrace hockey. He started the program in the late 1970s thinking he’d simply get his son through the program, which works with kids ages 8 to 18. But he just kept going – in part because kids kept coming to the Cannons and in part because he just couldn’t refuse them. Decades later he’s still here working with them. 

“A lot of people don’t feel that they have the opportunity when it’s right at their back door,” Henderson said. “If they take just one more step they’ll find that there are people out there that’s willing to help them. All you have to do is be there willing to make sure they get the chance.”

MORE CAPITALS NEWS:

Load more