One more day before the playoffs start

Alex on playing poker on a plane (@2:50) via DC Sports Bog. According to Backie Ovi is the worst poker player, according to Semin (from an interview a couple of years ago) Nicklas is the best.


TarikElBashir: Speculation around KCI is that Alex Ovechkin isn't 100-percent. But he will play Thursday.

TarikElBashir: Nicklas Backstrom is ill, according to Coach Boudreau, who clarified his earlier comment.

Update:
Via our field reporter Emily from Aftonbladet "Bäckis is sick and risk to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs premiere":

NEW YORK. Nicklas Backstrom is sick and may miss Washington's first playoff game against Montreal on Thursday.
"I can't play, but there are still two days left, "he told Sportbladet.

Washington's first line Swedish center was not on the ice during the team's morning skate yesterday, the first team's workout since playing Boston at home in the Verizon Center.

The Washington media suggested that "Bäckis" was injured in the Sunday game, but in fact he has gone with a bad cold.

He is under the weather and stays in bed at home.

The question now is whether Backstrom can play when the Capital will open the playoffs at home against Montreal on Thursday night.

Apr. 13, 2010: Alex Ovechkin on facing Montreal in the first round

washcaps: Ovi took over as captain trailing by 5 pts in the East. After that the Caps went 30-4-7 and won the conference by 18 points.

By Dan Steinberg, Apr. 12, 2010, DC Sports Bog, "Alex Ovechkin's strength":

Ovechkin's listed at 233 pounds; that makes him one of the 15 heaviest forwards in the NHL. Only two of those forwards are under 6-feet-4; Ovechkin and Keith Tkachuk.

Read more...

By Dan Steinberg, Apr. 12, 2010, DC Sports Bog, "Ovechkin's parents want to thank you":

It was a balmy evening on a patio in Ballston, and I had been peppering Mikhail and his wife with questions about their son: his youth career, his on-ice achievements and his occasional controversies.

"Tatiania and I are very happy that Alex was drafted by the Washington Capitals," Mikhail said, gesturing to his wife. "We're very happy with the organization and the ownership, and with where he is right now, and with where the organization is right now. We're very happy who he's surrounded by. We're also very grateful to George McPhee for his initial welcoming of Alex," Tatiana continued, "in which George brought him to his house, gave him a roof and food, provided accommodations, made Alex feel welcome.

"His mother, at every game, says hi, gives me a hug, comes in the box on occasion," Leonsis told me. "And the reason they like me is they know I have their son's best interests at heart. It's an authenticness. I do, I love the kid. He's a great kid, and I've watched him grow up. And the good news, there's a double bottom line to Alex Ovechkin, right? He's a brother from another planet, he's a once in a generation player, and he's like this really nice kid."

Next it was Mikhail's turn again; he wanted to thank IMG for helping them with Alex's marketing efforts. Then Tatiana thought of someone else to thank.

"Now they're bringing me into the picture," our bashful interpreter, family adviser George Landa said, as she thanked him in Russian.

Read more...

According to Capitals site the first playoffs game will be live on Versus(HD) and CSN-DC(HD) in US, TSN(HD), RDS(HD) in Canada. Radio: THE FAN 106.7

By Tarik El-Bashir, Capitals Insider, Apr. 11, 2010:

Here's the Caps' first round schedule:

Thursday, April 15, 7 p.m., Washington, Versus
Saturday, April 17, 7 p.m., Washington, Versus
Monday, April 19, 7 p.m., Montreal, Comcast SportsNet
Wednesday, April 21, 7 p.m., Montreal, Comcast SportsNet

If necessary:

*Friday, April 23, 7 p.m., Washington, Versus
*Monday, April 26, 7 p.m., Montreal, Versus
*Wednesday, April 28, TBD, Washington, Comcast SportsNet

Comcast SportsNet will carry all of the first round games because Versus is not exclusive in the first round.

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