Shine Silently: Capitals vs Rangers In Pictures

I went to the Caps-Rangers game last night and had a seat in the Club level of Verizon Center. In my opinion the Club level is the best place to take game pictures. Since I got my camera over a year ago, when I go to games I like to take pictures and show them to Benjamin, who at age four is now learning (and participating in) sports. I use my pictures as a way to introduce the game and the local teams to him. I have a Nikon D40 and I used the 70-300mm VR Nikkor zoom lens I got from my family for Christmas.

I like the Club level as the seats are a bit roomier than the upper level and I can lean into a shot easier if I need to. I don't like to do this a lot as I don't want to interfere with the fans behind me, but the folks last night who sat behind me said they weren't distracted.

This Caps team continues to amaze me. They have won 13 straight games at home and are leading the entire NHL in points. Never in the Caps history have they had the overall lead this late in the season. So I am very excited for the Caps chances. I really believe this team is stocked from top to bottom to win the Stanley Cup.

This is the team's 35th anniversary and last night the Caps had a celebration. We saw highlight videos, a couple former players were in house and even Ron Weber, the Caps radio voice from 1974 to 1997 was there. A lot of memories were brought back for me as I've followed the team since day one. My family had season tickets the first six seasons and I lived and died with the expansion 8-67-5 Caps as a 13 year old. Over the years, I supported them in person as often as I could at Cap Centre and now Verizon Center. Since Benjamin's birth, trips to Verizon Center aren't as frequent as now he's an active four year old so I cherish each game I get to see in person. Last night was no exception. Unfortunately I got off to a late start and missed taking pictures during warm ups.

It was a great game by Jose Theodore and the Capitals defense. Eric Fehr and newly acquired Eric Belanger scored the goals for the Caps. You can read more about the 2-0 win over the Rangers here via the Washington Post here.

So since I'm not able to get to Verizon Center as often as I like, in addition to watching the games on TV with Benjamin, I follow these sites to get my Caps fix.

DC Sports Bog

On Frozen Blog

Japer's Rink

Washington Capitals Blog

One I recently discovered, Mark's Musings

And the Caps Owner Ted Leonsis has his blog Ted's Take that is must reading for Caps fans.

Now that Benjamin's developed an interest in hockey and the Caps (Alex Ovechkin is his favorite Cap), a month ago I used the Caps season ticket holder exchange to get center ice Club Level tickets to the March 28th game vs the Calgary Flames. This will be Benjamin's first Caps game and he is excited. The waiting has been the hardest part for him but come March 28th, we'll be decked out in red and rocking in Verizon Center.

Here are most of my pictures of last night's game. (Click to enlarge) Enjoy and Let's go Caps!!!

The Caps and Mike Knuble are introduced before the game.

Opening faceoff

Nicklas Backstrom

Eric Belanger and Jose Theodore

Defenseman Joe Corvo keeping things in check for the Caps.

Caps Defense was solid all night in front of goalie Jose Theodore.

#1 star of the game with his first shutout of the year, Jose Theodore.

Caps defenseman Jeff Schultz, who blocked three shots in the win over the Rangers. Solid effort.

Rangers pest Sean Avery

Caps defenseman Mike Green

Faceoff

Caps make sure the Rangers get the Caddyshack Spaulding treatment. In other words, "you'll get nothing and like it!"

Caps defenseman John Carlson keeps an eye on things as Jose Theodore keeps the Rangers at zero goals.

Caps Mike Knuble and Rangers Vinny Prospal

Caps Eric Belanger on the faceoff.

More solid defense by the Caps.

The net was in the way here on this faceoff between Rangers Chris Drury and Caps Tomas Fleishmann but I loved the view from the club level.

Take a seat Sean Avery. The Caps would eventually score on a 5 on 3 with :10 left in his penalty.

Mike Green with the puck.

I like this shot of gritty veteran Mike Knuble, a tremendous offseason pick up by the Caps.

Caps first goal which was scored by #16 Eric Fehr.

One of the Caps unsung heroes, David Steckel

Matt Bradley, another grinder for the Caps.

Alex Semin and Mike Green make sure Jose Theodore has the puck.

Nicklas Backstrom of the Caps and Artem Anisimov of the Rangers battle during the faceoff.

Caps Captain Alex Ovechkin

Ovie hustles and does anything it takes to gain an advantage on the ice. He was held scoreless vs the Rangers but he created a lot of havoc and the Caps just win.