In Case You Missed It...
The Washington Nationals' Racing Presidents made an appearance at the New York Islanders' game against the Ottawa Senators Monday on Long Island, taking their show on the road and on the ice for Presidents Day.
As the Presidents took laps around the rink, George checked Teddy into the bench before the latter recovered and caught his competitors with a flying crossbody.
Even if the Racing Presidents looked a little disoriented, they looked better than the Washington Capitals did Monday, who lost to the Eastern Conference-worst Carolina Hurricanes 5-0 in yet another embarrassing display. The Caps were down 2-0 about five minutes into the game and it all went downhill from there.
A lot has been said about how the Caps have failed to muster any sort of positive momentum, but they actually have been consistent in one regard: their inconsistency. Washington has failed to win consecutive games in over a month and as they cling to the 10th place spot in the East, they are now only six points ahead of the last-place Hurricanes.
Pictures are worth a thousand words and since I'd rather not waste that much space on a dreadful game (neither did play-by-play man Joe Beninati apparently, who returned from a commercial break by saying, "Someone medicate me."), this picture of Alex Ovechkin tells you all you need to know about this season:
(Photo credit: @JapersRink)
Sports
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards lost in disappointing fashion as well, falling 104-88 to the Phoenix Suns, a team that they have not beaten in six years, after being outscored 32-13 in the third quarter. But you already knew that was going to happen.
Watch To Watch For...
For the next week, keep your eyes on the Caps. The NHL's trade deadline is this coming Monday and considering the effort -- or lack thereof -- that they put forth Monday, moves could definitely be made.
Cult Of Personality
Washington Nationals prospect Bryce Harper, he of the entertaining Twitter account, opened up to reporters at spring training Monday about his online interactions and self-aggrandizing personality in general:
"I’m going to get blown up either way, whether I say something right or say something wrong,” Harper said. “That’s just how it’s going to be. There’s nothing I can really do about that. Maybe there’s sometimes I should keep my mouth shut. I need to grow up in that aspect, I guess. But I feel good about what I say, and I’m not going to back down from anything.”
Harper's response oozes with confidence. Personally, I am glad that Harper does not plan on curtailing his attitude because who else would blow a kiss at a pitcher, tweet about his front-running teams and brand-new car while also comparing himself to Joe Namath? To paraphrase General Manager Mike Rizzo (to the tune of "Dry Bones"), "the cocky bone's connected to the ego bone."
Adam Vingan is co-founder and editor of Kings Of Leonsis, a Caps-centric blog, and is the Capitals Editor for SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Adam_KOL and e-mail your story ideas to adamvingan (at) gmail.com.
