Game Day: Caps

The Thrashers take to Philips Arena ice once again tonight to face the Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals. The Thrashers are 1-1-1 against Ovechkin's squad after opening the season with a 4-2 victory on home ice. Atlanta has since lost twice in DC, once in overtime and once in a 6-4 game sealed on an empty net goal.

Andrew Ladd will lead the team onto the ice for the first time wearing the captain's C on his sweater. Coach Ramsey is undoubtedly hoping that the team will shape up behind their newly appointed leader much like they did two seasons ago when Ilya Kovalchuk was finally named captain midway through the season.

It is never good to have a ship without a captain. A team needs a designated leader to help rally the troops and give direction. An army without a standard bearer tends to break into factions. That being said, it is understandable that a team with a new GM (Dudley was part of the organization last year but reportedly spent most of his time scouting and wasn't around our players) and new head coach would want to give his players a trial by fire before naming the leader. The captain position is too important to get that decision wrong. See the Sharks under Patrick Marleau or the Panthers under Olli Jokinen.

Speaking of captains, the Capitals have one that is pretty darn good at the hockey. And at the really creepy commercials:


And the really crappy commercials:


And the highlight reel goals:


Not too shabby. But he's no Chris Thorburn. No sir. Thorbs scores, hits, fights, and apparently assasinates Templars in Renaissance era Rome: