It's Gotta Be A Sign

On December 29th the New York Times ran its "predictions" for the 2009 year in hockey. Today, Chuck Gormley did the same. Besides a number of striking similarities, both predictions have the Caps winning the Cup. What that mean?

Rangers 1, Caps 2

The climb to the top of the East continues. The Caps won their 11th out of their last 12 games, Ovechkin scored, and Semin got into a fight. Not a bad night at all.

• I thought Crosby had the bitch fight of the week before the game started, but I was proven wrong by the Staal-Semin slap fight. Funny how things happen.
  
• Speaking of Sasha, he had a 2006-2007 Semin game, not a post-Fedorov game. He also got absolutely decked a couple of times. Still, an assist is an assist, eh?
• Alexander Ovechkin is now tied with Jeff Carter for the league lead in goals. He has scored in 8 straight games at home. And his goal was an absolute snipe.
  
• I know the 12 point lead in the division is nice, but the 'Canes are starting to get hot.
• Lot of non-calls on trips and hooks on both sides.
  
• I'm starting to wonder if Ovechkin's grasp of english is beginning to rival Locker's.
• Theo has the #1 spot now as far as I'm concerned

The real test comes on Tuesday against the Flyers at home. If theres a time to make the case as the best team in the east, this is it.