Capitals Talk

As the Caps continue to wait for the return of goalie Ilya Samsonov, Ben Raby of the Capitals Radio Network joins Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan to discuss the up-and-down play the team has produced since returning from their COVID hiatus. Plus, more talk about the impending goalie battle between Samsonov and Vitek Vanacek, celebrating Nicklas Backstrom's imminent 700 assist milestone, and the guys discuss Ben's cover story in The Hockey News about the ageless Zdeno Chara.

After 4 straight losses sandwiched around Covid cancellations, the Caps bounced back this week with back-to-back stellar performances against Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Karl Alzner joins Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan to discuss the recent turnaround and the upcoming goaltender dilemma the Caps will face when Ilya Samsonov returns. Plus, an appearance by JJ's son, a quick interlude for some Sabres bashing, and some discussion about pond hockey and the upcoming games in Lake Tahoe (complete with a...

This week's Capitals Talk podcast comes during the midst of the team's 3-game postponement pause. We figured what better time than now to talk to longtime NBC Sports Washington's Wizards Insider Chris Miller to see what we lessons the Caps can learn from how the Wizards handled their COVID-19 pause earlier this year. Before we talk to Chris, we go through why the Caps games were paused now and not when they lost the Russian quartet a few weeks back, what the Penguins new management team of...

As we celebrate Black History Month, this special Capitals Talk episode features the work of DC Mamba, a non-profit program that is aiming to introduce hockey in all neighborhoods at a low cost to the community, and now is partnering with the Capitals in a program called "Breaking the Ice". Nick Ashooh talks to Rock Ba'th, the founder of DC Mamba, about the program's philosophy of translating the game of hockey to kids, making it accessible and cost-friendly, and having a lot of fun in the...

If you predicted this start for the Washington Capitals, then give yourself a pat on the back... "What if I told you..." is the theme of this episode with Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan, as well as the 3 questions facing the team going forward, including what should we expect from surprise stars Zdeno Chara and Vitek Vanacek. Plus, why the Caps may be in the best position to survive this wildly unpredictable season.

Despite missing Ovi, Kuzy and Tom Wilson just to name a few, the Caps are back in 1st place thanks to some unsung heroes and gutsy performances. Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan discuss the upcoming goalie competition between Ilya Samsonov and the surprising Vitek Vanacek, plus who needs else needs to step up once they return. And in case you missed it our Players Only segment, two great Bruce Boudreau stories, and we'll take a look at the East Division through the early stages of the season.

In this special "Headstrong" edition of Capitals Talk, Ted Leonsis joins Chris Miller for an in-depth interview about the issues of mental health and suicide awareness in light of the current environment we're all living in, particularly with today's athletes and those who play for his teams. For more of NBC Sports Washington's series on men's and mental health, "Headstrong", go to nbcsportswashington.com/headstrong.

The Caps got 6 of a possible 8 points on their season-opening road trip, but how should they be judged after 4 games? Karl Alzner joins Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan after his first game on the other side, as an analyst on Caps Pregame and Postgame Live, to discuss Tuesday night's OT loss to the Penguins plus: Tom Wilson's emergence into a legit star, Bruce Boudreau's unique approach to "analytics", and the problems we're all facing with technology these days.

A jam-packed episode of the Capitals Talk podcast coming your way this week ahead of Thursday's opener in Buffalo. Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan are joined by senior NHL.com writer Dan Rosen, host of the Flyers Talk podcast Jordan Hall from NBC Sports Philadelphia, DJ Bean from Boston Sports Tonight on NBC Sports Boston and Seth Rorabaugh who covers the Penguins for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The group hits on all the biggest stories around the East Division leading into the season including:

The Caps closed out 2020 with the stunning signing of former Norris Trophy defenseman Zdeno Chara. JJ Regan is joined by Joe Haggerty of BostonHockeyNow.com, one of the foremost experts on the Bruins and Chara, to break down just what the Caps are getting from the soon-to-be 44-year-old defenseman - as well as what this means for the Bruins, a team that the Caps have dominated over the years and will face 8! times this season!

On this edition of the Capitals Talk podcast, we dig into the Capitals 2020-2021 schedule which opens January 14 in Buffalo. Alexa Shaw leads Alan May, Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan in breaking down how the schedule will play out for Washington and the importance of gelling quickly under new head coach Peter Laviolette. After that, the gang talks about what Conor Sheary can bring to the middle-six forwards and if there will be any more moves before the season starts to bolster the situation...

It's official now, the NHL has announced its plans for the 2020-2021 (really only 2021 but oh well) season which is set to start on January 13th! Alexa Shaw, Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan walk you through all the details and discuss what the East division will look like with the Bruins, Sabres, Devils, Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins and Capitals. Hockey is coming back and we've got you covered all the time at NBCSportsWashington.com and right here on the Capitals Talk podcast!

Well, this is not the news we were hoping for from the Capitals today but it's the news we've got: Henrik Lundqvist will not play in the 2021 season due to a heart condition. We're all hoping that The King gets well soon. But what next for the Capitals? Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan take a look back at Hank's career before Brent Johnson joins JJ to discuss options for Ilya Samsonov's backup and if the Caps can still be considered in the running for the Stanley Cup with Samsonov as the #1.

On this episode of the Capitals Talk podcast, Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan are joined by former Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner to discuss what's next for him after opting out of the 2020 postseason with Montreal. Alzner looks back fondly on his time in Washington and gives some behind-the-scenes details that helped a pair of his former teammates blossom into the superstars they are today.

Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan are joined by the legendary Doc Emrick to discuss everything from his favorite moments through Alex Ovechkin's illustrious career to why he thinks the 2021 Capitals will be in the mix for the Stanley Cup in the season ahead. Conversation also includes Doc's new memoir, Off Mike, a perfect gift for any hockey lover on your holiday list!

The Hershey Bears new video coach Emily Engel-Natzke joins the podcast this week to discuss her new role with the Chocolate and White and what it means to her to be the first female coach in the Capitals organization. She talks to Alexa Shaw about her journey in hockey and leaves future generations of hockey coaches with excellent advice to get where they want to go in their careers.

Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan are joined by two former Capitals goalies in Olie Kolzig and Byron Dafoe to go back in the memory bank to their scrap, tussle, dance, whatever you want to call it, which just turned 22 years old on November 22nd. We couldn't let them go without asking some current questions too as they hit on the Reverse Retro jerseys, how they would feel as players negotiating for a season right now and what to expect from the dynamic duo of Ilya Samsonov and Henrik Lundqvist...

Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan dive into the latest rumblings around the start to the next NHL season and what it means for Caps fans. JJ is very upset with the early looks at potential divisions that could see the Caps and Pens playing in different divisions but is much happier about the return of the Screaming Eagle with the Reverse Retro jerseys unveiled throughout the league. The Holtbys' move from D.C. to Vancouver hit a bit of a snag and although it went slower than hoped (tortoise pun?!?),...

Nick Ashooh and JJ Regan break down what Alex Ovechkin telling a Russian television station that he wants to end his career playing for Dynamo Moscow means for his future in Washington and the future of the Capitals franchise (1:00). Discussions then go to what Ovi might get for his next contract (15:30) and how the rest of the league views the Caps captain (22:00). Finally, JJ weighs in on why Daniel Sprong should be the answer at 3rd line RW (28:30) and the potential for Washington to move...

JJ Regan is joined this week by the Voice of the Hershey Bears Zack Fisch to discuss which prospects might be coming up the pipeline to Washington. Could Daniel Sprong be the answer at 3rd line right wing for the Capitals? Fisch certainly thinks so. He also lays out the rest of the forwards who could see action for the big club and what all the offseason additions on the blue line mean for Martin Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev. Plus, Fisch takes a peek between the pipes at what could be one of...