The year started out strong, with the National Zoo's new giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao making their public debut in January. Despite the cold temperatures, fans waited outside the gates in anticipation, some donning panda gear in homage to the black-and-white bears. After a grueling 14 months without laying eyes on a panda, we could finally rest easy knowing DC's most beloved residents were back in the mix.
When this game was played five-on-five, the Capitals did a fantastic job of limiting the Canadiens to the outside, then burned them in transition for being overaggressive. The Caps ended up 13-5 in high-danger chances, putting together a particularly impressive third period during which they created eight of those chances and allowed only two. Tremendous effort from a team that played at home yesterday and then traveled north.
KLADNO, Czech Republic -- At age 53, Jaromir Jagr began his 38th professional season by playing on the fourth line for his hometown Kladno Knights in a 3-1 victory over Vitkovice on Friday night in the Czech league. The former NHL great logged 10:08 minutes ice time and joined the power play unit in a season debut that had been delayed because of a muscle problem.
Kopitar is heading into his 20th season with the Kings after being selected 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and has been the captain for what will be 10 years upon the end of the season. Not only has Kopitar been a great offensive talent, but he has been a perennial Selke Trophy candidate, too. He played a key role in the two Stanley Cup runs the Kings had in the 2010s.
