The Copper & Blue - Edmonton Oilers vs. Washington Capitals Game Day CoverageA site for fans of the Edmonton Oilers. Someday we'll get to write about an Oilers playoff game. Hopefully sooner than later.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/13253/copper-fave.jpg2022-03-09T17:00:00-07:00http://www.coppernblue.com/rss/stream/227327712022-03-09T17:00:00-07:002022-03-09T17:00:00-07:00GAME THREAD: Edmonton Oilers vs. Washington Capitals
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<img alt="NHL: Washington Capitals at Nashville Predators" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XT-7aPYlFs9uFMjSDrl8A-ifpMY=/0x0:2781x1854/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70601890/usa_today_17740469.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Goal scorin’ Capitals are in town, can the Oilers shut the door?</p> <h2 id="N0GU2j">
<a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/"></a><a href="https://www.coppernblue.com"><strong>Edmonton Oilers</strong></a><strong> (30-23-4, 4th, Pacific)</strong>
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<h2 id="yBANbW">
<a href="https://www.japersrink.com/"><strong>Washington Capitals</strong></a><strong> (31-18-9), 4th, Metro)</strong>
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<h2 id="dXrv7f"><strong>09 March 2022</strong></h2>
<h2 id="avPhX3"><strong>Rogers Place</strong></h2>
<h2 id="xcUDFN"><strong>6 PM MT</strong></h2>
<h2 id="bof1Rw"><strong>TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet 1</strong></h2>
<h2 id="5Svo6y"><strong>Radio: 630 CHED</strong></h2>
<p id="fdRhv6"><a href="http://japersrink.com/"><strong>SB Nation Opponent: Japers’ Rink</strong></a></p>
<p id="r6iizh">The Oilers are on an 0-2-1 slide. They’ll need to defeat a Capitals club that took out the Flames last night if they want to get back to the win column. Let’s see what’s out there tonight.</p>
<p id="6WSWAV"><strong>THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="3j8w6e">
<strong>The Capitals are playing their second game in as many nights</strong>. Washington was victorious in a 5-4 matchup in Calgary last night, while the Oilers had a night off in-between games. Can the Oilers catch Washington with tired legs tonight?</li>
<li id="9z7anh">
<strong>Mikko Koskinen will start tonight’s game in net for Edmonton</strong>. Koskinen’s last game was a 3-1 loss to the Flames on Monday, he’ll try one more time for his 20th win of the season. </li>
<li id="vNPy26">
<strong>Alexander Ovechkin is on a scoring tear...again. </strong>Ovechkin is 4-3-7 in his last 4 games. He scored his 765th and 766th career goals to tie him for third in NHL goal scoring history with Jaromir Jagr. The Oilers will do their best to keep him from gaining that third spot tonight. </li>
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<p id="ImjjkS">Oilers badly need a win to stay within reach of the <a href="https://www.knightsonice.com">Vegas Golden Knights</a>. A loss tonight and a win by Vegas tomorrow in Buffalo will space the two teams by six points. Win tonight and figure it out tomorrow.</p>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/9/22969762/game-thread-edmonton-oilers-vs-washington-capitals-alexander-ovechkin-mikko-koskinen-connor-mcdavidJeff Chapman2022-03-09T12:00:00-07:002022-03-09T12:00:00-07:00Mikko Koskinen To Start In Goal Versus Capitals
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<img alt="Edmonton Oilers v Chicago Blackhawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/otP2q2twxq5kToX3WEdkDRa5rWw=/0x0:4369x2913/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70600718/1238911095.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Koskinen playing for win number 20 on the season as the Oilers are looking to start their five game homestand off with a bang</p> <p id="wzJM15">With the Washington Capitals in town, the Oilers are rolling with Mikko Koskinen in the net tonight.</p>
<p id="OouIya">Koskinen was in goal for Edmonton’s 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Monday night. He’ll get another turn tonight as the Oilers look to close the gap between themselves and the Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton trails Vegas by four points in the standings, the Oilers have a game in hand. A solid outing by Mikko Koskinen paired with two points for the Oilers tonight will get the Oilers to within one game of Vegas in the Pacific Division standings. With Vegas visiting Buffalo tomorrow, it’s especially important for the Oilers to keep pace in the division. </p>
<p id="ewkdVR">A win for Koskinen (19-9-3, .904 SV% / 3.05 GAA / 1 SO) will give him 20 on the season. </p>
<p id="c4BNjP">Join us tonight for our live game thread and a wrap up at the conclusion of Oilers/Caps. </p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/9/22969234/mikko-koskinen-to-start-in-goal-versus-capitals-edmonton-oilers-ilya-samsonov-vitek-vanecekJeff Chapman2022-03-09T09:00:00-07:002022-03-09T09:00:00-07:00GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers vs. Washington Capitals
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<img alt="Edmonton Oilers v Philadelphia Flyers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nuB1BMl3D7bJ4JelIvbOfwiCyJ4=/0x0:2422x1615/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70599279/1382646476.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Oilers look to snap 0-2-1 funk, but they’ll need to handle the Capitals to do it.</p> <h2 id="N0GU2j">
<a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/"></a><a href="https://www.coppernblue.com"><strong>Edmonton Oilers</strong></a><strong> (30-23-4, 4th, Pacific)</strong>
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<h2 id="yBANbW">
<a href="https://www.japersrink.com/"><strong>Washington Capitals</strong></a><strong> (31-18-9), 4th, Metro)</strong>
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<h2 id="dXrv7f"><strong>09 March 2022</strong></h2>
<h2 id="avPhX3"><strong>Rogers Place</strong></h2>
<h2 id="xcUDFN"><strong>6 PM MT</strong></h2>
<h2 id="bof1Rw"><strong>TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet 1</strong></h2>
<h2 id="5Svo6y"><strong>Radio: 630 CHED</strong></h2>
<p id="fdRhv6"><a href="http://japersrink.com/"><strong>SB Nation Opponent: Japers’ Rink</strong></a></p>
<p id="BooRXl"><strong>FLAME OUT</strong></p>
<p id="PtriLI">TylerToffoli was a two goal scorer for the Flames in Calgary on Monday, helping the Flames take a 3-1 decision over the Oilers. Devin Shore provided the lone tally in defeat, Mikko Koskinen had 26 saves in the loss, as the Flames continue to put distance between themselves and the rest of the division. Things don’t get any easier for the Oilers tonight as the Capitals are in town, and they’re rolling with wins in their last three. </p>
<p id="YL0fEN">The Oilers are going to need to start getting back into the win column, and they’re going to need to start doing it soon. Can they trip up a Caps team that’s looking good as of late?</p>
<p id="Admd3z">Let’s go to the tape.</p>
<p id="3XfHHK"><strong>THE OILERS ARE SAYING</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="vky7Gk">“I think we’re trying to build something as a group and the way we want to play, and I think that needs to be our focus and let results be a byproduct of that. A lot of games left. We’re over the halfway mark, but I think if we start looking at the playoff picture, I don’t think that’s a recipe for success right now.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="ZqqNm0"><a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-calgary-flames-game-recap/c-331508820"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>
<p id="jVnU1G">That’s Oilers forward Devin Shore after the Oilers’ 3-1 loss the Flames on Monday. </p>
<p id="Sk65eR">Shore is correct, the Oilers are over the halfway mark. There are 25 games remaining in the regular season, and the Oilers are going to have to win the majority of them if they want to have any chance at the postseason. If 96 points is the cut line, Edmonton is going to need to win 16 or 17 games (or any combination of 32 points) if they’re going to have any serious chance at getting into the second season. </p>
<p id="FwjzdV"><strong>THE CAPITALS ARE SAYING</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="B3yYMi">“I think that was what was so important and good for building confidence within our guys is that we have a veteran team, so we’ve been there before, but that was one of the first games this year where we’ve been down a goal,” Washington forward <a href="https://www.nhl.com/player/nic-dowd-8475343">Nic Dowd</a> said. “We stuck with it in a tough building against a good team in their building and did all the little things right and we got rewarded for it at the end.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="n8D4Xf"><a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-calgary-flames-game-recap/c-331545326"><strong>Source</strong></a></p>
<p id="C6Twxa">That’s Capitals forward Nic Dowd after his club’s 5-4 win over the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com">Calgary Flames</a> last night. </p>
<p id="BtOSXB">Alexander Ovechkin scored two goals last night (765 and 766 in his career) which ties him for third overall with Jaromir Jagr. Dowd scored midway through the third to give the Capitals the lead, though it was Ovechkin that would score the eventual game winner later on.</p>
<p id="4tSgqz"><strong>HAVE SOME OF THIS</strong></p>
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<li id="6e1xXM">
<strong>CRUNCH TIME: </strong>The feeling among some Oiler faithful has seemed to shift to concern, and it’s very well warranted. After a 7-3 run for new Oilers bench boss Jay Woodcroft, an 0-2-1 run has all eyes looking at the standings. Edmonton will need to catch either Vegas (4 points ahead) or Los Angeles (7 points ahead) if they’re going to ensure a run at the postseason. The Oilers have one game in hand over LA and Vegas, they’ll do good to put two points in the bank tonight. </li>
<li id="VtCz2P">Vitek Vanecek picked up the W for Washington last night in Calgary, I’d expect them to go with Ilya Samsonov (17-9-3, .901 SV% / 2.93 GAA / 3 SO) tonight. The Oilers currently have three goaltenders on the roster. They could go with either of Koskinen, Smith or Skinner, though Smith was kept out of Monday’s loss with an illness. Guess we’ll just have to wait and find out. </li>
<li id="vq1ree">
<strong>BUCKETS OF GOALS: </strong>Alexander Ovechkin scored his 755th and 756th career goal in Washington’s 5-4 win in Calgary last night, and there’s a real chance that he could finish his career with more goals than Wayne Gretzky if he plays long enough. With 36 goals on the season, there’s a real chance he could finish near 50 this year. That’d put him at 770 in his career, just 124 shy of The Great One. With four years left on his deal after this one, he’d need to average 31 a season. </li>
<li id="JYgjbL">
<strong>SICK BAY: </strong>The Oilers could use a Jesse Puljujärvi or a Ryan Nugnet-Hopkins back in the lineup sooner than later. Ryan McLeod has filled in well on the top line with Connor McDavid, but a third line without Nugent-Hopkins (and a power play without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) has the club behind the eight ball. The Oilers are just 2/17 on the power play since his injury. </li>
<li id="zErNvW">
<strong>THE NEXT 5: </strong>The Oilers need six or seven points in their next five games. After tonight, they’ve got Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Detroit and New Jersey at home. If the Oilers can’t secure the bag over the next week, it’s going to lead up to a very interesting trade deadline day.</li>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/9/22968818/game-preview-edmonton-oilers-vs-washington-capitals-alexander-ovechkin-connor-mcdavid-mikko-koskinenJeff Chapman2022-03-08T07:36:50-07:002022-03-08T07:36:50-07:00We don’t talk about O-vi
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<img alt="Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iG9nWZfOSi1nHbFQGx1tCYTvpEw=/0x0:4163x2775/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70593668/1378360059.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="3fIkSF"><em>Please note this is meant to be from a hockey perspective and not a political lecture. Also, my views are my own. Yes, I’m aware other countries do awful things. </em></p>
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<p id="LBSS4h">I’ve really struggled with the Ukraine invasion. I try not to be political online, but this one feels personal. I’m not Ukraine nor have I ever been there, yet it’s been eating at me for a few weeks. Something just isn’t sitting right with me. </p>
<h4 id="1cQCOx"><strong>Quick backstory for you:</strong></h4>
<p id="ksukfo">In 1968, Russian tanks rolled into Prague, Czechoslovakia. They took over. They didn’t leave for roughly 20 years. Many Czechs left because of this. Jaromir Jagr wears ‘68’ for this very reason. A lot of other not so famous Czechs left too, many came to Canada around 1980. After 12 years of political oppression and no end in sight. </p>
<p id="K9e1MU">I know this because I’m one of them. </p>
<p id="27QCM4">Back then, you didn’t plan to move — you got on a train/plane/car and didn’t tell anyone you weren’t coming back (they could be arrested). You left your stuff behind. You went somewhere ‘west’ and eventually ended up in Canada and declared refugee status. Six months later, your family back home would hear from you that you are safe in Canada. You show up and go on social assistance, don’t speak English and have young kids. Good luck, you’re free from your country which you loved before it was taken over. No one asked if we wanted Soviet tanks downtown. </p>
<p id="quWxww"><a href="https://olympics.com/en/films/watch/the-nagano-tapes-five-rings-films">Here is the Petr Svoboda story</a>. Watch the first ten minutes, or at least from minute four to minute ten for just the Petr Svoboda story. His story is not unusual. It was pretty common. Not all of us were first round NHLers though. </p>
<p id="2DIxuR">So fast forward to today. Russia is in Ukraine. They have invaded. It’s not good. </p>
<p id="dRZyDR">Our social media lights up with yellow and blue, ‘I stand with Ukraine’ and everyone calling Putin a mad man. The Russians pretty quickly get their World Junior Tournament cancelled. Their World Hockey Championship is cancelled too. They are also removed from the IIHF and can’t compete anymore (along with Belarus). So the Worlds this Spring will have 2 less teams (presumably Austria and France will move up from lower division). That World Juniors REDO in Alberta this summer will also not have the Russian team participate. They were kicked out of the Paralympic games. The Davis Cup. World Cup qualifying. Basically, all the major sporting events (some of which they already weren’t allowed to play as ‘Russia’ because of other sanctions that were broken). </p>
<p id="o0UsYG">This week, in Winnipeg, they had a beautiful opening ceremony where they sang the Ukraine anthem. I’d watch it all. Very well done. </p>
<div id="V3NY9x"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gVtaGMKViv8?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="9iDIML">Then came the first goal of the game: </p>
<div id="K8wZLc"><div style="max-width: 1280px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 57.4074%;"><iframe src="https://www.nhl.com/video/embed/svechnikovs-goal-in-3rd-straight/t-329220642/c-10747513" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="GZ75vu">Scored by a Russian player. It just didn’t sit with me. A night where we celebrate Ukraine heritage in Manitoba and support the Ukraine people starts with a Russian scoring for the home team. </p>
<p id="5CS2sq">Then the CHL announced that they won’t allow Russian or Belarusian players to be drafted this spring. </p>
<div id="Yu2SQP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">At 3pm EST the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CHL) will announce that Russian and Belorussian 16 & 17 year old children would be banned from the upcoming draft. I am Ukrainian born and want peace. I do not believe banning teenagers for something they do not control is the answer</p>— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) <a href="https://twitter.com/HockeyAgent1/status/1499089120450203654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a>
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<p id="NCSkad">In online hockey circles a LOT of people were opposed. </p>
<p id="CfVu2Z"><em>We should not blame the kids! </em></p>
<p id="BiSq33"><em>It’s that mad man Putin. </em></p>
<p id="ldXsdK">In 1968, it was a different mad man. </p>
<p id="PUUYip">There is always a mad man. </p>
<p id="Z2sRfs">Czechs have mad men. So does Canada. So does Ukraine. Mad men are everywhere. They just don’t always get to run the country and make decisions. </p>
<p id="ZvPWVO">Alexander Ovechkin is a big Putin guy. Supports him. This happens and he was pretty vague. </p>
<p id="My1Jz7">Here is what he said:</p>
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<p id="a3N1Yt"><em>“I would say it’s a hard situation,” the Washington Capitals left wing said at a Friday news conference. “I have lots of friends in Russia and Ukraine. And, it’s hard to see another war. I hope it’s soon going to be over and there’s going to be peace in the whole world.”</em></p>
<p id="CcHomz"><em>“Well, he’s my president. But, how I said, I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete,” Ochevkin replied. “How I said, hope everything’s going to be done soon. It’s a hard situation right now for both sides. Everything, like how I said, everything I hope is going to be end, and I’m not in control of situation.”</em></p>
<p id="ptsvzx"><em>“Please, no more war,” he urged. “Doesn’t matter who’s in the war. Russia. Ukraine. Different countries. I think we live in a world like we have to live in peace and a great world.”</em></p>
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<p id="stsefS">For the record, I believe Ovi when he says he doesn’t want war. I don’t think Putin wants war either. He wants surrender. </p>
<p id="g7Rtfd">Here was Hasek’s reply (click and read ALL of it):</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What!? Not only an alibist, a chicken shit, but also a liar! Every adult in Europe knows well, that Putin is a mad killer and that Russia is waging an offensive war against the free country and its people. The NHL must immediately suspend contracts(contin)<a href="https://t.co/BQnQaf76L7">https://t.co/BQnQaf76L7</a></p>— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) <a href="https://twitter.com/hasek_dominik/status/1497525477594083332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a>
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<p id="c5HzZJ">At first, it seemed like a crazy suggestion to me. Same with banning Russian kids from the CHL draft. Yet, something hasn’t sat right with me. </p>
<p id="Aw35L5">Petr Svoboda had to leave his family and whole life behind because of similar acts. If he stayed, he wouldn’t have been drafted in Round 1 by the Habs. His choices were leave his family or not get drafted in the NHL. Imagine what Hasek’s HOF career would’ve been like if he could’ve come to the NHL younger? </p>
<p id="UheO9u"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/09/children-fleeing-ukraine-refugees-train/">Lots of Ukrainan people are leaving behind their lives right now</a> and they didn’t get a choice. <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/former-nhlers-among-khlers-cancelling-contracts-during-playoffs">Lots of hockey players have recently terminated their contracts and left the KHL</a>. Markus Granlund and Harri Sateri from the Finnish Olympic Gold medal team for instance. They are currently unemployed hockey players because of this Russian invasion. <a href="https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/jari-kurri-and-jokerit-pull-out-of-khl-playoffs-in-protest-of-ukrainian-invasion">Jari Kurri removed Jokerit from the KHL</a>. Dynamo Riga <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/news/dinamo-riga-withdraws-from-khl">removed their team too</a>. I somehow doubt the Ukraine hockey league is playing right now? </p>
<p id="24iHvH">My point? A lot of NON Russians that are NOT politicians, soldiers, or anything else, are being very adversely affected by this. </p>
<p id="vNgjo9">Here is a great story of a Ukranian tennis player leaving the tour to go back home:</p>
<div id="k7J0bV">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Emotional & compelling interview. <br><br>Ukrainian tennis star Sergiy Stakhovsky returns to fight the Russians, leaving his wife & children behind. <br><br>Is he prepared to sacrifice his life? <br>Listen to his answer: <a href="https://t.co/eMwy0dUg7r">pic.twitter.com/eMwy0dUg7r</a></p>— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) <a href="https://twitter.com/brikeilarcnn/status/1499375289411018758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a>
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<p id="IFrS3K">Note: the number one ranked tennis player in the world is Russian. The Ukrainan one had to leave the tour to defend his country. So because the Russians invade Ukraine, Ukrainan tennis players lose points and the Russian ones gain points? Something doesn’t sit right with me. </p>
<p id="QErttu">Like I say, I’ve been very conflicted by this. Something about <strong>JUST</strong> blaming Putin and let’s not involve the Russian hockey players seems tone deaf to me? This action has affected a LOT of hockey players (two KHL teams closed early, KHL players terminated contracts, World’s need to be reformatted, so do World Juniors) and athletes. Russian invasions have changed lives — mine included. </p>
<p id="dNwmYg">The Washington Capitals <a href="https://twitter.com/SlavaMalamud/status/1499783913048260608">were allegedly not allowing Ukraine flags into their arena. This poster is very anti Russian and Caps</a>. That isn’t lost on me. Nor is the retraction AFTER social media went off on this. </p>
<div id="VneMFP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fans attending events at Capital One Arena - please review our security policies here: <a href="https://t.co/dpMJk5kU3u">https://t.co/dpMJk5kU3u</a> <a href="https://t.co/PvpNhTOUFI">pic.twitter.com/PvpNhTOUFI</a></p>— Capital One Arena (@CapitalOneArena) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitalOneArena/status/1499839749300924425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a>
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<p id="XbeTkj">You may note that the Caps biggest star is Ovechkin. While we sing the Ukraine anthem in Winnipeg we ban its flag in the US capital? Why do you think there is controversy in Washington? </p>
<p id="8beRVF">I hope every Caps fan shows up with a Ukraine flag for their next game. I hope the NHL mandates Ukraine flags on helmets or jerseys in support, just like we did for Humboldt. </p>
<div id="VcFpkz">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">NHL teams get Humboldt Broncos stickers to wear on helmets <a href="https://t.co/SSJnYQWIEj">https://t.co/SSJnYQWIEj</a> <a href="https://t.co/naYwSJ650k">pic.twitter.com/naYwSJ650k</a></p>— evanino (@evanino) <a href="https://twitter.com/evanino/status/984268054635925509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2018</a>
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<p id="smKpXr">I noticed several Oilers with Ukranian flags on their helmets on the weekend. Let’s see which Russians are not politicians. Let’s see which Russians don’t support war. Let’s see which ones don’t think Putin is mad. I think it’d be telling. </p>
<p id="vasmdc">Czechs like myself and Svoboda (which means ‘freedom’) had to leave our countries for fear of Russian persecution. The people of Ukraine are doing it as I type this. Maybe it’s time Russians started leaving their countries for the same reason? This isn’t a one time occurrence. </p>
<p id="6FbXoI">I’m positive it’d be easier for a millionaire like Ovi to move his family to America today than it was for my parents during a cold war to move to Canada in the 1980s. </p>
<p id="hXHS2b">I know the city of Edmonton will have Ukraine support for their game on Wednesday against the Caps. Maybe an anthem? Maybe some flags? I hope so but I’m beyond dismayed at yet another tone deaf NHL move. I’ll be skipping that game and I never miss Oil games. Here is Ovi’s Instagram handle as a parting thought. We will be playing a guy who doesn’t want war, but has his instagram photo side by side with the guy causing the war. Something doesn’t sit right with me. </p>
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<p id="WH2IRb">Few more parting thoughts. KHL and NHL no longer have a deal. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEWS: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHL</a> notified the KHL on Monday that it has officially severed all ties and communication with Russia's top hockey league.<br><br>The MOU between the leagues has been suspended, which will make signing Russian free agents a little trickier. Details:<a href="https://t.co/bakATNVPTk">https://t.co/bakATNVPTk</a></p>— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) <a href="https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1500991866539495425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a>
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<p id="v2wZAL">Some thoughts on speaking out. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">For NHL players who have families/parents still in Russia, what should/can they say about the war in Ukraine?<a href="https://twitter.com/DrRadchenko?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrRadchenko</a> offers a perspective. <a href="https://t.co/hYSqx2k0gX">https://t.co/hYSqx2k0gX</a></p>— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) <a href="https://twitter.com/rwesthead/status/1500882227735011334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a>
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<p id="xj2cGT"><strong>Poll time. </strong>Please note I am only asking about NHL players from Russia (prominent athletes in the spotlight):</p>
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https://www.coppernblue.com/2022/3/8/22961814/ovechkin-putin-nhl-russia-ukraine-world-warCzechboy