I think I can be forgiven for deciding to watch The Wire instead of this hockey game tonight. Unfortunately I started a bit too early, so I was out of episodes by the beginning of the second period. On the other hand, we were up 1 already! Let’s see how long this lasts.

Really, I think anyone could be forgiven for doing almost anything else rather than watch a game between the number 10 and the number 15 teams in the East. To quote Slapshot– actually, I won’t, because I’m still not sure how much I’m allowed to swear around here, and I’d rather err on the side of caution. But: it’s embarrassing. The brightest spot in the Ottawa game was Matty Perreault scoring a goal with his face.

At least this is the first game with a fully-healthy and fully-acclimated Green and Ovechkin. Green got quite a bit of ice time and finished +1 on the night, which while not all we could ask of him, is a pretty damn good start. Ovechkin’s goal will hopefully herald a new mini-era of goal-scoring from him, as it so often does. It’s been a trial without Backstrom, but maybe Green’s return will have some kind of… morale boost.

But really, my favourite part of this game: when Carey Price skated to the bench, just begging to be pulled, and was force to skate back to the crease. It’s even WORSE than the goalie Walk of Shame. Maybe next time don’t do this when you play in a real game, Price:

We’re still on the cusp of the playoffs, with us, Florida, and Winnipeg battling for the title in the Southeast, and those three and Toronto fighting for the final playoff spot. The very Toronto we play tomorrow! Now that’s a game I’ll spend biting my nails off.