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Matt Stephen

Matt Stephen is a writer, not a fighter. He is both a beer and fantasy league veteran and has written about hockey online and in print for The Hockey News. He now covers the spectrum from the White House to Mike Green. He carries a picture of Ovechkin in his wallet.

The Case of Holtby v. Lundqvist

Matt Stephen | May 8, 2012

It’s a little too early to compare Braden Holtby to Ken Dryden… or is it? Dryden made his NHL debut in 1971 after playing six regular-season games with a 0.957…

Categories New York Rangers, Player Profiles, Washington Capitals

The Essential Nick Backstrom Playoff Highlight Reel

Matt Stephen | May 6, 2012

The stellar play of Nicklas Backstrom in these playoffs has tended to get lost in the shuffle, with media focusing about Ovechkin under-performing, Dale Hunter coaching against the grain, and…

Categories Player Profiles, Washington Capitals

The Caps are barely losing and hardly winning

Matt Stephen | May 4, 2012

It’s hard to be the Washington Capitals. Why’s that? Because win or lose they all feel a little like ties when the Caps keep it as close as they have.…

Categories Humor, NHL News, Washington Capitals

Chill About Ice Time: Hunter, Ovechkin and everyone in between

Matt Stephen | May 2, 2012

The Washington Capitals skated off the ice on Monday night with a sense of accomplishment after tying their series on the road against the No. 1 seeded New York Rangers,…

Categories NHL News, Washington Capitals

The Hunter Games: Washington Capitals Are Buying Into Defense First Logic

Matt Stephen | April 30, 2012

This playoff run has been something different for the Capitals, and the change-up has been one that has a lot of people muttering: “you used to be cool, man.” The…

Categories NHL News, Washington Capitals

Capitals/Rangers Preview: Capping the Rangers in Seven

Matt Stephen | April 27, 2012

In the last four seasons the Capitals have squared off with the Rangers in the playoffs three times. The last two came as victories for Washington, who beat the Rangers…

Categories New York Rangers, Previews and Predictions, Washington Capitals

Joel Ward is Washington’s Unlikely Hero

Matt Stephen | April 26, 2012

Ask any one going into overtime who was going to get the game-winning goal to send their team to the second round of the playoffs and I can assure you…

Categories Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals

Game 7 Preview: Caps / Bruins

Matt Stephen | April 24, 2012

Game 7 History: In the Capitals franchise history they have lost 78% of their Game 7 opportunities. Caps fans may want to close their eyes and scroll past these stats,…

Categories Boston Bruins, NHL News, Washington Capitals

Home Ice Disadvantage

Matt Stephen | April 23, 2012

The regular season isn’t worth much once you get into the playoffs. Home ice advantage in these playoffs is the almighty reward at the end of a long 82-game season,…

Categories Boston Bruins, NHL News, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals

Rallying Points: Free Nicky and the Braden Holtby Grand Prix

Matt Stephen | April 20, 2012

Almost every team in these playoffs has had a martyr. For Ottawa it was Daniel Alfredsson, who was taken out of the series by an elbow to the head. In…

Categories NHL News, Suspensions, Washington Capitals

Stop Hitting Yourself: How the Boston Bruins are Antagonizing Their Way to Victory

Matt Stephen | April 18, 2012

It’s a no brainer, but in the playoffs so far six of the eight series are being won by the team who has taken the fewest penalties. That doesn’t necessarily…

Categories Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals

Boudreau Breaks Down Ovi 2012: Dale Hunter Take Notes

Matt Stephen | April 16, 2012

Instead of standing behind the bench these playoffs Bruce Boudreau is settling for a change of scenery behind the camera. Boudreau has been added to CBC’s playoff panel and on…

Categories NHL News, Washington Capitals
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Recent Posts

  • NHL Morning Recap – December 30, 2025
  • Lankinen’s 37 Saves & Shootout Brilliance Lead Canucks to 3-2 Victory Over Kraken
  • Wild Dominate in 5-2 Win Over Golden Knights
  • Steven Stamkos Scores Goal No. 599 in Predators Win Over the Mammoth
  • Canada Cruises to 9-1 Victory Over Denmark for Third 2026 World Juniors Win