19 games may be all the chocolate this Swede can take... (Photo credit: M. Richter)

For those not hyperactive in the twitter ‘verse, the word is out that Mattias Sjögren is considering a return to Sweden.  And by considering, I mean that his agent has already stated that it’s happening. As of the writing of this article, no final decision has been publicized by the Capitals or Bears, but Sjögren opted out of the current Hershey road trip to “consider his options.”

Word on the street is that his old club, Farjestad BK (wiki page here), was lobbying hard to get him back home, and that Sjögren’s unhappy with the fact that he’s not in the NHL (as is every 2011 first round draft pick not named Couturier, Landeskog, Nugent-Hopkins, or Larsson).  George McPhee was less than impressed with the purported decision, stating “If you’re going to quit on us, you might as well go [back].”  I think it’s safe to say that the GM has had a lot on his plate over the last week, so he can be forgiven for being blunt.

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Farewell, Mattias! We hardly knew ye. - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

The adjustment that cost Bruce Boudreau‘s team eight games was partly explained by the system change that he was implementing. And with each game, you could see minor improvements. And all but three of those games were one-goal losses.

In a nutshell, that was this game.

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New Coach, New Loss (But It Gets Better) - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Hockey Player? Casting Call for Commercial - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Nothing's easy for the man with all the power. Edited by Taylor Lewis

Tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues is significant for one glaringly obvious reason, but in the mass of Dale Hunter/Bruce Boudreau analysis some details have been lost.

Jaroslav Halak, the man who is partially responsible for Boudreau’s firing, returns to the scene of his 2010 larceny.  Ken Hitchcock comes into Washington with only 22 days on his Blues tenure.  Guy Boucher is now the longest-tenured coach in the Southeast Division with the additional firing of Paul Maurice in Carolina.

Also lost in all of this: the enormous weight on George McPhee‘s shoulders.  Of all the reaction interviews his was probably the most genuine (aside from Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich), probably a result of the relationship between him and Boudreau and knowing that several men’s jobs are his responsibility.

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Strategic Hockey: The McPhee Timeline - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Thank You, Bruce Boudreau - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Now What for the Caps? - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Andrew Carroll takes a breather. (All Photos Credit: M. Richter)

It comes as no surprise that Hershey Bears fans love their specialty jerseys.  When the Bears had their Pink in the Rink night, the follow-up auction of the special jerseys raised over $28,000 dollars. Tonight the Bears step outside of their normal wardrobe and into the footsteps of their big brothers, the Capitals.  And despite what ended up being a 5-4 loss to the Lake Erie Monsters (affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche), the Bears were clearly the ones setting an example tonight with regards to “how to behave when things go wrong.”

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Bears Emulate Their Big Brothers (and Outshine Them, for a Brief Moment) - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

Can you name that Mo?

With the stinker on the ice tonight, I thought we’d turn our attention to something a bit less depressing, Movember. While we checked in with John Carlson recently (who leads the team in donations with $1,949), it seems like a good time to give some attention to other Caps players who are wearing their Mo proudly, but could use some help in the fund raising department. To kick off our coverage, we’ll play a Game of Name that Mo, from the three photos above. Ok, #2 is a gimme, but who are the other two? Answers and full photos after the jump.
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Capitals Movember Mustache Update - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

“It’s a pretty bad team,”

said I on my Twitter,

“And all of these fellas

Look just like quitters.”

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Poetry Break: “If I Ran The Caps” - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog

The Turkey Shoot is an annual Hershey tradition (Image Credit: Hershey Bears Jumbotron Feed)

It’s just as busy in the American Hockey League.  Last year, there were nine games played across the league, with Hershey coming out on the losing end of a meeting with the Worcester Sharks at the Giant Center.  This time around, sixteen teams took to the ice for Thanksgiving Eve, and Hershey walked away with a lot to be proud of: a 4-3 regulation win over the Providence Bruins (P!Bruins) at home.

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Hershey’s First Line Gives Fans Something to Be Thankful For - Capitals Outsider - Capitals Outsider - A Washington Capitals blog