OffWing Photo

Capitals Beat Lightning, Kolzig 4-2

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 10: With Olie Kolzig watching, Michael Nylander looks for an open teammate. Kolzig was the focus of tonight's game, returning to the Verizon Center for his first game since signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 10: Kolzig received a warm welcome from the Washington fans, but his former teammates kept the pressure on, taking 30 shots on goal. Kolzig, who spent the last 16 seasons with Washington, holds the record for most games played with the franchise, according to the Capitals. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

]]>
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 10: Tom Poti, Mike Green and Eric Fehr all earned goals in the first period. Here, Brooks Laich celebrates his assist on Fehr's goal. The Lightning were able to put up one goal in the second period, but were never able to take the lead. After 10 games without a goal, Alex Ovechkin scored one in the third, giving Washington a 4-1 lead. Tampa Bay notched a second goal with 30 seconds left, but the game ended with a Washington win. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 10: A shot on Kolzing that went wide to the right broke the glass behind the goal; the glass had to be replaced before the game could continue. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 10: During the first period, Washington played a tribute video to Kolzig, showing highlights from his career with the Capitals. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

Capitals Earn 3-1 Victory Over Rangers

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 8: Brooks Laich earned the Capitals their first goal of the game and here, Tom Poti scores the second. Both goals went unanswered and Washington went into the second period with a 2-0 lead. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

]]>
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 8: Late in the first period, Alexander Semin collides with New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 8: Semin and Mike Green help Brent Johnson on defense during the second period; the Capitals held onto their 2-0 lead going into the third. The Rangers were able to notch one goal in the third, but could not even the score. After New York pulled their goalie with a minute left in regulation, Semin took a slap shot at the open net and earned Washington a third goal for insurance. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 8: Alex Ovechkin chats with Nicklas Backstrom after the Capitals took an early lead. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

Caps Top Predators 4-3 in Shootout

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 29: Michael Nylander scores the winning goal in a shootout against the Nashville Predators to break a 3-3 tie. Semin scored in the second round of the shootout, but the Predators evened the score immediately after. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

]]>

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 29: Brooks Laich tries unsuccessfully to earn Washington a goal in the first period. The three regulation goals were scored by Kozlov, Steckel and Semin. The Capitals out shot the Predators 32 to 26. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

Photo Highlights From The Caps vs. NJ Devils

www.flickr.com

Off Wing Opinion's 2008.10.18 Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils photoset

How A $25 Investment Saved A $1700 Lens

It finally happened. After shooting the Caps for three seasons now and many other sporting events I almost broke one of my most trusted pieces of equipment, my Nikon 70-200mm/2.8 VR lens. I use it for practically everything...I can't imagine life without it.

So here is my pearl of wisdom for today. Go out and buy UV filter for every lens you own, put it on and forget about it.

That is what I did until this past Monday when I was shooting the Washington Capitals. No, I did not get hit by a hockey puck. In between periods I was going up the steps to download photos from my card, as I was going up somebody was leaving their aisle seat I sort of stumbled and dropped my camera (also know as my life). Others around the incident gasped, but I tried to be stoic and professional, picking it up and just walking on.

Later as I was alone I inspected the camera to see that it had indeed fallen and landed on the lens and there was a huge crack across the glass of my lens. My heart sunk when I then remembered that I had put on a filter and perhaps it was only damaged. To my relief that was the case, a $25 glass filter had saved one of my most prized possessions.

Some will say that you don't want to add another layer of glass in front of their lens. Intellectually you are right....If I had Nikon providing me with lenses I would be more cavalier. Unfortunately, I am not at that place yet so I am willing to make this compromise.

Caps Beat Blackhawks 4-2 in Home Opener

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: Brooks Laich (bottom left) gets his stick on the puck just in time to get it past Chicago goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, putting the score at 3-2 and giving the Caps their first lead of the game with just over four minutes left in regulation. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

]]>
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: During the heated game, Chicago's Adam Burish takes a swing at Shaone Morrison. Mike Green tried to intervene, but Burish eventually had be pinned down by an official. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: With a minute and a half left to play, Alex Ovechkin notches his second goal of the night, ensuring the Washington win. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto.com)

D.C. United Shut Out Colorado Rapids 3-0

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: United goalie Louis Crayton celebrates D.C.'s third goal of the night, scored by Quavas Kirk with just minutes left in the game. The first two goals came from Joe Vide and Santino Quaranta. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto)

]]>
(Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto)

(Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWingPhoto)

From the OffWing Labs

Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Tommy Haas, 6-2, 6-1. You can also view additional photos from Saturday's semi finals matches by visiting our flickr feed.

Legg Mason Tennis Classic - Day 5

Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the fifth day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.

www.flickr.com

Off Wing Opinion's 2008-08-15 Legg Mason, Day 5 (Allen Clark/OffWing.com) photoset