Sports
Gordon set to play against Penguins
By: Brian McNally
Examiner Staff Writer
October 16, 2008
Boyd Gordon is not used to watching games from a luxury suite.
The Capitals center, who won’t turn 25 until Sunday, has played in 205 games the past five seasons, fifth-most in the organization.
The only player left from the opening night roster in 2003-04, Gordon has carved a niche for himself as a top faceoff man and a reliable defensive presence. But an influx of talent in Washington has left coach Bruce Boudreau with some tough decisions — and one of them was benching a healthy Gordon for the first two games of the season.
“I can’t remember [sitting out two games in a row while healthy],” Gordon said. “But I had to be ready when it was my turn.”
That came on Monday against Vancouver. Gordon won just 5-of-13 faceoffs, a low percentage for a player who was ninth in the NHL last season in that category at 55 percent. But one of those faceoff wins set up a goal by defenseman Milan Jurcina in the second period. Gordon is expected back in the lineup again tonight, probably as the fourth-line center, when the Caps (2-1, four points) travel to Pittsburgh (2-1-1, five points). Since the lockout, Washington is 2-10 against the Penguins with a pair of overtime losses.
“[Gordon] is just a solid NHL player,” Boudreau said. “He’s a guy that can blend in with anything. You never notice him out there. But at the end when he’s not out there you wish you had a responsible player like Gordo in all situations.”
The Capitals center, who won’t turn 25 until Sunday, has played in 205 games the past five seasons, fifth-most in the organization.
The only player left from the opening night roster in 2003-04, Gordon has carved a niche for himself as a top faceoff man and a reliable defensive presence. But an influx of talent in Washington has left coach Bruce Boudreau with some tough decisions — and one of them was benching a healthy Gordon for the first two games of the season.
“I can’t remember [sitting out two games in a row while healthy],” Gordon said. “But I had to be ready when it was my turn.”
That came on Monday against Vancouver. Gordon won just 5-of-13 faceoffs, a low percentage for a player who was ninth in the NHL last season in that category at 55 percent. But one of those faceoff wins set up a goal by defenseman Milan Jurcina in the second period. Gordon is expected back in the lineup again tonight, probably as the fourth-line center, when the Caps (2-1, four points) travel to Pittsburgh (2-1-1, five points). Since the lockout, Washington is 2-10 against the Penguins with a pair of overtime losses.
“[Gordon] is just a solid NHL player,” Boudreau said. “He’s a guy that can blend in with anything. You never notice him out there. But at the end when he’s not out there you wish you had a responsible player like Gordo in all situations.”
