Review: Coldplay at Nissan Pavilion 5/21

Coldplay played their final D.C.-area concert on the Viva La Vida Tour on Thursday.

"Revolutionaries wait; For my head on a silver plate; Just a puppet on a lonely string; Oh who would ever want to be King?" - Viva La Vida

Coldplay made their third stop in the Washington D.C. area in the last 9 months on the Viva La Vida tour at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Va. The grammy award winning quartet is on the last leg of their tour before a much deserved rest. The concert started out with two opening acts: The Howling Bells, an austrailian/british band and Pete Yorn. Both had their moments but were no where near the calibar of Coldplay.

Around 9 p.m. Coldplay started off by blasting "Magnificent" by U2 followed by classical music leading into the instrumental song "Life in Technicolor." Running on stage with roman candles, Chris Martin and company skipped around stage and got into their first song "Violet Hill." After that were a cavalcade of fantastic songs: "Clocks," "In My Place", "Yellow," "Fix You" and many more. For 2 solid rock-filled hours, Coldplay blew the roof off Nissan Pavilion.

This was by far the greatest concert they have performed. I went to the first stop in D.C. at Verizon Center for the Viva La Vida tour and it was good but not as impressive as this one was. Plus, I got to get in the first row and Chris Martin was right in front of me for two songs!!! I will have video to put up shortly. A free 9 song Live CD was given out to the fans as a thank you (download it off their website for FREE) The other positive was the traffic. The cops got everyone on their way and we were out of Nissan in 5 minutes! All in all a great night and a fantastic concert.

Chris's Rating: 4 stars out of 4 - Magnificent way to end their Viva La Vida tour in the D.C. Area. Here's hoping their next tour in 2-3 years is just as great!

Ode to the Capitals

Mike Green was just one of the many problems the Capitals had this postseason

The Stanley Cup Conference finals are underway with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins on a collision course for a second straight year. Back in round 2, the Washington Capitals did what they do best: choke against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1992, 1995 and 1996, the Penguins would be down 2-0 or 3-1 only to come back and win those series. Add 2009 to the list. The Capitals were flying high winning the first two games and going up 2-0. The next three games went to the Penguins with a chance for them to close it out in Game 6. The Caps won on a faceoff and the tables had turned once more. Only this time, the Caps didn't even bother to show up for Game 7.

A 6-2 ripping of the Capitals gave the Penguins their second straight trip to the Eastern Conference Finals to play the Carolina Hurricanes. What can the Capitals learn from all this? Well for starters you gotta show up for Game 7. Not showing up only proved that they were mentally and physically drained or that they thought the game was in the bag. Did the breakway chance for Ovechkin change the game? Yes because Fleury stopped it giving the Pens momentum. Here are the keys to why the Caps got the second round exit:

• Where have you gone Mike Green? - Mike Green was the biggest flop of the playoffs. The young defenseman rarely shot on goal and looked lost half the time. Where was the Defenseman that scored 30+ goals this season and was a front runner for the Norris? I would be surprised if he wins it now.
  
  
• Goaltending Meltdown - Simeon Varlamov, the rookie goalie sensation that took the playoffs by storm, turned human in the series against the Penguins. With Game 1 and 2 masterpieces, games 5-7 showed how vulnerable he was as he gave up 12 goals and was pulled in game 7 after falling behind 4-0. Varlamov is good but questions abound this goalie as to whether he can carry this team next season in net.
  
  
• The Invisible Alexander Semin and Niklas Backstrom - They showed up from time to time but the dynamic russian and swede were MIA for much of the series. Semin has firepower and Backstrom can deliver a sharp pass when needed but those skills were snuffed out by the Pens.
  
  
• Defense? - The Capitals achillies heel in this entire playoff run was their defense. You can blame Mike Green, Tom Poti and Brian Pothier for not being their best. If the Caps want to succeed, they need more solid defenseman and firepower at center. Federov only has 1-2 great seasons left so the Caps need a veteran to step it up.
  

This was a great season to be a Caps fan. Most points in franchise history, we finally got the first round monkey off our backs and the Verizon Center sold out for over 25 games! Season tickets are sold out and I hope the fans ROCK THE RED for many years to come and help bring home the Stanley Cup. Until October, the Caps got a lot of work to get done. C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!

Don't Stop Believing Part Deux!

The Washington Capitals hope to finally end the Penguins playoff run at Verizon Center Wednesday night

Well, this is it. The NHL and all of hockey fandom got what they wanted. Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Caps gain back Home ice and play the final game in this series at the phone booth in chinatown. Advantage: Capitals.

I know people say there is no such thing as "Home-ice advantage" in the NHL playoffs but I think when you lose a home game 6 and have to go on the road to win a series, the disadvantage is yours. The Capitals go to a home ice that is the loudest in the NHL. They won 29 times in the regular season at home and look to continue their streak.

Keys to the game for the Capitals to go to the Eastern Conference Finals:

• First 10 min and last 10 min the most important - The Caps need to jump on the Penguins early and score. The first 10 min and last 10 min are the most crucial and as long as the Caps control those 20 min. they can win this game.
  
• Help out Varly - The Caps Defense needs to reign supreme tonight. Help out Varly and clear the puck when the Pens crowd the net.
  
• The 'Alexander' Show - Semin and Ovechkin need to play out of their minds tonight. Score often and crowd the net to keep Fleury shaky.
  
• Outshoot the Pens - The Caps have to try and outshoot this team or at least keep the shot differential 5 or less. Crowd the net and shoot!
  
  
  Let's GO CAPS! Let's beat the Pens and go to the Eastern Conference Final!
  
  
  

Could this be the end for the Capitals?

Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau and his team are on the verge of yet another monumental collapse Vs. the Penguins unless they right their ship with a win on Monday

Superman has his kryptonite. Batman has the Joker. The Caps have the Penguins.

No matter how hard the Capitals seem to try, they can never get this monkey off their backs. For the last 3 games, the Pens have outplayed them in every aspect and stolen away home ice advantage with their 4-3 win in OT Saturday. All the Pens need to do is go back home and win on Monday and then they can all go see Yanni Live! as a reward.

Ovechkin just isn't enough for the Caps to win this series. Players such as Mike Green and Alexander Semin have been M.I.A. throughout. Green has played the worst I have ever seen a defenseman play in a playoff series. As a lifelong Caps fan, I know this pain all too well. In 1992, 1995 and 1996 the Capitals were up 2-0 or 3-1 and blew all three series. Right now the Pens are in control just the way they like it.

Can the Caps win Game 6? Sure. But with the high the Pens are on plus finding out they can win without their star defenseman, I just don't know. The Pens just keep on sticking it to the Caps year after year. The Caps need to solve this rubiks cube fast if they want to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Keys to Game 6:

• PLAY DEFENSE ALL 3 PERIODS! - The Caps can't seem to do this one consistantly. Losing the last three games they've been outshot and out played. Two lucky bounces also gave the Pens 2 of their 3 wins. Stop with the lucky bounces by playing tight defense.
  
• Oh where, oh where has little Varly gone? - The once indestructable Simeon Varlamov has let up 9 goals in 2 games. Time to panic? No but Varlamov needs to cover the five hole more as most of Pittsburgh's shots are landing through there. Play smart, look at the tapes for games 1 and 2 to see what went right. Believe!
  
• Play with URGENCY! - This is it for the Caps. Last chance to tie the series and force a deciding game on your home ice. Play like you need to blow this team out. Outshoot, outhit and outplay the Pens and game 7 is on the way!

This is it for the Washington Capitals. Unless they want to become the 4th Capital team to choke against the Penguins, they gotta come out firing and blow this team out! GO CAPS!

Caps Vs. Penguins: Round 2!

Simeon Varlamov robs Sidney Crosby late in the second period of a 2-2 Game 1 with an amazing stick save. Tomas Fleischmann would win the game in the 3rd 3-2 and the Caps go up 1-0 in the series.

What a barnburner in game 1. Goals from David Steckel, Alex Ovechkin and Tomas Fleischmann weren't the highlight of the night as the Capitals rallied to win game 1 of the best of 7 Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Semi-Final. The play of a 21-year old rookie in Simeon Varlamov is what stood out.

Stopping 34 shots en route to a 3-2 victory, none of those saves mattered as much as the stick save on Sid the Whiny Kid in period 2. With the game tied at 2, the Penguins went on a break as Kunitz passed to a wide open Sidney Crosby who proceeded to send a wrist shot towards an open net. Varlamov, who realized this, twisted back and lept with his stick to stop the puck cold on the red line and save what would have been a 3-2 lead for the Penguins. Crosby celebrated a goal but realized it was saved and headed back down the ice.

I was at that game and the Verizon Center was loud and proud for the Caps. The only thing I would suggest is people clean up their language when children are present in your section. They are there for the game as much as you are. Also, don't pick a fight with a Penguins fan. I know they're annoying with their "Terrible Towels" and all that garbage but don't sink to their level. Finally, we won game 1. THAT IS ALL WE HAVE WON SO FAR! Don't taunt the Penguin fans and celebrate as if we've won the damn Stanley Cup! We need to win 4 games before any type of celebration begins.

Keys to Game 2 Tonight on Versus:

* Play Defense! - The Capitals defense wasn't playing their best game on Saturday. They need to play tighter and create more giveaways towards the offense zone. Hitting wouldn't hurt either!

* Stop the giveaways in the Pens Zone - 23 giveaways in game 1 for the Caps. That is unacceptable and will not be able to continue if they want to win the series. Limit the giveaways you can and clear the puck if you're in trouble. Keep it in the offensive zone not the Pens Zone!

* Don't let the Pens outshoot you - I know we have Varlamov in net but he can not take 40 shots a night. The defense has to step it up and block shots and limit the amount they have in any given period.

* The Ovy and Varly Show - With Ovechkin keeping pace averaging about a goal and assist per game, he has to ramp it up just a tad and help the Caps capitalize on scoring opportunities. Varlamov just needs to stay focused and keep playing with the playoff intensity he has shown in his seven games so far.

Enjoy Game 2! Let's hope the Caps can lock up a 2-0 lead. GO CAPS!

Magnificent!

Washington Capitals Right Winger Sergei Federov scores the game-winning goal to win the series over the New York Rangers! (Courtesy Photo)

What a comeback. As you probably read in my blog when we were down 3 games to 1, I was preparing myself for yet another year of losing in the first round. The year was 1998 when we last won in the first round. The year the Capitals made the Stanley Cup Finals and got swept by Sergei Federov and the Red Wings. My how times have changed.

Federov, now a second year Capital, scored when it mattered the most as he ripped a shot on Lundqvist's left side to lift the Capitals to a 2-1 win in Game 7. More importantly, the Caps advance to the conference semi-finals for the first time in 11 years and comeback from 3-1 down for the first time in 21 years when Dale Hunter buried a shot against the Flyers.

What were the factors in winning game 7?

* The Caps kept fighting. Even in the 2nd period, the worst they have played throughout the playoffs, the Caps hung in there. When the 3rd Period started, they controlled it from the opening faceoff. 16 shots to 1 in the final period with one going in from Feds.

* Simeon Varlamov. The 21-year old russian goalie sensation came in Game 2 and has looked spectacular giving up a 1.20 GAA and having over a .954 save percentage! Not bad for a rookie. What the Caps lack, they now have in net.

*The Power Play. The Caps finally got the Power Play going as they scored 2 in game 6 to force the decisive game. They need to improve it a little more and get back to their league leading 28.5%.

Now it's time for the Conference Semi-Final Predictions:

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Bruins Vs. (6) Carolina Hurricanes

Analysis: What a series this is going to be! Bears against mother nature. Two great goalies, Tim Thomas and Cam Ward, go head to head to see who blinks first and gets their team going in the semi's. The Bruins had no problem with a flat Montreal team, sweeping them 4-0. The Hurricanes had a tough time with the Devils and looked out with 1:20 left in the game. Then two goals in 40 seconds won them the game 4-3 and they moved on. Going to be a tight one but I think Boston is too good to ignore. Bruins win in 7.

(2) Washington Capitals Vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins

Analysis: Gary Bettman got his wish. The Battle of the Birds. The Sid the Whiny Kid Vs. the most dominating player in all of Hockey series. The Caps found a goaltender and now have their sights set on the Finals. First they have to dispose of a pesky Penguin team that has been on the rise as of late. However, with Varlamov in goal and the power play showing it's fierceness, the Caps should win this series. Oh yeah, and PENGUINS CAN'T FLY! Capitals win in 6.

Western Conference

(2) Detroit Red Wings Vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks

Don't let the seeds fool you. That's what happened to the President's Cup Trophy Winner San Jose Sharks and they lost to the Ducks in 6. The Ducks are a dangerous team because of goaltending, defense and the unexpected player who dazzles the opposing team each game. The Red Wings coasted in round one but in all fairness, they were playing COLUMBUS! Tough series this is going to be for Osgood. I think the Ducks next victim is the defending Stanley Cup Champs. UPSET! Ducks in 6.

(3) Vancouver Canucks Vs. (4) Chicago Blackhawks

An inner-divisional lineup in the semi-finals pits the Blackhawks and the Canucks. Close in the regular season, the Canucks swept the Blues 4-0 and have had great goaltending from Luongo. But the Blackhawks seem to want it more as the city of Chicago finally has hockey in May for the first time in many years. Battle for sure but I see the Blackhawks reaching the West Finals. Blackhawks in 7.

So you're Conference Finals are:

EAST (1) Boston Bruins Vs. (2) Washington Capitals

WEST (4) Chicago Blackhawks Vs. (8) Anaheim Ducks

Let the Playoffs resume Friday and Saturday! GO CAPS!

Summer/Early Fall Concert Update!

Green Day goes on tour with Blink-182 this summer in promotion of their latest masterpiece "21st-Century Breakdown" out May 15! (Photo Courtesy L.A. Times Blog)

Just announced concerts for the summer and early fall to add to your list:

June 21 - Aerosmith w/ ZZ Top, NISSAN PAVILION, Bristow, VA. - Price: $175, $129.50, $89.50, $59.50, $45, $35 + $14.50 convienience charge per ticket; www.livenation.com

Two legends of rock come to Nissan Pavilion for a once in a lifetime concert experience. See Aerosmith and ZZ Top belt out their hits.

July 29 - Green Day w/ Blink-182, VERIZON CENTER, Washington D.C. - Tickets On Sale Date TBA. Price: TBA.

Following up their rock-opera "American Idiot," the masters of punk are back with "21st Century Breakdown," an album some critics hail as Green Day's Best Album Ever! Also at this concert, Blink-182 is reunited to play some hard nosed rock. Don't miss this unbelieveable concert with two of rocks best!

August 8 - Dave Matthews Band, NISSAN PAVILION, Bristow, Va. - Tickets On Sale Now! Price: $75 + $14.50 per ticket convienience charge - Pavilion; $40 - Lawn + $14.50 per ticket convienience charge; www.livenation.com

Dave Matthews Band has been coming to Nissan ever since it opened back in the 1990's. When it's summer, you know Dave Matthews will be here. Promoting their new album "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" and singing all their hits, don't miss a once in a lifetime concert experience!


September 29 - Pink, George Mason Patriot Center, Fairfax, Va. - Price: $49.50 - GA FLOOR, $39.50 - Concourse. ON SALE SAT. May 2 @ 10 am!

She's been a hot pop star since she broke onto the scene. Come see Pink perform her hits "So What?," "Get the Party Started" and much more. A concert well worth the money and is affordable too!

Any other Washington D.C. Area Concerts I missed? Comment!