Avalanche 4, Capitals 1

I don’t know what the problem is with the Capitals versus the Western Conference teams, but the Caps are going to get crushed in the Stanley Cup finals if they don’t do something about this.  Of course, they have to get there first.  The Caps were outplayed in this game in most every aspect.  The Caps need to find a way to score when Ovie does not have a good game.

The Avalanche scored a couple of nice goals, but Brashear didn’t do anything on one play other than stand there which allowed the third goal.  That forced the Caps defense to have to pinch and it eventually led to a breakaway for the fourth goal.  It didn’t help that the Caps missed at least two wide open nets (I still can’t believe Kronwall’s shot didn’t go in) which may have changed the complexion of the game.  Kronwall also led Smyth whack at the puck 4 times before finally hitting him.  Oh yeah, but the puck was in the net by then.  I hope Erskine is over the flu by tomorrow.  At any rate, the Caps did not get on the PP be/c they were never in the Avalanche’s zone and consequently were always killing penalties be/c the puck was in their end.  I thought Theo played well despite giving up the four goals.

The Avalanche clogged the neutral zone and did not allow the Caps to enter the zone with any speed.  So what did the Caps do?  They tried to skate the puck through the neutral zone anyway.  This method of defending the Caps has worked well this season and it won’t be long before everyone is doing it.  The Caps need to learn to dump and chase and then score or else they will be going home after the first round of the playoffs.  Philly and New Jersey will play this style of defense, especially when they see how well it works.  The Caps need to adjust their offense better.  Boudreau mixed up the lines, but that won’t help if the style of play is not changed as well.  I hope the Caps realize this very soon.

Thoughts?

Capitals 3, Panthers 1

Wow!  A good win against a division opponent.  Very cool.  The Capital’s PK has been under a lot of duress in the press lately and rightfully so.  They have given up a PP goal in 13 straight games, I believe?  Until last night!  Morrison was called for a 5 minute major for boarding Cory Stillman with 5 minutes left in the game.  I think the call was a good one, but a major?  No way.  Stillman was so hurt he immediately went out for the faceoff.  Give me a break.  Whatever.  At any rate, this put the Caps in a 5 on3 situation for a little over a minute before getting Feds out of the box.  The Caps not only killed the 5 on 3, but they did NOT give up a shot in doing it!  Moreover, the Caps killed the remaining 4 minutes of PP time by only allowing 2 shots on net and Green scored an empty net goal!  It was an exciting finish to the game and the Verizon Center crowd was loving it.  Despite this excellent effort however, the Caps still need to clear the puck on the PK.  Throughout the game this was a definite problem.  Still, the Caps got it done at home.  Very cool.

Did anyone hear the different announcer in the arena last night?  I want the old guy back.  There is nothing like him going, “Capitals Full Strength” when the kill a penalty.  Cool!  I wonder if he was sick or something?  We’ll see.

I am really liking the development of Eric Fehr over the past 5 games or so.  He scored a nice goal last night early in the game and his line was the best all night.  I have been on Fehr a lot in this blog and I am glad to say some positive things about him lately.  Very cool Mr. Fehr!  Keep it up!

Thoughts?