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?