Capitals 2, Islanders 1

Another exciting game for the Caps as they beat the Islanders in overtime.  This was one of those games where the Caps couldn’t score and you were just waiting for the Islanders to win it at the end.  However, a very weak call in OT allowed the Caps to go on the PP and win it thanks to a great pass from Semin to Ovie.  Of course, the Caps may not have even been in that situation were it not for two bad penalties putting the Caps in a 5-3 PK.  They gave up one goal, but not a second which was fortunate. 

The Caps outshot the Islanders 38-28 and won the faceoff circle war as well, 33-25.  The Caps carried the play once again.  Clark was back in the lineup with Steckel and Fehr being healthy scratches.  Clark and Flash have been quiet lately.  I don’t see either doing much.  In Flash’s case, he had a couple good shots, but has not scored a point.  Clark has done nothing as far as I can tell.  He needs to be in there scrapping.  I thought Brooks Laich played very well and has been lately.  He has not scored a goal though, but he is streaky.  He has gone two games in a row now with an assist.  Keep hustling Brooksie!

The Caps are off to Ottawa for a game tomorrow night.  The could head into the All-Star game with 65 points with a win.  Is anyone scared the Caps may win the division too soon?????

Thoughts?

Capitals 2, Rangers 1

This was a well played game defensively by both teams.  It is good to see the Caps win a game like this as this is the type of win they will need to get in order to advance in the playoffs.  It got really chippy at times as reflected by Clark’s fight and Semin’s “skirmish.”  Semin’s fight gives new meaning to the phrase “fights like a girl.”  However, he stuck up for himself and that is what matters.  I didn’t see anybody else skating to his defense and I wondered why Brashear didn’t do anything.  Maybe Boudreau kept him on the bench too much?  Overall, the Caps got beat up a bit as they did against Philly and they really need to address this.  You can’t just let Gomez punch you in the face Mr. Nylander.  Someone has got to hit back!  In the end, the Caps won and that is what matters.

What got into Fehr last night?  He played very well and has hustled his butt off the past two games.  It is nice to see.  I am wondering if he is concerned about playing time now that Clark and Semin are back.  What happens when Flash returns (projected for Tuesday)?  Fehr may be the odd man out and that may be what is putting the burr in his britches?  At any rate, I am enjoying his play whatever the case.

Did anyone notice that Gordon won the last two faceoffs in the Caps zone as the game wound down last night?  It allowed the Caps to clear the zone and kill the clock without a single shot against Theo despite the Rangers having the extra man.  That is a small thing that wins hockey games that don’t make the paper.  Well done, Boyd.

Theo looked strong in the net and won his fifth in a row.  Very cool.  However, Green did his best to not allow that with three turnovers at the blue line that Theo bailed him out on.  Just clear the zone Mike!  Every pass doesn’t need to be cute and/or spectacular!

Overall, the Caps continue to win and the mistakes will be covered up and/or overlooked until they start losing games because of it.  The Caps are a good team, but not a great team.  To advance past the first round of the playoffs they will need to be more solid in their zone.  The goalie play has improved, but the passing needs to get better out of the defensive end.

Thoughts?

Capitals 5, Rangers 4

Wow!  What a game!  After the first period, I was just sitting back and thinking about other things because the Caps were doing nothing except annoying me.  Theo showed again that he is “not there” mentally at times as he allowed a bad goal and didn’t even seem to want to save Callahan’s goal.  I am glad they pulled him.  But considering the Caps had 4 of 6 starting defenseman being call-ups from Hershey, everyone is hurt,  and being down 4-0 what odds would you have gotten on the Caps winning the game?  Again, wow!

An “Oh, by the way” goal from Ovechkin and a nice deflection by Flash pulled the Caps within two which was followed by a nice breakaway goal from Kozlov to make it 4-3.  Could you hear the deafening silence in MSG?  Ovie’s second goal was fantastic.  Absolutely fantastic which tied it up.  YouTube it if you can.  It was a great play.  Theo played very well over the last 35 minutes or so.  It is amazing how fickle his confidence is.

Overall, I think the Caps benefited from a letdown in intensity from the Rangers, however give the kudos to the Caps for staying in the game and believing they could win.  It was two points earned that shouldn’t have been.  Let’s see how these two points play out when the season ends.  Won’t it be funny if the extra point earned in OT and two points overall allow the Caps to jump into a higher seed than the Rangers.  Could be?!

Thoughts?

Capitals 5, Islanders 2

Wow!  This was a good game.  The Caps skated very well throughout the entire game with the exception of a few minutes in the second period.  Unfortunately, this was when they gave up a terrible goal.  You can say what you want about Lepisto on the play, but I don’t fault him.  Yeah, he could have (should have?) made a better play on the puck, however NO ONE back checked.  There were TWO Islander forwards standing there in front of the net having tea.  What was everyone else doing?  That was called lollygagging when I played.  Give me a break.  Johnnie should have lit into everyone and I hope he did.  That was terrible.

On a positive note, Brash got a goal which was nice to see.  He works hard and fights for this team.  It is nice to see him score a goal (and the game winner!).  Nice going Brash!  Ovie and Backstrom scored, but Fehr had a nice backhand.  I was getting annoyed with him watching this game because he has not been contributing over the last few games and I wanted him sent down.  I know that is not going to happen with Clarkie out, but he needs to bang more or something.  One goal every ten games is not going to get it done, IMO.  Laich continues to be solid with two assists and missed a breakaway shot and a backhand shot that should have gone in were it not for excellent goaltending from McDonald.  Still, he contributes and has quietly amassed almost 20 points this season.  I will take that.  Keep going to the net Brooksie!  Johnnie played very well in the net.

When are the hurt people coming back?  I am reading that all are skating except Erskine.  Another defenseman has been called up for Sloan.  The 11th defenseman and we are only 25% of the way through the season.  Geez.  I have been happy with Lepisto, Helmer, and Alzner though.  It will be exciting to have Alzner up full time.  He is going to be good.

Thoughts?

Capitals 3, Rangers 1

Well, the Caps got an ugly win although I wouldn’t call the game ugly.  The goals were ugly, but the game was fast.  Laich was in front of the net all night and got an ugly goal for his efforts.  Boyd Gordan made a sweet move and his efforts were rewarded with an assist as Poti put in the rebound.  A good hard working man’s goal.  Unfortunately, Poti didn’t get to enjoy it very long as he allowed an accidental goal with a deflection off his stick.  You can’t fault him for that.  It was just bad luck.  Brent Johnson continues to play outstandingly in goal.  Semin took a stupid penalty right at the end of the game and the Rangers could have easily scored.  I hope Boudreau talked to him about that one.  Of course, everyone will forget about it because he scored an empty netter which could have very easily been an icing penalty.  At any rate, the Caps beat a very good team at home which they will need to do in order to win the division.  Kozlov handled the puck more and played with more intensity.  It was nice to see.  I still would like to see a goal or an assist at least.  Finally, the Caps owned the face-off circle.  Gordon won 8 of 10 there.  Puck control!

I guess a concern I have from the game is the large number of turnovers the Caps had, especially in their zone.  Fortunately, the puck never rolled right to a Ranger but it got crazy.  They don’t seem to pass well which slows things down when coming out of their zone and now they aren’t protecting the puck.  Johnson made more saves than he needed to and bailed the Caps out.  I hope Boudreau is addressing this!

Back to Brent Johnson.  How good has he been in the past three games?  He is 2-0-1 with a 95% save percentage stopping 102 of 107 shots.  He faced 28 shots against the Rangers.  And how nice was the poke check save on the penalty shot?  Well done, Mr. Johnson.  I am sure he will start against Tampa Bay on Monday and it appears he will be facing Ollie.  I hope the Caps fans give him a warm welcome when he is announced.  I am sure they will.  He deserves it.

I didn’t see a lot out of Steckel and Fehr.  I don’t think they played badly, but they didn’t catch my eye either.  I am thinking that will put Clark back in the lineup on Monday, although who knows exactly what is going on with that.  Federov and Morrison will probably not play on Monday, so Sloan will start and Fehr or Steckel will play depending on Clark’s situation.

Thoughts?