Ugh yeah. I think we will all choose to forget about this one. This is the type of game that shows how far the Caps still need to go. The Caps put 25 shots on Nittymaki in the first period and he saved every one and looked rather calm doing it. He flat out saved the game for Philly and they went on to win as the Caps decided not to play in the second and third period. The Caps had power plays and didn’t score, but Philly did on theirs and even had a shorthanded goal thanks to Green not being a defenseman. He was a -4 for the night. He is not even trying to play defense it appeared at times. I would rather he played defense than offense since he is a defenseman. Call me crazy. Nittymaki is the perfect example of what the Caps need in goal to go to the next level. He was flat out incredible. 48 shots were taken and he saved 47 of them. I hate Philly, but I think they are the best in the East. It is scary to think that New Jersey, Philly, and Pittsburgh are all that good and you can add in Boston, New York, and Buffalo. I don’t think the Caps could beat any one of those teams in the playoffs. Not at the moment anyway. We’ll see how the season unfolds, but they are benefiting from a weak division. I think the Caps need a toughness lesson.
The only highlights from last night’s game were the two fights Brashear got into. Riley Cote decided he wanted to be tough and ended up with a cut under one eye and come out for the second period looking like Rocky. Brash destroyed him! It was sooooo cool. And Cote proved his IQ is smaller than his shoe size by coming after Brash again in the third period. One punch. End of fight. Brash just pointed his finger at him. Very cool.
Philly is good folks and when Briere and their wounded defense gets healthy they are going to be even better. That is scary. Who wouldn’t like Carter, Briere, and Richards as your top three centers? Wow. The Caps really need to get healthy, get better in goal, hit more, and play more physical hockey in order to be succesful. I hope Boudreau gets this team going.
Thoughts?
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