Caps Fight Their Way to Loss

Capitals 2, Thrasher 4
Scoresheet – Wash Post – AJC

You could blame it on errant passes. You could blame it on the new glass installed at the Verizon Center. You could blame the Caps fourth straight loss to Atlanta on inconsistent offense. There is more than enough blame in this game to go around. As soon the Caps got the 2 goal lead, they just couldn’t get any offense going. And the bad luck just overtook the Capitals at home.

The goons took over at the end of the third period. You could feel the tension all game, and with fewer than 2 minutes left, both sides were taking cheap shots and bad hits. The highlight of the numerous fights late was Donald Brashear’s knocking the snot out of Vitaly Vishnevski. It will be interesting to see what the Atlanta Bloggers may say about this game. I think both sides just needed this fight outbreak to happen so they can get back to hockey. Although, game 5 between these teams should be interesting.

Overall Grade: D-

The Caps have a string of great first periods. That is great, but there are 3 periods in a game. Caps must find a way to pull together a full game, whether they have the lucky bounces or not. This game is one of the best games and worst games I have seen the Caps play yet.

The first power play looked so good, that I was giddy when Matt Pettinger slammed home the game’s opening goal. They moved the puck and gave the Thrashers different looks and attacked from different angles. But then they never repeated it, and their schizophrenic offense couldn’t muster much. Jakub Kelpis assisted Pettinger and scored the second goal.

Chris Clark returned for this game sporting a mouth protector. Clark took a puck to the face requiring surgery. Although his time was cut, Clark's presence was felt. Alex Semin is still listed day to day with an injured shoulder.

Caps host the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday. Looking anywhere other than winning this game would be foolish on behalf of the Capitals who now have dropped their 4th straight. Eat some turkey, take a nap, and come back ready to play.