Caps Lose SO Again, Forsberg Traded

Capitals 2, Lightning 3 OT/SO (0-1)
Scoresheet – Wash Post

The Caps fought hard in this one, but Vincent Lacavalier and Martin St. Louis were just too much for the Caps to pull out the win in Tampa. Caps had the 1-0 lead, but it only took less than five minutes for Lacavalier to unravel the Olie Kolzig-less Capitals in the second period.

When a team like this is looking for points to make a run for the playoffs, even the third and fourth lines need to pick it up. There was no goal support for Alex Semin or Alex Ovechkin in this one. Only a last minute goal by Dainius Zubrus let the Caps capture at least a point.

Back in the line up are Brian Potheir and John Erskine. You could feel a sense of relief come over DC (or rather the suburbs) to see those guys’ images on their television screens. The Caps did play a good game, just not enough to get two. Having Potheir and Erskine back was a large improvement.

Caps continue to struggle in shootouts too. If Ovie couldn’t buy a goal in the shootout lately, and while the hair cut looked good, it just didn’t help. The Caps are 1 for 6 in the shootout this season (scoring only 3 times while letting in 10).

It’s one of those games that had the possibility of being a great steal for the Caps to win one against a divisional rival, but instead it’s another loss among many for a team that is given no chance to succeed. A game that significance is buried amongst bigger news around the league.

That bigger news maybe that Peter Forsberg is now a Predator. The Flyers’ superstar was shipped to Nashville for two players and two draft picks. There goes holding out hope that maybe the Caps were interested. David (I take the S and the D out of spoiled) Poile, the mastermind of the trade, called it only fair to send Forsberg to a new team after the Flyers experience one of there worst seasons in memory.

Or even Joe Sakic scoring his 600th goal in Calgary. Not only did Sakic reach the landmark with two goals but did it in the Flames' front yard which has been a difficult place for teams to play lately.

Caps face the Penguins on NBC Sunday at 3:30 pm. Don’t hold your breath though, doesn’t look like the Caps have much of a chance on this one. The Caps face a hot Pittsburgh team without Kolzig, or a hot Ovechkin, or much goal support, etc., etc., etc.