When Garbage Is Beautiful

Capitals 3, Lightning 2
Scoresheet - Wash Post

If I told you that Vincent Lacavalier scored twice for the Lightning and Alex Ovechkin had only an assist, you would probably think the Capitals dropped their post Christmas foray with Tampa Bay. How wrong you would be my friend. On a night where "interim" was dropped from Bruce Boudreau's business card, the garbage goals reigned supreme for the Caps and they cashed in.

David Steckel was a monster in this game with a garbage goal of his own and two assists. Brian Potheir scored the only pretty goal, a laser from the top of the circle. Matt Bradley was credited with the game winner after crashing the net on a Steckel shot and somehow it found it's way in the back of the cage that looked as if it was off it's moorings. Bradley also had an assist and was a +3. Steckel only finished with a +2 (he stepped off the ice with linemate Quintin Laing when Potheir scored his goal, Bradley was still in front of the net) but did walk away with the number one star.

The Capitals simply outworked the Lightning to give their new coach a big win. While Ovie was scoreless in his 200th NHL game, it seemed the 4th line stepped to the challenge and that was huge. Olaf Kolzig again looked shaky at times and brilliant for the rest. He seems to be averaging 1 to 2 soft goals a game. As long as the Caps can make that up, it may not matter.

The Caps' powerplay is also seemed to hit a rut. The Capitals were unable to convert on 4 chances. Although I do think the squad is gaining in some confidence. It also seems the Caps are doing all of this with out taking bad penalties, how about just one penalty. Ovie was called for the only Capitals penalty which was holding in the third. The Capitals were able to fight it off. I guess the best way to kill off penalties is to not take any. It's a good plan.