Shut Out

Capitals 0, Bruins 2
Scoresheet - Wash Post

What is it about the Boston Bruins that has the Capitals so screwed in their heads? The Caps came off two big wins against one of NHL's elite teams only to be blanked by a somewhat struggling Bruin squad who had lost six of their last seven coming into this contest. The Bruins seemed to have the same mental edge over the Capitals as the Caps do over the Senators.

The Caps end their first half of the season with a loss, a disappointing one at that. When it seemed all the offensive angst the team had been fighting seemed to be lifted, the Caps once again find it hard to score. The Caps had a glorious opportunity to make some head way in the Southeast Division, but couldn't manage a single goal against the Boston squad.

While the Caps floundered, Olie Kolzig was spectacular. Besides being left to dry on the two goals scored against him, Olie played one of his best games of the season. Too bad the rest of his teammates seemed to be in slow motion. Alex Ovechkin's point streak comes to an end at 7 games. Nick Backstrom, who earlier was named rookie of the month, had more shots on net then Ovie but was held pointless after going three straight games with a point. Jeff Schultz also played one of the worst games I have seen him play, he knocked over Kolzig for the second goal, and the Boston forwards seemed to have their way with him. Schultz didn't impress me too much in this game.

Let's hope the effort in Montreal is a shade better than that of this game against Boston. The Caps must continue to scrap for points. They are now four points behind Florida who is ahead of them in the Southeast. That is two games they have to make up and they have to do by beating teams like Boston and Montreal. Teams that are not the elite squads, but are solid performers in the Eastern Conference. With the Southeast easy for the picking, the Caps have to earn points every night they play. 41 down, 41 to go. Get 'er done.

Brian Potheir left the game injured and did not return for the third period. He is listed day-to-day. Add him to the list of key injured players Chris Clark, Alex Semin, Tom Poti and Brent Johnson. As much as Steve Eminger was hot to play, he hasn't seen a game since Nov. 26th.