Call It What You Will

Capitals 2, Islanders 3 OT/SO(0-1)
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times

I am not going to write about the Caps failure to score after getting a lead. I am not going to write about a lack of a "killer instinct" the Caps seem to lack. I am not going to write about how after having four days off they somehow look winded and tired. I am not going to write about how the Caps could have had two points, but have to once again settle for a single point. All of those things we have discussed before. Call it what you will, but the Capitals lost this game.

The Capitals' early season implosion may have been too large for them to eclipse. They were once revered as one of the hardest working teams in the league for the past two seasons, now that motto seems to have faded as the Caps now live and die based on Alex Ovechkin's stick. Ovie is a spectacular talent, but he can not be an island.

Alex Semin scored a nice backhander to open the scoring in the first and Brooks Laich tipped a Mike Green blast on the powerplay. Alex Ovechkin was held pointless for a third straight game and seems stuck at 48 goals. Jeff Schultz was listed as the dreaded "day-to-day" with a strained knee, giving the green light for Sam Lepisto to be called up once again.

Silver lining: Well, the Caps did secure a point. That's what they need is to accrue standings points to keep the pressure on Carolina and keep themselves ahead of the game. The penalty kill has been clutch for them as well. The Caps have killed penalties in six straight games. The last time the Caps were scored on down a man was February 6.

Now it's a quick trip to Carolina where the Caps can once again help their own cause by defeating the team in their way. I don't expect much of any miracle to happen against the 'Canes. What I would expect from the Capitals is for them to put on their hard hats and get to work.