Caps Post A Stinker At Home, Clinch East Anyway

Capitals 3, Flames 5
Game Summary

It wasn't pretty. The Capitals came out with little energy as the Calgary Flames pretty much wrapped up this game all in the first period off of four goals in just eleven shots. From there the Caps could do little else to salvage a poor start, even with Alex Ovechkin scoring his 46th goal of the season. Some thoughts on the game.

• Mathieu Perreault was recalled after Brendon Morrison left practice with a lower body injury. He rewarded the coaches decision by scoring a goal in the third in an attempt at a comeback. It wouldn't go any where as the Flames sucked what ever energy was in the building. Perreault's goal may have not have sparked the big time comeback the Caps were wishing for, but it's nice to know even with the injuries that are plaguing the team late, someone from Hershey can step in.
  
• Alex Ovechkin held the scoring title briefly. Before Sidney Crosby scored a pair against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is good to see Ovi start to score again and hopefully this will spark a strong end of the season for the reigning MVP.
• Jose Theodore for the first time since January looked human. No fault of his own mind you. Theo was a victim of some unfortunate bounces from extreme angles. He allowed 3 goals in nine shots prompting his exit just over half way through the first period. Semyon Varlamov came in relief and allowed a late period goal that for the most part did the Caps in.
  
• The Capitals defense was downright terrible. Players were badly out of position and a step behind the play. It just wasn't a good night for them. End of story, move on.
• I think this was more of a team that got reamed the night before against a team that is destined to bigger things. The Flames got a stern talking to last night by the GM. As a result, they came out with a bit of vinegar in their veins. The Caps just didn't match that intensity. End result, a 5-3 drubbing by the team that needed the win more.
• The crowd was a restless one. Several times they were on the home team with some jeers and boos when things weren't going their way. I think as a paid ticket holder, you can boo all they want if you think the team deserves it. Do you think they deserved it?
  

If anyone has been reading this blog for a while knows my philosophy on blow out losses. The Caps could feel bad for themselves and shake their confidence. Or they can learn from it. Use it to their advantage and come out the next came with a commitment to fixing their mistakes.

Even with the loss, the Caps wrap up the Eastern Conference as teams below them just couldn't keep up the pace. No team in the east will be able to over come the Capitals 109 points and 49 wins. It is comforting to know that the Eastern Conference title will have to go through Verizon Center. The Caps still hold a 5 point lead overall in the NHL as they look to secure the franchises first President's Cup.