Enough Preseason

Preseason
Capitals 5, Blue Jackets 3

It would have been a pretty good regular season game. Maybe even an interesting playoff game. However, this is preseason. It means that it doesn't really count.

This game had just about everything, good goals, good saves, competitive spirit and a few scrums for good measure. Eric Fehr had two goals and an assist to give him the game's first star. Mike Green added a pair of assists and the Caps get goals by Brooks Laich, Nick Backstrom and Alex Semin.

The Caps special teams had been pretty solid up to this point. Against the Blue Jackets, the Capitals allowed a shorthanded goal and a pair of goals on the penalty kill. Tyler Sloan had a hard night after started well enough as he stood up for teammate Matt Hendricks. Sloan would end the night with 4 penalties and 11 PIMs. A tough go considering he is in a fight with John Erskine for the last 6th defenseman spot.

The game had a chippy undertone as both teams played a physical game. Even Alex Ovechkin wasn't immune to the rough stuff as the team's captain came to Mike Knuble's defense after the winger took a hard cheap shot in the neutral zone. Knuble had presence of mind to get back on his feet to help out his linemate and keep him from getting hurt.

This would have been a very entertaining game if it were a regular season tilt. The history between these teams is not long, but there is no love between them. While it was fun to watch these two teams pound on each other, injuries are a concern here on out for all teams in the preseason. I think four is a good number for general managers and coaches to pull their teams together. By the fifth and sixth games, players just want the season to start.

Those fighting for jobs should have already made an impression. It doesn't make sense to me to continue any longer for games that just don't count. Marcus Johansson impressed in every category except in face off draws. He didn't win a single one out of 10 draws.

Caps will play their 6th and final preseason game Nashville on Sunday 12:30 pm.

Caps Notes:

• Caps prepare for the second ever Caps Con tomorrow at the Washington Convention Center. Former Cap Olaf Kolzig, who was at the game tonight, will be one of the many big names at the Convention. 
• Braden Holtby was sent back to Hershey after the Bruins game, Lawrence Nycholat and Cody Eakin are the other two cut, sent to Hershey and Juniors respectively.
• The Hershey Bears have started their preseason agianst the WB Baby Pens. They fell in overtime 4-3. Brian Willsie and Kyle Greentree combine for 4 points in the exhibition opener.