Musings From Scrimmage

The Washington Capitals weren't afforded a preseason game. They would have to make do with an affiliate team from Reading Pennsylvania to bus in for a little scrimmage. The Reading Royals bused it to town to give the Caps and their coaching crew a chance to look at just what they have.

Things started off slow enough. Head coach Adam Oates thought as much as many of his players are not in game shape with the season opener in just 4 days away. It started slow for the Caps, but it would be a collision that would wake them open half way through the first period. Alex Ovechkin plowed into Marcus Johansson and it looked as if both players were seriously hurt and laid on the ice for a few heart stopping moments.

"I think that woke everyone up," said Oates. "I guess we better pay attention."

Ovechkin was cut on the chin from what looked like Johansson's helmet. Both returned to the ice shortly afterward. 

For the coaching staff, the scrimmage offered them a chance to use the system with their personnel the Caps have. "We filmed the whole game so tomorrow we can show the guys the reads," Oates said of the purpose of the scrimmage. "It's so much different when you can see yourself and your linemates."

"It's good for our team as a whole," Braden Holtby said of the scrimmage. "It gives us a chance to watch video of ourselves doing what Adam [Oates] is trying to apply here."

Getting Oates' system down was more of a priority for the Capitals than any evaluating players or even making sure the puck is in the back of the net. That competitive pace was helpful for both coaches and players get a better idea of how to see Oates' system.

The Capitals won the scrimmage 8-0 and below are just a few thoughts of the scrimmage in general.

• Mike Green sat this one out. PR staff said it was due to a cold and the coaching staff said he was not going to lace 'em up for this anyway.
• The overall action started slow, but picked up especially after the Ovi/MJ90 hit. Both teams were told to lighten up on hitting, but the Royals did play physical with the Caps. Hillen got popped late in the first period and drew blood, but didn't miss any significant ice time.
• Ovechkin had a goal and two assists. Both him and Nick Backstrom looked pretty good. Backstrom was getting into board scrums and didn't look at all affected by any injury nor did he shy away from any hit. 
• The talent level from the NHL to the ECHL is leaps and bounds. Often the Royals were left standing around in awe of the quickness and precision of the Caps with the puck.  
• Oates certainly doesn't mind the defensemen jumping up on the play. On several occasions the D-men stepped up in to the play, John Carlson had a goal by doing just that.
• Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth shared duties and both allowed 4 goals against each. When Holtby was asked if both it was the goaltenders plan to give up 4 each he chuckled, "I don't think either of us wanted to do that," he said.

Some pics I took, enjoy..

Holtby chilln' on the sidelines

Hearts stop as training staff checks on Ovechkin down on the ice

Troy Brouwer making a better door than window

Nick Backstrom gives Ovi a look as if to say, "You ready?"

Ovechkin talking to the Royals Russian players Galiev and Kostenko

A game well played deserves a handshake

Talkn' About... Practice

The earliest training camp would start is Wednesday. But to get players in and the coaching staff primed, the likely start of camp would be Friday. But this won't be like training camps of the past. With only a week (or less) to prepare for a sprint of a 50 game season, Adam Oates will be in cut down mode from the get go.

What would a shortened camp look like? More like a practice during the regular season. A small contingent of players form the AHL will make an appearance, but most likely it will be the contract players the Caps signed and have under contract. Formal rosters will be submitted in the next day or so, but for now we can speculate who will be at Kettler in the next week.

In the way of goaltenders, the possibility of bringing up three for camp seems likely, but the coaching staff might stick to two. Braden Holtby and Micheal Neuvirth most likely will be the team's one and two netminders, although not necessarily in that order. If Oates decides to make it a competition for the top spot, the Caps could see some young goaltenders duke it out over this 50 game stretch. To round out camp, the Capitals could bring up Danny Sabourin. It is more likely that the organization wouldn't leave the Bears with out a goaltender, so we may only see Holtby and Neuvirth at camp.

Your standards at defense will return. Karl Alzner and John Carlson most likely will be the top two blue liners. Rounding out Dmitry Orlov, Mike Green, Roman Hamrlik, John Erskine and Jeff Schultz will all report to camp. Jack Hillen will be the new face on the back line. Patrick McNiell might get a call up for a look.

Washington's forwards will have some new faces with the acquisitions of Wojtek Wolski and Mike Ribeiro. (Rumor has it Ribeiro has been playing in the DC area for the last couple of months with some men's leagues) They will be in fused with the return of Alex Ovechkin and Nick Backstrom returning from Russia where they played with Moscow Dynamo. Troy Brouwer, Jason Chimera, Matt Hendricks, Brooks Laich, Mathieu Perreault, Joel Ward and Marcus Johansson will be the regulars for camp.

Joey Crabb, Mattias Sjogren, Filip Forsberg and Stanislav Galiev might make an appearance to see if they need to call up anymore talent from Hershey or beyond. For them to crack the line up, they most likely would have to fill in for an injury (Laich ended his brief stint overseas after sustaining a groin injury) or if someone's game went downhill.

In any event, and who ever does show for camp, the Capitals' coaching staff will have to quickly evaluate, cut and mold their team for a short season. Oates priorities will to be bring a flowing chemistry to the team in a short amount of time, make the power play work at a consistent level and shore up the defensive end of the ice for the Caps to make a run at the playoffs and beyond.

Semin's Laser Ties Series

Capitals 2, Bruins 1 Series Tied 2-2
Game Summary - Event Summary

AP

The only thing that has been consistent about the play of Alexander Semin is his inconsistent play in the post season. From being a game changer in one series to completely falling off the map in the next, fans and experts have criticized the Capitals winger of having all this pure raw talent but wasting it. It certainly wasn't wasted tonight as Semin's laser beat Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas for the only power play goal of the night and helped the Capitals tie up the series with the Boston Bruins at two games apiece with a 2-1 win.

"There was a good shot there by Semin," Bruins bench boss Claude Julien told reporters. "Couldn’t have asked for a better shot."

The Caps could not have. With both teams aching to stay penalty free, the Bruins were called for three in fractions to the Capitals' one. Washington had their chances in the first two, but when Semin circled to the side board from behind the Boston net on the third powerplay, just about everyone stopped and hesitated. Semin pulled the puck back and placed the perfect wrist shot through the legs of Chara (who didn't know whether to advance to block the shot or stand pat) and beat Thomas through the crook of his left elbow to hit the top corner of the net. It happened with just 1:17 left in the second period.

Marcus Johansson also found the net, just 1:22 after the opening face off. After some puck mismanagement by the Bruins in the neutral zone, Ovi took out one defender with a hit and it opened a two on one with Brooks Laich with the puck and Johansson streaking down the right side. A pretty pass through the defender by Laich set up the first goal of the game for the Caps as MoJo shot high over a sprawling Thomas.

It would be the only shot for the Capitals until the dying moments of the first. The Bruins jumped all over the Capitals. They out shot the Caps 14-3 and would get the equalizer over a turnover. Rich Peverley found himself on a two on one of his own, but faked the pass which froze Caps' net minder Braden Holtby and he found room on the short side.

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Holtby, who at times has shown bouts of goaltending genius, was once again a solid back end for the Capitals when things broke down defensively. Holtby would stop 44 of 45 shots for a .978 save percentage for the game.

"[The Bruins] came out real hard tonight," Caps coach Dale Hunter said.  "[Their] forecheck was hard and we turned the puck over a few times. Holtby was very good. He stood tall and kicked out a lot of rubber tonight."

Again it came down to two goaltenders matching each other save for save as Thomas and Holtby stood tall when they needed to be. Earning the game's first star, Holtby has been the difference maker for the Capitals this post season. Even in the last second of the game, the puck found his glove and he jabbed it skyward as the horn sounded.

He had some help. Holtby's stats are impressive, but the Capitals were committed to blocking shots in front of him including the last minute of play where players were sprawling in front of heavy point shots to preserve the win. Jay Beagle seemed to be everywhere to stop a puck, stopping five himself to lead his team in blocked shots. Even Alex Ovechkin sacrificed the body to stop three shots. When shots did get through, the Capitals seemed to be there to gobble up any rebounds and keep the Bruins from getting to loose pucks in front of Holtby.

The Capitals were using the body more effectively this game as well. Matt Hendricks came with the body leading his team in hits with seven. They out hit the Bruins 44 to 34. John Erskine played his first game in nearly two months and his physical presence was felt, nullifying the Bruins big forwards in front of the net.

"It’s unbelievable," Erskine said of returning to the line up. "I was watching last game here. Just to jump on the ice with those guys and have the fans going nuts. It’s playoff hockey so it’s a lot of fun."

While the hitting was high, the Caps stayed disciplined. Taking only one peanlty, a hooking call to Mike Knuble, the Caps kept the special teams in their favor. Their PP scored, their PK kept it out.

Giveaways were a sour point with the Caps in game 4. They turned the puck over 14 times with 12 players guilty of losing the puck at one point or another. On one turnover, just moments before Alex Semin's game winner, led to a odd man rush up the ice for the Bruins. The hustle of Johansson saved a goal as he reached for the cross ice pass to Milan Lucic and tipped the puck harmlessly to the corner. It is an area the Caps will need to tighten up.

The Capitals were badly outshot all game as well. They only really sustained enough pressure for 15 shots in the second period, but only three shots in the first and third periods of play.

"Giving up that first goal and playing catch-up hockey," Bruins coach Julien said. "We tied the game. We were right back where we wanted to be. But at the end of the night the results weren’t the ones we wanted. When you shoot 40 shots on net you would expect your team to get more than one goal so there’s obviously some areas that we’re not happy with."

The series now becomes a best of three games and it shifts back to Boston for a back to back afternoon tilts on Saturday and back to the phone booth Sunday. That is three games in four nights. The Caps are sitting pretty right now with the series tied up at two and if they continue to do the same as tonight, albeit with less turnovers, the Caps could take the series lead on Boston ice.

"I think we just [have] to carry that momentum into Boston and get a good start there too," said Erskine.

"I always said after the first game, it’s going to be [a] long series and you never know what’s going to happen," the Capitals' captain said of the back to back games on the horizon. "Again, step-by-step, game-by-game we going to take it and we are going to try to win the series."

Caps Notes:

• The Capitals have the only two power play goals in the series and it is their second straight game with a PP tally.
• Keith Aucoin received his first career playoff point with an assist on Semin's goal.
• Mike Knuble replaced the suspended Nick Backstrom for game 4.
• Per Caps PR: Marcus Johansson scored his first goal of the playoffs. He now has collected eight points (3g-5a) in 13 career playoff games. Johansson has tallied more playoff points than any other player from his 2009 draft class.

Is This The Season?

5 Things The Caps Must Improve

The Hockey News may have put the expectation of a Stanley Cup Championship on the shoulders of the Washington Capitals, but the Caps will have fix some demons that plagued them (and seem to continue to plague them) last year.

1. Power Play Production

The power play is an effective tool for a team that wants to find success in the regular season and in the post season. What an consistently dangerous power play does is put the other team and an immediate disadvantage. When opposing teams are more concerned about not taking penalties against sure goals on the power play, that opens up ice and opportunity at even strength. But if a team is confident that they can kill off the power play, they can take liberties to shut down any open opportunities.

The Capitals power play is an exercise in conformity that is easily recognizable. They like to overload the stick side of the goaltender and "hide" Alex Ovechkin's one timer on the far boards. Nick Backstrom is the quaterback, often near the goal line on the other side with a player out front and a forward and defenseman high for options.

If opposing teams can isolate Backstrom along the boards and negate the pass to Ovechkin or any other back door play, the goaltender will square to Ovechkin's shot from the mid boards if Backstrom pass up the the defenseman, or look for the give and go if Alex Semin cuts into the box. If the penalty kill can clear any rebounds, the Caps have put all there hopes on one-timers and give and gos through the slot.

What needs to change is position with more movement. Interchange the QB Backstrom with Ovi or Semin and work in quick succinct passes. If the power play can not put the other team behind the eight ball, the Caps are looking at another disappointing off season.

2. Goaltender Consistency

George McPhee knew that veteran goaltending could settle a team down. The Caps might have been more concerned about helping out rookie goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth last season instead of relying on them to make the save. Tomas Vokoun comes in to bring in some relief in that department.

Vokoun is known for giving up a 6 goal game from time to time (with a team like Florida in front of you, that will tend to happen). But he does bring some veteran presence in the net and a want to play for a championship rather than a contract. Taking a one year, $1.5 million (a pay cut by his standard), Vokoun is playing for much more than just money. Having not played in the playoffs since he was a Nashville Predator, the Caps' new number one is looking to prove he is an elite goaltender.

To do that, Vokoun has to be a consistent back stop for the Capitals. He doesn't have to be a brick wall, but he does have to have a few big grabs so the pressure is off the Caps defense. A healthy Denis Wideman and off season acquisition Roman Hamrlik should help with that too.

3. Time To Mature

It was said best by Mike Green, "We have wasted enough time." The Capitals "Young Guns" are now middle aged players with the window closing on them. Semin and Green are on their final year of their contracts. Ovechkin is now 26 years old and entering his 7th year in the NHL. It's time for the Guns to grow up.

After Nick Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin numbers crumpled last season, the Capitals need for them to get over their slump. Injuries might have played a role in the post season disappointments, but the core players have to produce.

4. Role Players Have To Add Something

I get it, it is the fourth line. The checking line is not expected to score, but they sure are not supposed to allow goals against either. Whether it's a fight to up the moral, a big hit, winning a face off, or a solid shift against an opposing top line the third and fourth line have to do their part.

If the top players continue to play in a fog, the last two lines have to add some kind of spark to propel the team to action. Additions of Joel Ward and Jeff Halpern will help in this area. The pair bring in a good energy and some consistency at their positions.

Halpern will fill in for the loss of Boyd Gordon in the face off dot.

5. Coaching Must Do Better

Bruce Boudreau may not have all the answers. Not every NHL coach does. But simply just changing linemates is not going to cut it anymore. Boudreau must step up his end and find solutions game to game. Find the issue and make the correction to change the course of any game.

Last year, Boudreau raised some eyebrows when his response to a struggling power play was simply to replace a player here or a player there. The structure wasn't even attempted to be changed until late in the season when it was clear that the PP was going no where fast.

Boudreau, Bob Woods and Dean Evason have to up their game too. They have to find answers to areas of weakness on their team. Especially now that the Division has improved in the off season to take on the Caps.

None of these problems have a single silver bullet. Instead it will take several experiments to get the concoction just right. The advantage the Capitals have is some world class talent through out the ranks. Whether it's the big names in Ovechkin and Backstrom or solid young talent in John Carlson and Marcus Johansson, the Caps will steal quite a few games on the backs of just good solid talent on the ice.

Comeback Kids

Capitals 4, Rangers 3 2OT (Washington leads 3-1)
Game Summary


AP

What appeared to be a rout, the team with the perfect record taking a lead into the third period looked poised to tie up the series at two games apiece. The New York Rangers and their fans seemed to finally get under the skin of head coach Bruce Boudreau and the Capitals. But the raucous crowd turned deftly silent when Jason Chimera chipped in the game winner in double overtime to give the Capitals a strangle-hold on the series with a 4-3 win.

PP Spudders, But Coughs Up GW Goal

Capitals 2, Sabres 1
Game Summary

It looked like the Capitals' power play was going to make the headlines for all the wrong reasons. But Mathieu Perreault sparked a late power play goal to lift the Caps over a team pressuring for a playoff spot, the Buffalo Sabres 2-1.

Perreault would only get a goal, but he figured in on both tallies. The first goal was one of opportunity as the dump in by Matt Hendricks took a crazy bounce off the boards to a waiting Perreault in front of the net. He shot it opposite side and beat Ryan Miller for the early lead.

What was to be Perreault's second goal was a result of some determination by Alex Ovechkin. A streaking Ovi weaved his way into the zone on the power play and let go a wicked snapper. The rebound went right to Perreault who threw it back at Miller. The puck apparently hit Marcus Johansson on the way in and the Caps would get the lead back for good.

While the Caps took the lead on the power play, it wasn't easy sailing when the Sabres practically gave the game to them in the first period. A slew of early penalties even had the Caps on a long 5 on 3 opportunity. The pp wasted opportunity after opportunity going 0 for 4. They had their shots, an almost open net for Nick Backstrom turned their fortunes around, but he couldn't get the shot high and Miller made the easy save.

Everything about the game the Caps did pretty good. They played solid 5 on 5 and the PK only allowed a goal against. There were good chances at even strength for the Caps as well. Even the checking line had a few good looks.

Semyon Varlamov looked pretty solid when he was called to make a save or two. He looked good in net and looking like the Varly of old where it is just plain tough to score on him. He would turn aside 28 shots including 11 in the third period. He would have some good control over his rebounds and looked square to the shooter.

Mike Green sits out for another game, but his return seems close. The Caps return Patrick McNeill to Hershey in hopes of making room for Green back in the line up.

Caps don't have much time to celebrate as they take on Pittsburgh Monday night.

Super Sunday

Capitals 3, Penguins 0
Game Summary

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Caps stole the early thunder from Pittsburgh. Green Bay would finish the job later in the day. The Capitals follow up their perfect game on Friday against Tampa Bay with a 3-0 stone wall of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Brooks Laich scores for the second straight game. His first period goal would stand as the game winner. Marcus Johansson had a beauty of a back hand that fluttered past Marc-Andre Fleury. Mike Knuble would put the icing on the cake with the empty netter.

Two players that did not score a goal stood out as the best players in the game. Matt Hendricks and Alex Ovechkin. Hendricks continues to impress as a Capital. This guy does a little bit of everything, add an offensive threat, play solid defensively as he dives to block shots, and is not shy of dropping the gloves. He would even defer on the empty net shot to pass it to the Caps' elder Knuble. Respect your elders.

Ovechkin was a monster and did everything in this game except get on the scoresheet. His outside threat seemed to keep the Penguins off kilter and it sparked the later lines to match the intensity he had. He brought his hitting machine, often taking the physical route against the Pens' defense. Ovi had three shots, three hits, one blocked shot and a take away.

It would be the Capitals defense that would shine in the shut out of the Penguins. With out Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins looked to use their speed to try and catch the Caps' defense flat footed. But the Capitals kept the play to the outside, stepped into shooting lanes (blocking 18 shots), and moving the puck effectively out of the zone.

On the other end, the Caps funneled shots to the net and it payed off. The first goal of the game started with a keep in by John Erskine, then some good sustained pressure in the Pens' zone. Mathieu Perreault would have a sneaky take away and find Erskine who shot it on net. The puck got through to Fleury and the rebound was swept under the Pens' goaltender by a charging Laich.

It looked like it was going to be a physical game, but not a dirty one. But the Caps would get into a little penalty trouble later in the second period when Matt Hendricks was shoved into Fleury and the officials called him for goaltender interference. The penalty would wash out a Johansson goal, but he would make it up later.

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

A testament to the Caps' penalty kill, they have not been allowed a power play goal by the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. When the Caps turned the puck up ice with David Steckel and Johansson cutting into the zone short-handed, it looked as if the play would fizzle as Johansson drew in two defenders when he crossed the blue line. But a nifty backhander caught the far post over Fluery's right blocker.

The Capitals did not seem satisfied with that score. They kept the offensive pressure up while keeping the shots down for Neuvirth. The Penguins could only manage 7 shots in the final period.

The win did not come with out cost. Mike Green took a high slapper from Brooks Orpik in the right ear in the fading seconds of the first period. He was cut badly and would leave the game. Knuble would be cut from an errant high stick. He would finish the rest of the game with a nasty gash on his cheek and nose. Even though he was a bloody mess, he did manage the goal on the empty net from the red line.

Ovechkin was caught with a knee on knee hit by Matt Cooke. Cooke argued that Ovi made the move to avoid the hit, but it looked like he was going to hit Ovechkin with whatever body part he could on him.

The Capitals' power play did not convert. They played with some familiar swagger and they did get their chances. Playing one of the league's best penalty kills, the power play did its job which was gain some momentum and keep the other team on their heels. They often found chances after the power play had ended, a sign they were keeping the pressure on Pittsburgh.

Now the Caps face a slew of Western Conference teams as their next two foes at the phone booth will be San Jose on Tuesday and Los Angeles on Saturday. Then they head out on their western swing playing their first three games of a five game road trip against Phoenix, Anaheim and see the Sharks again. Their five game road trip will end with a back to back game with Buffalo and Pittsburgh.

Caps Notes:

• The Capitals will stay three points behind Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division as they beat the St. Louis Blues today in overtime. 
• Alex Semin was rumored to be in the line up on Friday against the Lightning but he didn't make the trip to Florida. He would not dress for the game against Pittsburgh.
• Neuvirth was given the game's first star followed by Laich with the second and Johansson with the third star.

Caps Can't Tame The Best In The West

Capitals 2, Canucks 4
Game Summary

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals got off to a good start, but some key miscues after taking a rare lead lead to a Vancouver Canuck dominated game as they defeat the Caps 4-2.

Matt Hendricks played the game of his career as a Capital scoring the first goal and playing solid all game long finishing with a +1, four shots and 2 hits. Marcus Johansson would pull the Caps close 3-2 with a goal half way through the third period, but that is as close as they would get. 

Nick Backstrom played an inspired game when faced with his fellow countrymen on the away bench at Verizon Center. He had an early chance when a bouncing puck eluded the Vancouver defender giving the Swedish centerman a free shot at Roberto Luongo. But his deke couldn't beat the net minder's glove. Backstrom would have a brilliant feed to another Swedish Cap, Marcus Johansson who buried a one timer after the Canucks defense broke down.

The game did start well for the Caps as Hendricks was set free by Boyd Gordon after a smart breakout by the checking line. Hendricks beat Luongo seven hole and the team seemed to play loose after the lead. Maybe too loose, because it only took 2:25 minutes later when the Canucks answered with a goal of their own.

The Caps would let their discipline slip when Jason Chimera took a penalty in the offensive zone by hitting the Canuck defender up high. While the Vancouver player embellished the shot, it was still a penalty and just :44 seconds into the extra man advantage the Canucks take the lead. The Canucks' power play would strike on their first chance and finish the night 1 for 3 on the PP.

Then disaster struck in the second period when the Caps seemed to take the momentum. But some cavalier series of passes that would end with Chimera getting poked checked in the neutral zone by Jannik Hansen jumped onto the stick of Daniel Sedin, fresh from the bench. The play actually looked off-side in the least, possibly too many men at the other extreme. Either way, it was some bad luck that gave the Canucks a two goal lead.

Again the Caps' power play was disappointing. They squandered all three chances they had the extra man, included a phantom tripping call on Green when he clearly got the puck first on a dive for Ryan Kesler. The power play could not handle the aggressive checking of the Canuck penalty killers and as a result, they could not even get quality chances to the net. The phone booth faithful showed their displeasure at the lack of production, especially on home ice.

Caps have a two days to rest up for a mid day special against the Ottawa Senators. A team that seems to play the Caps tough. They have to find a way to get back into the Southeast Division race and get some points on the board. In all fairness, the the Canucks are the best team in the west on a roll. The Caps are still looking for an identity and struggling to get their offense going.

Cap Notes:

• Tom Poti and Alex Semin would both be injured scratches for this inter-conference game. Both are listed as day-to-day. Tyler Sloan was sent down earlier in the day to Hershey for a conditioning stint. 
• The Capitals were 5-0-1 against Canadian teams this year. The Canucks will hand them their first loss of the season in regulation.
• Brian Willsie's short stint with the Capitals was only one game. He was sent back to Hershey as Boyd Gordon returns to the lineup after suffering an infection in his foot. Willsie would score the Bear's second goal to help the Hershey Bears defeat the Adirondack Phantoms 3-0 tonight.

Special Teams None Too Special For Caps

Capitals 3, Panthers 4 OT
Game Summary

AP

The Capitals would pull a point out of this game, but it would be the wrong way to get a point against a Southeast Division foe. After taking some ill advised penalties and giving the Panthers a pair of 5 on 3 opportunities, the Capitals would not be able to make a comeback. The fall in overtime to the Florida Panthers 4-3.

The Capitals, who have been relatively disciplined in their play to this point in the season, took too many penalties against a hard working team in the Panthers who have found sudden confidence against a team that they were unable to even win a game a season ago. It would start with a Mike Knuble penalty for interference and then Nick Backstrom would be called for boarding at the same time kicking off a full two minute 5 on 3 for the Panthers.

The penalty killers for the Capitals did their best, but a harder working Panthers team was able to capitalize on their power play opportunity as well as score a goal on the momentum gained by the power play to put the Caps in a two goal hole early. Florida would be 3 for six on their power play (that had been struggling up to that point) including two goals on two chances 5 on 3 and the game winner in overtime was a power play tally.

In contrast, Washington's power play continues to struggle going 0 for five with the extra man advantage. That was including a golden opportunity with the game tied for them to get the go ahead goal. But they floundered the chance, often turning the puck over before they could even enter the zone. Bruce Boudreau would even move Alex Ovechkin around on the PP to try to gain some kind of spark for the forward and the extra man advantage to convert just once.

Ovechkin would start in his usual position on the point  with Mike Green his partner. But in the third, Boudreau would move him up to wing letting John Carlson see some time on the power play opposite of Green and Brooks Laich would be the odd forward out from the first power play unit.

(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Not all of this game was bad news for the Caps. They did mount an impressive comeback down 3-0. Marcus Johansson was a big part of that rally as he scored on a pretty give and go with Laich to cut the lead to just two goals. His shot would beat Tomas Vokoun five hole and trickle into the net.

Mike Knuble would get the Caps a goal closer when buried a pretty feed from Ovechkin up over the glove of Vokoun. Again it would be Johansson giving life to a near dead Capital offense, tying the goal up at 3 after Matt Hendricks threw the puck on net. MJ90 would trickle one in through Vokoun. Johansson nearly had the hat trick when he deflected a picture perfect pass in front, but Vokoun's glove was in the right spot at the right time to make the save, denying the rookie his first career hat trick.

Michal Neuvirth played a as solid of a game as he could with the amount of penalties his team took in this game. he came up huge in the second and third periods to allow the Caps to comeback. He had good rebound control and relied on his quick reflexes to shut down the hard working Panthers sending pucks to the net. He also got some help in the blocked shot category as the Caps helped their rookie goaltender out stepping in front of 19 shots. But in the end it would not be enough.

Green would take a hooking call after the Panthers had sustained pressure in the overtime period. The Caps would fail to even get a shot on net in the extra period. In fact the Caps have not had a shot on net in the last 2 overtimes they have played. They do take home a standing point that pulls them dead even with tomorrow night's opponents.

The Caps have to have a better self control as they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow night. It is their chance to take over the lead to the Southeast Division. A title they have struggle to maintain this season as Tampa and Atlanta pressure for that top spot.

Caps Notes:

• Brian Willsie's return is due to Alex Semin's hip injury. Semin is listed day-to-day. Willsie played well getting on the score sheet with an assist and would draw a penalty with his veteran savy.
• The last time the Capitals came back from a 3-0 deficit was last season in the NBC game of the week featuring the Caps versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Nick Backstrom scored the game winner in overtime to complete the comeback win. There would be no such ending tonight however.
• The Capitals have won 12 games when they give up the first goal (12-11-3). That is three more wins than any other team in the league. 
• Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green were chosen for NHL's All Star Game. Snubbed were Alex Semin (might not be a bad thing considering his injury) and struggling Nick Bacstrom. John Carlson was snubbed as well for the rookies.

Skate With The Caps

One of the cool things about getting updates from the Capitals Public Relations staff is the occasional gem of an opportunity for fans to connect with players in cool mediums. This one caught my attention as a pretty cool way to interact with some Capitals' players. Per Caps PR:

ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals players Karl Alzner, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Marcus Johansson along with assistant coach Dean Evason and Caps mascot Slapshot will skate at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink for Community Day on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is an opportunity for the players to skate outdoors less than one month before the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
 
The event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with an appearance by Slapshot and complimentary hot chocolate. At that time, art stations will be set up in front of the Pavilion Café for children to color. At 11 a.m. Capitals players will take the ice with the National Gallery of Art Ice Rink School skaters for a skills exhibition. They will start by incorporating the surrounding art into their skills, then transition to a hockey demonstration focusing on stickhandling, passing, agility and speed.
 
At noon, after the resurfacer cuts the ice, the Caps players and Slapshot will take to the ice to skate with the fans. The first 200 fans in line will receive free admission with $3.00 skate rentals for an hour-long open skate. If you have your own skates and are one of the first 200 people in line, you’ll skate for free!

'Canes And Caps To The Wire Again

Capitals 3, Hurricanes 2 OT/SO (1-0)
Game Summary

When these two divisional rivals, the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals always seem to play one another very tough. Tonight was no exception. Even with a 2-0 Caps' lead, the 'Canes would make things interesting scoring a last second goal in the third. But the deciding factor is a goaltender that was on only his fourth start of the season and Semyon Varlamov turned away all three shoot out shots to ensure the Caps third win in a row.

Alex Ovechkin did not score a goal. In fact his last 8 points have all been assists. But not for lack of effort as Ovi had seven shots on net and another five shots attempted. He seemed to have a jump in his step as he had more than a few glorious chances to bury the puck but were all thwarted by Carolina's top goaltender Cam Ward. Ovi did manage a beaut of an assist on Alex Semin's goal to give the Caps a two goal lead and he scored the only shoot out goal to give the Caps the win and much needed two points.

Marcus Johansson continues to impress as a rookie after some hard nose forechecking. Eric Fehr dug the puck out of the corner to a wide open Johansson and the rook made no mistake waiting out Ward and slipping the puck five hole to give the Caps the early lead.

The Caps' defensive core did their best to keep the 'Canes explosive offense and Varly was there to clean up any mistakes. However, the 'Canes would make a rally and with under 4 seconds left, Tom Poti failed to tie up Eric Staal's stick in front and Carolina tied the game with only 2.2 seconds left on the clock.

Carlzner

The defensive duo of John Carlson and Karl Alzner continues to impress. The pair were called upon to neutralize Carolina's top line including Eric Staal. They were successful for a majority of the game keeping the 'Canes from penetrating Varlamov.

Sem-sational

Alex Semin continues his hot hand scoring yet again. He has his fourth goal in 2 games and he finished off a great pass from Alex Ovechkin to keep his point streak going to now three games. Semin's work on the penalty kill was superb, and has been this season.

Questionable Officiating

I don't like to comment on officiating. For one, it's a hard job to make split second decisions in an incredibly fast game to decipher exactly what happened. Two, you can't really use officiating as an excuse. But the officiating in this game was weird to say the least. Obvious plays that were penalties on the Hurricanes seemed to go unnoticed. While the Caps couldn't get away with much. The game was relatively penalty free, but the Caps just couldn't get the calls their way.

Sergei Samsonov clearly tripped up John Carlson in the corner in the third period. Samsonov threw his hands in the air as if he was expecting the call. But no hand went up. Ovechkin was tripped up right in front of the referee, and he nearly put his arm in the air but decided not to. It lead to some frustrated Capitals through out the third period who felt they deserved better from the officiating.

In the end there was only one penalty against the 'Canes, and three calls against the Caps. At the end of the game, it wasn't the deciding factor. Thankfully.

Shooting Star

Ovi's new approach to the shoot out, swinging out wide left and cutting to the net has opened options for the dynamic left and/or right winger. Tonight was no exception as once again he started his run by swinging out wide left and waited out 'Canes goaltender Cam Ward and roofing it up over his glove side. Ovechkin would score the only shoot out goal.


Gnarly Varly

Semyon Varlamov is making the choice of going back to Michal Neuvirth a tough one. He was spectacular tonight stopping some great shots by the 'Canes in overtime. He would stop 26 shots and all three shoot out shots by the 'Canes.

Wild Ending

Capitals 4, Flyers 5 OT/SO (0-1)
Game Summary

Playing like the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers did not disappoint. After it looked like the Flyers were going to sail to an easy win, bad discipline by the visiting team gave the Caps the opening they needed to tie up the game and sends it to overtime and eventually into the shoot out. But the Flyers' skill guy Daniel Briere scores the only shoot out goal and the Flyers put this one in the win column 5-4.

Rookie Marcus Johansson started the scoring off for the Caps as he cleaned up a broken play in front of the net. The Flyers would respond on their power play then scored a pair of even strength goals to take the lead with 10:20 left in the third period 3-1. A couple of ill-advised penalties by the Flyers created the Caps' comeback. They scored a pair of power play goals (both garbage) to pull the game even. Nick Backstrom and Jason Chimera were the goal scorers. Flyers would come back with a slick goal of their own but again take a bad penalty late in the game. Eric Fehr scored the game tying goal with a rocket of a shot from the right face off dot to force overtime.

Wild End

When the Flyers took the lead in the third and the Caps' Alex Semin was nicked with a tripping call. It seemed the game was at hand for the visiting team, but Kimo Timonen took a holding call to negate the Semin call. The Caps would score on the shortened power play chance. Mike Richards would take a penalty after slashing a Caps player after the goal was scored and it offered the Caps yet another chance with the extra man. It wouldn't take long for the Caps to tie up the game.

After that, it seemed chance after chance for both teams presented itself. The Flyers would regain the lead after Andreas Nodl scored by spinning around the Caps' defender and backhanded the puck through Michal Neuvirth's five hole. But the Caps would answer after the Flyers were yet again called for a penalty and with six skaters on the ice Fehr buried a shot to tie up the game.

Three goals were scored in the first two periods, but the scoring exploded in the third with 5 goals scored by either team. 4 of those were in the last nine minutes of play.

Super Kid

It was a great game for Marcus Johansson. The Caps' rookie would score his second goal of the season when he cleaned up a bouncing puck in front of the net and beat Flyer Brian Boucher glove side. Using his speed, Johansson created a slew of chances especially five on five. He was clearly the best Capital on the ice through most of the game. He will be even more exciting to watch when he figures out that wrister of his and starts beating goaltenders.

Invisible Ovi

Alex Ovechkin may have an assist in this game, his scoring has seemed to hit a wall. He has only scored 2 goals in the last eight games. He had a few golden opportunities to score early after line mate Alex Semin fed him a couple of pretty feeds to cut him loose. But he rang it off the post on one shot, missed the net on another. In all, Ovi could only muster 3 shots on net. The rest? Five shots were blocked and 6 of them sailed wide of the net. The Caps' winger showed his frustrations at times often looking to the rafters after shots or shaking his head as he returned to the bench after a tough shift.

Great Goaltending Thwarted

Neuvirth kept his team in it for a majority of the game. He stopped 31 shots including some humdingers on the Caps penalty kill. The Flyers tried his glove side, to little avail through the first two periods. Only when they held on to the shot, delaying to make the young goaltender to bite early, did they find the back of the net.

That Seems Fehr

The line combo of Tomas Fleischmann, Brooks Laich and Eric Fehr created some havoc for the Flyers. They had a slew of even strength chances. Fehr himself had a heck of game as he lead the Caps in shots with six and scored the power play, game tying goal. He even had a jump in overtime and nearly scored in the extra frame.

A Much Better Effort

After the humbling loss to Southeast Division rivals Atlanta Thrashers the night before, the Caps came to play against their Conference rivals the Flyers. The Caps were getting early chances to score and seemed to be moving their feet better, keeping the visiting Flyers on their heels. Besides a couple of defensive breakdowns and poor discipline, the Caps did play a much better game than they did the night before.

Bruins Spoil Caps Win Streak

Capitals 1, Bruins 3
Game Summary

It was the perfect road game for the Boston Bruins. They got the early goal, played physical as well as desciplined, took the crowd out of the equation and got solid goaltending when they needed it from Tim Thomas. The Washington Capitals couldn't wake up offensively as their power play has turned stagnate. They see their win streak end at four.

In honor of Caps Girl, I will be comparing tonight's highlights to ex-girlfriends.

• Marcus Johansson first NHL goal is like my very first girlfriend Tina. While Johansson scored on his first, I didn't (hey, I was in 5th grade, I think we just sat in her basement and colored). His goal was started by Matt Hendricks creating the turnover deep in the zone and Jason Chimera feeding a beautiful pass in front to a waiting MoJo. Johansson beat Thomas top shelf, welcome to the NHL kid.
• Kendra was constantly coming down with some kind of illness. Sort of like Michal Neuvirth's sudden exit from the game after two goals. Neuvirth complained of dizziness and a headache, taking himself out of the game. Semyon Varlamov came in and stopped all shots but one, a floater shot that had eyes around a well placed screen. 
• The Capitals' power play was disappointing like my ex-girlfriend Rose. With all the great talent on that top power play line, the Caps have fallen into a PP funk. They are falling into a habit of over using Alex Ovechkin at the point for the shot and standing around way too much. It looks good on paper, but the Caps PP isn't cutting it.
• Just like Erica, there were a couple of good fights. Although it was more of the physical kind in the game where Hendricks got reacquainted with Gregory Campbell. The two went to blows with Campbell decked Ovechkin rudely into the boards and Hendricks stood up for his captain. Campbell looked like he was really looking forward to a rematch, wildly swinging his arms. Hendricks just waited his turn and threw in a few good punches. John Erskine also got a scrap in against Milan Lucic. A bad trade off for the Bruins. And no, I never hit women, although took a few punches in the arm from Erica. 
• Finally, the Capitals' PK is definitely like my beautiful wife. Just like my wifey, the PK came up big killing off all 4 Bruin power play opportunities. It was dependable for the Caps and a center of great pride for the team. They even mastered a :53 second 5 on 3 frustrating the Bruins offense.

 I joke about the ex's. The Capitals did play a good hard game. They just didn't come up with the goals. They finished checks, played tough through the neutral zone and used their speed effectively on the Bruins defense. Thomas' play was really good tonight and the Bruins' defense did a good job keeping Ovechkin in check for most of the game. 

Caps get a chance at redemption as they head up north to Boston to finish this home and home with the Bruins on Thursday night. This will be a great opportunity to see what the Caps have learned, and what changes they make to their play in the second game. But if the Caps put forth the kind of effort they did tonight, I doubt it will be disappointing. 

Can't Keep It Bottled Up Anymore

Okay a lot of NHL drama going on, I can't keep my opinions to myself much longer. Some if it is older news, I know. But I've been busy.

First, Danny Heatly asking for a trade and refusing to be traded to Edmonton. The drama seems to be in limbo at the moment. I think the very action of asking for a trade waives any kind of trade clause on any contract. Also, if you ask your general manager for a trade after you publicly committed to money and time to be with a particular team you give up any say over what team you may be traded too. At first I thought Heatly was an okay guy, not any more.

Second, Chicago and their paperwork. I guess when you live in the windy city, one should get a paper weight (sorry old joke). Now the NHLPA has filed a grievance with the league over the paperwork. At worst, some big players for the Blackhawks get a taste of the free market as unrestricted free agents. But they were already restricted free agents and Chicago had a right to match the contract offered them. It may not be a huge deal. Plus the other 29 general managers may just give the "too bad" signal to the players association and not sign any of the players with bad paperwork, allowing Chicago to resign them. At least the PA is looking out for their own.

Third, Alex Ovechkin becomes an ambassador for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. There is a possibility the NHL will pull out of letting players play in the Olympics, but that is maybe why they made Ovi a full fledged ambassador. It's also a great pick up line for the ladies I'm sure. You have to admire Ovi's countryman's spirit.

Lastly, Brian Burke successfully gets his goaltender. TSN reports Burke has gotten Jonas (the Monster) Gustavsson to be the starting goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Possibly leaving long time Capital Olaf Kolzig with out a team if the Leafs do not resign him. He is a Free Agent this summer. Gustavsson comes highly touted from the Swedish Elite League. He has size (he looks big in net, hence the nickname 'Monster') speed and good basics. However, he hasn't seen scorers like Evgeni Malkin, Jerome Iginla, Ilya Kovalchuk or Ovechkin. So he is basically a wild card for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Some of his highlights are on YouTube.

Caps Notes:

• Barrack Obama mentioned Alex Ovechkin's name in a speech and some fans were quick to jump on the "why doesn't he come to Caps' games?" critic. Honestly, I think he has much more important things to do rather than take in hockey games or basketball games. Like finding jobs for hundreds and thousands that will be on the street after the States budgets get slashed. Just my gut reaction.
  
• Okay, back to hockey. Development camp is less than a week away and as usual the Caps are going to lean heavily on the kids for the future of the team. The names to watch will be Anton Gustafsson (who missed last year's camp due to injury), Joe Finley (the big meany from North Dakota), Jake Hauswirth (who made quite the splash in last year's camp) and first round pick in the '09 Entry Draft Marcus Johansson is not confirmed to be there, but is likely to show. Camp is from July 13 - 18.
• All this week, be sure to turn on NHL Network as they will be replaying the Rangers/Capitals series starting with game one today. Relive the Caps first series win in nearly 11 years.
  

Grading The Draft

With their seven picks in seven rounds, the Washington Capitals took three defensemen, two centers and two wingers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft this weekend. They picked a player each from Sweden, Russia and the United States, and the other four were Canadian. The Caps' picks average in height of 6'0" and have an average weight of 190 lbs. The Caps went after speed and precision according to the available scouting reports of each player.

In the first round, the Caps took a two way centerman in Marcus Johansson from Sweden. I covered him in the last post as being a smart two-way player who some think will be the next Valtteri Filppula or even a Henrik Zetterberg. Johansson is a hard working player that looks to be a year or two away from playing inside the Caps' farm system.

On day two, round two, the Caps took (what some had speculated they would pick in the first round) Dmitri Orlov. This Russian player is a quick, puck-moving defenseman who makes excellent passes. In the third round the Caps took Cody Eakin who has tremendous speed. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is a dynamite at chasing down loose pucks and works hard at both ends of the ice.

From there the scouting reports get fuzzy for the remaining players chosen in the Entry Draft. The Caps picked Patrick Wey, a Pittsburgh kid, in the fourth round. Wey will be attending and playing for Boston College this fall. In the fifth round, the Caps took Brett Flemming (no relation to Peggy), a defenseman that looks like he needs to gain some bulk (listed as 6'0" and 172 lbs.).

In the sixth and seventh rounds the Capitals picked Garrett Mitchell (yea! another Garrett) and Benjamin Casavant respectively. Both wingers (Mitchell a right winter, Casavant a left winger) and Canadian.

The Caps did not pick a goaltender in this year's draft.

Overall, I think the Caps did a solid job. They stuck to their game plan of building the organization up through youth. And why should it change, the Caps have seen significant changes and are credible threats for a Stanley Cup Championship. Under the direction of George McPhee, the Capitals have built in some deep talent. Just looking at the two farm clubs under the Caps, both have won their respective championships.

McPhee has stayed aggressive on the defensive front as well. While the Caps are bursting at the seams with defensemen, even keeping a few good ones in a Hershey Bears' uniform, they picked three of them in the draft. All of them still have some developing to do and are a year or two from entering the Capitals' system.

The Caps did not trade any of their picks this year, sticking to building a squad rather than looking for short term replacements. McPhee would rather use the free agent market to bring in what he needs now and continue to build the team he wants for the future.

If I had to grade what the Caps did for the '09 Draft, it would be a B+. They did very well with the picks that they had and didn't get involved in the itty bitty trading going on through out the weekend. The Caps filled the holes they had with draft picks and I think they did what they wanted with the selections they had.

Most often than not, the draft can be a crap shoot. Sometimes those players turn out for you, sometimes they are duds. It also has to do with how you develop those players through the minors up into the big club. The Caps have a good group of young players, it will be exciting to see them at the upcoming Development Camp the Caps will hold July 13.

Editor's note: The Capitals did make a minor trade, giving up Sami Lepisto for a pick in next year's draft to the Coyotes. The Caps did try to make a bid for a second line center, but may have to wait for free agency to pick up anything available. Lepisto was rumored to be on the trading block for well over 5 months now. Micheal Nylander is also rumored to be moved "soon" according to an anonymous source (so take it a face value).

Next up for the Caps... Free Agency July 1st.

Caps Take A Swede

The Washington Capitals made their only selection Friday night in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft and they picked Marcus Johansson 24th overall. The Capitals were rumored to take Landon Ferraro, but instead took a Swedish centerman for their pick.

Johansson scouting report through NHL.com:

“Johansson has a good selection of shots with a quick precise wrist shot. His overall skill level and stickhandling give him room to move the puck and shoot. He is a player with good offensive instincts and fine understanding of his defensive duties. He can play both center and wing with a consistent hard working presence.”

Johansson was a member of the Team Sweden for the 2009 World Junior Championships and helped them to a silver medal with two goals and he was a plus 2. The name that is thrown around Johansson's as going down a similar path is Henrik Zetterberg. While his play is not flashy or over the top, his hard working style and mastery of simple plays makes him a solid player that can play both ways. TSN compared his style of play to Valtteri Filppula.

The negatives are few for Johansson, but he does have a history of concussions. He played his first complete season last year playing 52 games, while he only recorded 12 games the year before. If he can stay healthy, he should make an immediate impact.

Unless there is a trade, the Capitals' night is over until their second round (55th) pick tomorrow.

Video interview courtesy of washingtoncaps.com: