Carlson's Chance In Sochi

Carlson celebrates his game winning OT goal vs. Canada in 2010

In the February issue of USA Hockey Magazine, they featured their picks for 2014's Team USA to represent in Sochi at the Winter Olympics. The games officially open February 6, 2014, a year from now. On that list to represent the United States is a Washington Capitals' defender, John Carlson.

Our Take: Team USA’s youngest defenseman will also provide the red, white and blue with a presence along the blue line. The 6-foot-3 Carlson is one of the league’s up and coming defensemen.

There is still a long way to go to see if any NHL players will even be allowed to go to Sochi, but Carlson would be on the short list of defensemen to make America's team. He has international experience from the World Junior Championship in 2010. His gold medal winning overtime goal against team Canada (in Canada) has endeared himself to USA hockey fans and deserves consideration by Team USA's brass to take him to Russia.

His quickness and good puck handling skills are a plus for any team. Carlson is a shining beacon to the USA developmental program that is beginning to pour out championship teams. The USA junior program has cranked out two gold medals in the last four years, four medals (2g, 2b) since 2007. The Olympic men's hockey program has also benefited by winning silver in Vancouver just three years ago.

But ask John Carlson about being on the short list to make the trip to Russia and it is as far from his mind as Sochi is to Washington, D.C.

"Obviously everyone wants to play there, it would be great," Carlson said after practice Friday. "But, I am just trying to keep my head here right now and work as hard as I can everyday try to help make this team (Capitals) better. I think that is everyone's goal in here, we don't need any distractions."

Carlson's talents have been overshadowed this year by a tough losing streak with the Capitals. He has been on the ice for at least a goal against in every game of the season thus far, although not all of the blame could fall on him. For him, Sochi is this far off thing and he seems content to keep it right there.

"We need to stay focused to what is ahead of us right now."

If the budding defenseman needed any advice, he does have another once budding defenseman just four stalls down from him in Tom Poti to give him guidance.

"It is a great experience," Poti said of his time he played at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. "You get to meet all the different athletes from different countries and see how they train and how they get prepared for their events."

Poti at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympics

Poti was a young defenseman playing for the Edmonton Oilers at the time. Like Carlson, Poti also came up the ranks through the World Junior Championships playing in 1995 and again in 1996. On an Olympic team that featured some of the all time USA greats like Phil Housley, Mike Modano, Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, Jeremy Roenick and Keith Tkachuk (just to name a few), the stacked team won silver.

They lost to an equally stacked Canadian team featuring Joe Sakic, Mario Lemieux, Martin Brodeur, Jarome Iginla and Brendan Shanahan (just to name a few).

"They were a pretty good squad," Poti recalled. "We had a great team as well. We went 7-0 in the preliminary round and the only game we lost was the gold medal game. It was frustrating to lose to those guys but we gave it our best shot.

"If [Carlson] gets the chance to go just embrace it, have a blast with it. He will remember every second of it."

Both Team USA and the Washington Capitals could sure use some of that explosive quickness and hard shot from the point. What Carlson can take out from his international experience does help him here in the NHL.

"Every new league you play in, it's different, a different style of hockey," Carlson said. "You take a lot out of it and also you play against a lot of really good players."

While the prospect of getting that opportunity to represent his country in Russia excites the young defenseman, Carlson remains committed to his team here in DC. The 2014 Olympics are a year away after all.

"I mean, I don't think anyone wouldn't [be excited to make the team]," Carlson smirked. "It would be awesome."

NHL Hockey Is Back... Finally

Just about 4 months of missed NHL action and it is finally here. A NHL season. It may only be 48 games, but it is better than sitting out for four months rather than 12, or longer. And tonight is the night. The Washington Capitals will start on the road taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hockey is back in DC.

I had to go back and look at my season's previews that I saved, only to realize I did not save them. Bummer. And since everything seems to happen last minute, why don't we condense a season preview of the 2013 season for the Capitals. I will throw in some interesting tidbits and what ever is left over, I will find a link for you to follow. Deal?

Short Season

The lockout accomplished one thing, it will be a sprint to the playoffs. With only 48 games on the docket, teams will have to push to keep up with points early and often. The Caps are no different, and in a division where it seemed everyone got some talent it is going to be important to take a few points from your own division.

There is good news however, the Capitals will make a return to some aggressive offensive play. Adam Oates' new system will allow for the Caps to use an aggressive forecheck and let the defensemen jump in the play when the conditions warrant it. It is a system that seems to be more in tune with the personnel the Caps have this year. Unlike Hunter's defense first philosophy, the Caps will have some opportunity to attack in the offensive zone.

Savior of the Power Play

You probably have heard a 1-3-1 being tossed around on the blogs about the Capitals new power play system. Like Japer's Rink, Dump 'n Chase and Peerless to name a few. Until we see it in action, there doesn't seem to be a way to gauge if it will work or not.

For the Capitals, their system under Bruce Boudreau depended heavily on the power play. It allowed the team open space 5 on 5 and they took full advantage of teams not wanting to in any way take a penalty. But when the power play faltered so too did the offensive production at even strength. Teams found away to better defend the Caps potent offensive strife as well as played much tighter on snipers like Alex Semin and Alex Ovechkin with out worry that if they took a penalty, their team could kill it off.

Oates' system will depend on the power play somewhat, but he also wants his players to make better reads. A thinking offensive player is better than a head first into the zone then work it out approach makes better sense with the players Oates has to work with.

Get It Gone

Capitals sort of revamped the back end defensively speaking. Calle Johansson, assistant coach and former Caps D-man, has the boys getting the puck out of the zone quickly. The faster the puck is out, the more on the heels the Caps can have their opponents in transition. This requires a lot of work for the defensmen and the center who have to find outlets for the puck. Passes out of the zone to wingers or dumps off the glass, the Capitals will be looking to getting the puck out of their zone as quickly as possible.

Now that strategy could change game to game, but the overall scheme the Caps want is a quick transition game. How that will work with Tampa's infamous 1-3-1 trap, we will find out tonight.

Tandem

Braden Holtby might get the start in net tonight against the Bolts. But the way Oates is going to be handling his goaltenders, there really isn't a number one or number two. 

"In my mind I think both guys are going to play a lot," Oates said of his goaltending pair. "There is going to be a lot of back to backs, it is going to be a different schedule, so I'd imagine both guys would get a lot of hockey."

Michal Neuvirth and Holtby will be tag teaming a lot of games. Especially the seven back to back games on this schedule. Riding the hot hand may be tough to do during the season, but the playoffs are another beast all together. So we will leave that beast for later.

Both goaltenders won't be taking any ego hits because of the way Oates plans to use the tandem. Both seem ready to accept their roles together.

"The one thing that is certain," Holtby said, "is that we will both be needed and be needed to win games in order to make the playoffs and put ourselves in a good position." 

It's Poti Time

It seemed like an unlikely return. Most of us had written him off. In fact you would have to go back nearly a year and a half for in this blog to even see his name mention (with out bringing up the salary cap). Tom Poti may make his long awaited return to the ice for the Washington Capitals tonight. It would mark an outstanding return for a player that has not seen NHL action in nearly two years.

You can read about his amazing journey back to the Capitals on Mike Vogel's Dump 'N Chase. Short story was Poti thought he just had a recurring groin injury, turned out to be a fractured pelvis. He keeps in shape, works out a plan to return, spent some time in Hershey (2 games) and has made the opening night roster. Uh, Bill Masterton trophy anyone?

What Needs To Be Done

All aspects of their offensive numbers, 5 on 5, power play, shoot out, empty net, needs to improve over this 48 game schedule.

If the Capitals want to return to the playoffs and make it deep once they get there, some key points will need to be addressed for it to happen. The overall census though is for the Capitals to return to being an offensive power house. What was once praised for their creative, explosive and consistent goal scoring prowess, needs to make a return for the Capitals to do well.

Ovechkin numbers need to improve, and Oates seems to have a plan for that. He has moved him to the right wing to open the wingers vision to more of the ice. Ovi, a right handed shot, had been playing left wing. Normally a scorer of his magnitude, being a right handed shot on the left side makes it easier for one to cut into the center of the ice and have your shot on the forehand. By moving him on the opposite side, Ovi will have better protection of the puck and a quicker release with out having to pull the puck back to his forehand side. Got it?

While we talk of offensive numbers improving, the team overall has to play with much better cohesion. That does not just mean chemistry through the lines, but also how the team moves as a unit transitioning from offense to defense and back again. Wingers have to get back, centermen have to cover defensemen on the defensive side, while the green light is given to defensemen to jump up in the play, creating odd man situations and more open reads for wingers looking to pass to open players.

Newcomers

Mike Ribeiro will play an important role in that second line setup to complete the one two punch. The second line has to support the top line with goals as well, something that has been thus far inconsistent for the Capitals. A crafty centerman, his talents will also be helpful on the Caps' power play.

Wojtek Wolski should add some stability to that second line as well. He will also bring some pizzazz to the shootout, an important part of the new NHL and important for the Caps in this shortened season to grab points where they can.

Final Thoughts

This is actually a very exciting time for the Washington Capitals. New coach, new system, new players infused with the old standards will make for an interesting season. Can it translate to wins? Can the Capitals finally make some headway in the playoffs? All of those questions will be answered staring with game one tonight against Tampa. As hockey pundits put it, we won't know until we play the games.

But no one, not even the coaching staff, is going to think a Stanley Cup is anywhere in the Caps near future. Oates admitting himself the first game of the season will be a sloppy mess. That is to be expected coming out of the blocks this way.

Players playing to their potential, should give Caps fans something to cheer and look forward to. After all, we waiting four months for this. Now it is here. NHL hockey is back.

Caps Notes:

• Brooks Laich was not on the starting roster and was not listed on the IR. He can be activated at any time. Whether he will face suspension from getting hurt is still up in the air. Wash Times has the latest.
• The Capitals are set with their roster, two goaltenders, 8 defensmen and 13 forwards. Joey Crabb made the team as well as Tom Poti. If Laich does return, it will be interesting what the Caps do with either of those two players.
• Owner Ted Leonsis said he never made a dime of profit while owning the Caps. What the new CBA does for Uncle Ted by WaTi here, and the new dynamic of relationship with the players post lock out from the WaPo here.

Finally, Let's Go Caps

Where To Go From Here?

AP

It was a quick exit for the Caps. Apologies to fans from the owner, some job security for a coach by a general manager and all around bad feeling for just about everyone else. What is done, can not be undone so all there is left to do is look to the future of the franchise. Where do the Capitals go from here?

The first thing they have to do is analyze what went wrong. The Capitals thought that changing their system to a more defensive style would prove useful come playoff time. It did work. If you look at game five against the New York Rangers, the Capitals played their system to a tee. They were patient, played responsible in the defensive zone and their transition from defense to offense lead to a few goals.

But in the series against the Lightning, their iron clad system turned into confusion and mental mistakes. Resiliency turned into panic and poor decision making. Some of it can be blamed on youth. A third of the Caps defensive corps are rookies. Some of it could be blamed on role players not stepping up and adding to the score sheet.

The Capitals are an emotional team. The Lightning gave them very little to react to. There were no fights, no real scrums. Tampa kept their emotions in check and the Capitals had little to work on. They couldn't get under the skin of top players like Marty St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. There was nothing to build a cause around and they just got out played. I think we all remember what Steve Downie tried to do getting into a fight with Ovechkin in the regular season. It ended up bolstering the Caps bench and Matt Bradley came to the rescue. But the Bolts didn't give the Caps much to work with in the playoffs.

Now the Caps have to correct it when they face this type of game again. Brooks Laich is a unrestricted free agent this summer, as is Jason Arnott, Matt Bradley, Marco Sturm and Boyd Gordon. George McPhee might try to hold on to a few, but all were non factors in the series against the Lightnin (just two goals total and a combined -2 for those 5 players in four games).

AP

McPhee could try to re-energize his team with some proven role players. Bring in some guys who know what their job is and do it well. An agitator when he needs to be, a fighter to protect his team and some one who isn't afraid to score a goal or two.

As far as his defense looks, McPhee has masterfully protected his blue line with some great youth. Karl Alzner and John Carlson have been fantastic on the back end for Washington, often matched up with top lines on opposing teams. With youth coming up the pipeline in Dmitri Orlov the Caps will be okay on the back end. Alzner is a RFA this summer, but I don't think McPhee will have any trouble resigning the young defenseman.

The netminders look good too. Michal Neuvirth's first season as a Capital was a success. He was the best goaltender in the playoffs before they ran into the Lightning. Even if back up Semyon Varlamov goes to the KHL, which he is rumored to do, Braden Holtby will be more than capable filling in. The Caps are solid with three youthful goaltenders that have nothing but potential ahead of them.

Let's face it, the young guns (Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nick Backstrom and Mike Green) aren't getting much younger. These core players actually have the clock against them. Green's contract ends next year, as does Semin. If a contracts can't be negotiated, the pair could be traded for something in return (not saying that will happen, McPhee has done funnier and less funnier things).

The power play needs to be revamped. After only scoring 2 goals for 19 chances against the Lightning (one goal on a 5 on 3), the extra man advantage needs to find a better system. Part of their problem is their predictability. It is a problem that plagued the Capitals all season long. They look for the one timer opposite side of the overload. Backstrom feeds the cross ice pass to shooters Green, Semin and Ovechkin and Mike Knuble cleans up the garbage. But teams have started to be more aggressive on the passer and take away the center of the ice. Instead of a quick pass, the Caps are still looking for the cross ice pass, often forcing it if it isn't there.

The easiest solution to the power play woes is to practice moving the puck much faster and puck control inside the zone. Practicing patience and wearing down the penalty killers could lead to mistakes by the defensive team and open seams to one timers or better. The system doesn't always work, but it does lead to offensive chances and also tires the goaltender who has to go from post to post to keep up with the passes and fake shots.

The penalty kill is fine. Although it would be best if the Capitals practiced some discipline. They changed their penalty kill to be more aggressive and the killers they have also add an offensive threat to keep other teams honest. It wasn't perfect against the Bolts, they scored at least a power play goal in three of four games in the series.

There will be a whole lot of questions this summer yet to be answered. Will the Caps be able to hold on to the players they need while improving their team? Will the power play change? Will the Caps go in a different direction with their offense? The sad thing is we will have to wait until September to get all the answers.

Caps notes:

• Ovechkin is off to play in the World Championship. After admitting he had been injured for most of the season according to Wash Post. He was recovering from surgery in March during his "rest." Ovi stayed mum on the injury and blamed most of his lack of offensive production due to his focus on the post season.
• Other injuries that were disclosed: Mike Knuble (broken thumb), Mike Green (hip flexor), John Carlson (hip pointer), Jason Arnott (had knee surgery late in the season). Add Tom Poti who is battling a groin pull problem and Backstrom had a fractured thumb late in the season.

Sem-sational

Capitals 6, Lightning 3
Game Summary

The Capitals are having a hard time finding their game in the first period this year. They would once again fall to an early opponent goal by the Tampa Bay Lightning. But a superb second and third periods and a hattrick for Alex Semin helped the Caps down their Southeast Division rivals 6-3.

Alex Semin would net the game winner after scoring a pair of goals in the first half of the third period. One on the power play, the other even strength. It would cap a 5 point (3 goals, 2 assists) night for the Caps dynamic winger as he also got the empty netter at the end of the game to give him the hattrick.

In his first game back, Tom Poti would make an early impact in the second period by roofing a back hand rebound shot to give the Caps their first goal. Mike Knuble would bury a broken play in front of the net with himself below the goal line. But his reach back and chip it would beat a defenders attempt to clear and rang off the far post and in.

Alex Ovechkin is back in the goal column as he sprang Semin lose for a break away then followed up the play. When Semin was hooked he circled and found his fellow countryman in the slot and Ovi didn't miss shooting it seven hole on Bolts' goaltender Dan Ellis.

Back in the Swing of Things.

Nick Backstrom finished the night with a whopping four assists on the evening. His assist on Semin's power play tally was another amazing feed from the corner as the Bolts were quick to cover the pass to Mike Green on the point leaving Semin open in the slot. He would finish with a +3 on the night.

Contract Year Heroics

Alex Semin just hasn't been impressing with his laserbeam shots or his golden hands. The Capitals winger has been solid on both ends of the ice. In this game he was the lead back checker and thwarted the Lightning on more than one occasion. It was his second hatty of the season, sixth of his career.

Gr8 Eight

Ovechkin is sporting a eight game point streak and he can add a goal and 3 assists tonight. He has goal 9 and assists 13 and 14 giving him 23 points on the season so far.

Ugly 3rd Period Does Caps In

Capitals 3, Stars 4 OT/SO (0-2)
Game Summary

With two fist pumped and a look to the rafters as if to say "It's about time," Alex Ovechkin shook the slump he was in off with a snap of a stick past Stars' goaltender Marty Turco. But the second period power play goal would not stand as the Caps lost their two goal lead in the final period and the Stars score three to take their own lead. The Capitals would tie it up with a beauty of shot from Ovi, but they would end up losing it in the shootout to the Dallas Stars 4-3.

"I think the whole team had a hiccup in the third period," Bruce Boudreau said.

The Caps 13 home game win streak came to an abrupt end as they unraveled in the third period. Before then, they were riding high. The home team was dominating with 42 shots on net through the first two periods, a franchise record. The took a two goal lead into the third. Things were looking all rosy for the Capitals.

Tom Poti opened the scoring in the first off of a smart pass by Dave Steckel who saw his defenseman breaking for the net. Poti put it past Turco for his fourth goal of the year. Then the Stars started taking penalties. They would only take three minors in the second period, even giving the Caps some 5 on 3 time. Ovechkin would make them pay with his first goal since his hat trick against the Penguins on February 7th.

The only reason the Caps were held to just two goals in the first two periods was the play of Marty Turco. He was able to thwart the Caps 5 on 3 advantage and came up with a few good saves. "He was on top of his game tonight," Boudreau said.

But the Dallas Stars came out with a better work effort in the third period. A stupid hooking call penalty against Brooks Laich would give the Stars some life. Brad Richards shot a laser past Semyon Varlamov who had looked sharp up until then. Matt Bradley took a holding call and the Stars again scored evaporating the Capitals lead on a power play goal by Trevor Daley. They would take the lead when rookie James Neal snapped a shot through Varlamov's five hole.

"We were due to get a [power play] against us," Mike Knuble said. "We weren't able to kill them off. That is obvious what got them back in the game."

The Caps would tie up the game on a beautiful deke and shot in one by Ovechkin. His second goal of the game would pull him up to a tie with Sidney Crosby for the league's scoring title. It would force the game into overtime, where the Caps nearly ended it there. But Turco came up with the saves.

In the shoot out, the only Capital able to score was Nick Backstrom. He had a pretty deke to the back hand that had Turco cursing at the ice. But Ovechkin (14.3% on shootouts this season) and Alex Semin (20% on shootouts this season) could not beat Turco. Brad Richards scored and Loui Eriksson would score for Dallas giving them the extra point.

The Caps laid down in the third and the Stars fought back by outworking them. Normally when the Caps have the lead going into the third, it is a sure win. They are 28-0-3 when they have the lead going into the final frame. But they just got out worked and nearly let the Stars get away with three unanswered goals by the Stars.

"We had the chance to bury them, put [ourselves] up three nothing," Poti said. "We couldn't get that done and ultimately that is why we lost."

This can not happen so late in the season. It has been a problem for the Caps in the past where they were unable to keep a lead late in the game. It is a wake up call for the Caps as this month gets tougher, not easier. They have to be able to put teams away, especially when they show such dominance in the first two periods as they did tonight.

Washington will play Carolina Wednesday night.

3 Interesting Things To Watch For At Camp

The Washington Capitals technically started their camp today with veterans reporting to Kettler Iceplex for physicals and information. They also had a chance to meet up with the press. Questions about last year's disappointment to the outlook for this upcoming season were zinged left and right at players who just got into town. When the players do hit the ice tomorrow, they will just be four days from their first preseason game against Buffalo.

Just about every player has his own story and what they will try to accomplish in this year's camp. There are three that are interesting to watch as you gaze upon the practices at KCI.

Battle Between The Pipes

Bruce Boudreau is pretty big on seniority. That was made clear when he told reporters over the summer who was the number one goaltender for the Capitals. It was Jose Theodore.

Theo was benched in favor of the up and coming Semyon Varlamov in the playoffs and was returned only when the Caps trailed badly in game seven against the Penguins. But Theo has always claimed (and rightly so) that he was the whole reason for the Caps second place finish in the Eastern Conference to begin with.

But who is number two (bad bathroom humor aside). That is a battle to watch. Varlamov seems to be the obvious choice, but Micheal Neuvirth was in net when the Hershey Bears won their championship. It should be the battle to watch between the two. While Varlamov had some success in the NHL and in the playoffs, Neuvirth jumped from the ECHL to the AHL and going on to backstop for a championship. The battle should be one to watch and the Caps could gain from some outstanding goaltending throughout the preseason.

Knuble's Chemistry

Mike Knuble was the biggest off season acquisition the Capitals made. He comes in to replace the leaving Viktor Kozlov(who choose to go home and play in the KHL), which means they are most likely going to use Knuble on the Alex Ovechkin and Nick Backstrom line as a grinder. It's not a guaranteed spot for Knuble, but his signing in the off season is meant to add some sandpaper to the Caps forward lines.

If Knuble can dig in the corners and win battles on the boards, that could mean some open ice for Ovi and his wicked shot. The two are expected to work off of each other if they are paired on the top line, and it will be interested to see if the two really have some chemistry together. The two may not be paired until late in the preseason, but I would expect Knuble to share some time up on the top line during practices and scrimmages.

De - De - Defense

If there is one position the Caps have a log jam of good talent, it is on the blue line. Here is the list of defensemen who have a good shot at one of the six to seven positions available on the Caps roster: Karl Alzner, Sean Collins, John Erksine, Mike Green, Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrison, Brian Pothier, Tom Poti, Jeff Schultz, Tyler Sloan and an outside chance for John Carlson. That is eleven players for only six spots.

I don't think there is doubt that Green, Poti, Pothier, Morrisonn and Jurcina will make the opening night roster. That really only leaves one or two spots open for the rest. That battle for those final spots should make any mistake by a defensive player a huge deal. The competition should make for some great defensive efforts on the Capitals' blue line.

NHL Notes:

• Dany Heatley is a Shark according to TSN.ca. A trade that took long enough. Heatley and a 5th round pick to San Jose for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a second round pick. I think Ottawa won in this trade to be honest. I don't think that Heatley will boost the Sharks offense anymore than Cheechoo could.
• If the Coyotes weren't confused enough about their owner, they are really confused now that Wayne Gretzky was a no show for the first day of camp. No owner, no coach, what is going on in Phoenix? Ulf Samuelsson is filling in as head coach. This organization just went from sad to pitiful.
  
• On a totally non-hockey subject, things will be changing big time for the Puckhead family. We found out in July that my wife is expecting our first child. It is the reason I have not been updating the blog as often as I would like. So as my life changes on the home front, I am sure it will be more difficult to keep the blog up to standard at all times (considering I do this for the love of it and don't get paid at all). We are super excited and before the season is out, there will be a new little Caps fan that Uncle Ted will want to sell a season ticket to.

Thank goodness hockey is back!

Caps Squander Series Lead

Capitals 3, Penguins 4 OT
Scoresheet - Post - Times

History has a funny way of repeating itself. The Capitals have squandered a series lead of at least 2 games for a fifth time against the Pittsburgh Penguins in playoffs. In a game where the Caps played much better, sustaining pressure and getting pucks deep and letting the forecheck work for them, the Caps lose the heart breaker in overtime in similar fashion to game four. The Caps are pushed to the brink of elimination for a second series in a row as the Penguins win game five in overtime 4-3.

It was a game that everything seemed to work in the Caps favor. They were sustaining pressure, making good decisions with the puck in the neutral zone and playing pretty good defense. But the Penguins found away late in the game to get goals and get the overtime winner. The Caps did not even register a shot on net in the overtime period.

Alex Ovechkin gave another superstar effort. He tied the game after the Pens got the first goal by pulling up after gaining the zone and letting his wicked writer go. It beat Marc-Andre Fleury high glove in the top corner.

Then Nick Backstrom, who played his best playoff game ever, scored the Caps second goal on the power play. He had a good give and go with Sergei Fedorov and roofed the shot over Fleury's shoulder. The Caps would take the 2-1 lead into the locker room.

"[The Penguins] had the most come from behind wins in the NHL this year with 11," Bruce Boudreau said. "We knew they were going to come out very aggressive and they did."

The Penguins certainly did come back in the third netting two goals quickly to get the lead back. One of a nice shot from Ruslan Fedotenko and the other off a bad coverage in front of the net and Matt Cooke cashes in. It looked like the life just went out of the Capitals as they couldn't do anything quite right and the Pens laid back to play defense.

But that changed with just over five minutes left in the third when Boudreau put his best offensive players out on the ice. Ovechkin, Backstrom, Fedorov, Alex Semin and Mike Green made up a potent line that was meant only for one thing, score. They did as Backstrom fed Ovechkin a pass on the rush and Ovi beat an outstretched Fleury.

"Once we got a little behind we played a little more relaxed," Boudreau said. "I thought we played better. But it was an up and down game, a heck of a game."

Game five would go to overtime to settle it and the Penguins came out with a fire in their belly. After Dave Steckel had the only Capital chance in the overtime period, the Penguins went right to the net. Sidney Crosby rushed the net, knocking Semyon Varlamov over. Varly would shake it off, but not long afterward Evgeni Malkin would make a rush and Milan Jurcina was forced to take a penalty as Malkin muscled his way into open ice.

The Penguins power play didn't produce in the overtime until the very end. With just a second left in the penalty to Jurcina, Malkin created a turnover in the neutral zone and beat Fedorov along the boards forcing a two on one. Tom Poti was the lone defenseman back and he dove to prevent the pass to an open Penguin on the other side. But the puck bounced off of his block attempt and beat Varlamov to end the game and give the Pens the series lead.

"It happens to everybody in the National Hockey League," Brian Pothier said to reporters regarding the funny bounce off Poti that was the game winner. "Anybody who has played any length of time, you get fluky bounces. [Poti's] stick was probably in a great position. Nine times out of ten, he stops the puck and one fluky time it goes into the net.

"The timing unfortunate," Pothier continued. "but Tom is our steadiest and our best defenseman all year and it's not going to phase him. He is going to show up on Monday and he is going to be ready to perform again."

It was a horrible way for the game to end, but it is the second game in a row that those weird bounces have beaten the Capitals. This could be the back breaker for the Capitals who had put forth a much better effort than in the previous two games. The stunned fans could not believe their eyes as the Penguins poured off their bench to swarm Malkin and reveal in their second overtime win of the series.

"We will regroup tomorrow," Boudreau responded to a question on what he told his players following the overtime loss. "We have been in this position before. It's a tough hill to climb, but you just have to think of it as one game."

There were some positives to pull out of this game. The Caps held Crosby scoreless in the last two games and he was a minus two in this one. Backstrom played on of the better games he has played as a Capital. He finished the night with a goal and an assist and with seven shots.

"It's not over yet," said Backstrom. "I mean it's a tough series and it's hopefully going to go to seven games."

"It's a hard situation for us," Ovechkin told reporters following the game. "Next game is going to be biggest game for us."

"It's another elimination game for us," Pothier added. "We are sort of getting used to these. We just have to make sure to have some success on Monday."

The Caps do seem to play their best when their backs are to a wall. When the task is seemingly impossible, the Capitals thrive. They kind of like doing things the hard way. They are not in unfamiliar territory as this team will face elimination for the fourth time this post season. The game will be Monday night at 7 pm as the Caps will try to force a game seven back in Washington.

Beagle In, Alzner Out, And Other Loose Ends

The Capitals recalled Jay Beagle from Hershey to replace an injured Eric Fehr and a healthy Micheal Nylander. Beagle will bring a better effort along the boards. A gritty forward that never quits and should add some energy to the Caps. Fehr did take part in the morning skate.

Instead of keeping Karl Alzner on the sidelines, the Caps have sent him back down to Hershey. That most likely means Tom Poti is feeling just fine. John Erskine is still questionable for game 4. That is why Tyler Sloan is still around. Erskine also took part in the morning skate.

Alex Semin did not take part in the morning skate, but several sources have reported that he is not injured, just resting. Since there was no practice for the Capitals yesterday, Semin will be taking the ice with two days off. His teammate and friend Alex Ovechkin wasn't too worried as he told reporters he expected Semin in the lineup.

As far as the death threat is concerned, the Caps aren't really worried about it. They have not increased any security or made any changes to their schedules. Ovi did know about the threat before game 3, but was not concerned about it. It just seems another distraction along the path that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Bruce Boudreau has finished "whining" about the penalties in this morning's press conference.

"I'm usually not a whiner," Boudreau said. "I think I've exhausted my bad officiating comments. Let's just let it go."

Both George McPhee and Boudreau complained after game 3 about the discrepancy in the penalty calls in the series thus far. The Penguins have had 17 power play opportunities to the Capitals' 9.

Finally, the game tonight is back on good ol' Comcast Sportsnet in the DC area. That means that the Versus broadcast will be blacked out in favor of the local broadcast team. Comcast Sportsnet will finish the series off with broadcasts of games four, five, six and seven as needed.

Let's Go Caps!

Varlamov Answers For Caps

Capitals 4, Rangers 0
Scoresheet - Times - Post

Henirk Lundqvist shut the Capitals out at Verizon Center in front of the Capital faithful in Game 2. In Game 3, Simeon Varlamov answered right back in Madison Square Garden. Varlamov gets his first NHL playoff win with his first NHL playoff shut out. The Caps finally put a few past the Ranger netminder and put together a picture perfect road game to beat the Rangers in their house, 4-0.

Finally, the Capitals put the pressure on, being much more aggressive on the forecheck and getting their scoring back on track. Thanks to a pair of early goals by Alex Semin, the Caps seemed to gain momentum and the Rangers just got more and more frustrated as the game wore on. Brooks Laich cashed in his opportunity on the power play and Tom Poti added some insurance late on a pretty set up play by Nick Backstrom.

Alex Ovechkin tried to play head games with the Rangers when he sat through their warm ups earlier in the day. A team trainer asked him to leave. Ovechkin may have been playing games with the Rangers heads, but all the Rangers could see tonight was Varlamov making yet another save.

"He made some big saves -- no doubt about it, he played well," Ranger forward Brandon Dubinsky told reporters following the game.

But the first goal was all the Caps needed as Varlamov stopped every shot his way. He came up with some good saves throughout the game, but his best save was late when a broken play sent a puck to a wide open Nik Zherdev who tried to cut the puck back to the slot with Varly sliding in the other direction. But some how, some way Varlamov came up with the save. He was simply a magician tonight, coming up with saves that he just had no business saving. It clearly upset the Rangers.

Donald Brashear made a return to the line up. Caps' coach Bruce Boudreau put him in as a late addition and it added some grit and spark to the Caps. It did not take long before Brash mixed things up right on Lundqvist front mat taking on two Rangers at once. Brash seemed to create that spark that the Caps seemed to lack in Game 2. It also seemed to keep most of the Rangers honest. His presence made for a better Capital team.

The Rangers' agitator, Sean Avery, hurt more than he helped in Game 3. First he flat out punched John Erskine trying to get the big guy to drop the gloves, but Erskine didn't bite. Then in the third period, Avery tried to mix it up with Varlamov, as he tried to talk trash to a kid who knows very little English.

"(Avery) was just trying to stir it up, trying to do his job," Boudreau recalled the incident. "But he was doing it with a guy (Varlamov) who doesn't know what he's talking about."

Avery was sent to the sin bin three times before taking a cheap shot at Varlamov. The shot cost him 2 and 10 and he was shown the door. Erskine was nearby again and did an excellent job of not getting goaded into another dumb penalty.

The sad thing is for the Rangers, Avery had the most shots on net than any other (5), defenseman Micheal Rosival had the second most with four shots. The Caps did an excellent job keeping the Ranger snipers at bay. Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund and Nik Antripov were all held to 3 shots, and Varly stopped them all.

Ovechkin had two assists as he took a backseat in this game, passing rather than shooting. But Ovi would rather win the game than rack up the goals. Backstrom had the playmaker with three assists himself, including a play where he took out Ryan Callahan against the boards and getting the puck to a waiting Ovechkin who found Semin for the Caps' second goal. It is prime example of how the Caps did a better job of finding the open player and their early jump had the Rangers playing catch up.

This is the type of performance Capital fans have been waiting for. A team that look much like it did in December and January. The Caps played their best team game and Varlamov's shut out was the cherry on top. But they are not out of the woods just yet.

"It was an important game, but it's over," said Ovechkin. "It's done. It's history. And we have to battle next game."

Lepisto's Tough Time

Sami Lepisto's time at the big league started off well enough. He had an assist in his first two games and was a +1 in each game. Since then, it has been hard to be Lepisto. In his last five games he has had 2 more assists but was a -4 with 6 PIMs.

He was taken advantage off when the opposition started to forecheck him. Lepisto's control of the puck in his own zone may have been the reason he is sent packing back to Hershey as one Caps' defender looks ready to suit it up again.

I pulled together Lepisto's lowlight reel. One of the many problems Lepisto had was controlling the puck in his own zone and recovering when he did lose the puck. While making mistakes is nothing new to the Capitals, allowing the other team gain momentum from those mistakes seems to hurt the Caps especially on the road.

The first lowlight was in the Islander game where Lepisto may have been on the ice for too long. Apart of the powerplay squad, he was on the ice for a bit longer then he probably should have been when Andy Sutton left the penalty box. Sami seemed to have it under control until Sutton (not known for his offensive prowess) wrestled the puck away from Lepisto and found the open Trent Hunter in front of the net:


The next lowlight was Lepisto's misassignment on the first Carolina goal. He gave up on the play letting not one, but two Hurricanes get around Jose Theodore. You can also fault Bryan Helmer here too as he was out of the play in front of the net:


The last lowlight was in the same game against the Hurricanes. It's the game winning goal where Lepisto just lost control of the puck (again, behind the net). He could have dumped off the glass or ring it around the boards. But he loses control and the goal was the back breaker for the Caps in Raleigh:


These make the top lowlights as they lead directly to goals. It is clear that Sami Lepisto has some things to work on. Even though is was one of the first called up, his play at this level also made him the first sent back down.

The up side for Lepisto's demise is a replacement of an injured player back in the line up. That could be Mike Green or Tom Poti. We will probably know more at tomorrow's morning skate.

Defensive Debacle

Capitals 2, Sharks 7
Scoresheet - Wash Post - SJ Mercury

One would think that the tilt between the Washington Capitals and the San Jose Sharks would produce an exciting, high scoring game. Well it was high scoring for one team, the Sharks put the beat down on the Capitals who go on to lose their second straight, 7-2.

Tom Poti and Tomas Fleischmann were your goal scorers in a game that turned out to be a blow out for the other team. Alex Ovechkin keeps his point streak intact with a power play assist. Brent Johnson played better than the team played in front of him. That being said, there were seven goals.

It was very frustrating to watch the Capitals start strong and finish so poorly. They kept the Sharks pinned in their own zone but could not produce a goal. A heavy weight battle between Donald Brashear and Jody Shelley seemed to work out in the favor of the Caps, but they didn't feed off it. It seemed every shot the Caps threw at the net were extreme angle shots or they would lose the puck after one too many passes.

The Sharks scored on their first shot on net. After Shaone Morrisonn kindly gave San Jose goal number two by knocking it into his own net, the Caps unraveled and broke down defensively.

It is hard for any team to win on the road, but the idea is to at least try. The Caps were guilty of missing plays, telegraphing passes, losing the one on one battles and basically just stinking up the joint. Ovechkin, to me, does not look 100%, although that could just be San Jose's very good defense.

When the Capitals were able to get it out of the zone, they didn't get the puck in deep enough or passed it right to a waiting defender's stick and boom the play was right back in their zone. Perhaps it was too close for bed time for some of them.

Those who may have been up past their beauty sleep were the defensive squad. Morrisonn tapped in the puck behind Johnny to give the Sharks a then 2-0 lead. Even though Poti scored, this was not his best game. Watching him tee up a slapshot that just kept getting blocked was a bit hard to watch. I counted 3 times Poti wound up and shoot it right into a defender standing right in front of him. Jeff Schultz had a rough night too, he was a -4 on the night. The worst of any other Capital.

The Caps could ill afford to take dumb penalties against this very dangerous Shark power play. But that didn't stop them of course as they were called for 9 in fractions. 7 of which were stick infractions. The Caps needed to stay out of the penalty box, but just could not.

Sergei Fedorov made a brief return to the line up but left after logging less than 5 minutes of ice time after the first period. The Caps are already without the services of Mike Green and Alex Semin whose seemingly minor injuries apparently have kept them sidelined longer than anyone but the doctors want them to.

There is really no excuse for this loss. The Caps just didn't do the things they needed to do to win. I think the Caps need to get back to doing some leg work and crashing the net. This team seems to rather make one more pass than get the garbage goals. Instead of the shot heading on net, it was one too many passes that the Sharks jumped on, nullifying any offensive chance.

Asking the Caps to shake off the last too games and face another hot Western Confernece in the Minnesota Wild is a hard task for Bruce Boudreau and his coaching staff. But that is exactly what they need to do.

Video highlights courtesy of NHL.com:

Bizarro World

Capitals 3, Rangers 1
Scoresheet

The Rangers traveled down to play the Caps, but I left DC and went up to NYC...and tried pretty unsuccessfully to watch the game up there.

A couple comments though:

I arrived later than planned in NYC because I sat in traffic for approximately 1.5 eternities just trying to get out of DC. While still on the road, I found some opening commentary on the game on the radio around 7pm. Apparently there were NY announcers that felt as though netminding was the Achilles heel of the Caps. Really? I understand maybe making that point several games ago, but were the previous two games just figments of our imagination? Conclusion: If those announcers still feel the same way after last night, they may want to consider other career possibilities.

I didn't get to a bar until the third period (ugh). I had done a little research, and thought I'd be walking into a bar obviously owned by Rangers fans, and would see the game on lots of TVs with the sound up, with fans in Rangers gear crowded around them. Not so. It was a very nice bar, with very nice TVs, and the game was on, but it really didn't seem like the clientele in suits and metro garb cared. Conclusion(s): I picked the wrong bar, and/or we just have better fans.

What a debacle...but Caps win!

Other notes:

Official Caps booty call Tyler Sloan is back up from Hershey and started for Shaone Morrisonn in last night's game.

Tom Poti got his first goal of the season last night. The other two scorers were Brooks Laich and Alex Semin.

What Have You Been Up To?

Not a lot, thanks for asking.

Capitals get a rare week off in many ways. This little lull has allowed the team to get in some much needed rest and healing in before their small stint on the road and a three game home stand. Viktor Kozlov and Sergei Fedorov were both absent from today's practice. Alex Ovechkin is still in Russia and his timetable to return on Sunday has not changed. Tom Poti skated today with the team, but it looks like he will have to get a few practices in before he can crack the line up. He pulled a groin muscle in the Penguin's game, this was the first time he took the ice since the injury.

The Caps will be on the road for the next two, visiting Buffalo and Ottawa before coming home to face their division rivals Carolina. It has been ten games since the Caps opened their season against Atlanta for them to meet the next divisional foe. During that time the Caps have renewed a rivalry with Pittsburgh and have gone on a three game western road swing.

Right now the Caps hold a tiny one point lead on the 'Canes for first in the division (actually the 'Canes take the slim lead after beating St. Louis tonight 1-0), so you know that game will be a good one at the Verizon Center on November 6. But first thing is first, Buffalo will prove to be a worthy opponent.

The Sabres will becoming off of a tough loss against Tampa Bay and Olie Kozlig, funny enough. After starting the season red hot, they have cooled since then losing their last three (one a shootout loss). They will be trying to get back their winning ways against the Capitals. The Caps are coming off of two hard fought wins.

The Caps need to play a strong road game and get some consistency under their belt.

Bourque Recalled

Injuries already have the Caps calling up some talent for Saturday's game against the Devils according to Capitals Public Relations. Chris Bourque will suit up for the Caps as Donald Brashear, Tom Poti, and Viktor Kozlov have nagging injuries that will keep them out of the line up.

Because the Caps have brought up a forward, it's almost certian that Sergei Fedorov will be back on defense.

Leaving No Doubt

Capitals 4, Lightning 1
Scoresheet - Wash Post - St. Pete Times

What the Washington Capitals maybe accomplishing maybe be history in the making. And, for tonight, they did it, 8th place in the Eastern Conference. Now tied with Boston, the Caps are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs if the playoffs started tomorrow. They jump Philly for that last spot. And for tonight, all looks right.

Alex Ovechkin made it pretty impossible for anyone to doubt his MVP status. Ovie scored two of the biggest goals of his young career and once again getting "M-V-P" cheers from the phone booth faithful (64 and 65 on the year). Add goals by Boyd Gordon and an empty netter from Tom Poti and the Caps keep the pressure on for the playoffs in the east. Cris Huet had another outstanding game, coming up with some killer saves and keeping the Caps in it.

I was actually pretty nervous about this game, the Caps just coming off of an emotional win and Tampa just got embarrassed in Carolina. It was a perfect storm for the Lightning (pun intended) to upset the Caps and keep them on the outside, looking in. The early goal by the Bolts was a bit gut wrenching to take. But, once again Ovie came up with another big game by scoring the tying and eventual game winner goals to keep the Caps hopes alive.

As much fun as it was to see the Caps beat up on the Lightning, it did get a bit too hairy at the end. John Tortorella is a good coach, and I think it's awesome he will be coaching team USA upcoming in the Worlds, but he was totally classless sending out his goons with seconds left in the game. Their tough guy took on a skilled player in Tomas Fleischmann (definitely not a fighter) all for standing up for Vinny Lecavalier who honestly was in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Matt Cooke's hit on Lecavalier wasn't a dirty one, just an unfortunate one. It made for some interesting drama in the end, with Donald Brashear waving on the entire Lightning bench. But it was just a sad sight to see the Bolts stoop that low.

The Capitals special teams seem to be steaming right along. They were perfect on the penalty kill (4 for 4) and were 1 for 5 on the powerplay. They were disallowed a goal just 90 seconds after the Bolts opened the scoring because of "second hand" goaltending interference (Tomas Fleischmann pushed a defender into Ramo). I thought Karri Ramo was too far out of crease for that be called, but the Caps got the benefit of the same call in the last game against Carolina, so I can't complain too much.

Caps need some help in a big way, they aren't going to get much from Ottawa as they creamed the Maple Leafs and keep themselves in the playoff picture by just their fingernails. However they do have to play Boston, and that will be an interesting game that could decide the Caps fate. Then there is Philly to watch and Carolina could still lose against Florida. It's enough to make your head spin.

But first and for most, the Caps need a win against Florida if they want any chance of making the big dance. That would give them 94 points. If Boston, Philadelphia, and Carolina lose their remaining games in regulation, the Caps are in. Ovechkin surpassed Luc Robitaille's single season record of goals. The Caps have won six games in a row, the most since January, 2001.

Caps Escapes Columbus

Capitals 4, Blue Jackets 3 OT
Scoresheet - Wash Post

The first time Alex Ovechkin played the Columbus Blue Jackets he made a statement to the NHL scoring 2 goals. Who could forget his opening shift when he took a defender into the boards breaking one of the plexi-glass holders and the near standing ovation Ovechkin got as his image graced the jumbo-tron. The Capitals certainly have come a long way.

The Caps came out sluggish once again falling into a two goal deficit in the first (one of which was a 3 on 5 shortie goal by Rick Nash). The Caps battle back with a couple of goals by Ovie (his 44th) and Alex Semin. Then the BJs got a break from Bill McCreary when the referee bumped into Shaone Morrisonn allowing Rick Nash an avenue around the big defender to give the home team the lead once more. Lucky for Morrisonn (and McCreary) Tom Poti scored his first of the season with six minutes left in the third to tie.

In overtime, Alex Ovechkin with his 45th goal of the season, snapped a wrister past Fredrik Norrena who had to fill in for Pascal LeClaire who suffered a sprained neck. The Caps once again come from behind to gain two points and it's a good thing they did. The Southeast Division just became a log jam with 4 teams within a point of first place.

The Capitals got some help tonight from the Hurricanes and Thrashers who both lost, but the Florida Panthers would not go quietly slamming the Toronto Maple Leafs 8-0 and tied the Capitals with 55 points. This division, with the slow start each team had, looks like it will go to the wire with only the first place team going into the playoffs. I still think the top two teams of the division will be able to make the post season because it is so tight and these teams need all the wins they can muster.

Tom Poti had his best game as a Capital. He blocked an important goal when Brent Johnson was down and out. Besides having a great game defensively, he scored his first ever goal as a Capital to tie the game at three sending it to overtime. Poti finished this game with a goal, an assist and a plus 1. While Poti was never acquired to score goals, that big zero in his goal column was an eye sore for the veteran player.

The Caps don't have much time to rest as they take on the Flyers tomorrow night. The Caps have an opportunity to take first in the division if they can earn two points against the upstart Philly squad that won their game with Atlanta. If the Capitals can keep winning, they will find themselves in the playoffs. If they keep winning.

Caps Start Strong, Lose Again

It might sound like a broken record, but the Capitals keep seem to be playing the same old tune, bad penalties at the wrong time. After a quick lead 3-1, the Caps blow the advantage to lose 5-4 to the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place.

The Caps gave up a power play in the second period drawing a penalty. 4 on 4 the Senators took advantage and then the lead on a later powerplay. The Capitals came out strong again, as they did in Carolina, but the Senators were able to take that lead away before the end of the second period on a tying goal by Nick Foligno.

The Caps did out shoot Ottawa 32-30, but it was to no avail as the big guns for the Senators responded in the second and third periods. Jason Spezza, Chris Kelly, Dany Heatly and Daniel Alfredsson all scored for Ottawa. Chris Clark, Alex Ovechkin, Thomas Fleischmann (goal and assist) and Tom Poti (goal and assist) tallied for the Caps.

Former Cap Lawrence Nycholat made his presence known after being traded late last season to Ottawa. The Senator defenseman elbowed Brian Sutherby then fought him in the second. Nycholat was called for an extra minor for elbowing but Clark was penalized for tripping turning the power play to a 4 on 4 which Ottawa capitalized. It was the turning point for the Senators.

The Caps did try to rally late in the third after a goal by Ovechkin, who seemed in fine form. But the Capitals could not convert on two late power plays. A powerplay that seemed to help them early in the game build their 3-1 lead. Olie Kolzig played the entire game, stopping 25 shots.

The Caps return home for a quick practice (and more cuts likely) tomorrow before heading to Tampa Bay for their third straight away preseason game. The Caps are 0-1-1 in preseason action, losing their opener to Carolina at the RBC Center in overtime.

UFA Day An Okay One For Caps

The Washington Capitals were busy on the first day of July, jockeying for those unrestricted free agents to bolster their roster. The Caps were able to sign two players, defensemen Tom Poti and forward Viktor Kozlov. Wash Post has a more detailed look at the Caps' latest acquisitions.

Kozlov and Poti may have been in George McPhee's crosshairs for a while. Kozlov, a Russian that spent some time on the same line with Alex Ovechkin in Turin for the Olympics looks to help the winger.

Another problem the Caps experienced last season was a rough breakout. Bringing Tom Poti, a puck moving defensemen will help the Caps better break out of their zone, which better sets up a better offensive strike. He is also solid on the penalty kill.

The Caps have also been looking to add even more names to their free agent signing list like Alexei Yashin and possibly Micheal Nylander. It may be a long shot to land Nylander since the Caps don't look like they will be spending anything too crazy like a 8 year $52 million that the Flyers extended Daniel Briere.

Caps Sign Poti

Caps land a free agent, NY Islander Tom Poti will be wearing the spiffy new uniform next season for the Capitals. TSN.ca story here.

Poti will bloster the Capitals blue line. He will bring more experience to the Defensive line, along with some size and some good passing skills. Poti landed a four year, $14 million contract from GMGM.

Richard Zednik signed with Florida, and will be a divisional foe for the Caps. That worked out well.

Editor's Note - 3:48pm - Briere signed with Philly for 8 years $52 million.