There are things about the Capitals' recent play that concern me. A lot of you have been saying, "It's too early to tell," or "It's a marathon not a race." That is true, we still have a long way to go. But how I see it, the Caps are in real trouble.
Let's say the last 7 games were a playoff series. The Caps would have lost the series 3 games to 4. They would have been outscored by a 14 to 19 goal margin and lost their last 4 straight (including two home games). That would have put the Caps on the links. For every seven games the Caps lose 4, they lose.
It was almost a must win against the Penguins with everything in the Caps' favor. They were at home, they had a day off while the Pens played the night before, and they were facing a shaky goaltender up to that point. The fact that they had the fresh legs and still couldn't pull a win out, that concerns me. If the Caps won 3 of every seven games that would be a horrendous record on the season (it would give them 35 wins - 70 points - a record the Capitals have had in the previous two seasons).
If the expectations of this team are to make the playoffs, this is a bad way of doing it. I understand that this team is going to lose games, but how a team responds to a loss is so important. This team has not responded well to their losses, they are not learning from their mistakes to this point. Lucky for them, they have 75 games to make it right. Let's hope they do.
So I will be watching the next series, the next 7 games. The more the Caps can win those stretches the better their record will be. For the success of any team, in any sport, is to win those regular season series. Then in the post season, when the games really count they can draw on the experiences of winning games after mild setbacks.
The Caps have to win their games at home too. A 1-2 record is not something to be proud of. If the Caps can't put the fear in visiting teams at the Verizon Center, then it's going to be a long season.
Fun with Numbers:
-4 Micheal Nylander's plus/minus rating so far this season. Obviously he is not here for his defensive skills.
59.7% Boyd Gordon's face off percentage, not too shabby. But Matt Bradley's is better at a perfect 100%.
37 The number of shots Alex Ovechkin has taken. Nylander, Viktor Kozlov, Matt Pettinger and Tom Poti are all tied for second in that department with 16.
6 Number of games missed by Alex Semin.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
One Flipping Goal
Capitals 1, Penguins 2
Scoresheet - Wash Post
There are a couple of things that bothered me about this game at the Mellon Arena, er, I mean the Verizon Center. First of all, why were the Caps wearing their away colors? Let's make the home team feel even more not at home. It was suppose to be a white wash or something like that, what happened to the sea of red for the home game? I don't get it, do one thing. That is it, either have us wear red or white, but don't go back and forth.
Second, where is this high powered offense? One goal against a team that has a soft defense and a shaky goaltender. What the heck is going on here?
The Caps again failed to follow through on the many chances they had to put the puck in the back of the net. Brent Johnson played one of the best games I have seen him play as a Capital and it was to a loss. The Capitals were able to keep another high powered offense to just two tallies, but where are the Caps' goals. Who is putting the puck in the net? Who is out there to help Alex Ovechkin? Brian Pothier scored the Caps lone goal.
The Capitals have now lost 4 in a row including two on home ice. This can't be good. They are heading down the Atlanta route if this continues. Ovechkin was held pointless, Micheal Nylander and Nick Backstrom both had an assist. Among the list of Capitals yet to score a goal this season: Nick Backstrom, Matt Pettinger, Matt Bradley, Chris Clark and David Steckel.
The Caps face Tampa Bay next at home. This will be no easy test, and if the Caps can't fix what's broken, make it 5 losses in a row. Maybe the Caps will at least wear the home sweaters and get one thing right.
Also, we wanted to thank the Penguin fans for selling out the building for the first time in a while. The home town support for the Capitals was less than stellar. Ah, the frustration of being a Capitals fan.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
There are a couple of things that bothered me about this game at the Mellon Arena, er, I mean the Verizon Center. First of all, why were the Caps wearing their away colors? Let's make the home team feel even more not at home. It was suppose to be a white wash or something like that, what happened to the sea of red for the home game? I don't get it, do one thing. That is it, either have us wear red or white, but don't go back and forth.
Second, where is this high powered offense? One goal against a team that has a soft defense and a shaky goaltender. What the heck is going on here?
The Caps again failed to follow through on the many chances they had to put the puck in the back of the net. Brent Johnson played one of the best games I have seen him play as a Capital and it was to a loss. The Capitals were able to keep another high powered offense to just two tallies, but where are the Caps' goals. Who is putting the puck in the net? Who is out there to help Alex Ovechkin? Brian Pothier scored the Caps lone goal.
The Capitals have now lost 4 in a row including two on home ice. This can't be good. They are heading down the Atlanta route if this continues. Ovechkin was held pointless, Micheal Nylander and Nick Backstrom both had an assist. Among the list of Capitals yet to score a goal this season: Nick Backstrom, Matt Pettinger, Matt Bradley, Chris Clark and David Steckel.
The Caps face Tampa Bay next at home. This will be no easy test, and if the Caps can't fix what's broken, make it 5 losses in a row. Maybe the Caps will at least wear the home sweaters and get one thing right.
Also, we wanted to thank the Penguin fans for selling out the building for the first time in a while. The home town support for the Capitals was less than stellar. Ah, the frustration of being a Capitals fan.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Different Jerseys - Same Team
Capitals 2, Islanders 5
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Bad penalties and a weak power play. The Capitals may have new jerseys and new faces, but it's the same old story. The New York Islanders waltz into the Verizon Center and beat the Capitals in glorious High Definition. The Caps tried a comeback late in the third, but the Isles were quick to answer and the home town faithful were quick to the exits.
Alex Ovechkin scored a beautiful one timer from Joe Motzko and Tomas Fleischmann stuck in a beautiful feed from Nick Backstrom from behind the net. Besides that, the Caps couldn't score (or get many shots) on the power play and the penalty kill was porous.
Olie Kolzig looked like he might be trying too hard. This entire team seems to be trying to hard to make it work. With three losses I can imagine the tension is going to rise. The one thing I kept thinking watching the game was the Caps really don't have a hitter. It looked like the Islanders had free range.
The Caps need to fix whatever is broke before the Penguins come to town Saturday night. They will be facing a much more powerful offense and the defense has to be ship shape. But they have to be able to score too.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
Bad penalties and a weak power play. The Capitals may have new jerseys and new faces, but it's the same old story. The New York Islanders waltz into the Verizon Center and beat the Capitals in glorious High Definition. The Caps tried a comeback late in the third, but the Isles were quick to answer and the home town faithful were quick to the exits.
Alex Ovechkin scored a beautiful one timer from Joe Motzko and Tomas Fleischmann stuck in a beautiful feed from Nick Backstrom from behind the net. Besides that, the Caps couldn't score (or get many shots) on the power play and the penalty kill was porous.
Olie Kolzig looked like he might be trying too hard. This entire team seems to be trying to hard to make it work. With three losses I can imagine the tension is going to rise. The one thing I kept thinking watching the game was the Caps really don't have a hitter. It looked like the Islanders had free range.
The Caps need to fix whatever is broke before the Penguins come to town Saturday night. They will be facing a much more powerful offense and the defense has to be ship shape. But they have to be able to score too.
Sid Vs. Ovie
I have a feeling this debate will go on for a while. That debate was featured on NHL.com as two writers took sides. And while I am bias, I still believe what I have said before. Why can't they both be good. If you don't know what I am talking about - Whose Better? Sid "the Kid" Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.
It's good for the league to have two superstars it can promote, and the two don't disappoint. While I curse and complain and call Sid "the Kid" names, I do think he is a good hockey player. It's still good for the league to have this debate. Both can be good, both can be spectacular.
Both players have astounded fans, amazed hockey and non-hockey fans both. Who can't forget the goal by Ovie in Phoenix, or the splitting of the defense by the agile Kid. It's a healthy debate. Not like the ones that talk about larger nets, or fighting in hockey, or even steroid scandals. So let's debate. Whose better?
I much more prefer Ovie's tough play. Ovechkin doesn't shy from hits, and has a nose for the net. He is not afraid to throw his weight around. Every time Ovie gets the puck and skates up ice the excitement level in any building builds.
Crosby is a bit too delicate for me. Crosby is pure offense, not a two way player like Ovechkin. He would rather go the long way around a defense, than attack it better on. The Kid also depends on his speed much too often that gets him quickly out of position or too recklessly. Plus I don't believe that he should be a captain.
It's good for the league to have two superstars it can promote, and the two don't disappoint. While I curse and complain and call Sid "the Kid" names, I do think he is a good hockey player. It's still good for the league to have this debate. Both can be good, both can be spectacular.
Both players have astounded fans, amazed hockey and non-hockey fans both. Who can't forget the goal by Ovie in Phoenix, or the splitting of the defense by the agile Kid. It's a healthy debate. Not like the ones that talk about larger nets, or fighting in hockey, or even steroid scandals. So let's debate. Whose better?
I much more prefer Ovie's tough play. Ovechkin doesn't shy from hits, and has a nose for the net. He is not afraid to throw his weight around. Every time Ovie gets the puck and skates up ice the excitement level in any building builds.
Crosby is a bit too delicate for me. Crosby is pure offense, not a two way player like Ovechkin. He would rather go the long way around a defense, than attack it better on. The Kid also depends on his speed much too often that gets him quickly out of position or too recklessly. Plus I don't believe that he should be a captain.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Who Has Time Anymore?
Not me. But Joe Motzko has lots of time apparently to get used to his new digs as a Capital. Tarik did a review of the newest acquisition. The coaching staff was impressed with the right winger and it looks like he may get a few more calls up in the big league.
Alex Semin's ankle doesn't have time to play Thursday. His sore ankle will keep him sidelined. Although if he plays like he did at the home opener it may not matter the forward is back in the line up. Even though he did get some dangerous shots off, Semin's play was a bit lackluster and he looked a little lost on the ice. If he can get open, I am sure Nylander can set up the forward for some great opportunities, that is if he ever gets back on the ice.
What might be scarier than that is Alex Ovechkin is injured. That isn't good. It's undisclosed what his injury is, and I am not about to engage in any kind of rumor about the all-star forward. But if Ovechkin is missing from the line up (he is expected to play Thursday), that bodes bad ju-ju for the Capital's season.
Maryland has plenty of time to build a new stadium to lure the D.C. United out of the District. They could be the College Park United. I can see the new logo now. D.C. isn't going to let the soccer team get away without a fight, but they were the ones that broke off talks about a new stadium along Anacostia. Oooo, that makes for drama.
Looks like the Atlanta Thrashers need to make some time to get better. They again lost and have yet to win a game this season. That makes them 0-6. That makes 10 straight losses if you count the playoff sweep of last season. On the plus side they are the only team with a zero in the win or lose column in the Eastern Conference, so there the only perfect team this season - in a way.
Alex Semin's ankle doesn't have time to play Thursday. His sore ankle will keep him sidelined. Although if he plays like he did at the home opener it may not matter the forward is back in the line up. Even though he did get some dangerous shots off, Semin's play was a bit lackluster and he looked a little lost on the ice. If he can get open, I am sure Nylander can set up the forward for some great opportunities, that is if he ever gets back on the ice.
What might be scarier than that is Alex Ovechkin is injured. That isn't good. It's undisclosed what his injury is, and I am not about to engage in any kind of rumor about the all-star forward. But if Ovechkin is missing from the line up (he is expected to play Thursday), that bodes bad ju-ju for the Capital's season.
Maryland has plenty of time to build a new stadium to lure the D.C. United out of the District. They could be the College Park United. I can see the new logo now. D.C. isn't going to let the soccer team get away without a fight, but they were the ones that broke off talks about a new stadium along Anacostia. Oooo, that makes for drama.
Looks like the Atlanta Thrashers need to make some time to get better. They again lost and have yet to win a game this season. That makes them 0-6. That makes 10 straight losses if you count the playoff sweep of last season. On the plus side they are the only team with a zero in the win or lose column in the Eastern Conference, so there the only perfect team this season - in a way.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Sabres Drop Caps Like A Bad Habit
Capitals 3, Sabres 7
Scoresheet - Wash Post
The Caps were hoping for better on this New York road trip. Instead it was a disaster. After a strong start to the season, the Caps drop two straight with a rout in Buffalo. And the Sabres showed they still had it. The Capitals were badly outshot, outplayed and outwitted.
Glen Hanlon's possession game is turning into a high risk turn over in the neutral zone. The Captials just couldn't get a clean break out going, and it was only a matter of time that the opposing team started putting pressure on the defense. With an exception for a few, the Caps defense are not great at puck handling. Those turn overs killed the Capitals.
Alex Ovechkin added to his goal total with a tally, as did Mike Green and Micheal Nylander. Green's goal came in the third after serving a penalty and snuck behind the Sabre defense. After Buffalo's Ryan Miller hesitated chasing after the puck, Green made him pay with a puck in the back of the net.
There was just a complete breakdown in defensive coverage in this game. Brent Johnson did well considering he faced 53 shots. The Caps only peppered Miller with a meager 23. For what ever reason the Caps' offense just couldn't get it in gear. And the defense broke.
Flashes of two seasons ago haunted my thoughts as I watched the game. It did look as if the Caps were doing the right things, making the right plays. Yet, no win. I am not panicking just yet. It's only the 5 game of the season.
Joe Motzko was called up for the game. I hardly saw him do anything.
Next game: Thursday hosting the Islanders. The Caps need a few days to recover, so they will take tomorrow off (at least that is what the practice schedule says). Then it's back to the grind. The only good thing about the next couple of games will be that the Caps are back at the Phone Booth.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
The Caps were hoping for better on this New York road trip. Instead it was a disaster. After a strong start to the season, the Caps drop two straight with a rout in Buffalo. And the Sabres showed they still had it. The Capitals were badly outshot, outplayed and outwitted.
Glen Hanlon's possession game is turning into a high risk turn over in the neutral zone. The Captials just couldn't get a clean break out going, and it was only a matter of time that the opposing team started putting pressure on the defense. With an exception for a few, the Caps defense are not great at puck handling. Those turn overs killed the Capitals.
Alex Ovechkin added to his goal total with a tally, as did Mike Green and Micheal Nylander. Green's goal came in the third after serving a penalty and snuck behind the Sabre defense. After Buffalo's Ryan Miller hesitated chasing after the puck, Green made him pay with a puck in the back of the net.
There was just a complete breakdown in defensive coverage in this game. Brent Johnson did well considering he faced 53 shots. The Caps only peppered Miller with a meager 23. For what ever reason the Caps' offense just couldn't get it in gear. And the defense broke.
Flashes of two seasons ago haunted my thoughts as I watched the game. It did look as if the Caps were doing the right things, making the right plays. Yet, no win. I am not panicking just yet. It's only the 5 game of the season.
Joe Motzko was called up for the game. I hardly saw him do anything.
Next game: Thursday hosting the Islanders. The Caps need a few days to recover, so they will take tomorrow off (at least that is what the practice schedule says). Then it's back to the grind. The only good thing about the next couple of games will be that the Caps are back at the Phone Booth.
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