Shaone Morrisonn Stops By Pt. 2

Yesterday, we touched briefly on Shaone Morrisonn's first foray into the NHL playoffs. Now, we get to talk about Game 7. If you missed it, here is Part 1.

Puckhead's Thoughts: Okay, now the difficult stuff, Game 7. Your thoughts on how you guys played?

Shaone Morrisonn: Well its a tough way to lose. Philly is a great team, they played well but we had our chances and it didn't work out. That is just they way it goes. I know everyone gave 110 percent on the ice and we can be proud and learn from this for next year.

PHT: Now you were apart of the "goaltender non-interference" call when Patrick Thoresen looked like he shoved you into Cristobal Huet, your thoughts?

SM: It was interference no question! All we ask is that the referees have some consistency.



PHT:It seemed like you guys kept your cool, what was the frame of mind of those on the bench in that third period when it seemed you had the Flyers on the ropes?

SM: We never get to down or to high just stay on the course and stay composed. We had our shots and Biron played great it could have gone either way.

PHT: Would you have done anything differently in that Game 7?

SM: Not have a game seven!

PHT: This off season has a lot of questions, one of which has you a restricted free agent. Would you like to stay a Cap?

SM: I enjoy this team and the coach is great and the fans were awesome this year.

PHT: Not that I want to ruin your negotiations with management, and if you don't want to answer, I understand, but how much do you think you should make next year?

SM: no comment.

PHT: Fair enough. Which players, who are up for free agency, would you like to see come back next year?

SM: I would love to see all the guys come back next year we have a great group of guys and are so close to a great playoff run.

PHT: What are your plans for the off season?

SM: Just go back home to Vancouver train and recover from this season injuries. I'm going to relax and take a Hawaiian vacation with my girlfriend. I'm going to do some golfing and spend some time with my family.

PHT: What do you need to work on this off season?

SM: I want to become a little more confident offensively contribute with more points and become stronger in every part of my game.

PHT: What personal goals would you like to accomplish for next season?

SM: Get more points, help the team make the playoffs, and play into june.

PHT: What does this team need to improve on, in your opinion?

SM: I think we need to get a better start to the season, not chase points into the last game of the season, and have better special teams.

PHT: If Olie Kolzig doesn't come back next year, what would his moving on mean to this team?

SM: Well Ollie is a great leader, we will miss him in the dressing room and on the ice. He has been great for this organization and the city. He has been someone to look up too for so many people and he will be greatly missed. I wish him the best of luck.

PHT: I made it no secret this season that this team has been something special to watch to my readers. When everyone counted you out ,you guys found a way to win (myself included). We can’t wait to see what you guys have in store for us next year. Thanks for a great season Shaone, and we want to see you back next year.

Shaone Morrisonn Stops By Part 1

Apparently, Shaone enjoyed his time so much last time, he decided to come back for more punishment. I had the opportunity to once again do a season follow up with the Caps defender.

Shaone Morrisonn had a pretty consistent year. His chemistry with Mike Green helped him to see quality ice time. As a stay-at-home defenseman, he finished the season with a goal and 10 points. Its a slight reduction from his 13 points a season ago, but his +/- ratio always eeked out to the + side for the last three seasons.

In the playoffs Morrisonn was involved in the game 7 controversy "interference" call when Patrick Thoresen checked him into Cristobal Huet. We touched on that a little bit in the interview.

For his first ever NHL playoff series, Morrisonn definitely experienced what it means to play injured after either Scottie Upshall or Scott Hartnell broke his jaw. Green stood up for his defensive partner in game 3, but also drew a bad penalty in the process. Morrisonn had his jaw wired for several weeks and was demoted to protein shakes and smoothies.

In a brief interview with Tarik on his blog: "It's terrible not being able to talk properly and watching people eat juicy burgers and sushi and all of the good stuff," Morrisonn said. "That's the hardest part."

Again, I have split the conversation into two parts: one today, and the other tomorrow. Enjoy!

Puckhead's Thoughts: Hey Shaone, thanks for answering some questions for me. The season started pretty well, three straight wins, but then it started to fall apart. What were your thoughts going through that tough stretch?

Shaone Morrisonn: Well going into training camp and then after I knew we had a great team and we had a great start but things were wrong and you could feel that in the room. Things were about to fall apart and it was time for a change.

PHT: What kind of coach was Glen Hanlon to you?

SM: Glen is a great guy and good coach but the team we had was a contender and we needed a little more discipline and experience to get over the hump. I believe that Glen knew the team was falling apart and it was unfortunately time for a change. I appreciate Glen giving me a chance my first year.

PHT: What did Bruce Boudreau bring to the locker room that seemed to lack with Hanlon?

SM: I think Bruce had a little more experience. He had won championships, and was older. Bruce made every player better and pushed harder for guys to be even better. He demanded perfection every night know matter if you play 8 minutes or 24 minutes. All the guys that played under Bruce had nothing but great things to say and his record speaks for it self.

PHT: From the coaching change to the push for first in the Southeast was a great story, what do you think it took for this team to accomplish that?

SM: It was a long time coming for this team. We have the talent and the work ethic we just needed guidance and for everyone to get on the same page. We played like a team sacrificing our bodies every night. We did the little things and believed in ourselves. We wanted to prove everyone wrong.

PHT: Let's talk about your first NHL playoff series. It seemed to start a little slow for you guys, what sort of turned it around for the second part of the series?

SM: We didn't have many guys with playoffs experience and were a little tentative and nervous. Once we had nothing to lose and were on the brink of elimination, we played our game the way we played to get in the playoffs and we just fell short.

PHT: Were there any regrets in those early games?

SM: I think if we would have won the second game we would have been playing still.

Okay, cliff hanger! The next two questions have to do with Game 7 and the dreaded "interference" play. Plus I ask about Shaone's plans for the off season and talk about his restricted free agency. All this and more, tomorrow!

First Round Winners and Losers

As much as I want to pull the covers over my head and hide away from the world after the heartbreaking 7th game loss by the Capitals, it's better to going back to business as usual. Which means breaking down what I thought were first round winners and losers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Winners

Capitals and Flames - Both teams that didn't win their series, but sure gave the NHL a show. Each pushed their series to game sevens and both raised a few eyebrows doing it. The future looks pretty bright for each. Boston gets honorable mention here as well.

Pittsburgh Penguins - It is quite the accomplishment to sweep any team in the playoffs, injured and downtrodden or not. Maybe if they let Ottawa win a few, Evgeni Malkin and Sid Crosby could be the scoring leaders now.

NHL Network - Being the first post season with the channel on my tube (as well on many of yours) was a godsend. The analyst was pretty dead on, and the NHL on the Fly program kept me up to date with every series. They did a great job.

Versus - They keep getting better and better. They are still finding the right games to air nationally and lately the production is head and shoulders above last year. Their coverage has been really good.

Dallas Stars - They knocked off the Stanley Cup champs, and they did it by keeping a cool head. After having a somewhat shaky end to their season, they certainly showed up in the playoffs.

Jeremy Roenick - After being a scratch for Game 6, Roenick responded with a 4 point night in Game 7. That's clutch. During his interview with Versus on live television, he saluted the crowd raising his stick in the air and the San Jose faithful responded. You could see him drink it in. It was a legendary moment.

Losers

Sean Avery - Now we have the Sean Avery rule! Anytime the league has to clarify a ruling mid first round in the playoffs means you did a major boo boo.

Ottawa Senators - The goaltending issue, the injury issue, the heart issue. From first to worst the only team swept in the first round of the playoffs.

Vancouver Canucks - They weren't even in the playoffs and axed their GM Dave Nonis just 3 years into what was his 5 year plan for the team. Talk about impatient. They just hired Mike Gillis today and as I am typing this he is talking to the Vancouver press at the moment.

Whoever threw the beer bottle from the 400 section in Game 7 - And hit the very nice lady in our row. I understand your frustration, but seriously.

ESPN Sports Center (or Centre for our neighbors toward the north) - For only covering two games out of 4 on one particular night. Honestly, I don't even watch ESPN for hockey highlights much anymore.

I don't really feel like making any predictions for Round two, but will probably get something up for tomorrow. In the meantime read the latest at KCI from Tarik here. Looks like Kolzig will not be a Capital next year. And I might be able to wrangle an interview from someone in a few days. We will see.

Dem's Da Breaks

Game 7 - Capitals 2, Flyers/NHL Officiating 3 OT - PHI wins 4-3
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

It wasn't suppose to end like this. The Referees weren't supposed to be a factor in a pivotal game seven. A obvious goaltender interference missed. And, in the end the better team lost. The Flyers were on the ropes, both in the third and in overtime. The officiating just needed to keep it fair. To bad it wasn't.

Patrick Thoresen shoved Shaone Morrisonn into Cris Huet and Sami Kapanen threw the puck into an empty net, giving the Flyers the 2-1 lead. But no goaltender interference was called. The NHL explained: "Thoresen legally body checked Morrisonn and no Philadelphia player made contact with Huet."

Um, Ok. Isn't that the definition of interference when a player checks another into the goaltender? In a series that had 5 goaltender interference calls, why all of a sudden stop calling them? What is going on here? Then are you saying that Viktor Kozlov's is now not considered goaltender interference? Enter expletives here, because the Koharski and Devorski totally fouled up this call.

Now the trip by Tom Poti was a penalty, but called by the wrong official. The trailing official, in this case Devorski, called the penalty. He was the trailing referee and was behind the play. It was Koharski's call as lead official who had just happen to be looking right at the play and didn't call the penalty.

Funny how none of the Flyers were called for much of the same infractions that had the Caps sitting in the box. But hey, that is why I don't wear the stripes. After the game and the handshake Scott Hartnell skated over and waved cheerfully at the officials or at the fans. I wasn't sure if he was thanking the referees or antagonizing the crowd, either way it was a pretty classless thing to do.

All of that aside, the Caps just couldn't score in the third and the beginning of overtime. It was one of the most entertaining periods as the Caps pressed. Clearly the Capitals were in command, they were moving the puck, the Flyers looked tired and were standing around. But all of that hard work did not yield a goal.

Nick Backstrom scored his 4th playoff goal and Alex Ovechkin was able to tie the game on a wicked slapshot that Marty Biron never saw. Eric Fehr played one of the best hockey games I have seen him play in the NHL. He had a few opportunities to score. Boyd Gordon had a great series, so did John Erskine, Donald Brashear, Dave Steckel and of course Alex Semin.

Credit Marty Biron, he had to be good for the Flyers to even have a chance. And he kept them in it until the end. For a good part of the game the Philly squad were on their heels. Better to be lucky than good, I guess. They had turned over so many pucks in the third period off of an aggressive Capital forecheck, they could have opened a bakery (and sell turnovers). They should consider themselves very, very, very lucky they wrangled that rebound in overtime.

It's not the way this season should have ended for the Washington Capitals. But we, Caps fans, have nothing to be sad about. Alex Ovechkin lead the league in goals and points and will be the NHL's MVP. The Caps came from last place to finish first in the Southeast. When the series was down to 3-1, the Caps came roaring back. It should have been a story book ending, and in many ways it was. It could be argued that they had no business being in the playoffs or in game seven of the series. But they were there, and boy, they were spectacular.

Don't worry Caps fans, the sun will come up tomorrow. This summer will be quick. And I can't wait to see the encore of a season next year. Now they do have the experience. Now they will have some hunger to do more. Just like Ovie said, "It's not over."

Not So Fast Philly

Game 6 - Capitals 4, Flyers 2 - Series Tied 3-3
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

Four unanswered goals spanning the second and third periods. Four amazing goals forcing a crucial game seven back in Chinatown. After the Flyers got the start they wanted, the cardiac Capitals save their best game to force a deciding game. No handshakes tonight at the Wachovia Center, this series is back in DC. And was there any doubt?

You can only put Alex Ovechkin in a bottle for so long until he explodes for two of the biggest goals of the series. He scored the game winner and added some insurance both in the third period. Alex Semin also was instrumental in the Caps come from behind win with a goal and a big assist. Nick Backstrom also got a tally.

The Capitals seem to play their best hockey when they are against the inevitable. Philadelphia opened the scoring in the first with a power play goal and scored early in the second with another power play tally to get the start of a lifetime at home in what they considered a "must win" game. They had all the momentum and had a glorious opportunity to put the Caps away a power play.

But the Caps killed it off, and came storming back. First off of a pretty tape to tape to tape pass by Backstrom, Semin and Brooks Laich, concluding with Backstrom going top shelf to cut the Flyers lead in half. Then John Erskine threw a bomb at Marty Biron who misplayed it with his glove and Semin gobbled up the rebound to tie the game late in the second.

Then Ovechkin went to work. Philly definitly had the chances to go up 3-0 and even 3-2 but a couple of posters and some great saves by Cris Huet (who earned second star honors) kept the score even. Then off a shot from the Flyers' point blocked by Ovie. Viktor Kozlov picked up the rebound and hit the streaking Ovechkin in stride. And the left winger made no mistake, going upstairs on Biron for the eventual game winning goal.

It seemed fitting (downright poetic) that after the Flyers had kept Ovechkin in check for so long that it was a wide open breakaway that got the Caps right back into this series. After that the All Star forward was flying. He even drew a hooking penalty and scored on the following "too many men" Flyer penalty. Brooks Laich saw him streaking down the left side and passed it for the one timer.

Lights out, 4-2. The Flyers tried to get an attack going, but looked just a little less confident as they had in games 1 through 4. The once boisterous Flyer crowd found it more important to beat the traffic out of the building then cheering their team to the end. I guess there were no chants of "@%*! Ovechkin!" on the escalators this night.

Brooks Laich, Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and John Erskine were at their best in this game. The foursome always seemed to keep the play moving and were strong on their skates (hitting, maneuvering and finding the open man). They were the ones that stood out the most down the stretch for me. Alex Semin also has flourished while Ovie has struggled. With Ovechkin getting all the attention, it has been easy for the skilled forward to find some room, and he is making the most of his opportunities.

This is exactly what the Flyers were hoping to avoid. They didn't want to travel back to DC, they wanted a couple of days of rest, they assumed that they could end it amongst their fans. But that wasn't to be for the orange and black. Now it's another trip back to the phone booth with questions in their mind.

The job is not done. The Caps still have to come back to Verizon Center on back to back nights to play the Flyers one last time. Unlike other wins in this series however, it finally seems the Caps have all the momentum. The schedule couldn't have been written up any better for them. While it's fun to relish in this win, the Caps are still looking to finish out the series. They can do it by winning their third straight playoff game.

Now It's Just Getting More Difficult

The Capitals' "never say die" demeanor has their fans a bit on edge. But then again we have been on edge since November. Bruce Boudreau maybe in charge of one of the most resilient teams in NHL history. Not only would did the Caps come from last to first in the Southeast Division in the last half of the season, but the series could go the distance. Key word: "could"

Don't think, by any stretch of the imagination, that the Caps have the momentum going into game 6. To win a playoff game on the road is not the easiest accomplishment, especially if your back is to a wall. Flyers head coach John Stevens makes no bones about it, the fact that the series shifts back to Philly works in their favor. "Our crowd has been terrific at home," Stevens lamented after game 5. "We have been a great team at home down the stretch. ...We are excited about the opportunity to go home and another chance to close this out."

The Caps would love to push a game seven, but Philly only has to win one. A luxury three straight wins can give a team. Boudreau knows that any mistakes the Capitals make are monumental. "We can’t let our foot off the gas because next thing you know it’ll be 2-1 for them and you’ll be depressed because you played so hard," Boudreau said. A lazy penalty, or a blown coverage and we are talking about tee times for the Capitals rather than a game seven.

The Caps have to also watch the back door plays that seem to plague them on the penalty kill. "They’ve beat us a couple of times on that backdoor," defenseman Tom Poti remarked. "They try to get three guys down low and try to outnumber us down there. They’ve been a little bit successful after the first couple of games. We made a conscious effort tonight to watch that." The Flyers are not wasting their opportunities with wide open net off of back door.

The Capitals quickly went from series favorites to underdogs in the stretch of a week as they struggled in the first four games of the series. But in games 4 and 5 the Caps seemed to turn a corner. They are not motivated unless they are coming from behind. But hey, it certainly suits the team. "They counted us out after Game 2. They counted us out after Game 3," Boudreau remarked. "I'm sure they'll count us out now. When they had to win seven in a row, they did it so don't count us out."

While hope may win you an election (for you Obama-heads out there), results are needed for the Caps to push a game seven. That means Viktor Kozlov needs to produce, and Ovechkin and Mike Green have to find their scoring touches again. The Caps need to keep up the physical play, but stay out of the penalty box. And they have to score on the powerplay.

"Right now players know how to play in playoffs," Alex Ovechkin told reporters. "We know this (Game 6) will be hard, but we can do it. Nobody believes us. We believe (in) ourselves. We don’t care what media say about us. We knew we’re great team. We just have to win the game.

"Well, you never give up," said Ovechkin after Game 4. "So it's not over. That's all I can say: It's not over."

If you need more motivation:
3 Grumpy Caps Fans - Believe

Not Dead Yet

Game 5 - Capitals 3, Flyers 2 - PHI Leads 3-2
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com - Game Quotes

Due to an earlier planned engagement, I was not able to see the game live. Afterwards I ran home, ears plugged, refusing to answer my phone, and sat in front of my Tivo to watch the Capitals try to stave off elimination and stay alive in their first round playoff series with the Flyers. Let's hope it didn't go to overtime, stupid Tivo timer!

To be honest, I had prepared myself for the worse (often what most Caps' fans seem so good at). What I got in return was finally a game where the Capitals played their game. It's about time to see the Caps finally get into the intensity of the NHL playoffs. The power play finally makes the Flyers pay.

Nicklas Backstrom scored on the first 5 on 3 powerplay with a nice feed from Alex Semin. Semin scored on the power play for the game winner, but I thought Sergei Fedorov's goal, a back hander early in the second was the back breaker. The Caps had forced the play to linger in the Flyers zone for a while and it paid off, with Viktor Kozlov getting the primary assist and finally getting on the scoresheet. Mike Green also had a pair of assists as well.

Alex Ovechkin's name may not be anywhere on the scoresheet, but he presence was felt on the ice. Ovie drew the hooking call early to give the Caps a 5 on 3 for Backstrom's goal, and he laid some pretty heavy hits through out the game. The Caps physical play has picked up from game 4, where in the first minute both Semin and John Erskine were called for roughing minors.

But unlike in game 4, the calls finally came against the Flyers. Hooks were finally called and the Flyers found themselves in the box a bit more that they wanted to be. Thankfully, the Caps powerplay was able to take advantage.

The Caps' defense is finally getting into some playoff intensity, with big hits by Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Green and John Erskine. The blueliners also kept their turnovers down, which is key playing against a team defense like the Flyers. The physical play took the Flyers off their game, even if they did have chances, Cris Huet seemed to have the answer.

Huet rebounded from a couple of rough starts, but the team in front of him were completely different than in the first three games. Shots for the Flyers were down to a minimum and Huet was able to gobble up any that did get through. The only concern I have is the Caps' nonchalant play after they score a goal. It seemed the Flyers were able to get some golden opportunities following goals.

Mike Knuble took a tumble in the second and now has a hamstring injury. He is most likely out for the rest of the series for the Flyers. The Capitals have one less weapon to worry about, but Danielle Briere and Vinny Prospal have to be held in check a bit better. The Caps did a good job of getting under Prospal's skin. It's the best way to knock him off his game since Prospal is such an emotional player. Matt Bradley played the pest role to a tee in game 5.

My only advice to this point is don't stop. The Caps have the pressure on the Flyers right now. The series shifts back to Wachovia Center, where the Flyers aren't an easy bunch to beat there lately. But that has been the mantra of the Capitals this season; with their backs against the wall, they have played their best hockey.

Caps Will Have To Break Their Spirit

What would it take for the Capitals to come back to win in seven games? That very question slipped through my brain as I am watching "Don't Stop Believing" on YouTube and telling friends to keep the faith. If I think long and hard about it a few things come to mind. But one most important point, the Caps have to win, and win a heart breaker.

Lately there has been a lot of talk about the Capitals' amazing 3-1 comeback in 1988 with Dale Hunter burying the game winner. It just so happened it came against the same Philadelphia Flyer team 20 years ago this month. The '87 - '88 Caps won 5-2 in game 5 and 7-2 in game 6 before winning game 7 5:57 into the overtime period.

The '07 - '08 Caps would have to do much the same, win the next two games by a wide margin and steel some of that Flyer confidence away. For that to happen, the Caps have to take advantage of their opportunities. Scoring on the power play, making their shots on net, battling in the corners for pucks, win the small battles. Now is when this team's resolve will be really be put to the test.

The Capitals have home ice advantage, which helps them greatly to make this run, but they will have to break the Flyers resolve to do that. If they wish to make this a long series they will have to play a brand of hockey that will frustrate the Flyers, punish them, and all around make it not much fun to play against at the Verizon Center.

This team must be focused too. The Flyers have done a good job at frustrating the Caps' top line. Now the Caps have to return the favor, keep the Flyer forwards frustrated. That means playing the Caps style of hockey, using their speed and aggressiveness.

And if it makes you feel better, the Caps lost game 4 in 1988 in overtime as well. History repeating itself?

Just Not Good Enough

Game 4 - Capitals 3, Flyers 4 F/2OT - PHI Leads 3-1
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

The Capitals had chance after chance. But the problem they had all season continues to haunt them in the post season: The Caps can't score when they need to. A major defensive mistake by Mike Green leaves a wide open Mike Knuble to ice the game with a shot and a rebound chance to secure a two game lead on the upstart Capitals.

The Caps had the lead in the third, but when you play only for the lead it always come back to bite you in the ass. Hence the Caps have some serious bite marks on their rumps after dropping a third straight game to the Flyers. Nick Backstrom finally got on the scoresheet with a goal and an assist, looking much better playing the second line. Alex Semin scored on the powerplay and a deflected shot from Steve Eminger found the back of the net. Alex Ovechkin added a couple of assists. All in all it was a pretty entertaining game to watch if you were being objective about the whole thing (but when was the last time I was objective?).

It was Danielle Briere that force the game to overtime. A few weird calls and an overtime period later it was Mike Green who was for some unexplainable reason behind the net leaving a wide open Knuble in front of the net who not only got one whack at the puck, but two, the second one being the game winner. The play wasn't even going to the back of the net, there is no reason for him to be there.

It just marks a series of missteps and miscues on behalf of the Capitals defense that has this team on the ropes. The Caps badly needed this series and this was the first game I actually some battling. In games 2 and 3, it just looked like the Caps were too timid to go into the corners, to finish their checks. But in this game 4 they looked a little more into the game, standing up for one another and making plays when they needed.

But in the end the Caps couldn't put the puck in the net. I am not sure really what the problem is, it's like a magnet in the net that is keeping shots wide or right into Marty Biron's mitt. The Caps can't expect to get help from the officiating crew either, as there were some calls that were just horrible calls. Viktor Kozlov's interference call was a prime example of just bad officiating. And the Refs seem to have notblowthewhistleitus to the hooking and spearing going on behind the play on behalf of the Flyers. If you see the penalty, call it. That's all we are asking. None of this "It's the playoffs, you have to expect some of that to go on." Ridiculous.

Cris Huet played one of his best games ever, although I know there are a couple he would like to have back. But Huet kept the Caps in it. If only the Caps could play a bit stronger in front of him. Calls for his replacement are valid though. I wouldn't mind seeing Kolzig in the net once, see if any of that competitive edginess can work it's magic. I think, to this point, Boudreau has gone too far with Huet to sit him now.

I really do think the Caps have psyched themselves right out of this series. Ovie didn't/doesn't have to be extraordinary and be on the ice for minutes at a time, he is getting opportunities (great goal scorers usually do). They just needed to play like the did during the regular season. But now they feel that they have to do too much. Just play the game.

This loss is just a back breaker. Three straight losses in the post season is just too huge. The Caps have no momentum, no confidence and they are coming home. A perfect opportunity for them to let their guard down, and I can see that happening on Saturday. The Philly squad will not squander the next game just because they are up a couple of games.

Viktor Kozlov needs to be more of a factor, which I just don't see him excelling his game to any other level than what it is right now. The Caps defense have to be more responsible (not floating behind the net). They need to stop taking retaliatory penalties, the power play will kill them every time they take a bad penalty. In short, it's do or die.

Out Of Gas

Game 3 - Capitals 3, Flyers 6 - PHI Leads 2-1
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

Danielle Briere got under the skin of the Washington Capitals. It was the distraction the Flyers needed to get their opponents off kilter and take a series lead at home. The Caps just couldn't match Philly's intensity and surrender the series lead.

The Flyers' top line is outshining the Caps' top line. Alex Ovechkin was held to a single assist while Nick Backstrom and Viktor Kozlov have been melted into the woodwork. Eric Fehr scored his first ever NHL playoff goal as did Brooks Laich. Mike Green scored his 3rd playoff goal and leads the Capitals in scoring.

Cris Huet just can't solve Briere. He has been victimized by the smallest of the Flyers partly because of penalty trouble and partly of the jump the Broad Street Bullies seem to have on the Caps. Huet calm demeanor was a bit rattled by Flyers constantly in his living room and abusing the goaltender's glove.

The Caps are also playing hurt. Jeff Schultz didn't last too long and the Caps were down a man down on defense once again. Two of the Flyers goals came off of bad turnovers by the Caps' defenders. Playing shorthanded on the blueline seems to be taxing them as the game wears on. It's another wasted roster spot on a team that can ill afford to be down a man.

A more physical side of the Flyers also took an affect as the Caps found themselves sitting in the box after some bad retaliation penalties. However, the officials seem disinterested in calling any penalties against the constant barrage of stick fouls on Ovechkin. The leg check in the third period is just the tip of the iceberg of what Ovie has to deal with. Not that I am making any excuses for the All-Star forward (this is the playoffs, you have to expect a lot of this), but the Flyers are taking every opportunity to hook and spear the forward, with no calls from the zebras.

Now the Caps have to split the series and desperately need a road win in a very inhospitable Wachovia Center. Any momentum the Caps carried from the regular season is now gone. The Caps cannot just assume they will have a comeback in them every game. If they are relying on that, it will be a short series. The Caps need to solve their offensive woes in a quick way.

Maybe it's time to give Kolzig a look in net. The larger goaltender might force the Flyers to make that extra pass, and give the Caps' a chance to defend. While Huet has served the Caps well getting to the playoffs, he is being abused in them. This team has two top goaltenders, let's use them. It's unlikely Gabby will though.

Powerless

The Washington Capitals have such a talented offensive core. It shouldn't be this hard to score a power play goal. The Caps have been gift wrapped a couple of early penalties in both game one and two in their playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers. The failed to score on either.

On the powerplay the Caps were just 1 for 3 in game one, and a dismal 0-6 in game two. The Flyers have one of the better penalty kills and their aggressive style seems to be giving them fits. But the Caps also have sort of shot themselves in the foot.

Watching game 2 again, the Caps look in slow motion with the man advantage. Their passes are not quick enough. The play has to develop much faster with an aggressive kill. The Caps can catch their players off guard with better passing. Let the Flyers beat themselves by over committing to the first outlet. Getting passes to the open man and the goaltender out of position, it should be a slam dunk.

They also need to start hitting the net. Most of the shots both on the power play and in general has hit more glass than a crash test dummy in a VW van. The Caps need to get those shots on Biron and allow the man in front a chance at a rebound. Some of their best chances came on bouncing pucks off of the Flyers' netminder. The Caps seem to trying to be too finite with their shots. Just get on net. It's obvious they are shooting high on Biron, but keeping the puck in the slot in front of him will yield more offensive chances than a puck wringing around the boards off a missed shot.

The power play is an excellent opportunity for the Caps to gain ground and it has to be a machine. If you can't get it done with a man advantage at this point of the season, then you might as well pack it in and hit the links early. With the Caps now on the road for two games, it's even more important.

Elsewhere in the League:

Ranger pest Sean Avery won't win any good manner awards anytime soon. The pesky forward stood in front of Marty Brodeur and waved his stick and hands in front of the all-star goaltender with his back to the play. It cause somewhat an uproar around the league including a rule clarification half way through the first Round of the playoffs. It prompted this response from the league:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

While it's not illegal (at the time), Avery didn't really help his team much with the antics. When he did turn around and became a part of the play he scored a short time later. Credit Avery for at least having the gonads to do that and get under the skin of Brodeur. The guy you love to hate!

Shut Out!

Game 2 - Capitals 0, Flyers 2 - Series tied 1-1
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

No Heroics here. Just some good old boring defense by the Flyers. A two goal lead is all that was needed to be the Capitals in game 2. The Cardiac Caps couldn't pull another late victory and the Flyers split the series in D.C.

Cristobal Huet didn't play badly, but the offense didn't get the job done in front of him. For the first time in however many games since Chicago that the Caps got out hustled and out worked. Alex Ovechkin just spent too much time on the ice trying to do too much on his own in the first and second. It would have better served his team to keep his shifts short and the lines together. A lesson learned.

Credit the Philadelphia Flyers for a better defensive effort than in game one. After jumping to a two goal lead in the first, the Flyers were content with keep away and defensive shut downs. Biron did a much better job stopping the Caps early and that momentum seemed to carry through out the game.

The Caps defense looked a little shell shocked in the first period. Missing key assignments, allowing stretch passes to beat them. They took a game off, weren't as gritty as I thought they were in the first period. At times the offense didn't fair much better. A couple of opportunities early and the Caps were being too cute with the puck. Just shoot it, get it on net.

The Caps just got out worked in their own building. The crowd mimicked the play on the ice, lethargic and disinterested at times. Clearly it's not the effort the Caps wanted to put out after their spectacular comeback a couple nights earlier.

This is a painful lesson in keeping your focus and your foot on the pedal at the same time. The Caps now have to go into Wachovia Center and get at the very least a game back. Right now the momentum is with Philly and their heading home to play in front of their crowd. You got bucked off, now jump right back on and out play them. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Game #83

Game 1 - Capitals 5, Flyers 4 - WSH leads 1-0
Scoresheet - Wash Post - Wash Times - Philly.com

Were you worried? I wasn't worried. Not at all.

Okay, maybe I was. I was pulling my hair out jumping up and down about my house, upsetting the wife and reveling in one hell of a finish. The Capitals play one of their better first periods, then one of their worst second periods, only to finish with one of the most amazing third periods I have ever witnessed. This is not your father's NHL.

Alex Ovechkin scored his first NHL playoff goal, and it was a game winner to boot with 4 minutes left in the third. It capped a three goal rally to win Game 1. The Caps did give up three unanswered goals to the Flyers in the second. Mike Green was instrumental in the comeback netting a pair of goals, his first two of the playoffs and one on the power play. Dave Steckel added a rare tally from a grinding feed from Matt Bradley (who had two assists). And the Brash, Donald Brashear scores against his old team just three minutes into the game.

The Philadelphia Flyers have never lost a game this season taking a two goal lead into the third period. Ever. The Caps once again show their resiliency when all seemed lost when the Flyers.

The Capitals started strong with a rare goal from Donald Brashear who gathered a rebound shot from Tom Poti with his back hand and pulled it to his forehand to bury the puck high over an outstretched Marty Biron.

The checking line didn't stop there though as David Steckel scored his first NHL playoff goal after a dump and chase with Matt Bradley. As Brads was run into the boards by two Flyer defenders, he popped the puck behind him to a wide open Stecks who made no mistake putting a wrister past Biron's glove. Then the Caps just stop moving their feet as the second period wore on.

The Flyers took advantage of a team that looked a bit winded by the emotion of the opening period. Daniel "ice princess" Briere scored a pair and Vinny Prospal (remember him from the Lightning) both netted a pair and the Flyers suddenly found themselves with a two goal cushion by scoring three goals in less than 4 minutes, normally a game over situation for them this year. But this is the post season son, your funny numbers don't count for nuthin' here!

The Caps' legs seemed to have that jump back in them in the third and the building buzzed. You just knew something was going to give. Then Sergei Fedorov threw a nifty no look pass to a wide open Mike Green and he had his first NHL playoff goal and started the comeback. Then on the power play the Caps moved the puck expertly around and with a little more desperation. Ovie passed to Green on the point and he smoked a cannon of a shot past Biron to tie the score at 4. The Verizon Center was the loudest I have ever heard it, even when they secured the Southeast Division title a week before.

But there was still a buzz, the Caps kept the pressure on, the Flyers defenders looked for the first time shaken. Ovechkin was boxed in, held in check for most of the night. Then a Flyer mistake. What seemed a harmless shovel pass to a teammate turned to horror with Ovie zeroed in on the loose puck and waited for Biron to fall into his butterfly to go high over the Philly goaltender and the comeback was complete. Ovie once again lead his team to another victory.

Cris Huet looked shaky at times, especially in the second. It might have been that end of the rink, because Biron looked solid in the second after looking shaky himself in the first and third. Huet was due for a few shots past him, he had been playing so well up to that point. Huet did make some very key saves and the boys bailed him out. The Flyer goals were usually easy stops or him. But it all seemed a distant memory to Ovechkin's game winner.

The physical part of the game ratcheted up as well. I felt that Caps took it to the Flyers before they could take it to the Caps. Not only did Ovie through his weight around every chance he could, Matt Cooke was also a hitting force every time he took the ice. If there was a scrum, he was in the middle of it. Matt Bradley also had a monster hit at the end of the second. While it didn't lead to a scoring chance it was a preview of what the Capitals were going to bring in the third period.

This game had more drama that you can shake a stick at. But the next game should be even harder for the Caps. The Flyers were on a mission to take a game in D.C. and I don't expect that plan to waiver in game two on Sunday. Whatever momentum the Caps had at the end of the season was suspended for the second period, but they must build upon the new momentum they have built up for themselves.

If this is game 1 is like, I can't wait for what's in store for game 2.