Another player picked up at the trade deadline, not because of a trade however. Instead he was picked up off of waivers. Marco Sturm was brought in to bolster the offense for the playoffs. Sturm definitely added some punch, but his numbers were low. He was apart of the Joe Thornton trade which sent the all-star forward to San Jose from Boston. Boston traded him to LA and he missed most of the season recovering from a lower body injury.
In the 18 games he played in for the Capitals he only mustered one goal and had seven assists. Meager numbers for some one that had some good scoring chances in just about every game he played in. The Caps were hoping he was just a little rusty from his recovery off ice. But his lack of offensive production seemed to carry over into the playoffs. He had only one goal and two assists in the post season.
Sturm added another aspect to the Caps' offensive punch, but if he doesn't score what good could he really be.
Reason to keep:
He has experience and is a solid forward. He was also excited to play with this team when he heard the Caps took him off the waiver wire. His price tag is moderate at $3.5 million and with a full off season could come back healthier than ever and ready to make a bigger splash in Caps' red. Sturm's speed and hands are an asset.
Reason to dump:
Even though his price tag is not much, it is far to high for an offensive player only averaging one goal every 13.5 games. His injury can also be a problem down the road and staying healthy through a full season will be helpful. Since he was brought on board as a rental, it is unlikely McPhee will resign him in the off season.
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).
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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.
And just like that the season ends for the Washington Capitals. It wasn't even a question whether the Caps could make a dramatic comeback. The Tampa Bay Lightning were just too good. The Caps showed signs of a comeback but again failed to score first. They would be swept in just four games by a score of 5-3.
Just like a broken record, game 4 was little to no different than the previous three. The Lightning got the early lead and although the Caps make an effort to tie up the game and play outside their comfort zone. Add a few break downs in special teams and an outstanding effort by the Lightning's role players, and the Caps make an unexpected quick exit from the playoffs.
Ryan Malone put the Bolts up early after Alex Ovechkin took a questionable charging call on a heavy hit. The Caps would answer with a power play goal of their own when Marco Sturm scored his first goal of the playoffs. They would survive the first period with the score tied 1-1. But Sean Bergenheim, the new Cap killer, scored a pair in the second period and the Lightning took their first two goal lead since netting an empty netter in game one.
Bruce Boudreau called a time out to settle his team down, and John Erskine scored his first goal of the playoffs on a sharp angle shot that fooled Dwayne Roloson. But early in the third period, Marc-Andre Bergeron scored on the power play to regain the two goal lead. Sturm took a goaltending interference penalty call, even though he never touched Roloson who embellished the non-contact. The Caps were unable to produce much in the way of offense after that as the Lightning shut down the neutral zone. Martin St. Louis put the icing on the cake scoring to make it 5-2.
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John Carlson scored late to make it 5-3, but the damage was done. What was left was the handshakes and quick exit for a top seeded team defeated in four games. The Lightning did it with some key role players scoring some big goals.
Michal Neuvirth played as well as can be expected. I don't think he played any better or worse than his counter part Roloson. While he was screened by his own man Carlson on the Bergeron goal, Neuvirth did come up with some big saves through out the series. He had a few big saves in game four as well, but it was the team in front of him that let him down.
The Caps now have more questions than answers. While it hasn't been the best season for them, they were able to gain top seed in the east only to be ousted by a division rival they had beaten 5 times in six regular season games. It is an off season that has come to soon for a team that has set the bar too high apparently. Now it's a decision to find players, personnel or both to make changes too.
Caps notes:
Mike Green was a scratch in game four after sustaining an injury in game three. Sean Collins replaced him in his first NHL post season appearance.
The Lightning are on a roll, winning seven straight in these playoffs. But the Lightning have done this to the Capitals before. They won against the 2003 Capitals with Olie Kolzig in net and some loser named Jaromir Jagr four games to two. That would eight straight post season wins for Tampa against the Caps.
This marks the fourth straight exit in the post season for the Washington Capitals. All three in differing fashions. An editor's note: The New York Islanders lost four consecutive times in the conference finals before they won four straight Stanley Cups. Silver lining.
When Marco Sturm put in a rebound past Carey Price, no one would have known that is all it would take for the Washington Capitals to outlast the Montreal Canadiens 2-0.
The goaltending duel between Braden Holtby, called up from Hershey as Michal Neuvirth was feeling under the weather and Semyon Varlamov had played the night before in Ottawa, and Carey Price would keep the scoring tight all game. The Caps would get the game winner just 84 seconds into the game.
Nick Backstrom took a shot on Price and the rebound bounced right to Sturm's stick. He slipped it past a sprawling Habs' goaltender to get his fifth goal of the season, his first as a Capital. Backstrom had a fantastic night pressing the offensive effort with a pair of assists and seven shots, a career high in shots for him.
That would be the only goal that Holtby would need. He eased into the game facing only 3 shots in the first period. A testament to the Caps new and constantly improving defensive scheme. After that the Habs' offensive fore-check started up and Holtby answered the call. His ability to suck in shots and not allow rebounds, especially on the power play. The local media only gave him the game's number 2 star, but he was far more deserving of the game's first star than Price.
The second goal would not come until late in the third period as the Habs were pressing the play. Sturm pressed the puck passed the Hab defender at the blue line, and it broke into a two on one for Backstrom and Alex Semin. Backstrom's quick pass set up Semin's roof shot over Price to ice the game for good for the Caps.
While the Caps come away with a good defensive win, there were still break downs in their end. They were able to keep their penalties down to three, but they were at critical junctions in the game as the Caps held on to a one goal lead.
The power play also struggled with out Alex Ovechkin on the point. At times it looked disjointed and often selfish. Semin would come down the ice on his own to try to score. Eric Fehr was used on the point, but it didn't seem to work causing Bruce Boudreau to change up lines on the PP.
The Capitals finish their six game road trip with 4 wins, 8 points. They were shut out once and had a pair of shut outs (Neuvirth against the Devils, Holtby against the Habs). The Caps still remain a game behind the Flyers for first in the Eastern Conference and tied with the Penguins. They have also clinched a playoff spot during that road stretch.
They return home to face a Carolina Hurricanes team that is fighting for a playoff spot. It should be a very interesting game, one that might have a playoff feel to it as it's important for the 'Canes to keep picking up 2 points. The 'Canes also play the Caps tough and this divisional rival game will be an important one for both teams.
The Capitals nearly wasted a really good start at home. It looked like the New York Islanders were going to weather the early flurry of shots by the Caps and walk away with a 1-0 win. But the Caps complete a second rally to come from behind on a last minute goal and some magic left in the captain in overtime as the Caps down the Isles 2-1 on Alex Ovechkin's overtime goal.
With new members aboard, Jason Arnott, Marco Sturm and Dennis Wideman, the Caps came out with a some renewed energy as they face the Islanders in the second game of a home and home. But they could not convert on 11 shots in the first and 17 shots in the second period. It looked as if the Islanders would survive the early barrage of shots and wait for the Caps to make a mistake.
That mistake would happen in the second period when a tired line and a tired John Carlson turned over the puck int he neutral zone leading to a three on one the other way. Michal Neuvirth, who played spectacularly all game, could not stop them all as the Isles would take the 1-0 lead.
The Caps' offense then countered with a series of missed opportunities. It didn't seem to matter how pretty the play was or how open the shooter was, pucks were shot wide, pucks bounced off sticks or plays were broken up by the Islanders defense. A last ditch effort by the Caps late in the third with Neuvirth pulled would turn the game around. New comer Jason Arnott found an open Brooks Laich in front of the net, and Laich's tip in tied it with just 48 seconds left in the game.
Cue the overtime dramatics by Alex Ovechkin. On his first shift of the overtime period picked up a turnover inside his own zone on the half wall, deked a Islander defender that was turned around on the play and cut up the ice on the right side to back hand the game winner past Nathan Lawson. His goal came unassisted.
The newly acquired players seem to add some chemistry early on. The Caps were making plays, had chances and were getting good shots to the net. As the season winds down, the chemistry should get even stronger. All three, Arnott, Wideman and Sturm had a shot in the first period. Sturm had a great chance in the first on the break away but couldn't convert, Arnott had a chance on a tip in front that nearly went in.
Nick Backstrom did not have a strong game as he continues to struggle to create offense. He took two bad penalties in the third period that put a damper on the Caps trying to rally. He was on the bench when the Caps pulled their goaltender in the waning moments of the game.
The Caps looked good through the first period and a half. They faced a good Islander team that was determined not to let the Caps get back into this one a second game in a row. Neuvirth took home the game's third star, but he kept his team in it making some ten bell saves on penalty kills in the third period.
The Washington Capitals' general manager George McPhee faced what could be his toughest trade deadline of his career. How can he spark a struggling offense without giving up too much in return? While it remains to be seen how the newly acquired players will form into the collective, one thing is certain; McPhee certainly got the most bang for his buck.
Acquisition #1
Claimed LW Marco Sturm off waivers from Los Angeles Kings
Sturm '10-'11 Stats: 17 GP, 4g, 5a, 9p, +6, 1ppg; 32 years old, 6', 194 lbs.
Contract 1 yr $3.5 million UFA
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Sturm brings some offensive punch. Although coming off of an injury and only playing 17 games this season with the Kings, he has nine points in his last 17 games and can add some scoring power to the Caps sputtering power play. A smart pick up for McPhee as it costs nothing in way of trade bait as in player assets or draft picks. Sturm has one day of practice under his belt already and will start against the New York Islanders Tuesday night.
Acquisition #2
Caps trade prospect Jake Hauswirth and a 2011 3rd round pick to the Florida Panthers for D Dennis Wideman
Wideman '10-'11 Stats: 61 GP, 9g, 24a, 33p, -26, 8ppg, 11ppa, 75 h; 27 years old, 6', 196 lbs.
Contract 2 yr $3.9375 million UFA
With question marks on Tom Poti and Mike Green, McPhee felt he needed to step in and help his defensive core.
"Not knowing Tom [Poti's] status, I felt like geez, we may need to pick up another defensemen," McPhee said of the decision to trade for Wideman. "I thought maybe we could tough it out with what we have. But when Mike [Green] went down I thought it was really important to help this team now."
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Wideman is another vet that can handle the puck well and quarterback the power play relieving some of the pressure on John Carlson, who has filled the void with injuries. Wideman's 19 power play points will inject some life into the struggling power play for the Caps. He also has another year on his contract.
"Wideman seems to be a real good fit," McPhee went on. "Because he is an offensive guy, he is good on the power play, he is a right hand shot. We were pleased we were able to do that deal."
The Capitals give up prospect Jake Hauswirth. Hauswirth impressed the Caps in his first development camp with the team, but then fizzled to make any head way in the organization eventually landing in the ECHL playing for the SC Stingrays once he signed as a free agent. The lack of depth in the Florida ranks may see him excel in the AHL level where the Caps' farm team is loaded with more than enough talent.
Wideman was obviously excited:
Acquisition #3
Caps trade C David Steckel and a 2011 second round pick to the New Jersey Devils for C Jason Arnott
Arnott '10-'11 Stats: 62 GP, 13g, 11a, 24p, -9, 2ppg, 3ppa; 36 year old, 6'5", 220 lbs.
Contract 1 year $4.5 million UFA
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Jason Arnott's return to New Jersey hasn't gone smoothly. His numbers are down from a season ago. What he does bring is some Stanley Cup experience. McPhee is hoping that not only can Arnott hold down the center position on the second or third line, but also be a leader in the locker room. McPhee compares his trade with the one that saw Sergei Fedorov boost a team that was in need of some leadership and direction.
"There weren't many centers available," McPhee said as he talked about targeting Arnott. "He [Arnott] was one a lot of people wanted to have and he had a no trade clause... He was hoping to work it out with us."
The trade comes at a cost as McPhee had to give up David Steckel in return. Steckel's trade not only secures a centerman the Caps wanted, but also frees up some cap space to do it.
"We took a player out of our roster that we love," McPhee said of giving up Steckel in the trade. "[Steckel] is such a great guy, he has done really well for us here, he has become an NHL player, a solid NHL player. But we thought we had some depth there with Boyd Gordon and Jay Beagle."
Overall Grade: B
To pick up Marco Sturm, Dennis Wideman and Jason Arnott for one roster player, a prospect and no first round picks is something to be admired. McPhee played his hand close to his chest and it payed off. The only reason it's not an A grade is because I am not sure how these players will blend into the Caps' collective. It is a wait and see sort of proposition.
McPhee bolsters his defense core with a player that can make an impact now. He gets two veteran forwards that have playoff experience and the Caps see a ray of light at the end of the regular season tunnel. If the newcomers can gain some chemistry with the rest of the team, this is going to be a tough Caps team to beat in the post season.
Capitals are five points from their division rivals the Tampa Bay Lighting.
