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.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
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.
100 Goals And A Loss
Capitals 1, Rangers 3
Scoresheet - Wash Post
There goes the 82 and 0 season. The Caps just looked horrible in this contest. The Rangers took it to the Capitals at MSG and the score could have easily been 5 -1 or 8-1 rather than just 3-1. What hurt the most is the Caps just walked in expecting to win and that didn't happen (surprise). The Rangers were far more prepared than the Caps were.
Alex Ovechkin gets his 100th career NHL goal on a pretty deke and shot over Henrik Lundqvist's glove. It was the only bright moment of the game for the Capitals. Ovie, again, played one of his best games, as did Olie Kolzig - all for not. The rest of the team did not show up. Kolzig kept it close, but in the end it was penalties and sloppy play that caused the Caps first loss of the season.
Scott Gomez got his first goal as a Ranger which makes the home town crowd breath a sigh of relief. Jaromir Jagr was again the number one Cap killer and Lundqvist shut any hopes of a Capital comeback.
The last two games the Caps played, the team was doing a little standing around as the opposing team buzzed. The Capitals have to get back to their hard work roots. The Caps have to stay out of the penalty box and as a result of penalty after penalty the perfect penalty kill was extinguished.
Caps face off with the Sabres tonight. If they have any hopes of winning, they better show up to work. Or Glen Hanlon's going to take out some frustration during practice. Hopefully this loss is the kick in the butt the Caps need to battle the Sabres.
Scoresheet - Wash Post
There goes the 82 and 0 season. The Caps just looked horrible in this contest. The Rangers took it to the Capitals at MSG and the score could have easily been 5 -1 or 8-1 rather than just 3-1. What hurt the most is the Caps just walked in expecting to win and that didn't happen (surprise). The Rangers were far more prepared than the Caps were.
Alex Ovechkin gets his 100th career NHL goal on a pretty deke and shot over Henrik Lundqvist's glove. It was the only bright moment of the game for the Capitals. Ovie, again, played one of his best games, as did Olie Kolzig - all for not. The rest of the team did not show up. Kolzig kept it close, but in the end it was penalties and sloppy play that caused the Caps first loss of the season.
Scott Gomez got his first goal as a Ranger which makes the home town crowd breath a sigh of relief. Jaromir Jagr was again the number one Cap killer and Lundqvist shut any hopes of a Capital comeback.
The last two games the Caps played, the team was doing a little standing around as the opposing team buzzed. The Capitals have to get back to their hard work roots. The Caps have to stay out of the penalty box and as a result of penalty after penalty the perfect penalty kill was extinguished.
Caps face off with the Sabres tonight. If they have any hopes of winning, they better show up to work. Or Glen Hanlon's going to take out some frustration during practice. Hopefully this loss is the kick in the butt the Caps need to battle the Sabres.
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