Friday, February 29, 2008

A Little Home Cooke-in'

With the big names of Cristobal Huet and Sergei Fedorov making their debut in a Washington sweater later this evening, the third man in may seem a bit of an afterthought. But Matt Cooke was the only player acquired that cost the Capitals a roster player -- so why not learn a bit more about this deal.

Cooke arrived in Vancouver in the NHL as a 20 year old, and has spent his entire nine year career there. The 5'11" 205 pounder plays a very similar style to former Capitals great Dale Hunter, who just so happens to be similar in stature as well. (Huntsy was listed as 5'10" 200 pounds.) While their agitating, "in your face" styles are tantamount, the disparity between Cooke and Hunter is in their willingness to drop the gloves.

Throughout his illustrious career (one which culminated with his number raised to the rafters at the Verizon Center,) Hunter never shied away from a pugilistic confrontation. According to hockeyfights.com, Hunter had as many as ten regular season altercations in a single year twice. Cooke, on the other hand, has had that many regular season fights in his entire career. It is believed this is why Cooke butted heads with current Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault. From the Vancouver Sun:

It was thought that Vigneault especially didn't like the fact that Cooke, who played the role of agitator, almost never answered a challenge to an on-ice fight. "I fought more this year than I have any other season in the past and that's all I have to say about that," Cooke said.

For the record, Cooke has fought twice this season -- the same number as David Steckel. But the Capitals aren't looking for that from him. 

Vigneault's Canucks have been involved in 51 fights this season, fourth most in the entire league. The guy wants fighting and if you don't do engage his wishes, apparently you fall out of favor. The Capitals, meanwhile, have been involved in only 27 scraps, good for 22nd in the league. Unlike in Vancouver, the Capitals have the best of the best in Donald Brashear so it is unnecessary for Cooke to drop the gloves regularly. His job will be to annoy the heck out of the opposition and get them off their game, something the Capitals don't have right now and haven't had since Dale Hunter retired.

On the other side of the deal, Matt Pettinger leaves D.C. for his hometown Canucks. When asked by Vancouver's inundating reporters to compare the media coverage with Washington's, Pettinger replied, "I think combined, in all my eight years with the Capitals' organization, I might have had this many people talk to me. When I was traded, I didn't have to do one [farewell] interview there."

No offense Matt, but if given 838 minutes of ice time over 57 games, I could have probably scored two goals as well. And rest assured, no one would have asked me any questions on my way out the door either.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Coming Together

The preliminary line combos have been set, according to Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post. They break down as follows:

• Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
• Semin-Fedorov-Laich
• Fleischmann-Gordon-Fehr
• Brashear-Steckel-Bradley/Laing

If these triumvirates hold up for Friday night's contest against the New Jersey Devils, there are a few things to take note of. 

First, reuniting Kozlov with Ovechkin and Backstrom is a no-brainer. Good to see Bruce Boudreau agree. In the last six games, Ovechkin has no goals and four assists with a -5 rating. Backstrom has no goals and three assists with a -4 rating. Talk about a decrease in production! Kozlov, meanwhile, has one goal and one assist in eight games. In the nine games previous, he had seven goals and four assists. Yet another disappearing act from a guy the Caps sorely need offense from.

It's no surprise to see Semin paired with Fedorov on the second line, but the addition of Laich on the opposite wing is a bit of an enigma. Sure his two goal, two assist performance against Minnesota has earned him a spot on a scoring line, but I'm a little befuddled about the breakup of the Laich-Fleischmann-Fehr line that was a +12 combined in their first game together. Fleishcmann and Fehr have done next to nothing all season long -- until being grouped with Laich (who just so happened to have a career night of his own.) Although the Capitals' roster lacks a true second line right winger, I'd prefer to see someone else step alongside Semin and Fedorov in order to keep that third line together, at least for a couple more games. You find something that works spectacularly, and you immediately break it up?

A look at the fourth line (which does not include newly added Matt Cooke, who is expected to join the team in New Jersey but may not play,) exhibits more than a bit of overcrowding. Once Cooke, an agitator the Capitals certainly are in need of, is in the lineup, I would look for Bradley, Brashear, and (sadly) even Laing to be scratched a bit more than in the past. Cooke is a similar type of player, but he gets under the skin the way a Matthew Barnaby or Sean Avery does. And the Caps haven't had that since Dale Hunter retired.

With no moves made to the defensive corps, the same rotation can be expected. John Erskine sat out against the Wild, but it's anybody's guess who will be wearing a suit upstairs on Friday -- as will be the case for the remainder of the season.

It is in goal where all eyes are focused right now. Cristobal Huet's first practice saw Olie Kolzig on the ice and Brent Johnson on the bench. The odd man out (Johnson for now) takes shots after practice, and you can be sure that it's an unsettling situation around KCI these days. As for the game against the Devils on Friday, Huet will start with Kolzig expected to get the nod on Saturday.

One thing that Kolzig and even Johnson can take some solice in is the fact that Huet (Montreal's top goaltender the past three seasons) has always played about every other game. He's certainly no Marty Brodeur. The chart below shows a statistical comparison with his teammates each of the past three seasons:

Each year Huet has outplayed his partner, but split playing time quite evenly. Having never been an every day guy, Huet is used to getting breathers so he should be right at home in Washington watching Kolzig and even Johnson get frequent starts.

All in all, a very intriguing and exciting time is about to begin for the Washington Capitals. George McPhee has clearly stated that he is intent on making the playoffs THIS year, and anything less would be a big disappointment. The Capitals youngsters need the playoff experience as early as possible. 

Look at the Pittsburgh Penguins who, despite being knocked out in the first round last year, have come back strong -- even without their superstar. (Could the Capitals do that without Ovechkin?) They know what a playoff run is and are having no problems making a second go of it this year. With their previous playoff experience in hand, they just might cause some havoc this postseason, something the Capitals expect to do come next year. 

But first, they need to get their feet wet right now.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

After the Smoke Clears, Laich Propels Caps

The excitement of George McPhee's maneuvering may have upstaged Washington's workmanlike effort against Minnesota, but the big news is that the Capitals finally got off the snide with a desperately needed 4-1 win. Though things began to settle down a bit after the moves were finalized, much of the dressing room remained shellshocked in regards to the arrival of goaltender Cristobal Huet.

The move may be the one that sends Washington to the postseason, but retaining both Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson leaves the team in a very awkward situation. Not only does the trade leave Olie and Johnny with an unsettling feeling (probably a grave understatement,) but it throws some wrinkles in the direction of Bruce Boudreau.

While inserting Sergei Fedorov and Matt Cooke, the day's other acquisitions, into the lineup will be easy, manipulating a trio of veteran netminders with fewer than 20 games remaining will be a wearisome chore for the coach. Especially if Kolzig makes a habit of stopping 34 of 35 shots. Not surprisingly, Johnson feels like the odd man out, and he may be right. "As of right now it looks like I'm gonna be in the stands," said the admittedly frustrated Johnson after the game.

As much as the pickup of Huet looks to help the Capitals on paper, you can't help but think you'll be able to cut the tension in the room with a knife once he's in town. The Capitals would have been well suited to have moved either Kolzig or Johnson, even if it was for practically nothing. Then turn the reigns over to Huet and take your shot at the postseason. Instead, the Capitals have to deal with two (if not three) very perplexed goaltenders rather than one who's merely surprised.

Despite the uncertainty, and led by a very solid effort from Kolzig, the Capitals' newly formed trio of Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann, and Eric Fehr provided all the offense needed for Washington to keep pace with Carolina, who beat the New Jersey Devils in overtime. The group of recent AHLers each finished a +4 on the night, with Laich leading the way by recording a career high in both goals and points. Laich, a trade deadline acquisition in his own right, put an exclamation mark on the best week of his career, finishing the the four game stretch with 4 goals and 2 assists while adding the intangibles that don't show up on the scoresheet.

On the other hand, the recently minted top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Alexander Semin produced no offense and was on the ice for Minnesota's only tally. Semin's five game goal streak came to an end, while Ovechkin's scoreless drought has reached a career-long six games. The line has likely seen it's last full game together as Viktor Kozlov should step in at right wing, moving Semin to the second line alongside newly added Sergei Fedorov -- at least to start.

One area it was thought the Capitals would try and bolster was its' defense. With Brian Pothier is presumably out for the remainder of the season (and perhaps more) after suffering his fifth career concussion. Add the consistently inconsistent performances from the likes of Milan Jurcina, John Erskine, Jeff Schultz, and Steve Eminger, and it's been well stated that the Caps need a guy who can clear the front of the net. But the corps remains intact. And they performed well, clearing rebounds from harms way and preventing the talented Wild attack from creating good scoring chances.

Tom Poti in particular played a very sound game both offensively and defensively. Even Shaone Morrisonn stepped into the action by scoring his first goal in 76 games on what should be a newly designed play. A pass intended for Fleischmann, who completely whiffed on a one timer, found Mo for a one timer of his own. Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom, no relation to our own, went down to stop the Flash shot that never came, leaving himself out of position for Morrisonn's blast. The play was reminiscent of a volleyball set where a couple players jump to spike the ball with only the furthest away connecting. Ugly, but effective.

Although Washington gained no ground on the Hurricanes, the Caps are restocked and primed for a late season run. With two games in hand and two more head to head contests with Carolina, the Capitals still control their own destiny. It won't be easy as Carolina is the second hottest team in the conference and fourth hottest in the league -- the same as Washington was for the two months that got them back in the playoff hunt.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Wheeling and Dealing

The Washington Capitals have been busy in recent years at the trade deadline. Stockpiling draft picks and youngsters in exchange for established veterans has been George McPhee's M.O. But today, McPhee was the busiest of the buyers.

In addition to the earlier acquisition of Cristobal Huet, McPhee and the Capitals have added Sergei Fedorov and Matt Cooke. The Capitals sent last year's second round choice (46th overall,) Ted Ruth, to Columbus in exchange for the 38 year old Fedorov. In acquiring agitating left wing, Cooke, Matt Pettinger gets the change of scenery he needs as he's sent to his hometown Vancouver Canucks.

The Fedorov trade brings in a veteran with 163 points in 162 games of playoff experience to go along with three Stanley Cup rings. Fedorov gives the Capitals yet another Russian and a player to fill the void left by Michael Nylander's injury. Fedorov will play center, allowing Viktor Kozlov to return to the wing where he has been much more effective this season. Though Fedorov never quite became the player it was thought he would develop into after scoring 56 goals and 120 points as a 24 year old, he has remained a consistent playmaker who ranks 52nd all-time with 1,133 points in 1,178 regular season games.

You can be sure Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin are excited about yet another countryman joining the roster. The chemistry should form quickly, allowing the Capitals to forge two strong scoring lines, something they have lacked since Nylander went on the IR.

The checking lines got an infusion of their own with the addition of Matt Cooke. The 29 year old Cooke comes to town in exchange for Pettinger, one of the biggest disappointments of the season in Washington, who goes home to Vancouver. Cooke has followed up a 10 goal, 30 point campaign of a year ago with 7 goals and 16 points this year. Not exceptional numbers...unless compared to Pettinger's 2 goals and 7 points. The two, however, are completely different players.

Pettinger is supposed to use his speed and determination to net him 20 goals as the offensive spark of a checking line. When he doesn't score (as has been the case this year,) there's not much left to help the team. Cooke, whose best season came in 2002-03 when he scored 15 goals and 42 points while registering a +21 rating, is a pesky player the Capitals' lineup lacks. Matt Bradley is supposed to fill that role, but hasn't done the job. Enter Matt Cooke, who routinely forces opponents off their game as an agitator -- they don't even have to be on the ice. Cooke, a regular penalty killer, ranked fourth among Vancouver forwards in shorthanded ice time. He will provide an aggressive spark that comes in handy down the stretch and during the playoffs.

Fedorov is making just over $6 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Cooke, also unrestricted after this season, makes $1.525 million. With Huet also unrestricted beyond this season, it is, of course, unkown at this time if any of the three acquisitions will be signed to an extension with Washington, but Huet and Cooke are my best bets. With Nylander returning from injury next year, there will not be a need for Fedorov to come back.

With the Capitals in a fight to win the division, let's take a quick look at the moves made by other Southeast Division teams today:

• Atlanta traded Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to Pittsburgh for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, prospect Angelo Esposito, and a 1st round pick
• Tampa Bay traded Brad Richards and Johan Homqvist to Dallas for Jeff Halpern, Jussi Jokinen, and Mike Smith
• Carolina traded Andrew Ladd to Chicago for Tuomo Ruutu
• Florida traded Karlis Skrastins and a 3rd round pick to Colorado for Ruslan Salei
• Florida traded a 5th round pick to Toronto for Wade Belak

The Caps Have a Goalie!!!

Breaking news out of Washington and it is BIG. The Washington Capitals have acquired Cristobal Huet for a 2nd round pick in 2009 -- still leaving the Capitals with three 2nd round picks this year and one next year. The Capitals added a 2nd round pick in '09 when they sent Brian Sutherby to Anaheim. That basically means the Capitals traded Brian Sutherby straight up for Cristobal Huet. George McPhee suddenly looks like a GREAT general manager. But just how good is this deal for the Caps?

Keith Jones, analyst on TSN, says, "I'm shocked. I don't think [Montreal] got enough for Huet. I think he's a terrific goaltender...he's a solidifying influence in goal."

Huet, due to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, has been Montreal's top goaltender since the lockout. His 2.55 GAA and .916 save percentage this season (nearly identical to his career marks) resemble a huge improvement over the numbers Capitals fans have grown accustomed to this season.

The combination of Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson ranked the Capitals 29th among 30 teams in the NHL in save percentage, 25th in GAA, and tied for last with only one shutout -- and that was the second game of the season. Kolzig himself ranks 43rd (dead last) in save percentage whereas Huet ranks 11th.

It has become quite clear that substandard goaltending has held the Capitals back all season long. Neither Kolzig nor Johnson performed effectively on any consistent level to establish themselves as the man to carry the team into the postseason. The Capitals appear to have found someone who can.

Huet, the NHL's third star for the month of January, has limited playoff experience but performed exceptionally well in his lone appearance. Though Huet lost his only playoff series in six games back in 2005-06, his 2.33 GAA and .929 save percentage were certainly good enough to have carried a team (that can score) past the first round.

Huet has struggled a bit of late, but the Capitals have firsthand seen him at his best. Huet turned in two 35 save efforts against the Caps this season -- both wins -- one of which was a shutout. But Washington has also seen him play poorly. In the second of back to back games, the first of which was the aforementioned shutout, Huet gave up five goals on 38 Capitals shots in an overtime loss to the Caps earlier this month.

The most telling story of the trade, however, involves Huet's first 35 save performance against Washington on December 20th. The Capitals had all kinds of scoring chances, significantly outplayed the Habs in every aspect, yet lost 5-2. Kolzig, the man likely to be supplanted by the trade, was in net for the Caps. He managed only 16 stops on 21 shots, many of which were not good quality. That was two points in the standings that the Capitals would really like to have right now. And that's just a microcosm of the way the Caps have been consistently outplayed in goal this year.

So the move leaves Washington with three veteran goaltenders, at least for now. This may mean that Kolzig, a pending UFA in his own right, may be on his way to Ottawa or elsewhere. We'll have to wait and see if McPhee can fleece anyone else on deadline day. Just by the way, Sergei Fedorov has also been rumored to be headed to D.C. Interesting...

Monday, February 25, 2008

Now That's a Goalie

A day after being taught how to extend a division lead late in the year, the Washington Capitals were taken back to school for yet another lesson. This time, their teacher came in the form of a Hall of Fame netminder performing at his absolute best.

Marty Brodeur, whose career will most assuredly close out with him atop the alltime wins list, kept the Devils in the game with one big save after another. By the end of the second period, the game was still scoreless, but Brodeur already had 28 saves while Brent Johnson faced just 10 at the opposite end.

The Capitals relinquished their control of the game in the third period and overtime where they were outshot 21-10, but Johnson performed admirably in what became a true goaltending duel. But Washington's failure to solve Brodeur, despite repeated chances, prevented the Caps from earning two extremely important points for the third straight game.

Although this loss was easier to stomach than the debacle in Raleigh, the standings don't care if the game was close or if you outplay the opposition. Standings are as objective as it gets in sports -- if you win, you move up. If not...well, you don't. With the overtime loss, the Capitals' games in hand advantage would no longer allow them tie Carolina (five points back, two games in hand.) It could be worse, though. We could be Atlanta, Florida, or Tampa Bay -- all of whom are in a slide of their own and have dropped further behind than the Caps have.

A loss always induces the need to improve, but in this case the Capitals can take a lot from this game. Most notably, the Capitals are a very young team learning how to win while their opponent was a squad filled with veterans experienced in hoisting the Cup. And for the most part, the Caps were in control. It all begins with their leader, Alex Ovechkin.

While Ovie has gone without a goal for five straight games, his passing has shown marked improvement over the past two games. Against the Devils, Ovechkin was seeing the ice as Gretzky and Lemieux did. Perfect cross-ice feeds, passes through defenders' feet, finding the only open guy. Ovechkin did it all repeatedly and has shown himself to be a true team player -- someone who makes the rest of his team better.

Brooks Laich, who has already established a career high in goals this season, has been another bright spot. He seems to be taking some hints from his close friend, Mike Green (surely you've seen Caps Cribs,) and has been moving the puck up ice very well lately. He doesn't yet have the stickhandling ability of Greenie, but he's getting there and, most importantly, he keeps on trying.

Though my time is limited at the moment, preventing me from expanding on my thoughts, the trade deadline is tomorrow and the Capitals are in need of some help (if they actually want to make the playoffs this year.) I'll offer more on this later on today.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Leaving It All On The Table

A new renewed trend has taken hold in Washington. And yes, it involves blowing every opportunity the Capitals have had to move themselves into playoff real estate -- the night's 6-3 loss at the hands of division leading Carolina supplying perfect illustration.

In the month of February the Capitals have played six Southeast Division tilts, a seemingly perfect occasion for the resurgent Caps to take control. Their record in these six games: 1-4-1. That translates to three points for the Caps and ten for the rest of the division. And as this stretch of disappointments has progressed, a number of things are becoming disturbingly clear.

First and foremost, Washington can no longer put a game away. The Capitals have held a lead in each of their last five games -- only to win once. Conversely, they are not making the comebacks that were a key component of their rise back into playoff contention. The Caps have overturned a deficit to win only twice in their last 14 games, something they accomplished nine times in the 19 games previous.

Now to the in-game inconsistency. Let's look at the game's shot flow, from beginning to end:

There is one glaring detail that sticks out like a turd in a punch bowl. Over two separate stretches, Carolina combined to outshoot Washington 30-2. Thirty to two! Good luck finding a playoff caliber team that will get outshot like that by the team they are trying to catch.

Time to move on to some individual stinkers. We'll start with good ol' John Erskine. Will he ever be able to clear a puck from harm's way? So far the answer is nyet, and the same goes for his ability to tie up a stick. His -2 rating was equaled only by his partner, Sami Lepisto. Erskine just drags everyone else around him down, doesn't he?

Next on the hit list is Tomas Fleischmann. Sorry dude, but you should have scored two goals and your idiotic penalty in the neutral zone led to another. If he can't connect on wide open chances, what good is he on a line with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin? And speaking of Ovechkin, what's up with his disappearing act? Five hits and three assists in the game's first half. Nothing and nothing after that.

I can't complain too much about the Capitals' penalty killing, a group that killed off 22 straight coming into this contest. Well, on second thought...four goals and 18 shots allowed on seven shorthanded situations is a bad way to end a streak. On the bright side, however, the Caps' power play has been clicking at a 35% clip in 20 tries over six games. One key reason for the group's success is their ability to carry the puck into the zone. No corner dumps for these guys, it's all about puck possession. Generating quality shots on goal and converting on rebounds is a whole other story.

In the end, a loss is a loss. A 6-3 loss featuring careless penalties and a complete loss of control of the game against a team you HAVE to beat this time of year is inexcusable. This afternoon's matchup with the New Jersey Devils qualifies as yet another must win in the Capitals' last game before Tuesday's trading deadline. Hmm...I think I hear the phone ringing. Will someone please answer it.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

After a Rest, the Disappointment Continues

Much like David Steckel, I fell victim to the nasty flu bug over the past several days. I mustered just enough energy to watch the Capitals do their best Boston Bruins impression, though the Caps were far less efficient in blowing their two goal lead (and LOST the shootout.) Not to mention Olie Kolzig gave up his two goals on only 19 shots, while the B's Tim Thomas faced 45. In other words, Carolina actually deserved their goals. The Isles...not so much.

Hockey pundits have always called a two goal advantage the "worst lead in hockey" for reasons beyond my understanding. I know the idea is that the team with the two goal lead tends to move away from the gameplan that earned them that lead, but you can't tie a game when you're behind by two. This isn't basketball...or football...or baseball. But heck, maybe they're onto something. We've seen the Capitals erase plenty of two goal deficits in their successful run under Bruce Boudreau. Carolina just did it against Boston to eek out a point. And New York just pilfered a pair in Washington.

Just one game earlier, Tampa Bay scored twice late in the third period a mere 33 seconds apart to tie the Capitals at two. Fortunately for Washington, they got an even later goal by Alexander Semin to win them the game. And it was Semin who got the night off to a promising start against the Islanders.

Matt Pettinger, who made a few very nice passes in the early going (only to miss out on a few great setup opportunities throughout the rest of the game,) found Semin streaking up the middle all by his lonesome. Semin, unlike in his ensuing shootout attempt, beat Rick DiPietro with a slick move to his backhand. 

While Alexander Semin increased his scoring streak to three games, Alex Ovechkin's scoreless streak reached the same length, matching the second longest such stretch in his career. (His career long is a four gamer back in February of 2007.) A stomach flu has been blamed for his scoreless weekend in Florida, but what is to blame for his one shot effort on this night? The fact that 10 shots were either blocked or missed the target? That's part of it. I think the bigger reason is the Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Tomas Fleischmann experiment has flopped.

Ovechkin's game low -2 rating provides evidence. His linemates' -1 ratings provide a bit more. And most telling, since the line was formed against Florida three games ago, Ovechkin is a -5 and Backstrom and Fleischmann are each a -4. Not quite the numbers you're looking for from your top line.

So what exactly does this loss mean for Washington? Well, they're not losing ground in the Southeast Division so it could be worse. But they're not gaining ground in winnable games either. With the playoffs on the not so distant horizon, that's definitely not a good thing. 

With the trade deadline looming just five days away, the Capitals have the opportunity to make some key moves. And they should. Brian Pothier isn't coming back any time soon. Neither is Chris Clark or Michael Nylander. Eric Fehr hasn't worked out. Who's left?

Bruce Boudreau, better than anyone it would seem, knows what's available for the taking in Hershey. He must not be overly impressed. Quintin Laing is the only guy who has been recalled under Boudreau who has made any sort of impact. The other callups? Well, Fehr's not ready and Sami Lepisto was an injury promotion. With the Capitals owners of prospects and draft picks galore, the assets are here with which to lure the best of the best available commodities.

The confidence the Capitals have gained over the past few months has to be a bit precarious at this point. Much of this roster has no idea just how taxing a playoff push is. It's tough on both mind and body and the Capitals seem to be tiring in both these aspects right now.

Monday, February 18, 2008

State of the Union

So here we are two days after a crucial victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Olie Kolzig has rediscovered his Vezina-winning form of nearly a decade ago, Alexander Semin has continued his inconsistent brilliance, and the Capitals salvaged a three game in four night Southeast Division roadie when it appeared they were set for another third period collapse.

After being nationally criticized and presumed to be nearing the end of a very nice career, Kolzig has put together five consecutive very good (if not superb) performances. During this stretch in which Olie has gone 3-1-1, his game-by-game save percentages were .917, .912, .939, .929, and .951. He hasn't had even three such games in a row since the first three of the season. Kolzig was the deciding factor in two of the recent wins, the first time we can say that in a long, long time.  

But now that the goaltending is finally coming into place, the scoring has tailed off. (As a Caps fan, you just can't win.) Over their last five games, the Capitals have failed to reach four goals -- the first time they have gone more than three games without accomplishing the feat since their 8-6 romp over Ottawa back on December 29th. Not that it bears worrying over, but their ringleader, Alex Ovechkin, has been held without a point in back to back games for the first time all season. It does make you realize how amazing it is that the guy has been so consistent all year, even in the down times.

One player who the Capitals hoped would provide some additional scoring punch is Eric Fehr. The former first round pick made his season debut alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin on the top line, but quickly fell to the second line, then the third, then the fourth and eventually became a healthy scratch -- all in a span of seven games.

Tomas Fleischmann, fresh off a new two year deal, has been entrusted on the first line since the Fehr experiment failed. He has contributed with two goals and an assist in the two games since the move, but the newly minted top line has been a disappointment as a whole. All three guys were a -2 (combined -6) in the loss to Florida and a -1 (combined -3) in Tampa Bay. And, as mentioned earlier, Ovie has been pointless (no, not useless.)

On defense, we have seen the debut of Sami Lepisto, a smallish, smooth-skating, puck moving defender who is the exact antithesis of Milan Jurcina, the guy who was given the night off in favor of Lepisto. The rookie (whose name would be much easier to say if the accent was on the middle syllable instead of the first) had a solid outing, except for one shift when he had a lot of difficulty getting the puck out of the defensive zone. He looked unsure of his defensive coverage a couple times as well, but the Lightning were unable to take advantage. But he moved the puck well and did a good job of keeping the front of the net clear. All in all, his decent shot, slick skating, and on-ice vision make Lepisto a very enticing prospect with enough upside to make him an NHL regular. Whether or not he'll have an opportunity to prove himself this year remains to be seen, especially with the inevitable return of Tom Poti.

Lepisto could prove a valuable asset if the Capitals are unable to come to terms with Mike Green or Shaone Morrisonn. Both are slated to become restricted free agents this offseason and the former is likely to receive A LOT of leaguewide interest if he makes it to market. With a pipeline full of highly touted defensive prospects like Lepisto, Karl Alzner, Josh Godfrey, and Keith Seabrook, the Capitals have enough talent that they can afford to let Green go and take the draft pick compensation if the asking price is too high.  

The last time Washington faced a similar situation, they allowed Scott Stevens to depart for St. Louis back in the summer of 1990. The Capitals received five first round draft picks as compensation, which they used to select Sergei Gonchar and Brendan Witt, among others. Faced with an excessive contract offer (Kevin Lowe, we're watching you) tendered to Green, George McPhee would be wise to take the picks. But that's something to be dealt with if that time comes.

Sixty games down and 22 to play, the Capitals (as well as every other Southeast team) are right in the thick of things. With the trade deadline approaching, injuries taking their toll, and a relative lack of NHL-ready players in Hershey, McPhee will no doubt be entertaining any and all offers. If Kolzig continues his excellent play, he won't be among the players headed out of town. But the poor secondary contributions (which have not been sufficiently addressed in-house) could bring a veteran or two in.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Sliding Into a Slump

Not far removed from being one of the hottest teams in the entire National Hockey League, the Washington Capitals are suddenly the coldest team in the Southeast Division -- allowing their rivals to regain ground in one of the tightest races in league history.

If Tampa Bay, currently last in the division, were to win both their games in hand, only two points would separate first from fifth place. And the Lightning, with plenty of playoff experience, are perhaps the hottest team in the Southeast right now. After losing seven in a row around the turn of the year, the Lightning have reeled off wins in 10 of 16 and are 4-0-1 in their last five. But Atlanta's also hot, Carolina has revived themselves a bit, and Florida...well, they had no problem beating the Caps last night.

In what is the most important stretch of divisional games for the Capitals so far this season, they have allowed their rivals all six possible points in the standings this past week while earning just one for themselves. And last night was no exception.

Brent Johnson, who came into the game with stellar career numbers against the Florida Panthers, was extremely shaky -- lucky to allow just three goals. His rebound placement was atrocious. More than a handful of times, he left a rebound right in the middle of slot but was fortunate that a Cap reached the loose puck first. I can't remember a game where a goalie (on any team) left so many rebounds in such bad spots.

Then there were the turnovers. Holding on to an undeserving one goal lead in the third period, Mike Green whiffed on his first clearing attempt and may as well have whiffed on his second. But he didn't, and threw the puck cross-rink right to David Booth who fired the puck towards the net where Nathan Horton was standing to tie up the game.

Then, after an unlucky carom off the back of Brent Johnson's skate crossed the goal line to put Florida in front 3-2, Alexander Semin made a terrible outlet pass with the goalie pulled and 50 seconds still to play. I don't know what Semin was thinking when he sent a pass up ice right to Booth, who shot the puck right into the empty net. But for those of us keeping score at home, the last two times the Capitals have pulled their goalie in the last minute, Semin has cost the Caps any chance for the tying goal. Remember his slash in Carolina? I thought so.

Amazingly, the Caps have spaced out their recent losses so they still haven't dropped two in a row in regulation since Bruce Boudreau took over some 38 games ago. And they'll need that streak to continue tonight against that rolling Tampa Bay team. A loss and the Capitals will find themselves two points out of LAST place in the Southeast.

A FEW NOTES FROM THE GAME:

• With Tom Poti out yet again, Steve Eminger was back in the lineup. After playing just over 10 nondescript minutes (he was the only Cap to have zeros across the board) on the day that the Caps re-recalled Sami Lepisto, I'd look for the NHL debut of the 23 year old Finland native tonight -- as long as Poti is still out.
• Tomas Fleischmann had a little Alex Ovechkin rub off on him with his insertion on the top line. His top shelf laser was very reminiscent of those that Ovie has made commonplace. Unfortunately his -2 rating on the night was equalled by six other Caps -- including Ovechkin.
• After killing off all six penalties against Florida's fifth ranked power play, the Caps are now 19 for their last 19. A lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing stretch of games.
• With the loss, the Capitals are now the only team in the Southeast that is below .500 (9-10-3) in the division.

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