Monday, February 11, 2008

Green Ends Slump, Lifts Caps Back to the Top

On a day when Olie Kolzig celebrated his 700th game in a Capitals uniform, Mike Green scored his third overtime game winner of the season to lift the Capitals back to the top of the Southeast Division.

Green would never have had the chance to win it had it not been for spectacular goaltending from Kolzig, who moved into a tie with Ron Hextall for 23rd on the all-time wins list with 296. Olie was busy all game long, making 18 stops through two periods, but saved his best for the third. Thirteen saves (a few of the spectacular variety) later, the 2-2 tie was carried over to the extra period, where the Capitals won their eighth overtime game -- now tied for third most in the league.

Alex Ovechkin had a goal and two assists, keeping himself perched atop the NHL points lead with three more than both Daniel Alfredsson and (ugh) Evgeni Malkin. That name sure came out of nowhere.  Five straight multi-point games in which he totaled four goals and 15 points will do it. Who would have thought it might be good for Sidney Crosby to get back into the lineup to help Ovechkin secure the points lead?

The most enjoyable thing of the day for the Capitals and their fans? Jaromir Jagr was utterly useless...again. Jagr, now seven games without a single point, sits 29 points behind Ovechkin on the season. The best news of all for Ted Leonsis and the Capitals is they may finally be done paying for Jagr after the season.  With 15 goals and 47 points through 59 games, Jagr is on pace for only 21 goals and 65 points -- a far cry from the 40 goals or 84 points (along with a Rangers' playoff round win) needed for him to trigger an option year.

The Capitals enter a two day break with a one-point edge over Carolina and Atlanta in the Southeast with a game in hand over every division rival aside from Tampa Bay, who by the way is the hottest team in the division and are quickly re-joining the pack.

Washington plays each Southeast team on the road over the next 12 days.  Now is the time for the Capitals to separate themselves from the pack just a little bit.  If they don't, we're in for a long stretch run.  If they do...well, we're also in for a long stretch run.  Either way, it should be fun to watch.

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