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.

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