Saturday, March 8, 2008

After an Explosion, Will the Caps Do It Again?

It's been just five days since the Washington Capitals trounced the Boston Bruins by the most lopsided margin in the league this season. Thanks to odd late season scheduling, the Bruins didn't have to wait long for a rematch. But will they again be overmatched for a second consecutive meeting?

Looking at past history, the likely answer is no. 

Washington's last three wins by a margin of five or more goals, dating back to 2003-04, were all followed by a loss in the rematch. But we all know how inept the Capitals have been in recent seasons, so it must be due to their ineptitude that they can't make it two in a row. Right?

Not exactly. 

Around the NHL this season, teams that have won by a five goal margin came out victorious in the rematch just 12 times in 33 games. And only once was the victory of similar dominance -- San Jose beat Phoenix by a five spot, followed three days later with a six goal shelling of the 'Yotes. But that is unquestionably a rarity.

How can a team possibly play so darn well against an opponent one night and come nowhere close to that effort in the subsequent matchup? 

Blame it on overconfidence. Blame it on unpreparedness. Heck, even blame it on the loss of your 6'5" faceoff winning demon who will miss the rematch with a broken thumb. Whichever way you slice it, this afternoon's contest will be no walk in the park.

In referencing the Capitals' loss of David Steckel for 2-3 weeks, Bruce Boudreau is tasked with reworking his line combos. Brooks Laich will be back at center, opening a spot on the wing for either Tomas Fleischmann or Quintin Laing -- or perhaps both if Eric Fehr or anyone else is given the night off.

The potential reappearance of Fleischmann causes me to reflect back to that oh so memorable day when the Capitals acquired three new faces for their playoff thrust. Remember that 4-1 win over Minnesota? You know, the one game that Fleischmann, Laich, and Fehr played together? 

They were on the ice for all four Caps goals in what has been Laich's, Fleischmann's, and Fehr's most effective individual game of each of their careers. As quickly as they came, they were no more, with two of the three being healthy scratches at least once in the four games since. Seems rational to at least try reuniting the trio.

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