Washington Capitals Hockey
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Streak is now Four
The Washington Capitals began a six game road trip in
Nashville five points behind Southeast Division leading Carolina with a
game in hand. That extra game is now gone, but the Capitals made the
most of it. With a 4-2 win over the Predators, the Capitals have
matched a season high four game win streak.
Now just three points back with two head to head
matchups
versus Carolina remaining, the Capitals won another game despite
questionable officiating to kick off the roadie in fine style.
The Capitals jumped on Nashville early, storming out to
a 3-0 lead against a Predators team that looked lethargic and
disinterested. But a pair of penalties early in the second period
caught up with the visitors as the Predators finally got on the board.
The goal was a dramatic turning point as the Preds took control from
that moment on. Problem for the Caps is, as has been the case the past
handful of games, they didn't exactly deserve those back to back
penalties.
Washington, by no means, played an undisciplined game
yet found themselves shorthanded five times. Most disturbing though was
a non-call late in the third period. Moments after killing off
Nashville's fourth straight power play, the Predators had possession of
the puck in the Caps zone (which was frequently the case in the final
40 minutes) when Matt Bradley's stick was slashed out of his hands. The
play happened right in the middle
of the ice, easily observaable by both officials, but no call was made.
Such has been the story of the last week or two for Washington.
One would assume that the NHL offices up in Toronto are
rooting for Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals to make the playoffs, but
the way the refs have been calling Caps games lately, they may as well
be a high school team trying to make the NHL playoffs -- something
nobody wants to see, except the kids' parents.
Despite the misfortunes, Washington managed to win their
fourth straight game, pull within three points of Carolina, and keep
pace with eighth place Philadelphia. All the while, Alex Ovechkin
scored points number 100, 101, and 102, the last of which an empty
netter that was banked off the boards from his own zone. With greatness
comes a bit of luck.
Washington has little time to reflect on their win,
backstopped by another very solid 24 save performance from Cristobal
Huet, as they are in Chicago to face the fading, though youthful,
Blackhawks -- and perhaps another pair of discriminatory referees.
Although Washington was unable to gain ground on the
Flyers, Olie Kolzig is set to get the start on a night that finds both
Carolina and ninth-seed Buffalo in action. It is sure to be another
night of scoreboard watching as the road trip reaches full swing.
|
