It seems as if Michael Nylander will wile away the rest of his time as a Capital somewhere other than on the ice. His sightings in D.C.have been almost as rare as a fiscal conservative. While it's been stated by some in the know that his style of play just doesn't fit in with the fast paced Capital offense, still one would think that his addition on the third or fourth line would make a nice change of pace for the team. Considering that the Caps are paying him over $5 million a year, you would figure they could use "Circles" in some capacity. Unless the Capitals get lucky and find a team willing to take on some of his salary, it appears as if Nylander will not see much NHL action this year.
Schultz on the other hand is in the doghouse because of his play. He's slow, and for a big man he doesn't use his size at all. I've seen him get beat really bad a couple of times where he was completely turned around, once in a game against the Rangers in the playoffs last year, where he looked like a spinning top trying to locate the Ranger player that sidestepped him and put the puck in the net. In my opinion, he's no more than a 4th line NHL defensemen, and the reality is he often looks over matched at that. While not all draft picks pan out, Schultz seemed to have much promise when he first came up, but his game has not improved at all. I wouldn't be surprised to see him shipped off somewhere for a draft pick some time in the near future.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Nylander Has to Make Room in the Doghouse for Schultz
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Caps Cough Up Lead, Lose In OT
It was Ken Hitchcock of the Columbus Blue Jackets who said last year that "once the Capitals learn how to play with the lead, they're going to be a hard team to beat". Well, apparently the Capitals haven't learned how to do that as of it, because they seem unable to put games away, having given up the lead in a couple games already this year. Championship caliber teams know how to play with the lead. Think of the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings of recent years. These teams know how to play with the lead. With the Devils, if they had a lead in the third period, it was usually lights out. Of course it helps that they have a goaltender named Mary Brodeur but still the Devils knew how to win close games and play with the lead. The Capitals haven't shown that ability as of yet, and while it is extremely early in the season, they're starting to develop a bad habit of not being able to hold on to the lead.
P.S. Hats off to Jose Theodore who played an excellent game and if not for his play, the game wouldn't have even made it to overtime. At some spots late in the third period, it was as if the Devils were on the power play, keeping the puck in the Capitals zone for far too long, and in one case led to a Devils goal. It should also be noted that the vaunted Capitals power play has been A.W.O.L so far this season. A couple of goals here and there, and the Capitals would likely have a couple more games in the win column.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Solid Game but Penalties Continue to Kill Caps
Playing the Red Wings, one knew that the Caps would have to play a solid game and keep the mistakes and especially penalties to a minimum. For the most part they accomplished it, with Theordore having a very good game in goal, the defense played much better, and the 3rd and 4th lines stepped up and produced both of the Capitals goals. Unfortunately, the Capitals had some lapses with Semin taking two penalties, and Green committing a very costly and unnecessary penalty in the third period. While Semin is one my favorite Cap players with fantastic offensive skills, he unfortunately has the habit of committing some bad penalties. It may just be something that the Caps and Boudreau will have to live with, knowing that on any given night he can win a game for you with his offensive talents, but unfortunately, he can and will hurt you from time to time on the other end. Green on the other hand seems to be completely out of it and his head just doesn't seem to be in the game, as he's making stupid defensive mistakes and contributing nothing offensively. Hopefully, this won't continue much longer, and he'll find his scoring touch, and get back on his game.
While it's early in the season, the Capitals have shown some defensive deficiency's and again this year seem to be penalty prone. They are going to have to change that as the season progresses if they hope to win against the top tier teams such as Detroit.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Offensive Talent on Display
Watching last night's hockey game between the Capitals and Flyers, you couldn't help but marvel at the talents of some of the key players in the game. They say that great players rise to the occasion and Mike Richards certainly did that scoring a hat trick and going one better than Ovechkin's two. Richards has averaged about 30 goals and 80 points his last two seasons and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he doesn't surpass both easily this year. As for Ovechkin, he's already way ahead of his start last season with 5 goals in 3 games. Watch for Ovechkin to break 70 this year. The other player that for now seems to slip under the radar because he's playing on the same team as Alex Ovechkin is Alexander Semin. This guy has the best hands on the team, and the way that he can curl and drag the puck is amazing. If he can stay healthy, and stay away from the injury bug, he will easily score 50 goals this year. These teams both seem loaded and I fully anticipate either or both going deep into the playoffs next year. For now, it's a lot of fun for a hockey fan to watch these teams and superstars play each other, although the respective goaltenders might disagree.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Maple Leafs Return To Their Old Ways
With the Maple Leafs coming to town Saturday, Cap fans(and especially players)should be in store for a rough and tumble physical style game since one of the primary objectives for the Maple Leafs in the off-season was to return to the physical style play they were known for in past years. With the Maple Leafs bringing in several "tough" guys to make them the kind of team that other teams hate to play against like the recent "old" Maple leafs when they had guys like Gary Roberts, Domi, Wade Belak, Darcy Tucker. etc., they seem to have accomplished just that. After Watching some of the Canadians-Maple Leaf game last night, it was apparent that teams should expect to be ready to rumble when they're playing the Maple Leafs. The Capitals on the other hand are a team that has a lot of skilled young players and seem to be moving away from the physical style game. It should be interesting to see how much the Maple Leafs try to impose their style of play upon the young Caps. One thing is for certain, John Erskine should make sure he gets plenty of sleep on Friday night as he may be called upon several times to answer the bell.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Caps Start Off Regular Season in Grand Style
The Capitals started off 2009 with a bang by completely dominating the Boston Bruins, and even worse, this butt-kicking happened in the Bruins's house. The Capitals got two goals each from Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich, and Theodore gave up just one goal late in the game, when the game was pretty much decided. Not only did the Capitals dominate on the scoreboard, but they also shutdown the Bruin's considerable offense, only allowing them 20 shots for the game, and only 3 shots on goal in the third period. While one game does not make a season, if tonight's game was any indication, it should a very entertaining and successful one.
P.S. With Donald Brashear having departed for the big Apple, it looks as if John Erskine will be called upon to drop the gloves much more this year. His fight in the 3rd period was very entertaining, and he gave a good showing of himself against Shawn Thornton, who trained in the offseason with a boxing trainer.
