New System Starting to Bear Fruit?

Well, the Capitals made their annual father-son trip down to Sunny Florida, and again it was a huge success winning both games in the extra session. The Caps are a different breed of team this year. While last year's team was a frontal assault version with offense being their main weapon, this year's team has a new look with a more responsible defensive system, and with rare exception the Caps are winning low scoring games usually decided by one goal. While the Caps offense and power play have struggled mightily this year, the penalty kill has become one of the Caps strengths with the team in the top five in killing off penalties. While Boudreau and management believes the new system is necessary after being ousted in the first round of the playoffs the last couple of years, he and the team have to get it done in the playoffs this year, or they will likely be looking at some significant changes in the system off the ice as well as on.

Heading into the Stretch Drive

With a little over a month to go, the Capitals hope to build some momentum and consistency heading into the playoffs. While the Capitals have improved defensively, the offense has been mediocre for most of the season, and if not for a good start, the Capitals would be fighting for a playoff position, as they have barely played .500 hockey since December. The last two games are prime examples, as it took a last minute goal with an extra man on the ice to keep from getting shutout for the 10th time this year. Yes, they won in overtime on a highlight goal from Ovechkin that have been all too rare this year, but they could have just as easily been shut out again. Thursday was similar in that the Caps fell behind the lowly Blues but were able to catch and overtake them in the 3rd period. While the Caps may be able to coast for a couple of periods against teams like the Islanders and Blues, the likelihood of them being able to win with 20 minute hockey against teams such as the Flyers, Bruins and other quality teams is doubtful. If the Caps are going to go far into the playoffs they need to rediscover their offense. While the addition of Jason Arnott will definitely help the offense, whether it will be enough to jump start a struggling offense remains to be seen.

Caps fill needs with Arnott, Wideman

While I have been critical of G.M. McPhee on many occasions, I will give him credit for picking up an established center in Jason Arnott that will fill a need as a second line center that can only help the Caps in the playoffs. While it's quite likely that Arnott will only be a rental for this year's playoffs, I don't believe the Capitals overpaid by giving up David Steckel and a 2nd round draft pick but of course that is largely dependent on what the Caps do in the playoffs. The Caps also picked up a defensemen from Florida who should help the Caps on the blueline and especially with the power play. With the season long injury problems that Tom Poti has experienced and the recent injury to Mike Greene, the new acquisition of Dennis Wideman is a timely addition.

Any moves Mr. G.M.?

Here we are just hours away from the trade deadline and so far nothing much has taken place as far as trades other than adding Marco Sturm from waivers. While it's apparent that the Caps have pressing needs such as 2nd line center and shut down defensemen, I believe one of their bigger issues is that of goaltending. The Caps decided before the season started to stake their fortunes on two young and promising goaltenders, Valarmov and Neuvirth. While both of these goaltenders have shown this year and in the case of Varlamov in the playoffs that he has the potential to be a stopper, the fact is that Varlamov is injury prone, and Neuvirth has has no playoff experience. As stated earlier, if something happens to Neuvirth, we could be going into the playoffs with an AHL goaltender. The problem for the Caps is that they have little to offer as trade bait that other teams would be interested in other than their core players such as Semin, Alzner or Carlson that would bring anything much in the way of value so I would be surprised if the Caps are able to pull off the big deal. The only reason I believe something big could be in the works is that McPhee, the Caps G.M. is on the hot seat this year to get the Caps deep in the playoffs, and this years team as presently contructed, is not likely to accomplish that.

After taking a long hiatus from the Internet and the world of sports, I have decided to once again offer my inconsequential thoughts on the world of Washington Capitals hockey. As we are quickly moving towards the playoffs, I would be less than honest if I said that I am confident of the Capitals chances of going far into the playoffs. Comparing this years team to the President's Cup winners of 2010 is like comparing apples and oranges. For one thing, last years team was all offense, all the time. This year's version has trouble scoring more than 2 goals a game, and have been shutout 9 times now I believe. While the new Bruce Boudreau system that emphasizes defense as a major part of the scheme, it seems to me as if the Caps have sacrificed their identity to become more responsible defensively and the trade off in my opinion has produced a team that is less fun to watch, and inconsistent to say the least. I have heard many people say that none of this will matter if the Caps are able to put together a long playoff run, but as this point, I can't see it happening. Goaltending is another area that is a major issue, as Boudreau can't seem to decide which rookie goaltender is his starter, and with Varlamov having injury problems, the Caps may be forced to go with an AHL goaltender in the playoffs if Neuvirth goes down. There are many other issues that gives one pause, but unless the Capitals are able to upgrade the team significantly before the trade deadline, I don't see good things coming this April either.

Nylander Has to Make Room in the Doghouse for Schultz

Washington Capitals Hockey

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.

Caps Cough Up Lead, Lose In OT

Washington Capitals Hockey

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.