Caps search for answers against the Pens

The Capitals must find some consistency soon in this shortened season. Coming off a 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, they continue to have scoring problems. In the first ten games the Caps have yet to score more than three goals in a game. This puts a lot more pressure on the goaltending which has been adequate as of late behind Michal Neuvirth. The Caps are improving on the PP and PK despite their losing record. On Tuesday they converted on 2 of 3 power plays and were perfect on the penalty kill.

Tonight the Caps take on the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time this week. They are currently second in the Eastern Conference and are currently on a four game winning streak. If Washington is to end this they have to start finding the net, namely Alex Ovechkin. He is having the worst start to his career logging only two goals in 10 games. The only Caps player that is consistently scoring is new edition, Mike Ribeiro who is proven valuable with three goals and eight assists on the year. Since Ribeiro has been paired with Ovechkin he is averaging over five shots a game which is an improvement. The way he is moving the puck one has to think Ovi is on the brink of a breakthrough.

In Washington’s last 10 visits to Pittsburgh they are 9-0-1. Their last regulation loss to the Pens was February 18, 2007, so let’s hope tonight extends that streak. Nicklas Backstrom is currently on a five game point streak despite talk of his recent struggles. He has logged 1 goal and five assists in the past five games. Michal Neuvirth will be the starter in goal again tonight against the Pens. Neuvy stats have not been where we want them to be with a .893 save percentage and 2.99 GAA. Marc Andre-Fleury will be between the pipes for the Pens.

Adam Oates and his team have to start answering the problems within this struggling team. The media and fan base seem to already doubt the new coach and his system. At some point we have to trust a coach to take us where we desire, which ultimately is a shot at Lord Stanley. There have also been some trade rumors the past few days with talk of GMGM contacting other teams. We will see what happens, but as of now let’s focus on getting that third win and something we can build on. For the people who think Ovi is going to get traded, start riding the short bus because it is simply not an option. Prediction: Ovi will score tonight and the Caps will pull out a win. Keep the Faith! Rock the Red! Unleash the Fury!!!!

Weekend Recap

Well the Capitals had an up and down weekend starting with a big win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. The Caps would play their best third period all year scoring two goals and holding on to a 3-2 lead for their second win of the season. Nicklas Backstrom played his best game of the year logging his first goal of the season and an assist. Nicky was by far the best player on the ice Friday and the only one with a +2 ice rating. Braden Holtby got his first win of the year, saving 19 of 21 shots.

John Erskine elbowed Wayne Simmonds in the first period and it went unnoticed by the referees but not the league. Simmonds didn’t return to the game and Erskine was issued a three game suspension the next day by Brendan Shannahan and the league. Matt Hendricks and Zac Rinaldo would both get game misconducts shortly after the elbow because of a staged fight where Hendy got all he could handle in his fourth fight of the season. Other than that the only negative in that game was Tomas Kundratek who had a -1 ice rating and looked lost many points throughout the game. He also took an ill-advised delay of game penalty late in the game.

For some reason the Caps didn’t use the momentum come Sunday because they were embarrassed by the Pittsburgh Penguins. They were simply outmatched by a better team in the Pens. Braden Holtby had an abysmal day saving only 20 of 26 shots. Holtby allowed some soft goals which took the Caps out of the game in the end. Chris Kunitz scored four goals on the Caps making the final 6-3. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were too much to handle logging a combined five assists in the game. One positive was Mike Ribeiro who continues to impress even with the loss. He logged a goal and assist in the defeat making his point total 10 for the season.

Washington is definitely improving each night, but they have to find some consistency in their games. It is good to finally see some lines coming together under the Oates system. Alex Ovechkin was with Mike Ribeiro for the second game in a row and they were the only two with a +1 ice rating in the loss. The penalty kill is still struggling, killing only four of the six chances this weekend. The biggest problem this year could be the low production of Alex Ovechkin, but the last two games we have seen big improvement. Even though he didn’t score in these two games, he did log 12 shots. His new line with Ribeiro and Wolski may be the concrete first line that the Capitals need down the stretch. Backstrom also showed some glimpses of his playmaking abilities, so maybe things will start to come together.

The Caps schedule doesn’t get any easier with the Maple Leafs coming to Washington tomorrow and the Penguins again Thursday. We shall see which goalie will start tomorrow night, but I bet it will be Michal Neuvirth. John Erskine is sadly out two more games which means Tom Poti will probably get the start again. The leaders have to start being leaders or this team will continue to suffer. The Caps are 2-6-1 and the worst team in the Eastern Conference. Keep the faith Caps fans. Rock the Red!!!!

Player of the Weekend: Nicklas Backstrom (1 goal, 2 assists, +2)

Stat of the Weekend: 12 shots, 0 goals (Alex Ovechkin)

Unsung Hero: Mike Green

Caps can't play 60 minutes, Leafs prevail

The Capitals’ Canadian road trip ended last night with their second consecutive loss. It was also the second time this week they’ve conceded a third period lead. Last night the Caps led the Maple Leafs very early with a goal by Joel Ward two minutes in, for his fourth of the season. After two periods the Caps would hold a 2-1 lead thanks to Alex Ovechkin’s power play goal.

Washington killed 7 of 8 penalties in the first two periods, the only goal coming off a rebound that James van Riemsdyk cleaned up. The Caps would go scoreless in the third once again and give up two goals to lose 3-2 to Toronto. It could’ve been much worse considering the penalty fiesta that occurred, but the even strength play wouldn't suffice.

Despite the loss, Mike Ribeiro continued to exemplify his talents logging two assists. His assist to Joel Ward was quite impressive when he spun the defenseman and slotted a pass through the middle. Ribeiro now has seven assists on the year and seems to be making everyone around him a better player. There is no surprise in this with the obvious evidence being Joel Ward’s success.

Michal Neuvirth played another commendable game recording 37 saves. Although the tying goal he conceded was weak, he kept the Caps in the game with other saves throughout the game. Braden Holtby is expected to make his first start in six games tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers because of the back to back games. Holtby didn’t play horribly in his first two starts, but he didn’t receive much help with the Caps still adapting to the new system.

The major concern of this game was the eight penalties the Caps committed in the first 40 minutes. Yes they only allowed one goal from it, but it definitely took a toll on Washington’s stamina in the third period. The Capitals must start playing a full 60 minutes if they want to escape this abysmal start to the season. Their record stands at 1-5-1 and they are the only Eastern Conference team with only one win.

Adam Oates has to realize that the line combination disaster that he has created must end before the weekend. Alex Ovechkin is still one of the best players in the world and he cannot be paired with Jay Beagle and Joey Crabb. I have nothing against the two, but their time is better served on the third or fourth line. This line that Oates threw together has had zero success at even strength which is where the Caps need the most improvement. The last four games Oates has waited until the Caps are trailing in the third period to put Ovi with Ribeiro or Nicklas Backstrom. It is time to put him with a playmaker and start winning games Oates!!!

Player of the Game: Mike Ribeiro (2 assists, +1)

Stat of the Game: 7 of 8 on the PK

Mr. Irrelevant: Tomas Kundratek

Caps can't hold early lead, suffers 3-2 loss

The Capitals had their best start to a game all season Tuesday night, leading the Senators 2-0. Unfortunately they wouldn’t reach the scoreboard the rest of the game and would fall 3-2 late in the third. Oates' system does seem to be finally working, but playing a full 60 minutes seems to be a reoccurring problem. Troy Brouwer and Matt Hendricks tickled the twine in the first each for their second goal of the season.

In the third period, Michal Neuvirth gave up a weak goal near side to Milan Michalek to tie the game 2-2. Late in the third, Joel Ward would take a penalty that was a controversial high sticking call. The NHL rules state that it is not a high stick if it occurs during a follow through of playing the puck. This penalty would be the deciding factor in the game with Sergei Gonchar putting the dagger in the Caps on the extra man.

Neuvy didn’t play his best game even though the game winner was a deflection that he couldn’t control. Washington went into a defensive shell in the third period trying to defend their one goal lead, which could be why they were kept off the scoreboard. Mike Green and John Carlson led Washington once again in ice time and each had an even ice rating. Green also led the team with five shots on goal.

The most irritating thing about this game is the line combinations of the Capitals. Adam Oates is new to this team, but in the beginning of the year he stated he was going to do anything in his power to make Alex Ovechkin succeed on the ice. I’m not suggesting Ovechkin’s stats are more important than the team winning, but his success definitely reflects the team winning or not. I’m referring to putting Ovi on a line with Jay Beagle and Joey Crabb. This will simply not bring any positives to the Great Eight. Hopefully on Thursday we see Troy Brouwer and Nicklas Backstrom at his side because that line seems to have some chemistry from last season.

The Caps are definitely very close to reaching their full potential, and with a few tweaks I believe we will see the Ovi and Caps of old. If I am Oates I definitely keep the line of Chimera, Ribeiro, and Ward together because they are having evident success. We will see in Toronto come Thursday if he has a change of heart. Keep the faith Caps fans!

Player of the Game: John Erskine (1 assist, 8 hits)

Mr. Irrelevant: Matthieu Perreault

Unsung Hero: Wojtek Wolski

Who's Hot, Who's Not

Hot

-          Joel Ward: The Caps are five games into the season and the team leader in goals is none other than Joel Ward. We are finally seeing the player we signed from Nashville two years ago. He leads the team with three goals and has five points total. Adam Oates has given him some power play time and he has already proven to be successful with one power play goal. His forward line with Mike Ribeiro and Jason Chimera has seen great offensive results early in the season.

-          Mike Ribeiro: This Caps newcomer leads the team in points through five games with one goal and five assists. Even though the Capitals have only one win he continually makes things happen in the offensive zone with his line mates Chimera and Ward. He has been very productive on the power play, logging four of his six points on the extra man. It is safe to say the Capitals have finally found their second line center.

Not

-          John Carlson: The Capitals defense has had their share of problems to start the season and Carlson has been the cause for a lot of them. For starters, he has been on the ice for 13 of the 19 goals against this season. Carlson seems to be experiencing some positioning problems with the new system. He is second among defenseman with ice time, so we need him to start playing like the American hero we all know. The time to earn that six year, $23.8 million contract is now!!!!