THE CAPS ARE BACK!

The Washington Capitals for the first time this season played a full 60 minutes and the score proved it. They steamrolled the Florida Panthers 5-0 for their third win of the season. It was truly a team effort and everyone played a role in this monumental win that could mark the turn of the season for this Caps team. Adam Oates system finally seems to be taking place and it was obviously seen through the fore check and pressure that lasted all three periods. The event in this game that started it all involved John Erskine who was fresh off his suspension. Erskine dropped the gloves with well-known tough guy George Parros and pounded his face a couple times to pump up the home crowd at the Verizon Center.

Troy Brouwer started the scoring with a deflection goal off a John Carlson shot from the point. That lucky bounce was just the push that Washington needed to get going and never look back. In the second period, on the first power play, Braden Holtby hit Troy Brouwer on a long saucer pass that he would capitalize on with a howitzer that went top shelf. This play couldn’t have been prettier between the extra sauce on that pass and the high cheese that beat Jose Theodore.

Joel Ward, Alex Ovechkin, and Mathieu Perreault would all score to put many nails in the coffin. Braden Holtby logged 27 saves in his fourth career shutout. Holtby had several big saves in this contest and will hopefully step into the spot as a #1 goalie. This team needs a goalie that can carry us through games on some nights and make the saves that are expected. I’ve heard the Roberto Luongo rumors, but we cannot rely on that now. Braden Holtby has probably earned himself the start in Florida on Tuesday.

Alex Ovechkin and Mike Ribeiro continue to gain chemistry with each shift together and the stats are starting to prove that. Ovi has a four game point streak with goals in the last two games. Ribz also has a four game point streak, logging six points in that span. Both of these streaks began the second game these two were paired together. Coincidence? I think not! The only thing that isn’t consistent is the left wing position on that line that seems to change every other game. Jason Chimera took the role last night for the first time and played well, assisting on the Ovechkin goal. We will see if that line sticks, but regardless I look forward to the future damage that Ovi and Ribz will do.

This game had to make every Caps game smile and we even saw Adam Oates with a big smile after Brouwer’s first goal. For the past couple weeks the coaching staff and team has said that they were looking for that one game that would change it all and the Caps of old would be back. Now I’m not saying that everything is good now and we have no worries, but this could be the confidence boost that the Capitals needed. Every Caps player was searching for a glimpse of positivity and they got it Saturday night. They have to take this win and build off it one game at a time. I truly believe that this season can be turned around with the personnel we have supporting red sweaters. Keep the faith. Rock the Red. Unleash the Fury.

Player of the Game: Braden Holtby (27 saves, SO)

Stat of the Game: Troy Brouwer (2 goals, +1)

Unsung Hero: John Erskine

Pens steamroll Caps

Last night left the Washington Capitals and their fans praying for a miracle. Each game we look for positives and hope for change, but last night was the epitome of dreadful. The Caps played their best period of the year in the first leading 1-0. I don’t know what happen in the locker room, but the second period was the worst period of the year for the Caps, trailing 5-1 after two.

The Capitals went through both goalies after Michal Neuvirth let in a marshmallow shot from Pascal Dupuis. Braden Holtby came in right after that and allowed three goals in during the remaining seven minutes of the second period. Adam Oates is clearly at a goalie dilemma because neither of the two are deserving of the #1 title. One of the two will have to realize this team needs a goalie to step up and start carrying this team.

The Caps’ penalty kill in this game was hard to watch and killed 1 of the 4 penalties. I don’t want to point out any particular player, but the entire team right now suffers from positioning problems during the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin had a field day in the second, each logging a goal and two assists. The Penguins proved that they are one of the top teams in the NHL this year and exploited all the weaknesses the Capitals are dealing with.

Alex Ovechkin and Mike Ribeiro were the only Capitals that played respectable games. They each logged a goal and assist in the contest. Ovechkin had seven shots on goal and recorded his third power play goal of the season. If there were any positives in this game it involved the first line or power play which includes Ovi and Ribeiro.

The Caps now sit in dead last of the league with a record of 2-8-1. The chances of the Capitals making the playoffs are fading away with each loss. I’ve yet to see any confidence in this team and they need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and just play hockey. I’m aware that the new system took time in New Jersey and it eventually worked for them. Well if all the Caps are on board to recognize this, we can make something out of this season. Build off the power play and start playing smart hockey.

Their next game will be home tomorrow against the Florida Panthers. John Erskine will be back in the lineup with his suspension ending which is one positive. Alex Ovechkin and Mike Ribeiro seem to have something special going on with their line, so expect that scoring to continue. Only God knows who will be between the pipes for Washington tomorrow night. I will not lose faith just yet Caps fans. Rock the Red!

Player of the Game: Alex Ovechkin (1 goal, 1 assist, 7 shots)

Stat of the Game: 0 for 3 in 2^nd period (Caps PK)

Mr. Irrelevant: Karl Alzner

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