What A Difference A Week Can Make and Game 16: Caps vs. Devils Tonight at Verizon Lookahead

Well fellow Caps fans it's been a week since my last post and for the Caps and we fans it's been a good week.  Our boys in Red have gone from dropping four in a Row to having won three in a row with a reasonable chance of getting that fourth two point night in a row tonight.  They've gone from having a below 0.500 record on the season to date and being on the outside looking in, to having an overall 0.566 record, 17 points and being on the right side of the bubble.  Granted not where they started the first 6 games of the season but right now the trend is our friend as can bee seen if one wants to look at the various "fancy stats" over at War On Ice. 

Tonight the Caps have a chance to once again make the vast majority of us back into hopeful believers as opposed to cautious skeptics.  Tonight they take on the New Jersey Devils for the second time this season, this is New Jersey's second visit to Verizon Center this season and last time the Capitals were rather rude hosts, handily beating the Devils 6 - 2 in Regulation on October 16th.  Tonight the Devils come into DC rested and confident having beaten the Minnesota Wild in their last game by a score of 3-1 on Tuesday Night at "The Rock" in Newark on the back of some excellent goaltending by Corey Schneider.  Both Washington and New Jersey are 5-5-1 in their last 10 games but the Caps are slightly hotter and are one standings point ahead of their Metropolitan Division Rival Devils with one game in hand having 17 points in 15 games played so far this season.  As a team the Capitals also have a positive goal differential of five goals versus the Devils who are -7 in that department.  Both teams play a puck possession game but at this point you have to give the talent differential to the Capitals and the Devils have a much older team in terms of average age.  Overall this is a game the Capitals should win, assuming they play a full sixty minutes and they play their system very well and very, very hard.  Additionally they should always keep their feet moving and stay out of the penalty box, if they do that they should draw a few penalties as they play the game at a much faster pace than the Devils usually do and if they execute in such a manner it will mean they are forcing the Devils to play the game at their pace and in their style instead of slowing their own game down to "Devil Speed."  For tonight's songs to sound like they have a "Capitals Beat" this game needs to be played at 45 - 78 RPM for all 60 minutes.  The Devils want to sing/play it at no greater than  33 1/3 speed.  Further the Caps should expect the Devils to come into the game hungry, and push very hard in the first period to make sure they don't get embossed like they did in the October 16th game and to take the Verizon Crowd out of the game early.

I belive the Caps are as hungry if not hungrier for a two point night than New Jersey.  So barring a lights out night by Corey Schneider or the Caps failing to play hard for some reason, I see this game being a 4 - 2 regulation win, with a final minute empty net goal by the Capitals.  If somehow New Jersey plays very poorly and gives the Caps more than 4 power plays then it could be a win by the Caps by greater than a two goal margin.

If however the Caps are looking past New Jersey or fail to play their game well a full sixty minutes, or Corey Schneider has a totally "lights out" night the Devils could win this game so the Caps cannot fail to play hard and smart for all sixty minutes.

Assuming I am correct and the Caps finish the night with 19 points and 7 ROW in 16 games the Caps will be on a solid 0.594 pace ~20% into the season and on pace for 35 ROW this season which last season was on the right side of the bubble but still on the bubble last April, so the Caps still need every point and likely will continue to do so for the remainder of the season.

Four key players and key points for New Jersey tonight: Jaromir Jagr, Corey Schneider; Mike Cammalleri, and Marek Zidlicky.  Also not to be overlooked is Patrik Elias.  You might notice of these five payers only the goaltender Schneider is under 30 and the second youngest Cammalleri is a recent off season pick up at 32 and until recent injuries has not been skating more than 15 minutes a game.  Schneider had a relatively inauspicious start to the season but in his last several games has put himself on track.  For the season to date he has a SV% of 0.904 and a GAA of 2.87. At 42, Jagr still seems ageless and leads the Devils in scoring and has really been their on ice leader in may other ways so far this season.  In this his 20th NHL season the future hall of famer has 3 goals and 9 assists so far this season and for some strange reason, pundits like Gord S don't seem to dwell on his current =/- (-2) like they do Ovechkin's nor have they harped on him as any sort of one dimensional player, etc even though he hasn't been nearly as productive or important to his teams since he departed Washington for the New York Rangers in the 2003 - 2004 season, go figure?  In any case he is a key guy for the Caps to make sure they shut down and while he may have slowed a quarter to a half stride over his 20 NHL seasons fastest, his hockey sense is second to none and his on ice presence is still incredibly noteworthy and effective.  Camalleri is currently in his 12th NHL season and is basically the Devils' "sniper"/finisher with 6 goals and 4 assists so far this season.  Some of the other Devils' usual offensive threats like Adam Henrique are out with injuries so the lion's share of offensive load goes to Cammallleri and Jagr right now, aided by 38 year old defenseman Zidlicky who has 3 goals and 6 assists for the Devils and is fourth leading scorer right behind the injured Henrique.  Centers Elias and Travis Zajac are important more from a faceoff, puck possession and distribution perspective in the Devils' current system.

Four key players and key points for your Washington Capitals tonight: Braden Holtby, Alexander Ovechkin, Eric Fehr, and Jay Beagle. Starting from the goal line out the key for Braden Holtby and the Caps in this game as all games this season is a system that limits the opposition to 30 or less SOG and a team defense anchored by a SV% of 0.92+ and that stat/final line of defense is Holtby or Peters.  Holtby needs to get more comfortable with staying patiently in net and not doing things like happy feet, high risk move to keep his head in the game.  Last game the Caps got away with a couple of "loose" moves and defensive plays by both Holtby and the blueline corps.  In tonight's game they cannot do that against the "experienced" (long in the tooth) New Jersey squad.  Any game involving the Capitals top four guys to watch means that either Alexander Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom will be on these lists.  For a game against a team like the Devils, leadership on both the offensive forecheck and keeping pressure on the Devils with O-Zone presence and Corsi For to me means of the Backstrom/Ovechkin pair I'm thinking a flying, fast power forward/wing is slightly more key than a solid game by our first line center, only slightly though.  I put Eric Fehr on this list as I still have concerns that Troy Brouwer will be somewhat hampered by the thumb injury he suffered last game so I'm looking for secondary scoring and a spark from a third line of Chimera-Fehr-Ward.  Fehr has been buzzing more and as long as he plays a hard on the puck game, I believe he'll be rewarded against the slower pace the Devils will want to play.  Of the second and third lines I look to Fehr to drive the pace and speed of the third line and I also think that as long as Burakovsky plays smart hockey like he did the last game against the Devils, he and Marcus Johannson should be able to execute smartly on the second line against the Devils.  Final key I have listed is Jay Beagle, it looks like Tom Wilson will still be out of the lineup tonight and Beagle will get another chance to play on the first line with Ovechkin and Backstrom.  He did well and was rewarded last game in this role, tonight the key is for him to again play within himself, make smart decisions and again play his assigned role playing alongside two of the League's elite forwards.  All of the above though ties to the Caps out playing and out "Fenwicking" the Devils so they score three or more goals and the team defense resulting in less than 30 SOG and a team SV% of 0.926+ - that is the top level recipe for success tonight, IMO.

LETS GO CAPS!!!! 

This? Or That? ...

It's getting close to time for the Capitals' Coaching and management staff to start making some real hard choices with regard to roster personnel.  So I figured I'd play "armchair GM" and make some of my own... so all of these guys are listed on the roster per the team's website this evening.  Right now the Caps list 18 forwards on the roster and 11 defensemen on the roster as well as 3 three goaltenders.  Let's do the easy thing first and say we agree with the plan for goaltenders on opening night: that's Holtby & Peters.  Now on to the "this or that's" for the defensemen.

Olesky or Hillen:  Both are 28 year old Journeyman defensemen who bring something to the table.  However in my view Olesky's size, grit, and hockey sense are all greater than Hillen, making it so Olesky is actually the guy with more upside IMO. The only thing I'd give to Hillen is he's a left hand shot.  if you have the feeling that you want a left and right hand shot on each pair that means that Olesky's partners of the guys I think at top 5 on the depth chart are Alzner & Orpik while Hillen's are Carlson, Green, and Niskanen.  Sounds like in that regard you go for Hillen but then think about it it's 1-0 with 10 minutes to play and you are Barry Trotz trying to rest you top pair for a final 10:00 surge, who'd you rather have out there for the Caps on defense Hillen and Green, Carlson or Niskanen or Olesky with either Alzner or Orpik. To me that's an easy call. All of the sudden Olesky with either Alzner or Orpik are who I send out no hesitation.  On the other hand definitely not Hillen with either Carlson or Green - in those situations in the past well it just hasn't been pretty. The 160 K of salary Cap I pick up are gravy but really not a factor at all.

Schmidt or Schilling - Both have upside and I'd keep them both in "the system" I love Schilling's size ... but ... the one closer to being NHL ready is Schmidt.  So then let's ask ...

Schmidt or Carrick - Again both deserve to stay in the system but all last year while I loved the electricity that Carrick brought at times when he was on the ice, he made enough noticeable bad "hockey decisions" that required him to save himself with his skating speed, I say Schmidt. So then let's ask ....

Schmidt or Wey - Again I like them both but I think Wey definitely needs another half to full season in Hershey before I pick him over Schmidt or Carrick and right now to me Schilling vs Wey is a "dead heat." So.. now here's my last this and this or that or that for defense ..

Erskine, Orlov, Olesky or Schmidt pick three of the four ... the question that arises when Orlov gets healthy.  Me, I go with Orlov and Olesky - a Right and a Left Hand Shot, when looking at Green, Niskanen, Carlson and Alzner that's 3 right hand shots and two lefties so I guess it's a good thing that both Erskine and Schmidt are left hand shots as well.  Erskine 6'-4" 220#, age 34, played 37 games last season had 1 goal, 3 assists, 64 hits, 56 PIM and , true grit on ice.  Schmidt 6-0", 194#, age 23, played 29 games last season in a Caps sweater, scored 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 PIM and had 18 hits. Me, I start the season with Erskine as number 8 on the depth chart on defense and let Schmidt mature a little more in Hershey.  But I'm not worried when any of these four guys gets hurt this year with the talent the Capitals have on the roster's blue line and that's the first time I felt I could say that in 7 seasons. I see the opening day roster with 8 guys listed who are blue liners:  Alzner, Carlson, Erskine, Green, Niskanen, Olesky, Orpik, and Schmidt (with Orlov on IR).

Now onto a little "forward" this or that.... Any "this or that" for the Capitals at this stage has to start with looking at the alternatives for second line center ... So then let's ask ...

Laich or Kuznetsov - why Laich - well let's start with the fact that spending $4.5M of your salary Cap (6.5+%) is a lot to spend on someone who would end up on the depth chart below the second line, then lets look at him, 31 years old, 6'-2", 210#, 10 NHL seasons under his "belt", total of 617 games played including "iron man seasons" 70+ games each season 2005 - 2012 but only 9 games played in 2012 - 13, and 51 games 2013-14.  Best seasons 2009-10; 78 games played, 25 G, 34 A, 59 points and IMO 2010 - 11 82 games played, 16 G, 32 A, 48 points (he had more goals in 2008-09 and 07-08 but I think 10 -11 was a better season for him). But the real question is at 31, 32, and 33 years of age will he ever be as good as he was 5 on 5 before he turned 30? There's no doubt in my mind Kuznetsov has more "upside" than Laich had when he was 22 let alone now that Laich is 31.  However, the question is right now, is Laich a better fit for the second line center position than Kuznetsov.  For my money the answer is  - no - I go with Kuznetsov over Laich, I want his speed and creativity at the second line center position a lot more than I want Laich's experience and conservative, safe play.  Also for Laich to reach the levels he did in his best years he has to be braver than he has been since 2010.  He has to get into the grills of goaltenders and risk getting inadvertently hit by an errant shot by a teammate ... again because at 31, even though he's in great shape he's probably a quarter step slower than he was at 26 or 27. Can he do that and durably play 65+ games this season.  Meanwhile Kuznetsov is younger at 22, faster and has creativity and vision with the puck Laich never had.  He also despite being only 22 is used to playing "in the spotlight" with 5 seasons of KHL experience and 40 games of World and World Junior Championship experience and averaging 0.72 point per game. So then lets ask ...

Kuznetsov or Burakovsky: This is a no brainer to me, Burakovsky is 19, has none of Kuznetsov's KHL or WC "creds" and is a natural wing who needs more games at a lower level learning how to be a center if he's going to be the Capitals second line center.  Don't get me wrong he's been awesome this preseason so far and will be a talent in the NHL soon, maybe this season at Left Wing but I'd let him mature another season either in Hershey or in the OHL back in Erie even.  He'll bulk up his 6'1" frame some (he's only 178#) and he could really learn to be an awesome Center and more well rounded 200', 2 - way hockey player with one more season if that's what Trotz and the Caps want from him. So then lets ask ...

Kuznetsov or Johansson: Johansson is 23 years, has played 263 regular season games and 30 playoff games in four (4) NHL seasons.  He's averaged 0.53 points per game in regular season games and 0.33 points per game in regular season games.  So why not Johansson? Well his face off % hasn't been good ever, but to be fair he's not had a lot of chance to practice and develop that skill.  However, given this season will be Kuznetsov's first full season on NHL sized ice rinks and his first season of such long length, I'd pick MoJo to start the season as the second line center. I also think MoJo is better suited to "pair" with Brouwer, the defacto second line right wing.  That means if Trotz desires he can put Laich out as the second line LW and you have three guys on that line who can take faceoffs, and have "not too shabby" footspeed...or you could go a different way for the second line LW.  But my choice as second line center on opening night is Marcus Johannson.

I then go with Kuznetsov or Fehr on the first line as the third forward with Ovechkin and Backstrom.  Fehr can play there or as the third line center between Chimera and Ward.  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Laich but with the skillz at center Fehr has developed the last season and a half, the only thing Laich brings to the table over Fehr, at the price of an additional $3M of salary Cap is a slight edge as on the penalty kill unit. So if it's me I buyout or trade Laich. Going with Kuznetsov and Fehr over Laich to round out the top "9" forwards:  Backstrom, Brouwer, Burakovsky, Chimera, Fehr, Johannson, Kuznetsov, Ovechkin, and Ward. So then lets ask ...

What about the "Energy Line": I go with three Centers: Latta - at center, Beagle at Left Wing and Casey Wellman at Right Wing sending Tom Wilson to Hersehy for more ice time and to speed his development. 

And who should be the 13th forward?  I don't really care as long as Wilson spends some time in Hershey getting 15+ minutes a game of ice time.

So that's my ideas for this or that.  I have no illusions the opening night roster will be different and Brooks Laich will still be a Capital; also the Mike Green trade rumors will persist throughout the season until he's got a contract extension in hand thanks to Sports Illustrated.  All that said I'm getting excited for the upcoming NHL season to start.

LETS GO CAPS!!!

Capital's Rookie Camp Barely Underway; TSN Commenters Already Quite Ridiculous and Irritating

Well Caps fans yesterday my Caps Season Ticket Holder (STH) package arrived - not sure if I'll really use my new "Club Red 365" Lunchbox but I like it.  If there was a 10 year old mini-me here I know what his sandwich would be in tomorrow morning.  The arrival of the Caps STH package always cements the idea that hockey season is just around the corner and prompts me to check out the usual hockey blogs and media haunts as well as start some more research as to where and how I think the Capitals prospects and approaches for the upcoming season are starting to flesh out.

If you read my blog last week you'll know I am a fan and generally an optimistic one at that.  Last year this time I was curiously optimistic as to how the Adam Oates era would begin and go here in DC hockey, now we know those answer - short and not at all sweet.  Now we start the Barry Trotz era, given Trotz's last "gig" was so long in Nashville, I think we can all expect our current head coach's era to be longer than our last one here in Cap Nation.  I also think we can look to the style that Nashville played for at least a few clues as to the type of game he is going to be expecting from the Capitals and we will be watching.  Combined with the off season Free Agent pickups I think we will be looking at - believe it or not - a much higher energy game plan, and yes a "200 foot game" as has been speculated.

 But what does that really mean, I'm thinking shorter shifts for the forward lines and shifts of no more than 1:00 on average for the Blue Liners.  To me, I expect at the end of this regular season Ovechkin and Backstrom will have played 77+ games and have an ATOI of 18:45 - 20:00 - there 5 on 5 Corsi and +/- will be at career highs; and both will be 100+ point producers for the season with no more that 50% of those points coming on the power play.  Remember that you read that here first. Why did I lead off with that - just read the comments to this article over on TSN - it's typical of what their readers usually post about our Captain who they clearly do not watch actually play. Further if at any time you've ever wondered why reading my blog I'll occasionally rant about  "xenophobia" against anyone who is not a Canadian in the NHL in hockey media, etc.  just read more comments in articles on TSN where posters talk about any Russian, European or American players.  Now back to my more on point hockey musings.  I think the improved success of Backstrom and Ovechkin will be sparked by two things an even more talented and creative new Left Wing on the line (either Kuznetsov or perhaps Burakovsky) and smoother, faster breakouts from the Defensive zone enabled by a collectively more talented, bigger defensive corps. To me the addition of Niskanen is huge - it means the Caps now will have three pairings with anchored by a really skilled puck mover.  It takes a huge load off Mike Green and John Carlson and means other teams cannot sit back at all when 74 and 52 are on the bench.  Orpik brings grit and means gives some relief to Alzner - his addition means that 27 isn't the only NHL top four "shutdown" D-Man on the team; but I feel Niskanen's addition means other teams will have to play a much more intense forecheck if they expect to beat the Capitals during a game's five on five play.  I also think these changes mean the Caps, who had and continue to have tons of talent on the forward lines, now have a full set of three defensive pairings that will be able play the same game no matter who is out on the ice.  That will mean opponents won't be able to focus so much of their game plan on stopping 8 and 19.

Play the above out through the 40 minutes of each game that Ovechkin and Backstrom are on the bench and it should mean the rest of the team will also have more room to play the game and put up solid five on five numbers.  I don't see any reason why 42, 25 and 20 can't once again have career or near career years.  As with last week's article I think this year could be the year when we see if 90 is really better off as a natural center and a second line of Burakovsky (if Kuznetsov is on the first line) - Johansson - Brouwer could be surprisingly awesome.  I would NEVER count Eric Fehr out of the mix for the top lines.  Last season Chimera and Ward made whoever played pivot between them better, IMO.  I believe Tom Wilson will continue to develop, as will Casey Wellman as well.  What does the above mean - to me it means that Brooks Laich and Jay Beagle as well as any other forward on the team better show up to camp as fit as they've ever been and ready to play a harder faster game than they've ever played if they expect to be in this lineup on Thanksgiving.  The same really goes for the blue line corps.  I expect this team, far more than the 2013-14 Capitals will push each other to be much better hockey players both as individuals and as a team.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!

Its Official HOCKEY IS BACK In The 202....

Well Capitals Fans NHL Hockey and the Cardiac Capitals are back in the District, as last nights tilt with the Calgary Flames at "da Phone Boot" so aptly illustrated. Last night the Washington Capitals opened the "home portion" of the 2013-2014 NHL season against Calgary after loosing their opening game in Chicago versus the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks at United Center on Tuesday 6-4. 
As Caps Fans know, it's been a relatively quiet off season for us fans as the Capitals have only made a few player personnel moves this off season.  I've now been to 1 2/3rds preseason games and the team seems to be shaping up nicely.  To me it looks like the roster on opening night will be:

1st  line:  Johansonn - Backstrom - Ovechkin
2nd line:  Laich - Grabowski - Brouwer
3rd line:  Chimera - Fehr - Ward
4th line:  Wilson - Beagle - Erat

1st  pair:  Erskine - Green
2nd pair:  Alzner - Carlson
3rd pair:  Hillen - Carrick

Goal:  Holtby
           Neuvirth.

Additional players: Volpatti, Olesky

I think this team is looking really solid and from what we saw in the preseason and these first two regular season games, the entire team look like they have absolutely "bought in" to Coach Adam Oates' system.  This team is required to play hard on the puck from the first puck drop until the game is over too and I love that quality in any hockey team.  So while I was/am sad to see Mathieu Perreault traded to Anaheim, and I have my fair share of concerns about the Capitals current third defensive pairing have the required experience level and seasoning, as an eternal optimist, I can have nothing but high hopes for a very solid season - could this be the year?  Well the Capitals have the talent to compete for sure, now we can only watch, wait, and see where they end up when the season really ends next June. 

However, being me I can't help but reflect on both the 6-4 loss to the Hawks and last nights comeback 5-4 shootout win over the Flames, and then look ahead and muse about what it will take for the Caps to be successful this season.  Right after the rebuild was complete we heard a few of the others around the league talk about whether or not they felt the Caps "played the game right" and whether or not the Caps style of play under then newly promoted head coach Bruce Boudreau could ever really take them to the promised land of deep playoff runs and at least one Stanley Cup.  At the time I often really wondered what the heck those guys were talking about.  Well you only have to look at the style of play under Caps current coach Adam Oates to really, really understand what they were talking about.  "Back In The Day" - right after the rebuild was complete the Caps played fun to watch, pretty, "regular season" hockey.  Shots came from the perimeter - often without any traffic in front of the net; a lot of the time, after several years o watching Glenn Hanlon coached "trapping teams" it seemed like the Caps were thinking "defense .... we don't need no stinking defense" as the back check by the wings seldom came down past the top of the circle in the defensive zone ... and the list goes on.  Then we had the opposite style for the short time Dale Hunter was here - defense first and foremost and maybe, maybe score a goal now and then if the other team doesn't beat itself to death in frustration.  I'll be honest - I really didn't enjoy watching the Hunter led Capitals as I felt the team was too talented to play hockey that way.  Now we have the Adam Oates Capitals and make no mistake this is a team playing the game the way their head coach, a hall of famer himself, wants to see the game played.  "A great offense starts with a sound defense" is clearly the way Oates want to see the game played.  Oh and the centers - the centers are essential to this style of play.  They are the cornerstone of the defense. 

Puck possession and protection is a key element of every Capitals game plan now. The degree Oates and his coaching staff have taken this now shown when you look at how lst season, then two time, now three time league MVP has adjusted his game after being a thing or four.  The staff no doubt  helped Ovechkin transition from Left to Right Wing, and go from being an awesome scoring machine to an even "awesomer" more complete, all around hockey player.  After making the transition from LW to RW last season and winning his third Hart Trophy as well as "another" Rocket Richard Trophy as the League's leading goal scorer, its easy to overlook that perhaps the even more important change to Ovechkin's game is how much better he is at protecting the puck.  Now even though he's always "played hard on the puck" throughout his seven season, to date, career, he now seems to do it with more "conservation of energy." Further, in addition to protecting the puck he seems to be better able to protect himself - which is more important then ever for he and the Capitals since the size of the target on his sweater is bigger than ever.  I don't want to take anything away from Ovechkin or his compete level - I have no doubt the majority of these changes are due to he, himself, realizing he could get even better and his work ethic to make it so.  That said there had to be some level of coaching both of the player and illustrating to him how these changes could work better for both he and the entire team; as well as then tweaking the coach's own thoughts and preconceptions about this system to fully "capitalize" on a extraordinary athletes unique talents.  It' one type and level of coaching to take a very talented junior level player and prepare him to make the transition to he NHL, it's an entirely different type and level of coaching to help one of the worlds best at anything get noticeably better than he already was and take his (or her) game to the next level.  Especially when that level is something few have ever seen let alone analyzed and dissected so as to facilitate as a coach.

I've heard it said that it took opponents around the NHL three to four seasons to figure out and adjust to counteract Ovechkin's unique combination of size, speed, skill and perhaps the best "release" in the game that resulted in the way he played LW the first five seasons of his career (when he scored 269 goals in 414 regular season GP).  My feeling is watching his transition through lst years lockout shortened season and the fist two games this season, it ma not take as long for the rest of the NHL to "figure out" his revised approach to playing the game, but it will take them a lot longer and it will be a lot harder, for them o effectively adjust and execute any sort of counteraction to his ability to positively impact the outcome of either an NHL regular season or playoff game, this time around.  I feel strongly Ovechkin's play as the Capitals team leader the first two games of this season portend well for a solid season for both himself as an individual and for the team that has, frankly been built around him these past six years.  Perhaps the most important change, in that respect, is this is no longer, "just" Ovechkin's team it's also Oates', Backstrom's, Green's, Brouwer's, Carlson's, Alzner's, Fehr's, Laich's and the list goes on ...

Now about the Blackhawks game and more significantly last evening's home opener against the Calgary Flames.  My view of the season opener on the road in Chicago is that even though it was a loss and the Capitals gave up five "real gals" and a "empty netter" against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions for the skaters it was a more significant and better executed game than last nights win against the Flames.  The only surprise for me in the Chicago game was how much faster the relatively minor rule changes this past off season have made the game in general.  The pace of the game and the "sick, unbelievable" speed of both the Hawks and the Capitals was tremendously entertaining and "good hockey" to watch and frankly up until the Hawks scored their fifth goal at the of the 13:53 minute mark of the third period this was a fast paced, back and forth game that either team could have won. And lets be clear, there is a reason why the Blackhawks opened the season atop the NHL power rankings that is entirely separate and aside from the fact they put their second Stanley Cup banner up a United Center in three seasons before Tuesday's game and its simple - they are the best team right now in the NHL.  So the fact the Capitals had to "rely" on their power play to keep them in the game really isn't an issue to me.  To be drawing penalties generally you have to be playing well and if you then make the opposing team "pay for their penalties" with extra strength goals, well that's what you are supposed to do as a good hockey team.  The fact that Chicago's Johnny Oduya was able to adjust and blunt Alex Ovechkin's efforts in 5 on 5 situations, with some help from his friends, in the second and third isn't all that surprising given the other weapons Chicago had on the ice to counteract the Capital's first line's strengths  - really not too surprising.  After all, Ovechkin still managed a two point night and also was a factor in another of Mikhail Grabovski's power play goals that he did not "point on." Finally, think about how different the outcome might have been had Braden Holtby "matched" Corey Crawford's less than spectacular 0.875 SV% and nineteen (19) year old Connor Carrick not make one of the two, understandable, "rookie mistakes" that figured in two of Chicago's five even strength goals.  When you do that you realize it wasn't a great night, but it wasn't a horrible night for the good hockey team that is "our Washington Capitals" - our team just came up a little short against a very, very good team. Oh and even though it was in a loosing cause, Capitals nw addition Grabovski had a "hat trick".

Now we switch to last nights game and for sure the first period was indeed a switch.  The Calgary Flames surprised me from the "get go" and how "not bad" they are.  However, the Caps started a little flat as a group, and lets be honest, when Braden Holtby is "on" he's really really good.  Last night though he definitely was NOT "on"  the first goal by the Flames David Jones may or may not be one Holby "wants back" but he should.  It was "stoppable" and it set the tone and tenor for the rest of his shortened appearance last night.  An outing where the 24 year old Lloydminster, SK, native let three goals by on eleven (11) SOG; a 0.727 SV% before being pulled in favor of 25 year old Czech Michal Nuevirth.  That move proved to be the right one, as the Capitals reacted by tightening up their game and "Nuevy" ended the night allowing only one more goal and had a SV% of 0.964 on 28 Shots On Goal by the Flames.  His 27 saves included both "the ones he should have made" and at least two saves "he and his team needed him" to make.

So after "spotting" the Flames a three goal lead by the end of the first period, the Capitals had their work cut out for them in order to get even one point out of last nights game.  Thankfully, the Caps started looking like the team they should and being the team they are during last night's second period.  During the second period the Caps outscored the Flames 3-1, including young "Master" Carrick's first ever regular season NHL goal which opened the Capitals scoring at 7:30 of the second period. It was a nice goal precipitated by solid outlet passes from Alzner and Johansson to Carrick as he exited the penalty box "finished" off by a cool headed Carrick as he pushed the puck into the net through Flames goaltender Ramo's five hole.  The Flames pushed back 1:35 later to again their 3 goal lead with an even strength goal by Lance Bouma before the Caps seemed to decide either "enough is enough" or "not in OUR house" or some combination of the two. The Caps then added a power play goal off an Alex Ovechkin "one timer" at 11:24 to cut the Flames led to two; before "the Great 8" then  brought the game to within one for the Caps with an even strength goal at the 15:25 mark of the period.

Over the next 18:35 of regulation, the Flames impressed me with their ability to "bend but not break" and keep the puck out of the net despite a clear onslaught by the Capitals.  That is until the Caps Nicklas Backstrom was able to leverage, Captain Ovechkin's strong effort on the puck, to "finish" the Capitals second power play goal of the game and tie the game at 4 "all" with 5:50 left to play.  That's the way regulation ended after both Ramo and Nuevirth made saves their team needed them to make.  Overtime was interesting but also ended with the teams deadlocked.  Then we went to the shootout aka "the gimmick".  In the shootout the Capital's new "Russian Connection"  Grabovski, who led off, and Ovechkin both put their "trys" past Ramo with slick moves while Michal Nuevirth was rock solid "stoning" both Flames shooters: Sven Baertschi and Jiri Hudler.  The game gave Nuevy a solid outing and win he deserved and got the Capitals season at home started off in the right manner.

So lets review last evening's "good, bad, and ugly" - I like to end positively so we'll go in "bad, ugly, and good" order.

BAD:  Spotting teams three goal leads isn't the way to ensure you'll get points out of a game, nor is any team SV % under 0.900 and right now through the first two games of the season the Caps have a team SV% of 0.889 SV5. They've also allowed 73 SOG and to me that just seems like at least 14 too many, and really asking for trouble given that so many of the opposing teams shots on goal have been inside the "scoring area" and solid scoring chances.  While Holtby's SV% through his four and half periods played is not where it should be, the eight goals he's allowed are truly not even close to being the majority "his fault". The Caps need to play much, much harder on the puck and generate significantly more defensive zone takeaways to deliver on the potential this team has.  That was definitely clear during last night's game against the Flames.  Another bad is that Martin Erat continues to be a $4M salary cap hit searching for his identity and a role that can make a positive impact every time he is on the ice for the Capitals, in relatively short order something has to give here.  Erat has too much skill and experience not to be making an impact 90+% of the time he is on the ice - regardless of the number of minutes he plays a night.  I know this may sound harsh too - but I think this required change needs to start inside Erat's head and translate to him just working even harder when he's on the ice, not worrying about his ice time or who is out there with him.  I really think he has the skills to do that, he just needs to realize that needs to start with him and then everything else he is concerned with will take care of itself.

UGLY: Jack Hillen left the game with a "lower body injury" after a hit that looked like it likely badly damaged his right ACL. That was ugly and a big stick tap to Tom Wilson for taking Lance Bouma to task for the hit.  BTW Bouma finished his night with the important two thirds of a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick."

GOOD:  This was solid character game as pretty much all comeback victories.  Once the Capitals settled down they returned to their game plan and just patiently chipped away showing the skill and confidence needed to get standings points in the NHL.  The Caps stars led the way and the Caps "role players" at least the vast majority of them played solid games when you look at the full 65:00 played.  Special mention and stick tap to Jay Beagle; "Beag's" was 6 for 8 in the Face Off Circle and 4:36 of his 6:14 TOI was on the penalty kill, those faceoffs were huge as were his efforts while Connor Carrick was in the box at the start of the second period.  While the third line of Chimera - Fehr - Ward were victimized on two eve strength Flames goals, they seemed to get it together and play very strong on the puck after they yielded the goal by Bouma on Nuevirth.  The second line of Laich - Grabovski  - Brouwer had a reasonably solid outing.  The Caps were 61% in the Face Off circle for the game, that seems to be an aspect of the game they've significantly improved on since last season.  Both Tom Wilson with 5:52 (5:40 of even strength) and Connor Carrick with 17:26 including 1:33 on the penalty kill "thanks" to the early departure of Jack Hillen, both looked pretty solid, especially since they are both U20 rookies.

A One Point Night - Rangers 5 - Capitals 4 (SO)

Tonight the Washington Capitals basically escaped from Madison Square Garden with a point. It was a bit of a weird game, even though there were 8 goals scored in regulation in some regards the game was about the goaltending. The game was back and forth through the first two periods and at the end of two the score was tied 4-4, on two goals by Defenseman Mike Green. With tonight's tallies by Green, his 20th and 21st, he tied an NHL record for goals in consecutive games by a defenseman - seven, tying a record that was set in 1984. However, that wasn't enough to sink the normally low scoring Rangers as they managed to score four goals themselves during the first forty minutes of regulation.

At the start of the third period, the Caps decided to make it tough for themselves - during the third period they took 5 minor penalties while the Rangers took none. Despite the fact the Capitals gave the Rangers at least a one man advantage for 9:43 during 6 powerplays throughout the game, all eight goals scored in regulation by both teams were scored at even strength. However, playing one or two men down for over 9:20 of the final period sure seemed to slow the Caps down in what is often their best period. Jose Theodore and Henrik Lundqvist kept their teams in the game, particularly during the third period. Theo stopped 28 of 32 shots (save % = 0.875) while "King Henrick" stopped 26 of 30 shots (save % = 0.866), so it's hard to call tonight's game a "goalie's duel" but watching the game, it didn't seem like a horribly bad outing for either netminder. When the game ended at the end of overtime, both men between the pipes looked pretty on their games, the shootout was it's usual "thing" - if you like the gimmick you like it and if you don't you don't. I won't "go there" re: the "rebound goal." It really doesn't matter, in the end neither team really deserved to win, the caps deserved the point or points less then the Rangers due to the undisciplined hockey they played and penalties they took during the third period. The final score means the Caps didn't "sweep" the Rangers in this season's series instead going 3-0-1.

There were some highlights for the Capitals, not the least of which was Mike Green's two goal performance, though I'd expect both he and the rest of the Capitals would like the two points and a regulation win. However, Mike Green is on "as good a roll" as you can imagine. He has 49 points in 41 games - 21 goals and 28 assists. Currently, Green leads all NHL defensemen in scoring by a fair margin. He leads in overall points by six (6) points over Brian Rafelski of the Red Wings. He leads in goals by seven (7) over Sheldon Souray of the Oilers and Shea Weber of the Predators. He is also currently tied for third in overall +/- with the Bruins Zdeno Chara at + 24. Despite all these facts, amazingly, there are still some Caps fans who question whether he should be considered for the Norris Trophy. From my perspective there is no doubt he has scaled the ascent and reached the heights of the group of players who are in the top echelon of defenseman in the NHL.

The "energy line" tonight was "The Killer Bees": Left Wing Donald Brashear and Right Wing Matt Bradley were centered by Hershey Bear call-up Jay Beagle. Beagle has been out a while down in Hershey due to a concussion earlier in the year but he had a great training camp before going to "Chocolatetown." Tonight he played well, despite an anemic faceoff percentage, he had 3 shots (including one great scoring chance that almost beat Lundqvist), 2 hits and 2 takeaways. during 15 shifts and 7:41 Time On Ice.

Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann each had another good game. Each had a goal and an assist; on the night "Flash" was +3 while Fehr was +2. The first line - Ovechkin - Backstrom - Nylander played pretty well and further improved their timing. Well with tonight's final score the Caps are 3-1-1 so far in February and appear poised for their next two games on the road in Florida - it's a father-son trip so let's hope the Capitals aren't too distracted as they are now tied with the New Jersey Devils for second in the Eastern Conference.

Next up the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Saturday Night.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!

Preseason Game Report: Capitals 5, Flyers 1

[Editor's Note: Sorry for the big gap in posts, work has been hectic and I was on the West Coast working for the period September 23rd until returning via a "red eye" yesterday morning. As those of you who follow ICx Technologies know, it's been a great time for us during these past few weeks with some great contract wins. Additionally, on Thursday night, just after finishing watching the Vice Presidential debate while waiting for my last flight of the trip home from Sea-Tac to Dulles, I was subjected to a new random search during which the TSA personnel used an ICx Technologies' Fido PaxPoint. The random gate check and the subsequent utilization of ICx's product to check the plane was, like our contract wins over the last two weeks, another milestone as it means TSA is evolving it's protocols to capitalize on the instruments key features. So while having my personal life somewhat "hijacked" over the past couple of months hasn't been all that great, overall it's been worth it and I wouldn't change a thing. Last night's Caps-Flyers game was the first preseason game I've been able to attend this year and after a red-eye back to Dulles that arrived at 6AM, I watched the game through a couple of slightly bleary eyes so I don't expect this next post will be my best ever. Final note - this year I am splitting my tickets with a USMMA Class of 1982 classmate of mine so will only be in attendance at the "Phone Booth" for half of the home games blog posts for the others will be based on the perspective that we all get watching on TV. That said, hopefully, with the regular season getting ready to start, I'll be able to resume and continue worthwhile, meaningful blog posts here.]


Last night's Caps-Flyers game was another testament to how far the Capitals have come and how successful the now concluded "rebuild" has been. The richness and depth of the Capitals talent bank was readily apparent all night long and in all perspectives. The game ended in a 5-1 victory for the Capitals and they are now 5-1-0 on the preseason, fully rebounding from the 2-1 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday night.


The Caps outplayed the Flyers all night long. While only leading 1-0 at the end of the first period, the Caps outshot the Flyers 8-3 despite taking 4 penalties to the Flyers 2 during the game's first stanza. During the Flyers second power play (while Jay Beagle was in the "sin bin" for hooking), Alex Ovechkin scored his second shorthanded goal of the preseason. Ovechkin faked a slapshot, threaded the needle with a pretty "wrister" between now-Flyer Steve Eminger's legs, and put it through goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin's "5-hole" to put the Capitals up 1-0 at 15:00 of the first period. It was an awesome move and goal, the kind of goal Caps fans have come to expect from our hero and it brought the crowd, and seemingly the Capitals to life. The other highlights of the period were Jay Beagle and Chris Bourque's solid and energetic play as they both fight to show Bruce Boudreau and the rest of the coaching staff they deserve a spot on the big team's roster.

The second period started with the Caps (again) shorthanded and on the penalty kill. The Caps went up 2-0 on a very "Chris Clark-like" goal by Chris Clark on the power play. Clark took a pass from Ovechkin, took the first shot then followed up and "banged in" his own rebound at 3:50 of the period. At 8:50 into the period, while both teams were at full strength, Nicklas Backstrom made it 3-0 on a goal assisted by Brooks Laich and Ovechkin. It was a nice "old time hickey" goal made possible by Laich's usual scrappy play in front of the net. During the second period while Caps Goalie Jose Theodore didn't see much action (the Flyers had 7 shots during the second period) he was tested several times and met those tests every time and came up big twice. Theodore's play throughout the night was better than solid and he proved he's the real deal. Caps fans should have fun comparing Theodore to Christobel Huet next Saturday in the Cap's home opener against the Blackhawks. This author predicts more then a few "Jose, Jose, JOSE!!" chants if Theodore's play then matches his play last night.

The third period started with a lot of action. Chris Clark took an interference penalty and went to the penalty box at 3:50 of the period. The Flyers capitalized on the man advantage at 5:18 when Daniel Briere tallied with assists from Mike Knuble and Mike Richards. Briere, Philadelphia's $6.5 million per year, diminutive man followed up his power play goal with what was his worst shift of the night and probably the worst shift he's had in a long time. The Cap's fourth goal of the night came at 8:19 of the third period and ended a shift where "Little Danny" aka "Danny the Diver" aka "Dan The Man Caps Fans Love to Hate" had 2 giveaways and went -1. For the record despite his documented clip of Shoanne Morrisson, Briere's overall stats for the night were an inauspicious 1 goal, no assists, -3 on the night. Throughout the night, Briere was consistently "boo-ed" by the fans at Verizon Center. Personally, this author thinks the most hospitable, polite fans in hockey - Washington routinely is hospitable to fans of other teams who come to games - showed their usual well mannered restraint. We probably should however request that Caps and Verizon Center management ban the wearing of Daniel Briere Flyer jerseys, and for that matter any hockey jersey ever worn by Jaromir Jagr by attendees to Caps games. It just seems the right thing to do. The goal that ended Briere's worst shift of the game came off the stick of Thomas "Flash" Fleischman and was assisted by Chris Bourque and Sergei Federov. The final score of the game came at 14:03 when Eric Fehr banged home another "old time hockey" goal, following through and jamming the puck through and under Flyer goalie Martin Biron. Fehr's goal, the Capitals fifth of the night was assisted by Jeff Schultz and his defensive partner Sergei Federov.

Overall the Caps looked very good and played disciplined hockey. Shift changes though still not up to regular season standards went relatively smoothly. Average shift lengths were reasonable for everyone on the roster. Ovechkin and Mike Green had the longest average shift times at an acceptable 0:56/shift. As has been mentioned, Jay Beagle, called up from Hershey in recognition for his play last Wednesday in Philadelphia, made an impact in just about all 15 of his shifts including stepping into the fray between Scott Hartnell and Ovechkin in the third period to make sure the Caps star didn't need to get into a fight. Chris Bourque played with an abandon and style that he didn't display when he was called up to the big club last season. When he was paired with Ovechkin and Backstrom he played with the speed and skill needed to round out the talents of his line-mates and was the first guy in that pairing/line to really add to their speed. When he played with the other's fighting for a roster spot, he displayed a physical aspect to his game that not many 5'7" guys could at the NHL level. Bourque's stats were 3 shots, 1 assist, +1, and 1 hit in 17 shits and 12:08 of ice time. Mike Green led the Caps in ice time (24 shifts and 22:35), Alexander Ovechkin was second (21 shifts, 19:42) and "steady eddy" Tom Poti was third (25 shifts, 18:50). Karl Alzner had a solid night 1 blocked shot, 17:33 TOI in 23 shifts.

The Caps last preseason game is tomorrow at Verizon Center at 5PM, I've given our seats to Jason from our office, even though he grew up in Pittsburgh and indicates he's a Penguins fan. The Caps open their season on the road, Friday night, in Atlanta and then the home opener is on Saturday against the Blackhawks when they will raise their 2007-2008 Southeast Division championship banner to the rafters of the VC. Personally I can't wait till next Saturday. I hoping to watch Jose Theodore notch a shutout and the Great Eight have another four (4) goal night against Christobel Huet. That might be enough to stop others from wondering if the Caps have the right team to go all the way and it would be just deserts for Huet who left a sure contender when he opted for the free agency route he went for. The game should be even better since my favorite wing man will be there with me.

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!