Did The Caps Let Their Guard Down Too!
By Rodger M. WoodIt’ll be another long summer, my family’s 36th straight, without a Stanley Cup winner. Will the Caps ever fulfill our impossible dream? Can we last another year to see what their fortune will be in 2012?Yes! Our poor Capitals let us down again, but not without trying. Four fluky goals, a few bad calls, defensive amnesia and our fate was sealed in Tampa, 5-2. The Lightning foe stuck four straight times to sweep the 2011 Stanley Cup semifinal playoffs four games to none.You can blame the loss on Coach Boudreau for being outfoxed by first year Tampa coach Brian Boucher, or on Caps stars, Alex Ovechkin, Niklaus Backstrom, Alexander Semin, or Mike Green’s lack of mental and physical toughness or for reverting back to “run and gun” hockey again, or to the immaturity of John Carlson and Karl Alzner, or veterans Scott Hannan or Jeff Schutz’ play on the blue line, but the bottom line is Tampa worked harder and wanted to win more than the Caps.There will probably be a scapegoat for the Caps loss this summer, but I remember a boxing match I lost in my youth, which taught me a big lesson in life. My younger opponent asked me that night when we were getting our hands taped before the fight not to hurt him too badly. Shortly afterwards, I walked down the aisle to the ring, cocky confident, waving and performing for my brothers, dad, friends, and a few attractive women in the stands. I had no doubts I was going to win the match, maybe even by a knockout. But after my opponent and I got our instructions and the command “to come out fighting” from the referee, I didn’t put my guard up right away. My “frightened” opponent sucker punched and broke my nose in the first seconds of the match. I held onto him until my head cleared, fought as hard as I could the next four rounds, but still got my butt kicked royally.Did my history repeat itself for the Caps? Did they let their guard down, get sucker punched, and have their royal butts kicked just like I did many years ago!
Lightning Strikes the Caps Again... Caps Fall to Lighting
by Thom
And so it goes... the Caps have been swept in four by the Lightning. Hand it to the Lightning, they came to play. They outperformed the Caps in every aspect of the game including coaching.
Not much else to say. It will be interesting to see what changes occur, if any, this summer. Ted Leonsis seems dead set to stick with the plan, so fans calling for the coaches head or for a "reconstruction" may not get their wish. Should changes be made? I hate to say it, but this team is underachieving in a grand way. This season should have seen no less than a trip to the conference finals.
Regardless, after more than 35 years of cheering for the Caps, we will still look forward to a new season of hope and possibilities. Thanks for visiting the CapitalPowerPlay this season.
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We’ll Still Beat Tampa
by Rodger M. Wood
Lady Luck turned her face on the Caps a couple moments, while one Lightning goal deflected off Caps defenseman Mike Green’s stick in the second period and another came after a pass made good in overtime when defenseman Scott Hannan left the ice for a necessary rest. After Alex Ovechkin had tied the score up 2-2 with a minute to go in regulation, and came out on the ice fired up, the Caps lost 3-2 in overtime.Yes, we’re down 2-0 in the semifinals, but don’t fear. The Caps were dominating the second game too, hitting and playing hard and lucky breaks have a way of evening themselves out in a seven game series. So watch out Tampa fans. We’ll come back to win two games on your ice Tuesday and Wednesday, just like your 2003 Tampa Bay Lightning did against the Caps on their way to the Stanley Cup Championship!
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Caps Beat Themselves!
By Rodger M. Wood
Until they reverted back to their “old run and gun offense” near the end of the second period, the Caps were comfortably beating the Lightning 2-1, but then, looking a gift horse in the mouth, they ended up losing the first game of the semifinal playoffs to Tampa 4-2.On an assist by Marcos Sturm, Alexander Semin tied the score up 1-1 at the 4:08 mark of the first period, and Eric Fehr, assisted by line mates, Jason Chimera and Marcus Johanssen put the Caps ahead 2-1 at 1:51 of the second period.Midway through the second period, Brooks Laich appeared to have slammed the puck past Lightning goalie Dwayne Rolason, which if the goal had not been disallowed, would have the home team ahead3-1Looking like they were on a ten minute power play in the second period in the Lightning’s end, the Caps were dominating. They were hitting hard and blocking shots. Defenseman’s Scott Hannan’s check took Lightning LW Simon Gagne out of the game, and Jason Chimera’s smashing check on Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina also took him out of the game. Crashing the net, Caps forwards had Lightning’s goalie Dwayne Roloson on the ropes ready to take a 10 – count, and Caps goalie, Michal Neuvirth was stopping everything in sight.It was the Caps game and you couldn’t help thinking it could be a blowout, but then Lady Luck suddenly turned her head on the Caps. On a fluke goal off Caps defenseman Scott Hannan’s stick, Steve Downie scored the tying goal, and on a power play with less than a minute to go in the second period, Steven Stamkos scored the go ahead goal to give Tampa a 3-2 lead.Caps stars resorted to the old routine which failed against the Canadiens in last year’s playoffs. Alex Ovechkin, Niklaus Backstrom, Alexander Semin, and Mike Green, who all played a -1 game, tried carrying the puck up the ice, and winning the game themselves. The Lightning 1-3 -1 scheme, which the Caps were beating earlier in the game, stopped them dead in their tracks. On both power plays in the third period, Ovie and Backstrom were whistled off sides three times. They did not shoot the puck in the Lightning’s end, or work for possession in the corner, which worked the second half of the regular season and against the Rangers in the quarterfinals.And you would have thought they’d be believers in the system by now.Without the home team advantage, the Caps face Tampa in the second at home 7 PM Sunday.
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Caps Have To Play Lightning Even Tougher!
By Rodger M. Wood
The Caps played the Rangers tough in the quarterfinals, but if they want to beat Tampa Bay in the semifinals, they’ll have to turn up their play another notch.Blanking the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 at Pittsburgh Wednesday, Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson helped the Lightning win the quarterfinal series four games to three. During the regular season, the Caps went 4-1-1 against the Lightning, but struggled badly when Roloson shut them out in third and fourth games in early January. After installing a strong defensive system in December/January and Cap forwards started aggravating Roloson, they beat the Lightning decisively in games 5 and 6.Like they did to Lundqvist in the Ranger series, Brooks Laich, Matt Hendricks, Boyd Gordon, Matt Bradley Mike Knuble, Jason Arnott, Niklaus Backstrom and other Caps forwards have to crash the net and disturb Roloson.Sharing the net minding responsibilities with Manny Fernandez in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Roloson led the Minnesota Wild’s come backs from 3-1 game deficits to beat strong Colorado and Vancouver teams in the quarter and semifinals. If the Caps don’t break his concentration early in the series, Roloson could hurt them.Like he did against the Rangers, Captain Alex Ovechkin must come out the first shift hitting every Lightning that moves. He must continue to lead the young Caps by example, pop some goals in andset up his line mates. His goal in the second period of game five against the Rangers was a thing of beauty. Skating down the right wing, with a good defenseman, Marc Stahl, hanging all over him, cuttingleft at the last instance, and putting the puck past Lundqvist was a superstar moment hockey fans should always remember.But Ovie needs to do more against the offensive minded Lightning, maybe block an occasional shot, scramble Lightning forward Steve Downie’s brains with a hard check, if he is stupid enough to get on the ice with him at the same time, and maybe add Mattias Ohlund’s too, while he’s at it, and play more right wing once in a while to make the Lightning defense adjust and teach Roloson his new moves. He has to show the same fire and mental toughness he did the entire Ranger series.Other Caps forwards must continue to contribute goals too. Alexander Semin was flying high in the Rangers series scoring the winning overtime goal in game one, and dramatic goals in games 3 and 4. On a different line than Ovie, he gave the Rangers another force to reckon with. After the Caps dramatic3 -goal comeback in the third period of game 4, Jason Chimera scored the winning goal in second period overtime and also scored the winning goal in game two. Marcus Johanssen has to keep flying down the ice, finding a spot in front of the net and putting three more goals past Roloson.Jason Arnott and Scott Hannan need to keep exerting veteran leadership on the Caps. Their leadership in the dressing room and on the ice was invaluable. Arnott played a big role in getting the young Caps ready to come out to score three goals in the third period comeback win in game four and keeping Semin’s head in the game. Hannan constantly cleared the puck out of harm’s way in the Caps defensive zone and jumped up into the offense to add a little extra pressure on the goalie.Mike Green and hopefully, Dennis Wideman, will be ready to play the point and keep the power play alive. Green’s first period power play goal In game 5 got the Caps rolling, his shot and creativity from the point assisted on another four goals, and his blocked shot showed a lot of courage but little technique.. Both of these players also add a lot to the Caps defense.Jeff Schultz and Karl Alzner led the Caps in the Rangers series with 15 blocked shots each, and the Caps blocked 104 shots in the five games to lead the 16 quarterfinal teams. Blocked shots made Neuvy a better goaltender.The Caps have to keep throwing their impressive depth, 3 defensive pairs and four lines, out on the ice every shift to tire and slow down Lightning skaters. Defensive pair Alzner and John Carlson have to continue their often spectacular defensive play.Against a somewhat anemic Rangers offense, Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth was spectacular with a 1.38 GA and 946 save percentage. Tampa’s offense, which had thirteen different players scoring 23 goals against a pretty good Pittsburgh goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury in a 7 game series, will be a better test. In the Penguin series, Tampa got 4 goals from stars Martin St. Louis, 2 each from Vincent LeCavalier and Steven Stamkos and 3 goals from lesser players Sean Bergeheim, 2 from Simon Gagne, and a goal from Steve Downie, Eric Brewer, Teddy Purcell.The Caps cannot give the Lightning a lot of power plays like they did the Rangers, While Boyd Gordon and the Caps penalty kill unit stopped all but one of the Ranger 18 power plays, it will be hard job stopping the likes of St. Louis, Stamkos, and Lecavalier eight times a game like in the Caps did their only loss in the quarterfinals.Instead, they need to draw Tampa’s bad boys into mistakes. In the Penguins series, Steve Downie spent 16 minutes in the sin bin, LeCavalier 8 PIM. Dominic Moore 16 PIM, and Ryan Malone 12 PIM. The Caps must play tough, but make sure they don’t retaliate to the Avery type play of those players. Hendricks may have to take Downie out again as he has the past four games the two teams have played.Tampa’s defense is playing well. Nate Thompson did it all against the Penguins, and Caps fans rememberthe shots Mattias Ohlund put on Ovie during the regular season. Defensemen Eric Brewer and Pavel Kubina came on strong adding some scoring from the point but Caps fore checking must put pressure on them, particularly their ice time adds up.While the Caps have all the tools to beat Tampa, they have to play even tougher and smarter, get the benefit of the doubt once in a while from the referees and a lucky bounce now and then to beat the Lightning.The Caps start the semifinals off 7 PM Friday at the Verizon Centre.
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Night Storm Produces Lightning for Second Round
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Playoff Hockey Wins Two Games in Florida
By Rodger M. Wood
Displaying a patient, dump the puck, four - line balanced attack and good defensive playoff hockey on the road the past two nights, the Caps beat Florida 3-2 and Tampa Bay 2-1 to take sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division.When the Caps found themselves down a goal early in the first period at Florida, assisted by line mates Alex O and Mike Knuble, Niklaus Backstrom tied the score on a mighty slap shot at 17:16 mark of the first period.Midway through the second period, on a sweet backhanded shot from in front of the net, Boyd Gordon beat Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen to put the Caps ahead 2-1.The Caps kept the lead until Panthers forward, David Booth, on a 5 on 3 advantage at 17:24 of the third period, scored the 2-2 equalizer.
Playing like a man possessed, Alexander Semin, assisted by Karl Alzner and Marcus Johanssen, slapped the game winner in at only 43 seconds into overtime.Off a faceoff, Sean Bergenheim put the Lightning ahead 1-0 at the 12:30 mark of the first period at Tampa.The game stayed 1-0 until again Semin, assisted by Ovie and defenseman Dennis Widemann, tied the game at 14:28 mark of the third period.Regulation and overtime ended in a 1-1 tie and it took Alex O’s dramatics to win the overtime shoot out, when he put the sole goal past Lightning net minder Duane Roloson, who had shutout the Caps in two previous outing this season.Replacing Michal Nevirth at the start of the second period, #1 star of the game, Caps backup goaltender Braden Holtby sensationally stopped all 21 Stamkos, Lecavalier, St. Louis, and other Lightning sharpshooters shots in two periods of regulation, overtime, and the shootout.Without a doubt, the 21-year old goaltender played like a #1 NHL goalie, if Varlamov or Neuvirth were out of the lineup for any time.Plus the youngster looked like a pro and was more articulate than most athletes and politicians I’ve seen in the Versus interview after the game.Versus Ed Olyck commented last night, it was the best he has ever seen Caps forward Alexander Semin play. The Caps forward proved his worth, scoring his winning 23rd goal of the season in overtime at Florida, and 24th tying goal in the third period of the Tampa game.Hit in the face-mask by the slap shot, Neuvirth and injuring a finger, Backstrom both left the Tampa game, but Coach Boudreau announced after the game, both players were held out only for precaution and are all right.Forward Eric Fehr’s shoulder is healthy again and is ready for duty.The Caps return home to the Verizon Center Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
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Finding His Game, Alex Semin Helps Avert A Lightning Strike
"Semin was the best player on the ice sheet last night, and his game-tying goal late in the final frame seemed in its virtuosity and swagger to assure the Caps of leaving town with two points. The Capitals are a vastly different looking hockey club when Sasha skates with swagger." OnFrozenBlog.com
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Caps Take Off Night against San Jose
By Rodger M. Wood
Coming off successively strong two way wins against conference rivals Tampa and Pittsburgh, the Capitals once again decided to take a night off Monday to lose at home to a hustling Western Conference challenger, San Jose Sharks 2-0.As in the other seven games they were shut out this season, the Caps showedvery little of the infamous rhyming game virtues, spark and heart.It’s also a possibility they just weren’t tough enough after two days rest to cope with the very big tough defensemen protecting the Sharks blue line.Highly rated rookie defensemen, John Carlson, Kurt Alzner, and the Caps first line forwards, Ovie, Niklaus Backstrom, and Jason Chimera were on the ice for both the Sharks goals from the Caps blue line midway through the third period.In any event, they lost again with only the excuse that coming off a six game injury, $6.2 million dollar man, Alexander Semin, was not yet in game shape.If that was case, why did they send Jay Beagle, who gave the Caps 100% spark and heart all of the time for lots less money, back to Hershey the day before.Penguins Matt Cooke Suspended Four GamesPenguins Matt Cooke, who tried to injure Alex O with a knee to knee check in Saturday’s game, was suspended by the NHL for the 4 games for a hit from behind on Columbus’ Fedor Tyutin on Tuesday night.
Is Stars Brad Richards Coming to the Caps?There are some wild rumors circulating around the Caps are considering a trade of right wing Matt Bradley, one of the rookie goaltenders, Semyon Varlomov,Michal Neuvirth, or Braden Holtby, and a #1 draft pick, for Dallas center and leading scorer, Brad Richards. Richards leads the Stars in scoring with 22 goals and 39 assiststhe 2010-2011 campaign.
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Caps’ Tough Guys Win Big Game
By Rodger M. Wood
After Coach Boudreau’s tough guys, Matt Hendricks, and Matt Bradley disrupted the goaltender and beat down the opposition’s bullies, the Caps played physical two–way hockey, which beat Southeast Division leading Tampa Bay last night 5-2.Once they found out the coach’s strategy of defensemen passing the puck to each other in their own zone worked to force Lightning forwards to make the first move, they broke down the Tampa neutral zone trap, which had been so successful the previous two Tampa games in which they had been shutout.Eight minutes into the game, Matt Hendricks took the final step necessary to make the strategy a sure winner when he crashed the nets, and collided with Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson, who responded by throwing four punches to Hendrick’s head and losing his focus the rest of the game.On the ensuing four on four penalty play, Mike Green set up Nicklas Backstrom for the tying 1-1 goal, and ended Roloson’s two game magical shutout spell over the Caps.Upset by his contact with Roloson, Lightning forward Steve Downie took on Matt Hendricks, in their one fight a game series which they’ve conducted the past three games.While Downie and Hendricks were off serving 5-minute penalties, Matt Bradley took on Lightning forward Adam Hall, who had punished Caps defenseman Mike Green moments before with a hard check behind the Caps nets.The fights energized the Caps offense, which seemed to have been intimidated the past two games by those “tough” guys and Tampa Bay defenseman, Mattias Ohlund.The Caps first line of Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Jason Chimera started skating and checking harder, found more open space, and stood in front of the net disrupting the Tampa goalie the remainder of the game.But it was Brooks Laich, assisted by line mates Mathieu Perreault and the ever hard working Jay Beagle, who broke the tie with his 10th goal at the 6:38 mark of the second period.On a power play two minutes later, Alex O’s hard work paid off with his 20th goal, assisted by Backstrom and John Carlson to make it a 3-1 game.With less than a minute remaining in the second period, Lightning forward Brett Clarke made it a 3-2 game with a power play goal, the first the Caps penalty kill unit had allowed in 27 tries.Midway through the third period, Caps forward Backstrom put the game out of reach 4-2 with his second goal of the night, and at the game’s end, giving up a sure goal for himself, Ovie unselfishly assisted on Jason Chimera’s empty netter making the final score 5-2.Caps goalie Varlamov was spectacular in the nets again, stopping 23 of 25 shots.The win, moved the Caps within three points of Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division first place battle.The Caps meet Pittsburgh at home In their own Super Bowl Sunday at 12:30 PM.
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Caps Take Night Off Against Tampa!
By Rodger M. Wood
I’m tired seeing our Caps get pushed around, beaten up, and bullied. I'm starting to believe they’re not tough enough to beat teams that rough them up.Little 5-11, 191 Steve Downey, Ryan Malone, and Mattias Ohlund intimidated and beat our superstars last night at Tampa 3-0, in what was not a contest. The loss put the Caps two points behind the upstart first place Lightning in the Southeast Division.I don’t care that the Caps played the night before at Florida. They took half that game off too, having to come back from 3-0 deficit, only to lose 4-3 in overtime.In the Tampa game, Alex O. broke five sticks, fell down twice on breakaways, was knocked down by Ohlund a couple times, and generally looked like he should be on a life support system, and he did't look much better the night before against Florida. There’s something wrong with our hero, he’s too unexplainably inconsistent in his play this season to be at peak strength.
With John Erskine a healthy scratch against Tampa, the Caps bite was up in the stands wishing he could help out his teammates. Matt Bradley and DJ King are hurt, which doesn’t help either.Coach Boudreau has tied everything. He’s shaken up the forward lines. Now he should damn the torpedoes and go full speed ahead giving the hard working Matt Johansson, Matt Hendricks, Dave Steckel, Jay Beagle and Eric Fehr the lion’s share of the ice time. Reward those who give you a 100 % and produce on the ice. Maybe the other players will wake up.In the meanwhile, GM George McPhee should see if he can trade for a few players with the heart to make our guys tough enough to regain their focus on a Stanley Cup run, if that is still possible now. He missed the boat not getting Dwayne Rolanson from the Islanders for a 5th round Pick before he shut out the Caps Twice in successive starts forTampa.
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