Good Defense, Little Offense and Caps Lose Another Close One
By Rodger M. Wood
One night the Caps play offense and score 7 goals to beat Anaheim. The next night, they’re back to defense, scoring two goals and losing a close game against San Jose 3-2, marking the 11th time in the past 16 games Washington has scored two or fewer goals.I’d be interested In knowing how many games the Caps have lost by a goal this season.The trade deadline is February 28th and gentlemen, we truly need more than two goal scorers a night to win in the regular season or Stanley Cup Playoffs!Alex O’s power play goal less than a minute after Sharks Joe Pawleski’s burnt the Caps with a shorthanded goal at the 18:49 mark of the first period seemed to ignite the Caps for a while, but both teams ended up scoreless in the second period.San Jose opened up the scoring at 4:27 of the third period on Ryane Clowe’s 15th goal of the season, and Dany Heatley followed up with his 20th of the season to make the score 3-1.Niklaus Backstrom scored his 15th of the season at 18:05 of the third period to make the final score 3-2.Our A-team guys, Alex O had a goal and an assist, Semin an assist, and Backstrom a goal, but their production was not enough to beat the high flying San Jose Sharks.George McPhee said he was sticking with our young goaltenders and not looking for a veteran goaltender by the trade deadline.Last night, Michael Neuvirth stopped 25 of 28 shots. The night before at Anaheim, Semyon Varlamov stopped 6 of 9 shots before being benched at the end of the first period, and Neuvirth 9 of 12 in the last two periods for a combined total of 15 saves of 21 shots.The Caps come back east to play Buffalo and the tough goalie Ryan Miller 12:30 Sunday. Buffalo is 2 points behind Carolina in the race for the 8th and last playoff position in the Eastern Conference and will be loaded for bear.
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