Devils 6, Caps 5 (OT)

So I really don't think the Caps deserved that point, but we still haven't lost in regulation since the blowout in Buffalo, so I'm not complaining. Backstrom is out of his slump, that's for sure, and Ovie proved once again why he was the league MVP last year.

Some random thoughts:

• The defense was terrible... can Alzner get up here soon enough?
  
• I've always thought that when you don't notice defensemen with the exception of a few like Green than that's usually a good thing. But when you barely notice guys like Clark and Nylander on the ice than theres definitely a problem. Nylander's torrid preseason led me to believe that he was going to be back to form this year but their injuries from last year seem to be weighing on their bodies or their confidence or both. Not a good situation.
• Fleischmann is turning into a force. That dangle-snipe was pretty.
  
• JT60 was much, much better than the score indicated. He's been pretty good lately, and while I'm not sold on him being the unquestioned #1 behind Johnny, he's making his saves behind a very shaky defense.
• Ovechkin and Backstrom are on fire right now. Hopefully 4 days off and a lengthy road trip won't hinder the duo.
• The reactions of the Devils after Ovechkin's goal was priceless. Even more priceless was Ovechkins reaction.
  

• The top four plus/minus's in the league right now are all Caps: Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, and Green.
• Is it just me or do the Caps just suck in general in shootouts? A 36% winning percentage would seem to support such an assertion.
  
• I love Gordo, but why him over say... Backstrom, Laich, Nylander?
• After Parise was done in the shootout Theo's jockstrap was somewhere close to the moon. JT's game depends a lot on guessing and he guessed really wrong on that one.
• I really dislike the Penguins. Just an observation.
  

Caps 3, Devils 1

It's hard to complain about a 3-1 win and a 5 game winning streak, but the Caps need to stop letting teams back into games after getting substantial leads. A two goal lead is the worst lead in hockey for a reason, and it showed tonight despite the end result. The Devils were energized after the Elias breakaway goal and had a couple of scoring chances that were only chances because of how zoned in Theodore was. Regardless, 2 points is 2 points, and 10 points in 5 games is even sweeter. It'd be sweeter to make it 12 in 6 come tomorrow night.

Oh, and Carolina lost.

Some random thoughts on the game:

• JT60 absolutely robbed Zach Parise twice, with a nice glove save on a redirect in the first period and a quick stick save on a layup towards the end of the second period. Theodore was sensational, saving 32 out of 33 shots and only hiccuping on a breakaway goal that the Caps defense practically handed to Elias on a gourmet dish (see below).
• Drafting Theodore for my fantasy team is finally starting to look like a good idea.
  
• Is this Flash's breakout year? Can Fehr start taking some notes?
  
• Speaking of Flash, he had his best game since his 2 goal one in Dallas, with a goal and a couple of high quality chances, not to mention overall excellent puck control and confidence. Oh, and that between-the-legs drag in the first period would have been up for goal of the year... if he'd roofed it.
• Tyler Sloan continues to impress. I think Gabby is noticing too. Sloan logged the 3rd longest ice time tonight on the Caps at 21:34, behind only Ovechkin and Green. He also was second in penalty kill time, with 2:11, second to Tom Poti, who had another solid game.
• Now with the bad: terrible defensive lapse with a bad change that gave Elias that breakaway. He had no one even close to him, and took advantage of the room with a quick shot right between Theo's legs. The Devils were back in the game after that.
  
• Semin is injured and is day-to-day. That could be a minor problem. It was definitely noticeable with Fehr out there instead of Sasha.
  
• The Caps had good discipline throughout, something that has been lacking thus far this season. Flash and Kozlov took the only two penalties of the night.