Caps 6, Ducks 4

Again, I'm not one to complain about a win, but if we want to go past the first round of the playoffs, we cannot play like we have the last two outings. We had a three goal lead within the opening minutes of the game and we let it go with crappy defense and backchecking, as well as weak clears that seemed to go right to Anaheim defensemen (and when two of those defensemen go by the names of Pronger and Neidermayer, than theres a problem). Still, 2 points is 2 points, and the Caps still have not lost in regulation since the blowout in Buffalo (that's 14 points in 8 games for anyone whos counting). LA should be a bit of an easier game than this one, though this one should have been easy from the get go.

Some random thoughts on the game:

• JT60 was really good, and faulty defense let him down. The only goal I can even fault him with is the Getzlaf goal, but he was going side to side and Getzlaf is a pure goal scorer who doesn't miss his spots much, so its debatable whether Theo really had a chance.
• The defense, once again, was terrible overall.
  
• Lets hope Green's injury isn't serious. This team may be able to function at the minimum without Semin, but lose Green and we have some problems, especially with Sha Mo out as well and the defense playing like it is.
• Ovechkin was outstanding once again. He now has scored in 5 straight, and is scoring and assisting in large bunches. He has more than two points in five straight games now, with 14 points total in those five games, 6 goals and 8 assists. Keep scoring like that and there's going to be another Hart trophy in his trophy case. (if Semin doesn't get healthy and beat him to it).
  
• Fehr on the point during the power play was interesting.
• Flash's breakout year (I called it, didn't I) continues with a goal on the night.
• Finally, some secondary scoring. Check this stat-sheet out (kind of hard to see). Lots of scoring all over the place:

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• Everyone got a point except Brash, Sloan, Laich, Fehr, Erskine and Poti.
  
• Dirty play by Montador on Ovechkin behind the net after Giggy clearly had the puck and the play was dead. It looked slightly familiar to me.

So, 3/4 points in 2 games on this road trip, sounds good so far, despite how we've played. LA tomorrow, a tough game in San Jose on Saturday, and another tough game in Minnesota on monday, than home to face Kovie and the Thrash. Lets get to it.

Funny Article Of The Day

This comes straight out of the Washington Post:

It was a night in which the Redskins absolutely didn't want to lose, given the despised Cowboys were in town and given that the stadium was alive with the electricity such a game often brings. More than an hour before kickoff the sidelines were filled with people, including Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin and what appeared to be the character who plays the caveman in the Geico commercials. Both wore Redskins jerseys.

From what I understand, Nicklas Backstrom was attending the game with Ovechkin, Hopefully the caveman guy really was there...

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.
  

Stat(s) of the Day