The Washington Capitals may be Team Turmoil this season but, through 41 games (exactly halfway through the season), the Caps are just four points behind the Florida Panthers for the Southeast Division lead with a game in hand (both teams play tonight). And they're tied with the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins for the eighth and final playoff spot, three points behind the seventh-place Toronto Maple Leafs.
Watching the team lately, it's easy to see that bright times are ahead. They're playing great defensive hockey and winning home games. They're still a little rusty away from Verizon Center, but are in the second game of a four-game homestand. If things go well, they could be leading the division by the all-star break.
It's also important to remember that GM George McPhee hasn't made any trades yet, but it's apparent that Jeff Schultz isn't in the long-term plan after spending a lot of time as a healthy scratch this season. Schultz has two years left on his deal after this one. John Erskine hasn't played much either, and he's signed for next season as well. It'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 45 days before the trading deadline and which players will be given an extension and who will be sent out of town.
Remember that there are several important players who aren't yet signed for next season, including Alex Semin, Mike Green, Dennis Wideman, Mike Knuble, Jeff Halpern, and John Carlson. (Green and Carlson are restricted free agents, the others are unrestricted.)
Speaking of Wideman, he and Alex Ovechkin will participate in the all-star game later this month. Ovechkin will be making his fifth-consecutive NHL all-star appearance, tying the Caps' club record held by Peter Bondra. Ovechkin leads the team in goals (17), shots (156) and power-play goals (six) and ranks second on the team in points (33) and hits (133).
Wideman will be making his first appearance at an NHL all-star game. He currently ranks fifth in the league among defensemen in points (29), tied for fourth in goals (eight), tied for fifth in assists (21) and leads the Caps in average ice time (24:08).
Finally, as you've probably heard by now, the NHL and NHLPA couldn't agree on the amazing realignment proposal set forth last month, so it appears everything will stay the same for next season.
January 13, 2012
January 2, 2012
RBC Center: A Fan-Friendly Hockey Environment
I recently had the opportunity to visit RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C., for the first time and I must say I was impressed. The Carolina Hurricanes do a great job of involving the fans at all points of the evening, especially during television timeouts. There were numerous quizzes, game-show type segments, giveaways and other methods to keep the action going while there wasn't any hockey being played.
That being said, the crowd enthusiasm wasn't very high. Most of the noise was arena-generated (much like an NBA game) and the only Horn Guy (unlike the one at Verizon Center) worked for the team as part of the Storm Squad, who even have a corporate sponsorship. Most of the banners belonged to N.C. State, who play their home basketball games there and their football games across the parking lot.
The seating arrangement was fan friendly too. From my seat in the fourth row behind the visitor's penalty box (which I got for a very reasonable price), I could see that most of the seats were in fact in the lower bowl. The club level and upper deck didn't appear that big, although its capacity is 18,176 -- slightly less than the 18,398 (without the standing-room spots) of Verizon Center.
By my count, I've now visited the following arenas: Verizon Center, St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., RBC Center, First Niagara Center in Buffalo, United Center in Chicago -- and two that aren't being used any more: Capital Centre and Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey.
This reinforced that Caps fans are lucky to have such a great place to watch a home game.
That being said, the crowd enthusiasm wasn't very high. Most of the noise was arena-generated (much like an NBA game) and the only Horn Guy (unlike the one at Verizon Center) worked for the team as part of the Storm Squad, who even have a corporate sponsorship. Most of the banners belonged to N.C. State, who play their home basketball games there and their football games across the parking lot.
The seating arrangement was fan friendly too. From my seat in the fourth row behind the visitor's penalty box (which I got for a very reasonable price), I could see that most of the seats were in fact in the lower bowl. The club level and upper deck didn't appear that big, although its capacity is 18,176 -- slightly less than the 18,398 (without the standing-room spots) of Verizon Center.
By my count, I've now visited the following arenas: Verizon Center, St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., RBC Center, First Niagara Center in Buffalo, United Center in Chicago -- and two that aren't being used any more: Capital Centre and Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey.
This reinforced that Caps fans are lucky to have such a great place to watch a home game.
December 21, 2011
Wouldn't It Be Nice? (2011 Edition)
Some year-end wishes, inspired by Leonard Shapiro's Washington Post column and the venerable Beach Boys.
Wouldn't it be nice if:
* The Washington Capitals are able to fully embrace Coach Dale Hunter's playing system and thrive in 2012?
* The team played more consistently?
* The special teams continued to improve?
* Alex Ovechkin started scoring goals again on a more regular basis?
* Alex Semin finally is shipped out of town?
* Brooks Laich finally gets some recognition for all of his great play?
* The goalies take a stand?
* The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup?
* The Caps won the Stanley Cup?
Wouldn't it be nice if:
* The Washington Capitals are able to fully embrace Coach Dale Hunter's playing system and thrive in 2012?
* The team played more consistently?
* The special teams continued to improve?
* Alex Ovechkin started scoring goals again on a more regular basis?
* Alex Semin finally is shipped out of town?
* Brooks Laich finally gets some recognition for all of his great play?
* The goalies take a stand?
* The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup?
* The Caps won the Stanley Cup?
December 18, 2011
Caps' Transition Continues
It's been an average start to the beginning of the Dale Hunter Era, as the Washington Capitals (15-14-1, 33 points) are 4-5 since their onetime captain took over behind the bench.
Overall, the team is ninth in the league in goals per game (2.90), but 23rd in goals against (3.06). Some of that is expected, as the team has been asked (for the second straight season) to do a complete 180-degree turn in playing style midway through the campaign. However, with Hunter behind the bench now (as opposed to former Coach Bruce Boudreau leading the charge last winter), improvements are very slow to materialize.
The only advantage the Caps have right now is time: they've only played 31 games and are just two points behind the last playoff spot. The disconcerting stat is that their goal differential is minus-five (ninth in the East), whereas they were plus-27 last season. If they can buy what Hunter is selling -- and do it effectively -- then all of that will change.
But for a team that had high hopes coming into the season, it is quite painful to watch right now. They suffered through a 2-1 loss at Colorado last night and squeezed by the Jets in a 1-0 win at Winnipeg Thursday night. And let's not forget the embarrassing 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Verizon Center Tuesday night.
The team hosts the Nashville Predators Tuesday night before traveling to face the New Jersey Devils Friday night and Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
Overall, the team is ninth in the league in goals per game (2.90), but 23rd in goals against (3.06). Some of that is expected, as the team has been asked (for the second straight season) to do a complete 180-degree turn in playing style midway through the campaign. However, with Hunter behind the bench now (as opposed to former Coach Bruce Boudreau leading the charge last winter), improvements are very slow to materialize.
The only advantage the Caps have right now is time: they've only played 31 games and are just two points behind the last playoff spot. The disconcerting stat is that their goal differential is minus-five (ninth in the East), whereas they were plus-27 last season. If they can buy what Hunter is selling -- and do it effectively -- then all of that will change.
But for a team that had high hopes coming into the season, it is quite painful to watch right now. They suffered through a 2-1 loss at Colorado last night and squeezed by the Jets in a 1-0 win at Winnipeg Thursday night. And let's not forget the embarrassing 5-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Verizon Center Tuesday night.
The team hosts the Nashville Predators Tuesday night before traveling to face the New Jersey Devils Friday night and Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
December 6, 2011
Realignment Hits Home Run
The Washington Capitals are going home, so to speak, after the NHL announced a realignment plan yesterday that essential reinvigorates the old Patrick Division. First, the new set of four conferences (no, that is not a typo):
* New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina.
* Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida and Tampa Bay.
* Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg.
* Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Colorado.
The NHL has been discussing realignment for a while now, and there have been many proposals (including mine). The conferences above makes clear two things: one, there were sets of teams that the league weren't willing to separate, and two, they wanted to stress historic rivalries. Yes, the Caps could have ended up with Carolina, Florida and Tampa (along with most likely Pittsburgh and Philly), but the NHL was going for maximum impact and went back to the future.
By the way, the league also went back to the old playoff format: the top four teams in each conference make the playoffs and play each other in the first two rounds. Then, two conference champions (most likely mirroring something similar to Eastern and Western Conferences now) will face each other to determine the Stanley Cup finalists.
Putting the Caps with the Devils, Flyers, Penguins, Rangers, Islanders and Hurricanes not only gives the red, white and blue an easier travel schedule, but it makes their path to adivision conference title much more difficult.
As for those sets of teams that the league created, here's how I see them:
* Caps and Carolina
* New York (x2) and New Jersey
* Philly and Pittsburgh
* Boston and Buffalo
* Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa
* Florida and Tampa
* Detroit and Chicago
* L.A., Anaheim, and San Jose
* Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton
It's going to be interesting to see if the Caps can clinch a fifth straight Southeast Division title this season -- and then how things will shape up next year when the realignment is instituted.
* New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington and Carolina.
* Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Buffalo, Florida and Tampa Bay.
* Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas and Winnipeg.
* Los Angeles, Anaheim, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Colorado.
The NHL has been discussing realignment for a while now, and there have been many proposals (including mine). The conferences above makes clear two things: one, there were sets of teams that the league weren't willing to separate, and two, they wanted to stress historic rivalries. Yes, the Caps could have ended up with Carolina, Florida and Tampa (along with most likely Pittsburgh and Philly), but the NHL was going for maximum impact and went back to the future.
By the way, the league also went back to the old playoff format: the top four teams in each conference make the playoffs and play each other in the first two rounds. Then, two conference champions (most likely mirroring something similar to Eastern and Western Conferences now) will face each other to determine the Stanley Cup finalists.
Putting the Caps with the Devils, Flyers, Penguins, Rangers, Islanders and Hurricanes not only gives the red, white and blue an easier travel schedule, but it makes their path to a
As for those sets of teams that the league created, here's how I see them:
* Caps and Carolina
* New York (x2) and New Jersey
* Philly and Pittsburgh
* Boston and Buffalo
* Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa
* Florida and Tampa
* Detroit and Chicago
* L.A., Anaheim, and San Jose
* Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton
It's going to be interesting to see if the Caps can clinch a fifth straight Southeast Division title this season -- and then how things will shape up next year when the realignment is instituted.
December 4, 2011
Patience, My Young Jedi
Coach Dale Hunter got the first win of his tenure behind the Washington Capitals' bench last night as the team still adjusts to his system. Yes, the team hasn't looked amazing yet, but then again, there is much precedent for switching coaches mid-season and going onto much success. There's also history for teams who were floundering, didn't make many changes and ended up doing well.
One example sat across from Hunter Thursday night: Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma. He was hired in the middle of the 2009 season -- despite the fact that team had made it to the Stanley Cup finals the season before under another coach -- and lead the team to its first title since they repeated in 1991 and 1992. (There was a time when some folks weren't even sure if the Penguins would make the playoffs that season.)
Another case was the Detroit Red Wings, who have started many a season slowly only to turn it up in January and cruise to a division title and playoff success.
Let's not also forget the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, who didn't get into the playoffs until the last day of the regular season only to lose in the finals in six games.
Finally, there's Coach Bruce Boudreau's first season -- when the team famously went from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to the first of four straight Southeast Division titles.
This year's team is 13-11-1 (27 points in 25 games), second in the Southeast Division and tied for either in the Eastern Conference. Yes, it's not the place the team probably thought it would be on Dec. 4, but certainly it's not as bad as many have painted the picture.
There are still 57 games left in the regular season -- plenty of time for the team to take on Hunter's personality and reach the lofty goals it has set for itself.
One example sat across from Hunter Thursday night: Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma. He was hired in the middle of the 2009 season -- despite the fact that team had made it to the Stanley Cup finals the season before under another coach -- and lead the team to its first title since they repeated in 1991 and 1992. (There was a time when some folks weren't even sure if the Penguins would make the playoffs that season.)
Another case was the Detroit Red Wings, who have started many a season slowly only to turn it up in January and cruise to a division title and playoff success.
Let's not also forget the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, who didn't get into the playoffs until the last day of the regular season only to lose in the finals in six games.
Finally, there's Coach Bruce Boudreau's first season -- when the team famously went from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to the first of four straight Southeast Division titles.
This year's team is 13-11-1 (27 points in 25 games), second in the Southeast Division and tied for either in the Eastern Conference. Yes, it's not the place the team probably thought it would be on Dec. 4, but certainly it's not as bad as many have painted the picture.
There are still 57 games left in the regular season -- plenty of time for the team to take on Hunter's personality and reach the lofty goals it has set for itself.
November 28, 2011
Hunter Replaces Boudreau as Head Coach
GM George McPhee has announced that Washington Capitals' great Dale Hunter has replaced Bruce Boudreau as the team's head coach. Hunter, whose No. 32 is retired by the team, is the 15th coach in franchise history.
Hunter brings one main thing to the Caps, which has been written about both in this space and in others. From the great Mike Vogel today:
"The Caps were known as a lunch-bucket bunch that prided itself on playing strong defensive hockey in those days, and they were rarely caught short in the work ethic department. A Dale Hunter-coached team is certain to be a hard-working team."
That is one characteristic that Boudreau couldn't coax out of the Caps on a consistent basis. And, if you look at teams that succeed -- especially in the playoffs -- they are hard-working and play for each other. As Vogel writes, the Caps with Hunter didn't have the best players, but they never took a night off or had any "passengers" -- two more knocks on Boudreau.
So not only does this mean the Caps are in for some hard work, but it means that certain players are going to be in for a bit of a culture shock. Fortunately, McPhee has compiled a mostly hard-working roster, so it's not like there will have to be a major personnel shift. But if Alex Semin (or Alex Ovechkin, for that matter) feels like being lazy or complacent, they're not going to get away with it.
Boudreau tried the disciplinary route a little too late. Hunter will start with it today. And, speaking of Ovechkin, if the current team captain needs a role model of how to behave as a leader, he will not need to go too far.
Hunter was perhaps the best captain in franchise history (although Rod Langway might be a close second). And, for the current Caps, these are things that were needed that, unfortunately, cost a very good coach his job.
But for the team to advance in the playoffs, this was a tough choice that needed to be made.
Hunter brings one main thing to the Caps, which has been written about both in this space and in others. From the great Mike Vogel today:
"The Caps were known as a lunch-bucket bunch that prided itself on playing strong defensive hockey in those days, and they were rarely caught short in the work ethic department. A Dale Hunter-coached team is certain to be a hard-working team."
That is one characteristic that Boudreau couldn't coax out of the Caps on a consistent basis. And, if you look at teams that succeed -- especially in the playoffs -- they are hard-working and play for each other. As Vogel writes, the Caps with Hunter didn't have the best players, but they never took a night off or had any "passengers" -- two more knocks on Boudreau.
So not only does this mean the Caps are in for some hard work, but it means that certain players are going to be in for a bit of a culture shock. Fortunately, McPhee has compiled a mostly hard-working roster, so it's not like there will have to be a major personnel shift. But if Alex Semin (or Alex Ovechkin, for that matter) feels like being lazy or complacent, they're not going to get away with it.
Boudreau tried the disciplinary route a little too late. Hunter will start with it today. And, speaking of Ovechkin, if the current team captain needs a role model of how to behave as a leader, he will not need to go too far.
Hunter was perhaps the best captain in franchise history (although Rod Langway might be a close second). And, for the current Caps, these are things that were needed that, unfortunately, cost a very good coach his job.
But for the team to advance in the playoffs, this was a tough choice that needed to be made.
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