Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee had a clear mission today: trade for a bonified second-line center and, if possible, add a defenseman. He did well on both counts, much better than he did at this time last year.
Center Jason Arnott, formerly of the New Jersey Devils, heads to the nation's capital in exchange for center David Steckel and a 2012 second-round pick. Arnott, although not the same player he was in 2000, when he led the Devs to a Stanley Cup, still has enough left in the tank to make a significant impact. Some were calling for Sergei Fedorov 2.0, and I would argue that Arnott might be better than the legendary Russian was when he joined the Caps a few years ago.
Although Arnott has just 13 goals and 11 assists this season, he's a proven two-way center who can excel both on the power play and penalty kill and has plenty of playoff experience. Additionally, he's extremely familiar with the Eastern Conference teams -- especially the New York Rangers -- that have haunted the Caps recently.
Dennis Wideman, the new defensemen, will be especially valuable now that Mike Green is out for at least two weeks. Wideman, although somewhat offensively minded, also can play well in his own end and be an asset on special teams. He's just 27 and spent three seasons in Boston before this one where he learned a lot from all-world defenseman Zdeno Chara.
He's also adept at the Caps' style of play and should do much better than Joe Corvo last season. Wideman is signed for next season, but that's another story for another time. McPhee sent a third-round pick this year and prospect Jake Hauswirth to Florida for Wideman.
Wideman's teammate with the Bruins last season, Marco Sturm, joins the Caps off waivers from the L.A. Kings and, if he can stay healthy, will provide a nice offensive boost. Sturm notched 22 goals and 15 assists with Boston last season and boasted consecutive 27-goal seasons earlier in his career with the Bruins. He's got the tools; he just needs to stay healthy.
All these three players cost McPhee and the Caps from the active roster was Steckel, a great faceoff man but somebody with limited offensive tools. As the Caps try to improve their offense and provide a major jolt to their power player, the three newest Caps should help that endeavor.
Arnott should skate on the second line with Alex Semin and possibly Sturm or Brooks Laich, while Wideman might be paired with Scott Hannan or Jeff Schultz. If Sturm drops to the third line, he'll most likely skate with a reinvigorated Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera.
Coach Bruce Boudreau likes to shuffle lines and the extra three players will give him options. But it won't be the overkill they had last year and the troops this time around are better and more suited to the Caps' style of play.
McPhee, in my opinion, did all he could do to put the Caps in position to make a deep playoff run. It's now time for the players to perform on the ice -- starting with tomorrow night's tilt with the New York Islanders at Verizon Center.
February 28, 2011
Caps Trade(s) Listings
Here is a list of trade(s) the Caps made today, trade deadline day 2011. Times are according to the TSN.ca trade tracker.
(11:46 a.m.) - Acquired defenseman Dennis Wideman from Florida for Jake Hauswirth and a 2011 third-round pick.
(3:25 p.m.) - Acquired center Jason Arnott from New Jersey for center David Steckel and a 2012 second-round pick.
That appears to be it for today. Look for further coverage later.
(11:46 a.m.) - Acquired defenseman Dennis Wideman from Florida for Jake Hauswirth and a 2011 third-round pick.
(3:25 p.m.) - Acquired center Jason Arnott from New Jersey for center David Steckel and a 2012 second-round pick.
That appears to be it for today. Look for further coverage later.
February 27, 2011
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 27
A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.
The Synopsis: The Caps continue to be consistently inconsistent. For example, last week included a solid victory at Pittsburgh, an ugly home loss and a somewhat lucky victory over one of the worst teams in the league. With less than 24 hours before the trading deadline, it's time for GM George McPhee's last stand. He's got one final shot to make a major statement that the status quo isn't good enough. This is no time to tinker, this is his chance to radically change the roster. If successful, the Caps could storm into the playoffs. If not, McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau might be heading into a lame duck session.
Record/Standings Position: 33-20-10 (76 points), 2nd Southeast Division/5th Eastern Conference/8th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 1-0, at Pittsburgh Penguins
* Lost, 6-0, vs. New York Rangers
* Won, 3-2, at New York Islanders
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. New York Islanders (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. St. Louis Blues (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday at Florida Panthers (5 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Mike Green (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Eric Fehr (2-3 weeks), Semyon Varlamov (day-to-day). Total Man Games Lost: 171.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Todd Ford to Hershey (today); recalled Ford and Jay Beagle from Hershey (yesterday); claimed Marco Sturm off waivers from Los Angeles Kings (yesterday); assigned Mathieu Perreault to Hershey (yesterday); placed D.J. King on waivers (yesterday); signed Matt Hendricks to two-year contract extension (Feb. 24).
The Synopsis: The Caps continue to be consistently inconsistent. For example, last week included a solid victory at Pittsburgh, an ugly home loss and a somewhat lucky victory over one of the worst teams in the league. With less than 24 hours before the trading deadline, it's time for GM George McPhee's last stand. He's got one final shot to make a major statement that the status quo isn't good enough. This is no time to tinker, this is his chance to radically change the roster. If successful, the Caps could storm into the playoffs. If not, McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau might be heading into a lame duck session.
Record/Standings Position: 33-20-10 (76 points), 2nd Southeast Division/5th Eastern Conference/8th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Won, 1-0, at Pittsburgh Penguins
* Lost, 6-0, vs. New York Rangers
* Won, 3-2, at New York Islanders
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. New York Islanders (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday vs. St. Louis Blues (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday at Florida Panthers (5 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Mike Green (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Eric Fehr (2-3 weeks), Semyon Varlamov (day-to-day). Total Man Games Lost: 171.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Todd Ford to Hershey (today); recalled Ford and Jay Beagle from Hershey (yesterday); claimed Marco Sturm off waivers from Los Angeles Kings (yesterday); assigned Mathieu Perreault to Hershey (yesterday); placed D.J. King on waivers (yesterday); signed Matt Hendricks to two-year contract extension (Feb. 24).
February 23, 2011
It's Time for the Caps to Make a Trade
The NHL trading deadline (and the end of February) is quickly approaching and teams around the league are starting to make their moves. Just in the past week or so, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning have upgraded their squads -- but the Washington Capitals have yet to budge.
GM George McPhee is very calculated, but this is the year to take a risk. He's got a roster that has a glaring need at the center position, especially with the potential injury to Nicklas Backstrom. Coach Bruce Boudreau's new two-way playing style has started to pay dividends, but McPhee himself said he's disappointed with the team's performance thusfar.
With today's re-signing of Matt Hendricks, McPhee showed his belief in the current style of play, but it's evident that he need needs more troops. Some argue that it's time to finally trade Alex Semin -- something that I've been in promoting for a long time.
Over the last few weeks, McPhee and Boudreau are starting to change the culture and remake the team (mid-season) into one that can succeed playing postseason hockey. But without more scoring (believe it or not), especially from the center position, this team won't have enough ammunition to fulfill their goal of winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup.
Since he's been GM, McPhee's Caps have won four postseason series -- three of which came during the team's 1998 run to the Stanley Cup finals (the only time the Caps have gone that deep in the playoffs). The other victory occurred in 2009 over the New York Rangers (after falling behind 3-1), but that was marred by the subsequent game seven collapse to the Penguins.
In order to properly prepare for a sustained postseason run, and help the Caps win a series in less than seven games, McPhee needs to take a risk. This team could be primed for something special -- but most likely not as currently constructed. It's time for GMGM to lay all of his cards out on the table -- and show everybody that he'll do something more than just tweaking the roster.
That would be the biggest statement thus far that this year's Caps truly have turned a corner after previous debacles.
GM George McPhee is very calculated, but this is the year to take a risk. He's got a roster that has a glaring need at the center position, especially with the potential injury to Nicklas Backstrom. Coach Bruce Boudreau's new two-way playing style has started to pay dividends, but McPhee himself said he's disappointed with the team's performance thusfar.
With today's re-signing of Matt Hendricks, McPhee showed his belief in the current style of play, but it's evident that he need needs more troops. Some argue that it's time to finally trade Alex Semin -- something that I've been in promoting for a long time.
Over the last few weeks, McPhee and Boudreau are starting to change the culture and remake the team (mid-season) into one that can succeed playing postseason hockey. But without more scoring (believe it or not), especially from the center position, this team won't have enough ammunition to fulfill their goal of winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup.
Since he's been GM, McPhee's Caps have won four postseason series -- three of which came during the team's 1998 run to the Stanley Cup finals (the only time the Caps have gone that deep in the playoffs). The other victory occurred in 2009 over the New York Rangers (after falling behind 3-1), but that was marred by the subsequent game seven collapse to the Penguins.
In order to properly prepare for a sustained postseason run, and help the Caps win a series in less than seven games, McPhee needs to take a risk. This team could be primed for something special -- but most likely not as currently constructed. It's time for GMGM to lay all of his cards out on the table -- and show everybody that he'll do something more than just tweaking the roster.
That would be the biggest statement thus far that this year's Caps truly have turned a corner after previous debacles.
February 21, 2011
Things Coming Together: Caps 1, Pens 0
The Washington Capitals sometimes-painful transition this season might be finally complete. The team went into a back-to-back at the end of a five-game road trip and won both, with the capper a 1-0 victory in Pittsburgh over the Penguins tonight. It was the second straight shutout of the Pens by the Caps this month -- and the third win over their arch rivals this season.
The lone goal was a power-play tally by Alex Ovechkin late in the second period, the icing on a very good two-way game by the Caps' captain. All throughout the Versus telecast, the announcers focused on the fact that the Caps are much improved in their own zone and are starting to reinstate some of their offensive hallmarks. It only resulted in one goal tonight, and the Caps were badly outshot, 39-24, but the red, white and blue looked like a complete hockey team on national television.
Michal Neuvirth had another outstanding outing (he also shutout the Pens on Super Bowl Sunday) and nary allowed a rebound throughout the game. This is a Caps team that looks like it could make a sustained playoff run, although there are still some worries on offense.
With the Caps off until Friday vs. the New York Rangers, a much-needed second-line center could finally arrive in the nation's capital, and the team that looked quite horrible as recently as two weeks ago could turn into a team that will be fun to watch yet again.
The lone goal was a power-play tally by Alex Ovechkin late in the second period, the icing on a very good two-way game by the Caps' captain. All throughout the Versus telecast, the announcers focused on the fact that the Caps are much improved in their own zone and are starting to reinstate some of their offensive hallmarks. It only resulted in one goal tonight, and the Caps were badly outshot, 39-24, but the red, white and blue looked like a complete hockey team on national television.
Michal Neuvirth had another outstanding outing (he also shutout the Pens on Super Bowl Sunday) and nary allowed a rebound throughout the game. This is a Caps team that looks like it could make a sustained playoff run, although there are still some worries on offense.
With the Caps off until Friday vs. the New York Rangers, a much-needed second-line center could finally arrive in the nation's capital, and the team that looked quite horrible as recently as two weeks ago could turn into a team that will be fun to watch yet again.
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 21
A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.
The Synopsis: The Caps are starting to turn things around, both with playing style and with results. The next critical step is the trading deadline, one week from today. Other teams are making moves, so now it's time for GM George McPhee to answer.
Record/Standings Position: 31-19-10 (72 points), 2nd Southeast Division/5th Eastern Conference/9th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 3-2, at Phoenix Coyotes
* Won, 7-6, at Anaheim Ducks
* Lost, 3-2, at San Jose Sharks
* Won, 2-1, at Buffalo
This Week's Games:
* Tonight at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Friday vs. New York Rangers (7 p.m., CSN-Plus-HD)
* Saturday at New York Islanders (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Mike Green (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Eric Fehr (2-3 weeks). Total Man Games Lost: 165.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Patrick McNeill to Hershey (Feb. 19), recalled McNeill from Hershey (Feb. 15).
The Synopsis: The Caps are starting to turn things around, both with playing style and with results. The next critical step is the trading deadline, one week from today. Other teams are making moves, so now it's time for GM George McPhee to answer.
Record/Standings Position: 31-19-10 (72 points), 2nd Southeast Division/5th Eastern Conference/9th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 3-2, at Phoenix Coyotes
* Won, 7-6, at Anaheim Ducks
* Lost, 3-2, at San Jose Sharks
* Won, 2-1, at Buffalo
This Week's Games:
* Tonight at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Friday vs. New York Rangers (7 p.m., CSN-Plus-HD)
* Saturday at New York Islanders (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Mike Green (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Eric Fehr (2-3 weeks). Total Man Games Lost: 165.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Patrick McNeill to Hershey (Feb. 19), recalled McNeill from Hershey (Feb. 15).
February 16, 2011
Motivation Shouldn't Be an Issue
With 25 games remaining for the Washington Capitals (before tonight's contest against the Anaheim Ducks), it's very curious that the red, white and blue are still trying to figure out how to "flip the switch" or something along those lines.
"It's like we're waiting for something to happen," Coach Bruce Boudreau said recently. "We're waiting for something. We're entering the toughest part of the season. It's going to be a real indicator if we're a serious contender or not, quite honestly. We've got our work cut out for us and [need to] decide if we're serious or not."
"I don’t know what we're waiting for," veteran Mike Knuble added. "There's a lot to play for -- as players, as individuals, as a team. Every game is important."
It's hard to remember that, for the most part, this is the same outfit that captured the Presidents' Trophy last season, finishing eight points ahead of the next closest team (the San Jose Sharks).
While some questioned whether the team would "flip the switch" last season, and only play 20-30 minutes of hard hockey per night, their results spoke for themselves. But, this season, the effort hasn't been there, the results are lacking and the team hasn't approached their lofty expectations.
And now, the chorus for a change in culture is growing louder by the minute. Perhaps the smoke may lead to a firing.
"It's like we're waiting for something to happen," Coach Bruce Boudreau said recently. "We're waiting for something. We're entering the toughest part of the season. It's going to be a real indicator if we're a serious contender or not, quite honestly. We've got our work cut out for us and [need to] decide if we're serious or not."
"I don’t know what we're waiting for," veteran Mike Knuble added. "There's a lot to play for -- as players, as individuals, as a team. Every game is important."
It's hard to remember that, for the most part, this is the same outfit that captured the Presidents' Trophy last season, finishing eight points ahead of the next closest team (the San Jose Sharks).
While some questioned whether the team would "flip the switch" last season, and only play 20-30 minutes of hard hockey per night, their results spoke for themselves. But, this season, the effort hasn't been there, the results are lacking and the team hasn't approached their lofty expectations.
And now, the chorus for a change in culture is growing louder by the minute. Perhaps the smoke may lead to a firing.
February 13, 2011
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 13
A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals.
The Synopsis: It was a bad week for the Caps. They regressed to an outfit that looks downright pitiful and ready for change. In fact, the team held a player's only meeting after yesterday's awful loss to the L.A. Kings. The team now heads on the road for a five-game stint, one that needs to not only produce wins but demonstrate that they team is capable of playing a strong 60 minutes every night. If not, it might start to get really ugly really fast.
Record/Standings Position: 29-17-10 (68 points), 2nd Southeast Division/T-5th Eastern Conference/8th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 2-0, vs. San Jose Sharks
* Lost, 4-1, vs. L.A. Kings
This Week's Games:
* Monday at Phoenix Coyotes (8 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Wednesday at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday at Buffalo Sabres (12:30 p.m., NBC-HD)
Injuries: Tom Poti (day-to-day) and Eric Fehr (out 2-3 weeks). Total Man Games Lost: 153.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Jay Beagle to Hershey (Feb. 8).
The Synopsis: It was a bad week for the Caps. They regressed to an outfit that looks downright pitiful and ready for change. In fact, the team held a player's only meeting after yesterday's awful loss to the L.A. Kings. The team now heads on the road for a five-game stint, one that needs to not only produce wins but demonstrate that they team is capable of playing a strong 60 minutes every night. If not, it might start to get really ugly really fast.
Record/Standings Position: 29-17-10 (68 points), 2nd Southeast Division/T-5th Eastern Conference/8th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 2-0, vs. San Jose Sharks
* Lost, 4-1, vs. L.A. Kings
This Week's Games:
* Monday at Phoenix Coyotes (8 p.m., Versus-HD)
* Wednesday at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Thursday at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Sunday at Buffalo Sabres (12:30 p.m., NBC-HD)
Injuries: Tom Poti (day-to-day) and Eric Fehr (out 2-3 weeks). Total Man Games Lost: 153.
Recent Transactions: Assigned Jay Beagle to Hershey (Feb. 8).
February 8, 2011
Shark Bait: San Jose 2, Caps 0
For all the talk of the Washington Capitals improving after two stellar performances, tonight's 2-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks seemed to indicate that those wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins were anomalies. The Sharks dominated from start to finish and, although they didn't score until the third period, it was plainly obvious who the better team was tonight.
The Sharks' goals were the icing on a stellar performance. Logan Couture scored his 24th of the season by beating Michal Neuvirth with a wrist shot through the legs from the face-off circle at 11:55 of the third period. Dan Boyle followed just 2:12 later with a slapshot from the other face-off circle to pour salt in a very painful wound.
The team's only saving grace was Neuvirth, who was stellar in stopping 34 shots. Although the Caps had 25 shots on goal, they registered 12 of those in the final 20 minutes. The middle frame, in which they had just four shots, was especially ugly.
Missing tonight was any offense flow, any sign of Matt Hendricks (or others) storming the crease, or any firepower that was present over the weekend. The closest they got to scoring occurred with 7:49 left in the first period, when Sharks goalie Antti Niemi stopped a shot and benefitted from a quick whistle. The puck appeared to trickle through his legs and Mathieu Perreault put the puck in the net for good measure, but it was immediately waved off and the game remained scoreless.
The Caps had a late power play, including nearly a minute with Neuvirth on the bench to give them a six-on-four, but that too was inept.
This is a team that still needs to be able to assert its supposed identity of a high-pressure offense and a tight defensive squad. They've been struggling with that all season and, except for a few spurts here and there, haven't been able to find it. With just 28 games left, and only 11 at home, they can't give anything away -- something that they clearly did tonight.
The Sharks' goals were the icing on a stellar performance. Logan Couture scored his 24th of the season by beating Michal Neuvirth with a wrist shot through the legs from the face-off circle at 11:55 of the third period. Dan Boyle followed just 2:12 later with a slapshot from the other face-off circle to pour salt in a very painful wound.
The team's only saving grace was Neuvirth, who was stellar in stopping 34 shots. Although the Caps had 25 shots on goal, they registered 12 of those in the final 20 minutes. The middle frame, in which they had just four shots, was especially ugly.
Missing tonight was any offense flow, any sign of Matt Hendricks (or others) storming the crease, or any firepower that was present over the weekend. The closest they got to scoring occurred with 7:49 left in the first period, when Sharks goalie Antti Niemi stopped a shot and benefitted from a quick whistle. The puck appeared to trickle through his legs and Mathieu Perreault put the puck in the net for good measure, but it was immediately waved off and the game remained scoreless.
The Caps had a late power play, including nearly a minute with Neuvirth on the bench to give them a six-on-four, but that too was inept.
This is a team that still needs to be able to assert its supposed identity of a high-pressure offense and a tight defensive squad. They've been struggling with that all season and, except for a few spurts here and there, haven't been able to find it. With just 28 games left, and only 11 at home, they can't give anything away -- something that they clearly did tonight.
February 6, 2011
Weekly Snapshot, Feb. 6
A weekly peek at the state of the Washington Capitals, now in a revised format.
The Synopsis: It was a big week for the Caps, and they improved with every step. After a dormant performance against the Montreal Canadiens, they dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. They're starting to find their offense again, and have been able to maintain their defensive prowess -- but they've got another 28 games left in the regular season to keep it going (especially against non-rivals). This will be especially paramount because of the plethora of upcoming games against Western Conference opponents -- many on the road.
Record/Standings Position: 29-15-10 (68 points), 2nd Southeast Division/5th Eastern Conference/6th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 3-2 (SO), vs. Montreal
* Won, 5-2, at Tampa Bay
* Won, 3-0, vs. Pittsburgh
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. San Jose Sharks (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Saturday vs. L.A. Kings (12:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Alexander Semin (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Eric Fehr (out 3-4 weeks). Total Man Games Lost: 148.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Jay Beagle and Tyler Sloan from Hershey (Feb. 1); recalled Mathieu Perreault from Hershey (Jan. 31).
The Synopsis: It was a big week for the Caps, and they improved with every step. After a dormant performance against the Montreal Canadiens, they dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. They're starting to find their offense again, and have been able to maintain their defensive prowess -- but they've got another 28 games left in the regular season to keep it going (especially against non-rivals). This will be especially paramount because of the plethora of upcoming games against Western Conference opponents -- many on the road.
Record/Standings Position: 29-15-10 (68 points), 2nd Southeast Division/5th Eastern Conference/6th NHL
Last Week's Games:
* Lost, 3-2 (SO), vs. Montreal
* Won, 5-2, at Tampa Bay
* Won, 3-0, vs. Pittsburgh
This Week's Games:
* Tuesday vs. San Jose Sharks (7 p.m., CSN-HD)
* Saturday vs. L.A. Kings (12:30 p.m., CSN-HD)
Injuries: Alexander Semin (day-to-day), Tom Poti (day-to-day), Eric Fehr (out 3-4 weeks). Total Man Games Lost: 148.
Recent Transactions: Recalled Jay Beagle and Tyler Sloan from Hershey (Feb. 1); recalled Mathieu Perreault from Hershey (Jan. 31).
February 3, 2011
Caps Must Radically Change the Culture
The Washington Capitals are out of excuses, done with their search for a 60-minute effort and beyond the point where a move at the trading deadline will adjust the culture of the organization.
It's come down to this: if the Caps don't completely change what's ailed them this season (and maybe longer), then Ted Leonsis needs to fire GM George McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau.
It's extremely difficult to believe that it's reached this point, and in this economy I would never wish for anybody's unemployment, but there's no other solution if the franchise is serious about winning its first Stanley Cup. And here's why:
* Despite finishing with a record 121 points last year, and basically keeping the same team together, the Caps have regressed majorly this season.
* McPhee has stuck to his "build from within" philosophy, but none of the rookies really have drastically improved the team. (John Carlson may be the exception.)
* McPhee also continues to offer curious contract extensions to players like John Erskine, Tom Poti, Tyler Sloan and Alex Semin when, except for maybe Semin, other teams aren't exactly knocking down their doors.
* Trading for D.J. King still seems useless when he's played in only 12 games this year and logged a little more than 60 minutes all season.
* How long can you say "this team is still young and still learning" when their on-ice performance continues to reflect that of an uninspired squad?
* You can't pin everything on Boudreau. He's done everything in his power to try to get the most out of a very talented bunch. But McPhee seems unwilling to fill the voids that many others see and, for some reason, many of the players' issues seem to reside between their ears.
* Do you think that there's a slight possibility that Boudreau switched to a defense-first system to protect his young goalies? If so, the team is even more flawed than we originally thought.
It's gotten to the point where nothing but a Stanley Cup will do for the franchise. Over the course of the last three seasons, the Caps won the Southeast Division each time, but then watched lower seeds advance further in the playoffs.
The Caps have won just one playoff series over the last three seasons despite a combined 323 regular-season points over that span. As a comparison, the Philadelphia Flyers have won five playoff series during the same three years (as a five-, six- and seven-seed), despite only 282 regular-season points.
Yes, the Caps has claimed that they were going to play "playoff-style" hockey all season. And, under their new defensive-minded system, they've improved their penalty kill and goals-against average.
The problem is that they've won less than two-thirds of the games in which they've scored first (63.6 percent, 21st in the league entering tonight's games). When they've lead after the first period, their winning percentage is .722 (18th). Those aren't exactly stats that should have fans dreaming of a long playoff run.
The team has been able to mask deeper problems because they had one of the most dangerous offenses in the league since Boudreau became coach. But this season, for whatever reason, their offense has regressed by more than a goal per game and the entire franchise looks defeated.
It's time for Leonsis to make the most difficult decision of his ownership: by changing the culture and bringing in proven winners as GM and coach. Then, and only then, will the Caps be a legitimate threat to win the Stanley Cup -- and not a team that 35 percent of NHL players think is overrated.
It's come down to this: if the Caps don't completely change what's ailed them this season (and maybe longer), then Ted Leonsis needs to fire GM George McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau.
It's extremely difficult to believe that it's reached this point, and in this economy I would never wish for anybody's unemployment, but there's no other solution if the franchise is serious about winning its first Stanley Cup. And here's why:
* Despite finishing with a record 121 points last year, and basically keeping the same team together, the Caps have regressed majorly this season.
* McPhee has stuck to his "build from within" philosophy, but none of the rookies really have drastically improved the team. (John Carlson may be the exception.)
* McPhee also continues to offer curious contract extensions to players like John Erskine, Tom Poti, Tyler Sloan and Alex Semin when, except for maybe Semin, other teams aren't exactly knocking down their doors.
* Trading for D.J. King still seems useless when he's played in only 12 games this year and logged a little more than 60 minutes all season.
* How long can you say "this team is still young and still learning" when their on-ice performance continues to reflect that of an uninspired squad?
* You can't pin everything on Boudreau. He's done everything in his power to try to get the most out of a very talented bunch. But McPhee seems unwilling to fill the voids that many others see and, for some reason, many of the players' issues seem to reside between their ears.
* Do you think that there's a slight possibility that Boudreau switched to a defense-first system to protect his young goalies? If so, the team is even more flawed than we originally thought.
It's gotten to the point where nothing but a Stanley Cup will do for the franchise. Over the course of the last three seasons, the Caps won the Southeast Division each time, but then watched lower seeds advance further in the playoffs.
The Caps have won just one playoff series over the last three seasons despite a combined 323 regular-season points over that span. As a comparison, the Philadelphia Flyers have won five playoff series during the same three years (as a five-, six- and seven-seed), despite only 282 regular-season points.
Yes, the Caps has claimed that they were going to play "playoff-style" hockey all season. And, under their new defensive-minded system, they've improved their penalty kill and goals-against average.
The problem is that they've won less than two-thirds of the games in which they've scored first (63.6 percent, 21st in the league entering tonight's games). When they've lead after the first period, their winning percentage is .722 (18th). Those aren't exactly stats that should have fans dreaming of a long playoff run.
The team has been able to mask deeper problems because they had one of the most dangerous offenses in the league since Boudreau became coach. But this season, for whatever reason, their offense has regressed by more than a goal per game and the entire franchise looks defeated.
It's time for Leonsis to make the most difficult decision of his ownership: by changing the culture and bringing in proven winners as GM and coach. Then, and only then, will the Caps be a legitimate threat to win the Stanley Cup -- and not a team that 35 percent of NHL players think is overrated.
February 1, 2011
Montreal Unleashes the Misery: Canadiens 3, Caps 2
On turn back-the-clock night, fans experienced the chorus to the old camp jingle, "second verse, same as the first, a little bit louder and a little bit worse." Tonight, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Washington Capitals, 3-2, in a shootout, another weak performance by a team that looks more disheveled by the outing.
For the first 7:49, the Caps turned back the clock to last season's scoring ways. Mathieu Perreault broke loose in the left face-off circle and beat Carey Price five-hole to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Then, at 7:49, Mike Knuble was the recipient of a beautiful pass from Mike Green (on the power play, no less) to extend the lead to two on a one-timer that was reminiscent of the back-door play that produced so many goals for the red, white and blue.
And then this year's team returned. At 8:28, Brian Gionta broke loose on the wing and ripped a slapshot past Semyon Varlamov to bring the visitors within a goal. At 17:22, Gionta struck again and it was ugly. John Carlson passed it back while in the offensive zone and the puck went right to Tomas Plekanec -- who unleashed a perfect stretch pass to Gionta, beating Varly easily to tie the game.
The rest of regulation was scoreless, but not without cause for worry. The Canadiens outshot the Caps, 15-6, in the second period and 38-29 overall. The Caps certainly looked like they were playing on their heels for most of the night and certainly did nothing to reverse fans' worrisome ways.
It's almost getting to the point where you feel a storm front is coming (and I'm not talking about the fact that they're playing Friday night at the Tampa Bay Lightning, who destroyed the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Flyers, 4-0, tonight) and the sky is getting grayer by the game.
It could get ugly sooner rather than later.
For the first 7:49, the Caps turned back the clock to last season's scoring ways. Mathieu Perreault broke loose in the left face-off circle and beat Carey Price five-hole to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Then, at 7:49, Mike Knuble was the recipient of a beautiful pass from Mike Green (on the power play, no less) to extend the lead to two on a one-timer that was reminiscent of the back-door play that produced so many goals for the red, white and blue.
And then this year's team returned. At 8:28, Brian Gionta broke loose on the wing and ripped a slapshot past Semyon Varlamov to bring the visitors within a goal. At 17:22, Gionta struck again and it was ugly. John Carlson passed it back while in the offensive zone and the puck went right to Tomas Plekanec -- who unleashed a perfect stretch pass to Gionta, beating Varly easily to tie the game.
The rest of regulation was scoreless, but not without cause for worry. The Canadiens outshot the Caps, 15-6, in the second period and 38-29 overall. The Caps certainly looked like they were playing on their heels for most of the night and certainly did nothing to reverse fans' worrisome ways.
It's almost getting to the point where you feel a storm front is coming (and I'm not talking about the fact that they're playing Friday night at the Tampa Bay Lightning, who destroyed the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Flyers, 4-0, tonight) and the sky is getting grayer by the game.
It could get ugly sooner rather than later.
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