Puck 'N Hockey

Forgive the fortuitous Flavor Flav reference but that was the first thing I thought of when reviewing the get let down, 3-2 SO loss in Carolina.  The Penguins game on Wednesday night was obviously a very emotional contest for the Caps.  Having to travel after such a frenzied game against their arch rival really affected the Capitals in the first half of the game.  So, tired legs, minds, and hearts led to extra time required to decide another game.

Postgame Thoughts:

• I have to address the flagrant hype around clinching the first seed in the Eastern Conference.  It is an admirable goal to attain and would benefit the Caps greatly in the Stanley Cup playoffs given their home ice dominance during the regular season.  However, let’s not start saying things like, “Conference champions” or “Eastern Conference title” when referring to clinching the #1 spot (I’m looking at you, Comcast Sportsnet).  They are not going to hand out a trophy for ending the season in first place in the Eastern Conference.
• John Carlson finally scored his first NHL goal.  As if he needed more confidence, you could see him really step up after he scored.  I really like how Carlson handles himself on and off the ice.  That career milestone will only help him grow faster.
• The Capitals’ penalty killing is much stronger.  The PK units are doing a great job forcing puck movement to the outside and getting sticks in the seams and passing lanes.
  

  AP Photo/Gerry Broome

• The PK better play well because Alexander Ovechkin now has a reputation amongst NHL officials.  The goalie interference call was questionable considering Manny Legace actually skated to the top of crease into Ovi’s path.  The rule book states that the player must give the goalie the opportunity to do his job but can the goalie impede a player’s skating path?  Wouldn’t that be interference?
• Maybe it’s the end of the season and no one wants to get hurt but the Caps are horrible at blocking shots and as a result, great at screening their goaltenders.  A perfect example was the Carolina power play goal that went through the Caps’ forward covering the point and John Erskine who set a perfect screen in front of Semyon Varlamov.
• Speaking of Varlamov, he put in a much better effort.  After the first two Hurricanes’ goals I thought we might be witnessing Varly melting down a la Jim Carey.  However, through the rest of the game, Varlamov got focused and really played stronger as the game progressed.
• Everyone who was calling Bruce a genius for the Knuble move in the shootout Wednesday night is now questioning the Green move in last night’s shootout.  Typical fair weather DC fans trying to play Friday morning head coach.  Gabby understood the situation his team was in and I think he looks at the shootout as a Gary Bettman gimmick.  Had the Capitals actually needed that extra point, Bruce Boudreau would have tapped a forward.
• You cannot beat this Capitals team in regulation.  Period.
• I am going to keep writing this until Jason Chimera starts scoring goals regularly.  If he had hands, Chimera would be a very dangerous player.

Let down game, trap game, or whatever you want to call it, this loss to the Hurricanes should have been expected.

YEAH BOY!!!