Game Recap

Game Recap
After watching last night’s 3-1 loss to the B’s one thing remains abundantly clear, Alexander Semin is either really good or really bad. If you’re Coach Bruce Boudreau all you can do is hope that the good Alexander Semin shows up more often than not or at the very least that the good Alexander Semin shows up when it matters most. If previous seasons serve as any form of indication as to what to expect from enigmatic Russian then know this, when the Caps desperately need production Semin will be harder to find than a snow ball in Kabul.

The thought of trading Semin is a nice one, unfortunately his subpar production in the playoffs makes him the least valuable 40 goal scorer in the entire NHL. His value to the Caps (still yet to be fully determined) is seemingly greater than anything another team would be willing to give up to get him. Last night’s performance by Semin was packed with lazy penalties, inaccurate shots, forced passes, and poor defensive posture.

Aside from Semin’s dismal play there were a few bright spots to take away from last night’s loss at Verizon Center. The PK remained perfect, even killing off a 53 second 5-3 in which Jeff Shultz and Brooks Laich completely neutralized a struggling B’s PP. Semyon Varlamov came on in relief for an ailing Nuevirth who left in the 1st period with the flu. Many questions have surrounded the Caps goaltending situation, a lot of people would believe that Nuevirth had all but sealed his fate as the Caps number one goalie. However, last night’s performance Varlamov reminded Caps fans that he is also a very capable young goaltender. He yielded only one goal, coming off of a well screened Matt Hunwick long range wrist shot from in the 3rd.

On a final note the Capitals continue to rack up the fighting majors. They are now tied as a team for the second most fights with 7 through 6 games. Matt Hendricks squared off with Gregory Campbell early in the first and Milan Lucic had a bout with John Erskine. This was Lucic and Erskine’s second fight, the previous one was a decisive victory for Big John. This fight was closer than the first go around, Erskine landed a few early but Lucic was eventually able to counter Erskine’s rather aggressive fighting style with a large bear hug. The two exchanged a few punches before Lucic was able to wrestle Erskine to ground.

The two teams meet up again on Thursday night to complete the second half of this home and home. Don’t expect to see Erskine and Lucic to go again, however a DJ King Shawn Thornton rematch could be a possibility. The Capitals had a total of 20 fights all of last season. At this rate they will surpass that number by early November. I expect the fight totals to taper out at some point, but for fun I’ll set 30 games for the over/under on surpassing 20 fighting majors this season.

It ain't over til' it's OV

The Caps rally from 2 down to win 3-2, in OT, against the Predators in Nashville.

During the 2nd period I was thinking about what I would title my game recap and was leaning toward "Kill me now... Just do it already".  The Caps looked like a broken Arnold Schwarzenegger from the first Predator movie after two periods of play.  However, much like the movie, the all but beaten Caps regained their composure and defeated the Predators. 

The Capitals looked abysmal after two tonight; they were losing nearly every battle imaginable.  The Preds were winning the battle along the boards, and were continuing to force the Caps offense to them.  The Caps looked sloppy in the neutral zone and in their own end. Turnovers at the blue-line and neutral zone and their inability to clear the defensive zone cleanly created numerous scoring opportunities for the Predators.The Caps were out shot 39-34, though it was a much larger margin until the 3rd.  The Preds, won the face-off battle  32-26 and managed 11 takeaways.  

After two periods the Caps were trailing 2-0, with the goals for the Predators coming from J.P. Doumont in the 1st and Jordin Tootoo's deflection off of Brian Fahey's skate in the 2nd.  

Enter Micheal Neuvirth, tonight's game's saving grace. Neuvy made 37 saves, including a dazzling glove save on a breakaway by Joel Ward in the 2nd (caused by one of many turnovers at the caps blue-line). Nuevy's glove hand was impeccable tonight, and his performance thus far should make for tough competition for Varlamov when he makes his return. 

Neuvirth was able to keep the scoring deficit manageable until the Caps found their game in the 3rd.  The game opened up and the tempo picked up considerably.  The Caps began winning board battles and fore-checking successfully, after looking uninspired for the first two periods.  Alex Semin opened the scoring for the Capitals with a Power Play goal that trickled past Anders Linback, who also had a great night in goal for the Preds with 31 saves.  Brooks Laich's tenacity on the fore-check led to Tomas Fleischman's, game tying, tally.  

In Overtime, as one would expect, Alex Ovechkin took control.  After tearing into the offensive zone, Ovechkin was taken down by Ryan Suter, giving the Caps (who were 2-5 on the man advantage) an OT power play.  One minute later, Ovechkin fired a shot from the point and it was deflected in by Brooks Laich for the game-winner.

In a game that for all intents and purposes the Caps should have lost, a stellar performance in goal by Michael Neuvirth kept them alive long enough for Ovechkin & Co. to come alive in the 3rd and mount a comeback; taking 2 points away from a solid Nashville club.

* Perhaps the most surprising stat of the night is that the Caps remained a perfect 21-21 on the PK... While their Power Play is only at 4-22.