Caps Lose 4-3 (SO)

Any chances of the Caps catching the Hershey Bears 23 consecutive wins on home ice are now lost. Mind you, those chances were very slim to begin with. For the Caps to have accomplished this they would have needed to win not only tonight but also every single home game for the remainder of the season. As we move passed shattered dreams, let's take a quick minute to examine the rock that did the shattering.

The Caps out shot the Stars tonight by a margin of 2:1 (52-26) and were dominant for much of the game. In the first period Marty Turco was lights out, yielding one goal on a snap shot from a wide open Tom Poti in the slot. David Steckel made a cross ice pass to Poti from below the faceoff dot, Poti then rifled the puck past a helpless Turco. The Stars also tested Varlamov early. Varlamov made a few good saves but was mostly blessed with good good fortune as The Stars shooters struggled to hit wide open nets.

In the Second period Turco was just as impressive as he was in the first. Stopping all but one of the Caps 23 shots, making some dazzling saves in the process. The Capitals failed to score on a 5-3 pp but Ovechkin managed to give his team the lead on the ensuing 5-4. This was Ovechkin's first goal since coming back from the Olympic break. The Caps ended the 2nd period with a 2-0 lead.

I think tonight's game lent incredible insight to how this team is capable of playing. In the first two periods we saw the most leagues most dominant offensive team. Yes, they were held to only two goals but credit that to inspired goaltending. In those same two periods the team was solid in their own zone and Varlamov was flawless. The Third period was less kind to the Caps, it was also very indicative of how bad this team can be at times. I do not mean to sound like an alarmist BUT the penalty kill was once again awful. The Stars went 2-2 on the PP and used these goals to surge to an early 3rd period lead. The third goal was one that Varlamov, could have and should have stopped. Poor goaltending has plagued the Caps all season and should be a serious cause for concern down the stretch. The final thing we saw in this Caps team during the third period, was actually one of their strengths. In times of desperation they are the best team in Hockey. From the time when James Neal scored the go ahead goal until the end of the 3rd, The Caps dominated the play.

Ovechkin scored a magnificent goal with less than 4 minutes left in the game to tie it up at 3. This was by far his best performance in some time, scoring two high quality goals. Ovechkin had two great oppurtunities to win the game in OT but failed to beat Turco. Despite putting together a great five minutes in OT the Caps did not score and eventually lost in the SO.

I think at this point of the season many would agree with me, when I say the Caps are overall the best team in hockey. I also think very few would disagree with me, when I say the Caps still have some blaring weaknesses. The Penalty Kill has to get better or it could be a huge hindrance towards a cup run. The goaltending has to be more consistent as well. Having said that, Jose Theodore is starting to make a pretty good case for why he should be the man between the pipes down the stretch.

More on Theodore's play later in the Week, stay posted.