Capitals Lackluster as Season Draws to a Close
This entry was written by DCist contributor Jesse Rounds.
Last Friday the Capitals had a chance to win their "playoff" series with the Carolina Hurricanes. Once again their offense proved up to the task with three goals. However, they let the Hurricanes score three short-handed goals on their own powerplay opportunities to tie the game. That would be the story of the game for the Hurricanes. As Coach Glen Hanlon noted "We've said all along that five-on-five we can compete with most teams." Washington did create a little suspense in the third period, but it was not to be and the game ended 4-3 in favor of Carolina.
On Saturday night the team traveled to Long Island to play the New York Islanders. Throughout their history these two teams have played well against each other creating exciting games. Prior to this season the Caps even had the upper hand in the series winning most of the games both at home and on Long Island. However, this game was a blow out, the Islanders took advantage of home ice and skated away with a 5-0 win. Washington failed to put in any real effort and let Brent Johnson down again, providing him little cover or support. Alexander Ovechkin's quest for 50 goals and 100 points was stymied yet again as he was shut out of the scoring for the 6th game in a row.
Monday night's game against Boston was played on primetime TV on the home of the NHL for this season, OLN. Boston had just come off a disappointing overtime loss to the Rangers. The Bruins, like the Caps, are not bound for the playoffs but have been getting All-Star caliber keeping from their young goalie Tim Thomas. Dainius Zubrus scored first in the game, late in the second period. In the third, a defensive breakdown and a lucky shot by Bruins rookie Mark Stuart evened the game up. However, the Bruins then took a series of foolish penalties and the Capitals mounted a disciplined and efficient series of power plays that came to naught mostly due to excellent keeping by Thomas. As the game went to overtime OLN's commentators wondered whether Alex Ovechkin's goal drought would continue for a record 7th game. Ovechkin allayed the fans' fears by scoring with a blistering shot one and a half minutes into overtime to end the game at 2-1. He celebrated his 49th goal and 100th point (the first rookie to hit that mark in 13 years) by kissing his glove, pumping his fist, and slamming into the glass behind the Bruins goal. He has 4 games to be the first player since Temu Selanne to reach the 50 goal/100 point mark. However, as Coach Hanlon has been at pains to note, "If Alex ends up at the last game of the season and he doesn't have 50 goals, he's not going to shed a tear. He's all about team, he's all about winning a Stanley Cup. He plays hard and he wants to score every night."
The Capitals will finish their season against a series of Southeast Division rivals playing the Thrashers tonight and the Panthers on Saturday. The team will return for their final home game Monday against the Thrashers before ending the season Tuesday on the road against the Tampa Bay Lighting.