GO CAPS!!!!

[Wizards2Lottery]

We have a hugely improved PK but this years team is worse than last years. Not happy with the way things are going.

To what do your attribute the offensive struggles?

I honestly have no clue. Beginning of the year, I thought it was due to the disappointment of last years playoffs and guys just not being into it. We're now getting close to the All Star break and Ovechkin has two powerplay goals and both of them came in the same game. So basically he's gone 49 out of 50 games so far this year without scoring on the powerplay.

We also still don't have a reliable 2nd line center. Perrault and Johansson have shown flashes but neither of them are consistent enough. This might be the biggest area of need come trade deadline. We can't go into the playoffs again with only one consistent center in Backstrom.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

We have a hugely improved PK but this years team is worse than last years. Not happy with the way things are going.

To what do your attribute the offensive struggles?

I honestly have no clue. Beginning of the year, I thought it was due to the disappointment of last years playoffs and guys just not being into it. We're now getting close to the All Star break and Ovechkin has two powerplay goals and both of them came in the same game. So basically he's gone 49 out of 50 games so far this year without scoring on the powerplay.

We also still don't have a reliable 2nd line center. Perrault and Johansson have shown flashes but neither of them are consistent enough. This might be the biggest area of need come trade deadline. We can't go into the playoffs again with only one consistent center in Backstrom.

I agree. We essentially have one really solid line (OV, Backstrom and whoever Gabby throws out there with them).

But, its seems to me that the biggest difference is our change in philosophy... jamming up the neutral zone, focusing on going hard to the net. It seems like we have a bunch of Ferraris and, because we flamed out twice in the playoffs, are trying to convert ourselves into Dodge Mini Vans.

Gradually, our personnel is changing -- from Fleishman to Hannan is an example... and I'm afraid we'll shoot for the middle of the pack and land firmly there.

I was worried after the Montreal series that we'd react too hard and change course too dramatically, and I think we have.

[Zonkerbl]

We have a hugely improved PK but this years team is worse than last years. Not happy with the way things are going.

Last year's team didn't make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Is this team goes farther it's a better team...

[Wizards2Lottery]

We have a hugely improved PK but this years team is worse than last years. Not happy with the way things are going.

Last year's team didn't make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Is this team goes farther it's a better team...

Of course it is. But at this pace, they might not even make it to the playoffs. A lot of road games coming up against some REALLY good teams.

First big road trip will be a five game trip against Phoenix, Anaheim, San Jose, Buffalo and Pittsburgh.

Second big road trip will be a six game trip against Montreal, Detroit, New Jersey, Philly, Ottawa and then Montreal again.

Those losing streaks they've been having all year need to come to an end. Right now it's not even about coasting through the regular season, it's about making it to the playoffs.

[Zonkerbl]

You know what, grinding out first place in the southeast feels better to me now, because they've earned it by playing the kind of style they have to. Get to the second round and anything can happen, so that's the mentality they've got to have. Grind it out.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03140.html

[Rafael122]

I do miss those 6-3 games though, but whatever. It needs to be done, we're gonna have to play this style when we face the Flyers and Pens of the world.

[Zonkerbl]

Ugh, if the playoffs started today we'd be seeded against Montreal again, if I understand correctly...

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Ugh, if the playoffs started today we'd be seeded against Montreal again, if I understand correctly...

Bring em on.

The reality is that there are no easy series... it is kind of a crap shoot. Whoever has the hot goalie, yadda, yadda, yadda.

A lot could, and will likely, change from here until the playoffs regarding seeding. The Flyers are no lock for the top seed as they had seemed to be.

I'd like the 3rd seed because, mediocre recent home record notwithstanding, I'd like to be guaranteed home ice for the first two rounds. Who we play is almost irrelevant given how bunched up everyone is.

[Zonkerbl]

Oh, and that tripping call (the first of the two that led to the 5 on 3)? Totally stupid play by our guy. It's like fouling a jump shooter -- diving at someone like that. So easy to draw a tripping penalty you're better off just not doing it. Stupid play. And the slash afterwards -- stupid, stupid play. Didn't deserve the win, really, but I'll take it.

[Zonkerbl]

Wow, scary hit by Chara.

Everybody's always saying, Oh, Chara, Oh, Bertuzzi, everyone knows they're not a dirty player. Everyone knows dirty players and that's not them. I guess they mean Avery. Has Avery ever injured anybody?

[Zonkerbl]

So I sent an email to Ted talking about how to correctly pronounce see-MYOHN var-LAH-moff and I thought, I'm an idiot for sending this to Ted, what can he do about it? I should it to the announcers.

Can't believe we have to play the Rangers again, GAWD. Why is every single NHL playoff team so damn good?

[Rafael122]

Eastern Conference Finals or bust for this team. I realize the Stanley Cup is the Ultimate Prize, but they were knocked out in the 2nd round two years ago, and were knocked out in the first round last year. Baby steps.

[Wizards2Lottery]

This team goes as far as the goalies do. I have no confidence in Varlamov staying healthy for 16 more games so it's up to Neuvirth.

[REDardWIZskin]

Look for OV to score a lot more goals in the post season this yr. He will lead everyone in scoring, may even set a record!!

[A_wildstabatanything]

I've got you guys going to the ECF against the Bruins.

[verbal8]

The caps are making it far too interesting against the Rangers.

[Zonkerbl]

Glorious win. Go Caps!

[Nivek]

Got home late yesterday. Flipped on the tube to catch the end of the Wizards game, and came into the review of Great Eight's goal. Went back and forth between the two games until the Wiz tank ended. Then fell asleep before the Caps won.

Scintillating night in the Nivek household.

[Zonkerbl]

Missed yesterday's game. Apparently didn't miss much. Hope they do better on Wednesday. Funny how the penalty minutes are even in Washington and totally askew in NY and the NY players are like "meh, it's playoff hockey, it goes both ways." No it doesn't! If it went both ways NY would be complaining too.

[Rafael122]

It was a good game. There was one instance where the Caps were playing 5 on 3. Best 2 minutes of hockey I've seen all year. My palms were sweating, I thought the Rangers were going to score but the Caps played awesome defense.