Well…that is definitely not how anyone that is a Capitals fan or any of the players wanted that three-game road trip to go. Three games, three losses, all in regulation. Add an overtime loss to that prior to the trip and the Capitals are on a four-game losing streak. As many Capitals recall from last year, this four-game losing streak is starting to look like that terrible seven-game losing streak. However, after those dark times, the Capitals turned their season around to finish first in the Southeast Division and first Eastern Conference. So not all is lost yet. The best part being that this adversity is coming early in the season. So let’s take a look at why the Capitals didn’t get a single point in three games.
The first game of the road trip was in Nashville. The Capitals and Predators both played a solid game at both ends of the ice. The first goal was scored by Troy Brouwer with a mere four minutes and 46 seconds left in the third period. The Predators responded with a goal of their own only 28 seconds later. They then scored the deciding goal with 25 seconds left in the game. They sealed the deal with an empty netter then. What appeared to be at least one, if not two, points on the night resulted with the Capitals receiving zero. The defense broke down late in the game and allowed the Predators to capitalize. Another blown third period lead that resulted in a loss for the Capitals. The entire team needed to step up and play the entire 60 minutes to win against the Predators.
Next game, two nights later in Winnipeg as the Capitals took on new divisional foe, the Winnipeg Jets. The Capitals jumped out to an early lead off of Alexander Semin’s goal. Evander Kane pulled the Jets even just four minutes later on a defensive lapse. After that though, it was a solid period by the Capitals. Then, six minutes into the second period Kane scored what would be the game-winning goal. However, it was the two goals that followed Kane’s second goal, both on the power play and within four minutes of Kane’s. Michal Neuvirth looked like he was on an island by himself in those four minutes. After that though, no more goals were scored in the game. Another defensive lapse for about five minutes that decided the game. The Capitals lose their second game of the road-trip.
In the final game of the road trip, the Capitals visited the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have also been struggling of late. After the game last night you would have thought the Maple Leafs played an AHL team. Both teams came out and got quick goals within the first five minutes of the game starting. But a costly late goal in the first period gave the Maple Leafs the edge for the rest of the game. They scored three power play goals plus a regulation goal to chase Tomas Vokoun early in the second period. Michal Neuvirth entered the game and not much changed from Vokoun. Neuvirth gave up two of the three power play goals, and allowed a short handed goal to former Capital Dave Steckel with less than a minute remaining. Second period struggles on defense yet again cost the Capitals the game.
Is Mike Green really that important the Capitals can’t stop any team defensively? I never thought Mike Green was that important on the blue line for the Capitals. He is very potent on the offense, but I never thought he was the big defensive defenseman that he appears to be this year.
And where in the world is the offense during this streak? Alex Ovechkin hasn’t had a point in five games now. Nicklas Backstrom has disappeared and no one is stepping up in either of their absences. They have scored only five goals in this four-game losing streak and only three on the road trip. I’m intrigued to see what Bruce Boudreau does to the lineups tomorrow night to spark offensive productivity.
Stay posted for a game preview for the Phoenix Coyotes tomorrow.
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No, I wouldn’t infer from the Caps’ sloppiness with the puck and giveaways in their own end that Mike Green is the cure to what ails them on the forecheck and the back check. HARDLY!!
You’re dead right, Matt. I’ve never thought of Mike Green as a rock-ribbed defensive defenseman for one reason: HE ISN’T!!!! Like you,I can’t help but agree that Mike’s a gifted offensive player, and if I was Double-B, I’d cut my losses with that guy as a blue-liner and convert him to a forward, where his defensive lapses would be more forgivable.. What the Capitals need–as I’ve often said–is a new coach. Because either this guy can’t coach, or if he can, his players aren’t listening to hi. And it’s hard to imagine the Caps making these same stupid-assed mistakes over and over and over and over again if they were led by, say, Jacques Lemaire or Scotty Bowman or Toe Blake…
But Hey, what do I know??
Clifford
Santa Monica
Thank you for agreeing Clifford. I just don’t see the team turning themselves around when Mike Green returns. If anything he will contribute to these atrocities in the game.
I do believe though that the organization needs to begin the search for a new coach. I would love to see either Lemaire or Bowman take over behind the bench for the Caps.
But like you, I’m just a writer…what do I know