On Frozen Blog

OFB friend The Keen Eyed Observer checks in with these quick thoughts on tonight’s contest vs. the streaking Ottawa Senators:

• The Caps’ PK forwards need to be aware of being drawn too high — the Sens run that to try and give Heatley space to step in with a wrister off the boards, or to create a two-on-one down low with Heatley and Spezza vs. a defenseman.
• Gordon really has earned the bulk of the penalty kill time, and that trend needs to continue tonight. (Jason) Spezza is twice the player he normally is when he has time and doesn’t feel pressured, and Gordon’s busy feet just seem to make the opponent’s PP unit nervous. Even when he’s not pressuring them, it feels like he might without a moment’s notice.
• The Caps will be making a big mistake if they let Spezza command the PP on his own terms. The Caps PK system still seems to be too passive, and they need to pressure the talented Ottawa center — if not, he may as well be teaching the art of dissection.
• (Ottawa Coach Bryan) Murray has his team picking on specific defensemen lately. You’ll be able to tell if they are if a large majority of dumps go into a certain corner when a certain guy is on the ice, and this strategy is especially apparent when the Fisher/Sheafer/Neil line is on the ice. That line is merciless on the forecheck — it almost seems like they are matched up against a defensive pairing and not the opponent’s top line sometimes. The Caps’ coaching staff needs to prepare for this and drill ‘high chip off the glass’ into Eminger and Erskine.