Well, things are really getting to be a grind, now. Waived-off goals, bad penalties and strange special-teams play, smashed sticks and iPods, the past two games haven’t been a lot of fun to watch. The games had their similarities (the results) and some big differences, as well.
The Caps played well enough in Florida to win, and were game for a bit in Tampa Bay. Florida is a comparable team to Washington in terms of talent currently on the roster; Tampa Bay is well ahead of both, and thus the results aren’t too surprising. Tampa’s talent asserted itself to provide a relatively easy win for the Lightning, while the Panthers had to fight to get the extra point.
Just some quick observations, as it’s all kind of a painful blur.
- Jiri Novotny’s play has picked up, which is nice, and you have to wonder how related it is to his RFA status.
- Quietly, Matt Pettinger has put up similar numbers to his break-out season last year.
- Four of the six Caps’ defensemen took a penalty against Florida.
- Alex Ovechkin was really throwing the body in the Tampa game, which may have led to the Brashear/Roy fight. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible those fellas didn’t need any outside influences to go.
- Jeff Schultz continues his non-descript play, which is a big positive for a 20 year-old rookie defenseman.
- It’s an exercise in futility, but you have to wonder if things would go down a little differently if the waived-off goal in Florida is counted.
Three games left and the team’s in about the same boat as it was last year: low in the Eastern conference and under-manned via injury and trade. Philadelphia is a lock for last place in the league, but the Caps could finish at 29th, facing Florida, visiting Atlanta, and hosting Buffalo to finish out the season. It’s tough to shake off the losing, but these are, allegedly, the last three games of the rebuild.
3 Comments
Last 3 games of the rebuild? Don’t know about that. Another high pick that will turn into a grinder? Mcphee’s magical touch of picking pathetic defensemen or defensive forwards who can’t seem to lift the puck from the ice is getting old. I agree with OFB team that it is time to get someone new in the front office, or maybe just get rid of the owner. Remember his 5 year plan? How long has that taken? How many time s do I have to hear him complain about money? I like George Soloman’s quote of Jordan,”If you can’t afford it, sell the team”.
I don’t think any of us at OFB said that it was time to get rid of the front office or the owner.
“This is our last week of meaningless hockey in Washington this season. It also needs to be the last such under this GM.”-Pucksandbooks. I was agreeing with this sentiment and offering an opinion of our owner
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