One way to react to last night’s PowerBall-winning-odds turn of events in Ottawa is as I did, in foggy disbelief, with the aid of paramedics. Clutching the lapels of the uniform jacket of the young woman from the Bethesda-Chevy Chase rescue squad kneeling over me in my home near 11:00 last night, oxygen mask over my face, I was able to stammer out “We really . . . the Senators . . . 13-1 going in . . .?” I suspect she was from Minnesota or Alberta, for she offered me the warmest of smiles and a nod of affirmation. And a victory beer.
Another way to react is with relief but also indignation. Without Chris Clark and without Alexander Semin — 68 goals of absence, we were constantly reminded this week — the Caps have taken down the province of Ontario recently by the count of 11-2. Injuries really aren’t an excuse for prolonged losing; now we know they really can’t be one for this version of the Washington Capitals. And we know this: this team, even missing a couple of key parts, is capable of playing great hockey — but you wouldn’t want to bet the mortgage on them doing it night in and night out.
Why can’t they? Why must the heat be turned up, the sportstalk shows fomenting with hockey caller fury, for this team to respond by skating brilliantly and hard for 60 minutes? Many Caps’ fans around town likely thought Coach Hanlon bought himself two or three weeks’ worth of additional job security with last night’s stunning outcome. I actually think the result bolsters the case against him.
Olie Kolzig was a rock in net last night, but he didn’t have to stand on his head. His team played that well in front of him. The Senators, authors of the best start to a season in NHL history, didn’t offer up a flat, take-the-W-for-granted effort; they skated hard and magnificently, and they played valiantly and authoritatively in the third period. But regularly there were opposing sticks in their passing lanes, shin guards in their shooting angles. The Capitals last night sent out shift after shift of committed passion, guts, and guile in pursuit of victory.
They played desperate hockey.
Problem is, we don’t see it often. And we never see it consistently.
This is a team capable of shutting out the ‘Canes, humiliating the Leafs, vanquishing the best team in hockey on its home ice. But it is also a team capable of looking mismatched against the Isles.
It is a bit of a cliche, but in sports certain teams, by virtue of their maddening inconsistency, are designated as playing up or down to the level of the competition they face. This Caps’ squad is on cue auditioning for such a status.
(What kind of consistency would I seek? That of Metro’s disruptions, delays and dysfunctions.)
My hope entering this season was that a whole lot of losing in recent seasons had bred a bile and contempt for it among a core of Caps. That mid-February Tuesday night matchup with the Panthers would be met with Old Time Orneriness. Maybe it still will. Coach Hanlon I think makes a fair point in noting the need to mesh not only his free agent newcomers with his core but four or five AHL graduates as well. But the hour of meshing is upon us.
So this member of the jury is still deliberating. I may have a verdict come late Saturday night.
3 Comments
I think the verdict should be rendered a little later. The next 5 games are all in the Southeast. By the time I’m munching on deep fried turkey leg, we’ll have a very good idea where this team is headed, if anywhere.
I’m still in disbelief at the complete and dominant effort last night. More impressive even then that of the home opener.
I agree with the view that it was more an indictment of, rather than a testament to, Hanlon’s ability to motivate this bunch, to see them put forth such a solid performance last night but not keep the game competitive beyond even half a period three nights ago, and so on.
However, clearly this team played for its coach last night, giving him, as you say, a few more weeks’ job security. Vogs has alluded many times to the fact that the players generally like Hanlon and don’t want him replaced. So they went out and did something about it tonight.
It was inspiring to see how comfortable everyone played with a lead, and no momentum was lost following the Sens’ lone goal.
Saturday’s performance, however, will tell whether the corner to be turned is even in sight. TB shouldn’t be quite as desperate following a beat down of the Canes on the road. But let’s hope our team remains just as hungry as they were last night.
A loss tomorrow will erase any good feelings from this win (however vaunted was the opponent), and make the four day layoff a very uncomfortable one.
Great win for the Caps. However, it was pretty clear the the Senators, off to the best start in NHL history, were overlooking the Caps and it bit them.
Now it’s time to start winning consistently, but with a 37-year old Olie, a shaky D, I don’t see it happening.
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