.. Can I just start out by saying how amazing it is to hear one Pens fan who isn’t full of themselves! I have to agree with you about the Philly fans too! I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and how we’re playing this season.

Our defense needs some work still but as the coach said.. We’re not perfect yet. I look forward to each game in the remainder of our season as well as the post season!! Lets Go Caps!!

It was my first loss at a Pens game, I was 14-0 until last week.

While Ovie may be helping out more, I’m sure you can attest that you wouldn’t want to rely on him for your defense. Just like we don’t rely on Crosby for defense.

As for the Pens being behind the Caps’ D statistically, that’s simple: our defense just simply isn’t as good this year. Losing Scuds and Gill was rough, and I bet Shero goes and rents a defensemen at the deadline. If we don’t, I’m not sure if we can beat the Caps in the playoffs. But I don’t think the Caps could beat a team like Last-year’s Pens in the playoffs – which they would have to do in order to win the Cup.

Anyways, thanks for your response, and I hope I see your team in the Conference Finals (although I don’t think my heart can take another series like that). Let’s just hope it’s not another second-round matchup.

The Capitals defense has improved over last year, whether it is a maturing process or tweaks by coach Boudreau it is resulting in a better goals per game allowed (2.72) than 18 teams including the Pens (injuries haven’t helped them). For comparison, last year the Caps were 2.93 GA/G.

As for Ovie not playing defense, that is a tired old knock on his game. Have you seen any games this year? Ovie is helping out a lot more than he has in the past. That is one of the reasons he has a league leading plus/minus of +32.

Obviously, I am a Pens fan, but I am a reasonable one, and I know that – at this point in the season – the Caps are the better team. They are the most talented offensively and Ovechkin is the best offensive player in the league. That is covered well in this article.

But one thing is missing: defense. The word isn’t even mentioned anywhere on this entire page! One of these times, the Caps will come across someone who will stop Ovechkin (aka Fleury in Game 7 on that breakaway). If the offense hits a speed bump, nobody is there to bail them out. Sure, the goaltending is decent, but not great. And Mike Green is a beast – but he’s a forward posing as a defensemen. And let’s face it, Ovie’s only defensive skill is his great hitting (which again, is among the best in the league).

I would really be interested in what Caps fans think about their defense. The Penguins didn’t beat Detroit last year because of our offense. Hell, we only scored 14 goals in 7 games! We won the Cup because guys like Rob Scuderi and Gonchar and Orpik made incredible defensive plays.

If Leonsis truly believes this defense can hold off a late scramble in a win-or-go-home playoff game (no, last year’s Rangers don’t count), then Caps fans won’t see a Cup for a while.

All the offensive pieces are in place. As much as I’d hate to see the Caps win the Cup, it would be great for hockey and the city of DC – but it’s not going to happen unless Leonsis addresses his D, and by the sounds of it, he doesn’t even seem worried.

A great offense will win you games in the regular season. And a spectacular defense will also equal regular season success (aka the Devils), but you need both to win the Cup.

I hope you take the time to read this. I respect Caps fans because they are knowledgable and they boo Crosby because they actually have someone to rival his talent (unlike those scumbags in Philly who hate Sid more than they like their own team).

I reall want to know what you guys think.

Thank you for the kind words but most particularly for imparting that noteworthy nugget from WaPost.com. Most telling, methinks.

Can’t say the same on Schultz and Fehr. Schultz is basically doing the same thing he has been doing since he came in to the NHL, just slightly better, and he was only a scratch early on because he was a guy who was in between “can’t scratch” (Green, Poti) and “trade bait” (Jurcina, Morrisonn, Erskine). Fehr’s actually scoring less often than he was last season, though I love seeing him get some PP time.

The one guy in the organization who’s still somewhat unheralded is McPhee. To be so calm, calculating, and patient, and to have so much faith in the ability of yourself and your staff is impressive. We’re lucky to have him running the show, personnel-wise.