On Frozen Blog

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.