by | February 21, 2012

Missing Postseason Will Help Capitals’ Future

For the better part of three years, there has been one mantra that has been attached to the Washington Capitals: their season will be judged on postseason success. That is what happens when a team runs roughshod over seven months of the regular season before losing it all in a matter of weeks, even days.

This season, however, may be over in that same matter of weeks. After a 5-0 loss to the cellar-dwelling Carolina Hurricanes Monday, the Caps sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, only one point behind the eighth-place Toronto Maple Leafs and two points behind the Southeast Division-leading Florida Panthers, but only six points ahead of the last place Hurricanes entering Tuesday.

Those odds are definitely surmountable, but frankly, the best thing that could possibly happen to this current Washington team is missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Consider a macro look at this season so far, particularly since late November when Washington dismissed head coach Bruce Boudreau. Since then, the Caps have played 37 games under Dale Hunter and have won consecutive games just three times (for what it is worth, they have not won consecutive games since January 9-13). Yet, it seems that whenever the Caps put on a spirited performance in between forgettable ones – a 5-3 win over the Boston Bruins January 24 or two 3-0 shutout victories over the Montreal Canadiens January 18 and February 4, for example – everything rotten is forgotten. The Caps’ painfully-apparent lack of depth at center without Nicklas Backstrom is not as noticeable and praised for pulling together without its star playmaker; one electrifying, vintage goal from Alex Ovechkin means that he is on his way back to prominence.

None of those things, however, are true. They only stand to temporarily assuage the fears of those optimistic Caps fans with glimmers of hope in their eyes and put a proverbial bandage on the obvious problems surrounding the team: a lack of identity, killer instinct or determination. Making the playoffs would only do the same thing on a much larger scale.

Team owner Ted Leonsis said in July 2011 that the Caps “will make the playoffs…10 to 15 years in a row.” If his words come up empty, however, it might be better for his entire organization. In Leonsis’ 10-point plan to rebuild a franchise, the first point is as follows:

Ask yourself the big question: “Can this team – as constructed – ever win a championship?” If the answer is yes – stay the course and try to find the right formula – if the answer is no, then plan to rebuild. Don’t fake it – really do the analytics and be brutally honest. Once you have your answer, develop the game plan to try to REALLY win a championship. Always run away from experts that say, “We are just one player away.” Recognize there is no easy and fast systemic fix.”

Unfortunately for Leonsis, one of those “experts” resides within his organization.

General Manager George McPhee made it clear February 16 that he does not plan to make moves before Monday’s trade deadline until he knows where Backstrom stands in his recovery from a concussion suffered January 3. While a decision to stand pat at the deadline could be the best possible decision – acquiring a rental while possibly mortgaging the future would be just another temporary fix – McPhee believes that the return of Backstrom will suddenly alleviate any problems. It would certainly help, but then again, Backstrom’s return would just hide the inadequacy of the centers below him again.

McPhee has been the general manager since 1997, meaning that he is largely responsible for cultivating the “country club atmosphere” that finally forced Boudreau to inject some semblance of accountability into a team that had and continues to have none. That lack of accountability is not solely on the players; for example, Ovechkin would not have a “rock star” attitude if he was not treated like one within the organization and staunchly defended at every turn. Hunter will surely absorb much of the blame for a lost season, but he is nothing more than a scapegoat. He simply inherited a team that has transformed from “The Greatest Show On Ice” to a mere sideshow.

When Leonsis and McPhee’s attempt to win with high-priced talent 10 years ago failed, they held a fire sale to scorch the roster in order to start a youth movement. Ten years later, that same youth movement has become the high-priced talent. For a team that was selected by many to win the Stanley Cup not only this year, but in years previous, a season ending in early April as opposed to the customary late April/early May would require swift and immediate action, but not only to the roster this time.

This problem has seeped its way all the way up to the front office and an extra month to start the cleansing process will ultimately help Washington.

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by | February 20, 2012

After ‘Canes Blowout, Are Roster Changes Needed?

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Coming into the Washington Capitals’ game with the Eastern Conference’s last place team, the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday in Raleigh, the ‘Canes were without goalie Cam Ward, forward Tuomo Ruutu and forward Chad LaRose.

You’d think that would mean “easy win,” but it’s been quite the opposite for the Caps this season.

Just as the then-injury-riddled Buffalo Sabres did to the Bruce Boudreau-led Caps in November, a Carolina team that was filling holes embarrassed the Caps and head coach Dale Hunter with a 5-0 win behind a shutout effort from back-up goalie Justin Peters.

There’s little to say about the game itself (it was hardly worth watching after the second period), but if there’s one takeaway from the loss, it’s that the Caps can’t afford to wait for Nicklas Backstrom if they want to make the playoffs.

The truth is that without Backstrom, the Caps roster as it stands right now isn’t postseason caliber.

The center corps of Mathieu Perreault, Marcus Johansson, Brooks Laich and Jeff Halpern isn’t getting the job done and there’s little reason to believe they will down the stretch.

Even if the Caps managed to slip into the playoffs by virtue of the Toronto Maple Leafs or Winnipeg Jets failing to capture the eighth seed, the Caps would likely face the No. 1 seed New York Rangers.

Simply put, the Caps need help and they need it now.

General Manager George McPhee can’t spend time guessing where his team might be in the standings when Backstrom is healthy, or assume that the team will even be in the playoff picture if No. 19 returns before April.

Finding a replacement won’t be easy or cheap, and players of Backstrom’s caliber just don’t magically appear at the deadline. But if the goal of this team is to reach the playoffs then a decision has to be made before the deadline skyrockets player prices.

The Caps are at a crossroads.

The remodel of the rebuild is failing and even if the Caps need to make a desperation move to qualify for the playoffs, it’s up to McPhee to gauge if it’s worth the price.

But let’s be honest. Could a simple trade really patch-up this mess of a team?

(Oh, and as I promised Twitter, here is my face rolling on the keyboard: Uij8hke7y6 8nh7j-p. Try to have a good night everyone.)

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by | February 19, 2012

Caps Top Six: An ‘A’ For Effort?

Weeks like this stink for Top Six rankings because coming up with six players who are worthy of individual praise in a 1-2 week is a bit trying.

Let’s do a quick run through of the schedule (not that this is a fun trip down memory lane or anything).

On Monday, the Caps were embarrassed in a 5-3 loss to San Jose. On Friday the Caps earned two major points in a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers only to piss them away against the “we’re totally trade deadline sellers, but somehow we’re winning and barely in the playoff picture” Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

That’s your week ladies and gents; a blowout loss, a much needed win and then a win-nullifying loss the very next day. You can slam your head against your desk…now.

So here’s this week’s Top Six, where we’re handing out a few A’s for effort because it sure would be silly if we just left blanks in places player’s names were supposed to go.

If it’s another dud next week, perhaps we’ll consider a Not Top Six, but until then…

1. Alex Semin – one goal, two assists, three points

Since Jan. 22, Semin’s scored 12 points for the Caps and in a pattern. Sasha scores two points in a game, then one point, then nothing. Sometimes there’s a game between the scoring, but the pattern remains the same, two, one, none. Now if the team could just find someone to do that in reverse order, everything would be gravy.

 2. Brooks Laich – one goal, one point, plus-one

There are a few reasons Laich makes the list this week, but the fact that he was the first forward not named “Alex” to score a goal this week is enough to earn some praise. Hooray for secondary scoring!

3. Dmitry Orlov – one goal, one assist, plus-three

The rookie has been tentative to let his slapper go since coming up from the AHL, but as of late he’s firing away his cannon shot a bit more. He had five shots against San Jose, two against Florida, but didn’t record one on net against Tampa Bay. #ShootDmitryShoot

4. Alex Ovechkin – one goal, one point

The Rock Star came up clutch for the Caps against the Florida Panthers, but other than that it wasn’t much of a week for No. 8. Regardless, he’s shooting more (16 shots total this week) and he remains the main threat on the power play.

5. Mike Knuble – one goal that didn’t count

Talk about guy down on his luck. First his coach tells him he’s being benched because of his plus-minus rating. Then after watching from the press box for three games, he comes back against the Florida Panthers and shows why he’s needed on the ice by cashing in a garbage goal that ultimately was ruled as goaltender interference. Can’t an old man catch a break?

 6. Jeff Schultz – one goal, one point, plus-one

(Mr. McPhee, attached is a cover letter for other GM’s to review at the NHL Trade Deadline)

Hello potential trade partners, I am Capitals General Manager George McPhee. I’d like you to know that in a blowout loss to the San Jose Sharks, defenseman Jeff Schultz (who is on the trading block) scored a goal and finished the 5-3 loss with a positive rating. He was also featured in a recent Kings of Leonsis Top Six article. Send your offers now…

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by | February 18, 2012

Where Has Secondary Scoring Gone?

Entering Saturday, only three teams in the NHL – the Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers – had more double-digit goal scorers than the Washington Capitals’ eight. That statistic may surprise you and the likely reason is because the Caps’ secondary scoring – particularly from their forwards – has disappeared.

Brooks Laich’s second period goal during Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning snapped a scoreless drought of 308:30 (the equivalent of over five games) since a forward not named Alex Ovechkin or Alexander Semin scored for Washington. The last goal was scored by Jason Chimera February 7 against the Florida Panthers.

There have been a few forwards who have struggled all season, while there have also been others who started strong, but have plateaued lately.

  • Joel Ward: 19 games since last goal (January 7); two goals in last 46 games.
  • Jeff Halpern: 29 games since last goal (December 13); three goals all season.
  • Mike Knuble: 29 games since last goal (December 5); three goals all season.
  • Marcus Johansson (who had several scoring chances Saturday): four goals in last 20 games; scored five of his 11 goals in his first eight games of the season.
  • Jason Chimera: four goals in last 32 games; scored eight of his 15 goals in his first 20 games of the season.

Fourteen of the Caps’ 20 goals this month have been scored by Ovechkin, Semin or defensemen, leaving only six among the remaining forwards in nine games. For a team trying to make a playoff push, a progression of these numbers will only hinder the Caps. The trade deadline is just over a week away, so perhaps much-needed reinforcements are on the way.

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by | February 17, 2012

Superstars Get It Done Against Panthers

To briefly summarize the Washington Capitals’ 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers Friday, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. There’s a laundry list of concerns, but in the end the Caps got what matters: two points in the standings.

Let’s quickly run through the ugly.

Washington outshot the Panthers 41-23, limiting Florida to just four shots in the second period, but it wasn’t until the third period that those shots turned into goals.

The Caps drew a total of six penalties in the game, but converted only one of them in the third period on a wrist shot from Alex Ovechkin. Goalie Tomas Vokoun looked unsettled for much of the first period and Panthers goalie Jose Theodore was on the spot all night, leading to worries of another post-game “hot goalie, what can do you?” attitude.

So after all that ugly, what was pretty?

Well, how about seeing the team’s two superstar players, Ovechkin and Alex Semin, do what superstar players are supposed to do in important games?

Both players scored in their signature way; Ovechkin on the power play – where he’s been his most dangerous throughout his career – and Semin, who had the game-winning goal, with space to pick apart a goaltender.

It’s no secret that in previous seasons, the Capitals have been driven by their star power, but this year, that elite-level of play has been missing in some of the most important games of the season.

That’s partly because the Capitals are missing considerable talent from their lineup due to injury, but it’s been on Semin and Ovechkin to make up for it and neither has risen to the occasion when it seems to matter most.

To have them do it together in one game is, at least for a night, a glimmer of hope in a season filled with disappointment.

The only issue is whether or not they can keep it up until Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom can return.

Green is expected to come back sometime in the next week, which should alleviate pressure, but no timetable exists for Backstrom.

Washington travels to Tampa Bay tomorrow night for the second of three games in four days and Florida holds just a two-point lead over the Caps for the Southeast Division lead.

Now it’s on Ovechkin and Semin to carry the team until the injured can return or help can be found at the trading deadline.

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by | February 17, 2012

KOL Examines The Trade Deadline – Part V

If there is one thing that sports fans cannot live without, it is speculation. That being said, the NHL trade deadline is fast approaching – February 27 at 3 p.m. ET – so ’tis the season to start speculating. The Washington Capitals, as they have been in recent seasons, are sure to be active at the deadline, so over the next month, KOL will examine some of the marquee names available as well as some surprises. The fourth installment is below and the first three can be found here, here, here and here. Share your thoughts down there as well.

Antoine Vermette (C), Columbus Blue Jackets

  • Contract status: three years remaining on a five-year, $18.75 million contract; $3.75 million annual salary cap hit.

The epicenter of this season’s trade rumblings has originated from Columbus, Ohio. First, it was Jeff Carter. Now, it is Rick Nash. Yet, apparently the Caps are interested in a lesser-known, but effective member of the Blue Jackets roster.

According to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, Washington has reportedly taken a look at Vermette, which makes sense, considering the frequency in which members of both organizations have been at each other’s games lately. Vermette joining the Caps could also make sense.

The 29-year-old Quebec native might be having an average season based on his standards (eight goals, 25 points in 57 games, though he is still third on the Jackets in scoring behind Nash and Vinny Prospal), but he is arguably one of the more versatile players in the NHL. He can fit into almost any role (not to mention the ability to play on both on the wing and at center). from the power play to the penalty kill, where he averages just under 2:00 on each unit per game. Vermette also has Stanley Cup Final experience, having made it there with the 2006-07 Ottawa Senators.

Vermette is more of a playmaker than a natural scorer (he has four consecutive season of 25-plus assists, though he has topped 20 goals three times), but his value is as a two-way forward who does the little things. Possessing great speed and tenacity, Vermette chips in quietly. For example, this season, Vermette has 65 hits, 30 blocked shots and 32 takeaways. The less you hear about Vermette, the better he is playing.

The most important aspect of Vermette’s game, however, is his faceoff acumen. Vermette’s 56.5 percent success rate is 10th in the NHL as of Friday. That success comes primarily in the defensive zone as his offensive zone start percentage is 45.1 percent. Having another strong faceoff man to aid Jeff Halpern in the defensive zone could only help.

While Vermette could solve some of the Caps’ current issues at center, his or anybody else’s arrival in Washington depends on the health of Nicklas Backstrom. General Manager George McPhee said Thursday that he will continue to monitor the health of Backstrom, out since January 3 with a concussion, until the deadline arrives on February 27. McPhee also said that putting Backstrom on long-term injured reserve, which would remove his $6.7 million cap hit, would not be benficial if he was able to return before the end of regular season.

“It’s an option certainly, but Nicky’s not the kind of guy you want to LTI and then three weeks later he’s ready to go and you can’t use him,” McPhee said.

Another factor that McPhee and the Caps would have to consider is if they are willing to dedicate space and money to the three remaining years and $3.75 million cap hit that Vermette would take up.

The Cannon‘s Mike MacLean believes that Columbus would likely want only early-round draft picks and/or prospects in exchange for Vermette, so if the Caps can and are willing to pay that price, Vermette could be an asset in balancing out the depth chart down the middle of the ice.

Check back throughout the month for more trade deadline analysis.

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by | February 16, 2012

Philipp Grubauer Years Away From NHL, But Maturity Level Already There

While paying a rare visit to Kettler Capitals Iceplex Wednesday, Washington Capitals associate goaltender coach and former Caps goaltender Olaf Kolzig shared his thoughts on recent developments within the organization, including head coach Dale Hunter’s decision to start Braden Holtby over Michal Neuvirth in Monday’s 5-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Instead of choosing sides, Kolzig praised the depth that the Caps have at the goaltender position.

“It’s great not only in case of injury or some unforeseen circumstance, but for trade value,” Kolzig said. “Other teams covet our goaltending.”

As Kolzig continued, he mentioned that the Caps have three goaltenders – Tomas Vokoun, Neuvirth and Holtby – that those other teams covet before stopping himself.

“I even consider Philipp Grubauer down in [ECHL] South Carolina one of those guys, so we’ve got four guys that can all play,” Kolzig said, correcting himself. “It’s a nice benefit to have.”

While much of the focus is on the Caps’ present and immediate future at the goaltender position, Grubauer’s rookie season for the Stingrays is setting up the Caps nicely for a bright future further down the prospect pipeline.

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by | February 14, 2012

Dale Hunter Undermines Michal Neuvirth’s Confidence, Could Leave Lasting Impact

To say that Michal Neuvirth’s season so far has been tumultuous would be an understatement.

Actually, Neuvirth’s turmoil started even before the season did, when he went from being the presumed No. 1 goaltender for the Washington Capitals after the team traded Semyon Varlamov to being relegated to back-up duty when they signed Tomas Vokoun in a one-day span in early July. Such a designation did not matter October 8 as Neuvirth started ahead of Vokoun in the season opener before relenting due to a heel injury.

Since then, Neuvirth has made sporadic appearances, but since a five-game streak of consecutive starts between December 15-26, he has appeared in only five of the Caps’ last 22 games as Vokoun has carried the load.

With that being said, if Neuvirth’s season up to this point has been a whirlwind one, the last 24 hours have completely blown him – and his confidence – over.

According to Neuvirth, he was not told that he was not starting Monday against the San Jose Sharks (to be fair, he was not told that he was playing, either). Instead, Neuvirth arrived at Verizon Center to find out that Braden Holtby, officially recalled 90 minutes before game time (though Holtby said after the game that he learned about the recall at around 9:30 Monday morning), would be starting at his expense.

“It is tough but what can I do? At least if I knew [Holtby] was going to get the start…but no one told me so I was getting prepared for the game,” Neuvirth said after Tuesday’s optional skate at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “When I showed up, I found out I’m not playing. It’s tough to swallow.”

When asked after Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Sharks why Holtby, who allowed five goals on 35 shots in his season debut, was starting in place of Neuvirth, head coach Dale Hunter said that he did not want Neuvirth to play in back-to-back games. Yet, Holtby, like Neuvirth, started Sunday for the Hershey Bears and had to make the 127-mile trip to Washington to start Monday.

Hunter’s reasoning Monday did not make much sense, but he cleared things up Tuesday when asked to gauge Neuvirth’s confidence level.

“It’s one of those things that if he was standing on his head every night, would Braden be playing? No,” Hunter said. “It’s always judged by how you play.”

By not directly answering a question about Neuvirth’s confidence, Hunter directly expressed his lack thereof and undercut Neuvirth’s confidence in the process.

Neuvirth’s season statistics (6-9-3 with a 3.07 GAA and .894 SV%) leave much to be desired, but partial blame can be placed on the team’s overall road woes. Twelve of Neuvirth’s eighteen decisions this season have come during road games, nine of which have been losses. Nine of Neuvirth’s last 10 appearances have been on the road; he is a respectable 3-4-2 with a 2.00 GAA and .916 SV%.

Neuvirth’s recent play in general has been much more solid as well. In his last four starts, Neuvirth is 1-2-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .918 SV% with one shutout. Despite that, Hunter believed that Neuvirth could be better and was not strong enough to earn a second straight start over a player that he had never coached before.

Hunter has demonstrated that his method of motivating his players is taking away their ice time. Vokoun went through it while Neuvirth started throughout mid-December and Mike Knuble is going through it now as he has been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games. The difference, however, is that both Vokoun and Knuble have the veteran savvy to handle such instances (if they decide to use it, of course). Neuvirth, on the other hand, is still in the impressionable stages of his young career and Hunter’s obvious lack of faith in him runs the risk of leaving a lasting impact.

Hunter also said Tuesday that it is up to his players to prove him wrong in regards to his lineup decisions, so the next question regarding Neuvirth that Hunter should answer is whether or not he will give Neuvirth the opportunity to do so.

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by | February 14, 2012

Washington’s Blind Faith Could Lead To Premature End Of Season

The events surrounding the Washington Capitals over the last 24 hours can best be described as inane.

After Michal Neuvirth started Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers in place of an ill Tomas Vokoun, head coach Dale Hunter said after Monday’s optional morning skate that Vokoun would be a “game-time decision” and that no decision had been made on whether or not the team would require a call-up.

An hour before Monday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, Washington officially recalled Braden Holtby and Joel Rechlicz from AHL Hershey in an unexpected move that was originally thought to be nothing more than insurance; Holtby would back up Neuvirth, while Rechlicz would sit in the press box. Yet, Holtby and Rechlicz both ultimately started for the Caps, the latter (who played just 4:26 in his two games with Washington earlier this month and finished with 1:30 of ice time Monday while earning a 10-minute misconduct without being on the ice) starting at the expense of Keith Aucoin, who, despite his struggles with the Caps, is still the AHL’s leading scorer, and Mike Knuble, the elder statesman who was a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game.

Holtby allowed five goals in a 5-3 loss to the Sharks. When asked why he decided to start Holtby over Neuvirth, Hunter praised Holtby’s recent play in Hershey and mentioned that Neuvirth had played Sunday, forgetting that Holtby also played Sunday and had to travel to Washington Monday.

Washington’s season has been a comedy of errors, but the last day perfectly encapsulated the dysfunctionality of a team that is obviously entrenched in some sort of identity crisis.

It started in September, when former head coach Bruce Boudreau attempted to preach accountability for the first time. It continued when a 7-0-0 start gave way to a 5-9-1 tailspin that cost Boudreau his job. Hunter’s new system took and continues to take some getting used to, but the Caps have still failed to muster any sort of positive momentum since that undefeated run through the end of October. The only thing that has been consistent this season for Washington is its inconsistency.

The Caps, however, apparently did not see much wrong with their performance Monday – one where the 5-3 final was not indicative of the Sharks’ pure domination – as the sentiment in the locker room was best described by the team’s captain.

“Our team played well today,” Alex Ovechkin said. “All four lines played very well five-on-five, but not special teams.”

Despite such delusion, the Caps’ collective confidence is not completely shot.

“The determination is there – I think – in this room,” Matt Hendricks said. “I think the focus is there. The execution just isn’t there right now.”

While Washington may be keeping the faith, its fans might not feel the same way. Boos streamed down from the crowd Monday, only to end when the fans in attendance decided to leave midway through the third period. If one segment of Monday’s game could be considered a microcosm of the entire season, it was between the end of the second period and the start of the third. After being dominated for 40 minutes, Dmitry Orlov’s buzzer-beating goal gave the Caps and their fans some much-needed positive energy. Yet, it took less than five minutes into the third period for the Sharks to regain control.

As has become the norm, between streaks of bad luck and poor play, the Caps find a glimmer of hope in one spirited performance. That performance, however, is nothing more than a temporary aberration that shields the problems surrounding them.

With a pivotal four-game road trip next week that includes three Southeast Division teams and the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the Caps cannot rest on their laurels and consider moral victories anymore.

Washington has less than two months to forge some sort of identity and maintain some consistency. Otherwise, the only thing that the Caps will have left is the faith that failed them.

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by | February 12, 2012

Caps Top Six: Well, This Week Flippin’ Stunk

If you haven’t seen the tweets or read about it yet, Jason Chimera was a bit testy after the Capitals’ 3-2 loss Sunday. In Jesse Spector’s story for The Sporting News, Chimera’s interview turned a bit blue.

From Spector’s piece:

“You’re watching the game, so you tell me,” said Chimera, who had six of the Capitals’ 26 shots on goal. “You’re watching it, obviously you thought we played like (crap). You’re telling me we played bad, so that’s obviously how we played. We played like crap. That’s good. Put in the paper we played like crap. You can say that and (flippin’) quote it, too.”

I’m sure “flippin’” wasn’t quite the word he used (although it does makes Chimera sound like Napoleon Dynamite, which is amusing), but the display of emotion at least shows the locker room cares and, for better or for worse, the frustration is in their heads.

Truth be told, it was a flippin’ bad week for the Caps.

After a 4-1 loss last Sunday to the Boston Bruin, the Caps bounced back with a 4-0 destruction of the Florida Panthers. The good vibes ended in a fluke shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets and of course Sunday’s loss to the Rangers only piles on the disappointment.

Maybe a Top Six will cheer fans up for a little bit?

1.  Alex Ovechkin – three goals, two assists and five points

The captain had a particularly good week, even though the team ended up 1-1-1, so there’s that. Ovi’s the heart and soul of the team, so while the weekly record may only be even, it’s at least a sign of good things to come if he’s back in point-a-game form.

 2. Tomas Vokoun – shutout versus the Florida Panthers

Let’s just forget the final two minutes of the Winnipeg game ever happened and revel in another strong set from Vokoun. A 6-on-3 power play goal and fluke bounce off Karl Alzner from center ice isn’t enough to sour five shutout periods.

3. Alex Semin – two goals, two assists and four points

When Ovechkin’s on, so is Semin. That’s been the formula for their playing careers together and it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Semin’s back in contract-year form as Ovi gets back in elite shape.

4. Dennis Wideman – three assists and three points

Mike Green can’t come back soon enough, but at least Wideman’s doing a good enough job providing blue line offense to make the wait somewhat bearable. Let’s just hope Green can come back for the playoffs so the Caps can enjoy the services of two offensive defensemen quarterbacking the power play units.

5. Karl Alzner – plus one rating in three games

Alzner continues to be the Caps top shutdown defenseman and best defender on the team, period. It shows in his ice time. When a game is on the line, Dale Hunter trusts Alzner, who skated 24 minutes in the losses to Winnipeg and New York, to keep the ship afloat.

6. Jason Chimera – one goal, two assists and three points

Cagey interview aside, it was a strong week for Chimmer. His one goal, one assist performance against the Panthers on Tuesday was his first multi-point game since December 23.

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