Caps Recap 3/2/09

By Bobby Johnson | March 3rd, 2009

Running Behind – I want to apologize to my loyal readers for not getting my recap out yesterday. Due to some personal obligations and then the snowstorm from yesterday, I wasn’t able to do it. I considered skipping it, as the Caps really didn’t do that well last week, but a lot happened that I’d like to share my thoughts on.

So, without further ado; let’s get to the recap.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Caps fail to foil Flyers – Washington dominated this game for the first forty minutes, and looked to be on their way to an easy victory until the third period. The Caps watched their two goal lead turn into a two goal deficit As Philly scored four unanswered goals to take the win 4-2.

Broken Breakaway – Nicklas Backstrom broke free on the penalty kill and went sliding in all alone, only to hear his shot ring off the post. That was one of several breakaways the Caps had that they failed to convert. If you fail to punish a team that gives up those kinds of chances, you only keep them in the game. Philly came out, down by one goal in the third, motivated to tie it up. Had they come out down by three, maybe they don’t skate as hard as they feel the game is out of reach.

Thursday, Feb 26^th – Caps avoid Thrashing by Atlanta – Once again the Caps jumped out to a two-goal lead, and once again they let it slip away. This time however, the Caps regained their two-goal lead, but had fans on the edge of their seats when Atlanta scored with a little less than two minutes left. The Caps held on for that two minutes and managed to come away with a 4-3 win.

First vs. Worst – With the Caps leading the Southeast division, and Atlanta pulling up the rear this game should not have been this close. The two teams are separated by more than 30-points in the standings, but on this night were only separated by one goal.

Saturday, Feb 28^th – Caps Stun Bruins in OT – Comparatively speaking the Caps played good, mistake free hockey for most of this game…until the third period. The Caps had one penalty for the first forty minutes, but then had three penalties in the third (the third of which gave up the game tying goal. With both teams deadlocked at 3-goals apiece, they headed into overtime. They wouldn’t need long as Alex Semin ripped a hail-mary slapshot from just inside center ice and had it slide through Tim Thomas for the game winner.

This is what it sounds like… – Boston’s Coach Claude Julien called the Caps “overconfident” based on the head-to-head records of the two teams. “I have heard them say they’re in our heads,” he said. “They do a lot of talking. I don’t think they do a lot of research.” I’m thinking maybe Mr. Julien is the one not doing the research as the Caps have a 3-0-1 record against his Bruins this year.

Sunday, Mar 1^st – Caps mauled by Panthers, 6-2 – In my weekly recap last week, I forgot to mention the Caps were facing Florida. I overlooked it completely as the schedule switched months. Apparently, I’m not the only one to have overlooked the Panthers as the Caps didn’t even bother to show up for the game. I’m not sure who those guys were in the red jerseys at Verizon Center, but they sure didn’t play like a team that’s a hot prospect for a playoff run. I know the score says 6-2, but believe me, the game was never close.

They’re killin’ me, Whitey – This game was painful to watch. The Caps, as usual, scored first; but then gave up four unanswered goals in the first period alone. Once again, penalties killed the Caps as Florida’s first three goals were all on the power-play.

The Wrap up – The mounting losses have slid the caps back into 5^th overall in the league, and third in the Eastern Conference. They still hold the lead in the Southeast division by 13-points.

 Coming up – The Caps wrap up their home-stand this week as they welcome Carolina, Toronto, and Pittsburgh.