Game 10: Washington Capitals @ Edmonton Oilers

We were 21 - 32 on faceoffs, but hey, 3 - 3 on the PK and Holtby stopped 30 out of 31.  

Capitals 4 - Oilers 1.

3 wins in a row and . . .
And now we are in the playoff spot?  Party on people!

 

Game 9: Washington Capitals @ Winnipeg Jets

It took blowing three leads, 7 rounds of a shootout (3 of which were "must score to go to another round"), and many times Holtby pulling our bacon out of the fire, but YES!

Capitals 5 - Jets 4 (Caps win 4 - 3 in the shootout)



 

Game 8: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Washington Capitals

2 - 4 on the power play.  You don't let Marion Gaborik get a shot on goal.  And I still got to yell "Hey Jack Johnson, your music sucks!"

Oh and Holtby only allowed one goal all night AND Erat gets three assists.  

Capitals 4 - Blue Jackets 1.

And to all Martin Erat haters . . .

 

Game 7: New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals

So you are facing a team that is 1 - 4 and has lost games by the score of 9 - 2 and 6 - 0.

So let's get out shot by a 2 - 1 ratio for most of the 2nd half of the game.

Yes the PK went 3 - 3, but the Power Play was 0 - 4.  

Rangers 2 - Capitals 0.

Game 6: Edmonton Oilers @ Washington Capitals

Even though they were out shot 30 - 20, they were 3 - 3 on the PK and went 2 - 3 on the power play.

It was a fun night.

Capitals 4 - Oilers 2.   2 points out of a playoff spot.

And now that the losing streak is over, this is how I feel. . . 

Game 5: Colorado Avalanche @ Washington Capitals

I have to admit, I was hoping to see Patrick Roy go off the deep end and do this:


And before I start to rip into the Caps, I will admit I like the Fehr - Ward - Chimera line.  They are starting to mesh well.

So, Alex Tanguay scores twice for the the Avs and all I can think is "Wait, he is still in the league?"

So you out shoot the Avalanche 41 - 28 and commit 3 penalties and somehow, we make trading Varlamov and keeping Neuvirth look bad. 

Avalanche 5 - Capitals 1.  

Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals

So you see that you will be going up against Anton Khudobin.  You think that you have a decent chance.


Then you go 0 - 5 on the power play (and you even have an a 5 - 3 during the last 0:36 of the game) and make him look like Cam Ward.

Oh, and Alexander Semin finally scores against us.  

Carolina 3 - Capitals 2  (1 - 3.  Just like the Redskins. Yay.)

Game 3: Washington Capitals @ Dallas Stars

You would think they did.  The stats were in our favor.

You go 2 - 2 on the PK, you only have 2 penalties, you out shoot them, and yet, you only score 1 goal.

Stars 2 Capitals 1.  And it's the start of Cowboy week too.  Come on guys!

Game 2: Calgary Flames @ Washington Capitals

Down 3 - 0 after the first?  No problem, we will just force a shootout and win 5 - 4.  Besides, who does not like a little drama in hockey.

Game 1: Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks

I know I am late but let the fun begin!
 

 

Questions about Jeff Schultz's trade request.

If you have not heard by now, Jeff Schultz has asked to be traded.  I know for many of you, this is you feel.

Of course with his request to be traded, GM George McPhee said that he would work on a trade.  

With that being said, there are some questions about this trade.

Why would Jeff Schultz want to be traded?

When Steve Olesky proved he could compete at the NHL level after getting called up and Jack Hillen got health, playing time for Jeff Schultz got very limited.

It's obvious, he is not playing.  Schultz only played over 20 minutes twice this season (and both of those were games where the Capitals were getting blown out).  Add the fact that the upcoming season is a contract year, he wants a chance to play for a contract.

Why would anyone want to trade for him?

As hard it is to belief, some teams might be willing to take a chance by adding Jeff Schultz.  

He is 27 years old.  For defensemen, he till have years left in him (well, it was a NHL player that people have confidence in.)

He also has one year left on his contract.  He is going to be playing for a new contract.  People love to make fun of him, he can produce numbers.

This was three seasons ago and let's be honest, we was on the ice with the first line forwards often.  But if a GM might think if you put him with some offensive players, something positive could happen.

Another number to keep in mind is:

There are some teams with cap room that might be willing to take him as a rental.

Anaheim has 24 players under contract on the main squad with $4.8 million in cap room.  Colorado has 22 on their main roster and nice $11 million in cap room.  Hell, Ottawa has 19 on their roster with $22 million.  Someone might be willing to take him as a rental.

And yes, Jeff Schultz is scheduled to make $2,750,000 next season.  I think this is reaction when people make fun of him.

What should we expect in return for Jeff Schultz?

I highly doubt any team would act like this for him

Everyone knows we want to move Jeff Schultz, so the other teams are not going to make an amazing offer for him.  

My biggest fear regarding the trade is we take on someone else's headache.  But it all the offers we get are players with bad contracts or are known viruses, do you want to take a bad contact or just sit Schultz and tell him to stay home and collect paychecks?

What I would want is draft pick.  Most likely it would be a late round pick but I would still be happy with this.  Why?  It takes Schultz's $2,750,000 contract off the books and we are not taking back a bad contract.  This frees up cap space to bring someone else back or shop the free agent market.

But no matter what happens, I am sure this is how Schultz feels.

A look at Karl Alzner's season

Now that the season is over for the Capitals and I have had time to reflect, I am going to take a look at the season for the players individually.

Today, we look at Karl Alzner.

Considering how compressed the short season was and all the injuries the Defensive core took, it was nice to see someone weather the season without getting hurt.  Alzner and John Carlson were the only two Defensemen to play every game this season (they were 2 of  the 7 people from the whole team to play every game this season.)  

Alzner has also become sort of an iron man.  He has played every game in the last 3 seasons.

We all know that Alzner was never known for turning on the scoring lamp.  1 goal in the regular season and 1 in the playoffs does not have me concerned.  (Considering that his has 5 career goals in 263 games and 1 in 31 career playoff games.)

This is where some concern could come up.  He had 4 assists this season, down from from 16.  (5 points this season, down from 17).  Granted, it was a shorter season, but if you do the math, he was on pace for 8 to 9 points.

He was not paired with John Carlson that often this season and he was put into more defensive situations so the chance of getting an assist did not come up as often as before.  

Of course, the next number is concerning. . .

He was a - 6 this season after being a +12 ans +14 the two previous seasons.  Part of this can put on the Caps troubles early on, but he was a - 3 against Tampa on April 13th (and Caps OT win) and a - 2 6 times in the regular season.  He did finish in the negatives 20 times this season, which means when he had a bad night, it could be a bad night.

But on the positive side, he did finish the playoffs at a +2

The final number to look at for Alzner is

The cap hit of $1.2 million seems very reasonable when you think about Alzner.  The question is do you bring him back?  It was a down him statistically, but many people feel he is, skills wise, the best shutdown defenseman the Capitals have.  

How much do you bring back for though?  The Caps have 20 guys under contract and projected to have $5.6 million in cap room.  (There is this thing about resigning Mike Riberio).  Then again, that is what George McPhee is paid to figure out.

Oh, and here are some interesting pictures I found of Alzner this season.  (Or as some would say, Meme Spam)

And what entry would not be complete with Milbury blaming Ovechkin again.

Does the New Division worry you?

As many of you know, the divisions in the NHL are being realigned. 

This has me concerned.  Some will ask "why?" Well let's look at how the division would have stacked out this season.

1. Penguins      72 Points (36 - 12 - 0)
2. Capitals        57 Points ( 27 - 18 - 3)
3. Rangers        56 Points (26 - 18 - 4)
4. Islanders       55 Points (24 - 17 - 7)
5. Blue Jackets  55 Points (24 - 17 - 7)
6. Flyers           49 Points (23 - 22 - 3)
7. Devils           48 Points (19 - 19 - 10)
8. Hurricanes    42 Points (19 - 25 - 4) 

The Islanders had the tie breaker with 20 non shootout wins while the Blue Jackets had 19.  

But when you add the other division:

1. Canadiens     63 Points (29 - 14 - 5)
2. Bruins           62 Points (28 - 14 - 6)
3. Maple Leafs  57 Points (26 - 17 - 5)
4. Red Wings    56 Points (24 - 16 - 8)
5. Senators        56 Points (25 - 17 - 6)

Under the new system, the 4th playoff spot goes to the best remaining team in the conference, not the automatic 4th place team in that division.  This means the Senators would be in the playoffs in place of the Islanders. (The Red Wings had more non shootout wins than the Senators)

If you look at the numbers, 2 points separated the playoffs and missing the playoffs. 

Yes, 2 points separate this:

  
From this:

Think about it, 1 more loss and the Capitals missed the playoffs.

I know some people are saying not to worry since the Capitals won the division 5 out of the last 6 years.  That is true, but that was the Southeast Division.  

The Capitals are joining the teams from the Atlantic Division and Columbus. 

Basically things are not about to get easier.

What I hope for is that the tougher competition will elevate the Capitals game and make them a tougher team when the playoffs come around.   

Lets take a look at the teams in the new division.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins:  As a Caps fan, you hate this team, but you have to give the devil their due.  Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz, the list goes on.  They have the talent to win and they always seem to make the trades to get better.  And if you are like me, the Penguins roster make your stomach get all knotted before every Caps - Pens games.

New York Rangers:  As long as John Tortorella is coaching them and Henrik Lundqvist, they will be tough.  They are a psychical team that love to play mind games.  Add a GM that makes moves that are high risk, high reward, you never know what you will get.

New York Islanders:  This team is going to a pain to deal with.  Coach Jack Capuano has the team flying all over the ice.  Players like John Tavares and Michael Grabner make the Islandrs exciting to watch.  One big question is at goal with Evgeni Nabokov.  He is now 37 but he seems to have found a new spring in his step this season.  Can he keep it going?

Philadelphia Flyers:  The Flyers had a rough season but injuries and a goalie whose mind might have been some place else in the universe played a role.  They still have the talent with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.  Another thing that makes me worry about the Flyers is their GM.  Paul Holmgrem is going to make a move.  If they can stay healthy, they will be in the mix.

New Jersey Devils:  They also had a rough season, but can you really count out a team with Martin Brodeur?  Add Ilya Kovalchuk and a Devils team that is healthy, they won't be an easy victory.

Carolina Hurricanes:  Simply put, last season was a disaster.  I put a good part of the blame on the injury to Goalie Cam Ward.  He is a great goalie who can steal games when he is playing.  And if you look at them on paper, they have some offensive punch.  Eric and Jordan Staal, Alexander Semin, and Jeff Skinner.  Again if they are healthy and focused, they will be a hand full to deal with.

Columbus Blue Jackets:  They have been the punching bag the last few years but the second half of the season, they were exciting to watch (even Marian Gaborik seem to get caught up in the excitment).  They missed the playoffs by 1 point.  Not bad for a team who's leading scorer was Mark Letestu with 13 goals (Vinny Prospal lead the team with 30 points) And it looks like they finally have the goalie they needed in Sergei Bobrovsky.  This team is young but they seem to know how to play as a team already.  They are going to be a wild card to deal with.

Our beloved Washington Capitals:  I really believe they have the talent with Ovechkin, Green, and Backstrom.  I also believe in Oates and I think Holty and Neuvirth make a very good goalie tandem, but I worry about the teams mental toughness.  Like I said, I hope the tougher competition will toughen them out mentally.

Bottom line, making the playoffs won't be a guaranteed thing.  I hope though that creates some exciting scenarios for a playoff push.