FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So it was a fun time at Verizon Center last night, as the Washington Capitals beat the Boston Bruins, 3-1; no small feat given that the Bruins entered the game 17-2-1 in their last 20 games.

And it's pretty easy to see why. Boston is the best skating and passing team I've seen this season. The Capitals were very lucky at times last night, and have goalie Brent Johnson's outstanding performance to thank for the victory. I don't want to throw cold water on a big win - the Caps got the two points and that's the idea. But Boston had so many chances last night and most often, it was Johnson standing tall that was the only thing that stopped them. 

Boston feasted on Washington's strategy(?) of not guarding the off wing. The Capitals have an annoying habit of getting unbalanced on the ice - overplaying to one side or the other. I'm guessing the Bruins saw this on film, because at many points last night, they had a wide open player at the blue line on the opposite wing when Washington either was changing lines or had overpursued to the other side. This led to quite a few 3-on-2s, which didn't create a goal thanks to Johnson's goalkeeping. 

It is also worth noting of course that Washington's lineup last night was basically Backstrom, Ovechkin, Semin, Kozlov + the Hershey Bears. I admittedly don't keep up with the Bears as much as I should, and when I saw #62 Collins in the lineup, I really had no idea who he was. That said, I thought he was fairly solid last night. I didn't see any major errors. I wanted to say the same about Tyler Sloan, who definitely skated better and quicker last night. But the one time he didn't, it led to Boston's goal when Sloan failed to get to a hard-around to Johnson's left, and Lucic eventually potted one home on a quick 2-on-1. Sloan wasn't horrible last night, but that was a bad play. 

Elsewhere, I thought Alzner and Jurcina were strong last night. Morrisonn was what Morrisonn is - a slowish defender who too often gets beat than has to commit a penalty to avoid giving away a scoring chance. I still cringe when he's on the ice. Perhaps that's unfair, but I gotta go by what I see. 

Giroux got his first goal with the big club for the season by simply being at the net to collect a rebound. Got to like that. I thought Osala played well in his debut in that I don't think he made any key mistakes - but you could tell he was a little nervous and tentative (as he said on the postgame show afterward) and didn't get himself involved quite enough in the offense. The only thing that is going to solve that issue is games, so I think he'll be fine. 

It was great to see Semin back last night. He was pretty much his old self - making moves, faking defenders out and trying to set up plays if he didn't have a shot for himself. It's a big boost to Ovechkin to have him back because now not quite all the defensive pressure will go AO's way. 

I thought the penalty killers did a good job last night - more puck control when possible and good clears. 

It's a good win. I don't think the Caps were as dominant as a 3-1 score would indicate (and of course the Ovechkin empty netter glorifies that, but we'll take it), but any win over the Bruins right now is good, no matter how it happens. 

Washington welcomes a low-scoring Ottawa team to town tomorrow night that, frankly, the Caps should beat. Then it's off to Montreal for Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday. At least 3 points from these 2 games are a must. Carolina, second in the Southeast, plays Philadelphia tonight. 

Hmm .. is it possible for a sinkhole to develop at center ice and swallow both teams whole? 

OVECHKIN UPDATE: Ovechkin has led the Caps in shots now in 14 games in a row (courtesy Steve Kolbe on NHL Live!). Ovechkin is 22 goals and 31 assists away from reaching 200 in each category. He has played just 272 career games. With 34 PIM, Ovechkin is well on his way to establishing a new career high in that category. Do you realize that's only 11 PIM less than Donald Brashear? Something's wrong there on a couple levels. 

TV: Check out NHL Network tonight at 7 and 7:30. At 7, the "Pioneers" series returns with a look at Bruins legend Milt Schmidt, who coached the Capitals in their early days. At 7:30, "Voices" profiles Caps radio announcer Steve Kolbe. At about 6:15 p.m., catch the re-air of NHL Live! when Kolbe discusses broadcasting, the Caps, archery, and fishing with Don La Greca and Bill Clement.