Sasha's Compete Level = Meh. Nets Hat Trick & Assist in Loss anyways. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)
The Washington Capitals officially have a defensive crisis. Despite an offensive onslaught, the Capitals allowed (at least) one too many goals in tonight’s match-up with the Senators. With Tom Poti and Shaone Morrisonn out, Karl Alzner and Tyler Sloan did their best to fill in. They failed. The defense seemed incapable of winning battles in the corners or clearing the puck, and the offense seemed too concerned with goal-scoring to be bothered with work in their own zone. These are not new problems for the Caps, but they have worsened in the last five or six games. Led by Alexei Kovalev and Jason Spezza, Ottawa seized on the Capitals’ weakness to win the night. Sens Beat Caps 6-5.
Bah.
The Capitals have followed up the 14 game winning streak with two consecutive losses. They are tired, hurt, distracted, sloppy, and increasingly grumpy. Bruce Boudreau is so grumpy he might start stealing children, living under bridges, and forcing passersby to answer riddles. It goes without saying that the Capitals require practice and a return to fundamentals, but it’s becoming clear that what they really need is a vacation.
The St. Louis Blues are all that stand between Washington and reprieve. Saturday night cannot come soon enough.
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