Sure. Tuesday was a fun night. Andrew Gordon scored his first NHL Goal, Marcus Johansson got his first NHL kiss, and the Capitals offense exploded in a 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. But not everything was rainbows and butterflies. Just ask former Capital and current Vesus analyst Keith Jones, who had this to say about Alex Semin’s play against the Devils on Versus’ post-game show.
“It is interesting. When you look at this Capitals team, [it’s] great to see the workers get the job done. Hats off to those guys. They don’t play a ton, but when they’re out on the ice, they were very effective in this game. Alexander Semin returned from the flu and an undisclosed injury. He might have hurt feelings after watching the tape I roll here.
I just can’t help but do this. Watch #28 in this game. You lose the puck battle in the defensive zone along the boards – not once – but twice. Devils create a scoring opportunity…
Again, it’s #28… Loses the puck battle again. Devils to the front of the net looking for a scoring chance. A couple of big saves by their goaltender…
Semin on the powerplay: turnover right there on the offensive blue line.
Semin stays on the ice for the powerplay: over-extended shift. He goes offsides, and the Devils get the puck.
A 5-on-3 opportunity: Alexander Semin stayed on the ice for the entire two minutes of that chance, and then stayed on the ice for another forty seconds of the 5-on-4. This is the effort at the last of it.
That’s the most effort he demonstrated in two minutes and forty seconds on the ice. Mike Knuble steps on the ice for five seconds at the end of that. Redirects a goal, gets to the front of the net, battles for a loose puck.
That’s the message that Bruce Boudreau has to send. If the Capitals are going to be a Stanley Cup Championship team, they cannot have any passengers. And part of leadership, is taking a player like Alexander Semin, and straightening him out. Video does not lie. The video is there.
The Capitals [were] very good victory tonight. But waaaay more work to do. The leadership has to take over the team. And Alexander Semin has to join in. He has the ability to score goals. That’s perfect. But hard work is something that some players need to push to get to, and Semin is one of those guys.”
