Check out Brooksy’s face. (Photo credit: Michael Martin)
The Washington Capitals headed to the mile-high city to meet the Colorado Avalanche with hopes of a perfect road trip. NOPE.
Cody McLeod chipped the puck from the blue line; Neuvy didn’t even see it. Alex Semin scored his first goal since November 23 with a really smart wrister. Erik Johnson snapped his own goal drought just a minute later. That was the GWG. Avs beat Caps 2-1.
- The Capitals’ performance on the faceoff was– in a word– owuebfiwebwe. Winning only 37%, the Caps struggled with possession throughout the game. Jeff Halpern, a faceoff specialist who wins 62.4%, took just 8 of 52 faceoffs (2 in the last minute). Why?
- Mathieu Perreault fell ill during the first period and didn’t return to the game.
- Just back from injury, Matt Hendricks fought his old buddy Cody McLeod. Unfortunately, McLeod pwned.
- Alex Semin‘s goal is his first since November 23, busting a slump and relieving– temporarily at least– the accusations of sandbagging that someone people (i.e.) have been leveling lately.
- What does the Caps’ power play have in common with the honey badger? The honey badger also had just 3 shots on three power play opportunities on Saturday night. What a coincidence.
- Michal Neuvirth gave highlander Cody McLeod a really flukey goal early in the first. Neuvy didn’t even see it. That wasn’t the performance Neuvirth wanted to follow his shutout on Thursday. Nonetheless, despite some shaky looks, Mikey kept his team in the game, 26 saves on 28 shots. File under: Not His Fault.
- The altitude is not an excuse.
- Dale Hunter’s Caps haven’t beaten an American team yet.
What a snoozer. The Caps did not hold a lead and were tied for only about four minutes.
When the Capitals surrendered a goal just one minute after tying the game, their offense disappeared. Usually the team behind in the score increases its offense, but the Caps did the opposite. The third period saw only ONE shot on goal until the closing minutes.
Why? Is this roster stocked with emotional basket cases who cannot cope with not having the lead? Is that the fallout from a gamut of postseason heartbreaks, last year’s losing streak, and getting their coach fired? If so, how does a team come back from that?
I don’t have the answers, but I can think of better things to do on a Saturday night than watch this team huff and puff and pout and sulk.
Mike Knuble Watch: 12:06 TOI.
