http://espn.go.com/nhl/allstar2012/story/_/id/7497504/2012-nhl-all-star-game-alex-ovechkin-washington-capitals-withdraws

The Ducks have jumped on the early Christmas present given to them by the Washington Capitals booting Randy Carlyle and snagging Bruce Boudreau who was fired by the Caps this week. I think we all knew Boudreau would get another job but certainly not this soon.

This move leads me to believe that Bobby Ryan will probably stay with the Ducks at least for a while everyone knew it was him or Carlyle. I am not shocked by the move but I don’t think the Ducks should be too optimistic as their issues go well beyond a head coaching change.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=381460

**Rating system for “Plus/Minus” Series**
+3 = Major Upgrade
+2 = Upgrade
+1 = Slight Upgrade
0 = Same as prior year
-1 = Slight Dowgrade
-2 = Downgrade
-3 = Major Downgrade

Team: Washington Capitals
2010-11: 107 points, #1 in Eastern Conference

GOALIES

Returning: Michal Neuvirth

Arrivals: Tomas Vokoun
Departures: Semyon Varlamov

Grade: +2

Not that goaltending was a major issue, but it has been a question mark in Washington over the past 2 seasons. This move gives them arguably one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL.

DEFENSE

Returning: Mike Green, Jeff Schultz, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Dennis Wideman, John Erskine

Arrivals: Roman Hamrlik
Departures: Scott Hannan, Tyler Sloan

Grade: +1

I’m a Scott Hannan fan, but bringing in Hamrlik and letting him go is a great move. A pair of Hamrlik and Wideman will be the best #3 pair in the league, assuming Green-Schultz and Alzner-Carlson stay together. Tom Poti is not on this list because he is expected to spend the season on LTIR.

FORWARDS

Returning: Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich, Mike Knuble, Marcus Johansson, Matt Hendricks, Jason Chimera, Jay Beagle, Mathieu Perreault

Arrivals: Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward, Jeff Halpern
Departures: Jason Arnott, Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley, Boyd Gordon, Marco Sturm

The Capitals added some serious depth scoring this offseason, bringing in Brouwer who is good for 20-25 goals, and Nashville playoff standout Joel Ward. Those are significant pieces that will ease some of the pressure on Ovechkin/Semin. Also worthy of note, top prospect Cody Eakin would be another significant addition if he cracks the lineup out of camp.

Grade: +2

OVERALL RATING: +5
2011-12 Prediction: #1 in Eastern Conference

Another successful regular season for the Capitals was all for nothing because the end result was yet another disappointing playoff too. This team needs a makeover, and with the majority of their team signed, it’s going to have to be done creatively by GM George McPhee.

The Capitals may have received some bad news regarding Varlamov potentially wanting to play in the KHL, but it could be a blessing in disguise, as Varlamov would have been expensive. This makes room for Braden Holtby to assume the role of backup goaltender, while Michal Neuvirth retains the reigns as number one. With the emergence of top prospects Karl Alzner and John Carlson, one could argue the organizational strength in Washington is on defense. The Caps are set on the blueline for next year, and even have Dmitri Orlov who is NHL ready, in case Tom Poti is not healthy enough to start the year. The Capitals have already added some jam up front in the form of Troy Brouwer, and retained Brooks Laich who was set to be a UFA on July 1. Those moves are proactive, but its going to take a lot more to change the culture in Washington.

The Caps have just over $8M in cap space to play with, although you can automatically take about $4.5M of that and allocate it to Alzner and Brouwer’s new contracts. Prospect Cody Eakin stands a good chance to make the team out of training camp, which should bring even more offense to the party. The roster is full, but there is still a void at the centre ice position on the second line. If the Capitals could package Alexander Semin, perhaps a defenseman and a prospect or first round pick, odds are they could land a center that can fill that void.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS 2011-12 ROSTER (using CAPGEEK CAP CALCULATOR)

FORWARDS
Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Mike Knuble ($2.000m)
Alexander Semin ($6.700m) / Brooks Laich ($4.500m) / Troy Brouwer (RFA)
Cody Eakin ($0.637m) / Marcus Johansson ($0.900m) / Eric Fehr ($2.200m)
Jason Chimera ($1.875m) / Matt Hendricks ($0.825m) / Jay Beagle ($0.512m)
D.J. King ($0.637m)

DEFENSEMEN
Jeff Schultz ($2.750m) / Mike Green ($5.250m)
Karl Alzner (RFA) / John Carlson ($0.845m)
Tom Poti ($2.875m) / Dennis Wideman ($3.937m)
John Erskine ($1.500m)

GOALTENDERS
Michal Neuvirth ($1.150m) / Braden Holtby ($0.637m)

BUYOUTS: Tyler Sloan ($0.233m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000
CAP PAYROLL: $56,205,683
CAP SPACE: $8,094,317

It will be very interesting to monitor how the Capitals attack this offseason. Owner Ted Leonsis has even admitted in one of his blogs that trades are coming, so it’s very hard to believe that the roster above is the same roster that takes to the ice when the puck drops in October 2011.

Another tight game.  A game the Washington Capitals had prepared for since mid-December, when coach Bruce Boudreau overhauled the Capitals style of play.  The Caps limited the Tamp Bay Lightening to just 23 shots in over 66 minutes.  Limiting shot attempts is the recipe for success within the Caps system.

The Caps even rallied to score the game tying goal, late in the third.  With Michal Neuvirth on the bench for the extra attacker, Alex Ovechkin drove to the net and knocked home the game tying goal with 1:08 remaining.  Experienced playoff veteran, Jason Arnott, centered the puck to Ovi as he inched in from the high slot – completely unaccounted for.

I’ve questioned the Cap’s ability to withstand playoff pressure in their new system.  It’s not playoff tested… but until the series with Tampa, all looked very good!  So what’s changed?  Well, the Lightening’s playoff veterans are showing the Caps how to win of the road and how to win tight games.  Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier take full advantage of mistakes.  Their counter-punching style of play is very opportunistic.

St. Louis assisted on Lecavalier’s first goal – a dagger of a slap shot form his off wing during a power play.  St. Louis scored in the third period, to put the Bolts up 2-1.  And, of course, Lecavalier scored the game winner, capitalizing on a terrible line change.

In over-time, Tampa’s Randy Jones picked up a loose puck at his own goal line, and shoveled it off the boards, only to hit Teddy Purcell in stride at the Cap’s blue line.  As Purcell collected the puck, Lecavalier was streaking down the right side – alone.  John Carlson had been on a long shift and needed to get off the ice, but Scott Hannan decided he’d follow Carlson to the bench, leaving no defenseman back for Jone’s 2/3 ice pass.  Mike Green got over to put token pressure on Purcell, but his backhand pass lead Lecavalier perfectly – while all alone, Neuvirth was left to watch Lecavalier get mobbed by his teammates.

Out of nowhere, comes two unlikely potential playoff heroes… Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson.  Neuvirth, a seemingly steady and technically efficient goalie, is facing 29.6 shots/game.  He can thank the Cap’s shin pads for keeping that number under 30 shots/game.  Roloson, an energetic and somewhat spastic net minder, has seen over 36 shots/game - but he has been equally as impressive.  Playoff – GAA average- #1 Michal Neuvirth 1.38, #2 Dwayne Roloson 1.77.  Save percentage: #1 Dwayne Roloson .949, #2 Michael Neuvirth .946.  Neuvirth, 23, is in his first NHL playoffs.  Roloson, 41, remembers the 80′s , bad music, bad hair (although the feathered look ain’t all bad), and the last of the stand up goalies…

Here’s more of what I’m hearing, seeing, and watching, tonight… Caps vs Lightening, game 1, round 2…

Caps fans are the BEST…a sea of Red -  red jerseys, red t-shirts… each game is a sea of RED… more jersey support than any team during the NHL playoffs… who really cares about “white out” nights… come on, buy a home jersey!

First period… two turn over goals (1 each)…each team took advantage of poor play.  After a Caps turnover, Sean Bergenheim cross-checked Mike Green into his own net, before jumping on a rebound…Neuvirth did his best, but three chances from 6 feet and the Caps go down 1-0. 

Alex Semin shows his talent with a quick wrister from the high slot.  Thanks to a blocked pass by Marco Sturm… 1-1… Semin’s 4th goal of the playoffs… thank GAWD he has shown up in these playoffs…

Scott Hannon lifts Simon Gagne off the ice on a perfect check…. Gagne slams to the ice, hitting his head first… Gagne out… tough play, two warriors, great hit…Hannon acknowledges Simon on his way off the ice…Shows his (and the Cap’s) class.

WTH – “What the Heck!”  A 1-3-1 zone defense?  Is this basketball?  Resembles a soccer’s back line… with a “Sweeper”… come on Tampa Bay, play hockey!  Tough to watch…

End of 1st period  - WSH 1  - TMPA – 1

Okay, here’s where the Caps take over… calm, cool and collected… the Caps put another one on the board and take a 2-1 lead!  Jason Chimera – another important point (assist to take the lead)… who did the Blue Jackets trade for him??  Hmmm…

Two posts and two sloppy goals later, it’s 3-2 Lightening… can you believe the Lightening have won 3 road games in the first series?  WOW… I’m starting to respect the 1-3-1 zone defense… but I don’t like it…

End of Period 2 – WSH 2 – TMPA – 3

It’s the second time the Caps have been trailing, in the playoffs, entering the 3rd period… Caps won the other game against the Rangers…but that damn 1-3-1 zone… no space… they keep dumping it in – the Caps skated it in, against this zone, in the first two periods… panic?  Slow start to the 3rd… not in the Caps favor…

Gretsky and Shape Ups?  Really?  Hate that commercial… Wayne… I mean, Mr. Wayne, really?  Call Mo to get my number… I can find better endorsements!

Why do all the single, hot women, with money, live in DC?  New hockey acronym… SHWWM!  Love DC… and these ladies love THE CAPS!  My teenage nephews have it all, in DC!

Will Nicklas Backstrom score in this series???????  One assist in 5 and 2/3rds playoff games…

Offside… 1-3-1 zone worked again…

Is it me, or does Dwayne Roloson look like Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns?

Neuvirth is out of the net… scramble…post and Moore jams it into the open net… 4-2 Lightening…

I guess counter punching works in  Hockey, too… Lightening finish with a 4-2 win.  Each player on their third line scores a goal… by lulling the Caps to sleep, then throwing the upper cut…

Lightening win their 4th road playoff game, while the Caps lose it’s first home playoff game… hmmm.  Roloson shows experience can win games… playing a “1-3-1 zone” in front of him didn’t hurt…

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Ovechkin, a first overall selection of the Washington Capitals in 2004, has been one of the premier hockey players in the world since his first NHL season, 2005-06, where he won the Calder Trophy as rookie-of-the-year. Since then he has added the Hart Trophy as league MVP, the Art Ross Trophy as the league scoring leader, the Rocket Richard Trophy as the goal scoring leader and the Lester B Pearson Award which is the MVP award that the players vote on.

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One common hockey cliche is: “The most dangerous lead, is a 2 goal lead.”  I suppose the same is true for a playoff series.  The Washington Capitals head into today’s game against the New York Rangers with a 2-0 series lead, after winning both home playoff games. 

The Cap’s “lock em down” and “defense first” commitment is the reason they won both games.  Michal Neuvirth continued to amaze, leading the Caps by stopping 46 shots in the first two playoff games while allowing only 1 goal.

But then, there’s that old hockey cliche… the true meaning of which is simple… if a team has a 2-0 lead, all the attention to detail can slip, momentum can still change a game, and mistakes can cost a lead, and ultimately, the game.  Many hockey purists say that once the lead is cut to 2-1, players start thinking and stop playing.  Errors tend to happen more readily, as players grip tighter and tighter on their sticks (trying not to make a mistake).

Such was what happened in game 3.  In the end, it was a fluke bounce (caused by momentum?) that gave the New York Rangers a 3-2, late third period win.  Brandon Dubinsky drove in from the low wall, and shoved the puck towards the net…the puck seemed to suspend in mid-air, before clunking off of Karl Alzner’s helmet, and bounced into the cage.  Five Caps players surrounded Dubinksy in disbelief.

Yes, the Caps battled back (down 1-0, 2-1 to tie the game), but the Rangers were the team who took full advantage of their unique opportunities.  The first of which came on a power play goal by Erik Christensen.  His off-wing, tight angle wrister beat Neuvirth.  The shot looked incredible, in live speed.  The shot found the slightest of spaces over Neuvirth’s left ear.  It was the kind of goal that can send a message…

So the questions have to start being asked… How will this game affect the Cap’s, mentally?  Will they return to a game of confidence, or start thinking too much?  Will they play not to make mistakes, or play to win?  Will they start gripping their sticks too tightly?

It’s an interesting situation for the Caps.  In years gone past, their care-free, free-wheeling, and scoring mantra could look right past such adversity.  However, the Caps have shifted their priorities to “defense first.”  Frankly, the Caps don’t have a long history deploying such a system.  From where I sit, the Cap’s new found style hasn’t been playoff tested and NEVER has the system had a 2-0, now 2-1, playoff series lead…

The Washington Capitals continued their tight, tough, disciplined style of play last night.  However, the Detroit Red Wings snapped the Caps 9 game winning streak… and in turn, gave the Caps a lesson in playoff style hockey… the Devil is in the “details”.

One glaring issue tonight – Faceoffs.  The Wings had EVERY PLAYER, that took a faceoff, at or over 50%.  Kris Draper went 6/6 on the draw and Henrik Zetterberg was 64% in the faceoff circle.  The Wings won 62% of the faceoffs… Contol the puck and control the game!  And control the game, the Wings, and Zetterberg did… Zetterberg opened the scoring and the first period and scored the game winner in the third…

Another important detail – the Caps went 0-4 on the power play… while Detroit was 1-2.  The Wings maximized their odd-man advantage – A MUST if a defensive, tight checking game is going to tilt in a team’s favor.