Sunday, February 18, 2007

Sunday Roundup/Gameday: Caps @ Pens

[NHL.com Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

In case you haven't heard, the Caps and Pens will be facing off this afternoon on national television. The Pens enter the game with a 15-game point streak (13-0-2), while the Caps... well... not so much (though they have gotten at least one point out of four of their last five games). Washington's Alexes have gone cold, as Alex Ovechkin has only one goal in his last six games and Alex Semin has only one goal in his last eight outings, and the team is getting absolutely no offensive help from the blueline. Consider:
Yes, the Caps tend to use four forwards on the power-play, thereby limiting opportunities for defensemen to get points thereon, and there are several slumping forwards who aren't helping the D much either (paging Brian Sutherby). But any way you cut it, those stats are pretty bleak, and until the team starts getting better production from the blueline - better breakout passes, more shots at the net for rebounds, etc. - the team will likely continue to struggle to score.

As always, get all your previews from around the Cap-o-sphere over at Washington Hockey Daily. Enjoy the game, and Let's Go Caps!

Daily Awards
  • Hart: Henrik Zetterberg (3G, including game-winner, A, 6 SOG)
  • Ross: Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk (4 points each)
  • Norris: Dion Phaneuf (G, 3 SOG, 5 hits)
  • Vezina: Martin Brodeur (26-save shutout win)
  • Richard: Henrik Zetterberg (3G)
  • Calder: Daniel Girardi (2A, +1)
  • Aiken: Steve Valiquette (L, 2 goals allowed on 8 shots against in 19:24 of relief work)

8 comments:

JP said...

Well hopefully some of you at least made some money taking my advice and betting the under on the ridiculously high o/u of 7.

Faux Rumors2 said...

1) Could the NBC announcers been any more pro-Penguin?

JP said...

You know, I think they actually did a good job of hyping the Caps to a certain point and criticizing the Pens' weaknesses both in that game and overall (faceoffs, for example).

At the end of the day, though, the Pens are the real story - they're in fourth place in the Conference, haven't lost since Christ was in diapers, etc. Yes, Pierre McGuire wants to open mouth kiss Sid. But he also pumped up Backstrom and Schultz, among others.

Unknown said...

I still want to know the real Eminger story. I refuse to believe he's merely a healthy scratch. He's played too well the last 15 games or so.

JP said...

My best guess is that they're trying to showcase Heward for a trade. Why else would he be getting #1 PP time over Pothier and a sweater over Emmy?

Unknown said...

I guess that makes sense. After he sat out one game I thought maybe an Eminger trade was in the works/almost done, but Game No. 2 shot that theory to hell.

Unknown said...

Craptails suck. Enjoy Crosby and the Pens hoisting the Stanley Cup in a few months ;)

- Jes the Troll

faux rumors said...

1) The Pens are an exciting team to watch, but unless/until they can add Chris Pronger like defenseman, or Fleury starts to emulate Martin Brodeur the pens are NOT a Cup contender.