Its hard to know whether come Spring we'll look back on these difficult times as an early season anomaly or an early harbinger of a troubled season. We'll let at least ten games go by before extrapolating out trends but one things is for sure - it is not fun watching these guys with the expectation of a collapse each night.
So - as they say, lets roll the tape.
Mike Green finally showed up and looked like the Mike Green of last year. Moving the puck with confidence and getting shots on net. Although he still has to take his share of the blame for a dry spell in PP production.
I like the new line combinations -swapping Semin and Knuble on the first two lines. This obviously provides a lot more balance - bookending the center on each line with finesse and grit. It really made no sense putting two grinders on either side of BMo. Maybe if Flash comes back in good form to provide some, … um, flash... you can reunite the Alexes on the first line and still have a balanced and dangerous second line.
Question: Will Semin (a borderline head case in my book) view the swap as a demotion and go into a sulk?
The Caps did not seem to spend much time deep in the Devils zone - little to no cycling and no pressure behind the goal. While their own defense had the usual difficulties moving the puck consistently. Speaking of, Schultz found himself scratched again. I'm not optimistic about his long term prospects.
I'm fairly certain Boyd Gordon spent the longest two minutes of his life in the penalty box last night. If the opposition scores a late decisive goal on his penalty for the third time in four games I wonder if he even leaves the box. They ought to install a phone in that box so the next guy that blows a game late with a bad penalty can call a cab to Hershey.
Its no fun harping on the subject of penalties day after day - but once more - after playing smart for two periods they took a handful in the late going. Spending four of the last ten minutes (including OT) short handed with the best player in the world on the bench is no way to finish a game.
Theo was outstanding at times - his second straight solid game. The late penalty takers owe him a dinner for getting the game to the shootout. He should be indicted for the way he robbed Parise in OT.
It doesn't get any easier Thursday when the Sharks (and player of the weak Dany Heatly) come to town.
That is all.
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