Coming off a long and largely successful road trip there was concern in Caps Nation about a home letdown as the Caps had to host a pretty good Sabres team - with the hottest goaltender in hockey - and a very good Devils club (9 wins in their last 10) - with the best goalie in the history of the game in a four day stretch. That last point may be arguable - but just barely.
The team delivered a statement - scoring 9 goals and playing three-zone defense that limited the opposition to just 3. The road to the Stanley cup is going to go through Pittsburgh or Jersey so this was a big win.
Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring for the ninth time this season and had his third straight three point game. Despite missing 20% of the season to date, OV is leading the league at plus-21; is one goal behind Gaborik for the league lead; and is tied with Joe Thornton for the league lead in points.
Backstrom also had a goal and two helpers extending his red-hot December.
Nice play by Chris Clark to sweep away the puck on a Devils breakaway without drawing a penalty - actually thrust his stick between the guy's legs as he dove and swept. A lesson to be learned there - if he had so much as touches the skater above the knees with the blade of his stick he goes off. I you're going to risk a penalty - do it in a manner that has some chance of succeeding.
Neuvirth has looked better each game in collecting his third straight win and is putting up some impressive numbers. Theo is understandably unhappy about playing time but as I said at the beginning of the season - this is a transition year for the Caps goaltending corps and Theo's role is primarily an insurance policy against rookie breakdowns. He should not be starting any more than 30 games unless the rookies demonstrate that they are unable to win games. Both rookies should be starting at least 15 games to properly evaluate the future and Varly has obviously taken the #1 spot so he should get 35-40 starts as seasoning for the playoffs. The Five Million should help to soothe any hurt feelings.
It was really good to see back-to-back three period efforts (in the spirit of the holidays I won't criticize the 20 shot second period they gave to the Sabres). If they can resist the temptation to play down to Carolina's level at home on Monday I may be convinced that the team is going places.
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