The Caps entered this three game swing through the Southeast with the idea that they could shut the door on the rest of the division and they wasted no time in delivering a message. Although Atlanta has been a legitimate team (by Southeast standards) for most of the season due to their high powered offense, they entered this game on a 1-7 slide with plenty of off-ice distractions around the future of the Ilya Kolvachuk.
Despite getting down 3-0 in the first the Thrashers continued to bring the offense - actually outshooting the Caps throughout the game. But somewhere in the middle of the second they collectively mailed this one in and the game turned into an embarrassment for the organization.
Based on what I'd seen earlier in the season, I though this team had a solid chance at making the playoffs, but at the moment they are in a free fall, prompting the GM to admit that they are actively considering trade options. And every time I see a game from Atlanta the arena seems to be almost completely empty. Add in the inexplicable collapse of the Hurricanes and the Southeast division is once again the joke of the league in a season where I thought that there was a chance that three of the teams might make the playoffs.
So once again, the Caps are coming off a handful of wins (undefeated in the Ovechkin captaincy) and have an opportunity to put the pedal to the metal. Will they suffer the seemingly inevitable letdown or play like the dominant team they want to be?
Sunday, January 10
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