Game 53 - Ducks 1 Caps 6

It looked like the streak might end as so many do – at the hands of a hot goaltender. Despite solving JS Giguere 36 seconds into the game, the Caps couldn’t get another one through him for the next 40 minutes – and not for lack of effort - so they entered the third period with a 1-1 tie against a Ducks team coming off a loss to Atlanta and desperate for points to fuel a playoff drive.

It didn’t last long. Shaone Morrisonn’s seeing eye shot from the blue line broke the tie and the floodgates as Knuble and Semin chipped in over the next two and a half minutes to break the game open. Goals have been coming in bunches lately.

Semin’s absolute rocket to the top shelf at the midpoint of the period salted it away. For a good laugh, go to the highlights and look closely to see the goalie water bottle explode – that’s a top shelf goal.

The Caps have continued their recockulous goal scoring adding yet another 4 or more goal game. I’d report the numbers but I’m too lazy to look it up – let’s just say 10 of their last 11. Also of note, and not widely acknowledged, is the defensive clampdown – allowing 2 or fewer goals for five of their last seven games.


Courtesy of Mike Vogel from the Capitals web site:

Where’s The Fire? – If you’re in the Capitals’ locker room, it’s all around you. Semin has 11 goals and 21 points and is plus-10 in his last dozen games. Ovechkin has eight goals and 23 points and is plus-14 in his last 11 games. Nicklas Backstrom has six goals and a dozen points and is plus-9 in his last 11 games. Mike Knuble has nine goals and 11 points and is plus-7 in his last 11 games. Tomas Fleischmann has three goals and 12 points and is plus-4 in his last dozen games. Brooks Laich has four goals and six points and is plus-6 in his last six games. Eric Fehr has four goals and eight points and is plus-6 in his last 10 games. Jason Chimera has three goals and eight points and is plus-5 in his last 10 games. Brendan Morrison has a goal and three points in his last four games.