In my pre-season analysis, one of the criteria for evaluating the likely success of a cup run was the ability of the penalty kill to become one of the better squads in the league. It hasn’t happened and it seems that most of their losses (fortunately, not many) can be tied to poor PK performance.
Leading a stubborn Dallas team by two going into the third period - after carpet bombing Marty Turco with 40+ shots over the first two periods - would typically have led to a different outcome this season, a five to one blowout, for instance. But two early penalties and they were suddenly in a tie game and just as suddenly were behind after a soft goal.
I’m hard pressed to explain this deficiency – they have talented players who have shown no lack of determination or concern for personal safety to get the job done, yet they continue to languish at 25th in PK efficiency. If I were George McPhee I would be beating the bushes for a proven PK expert to bring on as a consultant. They have one month to fix this problem but what is clear to me is that they can’t fix it by refining what they do now. For the record, I think the PK is too passive – teams gain the zone too easily and get set up for extended periods of time. The Caps seem content to sit back and block passing lanes – leading to long shifts and too many screened shots.
If they’re going to suck at the PK I’d rather they suck while playing a more aggressive style. But I’m not the expert. Find one and fix this mess.
In another harbinger of bad signs for the coming playoffs – the Stars were able to bang bodies deep and force turnovers which led to a number of stymied breakout attempts. Watching defensemen make multiple regressive passes – many of them bank shots behind the net to no one in particular - gave me a queasy feeling when contemplating a physical playoff series.
Welcome back Ovie - breaking out of his six game slump with two goals, including a dazzling outside/inside move to tie the game late. Steve Robidas was the very definition of an overmatched defenseman on that play – you just *cannot* let OV get to the inside on his forehand. Over-commit to the inside position and force him to score a spectacular goal off the backhand – that way *he’s* the focus of the highlight clip not you.
Standings:
League +4; Conference +13; Division +31
Likely first round opponents (currently 7/8/9):
Canadians – Hosting Edmonton tonite.
Bruins – Lost to Leafs last night - Philly tonite.
Rangers - In Jersey tonite.
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