You can say that we beat the Bruins. You can also say we got a quick snapshot of what the caps lines may look like. The preseason points don't matter....I don't know if anyone even keeps track of points in the preseason. It doesn't matter right now and thank god it doesn't. But nonetheless the caps and Barry Trotz are tinkering with line combinations and seeing who has the best chemistry and what molds together well and what doesn't. Right now the offense looks like it finally may have a solid groove. Even with playing with a partial staff I saw some things Friday evening that really gave me some hope in what the regular season will be like.
No change in the domination of the power play. There is a little bit more movement when it comes to where Ovechkin is playing at in the formation. He got two goals Friday and looked like his normal usual self. Michael Latta tallied a goal as well as rookie center Liam O'Brien. O'Brien tallied a goal and an assist as well as five PIM's. He really stepped up and gave capitals a little shot of the future this kid can play and is going to be formidable. Winning the game in overtime came from Troy Brouwer. The offense looked decent. The time spent in the offensive zone will need to drastically increase and the passing will need to be better to keep the cycle rotating inside of the zone. Shots need to tighten up and be placed on goal rather than blindly being thrown out there. The one thing I did see was creativity. The movement of the puck was constantly being thrown forward and the plans being drawn up on the fly as well as the caps finding open ice was very exciting to see. All in all things need to be tightened offensively. Goaltending was iffy. Four goals were let in total two each by Grubauer and peters with 9 and 10 saves on the night. In my opinion I don't think the goals were completely their fault. The defense looked shaky at best. Niskanen allowed one goal to occur due to a poor turn over in the defensive zone.
When I sat in my seat in section 109 I listened to everyone complain about how bad we are going to be this year. All I wanted to do was scream ITS PRESEASON!!!! This is the time of the year that the lines are made up and the points don't matter. Like really people. Let Trotz be able to play with the lines. We can lose every single pre season game for all I care just to get the lines tweaked to how they should be. Everyone including myself needs to relax. Just sit back and enjoy the games. Watch the rookies play and impress us. Watch the different lines and think about what could be. All in all just relax.
There are a couple story lines from the night that are needing attention. It is extremely encouraging to see Laich play at the beginning of the season and be productive. He was placed on the front line with Ovechkin and Backstrom. He played 21:26 and had two assists. This is a huge key for the start of the capitals season. Niskanen did let a goal in but he also tallied assist. Still not convinced with him on defense. Maybe a pairing with mike green may do him well. Potential Calder cup winner Kuznetsov tallied an assist but his timing on passes was not there one bit. I'm still predicting him to be the rookie of the year. The main storyline in following right now is that if Mike Green. The former dominant offensive defenseman is in a contract year. Guarantee that he is going to be looking to score big on his contract at the end of this season. He tallied one assist and 2 PIM in Friday's game. I do not, repeat DO NOT, expect him to be with the capitals the entire season. He is injury prone. When he gets frustrated on the ice he makes mistakes and commits penalties that cost the capitals in the long run. He needed to be traded three seasons ago. I do not see the value and think that his trade potential is severely low this year. But hey I'm not the GM and our current GM can impress me by trading a beloved player who does not benefit the team. Don't get me started. My distain for Semin was just transferred to Mike Green. I have seen what he can do and yet there's nothing there anymore. He needs to reinvent himself or his paycheck will not be signed by Leonsis anymore. I just don't see a value in keeping green. Get rid of him while he has value. I expect him to be gone by the end of January.
For the first week of the season the caps have four games in seven days. Three home games agains Montreal, San Jose, New Jersey and the away game being played in Boston.
Montreal will be a good early test for the caps. Their defense is always been their strength. I see the caps winning this one 3-1.
@Boston will be a fun road game. These games are always chippy and if Wilson is back expect the fisticuffs to be flying. Boston gets this game 4-2.
San Jose is normally a dominate team in the west. But they are getting older. The competition level will be very high and these inter-conference games will be very important this year. Caps win this one 3-2 in overtime.
And finishing the first week you have the New Jersey Devils. They Devils will be a breeze for the caps. I don't expect big things from them this year. Now I could be wrong...usually am...but I think the Devils will not live up to expectation this year. I do have the caps winning 3-2 in this one.
For the first week I have the caps going 3-1 for six out of eight points. Enjoy the season.
Next on Capital Nonsense... Who knows well see what come up. Possibly taking a look at the injuries that are current on the capitals.
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