He's still got it...
For forty minutes on Wednesday night, I was left with the impression that Alex Ovechkin had really changed.
The focus in trying to become a more complete player having taken a toll on his ability to break a hockey game wide open at key moments, Ovechkin was playing well against the Senators, but you could tell that he was thinking too much.
Not necessarily about the play on the ice, but just in general.
His responsibilities having increased and the pressure on his shoulders having changed over the last 18 months, so too has his persona as one of the most dominant and dangerous players in the game.
Let's face it, barely a point a game player over the last 100 regular season games, it was kind of hard not to notice the Capitals captain's decline.
Yet in the 3rd period of Washington's 5-3 comeback win over the Senators on Wednesday night, I saw a glimmer.
While he'd attempted a few dangerous rushes throughout the game, he finally had his breakthrough moment in finishing an end-to-end rush he started himself - a once common occurrence.
It was a beautiful goal and a back-breaker for the Sens as the Caps would add another within 20 seconds, yet it was also a statement by Alex Ovechkin; he's not dead yet.
With Dale Hunter aware of how to handle the pressure as captain of this club and the pressure of being keyed in on as a premier player in the NHL, Ovechkin now has a voice in his ear that speaks from experience.
Though Boudreau's message carried weight and did its job for nearly 3 years, it eventually rang hollow. And though he tried, he simply does not bring the same type of intimidating character and battle scars that go with it.
And that just might be what will make the difference in bringing Ovechkin back to the superior force he once was.
Hunter was calm behind the bench against the Sens, observing intently with his arms crossed most of the time. His messages came every so often and seemed to be well-timed as on those few occasions when he did a players shoulder and say something to them, they responded.
There are still serious lingering effects from the tumultuous times that extended far past being healthy troubles and that is something the Capitals new coach is clearly contending with, but he's doing a good job.
The key piece of information I received once Hunter took over was that he was going to treat his first 10 games as Capitals coach as if it were the first 10 games of the season, an astute logic as most coaches do precisely the same thing at the start of each year. And though he's behind the eight ball as he took over a quarter of the way through the 2011-12 schedule, it's clear Dale Hunter is willing to be patient.
Much like his predecessor who also assumed the position in November, it's key to remember that that Capitals team went soaring to the top of the division and into the playoffs after they got their bearings.
Given that the talent is still there, the hope is that Hunter's success in the Ontario Hockey League will find its way to the NHL level and push these Caps over that insurmountable molehill of living up to expectations.
Caps vs Leafs
Game Notes
Storyline: The Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight after returning home from a two-game road trip. The Capitals earned a split on their trip after a 5-3 win over Ottawa on Wednesday. John Carlson recorded three points for the second consecutive game as the Capitals scored four third-period goals. The Capitals are 4-6-0 in their last 10 games and sit in second place behind the Florida Panthers. Toronto is coming off of a 3-2 overtime win against New Jersey on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games and are in second place in the Northeast Division
Have a week – John Carlson has recorded seven points (one goal, six assists), 15 shots on goal and is a plus-3 in his last three games. He ranks third on the Capitals in points, leading all defensemen, and is tied for eighth in the NHL among points for blueliners.
Gordie Howe – Troy Brouwer recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick (one goal, one assist and one fight) for the second time in his career on Wednesday against Ottawa. His first came on Nov. 9, 2008 while with Chicago (a 6-1 win over Calgary). The last Capital to record a Gordie Howe hat trick was Mike Knuble in a 5-4 overtime win over Pittsburgh on Feb. 7, 2010. Knuble’s goal was the game-winning goal in that game
Ovechkin vs. Toronto – Alex Ovechkin has tallied 39 points (23 goals, 16 assists) in 24 career games against Toronto. In 13 of those 24 games Ovechkin has recorded two or more points, including a hat trick on Jan. 22 of last season. He has recorded at least one point in all but four of his career games against the Maple Leafs.
Face-off leader – Center Jeff Halpern won 12 of his 15 face-offs (80%) on Wednesday against Ottawa and leads the NHL in that category (63.6%; minimum 100 attempts).
Toronto trend – The Capitals are 4-1-1 in their last six games against Toronto and are 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games in the series. Washington has not lost to Toronto in regulation on home ice since March 5, 2009.
Back at it – Nicklas Backstrom collected a goal and an assist on Wednesday against Ottawa and now has tallied 11 multiple-point games this season. Backstrom leads the Caps and ranks tied for 11th in the league in points (29). His 19 assists are tied for eighth in the league.
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