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Caps vs Bruins: Make a Statement that Counts |
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Paper Words Mean Little on Ice
Yesterday afternoon, the Washington Capitals made sure to voice their displeasure with NHL's decision to uphold the automatic one game suspension to Nicklas Backstrom.
Speaking out against the automatic ban, a decision that has likely been Brendan Shanahan's easiest of the post-season so far, Caps brass were otherwise wasting both their energy and breathe. To be sure, had the ref simply called Backstrom for a two or four minute cross-checking penalty, things would have never gotten to this point. But that really isn't the point.
Much like losing,meveryone knows you can't change the past. To wit, Nicklas Backstrom, himself, acknowledged the fact that it was a dumb move. Taking responsibility for what was nothing more than a foolish act at the wrong time is the right thing to do, not dwelling on it.
Which is why Washington's statement yesterday means little for tonight's Game Four.
What does matter is for those Capitals who will be in the lineup tonight to make a statement of their own.
Filling the air in that extra day off between Games Three and Four, the war of words has now ramped up as accusations of head hunting and foul play set the stage for tonight's pivotal showdown.
Calling out the Bruins for behavior they've been amply criticized for in the past year won't deter them from seeking to put the Caps on the ropes. Out-playing them will.
And that will be the tricky part tonight.
The Capitals have held their own against the favorites through three games, having yet to let the defending Cup champs get more than a one goal lead.
Tit for tat, Washington knows they can keep pace with Boston, which is why keeping their cool will continue to remain the defining factor between victory and defeat.
Through three games, the Bruins have outshot (103-88) and outhit (134-106) the Caps, but have only managed to out-score them by one goal (6-5).
While down 2-1 in the series, those numbers aren't as negative as they seem.
Keeping things tight is a perfect penalty kill and a previously unrealized commitment to block shots(44, tied with Bruins).
That defensive play, as well as that of Braden Holtby is the reason why the loss of Nicklas Backstrom can be overcome this evening.
It's really as simple as keeping emotions in check.
Washington's already demonstrated they can do that, having played perhaps their best two road games of the year in Boston. But their unwillingness to remain disciplined in Game Three is what let their temper and the score got away from them.
Again, it's a fine line, and it's hard to blame the Caps for being over-energized when playing in front of their home fans, but for the sake of winning, Dale Hunter is going to need to do a much better job at reigning them in when things start to heat up.
Coach K
From the sounds of things, it would seem that veteran winger Mike Knuble will be drawing back into the lineup tonight, and that should serve Dale Hunter well.
Knuble may have lost a step or two over the last year, but his leadership and compete levels are sorely needed on the ice and the bench.
At this stage, Knuble can serve as both coach and offensive weapon. He knows these players far better than Dale Hunter does and has chemistry with them to boot. Handed an opportunity to stir things up in front of Tim Thomas on the power play and he could do some damage.
However Hunter chooses to use him, the mere fact that he should be on the bench and in the room with his teammates will help keep them in check.
Sophomore Support
Moving away for keeping the Caps in check, with Backstrom out tonight it's going to be up to Marcus Johansson and Mathieu Perreault to keep the Bruins in check.
Having combined to handle the very same responsibilities three times already during the regular season, the pair of sophomore skaters know what they are in for. And though they aren't guaranteed to be up to task, that familiarity and the combined threat they can pose, if on their games, is an element that can balance out #19's absence.
Count on this, if the Bruins do not respect this opportunity, there's a strong chance that #85 and #90 in red will make them pay.
Speaking of making them pay, Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Troy Brouwer and Alex Semin will need to sharp as tacks tonight. Their skill set and physical ability will be counted on in more ways than one as the Captals need to get creative in order to stir up more scoring chances is once again a desperate situation.
Green with Anticipation
Offensive help from the blue-line would help, especially from John Carlson or Dennis Wideman, but it's hard to count on those two regularly when their workload is as heavy as it is in their own end. In contest and complement to Carlson and Wideman, Mike Green has the proven ability to provide both stand-up D and game-breaking offense. But he needs the confidence to do it.
Since Green's return, he has managed to return to his minute-eating ways, but is lacking the confidence he gained with the arrival of Bruce Boudreau.
Prior to the Caps former bench boss arriving on scene, Green had shown signs of being a big minute blue-liner but had yet to show off any offensive flair. Then gun-shy, #52 quickly learned to open up his game thanks to his offensively gifted teammates. Growing up in the high octane offense Washington player, the team quickly learned to rely on Green as one of the primary catalysts. Embracing the role and becoming a leader, his teammates reliance in him would prove costly as multiple injuries eventually left the Caps without their power play quarterback, and for his own part, Green without his confidence.
Coming full-circle, it seems like he is back where he started. Showing he can handle the responsibilities of the team's #1 defenseman, he has yet to regain his confidence on the other side of the red line.
It's been a tough waiting game, but both the Capitals and Mike Green know what he is capable of, it's just a matter of #52 letting go of his reservations and commiting to playing the style of game that earned him the nickname "game-over."
Aside from the many storylines that are emerging from this series, the biggest one has to be the "waiting for Mike Green" saga.
If he can show a spark tonight, the hope is that it won't take much for the Caps to catch fire.
It all comes down to living up to their words. Stating their displeasure yesterday, the Washington Capitals must now back up that up.
Unhappy? Do something about it where it counts; on the ice.
www.twitter.com/StevenHindle
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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