It's been six days since your last hockeybuzz Capitals blog, and I am sorry for that. Even if only five are six people have been effected, I still apologize. I just had a super busy week. I got one kid that goes to dance class once a week, a second nerd who needs rides to work all the time and a third who plays hockey twice a week. I between two jobs and my obsession with the Super Nintendo and quoting MacGruber, I have been absent.
But I'm back.
Since we last talked Caps, they had a four day break after beating the NHL's two best teams back-to-back. They then followed that up with a 5-2 loss to the Kings and last night they beat the Blue Jackets 4-3.
That's a brutal schedule that saw them play Tampa, Toronto, L.A and Columbus in succession. Pretty much the NHL's four best teams - or close enough for government work anyways.
They went 3-1 which is pretty sweet. What is not sweet is that - other than the L.A game - these were pretty goaltending-centric victories.
The Capitals are now about a third of the way through the season.
In 27 games their record is 15-11-1 which is good enough for the second Wild Card position.
This is a precarious hold on the Playoffs, and if the Capitals want to make it, they have to make some trades to improve their team. They are the seventh worst possession team in the NHL, and have given up the sixth most shots. Also, they've given up the most scoring chances.
This is because almost a third of their roster is made up of very bad players who shouldn't be in the NHL (probably). The Capitals used to be a good team, but now they get by on their reputation and on Braden Holtby's play.
Braden Holtby deserves the Vezina and has been awesome. He is propping up a team that is playing on par with the Sabres and Coyotes.
The craziest thing here is that the Capitals are just four points out of the division lead. What used to be the NHL's best division is fast becoming it's most mediocre. The Jackets and Penguins should both be better, but the Penguins don't have a Holtby, and the Jackets just aren't doing what their roster suggests they should.
But it's a long season. It's not impossible for a goalie to will his team into the post-season, but it's also not a guarantee that it can happen - Holtby has no room for error, as proven by the fact that even though he's basically been the NHL's best goalie this year, his team is in the most precarious playoff position possible.
Anyways, more consistent Caps coverage will be forthcoming. Stay tuned for tomorrow's thrilling "Chandler Stephenson, Day-to-Day" update..............
........ Just kidding. There's better coverage, and then there's overkill. Let us all hope the Capitals realize they can replace his 45% Corsi and six points with literally anyone who can skate.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»