We aren't that far removed from the 2009-10 season in which we saw many of these same Capitals put up 121 points and win the President's Trophy. Many Caps fans, including myself, are here wondering, what happened? Alexander Ovechkin hasn't lost his skills and talents, as proved in the KHL during the lockout. Nicklas Backstrom certainly hasn't gotten worse, also proved in the KHL while centering for Ovechkin. Sure the lockout didn't help implement Adam Oates' new system, but how do you forget how to score goals? Even if you are going to give up 14 goals in the first 3 games, they didn't play the likes of Ryan Miller or Martin Broduer. Scoring only 6 goals is ridiculous Let it be known that the 6 goals scored have come from Joel Ward (2), Joey Crabb, Matt Hendricks, Troy Brouwer and Wojtek Wolski, one legitimate top 6 forward.
Alexander Ovechkin, 556 games played 339 goals and 680 points, Nicklas Backstrom, 368 games played 101 goals 369 points, Mike Green, 401 games played 82 goals 251 points. These three players are offensively minded players and can put the puck in the net. Even though Backstrom is more of an assist man, he sets everything up. In three games this season, I haven't see much from any of these players. Green has logged a ton of ice time this season, but has been invisible offensively. The team has added players like Mike Ribiero, Troy Brouwer, Marcus Johansson, Joel Ward, Roman Hamrlik, and brought up youngsters like Michael Nuevirth, Braden Holtby, John Carlson and Karl Alzner. They have progressively dropped off year after year. There have been injuries (Backstrom, Green, Poti) but every team has injuries. The Penguins have barely had Sidney Crosby the last two seasons but they keep on clicking.
I gave up my season tickets following the 2011-12 season. The ticket prices keep rising and the quality of play hasn't been consistent. During the 2008-09 season and the 2009-10 season, you could go to the Verizon Center and all but guarantee the Caps were going to win. Last season I could not give some of my tickets away. It is hard to make 41 games living 90 minutes from the stadium, but to not be able to give tickets away is rough. Since the 121 point season the team has now had 3 different head coaches. They have had 3 different systems to try and adjust to. Bruce Boudreau was offense first and second then think about playing some defense, Dale Hunter was the exact opposite in defense defense defense and sit on a one goal lead and Adam Oates wants to play more of an uptempo style of hockey with sound defense. This is quite a shock to players like Ovechkin and Backstrom who then have to change their style of play to become more of a team player.
The team has tried many different options at goalie. They had Theodore, brought up Varlamov, went with Varlamov and Neuvirth, traded Varly, added Vokoun. In the end Holtby sent Vokoun packing and the team is now going with two youngsters (Neuvy and Holtby). I can't blame the goalies too much, their defense in front of them has often failed them. The team has always put offensive minded defenseman on the ice over defensive minded players. Hamrlik, Carlson, Green, and Poti are all more offensive minded players. Alzner, Schultz and Erskine are the more defensive minded players. That isn't a balance that should be on the ice. Sure we are only 3 games in but why hasn't Erskine seen any ice time? Carlson and Alzner are the "shutdown" pair as they should be. They are the younger guys that can log ice time in all shifts and have proven that they know what they are doing. Poti and Green should not be paired together at all. Sure Poti is older and not as offensive minded, but at the same time Green needs to be out there with someone whose first thought is to stay back and play D. Roman Hamrlik is just getting older and isn't a top 4 defenseman anymore. Jeff Schultz and Mike Green paired up and had a combined +89 during the President's Trophy season in 2009-10. Why was this pairing broken up? I understand Green has been hurt, but consistency is how teams grow. It is exactly how the Capitals became good again, letting the young kids player together, learn each other and grow. Why change things around?
The offense has it's own question marks. It is in flux with the Brooks Laich injury and that is understandable. Ideally the top six forwards are Ovechkin, Backstrom, Brouwer, Laich, Ribiero and either Wolski or Chimera. With Laich out several players are playing out of place. Marcus Johansson, Wolski, Perreault, Chimera and Matt Hendricks have been playing all over the lines. I would love to see the Caps just put their top line together, preferably Backstrom, Ovechkin and Brouwer, and then fill in the rest. If you don't solidify your top line then what do you have? Backstrom has 2 assists, Ribiero has 3 assists and that's about it for your top 6 forwards. Yes it is only 3 games but that is unacceptable. Alexander Ovechkin needs to go back to having 8-10 shots a game and letting a player like Troy Brouwer score off Ovechkin's rebounds. I am not a pro hockey player or coach by any means, but this is pretty simple. Look at how the Caps have lost in the playoffs. The Flyers stood in front of the goalie, as did Pittsburgh, New York, Tampa Bay and Montreal. Players scored in those games that we hadn't really heard much about because they just tapped in misses. Any system can have this simple game plan implemented in and help ease the growing pains. Remember in Boston, game 7, Joel Ward crashed the net with Mike Knuble and boom Caps win. They have the big bodies, Brouwer, Ward, Hendricks, even Ovechkin, use them! Sidney Crosby sits in front of the net and scores a hand full of "garbage goals" a year.
Yes it is early, 3 games into a 48 game season. I still think it will take the first 1/3 of the season (16 games) for this team to get going. It is very concerning to see a team fall this quickly from the spotlight. The "big three" are still around, still young and now entering the prime of their careers. There is no reason for them to struggle when the team needs them most. They wear the Captain's C and alternate A's on their chest night in and night out and need to step up to end this woeful play. If the team doesn't get it together, this may be the last season we see many of these players wearing the red Capitals jersey. The salary cap will begin to plunge and if they aren't winning, then it will be back to rebuilding. The team needs to start playing hard, play with their heart and show that they want to win. This uninspired hockey has to end or else the Capitals will be left behind, not only in the southeast division and NHL but in Washington DC as well.
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