Senators-Capitals Winners & Losers
February 11th, 2010 | by mattleighton |Well that was ugly (excluding every time Alexander Semin touched the puck). With two losses in-a-row, let’s all freak out and talk about how bad the Caps’ defense is! Or, we can take a step back and realize just how valuable Tom Poti and Shanoe Morrisonn are to this team. Tonight had ‘trap game’ written all over it. With a rusty goalie starting and zero chemistry between defensemen who are rarely paired together, I’m surprised Ottawa only got up to six. Seriously. Let’s take a closer look:
Winners:
Alexander Semin. Holy bajesus. I’ll be the first to tell you that Semin does some really stupid things. I take it all back. Tonight single-handedly proved how deadly he can be. It was three wrist shots tonight, but he’s notorious for the curl and drag. He’s also been known to crank out the slapshot (far too often on breakaways). Dude’s got more weapons than Arenas.
Jeff Schultz. Throw the puck on net and good things will happen (just ask Tomas Fleischmann). Schultz needs one more point to tie his whopping career-high of 18 set back in 2007-08. Right now, Jeff is averaging .61 shots per game (33 in 54). Imagine how nasty his game would get if he tossed three or four “innocent” shots on net each game. Especially with Double Deuce standing on top of the crease.
Brendan Morrison. +4 has got to be worth something, right? Though he did have the best view on Ottawa’s third goal. Man those seats in the penalty box look comfortable.
Medium:
Tomas Fleischmann. Brian Elliot must have sneezed or blinked for like 3 seconds when he tried to stop Flash’s shot. Tomas’ night went downhill from there. He ended up being on the ice for all four Ottawa even-strength goals. Yikes.
Alex Ovechkin. If Ovechkin is the MVP, what does that make Anton Volchenkov? ‘Who is the first star of tonight’s game?’ sounds about right. Alex had eight shots blocked and I’m pretty sure most, if not all, were by his fellow countryman (who finished with 11 freaking blocked shots…just ridiculous).
Mike Green. Honestly, if Alex Ovechkin passes up a wide open shot to give you a wide open shot (think about that for a second), you need to at least test the netminder. On the Power Play, Green had some chances and could not convert. Less excuses about your Stealth stick that no longer exists, more goals.
Mike Knuble. This acquisition is looking better and better every game. Although he did not register a point, Knuble is staying healthy and was around the crease all night.
Semyon Varlamov. It took him a few periods to get going and he made some nice saves toward the end. Of course, this is the NHL. And you can not use the first and second periods to warm up. His performance tonight in no way surprised me. Now, what to do with Neuvirth?
Losers:
Tyler Sloan. Overmatched, no chemistry, and weak passes sums up 89’s night. God speed Poti. God speed Morrisonn.
Chris Bourque. I don’t remember seeing much of 56 in the third period. I’m not complaining.
Special Teams. With all fairness, you’re best penalty killer needs to be the goaltender. That was not the case tonight. All would have been forgotten had the Caps converted on their two power plays. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
