4 Games in a Row

It’s always nice to follow a 6-game losing streak with an awesome 4-game winning streak against some very good hockey teams – first their division rival Tampa Bay, then Dallas, then Eastern Conference leader Buffalo and Wednesday night, the Caps put away the red hot Ottawa Senators 6-2. The Caps have scored 22 goals to their opponents 11 in those 4 games. For any long time Caps fans, this 4-game win streak with 22 goals is nothing short of a miracle. No, not that “Miracle” although I’ll get back to that topic! The Caps did what needed to be done when playing against teams that had to play back-to-back games and then travel to Verizon Center. They came out hard, created a lead early and never looked back.

This team is coming together and finding its chemistry. That doesn’t mean there aren’t still holes in the team – there are – or that the Caps are going to be Stanley Cup contenders – that’s highly doubtful, but then again nobody thought the US could beat the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics except Herb Brooks. His coaching approach was all about teamwork and chemistry and that’s where the Caps are going.

The Caps are spreading around the offense, too. In the Senators game, the Caps got goals from Bradley (a beautiful wrist shot), Clarkie (two of them), Semin, Pettinger and Laich and Ovie & Zubie each had 3 assists. Olie got his 4th win in a row and he continues to play great and made 35 saves against Ottawa.

The puck drops in a little over an hour as the league leading Anaheim Mighty Ducks, with 44 points, come to Verizon Center. I have no doubt top d-men Pronger & Niedermayer will be all over Ovie tonight so I hope to see goals from lots of other players.

Let’s go Caps!