Ovie Struggles and the Caps Continue to Lose

The only good news out of a 3-2 shootout loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday and a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon is that the Caps are actually playing better, at least, defensively. I've never been happier to see Erskine & Pothier back in the lineup because it's clear that the Caps play better when they're on the ice. Brent Johnson has also looked solid in goal except for his penalty when he went too far behind the net in the Tampa Bay game.

So with 24 games left this season, where are the Capitals? From where I sit, not any further along than last year. Earlier in the season they played better and beat some good teams. They've played slightly better these last two games, but Ovie is in a scoring slump and that just shows how much the Caps depend on him for offense. I don't know why Ovie is in a scoring slump, but I fear that he's trying to carry this team on his shoulders and that's too much pressure for any young NHL player.

The "plan" to rebuild the Caps after the lockout fire sale year that Ted Leonsis & GMGM always talk about doesn't seem to be panning out because the team isn't getting any better. So, what's plan B? And how long can we keep Ovie here without making the playoffs? My intense fear is that the Caps will somehow lose the most talented player they've ever had.

I'll guess all of us fans will have to continue to wait and see if the "plan" that Ted Leonsis and GMGM constantly talk about actually happens in the next couple of years. Sigh. In the meantime, I hope Ovie gets his scoring mojo back.

The Caps are at the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night.

Let's go Caps!