Caps Play Under Trotz

After playing solid games against Montreal, a shootout loss, and Boston, a 4-0 win, the Caps showed bad signs of seasons past against the San Jose Sharks. They stopped moving their feet and their forechecking and board battles weren't as strong as their first two games. Barry Trotz has more work to do, but the reminder from the coaches to move their feet worked as they tied the game in the 3rd period on goals from Alex Ovechkin and Troy Brouwer.

The Caps play under Trotz looks structured and plays to the strengths of his players. Seems simple, but it hasn't been the last few years in Washington. Some fans and commentators called the first period of hockey versus Montreal the best period of Caps hockey in years so, hopefully, there is more of that to come. They are an improved team.

The Washington Capitals go as long as their captain, Alex Ovechkin, is doing his thing. Ovie appears rejuvenated by the Trotz system, flying around, hitting again, and scoring both power play and even strength goals. He's scored 4 goals in 3 games. The goal against San Jose where Ovie dished to Fehr, who threaded it to Backie who dished it back to Ovie for a hidden blast that caught Niemi unaware was delightful to watch. He ended the game with 2G, 1A, 8 shots and 5 hits.

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Let's go Caps.