The Caps get the Oates system

The Caps won the Southeast division title tonight with 2 games left in the strike shortened season.  It's a dubious honor, I realize, but it was enough to get them to the only season that counts in hockey.

There is no doubt that the Caps get Oates's system.  They've lost one game in April.  Ovie definitely  gets Oates's system.  He went from being ridiculed by hockey commentator Mike Milbury, early this season, to being the current goal scoring leader again and, this time, from the RW side.

Ovechkin also, finally, embraces the role of captain and gets pissed when they're down or when the tired opponent, tonight that was Winnepeg, ties up the game because the Caps play with lackluster efforts.  That is an encouraging sign.

Other things I enjoyed about tonight's game:

• The Ovie after burners after Winnepeg tied it up.  As mentioned above, after appearing pissed, Ovie fed Backis a beautiful goal to regain the lead 37 seconds after the Winnepeg goal.
• Marty P's persistence in getting the 4th goal against Ondrej Pavelec.
• John Erskine's third star 7 blocks, 4 hits and +3 night. 
• Karl Alzner's PK work on the late Matty P penalty.

Bottom line though...I'm a Caps fan.  Heartbreak is coming.  It always does.  I guess the good news is that I have no expectations for the Caps during the season that matters.  I'm just enjoying watching the Alex Ovechkin revival and the Caps playing good hockey under the brilliant coaching of Adam Oates.  

The question that remains is whether or not Adam Oates's coaching works in the playoffs.  We'll soon find out.

Let's go Caps!

Caps beat Boston in a close 2-1 match

I'm watching the replay tonight instead of watching the game live as I was out to dinner with friends last night. I'm glad I had the opportunity to watch the replay so I could see why everyone thought John Erskine had a great game.  Erskine doesn't get a star very often and is usually the subject of intense invective from the fans on a frequent basis. Alexander Semin got the first star of the game with his beautiful game winning goal that shocked one of the league leading NHL net minders, Tim Thomas.

Random comments since I didn't see the original game:

• John Erskine clearing the crease! Yes, that is what the Caps need on defense.  Last season in the playoffs, the Flyers kept running Cristobal Huet and it was irritating.  I'm still not convinced Erskine is worth his new $1.5M contract, but damn he's looked good since he's been back from having a concussion.
• Alexander Semin's blast of a shot right past Thomas after making a couple of Boston defenders look silly was fun to watch.  Semin has some sick moves.
• Karl Alzner clearing the puck out of the zone on that final Erskine penalty kill helped the Caps out tremendously.
• Was Alex Ovechkin's hit on Dennis Wideman a kneeing?  I honestly can't tell after watching the replay?  The Boston announcers called it a hip check, but who knows.  Ovie's a big guy and when he throws that weight around at the speed he goes it's a tough cal

So, tomorrow Caps fans get treated to a 2:00 pm special against the New York Islanders on a day that is not a holiday for everyone including the other hockey fan that lives in my house. Yes, we're highly annoyed.  

Let's go Caps!