Sir, Step Away From the Handgun

Posted by LJizzle

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Things seem to be relatively calm in a city that routinely gets too high and too low about its Redskins (although it’s impossible, in my humble opinion to be too low about that team – especially since the two quarterbacks that the coach was willing to stake his reputation on – his words  – are awful – doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in a head coach whose genius seems to be tied to having a gentleman whose name rhymes with John Shmelway – but I digress) with respect to the Capitals.  It could be that it’s just turned to November, and people are still distracted by the Redskins, or it could be a sign of relative maturity in the fan base (though recent trips to the phone booth belie this point).  So let’s take a look, given the recent two game skid, of what’s wrong with your Washington Capitals.

First Week Overview from the LJizzle

Posted by the LJizzle

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It’s been a good first week for the Caps. It’s hard to argue with gaining ten out of a possible ten points in your first five games.

You might think “Who have they played?”

I would argue that Carolina is much improved and the Pens are the Pens, but aside from that, it’s not a murderer’s row.

Despite their shopping spree, Florida is just not that good, and I think Tampa Bay is going to backslide as Roloson is starting to show his age.

Vokoun has been good, despite letting in some bad goals from off angles in his first start. The proof for him will be in May, not in October, and he’s not terribly playoff-tested, but if you said to me, “You could have Vokoun for a year for under $2M, or sign Bryzgalov to a stupid 9-year deal that counts almost $6M per year against the cap until he’s 40, I would take the former every time. I’m not sure that Bryzgalov is better than Vokoun, he’s got a history of playoff folds, and it’s a classic Philly goaltending move. The best thing that could happen to Bobrovsky is to get out of there – complete disregard and lack of patience for a promising young talent by Dineen.

Caps Rout Bruins 4-1 in Opener

Posted by SuckaFish

Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich celebrate Laich's first goal of the season. The Caps beat Boston 4-1. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) (Winslow Townson - AP)

The Caps started what might be their most anticipated season with a nearly perfect game. Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist and Brooks Laich added two power play goals after getting nine all of last season.

Jose Theodore let Semyon Varlamov know that there will be a serious competition for the no. 1 goalie spot. Theodore didn’t allow a goal until 7:56 in the third when the Caps already led 4-0. It came on a shorthanded breakaway and he got a piece of the puck before it trickled in.

There were many reasons for Washington to be optimistic after this game against the top team in the East last year. The Caps were efficient on the power play, scoring twice in five opportunities. Ovechkin got off to a quick start with three points on opening night. The secondary scoring was there, Nicklas Backstrom had three assists, Alexander Semin had two. And Theodore was strong in the net.

The Caps head back to Washington for their home opener Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.