Game 2/3

Well, my assumptions and posts have been wrong so far. I still can not believe that Bruce Boudreau started Simeon Varlamov in Game 2. Even though I was wrong, I strongly believe it was a critical error in judgement by Boudreau. The decision reeks of desperation and sends the wrong message to the team. I will be the first to admit that the goal tending was not in any way the reason why the Caps lost game 2 (unless of course we are talking about Henrik Lundquist). The loss simply gave the Caps no other options. Where does Boudreau go with respect to goal tending now?

The biggest problem with the Caps in game 2 was the lack of grit and ability to get anywhere need Lundquist. The vast majority of the shots the Caps fired on Lundquist came from above the circles. The Caps need to drive to the net or circle off with the puck and let some traffic get to the net.

This series is not over. The Caps have been the better team so far. The Caps will need to come out with a renewed intensity and get on the board early. If they can get the lead early, the Caps should come away with their first win in the series. One win will make this task much easier.

Goaltending Controversy?

Game 1 was clearly a disappointing loss from the Caps perspective. The Caps outplayed the Rangers in nearly every facet of the game with the exception of goaltending. Jose Theodore was too far back in the net on all four goals that were scored by the Rangers. He seldomly challenged shooters and simply did not make a big save in the game. The last three goals scored by the Rangers were good shots but when Theodore went down into the butterfly, the targets above his glove hand shoulder and blocker shoulder were huge due to the fact that he was not out challenging the shooter.

As for a potential goaltending controversy, there is no reason to even consider it yet. There is no way that Simeon Varlamov is going to start Saturday in game 2. I would not be surprised to see Varlamov if Theodore struggles at all. Clearly, Bruce Boudreau is having some fun with the media, putting the pressure squarely on the shoulders of Theodore and ensuring that Varlamov is mentally ready should he need to come in in relief.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the undressing of Jeff Schultz on Brandon Dubinsky's winning goal. That play made Schultz look like he belonged back in Pee Wee. I've read that he has some sort of injury (my confidence would be badly bruised after that incident) and will not play on Saturday.

I should also mention that I thought that the Caps did not play with a sense if urgency after the Rangers scored their fourth goal. Saturday's game will be pivotal in assessing the true development of the team.

First Period

It was a great first period and demonstrated why the playoffs are so awesome to watch. The intensity and level of play cranks up substantially. The Caps dominated the period in about every phase of the game but the Rangers did a good job of weathering the storm. Periods like the first can sometimes be dangerous. How many times do you see the team being dominated get a bounce or simply get an easy goal to turn the game completely around? Henrik Lundquist is clearly in the flow of the game and Jose Theodore has yet to be really tested. The Caps will need to keep the intensity level high and not start to coast.

I'm Back

Well, I guess I took the regular season off but I'm back for the playoffs. A brief post before it all gets under way. There has been a lot of discussion about the goaltending in this series with much of the attention focused on Jose Theodore. I actually think Theodore will be strong in this first series. He was outstanding in Colorado last year and I expect him to rise to the occasion again. The Caps should win this series in six games. More to come...