Two points…it doesn’t matter how you get them, just get them. And the Caps got two in a 5-4 overtime win after giving up a three-goal lead. Read the running commentary in the previous entry for the details. But let’s take a look at the final numbers…
- Alex Ovechkin: 4-1-5, +4, six shots, five hits, no giveaways...and a broken nose
- Nicklas Backstrom: 0-1-1, +4, and six takeaways…
- Viktor Kozlov: 1-2-3, +3
- Matt Bradley: five hits in less than 13 minutes, and he created a few chances for himself
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- Matt Pettinger did not take the ice for the last 11:33 of regulation and all of overtime
- Ditto for Steve Eminger…
- And Donald Brashear…
Other numbers of note…
Ovechkin is 29-18-47, +14 in his last 31 games
Backstrom is 8-25-33, +9 in his last 31 games
Kozlov is 7-9-16, +10 in his last 17 games
4 comments:
Dear GMGM,
Second-line RW. It's been a problem since day one.
I thought Steckel played well last night, too.
"Matt Pettinger did not take the ice for the last 11:33 of regulation and all of overtime . . . Ditto for Donald Brashear." -- Praise the Lord! I knew that Donald had played for Montreal, but after the first period I was wondering if he *still* played for Montreal.
Ovechkin is a hockey god. In addition to the broken nose, he had stiches on the inside of his cheek from the high stick. I was amazed that was only 2 minutes.
GMGM did address it this off-season. Unfortunately, injuries have taken out both Nylander and Clark, guys who would be major contributors under Gabby. Kozlov--technically, the second line RW and back-up center--has been a floating forward all season, while pressed-into-service Fleichmann is still trying to find a scoring touch.
However...important second line RWs in system:
Andrew Gordon--in Hershey
Eric Fehr--finally healthy and in Hershey
Francios Bouchard--in QMJHL and ready to make the jump to pro hockey
All three will probably get a shot at the spot next season. Plus, the two aforementioned injured veterans, especially Nylander, should be back. Despite the team's recent success, this is still a rebuilding team, with guys drafted a couple of years ago maturing in the system and working their way to the roster. Which is why this is now a competitive rebuilding team now--this is the second stage, when things begin to get fun again.
I would expect Fehr - if healthy - will be the only legitimate competitor for a top-six slot next year. Bouchard has lit up juniors, but it's a big leap to the NHL..I'd be thinking Hershey for him.
I don't know enough about Gordon to know, but I would think he's got another year in the AHL to go.
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