Caps vs. Islanders 2-4-2007 Post-Mortem

Well, it looks like we've picked a good time to tighten up defensively... Onto the Battle Damage Assessment.

THE GOOD:

• The Caps getting on the board first today was huge and that they did it in the first 5 minutes of the game was even more important. The frustration had to have lessened some.
• Olie Kolzig had himself a great game today with 31 saves and kept the Caps in it all afternoon long.
• The Penalty Killers went 5 for 5 today and the Islanders never really threatened with the extra man.

THE BAD:

• The Caps looked as lethargic as they have in any game so far this season. Luckily for the Caps the Islanders were equally lethargic and couldn't take advantage. The Caps were outshot 13-5 in the second period alone and at least were able to turn things on in the third period but still couldn't get the game winner.
• No wonder Dishonest Abe wants to raise funds through a ticket tax increase, way too many stoppages today because of glass issues. If the game itself wasn't hard enough to watch, the lengthy and frequent stoppages made it even worse.
• Normally the Caps are the ones initiating physical contact, but today, they not only got outhit by the Islanders, they were getting pushed around. That isn't typical of the post-lockout Caps and shows just how lethargic they were today.

THE UGLY:

• The Power Play was inept yet again today. The Islanders not only got a shorthanded goal but, like the Penguin Scum yesterday, were more dangerous killing penalties than they were at even strength. What in the world is wrong with the Power Play right now?
• The game was decided by a gimmick.

Well, a win is a win is a win and the Caps finally get a win in the gimmick. The Caps get two points to start their longest homestand of the season but things are hardly fine in Capsland. The Caps did not play well today and can't expect to win very often when they play like this. The Caps have 5 more matinees and another set of back-to-back matinees coming up this season. Hopefully they'll come out stronger against the Bruins on Tuesday night.

It has been... A TWO POINT DAY!