Caps vs. Canes 10-6-2007 Post-Mortem

Noticing a trend yet? Nope, me neither, it's only two games... Onto the Battle Damage Assessment...

THE GOOD:

• Just when you think they couldn't have opened the game any better than they opened last night in Atlanta, the Caps give up just two shots on goal in the first period. As a matter of fact, on Carolina's first period Power Play, the Caps got more shots on goal than the Canes did. Carolina's first shot didn't come until 6:35 was left in the first period.
• The Caps gave up just 23 shots for the entire game. That my friends is the biggest reason why Olie Kolzig pitched his 35th shutout.
• While tonight the Caps went into a shell with the lead and as a result gave up 12 shots and only took 4 in the third period, the Caps didn't get running around or scrambling in their zone.

THE BAD:

• Why am I not surprised to see Tomas Fleischmann regress? He had only 8:14 of icetime and 10 shifts for the game. When the chips were down he was replaced on the top line by Captain Chris Clark. He doesn't seem to be making the impact that he was in the regular season. While Clark can hold down the fort on the top line, it really isn't his optimal place.
• The other wonder stud of camp, David Steckel was 4-9 on faceoffs tonight. I thought that was one of his strengths?
• While only getting four chances, the Power Play did not connect tonight. That makes us 1 for 11 on the season.
• Maybe he was benched at the end of the game because of his lack of defensive play or maybe Alexander Semin was benched because he skated extra long shifts in the first and second periods. No way he should be skating around with Donald Brashear and Brooks Laich.

THE UGLY:

• It was my understanding that there was going to be a tribute to Dave Fay. It did not take place, what happened?
• I hope Jeff "Sergeant" Schultz is injured because it makes no sense to have him in Washington to act as a healthy scratch.
• The only thing that would have made tonight's crowd better was a full club level. Can Dishonest Abe please let us sell those tickets?

Ok, two games in front of two charged up crowds and the Caps are able to feed off that energy and get big wins. Now comes the tough task of having to play in front of a dead crowd in a crummy arena. There's no hiding the fact that the Caps are off to a good start and got a solid win against a good hockey team. Some things aren't going to plan right now but it is clear that the Caps are on a mission. How long the Caps can keep their focus and intensity will determine how long this good start can last.

It has been... A TWO POINT NIGHT!!!