A look at the Capitals' last 10 games:
vs Boston: OTL 2-3
vs Carolina: L 1-4
at Boston: OTL 2-3
vs Atlanta: L 2-4
vs Toronto: L 1-7
at NY Islanders: L 1-4
at Tampa Bay: W 5-2
vs Dallas: W 4-3
vs Buffalo: W 7-4
vs Ottawa: W 6-2
Who would have predicted the results of the last four games given how horribly they played the first six? It's notable that Alexander Semin returned from injured reserve prior to the Tampa Bay game. With Semin, a player coach Glen Hanlon announced was "the best passer on the team," returning to the second line, as well as the resurgence of linemate Matt Pettinger, opposing teams have had to focus on two scoring lines instead of one, freeing Ovechkin to more easily do his normal work on the first line.
Oh yeah, and Olaf Kolzig's 144 saves out of an astounding 155 shots (.929 save %, 36 saves/game out of 38.75 shots/game) might have helped a bit as well.
If you haven't gotten a chance to see Ovechkin/Semin and the rest of the team play, coach Glen Hanlon has the team playing a fun style of high-energy hockey, and the Caps are a team you should make a point of checking out some point this season.
Posted by Bret Cohen at 12/8/2006 1:00:00 PM
