Caps' Offense Remains Trapped

Today's stat of the day: Capitals record when allowing three or fewer goals against
Through Jan. 31: 20-2-5 (.833) (Overall record: 21-23-7, .480)
Feb 1-Present: 2-3-3 (.389) (Overall record: 2-5-3, .350)

Please note that, throught the first four months of the season, the Capitals, on average, where allowing three or fewer goals against once every other game, whereas in the month of February it is happening four out of every five games.

The point I'm trying to make, in case it isn't abundantly clear right now, is that Glen Hanlon's trap isn't working. Sure the Caps are allowing far fewer goals, but what has it gotten the team? A significantly hindered offense, and tonight's game against the Sharks was yet another example. The Caps were, once again, not nearly aggresive enough forechecking and a solid effort from the defensive corps goes wasted, as is becoming the norm. The most frustrating part about tonight was that the Caps' trapping defense still failed to prevent San Jose from generating a fair number of fast breaks and odd-man rushes, but the Caps backliners managed to handle them ably with only one exception. And that was John Erskine, who isn't so much an actual defenseman as a human wrecking ball. Can someone explain to me why he is on the ice in place of Steve Eminger?

Just two goals allowed needs to equal a win, folks. And the fact that on six different occasions in the month of February compared to seven the previous four months the Caps have failed to capitalize on keeping the puck out of there own net ought to be enough to convince Glen Hanlon that he needs to let his boys do what they do best. It is high time he let the Caps' skilled guys roam free like he used to. Whether he will or not, only time will tell, but in the mean time, get used to this nonsense.

To be fair, on the rare occasions the Caps were able to generate any real pressure, they looked pretty good. And the Pepco Energy Services Power Outage started looking almost like an AHL caliber power play (which is a huge improvement, sadly enough). And the hooking call on Eric Fehr should have actually been a diving call going against the Sharks. But once again (placing broken record on turntable) the Caps ultimately didn't get it done offensively, and I don't think we have anyone to blame at this point except Glen Hanlon. (Seriously though. Kris Beech is your solution to the power play woes? Pathetic.)

Recaps From People That Matter:
-3 Grumpy Caps Fans
-Bleatings From a Caps Nut
-Capital Fanatic
-DCSportsChick
-Off Wing Opinion
-Puckhead's Thoughts