| 14 December 2009
5 questions about the Caps (ok, 4 about the Caps and 1 about hating Sidney Crosby) for Miz of the fine DC sports blog Fight For Old DC to help put you in the mood for another big game on Tuesday when the Avalanche host the Eastern Conference leading Washington Capitals.
I've answered 5 of his questions about the Avs for Fight For Old DC, so check that blog on Tuesday to see my answers. So, without further ado...
1. Jose Theodore's widely inconsistent play drove me insane while he was an Av - how do you feel about Theo?
Theo's honestly been pretty good, but obviously inconsistent throughout his tenure in D.C. When George McPhee signed him, it was pretty much understood that he was a stopgap until Semyon Varlamov and Michael Neuvirth developed a little more. Unfortunately for Theo, Varly's progressed a lot faster than originally expected which created a much shorter leash for the veteran in the playoffs. Theo struggled in Game One against the Rangers and received the hook for the rest of the postseason, which never feels good.
Theo experienced some personal tragedy this summer (his infant son passed away suddenly), and it seemed to spark his play at the beginning of the season. However, he's cooled off lately, and it seems that he's just spelling Varlamov until the playoffs come around. Personally, I have a hard time criticizing Theo for how he's been playing because of what he's gone through. I've also had the opportunity to meet him, and he's one of the nicest professional athletes I've come across. However, I can safely say that I'll feel much better with the young Russian between the pipes come April.
2. When did you know Ovechkin had what it took to be the best player in the NHL?
I knew AO was legit from the first time I saw him step on the ice against Columbus in his first game as a Cap. However, I didn't realize just how good he would be until the first time I saw him play in person. I was off at school for his first two seasons, so my first chance to catch him at Verizon Center was on March 3, 2008, during the Caps insane playoff push. I always go down to watch warm-ups and Ovi's speed and size are far more impressive and intimidating up close.
Ovechkin took the game over in the first period with a hat trick and finished the game with two more assists for a five point night. His first wrister made Tim Thomas look absolutely stupid and his energy was palpable. The way the Phone Booth crowd reacted to his goal celebrations was like nothing I'd previously experienced. He's the best player out there along with a personality that Washingtonians haven't seen since John Riggins. It's a lethal combination for a love affair with hockey.
3. Who has been the best player on the Capitals not named Ovechkin this season?
That is a very loaded question considering how well-rounded the Caps have been to date. Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green could and should be candidates simply based upon numbers, and the Caps are one of the most balanced scoring teams with nine players boasting 15+ points, and five with 10+ goals. However, considering a somewhat iffy group of blueliners, Semyon Varlamov has been the team's best player to-date (and better than Ovechkin on some nights). He only has one CAREER regulation loss, and is 12-1-2 on the season. His 2.21 GAA and .924 save percentage are good for the league's top ten, and he's saved several games with his athleticism and concentration.
The biggest knock on Varly has been his tendency to give up goals in bunches after shutting a team down, but that hasn't been an issue this season. He's cleaned up his glove hand issues as well as problems with the five-hole as well. It looks like coach Arturs Irbe is really doing his job with this kid. The only big concern right now is durability, and he's currently on the IR for a groin issue. Luckily he should have plenty of time to rest and be ready for the postseason with a guy like Theo to spell him, so it shouldn't be a major issue down the road.
4. If you could play Caps GM for a day and could make 1 move - what would it be?
Well our Nylander Hostage Crisis ended yesterday with the Swede shipping off to Grand Rapids for the remainder of the season, so this is a tough one. The Caps have a lot of depth and forward, along with a newfound grit in front of the net as well. Defense is the obvious concern, and it seems like there are a lot of 3-4-5-6 guys on the roster. They're currently carrying eight blueliners (when healthy), so a trade has to come at some point. I'd probably try to work a deal to ship out Milan Jurcina or Shaone Morrison (both guys on one-year deals) along with a prospect/pick for an experienced lock-down defensemen. That guy would preferably have a little offensive potential as well, but he has to be physical in front of his own net. The Caps really need a crease-cleaner.
5. How much do you hate Sidney Crosby?
To be honest, I don't have a huge problem with Sidney as a player. He's obviously extremely talented, and deserves all of the praise as he gets. He's strong on the puck, a spectacular playmaker, and scores goals when he's called upon. I think he's a good leader and knows how and when to take over a game when his team needs him. I don't like him because he plays for our rivals, but there's a lot to like about him on the ice. However, that doesn't mean I think the guy is perfect. It probably sounds very cliche, but I don't care for the way the guy sticks his nose up at other players or teams. He carries himself well for his franchise and his teammates, but he's got a little too much of a holier-than-thou flavor to him.
In particular, his tendancy to talk a little too much with the zebras is pretty annoying. Last year in Game Two of the EC Semifinals, he complained that fans were throwing too many hats on the ice when Ovechkin potted his third goal of the night. To his credit, he skated right back out and put up his third goal on the evening, but the damage was done. Pens fans get annoyed when people call him a whiner, but sometimes he brings it on himself. The notorious nut punch against the Thrashers didn't make Caps fans real happy either, considering that Crosby's supporters like to call Ovechkin a dirty player.
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