Tarik has reported the Washington Capitals defensive unit is getting healthier, signaled by the sends downs of D Tyler Sloan and Sean Collins to Hershey. That likely means Jeff Schultz, John Erskine, and maybe even Tom Poti are set to return on Tuesday against Edmonton.
The question still lingers, once you pull Poti off the long term injured reserve, then what? Does Karl Alzner get reassigned to Hershey or do they simply move Sergei Fedorov to long term injured reserve? Feds returned for one game against Columbus before being rested again for Montreal. At some point, GM George McPhee will have to face the issue head on. Despite a rather lackluster performance against Columbus and Montreal, Alzner is by far NHL ready and sending him back to the AHL will serve no purpose to him professionally, but may be a salary cap mandated issue for Washington.
Allan Muir would give the Hart Trophy (MVP) for the first half of the season to Alex Ovechkin. Muir gives his reasoning here.
But as much as I wish I could give the nod to someone off the beaten path, how could it not be Ovechkin? Sure, his start was a bit sluggish, but over the last month he’s approached every game like it’s his only shot to defend last year’s Hart Trophy. He’s on pace to top last season’s scoring totals, and Washington is winning despite dressing more Hershey Bears than Capitals most nights. Whatever your definition of MVP, you can’t ignore team and personal success like that
Michael Farber agrees …
Alex Ovechkin. He scores. He hits. He does everything but, like the carney barkers say, crawl on his belly like a reptile. While we have our shorts in a knot over the Bruins and Sharks, Capitals have quietly, it seems to me, been lurking. Ovechkin’s crazy skills and infectious passion are the biggest reason.
So does Jim Kelly …
Ovechkin. I recognize the slow start and the early-season trip to Russia to visit his ailing grandfather is outside the norm in Old School hockey, but since his return he’s been everything you could imagine in a superstar, leading his team, scoring seemingly at will and inventing an entire new fan base for the team in Washington. He’s picked up 48 points in 31 games since his return and the Caps are the top team in the Southeast Division because of it.
And just think, as a pro-Capitals site, believe it or not, WE CONCUR! Ovie has been hotter than burning coal since his mini-slump earlier in the season and there are very little signs that will slow down. Let’s don’t get into the Sidney Crosby v. Alex Ovechkin bullcrap, Ovechkin is the more complete player, hands down.
Washington Capitals Leaderboard
Goals: Alexander Ovechkin, 27
Assists: Nicklas backstrom, 33
Points: Alexander Ovechkin, 54
Pct: Alexander Semin, .211
PP Goals: Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, 8
+/- : Alexander Semin, +21
Def Scoring: Mike Green, 28
W/L: Jose Theodore, 14-7
GAA: Brent Johnson, 2.74
Save%: Brent Johnson, .909
North on Interstate 83 in Hershey …
So struggles the Caps, so struggles the Bears. Hershey was swept this week, losing to Albany 6-4 on Saturday night and 6-2 to Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
Hershey Coach Bob Woods and veteran D Brian Helmer took the losses to hear and mind …
After watching his club take a 2-1 lead and then surrender five straight goals, deeply dismayed Bears head coach Bob Woods exited the building and didn’t hold a postgame media session.
Captain Bryan Helmer gave the team a verbal dressing down that echoed into the hallway outside the visiting locker room.
“I think guys on our team think we can get by with just our skill,” Helmer said. “We go up 2-1 and think it’s going to be an easy night. Obviously, it wasn’t. Guys have got to learn that skill doesn’t get you through this league. You’ve got to have hard work to go with it.”
The Bears were outshot by Albany 29-23 and by Wilkes-Barre 33-17.
Despite the back to back weekend losses, the Bears maintain a five point lead in the East Division over Bridgeport. They are now 28-11-0-1 with 57 points.
Hershey Bears Leaderboard:
Goals: Alexandre Giroux, 28
Assists: Keith Aucoin, 37
Points: Keith Aucoin, 51
Pts/Game: Alexandre Giroux, 1.42
PP Goals: Alexandre Giroux, 9
+/- : Oscar Osala, +21
Def Scoring: Brian Helmer, 19
W/L: Sinmeon Varlamov, 16-4
GAA: Simeon Varlamov, 2.26
Save%: Simeon Varlamov, .918
Down in South Carolina:
South Carolina fell to Charlotte 4-3 on Saturday night. Mike Curry, Michael Dubuc, and Travis Morin all scored for the Stingrays. It was the Stingrays third straight loss.
G Bobby Goepfert will boost the Stingrays between the pipes. He returns from Hershey as Daren Machensey returns to Hershey from the World Juniors. The Stingrays are now 20-11-1-3 and 4 points behind Florida in second place in the South Division.
Goals: Michael Dubuc, 20
Assists: Travis Morin, 33
Points: Travis Morin, 44
Pts/Game: Michael Dubuc, 1.31
PP Goals: Michael Dubuc, 7
+/- : Travis Morin, +16
Def Scoring: Brad Farynuk, 21
W/L: Bobby Goepfert, 6-1
GAA: Bobby Gopefert, 1.81
Save%: Bobby Gopefert, .937
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