RED ALERT: Caps still have goals to play for

The Washington Capitals find themselves in a quite unique situation for the franchise.  There are 7 regular season games left, and the Capitals have little to play before beyond individual stats, momentum, and assuring they finish with the best record over all in the NHL.  They have already wrapped up their third straight Division championship and have clinched their first ever Eastern Conference title.

Tonight, the Caps face off against the Ottawa Senators.  Ottawa has not yet clinched a playoff spot, but are seemingly in control of one spot, sitting in 5th at 87 points, 5 points ahead of 6th and 7th place (Philadelphia and Montreal).  Tonight’s game is at home in the friendly confines of the Verizon Center in which the Caps have posted an NHL best 27-5-4 record.   Overall, the Capitals are 49-15-11 and will try and win #50 tonight, for the first time in franchise history.  The Caps will also close out a decent March in which they posted a 8-2-3 record.

Tracee Hamilton writes about whether the Caps should start resting players for the Stanley Cup playoffs.   Coach Bruce Boudreau pretends he does not know how to answer that question.

“I’m going to find out,” Boudreau added. “Actually, right now we can’t rest anybody because everybody’s hurt. That question is taken out of the equation.

“I don’t know what’s best. You’ve seen it work both ways; you’ve seen it fail both ways. You’ve seen guys not play as hard, and that’s how they get hurt. You’ve seen them play too hard and get hurt. It’s got to be more on feel, if guys need a day they’re going to get a day, if they don’t need a day or if their game’s not going the way it’s supposed to be you play them more to get them going to where they’re supposed to be. So there’s so many things that go into that.”

In essence, this paragraph neatly wraps up my thoughts.

So there you have it, Bruce. Days off don’t matter, except when they do. Rest is good, rust is bad. Don’t single out certain guys for time off, but your top scorers can’t sit. Do whatever you’re going to do quickly, because no one should get a breather for the final regular season game, and you need the final two or three games for line experimentation.

Heck, Alex Ovechkin would never want to sit.  he is in the midst of a scoring title run.  Hart as well.  Not happening.

Not to mention, we are on a Presidential Cup watch, first ever for the Washington Capitals franchise.  No time to rest.

Injuries:  Best to relax and rest them not and get them all healed for the Playoffs.  Caps do not expect Brooks Laich to return before the weekend.  Laich has had plenty of time to think about the puck to face hit from John Carlson that sidelined him a few games.

“I was laying in bed at the hospital after I got hit and I was just thinking I should have got just got off the ice and this whole thing could have been avoided,” Laich said. “But every day of my hockey career I’ve always stayed out and shot a couple extra pucks and messed around with the guys.

“It is just a freak accident that happens once in 10 years. I didn’t see the puck and I couldn’t get out of the way of it. It just basically felt like I got hit in the face with a hammer. Unlucky was really the best way to describe it.”

Laich had stitches near his left eye, and he said that half of his face remains numb. He skated on his own before practice Monday and will join the team for the morning workout Tuesday.

Other injury issues . . . Boyd Gordonis in Hershey rehabbing his back.  Is Gordo’s back becoming a concern long term?  Brendan Morrison is likely a week away from return.   Don’t expect Scott Walkerback before Morrison returns.  Their returns are probably aroudn the same time.

Other tidbits . . . Puck the Media writes a piece to NHL fans not to ruin the possible 2011 Winter Classic between two of the most popular teams in the NHL with the two best players in the NHL.

Point is, this game should be a celebration about all things great in hockey, and a definite reaction to the pretty crappy game played this season.  Let’s admit it, the Philadelphia-Boston classic on the most recent New Year’s Day was a snoozer for about 55 minutes, saved by a late goal and an Overtime thrill.

But it won’t be fun.  Hockey diehards won’t allow you and me to enjoy this game.  …whether or not Pittsburgh should be in a 2nd classic in four seasons – have been flat-out groan inducing.  People thinking the NHL has a duty to other teams to get them involved, a duty to the fans to show them some variety.

It’s all a load of crap.  The NHL doesn’t owe anything to it’s teams in this case.  Look at it this way, Penguins/Capitals in 2011 is a chance for the NHL to stabilize the Winter Classic as a TV brand. So, a plea to my fellow diehard puckhead:  Just shut up about this.  Go with the flow, and try to enjoy yourself when the inevitable Crosby/Ovechkin showdown at the house of the terrible towels happens.  It’ll be a heck of a ride if you just allow yourself to have fun.  Don’t worry about overexposure.  Just worry about some good hockey.

More on the Winter Classis 2011, this from Caps owner Ted Leonsis.  Here is the weekly snap shot from Storming the Crease.  On Frozen Blog provides a good look at the records being crushed by Caps affiliate the Hershey Bears.   Alex Ovetjkin provides an interview on Alex Ovechkin’s work out habits.  Rock the Red takes a look at probably first round foes.  Another 100 points for Ovie.  Good read on Caps prospect goalie Brade Holtby.  Here is your daily Caps clips.   Good read on the Caps by numbers.

Game Previews:

Official Caps, NHL.com, Caps Nut, Sportsnet.ca, WTOP,  AccuScore, Caps Spirit,

Caps Streaks:

*  Alexander Semin has a 4 game scoring streak.  During the 4 games, Semin has tallied 3 goals and an assist.