GameRecap 3-3-11: Blues Fall 3-2 to Capitals
We Arnott Good Enough. Caps Win 3-2
The skid continues as the Blues have lost 6 of their last 7 games. The culprit this time around? Mental mistakes and an inability to finish scoring chances. Teams that win consistently can do so 2-1, 4-3, and 6-5. The Note just couldn’t find a way to get that third or fourth goal to keep pace.
Credit Michal Neuvirth. He looked a little shaky at times, but stopped 25 of 27 shots on the night. Including all 8 he faced in the third to bide time for his teammates to push the result in their favor.
Jason Arnott’s go ahead goal was similar to that of Jarmoe Iginla’s back breaker Monday. There wasn’t much Ty Conklin could do. He held his own throughout the duration otherwise, but when hung out on absent minded turnovers one can expect a backup netminder to do only so much. He did stop 27 of 30 Washington shots.
Patrick Berglund had a pretty solid game. His backchecking on Alex Ovechkin lead to the Caps inability to hold offensive zone pressure which lead to the Alex Steen goal on the ensuing counter attack. Who knew Chris Stewart had such soft hands to complete such a deft delivery. Around the net is one thing. That’s instinct and reaction. He hit Steen all the way across the zone on a perfect saucer pass.
The first Washington goal came from a behdin the net set up where the Blues over committed and left the weak side defenseman wide open. Andy McDonald cheated too far and Ovechkin found Scott Hannan wide open. He had time to settle the puck and wait for Conklin to go down before he roofed it. A shot Mike Green would be proud of.
BJ Crombeen quickly answered with a quick snapper that handcuffed Neuvirth. After hustling to pickoff the Caps face-off win he broke down right wing and registered his 6th of the season.
Nicklas Backstrom did his best Ryan Zimmerman impression by batting a tipped Mike Knuble pass out of midair past Conks. Say what you want about the play, I believe that Ovechkin knew exactly what he was doing when he took that hard long pass and defected it on to Knuble. The FSMW guys seemed to think it was a lucky bounce. The Great 8 was just on last night and when he is, plays like that just happen.
Ove may not be scoring, but his overall game is through the roof. For the last few seasons may have criticized the leagues deadliest scorer for not upping his defensive commitment and team play levels. He set up two of the three Caps goals, blocked a shot, registered 3 hits and a takeaway. On a personal note, I’ve long been “anti-Ovechkin”, but his play last night was near Crosby level of a comprehensive impact. He was the only player with a Plus-2.
The Caps surivived the early Blues push and gradually tilted the ice in their favor. Amazing what happens when skilled younger players learn how to win games. Watch out for Washington when they get healthy.
Quick Hits
- Tyson Strachan and Matt Bradley threwdown. Advantage, Bradley. There was no “Releasing the Strachan”.
- Have to say, Bradley and the rest of the Caps 4th line were jazzed up for this tilt. They hit hard early and often. The table setter for all the energy they needed.
- Alex Pietrangelo (26:24) and Kevin Shattenkirk (24:12) lead the team in ice time. Trial by fire in preparation for taking over big roles next season. Barret Jackman looked much better (like making a play to kick off the Steen goal) and played 23:47. Roman Polak did not look so hot, especially on the turnover that cost the Blues the game. Carlo Colaiacovo continued to show “he is who he is”. A Minus-2 in 11:85 ES TOI.
- The draw percentage is improving overall, at least it seems. They won 29 of 59 draws. Just one below an even split. For what it’s worth, Berglund was 8 for 11 and David Backes was 7 for 13.
- Backes had a little burr in his behind after getting whacked in the head early in the game by John Erskine. He was visibly shaken and a little woozy coming off, but was generally back to Inglorious mode for the remainder of the night.
- Ryan Reaves has made Cam Janssen expendable this summer. Just saying.
Next Up
Saturday, March 5th, 12 noon @New York Islanders
The game will air on alternate channels. Please check the Blues website for details.
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