But this year, the Caps were in the strange position looking to make a move just to secure a playoff spot.
Inside of pulling the trigger on a big move, Caps GM George McPhee pulled a surprise by making no notable trades at all.
The four-time Southeast Division champs, expected to contend for Lord Stanley's Cup, would not make the hockey's postseason if it started today. Washington sits in ninth place.
There is not just one reason for the Capitals fall, they've been hit hard by injuries. But captain Alex Ovechkin has a big role in their fall from top.
Ovie is having a career-worst season and his poor attitude on ice is affecting the team's chemistry. Ovechkin's struggles started early and was benched at the end of a game by former coach Bruce Boudreau.
The captain's 'C' generally goes to a team's best player, who also happens to be a leader in the locker room. Face it, Ovechkin has not lived up to leadership role and should probably lose his captaincy.
Unfortunately, the man most likely to take that 'C,' Nicklas Backstrom is out long-term with a concussion.
There's a good chance Washington will sneak into the playoffs, but the team has serious discrepancies that won't easily get fixed without a serious roster shakeup.
1 comment:
I like this approach to the season better than previous years, though. If you're a fan and optimist like me, you think "hey, let's try the 'sneaking in at the wire approach this time'" approach over the complete offensive dominance or defensive adjustment seasons from the past two years that both led to playoff doom. Maybe sneaking into the postseason and playing the underdog is what this team needs...if only injuries weren't the main reason they're down and out.
My problem with the Ovie criticism - and he certainly deserves some - is that if he were a better sport about struggling with an injury-riddled team nobody would be saying anything. Leadership is one thing, but even a leader can't make wine out of water...at least not any of late.
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