Capitals Vs Thrashers 02/13/2008 Review

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Capitals 2 - Thrashers 3 SO

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They started off so well, but the Washington Capitals just couldn't continue to overpower the Atlanta Thrashers for the entire game. They could manage a tie, but not a shootout win.

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The Capitals' speed and aggressive forecheck had them dominating in the first period. They had contol of the puck for an awful lot of the period. Lots of time in the offensive zone, but no scoring success. Washington had plenty of chances. They had six times as many shots as Atlanta, 18-3. It's hard to imagine that they weren't able to get at least one shot into the net. Boyd Gordon came close. Close enough for video review. But, you know the old saying. Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. While Capitals' netminder Olie Kolzig had to fight to keep from snoozing in the Cap's end, the atrocious officiating and Thrashers' super quick goaltender Kari Lehtonen were very busy in the other. No score at the end of the period.

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The Thrashers must have gotten an "adjustment" during the first intermission. They were much more into the game during the second period. But, Washington got the first goal before Atlanta really got it in gear. Nicklas Backstrom sent a no look backhand pass to Alex Ovechkin, who sent in a hard slapshot. Lehtonen made the stop, but Viktor Kozlov was there to tip in the juicy rebound. That play gave Backstrom an NHL rookie lead in assists, with 37. It also gave the Capitals their only scoring lead in the game. At 4:22 into the period, it was Atlanta's turn to have a goal video reviewed away. It was a very clear kicking motion that sent the puck into the net off of Eric Perrin's knee. The Thrasher's fans booed loudly, and Perrin gave the obligatory, totally mystified what? look. But, that wasn't doing them any good. Washington and Atlanta traded penalties (some called, some not) and a couple scoring chances over the next several minutes. Then, with Kolzig well screened, Perrin took a pass from Marian Hossa and sent the puck into the goal. With just over a minute left in the second period, Lehtonen stopped a Milan Jurcina shot and immediately passed the puck up the ice to Hossa, who had just come off the bench. The Hossa breakaway came while the Cap's were in the middle of a line change. With 56.1 seconds left on the clock, Hossa sent the puck between the pads of Kolzig, putting the Thrashers up by one. The scoring chances were pretty even in this period. But, it ended with Atlanta ahead, and the crowd chanting "Kari....Kari....Kari....".

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Both goaltenders continued to be sharp in the third period. Both made some amazing, wild saves. On one occasion early in the period, Kolzig launched himself several feet like a puck seeking missle to keep the puck in the Cap's possesion. In the middle of the period, Washington was hanging in the offensive zone, bombing away at Lehtonen. Again and again, but no luck. But then, Ovechkin (who leads the league in third period goals) sent one over Kari's left shoulder with 1:21 left in regulation, forcing the game into overtime.

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Overtime looked a little like panic time to me. Both, Washington's Tomas Fleischmann (see new contract extension) and Atlanta's Slava Kozlov, seemed to have holes in the business ends of their sticks. The puck bounced by both. The Cap's Mike Green was everywhere. It was like he had a clone working one end of the ice, while he worked the other. Washington was getting shots to the net, but again, not in it.

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On to the dreaded shootout. It's as hard for me to type that word as it is for me to have to say it.....Yuk! First up....Eric Perrin. His usual backhand to forehand and it's in, top shelf. For Washington's Alex Semin......denied! Next is Atlanta's Slava Kozlov.......no problem. It's all up to Boyd Gordon, for the Capitals. Just to add to the mounting drama(?), Lehtonen juggles Gordo's shot. The puck falls to the ice and .................Ooohhhhh, s#*t! Kari was just able to get a glove on it, right at the goal line.

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Olie Kolzig had kept the Cap's in the game, working his tail off in the second and third periods, as well as overtime. He was a major factor in getting at least the one point for the tie. Mike Green put in some serious ice time. Washington played a very good game. They just weren't up for the skills competition at the end. Up next on the Cap's southeast tour is the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Which means facing another great goaltender. Hopefully, the Cap's "young guns" get hot enough that it doesn't matter.

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All Photos - AP / John Bazemore