Capitals Vs Hurricanes 03/21/2009 Review

Nicklas Backstrom & John Erskine close off Erik Cole during the 1st Period.
March 21, 2009 photo by Karl B. DeBlaker / AP Photo.

Capitals 1 - Hurricanes 4

After a pair of convincing wins in their two previous games, the Washington Capitals lost to the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday night due to a lot of mistakes and the help of some questionable officiating.

Down the stretch now, games are definitely bringing that playoff atmosphere and intensity. The hit total reaching 50 in this game alone is good evidence of that fact. Carolina (24 hits) are desperate to make sure they make the post season, and Washington (26 hits) would like to end the regular season with the conference lead. The hunger for the win was obvious from both teams.

One thing that seemed to be hampering everybody in the first period at least, was the forever bouncing puck. Either the ice was in bad shape or they forgot to freeze the pucks, because they were uncontrollable in the first 20 minutes.

The Hurricanes were the first to score, thanks to one of many Capitals turnovers during the second period. In this case, Mike Green was stripped of the puck behind Washington's net while trying to dole out a counter hit, which backfired in this case. Seconds later Rod Brind'Amour put the puck past netminder Jose Theodore. With 33.7 seconds left in the period however, it was Green who got the only Capitals' goal of the game, giving him a four game goal scoring streak. Mike continues to lead all defenseman in the NHL, now with 28 goals.

Washington was unable to score in the third period, as Carolina's goalie Cam Ward was absolutely brilliant. Theodore might not have been at his best for the Caps, but he wasn't getting the help he should have been getting either. The Capitals seemed to use up all their defensive abilities keeping the Hurricanes forwards at bay. Meanwhile, Carolina's defensemen got through the Caps at will. All three third period goals came from the opposition's defenseman.

The Capitals have every right to be upset with the referees, especially for their apparent total incompetence during the third period. However, it was turnovers, breakdowns and missed assignments that really did the Caps in. Mike Green was the only Capital to score a goal. While he may have also committed several mistakes, he wasn't alone in his less than perfect play. One thing you can't complain about was effort. Washington as a whole, put all their energy into every shift. Guys like defensman Tom Poti and John Erskine played well. Alex Ovechkin put his all into the game as usual. Even when Brind'Amour blatantly and dangerously boarded him face first, to the delight of a lot of asshole Carolina fans. The Caps will have a couple days rest when they hit the ice in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.