We'll Take It -- Isles Hold Off Caps

We've been asking for an offensive breakout all week, and in a sort of bitter sweet way, we got what we wanted: 5 goals on 21 shots. After building a nice 2-0 lead, even though the Isles were largely outplayed by the Caps, the Isles were feeling just fine headed into the third. But with Ovechkin and the Caps buzzing all night long, we all felt it was only a matter of time before the Caps found their way back into the game. And when you have a player like Ovechkin and you’re a hardworking team, then that hard work usually will generate quality scoring chances. The Caps notched 2 quick goals and we were back to dead even. Yet a few minutes later, the Isles converted on Bryan Berard’s fluke of a power play goal, the second fluke-job given up by Kolzig at that point (Guerin had a long range slapper squeak through Kolzig’s wickets in the second). That seemed to take the wind out of the Caps, who didn’t manage a shot for the last 9 minutes of the game. To make matters worse, Kolzig gave up another softie when Bill Guerin’s soft wrister found a way through his ever so Swiss cheese-like torso. Guerin did add a wicked wrister at the end of the third to complete the hat trick.

But let’s not kid ourselves here. The Isles netted 5 goals and 3 of them probably should have been stopped by an NHL goaltender. Screens most likely contributed to a rather confused looking Olaf Kolzig, so perhaps we can say that the Isles did a tremendous job of creating their chances out of nothing. As a longtime goaltender, I can tell you how difficult it is to stop any kind of shot when there are bodies in front of you. But such screen shots don’t always lead to goals—they usually lead to a blocked shot or a lucky save. It’s very rare to see 3 goals scored on screen shots in an NHL game, but I’m sure the Isles will take it for now, even though this was hardly the offensive breakout I had in mind. I’m not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic.

First, hats off to the Isles for finding a way to nail 2 points last night. It can be very difficult for teams in any sport to comeback after blowing a lead towards the end of the game. It might not have been pretty, but it sure did count.

Second, I have some issues with Coach Nolan that I’d like to address here. Hey Ted, is choosing a lineup a game to you? OK I know it’s a game, but without trying to be over technical, I don’t think you can justify messing around in wild and crazy ways with your lineup by explaining that the Isles merely have 7 games in 29 days or something like that. I'm reffering to your decision to start Aaron Johnson at forward. By playing Johnson at forward, you seem more like an amateur coach, foolishly trying to give your team and your fans something to laugh about. Yet it wasn’t so funny when Aaron Johnson took a penalty in the offensive zone in a 2-1 game in the third, was it? If you want to keep Aaron Johnson around, fine but do it in a somewhat logical way. The only logical scenario I can see would be to rotate AJ in as the 7th defenseman, and yes move MAB up to forward. If you are going to experiment with defenseman at forward, why would you choose your large defensive defenseman as the lab rat? Instead of scratching MAB for the second consecutive game, last night would have the perfect opportunity to see if MAB could handle some 4th line duty, if not 3rd line duty. Personally, I think MAB would be an effective 3rd line winger because he possesses a good amount of speed, good cycling ability, and yes some defensive upside. Plus who would you rather see out there with Silinger and Hunter? Would you possibly choose stone-hands Hilbert with his zero goals, zero assists, and zero points in 7 games thus far? No I didn’t think so.

Other issues – I’ve just about had it up to here with Satan (visualize me with my hand stretched out to the top of a 10 foot ceiling). No goals so far and very weak defensive play gives him the worst +/- on the team with a -4. I guess he’s not playing to cash in at the end of the season after all. The guy doesn’t even come close to scoring. And did you see how weak he was on that stick check that led to a Caps’ goal in the third? Maybe we’ll have a shootout sometime soon so I can be reminded of why it could possibly be worthwhile to keep him around.

The “Misfit Line” as ESPN has named them has produced 24 points in 7 games, good for better than a point per game per player. Although the Guerin-Comrie-Feds line has been streaky, no line that ever was centered by Alex Yashin ever produced this much offense. Hopefully last night’s hat trick will get the blood going in Guerin again, and I’d definitely like to see Comrie shoot more often. The guy has 4 goals on 10 shots on goal. Now I’m in law school right now, but I think my math skills are good enough to convert that to a 40% shooting percentage. Wow Mike, shoot the puck!!!

I was very hard on Campoli during the off season (and rightfully so) but I’m happy for him and happy for the Isles that he shut me up. Outstanding effort from Camps so far this season, especially with a 4 assist effort last night. And what can I say about Bryan Berard? What an outstanding signing. He’s given us everything we could have asked for as the quarterback of the power play by maintaining his composure and taking quick low shots from the point that usually lead to goals like last night, or good rebound opportunities for his teammates. Welcome back Bryan.