Capital Choke Job

Today is the finish line for the 2010-2011 NHL season preview.  Tomorrow will be predictions for the Stanley Cup Finals, as well as things that happened while I was doing this preview.  Next week should be back to some semblance of normalcy.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS


2009-2010 record: 54-15-13 (121 points)
Lost to Montreal in the 1st round 4-3
Captain: Alexander Ovechkin
Alternate captains: Tom Poti, Mike Knuble

3 players to watch: Mention the Capitals and the first player to get mentioned is Alexander Ovechkin.  Even though he missed some games due to suspension, he still put up great numbers.  The true definition of game changer, he also has to show up in the playoffs, or to be more specific, trust his teammates instead of trying to do it all himself in the biggest games.  Goaltending is the team's biggest question mark.  This time last year, Semyon Varlamov was being touted as the goaltender of the future.  However, an inconsistent year forced Jose Theodore into the starting role.  Now, he faces stiff competition from Michal Neuwirth, and his performance in the 2009 playoffs seems like a distant memory.  For all of the talk about Mike Green disappearing in the playoffs, a new defensive star may be emerging in John Carlson, who experienced success in the World Junior Championships, he looked ready in the playoffs.  Now, he is expected to be in the top two pairings.

Things to look for:  There is no question that the Caps will make the playoffs.  As long as the Caps boast Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and the underrated Niklas Backstrom, the team can will have offense.  The real issue up front is the second line center, a weakness exposed in the Montreal series.  Green will provide offense from the blue line, but he also has to show up in the playoffs.  Seemingly every year, an APB is put out for him come playoff time, and his reputation as a "lazy in his own end" type of defenseman only amplifies the problems in the extra season.  Carlson and Karl Alzner should be expected to fill two spots on the blue line, meaning that Green will likely have to pick up some slack, since neither have much NHL experience.  Goaltending has held the team back from being a Stanley Cup contender, and now with Varlamov and Neuwirth, competing for the starting job, it is likely that the team will go through some growing pains here.

Prediction: 1st in the East

Song: Children of Bodom-Hate Me!

The Captials are a team that people will either love or hate, and are led by an equally polarizing figure in Ovechkin.  That sounds like Children of Bodom, who like the Caps, are pretty much all style and little substance.