Washington surrendered three third-period goals to the visiting Rangers, losing 5-2 and giving up the forever-booed former Cap Jaromir Jagr's 1,500th NHL point in the process.
It's been the same story all season: For every step forward, there's seems to be a step back, and sometimes even a further stagger after that.
As of Wednesday night, the Capitals were 10 points away from the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, with the Southeast Division title out of sight. If the team was higher in the standings, its salary cap space and cadre of young prospects might have enticed General Manager George McPhee to seek veteran help for the stretch run before the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Every loss decreases the chances of that happening.
Are the Capitals playing under the added pressure that every point that keeps them in a postseason race is a point that could determine whether they buy or sell at the deadline?
"I don't think so," said winger Boyd Gordon. "I think as a player you have to go out there and just play your game. If you think about that, you may get in trouble. Just try to stay on the program."
The program the Capitals' coaches and brass have established is one that attempts to keep that kind of additional pressure away from players like the 23-year-old Gordon. The fifth-youngest team in the league by age, but one with a dearth of NHL-level experience, Washington has been careful not to mentally burden its players with "big picture" expectations such as calling a game against the struggling Kings a "must win."
"We're not trying to say this is a 'must game.' To me, our group is too young to handle those situations," said Coach Glen Hanlon. "What works for us is saying that our team needs to be seven games over .500. To say we have to win tonight's game puts too much pressure on some of our younger players."
As the Capitals continue their playoff push, the games aren't getting any easier. The next five include a trip to Tampa Bay (tonight), a national television game at Pittsburgh (Feb. 18), a trip to Montreal (Feb. 20) followed by a home game against San Jose (Feb. 21), and then a home-and-home against the Devils (Feb. 24 in NJ, Feb. 25 at home).
No pressure, right?
CAPS NOTES
Washington's powerplay, 20th in the NHL but struggling mightily recently, scored two goals against the Rangers. Hanlon said the team would tweak its powerplay after going 0-for-4 against Los Angeles.
Zubrus said the Capitals need to pepper the net more often with the man advantage: "I think we set up OK, and move the puck around. But most of our goals and actually the whole league is a shot and a rebound," he said. "We gotta get in our head to get more shots and not look for the perfect pass, the perfect play."
One reason for the less-than-stellar powerplay has been the absence of defenseman Brian Pothier, who leads the team's backliners with 10 powerplay points. Out since Jan. 18 with what the team calls an "upper body" injury (RE: concussion), Pothier is skating and could be back anytime over the next two weeks.
Alexander Ovechkin snapped a four-game goal drought with a power-play tally against the Rangers, his 34th of the season. Teammate Alexander Semin is closing in with 29 on the year.
The entire Capitals team participated in a "Tees for Tots" charity promotion on Monday, Feb. 12 at Top Golf in Alexandria, Va. Fans could play a game of golf with Capitals players for a donation to The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health and Washington Capitals Charities.
The Capitals announced Monday they re-signed left wing Donald Brashear to a one-year contract extension worth $1.1 million. Brashear signed a one-year free agent deal with Washington last summer.
The 35-year-old veteran has thrived as a player whose main role is to remind opponents how important it is not to take liberties with a certain Calder winner. Brashear leads the team with 125 penalty minutes in 52 games. He has become a fan favorite, not only for his occasional fisticuffs but through some energetic physical play on the fourth line, adding two goals and five assists for good measure.
Goalie Olie Kolzig was injured during practice on Monday. The Capitals confirmed the leg injury could keep Kolzig out for three weeks, leaving backup Brent Johnson and Hershey's Frederic Cassivi as the team's options between the pipes.
