Caps 4 - Pittsburgh 3

Where to start?

Ok. Since I didn't get around to a gameday preview post I guess I'm supposed to make up for it with an extra good post now. I couldn't ask for a better topic to write about. We beat Pittsburgh. I've gotten to say that like once in the last three years. Here are a few observations. First the bad.

*The penalty kill. Weak, pathetic, sloppy, unorganized. Take your pick. All three of Pittsburgh's goals tonight came on the powerplay. They say your best penalty killer has to be your goaltender. Perhaps we've gotten to the root of the problem. Two of the powerplay goals were absolutly Theo's fault. Out of position on the first and square to the shooter 15 feet out on the other. At this level, clear sight of the puck means you should stop it. It's just a matter of time before we get a Quentin Laing call up.

*One guy on the message boards posted what his seven year old son said about the first two periods. "Why aren't they skating like they were the night?" Its true, even a seven year old can see it. Through four games we've had problems showing up at the start of games. Atlanta, Chicago, tonight. All slow starts in the first period. Tonight I feel we were lucky Pittsburgh didn't go for the knockout punch early. It could have been a long night. "Why didn't they just do that the first two periods?" was his son's quote from the end of the game.

Now the good.

*Matt Bradley. His team is down 3-1. They've just scored to get within two. He dropps the gloves against a guy who he probably knew he couldn't beat to keep his team motivated. If you saw the game you knew Brads pretty much got his face beat in, blood everywhere, not a pretty sight. He's back out with his team a period later after getting a few dozen stiches and nearly scores the go ahead goal in the 3rd. That's hockey. Guys do whatever they have to do. Bradley is a flat out warrior. He would never want ice cream after a fight like that.

*Alex Semin has four goals in four games. He's been about the best player on the ice in each game so far. Cap's fans aren't used to seeing Semin like this...lol. It's as if he's picked up right where he left off in the playoffs last year. A goal and an assist tonight, the goal coming on a laser of a shot early in the third to make it 3-2. If he keeps this up there's no question he'll be an all star. Hate to say it but Semin>Ovechkin so far. But whatever gets you to 3-1-0.

*Flash had another good game also picking up a goal and an assist. The assist was an extremely pretty cross goal pass to Nylander who couldn't miss from there. Eric Fehr also had a good game in his season debut recording a pair of assists. The battle between the two looks to be in full swing as they both surly made an impression on the coaches tonight. Not a bad problem to have at all.

*The best part of the night was reading the Pen's gameday thread after the game. I consider Penguins fans a subspecies of the human race, closely related to Flyers and Sabres fans. But Pens fans are still my least favorite and I don't think that will ever change. So reading their reactions after blowing a 3 goal lead was indescribable. Like I said, I rarely get to celebrate a win over Pittsburgh so I relish every chance I get.

All in all a great comeback for the Caps and a big two points that I'm sure we'll look back on come playoff time.

Flash v. Fehr

I came across an interesting debate on the message boards this morning. The topic was a poll of who was more valuable to the Caps, Tomas Fleischmann or Eric Fehr. The hundred or so voters were unsurprisingly biased toward Fehr. About 90 percent in fact. But after thinking about it a while, I think the two are closer than the boards make them appear.

We already know that Kozlov, Clark, Ovechkin, Semin, and Laich will be five of the top six wingers on the top three lines. I guess my internal debate is, in a system with three powerful scoring lines and one checking line, who do I want as my other third line winger? Lets look at the pros and cons of both guys.

Last season was Fleischmann's first full season as a professional. He came into camp without a contract or a roster spot. Given a chance, he managed to earn a roster spot with the big club. Throughout the season he was about the most inconsistant player on the team. He managed to put up 10 goals and 20 assists. Not bad for some, but Fleishmann's game offers little else to compensate for lackluster statistics. He is supposed to be a goal scorer and point producer. He's essentially worthless if he can't do that.

Flash played for Hershey under Boudreau for two seasons before making the Caps. He helped the Bears win the Calder Cup in 2006 where Boudreau said he was the Ovechkin of the AHL. No wonder Gabby has more confidence in him than most. Enough in fact to pencil him in on the opening night roster alongside Michael Nylander and Chris Clark.

This will be a make or break year for Flash. He put on some muscle in the offseason which should help his poor performance along the boards last season as well as his ability to drive the net. After seeing guys like Francois Bouchard compete at training camp, Fleischmann knows that he has guys breathing down his neck. You can expect his best stuff as he'll be looking to stick with the big club for good.

Now to the guy looking to take Flash's spot. Eric Fehr's career has been slowed signifcantly by back injuries. He was taken 18th overall in the 2003 draft in between Zach Parise and all-star Ryan Getzlaf. To this point, probably what Fehr is best known for. Obviously he has been a top prospect for a long time. He led the WHL in scoring a few years back and played alongside Flash on the '06 Bears team.

Last season was his first real opportunity with the Caps. Playing hurt for two games, three seasons ago doesn't count. Last year he played 28 games and putt up two goals (one playoff) and five assists. He didn't get any powerplay time and was mostly used on the third line.

Fehr has all the intangibles of a great player. He's finally grown into his 6'4" 212 frame and has a nose for the net. He's not afraid to get into the crease and score ugly goals Brooks Laich style. His back is also much better and no longer seems to be an issue. But does he have what it takes to play an 82 game season? I could see him being the 13th forward this year but he'll also get plenty of chances to play.

As of now, Flash is the man for the 3rd line job. But training camp isn't over and every day is a chance to either prove yourself or give it all away. My friends already know my feelings toward Flash. I personally think he's frustrating to watch. But I also think he has yet to meet his full potential. Last year was Flash's chance and he did just enough to stick. This year will be Fehr's. I really don't care which one it is. I just want one of them to break out this season and help us go deep into the playoffs.

Thursday Junks and Sept 11

Hockey first. Eric Staal re-signed with Carolina through the 2015-2016 season for $57.75m. Not bad eh? But that seems high for a guy who I would barely include in the top five players in the division.

Mats Sundin still hasn't made his mind up about his future. Now Tampa Bay is rumored to be interested in him. How could you turn down $20m to play for vancouver for one year?

Tomas Fleischmann changed his number to 14 after Eric Fehr agreed to change to his WHL number 16. Just one more reason why I dislike Fleischmann. And per Tarik, Jeff Schultz has put on 10 pounds of muscle this offseason. So that's good, and quite honestly it's about time. What I would give to be in Washington on Sunday for rookie camp. Soon enough I guess.

Away from hockey now to something much bigger. Today is September 11. It kind of snuck up on us this year. Maybe it's just the isolated world of a college campus but I didn't hear a single word about that day seven years ago. Not to sound un-patriotic but that's kind of a relief. It's a sign that we're moving on. No matter what, we won't ever forget what happened. I'm just glad we don't need to have a parade or something like that to remind us.