RED ALERT: Big win for Caps

We looked at the meaning for the next three games for the Washington Capitals in yesterday's Red Alert.  These three games are barometers of sorts, a barometer for the Caps in playing playoff caliber teams, and barometer on whether the Caps can match intensity and whether additions to the roster are needed come trade deadline.

Yesterdays 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings was exactly what I call, a gut-check win.  The Caps were clearly out shot, out played, out muscled, and out hustled.  BUT, the Caps came out on top.  Those are the kind of wins real good teams make, wins that they probably shouldn't have, but regardless, they get the two points.

Caps were out shot 15-3 in first period, 16-11 in second period, and 15-9 in the third period, total 46-23.  In fact, the Caps through their first three power play opportunities had ZERO shots on goal.  The Caps, the number 1 power play in the NHL had ZERO.  But, they won.

Let's also give credit where it is due.  Goalie Jose Theodore won this game for the Caps.  His play in goal was nothing short of splendid.  Without Theo, this game would have been a rout by Detroit.  Detroit had at least 8 quality shots on goal that Theo made some pretty remarkable saves on.  Not a good defensive performance by the Caps blue line last night.  Not at all.  Caps, and the blue line in particular, should be thanking Jose Theodore today.  Theo stopped 44 of a 46 shot barrage to earn his 4th consecutive win.

Caps got an early goal from Matt Bradley on a pretty feed from Boyd Gordon to put a deke past Chris Osgood.  It was Brads 8th of the season and a secondary assists by Mike Green extended his point scoring streak to 9 straight games.

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http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-capitals/red-alert-big-win-for-caps.html