Caps Update: Barometer rising

Last week, we, and many media sources wrote, what an important week this would be, from a measuring stick stand point, a barometer of sorts, for these Washington Capitals.  After all, they would be facing off against the two Stanley Cup contenders last year, Detroit and defending champs Pittsburgh, and against a young hot Western Conference team on Saturday, the Phoenix Coyotes.  These three  games would be watched closely to determine what the Caps may need at the trade deadline and if the Caps are legit for a real Cup run.

So far you have to love the result.

Two games in, the Caps are 2-0, defeating Detroit 3-2 and the Penguin, in Pittsburgh, 6-3.  They have been getting some damn nifty goal tending from Jose Theodore, who is playing his best hockey this season.  Over these two games, Theo is 2-0 and has a save percentage of .940.  Beyond that, he has made some very impressive saves and has bailed out his defense countless times.  The defense has been a bit off, allowing 84 shots on goal over these two games.

Jose Theodore has risen to the challenge.

Alex Ovechkin has as well.  Ovie has recorded 2 goals and 2 assists during the past two games.  Nicklas Backstrom has added two goals.  The Caps are getting helpers and assists from the top of the score card to the bottom.  Even more impressive, the wins are coming despite injuries to the blueline, as the Caps have missed John Erskine and Brian Pothier in both games, and Mike Green added in with those two in Pittsburgh.

Read it all at

http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-capitals/caps-update-barometer-rising.html