RED ALERT: Caps return to ice, Parting shot at Wilbon

The Olympics were great.  Especially the ice hockey.  Some of the best hockey we will ever see.  That doesn't mean I am not glad it is over.  The Caps and the NHL are ready to return, 20 games remaining, and the Caps quest for a Stanley Cup berth.

Caps open up their post Olympic break schedule tomorrow against the Buffalo Sabres and US Olympic hero Ryan Miller.  But that isn't it.  The Caps are also down to 2 days left in the NHL Trade Deadline.  Over the next two days, we will find out if Caps GM George McPhee will pull any triggers to make improvements to the Caps for the final dash to the Playoffs. 

There is little doubt this Caps team is the most prolific offense in the NHL this season.  That is evidenced by their NHL best 41-13-8 record, 90 points, 1 point ahead of Western Conference leader, San Jose Sharks.  That's not it.  The Capitals also lead the NHLin goals score d with 243, a whopping 45 goals ahead of second place San Jose.  They also lead the NHL in Assists (403), 62 ahead of second place Chicago,m goal percentage at 12%, and lead the NHL in power play effectiveness with a 25.6% success percentage.  In other words, the Caps can score.  A lot.

The question for the Capitals is the blue line.  They have seen a player like Jeff Schultz improve his game tremendously this season. Schultz's +37 rating is second overall, behind teammate Alex Ovechkin at +43.  In fact, the Capitals have 4 of the 5 tops spots in the NHL leader in Plus/Minus, and 5 of the top 9.  Mike Green is one fire offensively, once again, leading all NHL defensemen in goals (14) and assists (46) and total points (60).  Dare I say, he has even stepped up his defensive game. 

But, just like last season, there are games where the Caps play pretty lazy defensively.  They are good, but they are not very good.  They lack grit.  They lack ruggedness.  They lack enforcement.  In essence, that is precisely where the Caps could stake strides and improve in the next 48 hours. 

Rumors Abound . . . Caps owner Ted Leonsis and Caps GM George McPhee both have said the Caps are unlikely to make any bold moves.  Of course, McPhee always says that.  He said the same thing a few years ago when he obtained Sergei Fedorov, Matt Cooke, and Cristobal Huet.  Fact is, maybe some fans are critical, and they have a right to be so, but McPhee has built a terrific franchise, has done a magnificent job acquiring and building talent, and McPhee very well knows what this team may or may not need for a final push.  Another fact is, the Caps do not need any bold moves, such as another goalie.  The Caps need a gritty, rugged blueliner.  That would make me happy. 

Read it all at

http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-capitals/red-alert-caps-return-to-ice-parting-shot-at-wilbon.html