Ovechkin-less Caps sweep by Panthers 7-3

The Washington Capitals were without the best player in the world, the Great 8, Alexander Ovechkin, as he sat in the press box enjoying nachos and beer, serving the first of a two game suspension.  The Caps aren't supposed to be very good without Ovechkin.  Isn't that what we are told constantly by the media? Yet without Ovechkin this season, the Caps are 7-2 without Ovechkin, and averaging over 4 goals per game during those 9 games.  I think it is time for the media, hockey blogs, and analysts to recognize the Capitals are great with Ovechkin, but pretty damn good without him too. 

The Caps declawed the Panthers on their home ice by a score of 7-3 and completing a 6-0 series sweep of Florida.

Washington out scored Florida 2-1 int he first period and out shot Florida 15-13.  Alexander Semin scored on the side of the net on the power play a little over 5 minutes in to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.  Brooks Laich had the primary assist, one of his three points on the night.  Jason Chimera scored his 14th of the season because of outstanding net presence to put a juicy Tomas Vokoun rebound under Vokoun.  It was a double Morrison(n) assits, both Brendan and Shaone picking up helpers.  The helper by Brendan Morrison was his first of three points. 

Washington came out and hammered Florida in the second period, out scoring Florida 4-1 in a period that saw 31 shots on goal (16-15 Washington).  Brendan Morrison took a rebound and put it past Vokoun to start off the 4 goal second period onslaught.  It was Morrison's 12th tally of the year at just 49 seconds into the period.  Eric Fehr notched his 19th goal with a nice slapper past Vokoun, closing in on a 20 goal season.  Brooks Laich added his first of two goals on the Washington power play to make it 5-1 Washington.  That lead would last just 23 seconds when Kamil Kreps would score and narrow the Caps lead to 5-2.  A minute and half later, Nicklas Backstrom notched goal number 29 to take the Caps into the second intermission with a 4 goal, 6-2 lead.  Vokoun was chase from the ice in the second period, being reliever by Scott Clemmensen. 

Brooks Laich added his second goal in the third

Read it all at

http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-capitals/ovechkin-less-caps-sweep-by-panthers-7-3.html