6

5

Teams supposedly play worse as the near the end of a winning streak, and the Caps are probably no exception to that rule. While they've been playing unbelievable hockey for the past four weeks, they haven't always been perfect. The defense was full of holes, there was a parade to the penalty box, and a little goalpost luck, but through all of that, the Capitals extended their winning streak to twelve games. Enjoy it while it lasts.

The best two players on the ice were easily Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Ovechkin assisted on the team's second goal, scored the third and fourth, and picked up his 500th career point in the process. Backstrom, on the verge of a possible 7-10 year contract extension chipped in with four PRIMARY assists and a nice goal of his own. There's a lot to critique about this one, so let's do it:

• What the hell is up with the HD feed when the Caps play in New York, on Long Island, or in Jersey? Do they get their video feed from MSG? It looks like butt.
• Mike Green might have been suspended this week, but his spirit lived on in Tom Poti. Not only did Poti manage to draw a pivotal penalty in the third period as he glided through all five Rangers on a rush, but he scored the game-tying goal as well. His defense at points showed some of the ugly Green spirit as well...
• Eric Fehr was eerily quiet with over three minutes of power play time. Maybe Gabby should just keep him 5-on-5, since that's where he performs the best.
• Tyler Sloan looked overmatched all night. Not such a good thing when you're playing an offensively inept team.
• Tomas Fleischmann had an extremely quiet two points, but he was ugly in the faceoff circle, winning only 27% of his draws.
• Thirteen of eighteen skaters had at least one hit for the Caps. Eight of those guys had a multiple hit night. That's got to be a record, right?
• You know Nicklas Backstrom's game (and confidence) has advanced to a new level when he steps in front of Ovi to take a power play shot. That was a ballsy play and a great shot.
• I really want to make an appropriate Mike Knuble Photoshop, but it has to be perfect. The guy is just unreal right now. Another year, another twenty goals.
• Sean Avery had a quietly ugly game. Besides the little dust-up at the end of the second, did he even do anything? Couldn't happen to a bigger jerk.

Hero of the Night:

Alex Ovechkin gets it, hands down. His 500th point was fittingly beautiful. Why is it that New Yorkers hate Michal Rozsival? Oh yeah...that's why.

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Comments (3)

tdbowles said:

	... agreed. if they play like this any more, the streak will be over soon. it would suck if it ended against pittsburgh. Theo was also not sharp last night and the PK was wretched. very entertaining game, but not one you wanna hang your hat on.
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February 05, 2010 | url
Votes: +1

Tidewater Tony said:

	Photoshop error Miz, Think you used the wrong X-men character. Shouldn't it be Colossus? Isn't he the Russian machine that never breaks? Sorry bud, comic fail.
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February 05, 2010
Votes: +1

The Miz said:

	... I thought of Colossus first, but the whole metal skin thing would have been tough. If you've got any suggestions (and I'm serious about this) on how to do it, I'd love to hear them and I'll redo it.
	report abuse vote down vote up

February 05, 2010
Votes: +0

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