Caps off to strong start; Boudreau pleased with the defense
By: Brian McNally
Examiner Staff Writer
October 20, 2009
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| Caps goalie Jose Theodore has played well so far this season. (Getty Images) |
Washington has early lead in Southeast
So far, so good for the Capitals. Through eight games they have won four of them and earned another two points thanks to overtime or shootout losses. The schedule has been littered with strong playoff contenders in October, yet they still have an early lead in the Southeast Division.
So with four days off until their next game at division rival Atlanta on Thursday, Washington (4-2-2, 10 points) has a chance to examine what's gone right and where things still need to be tweaked.
"I'm happy with the goals allowed, which is eight in the last four games, and the shots allowed, which is at about 27 per game," Caps coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters after practice on Monday. "But we've still got a long ways to go. We can play well for a long time and then give up some brain-dead chances where our goalies have to bail us out."
That's been part and parcel of the Caps struggling to put games away consistently. They lost a one-goal lead late at Philadelphia earlier this month and allowed two third-period goals in a home loss to the Rangers. A 2-0 lead disappeared against the Devils in a shootout loss last Monday. Five days later, the exact same thing happened against Nashville -- though Washington still won in a shootout, 3-2. Players have been adamant that the Caps have to get better at finishing off opponents -- especially teams that can't match their imposing talent level.
Injuries are a nagging issue -- though nowhere near last year's disastrous first two months where almost the entire defensive corps from AHL affiliate Hershey made an appearance at one time or another. Defenseman John Erskine (bruised hand) should be ready to return soon. Forward Tomas Fleischmann is still on long-term injured reserve with a blood clot. Forward Boyd Gordon and goalie Jose Theodore are both dealing with back spasms, but will have time to heal before Thursday's contest against the Thrashers.
Meanwhile, the Caps returned center Keith Aucoin to Hershey on Monday after practice. He had been filling in on the third line with Gordon, normally a fourth-liner, out of the lineup.
