Caps 2, Canadiens 0
That was quite a road trip. Missing key players all over the ice the Caps still won games at Montreal (twice), Philadelphia and New Jersey. They went 4-2 during a six-game road swing away from Verizon Center and earned eight of 12 points. They are now 15-3 in their last 18 games and playing a style of hockey that should translate well to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The latest win was a 2-0 shutout at Montreal on Saturday night. Braden Holtby was recalled from AHL Hershey to fill in for the ill Michal Neuvirth. The team didn’t want to take a chance pushing Semyon Varlamov (knee) on back-to-back nights. The young Russian had allowed two goals on Friday at Ottawa – but it was his first game back from injury since a win at Buffalo on Feb. 20.
That doesn’t exactly inspire great confidence that Varlamov is ready to endure the grind of a playoff series. But that’s a problem for another day. Still don’t think Holtby is in the mix for a starting job in the postseason. Neuvirth has time to get healthy and get some starts in over the final six games. Holtby needs to be at Hershey for the AHL playoffs to stay sharp in case he’s needed again in the District. Didn’t need to do much tonight. Holtby stopped 18 Montreal shots, including just three in the first period. That was one of Washington’s strongest defensive performances of the season.
Just six games left for the Caps and the lone playoff team remaining on the schedule is Buffalo on April 2 – though a desperate Carolina team on Tuesday won’t be any picnic. Otherwise, they’ll see Toronto, Columbus and Florida twice. Four of those games are at Verizon Center so there’s a chance for a strong finish. Word is injured forwards Alex Ovechkin and Jason Arnott could practice on Monday at Kettler Iceplex. Wouldn’t expect them to see game action until later in the week, at the earliest. There’s just no need to push it. Same goes for defenseman Mike Green (concussion) and Tom Poti (groin). Washington gets a well-deserved day off on Sunday after back-to-back games.
Southeast Division magic number is down to any combination of seven points for the Caps or not gained by Tampa Bay, which beat Carolina tonight, 4-2. Things are getting tight at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, though, with Montreal tied with the Rangers in points – ahead via the tiebreak only on fewer shootout victories – with No. 8 Buffalo just two points back of those clubs. Washington is now six up on No, 3 seed Boston and two behind No. 1 Philadelphia.
Against the Habs, Marco Sturm and Alex Semin each had a goal and an assist. Thought Nicklas Backstrom played his best game since returning for good from the fractured left thumb. He had seven shots on goal and a pair of assists. Thought the defensive pairing of John Erskine and Scott Hannan was excellent, too. Although, let’s be honest – the entire blueline did fine as Montreal failed to score for a third game in a row. That hasn’t happened in 62 years.
And, um, let’s just say they aren’t taking that well in Montreal righty now. Was on CJAD-800 AM for the Habs postgame show on its flagship radio network. While on hold waiting to go on air I got to hear a couple of callers. Two of them wanted everyone in the organization fired. Too many “Ottawa people” running the show, apparently. Another was sure the Canadiens would miss the playoffs entirely. This a team that is seven points up on No. 9 Carolina with six games left. I know they haven’t scored in three games, folks. But pop some Xanax. Seriously. Having said that – don’t think the Caps would be all that upset to see the Habs drop to No. 7 and let the Bruins deal with the Rangers. Last year was painful and all, but this isn’t the same Montreal team. Anyway, back at it Monday for practice as we hit the home stretch.
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