It was never a question of skill.
Capitals right wing Alexander Semin has talent enough. His innate ability to curl and drag the puck on his stick can gain him space against almost any NHL defenseman. His ability to rife a shot toward any open corner of the net gives goalies nightmares.
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But it was always the little things that limited Semin’s enormous promise: Just 18 months ago, during a game at Tampa Bay, Semin cost the Caps a game when he picked up the puck and threw it after being knocked to the ice. Tampa scored on the ensuing power play and Semin’s teammates blasted him afterwards. He recorded 90 penalty minutes in 2006-07, an absurd total for a player who doesn’t fight. This season, Semin has taken just two penalties in nine games. That’s a small sample size, but an encouraging trend.
And the skill is still there. Semin entered last night leading the NHL in points (16) and tied for the lead in goals (8). Monday vs. Nashville, Semin had a goal, an assist and a shootout goal to help Washington to a 4-3 win.
“I watched that goal [Semin] scored in the shootout and I don’t know of any goalie in the league who could stop that,” Nashville coach Barry Trotz told The Examiner’s Brian McNally. “He’s a real special player.”