Capitals forward Alex Semin responded to his benching on Monday night with one of his best games of the season. The question now, as always: Will he revert to his old ways.
Too many penalties (14). Too many attempts at the brilliant play – which Semin can produce in spades – vs. simply getting the puck into the offensive zone and letting his teammates help with the heavy lifting. None of that was in evidence on Wednesday night in a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
“It’s actually not important whether it was my best game or not,” Semin said through translator Dmitry Chesnokov. “The most important thing is that we won. And I’m just happy that I didn’t pick up a penalty.”
At least his sense of humor remained intact because Semin was distraught about the benching when it happened. Credit due to Alex Ovechkin for not forcing the issue driving up the left wing early in the first period. He waited for the defender to close on him and whipped a pass back across the slot to the charging Semin, who blasted his shot past Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec.
“No one likes to sit out. I know when I sit out I’m pretty pissed off,” Caps forward Jason Chimera said. “It’s good for [Semin]. You could see he had a little more jump in his step tonight, which is great to see. I think that was his best game of the year because he skated, he hustled, he made some big hits and kept pucks going. There were no turnovers. He kept the puck deep the whole time, which is great. So kudos to him. He had a great comeback game and it’s good to see. “
Semin didn’t assist on any of the other Washington goals. But he wasn’t on the ice for any of Winnipeg’s, either. He registered three shots and missed the net five times. One attempt was blocked. Was also credited with one takeaway in 18 minutes, 25 seconds of ice time. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said he was pleased, but didn’t go much beyond that.
“I think [Semin] was in the game today,” Ovechkin said. “He used his size. He used his skill. You can see how he was a little bit hungry today. It’s good sign for us.”
Now for the next challenge: Put together a game just like it against the Rangers on Friday. Semin was still saying afterwards that he hadn’t changed anything in his game. He played the same way as before the benching and this was the result. Not sure that’s what the coaching staff wants to hear. But as long as the results on the ice are the same, I guess whatever works at this point. Semin did acknowledge that he’s fine with the stricter definition of discipline the coaching staff is employing this season.
“Everybody’s the same, everybody’s equal in this situation,” Semin said through Chesnokov. “It so happened to be that I was sat, but it can happen to absolutely anybody. Such is life. I just don’t wish it to anyone to be scratched.”
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