Caps 4, Florida Panthers 1
How are things going for the Caps right now? Even when they don’t play all that well they win comfortably. This time it was a 4-1 win over the Panthers – their fifth of the year over Florida. That extends the winning streak to nine games – one shy of tying the 1983-84 franchise record.
“I thought we were lucky, actually, because I don’t think we had our best game tonight,” Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We gave up way too many chances, but [goalie Michal Neuvirth] was outstanding. When you have good goaltending sometimes you overlook your mistakes.”
Mike Knuble scored a pair of goals and defenseman Jeff Schultz and forward Nicklas Backstrom had the others. Knuble – who earned the hard hat, of course – was off his career numbers for a bit earlier this season as he dealt with the affects of a broken finger. He missed 12 games and on his return Dec. 11 scored just once in eight games. But after a torrid January, Knuble is on his way to a typical season. He has 18 goals and 15 assists. He has topped 20 goals each of the last six seasons. The main reason for his recent hot streak – aside from better health?
“Linemates. You’re talking arguably two of the top young guys in the league, if not the world,” Knuble said. “[Ovechkin] is probably the best guy in the world and [Backstrom] is certainly climbing the ladder. So I’ve just been able to find a way to play with these guys and compliment them and we’re clicking and playing good in our own end.”
And that’s made the Caps an infinitely more dangerous offense. Washington is at 3.83 goals per game – by far the best in the NHL. The skill has always been there. But at times last season the Caps went games at a time without the net presence they needed. Certainly, it still had one of the league’s elite attacks. But that one dimension was too often left up to forward Brooks Laich.
“That’s something that we didn’t have – even though Brooks is developing into quite a presence in front of the net,” said Caps defenseman Brian Pothier. “But Mike’s special. He knows what he’s good at and he doesn’t want the puck unless he’s in the blue paint and that’s fine with him. He’s been successful for a long time doing that – and it’s something we didn’t have last year. If you watch him play, obviously he’s been great for us.
Nicklas Backstrom also had a fine game. The top-line center opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 7:26 of the first period. He had the primary assist on Knuble’s second goal and a secondary on his first. Both of those were at even strength. Backstrom now has 22 goals this season – tying a career high. He has 39 assists and 61 points overall. His career high in points was last season’s 88.
As for Schultz, he earned himself a legitimate goal tonight – not that crazy fluke thing he scored in Atlanta on Oct. 22 from 100 feet away. That goal tonight was his first in 42 games and means that every Caps player has scored at least once over the last 12 games. Schultz is up to 15 points on the season now – two shy of matching the career high set last season.
Caps Notes
» The Caps have outscored their opponents 19-3 in the third period during this nine-game winning streak. Tip of the hat to Caps’ PR man Nate Ewell for that nugget.
» Washington is now 12-2 in January. With the win the Caps matched the franchise record for most wins in a single month. They are two points shy of tying the record for points in a month (26).
» Thanks to Caps PR: Washington is the only NHL team whose top six scorers are all in their 20s. The old man? Brooks Laich, an aging 26. Not sure how much that guy has left in the tank.
» Alex Ovechkin assisted on Mike Knuble’s first goal at 4:47 of the second period. It was his 40th assist of the season.
» The Caps are 9-0-1 when they shoot 40 times or more. They outshot Florida 40-36 on Friday.
» In the last five games Washington has scored four goals or more. They have done that in 12 of their last 13 games overall save for a 3-2 win over Detroit on Jan. 19.
» Washington leads the NHL with 54 power-play goals after Backstrom’s tally in the first. The Caps have at least one in each of the last eight games. They are 15-for-37 in the last 11 games – an absurd 40.5 %.
» Forward Alex Semin’s assist extended his point streak to eight games. Over the last 13 Semin has 11 goals and 11 assists. That’s the best scoring month of his career.
Notable Quotable
Caps defenseman Brian Pothier on a rare goal by teammate Mike Knuble that came from outside the crease area. Knuble scored on a wrister at 7:25 of the third period to put the game out of reach.
“Unusual for [Knuble] – but every once in a while he gets lucky I guess,” Pothier cracked.
Caps defenseman Jeff Schultz on Michal Neuvirth’s play in goal.
“He’s worked real hard in practice and that’s how we expect him to play every night and when he does play that way he gives us the greatest chance of winning.”
Neuvirth on his own play against idol Tomas Vokoun – Florida’s goalie and a fellow Czech.
“I was maybe a little nervous in the game because I had too much respect for Vokoun. I watched him a lot when I was a kid. I settled down after a few saves and I kept rolling and I mean, I’m feeling good right now. I was working really hard.”
