The middle point of the NHL season has arrived. With 41 games done, there is still a long way to go until the Stanley Cup playoffs begin in April. But we do have enough evidence to hand out mid-term grades to the Capitals, who sit third in the Eastern Conference.
FORWARDS » Considering the Caps have scored more goals than any other NHL team it’d be hard to give them anything else but an “A.” Six forwards have at least 10 goals — led by Alex Ovechkin‘s 26 in 33 games. Three more — Eric Fehr (9), Matt Bradley (7) and Mike Knuble (7) will get there. Hard to stop that kind of depth. Grade » A
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DEFENSEMEN » This group takes some heat. But only 10 teams have allowed fewer goals (116). Their best player, Mike Green, is an offensive genius. There is no crease-clearing warrior like Chris Pronger — and won’t be barring a shocking trade. But this group can skate. Jeff Schultz is ninth in NHL at +15. Grade » B
GOALIES » Starting to sense trouble here. Rookie Semyon Varlamov took over the job last month from veteran Jose Theodore — exactly what the Caps wanted. Unfortunately, Varlamov — with a history of groin and knee injuries — is hurt again and had a setback during a recent rehab start at AHL Hershey. Meanwhile, Caps are going with rookie Michal Neuvirth over Theodore. The 21-year-old has had four good games and two stinkers. Theodore ranks 40th in goals-against average (3.05) and 41st in save percentage (.896). Grade » C
