Sixty Minute Effort, Sixty Minute Result

The Caps got the best player in the NHL back tonight, and dividends were paid immediately. Alex Ovechkin scored two goals in a 3-0 DC win over the Lightning, who they've now beaten in twelve straight games.

Thoughts on the game:

This was back and forth at the start, but when it settled down, it was dominated by the folks in white.

The Lightning were not outworked. Both teams fought hard, and the result was based on talent, not ethic.

Alex Ovechkin played a game style that was new for him. He was throwing his weight around, but obviously held up on some hits. He backchecked more than normal. He played a near perfect game. This Ovechkin is the scary good one.

Varlamov's save on Malone's power move to the net sealed the deal. There's no reason that Semyon should not be the number one goalkeeper. There's also no reason he shouldn't be in the discussion for rookie of the year. Goodness.

The Capitals are on a six game winning streak, and are playing the best hockey I've seen in a long time. This has them on top of the entire NHL right now, and they STILL have a game in hand on the Sharks, who play tonight as well, and who trail the Caps by 1 point.

Semin had a typical Semin game. It was good to see him play so well, but not so good to see him miss so many chances. Again.

Laich had a chance to put the game away before it was over, but didn't cash in on a perfect pass.

Hale's hit on Green was clean. In the wake of last two games, this was the third consecutive game with solid officiating.

Downie's hit on Pothier, however, was not clean, and was clearly from behind, and nearly a reverse slew-foot. Kudos to John Erskine, though, as he went after Downie. Pothier is one of Erskine's two "little brothers" it seems, the other being Semyon Varlamov. In a related story, I wish John Erskine was my big brother growing up.

The trailer tonight was not covered by either team. More than four or five times an odd man rush saw the puck finding it's way to a trailer, and more than once it generated a scoring chance. Crazy that such a wide open game ended in a three goal total for the game.


Three Stars:

3. Mike Smith - He really kept the Lightning in the game, and Fehr's and Ovechkin's second goals were not his fault. I told Old Capital before the game (direct quote) "They need to play dirty around the net to get in goals on smith, he's hot." OC's reply? "I'm sure we can do that." Points to me and him on that.

2. Alex Ovechkin - In his first game back, he played remarkably solid, and looked more like Ron Francis combined with Maurice Richard instead of Matt Cooke and Maurice Richard. The result? A great game.

1. Semyon Varlamov - He stole the game, it seemed. He was there for every offering the Lightning had, and made several saves you'd have thought in the past 5 years would have eaten up Capital goaltenders.

Up next for the Caps: A date in Buffalo on Wednesday, as the Capitals keep on this road trip. Five of the Caps next six games are on the road. Strange schedule, but Olympic years do that.