Series 1, Game 1: Responsibility

What to make of the Caps last night?  Sure, Wednesday night was filled with 4 straight upsets as well, so the Caps losing only fit the bill, but did it?

Lets be honest, in Game 1 against the Canadiens that Caps played absolutely terrible.  Looking at the numbers (out shooting, out hitting, out blocking, out face-offing(?)) you might think the Caps played a great game, but they didn't.  They played horrendously.  Just take a look at the 3-1 during OT, with Nicky as the head man, bring the puck down ice and ... doing NOTHING.  Didn't pass, didn't shoot.  Just kept skating till he was past the goal and then flung it in desperation into the back of the netting.  WTF!  Maddening!  I could see this from some scared AHL call up, but Nick Backstrom?!  Supposedly one of the best centers in the entire game second to only Crosby himself?  Or how about Ovechkin, the leagues leading goal scorer and leading shot attempter for the past 3 years, not have a single SOG in a game that lasted 74 minutes?!

Before you begin all the "all hope isn't lost", "dude, its just game 1 and the Canadiens needed help just to barely win" or even "the Caps always win if they lose the first game and lose if they win the first game" crap, this type of game last night is exactly what will fuel every other team we face this post season.  Seeing that the Caps can play weak, that they can be beat gives other teams purpose, reason and drive.  It shows them it can be done, that the Caps can be frustrated and fail to adjust and that all you have to do is watch tape and exploit.  This wasn't just a loss, it was a message.  If the Caps don't receive it, this is going to be a painful post-season.

As for Ovechkin, things need to change.  He had a great year this year, we already know that.  But this post-olympic/suspension "slump" hes going through has a cause.  That cause needs to be identified, whether its injury, depression from losing the olympics or fear of suspension, and it needs to be fixed.  Now.  This is the playoffs.  This is why he is paid 10 million dollars a year, because he is the best player in the league.  Time to start acting like it.  Crosby did his job (3 assists) and Malkin has really done his (2 goals, assist).  Time for Ovechkin to do his.

Its one thing to lose when Lord Stanley is sitting in your garage, its another when you've never even met him.