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(photo by Greg Fiume)

For all of the talented individual players on the Washington Capitals, they’ve still got plenty of work to be done if the Caps are going to be considered legitimate contenders this season.

That’s been readily apparent in the last two games – losses to the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.

Yes, the team can score goals with the best of them, as evident by their league-leading 18 goals through just four games. But they’ve given up 15 goals over the same span – which is tied for tops in the league.

Forwards Nicklas Backstrom (10 points), Alexander Semin (nine points) and Alex Ovechkin (nine points) are the league leaders in scoring, but there are still too many times when each player tries to do too much.

Sometimes they get away with the “cutesy” play, whether it be attempting to skate through multiple defenders or attempting a highlight-worthy pass instead of a high-percentage, by-the-books pass. But just as often, it results in a turnover and an odd-man rush in the other direction. We understand that the Capitals are going to live and die with this high-risk, high-reward mentality, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay for players to sacrifice team play.

And while we’re on the subject of scoring, it should be pointed out that aside from the Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin line, the only other goal scorers for the Caps this season comprise the second line – forwards Brooks Laich, Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble.

For those keeping score at home, that means the team’s top six forwards have 18 goals. The other two offensive lines and the entire defensive rotation has zero. That will have to change, because it’s impossible to expect the top lines to continue to rack up points at such a ridiculous pace.

One player the team would love to see get going is offensive defenseman Mike Green. Against the Rangers, Green registered just two shots on goal. Unfortunately for Green and the Caps, he also had seven shots that were blocked and six others that missed the net entirely.

There’s an old saying about missing a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take, but misfiring on 13 out of 15 shot attempts ain’t much better.

Sadly, as a team, the Caps pretty much followed Green’s lead when it came to taking ill-advised shots against goalie Henrik Lundquist and the Rangers. Washington finished the game with 28 shots on goal, but had 22 shots blocked and missed the net 18 times.

Conversely, New York registered 29 shots on goal with just eight shots that were blocked and 11 that missed the net. And to take it one step further, the Rangers had 13 different players block at least one shot. The Capitals had just five players get in the way of the puck.

The numbers don’t lie. The Rangers were making smarter decisions on offense and their players were hustling and willing to sacrifice the body on defense in order to shut down the high-powered Capitals.

It doesn’t matter who you have in net, you’re not winning too many games when the numbers are this lopsided.

Now, that being said, Jose Theodore would love to have a do-over on both third-period goals he allowed. Just 18 seconds after Backstrom scored his second goal of the night, giving the Caps a 3-2 lead, Theodore ensured that any and all momentum in the team’s favor quickly vanished by allowing a “softie” to Rangers forward Marian Gaborik.

And then, it happened again less than three minutes later, with Gaborik scoring the eventual game-winner during a New York powerplay.

Speaking of the powerplay, it has not been kind to Washington during these last two games. Against the Flyers, the Capitals were called for nine penalties and allowed three powerplay goals. Last night, the Caps were given nine powerplay opportunities and scored just once on the Rangers. Not good times.

This team has the potential to be memorable. But it’s been said more than once, potential just means “ain’t done shit yet.” Players need to make smarter decisions, whether it’s avoiding taking bone-headed penalties or unnecessarily risky passes through traffic.

These players also need to understand that no team can win on offense alone. You want to watch a team that gladly abandons defense while attempting to run-and-gun past their opponent? Watch the Wizards win less than 20 games a year.

But that’s how the Capitals have looked in their own zone over the last two games. They don’t seem to care if the opponent scores, because they believe they can bounce right back and put points on the board on the other end.

This team doesn’t need to become a reincarnation of the 90’s New Jersey Devils, trapping opponents to death, but they could at least pretend to acknowledge that defense matters. Otherwise, this is going to be a long, long season.

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Washington Capitals center David Steckel ranked in the top five in the NHL last season in faceoff percentage – winning 57.9 of the draws he took. He’s made a living on coach Bruce Boudreau’s checking line and as one of the team’s most trusted penalty killers.

But hockey fans saw a new side of the 6-foot-5 center during the team’s postseason run, scoring several key goals – including the overtime winner in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It’s no secret we love the way Steckel plays the game. In fact, we singled him out as a potential breakout player in our season preview earlier this week. With that in mind, we caught up with the 27-year-old on the eve of the season opener to make sure he makes us look good.

Be honest, how excited are you to get back out on the ice and make a run at the Stanley Cup?

“I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s been a really long summer and all of our guys worked hard in the offseason because we’ve got something to prove this year. I think we’re all really looking forward to Thursday night.”

You had a very strong postseason – winning seemingly every faceoff you took and adding a scoring touch to your arsenal. What are you going to do for an encore?

“I’m just trying to keep the momentum going and build off of it,” Steckel said. “We had great chemistry with our line [of Steckel, Brooks Laich and Matt Bradley] and individually, I had some success scoring goals. I’m going to get a shot with the third line this year, so I want to make sure I keep it and be an asset to this team.”

We’ve been talking you up for a while, so it was nice of you to make us look good.

(Laughs). “Yeah, and I want to build off that and prove to people that I am that kind of player,” he said. “I’m not just defensive minded.”

Could you talk to us about the new guys – Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison – and what you’ve seen from them so far?

“They fit right in,” Steckel said. “I wouldn’t classify them as new anymore. It feels like they’ve already been here for a while, so in that sense, they’ve been awesome. They bring to the table a lot of the things we were missing last year and they’re proven NHL players. They’re going to be great for us. They bring great leadership, and it’s always good to have a veteran presence in the locker room.”

What does this team have to do to make it to the next level?

“I think we’re there,” he said. “The first year, the first series against Philly, we were just happy to be there. We had a great run at the end of the year just to make the playoffs. Last year, I thought we had the team and character to do it – I think we all did. This year we’re going in with the mentality that anything less is going to be disappointing. As long as we keep that mindset, I think you’ll see a lot of the same things as last year. And hopefully, with some improvements.”

And on a personal level, what can we expect from you this year?

“Same old stuff,” Steckel said. “Being strong on the penalty kill, great on faceoffs and hopefully chipping in a few more goals this year.”

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Opposing defensemen hate playing against a guy like Mike Knuble.

He’s not brash. He’s not cocky. He’s not flashy. He simply stands in front of the crease and fights for any loose puck that comes his way, kind of like a garbage man on skates.

That’s how the 37-year-old forward has made a living in the NHL. By planting his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame near the goal and playing power forward. Last season, Knuble scored 27 goals and 20 assists for the Philadelphia Flyers. His goals rarely end up in the highlight reel, but they’re the kind of tallies that win playoff games.

Conveniently for Washington, he’s exactly the kind of player the Capitals lacked one year ago. Led by Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Mike Green, the Caps can outskate and outscore most teams in the league. Unfortunately, none of those players really cares to crash the net, which explains why the Capitals’ front office moved quickly to sign the blue-collar free agent.

And judging by the comments from Caps defensemen, they couldn’t be happier to be playing with Knuble instead of against him.

“He’s one of those tough players who always plays in front of the net,” said defenseman Mike Green. “He’s a big guy who plays very solid, so it’s hard to move him. And he’s good with his stick – I think he had 30 goals last year, and I’m sure not very many of them were because he dangled out of the corner and scored. He just battles in front of the net. That’s something we need on this hockey team, and he’s going to bring that element.”

Judging by his preseason production (four goals and one assist), Knuble seems to be fitting in quite nicely, huh?

“He’s going to fit in great,” said defenseman Tom Poti. “He’s a guy I’ve been playing against for a number of years. He’s a hard worker in the corners. He sticks that big body in front of the net and gets a lot of dirty goals. He’s fitting in great with the guys. He’s a veteran in this league, and he’s jelled with the guys in the room. We’re very excited to have him here.”

Green quickly agreed with Poti’s assessment.

“He’s done a good job and you have to give kudos to him,” he said. “It’s always tough coming to a new team because you don’t know what to expect, but he seems to fit right in.”

What’s it like to play against someone like Knuble?

“He makes it tough on the defense,” said Poti. “He’s such a big body and he just plants himself there. He’s a heavy guy and he’s pretty strong, so he’s tough to move in there – especially with the new rules and regulations in the league. You’ve got to let him stand there. He’s a tough guy to play against, but a great guy to have on your team.”

A selfless player like Knuble could potentially flourish alongside guys like Ovechkin and Backstrom, right?

“Oh definitely,” Poti said. “He’s going to park himself in front of the net and teams are going to have to pay attention to him. With the other skill guys moving around making fancy plays and passes and him in front of the net, the goalie isn’t going to see too many shots on net. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of goals from him and his linemates.”

Knuble has had at least 20 goals and 45 assists in each of his last six seasons. He rarely misses games and logs a ton of minutes every night. Fans anxious to see him in action with the Caps should look no further than the other team’s net. He’ll be there, whether opposing defensemen like it or not.

(AP photo)

The Washington Capitals begin their quest for the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup tonight in Boston against the Bruins. While last year’s roster remains largely intact, there are a few new faces in the lineup. With that in mind, we sat down with center Brendan Morrison to help Caps fans get to one of the new guys.

First of all, welcome to Washington. If you could, tell us a little bit about yourself and your game.

“Thanks. I’m excited about being here,” Morrison said. “This is a really good team with a good, young core of guys. I believe this team has a chance to win. Myself? I think I bring a little bit of a veteran presence. On offense, I’m more of a passer than a shooter, but I’m a guy who can finish as well. I like to think I’m solid defensively.

“Throughout my career I’ve been on the powerplay, I’ve killed penalties and I just want to go out and play solid hockey,” he said. “The last few years I’ve had to deal with a lot of injuries. I just want to get back on track, have a good year and help this team win any way I can and have some fun while I’m doing it.”

What, if anything, has coach Bruce Boudreau said to you about your role on the team?

“We’ve had a couple of good talks,” Morrison said. “The key is just being healthy. I told him I do feel healthy. Last season I wasn’t, but I feel good now. He said they expect me to get back to being a guy who is an offensive producer and a guy who is a threat on a nightly basis. I’m all for that and I feel that can definitely happen. I played on some pretty good teams in Vancouver, but this team has the most skill I’ve ever been a part of. I’m going to try and be a leader, as much as I can, and contribute.”

You really think this team is one of the most talented you’ve been a part of?

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “If you’re talking purely skill-wise, it’s easily at the top – and I haven’t even played a game yet. I’m just watching in practice what these guys can do with the puck and yeah, there’s a lot of skill in this room.”

What you’re saying is it wasn’t a tough choice to come to the Caps in free agency, huh?

“It really wasn’t that difficult of a decision,” Morrison said. “I talked to a few teams on July 1st, but once I heard that Washington was interested, I told my agent, ‘Let’s get something done.’ I like this group. They’re a tough team to play against and for me personally, it’s a great chance for me to come in and play with some really talented wingers. I think their talent level is unparalleled in this league, so it should be fun.”

As a guy who likes to pass, you’ve got no shortage of options in guys like Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Mike Green and others. It’s got to be a good feeling to know you basically just have to look up, see someone in a red sweater and once you make the pass, it’s probably going to earn you an assist, right?

(Laughs). “Yeah. They score a lot of goals, so it should be fun,” Morrison said. “With the addition of Mike Knuble as well, and Brooks Laich has back-to-back 20 goal years, Tomas Fleischmann is another young guy who can score. We’ve definitely got a good mix of guys.”

So what does this team have to do to get to the promise land?

“Well, I think we need to play a few regular season games to see exactly, but offense is no issue,” he said. “We can score goals. I think one thing we can get better at is learning how to win tight games – especially late in games. Instead of always being on the offensive, there’s times when you have to be a little cautious and make the smart play. That’s something you have to learn as a team, and that’s the kind of stuff that could put us over the top.”

(courtesy photo)

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with one of our favorite childhood players, former Washington Capitals defenseman Al Iafrate. For those not familiar, the man was big and tough, fast as hell and had a slapshot like no other. Oh, and he had a hairstyle that rivaled Barry Melrose. So needless to say, this trip down memory lane was a fun one.

Before we get started, what are you up to these days?

“I work for Warrior Sports in their hockey division,” Iafrate said. “Warrior is a division of New Balance, and I work with some NHL hockey teams on some cheaper business products and do a little bit of sales to the pros with sticks.”

“It’s a company that was founded in the mid-90’s and overtook the lacrosse market. It’s now the biggest lacrosse company in the world. They introduced the hockey division in ’05 and they’ve also got volleyball, field hockey, soccer and others. Warrior is the newest name in your mainstream hockey companies, and it’s grown by leaps and bounds within hockey.”

How does your time with the Washington Capitals stack up against the rest of your lengthy NHL career?

“It was awesome,” he said. “Terry Murray was the coach for 95 percent of when I was there, and [Caps general manager] David Poile and [Capitals president] Dick Patrick were there the whole time I was there. My whole career was unbelievable. I guess there’s only one thing I didn’t do, which was win a Stanley Cup. And a lot of players can say that. Other than that, the individual success was great. But I never got to lift the Holy Grail, which is the only reason I wish I was still playing. I couldn’t imagine anything like it. I can only dream about it.

“Those Caps teams were some of the best teams I played on, but obviously we couldn’t get past Pittsburgh when we needed to and they went on to win two Stanley Cups,” he said. “I just feel fortunate I was born healthy and got to live out my dream for 14 or 15 years there.”

Like you said, you played on some really good Capitals teams back in the early 90’s. Fast forward to today and our nation’s capital is falling in love with hockey all over again now that Alex Ovechkin and friends are here. How’s it feel to see your old team being considered an elite franchise?

“I think it’s great,” Iafrate said. “When I was there, the Redskins were winning Super Bowl after Super Bowl. To see the Caps now, it’s a tribute to the ownership. It’s a tribute to the front office guys there who work the draft, the marketing people and everyone else. They’ve got a great infrastructure there and it translates out onto the ice where they’ve got the highest profile player in the world. They’ve got a very exciting team that is going to challenge for the Cup. I know D.C. can be a tough crowd, so it’s great that they’re the toast of the town. And they should be – they’re very exciting to watch and they have a bright future. I think it’s great, and I think it’s great for hockey.”

You were recently in town for the Capitals Convention. How was it?

“It was a lot like All-Star weekend, with the fanfests that they do,” he said. “It was a great way for the team to give something back to the fans, who could come out and meet the players and see the trophies that players fight for their whole life to try and win. There was a lot of stuff for kids to do. There was plenty of access to current players and guys from the past that everyone loves. Kids can shoot pucks. Kids can stop pucks. It was a pretty festive atmosphere. It was great.”

Your 105.2 mile per hour slapshot is what young hockey players go to bed dreaming of. How the hell were you able to shoot a puck so hard?

(Laughs). “I think it’s a combination of a lot of things,” Iafrate said. “A lot of it is having the product you shoot with dialed in. A lot of it is how fast can you skate, because you want to get a 10 or 15 foot head start into the puck, and then there’s the physics involved – how big you are, how fast you’re moving, the inertia that helps propel the puck – and just knowing how to hit the puck properly. It involves technique and years of practice.

“Everyone always wants to draw similarities between golf and hockey, but when you break it down, shooting a hockey puck and hitting a golf ball are very different,” he said. “If I’ve taken two million shots in my life, my body was never in the same exact position twice. Whether it’s the angle of the play to my skates or whatever, it’s not a static shot. You’re always moving when you hit a hockey puck.”

You’ve been retired for more than a decade. How hard do you think you can fire the puck if you stepped out onto the ice today?

“Everyone always asks me that and I’m a really humble guy,” Iafrate said. “It’s not going to sound like a humble answer, but when you’re in the 99th percentile, it’s really hard to get a good percentage gain. Whether we’re talking about sprinting, or how far you can drive a golf ball or hit a baseball or whatever, it’s hard to get much of an increase.

“I don’t really think I could say how hard I could hit it now because I don’t really play anymore, so I’m not focused on being dialed into my stick,” he said. “So I’ve never had a stick made exactly the way I want it, just for me, just for that shot. But I will say this – they’ve been holding the hardest shot contest since the early 90’s and only three guys have ever really won it consistently. Me – and I will add, I never lost to anyone. (Laughs) – Al MacInnis and Zdeno Chara.

“Chara’s won it four or five times in a row. I won it a bunch of times, and the only time Al didn’t win, was when I beat him,” Iafrate said. “If I wouldn’t have been in it, MacInnis probably would have won it 11 or 12 times.”

So if we put all three of you on the ice, who is walking away with bragging rights?

“Al MacInnis, in a game situation, had the best shot from the blue line ever,’ he said. “Hardest shot contest, if we had to do it today, Chara probably wins. And if we raced one time around the rink, I’d win. I’d be faster than both of them.”

How much fun would it be to play on a team with someone like Ovechkin?

“It’d be great,” Iafrate said. “Hockey, fundamentally, has always been a skating game. It really seems now, with the way they call the games, is tailor-made for the way I played. It’s a speed game, with a lot of puck movement and puck control. I played with a lot of great players over my career, but it’d definitely be fun to play with a guy like Ovechkin.”

Do the Caps have what it takes to make a legitimate run at the Stanley Cup this year?

“Time is going to tell,” he said. “At the end of the year, every team sits down and assesses what they have to do to get to the next level. The Caps lost in a tough seven game series to Pittsburgh, you know, I experienced that. Ultimately, I believe it comes down to teams that can generate an unbelievable offense from a great defense. Teams that win championships – in any sport – typically have great defenses that help generate their offense. The Caps have the makings, now it’s just a matter of putting it all together on the ice.”

(photo by Jim McIsaac)

The Washington Capitals kick off what has to be D.C.’s most anticipated professional sports season in recent memory Thursday night, when they take on the Boston Bruins in their season opener.

Why are folks so jacked up for the upcoming season? That’s easy.

The Redskins ended any hopes of a competitive season when they lost to the inept Detroit Lions 19-14 Sunday. The Nationals have lost more than 100 games for the second consecutive season and still look years away from being a competent franchise. The Wizards are heading into a season with a bunch of jump shooters who don’t play defense. So yeah, the fact that the Caps are viewed as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, is kind of a big deal.

DC Pro Sports Report recently asked local bloggers to predict how the upcoming season will play out. While we were asked to keep our answer brief for them, we decided to expound on our original answers for the benefit of our loyal readers.

1. Will the Capitals three-peat as Southeast Division Champs?

Yep.

This team is arguably the deepest the Caps have been under the guidance of coach Bruce Boudreau. Forwards Sergei Fedorov, Viktor Kozlov and Donald Brashear have been let go. Forwards Mike Knuble, Brendan Morrison and a handful of youngsters have been given the chance to earn their open roster spots.

Meanwhile, the defense is stocked with promising, young talent. Tom Poti and Brian Pothier are each 32. Everyone else is under 30 – with guys like Shaone Morrisonn (26), Milan Jurcina (26) and Mike Green (23) each having plenty of hockey left to be played.

And the goaltending situation looks solid as well, with Semyon Varlamov, Jose Theodore and even Michal Neuvirth looking like solid options in net.

2.  Do you foresee a Washington Capitals Stanley Cup appearance this season?

If they’re following the Pittsburgh Penguins script, then Year 3 ends in a Stanley Cup Finals visit. The first year the Caps just dipped their toe in the pool. Last year, they waded into the kiddie pool area. This year? They’re bouncing off the diving board into the deep end.

3. If and when will youngster Semyon Varlamov wrestle the starting goalie spot from Jose Theodore?

We’re of the mindset that the team is only calling Theodore the starter to try and get some kind of trade value for him. If they can get his big price tag off the books while bringing back something in a trade, they’d do it tomorrow. If not, they’ll roll into the season splitting time between Theodore and Varlamov.

And if they can package Theodore and disgruntled forward Michael Nylander in a trade, then George McPhee should immediately be tasked with fixing our economy.

4. Seems each year there is a surprise offensive player?  Who would you project to be that player this season for the Caps?

Watch for the continued emergence of underrated center David Steckel. It started last year in the playoffs, and will continue this season. The guys does a lot more than win faceoffs and kill penalties. He can score. He can pass. He does all of the little, unselfish things a coach loves. He might have earned his way onto the roster playing as a grinder, but Steckel can basically play any role Boudreau asks of him. Here’s hoping the team continues to find minutes for the most underrated player in that locker room.

5.  What player or type of player do you think the Caps need to make the push to win the Stanley Cup?

The Knuble signing was huge. Having Knuble, Steckel, Brooks Laich and a healthy Chris Clark gives the team several gritty players who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty. Clearly, that’s what was missing a year ago when the team thought that they could skate ‘figure eights’ around the competition in the postseason.

Knuble led the Caps with four goals in the preseason, and there’s little reason to think he won’t continue to prosper playing on a line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom for the bulk of the season.

6.  What impact do you think 2008 first rounder John Carlson will make this season with the Caps?

Why rush the kid? Even though both of them are going to start the season in the minors, I’m expecting bigger things from Karl Alzner. He logged 30 games with Washington a year ago and has an idea of the physical and emotional toll it takes to stick at this level. Let’s give Carlson a little more time before we throw any lofty expectations at him.