Monday, February 15, 2010

Are Opposing Teams Targeting the Caps?

It's no secret the Caps are a high-octane scoring machine this year. But have the Caps sacrificed defensively and physically as a result? While the prognosticators feel that the Caps should target an established goaltender during the Olympic break, the majority of insiders would tell you the Caps could benefit from a crease clearing defenseman should they wish to progress deep into the playoffs.

It is abundantly clear that the Capitals are a soft bunch. And that extends well beyond the needed crease clearer. It's something I think has become public knowledge across the league. I'd actually argue that this happened in the Caps' playoff run last year. Skilled players, most noticeable Mike Green, were consistently run and took a beating. Green was noticeably slower and less productive as a result.

This year, the Caps went enforcer-less. George McPhee let Donald Brashear bolt for an obscene contract that Glenn Sather dished out in New York. It was a good move by McPhee as Brashear is now a 38 year old enforcer taking fourth line duties in Hartford, the Rangers' AHL team. Brashear's contract doesn't clear from the Rangers' cap either because of his age.

But while McPhee made a good decision to let Brashear go, so what of replacing him? The Caps, who have always carried a tough guy, have gone enforcer-less up to the Olympic break.

So is/was this a good or bad decision? Have the Caps' skilled players been targeted more or less this year compared to last?

It's not even close folks. Matt Bradley, the toughest Cap dressed on a consistent basis, has lost more blood and brain cells than a zombie victim. Mike Green has a giant bulls eye on his back. And AO fighting and getting run??? I recall Brashear saying last year that he would get suspended if any player ever touched AO.

Enough with my thoughts. On to some videos from this year... unfortunately I couldn't find em all. But these will do:

Matt Bradley badly bloodied:


Ovechkin knees Gleason and gets the worse of it:

Duco beats on a turtling Giroux:

Carcillo KOs Bradley:

12/7/09 - David Hale crushed Mike Green who lies on the ice holding his face – No Video

Koci boards Mike Green from behind then beats Erskine:

12/18/09 – Tanner Glass puts Laich into the player’s bench. Laich doesn’t know what’s going on afterward (Caps scored) – No Video

Ovechkin about to fight Downie?

Konopka beats down Dave Steckel

Colton Orr with a cheap shot on Mike Green then beats up Morrisson:

Mike Green with the cheapest elbow of the year on Frolik:

Same game, Kulikov knees Green:

Boychuk destroys Ovechkin:

Adams hits Ovechkin from behind:

Janssen destroys Bradley then beats up Sloan:

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