Caps info and opinion
Caps info and opinion
Big game in CAR with WASH tonight. Zubrus might be back in the lineup but I doubt it, and Konowalchuk's return has given them a big boost defensively. He can now be on a checking line with Dahlen and Forbes. Bondra had 2 goals vs. CAL the other night and had several chances for the hattrick. That game snapped a big scoring slump for him and he is streaky so watch him. The PP has not been clicking very well lately and has dropped to 3rd in the league. They must convert PP chances to beat CAR tonight. Jagr had a couple of point blank chances that he could not get over a sprawling Turek the other night. That game could have easily been 4 or 5 to 2. Jagr and Oates have been carrying the team lately, so some help from others on offense tonight is key. CAR played last night and is coming off a long road trip where they went 4-3, winning the last 3. Prime let down time? We'll see. I wish I could remember where I found it earlier in the season, but if by some chance Weekes is playing tonight, I believe he has a terrible w/l record and save % lifetime vs. the Caps.
The Caps are treating this as a must win and not only can get to within 8 points of CAR with a win, but could get w/in 2 points of the 8th spot with NYR idle and some help from BUF vs. MTL tonight.
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 8, 2002; Page D04
Amid all of the uncertainty surrounding the Washington Capitals' quest to secure a playoff berth one thing is clear: Without a win against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh there will be little chance of taking a third straight Southeast Division title.
The Capitals are pursuing two avenues to reach the postseason -- pass Carolina and grab the third seed in the Eastern Conference by virtue of winning the division, or pass Montreal and the New York Rangers for the eighth and final seed in the conference. Washington trails the Hurricanes by 10 points and is three points out of the eighth spot.
"It's a big game; it will obviously have huge implications on the division title," Coach Ron Wilson said. "Does it solve the playoff situation? No. But the division title, if we want any realistic hope, we have to go in there and win the game, or at least tie the game."
Tonight's game will also be a strong indicator of the direction management takes heading into the March 19 trade deadline. General Manager George McPhee and owner Ted Leonsis have not decided if the team will be a buyer or a seller at the deadline, sources said. The Capitals play just five more games before the deadline and if they seem out of playoff contention, a purge could begin.
Center Adam Oates, leading the league in assists at age 39, and power forward Chris Simon drew significant interest from other clubs at the general manager meetings this week. Simon could be dealt regardless of the team's fortunes at the deadline with Washington appearing unlikely to exercise his $2.5 million option for next season, according to league sources. His size and strength are coveted by elite teams and there is a sense within the organization that he could yield a young impact prospect in return.
Oates's situation is more nebulous. He is the only true offensive center on the roster and dealing him would virtually eliminate a playoff climb.
Oates, an unrestricted free agent after the season, is unlikely to garner a player in return who can deliver in the short term given his age, and the club is loathe to send a message to fans that they have given up on this season. Oates is not a part of Washington's long-term future and sources said the team is highly unlikely to re-sign him to a multiyear deal (Oates wants at least a two-year deal), looking for younger, faster and bigger centers.
The weight of the situation is not lost on Oates, who demanded a trade last summer but now says he would like to finish his career in Washington.
The trade deadline "enters your mind every day because [the media] have talked to me about it every day," Oates said. "Does it enter your mind? Yeah, of course it does. That's why I always say you have to be a professional and play the best you can."
The Capitals will look to make minor deals at the deadline regardless of their standing, with Joe Sacco, Dmitri Khristich, Sylvain Cote and Frantisek Kucera available for draft picks; none of those players is expected to be back next season. Washington is desperate for a top center, a hard-hitting defenseman to pair with Sergei Gonchar and a young winger to play opposite Jaromir Jagr on the top line; acquiring any of those commodities at the trade deadline will be difficult with the offseason -- and free agency -- perhaps more conducive to meeting those needs.
A victory tonight and a successful start to next week's eight-game road trip could put such trade talk on hold, however. Leonsis and McPhee want nothing more than for this team to reach the playoffs, eager for indications they will do so.
The players' actions tonight will resonate most profoundly.
"There shouldn't be any question about being mad or being up for the game," winger Ulf Dahlen said. "Games in the regular season don't get bigger than they are [tonight]. We can close the gap by beating them. Every shift is going to be important if we are going to win."
Capitals Notes: Winger Dainius Zubrus was scheduled to have the cast taken off his broken right hand last night and, if he is not in great pain, could play tonight. . . . Cote was sick and did not practice yesterday but Wilson said he is expected to play tonight.
