Jagr returns to Capitals lineup
(Jan 22) tsn.ca - The Washington Capitals will have Jaromir Jagr back in the lineup for tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers.
Jagr has missed the last six games with a groin injury but told coaches on Monday that he was ready to return following a team practice.
Head coach Ron Wilson will be eager to get Jagr back in the lineup as the team looks to snap a three game losing streak. In the last five games, the Capitals have managed just a total of four goals.
Jagr's return will also see Wilson go back to the traditional four-line attack, abandoning the use of two defencemen in the traditional center role. Wilson says the change was necessary due to injuries at the forward spot.
Jagr Says He's Ready To Play
Winger to Add Punch To Capitals' Offense
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 22, 2002; Page D01
Winger Jaromir Jagr will return to the lineup tonight in Atlanta with his Washington Capitals in dire need of offensive help. Jagr, a five-time NHL scoring champion, has missed the last six games with a groin injury but told the coaching staff yesterday that he is ready to play.
"I survived the practice and that's a good thing," Jagr said. "I told the coaches that I am ready if they need me."
Coach Ron Wilson said: "Jags appears to be ready, so at least for right now he's playing."
Jagr, who has missed 13 of the Capitals' 50 games because of nagging injuries, is definitely needed. The Capitals, who have lost three straight games, have scored only four goals over the last five games and have not scored more than one goal in any of those games. Their power play, ranked first in the NHL, has not been getting many chances -- scoring goals on the man advantage is crucial to Washington's success -- primarily because of a lack of puck possession in the offensive zone and an anemic forecheck.
With Jagr (40 points in 37 games) back, the Capitals will return to a traditional four-line attack, dressing 12 forwards and six defensemen. Wilson had been using eight defensemen a game and two defensemen in the role originally designed for the team's centers when his club was short at the forward spot and had a spiraling goals against average. Now the team is searching for the right blend of offensive creativity and defensive discipline.
"We did that [new system] because we had 10 forwards," Wilson said. "Now we've got, with Jags back, 13 forwards, so we'll try to play the way we have before" the injuries occurred.
"We'll find the right balance as our lineup gets a little bit healthier. As long as we don't forget to play some defense I think we'll start to score some goals, and with more of the quicker guys getting back in the lineup, we should be able to draw some more penalties as well."
Wilson is tweaking his offensive lines, shifting aggressive winger Dainius Zubrus, one of the club's top players the last few months, to center, a role he has played briefly in his career. If that does not work, Wilson said he could slip recently recalled power forward Colin Forbes into the center spot. Washington is shallow up the middle with Jeff Halpern out at least another month with a knee injury and Trent Whitfield claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers last week.
Tonight, the Capitals will get their first look at winger Ivan Ciernik, 24, who was claimed off waivers from Ottawa on Saturday. Ciernik, who had one goal and three points in 23 games with the Senators this season, practiced with Washington for the first time yesterday and skated on a line with Jagr, a fellow Czech, and top center Adam Oates.
"He's a young enough player, he can skate and he has skill," General Manager George McPhee said. "The question has always been, 'How determined is he?' Sometimes a new environment will shed a better light on that.
"We saw in Pittsburgh where players like [Martin] Straka and [Robert] Lang hadn't really made it anywhere else and were teamed up with Jagr for a little bit and it turned their career around. Maybe there's a chance of that happening with this kid."
Capitals Notes: Defenseman Ken Klee practiced yesterday but is not expected to play tonight, Wilson said. A return by Wednesday could be possible. Backup goalie Craig Billington missed yesterday's practice because of illness but will be on the bench tonight. . . .
McPhee said recently recalled defenseman Jean-Francois Fortin and Todd Rohloff likely will spend the rest of the season with Washington, although he does not believe there are any other players in Portland who could help the Capitals.
"Based on their performance to date they will be here the rest of the year," McPhee said of the rookie defensemen. "They've added mobility and size to the blueline. Fortin is certainly poised and skilled with the puck -- and we're pleased to have a defenseman of that type -- and Rohloff is physically very strong and never gives up on a battle." . . .
Atlanta is the only team with a worse goals against average than Washington's.
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The change back to a "normal" defensive system has me looking at the over. The fear is that Jags tweaks the groin early and sits and Wilson goes back to the 3 D style.
(Jan 22) tsn.ca - The Washington Capitals will have Jaromir Jagr back in the lineup for tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers.
Jagr has missed the last six games with a groin injury but told coaches on Monday that he was ready to return following a team practice.
Head coach Ron Wilson will be eager to get Jagr back in the lineup as the team looks to snap a three game losing streak. In the last five games, the Capitals have managed just a total of four goals.
Jagr's return will also see Wilson go back to the traditional four-line attack, abandoning the use of two defencemen in the traditional center role. Wilson says the change was necessary due to injuries at the forward spot.
Jagr Says He's Ready To Play
Winger to Add Punch To Capitals' Offense
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 22, 2002; Page D01
Winger Jaromir Jagr will return to the lineup tonight in Atlanta with his Washington Capitals in dire need of offensive help. Jagr, a five-time NHL scoring champion, has missed the last six games with a groin injury but told the coaching staff yesterday that he is ready to play.
"I survived the practice and that's a good thing," Jagr said. "I told the coaches that I am ready if they need me."
Coach Ron Wilson said: "Jags appears to be ready, so at least for right now he's playing."
Jagr, who has missed 13 of the Capitals' 50 games because of nagging injuries, is definitely needed. The Capitals, who have lost three straight games, have scored only four goals over the last five games and have not scored more than one goal in any of those games. Their power play, ranked first in the NHL, has not been getting many chances -- scoring goals on the man advantage is crucial to Washington's success -- primarily because of a lack of puck possession in the offensive zone and an anemic forecheck.
With Jagr (40 points in 37 games) back, the Capitals will return to a traditional four-line attack, dressing 12 forwards and six defensemen. Wilson had been using eight defensemen a game and two defensemen in the role originally designed for the team's centers when his club was short at the forward spot and had a spiraling goals against average. Now the team is searching for the right blend of offensive creativity and defensive discipline.
"We did that [new system] because we had 10 forwards," Wilson said. "Now we've got, with Jags back, 13 forwards, so we'll try to play the way we have before" the injuries occurred.
"We'll find the right balance as our lineup gets a little bit healthier. As long as we don't forget to play some defense I think we'll start to score some goals, and with more of the quicker guys getting back in the lineup, we should be able to draw some more penalties as well."
Wilson is tweaking his offensive lines, shifting aggressive winger Dainius Zubrus, one of the club's top players the last few months, to center, a role he has played briefly in his career. If that does not work, Wilson said he could slip recently recalled power forward Colin Forbes into the center spot. Washington is shallow up the middle with Jeff Halpern out at least another month with a knee injury and Trent Whitfield claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers last week.
Tonight, the Capitals will get their first look at winger Ivan Ciernik, 24, who was claimed off waivers from Ottawa on Saturday. Ciernik, who had one goal and three points in 23 games with the Senators this season, practiced with Washington for the first time yesterday and skated on a line with Jagr, a fellow Czech, and top center Adam Oates.
"He's a young enough player, he can skate and he has skill," General Manager George McPhee said. "The question has always been, 'How determined is he?' Sometimes a new environment will shed a better light on that.
"We saw in Pittsburgh where players like [Martin] Straka and [Robert] Lang hadn't really made it anywhere else and were teamed up with Jagr for a little bit and it turned their career around. Maybe there's a chance of that happening with this kid."
Capitals Notes: Defenseman Ken Klee practiced yesterday but is not expected to play tonight, Wilson said. A return by Wednesday could be possible. Backup goalie Craig Billington missed yesterday's practice because of illness but will be on the bench tonight. . . .
McPhee said recently recalled defenseman Jean-Francois Fortin and Todd Rohloff likely will spend the rest of the season with Washington, although he does not believe there are any other players in Portland who could help the Capitals.
"Based on their performance to date they will be here the rest of the year," McPhee said of the rookie defensemen. "They've added mobility and size to the blueline. Fortin is certainly poised and skilled with the puck -- and we're pleased to have a defenseman of that type -- and Rohloff is physically very strong and never gives up on a battle." . . .
Atlanta is the only team with a worse goals against average than Washington's.
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The change back to a "normal" defensive system has me looking at the over. The fear is that Jags tweaks the groin early and sits and Wilson goes back to the 3 D style.
