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A Capital movement
The Washington Capitals do not need a shot of adrenaline injected into their collective veins before Saturday afternoon's Game 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers.But a quick break before my plan to rejuvenate the Capitals:
Saturday's 1 p.m. game at Verizon Center -- by the way -- is on television at nearly the same time as the Washington Wizards' Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at noon.
I guess I know why this is, but I just don't like it. Fans of these two teams shouldn't be forced to choose.
There's also the opposite side of this argument that says, “Well, you should be happy your game was chosen to be broadcast across the nation. That's an honor.”
While there still may be a hint of truth to that, there are 21 additional hours in the day. I think that's enough time to stagger the Wiz and the Caps. You people share the same building in a lot of cities ... there has to be a refrigerator magnet or a dropped business card somewhere. Make the call.
But back to the Capitals' necessary injection -- my real point here.
They've now lost three in a row for the first time since November, which also came before Bruce Boudreau was hired to supplant the defensive-minded Glen Hanlon. They're facing elimination on Saturday, and something needs to happen for this series to continue.
It's been written hundreds of times, but the Capitals have 12 players who've never seen the playoffs until this year. There's nothing wrong with that. Don't misconstrue an abundance of talent with a lack of opportunity to learn about this stuff.
Look at the progression from the beginning of the series until last night. Take last night's unpalatable 4-3 defeat out of the mix, and I'd say that Boudreau's bunch has made a few impressive adjustments. This is a learning experience.
My point of the playoff-neophyte stuff is this: An injection of life is unnecessary -- they have the jump now -- but what the Capitals need to win this thing is a story. A good story. Something we can all sink our teeth into.
How 'bout Olie Kolzig?
Has goaltending been the problem during the past three games? Nah, probably not. Will sitting Cristobal Huet, who has has played so well to even keep games competitive, give Washington a tactical edge? That's even more iffy.
All the more reason to do it.
If you're going to go down, how about going down with the man who has been your backbone for the past 10-plus seasons? I know Huet is the unquestioned starter, but I'm raising the question.
Kolzig may not be as good as he once was -- pardon the cheesy Toby Keith reference -- but he's as good once as he ever was.
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