Washington Capitals Thumbs Up Thumbs Down (CMigrator copy 3)
New York Rangers 1-4 Washington Capitals
Buffalo Sabres 1-3 Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 Washington Capitals
Calgary Flames 1-3 Washington Capitals
Thumbs Up:
Alex Ovechkin: There has been a feeling that Alex Ovechkin would break out for quite a while, and now, it appears as though he finally has. Ovechkin had a huge week, scoring five goals and adding three assists in four games and posting a great plusminus of +4. The Caps play best when Ovechkin is playing best, and this week they won all four of their games. Has Ovi and the team turned the corner?
Alexander Semin: No NHL players has been more talked about in trade rumors this season than Alexander Semin, and it's for good reason. He has not been good. This week, he offered a glimpse of the old Semin, scoring three goals, racking up two assists, and going +4. Best of all? Zero penalty minutes. Semin is out day-to-day with a injury; the Caps could do with having him back.
Marcus Johansson: A week ago, Marcus Johansson was a thumbs-down. He has struggled badly under Dale Hunter. This week, he has a resounding thumbs up, after scoring his first under Hunter, adding three assists, going +3, and being one of the Caps most important players, like he should. Things are looking up for the 21-year-old Swede.
Nicklas Bäckström: Few players have been as under-the-radar this season as Nicklas Bäckström, who has quietly piled up the points and currently is eighth in the league in that category. This week, he was awesome: 1 goal, 6 assists, +5. That is the Nick Bäckström the caps need. Unfortunately, he took an elbow to the head late in the Calgary game, and is currently being evaluated for a concussion. His loss would be a devastating one.
Tomas Vokoun: Vokoun has struggled to find consistency this season, but when he is good, he is really good. In four wins this week, Vokoun posted a phenomenal .956 save percentage, a 1.25 goals against average, and even picked up an assist. If Vokoun were to play like this all the time, the Caps would cruise to the Stanley Cup.
Thumbs Down:
Brooks Laich: Brooks is one of the Caps' most consistent players and is having an all-round solid season, but every once in a while he is bound to have a bad week, and this was it. No points and -2 for the only thumbs down this week.
