Caps Thrashed In Opener

As I wrote in my FCNP article previewing the Capitals, the key to success for this year's team lies squarely on their defensive play and the ability of goaltending import Jose Theodore. That Theodore allowed 4 goals on 17 shots in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, a team picked to finish last in the Southeast Division, is not a good omen.

The first goal, scored on the power play by Atlanta's Ron Hainsey, was the fault of the penalty kill unit, who had their backs turned and didn't pick him up crashing the low slot. The second goal (off a uncontrolled rebound), and the third and fourth (off ordinary wrist shots that should have been easy saves) were squarely on Theodore.

It's safe to say he had a bad night. But if this is the start of a trend, the Caps have serious problems. Brent Johnson was a capable backup last year and looked good before the team's meltdown late in the third Friday, but can he carry the load all year long?

It's one game. There's a good possibility this is just a blip on the radar due to first-game jitters and the pressure that every publication has said the Caps' Stanley Cup hopes ride on his shoulders. But what are the Caps options if it isn't?

The Caps can either go with Johnson, call up 20-year-old prospect Simeon Varlamov or trade someone (perhaps Michael Nylander) for another NHL caliber netminder. I don't think any of those scenarios involve hoisting the Cup this spring.

Other points of interest:

• Mike Green scored his first two goals of the season after leading all defensemen with 18 last year. Green only had three goals through Nov. 21 last year and still put up that mark. During training camp, Head Coach Bruce Boudreau said he believed Green hadn't even touched upon how good he can be. There is a very real possibility that he could score 30 goals this season.

• Boudreau's long-time friend, John Anderson, picked up the win behind the bench in Atlanta, his first as an NHL coach. Boudreau's success has paved the way for a number of AHL coaches to get a shot at the big leagues. Anderson and Scott Gordon (Islanders) emerged from the minor league to head up teams, with a number more rising to assistant positions in the NHL.

• The refs Friday night were a little over ambitious, whistling 14 penalties before a rash of fights at the end. In fact, none of the four goals in the second period were scored at even strength.

One thing this did was showcase two new members of the Caps penalty killing units — Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin. Semin looked brilliant in the role, setting up a shorthanded goal by Dave Steckel and, on another shift, drawing a penalty to negate the Atlanta advantage.

The theory, inspired by Team Russia's use of Semin on the penalty kill during this summer's World Championships, is to give the PK units a quick threat at the top of the box capable of breaking up passes at the point and occasionally picking them off for a shorthanded scoring opportunity. The drawback is the absurd amount of ice time Ovechkin now accounts for.

Friday he was on the ice for 23:02 (2:55 on the penalty kill), bettered only by Mike Green and Atlanta's Ron Hainsey, both defenseman. Boudreau said he was looking for ways to get Ovie more ice time. But can he sustain an entire season of this? Probably. He averaged 23:07 on the ice last year and the only side effects he showed came in the form of league-leading goals and points totals.

• Thrashers first-round draft pick Zach Bagosian's "welcome to the NHL" moment? Squaring off with Caps enforcer Donald Brashear late in the third period. One uppercut. Two uppercut. Down goes the 18-year-old rookie.

I'm not sure why Brash squared off against the baby-faced kid, but it's an event that will likely set a harsh tone for this season series.