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Welcome to Caps 'Round the Clock, a blog covering the Washington Capitals and the NHL. In season, I update the Blog after every practice and on game day with Caps news and information, and then provide a recap and analysis after each contest. I also write a periodical Prospect Watch and weekly feature pieces on the state of the Men in Red and other things Capitals. And of course, I will post videos and tidbits from around the League and offer my two cents as the season wears on. In the offseason, I write a Report Card for each player, and will keep you updated on all the news about the Caps through the summer. I'm glad you're here, and hope you come back!

Monday, May 7, 2012

On Joel Ward and Monday's Game

Monday night inside Madison Square Garden, the Washington Capitals lost a game in just about the most painful way imaginable.  You know what happened, I'm not going to waste words describing it.

One thing I will say, however, is that this loss is not solely Joel Ward's fault. Hockey is a team game, and when you fail to take advantage of your chances, you're probably going to lose.  Yes, Ward's penalty was dumb and in no way excusable.  Neither is failing to shoot the puck or missing the net on three odd-man rushes in the third period after taking a 2-1 lead.  Neither is being out shot 17-4 in the first period and by 20 overall in a playoff game.  Neither is the fact that Nicklas Backstrom has now missed two breakaways in the last two games. Neither is Braden Holtby overcommitting on the game tying goal and not being able to cover the puck.  Neither is losing the last seven faceoffs you take in a game.  It's a team game.

In the NHL playoffs, you have to take advantage of opportunities that you are given.  Washington did not do that on Monday, and they lost.  The Rangers, on the other hand, did.  It's a team game, and a team loss.

On to the next one.  You have to win four for a reason.

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