Capitals Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy at All-Star Break
More than fifty games into the season, the Capitals, who began the year with high expectations, find themselves nine points back of division leading Carolina and six games under the .500 mark. Expectations were raised before the season with the acquisition of superstar Jaromir Jagr. However, injuries and suspect defense have led to a disappointing season. With less than thirty games left to play, the Capitals chances of making the playoffs are becoming slimmer with each game they lose, and time is running out on their chance to turn the season around.
The Capitals entered the season with what was supposed to be a top ranked defensive unit. However, a combination long term injuries to defensman Calle Johansen, defensive forwards Jeff Halpern and Steve Konowalchuk, and the aging of other defenders has led the Capitals to the second worst goals against average in the league. The Capitals have been hit hard by injuries. The only starter to play in all 53 games this year has been forward Chris Simon. Many of the players who are key to the Capitals system have missed significant time due to injury, including Jeff Halpern, who will miss the rest of the season, Steve Konowalchuk, Ulf Dahlen, Calle Johansen, and Brendan Witt.
Because of all these injuries, the Capitals have been forced to give role players a lot of ice time, like defensmen Sylvain Cote and Franisek Kucera. They have been forced to start players claimed off the waiver wire (Ivan Ciernik, Colin Forbes) and call players up from Portland who aren't quite ready to play in the NHL (J.F. Fortin and Todd Rohloff).
The Capitals have also been hurt by the dissapointing play of Jagr and goaltender Olaf Kolzig. Jagr, who has won the scoring title the last four years, has just 17 goals through 50 games, well off his usual mark. Olaf Kolzig has also been disappointing this year, allowing close to three goals a game and failing to make the big saves when they have needed him to.
With all of the Capitals troubles this year, there has ben talk about the security of coach Ron Wilson's job. "I think they need to keep Wilson around," says David Kauffman, a long-time Capitals fan. "It's not his fault that they have had so many injuries."
At the same time, however, there are those who believe that Wilson should be fired. "I think they have to make a change at the coaching position," says Dave Terreri, a Capitals season ticket holder. "The players just aren't playing for him anymore. Sure, he is a good coach, but the players just aren't responding. Look at Ken Hitchcock in Dallas. He led the Stars to a stanley cup, but his players stopped playing for him so he was fired."
Because the Capitals are sow and need to get younger, another idea which has bee kicked around by the local media is trading some veterans for draft picks or minor leaguers. "I think they need to add some youth to this team," says Kauffman. "They aren't going to make the playoffs this year anyway, and these guys are just too old and too slow. They need to get younger and faster."
Weather or not the Capitals do make the playoffs, they definitely need to add some youth, size and speed during the off-season. With the direction this season is headed, it certainly doesn't appear to be too soon to start talking about next year.
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The Meditereanean Grille is a little cafe located off of Wisconin St. in Northwest Washington. It is a lot like Mobdy Dick's restaurant (in Mclean), not high class, yet not trashy. It is a good place to stop by for a quick bite.
The dishes include many of the tradition middle-astern dishes. It includes kabobs, sandwiches, and other various meals.
The chicken kabob and chicken schwarma sandwinches are very good there. In fact, every chicken dish there is exceptional. Th beef kabob is just a level below the chicken in qality, but still top notch for a cafe.
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