Washington began the season with all the excitement of a Senate subcommittee hearing.
The Capital gang was less accurate than Dubya's pronunciation of Azerbaijan.
The only thing more boring than watching Washington play was listening to Strom Thurmond deliver a filibuster.
And the Caps players looked more confused than Ted Kennedy at a dry mixer.
Washington was 12-15-2 after a 3-0 loss at Anaheim on Dec. 11, and owner Ted Leonsis began pondering changes. With San Jose's Darryl Sutter and Calgary's Greg Gilbert having hit the unemployment line the week before, Leonsis thought about making a coaching move of his own and letting first-year coach Bruce Cassidy go. Leonsis reportedly called legendary former Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman to gauge his interest in the job.
The AOL billionaire also lashed out at the players, putting them on notice for their poor play. He ripped his team by calling them "dispassionate" and "unorganized." Leonsis even made a thinly veiled threat to trade Jaromir Jagr by saying that no one on the roster was untouchable.
Perhaps he was genuine in his threats, or maybe he was just trying to fire up his troops. His team was in 12th place in the Eastern Conference at the time, so something needed to be done. And whatever motives were behind his tirade, it definitely worked.
"It's very unusual for me to be negative," Leonsis told The Associated Press recently. "I'm a very upbeat person. I was caught in a negative mood. The team could have reacted in numerous ways; they reacted in a positive way."
By dominating the Florida Panthers 12-2 on Saturday, the Caps extended their points streak to 12 games (7-0-3-2), tied for the third-best in team history, though the others occurred before overtime losses were implemented in 1999-2000.
The difference came when the Caps finally decided to play pork-barrel pucks. Rather than looking elsewhere for blame, they found the answer to their problems was right in front of their faces. With Jagr and Peter Bondra struggling, the rest of the lineup stepped it up and seized a greater offensive role.
Even if the top dogs like Jagr, Bondra and Robert Lang don't score, the Caps now have enough depth up front to overcome a quiet night by their top two lines. In fact, the checking line of Mike Grier, Jeff Halpern and Steve Konowalchuk has been the most consistent unit during the 12-game streak. But the defense is also getting it done, with just 22 goals allowed in the past 12 games.
Jagr's offensive struggles weren't the result of a lack of opportunities. In fact, Jagr leads the league with 180 shots on goal, taking an average of 4.29 shots per game. He was putting the puck on net; it just wasn't going in.
But you can't keep a five-time Art Ross winner down for too long. Hours after being named to his 11th All-Star Game, Jagr broke out in a big way by tying his career high and Dino Ciccarelli's team record of seven points in Saturday's 10-goal rout of the Panthers.
"It was like an All-Star Game," Jagr said. "[There were] a lot of goals and a lot of nice plays. But like I said, don't get used to it."
In one fell swoop, Jagr jumped from a tie for 33rd in the NHL in scoring to a tie for 13th. He went from a chump in a slump to a hero in 60 minutes. Well, actually it was 36:15, because Jagr played less than four minutes in the third period. If he had played his usual seven or eight minutes, a run at Darryl Sittler's record of 10 points was possible.
Jagr credits his reunion with left wing Kip Miller (a fomer Penguins teammate and occasional linemate of Jagr's and Mario Lemieux's) for helping spring him for his big game. Ivan Ciernik had been skating on Jagr's line on the left side, but Cassidy scratched him for the first time since Dec. 13 due to his inconsistent play.
The Caps' big gun clearly hadn't been firing on all cylinders lately, no matter who his linemates were. Jagr had just seven points in his past 14 games and didn't have a multigoal game in 52 games, with his last coming on March 21, 2002. He hadn't put up three or more points in a game since the season opener, and his last hat trick was nearly two years ago -- March 10, 2001, while still with the Penguins.
"Well, I think something special started to happen a while back," Cassidy said. "We were due to have a breakout night -- our big guys -- and it just happened to all come on the same night. It was fun to watch, but at the same time, being on the other end of that is no fun, so you have mixed emotions."
The Caps haven't lost a game in regulation since Dec. 14 and are perfect at the MCI Center in regulation since Nov. 29. Washington is four games above .500 for the first time this year and leads the Southeast Division by one point over Tampa Bay.
And that has the once concerned owner peeking ahead to the playoffs.
"This team would be dangerous in the playoffs with the firepower and goaltending we have," Leonsis said. "Anything can happen when you get into the playoffs."
The Caps play host to the Islanders, Rangers and Maple Leafs, and travel to Ottawa to face the Senators this week. The matchup with Ottawa should be particularly intriguing, since the Sens haven't allowed a goal in two games while the Caps have been averaging 3.5 per contest during their points streak.
Washington has twice recorded 14-game runs with a point in every game (in 1982-83 and 1983-84), so it could potentially tie that mark on Wednesday against the Rangers and break it Friday against the Leafs.
Safety dance People are still getting hit with the occasional puck in the stands along the sides of the rink, but the safety nets behind the goals appear to be doing their job. Now the NHL should turn its attention to the seamless glass and making visors mandatory. The NHL asked teams to institute softer seamless glass or to go back to the old-fashioned seamed plexiglass that makes a good loud rumble when there is a big hit along the boards. In addition to fans loving the audible sound of a big check, the old style glass is much safer due to significantly greater give. Several teams failed to meet the NHL's Jan. 1 mandate to have new glass installed, but the NHL plans to stay on them until they bring their glass up to spec.
Ron Francis put on a full Itech facemask this week to protect some dental work he had done. Players always complain that a full mask affects their vision, but Francis made out OK, scoring a power-play goal Friday in a loss to the Caps. With the numerous serious eye injuries and other facial cuts of the past few years, it's getting tougher for players and the NHLPA to hold off a mandatory half-visor rule. Players who currently play without facial protection could get a grandfather clause and continue to not wear one until the end of their careers, much as the NHL did in the late '80s and early '90s with the helmet rule. Someone would become the next Craig MacTavish, who was the lone outlaw on the ice without a lid on his noggin.
Should I stay or should I go? "OK, you have one more week, but this is my final offer." -- Gary Bettman to Buffalo businessman Mark Hamister in each of the past two weeks.
This week could hold the key to the Sabres' fate after Hamister was granted two extensions by the league. Unless, of course, Bettman gives just one more last-ditch extension. It's clear the league wants the team to stay in Buffalo by the way it has been bending over backward to give Hamister's group time to come up with a feasible financial solution to the Adelphia debt woes left by former owner and alleged felon John Rigas. If Buffalo fails, Portland is reportedly clamoring for a team, despite billionaire Paul Allen's utter lack of interest in hockey. But Houston, Seattle, Milwaukee and Las Vegas have shown interest in the past and have been solid minor league or junior hockey markets.
Atlanta @ Philadelphia -- Monday, 7 p.m. EST The Flyers and Devils are starting to pull away from the pack in the Atlantic Division, with Philly opening up a three-point lead on New Jersey thanks to its six-game winning streak. The Thrashers have scored three goals in each of the past three games, during which they've gone 1-1-1. Unfortunately, Atlanta has allowed 12 in that stretch, proving that its defense and goaltending remain works in progress.
Tampa Bay @ Ottawa -- Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST The Sens return home to the Corel Centre after going 3-1 on their road trip, including two shutouts in a row in Calgary and Edmonton to close it out. This is the first game back in Ottawa since Rod Bryden lashed out at fans for not supporting the team. The team reported Sunday that fewer than 1,000 tickets remain, so apparently Byrden's tsk-tsk to the fans got the message across.
Nashville @ Vancouver -- Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST I'm pretty confident in saying that I've never urged anyone to watch a Predators game in my life. Well, there's a first time for everything. Nashville has been playing well for the past six weeks, and its current three-game win streak is its longest in 13 months. A tough four-game road trip to Chicago and the three Western Canadian cities will test the Preds' mettle this week. The Canucks remain astoundingly inconsistent at home, defeating the Senators but losing to the Blue Jackets at General Motors Place last week.
Detroit @ Colorado -- Thursday, 9 p.m. EST It's rivalry week for the Red Wings. One night after playing their fellow Original Six member and longtime Norris Division foe Blackhawks for the third time in 11 days, the Wings head to Denver for the first of three in 24 days against their archrivals. The days of the blood feud from the mid-'90s continue to fade further into the rearview mirror, but Detroit superpest Sean Avery could stir things up again.
Plus: Doug MacLean Maybe he just has the magic touch when he's behind the bench of a third-year franchise. After firing Dave King on Tuesday, MacLean led the Jackets to three straight wins to close the week. MacLean's fire-and-brimstone methods are a sharp contrast to King's mellow teaching ways, but as with other recent coaching changes, the new message seems to be getting across in the early going.
Minus: Luc Robitaille While Brett Hull continues to defy his age, Robitaille is slowing down in a hurry. Robitaille is pointless in 13 games, dating to Dec. 17, and has just four goals and 13 assists this season. Lucky is on pace to post career lows in almost every offensive category and is playing nearly six minutes fewer than he has throughout his career.
Plus: Jere Lehtinen The Stars' flying Finn has been a key cog in their nine-game unbeaten streak. Lehtinen's hat trick in the Stars' 7-4 win over the Kings on Tuesday was impressive, but it's his nightly defensive work that gains him more notice. Lehtinen's 18 goals and 11 assists are great contributions on the offensive end, but it's the league-best plus-26 that makes him one of the most valuable members of Dallas' roster.
Minus: Jaroslav Svoboda From a Calder candidate to a potential 'Canes castoff, Svoboda has played himself out of the lineup by going 32 games without a goal. He has just two goals and eight assists to go along with a minus-7 this season, and he was a healthy scratch for the first time in Friday's loss to the Capitals. With Jeff Heerema and Ryan Bayda enjoying fine seasons at AHL Lowell, Svoboda could see his ice time slip if the 'Canes decide to take a look at some other youngsters.
Plus: Andy Delmore His cannon shot from the point is as impressive as his defensive awareness is scary. Delmore has become a bit of a one-trick pony with his scoring prowess on the power play, but what a trick it is. He leads defensemen in goals and has lit the lamp in four of the past six games. All but two of his goals have come with the man advantage.
Minus: Taylor Pyatt Pyatt recorded his first point since Dec. 18 on Friday, but he still has a 12-game goalless drought going. After contributing three goals and three assists in the Sabres' first six games, Pyatt raised hopes that this would be his breakout year. But with only three goals and four assists in the 36 games since, the 21-year-old Pyatt is entering Brad Isbister territory and has people scratching their heads as to why he doesn't produce more.
Plus: Islanders hat tricks New York had a hat trick of hat tricks in the past 10 days, with Mark Parrish, Dave Scatchard and Jason Blake all recording three-goal games. The Islanders are thrilled to get some offense from other sources while Alexei Yashin, Michael Peca and Brad Isbister continue to struggle. But at the rate Peter Laviolette's team is going, hat tricks for Jason Wiemer, Arron Asham and Mattias Weinhandl can't be too far behind.
"We believe we got robbed. There's no doubt about that."
-- Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien after referee Kerry Fraser disallowed a goal in a 3-2 loss to the Devils on Tuesday.
"You can be sure that if we were ever able to get a 6-0 lead, the Panthers will act with more class than has been shown by the Capitals and their coach. Most of these Florida players will be around a long time. It doesn't matter who wears a Washington uniform. We'll never forget."
-- Panthers owner Alan Cohen, in an e-mail to The Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday after his team lost 12-2 to the Capitals.
"I wouldn't say I played any great game, but I think what I tried to do was keep it as simple as I could. Really, I think it went as well as I could have expected."
-- Kirkkonummi Salamat's Hayler Wickenheiser, after recording an assist in Saturday's 7-3 victory over Imatra Kettera in Finland's second division to become the first female non-goalie to play in a men's professional game.
A seven-point game on Saturday could push Jaromir Jagr to a good finish after a tough first half. His inconsistent play of late may have forced you to move him to the bench, but the Caps play four games this week, making Jagr an obvious choice to be in your starting lineup. Find out who has done what so far this season on our stats pages.
Ales Kotalik, RW, Sabres Buffalo's rookie winger has been Ales in Wonderland since the calendar flipped to 2003. Kotalik has a five-game points streak, which included three consecutive two-goal games. Since getting called up from AHL Rochester on Oct. 29, Kotalik has 12 goals and six assists in 32 games. His recent hot streak has pushed him past Tyler Arnason into the rookie goal-scoring lead, despite playing 10 fewer games than the Blackhawks freshman.
Having a nose for the net is a new thing for Kotalik, who had never put up big offensive totals. Before getting called up, he had zero goals and just two assists in eight games. In 13 games with the Sabres last season he scored only one goal and three assists in 13 games after posting 43 points in 68 AHL games to earn the late-season call-up. And in four years with Ceske Budejovice HC in his early 20s, Kotalik averaged 11 goals per season. So his goal-scoring binge is a surprise, albeit a pleasant one for the Sabres.
0
Players other than Jaromir Jagr to record a seven-point game in the past six seasons.
Power-play conversion percentage after 617 of 1,230 games this season, up from 15.8 percent at last year's midway point.
176
Number of fewer fighting majors compared with the same point last season.
Our latest best guess at what the postseason seeding will look like.
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Ottawa Senators
Dallas Stars
Philadelphia Flyers
Detroit Red Wings
Washington Capitals
Vancouver Canucks
New Jersey Devils
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
Colorado Avalanche
Boston Bruins
Minnesota Wild
Montreal Canadiens
Edmonton Oilers
New York Islanders
Chicago Blackhawks
Each week during the season, this space will be devoted to your comments on a particular issue.
Last week's topic: Now that we're almost at the midway point of the 2002-03 regular season, who do you think will win the Stanley Cup?
Right now, my good ol' Wings are looking prime to repeat. They've got everything to make up a championship team. And plus, CuJo badly wants a ring, and you know how good a performer he becomes in crunch time. Now the Eastern representative will have a harder time, but I have to say the Leafs will surprise everyone and come out of the not-so-talented East. There's no way anyone's going to walk into Toronto and win if they can get home-ice advantage. Andrew, Ottawa, Ontario
I really want it to be San Jose, but to be realistic I don't think they're even going to make the playoffs. That being said, I think the Cup will be won by either New Jersey, Colorado or Detroit. I'm putting my bet on Jersey because I have a gut feeling that this year it's the East's turn to hoist the Cup. William Pullinen, Helsinki, Finland
Dallas. The Stars' insane road schedule is behind them, they play at home 24 out of the final 39 games, they win at home 71 percent of the time and they'll probably have home ice during the playoffs. That and Mike Modano, Marty Turco, Bill Guerin, Jere Lehtinen, Derian Hatcher, Sergei Zubov ... Hmm, 1999 deja vu. Amanda, Austin, Texas
The Toronto Maple Leafs. The second half of the season looks promising with the return of injured players like Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts and Shayne Corson. Ed Belfour will make the difference because he doesn't give up many rebounds. You gotta beleaf! Ted Edwins, Guelph, Ontario
The Vancouver Canucks will beat the Ottawa Senators in six games in the first
all-Canadian final since 1989. Canadian hockey fans will cheer, but Gary
Bettman will have a fit when he sees the U.S. Neilson ratings. Geoff Reeves, Toronto
I say the Blues will win! Who's with me? Why are all these crickets chirping? Josh, St. Louis
Tampa will have its first duel championship season ever, with the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup and the Bucs winning the Super Bowl. John Papageorge, Seminole, Fla.
As I don't see any major threat out East, the Stanley Cup will be going to the Western Conference again. Detroit, Colorado, Dallas and Vancouver are looking great at the moment. But I'll go with the Avalanche, since the Canucks and Stars are too inconsistent and for that reason vulnerable to an early exit. The Red Wings are one year beyond their players' primes. Andreas Kruse, Hannover, Germany
Toronto. Sure they got off to a terrible start, but with the current play of Belfour, the Leafs find themselves fighting for decent playoff position.
I was as skeptical as everyone else concerning the early play of the Leafs. I feared that the Leafs would miss the playoffs altogether, but they have gritted out some much-needed wins and climbed nicely up the standings and into contention. And they have done so without Mats Sundin, Karel Pilar, Nik Antropov and Mikael Renberg in the lineup lately.That shows what determination and passion they play with. I have been amazed with Ed Belfour's play. CuJo was to be the goaltender to bring the Cup to Toronto and Belfour was doubtful to even accomplish the feat. But I believe that Belfour can bring the Cup to Toronto. Lars Dworak, Hillerød, Denmark
The Detroit Red Wings are poised to once again raise the Cup this spring. They are just too powerful and consistent. They have their bad games, but I doubt any team in the league can take them in a best of seven. I predict they will do what no one thought possible: make a winner out of Curtis Joseph. Dave Green, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
There really is only one choice: The Red Wings repeat. In Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings have this season's player to emulate last
year's Peter Forsberg. Yzerman will come back rested and ready to collect his fourth Stanley Cup. The Wings have too many hungry Hall of Fame players. They will not have it as easy as last year, but they will be playing in June and hoisting Lord Stanley again. Tim Doyle, New York
This week's topic: Should NHL players be required to wear facial protection?
Click here to send us your choice, with a short (75 words or less) explanation. Brevity and humor are good; naughty words and personal attacks are not so good. And don't forget to include your name, hometown and home state/province.
Jon A. Dolezar covers the NHL for CNNSI.com. "Week at a Glance" will appear each Sunday during the regular season.
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Ales Kotalik, RW, Sabres
