Our weekly temperature-taking of the mainstream media’s opinions on the Washington Capitals:
| Outlet | This Week | Last Week | What They’re Saying |
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2 | 4 | Getting offence from the back end. |
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4 | 3 | Getting more from the back end lately. D-men have 10 goals in the past eight games after getting just one in the first 10. |
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4 | 3 | The Caps have finally reclaimed their rightful place as the top offensive team in the NHL (3.6 goals per game) and one of the premier power-play squads. Alex Semin couldn’t be any more clearly having a contract season if he was talking about his role Randy Moss-style after each and every game. |
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– | 3 | Pending. |
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2 | 4 | Riding an eight-game point streak. Would be a winning streak if it weren’t for an OT loss to — say, what? — Buffalo. |
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5 | 5 | Alexander Semin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He’s second in the NHL with 13 goals. Who’s happier than his agent, Mark Gandler? |
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3 | 3 | Alexander Semin was one of the main reasons the Capitals were able to pick up seven of a possible eight points last week. The Washington forward potted four goals and four assists in his team’s four games, including a hat trick and the game-winning goal in a win over Tampa on Nov. 11. |
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3 | 3 | Alex Semin has a sizzling 21.3 shooting percentage (13 goals on 61 shots) |
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5 | 3 | Capitals defensemen have been contributing offensively during team’s 8-1-1 surge. |
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– | – | Pending. |
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1 | 3 | Alex Ovechkin says the best is yet to come for the Capitals. “I don’t think we’ve played our best game right now. Soon, I think it’s going to be better.” |
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– | N/A |
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2 | 3 | John Erskine ‘s second goal of the season and ninth of his career proved to be the winner as the Caps topped the Thrashers 6-4. |
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4 | 4 | It’s a credit to the strength at the top end of the league that the Capitals are still fourth with one regulation loss in the last 11 games. Key Injuries: G Semyon Varlamov (groin), Tom Poti (lower body). |
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2 | 2 | Tough to believe, but ahead of last season’s President’s Trophy pace. |
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1 | 2 | The Caps are 9-0-0 when Alexander Semin scores. Yeah, but he still doesn’t belong on the all-star ballot, huh? |
Click on logos for links to full power rankings.
