Power Rankings Roundup: Week 9

by EmilyB on Dec 7, 2011 1:00 PM EST in Power Ranking Roundups

Our weekly temperature-taking of the mainstream media's opinions on the Washington Capitals.

Outlet	This Week	Last Week	What They're Saying
	-	19	Pending.
	16	17	After generating only 19 and 17 shots in their first two games under Dale Hunter, the Capitals managed to fire 35 shots on Ottawa's Craig Anderson on Saturday, including the winner from Brooks Laich in overtime. That goal snapped their four-game losing streak and was only their fourth win over the past month.
	17	22	Finally a win for new coach Dale Hunter. If there's an early statement to make for the new coach, the players can make it Monday night against Southeast Division-leading Florida.
	16	16	With one goal in his last 11 games and eight on the season, Alex Ovechkin ranks third on the Caps in goals behind Jason Chimera and Nicklas Backstrom.
	12	12	There is no way Brooks Laich should be leading the Caps in power play goals, but he is in a tie with Mike Green with three
	-	-	NHL.com only ranks the top 16 teams, which means ... yeah.
	23	18	Remember when everyone was saying what a genius GM George McPhee was not only for heisting first- and second-round picks from Colorado for goalie Semyon Varlamov, but going out and signing veteran Tomas Vokoun for $1.5 million? By importing the mercenary goalie (who referred to himself the other day as a "team employee" -- how's that for inspiring confidence?), McPhee risked undercutting the confidence of Michal Neuvirth, and that appears to be a problem now. Neuvirth has been flat out terrible, and Vokoun just average. Meanwhile, Varlamov is one of the hotter goalies in the league right now.
	24	21	Washington's power play dropped into mediocrity last season and that hit to their offence helped sell the idea that the Capitals were playing a more responsible game, even if it wasn't particularly helpful. Well, once again, the power play appears to be missing Mike Green, going 2-for-45 (4.4%) in the last 11 games.

Click on logos for links to full power rankings.

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Comments

Someone should tell Sports Illustrated that Varly allowed 6 goals yesterday…

by OvechkinGR8 on Dec 7, 2011 1:13 PM EST reply actions

That’s not Sports Illustrated, it’s Adrian Dater.

You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!

by EmilyB on Dec 7, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

That’s epic trolling. Almost admirable.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

How does one import a mercenary goalie for under $2M a year?

You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!

by EmilyB on Dec 7, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, evil mercenary players. The other 29 teams in the league know better than to engage in this foolish practice known as “trading for players or signing free agents.”

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Dec 7, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Well then someone should tell Dater that despite Varlamov’s hot streak his .899 SV% (compared to Vokoun’s .909) isn’t making the Caps wish they could trade back those 1st and 2nd round picks.

Release the Mackan!

by Killer_Carlson on Dec 7, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Your NHL.com blurb is funny. And sad.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 1:26 PM EST reply actions

There is no way Brooks Laich should be leading the Caps in power play goals, but he is in a tie with Mike Green with three

Really? This is disturbing not b/c just because Laich leading the Caps, but that he is tied for the lead with someone who has been out so long I can’t remember his last pp.

by kingbonehead on Dec 7, 2011 1:33 PM EST reply actions

I can really only remember the assist to D-Wides in the first Penguins game. After that, I’m drawing a blank.

You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!

by EmilyB on Dec 7, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

And the trifecta of disturbance: Laich is leading with 3 PPG.

Release the Mackan!

by Killer_Carlson on Dec 7, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

If the caps are in the 20's in the power rankings

then we are not even mediocre…

by thewiz06 on Dec 7, 2011 1:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Not sure what one has to do with the other.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 7, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

I heard a whisper today that the caps are underperforming mostly because of the absolute terror that Crosby is a vampire and will murder all of their children.

Aside from that, I did like the SI article, it showed a picture of the caps in transition which while frustrating is accurate.

by matty_c on Dec 7, 2011 2:00 PM EST reply actions