Our weekly temperature-taking of the mainstream media’s opinions on the Washington Capitals:
| Outlet | This Week | Last Week | What They’re Saying |
 |
N/R | 6 |
|
 |
14 | 12 | The offense still isn’t where it should be, but the Caps are playing good defense, going 10 games without allowing more than two regulation-time goals. |
 |
11 | 7 | The Caps lost a lifeless game to the Kings last weekend, held a players’ only meeting and head out for a five-game road trip. Time for Alex Ovechkin to start carrying this bunch. |
 |
11 | 6 | What happened to Mike Green? On Feb. 13 last season, he had 14-46-60. This season, 8-16-24 |
 |
9 | 5 | We can’t figure this team out. Back-to-back losses, and now comes a five-game road trip. Will the real Washington Capitals please stand up? |
 |
8 | 7 | Washington dropped one place in the rankings thanks to Alexander Ovechkin and the entire Caps’ offense being out to lunch last week in losses to the Sharks and Kings. Ovechkin only managed one point in his team’s two losses, which just so happened to be the only goal Washington scored in its two defeats |
 |
8 | 7 | In their past 14 games, Caps power play is an embarrassing 7.7 percent (3-for-39) |
 |
11 | 6 | Capitals‘ defense has improved but at the expense of the offense: they’ve scored three goals in their last three games. Home ice hasn’t been an advantage with a 5-6-6 record in their last 17 at the Verizon Center. |
 |
7 | 9 | Bruce Boudreau says Alex Ovechkin has more energy this season for the stretch run: “He looks quicker, he’s handling the puck better, he looks sharper –all of those things, which is a great sign for the Caps.” |
 |
7 | 6 | The Caps insist they are concentrating on being better defensively, but it sure didn’t look like it when they allowed three third-period goals in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Saturday. Perhaps it’s time to open things up. |
 |
10 | 12 | Hit the road for their next five games after scoring one goal total in the last two. With a relatively healthy lineup, it’s time for the Caps to produce. |
 |
7 | 5 | Caps playing musical goalies, will it work in the playoffs? Of note: Ovechkin held off score sheet in three of last five games. |
Click on logos for links to full power rankings.
