Power Rankings Roundup: Week 21

by EmilyB on Feb 29, 2012 2:00 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
	-	21	Pending.
	16	18	The Capitals surprised many by making no moves at the trade deadline, but was there any move out there that was really going to help this team for the rest of this season?
	18	19	The Capitals were quiet at the deadline and that was the right thing to do. This team is several moves away from being a Cup contender again.
	20	17	It has been an awfully rough go for Mike Knuble, who was a healthy scratch Saturday for the fifth time this month. In 57 games this year, the 39-year-old has 12 points and a team-worst minus-16 rating.
	20	18	Six of next seven games are at home, where Caps are an impressive 20-8-2; if they slump over that span, that may be enough to push them out of playoff picture for good
	-	-	NHL.com only ranks the top sixteen teams, which means ... yeah.
	19	21	You know what? They're still a mess, but in this division it might not matter. I think they're still going to win the Southeast. They have Alex Ovechkin, and the Panthers and Jets just don't look like teams that know how to close a deal yet. That doesn't mean the Caps are going any further than one round if they do get in. Last week: 2-1-0
	19	24	Consistency in goal has been a season-long issue for the Capitals, and a couple of wins with Michal Neuvirth in net could tilt the needle in his direction, at least until the next loss. Key Injuries: C Nicklas Backstrom (concussion).

Click on logos for links to full power rankings.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

who knows. maybe low expectations heading into the playoffs might be just what this team needed. We certainly know the other way around doesn’t work for them.

by aaw6848 on Feb 29, 2012 2:11 PM EST reply actions

The Capitals were quiet at the deadline and that was the right thing to do. This team is several moves away from being a Cup contender again.

Geez, parse that sentence. “Several moves” from being a contender “again?” So, the Caps were once contenders and lost pieces of what might have been a champion, or they have had existing pieces fall so far that now they need even more pieces? (Backstrom and his injury, oddly enough, doesn’t even enter into this discussion, unless you are assuming he doesn’t come back — ever).

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Feb 29, 2012 2:15 PM EST reply actions

I thought that statement was contradictory as well. Making no moves was the right call, but several moves are needed… huh?

by RossingtonCollins on Feb 29, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

This bothered me as well as TSN’s overly simplistic summary of the Capital’s woes as “inconsistency in goal”.

Tu ne cede malis

by _Skullduggery_ on Feb 29, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

yum?

by discuit on Feb 29, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions

Every week I see this graph, and every week the Looney Tunes Wile E. Coyote falling sound effect plays in my head.

"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, and you... feel shame" -Denis Lemieux

by leacha on Feb 29, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

If we can get some decent luck (let’s start with not letting in goals from the neutral zone) we are much more dangerous than those rankings indicate.

by heraldofmanwe on Feb 29, 2012 3:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Gotta say – I was thrilled to add the pic of #8 and #52 goal celly. And I mentally ’shopped in #19, right there in the middle where he belongs.

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

by EmilyB on Feb 29, 2012 4:02 PM EST reply actions

just smake me if it’s too OT……but last night, I turned to Mr. B and said “It’s overtime! AND MIKE GREEN IS PLAYING!!!!!!!!!” Maybe I didn’t get the Game Over goal I was hoping for, but, hey, he was on the ice for the winner, it was close enough :)

Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$1328.52!

by RedBirdie on Feb 29, 2012 4:04 PM EST up reply actions