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Power Rankings Roundup: Week 4

Our weekly temperature-taking of the mainstream media’s opinions on the Washington Capitals continues, with a surprising consensus after a winless week.

Outlet This Week Last Week What They’re Saying
1 1 The west coast certainly wasn’t the best coast for the Caps to extend their 7-game unbeaten streak. In losses to Edmonton and Vancouver, Washington was outscored 9-5 and gave up four power-play goals. To their credit, the Caps admitted taking too many undisciplined penalties.
1 1 Yeah, we’re still going to keep them in the top spot even after a two-game losing streak out West. It’s going to take more than that to erase a 7-0 start, especially when they still have the best goal differential in the NHL and the lead the league in goals per game.
1 1 The Caps are still into making statements. even though they’re not faring quite as well with West Coast teams this week.
1 1 This was a tough one. We didn’t like the Caps’ efforts out West in losses to Edmonton and Vancouver, where they were thrashed 7-4 on Saturday, but they remain unbeaten against Eastern Conference foes and at 7-2 still have the best winning percentage in the league. (Burnside)
1 1 The Caps came up empty-handed in their brief trip to western Canada. Tomas Vokoun has been excellent and will be back at it when Anaheim visits on Tuesday.
1 1 First two losses of the season don’t mean Caps aren’t as dangerous as anyone.
1 1 Well, they weren’t going undefeated. Road losses in Vancouver and Edmonton are nothing to be embarrassed about. The schedule softens a bit this week.
2 1 We’ll keep some faith in Bruce Boudreau’s group, though it stumbled over the weekend with losses in Vancouver and Edmonton. Sorry, Caps fans, your team won’t go 82-0-0. The NHL’s second-best penalty-killers last season (85.6), the Caps allowed four goals on 13 power plays in those setbacks. “We have to get our penalty kill back to best in class,” owner Ted Leonsis stated in Captain Obvious fashion on his blog. “In Vancouver, our penalty killing was subpar as well.” The great news: Alex Ovechkin is off to a hot start (four goals, nine points) in his first nine contests. A summer of workout room dedication and newfound discipline at the dinner table has been noticeable in his quickened stride. Last week: 0-2-0
2 1 Saturday’s 7-4 loss in Vancouver, combined with the continued absence of D Mike Green made it tough for the Capitals to hold on to top spot but, to be reasonable, it was inevitable that G Tomas Vokoun would suffer a loss eventually.
Key Injuries: D Mike Green (ankle).

Click on logos for links to full power rankings; Additional outlets to be added as they trickle in.

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