Bos @ Wsh

[Sports Junkie]

Kolzig Out At Least 3 Games With Hand Injury

By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 30, 2002; Page D01



Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig will miss at least three games with a hand injury he suffered during a skate before Monday's game at Pittsburgh, and doctors believe he will be able to return to action after letting the soreness subside.

Kolzig was placed on injured reserve and goalie Sebastien Charpentier was recalled from Portland, Maine, joining backup goalie Craig Billington. Coach Bruce Cassidy said he is unsure which goalie will start tonight against Boston, Washington's first game at MCI Center since the Oct. 11 season opener.

The Capitals also returned winger Mike Farrell to Portland to make room for defenseman Alex Henry, who was claimed off waivers from Edmonton on Thursday but did not gain immigration clearance in the United States until last night.

The loss of Kolzig comes at a tough time, with the Capitals (4-4-1) struggling to score goals -- they have not netted more than two goals for eight straight games -- and with just one win in their last six games (1-4-1). Kolzig had a 4-2-0 record with a stellar 2.07 goals against average, stopping 94 percent of the shots he faced under a heavy workload.

Kolzig, who sat on the bench for Monday's 3-2 loss at Pittsburgh, underwent MRI testing yesterday that revealed no fractures, General Manager George McPhee said, and he will be checked out again this coming Monday when the swelling diminishes. He will not practice with the team in the interim.

Kolzig hurt his hand stopping a shot at the morning skate and believed he would be able to play that night, but the stinging proved too much.

"The doctors took a look at it and they think it will settle down and they'll have another look on Monday," McPhee said.

Charpentier, a 25-year-old rookie, could get the start tonight in Kolzig's absence, which would be another strange twist in what has been an odd season for him. Charpentier battled Billington for the backup job and, although he was not sharp in the preseason, began the season with the team, largely due to issues concerning his waiver status.

He backed up Kolzig for the season opener -- Billington was demoted to the minors -- then was informed after the game that he would be sent to Portland. The coaches preferred Billington's experience -- the 15-year NHL veteran also renegotiated his deal to a lower salary. Charpentier was crushed by the initial demotion, but went 1-1-2 for Portland with a fine 2.17 goals against average and posted a shutout over the weekend with McPhee in attendance.

Billington, meantime, has had an erratic month, getting yanked 10 minutes into his first start, playing well Saturday against Florida while facing few shots and allowing one soft goal in an otherwise solid performance Monday night. A strong run by Charpentier this week could complicate the backup position again.

"Charpy is a good goalie and we believe he's capable of playing at this level," McPhee said. "He didn't play his best during training camp, but he's got another opportunity now."

Henry, 23, who played three games with Edmonton, will meet his new teammates today after waiting in Toronto during the immigration process and will need several practices before he is ready to play. The Capitals like his size -- 6 feet 5, 220 pounds -- and their scouts believe he has started to play more physical hockey over the last season (pro scout Archie Henderson watched Henry fight tough guy Bob Boughner in a game early this season and filed a strong report on him).

His addition gives Washington nine defensemen and no extra forwards on its 23-man roster -- most teams carry seven defensemen and dress six for each game -- but Cassidy is barely using his fourth line and the Capitals believe Henry and defenseman Rick Berry, claimed in the preseason waiver draft, could be core players for the future.

"We saw an opportunity in both the waiver draft and through waivers to pick up two young defensemen who have a chance to play on a regular basis in the NHL," McPhee said. "So we weren't going to let those opportunities go by. Berry has played very well for us and Henry just might too."

Farrell, 24, played in four of nine games and was averaging just three minutes of ice time a game; he will have a much more prominent role with Portland.



? Probable Goalies: Washington -- Sebastien Charpentier (0-0-0, 0.00 goals against average). Boston -- Steve Shields (3-0-2, 2.28).

? Injuries: Washington -- D Brendan Witt (groin) is questionable; G Olaf Kolzig (hand) is out. Boston -- G John Grahame (separated shoulder) and RW Martin Lapointe (fractured foot) are out; LW Sergei Samsonov (wrist sprain) is questionable.

 

[Sports Junkie]

Rookie may start with Olie injured

By Dave Fay
THE WASHINGTON TIMES


The Washington Capitals have possibly the best depth they have ever had throughout their roster but whether that depth is up to the task has yet to be proven. Tonight depth gets put to the test.

Starting goaltender Olie Kolzig was placed on injured reserve yesterday, meaning he is out until at least the Nov.5 game in Columbus. Rookie Sebastien Charpentier was recalled from the Caps' top farm team in Portland, Maine, to take Kolzig's place on the roster.

Kolzig, 4-2-0 with a goals-against of 2.07 and the second best saves percentage in the league at .939, sustained what appears to be a sprained left wrist during the morning skate Monday in Pittsburgh. The injury at first did not appear serious but when he showed up for the game he said he was unable to play. Backup Craig Billington played with Kolzig backing up.

"It's not broken or anything, some sort of sprain," general manager George McPhee said yesterday. "The doctor wants him to rest it until Monday."

It is a significant chink in the Caps' armor. Kolzig may be in the best shape of his career and is determined to make up for last season's humbling non-playoff performance. The goalie was not up to his usual standards but refuses to use a knee injury
sustained just before the Olympic break in February as an excuse.

Billington has played in three games this season with mixed results. He was shelled in his first game and was relieved half way through the first period; he was excellent Saturday night in a 1-1 tie in Florida; he allowed a bad goal Monday night that proved to be the difference as the Penguins won, 3-2.

Now comes phase two of the goaltending duel that took up much of training camp, Billington vs. Charpentier. The 25-year-old rookie was originally on the roster with Billington relegated to Portland but one day into the season, the club reversed that decision, recalled the veteran and sent Charpentier to Portland.

McPhee acknowledged that the coaches had determined that Billington had the best training camp and should be with the team. The general manager agreed.

Charpentier played four games with Portland, going 1-1-2, a 2.17 GAA with a saves percentage of .933. He played two NHL regular season games at the end of last year, going 1-1-0 and played well in both.

Coach Bruce Cassidy said yesterday he had not made his mind up on which goalie would play against Boston tonight at MCI Center but was leaning toward Charpentier.

"I just think in two of the three games [Billington] could have been better," Cassidy said. "He certainly was up to the task in Florida; he played Saturday so there's no excuse not to come out and be ready.

"I just thought the [shorthanded] goal was stoppable. You need those. We talked about this before: In the first period you need a goalie to be on top of it. That's my expectation, give us a chance to win, which he ultimately did but we had to play from behind again."

No matter who is in goal, the team can't win if it doesn't start scoring. The Caps have gone eight straight games scoring two or fewer goals yet have managed a 3-4-1 record.

The Caps' first power-play unit worked by itself for more than 30 minutes yesterday as Cassidy tried different formations. The unit usually lines up with Jaromir Jagr quarterbacking along the half boards to the goalie's left. Yesterday Jagr switched sides and the unit worked long and hard getting used to doing things in reverse.

"We're just trying different things so we use everybody, so that all of our weapons are being used," said Cassidy. He was especially concerned that Peter Bondra, and his powerful shot, was sitting idle too long when the unit lined up from the right side.

Notes ? Defenseman Alex Henry, claimed off waivers from Edmonton last Thursday, was expected to arrive today after clearing immigration. To make room, right wing Mike Farrell (four games, no points, two shots) was demoted to Portland. That gives the Caps a roster of 12 forwards, two goalies and an unusually high nine defensemen. Defenseman Brendan Witt (groin pull) skated yesterday for the full 50-minute practice but Cassidy listed him at no better than 50-50 for the game.

 

[Sports Junkie]

Mike Vogel
Staff Writer
www.washingtoncaps.com

It's been 19 days and eight games since the Capitals last played hockey in the friendly confines of the MCI Center, but that changes when the Boston Bruins visit Washington on Wednesday night. Washington's eight-game road trip got off to a great start with the Caps winning the first two games against the Islanders and the Hurricanes. But Washington now limps home with just one win (1-4-1) in its last six games.

There was a whirlwind of roster moves and player activity on Tuesday. Goaltender Olie Kolzig was placed on injured reserve with a hand injury and netminder Sebastien Charpentier was recalled from Portland of the AHL. Forward Mike Farrell was returned to Portland to make room on the roster for defenseman Alex Henry. Henry, claimed off waivers from Edmonton last week, has finally ironed out his immigration issues and his arrival in Washington is imminent. Defenseman Brendan Witt continues to nurse a groin ailment and is a 50/50 bet to play on Wednesday night.

Caps head coach Butch Cassidy indicated that Charpentier could get the start against Boston on Wednesday. While at Portland, Charpentier started four of the team's eight games and played extremely well. He posted a 1-1-2 record with a 2.17 goals against average and a .933 save percentage with the Pirates. Charpentier's lone win came via the shutout route. At the time of his recall, Charpentier ranked third among AHL starting netminders in both save percentage and goals against average.

"I've been working for this all my pro career," says Charpentier of his current NHL opportunity. "My mental preparation is something I don't have a problem with. When I got the call I felt ready, I felt confident. I just came up and did my best in practice. I felt good. I will feel confident if I get some playing time. I have no idea how long I'm staying here so I'm just enjoying the time I am here."

Washington is coming off a heart-breaking 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh on Monday night. As has been the custom this season, the Caps spotted their opponent an early lead and then fought valiantly to get back into the game. Lately, the Washington offense has not been potent enough for the team to dig out of its first period holes. The Caps trailed Pittsburgh 2-0 after one period and were down 3-1 late in the second. Jeff Halpern's goal in the waning seconds of the second period breathed new life into the Capitals but Washington could not solve Pittsburgh netminder Johan Hedberg in the third period.


Washington went a man to the good when Pittsburgh's Alexei Kovalev was whistled for a hooking minor with exactly two minutes left in the third. With 1:06 left, the Caps pulled netminder Craig Billington and pushed their advantage to 6-on-4. Several golden opportunities resulted, but none of them got behind Hedberg. For a second straight game, the Caps vastly outplayed their opponent only to come away without a win.

Except for the recent pattern of falling behind early, Capitals head coach Butch Cassidy was pleased with his troops.

"I wasn't pleased [Monday] night getting behind early," says Cassidy. "We got a little rattled. But in the big picture those are two of the most complete games we've played all year. Of course we have one point to show for it. We out-chanced Florida 29-8. That was unbelievable, that we couldn't score two goals. All we needed was two to win. It's not like we needed five. [Monday] night, certainly we needed one at the end and I thought we had scored four times in the last minute. Didn't go in. It didn't go in."

That's been the story for the Caps since opening night. Goals have been extremely difficult to come by. Is Cassidy concerned with the dearth of scoring?


"I am but I'm not," he says. "I'd like to see some opportunistic goals. That could certainly be the difference between us being a couple of games over .500 instead of .500. At the same time, when you're creating chances, you know it's a matter of time before it comes. I'm glad to see [Dainius] Zubrus get some chances. I'm glad to see Mike Grier get some chances. I just don't think Mike Grier is going to miss an open net like he did. I don't think Zubie is going to overskate a puck on a breakaway. Funny things are happening for us right now in terms of offense. When those guys start chipping in and pucks go through for [Sergei] Gonch[ar], and even Calle [Johansson Monday] night joins the rush and the puck bounces over [his stick]. We're not getting a lot of breaks in terms of scoring and I think as long as you keep working to create, eventually they will go your way. I believe that.

"You keep plugging away. I don't think you want to change too much. You try to reinforce to the guys to hang around the front of the net. Right now, when we get one it's probably going to be an ugly one because some of the guys are snakebit right now."

Cassidy seems to have settled on some line combinations. The top line of Steve Konowalchuk, Robert Lang and Jaromir Jagr has been intact for a few games now, although Jagr does see double duty with other linemates.

"Since Kono has been on Lang's line," explains Cassidy, "they've sustained more cycles because that's Kono's strength. With Peter [Bondra], we're just trying to find guys to get him the puck. He's a shooter. Kip [Miller] has been with him a lot and Kip has a lot of assists so that's going okay in that regard."

Cassidy says he has noticed that Jeff Halpern seems to tailor his game to the type of players he's playing with.

"It's funny with Halpy," muses the Caps coach. "He's had some of his better games when you move him up into more of that - I don't like to peg guys - but let's say the second line with Bondra. When he plays on that third line and he's assigned a scoring line [to check] he tends to really get away from anything offensively. I don't know if he's having trouble finding the energy right now with the knee injury and missing [preseason games] or if it's just a mindset. He is a guy who is certainly capable of scoring 20 goals. We know that. Maybe we've got to get him thinking offense without getting away from what his primary role is, if that particular night he is checking.

"But when we're on the road, they have the last matchup. And I'm not a guy who is into that shuffling guys all the time. I think Zubie can do the job, I think Lang can do the job and I think Halpern can do the job. So for me, the matchups don't scare me one way or another. That's what I've noticed. He's had better offensive games when he has been sort of moved into that second line role. Maybe that's because he's with more offensive-minded guys or maybe that's his mindset. I don't know but I'd like to get him in that role a little more often."

At practice on Tuesday, Cassidy spent a great deal of time working with the team's first power play unit. Expect to see a bit of a different wrinkle when the Caps are up a man against Boston. Cassidy has moved some bodies around in an effort to get more players involved and to introduce a new look.

"We're just trying different things so that all our weapons are being used," he says. "Maybe if we run it one side, Peter sometimes gets lost. So if we try it from the other side, he is still a threat to shoot and everyone else is still involved in what we're trying to do. It's just a different look. When things aren't going well, you try different things and see how they work.

"I just think that if our power play was a little bit crisper the last two games, we get a win and a tie [instead of a tie and a loss]. We're not ready to push the panic button. We've had a lot of opportunities, it's just not going in. And if we go through another 10-game stretch like that where we get that many chances and none are going in, I probably still won't panic. We've just got to bear down out there and shoot to score a little better. But I can't fault the guys' effort and that's what it's about at this time of year. You're trying to set standards and I think we're playing better as a team in all areas of the ice."

Asked if he could pinpoint one or two problems with the power play or things the Caps needed to do to improve with the extra man, Cassidy leaned toward the mental more than the physical.

"Decision making is certainly an issue," he allows. "Maybe we need to simplify it and get pucks to the net or maybe we need to have more patience and spread them out a little more instead of rushing plays into the slot. When you've got guys like Gonch, Peter, Lang and Jags who are out there a lot, they're used to being go-to guys out there. Maybe they get frustrated if it's not happening and they all take it upon themselves to want to alleviate concerns about it. And that's sometimes not great. You want guys to be assertive but you also want them to realize that we have a bunch of guys who can score for us."

With the eight-game road trip behind them and the team squarely at .500, there are reasons to be optimistic. As Cassidy noted, the Capitals have played some of their best hockey of the season over the past three or four games. The defense has been fairly reliable, particularly at even strength. Rookie blueliner Steve Eminger has gradually been granted more ice time in more important situations and seems to be earning the trust of the staff and his teammates. The Washington offense is creating chances and when you've got the kind of talent the Caps have, it's just a matter of time before the goals start coming in bunches.

As is usually the case, there are also reasons to be cautious, if not pessimistic. Washington has yet to get a goal from any of its defensemen this season. Its talent-laden power play is in a rut. And the team's streak of eight games with two or fewer goals is relatively rare even in Washington's offensively challenged annals.

-more to follow-

 

[Sports Junkie]

-Continued from above-


Only once in the team's 29-year history has it gone more than eight games with two or fewer goals. That happened in the Carter administration, way back in 1977-78. Beginning with an 2-2 tie against Chicago on November 2, 1977 and concluding with a 5-2 loss at Toronto on November 16, Washington scored two or fewer goals for nine straight games. The Capitals went 0-6-3 in those nine games.

Washington has matched the current eight-game streak three times previously. The first time was later in that same '77-78 campaign, from February 12 through February 26, 1978. The team's record during that stretch was 1-7-0.

From March 12 through March 26, 1998 the Caps went eight straight games with two or fewer goals but managed to break even, going 4-4-0. Early in the following season, from October 21 through November 6, 1998, the Caps went 1-5-2 over an eight-game span with two or fewer goals in each.

Washington's power play - ranked tops in the league just three games ago - has plummeted to 17th overall with a 15.9 percent conversion rate heading into Tuesday's NHL action. Capital penalty killers have successfully snuffed 84.2 percent of the opposition's power plays, 12th best in the NHL.

Some observers predicted doom for the Bruins this season. Boston allowed starting goaltender Byron Dafoe to leave via free agency and was also unable to re-sign power forward Bill Guerin who paced the club with 41 goals last season. But the Bruins have confounded the naysayers, getting off to a swift start under adverse circumstances.

Boston opened season with a six-game road trip, the longest season-opening trip in franchise history. (The Bruins had five-game trips to open the season in both 1943-44 and 1944-45.) The B's went 4-1-1 on this season's journey. Boston was clobbered in Minnesota by a 5-1 score on opening night but has not lost since.

On October 14 in Colorado, Boston earned its first win of the season when Sergei Samsonov scored at 19:59 of the third period to give the B's a 2-1 victory. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first game-winning goal scored in the final second of regulation time in an NHL game since Phoenix's Keith Tkachuk turned the trick on March 17, 1999. Samsonov became the third Bruin ever to net a last second game-winner, joining Hall of Famers John Bucyk (Feb. 22, 1968 at Detroit) and Raymond Bourque (Dec. 4, 1986 vs. Quebec) in a select club.

Boston has since lost Samsonov to a wrist injury, goaltender John Grahame to a shoulder injury and grinding winger Martin Lapointe to a broken foot. Despite the loss of those three key players, the Bruins have not suffered any additions to the loss column in the standings since opening night.

The team is also without hard-hitting and injury-prone defenseman Kyle McLaren, who is holding out and has requested a trade. McLaren took offense at Boston's qualifying offer last summer, which stipulated a much lower salary in the event that McLaren would spend time in the minors. He made the Bruins' roster as an 18-year-old in the fall of 1995 and has yet to spend a single day in the minors since.

Boston management may agree to McLaren's request and there figure to be several interested suitors. But Boston's strong start allows the team to sit back and take its time. The Bruins are in a position to field and contemplate offers for the disgruntled defenseman while deciding what they would most like to receive in return.

Boston is currently 5-0-2 in its last seven, the team's longest unbeaten streak in two years.

The Bruins last played on Saturday when they nipped the Atlanta Thrashers by a 4-3 score with a late goal on home ice. Brian Rolston scored the game-winner on a Boston power play with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

The Bruins return home after their visit to the nation's capital, hosting Anaheim at the Fleet Center on Thursday night.

Despite their excellent start, the Bruins have struggled on special teams thus far. Boston's power play unit has clicked on just 10.8 percent of its manpower advantage situations and ranks 27th in the league. Bruin penalty killers have killed off only 78.2 percent of opposing power plays, the 25th best rate in the league.

 

[acehistr8]

I liked Boston here a lot last night at +120 notice it has fallen to +105. Still think this is a good night for a Bruins win.

 

[Sports Junkie]

Considering they are probably starting a rookie in goal, I can't disagree with you.

 

[Sports Junkie]

Note: Not handicapping related, but...

The Caps now have 9 defenseman on the NHL roster including rookie Eminger and 2 waiver wire pickups in Berry and Henry, as well as promising dman Yonkman back in Portland. IMO something is brewing...I think either Klee or Witt along with unsigned center Nikolishin and maybe someone else are being dealt for proven offensive 2nd line center. I can't think of any other reason for them to carry this many dmen and have no depth at forward.