Wow, the Caps 9-4 in January

Hey everyone, it's been some time since I've made a post, and a lot has happened this month for both me & the Caps! I'm back from vacation, so let's catch up!

The Caps have gone 9-4 for the month of January. Ovechkin has taken the goal lead (43) after his 4 goal performance tonight and should also have the points lead (70) as of tonight. Nicklas Backstrom (rookie) is currently 2nd only to Chicago's Patrick Kane for total points for a rookie this season. The Caps have 5 players with double digits in goals. Kolzig earns another win and this moves him up another notch on the all time wins for a goalie list just right behind Ron Hextall.

In other words, this month has been very good for the caps. Since Thanksgiving they have climbed from the Southeast cellar all the way to #2 and are 1 game above .500. They are 3 points away from tying for the lead in the division and have a HUGE game against the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday in DC. With Ilya Kovalchuk out due to a knee injury, the Caps should have a good chance to take this game and begin some separation in the division.

The only concerns I have now is that the Caps are starting to look a little tired overall and a little doggish on the ice on defense. Mental errors have cost them too many goals this season so far, not to mention the last second goals in the end of the periods. Tonight they allowed a goal in with .4 seconds left in the 2nd period, and again in the 3rd with about 24 seconds to allow the Habs to tie the game, sending it to OT. Luckily the Caps had Ovie in the right place at the right time in OT and he banged home his 4th for the night. In the Toronto game they also let a goal squeak by with 30 seconds left in the game, allowing the Maple Leafs to win that game.

Defense needs to be better, and goal tending sure needs some work. That's not to say that the offense doesn't need some work either. Ovechkin can't carry this team and make the playoffs by himself. The Caps need more production from other contributors such as Kozlov, Green, Backstrom, Semin, Fleischmann and Clark (if he ever returns this season).

In short, the Caps have sure turned things around, and the Caps faithful have something to celebrate finally. A real honest shot at making the playoffs for the first time in 5 seasons. Let's all hope for a strong finish and a great playoff run! Go Caps!