What Caps learn from 6-4 loss to Flyers

Courtesy: CBS – Washington

The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers once again played in a bone-crunching, exhilarating hockey game that didn’t disappoint the national audience tuning in.

While the Flyers came out on top – and it appeared as if they were en route to a blowout similar to the 7-0 thumping Washington dished out in Philadelphia Nov. 1 – the Capitals made it interesting with a revitalized third period that left those that failed to switch the channel happy they didn’t.

But what did the Capitals really learn from this loss?

Their three trades can tell the story in some ways.

General manager George McPhee was active once again at the trade deadline as per usual. He made what appears to be three good trades that could bolster the Capitals to the playoffs in 2013-14 and potentially bringing in a new crop of players for the long run.

In looking at the three trades, there are good and bad.

Getting rid of Martin Erat was a must. Underachieved mightily and began his temporary stay in D.C. last season on the injured list more than in the top four lines. He didn’t want to play for Washington, requested to be traded multiple times – even after he was given chances to compete with the top lines – and played some of his better hockey over the last few months, including his time for the Czech Republic in Sochi. He was a malcontent to this franchise and someone that needs a change of scenery to return to the form he established back in Nashville.

As for the move to acquire Dustin Penner, it may not be an immediate impact, as in this week, but the forward gives the Capitals something they don’t have up front: size. Penner was well-liked in the Anaheim locker room and the move came as somewhat of a shock for the first place Ducks, but there is a downside to the two-time Stanley Cup winner. While he plays good in the postseason, he has a reputation for playing lazy.

What has been the one question of the Capitals time and time again?

Their ability to put out quality efforts each shift and play disciplined hockey.

While Penner isn’t what the Capitals have traditionally in terms of playing style, he fits the mold of what has been the Achilles heel of the Capitals.

Courtesy: newswhip.com

And it showed in the game Wednesday.

Lots of uncontrolled sticks off the ice, silly penalties and lazy back-checking efforts led to the Flyers taking advantage of giveaways and gimmes in the neutral and Capitals’ zone. Mike Green in particular had an awful game, despite two assists, due to puck-watching and lackadaisical effort along the boards and fighting for 50-50 pucks.

Bottom line: The hockey IQ hasn’t been there all season and with 19 games left, it isn’t going to magically appear like a dollar under a pillow from the tooth fairy.

Then there’s the trade for Jaroslav Halak. Yeah, that guy. The guy who single-handedly defeated the Capitals in a playoff series Washington fans unfortunately remember all too well. The 2009-10 President’s Trophy season that ultimately led to a first-round exit on the heels of excellent performances from the Czech native.

He’s been known to be somewhat of a streaky netminder, but does have solid numbers to back up his resume. He was also coming from a team whose defense was far superior in the St. Louis Blues. When the guys in front of the crease are good, the goalie’s job is that much easier.

As disheveled – or as NHL.com’s E.J. Hradek called it a “mess” – as the Capitals’ goaltending situation was with three’s company in Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth and Philipp Gruabuer, the guys in front of them weren’t providing stalwart defense in support of their goaltenders between the pipes.

That being said, getting rid of Neuvirth is a positive, but keeping Braden Holtby around is a negative.

Neuvirth requested to be traded earlier in the season and faded to the background somewhat as he received a good bid of health, more playing time and productive starts in net. He declared publicly about wanting to take his talents to a franchise where he can start. He gets dealt to the Buffalo Sabres – a team in disarray and rebuilding mode – where he will compete with Jonas Enroth for the starting gig. He still might not outright win that job, but a franchise like Buffalo offers the contentious goalie the chance he wanted from the get-go.

Holtby sticking around in D.C. is worrisome for a few reasons. Unfortunately, Braden hasn’t had the veteran presence to help him grow in his young career in the NHL. He has Olaf Kolzig as his position coach, but is regarded as the top guy at his position, when it was more of him assuming the role because there was nobody else to fill the void. A few good playoff series’ and stints in the regular season propelled Holtby to where he is now.

Courtesy: Washington Post

But 2013-14 has shown a different side of the 24-year-old. He hasn’t played with a lot of confidence all year long and that is not a recipe for a Stanley Cup Champion. Hence why a move was made. Hence why his mentality wasn’t there tonight. It hasn’t been all season. Ever since Grubauer, who seemingly plays with more confidence despite not being a measure of consistency either, gained some starts with the big club, Holtby’s demeanor changed in the locker room.

He became more of an “I don’t know what’s wrong” kind of player. And that’s not good.

Whenever a professional athlete isn’t confident in their abilities, they’ve been beaten even before they set foot onto the ice.

So, in comes Halak.

While it remains to be seen if this is a rental or a long-term fixture in goal, Wednesday night’s outcome against the Flyers is a reflection of what Braden Holtby’s season – and the Capitals for that matter – has been.

Whenever teams make deals at the deadline, there’s a sentiment that cites desperation in regards to the action[s] of the general manager. Washington is a team looking for their elusive first Stanley Cup title, but a playoff appearance might not even seem likely even with these deals. As tight-knit as the bottom of the Eastern Conference is, “murderer’s row” remains on the schedule for the Capitals.

If they don’t play more sound, disciplined hockey against much tougher competition, they will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

And in the playoffs, every team is good.