They have one of the league’s best snipers, set-up men and goaltenders. They haven’t lost in 12 games, went unbeaten on a recent six-game West Coast trip and have lost only four times all season at home.
Yet when the discussion is raised of possible teams to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup finals, few people mention the Washington Capitals.
“They are one of the most underrated teams in the league to me,” Blackhawks coach Alpo Suhonen said of the Caps, whom the Hawks will face Tuesday night at the MCI Center. “Year in, year out, nobody speaks about Washington and I don’t know why that is.”
After another slow start, the Caps have taken control of the Southeast Division. That in itself isn’t much of an accomplishment considering it is the weakest of the league’s six divisions. But the Caps have proved they can win outside the division.
“We just keep reminding everybody of the little things we do well and to play to our strengths,” Washington coach Ron Wilson said.
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At the beginning of the season, few would have thought that Peter Bondra would still be in a Capitals uniform by the end of February. Bondra asked to be traded during the off-season and there appeared to be little chance he and the team would be able to agree on a new contract. But they came to an agreement and Bondra, once known solely as a sniper, has turned into a complete player while still filling the net. He leads the Capitals with 37 goals, 17 on the power play. Center Adam Oates is again among the league leaders in assists with 50.
Goaltender Olaf Kolzig is having another solid season and will be counted on the carry the Caps deep into the playoffs. Washington went to the Stanley Cup finals three years ago, getting swept by Detroit.
“They have one of the best goalies in the league and he doesn’t get any credit,” Suhonen said. “Everybody speaks of [Curtis Joseph], and [Martin] Brodeur and [Patrick] Roy and whatever, but [Kolzig’s] been playing solid for four or five years.”
Dominoes ready to fall: Now that the Phoenix Coyotes have signed goalie Sean Burke to a contract extension, holdout netminder Nikolai Khabibulin is sure to be dealt before the March 13 trade deadline.
Burke has had a wonderful season after being acquired from Florida. He leads the NHL with a .927 save percentage.
It was thought that Burke would be around only until the new ownership group, led by Wayne Gretzky, took over and re-signed Khabibulin. But Burke’s play has made it easier for the Coyotes to take a different path. Burke’s deal is reportedly for $3 million a season for three years, the same deal Khabibulin turned down. Khabibulin is reportedly asking for $4 million a year for three years.
A Phoenix radio station reported Khabibulin would be traded by the end of the week.
New York seems a likely destination, given that the Rangers are without injured Mike Richter, have deep pockets and Rangers GM Glen Sather has already been making inquiries.
The Rangers are still trying to slip into the eighth and last Eastern Conference playoff spot. While they likely won’t make it with Kirk McLean as their No. 1, how effective can Khabibulin be considering he hasn’t played an NHL game in almost two seasons? The Rangers are also interested in Keith Tkachuk, whom the Coyotes may have to deal to dump his $8.3 million salary.
St. Louis was rumored to be in pursuit of Richter before his injury and may be interested in Khabibulin, but would a rusty Khabibulin be better than Roman Turek come playoff time?
All’s quiet: There have been rumors that Hawks GM Mike Smith has been calling Phoenix about Khabibulin, but the asking price may be higher than the Hawks can pay. In fact, don’t expect the Hawks to be too active as the deadline approaches. The Hawks just don’t have enough depth to make a big splash.
“Up front we only have five offensive guys who can produce,” Smith said. “If you trade one of those guys and get a defenseman, now you only have four. The fans say make deals. Well if you make a trade for a big player and you trade three players, who is going to play with the big player?”
Decision time: It will be interesting to see what the Atlanta Thrashers do with their leading scorer and potential unrestricted free agent, Donald Audette. The two sides were reportedly ready to sign a new deal when the Steve Sullivan deal with the Hawks was announced. Now Audette wants a deal similar to the one that Sullivan signed, three years at $3 million per.
“I don’t think they can afford to let me go to the summer and take a chance,” he said. “I know if a contract doesn’t get done before the deadline, I’ll be dealt, no question about it.”
Audette is having his best season with 29 goals and 66 points. He’s in the final year of his contract, which is worth $2 million this season.
Just win baby: What’s the biggest difference between the dressing room of the league-leading Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings?
“I didn’t see a stat sheet in the room after the game,” new Colorado defenseman Rob Blake said. “Usually you go into the rooms and there are stat sheets laying around. I don’t think anybody cares about that here, and that’s a nice feeling.”