Semin Expected Back Tomorrow
Left wing Alexander Semin is expected to return the lineup tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Although Semin has missed the past four games with a shoulder injury, he remains the team's third leading scorer with 17 points. Which says a lot about the current state of the Capitals, who have lost six in a row (0-4-2) and have been outscored 15-2 since the second period of Wednesday loss to the Atlanta Thrashers.
Having a struggling Semin (goal-less in 12 games) return won't solve the club's problems, but it will help. Not only is he overdue for a goal (or three), he takes some of the defensive heat of Alex Ovechkin by forcing opposing teams to chose which player to focus on stopping. Because of his stick-handling ability and deceptive shot, Semin is also a major threat on power play, which is seven for its last 51 opportunities.
Meantime, veteran right wing Richard Zednik is questionable for Tampa. He left Saturday's game on Long Island with an undisclosed injury (though not the wrist that sidelined him for miss six games earlier this month) in the second period and did not return. He didn't practice today, but will go out for the pregame skate tomorrow morning and will be a game-time decision.
With Semin expected to be back, and Zednik a possibility, the club sent prospect Eric Fehr back to Hershey of the American Hockey League after practice.
By
Tarik El-Bashir
|
November 27, 2006; 2:04 PM ET
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Posted by: usiel | November 27, 2006 3:12 PM | Report abuse
Klepis is back from Hershey. But I think he's going to be a scratch against the Lightning. At least that's they way it looked a practice today.
Posted by: Tarik | November 27, 2006 3:24 PM | Report abuse
Hello Tarik,
Gracias for the update. But . . .
If Klepis is benched then who will play instead of him????
ovechkin-zubrus-clark
semin-klepis-pettinger
clymer-sutherby-bradley
laich-gordon-beech
Posted by: Greg | November 27, 2006 8:23 PM | Report abuse
Hey Tarik..
Can you check on Sasha Pokulok? He's been out all year long with a concussion in Hershey. It can't be good for a guy drafted that high to be sitting out all year.
And while you're at it, how 'come GM-GM drafted three huge defensemen in the first round anyway (Schultz, Finley, Pokulok) when it's clear the league is moving towards mobile defensemen like Mike Green?
Just axin'
Posted by: oneal | November 27, 2006 8:41 PM | Report abuse
Could you compile a short list of possible players that may be available for trade during the season that could add some veteran leadership and a scoring punch? Thanks!!
Posted by: RMcCleaf | November 28, 2006 11:01 AM | Report abuse
In regard to the Caps' recent scoring woes, some mention should be made of the anemic scoring from the CBS line (i.e., Clymer-Bradley-Sutherby). Last year that line contributed approximately 45 goals or one every other game. This year, the CBS line (including Laich before Clymer was put back on the line), has five goals in 23 games or one every fourth game. One of the Caps' mantras during the rebuild is that young players improve over time. As far as the CBS line is concerned,it is not apparent their D has improved (based on the Caps' league-high shots against), and their O has clearly regressed.
In the past month all the focus has been on the lack of scoring from the Caps' purported second scoring line. Well, the CBS line should share some of the blame for the lack of scoring.
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Thx for the update, Tarik. Any info regarding Klepis staying down at Hershey or being recalled for the Tampa game?