“I don’t think any team can win when your star players aren’t getting the points that are needed,” Boudreau said. “It’s going to be very difficult. I’m not sitting here criticizing our players. That’s just a fact.”
The failure was so thorough that it raises questions about the culture inside the dressing room. Who holds whom accountable? How does such a talented core of players, one that’s endured so much postseason turmoil the past four seasons, get beat twice with their season on the line?
The general manager did his job by adding quality and experience — Scott Hannan, Dennis Wideman and Jason Arnott — during the regular season. The coach did his, too. When his star players stopped scoring midseason, he implemented a system that saw them shut down opponents and ascend to the top of the East.
At some point, the men wearing the red, white and blue must do the job.
The day began ominously with top defenseman Mike Green limping out of the arena after an optional morning skate. He was injured earlier in the series and attempted to play through the suspected left leg injury in Game 3, but was unable to finish the game. Without him, the degree of difficulty grew exponentially.
Still, the Capitals managed to remain within a goal at the start of the third period. But then the “little things” Alzner referred to tripped them up. With Marco Sturm in the penalty box for goaltender interference, Marc-Andre Bergeron ripped a point shot past Michal Neuvirth to put the Lightning ahead, 4-2. In all, Washington took five minors to the Lightning’s three.
“There were just little gaps in 60 minutes of hockey,” Arnott said. “That’s playoffs. Coming into it, we talked about playing a solid 60, not leaving little gaps in our game. And we did.”
Again.
Now it’s time for McPhee and ownership to make some difficult decisions regarding the future of this group of players. Because it’s obvious that a shakeup is necessary.
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