The Day The Transition Died

TIC TAC TOE. Tape to Tape.
Caps 2, Kings 5

The Caps Machine sans its best puck-moving blueliner isn't really a machine at all. The would-be machine more closely resembles my Dad's myriad failed endeavors in the home improvement arena.
It's incredible that a club can survive without its most versatile player (Feds), it's most skilled stick-handler (Semin) and it's number one defensive blueliner (Mo), but freak and geek without a top offensive blueliner.

The shellacking at the hands of the lowly Kings is a reminder of how imperative it is -- and even more so in the post-lockout NHL -- to have a blueliner who can lead the rush from his own zone. Controlled breakouts, stretch passes, and a generally stellar transition game is the foundation upon which great offenses are built.

Tonight it showed.

Green's marked absence was hardly the only thing with last night's effort, but I'm guessing we'd have had more than seven shots after thirty minutes of play had Green suited up.

In other news, Matt Greene registered an assist on Sully's wrister. How about that Doughty?