The dead-last Washington Capitals held practice Friday after a blow out loss in Pittsburgh Thursday night. Capitals General Manager George McPhee met with the media today to discuss the Caps struggles and said “I like the people here”.
“With respect to the way we’re playing [with regards to] systems, I like the way we’re playing,” McPhee said. “I think if you’re watching, our team has really adjusted to the system pretty quickly — we wanted it right away, but it’s quicker than we were hoping for. The issue with our club right now, in my mind, is all these penalties that we’re taking. It’s too much.”
But he says penalties are only half the problems.
McPhee added, “We’re giving up too many goals and it seems to be related to a lot of these penalties that we’re taking. It’s too hard on the team and it’s too hard on the goaltenders.”
McPhee also talked about on what he can do to fix this.
“If there’s something I can do to make the club better, I will…I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
McPhee added, “We’re going to make good decisions. We’re not going to do anything short-term. We’re not going to blow anything up.”
The Caps forward lines today were: Johansson-Backstrom-Brouwer, Wolski-Ribeiro-Ovi, Fehr-Perreault-Ward, Chimera-Crabb-Beagle-Hendricks. All eight defenseman practiced. John Erskine and Mathieu Perreault are likely back in the line-up tomorrow. Braden Holtby will be in goal tomorrow.
Brooks Laich practiced today and McPhee said “He’s improving and hopefully we’ll see him soon.”
McPhee said that he heard last week that Dmitry Orlov is probably a month away. McPhee said Jack Hillen is likely another six-to-eight weeks away.
Listen here to what George McPhee, Adam Oates, Troy Brouwer, John Erskine, Tom Poti, Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth & Joel Ward had to say today.
George McPhee Press Conference Part 1
02-08-13 George McPhee Presser 1
George McPhee Press Conference Part 2
02-08-13 George McPhee Presser 2
Adam Oates Practice Audio
02-08-13 Adam Oates Practice RAW
Troy Brouwer Practice Audio
02-08-13 Troy Brouwer Practice RAW
John Erskine Practice Audio
02-08-13 John Erskine Practice RAW
Tom Poti Practice Audio
02-08-13 Tom Poti Practice RAW
Braden Holtby Practice Audio
02-08-13 Braden Holtby Practice RAW
Michal Neuvirth Practice Audio
02-08-13 Michal Neuvirth Practice RAW
Joel Ward Practice Audio