First-time poster and Caps STH here.
A first comment specifically about Backstrom. Yes, he is having what arguably might be his worst season. His point production is certainly the worst of his career -- up to this year he's been a point-per-game player, remarkably consistent. But a big part of his game has always been slowing the game down, and he is really fighting the tide of the league here. And it isn't just offensively. His line has been the one consistently getting pinned in its own zone for extended periods of time. This isn't just the defense -- an Ovie/Backstrom/Wilson line simply doesn't have the dynamic quickness to extricate the puck from the zone against quick play by the opposition in today's NHL. I really think at this point Burakovsky should be moved up with Ovie and Backstrom, Wilson to play with Kuzy and Vrana or Connolly or Stephenson or whoever, and Oshie moved down to Eller's line.
And then, Holtby. I wonder if the strain -- maybe mental more than physical -- of being the man for the past several years isn't wearing on him a little. Last year for the first time he was human in the playoffs rather than being as good a playoff goalie statistically as there has ever been the few years before. And this year he's suddenly hit a wall in the last half of the season. I don't think it's necessarily a permanent decline, but he may simply be losing focus, and you can't do that. Grubauer has been getting more work lately. It may be that, if things for the team keep sliding, that Trotz may have to shift Grubauer to a more significant, maybe majority, role for awhile to allow Holtby to recharge the batteries.
I also noticed the comments in the last game thread belittling the Caps struggles with Buffalo. What I didn't hear mentioned was that the same Sabres tore the Bruins apart the next night. So what do you say about the Bruins, who have been among the best teams in the league the past few months. There are no easy games in the league any more. If you aren't quite ready to play, you are going to struggle against anyone.
