Live Q&As

The Caps guard injuries and goaltender info like state secrets. I don't if Vokoun ruffled Boudreau's feathers, but I'm sure someone from the PR department will be talking to him soon.

Pretty sure the conversation will go something like this: 'Tomas, we don't talk about that around here. Ever."

I've always thought keeping injury/goaltender/lineup questions a secret was more trouble that it was actually worth. But, hey, that's probably because it directly affects my job.

Short answer is yes. While October features a tough schedule for the Caps, it seems a little odd and surprising that they wouldn't use the grand stage of the season opener to show Vokoun off in front of the home crowd.

He's quite possibly the most important of all the free agents that were brought in during the offseason and Coach Bruce Boudreau has repeatedly stated that Vokoun has earned the respect of a No. 1 goaltender. So why not start him when the season begins and reinforce everything that has been said since Vokoun signed in July?

There are several good talkers in the Caps' room. But if I had five minutes until deadline and could only talk to one player, they would be, in order: Brooks Laich, Mike Knuble and Karl Alzner.

Troy Brouwer, meantime, is growing on me. 

I have to imagine so. After four straight division titles, someone must unseat the Capitals before they won't be the favorites here.

While Tampa will definitely challenge the Capitals this season and we could see a rivalry start to grow there, Washington has set itself up to take command of the Southeast once again. 

Trust is a strong word. So I don't know if I "trust" them or not.

But I will say this: the 2011-12 Caps are the most balanced team I've covered since the lockout. 

Another thing I'm a big fan of: The vets that GMGM brought in. There's just a different feel to the room. More grown ups. Fewer folks who are wondering/care whether they fit. Or whether they're going to get sent down tomorrow. Or where the party's at.

As a 30-something, I've become a fan of 30-somethings. 

I like what I've seen from Alexander Semin. None of the big guns have looked great on the ice yet, but he hasn't missed a practice. He's not nursing an injury. And he's speaking to the media (and, by extension his fans) in English.

Little things, but good signs, I say.

1. In net. Despite the talents of the Capitals' young goaltenders last year, the presence of a veteran brings stability both from a coaching standpoint and also for the players in front of him. Regardless of whether Vokoun starts in the opener, he is a reliable, proven commodity in the NHL and that can be a valuable thing for a team looking to make a long postseason run. 

2. Grittiness. There's a little more snarl, a little more sandpaper in the dressing room this year. Troy Brouwer and Joel Ward help out big time there, but as you watch the Capitals on Saturday take a look at the size the team has up front. They should be able to use their lineup of forwards to establish a physical forecheck night in and night out.

3. It seems like a more balanced group. As opposed to a locker room where the amount of youth stood out, there is now a balance between young and experienced players. There's a better mix of skill and grit, and players who can provide both than there may have been last year as well. 

I'm honestly stunned by the decision. The only thing I can think of is Boudreau decided to reward Neuvirth for a stellar preseason.

This season is supposed to be all about accountability, right? Well, one was good in the exhibitions and one was decidedly avearge. Neuvirth had a 1.35 goals against average and a .949 save percentage in three games; Vokoun had a 3.26 and .870 in three games.

If you look at it that way, perhaps it's not so stunning.

But ask yourself this: What if Neuvy shuts out the 'Canes and gets on a roll? What then? 

How much playing time Mathieu Perreault gets will depend largely on his ability to prove that he's a consistent pro. With his on-ice performance that means making sure he contributes on the scoresheet while avoiding lapses away from the puck and in the defensive zone. Off ice, Perreault mentioned earlier this week that it means taking better care of himself and focusing on his preparation. 

While Perreault likely benefits from his waiver satus, he would have to pass through waivers in order to be assigned to Hershey, he's going to have to earn a regular spot in the lineup. 

Mike Knuble had no points and a minus-2 rating in four games. So, not so great. 

But the 39-year-old reported in great shape and, after getting bounced around the lineup, figures to be the first line right wing tomorrow night.

The obvious answer about two hours ago was Tomas Vokoun. Now I'm wondering a little bit.

I don't think I can pick between those two, because the Capitals ultimately need both. Having Ovechkin regain his old form as one of the most potent offensive players in the NHL will help calibrate the rest of the offense, particularly the power play. 

For this team to continue to make forward progress as a whole, though, it needs Ovechkin to work toward becoming a better captain. Whether it's trying to be more of a vocal leader, to attending even optional practices and so on, Ovechkin's actions set the tone for the dressing room and the franchise. 

I agree with you. The Caps should have gotten more involved with Semin earlier. Instead, he was allowed to get away with stuff, like ducking out of the dressing room after losses (or during slumps) instead of answering questions.

But, hey, hindsight is 20-20. I'm just glad he's gonna talk this season. 

I wrote a blog post on D.J. when he returned to DC a month ago.

You raise a valid question. But I also think you know the answer to it.

Boudreau doesn't dress players who don't play a regular shift or contribute regularly on the score sheet. Period.

Granted this is based on the assumption that Alex Ovechkin will be ready to play after returning from Moscow following the death of his uncle, but the lineup has looked like this for most of the week.

Forwards: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble/Brouwer-Johansson or Perreault-Semin/Chimera-Laich-Ward/Hendricks-Halpern-Beagle

Defense:Alzner-Carlson/Hamrlik-Green/Schultz-Wideman

If Ovechkin isn't able to play, Boudreau has used either Perreault or Johansson as the left wing on the top line with the other centering the second.

Tomas is not sick or injured to my knowledge. He hasn't missed any practice time.

BTW, he just walked past media room with his parents, wife, kids and others, all whom I presume flew into town for tomorrow night's opener.

Surprise!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Boudreau has been sending messages all preseason. He's called out veterans, he's benched a player or two, he pointed to the goal line when Alex Ovechkin pulled up short in the conditioning test, etc.

Maybe this is another one. Maybe not.

This year it seems like the Capitals are putting the emphasis on the process, from conditioning and working hard in practice to making sure they take the regular season seriously. 

Last year everyone was in such a rush to get to the playoffs, heck Alex Ovechkin admitted he tried to play himself into peak shape for the playoffs rather than the season itself, that the details were lost through the cracks. If the Capitals stick with the message they've been sending about accountability, they shouldn't have a problem focusing on the results of the regular season. While it isn't the ultimate goal, they can't spend 82 games developing bad habits that will come back to bite them in the playoffs.