The second half of the 2011-2012 season wmuch ore compelling than usual for the Capitals as they fight for a playoff spot and the Southeast Division crown. With that in mind, here are some predictions for the 2nd half.
1) Ovechkin will score 40 goals and reach the 80 point plateau.
As has become the common saying, this use to be automatic for the Great 8. I think the second half of this half is when Ovechkin gets back to being himself. The Capitals are going to need Ovechkin more than usual this year and I feel he will rise to occasion as he often does in the playoffs. He has been hot of late and seems to be adapting to Hunters new system. I believe part of Ovechkin's slide was a result giving up on Boudreau's system. That does not speak well to Ovechkin's leadership, but it would support a return to form in the 2nd half.
2) Mike Green has played his last regular season game in a Capitals jersey
This one is least likely to come to fruition as he might return from injury, but Green's fall from grace as been striking. He simply cannot stay healthy and I can see the organization playing it safe and trying to get him healthy for the playoffs. Even if he does return for the playoffs, I do not see him returning to DC. It would be too risky to give him the money he would demand on the open market and frankly, the money would be better spent on Carlson and Wideman. The rise of Dmitri Orlov also makes Green expendable.
3) The Capitals will not make a drastic move at the deadline, but a surprising peice is moved.
While I have advocated trading Semin, it will not happen. McPhee has been insanely loyal to the core and I do not see that changing as he tries to give Hunter a chance to win with the current stars. I do see the Caps making a play for a center and depth defenseman. Tim Gleason would be a nice fit on the blue line or possibly trying to reunite Hamrlik with Hal Gill and I think Schultz could get both those deals done. At center, look for the Capitals to take advantage of two sinking ships to add a depth center, such as Sammy Pahlssom from Columbus or Paul Gaustad from Buffalo. If a current Capital is moved, I would expect it to be Matt Perrault who I think is expendable and would bring a decent return.
4) Troy Brouwer will be the Chimera of the 2nd half and Wideman continues to be Green. Semin will not top 25 goals and Knuble will not break 15.
Love his game that combines grit with a scoring touch that should thrive under Dale Hunter. He will top the 30 goal mark and will be fill the void that has been left by a snake bitten and suddenly old Mike Knuble. Wideman, as well as Carlson, will continue to thrive under their former Loundon Knight coach. Semin meanwhile will continue to struggle and leaves for Russia at the end of the season.
5) Michal Neuvirth will play a vital role down the stretch
Vokoun has been a workhorse, but his rebound control has been bad all year and he looks slow. When he is streaking it is hard to deny his talent, but Neuvy will prove more consistent for the stretch run.
6) The Capitals will win the Southeast and make the Eastern Conference finals.
The Caps will have to fight to get in, which will benefit them as they will play meaningful hockey until the end of the regular season. And if they get in, I believe they will finally be playing the defensively responsible and gritty game that is necessary to win in the postseason. They ultimately will fall short of the ultimate prize as the offensive woes return against another team that plays good playoff hockey.
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