Caps/Leafs 3/11/12 recap

Wow. What a game. 3 game winning streak feels great, doesn't it?

• Being naturally optimistic, I feel the need to say it. I've seen a shift in energy, and it looks like things are finally gelling and this team looks like the team they should be. 
• Offensive depth. Really, what more do I have to say on the subject? The hole of Nicky Backstrom down the center is becoming less noticeable, at least in my eyes. Of course, nothing can replace him.
• BROOKS LAICH. Can we take more than a minute to discuss this one? Two consecutive game winning goals? He gets himself a shorty today? AND THE WAY HE READ THAT PLAY that in itself was remarkable. Talk about a hot streak. And its something he definitely earned. Brooks is the heart and soul of our team, as shown by the collective suicide our fanbase nearly committed after his knee injury. He's definitely showing leadership and dedication here and GODDAMN are we happy to have this man on our team. God bless you Brooks Laich just... you are just perfect.

And of course, we love all the puns that come with your name. (Laich a boss, baby I Laich it, LAICHLY SUSPECT, etc.)

• Mattie P nabs another one, but really lets be honest here this one was ALL Alex Semin. As this man would say, what a filthy assist. And is there really any other description for that? What a beauty. 2-0 Washington and we can all breathe a sigh of relief.
• Poor Mike Knuble. He's been scratched so often and the world just seems to have it out for him. Can't seem to buy a goal to save his life. Might want to look into sacrificial slaughtering, Papa Kanoobs. Worth a shot since luck seems to constantly be against you.
• The only reason this game wasn't 4-0 or 5-0, was Jonas Gustavsson. Gotta give credit where credit is due, and he pretty much kept any hope the Leafs had alive with some brilliant stops. And with a little luck, of course (aka Marcus' mysterious whiff on an open net. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN DAMN STICK.)

• Neuvy, playing his 100th career game, earns a shutout. And MY LORD, did he earn it. That save on Frattin? Absolutely UNREAL. Congrats to him for making his 100th career game a memorable one for all of us.

I'm cautious about saying it, but I'm starting to see flashes of something great. That something that I knew was there all along and that I've been waiting for. Its so much easier to breathe after games like this, after win streaks like this. We're only one point behind Florida, but we've knocked the Leafs back 8 points, and that's nearly eliminating quite a threat.

Something had to break. I've been sitting here for months saying it; at some point, everything has to click. I didn't know when it was going to happen, but I had faith that it had to. We're too talented a team to just be as mediocre as we have been this season. There was something that was going to give and part of me believes it has. Everything just seems to be working at this point.

Islanders tuesday. Don't Stop Believin', Caps fans.