Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Small changes seem to go long way for Caps Date: Mon, 9 Nov 92 14:59:57 EST Message-ID: \SE C;SPORTS \HD Small changes seem to go long way for Caps \BY Karen Goldberg \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES A new look sometimes can make a big difference in the NHL. It has worked for the Washington Capitals, who are 2-0-1 since trading right wing Kevin Miller to St. Louis for defenseman Paul Cavallini and bringing up center Steve Konowalchuk from Baltimore. But whether those two players are the only reason for the Caps' recent success is debatable. "Maybe my situation is timing," Cavallini said yesterday. "The team has really come together and is working hard. Maybe I just caught the team on a positive upswing and am just riding the wave." Cavallini might be right. He has not contributed offensively. But the team hasn't lost since he was acquired Nov. 1 from the Blues in exchange for Miller (no goals, three assists, minus 4 defensive rating). Miller came to the Caps in June in a swap for Dino Ciccarelli, the team's leading goal-scorer last season. While the team needs more offensive power, Caps coach Terry Murray said it must rely on the defense to win games right now. "Cavallini is coming in to add to a corps that, I think, will make us the best defensive corps in the league as far as talent and ability are concerned," Murray said. "If we are not scoring goals, then we better concentrate on the defensive part of the game, and I think it has helped us a whole lot right now." Konowalchuk and right wing Keith Jones were brought up Friday to fill in for right wing Mark Hunter (slight concussion) and center Michal Pivonka (groin pull). Konowalchuk has contributed two goals and two assists. Pivonka has been out three weeks with a groin pull. He re-aggravated the injury last week while skating with the Skipjacks. Murray said he is waiting for a medical evaluation on Pivonka before he will speculate when the center, who led the Caps with 80 points last season, can return. When he does return, though, it is certain to affect Konowalchuk's playing time. "[Konowalchuk] has handled all the situations he has played in very well," Murray said. "I'm impressed with his tenacity and hard work. But when Pivonka comes back, the most logical thing is [Konowalchuk] is not going to get the same minutes. He is going to be knocked down to a fourth-line siutation, and I don't think that's what we want for him. He has great ability, so I'd like to see him get all the ice time possible." Konowalchuk could be sent back to Baltimore, but Murray said he won't think about that until Pivonka returns. Murray also is waiting for the prognosis on goalie Don Beaupre, who has been out since Thursday with a pulled muscle in his side. Beaupre did not skate yesterday but did work out with a trainer. "Beaupre is coming along good," Murray said. "He's going to try to practice [today]. It's sore on the side, and whenever he does a quick move, he re-aggravates it. He's going to be careful not to have to make that same move." Jim Hrivnak has done a good job as Beaupre's backup, improving his record to 4-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average after Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Whalers in Hartford. Nonetheless, if it looks as though Beaupre (2-7, 4.10) will miss any more games, the club will consider bringing up Byron Dafoe from Baltimore, Murray said. The Caps' improvement also may be attributable to the return of Sylvain Cote, whose hand has healed enough for him to have scored four goals in the past five games, including a pair against Hartford. However, it also appears as if the Caps have improved their fundamentals, which Murray has been stressing. "We're doing a lot of things a lot better," Murray said. "We have good goaltending and better zones. We've had better play in all situations. It's not a gamble every time we touch the puck to go on the attack. [The difference is] having a good third man in a position to know what he is doing. I have to say things are looking a little bit brighter than what they were earlier." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM