There are no two ways about it. Tonight is a critical game for the Washington Capitals. A win would move them above Toronto and into eighth place, just two points behind Southeast division leaders Florida, and one point behind seventh place Ottawa with two games in hand. The game is a tough one against Pacific leading San Jose, but it has become very apparent that this is a team that needs to win its home games. After tonight they embark on a four-game road trip, they currently own a 9-15-3 record away from the Verizon center.The fact is that this team has gotten itself into quite a difficult position. Just one win in their last four games, and just two in their last seven hasn’t helped matters as they have failed to take advantages of cold streaks from Florida, Toronto and Ottawa. All season long the word on the Capitals is that this team will make the playoffs in the end, because they are too talented to miss out. Unfortunately for Washington fans, there are signs that this team believes that as well. The intense defensive system of Dale Hunter has improved certain aspects of Washington’s game, but the offense looks all too often blunt, especially without key players Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom, while the passion and flair that Hunter played with has been all too often absent.

There are signs of improvement for this team. Tomas Vokoun, Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin have all played better for the last month and a half, but inconsistency in effort and determination remains an issue. It’s time to face the fact that this Washington team could miss the playoffs, especially if Backstrom and Green don’t return reasonably soon. Offense looks like a real issue. Jason Chimera has cooled off significantly after a hot start, Ovechkin continues to only show flashes of his best, and the same could be said of Semin, Marcus Johansson and Mathieu Perreault look like they still need more time to develop before they can be considered regular contributors, and Hunter’s system is stifling the offense that this team can produce.

The argument here isn’t that this team won’t make the playoffs, it is simply that there is a very real possibility that they won’t make the playoffs. There are no signs that the Capitals will get a boost like the Penguins, Maple Leafs, Panthers or Senators have had where one offensive line has carried them through a winning streak. In fact, Washington has had just two streaks of three or more wins since they opened the season 7-0-0.

The seven games left in February are critical for Washington, and they will obviously go a long way to deciding how GM George McPhee acts at the trade deadline. The four-game road trip sees the Capitals visit division rivals Florida and Tampa Bay, they then play bottom of the East Carolina, before their road trip finishes against seventh place Ottawa. The final weekend of the month sees them host Montreal, who are currently putting up a chase for a playoff spot, and then travel to face eighth place Toronto. The last game of the month is against the Islanders.

If Hunter’s team can muster a strong record in those seven games, then they should start March with a firm hold on a playoff spot, but if they don’t, then this team could be destined for its most disappointing performance since the lockout.