Monday Roundup - Caps 4, Leafs 1
by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 6:38 AM EST
59 comments
[AP Recap - Game Summary - Event Summary - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]
There wasn't much that was pretty about last night's 4-1 win over the Leafs, and that, in and of itself, is a beautiful thing. The Caps simply took care of business in a workmanlike manner against a lesser opponent, and that was that - two points... next?
A few thoughts on the game:
- Jose Theodore was outstanding, as he has been for the last seven periods and a bit of OT, in which he has stopped 64 of the 68 shots he has faced (94.1%).
- Brooks Laich's two goals were scored on strong moves to the net - this is how he got to 20 goals last year, and how he's going to get there again this year if he does.
- Another two goals for Alex Ovechkin and two helpers for Nicklas Backstrom. Yawn.
- Sticking with Backstrom, he may have been credited with just one hit, but he really is starting to add a physical component to his game. He is going to be so very good.
- Mikhail Grabovski is a nice little player.
- Mike Green and Jeff Schultz looked (understandably) rusty early, but were more in the flow of things as the game wore on.
- Sean Collins, on the other hand, still hasn't caught up to NHL speed. Why is he still here when Tyler Sloan and Bryan Helmer are in Hershey?
- I've never seen a defenseman take longer to set up behind his own net - and with less impressive results - than Tomas Kaberle.
- Milan Jurcina had a strong game (four blocked shots, seven shot attempts - second on the team) and his play to win the battle that got the puck to AO for his game-winner deserves a shout-out. So there it is.
- Underrated: Bruce Boudreau's ice time management - no one over 22:39 (Karl Alzner).
- David Steckel had a very good game, especially in the faceoff circle, where he won 11 of 14 draws (79%).
- Ian White's 'stache is a joke.
- Shaone Morrisonn brought a bit more physicality to the rink last night than he has brought in a while.
And so it's off to Buffalo for a tougher opponent in a tougher building on Tuesday. But with the Caps now 7-1-1 against the Northeast Division, a double-digit lead in the Southeast, and the memory still fresh of beating these same Sabres just a few days ago, perhaps the Caps will carry a little swagger with them into a road game and dictate play from the opening draw for a change. A fan can dream, can't he?
Read the last note here. Quality research.... Michal Neuvirth picked up his first AHL win.
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It sure was nice of the Caps to put up a banner of Pensblog Charlie last night
by YvonLabresMoustache on Dec 29, 2008 7:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
One more player thought ....
Anyone else think that Clark looks better since he came back? He’s actually doing stuff, not that I was impressed with anyone on that line last night.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 7:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Also...
Hear hear on Collins. I was disappointed when they sent Sloan down. I really think Sloan deserves a Caps sweater.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
I think the team was getting tired of Sloan – he was getting beaten all too often. Collins may not be where Sloan is right now, but he’s two years younger and two years more shapable. That’s not a word.
by OvechkinLaichsSemin on Dec 29, 2008 8:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not so sure about that. After posting that, I reflected a little more and think maybe it had to do with keeping known D pairings. Much was made of ShaMo’s preference for Collins as a partner, and with Schultz and Green coming back, Mo was the odd man out. Therefore, you need to send down a D, and Collins is a good pairing for Mo, so Sloan becomes the odd man out.
That said, I see Sloan being part of a trade, as much as I like him.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sloan? Trade bait? For what?
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dunno, honestly. May not be immediately, but might be at some point. I’m not a good enough prognosticator to say. They may not, and granted it’s nice to know we’ve got depth at defense too (and how).
I’d be happy to keep Sloan. I like him. I can just see where he can be dangled as trade bait if the situation is right.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
per BB, Collins has been kept up because he’s the only righthanded shot we have healthy on D….
by bigonetimer on Dec 29, 2008 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a (relatively) healthy righthanded shot, too – doesn’t mean I belong in the NHL.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hear ya, just reporting…
not sure why righty Dmen are the lefthanded relievers of hockey, but there seems to be quite a dearth of NHL quality in that particular role
by bigonetimer on Dec 29, 2008 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely
Much more grit and fiestiness from Clark these last two games. Easily noticeable in my opinion.
by Cluster on Dec 29, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What happened...?
And how’s Bradley doing?
by hotdog88gt on Dec 29, 2008 8:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
+1
Good question. News on Bradley please.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Everything was positive post-game. Unless it has since changed, I wouldn’t worry.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully, but lack of news is a little disturbing.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Noggin update
Bradley participated fully in today’s practice. Appeared normal to me (skating hard, joking, razzing teammates).
by Cluster on Dec 29, 2008 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is interesting . . .
"... The Maple Leafs are the fourth team in a row to shut out the Capitals in the first period. … "
Not that it matters, but it’s interesting. Guess they aren’t using that locker room intravenous espresso machine that I gave them a few seasons back.
Nice to see Scottie Stevens. He looks like a million bucks, what with all those scars. Jez he was great, wasn’t he? What if . . . What if . . . [sigh]
Poor Brads cold-cocked himself. It did NOT look pretty. Hope he is okay. That line got pinned in their own end often last night. Too often. In fact, every shift. Oh well. Brash doesn’t so much turn on a dime. It’s more like watching the Earth to turn. Or maybe the Andromeda Galaxy rotate. [SIGH]
Note to Eric Fehr - Keep doin’ that, kiddo! Keep doin’ it. Your day will come.
by Uncle C on Dec 29, 2008 8:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Joe-Zay??
Could it be? [knock on wood] Is it real?
by Uncle C on Dec 29, 2008 8:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Shhh. Don’t breathe on it, don’t even look at it funny. I’m lovin’ what I’m seeing and am hoping he can keep it going.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To everyone that said Laich would never score in the 20s again
:rolleyes: what were you thinking? The guy’s a monster! Just needs to stay in front of the net.
by OvechkinLaichsSemin on Dec 29, 2008 8:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure I’ve ever read anyone write that “Laich would never score in the 20s again.”
I, however, am on record as noting that it would be tough for him to get back to 20 this year, primarily because of his ridiculously high shooting percentage last year and the potential to have difficulty getting good ice time (Messrs. Semin, Fedorov, Clark and Fleischmann have all helped Brooksie in that effort, however). And I’ll be perfectly elated if I’m wrong.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
More than anything, it just seemed to be (particularly from media) a one-time “he got lucky” concept.
I for one think Laich is more than worthy of playing second line, and on some teams, first line. I feel he just needs to stand next to the net more (much like he did last night) and he can truly shine. Kid’s good.
This doesn’t happen often, but I was actually shouting at my TV for once last night right before Backstrom’s pass to Laich for the first goal. “LAICH IS WIDE OPEN RIGHT NEXT TO THE NET!” – it was a much better idea to pass to him (because I for one, trust him to sink it in) than go for yet another Ovechkin slapper. Don’t get me wrong, I love those slappers, but I like Laich point blank with the goalie quite a bit :)
by OvechkinLaichsSemin on Dec 29, 2008 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and one more thing...
Backstrom’s slapshot last night was BEAUTIFUL! Where has that been all this time?
by OvechkinLaichsSemin on Dec 29, 2008 8:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Beautiful? Uh… he missed the net a lot last night, whiffed on some one-timers/slappers… I mean, I was glad to see it too. But….
by TylerG on Dec 29, 2008 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
@Tyler: Let him practice a little more with it. Practice makes perfect and he can keep doing that all he wants.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it caught me off guard, and i was glad to see it! more please!
by sonia on Dec 29, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Goaltending note: If I’m WSH, I’m a little concerned that SV40 hasn’t played in a while. The first priority is getting JT60 on track, so he starts Tuesday night in BUF. SV40 probably backs him up. But it probably wouldn’t be difficult to get SV40 to Springfield, MA for a 1pm start on Wednesday…
by TylerG on Dec 29, 2008 9:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Is there any definitive news on when BJ1 will be ready to come back?
In the meantime, I agree with you (!) on actually playing time for Varley — but at the same time have no serious prob with SV40 sitting around, eyes and ears open, absorbing the atmosphere, learning English, hanging with Ovie and Feds and Company. It’s a matter of the seamless interchangeability of parts down the road. [knock on wood]
by Uncle C on Dec 29, 2008 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
BJ1: No. His hip has the flu, remember? ;-)
I agree that there’s some benefit to SV40 just plain being here. But a goaltender’s gotta play to stay sharp, especially when he’s a kid.
by TylerG on Dec 29, 2008 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Giroux
I’m sorry, but why is he still here and not Bourque or Osala or any number of deserving candidates at Hershey? With all the breakaways he’s had, I could have scored more goals. Giroux, Giroux, Hands of Poo!
by b.orr4 on Dec 29, 2008 9:16 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Great question, and I was going to mention his suckitude, but figured I’ve beaten him up enough lately.
I’d rather skate 11F/7D and double-shift Ovi than have Rooster in the lineup. He’s worthless.
Oh, and +1 for the nickname.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL at hands of poo. I think I yelled something to that effect at the Buffalo game. Admittedly, I don’t get it either…could it be a cap thing?
by grapejoos on Dec 29, 2008 10:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ask and ye shall receive – Bourque has been called up and Giroux re-assigned
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just call me b."nostradamus"orr4. Oh, and the winning numbers today are 8-19-25-52-60-92.
by b.orr4 on Dec 29, 2008 10:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Suits me down to the skin. I like Bourque :)
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately, just like Jason, he refuses to die. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/
Maybe they’re waiting to see how Brads is doing.
by b.orr4 on Dec 29, 2008 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stecks
J.P. Glad you noted Steckel’s performance. I too thought he had one of his better games. Not sure what his F/O percentage was, but my guess is he won a bunch more than he lost. He was skating well and taking a lot more shots. I don’t remember if he came back after taking what appeared to be a high stick (that went uncalled) at the end of the 2nd. I was at the game, so I never saw a replay of the incident. He seemed to be the best player on the ice at times during the first period.
by MrSmitty on Dec 29, 2008 9:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, he came back in the third.
And agreed that the Laich-Steckel-Fehr line was good stuff last night.
by gotsparkly on Dec 29, 2008 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Any word from Bruce about the D-line pairings?
When was the last time Green and Mo’ were both suited up and didn’t play on the same line? Green-Schultz? Morrison-Collins? Hat-tip for not messing with the 27-23 line, but if Greener is 100%, I say hook him back up to his long time partner.
by Wisper on Dec 29, 2008 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Earlier this year, when they were both healthy.
by TylerG on Dec 29, 2008 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Does GMGM have to do anything scary/drastic to keep Karl up. Keep Karl up forever. Forever and ever and ever.
Pairings for the stretch run:
23+27 (the rejuvenation of the Milan the Magical Puck-Shooting Mountain!)
26+52 (duh)
3+55 (Sarge is remarkably responsible)
With Erskine/Helmer the spare part(s). And poor Pothier the I-don’t-know.
Big shooters on each combo. I’d be happy.
by Uncle C on Dec 29, 2008 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure how GMGM does it, but I’m pretty sure Karl isn’t going back. Anyone think he would regularly be among the tops in TOI at this point this season? He’s still making mistakes (the cross-crease goal in the Buffalo game was on him – he didn’t get down to take away the lane), but he looks so composed that I have to remind myself just how green he is.
by grapejoos on Dec 29, 2008 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“I’m not sure how GMGM does it, . . .” Nor am I. I think we need JP to bring his crackerjack data analysis skills to bear on this whole cap issue. I am not at all clear on how it all works and what GMGM has to do.
JP? Too boring?
I think I read somewhere that the league has a Salary Cap Guru in place who is the grand interpreter of these matters. GMs bring proposals to this person and he/she blesses or damns them. Did I read this somewhere or did I dream it?
by Uncle C on Dec 29, 2008 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
The over-simplified answer here is that as long as someone making just over a million bucks is on LTIR (in addition to Pothier), the Caps can keep Alzner.
Right now, Feds and Erskine are, so there’s plenty of room (relatively). If they both come off without someone else going on LTIR (and really, we’re talking about Feds here – Erskine on LTIR doesn’t clear a lot of cap room)… trouble. At that point, someone’s getting waived, traded, or sent back to Chocolatetown.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, yeah. But he’s not on LTIR right now (so far as I know).
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dissing a moustache on Mike Gartner night. Seriously?
by nobody on Dec 29, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well, yeah.
Garts’ moustache = epic. White’s = epic fail.
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by J.P. on Dec 29, 2008 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
heck, the entire OTT bench
looked like a backstage of extras at a 1974 Van Nuys porn set
by bigonetimer on Dec 29, 2008 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My dear sir, that is some world class funny! Thanks for the mental image, too. :)
by HeartbreakRidge on Dec 29, 2008 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
59 | 41 | 12 | 6 | 88 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
57 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 61 |
|
Atlanta
|
57 | 25 | 24 | 8 | 58 |
|
Florida
|
58 | 24 | 25 | 9 | 57 |
|
Carolina
|
58 | 21 | 30 | 7 | 49 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 4:15 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
