Two Point Friday
by J.P. on Jan 16, 2009 8:49 AM EST
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If you're wondering what the title refers to, it's nothing more than that it's Friday and I have two points to discuss (plus, "Mailing It In Friday" didn't sound as nice, though might be a more accurate title).
First off, earlier in the week, we took a look at the power play, not because it was the Caps' biggest problem (it's not), but because it was just about the most obviously and easily correctable issue to all of us armchair power play quarterbacks.
Today we'll throw the 23rd-ranked penalty kill out for discussion, because while it may very well be the team's biggest problem spot right now, the answers are by no means obvious.
One thing that will help is a healthy Boyd Gordon. Gordo has missed seven games this season, and the PK has struggled in his absence - with Gordon in the lineup, the Caps have killed off 81.3% of their opposition's power plays; with Gordon out, that number plummets to 73.8%.
One reason that Gordon is such a key to this team's penalty kill is his ability in the faceoff circle - the team has won 53.9% of its shorthanded draws when Boyd plays, and just 46.3% when he doesn't. That's a big difference, and it matters. Get well soon, Boyd.
So what thoughts/theories/suggestions do you have to improve the penalty kill?
***
The second point I wanted to make was about Sidney Crosby.
PensBurgh and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Seth Rorabaugh rightly take their hometown boy to task for his "it was a cheapshot" quote in reference to Alex Ovechkin's hit on Number 87, but I found another post-game quote interesting.
When asked about the injury he suffered when he got tangled up with David Steckel, Sid responded, "I don't think it's too bad. We'll see [today]. I haven't seen [the replay], but it felt pretty bad."
Huh? What does seeing the replay have to do with how his shoulder undetermined injured body part felt? Is Sid implying that the hit might have been dirty (when no one asked)? Maybe not, but it's an odd quote from someone who, in fairness, is very much under the microscope and has every phrase he utters parsed by folks like me. Still, I can't help but wonder if Gary Roberts would want to see a replay before he answered a question about how his shoulder felt...
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I don’t get the point of seeing the replay either.
His shoulder, huh? I’ve read knee, ankle, hip and now shoulder. Interesting. Pens have labeled it a “lower body” injury, but they did the same his rookie year when in fact he did hurt his shoulder. Who knows?
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That’s my bad – I’d read lower body almost everywhere as well. I think I did see shoulder somewhere, but I’ve corrected the post.
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FWIW, I think this is why I had “shoulder” in my head.
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Ah gotcha. Well it was kinda skewed by the end of the game. Not to mention you guys rocked him across the ice all night, so for all intents and purposes his shoulder could’ve been pretty bruised up too.
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The comment about the replay might be in response to something he was asked. I know reporters often ask questions with several parts so he could have been asked about how he was feeling and then something about the nature of the collision.
I think you could be onto something DMG….I think the reporter may have phrased a question like “How bad was the impact and how did you and him get tangled up awkardly like that?”
In that case I think saying he didn’t know and would have to check the replay would be a vanilla, non-descript answer…Obviously given the tough loss and the injury worry Sid’s not in the mood to expand too much or give a great answer. I don’t think at all he was meaning to point a finger at Steckel.
Wow!
The “face” of the NHL is a bigger crybaby than I thought, (which is saying a lot). Apparently, any hit on him is suspect in his eyes. I see him talking to the referees on every shift, but really thought he was just doing his best “Coach K” impression and working the refs to get a call later in the game. Maybe he actually believes he shouldn’t be touched.
Sad that so many think he is the best player in the game. He isn’t even the best player on his team, and never will be until he focuses more on playing and less on all of the insults he seems to believe he receives on the ice.
Mario used to complain about the league protecting its stars. He thought there should be a “do not hit mario or wayne” rule. Like landlord, like tenant I suppose.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 16, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
“really thought he was just doing his best "Coach K" impression and working the refs to get a call later in the game”
Bruce K Boudreau lobbied pretty hard to the refs the other night..
Bruce lobbied to not have four-minute double minors called on players whose sticks came nowhere near the victim of the errant twig.
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Check it again, they got the player wrong (Brashear) it was Steckel’s stick that made contact with Letang’s face, drawing blood.
Not sure why he’d be pissed about keeping a regular PK’er and losing a goon to the box, but cool.
You got us on this one. I was hootin’ and hollerin’ until I saw that it was actually Steckel. I quickly shutup
Point being, the ref called a four minute penalty on Brashear. That call was incorrect. Therefore, Bruce was in no way wrong to be arguing it. It wasn’t lobbying – it was telling them they had made a mistake.
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You are probably right...
but, coaches are one thing. Aside from 66, I don’t think I have ever seen a player spend so much time chasing officials around the ice working for a call, and Sid puts Mario to shame in that department.
BB as Coach K…lol
Brash’s phantom call aside, the heaviest BB lobbying came on the no call on Bradley when he was clearly tripped behind the PIT net after that aborted breakaway (nice play by MAF, by the way). Even the PIT broadcasters were acknowledging it. Called, and it probably washes out Geno’s tally 30 seconds later.
Considering all the stakes/players, I thought the game was called pretty evenly…Caps and PIT both had 12 PM
1) Wow, huge differential in the PK w/wo Gordo in the lineup! His agent will be sure to use that come contract time! ; )
2) As was mentioned last time this subject was brought up we believe the key to effective PK is being aggressive; Don’t allow the opposition to get set. The Caps typically play a very passive style.
3) Not sure of the numbers when they place Ovechkin/Semin on the PK, but it seems to throw the opposition off as they are wary of giving up a SHG. The bad part is you don’t want to lose one of your best scorers blocking shots.
4) Regardless, they need to change their current system as a bad PK won’t win too many games when they mean the most; in the spring!
I like Semin on the PK. I like AO on the PK less.
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I like Semin on the PK. I like AO on the PK less.
Can you expand on this please. I admit to being very nervous when I see either of them out there. Tom-tom because he appears to be the absolute picture of disinterest and AO because I am convinced that he’s going to drop to block a shot (in a moment of passion) with his body and be crippled for life.
Do the stats back you up, JP?
I think Semin’s instincts are a little better suited for the PK, and I also fear the blocked shot injury much more with AO.
As for the stats, Semin has the lowest Goals Against ON/60 of any Caps forward (with more than a few seconds of SH TOI) 4-on-5. Interestingly, Gordon is second-worst there.
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Interestingly, Gordon is second-worst there.
I would think it’s because he plays against good competition, but that’s just a guess.
If I’m reading BTN right, he’s playing the 4th best behind Flash, Bradley & Backstrom. While Flash has the worst GAON/60 of any regular PK takers, he’s seen his TOI/60 increase drastically from last year (from .01 to 1.47), second behind Semin.
By all means J.P. or someone else with a better understanding, feel free to check me.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 16, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Seems like he is trying to pile on similar comments made by Mike Richards (Sbisa hit), and Rick Tocchet (Jamie Heward) about Ovechkin’s hits. Anyone want to bet Ovechkin gets a boarding call on his next clean hit? Anyone?
Whiny Diver is the punk kid who plays dodgeball, gets hit by the ball, and who runs home crying about it to mommy. “Waaah! Mom! They hit me! Unfair!”
Incidentally, whiny, visor-wearing-while-instigating, ’nads-sucker-punching Whiny Diver is a dishonorablye player and he is a disgrace to the game of hockey.
You’re aware when you point a finger there are three more sticking back at you, right? Deep breath, buddy, it’ll be OK.
There is really no reason to keep piling on Sid.
The Caps have been the Pens twice (in Pittsburgh) this season, have a better record, and just overall playing better…so let’s just let it go (until the day of the next Pens game that is).
Karma can be a son of bitch when it comes to gloating about other’s misfortunes.
Sorry, that’s just my opinion. Let’s focus on Bruins and move on.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 16, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Except the Caps are clearly in the Pens’ heads. I mean, Malkin = turtle. And WD is even whinier against the Caps than he is against most teams, which is saying something. He complained that AO’s hit was dirty and he insinuated that his running into David Steckel was a dirty play. I mean, shouldn’t we just get it over with and institute a two-handed-touch rule for the kid?
I agree with all of that, don’t get me wrong…I was just saying we’ve got bigger fish (or Bruins) to fry, so I’ll take the high road and not dwell on it…until they come to town for the next meeting.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 16, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
Wet his lips and stick him to a wall
Someone need to wet Sid’s lips and stick him to a wall for a few hours. He’s been in the league for four (?) years now and I don’t think he’s matured much at all. Have his coaches been kissing his ass all his life? While one has to respect the kid’s hockey skills he needs a bigger dose of humility, more respect for the game and other players.
AO’s hit on him was textbook perfect and Cindy just wasn’t ready for it. If he’d had just said it was a good hockey play that would have been the end of it.
He’s been in the league for four (?) years now and I don’t think he’s matured much at all. Have his coaches been kissing his ass all his life? While one has to respect the kid’s hockey skills he needs a bigger dose of humility, more respect for the game and other players.
That’s exactly my take on it. It seems like Crosby has started to believe the whole “he’s just an honest, down to earth, aw shucks Canadian kid who plays the game the right way (and is better than everyone else)” praise that has been heaped on him. When he jumps an unsuspecting Brett McLean it’s because he wanted to give the team a boost and because McLean duped him. When Ovechkin finishes a hit on him at a slightly awkward angle, it’s a cheap shot.
That check happens every game and happens to every player on a regular basis and I don’t think any of them, other than Crosby, would have the gall to complain about it. When you think you can jump guys on the faceoff or punch another man’s testicles but that someone finishing their check (which you claim to do) makes it seem like you think you deserves special treatment and like you thinks you are bigger than the game.
no question AO’s was a good clean hit, and aside from the love tap from Cooke (I mean, why bother with that—if you’re gonna take 2, make it count), there was no other immediate retaliation. As for the two low bridges, well, there’s nothing illegal about falling down and it’s too bad he happened to be tangled up on the second one with Stecks. On the first it looked like 87 was lining someone up (Koz or Jurcina, unsure). Bad luck, really, but thems the breaks…carry on, Cindy!
by bigonetimer on Jan 16, 2009 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
Gary Roberts
Would have just killed whoever hit him on the next shift.
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Replay comment
That jumped out at me the first time I read it as well. What a weird thing to say. I keep thinking of what question could have made that a normal response, and I can’t come up with it. If someone asked, “What happened that caused the injury?” but then he wouldn’t have talked about thinking he was ok or whatever. Very weird.
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I think going aggressive would be helpful for the PK, but I’m not sure the personnel up front really works for that. As was mentioned on this blog a bit ago, I think the team speed is some of the issue there. Gordon’s definitely got a bit more quickness that is needed, but he’s not a speed demon either. With a number of quick PK players, you can probably afford to play aggressive on the PK. Without it, they have to do more and be fundamentally sound. I think they’re hog tied as far as playing aggressive until a few more young kids come up with wheels (Gordon, Bourque or something like that) who can use their speed, along with Laich, Semin and yes, even Ovechkin at times.
On the defensive side of things, I think Erskine will help some, once he gets settled in. Though I’m not sure the Green pairing they were going with is the solution as his PK ability is limited still at this point. One other main issue that’s going on is probably with Mo. I don’t think he has been effective on the PK, and he really needs to step it up in Poti’s injury. That hasn’t really occurred (partially in my estimation due to some of his own injury and getting stuck with a Sloan/Collins/etc partnership).
I think in the short term though, most of it comes down to a new commitment to the PK from the players and coaching to get it better, and then Theodore going above and beyond. They really just don’t have the chemistry and talent that’s consistently healthy in the back end to be better than middling until a few things change.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.11.2012 at 8:02 AM EST)
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