Saturday Roundup - Gamenight: Bruins @ Caps
by J.P. on Jan 17, 2009 8:47 AM EST
22 comments
[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]
Despite a rash of injuries to key contributors, this team continues to win. And while detractors might point out that they've fattened up quite a bit on Southeast Division opponents... the Boston Bruins should not be taken lightly.
What, you thought I was talking about the Caps?
The B's, as it turns out, have played a dozen games against Southeast Division teams (the Caps have only played eight) and have compiled a stellar 11-1-0 record in those matches. That one loss, however, was at the hands of tonight's opponent in their last visit to the VC, just over a month ago.
Since then, Boston has gone 14-2-0, while the Caps have "only" gone 12-4-0, but on at least one front, these teams have been heading in opposite directions - Washington has gotten healthier (that night in December they were without Mike Green, Sergei Fedorov, Tomas Fleischmann, Jeff Schultz and John Erskine, among others), while the Bruins have been bitten by the injury bug (losing Patrice Bergeron, Phil Kessel, Milan "I Love" Lucic in the interim).
But the juggernaut that is the 2008-09 Boston Bruins seemingly cannot be stopped. They're second in the League in goals per game and first in goals against average. They're killing it on the power play, penalty kill and five-on-five, and haven't lost on the road since... the last time they came to D.C.
Are the Bruins playing over their collective head? Sure. The only question (and one that won't be answered until the Spring) is by how much?
One area where the B's have shown a relative weakness is in their ability to score goals away from the Hub - their power play drops off more than 15% on the road (to 15.8%), and their goals per game is 1.38 lower (to a still-impressive 2.91). Of course, their penalty kill and goals against numbers are better on the road, which is indicative of a team that knows how to win away from home, a point that their 16-4-3 road record hammers home.
So there you have a few hundred words on tonight's opponent, but I probably could have just gone with this image instead:
As Bruce Boudreau said yesterday, "Our goal is to catch the teams that are ahead of us. Boston happens to be there now. We don't know if it's possible, but you have to have something to shoot for every night."
Fire away, fellas.
Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:
Now would be a great time for me to introduce one of SB Nation's newest hockey blogs, Stanley Cup of Chowder. Go for the logo, stay for the content.... Allan Muir thinks the Caps should trade Tomas Fleischmann in a package for Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom. Okaaaay.... Why does anyone think this is going to turn out any different than the All-Star voting did? NHL = Lucy; Ovie = Charlie Brown.... Versus dumped a Blue Jackets/Blues match-up in February for Caps/Devils? That instantly ranks in the Top Ten Smartest Things Versus Has Ever Done.... Today's Cap of the Day is a former Bruin and Cap.... Say what you want about Alexandre Giroux as an NHLer, but in the A, he's dominating and scored a pair of goals last night to make it 13 straight games with at least one goal, one game shy of Brett Hull's AHL record.... In case you missed it, Justin Taylor had a hattie the other night for London.... Finally, I'm going to try to hit this pre-game. Who's with Sombrero Guy and me?
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SE Division Record
Good stats, JP, on the two teams’ records against SE foes. I think a lot of us Caps fans get frustrated by national media when we constantly hear “Well, the Caps play in the SE so their record isn’t really……”. If there is one argument that CAN’T be used against our success this year, then that is the one.
by Cluster on Jan 17, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Allan Muir thinks the Caps should trade Tomas Fleischmann in a package for Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom. Okaaaay….
yeah let’s trade our 15 (potentially 25-30) goal scorer making less than $800K when were are pressed right against the cap. not to knock Backstrom, but it is hard to tell if he is really that good or is benefitting from the system as Mirtle alluded to yesterday.
Why does anyone think this is going to turn out any different than the All-Star voting did? NHL = Lucy; Ovie = Charlie Brown….
I never thought it. the second I read that I knew it was going to be a waste. Ovie is screwed.
by nuftjedi on Jan 17, 2009 11:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Caps on Tap
Where are you guys beginning the festivities?
If it ain't broke, don't break it.
by ChrisAm on Jan 17, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
First game I am cursing being back at VCU. I would’ve loved to do a bar crawl before the game. Anyway have fun everyone, I’ll have a few drinks down here in Richmond in honor of the Caps.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jan 17, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tonight’s lines, good guys first:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Fleischmann-Fedorov-Semin
Laich-Nylander-Fehr
Brashear-Steckel-Bradley
Erskine-Green
Schultz-Jurcina
Alzner-Helmer
Theodore
Johnson
And the bad guys:
P.J. Axelsson – Marc Savard -Chuck Kobasew
Blake Wheeler – David Krejci -Michael Ryder
Petteri Nokelainen – Stephane Yelle -Byron Bitz
Vladimir Sobotka – Martin St. Pierre -Shawn Thornton
Mark Stuart – Zdeno Chara
Matt Lashoff – Dennis Wideman
Matt Hunwick – Shane Hnidy
Tim Thomas
Manny Fernandez
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 17, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’d like to see Fehr acquit himself before shelving the captain again, frankly.
by bigonetimer on Jan 17, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Have to love SI.com
I love that they give the NHL some run but how about employing some guys who have a clue. Today it’s preposterous trades (both from salary cap and personnel standpoint) and just a week ago Darren elliot is still sticking to that Habs / STARS Finals prediction.
by macvechkin on Jan 17, 2009 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Alan Muir needs a haircut like the treasury needs fiscal restraint.
Wait. Zing?
by RickyRage on Jan 17, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone know
Which center ice feed is ours. i really wish they would make note of the coverage in the guide, so one doesn’t have to guess. I could record both just to be safe, but I like to record the HNIC game too.
Your favorite meme is dead
by Edanger6 on Jan 17, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I live in the DC area, so I’m not sure how that works…I didn’t know there were to Center Ice feeds?
According to their website, it’s #4…?
http://www.indemand.com/sports/nhl/
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 17, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My above comment should read:
“I didn’t know there were TWO Center Ice feeds (for each game)”
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 17, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
as mentioned
You can check the DirecTV or Indemand web sites for what feed is on what channel. Of course this would be a heckova lot simpler if they just put that in the program guide.
by macvechkin on Jan 17, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
That is kinda a pain in hee haw. Here is what i was looking for
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=1800012
On DirectTV the Caps feed is on 777 and 777-1 for HD. May they could just put the hometown feed first and away team second but that’s not the case tonight.
Your favorite meme is dead
by Edanger6 on Jan 17, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh…here on my cable system we only get the home feeds. And no HD for Center Ice.
Luckily, I live in the Caps broadcast area (so I don’t need Center Ice—although I’ve though about ordering it in the past), and I love the fact that NHL Network does all the HNIC games in HD too.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 17, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Clark, I’m watching the “classic” Pens/Caps game from 12/11/06 on the NHL network. Clark just scored an absolutely lovely garbage-goal while hovering all over Fleury in the crease. I’d love to see THAT Clark again someday. Maybe he needs to put the jaw-guard back on.
by Ginga on Jan 17, 2009 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm bored
Anyone want to do some NHL 09 on XBox or something? I got a blank EAHL team, or could play Team or VS., don’t care. Lemme know.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 17, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Course – Just to pregame for tonight. I’ll be on live as “WhiterTwo”
by Whiter Mage on Jan 17, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Bears system?
Why is it all these hot goal scorers in the AHL can’t do the same in the NHL? Are we sure that the Bears’ systems are like the Caps’?
by hotdog88gt on Jan 17, 2009 3:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s natural for there to be an “adjustment” players for a lot of guys coming up from the AHL…plus, let’s face it, the level of competition really is much better. Some players just need some time to get used to the speed of an NHL game, and other players never do seem to ever get there
Long story short: I think many times it is simply overcoming some psychological barriers that is the to success.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 17, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
…And, I’m done for the day.
The amount of typos in my last post tells me my brain just isn’t working right today. Time to go get ready to head downtown. Hope to see a lot of you at the Phone Booth tonight.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 17, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta start drinking the Sherwin-Williams quart – the good stuff. Stay away from the Walmart crap!
by hotdog88gt on Jan 17, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 22 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
|
Atlanta
|
12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 |
|
Florida
|
14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
|
Carolina
|
15 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 7 |
(updated 11.7.2009 at 9:10 AM EST)
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Certain photos copyright © 2009 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.
