Tuesday Roundup - Gamenight: Flyers @ Caps
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 6:30 AM EST
67 comments
[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]
Take one look at the standings, and you know that tonight's Caps/Flyers tilt is a big game. Think back to the Saturday before Christmas and you can add to the mix a healthy dose of pride - one team with a bit much of it and the other with theirs in tatters for the afternoon. And with memories of last April refusing to fade away, there's plenty of (ironically) vengeance in play as well.
But this is still a regular season hockey game. Two points (four if you're considering Conference seedings). Is it possible that Bruce Boudreau and his team are placing too much importance on one game in early January?
Not likely.
The Caps have beaten Boston and Montreal (twice), Jersey and the Rangers (twice thrice), Pittsburgh and Buffalo (twice). In fact, they've beaten every team in the Eastern Conference at least once... except for Philly (and Florida, but they'll get theirs). If there's one demon left for this Caps team to exorcise, it lives in Philadelphia and slithers down to D.C. from time to time.
This game is important for the Caps' confidence, but perhaps more than that, by emphasizing the rivalry and the game itself, Boudreau has to be hoping to get a complete, sixty minute effort from his club, something he hasn't gotten every night in recent weeks, despite the sparkling 13-2-0 record over the past month and two days.
As for the game itself, the Flyers come in banged up (cry us a river), and are making their last stop on a six-game road trip that has swung them out west and seen them go 2-2-1 so far. The offense has dried up a little (scoring just ten goals in their last five games), but they're still near the top in goals per game and power play efficiency, despite going 1-for-15 so far on the current trip.
The goaltending matchup features two netminders who, on the surface, seem to be having pretty similar seasons so far. Take a look:
But these two goalies appear headed in somewhat different directions, as Biron (in net for the Flyers because Antero Niittymaki - who was a wall the last time these teams met - is one of Philly's walking wounded) has given up fewer than three goals just once in 11 starts since November 21, while Theodore is 5-0-0/1.49/.943 since getting yanked at MSG two weeks ago. Biron lost starts in December to his backup, while Theodore earned back his starting role.
If ever there was a night to come out strong and score the first goal, this is it. Not only will it set the tone, but the two teams are a combined 35-4-6 when scoring first - surrender the game's first tally and you're asking for trouble. Don't think Bruce Boudreau doesn't know this; after all, it's one of the reasons he's preparing his team for it's biggest game of the year... until the next big one.
Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:
Georges Laraque, like all the cool kids, is blogging and, also like all the cool kids, knows that "The toughest guy in the East is Donald Brashear, hands down. He's the king and has been for years." (h/t AO).... Alex Ovechkin is "the most dynamic player in the game" and the MVP at the midpoint (here too).... Eggs? I don't get it.... As Scott points out, AO is good people (even if reading about him is sometimes painful).... Apparently losing to the Caps by "a mere goal" at Verizon Center is nearly cause for celebration (hey, it is "a pretty exciting building to play in").... Ilya Kovalchuk is Russia's Athlete of the Year. Right.... A handful of power rankings are out with the Caps up two to 4th at CBSSports.com, up one to 4th at The Hockey News, up one to 4th at ESPN.com, up nine to 5th at TSN.ca, and up one to 4th at SportingNews.com.... Alex Giroux was named AHL Player of the Week. Hopefully, he'll be in the running for that award every week for the rest of the season.... Joel Broda is "top talent."... "The injuries set in right after Washington selected him." Anyone want to throw a flag on that?... Happy 33rd birthday, Richard Zednik.... Ouch, baby. Very ouch.... Finally, today's Cap of the Day is another former Cap/former Flyer (and a great card).
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Key to hockey game: Caps staying out of the penalty box. Unsexy, but true.
by TylerG on Jan 6, 2009 7:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think there’s a risk that the team comes out too pumped up, which may lead to your point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 7:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Precisely. And then the inevitable letdown, which can equal hooking/etc. calls.
by TylerG on Jan 6, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And score when they (the Caps) are on the power play. Filthy will give them the opportunities…they just have to take advantage of it.
by Bucky Katt-Luvs Caps on Jan 6, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oops. Corrected – thanks.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 7:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rangers Expectations
Lost by a MERE goal! that is amazingly funny. oh MSG…..
-shwedy
by shwedy on Jan 6, 2009 8:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Funny, indeed. A loss is still a loss whether by 1 or 7.
A Haven for the hockey malnourished. / http://www.onfrozenblog.com/
by Gustafsson on Jan 6, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dunno. I don’t have a good feeling about tonight. I really really want to win this one – but I just don’t think it’s there somehow.
Call me a pessimist. Maybe I am. But the universe likes to laugh at me a lot, so if it proves me wrong, I’ll cheerfully cook crow for the whole family.
by gotsparkly on Jan 6, 2009 8:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Too much buildup?
The danger tonight, as you noted, is that with all the emphasis placed on beating Philly, losing could be very deflating. On the one hand, I like that Bruce never shies away from the 500-pound gorilla in the room, but it kind of scares me that so much emphasis is being placed on a non-divisional foe-even one as slimy as the Flyers. In my mind, the game next week against Boston is just as big, if not bigger. That said, I’ll be there for warmups on the odd chance Riley Cote decides to get his regular beatdown out of the way early.
by b.orr4 on Jan 6, 2009 9:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yet if they do lose, there’s all the more for the coaching staff to harp on – “You think playing like this is going to beat Philly?” etc., whereas if they win, they might be lulled into thinking they’re invincible. A loss and they still have their target/goal; a win and they’re still gunning for Boston, but it’s somewhat less tangible.
Bottom line: Bruce has shown that he knows how to push buttons in any situation, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Non-Divisional?
All of our real foes are non-divisional. Exactly how amped up are we supposed to be for yet another instant classic Caps-Thrashers Throwdown?
Aside from the possibility of facing Kolzig when we play Tampa Bay and maybe our series against Carolina what else is there? Kovulchuk isn’t even competing with Ovechkin this year in the stats. Florida biggest talents are non-flashy non-scroing blue liners (Seriously?). Tampa is in such a melt-down even Frodo is looking to jump teams.
If we’re going to be an elite team, then the games to emphasize are the other elite teams that we will be seeing in the post-season: Boston, Philly, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Rangers, etc…
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Amen
Bring back the old Patrick Division!
By the way, I’m sure you’ve been asked already, but where did you get your avatar, Wisper?
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 6, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I completely STOLE it
but they guy that made it put it up for the taking in every size and resolution you could ask for.
Get yours Here. (but no using it as your SBNation Avatar or people will start confusing us)
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome - thanks
I won’t use it here (or anywhere online). I might make it my desktop or print and hang it in my office, though.
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 6, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brash should decline invites from Riley Cote tonight. He’s already KO’d him. Nothing to prove/demonstrate/see there, move along.
by TylerG on Jan 6, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
But if Aaron Asshat wants to go a round with the champ…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he’s actually on the injured list.
by gotsparkly on Jan 6, 2009 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is he? Damn – Brashearitis can strike at any time…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Cote v. Brash is inevitable tonight….when one team needs a boost, that’s right where it’s going.
AssHam v. Brash I guess we’ll have to wait on.
by bigonetimer on Jan 6, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Guess so. Damn shame. I’d’ve liked to see Brash trash him for the lumberjacking.
Enh. Cote’ll do. :) Though Hartnell or Upshall would make my night.
by gotsparkly on Jan 6, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If the Fiend that is Scott Hartnell opts to fight
that slimy primordial invertebrate will probably go after Semin.
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d like to see Bradley/Upshall. Or Bradley/Richards.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brads/Richards would be a Show!
Richards has been eager to drop the gloves lately despite being soundly thumped on most occaisions. Seems like a painful way to win respect, but I’d give Brads decent odds against the guy.
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or Theodore/Biron. Assuming both have no fight strap equipped, who wins that battle?
by Whiter Mage on Jan 6, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Biron’s a much bigger dude (though if he’s anything like his brother, size doesn’t equate to toughness). Both are French-Canadian, so no advantage there…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I worded that poorly. I meant, which team wins the aftermath after the two are ejected?
by Whiter Mage on Jan 6, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not a slam dunk, but smart money is on Johnson. Munroe’s an AHL callup with no NHL experience.
by gotsparkly on Jan 6, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm...
Yesterday, we all pretty much agreed something was going to have to happen to free up cap room, then I saw this in the Columbus paper:
“1. Permission has been granted from management to spend more money. This should be welcomed by Blue Jackets fans, and it now firmly shifts the pressure toward Howson.
2. Howson has spoken with numerous GMs around the league, letting them know what the Blue Jackets have to offer and what they want. …The guess here is that the Blue Jackets will address their need for a center first. That’s the most immediate need. If they can fill that spot first, they can worry about adding a right-handed shot defenseman at the trade deadline.”
Think a certain #92 could be of interest to Columbus?
by b.orr4 on Jan 6, 2009 9:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I saw that too, and it’s an interesting thought, but pretty much dismissed here (see comments). I think they’re looking Weight.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
(Of course, that was two weeks ago…)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree it’s doubtful, but it’s still fun to wish. Just think what that $4.5 million could bring.
by b.orr4 on Jan 6, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t think that Nylander would waive his NMC to go to Columbus.
by toymechanic on Jan 6, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Steckel or Collins could sell him on the town. :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Possible: Misery creates new bedfellows?
by TylerG on Jan 6, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Have you been to Columbus? No one’s that miserable…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m down here around Dayton, and I’d say Columbus as a town is okay, but as a hockey town? Not so much, I agree.
by HeartbreakRidge on Jan 6, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually have had fun in my two trips to C’bus, but that was back when I was closer to college age. Really, it was just a punchline, though for an elderly foreign man such as Nyls with his 14 kids and whatnot, I’ve got to believe he’d be looking for something a little more… um… metropolitan.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Was thinking of trying a Columbus road trip next year
if the Caps get them as an away game. My wife and I are trying for 2-3 away games a year. This year it was Philly (nice 7-1 experience, that), Boston on Feb 28th and we’re trying to work the details out for Carolina on March 21st.
Next year we want to get back to Montreal anyway as a vacation so I’ll try to work in Bell Center tickets, she wants to go to Madison Square Garden, and I want to get in one Western Confrerence Team and I figured it would either be Nashville or Columbus…. or maybe St. Louis?
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, you took your wife to a game in Philly?? Is she still married to you?
by b.orr4 on Jan 6, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know... and she even asked to go!
I posted this in the gameday thread that day… she started rethinking it the night before and said “Is it going to be crazy? I mean, I don’t want beer thrown on me by some druknen asshole.” and I was like “Wait a minute… You said you wanted to go to Philly! You can’t change your mind now!”
All in all though it was okay. The fans were the fans but we were in the lower section and around us were season ticket holders. The guy behind us has been a ticket holder since the mid-70’s! The only thing bad (besides the actual game) was the two people next to us come in in full Flyer regalia and start talking smack about how they have to sit next to Caps fans (we were in bright white Ovechkin jerseys) and how we shouldn’t have been allowed in, etc etc… only come to find out… They were from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and drove up!!! I was like, “WHAT?!? MD-Eastern Shore is Capitals Country you filthy traitors!”
….so I got drunk and threw beer on them. (Okay.. so I didn’t. But I WANTED to)
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
St. Louis is really really nice, and has the lowest ticket cost in the NHL.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 6, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Addendum
If you avoid Forest Park.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 6, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True enough. The arena is nice, though, the couple times I’ve been there to see them play the Caps. This year, I’m coming to D.C. to see them play the Jackets, so see y’all Friday!
by HeartbreakRidge on Jan 6, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
According to Pensburgh
(SBNation’s Pittsburgh blog that I read just for the schadenfreude of watching Pittsburgh Misery)
Columbus is showing interest in Jordan Staal .
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and I’ll bet PIT is asking for Rick Nash, because, ya know, “Jordan’s a Staal brother,” which has somehow become the NHL Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
I’ll tell you what it’s a seal of: overrated. All of them.
by bigonetimer on Jan 6, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
TSN Power Rankings
Well, since we all made a big stink over TSN’s “power rankings” last week, they seemed to have come to their senses (as mentioned above, we are up to #5 in this weeks rundown), but I still don’t like this comment:
The Caps have won 11 of 12 and, more importantly, are in much better health with Alexander Semin and Mike Green back in action. Caps fans may not like it — and judging by my holiday inbox they didn’t — but Washington is better with their third and fourth-leading scorers in the lineup.
Kinda misses the point….I don’t think any Caps fans “don’t like” that we’re better with Semin and Green back, it’s just that we thought that the justification for being pushed down to #14 because of the injuries was bit over-sighted, since the team had been winning in spite of an injury depleted lineup.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 6, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
…and the next time a responsible journalist changes his/her story because a reader or two or 70 voices their displeasure will be the first time.
by bigonetimer on Jan 6, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"...Sid lacks the anatomical requirement..."
That Miller article on Crysby is several different kinds of awesome.
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 6, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
What Miller article?
I must have missed a link somewhere…
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s linked as Ouch, baby, very ouch.
by HeartbreakRidge on Jan 6, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Got it. Read it.
Ouch indeed…. and they got blanked again last night by the Rangers. The Rangers who by the coach’s own admission are a 2-1 hockey team pasted them 4-0.
Maybe next game Cyndi can take a swing at one of the Ice Dancers, or taunt one of the Mites on Ice into dropping his size 4-7 gloves for a lil’ round-and-round.
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This one. You’ll dig it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The “C” on Sid the Kid’s sweater stands for something, but it sure ain’t “Captain.”
Nice entree for discussion: I vote for cockknocker
by bigonetimer on Jan 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking about a word that rhymes with “bunt”.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 6, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Me too, though I think the author meant “coward”.
by grapejoos on Jan 6, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I think that’s where he was going with that. Or crybaby. Or clown. Or castrato (my personal fave). But likely what you’re thinking.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jan 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like all the responses from Pittsburgh fans who think they’re being clever:
We conducted our own poll, Mr. Miller, we even have live results.
Stephen Miller is:
a) A responsible journalist…0%
b) A former pop artist….0%
c) A witless ####……100%
The numbers don’t lie, sir.
sid the kid will be the second greatest player in the nhl all time.. only behind his fellow teammate evgeni malkin. geno WILL be the greatest player the nhl has ever seen. he is playin with a chip on his shoulder and after his coming out party when sid went down last season
I just watched the Alex Semen sissy fight and wonder how anyone can keep a straight face and say that
A. He is a man
B. that was a fight
C. That what Crosby did could even be compared to that embarassment
by David M. Getz on Jan 6, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I missed it at first but right after I posted here, but there’s actually someone commenting on that article who claims that Ovechkin put better numbers than Crosby because Crosby has better players to play with.
by David M. Getz on Jan 6, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
eggs....
I’m guessing the idea is that the Caps “laid an egg” in that game, though I agree, it’s an obscure message. Or maybe two eggs somehow make up a sideways 8? Bizarre, though.
by #Six on Jan 6, 2009 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I thought maybe it was a Russian thing
Ovie seemed to understand it. I wouldn’t have. I would have just thought it strange that there were eggs at my house.
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Baby Gus
It’s been a season of injuries for the promising pivot.
I’m all for legacy picks and GMGM playing hide n’ go f yourself when he’s asked about draft picks, but I have a sinking feeling we are going to rue the day that Jordan Eberle was there for the taking, and we decided to keep it in the family.
by bigonetimer on Jan 6, 2009 1:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Calgary Herald article (which lists AO as the midseason Hart winner) has Crosby as an “also considered” for the Lady Byng. They’re joking right?
At least they, rightfully mention Backstrom there.
by superjuan on Jan 6, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bada-Bing Trophy Maybe...
I haven’t seen that much hard genital contact before without paying a cover charge and getting hit with a 2-drink minimum. (ba-dum-bum)
by Wisper on Jan 6, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
68 | 45 | 14 | 9 | 99 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
67 | 28 | 27 | 12 | 68 |
|
Atlanta
|
67 | 28 | 29 | 10 | 66 |
|
Florida
|
66 | 27 | 29 | 10 | 64 |
|
Carolina
|
67 | 28 | 31 | 8 | 64 |
(updated 3.13.2010 at 8:06 AM EST)
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