Saturday Caps Clips: Caps @ Red Wings Gameday
by J.P. on Oct 10, 2009 7:01 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight's Hockeytown hullabaloo (the "Mad Caps"? I can dig it) from Vogs, NHL.com, Peerless and Cap Centre, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Winging It In Motown for pregame coverage from the other side of tonight's match up.
- Fact du jour: with tonight's game in Detroit, Mike Knuble will have faced each of his four former teams in the season's first five games.
- The Caps are looking for some consistency. My unsolicited suggestion? Spread the high-end skill out a bit. [Washington Times]
- Eric Fehr took a rather circuitous route to the Joe for tonight's game. [Dump and Chase]
- The Caps are "worried about defensive woes so far" (at least that's what the AP headline writer thinks). [AP]
- Alex Ovechkin is off to the best start of his career, but I could've sworn the Caps were 3-1-0 after four games in each of the past two seasons. [NHL.com]
- "These players also need to understand that no team can win on offense alone. You want to watch a team that gladly abandons defense while attempting to run-and-gun past their opponent? Watch the Wizards win less than 20 games a year." Ouch (and I'll take the over). [Homer McFanboy]
- Perspective. [Peerless]
- Photographic evidence that there were actually a few smiles at practice yesterday. [Caps In Pictures]
- Here's a pretty rad little widget that lets you check out how much team-related merch has been moved on eBay in the past month. [via @emcerlain]
- Cool - live chat with Garrett of Puckhead's Thoughts during tonight's game. [Puckhead's Thoughts]
- And now for something completely different (and only marginally hockey-related, but wholly bad ass). [John Walton Hockey]
- Braden Holtby is off to a great start in Hershey. [The Patriot-News, John Walton Hockey, Hershey Bears Hockey]
- On this date back in 1987, Mike Gartner lit the lamp three times for his 13th (and final) hat trick as a Cap (Peter Bondra holds the team record with 19; AO has eight).
- I hate to send you all to school on the weekend, but I have to. [Behind The Net]
- Finally, happy five-year anniversary to Mrs. J.P. - half a decade with the best gal in the land makes me a very lucky man.
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I get it now, Pepper is getting married today to remind BOTH you guys of your anniversaries. Well done. And congrats to both of you.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 10, 2009 8:00 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Happy Anniversary JP, my five year was yesterday. Great minds, well, marry great women.
by Sct112 on Oct 10, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Am I the only young guy here?
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Oct 10, 2009 9:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You’re not alone. I was 10 y.o. when I attended the Caps inaugural contest in ’74. (And I remained a fan in spite of that season!)
by mechanicsville on Oct 10, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hardcore…and old (as dirt, some might say)
by mechanicsville on Oct 10, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Not by a long shot
We passed year 18 in August
Congrats, JP
"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK
Great minds, well, marry great women.
Wait, so you and J.P. are brother husbands?
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 10, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Congrats to both!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Pressure’s on, DMG.
And thanks to all for the kind wishes.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Happy anniversary, and many more to come!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 10, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
FLOP what a week. :( And it’s not over yet.
This came up on my Twitter, in case you hadn’t seen it – Braden Holtby’s making a case to stay in Hershey, but there may not be room.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
Ok, maybe I’m not quite up to things in Hershey, but what is the problem? Is Bacqashua (sp?) on a Hershey only contract and can’t be sent to SC? Even if he is, and Holtby is playing well enough, just leave Bacqashua on the bench while developing Holtby.
by HateOffSeason on Oct 10, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Cash is insurance (sound financial advice as well), in case there’s an injury or two to Varly or Neuvy and/or Holtby can’t cut it in the A.
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I can’t spell Jason B’s last name either. Know he’s called “Cash” since “cash” is in his last name. I call him Chihuahua since his last name ends in “hua”. He is a relatively small goalie.
Early returns suggest the former problem is much greater than the latter.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Former problem. As in insurance against injuries to Varly or Neuby? Well, Neuvy (who I call “The New Kid on the Block” in honor of the first part of his name) is currently injured. And Varly did have his share of injuries last year.
Yeah that’s what I was getting at. Throw in that Varlamov is playing like he has a busted glove hand and he looks injured even if he’s not.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
thank you for the blog in general
Hey, come on people, there’s a whole fanpost dedicated just to this topic… {grin}
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Something I was wondering…
Who do you think scores more total points—the Caps in their four games tonight and next week, or the Redskins tomorrow at Carolina?
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Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Oct 10, 2009 10:04 AM EDT reply actions
I dunno. For some reason, I dreamed (I think) that I was looking at the score and Carolina had won 30-27 or something like that. But that seems like too high a score for a Skins game.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
by crabchowdah on Oct 10, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe the Skins will win off field goals again. 14-15!
by hockeyman33 on Oct 10, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
This might sound odd, but I’m picking the Redskins for more points. I think the Caps average only three per game, for a total of twelve. Skins are bad, but I think they ought to be able to put up more than that on Carolina, unless Delhomme isn’t playing (I know enough to know that he’s going to throw interceptions).
One thing I can guarantee – Caps/Wings will be more entertaining than Skins/Lions was.
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One thing I can guarantee – Caps/Wings will be more entertaining than
any Redskins game.
by hockeyman33 on Oct 10, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Caps/Wings tonight might have more goals than the Redskin/Panthers game tomorrow.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 10, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Knuble
Semin – Morrison – Fehr
Laich – Steckel – Clark
Laing – Gordon – Bradley
The more I look at DMG’s suggestion for lines yesterday, the more I like it. It looks to me like our best chance at balanced scoring. Although there’s really no good way to defend the Care Bear Line, a little “wealth distribution” may be a good thing. I hope we see this tonight..
by mechanicsville on Oct 10, 2009 10:26 AM EDT reply actions
This is good. I think, that even though the SOB line has gotten production, Knuble should be playing with Backs and Ovi. Laich really gives a punch to that third line, and Fehr gives a bit of a grinder and scoring touch to the second line.
by hockeyman33 on Oct 10, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Not a fan of Laich/Fehr positions
Why? I think it would likely take some ice time away from Laich, who has been one of our best forwards this season, and is a guy who gives consistent effort. If Fehr and Laich end up skating anywhere near the same amount of minutes, something’s wrong. Also, it might mess up the PP rotation. Keep Laich on B-Mo’s wing, and put Fehr down on the 3rd line.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 10, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It would likely take some minutes from Laich at even strength, but most of his scoring (2/3 of his goals this year, 15/23 last year) is done on the PP anyway.
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Agree. Putting Fehr up to the 2nd and Laich down the 4th is a bad move. I think with Semin on the line Laich will be even more effective than he was with Knuble.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
That does make sense too. Those two could be switched depending on who is hot. With Laich getting good PP time.
by hockeyman33 on Oct 10, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m of a mind that Laich on 3rd line provides more of a threat from this line than would Fehr. I suppose we have 78 games to work it out.
by mechanicsville on Oct 10, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you but for a little different reason. I just think that Laich has earned is 2W role and it would be easier to ease Fehr back into the lineup on the 3rd line when he’s not being expected to score right away. Fehr is good enough defensively that he’s not a bad fit for the 3W and until he shows he’s back in game shape I see no reason to push Laich down.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I don’t know about him getting to the first line yet, although I think he ends up there at some point. However, I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see Knuble on the first PP unit tonight after Thursday dismal performance.
PP is Ovi, Backstrom, Semin, Green, Knuble?
by hockeyman33 on Oct 10, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
So I think Fehr need s to be on a lower line as he needs conditioning time and...
I’d go:
Ovechkin – Backstrom – Semin
Laich – Morrison – Knuble
Laing – Steckel – Clark
Fehr – Gordon – Bradley
by markbona-capsfan99 on Oct 10, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone have anything firm on tonight’s G’s? I saw Dmitry said Jose for us and saw elsewhere that Osgood wasn’t a sure thing for DET.
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I’d love if they would start Howard. Although the Caps aren’t having a problem with anyone’s goalie or defense yet.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
Yeah, looks to be confirmed: Ozzie.
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I imagine most of the time will be seeing the secondary goalies this year will be after the starter is pulled.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 10, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And Varly starts against the Devils? and i felt they had a little trouble against Hank. He actually stopped most the PP shots, unlike any other goalie so far
by hockeyman33 on Oct 10, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Seems like a tough decision for Bruce. He has two goalies that need to rebound and both have been playing behind less than stellar team defensive efforts.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
It would be nice if one of them showed signs of falling into a rhythm. I have very little faith in Threeormore at this point – he’s got enough of a track record to convince me that he’s going to have a save percentage around .900-.905 and a GAA north of 3. Not all his fault, of course, as the defense has not been terrific; but at this point he’s crossed into Olie-at-the-end-of-his-career territory. I.e., he might make a couple nice saves, but you can count on at least one bad one before the night is out.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 10, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I want Bruce to settle down a bit. Quit tinkering and give the guys a bit of time to gel. Skating with a different linemate/partner/goalie every night can’t be good for developing any sort of consistency.
by Sct112 on Oct 10, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with this in a big way.
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Bruce probably feels a good bit of pressure. The team is past the point where making the playoffs and winning a round is good enough – if he doesn’t bring them to the ECF at least, he’s probably going to get a long look.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Same thoughts here. I’ve only said this one other time this week but the guys have to be getting frustrated that they are being expected t perform at such a demanding level under a microscope and their pairs are getting swapped every game. Very tough to build real-game chemistry that way.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
I think it matters much more for linemates than goalies.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
And D-pairings in particular, imo.
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I buy that. D is much more about reading, reacting, and thinking so being comfortable with your partner and what he likes to do is real important. With Forwards you still want chemistry but high skill guys are going to play well with anyone and the checkers are going to dump and chase no matter who they are with.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Pick SPG
Don’t forget to make your picks…I put up a bagel in the last game…
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Have the wizards and the Caps essentially become the same team?
That’s a scary thought. Hopefully they can both get things straight before the playoffs…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
NHL.com, you disappoint me greatly…I’ve come to expect this sort of thing from ESPN, but the NHL flagship site?
Injury report: The Capitals are without center Tomas Fleischmann (blood clot in leg), who is on injured reserve.
Btw, with Babcock and Yzerman watching tonight… time to step it up if you want to make that Team Canada push, GreenLife52.
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I’d bet that pressure makes his game worse than it does better. I suggested it a little while back, but now I’m pretty confident that the slow start for Green is going to lead to him pressing more, which is going to compound his struggles. Rinse, repeat.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Awesome exchange via @CraigCustance:
I asked Pavel Datsyuk what Alex Ovechkin brought to the table, he answered “My breakfast.” I asked Ovechkin the same question about Datsyuk, he said: “The Lady Byng”
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by J.P. on Oct 10, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Why are the wittiest, most clever hockey players Russian?
I suppose Russians are just naturally witty and clever.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they just hold back less. Going through Canadian Juniors the Canadian boys are taught to not stand out and not say anything controversial. Their “media coaching” starts a lot younger and having any discernible personality is often seen as a negative.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
That’s awesome.
More Ovechkin on Datsyuk: “He’s won a Lady Bing trophy a lot. So, probably ladies love him.”
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 10, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can’t imagine what a locker room with those two is going to be like.
Its almost a shame Dats doesn’t have that same life-of-the-part personality as Ovie. He’s sharp and dry and hilarious.
I agree. I wonder if his personality is more outgoing in Russia. I think the language barrier has really held Datsyuk back. Looking at some of the other Russian stars it just makes me appreciate AO’s drive to learn English even more.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Looks like Ersky and… Schultz getting the night off tonight. Boo.
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Top 2 lines appear to be unchanged. Double boo.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 10, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Listening to Led Zeppelin, “Your time is gonna come” — seems very appropriate for Schultzie
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Led Zep – double thumbs up.
Schultz sitting – double thumbs down.
Erskine sitting – double thumbs up.
Care Bears – double thumbs down.
Is the glass half full or half empty? What do you say, Mr Gould Old Days, our Nations turns its lonely eyes to you?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
I say it’s no bad thing for a team to go through some adversity. Didn’t hurt the Pens any last year.
Is this the kind of adversity that will make the team stronger, or is it signs of fundamental deep-down problems? I’m not sure it’s either of those, but it’s too soon to tell.
One thing is sure. Regular season means Dick. Caps need to make the playoffs. Everything else is details (including home ice advantage)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I say it’s no bad thing for a team to go through some adversity. Didn’t hurt the Pens any last year.
Of course, there was one notable casualty in those struggles.
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It’s tough for me. I think Boudreau is one of the best strategic coaches I’ve seen, in terms of how he handles people on the long term. But short term, his tactics often leave me scratching my head.
I’d rather have the former than the latter, but I’d really rather have both.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if Babcock is going to stack Zetterberg and Datsyuk on line and roll it against The Carebears whenever he can? He gets last change at home and I bet he thinks his second line is better than 22/9/21.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 10, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I think DET is going with Hank/Datsyuk/Holmstrom. Top line match-ups will be interesting.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Obviously. But not because of that line. DET is so fucking disciplined. Anyone else get jealous watching that display of TEAM hockey?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
That, and Nick Lidstrom. Very jealous.
That line didn’t kill us, although it did shut down the young guns with a couple of exceptions, the second, third and fourth lines were clearly superior to ours in terms of teamwork and dangerous chances. Brad’s goal not withstanding, even.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 11, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Fact: Schultz has the second-best +/- of any Cap this decade. And here I thought that scoring more goals than your opponent was important in hockey. Oh well, silly me.
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Not bad for a guy who doesn’t hit and plays with Mike Green all the time.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 10, 2009 1:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Do you recall the anecdote in Moneyball, recounting the time that Bill James approached the White Sox and informed them that Frank Thomas hit something like a 100 points higher as a 1B than a DH? James reported that he was so sure of the causal correlation, that the data was so strong, he expected a grateful pat on the back and the satisfaction of knowing that he helped out an honst-to-goodness, actual big league organization.
When he passed along the information, the reaction he got was more annoyance than anything else: “Go back to your slide rule, geek; we don’t need no stinking nerds telling us baseball guys how to put together a lineup.”
I am wondering if the same thing is going on here – Schultz doesn’t pass the eyeball test, and therefore is getting pigeonholed.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Up until very recently, I had thought that while he didn’t pass the fans’ eyeball test, the people that mattered held him in much higher esteem. Now, I’m somewhat less sure of that.
And I’d have gone with “cornholed” over “pigeonholed,” but that’s just me.
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by J.P. on Oct 10, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Leonsis’s comments in the offseason give me comfort.
I think Boudreau may be loyal to a fault and may put too much stock in hierarchy/seniority — at least in October. These kinds of things should shake out by spring.
Then again, they never did for Eminger. This 8 D thing is untenable. McPhee needs to move a D or two. NOW, Kid!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I think most agree that 8 D is untenable but GMGM still has to a) figure out which one(s) he wants to move and b) find an acceptable package for that guy. It’s not wise to just jettison an NHL quality D just to do it (think of how many people were upset because GMGM lost Chris Smith for nothing in return, and he was just a marginal prospect).
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Rob Parker on Oct 10, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
51 | 24 | 16 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
52 | 27 | 21 | 4 | 58 |
|
Winnipeg
|
54 | 24 | 24 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
51 | 23 | 23 | 5 | 51 |
|
Carolina
|
54 | 20 | 25 | 9 | 49 |
(updated 2.7.2012 at 3:17 AM EST)
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