Recap: Caps 4, Thrashers 3
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 10:12 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
152 comments
[AP Recap - Game Center - Game Summary - Event Summary]
Heading into Atlanta to face an Ilya Kovalchuk-less Thrashers team, it seemed there would be one of two scenarios. Either the Washington Capitals would get complacent and find themselves outworked by a team rallying around their fallen leader, or they would take advantage of the sniper's absence and put this one away easily.
Apparently there was also an option C - known as a little from the first option and a little from the second. Or something that we'll call...the Caps Special.
Ten more notes on the game:
- If you'd been told before the game that two Caps would be held without a shot all game, it probably wouldn't come as a shock that Chris Clark was one of them. It might come as slightly more of a shock that Alexander Semin was the other. And of course #28 threw in a couple of giveaways, just for good measure.
- There are times when Alex Ovechkin can take on the presence and demeanor of a shark circling the waters, tearing around the ice with single-minded determination to do nothing but attack. Hovering one goal shy of the hat trick, he had that look about him for long stretches tonight. No hat trick, sadly - he'll have to settle for merely having multi-goal games in half of his appearances.
- Ondrej Pavelec hasn't had the best of times against the Caps so far this year, but the save he made on Tomas Fleischmann in a one-goal game with just under two minutes remaining was pretty darn impressive.
- And at the other end of the rink, Semyon Varlamov came up with a good first period and a stopped penalty shot, a better second as the Thrashers started to wake up, and a fantastic third. Which is good, because it turns out that's exactly what the Caps needed him to do.
- Ovechkin's goals were scored on fairly ridiculous shots - but don't overlook the beauty of the passes that set him up, a shot fake by Mike Green and a heads-up saucer by Nicklas Backstrom.
- Hallelujah, folks...we've found an ice surface worse than Verizon.
- All five of the Thrashers' penalties were restraining infractions - hooking, holding, etc. - and four of the five came in the first forty minutes. You don't need much more proof that the Caps were simply too much for the Thrashers to handle early on. And two power play goals on five chances is nothing to sneeze at, either.
- Rough night in the faceoff dot for every Capital center not named David Steckel. Stecks? 13-for-18 (72%). The rest? 16-for-42 (38%). Yeah, that's a big ouch.
- The sheer number of shorthanded breakaways this team has given up in the last week or two is too high to count; thankfully the dynamic duo of Theodore and Varlamov have looked sharp on just about all of them.
- This is the second straight game that the Caps have given up 20 shots in the third period alone. Not sure how many more ways there are to say they simply took the foot off the pedal again.
But hey, it's a win, right? Brendan Morrison gave the Caps some secondary scoring (or did he?). Varlamov was stellar and has made his claim for the #1 spot (or has he?). The Caps have won six in a row and maintain their seven point lead in the Southeast (or...wait, yes, they have).
And yet, once again...it rings a little hollow.
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I’m surprised the Canes are sucking so hard this year, so far.
Fight, you time-wasting figure skaters!
by boutros23 on Oct 29, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, what was all the hubbub about before the season started about how they might challenge us for the SE title?
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Oct 29, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s early…and it’s a long season. Never forget 2007-08.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Think back to November 23, 2007…
Carolina: 13-7-1 (27 pts)
Washington: 7-14-1 (15 pts)
Who won the division?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 30, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Carolina had an epic collapse on par with the Mets in 07 and 08, and Washington played bat out of hell hockey post-Thanksgiving. It was a freaky perfect storm. Even then, didn’t the Caps have to win 11 of 12? It could happen again, but I doubt we see a combination like that occur anytime soon.
by RedBirdie on Oct 30, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re forgetting the most important factor – the ‘07-’08 Caps had Alex Ovechkin and the ‘09-’10 ’Canes do not.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And that is why the Caps won the division.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 30, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, well, yes, there is that little detail.
by RedBirdie on Oct 30, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And after Thanksgiving, Bruce Boudreau.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 30, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Epic Collapse?
The Canes didn’t lose the division in 2007-08. During March and April, the Canes record was 10-4-1 From NHL.com. That’s a points percentage of .700. What made the difference was that the Caps went 13-3-0 over the same stretch (incluiding winning the last 7 games in a row.)
The Canes did anything but collapse. The Caps went out and played like monsters, winning 11 of their last 12 (inluding 2 over the Canes, one in regulation, one in OT).
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 30, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Canes most certainly did collapse
They lost to the Cats in their last game of the year – a win would have made the Caps victory over the FLA the NEXT night moot.
I will never forget that thrill – Fed’s blast won the game, and a playoff spot.
Seems trivial now , with Cup aspirations and all now.
by S h a g g y on Oct 30, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
THAT is the shot I will remember him by, not the one against the Rangers. What a huge shot.
I was so glad the Caps put that game out of reach early.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That shot is pretty much what made me a season ticket holder. The atmosphere in the arena was so electric from that moment on, that I couldn’t imagine not being there for future games.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 30, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One game doesn’t make an epic collapse. An epic collapse is what the Phillies did in 1964 in the National League pennant chase (go look it up, it’s pretty astonishing) or the 1978 Red Sox.
That shot by Feds was pretty sweet. It was, at the time, the biggest goal since the lockout for the Caps. It has since been passed by his goal in Game 7 vs. the Rangers….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Nov 2, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think they’ve been overachieving for a long time now. Due for a drop off.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 29, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I may get stoned for supporting the ginger, but I was impressed by Flash tonight. That move he made moving up to take the pass and held while the D slid by…damn he was flying up the ice. Don’t remember that much jump from him last year. Maybe if he could actually complete an offseason and season healthy we might see what the coach does.
by HateOffSeason on Oct 29, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll give you that Flash looked pretty good, I’m not buying that his “wait and let the D slide by” was a good move. If he shoots that puck immediately he had a better shooting angle and a better chance to get the goalie off guard. He got caught being too cute, IMO.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 29, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he probably looked better than any of us expected, especially considering his stats in Hershey over the weekend weren’t anything to write home about. I would have voted to leave him there for another week, just on general principle.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 29, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn’t actually stating that the move was good, I was impressed by his acceleration and speed to get there in the first place. In the neutral zone he changed direction, and was about 20 feet behind the passer (Clark?), and it was like everyone else was in slow motion as he accelerated and flew past everyone.
by HateOffSeason on Oct 29, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He sure did make up ground quickly.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 29, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flash did look good. Of course, post-game, Bruce said he had “7 or 8 great chances” and Flash got more PP time than Laich or Knuble and as much as Backstrom. The love affair continues…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 29, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, and I don’t think he deserves that time either, nor does it fit in our new get to the front of the net mentality. Just think he looked a lot better than I expected.
Maybe he should ask someone to kick him in the calf at the end of every season before flying home, seems to improve his game.
by HateOffSeason on Oct 29, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he looked much better than his linemates, that’s for sure.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 29, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Setting the bar kind of low there, aren’t you? But yes, Flash looked good. Not top line, 20+ minutes a night good, but much better than I expected.
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely much better than expected: I was surprised he didn’t pot a few goals, himself. That one save in the final two minutes was spooktacular.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Setting the bar kind of low there, aren’t you?
Yes. Very. Worm limbo low.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 6:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe he should ask someone to kick him in the calf at the end of every season before flying home, seems to improve his game.
Rah rah ree
Kick ’em in the knee!
Rah rah rass
Kick ’em in the…other knee!
/so junior high
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 29, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Only problem with that. Having to deal with out the first month and pre-season all the time.
by CapsFan75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We did pretty good without him.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 29, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah… the Roger Clemens, Brett Favre, Scott Niedermayer Plan
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 30, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I for one am not buying the, but hey a wins a win. phrase anymore.
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
by kurlNdrag on Oct 29, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think anyone is, to be honest. I remember sensing a palpable shift in the way this team and the fans reacted to wins in the 07-08 season (we’re just happy to get two points, yay!!) and how they reacted in the years since. Their reactions – and ours – are more tied with how they got the two points, which is good.
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not? The way I see it, good teams win games they should have lost, bad team lose game they should have won. Every point counts, and the Caps got two tonight. They step up when needed and yes, we’d all like to see better games against “lesser” opponents and for the team to not sit back and relax with a lead, but we’d all be much more pissed off with a loss right now. A LOT.
Only a team with high expectations draw criticism after a win, and rightly so after a game like tonight, but that still doesn’t mean i’m not happy that at the end of the year, this will just be another “W” in the books.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a long season, it’s fruitless obsessing about style points in October. Or March for that matter. On the road, should have won, did win.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Oct 30, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, a win is a win. They put this one away early and coasted to the finish…these guys just aren’t going to keep the hammer down against a lesser opponent.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 29, 2009 10:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
While it’s bloody annoying and they need to stop it, if you’re playing 4 in 6 and on the top night of a back to back, it’s a little silly to go all-out.
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood...Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. - Daniel H. Burnham
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
by gotsparkly on Oct 29, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, resting up.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 29, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A win is a win, but if they play like that against the Penguins, game over. Let’s get if fixed already.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 29, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only thing that’s making me hopeful is that they haven’t played like this against the better teams (Sharks, Bruins, Flyers) – when they have the chance, they put them away.
Granted, bad habits are, as we saw last year, never good to get into. Bruce needs to talk to his boys.
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
being dominated in the 3rd period is a bad habit to get into. Streak is 2 games, we’ll see if it extends to 3.
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
by kurlNdrag on Oct 29, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to add something like that, but decided to leave it out. The games against the Sharks and the Bruins were the gold standard so far, the Flyers not so much because of the early two goal deficit. Maybe Bruce needs to show those games in a loop so they can remember what the game is supposed to look like.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 29, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just frustrating to watch a great start and effort by the team to yet again be squandered away, especially with how Varly looked just standing there after the last goal at the end of the game and everyone “seemed” to give him extra end game comments.
Anyways, yes I agree with the back to backs train of thought. I just don’t like the third period results of the last two games. I think watching them come back is easier than watch them coast and try and run the clock out…but maybe that’s just me.
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
by kurlNdrag on Oct 29, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bruce needs to talk to his boys.
Does he ever stop talking? Gabby indeed.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 30, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wish caps would obliterate an opponent every once in a while instead of coasting
by renhoak on Oct 29, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup, but not tonight, not if it leaves them gassed against the Islanders.
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood...Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. - Daniel H. Burnham
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
by gotsparkly on Oct 29, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Point well taken. Would have been cool to see the Caps practice tight sphinctered defense for the rest of the game after going up 3-0, helping Varly get a shutout. But alas, not the Caps style of play, I guess.
by renhoak on Oct 29, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was no stopping Bogosian’s first goal: as long as it was on net, it was in, no question, nothing to be done.
The semi-break for White, though, was another telling of the same ol’ story, and that was disappointing. Thankfully, they’re giving up breakaways and penalty shots to players like Slater and Powe. But they’re giving up breakaways, nonetheless.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 29, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Goal 1 – Unless Mo wasn’t screening the goalie? A sighted shot from that distance isn’t too hard to make a glove save on.
by six hole on Oct 29, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bogosian’s not Weber, but that shot was Weber-like. I don’t think Semyon had much chance at it.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 29, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i guess we’ll never know, since he didn’t get to see it.
by six hole on Oct 29, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thankfully, they’re giving up breakaways and penalty shots to players like Slater and Powe
I have a theory that it’s part of the Caps’ M.O. They let one of the weaker forwards get a breakaway, haul him down for the penalty shot and then wait for the goalie to slam the door. Presto! Confidence of the weakest link is shaken, the rest will follow.
…no? Too much cold medicine? Perhaps.
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
perhaps just that PS save % is higher than PK%? seems like a decent strategy.
by six hole on Oct 29, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a problem with this. I would bet they are more tired from the third period they played last night than they would have been if they had kept their foot on the gas. Playing defense is hard, exhausting work. Have the play dictated to you is also hard and exhausting. The Caps taking their foot off the Thrasher’s necks did more to tire them out than if they had just kept going hard.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
by Sct112 on Oct 30, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In March....
…while we might remember the outcome, the big thing will be the 2 points. 8-2-2 is pretty awesome so far for the year.
And now, let’s have a blowout…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 29, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My scintillating (sp?) math skills tell me that they’re playing at close to a .750 points percentage. Over the course of a year, that would translate to 123 points. That would be a pretty good year.
At this point, they are what they are, and it’s not going to change: they’ll play in spurts against weaker opponents, and win most of them. Will it come back to haunt them in the playoffs? Maybe.
It’s frustrating to watch, but there’s just not much you or I can do about it.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 29, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
123 points? Even my blind faith isn’t that strong. I’d settle for another 108 point season.
by RedBirdie on Oct 30, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lemieux going down?
One more game in October, one more chance for the Great 8 to take down Lemieux’s record of mutli-goal games in the month
by renhoak on Oct 29, 2009 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There’s a Crosby joke here somewhere.. hmm..
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 29, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Crosby still live in Lemieux’s basement? Kind of odd, those puffy lips of his … not that there’s anything wrong with that.
by renhoak on Oct 29, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last I saw, the answer to that was yes. No joke to accompany that answer, at this point, it’s not worth the effort.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 30, 2009 5:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Btw, everyone’s still cool with this stuff after a game like that?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 29, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s a waste of time and breath to keep bringing it up. They’re going to do it no matter how many pixels are wasted on it and neither you nor I can stop them. Let it go, IMO.
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood...Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. - Daniel H. Burnham
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
by gotsparkly on Oct 29, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Keep bringing it up.” What’s this, the second time? And of course they’re going to keep doing it. I’m just glad they can be so happy with their performance tonight.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 29, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Definitely more than twice, but I’m also not going to go looking for the exact number :-P. I’m cool with it until the other team calls them out on it for being unsportsmanlike. I’ll have a problem with it if they continue after that point.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 29, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought AO and Baxter played pretty well, but yeah, they should be looking at their game with a more critical eye at this point.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 29, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And of course they’re going to keep doing it. I’m just glad they can be so happy with their performance tonight.
So very very this.
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 30, 2009 4:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ABSOLUTELY. Win games, do what you do.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
…and by “do what you do”, I don’t mean, sit down and let a game that should never have been get that way. You can’t really discredit Ovechkin’s performance tonight though, I don’t think
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s gotta be in quirky superstition territory for them by now, right?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup…that’s what I meant by “do what you do”.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love it.
I feel the same away about avatars as Ovechkin does about speed limits.
by Ovechkin on Oct 30, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there such a thing as a good loss?
Is there such a thing as a bad win? (as long as nobody got hurt)
Sure, celebrate the win. I got no problem with that. It’s part of who they are.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 30, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it’s part of why we love them. They’re not PR polished within an inch of their life, so bland as wonderbread so as to be completely inoffensive to everyone.
by RedBirdie on Oct 30, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Sometimes a win is a win, but we want to come away happy from a win,” Chris Clark said. “I don’t think we did last night. Most of the guys were pretty upset with the way we played, especially the last 15 minutes or so.”
Not these guys!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I am absolutely OK with this. What’s wrong with it? Should they mope around? How terrible would it look if they were visibly upset with their effort and the Thrashers were looking on after a great comeback without their best player and the other team isn’t happy because they thought they should have blown them out. How is that good sportsmanship? Tomorrow they can look at the tape and be disappointed with how some of them played
by GreenLife420 on Oct 30, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caps 1-2-3 for the moment.
1st in the division, 2nd in the conference, 3rd in the league.
And I just noticed…nice recap, CapsChick! Huzzah!
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 29, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And goshdarnit, we won’t be happy until it’s 1-1-1! Which is good.
Ooh, a “Huzzah”! Cool. Thanks :)
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The President’s Trophy winner hasn’t faired too well lately. I care less about 1-1-1 and more about hoisting The Cup.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point. How about we go 1 (Division), 1 (Conference) and…someone in the West can take the President’s Trophy?
Although the Wings did win the Cup last year after winning the President’s Trophy. I seem to recall they were the first team to do so since the last time they won them both…but someone might need to check me on that.
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The way the team plays at home, I don’t think winning the President’s would be a detriment, though I may be way off in my assessment that (To the eye) they look much better in red.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 30, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
PC winners haven’t won the Cup too often since the late 80’s. Sadly though, you are referring to two years ago.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Oct 30, 2009 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phoenix gon’ lock it up!
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It just occurred to me….
…do you guys now have more writers than the two major Washington dailies, combined?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 30, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best facial expression of the night? The lady in the blue:
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 29, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that’s almost a look of: I know I have seen that guy somewhere before but I just can’t put my finger on it…
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
by kurlNdrag on Oct 29, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lady, eh? Ookay.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still doesn’t beat Emery’s from Tues’ night’s Semin goal. I swear he sat there frozen for 10 seconds with this grin on his face like… “HE just did THAT?” (for more reference, see Semin v Tim Thomas last year)
by FFSEnough on Oct 30, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
glad to see even Emery can take 10 seconds and be stunned silly by the power of Sasha.
by RedBirdie on Oct 30, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin lights him up bad just about every time they meet.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are times when a goaltender has to look at the guy, say “Nice shot” and fish the puck out of the net. Professional goaltenders know that if the player makes a near-perfect shot (like Semin did against Emery) that it’s going in.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 30, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“I gave up my book club night to wear this silly shirt and watch this?”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 30, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Looks more like a fighter pilot to me.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a comment on the haircut!
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And we’re rolling four recappers! Very nice!
A dirty win is worth just as much as a nice one, but I still have a nasty feeling that we’re playing on borrowed time, sometimes.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Oct 29, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Pretty much, yes.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 29, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See, but this isn’t even winning ugly. This is playing pretty and then backing in. And when that’s a pattern, it points to a flaw in coaching. No, I’m not calling for Bruce’s head or anything. But Corey nails it:
“We were way too casual and that’s what happens when you let up and you don’t just drive. The great ones — every chance they get to score they want to put it through the net. You see [Ovechkin], I mean he never lets up.”
[NOTE: This may or may not have been a direct/indirect shot at Alexander Semin, who botched two plays that should have been goals after the team went up 3-0]
[NOTE #2: If Boudreau was upset with Semin, he didn’t take away any ice time as a result. He continued to skate with the top line for the duration.]
Where’s the accountability?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 29, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ready to put Flash on the top line yes?
by CapsFan75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if it’s a case of someone(s) believing his(their) own hype.
I mean, at what point can you stop evaluating a team based on how good the analysts expect it to be, and start evaluating a team by looking at the standings and seeing how good it actually is in relation to the competition? Not just for the Caps, but also for the assessment of whether they’re playing down/up to their opponent?
It’s related, but I grant it’s a different issue from being a team that doesn’t play the full 60 minutes.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Oct 29, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
calling Killer Instinct, hello, Killer… yes we were wondering if you can make an appearance in the locker room this year?
:)
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
by kurlNdrag on Oct 29, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No room for “killer instinct” under the cap. We’re stuck with the less talented “30 minute effort”. It’s like needing Keith Aucoin and getting Boyd Kane.
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Aucoin’s been great.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except that one boner he pulled in his own endzone.
Yeah, I went there.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree. I thought Aucoin was horrible last night. Better in previous games, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I only saw 26 minutes of the game because I had to drive around and shit.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the same time? Nice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha..
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where’s the accountability?
There is none, nor will there be unless the team goes into the tank. I’ve given up heeding BB’s rants.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Oct 30, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much. As long as it continues to work, it’s not going to change.
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood...Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. - Daniel H. Burnham
Fan Clubs: Sloan, Schultz
by gotsparkly on Oct 30, 2009 5:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’ve been over this ground countless times. I still think that the varieties of accountability that are publicly visible to fans are just about the lest effective kinds. So unless one of you is traveling on the team plane and hasn’t been telling us, we have no real sense for what accountability there is.
We are totally safe discussing results. We are safe saying “whatever they are doing, it ain’t working.” But it doesn’t make sense to say “there is no accountability.” We have no idea.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 30, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
We do have an idea, though – we have an idea that Alex Semin’s ice time was not impacted by Boudreau’s apparent dissatisfaction with his play, and that’s one method by which coaches almost across the board punish and reward players for their performance.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. We have countless examples that “playing time” is not in Boudreau’s accountability toolbox. I don’t think it follows that there’s no accountability. He just approaches it in different ways. Maybe ineffective ways, but there is certainly some accountability on this team. See Nylander, Michael.
Was Semin really the guy who earned the call-out last night? He’s the guy who scored the GWG against Philly, coming back from illness. Semin’s offensive game lends itself to highs and lows, peaks and valleys, inconsistency. I wasn’t real thrilled with those comments from Boudreau. A little too much public accountability, if you ask me. Deal with it in practice and in the video room.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 30, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Completely agree that calling out Semin is a borderline move on coach’s part. I think there are still some things Boudreau is learning about running a team, just like everyone else he makes mistakes and will get better with experience. To me, he sometimes goes overboard with calling guys out in general.
by Kolzilla on Oct 30, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has been and to no avail. My wife jokingly quoted him from practice a couple of weeks ago when she heard they were working on losing another lead.. Her point was the same as mine. Nothing has changed. If talking isn’t getting the job done then playing time needs to involved. Talk is now cheap on this issue.
This is one of the two areas I truly disagree with BB on, though they are somewhat related. The other is TOI for top forwards. He cedes a bit too much to his charges. He only seems to take playing time from his his last D pairing and 4th liners.
Contrast this with Dave Tippet yesterday. Scottie Upshall, whom at times has been the Coyotes best player since he arrived here last Spring, took two dumb penalties early in a 4-1 win the night before and was benched for the 3rd period. He was then scratched for last night’s game. In last night’s 3-0 win the Yotes took only three penalties as opposed to eight the night before. Message sent and received.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Oct 30, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think a big problem associated with proposing this action (and not Semin specific) is the team’s precarious cap position. You can’t scratch anyone who’s healthy because we don’t have extra healthy players and we can’t afford to call anyone else up from Hershey. If you limit playing time within the game, are you willing to risk the loss by not playing your best lineup to the max? Sure, in theory they can afford to blow a game to prove a point, but those two lost points could be important some day.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 30, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d be fine at this point with him just benching guys in game when they clearly aren’t doing what is needed. He has done this in the past, though rarely. I think that alone can have the desired effect in many cases.
To your point about losing 2 points. Right now I’d rather lose 2 points in the regular season and get this stuff corrected now then to continue to see this inconsistency throughout the season and more importantly into the postseason.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Oct 30, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree 200% with the second paragraph. I wouldn’t call BB’s attitude toward Semin a prejudice but it’s getting closer and closer to that. BB never finds more that a few standard words of approval for Semin’s top-level plays but hardly misses a chance to point out Sema’s problems although not always naming the name.
by fnralch on Oct 30, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he just has a better understanding than we do of how Semin needs to be handled.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really hope Semin resigns and we don’t have to acknowledge how stupid some people on this site can be. Jesus the guy is amazing! You can keep expecting every player we have to be a complete player with no flaws or we can accept some of their flaws for flaws and appreciate what they can do. If you don’t think that Semin is a peice that can get you to a Stanley Cup I don’t know what games you are watching. He is a dynamic offensive talent who is actually a good backchecker as well, given that he was leading forwards in takeaways before he got sick. I just hope it’s true and he doesn’t know English worth a damn so he doesn’t read some of this garbage. But if you do Semin a lot of us still love you man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep doing what you do!!!!!
by GreenLife420 on Oct 30, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More exclamation points, dude.
And “how stupid some people on this site can be” is pretty nearly unacceptable. Argue substance – don’t name call, mmm’kay?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 30, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d like to posit that I thought that Pothier had another weak game full of the same mistakes. He’s misjudging situations and getting beaten in battles, to my eyes, at least.
Also, it’s a bit late, but welcome to the new writers club, CapsChick!
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 29, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know that he’s got the worse Plus/Minus stats of the D-men currently in the lineup (i.e. Green, Morrisonn, Schultz, Poti, Jurcina).
by CapsFan75 on Oct 29, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pothier’s had a rough season period, which is a shame – I really think a healthy Pothier was a spark this team was missing a lot of last season.
And thank you! Glad to be here :)
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I missed the 2nd period, but he had a really good 1st period, winning just about every puck along the boards, and his 3rd was on par with the rest of the team… sitting in a lounge-chair sippin a mai-tai.
Games like last night for Sarge, though, are what drive me absolutely nuts. He had a few glaring mistakes when it was still 3-0 that almost cost the caps a goal, then when it gets down to crunch time, his game tightened up considerably and he was clearing the crease and blocking shots with his heart.
by FFSEnough on Oct 30, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and blocking shots with his heart
Ewwww, messy.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 30, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Loved the recap! Especially the last little bit!
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Oct 29, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Caps Chick! Great recap! I will miss your website as well as I miss Pepper"s and DMG’s blogs. I find it sad that we will miss your insights, and I can only speak for my view of the world reading Pepper and DMG’s former websites, but their views are homogenized since joining this website. C’est dommage! Don’t lose your wonderful point of view, and don’t let someone edit the hell out of you.
by Zelda on Oct 29, 2009 11:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I just love I have less hits to generate on my office’s web monitor to get and can get all entire Caps fix on one site!
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 29, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree,
I used to get on DC Hockey Daily so I could read your site and get info from this one. I have to say that your style and presentation were funnier and more familiar on View from the Cheap Seats. Sorry but it’s true, I miss it!!! Nothing against this post at all, just a preference.
by GreenLife420 on Oct 30, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s very kind of you, thanks! It’s nice to know the site will be missed – and don’t worry, keeping my own voice is important to me and it’s important to the other guys, as well. It’d take a pretty strong red pen to edit all the crazy out of me ;)
by Becca H on Oct 29, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta disagree here though I understand the sentiment..
Having more quality folks in one place makes it easier on me and my bookmarks folder.
While there is some inevitable homogenization when you are reading/writing with the same folks all the time I haven’t seen Pepper and DMG altering their opinions much. If anything, I think the quality of the writers and readers in the Rink makes everyone rethink their own opinions from time to time and that is a good thing.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Oct 30, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While there is some inevitable homogenization when you are reading/writing with the same folks all the time I haven’t seen Pepper and DMG altering their opinions much.
Good call. I agree. Let’s think of Japers’ Rink like Iron Chef America. All of the Iron Chefs are top-notch, and maintain their unique vision, style, and approach. Yet at the same time, they’ve learned how to tailor their product in a similar way in order to please the judges (that’d be us Rink Rats. Tyler, you’re the Jeffrey Steingarten in the group). So here’s who I’ve got:
JP = Morimoto…..Seniority, tenure, deference, always spot-on
Pepper = Flay……creative, brash, and of course, lives in NY
DMG = Batali…….master technician
tuvan = Symon…..don’t they actually look alike?
CapsChick = Cora…..X chromosomes, life of the party
by Cluster on Oct 30, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe Uncle Kaga would be most pleased with those analogies.
Thankfully the judges here are a little less haughty.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Oct 30, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW, I’ve got NHL on the Fly on in the background. Stamkos had a monster night for the Bolts.
/taking it over to the OT hockey thread
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 29, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BTW, I’ve got NHL on the Fly on in the background. Stamkos had a monster night for the Bolts.
Two goals and an assist. A good night but I wouldn’t call it a monster unless you consider what Ovechkin’s did a monster night.
by b.orr4 on Oct 30, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two goals and an assist. A good night but I wouldn’t call it a monster unless you consider what Ovechkin’s did a monster night
When is that not a monster night? When Alex Ovechkin does it for the 4th time in 12 games.
I love it.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 30, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was there ever a replay shown of the timing on Bogosian’s 2nd goal? I’m surprised they counted it.
by DrinkingPartner on Oct 29, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I did an informal check and the CSN clock (Which I’m sure is super official) had about .9 seconds left.
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Oct 29, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That doesn’t change how offsides Bogosian was when the puck entered the zone.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 30, 2009 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought so too at the time, but replay says it wasn’t. Usually the D (Poti) would pokecheck right at the blue line and throw the timing off and Bogo’s toe drag wouldn’t have worked. Poti and Juice both looked clueless on that play. Granted it was a 4-on-2 on that side, but only the two players were moving, there were only a few seconds left, and neither of them got covered.
by six hole on Oct 30, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The people who laid a goal and half weren’t too pleased.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Oct 30, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was going to play that, decided it would be foolish.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 30, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It crossed the line into the net completely at about 0.5 seconds… it counts. Not that it does anything other than pad Bogosian’s stats. He has 4 goals this season, 3 against Washington. I’d say he’s another Jon Sim, except that Bogo is going to be one of the best defensemen in the league (meaning Atlanta will end up trading him) while Jon Sim against 28 other teams is a nobody (Sim also plays like an All-Star against Carolina…)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 30, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fleischmann had a great first game back.
We’re on a 6-game streak when we’re playing C+, B- hockey. It’ll be great to see us at A level.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Oct 30, 2009 12:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And the hard hat goes to Tomas. Welcome back Flash!
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 30, 2009 12:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
heckuva recap, capschick! love the concluding paragraph’s synergy. a belated welcome!
by Natty Bumppo on Oct 30, 2009 7:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Notes.
Only saw 1st and 3rd periods. So I guess you can say I saw the best and the worst. Though, I did catch a little of the 5 on 3 in the 2nd, and noticed we didn’t score while up 2 men. again. There was some crazy stat Locker mentioned 3 years ago during a broadcast. Related to failing to score on 5-on-3 advantages… teams that fail to do so lost like 65% of the games.
I’m not as concerned about the Cap’s energy level with a large lead. They know a W’s still a W, if it’s by 5 or 1. It’s a long season, we’re just 1/7th into it right now and from what we have learned the past 2 seasons, I’m not going to jump on them now for conserving some energy for the post season. I seem to feel like the past two playoff runs were cut short because of a similar problem… Exhaustion in 07-08, and coasting into the playoffs in 08-09. If we’re letting teams get back into games in March/April, then I’ll be concerned.
The 14/20/17 line really stood out to me last night. It will look a hell of a lot better when it’s 14/39/16, but that’s for another, more healthy day that we may never see.
by FFSEnough on Oct 30, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 AM EST)
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.
