Saturday Caps Clips: Leafs @ Caps Gameday
Your savory breakfast links:
- Previews of tonight's game from Vogs, the AP, TheStar (and again), Peerless and CapsChick, and keep up with all the SBN game coverage here.
- The Caps have won seven straight home openers and Alex Ovechkin has seven goals in the four he's played. [@capsmedia]
- On tonight's minimal pre-game festivities, Bruce Boudreau offered this: "Boston just introduced the players. They didn't show any banners, did they? Their goals are bigger than division championships. I think ours are bigger than division championships. We raised the banner last year. There's no sense in raising it again." Still, the mere site of the 2008-09 Southeast Division Champions banner may be a bit much for Assistant Coach Woods. [Capitals Insider]
- Leafs bench boss Ron Wilson's super-secret cheat sheet made it on the air the other night (Spoiler Alert! The Habs are small). The Caps had best be ready for "Big Blue Pride" tonight. [Orland Kurtenblog]
- If you're inclined to do so, our pal Dmitry Chesnokov will be chatting during the game on Comcast Sportsnet. [CSN]
- If you find you can never get enough Brooks Laich profiles, here's another one. [Washington Post]
- Versus got their best opening night ratings in their five-year run on Thursday. Of course, if it was Flyers/Bruins, it would have gotten even better ratings, right, NBC? [NHL.com]
- John Buccigross previews the Caps by referencing some band I've never heard of, pumping AO's tires and then placing the Caps behind the Pens in the East. Sounds about right. [ESPN]
- Homer McFanboy profiles Mike Knuble and chats up David Steckel. Good stuff.
- In case you missed it, it looked as if Joe Finley got Bourqued by the Bears. [FanPost]
- Adam Oates has a new gig as assistant coach in Tampa Bay. [CBC]
- Finally (and speaking of slick passing former Caps pivots), happy 37th birthday to Michael Nylander. Wonder what he'll wish for when he blows out the candles...
- Update (late links): Viktor Dovgan is no longer Caps' property; the Caps power play has the potential to be quite good; Loverro on Leonsis; Wise on Leonsis.
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So, I’m visiting my sister for the weekend, up for my niece’s baptism. I was depressed when I realized they have DirecTV, because I wasn’t going to be able to watch the games from Europe yesterday. Then, I noticed that they don’t get the NHL network. WTF? Granted, they don’t subscribe to anything more than the basic package, but they DO get the NFL network, MLB network, and NBA network…and the NHL network was “grayed out” as it apparently not part of their subscription…? How can the other 3 major sports networks be part of the basic package but not the fourth? I have come to the conclusion that DirecTV hates hockey and I will never buy their product.
by PaintDrinkingPete on Oct 3, 2009 7:48 AM EDT reply actions
This...
From Buccigross’ column:
To that end, I would look to trade Alexander Semin, whether it’s now or down the line, to perhaps add a piece but certainly free up his cap number. He is outrageously skilled, but the Caps have plenty of skill, and I question whether he will grow into a reliable two-way player. The team has to look at Mike Green and Ovechkin and build the team from that standpoint.
Makes me want to mash my head in frustration. I find that I just get beyond annoyed by any mainstream coverage of the Capitals.
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Oct 3, 2009 8:55 AM EDT reply actions
Had that a up few days ago. And agreed. If nothing else, he simply needs to look at Sasha’s plus minus from last year. Apparently he was looking at the numbers from previous years. Good thing we expect this sort of stuff from ESPN. If it was from TSN, then yikes.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Plus-minus is not a very good statistic. I mean, Viktor Kozlov was near the top of the league two years ago and Boyd Gordon doesn’t usually do that well because he never plays on lines that score.
I know, but it’s still a widely-used stat even ESPN should have access to and use. Sasha led the team in plus-minus. I don’t know how that implies he’s bad defensively.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Led the team without taking every shift with Ovie, that is.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Sasha led the team in plus-minus. I don’t know how that implies he’s bad defensively.
It doesn’t, but it’s not the reason cited. I don’t disagree that it’s probably somewhat inaccurate but Semin still turns the puck over a lot, takes a lot of stick fouls, and too often looks uninvolved on defense. My guess is it’s the last part Buccigross is referring to.
I know, but it’s still a widely-used stat even ESPN should have access to and use.
It’s really not fair to say ‘even ESPN’. The network doesn’t cover hockey much because it doesn’t have a vested interest in it. That’s obnoxious, but the reality is that most of the people who cover the NHL for ESPN are very, very good – and Buccigross is not exception.
I still don’t see how he can be listed as bad defensively. He does give up the puck a lot, but plus-minus is accurate to some extent. It’s a basic stat that will show who the good two-way players in the game are (Datsyuk, for example). With a oft-criticized and probably average goaltending and defense for most of the season, I don’t see how he came to that conclusion.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I still don’t see how he can be listed as bad defensively.
No one’s saying he’s bad defensively. What I’m saying (and I believe Bucci is saying) is that Semin hasn’t found defensive consistency.
Hmmm. No pass cuz they call him Sasha?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
The network doesn’t cover hockey much because it doesn’t have a vested interest in it.
Which is one of the primary reasons I loathe ESPN so much, they are supposedly the worldwide leader in sports yet they don’t devote any time to a major sport….
/that and the stupid ESPNsider crap.
Cled? Plus-minus isn’t the best statistic, but it’s definitely telling enough trendwise (aka – Gordon is held back because of where he plays, and Kozlov may not have been the best first line right wing, but he didn’t hold his line back).
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
And when Ovechkin goes down (knock on wood).. Green plays forward?
by TFG on Oct 3, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Makes me want to mash my head in frustration.
Why? I wouldn’t disagree with Bucci per se. Semin can play defense but he looks uninvolved or disinterested far too often, and a lot of the time it leads to him taking stick fouls/
I don’t know what ‘looks disinterested’ means: 28’s childish stick fouls are one thing, but he has limited D responsibility in BB’s system (not unlike 8) and I’ve never worried much about a player’s facial expression while he does his bit. Semin’s conversion to NA hockey is taking too long, but I see the trends in his backcheck and scrap as mostly favorable. The die was cast quickly on his “attitude”, which is not the same thing as his game.
Not sure I get this. Ok on the stick fouls, which unfortunately tend to happen largely in the offensive zone. But I think Sasha is a tremendous defensive player, certainly far better than OV. He backchecks tenaciously and is one of the few Caps who seem to be able to break out of the defensive zone cleanly. I know the pressure is going to be there and the cap will be tight, but I hope GMGM doesn’t trade him – Semin gives this team a really rare and exciting dimension.
by katzistan on Oct 3, 2009 10:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Right, but no one’s saying he’s a bad defensive player; Bucci is questioning whether he puts forth the effort to maximize that talent every night.
I still don’t see how he’s not reliable. Playoffs, sure, unreliable like Green, but for the regular season, I wasn’t worried at all if the puck was in the Caps’ D zone and Semin was on the ice.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m much more worried about a goal being scored against when the puck is on Semin’s stick and he’s crossing the opposition blue line…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 3, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m much more worried about a goal being scored against when the puck is on Ovie’s stick and he’s crossing the opposition blue line…
Quite honestly
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Completely disagree; I’m with GOD on this. AO is going to at least get the puck deep, he turns it over at the blue line far less frequently than Semin does.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I suppose part of the reason why I think like that is because 91 was there as a 3rd defenseman, sort of.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The maddening trend I see when the Caps as a team are playing badly is AO taking the puck in 1-on-4, shooting, having the rebound carom out and into a counterattack without the Caps able to get a line change.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
True, but those pucks don’t go back the other way. Semin dangling and losing the puck at the blue line is an immediate transition rush the other way.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
My memory I suppose remembers the wrong things. I still feel better about the Semin thing than with the AO thing.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I still don’t see how he’s not reliable.
Because sometimes he’s a wizard who uses his agility, quickness, and hands to make life difficult for the other team and sometimes he’s a lazy player how takes HHT penalties.
I’m not talking about his facial expression, I’m talking whether or not he exerts full effort on defense every shift, every game; whether he’s willing to battle with a guy or whether he waves his stick and takes a hooking penalty.
The die was cast quickly on his "attitude", which is not the same thing as his game.
And when Bucci says that Semin is “outrageously skilled” he’s acknowledging his game. The issue he’s taking isn’t with his game, it’s with his consistency. Alexandre Daigle, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev, etc, all were/are incredibly skilled. But the effort and consistency wasn’t there. Same idea, but to a lesser degree (and on defense, not offense).
‘Full effort on D, every shift, every game’ is not what you bought Semin to do (though I’d rather fend off Bradley’s backcheck than Semin’s). Calling Semin trade-bait for his D is like sitting Brads cause of his snap shot.
28 routinely takes Childish Penalties. I’ll bet my LL seats to the 10/27 Flyers game (speaking of the Japers ticket exchange) this is of far greater concern to management than how much D they get from a top6 wing in BBland.
‘Full effort on D, every shift, every game’ is not what you bought Semin to do (though I’d rather fend off Bradley’s backcheck than Semin’s). Calling Semin trade-bait for his D is like sitting Brads cause of his snap shot.
Bradley’s not a great defensive player. I think a more apt analogy would be a team with little offense and a ton of defensive depth moving a stay-at-home defenseman with little offensive upside.
Yes it is indeed a very stupidly written article, IMHO by a guy who really doesn’t understand just how many really good players a Stanley Cup contender needs to have on their roster to make a run at the cup. For my two cents the most ignorrant statement is perhaps:
“…and I question whether he will grow into a reliable two-way player.”
Yes that’s why Semin is so awesome when he does get time on the PK unit, because he’s nothing but an irresponsible offense-only player. (That’s intense sarcasm before anyone responds). The fact is that Semin’s only hole/weakness is his occassional temper which leads to an occassional bad penalty. If/when he gets over that and he is on the same level as say a Marian Gaboriak for sure and approaches the level of Ovechkin, Malkin, and yes even that demi-god who doesn’t yet have to shave daily, Sidney Crosby.
The Caps need to be working on how to sign his extension before the end of Feb, not looking for ways to move him to make salary cap room. That effort would ivolve a certain 36 year old Swedish Center.
by markbona-capsfan99 on Oct 3, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
While Bucci knows his hockey, he can only know so much. He also works as an anchor, unlike others like LeBrun, Burnside, Melrose, and Barnaby, who do full-time hockey coverage as far as I know. That’s why I think he made that comment. He hasn’t seen (not that I blame him) enough of Semin to understand how he plays.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
For my two cents the most ignorrant statement is perhaps:
"…and I question whether he will grow into a reliable two-way player."
Yes that’s why Semin is so awesome when he does get time on the PK unit, because he’s nothing but an irresponsible offense-only player. (That’s intense sarcasm before anyone responds)
That’s a strawman argument. If Bucci had said “Semin’s an irresponsible, offense only player” he’d be wrong. But questioning someone’s consistency is not the same as questioning their talent.
Right. Regulars around here know that one of my biggest complaints with E. Staal is his consistency; I don’t deny that he’s immensely talented (at diving!) but he tends to disappear for stretches. They are different arguments.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
As someone hoping to make it to the MSM-level of sports reporting, its articles like that I hope to never write. Or be like my recent Sports Illustrated that suggest that the Caps only brought Knuble in to toughen up Green and Semin…
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Oct 3, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem doesn’t lie with having too much skill, the problem lies with having $10 million of cap space on the bench in the playoffs. Imagine what type of two way players we could get with that $$.
If I were GMGM and had that sort of money, I’d dish it out for Nicklas Lidstrom at the end of this season. I doubt Detroit re-signs him. And then Forsberg late this season so he won’t be hurt going into the playoffs.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
put down the crack……Lidstrom is a Detroit lifer. He’s either going back there, or he’s retiring to the good life of Swedish Hockey Superhero.
Although I think Lidstrom would look fabulous in Caps red.
by RedBirdie on Oct 3, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You’re right, but until he says “I’m gone,” then there’s no guarantee he decides to retire. He’s still really good.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
For sure. I’d love to see the guy in our red instead of the winged wheel, but it’s not going to happen. He’s been their best player over the course of their dynasty and arguably the best player in the NHL of the last 20 years. I have to imagine they do what it takes to retire him in Motown or make sure he’s in the SEL.
He’s a super classy guy and tough as nails, as well as being one of the most elegant skaters to ever lace ‘em up. I’m sad that he’s almost done.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 3, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Right on – for those who need the detailed numbers:
Theodore: $4.5M (2009 Cap Hit)
+ Nylander: $4.875M (2009 Cap Hit)
= $9.375M or ~17% of the total avasilable salary Cap Space last season. Also don’t forget while Theo was indeed on the bench, several games Nyls wasn’t even that close to the ice, he was in the Press Box….
by markbona-capsfan99 on Oct 3, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
No idea if this is the right place for this
I seem to recall that there was going to be a ticket-selling thread, but can’t find it. If someone could direct me there, that would be great.
Or, if anyone needs two club seats for tonight, I all of a sudden can’t go. Contact me off-list at sledwl at gmail.
I seem to recall that there was going to be a ticket-selling thread, but can’t find it. If someone could direct me there, that would be great.
Zephyr set up a ticket exchange here.
I hope I’m not hallucinating when I don’t see an avatar there. You’ve got a few hours before home opener brother, don’t make me sick Dog Chapman on you.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 3, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Sometimes I wonder whether Ovechkin’s personality, not intentionally or contrived like an NFL wide receiver’s, overshadows everything here, and others are either ill-equipped or too reticent to step up…hockey is a team game that requires almost one personality…great players almost withdrawing to bring out the value and purpose in others.
This is an interesting line of thinking, but I don’t agree. It’s not as if the rest of the Caps are shrinking violets and unable to perform under the klieg lights #8 casts. Case in point is the 07-08 run, a total team effort. I will agree that the Caps are a bad-ass defender piece or two away from a bona fide SC run, but it’s certainly not Ovechkin’s personality that is standing in the way.
from the house that Red Jesus built
Let’s make it 8 straight tonight! I’m pretty excited about tonights game. After last season I didn’t think I could get super pumped up for regular season but I guess that long summer gets you back into the swing of things.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
OT, but the best name I’ve yet seen for the midgets in Montreal is Des Hobbitants. Pension Plan Puppets has some funny commentators.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 3, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions
If you find you can never get enough Brooks Laich profiles, here’s another one.
Can anyone actually ever get enough of Brooks Laich? I don’t think it’s humanly possible. Er…Brooks Laich profiles. I meant profiles. Right. Ahem.
Hey, less than 8 hours until game time – think I should do a gameday preview of some kind at some point? ;)
I’m surprised that this is the first I’ve heard of brooks calling a meeting after game 7 last year…. wonder what they all talked about?
This was written about by Mike Wise in the Post the during breakdown day. It’s the kind of story he excels at:Old Acquaitances Who Won’t Forget"
guess my hate for mike wise, and the fact that I kinda boycotted hockey for a month after the loss explains how I missed it…
Surprised Wise had a story about hockey that didn’t elude to how nothing will ever be better then the redskins in this town… I hate him :(
He has started opening up about hockey on 106.7, for better or worse. He’s much better than Lavar and Chad Dukes, who argue that Hockey isn’t worth talking about because DC is a Redskins town first, and a Basketball town second.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I’m wondering about Jeff Schultz in the press box again. Only reason I can figure is showcasing 23 and 26 for a possible trade. I, for one, would like to see 55 on the ice sooner rather than later.
Couldn’t agree more. When Bruce said the other night that he was starting Varly tonight because he wanted to “get everyone involved,” I guess by “everyone” he meant “one other guy.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well, Sloan’s not getting in either. And, of course, neither is the birthday boy.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, I don’t get it. I’m not sure if this is even relevant because I’d rather not compare the two, but #4 didn’t do much Thursday to earn a sweater for tonight. Apparently, others put more stock in Erskine’s “physical presence” than I do.
by mechanicsville on Oct 3, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll take Ersky in tonight’s brouhaha, and I guess I see why Juice is in too, but it is a little curious about 55.
As for “the best defenseman in camp,” well, I guess he gets to share some more notes with “the hardest worker in camp.” Honestly, I’d rather hear nothing from Bruce than hollow accolades.
from the house that Red Jesus built
Astute point on the hollow accolades. I suppose as long as we carry 8 D…. I’m of a mind that 4 and 23 should be in the pressbox rotation. Hey, its the 2nd game of the season…I need something to complain about.
by mechanicsville on Oct 3, 2009 4:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Careful – I got called out for saying Bruce was doing a sales job on Sloan.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I generally love Gabby’s verbosity, but I don’t like hearing superlatives from the coach when they’re not warranted. Sloan might well have been the best defenseman in camp, but you don’t come out and say so and then sit his ass in the press box. Likewise, I don’t think it’s fair to Nylander for the coach to say to the MSM he’s busting his can harder than anyone else in practice, and then put him on a parade to the press box. Yes, they’re different situations completely, but in both cases it’s not respectful, and it’s not professional.
Do this: Say nothing.
from the house that Red Jesus built
I think I mostly agree with you but the big difference with Nyls and Sloan is that BB never actually said Nyls was any good, just that he works hard and is in shape. He said Sloan was the best D in camp so it doesn’t make sense to sit him.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Remember what Clark said in the CapsCon panel about superstitions? He said that Bruce is the most superstitious guy in the room – if they win, he won’t change up a thing, but after a loss, he changes everything. Expect to see #55 and #89 the game after their first loss.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 3, 2009 3:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You mean we have to wait til Thanksgiving!?
by mechanicsville on Oct 3, 2009 4:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
The best part about Ron Wilson’s cheat sheet is the lack of Hal Gill’s #2 on the list of big slow defensemen. That’s some good scouting!
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 3, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, well, even though he belongs on the list, big normally cancels with slow. See Schultz, Jeff, and the in-his-20s Chara, Zdeno.
by red army line on Oct 3, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Hal Gill is nowhere near as good positionally as Chara and even Schultz (and positioning cancels slow more than being big does). In Gill’s case “never getting called for hooking or holding” cancels slow.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 3, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Rumor has it that Gill helped Gary Bettman bury a hooker in the Nevada desert so he gets a free pass.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
So that’s why Bettman is reluctant to put a team in Vegas.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 3, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
So the upshoot on the Dovgan news is that we have one fewer contract to deal with? Wasn’t he on the MVC poll? If so, cheers to that. Nothing personal, Vic.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 3, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions
Is there anyway for the future, JP, that you can give a link to the opposing team’s SBNation blog? I know SCoC does it for Bruins games. I like to see the other teams mindset’s coming into games with the Caps, to be honest.
Also, I like to troll
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Pension Plan Puppets is for the Leafs, they get a lot of volume and a number of their contributors are flat out hilarious.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 3, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Uh, sure. I’ll save you the one extra click from clicking on “keep up with all the SBN game coverage here” and then clicking on Pension Plan Puppets at the top.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Oh, I even have PPP as one of my blogs. I’m just saying for the future, my finger is getting tired. Save me, JP, save me!
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
“no…there is another…d..m…g”
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Do you have a big ugly ship that isn’t proportional on the inside to the outside that can make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
On the inside. Not the outside. Oh well, I’ll take Wedge Antilles, if we’re just throwing names out.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Ovechkin can be Chewbacca.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Oct 3, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I had him pegged as Luke. Because scoring goals in traffic is just like shooting whomp rats in Beggar’s Canyon!
Tyler Sloan is pretty clearly Luke…

Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 4, 2009 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions







































