Friday Caps Clips: Outworked at Home
by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 6:43 AM EDT
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps of last night's loss from Corey (blog, article and article), Tarik (blog, article), Vogs, Joe B., Peerless, CapsChick, OFB, Puckhead, Ed Frankovic and Cap Centre (and here) from the Caps' side, and Blueshirt Banter, Scotty Hockey and Hockey Rodent from the other side.
- Dmitry caught up with Alexander Semin and Semyon Varlamov post-game. Good stuff. [Examiner]
- Pictures! [TTT Hockey, Caps In Pictures]
- Alex Ovechkin's Top Ten Off-Ice Moments. [Kuklas Korner]
- The search for a nickname for the Caps' top line has gone mainstream. [NBC Washington]
- Speaking of, somehow Puck Daddy's 2009-10 line combo rankings don't include the Caps' second line, which I'd have as a second-tier "Always Dangerous" unit. [Puck Daddy]
- A bit more on the Caps' penalty woes. [Falls Church News-Press]
- The lovely Ms. D.C., Jennifer Corey, sang the national anthem last night. [Capitals Outsider]
- Saturday night's game in Detroit will be "Breast Cancer Awareness Night," so when you see pink tape and whatnot, it wasn't a laundering screw up by the Wings' equipment staff. [MLive.com]
- Brandon Sugden hurt his knee at Bears practice yesterday. [The Patriot-News]
- A couple of interesting Ted Leonsis-related media items here and here (get off my lawn!).
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Is it just me, or does Clark look out of place? It seems like every time I see him he’s making something happen and then mishandling it. whether it be a pass, a breakaway, a shot…He’s on the precipice and then he falls the wrong way.
The opportunity Ovie gave him was just plain to many passes, Ovie should have shot that one.
While the SOBs have gotten all of the scoring, maybe moving knuble up to this line will spread the wealth a bit more and create some urgency on both lines…
Somewhat related: quick, name a Cap with a goal this year who is not among the team’s top-six forwards. Go!
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Know what they call two-line teams in May? Golfers.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
You better recognize.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Funny how NBC wants to piggyback onto this topic without having done a remote from KCI or game yet.
/Ewell’d
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 7:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Everyone looked rather silly on both sides but there didn’t seem to be much in the way of criticism from NHL Live, I noticed. I suppose they are too concerned about being politically correct and not sure anymore where the boundaries are drawn these days. All I can say is, if I made the kind of mistakes the boys made last night, I’d be detailed to the toilettes. Which is kind of where I’ve been hanging out, anyway, having been surprised by a case of — if not swine flu — swinish, certainly. I couldn’t sleep last night, between grieving the loss and grabbing kleenex tissues, the room like a sweat lodge in Arizona at the height of the buzzard season. No one suffers like a Caps fan. I would like our boys to take things seriously and avoid flip comments like “it’s just bad luck, it’ll be better next time!” when we all know it was more than bad luck, it was bad hockey at least on a team level. I would welcome more media coverage but not if we’re going to play like that. Thanks, I feel better now.
Same here, I couldn’t fall asleep last night. This is my first season watching hockey and might be the last. I don’t think my heart can take it. I also watched NHL on the Fly and watched a little bit of the other games on Center Ice. Once thing I noticed though is that our goaltenders aren’t the only ones struggling. Teams are scoring a lot of goals right now period. Having said that, we better win Saturday! I need to get some sleep.
You’ve hit on why Schultz is hated J.P.
Him on Gaborik, subtle beauty… him on Higgins(?) ugly undressing.
Definitely agree. In general, I think it’s easier for a casual fan to appreciate a crushing body check than a well-timed poke check.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
as one of the Schultz haters of ‘08-09, i was very impressed with his play last night. it even looks like his skating has improved, which i think was one of his main limiting factors. can’t see him scratched often, if at all anymore. i officially tear up my Sarge Sucks membership card.
ditto on the non-scratching of Pothier, JP. that might be one of the sweetest passes of his career.
Caps will recover…
by ns on Oct 9, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Former Shultz hater myself. Compared to his partner most of the night he was downright steller. My only real issue was the blind passes/weak clears to the center of the ice. He still needs to work on using the boards or actually trying to pass to a teammate. Positionally he seems improved and didn’t take any stupid chances that I recall. Still getting outmuscled behind the net on occasion, but he’s making guys work.
Hmm, not trying to make an argument based on one play, but I do distinctly remember Schultz with a nice wrap-around-the-back-boards pass to Ovie, so he isn’t completely unable to use the boards.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t mean to imply he never used them, just that he doesn’t use them enough. I remember that play as well. I also remember 4 times in the last 2 periods where he just threw the puck to the center of the ice mainly out of what I’d call panic. On two of those he’s extremely lucky they didn’t become an ugly turnover. As I said before his play seems better overall, but still needs some work. He’s still young, especially given what position he plays.
Shultz
If you could put his top half on someone who is able to skate, you’d have a heck of a defenseman. He might be the slowest, most lumbering Cap I can remember.
And zero games to forget John Erskine? And a few seasons to forget Ivan Majeksy and Mathieu Biron (oy…).
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Perhaps all these years of watching hockey have failed to give me insight into who is and is not a good player, but as far as I can tell, Jurcina is the best defensive defenseman we have. Game after game, he is the only guy who when I see him manning someone I feel like he will generally succeed and win battles on the boards. I don’t know what world BB lives in that playing Shultz is an upgrade over Jurcina. I don’t see him making constant giveaways in our end like the rest of them (Green definitely included).
Perhaps all these years of watching hockey have failed to give me insight into who is and is not a good player, but as far as I can tell, Jurcina is the best defensive defenseman we have.
Yep. Failed. Sorry.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If you say so, novatar.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Avatars enhance your argument. It’s like when you hand in a homework assignment and it’s in a fancy binder with a transparent cover.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
To you from failing hands we throw the rec; be yours to hold it high.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
BTW, I do say so
Anyway, most of the stats I see here are misleading IMO but all of this was IMO so take it for what its worth (and I assume from your replies that you don’t take anyone seriously who doesn’t buy your groupthink). The Caps aren’t competing for 10th place so if you don’t see the problem with them having a mediocre defense, I don’t know what else to say. In the playoffs, teams tighten up and the loose style of play doesn’t get so many opportunities. Discipline can be coached, being slow can’t be coached out. Maybe you are right and Jurcina is a joke and Schultz is a #3 on this team, but that doesn’t bode well either.
most of the stats I see here are misleading IMO
Just out of curiosity, what stats would you prefer people on this site use?
Roman numerals. Those Arabic ones are all squiggly, complicated, and curvy. You know where you stand with some good straight lines and simple curves.
I. V. X. L. C. D. M.
That’s what I’m talking about. Those are some stats you can trust.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 9, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
good, solid numbers. Like a good Canadian boy. Don Cherry would approve. Those Arabic numbers are all soft, like a European player.
I don’t know what world BB lives in that playing Shultz is an upgrade over Jurcina. I don’t see him making constant giveaways in our end like the rest of them (Green definitely included).
Last season Jurcina gave the puck away .633 times a game; Schultz .531, and Shultz generally plays more minutes and harder minutes. In fact, here’s minutes per giveaway for the team from last season:
Green – 18.4
Mo – 40.5
Juice – 25.2
Schultz – 37.2
Poti – 26.2
Erskine – 30.1
So Jurcina actually gave the puck away more often than any defenseman other than Green (which is to be expected given that Green joins the rush so much, and his defensive credentials are pretty stellar anyway).
Plus Jurcina’s terrible about taking restraining foul penalties while Schultz is one of the league’s least-penalized defensemen.
To reiterate the point about Jurcina’s penalties: Link.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s been firmly established that Juice kinda stinks, nowhere more clearly than in my evisceration of DMG in our mock arbitration.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
“In sum, to call Jurcina one-dimensional would mislead the reader by implying there is an area of his game that is particularly strong.”
Says it all
Yeah, I dropped that line and did my victory dance – it was over at that point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
A finer burn, this forum has not seen.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
On the day we lost Bourque for a gap in the Cap of less than $100,000, most people were talking about Nylander, but the Jurcina arbitration is just as applicable. I almost wonder if right now McPhee wishes he’d walked. Juice got too much.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 9, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
JT60 has given up four or more goals in four of his last six starts (regular season and playoffs) and three or more (sounds familiar…) in 6 of 8 and 9 of 13.
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It’s easy to blame the goaltending and certainly JT was not great on the last two, but when the forwards don’t backcheck and that forces the defenseman to back pedal and a guy like Gaborik gets to tee it up from the circle, bad things are going to happen. If you’ve got the game on Tivo, go back and look at the gap between our forwards and defenseman. That’s just shoddy team defense. I think Bruce was a bit off-base putting the blame first on JT. I’d have started with Gordon for his second dumb penalty in two games, then moved to the forwards for coasting, then to the defenseman for not stepping up and then to JT. Those two goals were on the entire six guys on the ice, not just the guy between the pipes.
by b.orr4 on Oct 9, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Absolutely right. I think the D needs to step up more at the blueline, generally, but the point on the forwards is spot on. That said, those were stoppable pucks.
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The problem I have with Bruce is that when it comes to goalies, he often reacts like a fan and immediately blames them first because they’re the one fishing the puck out of the net. I bet Irbe wasn’t real happy to have his guy singled out when everybody on the ice contributed to those goals.
Bruce : Goalies :: George Bush : Black People
Signed,
O.K. (channeling F&B)
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by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The goalie should be blamed...
If he’s screened, that’s one thing, and you can say that Poti was semi-screening Gaborik on the first of the goals. But he got a look, and he needs to stop them. Bruce is doing nothing wrong by saying he needs to stop them.
That said, would Varly have stopped them? Gaborik has a really fast release, and I think it took Theo by surprise, maybe any goalie would have had trouble. But TWO five holers? You can call Gaborik awesome if you want, but for Peat’s sake, the reality is that they had to be stopped. And Varly would have stopped at least one of those, no doubt.
… which would have off-set the soft glove-hand goal he allowed earlier in the game, likely within a minute or two of having allowed another goal.
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by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gaborik is an elite scorer, you give him, Semin, Ovie, Malkin that shot 10 times, they score a lot of goals no matter who is in net. Could he have made that save? Yes, but blaming Theo for the loss is covering up a bigger problem: a complete lack of team defense.
Maybe some of our forwards would have the gas to backcheck if they didn’t take 90 second shifts all the time.
It’s not sexy, but backchecking wins championships. Right, Detroit?
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Oct 9, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
The second Gaborik goal was on the PP and our PKers aren’t the guys guilty of long shifts. Gaborik is a good scorer but both of those shots have to be saved. Unscreened snap shots from beyond the circles cannot go through the goalie (isn’t Theo’s great strength supposed to be his quickness?). If you score from there it better be a blazer and go in off the pipe. I don’t think either of those Gaborik shots were particularly heavy, though he did release them quickly. Theo’s gotta make both those saves; BB saying that doesn’t necessarily absolve the D.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Thank you. Anyone watch the fourth goal? Tom Poti is backed up nearly passed the hash-marks. I mean. Seriously. Challenge the shooter. It was split second thing, but those are the split second decisions he doesn’t make. There might be a reason he was practically heckled of New York (both teams).
It was a PK, he needs to be backing up there. I blame him less than I blame the two forwards for creating the 3 on 2.
Regardless of it being a PK, it was still an odd man rush. I just think he needs to at least make a poke-check.
Thats it, Poti had to pick his poison. The man down low, or the 3rd man in. You could argue that taking Gaborik would have been a good play, he is the scorer after all, but the pass would have been to the second man, with likely the same result.
Poti wasn’t great but there were other bigger problems on that play.
The issue isn’t that Theo doesn’t deserves some of the blame. Everyone agrees JT could have been better. The point is that with a one goal lead and then in a tie game, good defensive teams don’t allow the other team’s sniper to skate unimpeded into the offensive zone. Do you think if Gaborik was being stick-checked from behind on those plays he could have got off such an easy shot? Or if had been slowed up that the defense wouldn’t have stepped up to cut off his time and space? Blaming the last guy on the play first is just knee-jerk and coaches need to temper their remarks, at least in public.. Particularly when they’re only four games into the season
by b.orr4 on Oct 9, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with you, though they were still pretty weak goals that JT could have stopped. Total team effort all around. Much of the night our D was backpedaling faster than a politician after getting caught in a lie. They should have stood guys up on several occasions and on a couple of others I recall they were outnammed due to what I can’t call anything else but laziness by our forwards.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Theo wasn’t good, but blaming the goalies seems like its letting the other guys awful play off the hook. There is no reason that gaborik should be that open in either of those situations.
Someone has to explain to me how an odd man break happens when the Caps are killing a penalty.
I’m ready coach…
…uh, almost.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 9, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
In town for a wedding. First time I’ve seen Caps at home in 8 years and I got to see an effort worthy of the 1979 Caps. Besides Bmo, no on else played great for a full 3 periods.
Great atmosphere at VC. Nice to see large crowd and Caps sweaters everywhere. Before and after the game I had people on the street and in restaurants asking Caps related questions when they saw my Caps jersey. Is this actually DC? :-)
Hope Devils game on Monday night is a helluva lot better. Hate to go 0-2 on the trip.
My friends had the same suggestion last night.
I’m going to USA vs Costa Rics soccer match on Wednesday too. I could screw up Caps and US World Cup chances all in one trip.
Not going down to Honduras huh? Wimp.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m sorry it was such an even display of effort for your first game in 8 years!
Great atmosphere at VC.
Last night was DEAD. You’re going to think I’m smoking the same crack I accuse everyone else of smoking, but that was one of the worst crowds I’ve seen since the Florida Kitty Cats came through town last November. Unbelievably, the VC is typically even louder and more rocking than that. (I know, right? Is this really DC?!)
Keep in mind the last game I went to in the building 8 years ago was only half full and was completely devoid of noise. Plus, I live in Phoenix, so a great atmophere to me is when fans show up to games. :-)
Go to ’Yotes games often?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, used to be part of a group who had season tickets from the day they arrived. Disbanded a couple of years ago when the team became unwatchable. I still go to 5 or so games a year and I never miss the Caps when they are in town. I expect they will get better crowds this season since the team will be competitive.
Not only did I see it, but it happened right in front of me. Our season ticket seats at the time were on that end of the ice between the faceoff dot and the crease. We were a couple of rows up on the penalty box side.
That is truly awesome.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes it was. I’ve witnessed some great sporting events and moments live, but that was the rare combo of great moment plus outstanding view. Truly sick.
I am jealous. The best view I’ve ever had in an NHL game was Mario Lemieux’s 500th. I was right behind the net he scored it on.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Best I’ve done is Pothier’s first goal after returning from concussion (a 5-1 Caps win over TBL), the only game the Caps won in 2003 in the PIT first round playoff series (3-2 W to lose 4-1 series later), and…I need to go to more games.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
A good indicator is how much the fans drown out the commentators. During the playoffs for example I couldn’t understand what the guys were saying because there was a loud “LETS GO CAPS!” chant going.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Geez they killed the PP last night. They had some decent chances, but Hank denied them all. They only looked good for a few PP’s, and they just looked lazy on the rest. Torts has NY being aggressive and our guys weren’t matching that.
Seems like now that they have some bakers on this team they’re afraid to put in shots from the point.
Also Green needs to get his shot down. It seemed like 90% of his shots were way too high. He seems rattled still…kinda like in the post season.
apparently he is having trouble finding a stick he likes. which is dumb. he should just get the one he had last year, before he broke em all. is it discontinued or what?
One would think Easton would consider continuing that model after all the notoriety it gained last year.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
The GreenLife52 model, also known as “Gangsta”.
Easton is really missing out if they do not do this.
IS PAЯTY NOW
it could have bling on it and everything. Imagine how much you can charge for bling-ed out sticks. And faux-tattoos. The marketing possibilities here are vast.
And faux-hawks. Make ’em look like dragons on every slapshot.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Just have him endorse the stick as a condition of making it again.
Mike Green: “Buy the Easton Stealth. Yes, it is that much better than the rest.”
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I could see them extending it a little, maybe, but they’ve got to keep updating their product line so they’re not seen as behind the competition when it comes to innovation.
It boggles my mind that Green hasn’t found something he’s comfortable with. There’s more than a dozen models out there and he had all summer to pick one. To a large extent, it’s gotta be mental.
Yup. ’Tis a poor carpenter who blames his tools.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
For heaven’s sake… somebody order a bunch of sticks and REPAINT THEM TO LOOK LIKE THE OLD ONES.
It’s all… psychiatric.
(the word is “crazy”)
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 9, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yep, that’s theoretically pretty much the crux of the problem.
Fixed that for you.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Sloan
Besides the overall sloppiness last night… Was it just me or was Tyler Sloan playing forward the entire game with Gordon and Bradley; and doing it quite well?
Sloan played 4LW exclusively last night, and even had a decent chance. He did not look out of place.
from the house that Red Jesus built
I think he looked a little lost in both zones at times, but nitpicking that point is a bit like questioning the place settings on the Titanic.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
A little dramatic, don’t you think J.P.? He had some nice hits toward the end of the game by the way.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, very dramatic. But if the game was the Titanic (not its implications outside of the one game, but blowing a third-period lead in relatively disastrous fashion), I think that Sloan’s play at forward during the game was a negligible factor in the game itself.
And I’d agree that he forechecked well, just seemed a bit lost once the play was settled in either zone.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ahh, I see. I took you Titanic analogy to mean the entire season. That would be a bit of a hyperbole. Anyway, early-twentieth-century-disaster-metaphors aside, they game has been picked apart pretty well by this point. Nothin’ wrong with focusing on Sloan a bit.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Sloan seemed to really settle down after an ugly 1st shift. He even showed some unexpected skill with a couple of nifty passes. At times didn’t seem to know where to be on the ice, but It was his 1st game at forward. Let;s just say he was the least of my concerns last night.
Hey you, with the cool nickname. Why not accessorize it with an avatar? All the cool kids are doing it…
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
Might I suggest this. Or perhaps this.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, if you’re real nice to him, DMG will tape your stick and sharpen your skates, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah but I’ll only sharpen/tape the way I want. Which is to say the way Jeff Schultz does it.
by David Getz on Oct 9, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I think he looked like a dman playing forward. He didn’t really know where to be at in the zone and was really only effective when he could get deep into the o-zone and just play like a defense man on the boards.
He did have that AMAZING assist though, haha.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
About the Penalties
Did the Caps really take that many penalties last night? Granted, I was mainly watching the Pens/Flyers, but every time I turned on the Caps game, I felt they were on the PP. They had two 5-on-3’s and a 4-on-3 that I know of off the top of my head.
I am not “trolling” or trying to rile people up, but I feel the Caps do take way too many stick-related penalties. The Caps are pretty good at not taking stupid roughing or interference penalties, but they are always getting hooking, slashing, and tripping calls. Why is that?
Caps are known for their restraining penalties. Semin’s cleaned it up a lot so far but the rest of the team needs to play more disciplined. Boyd Gordon especially. For a guy that was as solid as he was a year ago he’s taken 2 stupid penalties in the past 2 games. For the amount of time he gets that’s not good.
I think they were better today than vs the flyers (maybe the refs had something to do with it…at least on that BS DoG penalty and the GI penalties), but still too many penalties.
The Rangers had three holds, two trips, and a hook, so it wasn’t like we were alone in the restraining foul department.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
No, I don’t think I was. You and LInk were saying we took a lot of restraining fouls and I was just pointing out that the Rangers did as well. Sloppy game on both sides.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Guessing the Brashear factor? That said, he was on for <14 minutes last night and didn’t shite the bed too much, but I’m guessing Jurcina probably goes to Detroit.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
BP, a lot of avatar-noncompliance going on in this thread. You slipping?
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I hear ya.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
bust up top line...
Need to break up the top line…not b/c they’re unproductive, but b/c we’re not getting ANY offensive punch from the other 3 lines.
Swap Semin and Knuble in Detroit.
Defense looked like they were playing hot potato with the puck at their own blue line last night and backed off when NYR were attacking.
Missed Juice for sure…really liking Pothier so far…
You break that line up for being too cute, not taking care of defesive responsibilities, or to jump start team or themselves. You don’t break them up for others lines unless scoring is a team problem. The last two games and 3rd period of Leafs game scoring was not the issue.
I’d have broken them up last night to jump start themselves, especially Ovie, maybe or certainly mixed up PP units.
I’m much more concerned with defense (D & forwards,), taking dumb penalties, and goaltending.
I see where you're going with that but
If this team converts one more PP last night we probably aren’t talking about busting up the top line.
Semin undresses the New York D and scores spectacularly under pressure but can’t get wood on the net when up a man – same with Greenlife-FittyTwo.
The top line isnt to blame for not backchecking; it’s the rest of the team, if, as BB says, they arent going to score.
In Detroit I dunno how effective that line can actually be. Detroit gets the last change and every time SOB is out there so will Lidstrom-Rafalski-Zetterberg and maybe Datsyuk. PIT beat DET because of their superstar 2nd liner Malkin; Semin I think will play the same role on a Cup-winning Caps team in the future.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
oh oh oh…
Tyler Sloan clearly not a Forward…if you need to put a Defenseman at Wing for a game…Mr. Green might be your most obvious bet considering his positional reluctance.
I dunno about you, but I’d rather have 27 minutes of Mike Green on D rather than 16ish as a bottom 6 F.
Now go get an avatar before you get a swirly.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I think what Boudreau did (and it makes sense to me) is use an extra defenseman to fill out the wing spot. Make defense the first priority, get the six you want in there, and fill the last spot with one of the guys left.
you’re going to take a guy who chews up 27 minutes a night on D, and stick him on the 4th line? Queen of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club here, and no, just no. No way Sloan is going to step up and eat any where close to those minutes in the NHL. That also means Green isn’t out there threatening life and limb of the opposing team with that nasty wrist shot for half the game.
This brings back memories from the playoffs, with the whole Dubinsky/Morrisonn biting accusations. Kris Letag says Scott Hartnell bit him last night.
The incident was sparked by Flyers captain Mike Richards’ colliding with Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, which took the net off and stopped play with 1.2 seconds left in the game. Letang and Hartnell then got entangled; so did Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger and Penguins forward Chris Kunitz (both later received 10-minute misconducts). Letang and Hartnell scuffled and fell to the ice, but there was no clear shot from the game broadcast to see the bite.
Richards’ didn’t so much collide with Fleury as he intentionally bowled him over. And Hartnell’s response to the claim was essentially that he didn’t know what happened in the scrum. The scumbaggery of those guys is almost comical.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 9, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Pierre MaGuire was on XM today and he was talking about that incident. He said “Kris Letang is a man of honor and an honest man. Anyone who saw him when his good friend Luc Bourdon died would know that.” Huh?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I am unfamiliar with the Luc Bourdon situation, but I am familiar with Pierre McGuire trying to make me dislike hockey. For all his efforts, he hasn’t been successful yet.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Oct 9, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
From wikipedia
Bourdon was killed instantly in a motorcycle collision in Lamèque, New Brunswick,27 near his hometown of Shippagan on May 29, 2008, when he hit a tractor-trailer after losing control of his 2009 Suzuki GSX-R100028 and crossing the centre line.2930 Environment Canada showed winds gusting to more than 50 km/h (31 mph) in the area at the time of the accident. The RCMP stated that Bourdon’s inexperience with motorcycles may have been a factor in the crash.31
Bourdon’s agent, Kent Hughes, stated that he never knew about his client’s new hobby (motorcycles). “I had no idea,” he explained to CKNW in Vancouver. “Another client of ours, Kris Letang, said Luc let him know he was riding his dad’s motorcycle with some friends a week or two ago. I have since been told—though I don’t know—that he actually bought a motorcycle two days ago”.32 Maryse Bourdon, Luc’s stepmother, said he had purchased the motorcycle about three weeks before.30 Letang, Bourdon’s close friend and former roommate from junior hockey, planned to buy a motorcycle after Bourdon told him about his; because of the crash, he decided against it.31
IS PAЯTY NOW
Right, but my point was that the Bourdon tragedy has nothing to do with Letang getting bit and whether he told the truth. It’s irrelevant.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
10 FOR N = 0 TO 2
20 PRINT “THOSE WERE THE DAYS”
30 NEXT N
Winterion Game Studios
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by winterion on Oct 9, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
for(int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
{
System.Out.PrintLn(“THOSE WERE THE DAYS”);
}
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How’s this for some recursion:
public void Print()
{
System.Out.PrintLn("THOSE WERE THE DAYS");
this.Print();
}
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Until he ran out of memory.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
try
{
Print();
}
catch(StackOverflowException e)
{
trade(Nylander);
System.win();
System.exit(0);
}
by red army line on Oct 10, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Big props to the first person to post a comment that brings down the thread.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 10, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Cant’ say I disagree with too much here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Showed again last night why many of us were so impressed with him in the playoffs. I love watching him play. Too bad he wears the wrong jersey.
I’d prefer that we go snag Henrik, if we’re in the mood to poach the Rangers locker room? Then we’d just have to get the defense to tighten up at center ice for those long range tricky shots, hehehe…
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Oct 9, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Umm...so this is the progress I wanted to hear...
Weasked you a couple of weeks ago about it, but there are more people saying that you have a problem playing with your glove.
Varly: I think it’s you, the media, who are outing it in my head that I have problems. I only hear it from you that I have a problem with my glove. There is no problem. Everything is alright.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 9, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Semin has one of the best analogies I've read
For the second game in a row there seem to be problems with discipline. Even Boyd Gordon, who hardly ever takes a penalty, was in the penalty box for the second time this week.
Semin: I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s like a swing – we play and then we don’t. At first everything goes well and everything happens for us, and then we just freeze. I don’t know what the explanation is for it.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
Swingin’ 28. Like it.
Gordon is surprising. He’s already taken 3 penalties in 4 games when he only had 8 all last season in 63 games.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Penalties are hardly the problem
This team has zero defense. The discipline problem isn’t that they take too many penalities, its that they don’t maintain the blue line when in the offensive zone. I’m sure the stat guys have a say, but the Caps must give up more odd man rushes than any 4 teams in the NHL combined. They also don’t have ANYONE on the blueline that can play the boards in their own defensive end, we get owned by every team’s 2 and 3 lines in our own end game after game. Penalities don’t matter when you give your goalie no chance and your goalies have a penchant for letting in weak goals. Given the impending free agents coming up, if our young D men aren’t ready now, there may be no championship window with this group period.
Love the Caps, love the offense, but would love a Cup more. No defense, no shot.
by Mixmy1200s on Oct 9, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Last season, at least, the team would have been average to above average (but not elite) if they’d had decent discipline:
At even strength the Capitals are a good defensive team. Five-on-five the Caps are ninth in the league in goals against per minute, fifth in shots allowed per minute, third in shot differential per minute, and sixteenth in save percentage, a number that isn’t bad given Jose Theodore’s poor start to season. In addition only three of the forty goalies who have played more than thirty games have seen fewer shots per minute of even strength time than Theodore. The problem isn’t how the Capitals play defense five-on-five, it’s that they don’t get to play five-on-five enough – few teams spend more time in four-on-five situations or have been shorthanded more times. Fixing that problem starts with the forwards.
Link.
Given the impending free agents coming up, if our young D men aren’t ready now, there may be no championship window with this group period.
I disagree. Morrisonn, Nylander, Jurcina, and Theodore can all come off the cap after this season. That’s ~12.7 million in cap space from those guys alone. The Caps will re-sign Backstrom and should have enough to sign Semin for the long term at anything reasonable.
I disagree. Morrisonn, Nylander, Jurcina, and Theodore can all come off the cap after this season. That’s ~12.7 million in cap space from those guys alone.
To say nothing for Pothier’s $2.5m coming off also.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
One game does not a season make, but to have 100 games of Pothier being a backup Mike Green should earn him a new contract at about the same rate.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh ok, so since the stats say it is so, the Caps must have one of the top defenses in the league then right? 6th overall afterall. The stats bear it out right?
Oh ok, so since the stats say it is so, the Caps must have one of the top defenses in the league then right?
No, what I said was “average to above average (but not elite)”.
6th overall afterall. The stats bear it out right?
Where’d you get sixth from?
Where’d you get sixth from?
Must be a stat.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
No, it doesn’t mean they have an elite defense corps for a number of reasons (those numbers are from last year, more guys than just the defensemen contribute to team defense, and that ninth isn’t “one of the top defenses” in my book, are the biggest ones I think).
But the I think the original notion – that the Caps are an average to above average defensive team in normal game play and that their goals against average is in part so high because they took so many penalties – is still intact.
To say nothing of the fact that in each of the last two games, their goalie has failed them at least a couple of times (though, to be fair, they also bailed out the D on occasion).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Truth.
And going to back to last year’s stats – if you’re ninth in goals allowed, fifth in shots allowed, and sixteenth in save percentage…somethin’ ain’t adding up.
Right. And going back to Allan Ryder’s brilliance, the Caps defense was 9th in marginal goals last year and their goaltending was 25th. The D was fine – they simply didn’t get much out of their netminders.
That same D is one year older, and Pothier is healthy, so it should only be better.
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by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m still trying to decipher that part of the Review. There’s a lot of information crammed in such a small section.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Once again, that they’re pretty much a one line team – so far. And I still believe there’s something wrong with Mike Green.
Goaltending appears to be weak as well, but it’s still early.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
Put Crosby, Malkin, and Guerin together and they’re a one-line team. I firmly believe that the Capitals will not win a Cup unless Semin and/or Backstrom plays on the second line. That being said, it’s the 4th game of the regular season.
Laich-BMo-Knuble was good for the first couple of games, okay in the third, not effective in the fourth.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
The Backstrom-Ovi pairing is too deadly IMO to break it up. Semin would be a much better choice I’d think.
by SeattleCapsFan on Oct 10, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
4 games into the season I’m not happy either, but lets not jump to conclusions.
We give up odd man rushes in part due to our style of play. It’s the bad you get with the good. I might add I couldn’t see who was on the ice playing D late in the 3rd last night but he played the guy without the puck. I was leaping for joy after last season’s 2 on 1 debacles.
This group of d-men aren’t even going to be here long term. Alzner & Carlson should be up by next year at the latest.
This isn’t a team of old guys making one last run at a Cup. Plenty of time to work out the kinks and get stronger on D. The window just opened.
I completely agree that 4 games in is too early.
However this is more like 100+ games in since we didn’t change up the blueline from last year. We have a full regular and post season of examples.
Certainly the team could tighten that up and improve this year and I sure hope so. I don’t think we will beat any top teams if we continue that as out “style of play”. Also I never questioned that the penalties were a major problem, but the loose style of play to me is more of an issue. When teams tighten up in the playoffs it will kill us.
However this is more like 100+ games in since we didn’t change up the blueline from last year. We have a full regular and post season of examples.
First off, I thought our D looked very good much of last postseason. Heck even our bottom two, Juice & Erskine aquitted themselves well. Our regular season numbers weren’t terrible as DMG I’m sure will point out.
Second, Pothier didn’t play almost all of last season. His ability to move the puck is a big add to our D.
Third, New defensive coach in place. Not sure if it will make a difference or not, but it certainly will play a role.
You give any NHL team a bunch of PP chances they will eventually make you pay. Caps even on a very off night last night managed one. Being on PK changes game dynamics in terms of playing time that affect the game in ways that aren’t always obvious.
Do we need to tighten it up? Absolutely. Is this group as currently assembled capable of doing so? Absolutely. I’m not acting like we’ve got 6 studs back there because we don’t, but they aren’t dogs either.
Do we need to tighten it up? Absolutely. Is this group as currently assembled capable of doing so? Absolutely. I’m not acting like we’ve got 6 studs back there because we don’t, but they aren’t dogs either.
Very well said.
My issue with the defense is that there are too many guys playing above where they should ideally be slotted. Green’s a legit #1 to be sure, but Poti’s the number two and he’s borderline for that role. Schultz is probably the number three but I like his as the weaker guy on a second pairing unit for now. Someone (Mo or Pothier more likely) is going to get top four minutes that I’m not sure they should have. And one of Erskine, Jurcina, or Sloan is going to be in every night and I think those guys are all ideally 7’s.
The trickle down/ripple effect of getting one more guy who can be a 2-3 on a good team would do the defense a world of good.
Pothier has looked very legit as a second-pairing guy right now.
In fact, in terms of puck-moving, rush-starting defensemen, I’m very happy with Green-?, Pothier-?, Poti-??? as the three defensive lines. It’s the guys next to them, the defensive defensemen, that worry me.
Winterion Game Studios
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by winterion on Oct 9, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It would be hard not to like Pothier’s puck moving after that beauty of an assist last night.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Oct 9, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s the guys next to them, the defensive defensemen, that worry me.
This.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Semin, it seems he’s being let off the hook a bit (at least by the commentariat) for a pretty horrid game, including an awful pass that led to the Callahan goal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
there are so many other glaring errors from last night. I’m sure we’ll get around to it eventually. But first: SCHULTZ SUCKS!
Hey, don’t say that about the owner of this site.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Per the team...
Capitals Assign Eric Fehr to Hershey on Conditioning Stint
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have assigned right wing Eric Fehr to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Fehr (pronounced FAIR), 24, has missed the first four games of the Capitals’ season recovering from injury. The 6’4", 212-pound Winkler, Manitoba, native has spent parts of three seasons in Hershey, recording back-to-back seasons with at least 22 goals at the AHL level. In total he has 50 goals and 51 assists in 121 games for the Bears, and had eight goals in 19 games during the team’s run to the 2006 Calder Cup.
Fehr has played 109 NHL games, all with the Capitals, since he was the team’s first-round choice, 18th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has totaled 15 goals and 19 assists in his career and a +15 rating, including a breakout campaign last year. He spent all of 2008-09 with the Capitals, his first full season at the NHL level, and posted 12 goals and 13 assists in 61 games.
Hershey has three games this weekend: at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight, at Binghamton tomorrow and home against Manchester on Sunday.
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Get better, Fehr! And come back w/ some fire to get the rest of the guys going…
Fight, you time-wasting figure skaters!
Shortest conditioning assignment ever:
@capsmedia Correction: Eric Fehr was not assigned to Hershey and remains with the Capitals. He is active and could play tomorrow.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
makes me think Bouds is truly pissed and wants to bench some bitches
by ns on Oct 9, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Oh, Gabby ain’t afraid to put a splinter in yo’ ass.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
there’s talk of installing an iron maiden to dissuade Nylander from camping out up there
by ns on Oct 9, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
TEB says BB is watching practice from outside the glass. is this a message to the team or something else?
my guess is its a “I am so pissed off at you guys today” message. Also, possibly smart, if his blood is still boiling, to let the assistants run things and let everyone’s blood pressure come back down to earth.
Wings are a little bit in this same boat. On paper, an awesome team. In practice game time situations, a bit shakier than they had planned to be.
they are also looking for an opportunity to make things better.
IS PAЯTY NOW
even on paper, the Wings goalie situation is a nightmare. Jimmy Freaking Howard is backing up the biggest regular season headcase goalie in the history of regular season headcase goalies? Throw in Zetters’ wonky groin, Holmer is being held together with tape and some prayers, and Nick Lidstrom is 38……the wheels could come flying off very quickly. (or they could steamroll everyone again. I’ve given up trying to predict them)
Wings’ biggest problem is Team Canada, which Coach Babcock is in charge of. The pressure on him this year is INSANE.
IS PAЯTY NOW
If there’s any team that is better preparation than Detroit for handling Team Canada Team Sweden an Olympic team though, let me know.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
And Franzen is out for 4 months with an ACL tear.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
He’s good but he’s their third best forward and he’ll be back when it matters. The Wings will be fine, but this might be what allows CHI to catch them in the division this year.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Corey just tweeted that Fehr got to about Frederick last night and got a call that said “turn around.” How weird is that?
The disarray and uncertainty on the ice is a product of the disarray and uncertainty somewhere in management. There’s a lot of turmoil behind the fixed frozen smiles.
IS PAЯTY NOW
I don’t know if there’s “a lot of turmoil” (outside of the Nylander situation) but I do think it’s really starting to become a problem that the team is carrying eight defensemen.
I really don’t think Sloan needs to be up here. What are we benfitting from? 7 D can get the job done.
I really don’t think Sloan needs to be up here. What are we benfitting from? 7 D can get the job done.
They can, but if 16/14 don’t get broken during and after the Pittsburgh series (respectively), odds are we’re not having this discussion.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
I really don’t think Sloan needs to be up here. What are we benfitting from? 7 D can get the job done.
Sloan’s not the guy I’d vote off the island. Bye bye, Milan Jurcina…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 9, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
The disarray and uncertainty on the ice is a product of the disarray and uncertainty somewhere in management. There’s a lot of turmoil behind the fixed frozen smiles.
How do we know this?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Headline that makes me want to vomit:
Gritty Rangers stun Capitals
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When I think Gaborik, “gritty” is the first word that comes to mind.
How about “Caps shoot self in foot, hand Rangers gun”
by TFG on Oct 9, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It was also a “stirring” victory according His Larryness. Yes, when I think “stirring victory,” I think Agincourt, Trafalgar, Gettysburg, and the Rangers.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 9, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Per @cmasisak22:
D-pairings at practice: Morrisonn-Green, Poti-Jurcina, Schultz-Pothier, Sloan-Erskine
Time to sit, Big John.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
From the outhouse to the, well… can’t say that I see that as being a great set up for success, but we shall see.
I do think, though, that this is getting to be a little much. Guys need consistency in their pairings to perform optimally. Why are we still dicking around to see who can play with whom? Weren’t we paying attention last year?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Last year we didn’t have Pothier and someone who’d have to clear waivers before being reassigned to the A. I’m not saying the latter is an excuse by any means, but save a move is made or Fleischmann comes back, I’d expect continued dicking around until things work themselves out.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
So you’re saying that inaction has put the team in a sub-optimal situation. I agree.
But I do think that stuff like, “Hey, maybe Juice will work with Poti” is less than fully considerate of the past two years or so.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Bruce doesn’t seem to have a plan. It’s like he’s received guidance to show guys off, and is just playing everyone. He isn’t doing anyone any favors by switching pairings every night. Pick three pairings and suffer through them for a couple of nights.
I think he should set 4 pairs. The top two should play every night. The bottom two should rotate. Though Pothier certainly made it much harder to sit him so either we make the Po-Po a unit and have no puck movers on the bottom pair, or the 4 pairing idea doesn’t work.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
Completely agree on not thinking about the past when you’re considering the present. And yeah, Poti-Jurcina makes me scratch my head too, especially since presumed tradebait ShaMo appears to not be budging from the top pairing.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Presumed = blog discussed, of course.
If ShaMo’s is playing like he wants to stay, great. If he’s chasing the money on his next contract elsewhere, great. The latter would be more advantageous to the team trying to market an appealing asset, the former helps make letting another walk (Juice) an easier decision to make.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
No, but I don’t have confidence in Shultz-Poti either. I like Shultz with Pothier better. I’d prefer they were second pair instead of Poti-Juice. I never trust which Jurcina will show up and Poti has perfomed well under par the last 2 games.
Things worked out well the last time Poti got paired with a #7 Dman. What could go wrong?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 9, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, even if something does go wrong we can count on our goalie to bail us out so I don’t see the risk.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
So Juice goes from the press box to Tom Poti’s pairing….
Or perhaps it’s Poti who was moved to Juice’s pairing.
I think he should set 4 pairs. The top two should play every night. The bottom two should rotate. Though Pothier certainly made it much harder to sit him so either we make the Po-Po a unit and have no puck movers on the bottom pair, or the 4 pairing idea doesn’t work.
I like the top two/bottom two rotation. But I think you set the pairings and let them show you which are the top two and which are the bottom two. If Green-Mo and Schultz-Potsy are the two best pairings, then they play every night.
You can’t sink Poti down to 3rd pairing minutes.. regardless of his play as of late..
or can you?
You can and should. Let the depth chart set itself based on quality of play. I do think it’s a good idea to fix some pairings, and I like the ones reported by Corey — Morrisonn-Green, Poti-Jurcina, Schultz-Pothier, Sloan-Erskine. Stick with them and let the players prove who should play.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 9, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
So Corey says Fehr was in the car on the way to Hershey when he got a call to turn around. Times are tough, we’re relying on Fehr to be the savior of the third line versus a conditioning stint in Hershey?
I’m not trying to put a knock on Fehr, I just hope he’s game ready. It would be nice to work towards some kind of forward stability (no plug-’n-play on the third and fourth lines).
more from Tarik:
Okay, so here’s what happened with the confusion surrounding Eric Fehr and whether or not he had been assigned to Hershey for conditioning. The winger said he was told he was being sent to the Bears to get in a few games, and that as long as there were no injuries in Washington against the Rangers, to get into his car and drive to Hershey.
Well, there were no injuries, but the third and fourth lines struggled. Fehr, however, followed the instructions he had been given and was already headed north on I-270.
When he got to Frederick, though, he received a call from Coach Bruce Boudreau, who told him that he needed to come back to D.C. Fehr said he wasn’t given a reason for the change of plans, but he happily turned around, and tomorrow is expected to make his season debut in Detroit on a line with David Steckel and Chris Clark. Based on this morning’s practice, Fehr will play left wing despite being a natural right wing.
I was thinking Backstrom’s first goal last night was a little bit comic. Even he didn’t expect it to go in.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Oct 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually missed this game last year and watched this fight via youtube for the first time yesterday. I have since watched it about 15 times, and it gets more amusing every time!
by SeattleCapsFan on Oct 10, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Semin's Comments
What’s the mood like in the locker room after a back-to-back loss?
What should it be like? It’s just the beginning of the season. I don’t think there is anything terrible happening. We have a long way to go, and I believe everything will be alright in the end.
He’s right, things will probably be alright by the end of the season. I just thought the sharp contrast between his attitude and Boudreau’s following the game the worth pointing out. I wonder if some of the players don’t take the coach’s post-game rants seriously, or worse, don’t see the issues that have dogged them the last two games as flaws that must be corrected.
Between Erskine and Poti, which would you scratch for Detroit?
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Oct 9, 2009 12:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Between Erskine and Poti, which would you scratch for Detroit any game?
Erskine.
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Fail.
Between Erskine and Poti, which would you scratch forDetroitany game?
by red army line on Oct 9, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps of interest to some, BSH looks to be cleaning up some of their trash. Good on them.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Good on them.
"Only by great risks can great results be achieved." - Khashayar
by Steck It Out on Oct 9, 2009 12:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’ll believe that when you don’t go into their "Fan"posts and read stuff like this:
I wanted to see Pronger rape Ovechkin and put him in his right place, which lies in his own pool of blood on the Flyers logo.
…as the content of the main post.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2009/10/6/1072242/capitals-vs-flyers-the-versus
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
Yeah, we discussed that quite a bit at the beginning of the Open Thread from that game. I’m still surprised that hasn’t been edited.
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Bruce and Practice
I’m trying to get a sense as to why Bruce wasn’t on the ice at practice today. I happened to drop by Kettler and he was standing at the opening to the bench but not on the bench and he was in street clothes. I’m guessing he was so pissed at the team over last night that he decided he might say something during practice he’d regret. The practice was pretty grim in that there was none of the usual laughter or fooling around between players. And Ted was in the Eagle Eye booth looking over everything. The whole atmosphere was very serious which is probably a good thing. One more thing-Nylander and Gordon were switching off as center on the fourth line. Make of that what you will.
I read a blip from TEB that said there was no Bruce and thought that was really weird too.
Has Nylander not been practicing on a line at all lately?
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
No, he’s been practicing.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Oct 9, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I know that but I’m asking has he not been inserted into a line during practices. I figured he was showing up, running through the drills etc, this seemed to be a bit more of a scrimmage type comment.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
It’s my understanding that he’s always assigned to a line that he rotates in and out of. You’ll sometimes see TEB post the lines from practice as something like “Laing—Steckel/Nylander—Clark.”
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Oct 9, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
higher expectations = more anger/frustration when a talent laden team cannot buckle down and produce
Leonsis probably thinks this is the year to really capitalize on the team’s success (skill wise and monetarily) and will be pissed if they do not take strides, immediately, to improve. The hammer is being swung and just might land on someone soon. Bouds is probably getting the brunt of it now.
by ns on Oct 9, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Gordon has got to be on the hot seat. I think Bruce’s comment about third and fourth liners not giving up goals was directed at least partly at him.
Boyd might get racked over the coals (rightfully so) for his penalty-taking, but I’d point most of that statement at this guy.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 9, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
As I mentioned earlier, Bruce Boudreau didn’t go on the ice for an off-day practice for the first time in his tenure as Caps coach.
The reason, he said, was that he wanted time to thoroughly dissect the tape from last night’s 4-3 loss before going through it, in painstaking detail, with the players in a team meeting.
“I wanted to make sure I got it all for the video session we were going to show,” Boudreau said. “I wanted to get it right because I wanted to nip this in the bud. As much as I wanted to be on the ice, I thought this was the best time for me to make sure I got it right.”
After practice — which was run by assistants Bob Woods and Dean Evason — the team gathered in theatre at KCI for a video session that ran about twice as long as typical ones.
“We had a lot to show,” Boudreau said.
Two things bothered Boudreau most in the loss to the Rangers — some players’ decision to ignore the game plan and freelance and a lack of work ethic, particularly in the third period when they were attempting to protect a lead on home ice.
“We really watch the tapes to put pre-scouting things together on how to put things together and how to beat other teams,” he said. “Then when we go out there and don’t do it on set plays, it really bothers us.”
He called getting outworked by the Rangers a “coach’s biggest nightmare” before adding that “sometimes you have to show it on the video in front of everybody for certain people to get the message.”
Boudreau didn’t go into specifics, but could have been talking about the Alexes’ performance on the power play in the second period. First, the two-time MVP made a risky decision at the point that resulted in breakaway, then Alexander Semin, a few moments later, made a careless pass that resulted in a second breakaway for Ryan Callahan.
Asked whether some of that nonchalance could be coming from all of the preseason hype that’s been heaped on the Caps, Boudreau shrugged and said: “That’s always a possibility. Because people have been really quick to judge and anoint this team as one of the elite. But that only comes with hard work and effort. There’s a reason Jerry Rice was the best. It’s cause he worked the hardest. When you work the hardest you usually become the best if you’ve got the talent. Maybe we got complacent.”
The bad news for the Caps is that a lot of this sounds familiar. The good news for Boudreau is that he’s got 78 games left to sort it out, beginning with tomorrow’s game in Detroit.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Two things bothered Boudreau most in the loss to the Rangers — some players’ decision to ignore the game plan and freelance and a lack of work ethic, particularly in the third period when they were attempting to protect a lead on home ice.
I know these are Tarik’s words and not necessarily exactly how Bruce feels about it…but if I were a head coach and I had players ignoring the game plan, there’d be hell to pay.
Tell ‘em DMG’s coming… and hell’s coming with him.
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by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I made a fan shot before you posted this and added my own comment to it.
How much longer can all of you stomach reading about this type of stuff? None of the problems the Capitals have now are really new. It’s the same old stuff on a different day.
They are the greatest team in the world when they try. OK, great — but what kind of favors is that doing for the team, fans, and organization if they can go out at anytime and pull another Penguins Game 7.
Boudreau keeps saying the same things. The players keep saying that they understand things aren’t working, give a reason, and then say things like "I don’t know" to sum it up.
It’s a weird situation to be in now. Before you were happy as long as everyone tried their hardest and put forth their effort on executing whatever the nights game plan was — win or lose.
Now the Caps are at a place as a team where if execute like they can for any particular game that they will win that game 99.9% of the time.
I’m not doom & gloom here but it’s just frustrating reading the same quotes as we were hearing last year with the added mantra bonus, "there is plenty of time to fix everything!"
Come March if the Caps are in the same type of situation as they are in now what is the answer? A coaching change? More personal changes? I just don’t understand how this can plague the team for so long without some kind of answer.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
I was right. I was unhappy. But I was right.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by EmilyB on Oct 9, 2009 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Too bad we jinxed ‘em – it’d all be lollipops and puppy dogs right now if not for Pepper elaborating on a Ron Wilson quote.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 9, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
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