Recap: Senators 4, Caps 3 (OT)
by Becca H on Nov 23, 2009 10:59 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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At some point, you'd think it would get old. You'd think that the Caps would get bored of jumping out to a lead only to blow it, take penalties late in the game and eventually lose. You'd think they would get tired of the same old story, same old script, night after night. You'd think they would get sick of the same results.
We certainly are.
And yet it seems like more often than not, this team is perfectly happy to go out and do their job for just forty minutes and then coast to whatever result awaits. It's something we've seen far too often this season, and it's something that has to stop. Because this team is better than that, or they should be, and yet time and time again they show us how far they have to go. And it's getting old.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Hard to think of a worse game this season for Mike Green, who had absolutely horrible stretches interspersed with the very rare good moment. A single nice assist doesn't erase the sloppy, lazy play at both ends of the ice that is just not going to cut it - and is harder to forgive when he's not scoring goals. And for further proof that stat-keeping is a subjective art? #52 was not officially credited with a single turnover. Mull that one over.
- Semyon Varlamov may have been dinged for four goals tonight, but three of the four were goals that would have been pretty hard to stop. Deflections, deflections and more deflections - that was the story for the Senators' offense tonight, right up to the game-winner.
- Happy moment time: Congratulations to Jay Beagle for picking up his first NHL goal. That's something he'll remember forever - and hopefully he'll just forget the rest of the game like the rest of us hope to do.
- After going 45 minutes without a single penalty, the Caps began their traditional march to the penalty box at the worst possible time. And while the call on Ovechkin was highly questionable, it doesn't change the fact that taking three penalties in the span of ten minutes while holding a lead is simply unacceptable, inexcusable, and downright infuriating.
- About that call on #8...hitting a guy who happens to be shorter than you does not make it a penalty. Hitting a guy up near the head because his head comes up to your elbows also does not make it a penalty. Of course, all logic is null and void when Bill McCreary is on the case. Shocking that the game-tying goal came on the ensuing power play.
- 15 shots on goal for the Caps in the first. 10 in the second. 3 in the third. 0 in overtime. If that's not the most graphic way to demonstrate a team coming to a screeching halt, I don't know what is. They simply stopped skating, stopped shooting, and stopped playing.
- John Erskine continues to prove his ability to take dumb penalties at the absolute wrong time. It'll be nice to have guys like Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn and Tom Poti back, won't it? You know, guys who don't do th-...oh, wait. Crap.
- That goal by Clark was one of those mildly annoying "was it a kicking motion??" strikes that seems to rile up Joe B. and Locker, and while it was a close call it was probably the right one. Of course, had it been the other team doing it...
- Faceoffs. Ouch. The Caps won just 40% of their draws tonight as faceoff woes continue. And somehow, in some bizarro universe, Birthday Boy Nicklas Backstrom's abysmal 33% in the faceoff circle was not the worst percentage on the team. Tonight tthat honor goes to Mathieu Perreault, who was 3-for-11 en route to a 27% success rate.
- Because Brendan Morrison has been around a while, they call it "veteran savvy," but if Alex Semin was doing the same thing, they'd call it "diving."
Game highlights:
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Brutal game. Def not happy with my performance. Don’t hate. See you on Wed caps fans. Your the best!
Oh Greenlife…
"And next year it will be ours."
This is why that Juniors players should still be required to go to school.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
The ’don’t hate’ confuses me. Dude just hated on his own performance.
"And next year it will be ours."
Maybe he asked Chris Cooley to make his tweet for him.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know how to make the snark font, so consider this your warning.
whats you’re point? He cant type good.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 23, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
That is what I hate about the twitter/AIM/text world. People don’t know how to write/spell/punctuate any more. /rant
Actually...
Maybe now you are just exposed to more people that cannot spell compared to before, where you had a much smaller exposure to people not similar to your education level.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
How many people with the internet have failed to get through the third grade?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Unfortunately, I also tend to have high standards for that, and hate myself when I miss typos. I hate that I’ll someimes take a shortcut in a text message, too, because I need to get myself a phone with a real keypad now that I actually send text messages.
As part of that, it burns me that most athletes (college and pro) tend to use poor grammar when speaking to the press (I’m not including the non-English as a native language in this group). Some of it is probably intentional (the use of "ain’t, for example, as I use it at times, too), but a lot of it is just lazy. It gives off a vibe of unintelligence, which may or may not be true.
Personally, I’ve always found Green very well-spoken. He just can’t type. I have seen worse, in professional e-mails.
I wasn’t targeting anyone specifically above.
Pet peeve? Referring to yourself as “myself”. Probably the most common misuse among hockey players that I hear. Generally misued when the term should be “me” or “I”. There is a time and place for using “myself”, but it drives me crazy when they misuse it. Can’t name a specific instance off the top of my head, but I know that Brooksie is a major offender on that.
truth! green isn’t being paid to be well-spoken or type correctly. some of those other folks are.
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
one of my pet peeves is confusing “you’re” with “your.” really annoying. (and to think that i’m in engineering school where less words equals more better)
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions
He must have tried to toe-drag the apostrophe through the ‘you’ and ‘re’ and gave it away…
by Kewibr on Nov 24, 2009 6:38 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
very well played. or quite possibly, the potislide actually came at the right time and he blocked the shot.
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
I'm not jumping off the cliff
There is a lot of season left.
But…the blow leads are troublesome, and the third period penalties.
And the 3 in 4 excuse that they are tired is BS.
This season has a compressed schedule because of the Olympics, so they better get used to it.
And the 3 in 4 excuse that they are tired is BS.
I’m pretty upset about this loss too, as any fan should be. But I don’t think that excuse is entirely BS. You couple the 3 in 4 nights thing with all the injuries and I think it explains a good 80% of it. The Caps have been very good in the third period, but they sucked tonight it the third? Could it be that they ran out of gas? Seems like the most likely explanation.
They’ve been very good in the third period? They have had good third periods, but I’m not sure many people would conclude that the Caps have been a good third period team this season.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 23, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
Wooohoooo. Great road game boys! Come out hard and take a two goal lead after 40 then get it deep, make them skate and suck the life out of the building. Way to turn it around and grow as a team. Wait what? (Fat_daddy with the call of the night.)
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Rob Parker on Nov 23, 2009 11:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You’re the ass that left 2/3 of the way through the game when they were doing well. It’s your fault.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 23, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t get mad at F&B. The team’s about to go 11-0 in their next swing of games.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
This
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Rob Parker on Nov 23, 2009 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’ll believe it when I see it. You already missed those back to back losses.
Shouldn’t the upswing have started tonight.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 23, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
It started tonight. It just ended when I left.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Rob Parker on Nov 24, 2009 12:13 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
moral of the story:
sit your ass down and don’t leave next time
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
You’re not the boss of me.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
You can try
I’m not sure why anyone here would think I needed to be told to watch a Caps game. I don’t miss them voluntarily, that’s for sure.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
What I’ve learned? Varly’s hot, and deserves to be the number one goalie until he falters. It’s been repeatedly said that he’s the reason we got a point tonight. I’d argue he’s the primary reason we got a point in Toronto as well.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Yes, we are now 13-11. I know some people have been pointing out what our record would be if we were still going under the old system of the NHL when ties would exist.
But, since OT losses do us absolutely no good in the playoffs, it’s the way to get the current perspective on the team.
Yes, I know it’s too early to give up on the team and yes, they are hurting but with all the blown leads, it’s been a VERY frustrating season thus far. They have had the lead at some point in EVERY loss this year and I am not exaggerating. I know it’s unrealistic to expect to win every game but if they had even won half of the games they lost….
Recommendation: Caps need to learn how to play the trap a la NJ. They can do their regular system for the first 2 periods. But if they are ever going into the third period with a lead (or get a lead during their period), then time to do the trap. There’s a reason why NJ consistently wins every year.
You’ve been trotting out the 13-11 thing for a while now, and it’s misleading. The Caps could have pulled out more games, but so could every other team in the East. Well, they didn’t. And we’re in first and they aren’t. The fact that the Caps are in every game they play is a good thing, not a bad one.
Overtime losses are not a good predictor of playoff success, because there are no shootouts in the playoffs.
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
that was supposed to start with “this” then the “although we’re 1-4 in OT,” but the “this” just never came out….
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
I’m glad you keep posting 13-11 and ignoring every post to your contrary.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Right, because there is no way to keep a lead without the trap. No team other than NJ has had consistent success.
The Caps absolutely don’t need to play the trap in the third or learn any entirely different system. What they need to do is keep playing their system and have the discipline to take fewer risks and get the puck deep then make the other team’s D work with their forecheck instead of taking chances with fancy passes or misguided pinches by the Dmen in the neutral zone or at the offensive blueline.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 23, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
Had another thought. Are we going to play 4-on-4 hockey in the playoffs in OT? You can’t look at regular season numbers with OT and assume that they’ll transition to the playoffs, which is a different style of hockey ENTIRELY and well proven by this squad, who went 14 games in last year (Going 7-7) while their best players were injured. If anything, we added nothing but playoff style hockey players in Knuble and Morrison. It is not the time to completely change our everything.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 24, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
The trap per say isn’t the answer. What is is a system that requires defensive responsibility and hard work, to teach the team to give a full 60min effort most, if not every, night. The NJ trap I don’t think works, but something modified for the Caps might. Oh, and PK forwards need to be more aggressive. They shouldn’t simply try to block the puck from moving, but try to take it away. At least, that system works in NYR, in PHI, etc.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 8:01 AM EST up reply actions
Wow!! Mike Green…. he just does not seem to be getting any better. (defensively) He has been hanging around the Redskins players too much. Their woeful performances are starting to rub off on “Game Over” Green.
Seems that “Game Over” nickname can now be used against him and in support of the opposing team.
Green is obviously being overplayed and needs to have his minutes reeled in. He obviously can’t handle the additional workload. He is making mistakes that a 10 year old squirt player would make.
If Gabby is ok with the mistakes then start giving more icetime to the other guys because it seems like they are all good at giving the puck away in their own zone, not hustling back and pretending to be hurt after you mysteriously fall down afte you’ve given the puck away in the offensive zone.
When will this “Groundhog Day” of a team learn it’s lesson?
by CleartheTrackherecomesShack on Nov 23, 2009 11:47 PM EST reply actions
It was pretty appalling to watch BB keep Mike Green out there forever in overtime. He was clearly out of gas as indicated by:
- passing the puck to a Senator in front of Varly
- Getting stripped of the puck by Fisher, also in front of Varly
- Losing the puck, then falling on his face in neutral ice in OT
All of that happened before he allowed the 2 on 1 which led directly to the GWG. Bruce deserves to get ripped for that.
The following stats are taken from NHL.com, and are to be read "period" "Shifts" "average shift" "total time"
Pothier
OT 2 00:14 00:29
Erskine
OT 1 00:17 00:17
Green
OT 1 00:57 00:57
Schultz
OT 1 00:45 00:45
Carlson and Sloan got no OT time. Seeing as Green was out during that final shift, that it was one shift, and Green was out there for nearly a minute. Yeah, he was tired. But I don’t remember at all seeing Green trying to skate to the bench, only to have Boudreau refuse him admittance. (This isn’t directed directly at you, Kolzilla, just a general observation). Green needs to be smart enough to come off when he’s tired just as much as BB needs to be smart enough not to send him out if he’s tired.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
Question is, how much of that is under BB’s control and how much is under Green’s? I’m guessing BB has executive authority to yank Green off the ice at any time if he looks like crap, which he undeniably did. Coach’s are paid to be the brains and make decisions like that.
57 seconds isn’t even a long shift for Green, either.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Since the shift was ended by the game ending we’ll never know how long that shift would have been. Greener reminded me of guys on my adult league team that always find that extra burst of energy to get into the offensive zone but when they have to get back they are flat gassed.
I posted it in the GDT last night, but Green had 4 minutes more ice time than anyone who dressed for either team. (~28) On the tail end of a 3 in 4 that is too much for anyone and Bruce has to take some blame.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
I agree, totally. I just was saying that the mistakes he made on that shift can’t be specifically attributed him to having been out there for, say, 1:30.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This-age. Unless he got tweaked as well, I’m surprised that Carlson didn’t play more than 12 minutes last night.
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 24, 2009 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
But 4-on-4 shifts are generally higher-energy than 5-on-5, right?
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
I think it’s fair to say that they typically require a bit more skating.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Bad game by Green, for sure, but I don’t think it is accurate to say that he isn’t getting better defensively.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 23, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t, either – this game stands out more this year because of his horrible play in his own zone. I’m going to call him out when he has a bad game, but I’d say he’s actually been one of our better, more consistent defensemen in general this year.
Not perfect, for sure, and he’s still got some growing up to do, but definitely improved over last year.
The thing with Green’s defense is that his mistakes are always going to be way more noticeable than his great plays. As I mentioned in another thread last week, he makes a ton of plays with his speed and quickness that most other players don’t make. He gets to the puck and gets it out of the zone so quickly and smoothly that he turns what for most players would be a puck battle into a routine play. He never gets any credit for that, even though it’s a huge part of what makes Niedermayer such an effective defensive player.
But when he messes up it’s usually because he makes a bad turnover while leading the breakout, and it’s very noticeable. It’s a similar phenomenon with Schultz, but where Schultz needs to fight the perception that he should be a bruiser because of his size, Green has to fight the perception that he is terrible in his own zone because he is such a slick and dominant offensive player.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 24, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
When will this "Groundhog Day" of a team learn it’s lesson?
When Bruce finally gets Andy McDowell to go to bed with him.
Andy McDonald > Andy McDowell
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Rob Parker on Nov 24, 2009 1:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So…Bruce has to sleep with…Andy McDonald?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 24, 2009 2:10 AM EST up reply actions
anything to recruit good talent. especially at center.
by ns on Nov 24, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Oh dear
Did you see the Senators’ backup goalie Pascal Leclaire get hit by a stray puck while he was sitting on the bench?
Reports say he has a broken jaw.
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
I flat out hope this is not true. He was finally getting his stuff in gear. I kind of have been pulling for him for a while.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 23, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
You know, Green’s going to get a lot of hate for this game that he earned, but the most harmful player tonight may have been Steckel. May have single-handedly cause 2 or 3 goals against (didn’t support along the boards for the first although maybe that should have been Beagle, and then of course two times where he refused to clear the puck out of the zone).
At this point it seems like he can’t contribute at all other than in the dot. What’s up with him lately?
A little while back someone had a fan post about new chants at the VC.
I think I got one.
After we take an early lead, starting at the beginning of the next period we all should start chanting the following:
Six-ty Mi-nutes!! Six-ty Mi-nutes!!
Hopefully that might remind the team to play a full game and not confuse them into thinking they need to check out Andy Rooney this week.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 23, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Nice handle, I think I’ll have one.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 23, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
Green’s just screaming to have his minutes managed…but will Boudreau heed it? Injuries or not, more defensemen need to be trusted to carry the load. It’s just not a sustainable path to success.
If the good results include the coaching staff for making it happen then the bad ones do, too.
I don’t think the minutes are that big of a deal, seeing as he’s playing similar minutes to last year. I do think though that PP time should be cut in lieu of ES and especially PK time.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 8:05 AM EST up reply actions
Now that you bring it up, yeah, in back-to-back and 3-in-4 minutes need to be better managed.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
I'll cut him some slack.
His memaw just died. Besides that he doesn’t just contribute at the dot, he seems to be the only one who can win a faceoff on a regular basis.
Yeah, but what good does it do when he hands the other team goals and doesn’t bury any wide open chances? Hopefully he recovers, because right now he seems like a liability at both ends of the ice.
Are we talking about Green or Steckel? Both are guilty parties there.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 24, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
Green is a lot of things, but I’m not buying offensive liability as one of them.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 24, 2009 9:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Offensive liability: See David Steckel.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
I was talking about not burying open wide chances and bad turnovers. Green’s done his share of both.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 25, 2009 2:21 AM EST up reply actions
By that definition, Alex Ovechkin is an offensive liability.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 25, 2009 6:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Even when we lose in such a frustrating way, I don’t feel as bad when I see some people hustling like M Perreault. I haven’t seen anyone hustle so consistently like him the past month.. or in a while for that matter. Well.. maybe Brooks and Brads.
Although if we played a drinking game and did a shot every time he fell on the ice I’d probably die of alcohol poisoning before the third period.
but he gets up super quick and STILL makes a play
by ns on Nov 24, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
What if this team’s really just not as good as we think it is? I mean, we’re hoping that it was going on this upward trajectory since 05-06, but maybe last year’s team, with Feds and Kozlov, was just better than this one. And maybe Bruce isn’t the guy to get them over the hump. Like has been pointed out numerous times on this blog (including in this post), there’s some consistent problems that everyone sees that he just doesn’t seem able to address.
Naaa.. we just need to fill those little amonium poppers Ov huffs and secretly replace them with crystal meth. Then we’ll be fine.
Last year: Caps play 20 min games and hold on to win
This year: Caps play 20 minutes and are losing.
Last year 24 games into the season – 13-8-3.
This year 24 games into the season – 13-5-6.
32 points against 29, by the way.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 24, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
against who though? Not arguing the significance of that stat, but competition should probably come into play.
I’m pretty sure the competition has been tougher this year, overall (As in, fewer Southeast Opponents). Beat Chicago, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Nashville, Carolina, NY Rangers, Tampa, Carolina, NJ, Anaheim, Atlanta, and Montreal. Losses to CBJ, Minny, San Jose, LA, NJx2, Ottawa, Buffalo, Yotes, Flames, Atlanta.
Really, they’re comparable schedules, and I think this years is tougher. It’s the way we’re losing this year that’s frustrating, not the actual record I think.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 24, 2009 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Amen to this. You know what really pisses me off? It’s when people talk smack about the SE division. Halfway through the season people will say the caps aren’t that good because they’re in a crappy division even though
1) We never really play a lot of division games until the END of the season so when people say this… they’re really talking shit about their OWN favorite divisions because that’s who we’re pouncing on to get such a good record
2) Two Stanley cups this decade ain’t good enough for ya’?
The Thrashers and TBL have had pretty good Novembers, esp. after Kovalchuk’s foot got better. It’s fortunate we’ve not played them this month, methinks.
SO FЯIENDS, IS BATTLE NOW.
But…but…13-11!!!
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 24, 2009 6:24 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Great research on last year’s performance, WM.
This year just feels more frustrating since we blew leads in 10 of our losses.
Yes, November of last year was a month of some notably awful performances (when we lost all kinds of guys to injuries.) Gee, isn’t that a familiar theme?
Then came December-Jan and 7 game winning streaks?
Also, last season, 1/2 our goalies were good, and at that the backup. This year, both for the most part have been really good. That’s worrying.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions
Honestly? I think it’s more frustrating because we expect more. This team’s got high expectations and great potential, and losing in this manner is frustrating. Plus, while we might not have blown as many leads this time last year, we certainly got blown out a lot more.
And I wouldn’t worry about the goalies – at least not by comparing them to last year. Don’t forget, Varly struggled early and Theo picked it up, then Theo started to struggle and Varly picked it up. We actually haven’t seen both of them clicking at the same time, just like last year.
by Becca H on Nov 24, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I got the impression during the first half (roughly) last year that the skaters were putting in 110% effort because the goaltending wasn’t reliable. When it did get reliable, they were clicking for about 10 games. Then the effort level dipped and that’s where they’ve been since. Honestly, I had higher expectations last year. The Caps certainly got better IMO, but so did Philly, and PIT won it all, NJD is proving they can still do it, ATL is better, etc. Competition looks a lot tougher.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
It’s also more frustrating because we’re seeing a lot of things – from discipline to ability to close out games and others – simply not improving from one month/year to the next.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And more losses at home, 3 losses in a row, things that we didn’t see for the first 1.5 years of BB.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
We didn’t see 3 regulation losses in a row, but I believe they did have losing streaks even early in his tenure. This year’s team has only lost back to back games in regulation once, despite their losing streaks.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 24, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
They didn’t lose back-to-back in reg under BB until just before the deadline I think.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
i read that as 7 game winning “steaks”,
and was instantly enthralled.
i would like 7 game winning steaks.
by ns on Nov 24, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Regardless of how we ended the game, this team can never afford to go 0-7 on the power play.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
…or 0-3 with 7 shots and none of them going in.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Nov 24, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
i reckon the “none of them going in” was already evidenced by the fact that they were 0-3.
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
There’s a different level of frustration when we make shots that don’t go in as opposed to a PP that can’t seem get shots off.
by twistedlogic on Nov 24, 2009 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
why was green at the left dot during the PP? he was pretty bad there…
by ns on Nov 24, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
As i see it, injuries, scheduling, and travel, and everything that goes along with it have taken a toll on us lately, That said, I think that right now, chemestry within all the lines is the big problem. Lines need to play together for a good while to really create good chemestry. We don’t have that luxury right now and won’t till everybody comes back. It will take time to regain what was lost even then. So till then, I’ll hang my hat on the fact that while we are not playing as well as we all think we can( including the coaches and players), we’re still atop the Eastern Con., and still getting points. We would like more of them to be from wins, but they are still points. If we can do this now, just wait till we get it together and start winning games like tonights. (I’ll still rant and rave and throw stuff at the tv when they screw up tho. That’s what passionate fans do.) :D
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
We got it only one game playing a lot lately. No excuse thou. Wed is our night
punctuation is your friend Greenie!
"And next year it will be ours."
as Boudreau put it, “a total collapse by 20 guys”.
I agree. Jose Theodore is every bit as culpable for this loss as Chris Clark, Mike Green and John Erskine.
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by J.P. on Nov 24, 2009 7:39 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Maybe Bruce meant himself instead of Theo for that 20th spot… unless I dunno.. do we have a towel boy?
Eh, he just meant that it was a team loss. Which it was. But some guys contributed more than others and might have deserved a specific shout out given precedence in this area.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Especially given his newfound willingness to call guys out in the media. He seemed to be doing it pretty freely earlier in the season; last night should have been a game were some names were mentioned.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
Right, that’s what I meant by precedence.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Btw, highlights (and I use that term loosely) are now at the bottom of the post.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Alfredsson
Locker may have him on the Swedish team this winter, but based on his work last night (-2, 2 SOG) he will need a friend in Bengt Gustafsson. Is he hurt?
He’s been pretty good as of late. Maybe he got hurt last night.
by red army line on Nov 24, 2009 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
Spot on Analysis...
Well put up there. Green had been playing well recently until last night. He had his moments, the assist and a great hit behind the net on someone that cleaned them out, but at the same time he got caught up ice twice on the same shift in OT. How the heck does that happen?
The Caps looked top notch in the first, and despite the reduction in the number of shots, they were also playing well in the second. They went to the room up 3-1, and it could have been 4 or 5-1 if not for a couple of near misses (including Ovechkin ringing one off the post.)
They can’t blame this one on injuries since some of the call-ups played well (Perreault played pretty well, ditto for Carlson, and Beagle got his first goal off a turnover). Still, the killer instinct isn’t there. They have to keep their boot on the snake until it’s dead, not think it’s dead and look around.
And while on the topic of snakes, apparently Steckel’s being snake-bit is contagious and Bradley and Laich also seem to be needing some anti-venom…
Let's go Caps!
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
50 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
50 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 56 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
50 | 22 | 23 | 5 | 49 |
|
Carolina
|
53 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 47 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 8:30 AM EST)
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