The Little Things that Make a Good Team Great
by David M. Getz on Nov 4, 2009 11:30 AM EST
48 comments
"A lot of these games, we've escaped. We haven't played our best hockey. I think what we have to worry about is more the process - how we're winning games. Don't think about the result, think about the process. If we go about that the right way, we'll come out on top most nights" - Brendan Morrison, after the Capitals 4-3 overtime loss to the Islanders on Friday night.
It goes without saying that winning is the end game in professional sports and that, accordingly, wins will get you an awful lot of leeway when it comes to performance analysis. That's why every critique of the Capitals this season has included a caveat acknowledging their record (8-2-4 at the moment), and why Bruce Boudreau is ready to point out the team's point total when he takes questions from the media. It'd be easy to sit back, look at the Capitals wins column, and conclude this team's style of play, though fraught with issues about consistency, discipline, and effort, is good enough to make them a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. That may very well be the case - but I wouldn't bet on it.
Why? Well, for one thing the game the Capitals are playing right now - only ratcheting up their game against top tier opponents - is a dangerous one. A team can't perform at it's highest level if it doesn't keep its focus and intensity level up day in and day out, just as an individual player can't perform at his best without practice. No matter how many times the Caps have a strong showing after coming out flat against a weaker opponent (or a series of weaker opponents, as the case may be), it's hard to believe they're capable of "turning it on" at will because, as skilled at the team is, the timing, concentration, and understanding it takes to win in a league like the NHL, where margin for error is minimal.
Say, for the sake of argument, that the Capitals are capable of taking the ice and playing their best hockey at will, consistent efforts or no - should we then be satisfied with the team's progress, confident that they'll be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason even if we're frustrated by their performances in the meantime? The answer, pretty clearly I think, is 'no' because this team, right now, hasn't proven that they're good enough to win the Stanley Cup. Constant improvement in all facets of the game, more so than picking up wins, should be the team's focus at this point.
Making the changes the Capitals need may hurt the team in the short term, but fortunately for the Capitals they're in a position where a temporary drop off in performance isn't going to hurt them too much because they're not in danger of missing the postseason. The Alexander Ovechkins, Mike Greens, and Nicklas Backstroms of the world can come to training camp and work on ironing out the smaller flaws in their game - say, a hitch in their stride, or an imperfection in their wrist shot technique - because they know they're going to make the team. An unimpressive preseason won't do them on. On the other hand the Chris Bourques and Quintin Laings of the world have to come to camp and try to get the job done with their existing skill sets, imperfections and all, because a bad camp means they're no longer in the picture. By the same token a team like the Capitals can afford to spare a few points to refine its game, a luxury few NHL teams have.
For the time being Bruce Boudreau and his coaching staff should deflect attention away from the final score and on to specific areas of the team's play that need work and hold players accountable. Put the emphasis on cycling the puck in the offensive zone, dumping and chasing effectively enough to wear out opponents, tightening the penalty kill box, and making smart decisions with the puck. Cut ice time from a defenseman who makes a bad pass through his own slot, a winger who doesn't backcheck, and anyone who shows a lack of effort. The team's play is going to be different by necessity while they wait for the best player in the world to recover from injury, so why not use the time to enact on-ice changes - to try to win games the way "normal" teams have to win games? Break the bad habits now, in November, when the games don't mean all that much, rather than waiting for April and May and hoping the problems fix themselves. The team at this point doesn't require a complete overhaul, just some well-timed, well-placed tweaking, but it still needs some work.
In that sense what the Capitals need is a renovation and, as is the case with a renovation, it's not going to be easy or seamless. Difficult changes will have to be made, someone's feelings will get hurt, you may have to part with something you love, your neighbors will question your decisions, and, truth be told, there's a very good chance it'll like like crap in the meantime. But if you go in knowing what areas to improve and how to do it, you're going to be better off in the end.
Most importantly, though, Boudreau and George McPhee need to remember what happens when you wait too long and renovation is no longer an option: you're forced to rebuild.
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“Break the bad habits now, in November, when the games don’t mean all that much, rather than waiting for April and May and hoping the problems fix themselves”
QFT
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Nov 4, 2009 11:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
and why Bruce Boudreau is ready to point out the team’s point total when he takes questions from the media
To be fair, Boudreau ain’t exactly spouting sunshine and granola — he seems as frustrated as we are about many things.
Cut ice time from a defenseman who makes a bad pass through his own slot, a winger who doesn’t backcheck, and anyone who shows a lack of effort.
I’d like to see the guys who aren’t young guns given more playing time. We know what the young guns can do. Better to head into the playoffs with those players fresh and healthy. And giving everyone else more PT says that they’re all important, and they all need to step up their games.
Like many others, I see Ovechkin’s injury as an opportunity. Too often this team sits watching the young guns in key moments (mainly because they’re the only players BB puts out on the ice at critical junctures). To win more than just a Southeast championship, this team needs more contributions top to bottom.
One more factor is clearly, in my mind, upsetting the team balance — the roster. 8 roster slots devoted to defensemen. One devoted to a man who absolutely will not play, no matter what. These things need to be addressed. Many of us said in September, “don’t be surprised if resolution of the Nylander situation takes longer than we all thing — maybe into November or December.” Well, we’re into November, and I’m convinced that resolving both that situation and the 8-man D will actually make the team play better day to day.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 4, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, Boudreau ain’t exactly spouting sunshine and granola — he seems as frustrated as we are about many things.
But he isn’t doing anything actionable about it. That is the point of the 2nd quote your refernced. he needs to actually walk the walk.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 4, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But he isn’t doing anything actionable about it.
He isn’t doing anything public about it, other than voice his displeasure to the press. Whatever he is doing may not be working. But we don’t actually know what he’s doing.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 4, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I used the wrong term there. He isn’t doing anything in terms of playing time. He’s voiced his displeasure to the players in practice and to the press, but he hasn’t done anything demonstrative in terms of playing time minus bottom end guys and even then its been fairly minimal.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 4, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
… to say nothing of the impact it has had.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 4, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, Boudreau ain’t exactly spouting sunshine and granola — he seems as frustrated as we are about many things.
He appear frustrated at times, but he also has a habit of saying more or less “I’m unhappy about x,y, and z, but you know, if you look at our record it’s pretty darn good, so how bad can we be?” I don’t think that point is without merit, but I also don’t think wins should be as big a measure of success as Boudreau seems to at this point in the season.
by David M. Getz on Nov 4, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed. 8 and 6 isn’t the end of the world, but it’s not that steady a stool to stand on publicly.
by bigonetimer on Nov 4, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would like to see some accountability out there but I’m not holding my breath. When Green turned the puck over against the Islanders and gave up the goal Bruce said after the game that he won’t get on a player for a physical mistake, only mental mistakes. Really? I have never seen a player (cough, semin) have any consequences for the various mental mistakes they make.
by kovachs on Nov 4, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Boudreau does, but he doesn’t do is consistently or fairly. He’s scratched Pothier for mental mistakes before and will bump Fehr down to the fourth line (when Fehr gets to play above the fourth line to start with), but when it comes to Semin or Ovechkin….
by David M. Getz on Nov 4, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He was moved down a line or two and taken off the powerplay completely in a game earlier this year.
I agree that action taken by Bruce could stand to be more uniform and plentiful when the situation really warrants it, though.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Nov 4, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
is it possible that BB is just too scared of loosing to do this?
by JustJeff on Nov 9, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Do they ever look at this stuff, the Caps, the coaches?
By “this stuff”, I mean the talk on this website.
They should.
by Stonewarden on Nov 4, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Morrison for Captain?
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
by Sct112 on Nov 4, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That’s interesting, but…
…how about Ovechkin for Captain?
So long as we’re talking about the psychological layout of the team, why don’t they quit fuckin’ around with the captaincy and give it to OV?
by Stonewarden on Nov 4, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Because they have a captain. Really, this isn’t the post for that discussion, though.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 4, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Schultz for Clark!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 4, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes but...
there is a big difference in a producing “C” than a non-producer.
The additions of Knubs and BMo for their combination of chops and savvy have been inestimable.
by S h a g g y on Nov 4, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
may I suggest that if anyone wants to revisit the “Should Clark be Captain” debate, we have the awesome “FanPost” feature.
by RedBirdie on Nov 4, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Are the impact of chops and savvy ever estimable?
I do agree, though – great leadership coming out of those Wolverines.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 4, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure David Steckel is thrilled that the Michigan Men will be donating the to David Steckel’s football team beat your football team fund at the end of this month :) Go Bucks!
by RedBirdie on Nov 4, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Booooooooooooo!
Go Lions!
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 4, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
(I’m the daughter of a Penn State Alum. He’s pretty horrified I married into an Ohio State family.)
by RedBirdie on Nov 4, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s grounds for disownment right there. I married a woman who attended two other Big Ten schools but justify it because she doesn’t care about college football.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 4, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I own degrees from both Michigan and Michigan State. Green and maize, blue and white… we’re so conflicted.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 4, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So Natty doesn't feel like I was just picking on him and his boys
I take great pleasure watching RichRod getting trounced.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 4, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agre with that one, and it wouldn’t matter to me where he was coaching.
by gfcaps fan on Nov 4, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Bo was still alive, he’d have another heart attack watching Michigan football.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 4, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if this season would cause a heart attack, what would last season have done?
by RedBirdie on Nov 4, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
… spontaneously combust.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 4, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s go easy on that. They get a pass, but the rest of the school doesn’t.
by gfcaps fan on Nov 4, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was joking… sorry.
Continuity and all…
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
by Sct112 on Nov 4, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tough crowd today, eh?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Nov 4, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was with ya.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 4, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those last two paragraphs are gold, Jerry. Gold. Rec’d.
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 4, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Minus the typos.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 4, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
C’est la vie, the online correspondent’s job is unheralded and usually unpaid.
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 4, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And oft un-nitpicked.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 4, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If I had to return a portion of my salary for evey typoh I made, I’d owwe my employyer money.
Oh, wait. I doo!
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 4, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I rarely, if ever, point out typos. However, there were a couple in the last two paragraphs. Should I not point those out Mr. Managing Editor? ;)
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 4, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Although I’m not the managing editor, I’d rather you not bite the hand that feeds.
by mechanicsville on Nov 4, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure he’s gotten much worse. I’ll rec the article to make up for it.
"If you're gonna die after 24, might as well jump out at 23:59, no?"
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 4, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No, it’s cool. I was just messin’.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 4, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This post is truly spot on.
Part of me thinks that this team really needs to suffer a losing streak in order for a real change in focus or style of play happens. I’m not actively rooting for them to lose or anything, but I don’t see how else the team is going to feel it needs to do things differently.
by Kolzilla on Nov 4, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 8:36 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
