Margin of Victory
by Hystricine on Nov 8, 2009 6:53 PM EST
8 comments
Despite the fact that on most nights the Capitals have seemed guilty of not playing complete games or not performing up to expectations (and now are having to perform missing several key players) - we are a little more than one month into the season and the team has 10 wins and 7 losses (4 in overtime) and they are tied for first in the East in points. What I find kind of interesting about this season, however, is that even if you extend their record into the preseason, they have yet to lose any game by more than a single goal. In this respect, they are unique in the league - no other team can make a similar claim.
Often you will hear what a team's record is in close games reported during the pre-game or going into the third period, because it is used as a metric of how good a team is at playing for those hard-fought points, but since every loss for the Capitals has been a 1-goal loss, their record in one-goal games (4-7) is obviously going to be a bit skewed toward losses. However, you could also look at their record and say... 7 more goals coupled with 7 more big saves and the Capitals might be looking at 17-0 right now. That's obviously not a reasonable expectation for the team, but it isn't a claim that any other team in the league could make this late into the season. A little smarter play, a little better concentration, a little more luck, and a little more effort - for the Capitals, that's the margin for victory.
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Really solid point. I think it cuts two ways. First, it’s nice to know the team is in every game, even when they look like crap. Second, I think it lends support to the “they play to the level of their competition” argument. It’s certainly a good place to start for the season. They just have to work on a few things and they will be extremely tough to beat; they don’t have to make any drastic changes.
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 8, 2009 7:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And this is why I think having Ovi on the shelf for a few weeks is a gem of an opportunity lessons-wise.
Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood...Make big plans, aim high in hope and work. - Daniel H. Burnham
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by gotsparkly on Nov 8, 2009 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just as long as the one goal losses happen now and not in the playoffs. i wanna see them win 16 in April/May/June
Rock the Red! Rock the White! Rock the Blue! Rock the Pens!
by RedskinFan4Life on Nov 8, 2009 8:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
they have yet to lose any game by more than a single goal. In this respect, they are unique in the league – no other team can make a similar claim.
fwiw, does this change if empty net goals aren’t counted?
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
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by crabchowdah on Nov 10, 2009 7:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
wait- I’ll go look it up (or at least I’ll try to)
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
by crabchowdah on Nov 10, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We’re still the only team to not lose by multiple goals even if EN goals are disregarded.
"Baseball is drama with an endless run and an ever-changing cast." - Joe Garagiola
Chowdah Chatter - an outlet for my random thoughts and such.
by crabchowdah on Nov 10, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, thanks for looking that up – I thought about it when I put this post together, but I was a little too lazy to check. I suspected empty net goals didn’t matter based on the scores for teams.
Incidentally, I also figured (but didn’t check) that the Capitals are one of the few teams in the league with no empty net goals given up (so far) this year, since they’ve never lost by more than one goal and usually that ENG provides at least a 2-goal cushion (although sometimes a team will score after an ENG is scored to reduce it back to 1 goal).
by Hystricine on Nov 11, 2009 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Caps have not given up an ENG this year (well maybe if you count that weird bounce vs. Columbus off the boards…) They do have an ENG that became the game winning goal, when Atlanta scored with 1 second left to pull to within 4-3…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Nov 11, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
59 | 41 | 12 | 6 | 88 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
57 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 61 |
|
Atlanta
|
57 | 25 | 24 | 8 | 58 |
|
Florida
|
58 | 24 | 25 | 9 | 57 |
|
Carolina
|
58 | 21 | 30 | 7 | 49 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 4:15 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2010 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.
