Sunday Caps Clips: Hockey Night Let Down
by J.P. on Dec 13, 2009 9:34 AM EST
in Caps Clips
186 comments
Your savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's stinker from Corey (blog, article), Tarik (blog, article), Vogs, Joe B., Peerless, Ed Frankovic and Fight for Old DC.
- If you didn't read Corey's blog entry from that first bullet, go back and do so now. [In The Room]
- I'm not sure anyone asked, but that's never prevented Ron Wilson from offering up an opinion. [Peerless]
- Ask Russians who their greatest NHLer of all-time is, and nearly one-third of them will tell you it's Alex Ovechkin (and more than half of them voted for a member of the 2008-09 Caps). [@dchesnokov]
- Could Stefan Della Rovere be left off Canada's WJC team? I tend to doubt it. [SchoolYourPool]
- Finally, happy 24th birthday to Andrew Gordon, happy 34th to Bates Battaglia, happy 76th to Doug Mohns... and happy 40th to the great Sergei Fedorov.
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Somehow, everyone has to get it going despite knowing AO’s in the lineup. Maybe shift him with MP and Clark?
Glad I missed last night. OUCH.
happy b-day to the living legend of Russian hockey himself, what a thrilled it remains to see his name on the list of Capital alumni.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
I’m not. Ovie missed a wide open net against Buffalo, B.Mo is straight-up snakebit, and Semin had a pretty unlucky game last night. Knuble is rusty, Laich and Erskine have both been awful, and Nylander is still on the books, forcing Alzner to stay in Hershey.
Basically, all of these things came to a head this week, and will probably continue for at least the next few games.
But they’ll get themselves out of it, kind of like how Green got angry and hit everything that moved, made a big mistake, but ultimately won the game.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 13, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
My current mood on the Caps. Pessimistic about their chances on the immediate road trip (given who they’re playing and that Varly is out). But optimistic about their overall chances for the season. They will be first (or 2nd) in the conference.
We do need to get our 2nd line cast of characters (Knuble, BMo, and Laich) reignited. It seems like the Caps go as their second line does.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Re: Della Rovere
That article doesn’t seem like they’re up on the OHL. Kadri hasn’t had a disappointing year, like the Leafs he had a terrible start but he’s been averaging over 2 points per game since early November. Also Kadri didn’t make the team last year because he broke his jaw the day before WJC tryouts.
SDR’s got a good shot to make it because of loyalty to gold winning players, as the article pointed out, but there’s a lot of hotshot young talent and I don’t think you leave home players like Adam Henrique or Tyler Seguin to bring somebody back.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Are there young hotshot players who play the agitation role that SDR plays?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Gabriel Bourque does and the Hockey Canada staff has been saying good things about him. That’s probably his main competition for that role, if it’s deemed absolutely necessary.
It’s pretty difficult to evaluate the decision-making and effectiveness of an agitator in these sorts of camps since they’re not really going all-out and looking to get under people’s skin. I don’t think SDR is a lock necessarily but as a returning player (even one whose effectiveness came into question) he’s got to have somewhat of an edge.
JP, there’s a minor mistake — Chesnokov’s tweet says greatest Russian hockey player in the NHL ever.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions
The Caps have been outscored 75-74 after the first 20 minutes this season
Wow . . . .
The Caps are 8-0-0 against the Southeast and now 12-13 (12-7-6 by official standards) against the rest of the league
Double wow . . .
In addition, it seems like we’re reverting back to those times when Ovi, Semin and Backstrom are providing all the scoring and the infamous “secondary scoring” is nowhere to be found . . .
I’m not. Ovie missed a wide open net against Buffalo, B.Mo is straight-up snakebit, and Semin had a pretty unlucky game last night. Knuble is rusty, Laich and Erskine have both been awful, and Nylander is still on the books, forcing Alzner to stay in Hershey.
Basically, all of these things came to a head this week, and will probably continue for at least the next few games.
But they’ll get themselves out of it, kind of like how Green got angry and hit everything that moved, made a big mistake, but ultimately won the game.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 13, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Corey writes truth, but leaves out one detail: The Caps have not fielded their best team all year. Two words: Karl Alzner.
by TylerG on Dec 13, 2009 11:39 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Yes, the missing puzzle piece is right there in Hershey.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
“Washington is a better team with Alzner” and “Alzner’s the missing piece that puts the team over the top” are very different statements. Tyler made the former, not the latter.
by David M. Getz on Dec 13, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Speaking of the late game trouble for the Caps. Has anyone noted that this season AO has scored 11 goals in the first period, 8 in the second and only 2 in the third. Up until this season he scored most of his goals (85 of 219) in the 3rd period.
by jcgillen on Dec 13, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Locker talked about it last night. Definitely a change in scoring trend. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or what, but I can’t say I like it.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Something tells me it’s a simple matter of fatigue. They come out and blow their energy on the first period, and then they’re reeling from preserved energy by the other teams. Last night Joe B was comparing them to the Harlem Globetrotters from the way they were criss-crossing and skating—in the first period. They were playing their hearts out, but by the time the third came around, well…
"Alex Ovechkin makes Chad Johnson look like he's reading the paper."
The problem with that argument is why didn’t it happen the last few years? It’s not like AO taking long shifts is a new thing. He’s always been a guy that goes balls to the wall all game and takes minute+ shifts. Why would it just now be hurting him in the third?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
What’s the breakdown of his shot totals by period? Is he actually shooting less in the third than he is in the first? I know people have ragged on him about his shoot first mentality, maybe that’s weighing on him a bit, and he’s passing a bit more!? I have noticed him passing up the puck a bit more than in years past.
Maybe because this year he’s been hurt.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
As in, it’s hurt his conditioning.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
As the season wears on, the more it seems the Caps miss a Sergei Fedorov as an influence. It just seems the the Alexes’ focus tends to drift over a 60 minute game. They’re not going to be able to just flip a switch come April.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 13, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
In my mind, the veterans need to step up in this kind of situation. But Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble have been no better about pacing themselves.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
I fear for the Caps on this road trip. Colorado has a hot goalie - Anderson. Vancouver has Luongo on their roster. And our other game is against Edmonton who we lost to last year - at home.
And Varly’s expected to be out until Dec 23.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Long western road trips are inevitably rough. I’m currently bracing myself and not getting my hopes too high.
"Alex Ovechkin makes Chad Johnson look like he's reading the paper."
I’ll be happy with ONE win on this road trip. We face Colorado who has a hot goaltender. Then there’s Vancouver who has Luongo on their roster. And then Edmonton, as the second game on a back to back and given our track record against that team.
Given the state of our goaltending, I have NO confidence in the team for this road trip.
BTW, Atlanta has 4 games this week, one against a good team.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
I’ll be happy with a couple of points too. Besides, it’s only three games, and we currently have the best record in the league. Hot goalies only scare me in the playoffs.
"Alex Ovechkin makes Chad Johnson look like he's reading the paper."
There is not a single 3 game stretch that the Caps could play this season in which I would be happy with only 1 win.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 13, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Normally, I would not be happy with only 1 win in any three game stretch for the Caps.
Rocking the Red since 1975
So why would you be happy with 1 win now? I don’t care about the goaltending matchups, the Caps can beat each and every one of those teams.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 14, 2009 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
Upon reading the recaps, I’m glad I missed this game last night. Not that the Christmas party I went to was any better. I got home in time to see the final 6 minutes, and saw the late PP goal we gave up. That was enough for me.
This upcoming road trip is scaring the piss out of me already.
Too much worry. Even good teams go through bad stretches. Regular Season Means Dick.
A little adversity can help a team. Now , for the rest of the year, Boudreau has a great example to talk about when he preaches the sermon of “move your feet.”
With that said, I do think it’s time for some personnel changes. I think they need to change the room a bit.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 12:29 PM EST reply actions
Agreed on most points. Where I quibble is that I’m not sure the “room” needs to be changed; it’s all the on-ice product. I don’t think we have guys that don’t fit on a personal level, we have guys that don’t fit on a personnel level. First and foremost is the need to get Alzner on the team; not because of his personality (which is awesome) or because Shamo is a jerk, just because he’s a better hockey player.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I think it’s been said here before, but Juice can’t carry a pairing. That being said, I love seeing him paired with Alzner. I think they’re styles play off of each other.
True, on both accounts :-). I don’t think it’s so much style as it is the partnership itself. Jurcina said himself that he didn’t feel like he had to watch his back when he played with Alzner, because he knew Alz wasn’t going to make any mistakes, and that allows Juice the freedom to play with confidence, rather than restraint.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 13, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
I’d like to see some gravitas in the room. I’d like to see a Stanley Cup ring in the room. I’d like to see someone who has the authority to tell Green to play it a little more conservatively in the room, or to tell AO to pace himself a bit. A player the players will listen to because he’s been there and won it all.
If I’m not mistaken, the only ring in the room is Knuble’s, and that’s almost on a technicality.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
It may be a technicality, but he’s been around and seen his battles. I’ve seen stuff out of PHI that they really miss Knuble’s presence in the room this year. Could we add more veteran presence? Sure. But ultimately BB has to do his job as well, and while he’s derelict in his duty I see no reason to look for new pieces.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think BB is derelict. I think he’s got a young team and, if he’s not doing the best he could possibly do, at the very least he’s doing a pretty good job. It’s not like the team hasn’t had success.
Some would like to see him have more of a firm hand with the team, but I’m not sure that’s the right answer. I’d like to see the team bring in someone who could show them the right path, if words aren’t working. Scott Niedermayer would be pretty amazing. Not sure who else is out there with that kind of gravitas who might also be available. Someone like Brind’amour but with a little more gas in the tank. Someone like Gary Roberts was.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Niedermayer would be awesome
but that cost would be huge. But I also agree the BB is doing a good job. The team needs to be loose. Being strict with such a young offensive team doesn’t work. However I do think he should be slightly tougher, emphasizing time on ice, but we are doing pretty well regardless.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
on the otherhand
Neuvy’s played in 7 NHL games?
That means 30% of his games have been played in less than ideal conditions for any goaltender, certainly a rookie:
No morning skate before this game; he doesn’t have a home in DC – where did he sleep when they had to get off the plane and spend the night in DC? I’m sure that got quickly figured out, but it’s gotta be a bit disconcerting if not simply unusual.
And of course he didn’t get much help in the game.
Just saying.
He didn’t get much help, but some of those goals were must haves, especially some of the rebounds. He can fix that with time, but he didn’t look ready for the NHL yet.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
We’ve had a ton of posts to that effect, but I’ve only seen one quote (and that from the team) about the conditions under which he played. Definitely not excusing anything in particular, just maybe needs to be mentioned once for every 500 posts on how crappy his game was.
Right, but irrespective of help, those are saves he’s gotta have or not put a rebound 15 feet into the slot.
I don’t blame him for the short-handed goal, that was a really nice deke on a breakaway and we’ve detailed the breakdown that led to that pretty thoroughly.
However, Kessel beat him cleanly on a shot from the top of the circles with a very minimal screen. Now, 81 in blue has an amazing shot, but he’s gotta be in better position. Similarly, Kessel coming down the wing and taking a snap shot shouldn’t result in a rebound that goes 15 feet into the middle of the ice. Juice fucked up clearing the rebound, so he didn’t get any help, that much is true, but Neuvirth still bears a lot of the culpability for that goal.
Another couple of goals, he could have gotten more help than he had against the defenders, but he went down way early and got burned for it. It’s hard not to think of those goals as at least half his fault in some cases and entirely his fault in others.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions
Right, but irrespective of help, those are saves he’s gotta have
Didn’t we have this exact same conversation regarding the third goal against in the BUF game?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
We did, but the specific incident was far more egregious from the team in Buffalo. I differentiate between Kessel coming down the wing, covered and Tallinder skating end to end, shooting from the middle of the offensive zone and collecting his own rebound in between 3 Caps and putting it in past Theo. Theo wasn’t blameless there, but Neuvirth carries more blame in this situation, IMO.
Irrespective was perhaps a poor rhetorical choice.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Distinguish all you want. The point is that the goalie has to make the saves that the goalie has to make. I held it against Varlamov, Theo, and now Neuvirth when they put bad rebounds to the slot. You just can’t do that in the NHL. Sure, the team didn’t play well for Neuvirth, but if anything the Kessel shot was the hardest one to control of the three. I forget which Panther shot the puck that led to the rebound that killed the shutout, but needless to say they aren’t as good a shooter as Kessel. Neither is Talinder. All three goalies need to do something better with that puck. As for the rest of the game, Neuvirth needs to learn how to play on his feet. Going into the butterfly at the first sign of a shot isn’t going to work in the NHL.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
As for the rest of the game, Neuvirth needs to learn how to play on his feet. Going into the butterfly at the first sign of a shot isn’t going to work in the NHL.
For sure. NHL guys will put it over you, AHL guys won’t. Exhibit A: Alex Giroux.
The point is that the goalie has to make the saves that the goalie has to make. I held it against Varlamov, Theo, and now Neuvirth when they put bad rebounds to the slot.
To your credit, you did make the same indictment of each goalie. I just think there’s a difference in the distribution of blame depending on how well or poorly the defense played in front of the goalie. In none of those situations were the goalies blameless, but I have a bigger problem with Varly and Neuvirth than I do with Theo in each of those. (I can’t believe I just said that).
All three goalies need to do something better with that puck.
No question about it.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Especially since Neuvirth will make an NHL career for himself (if he does) because of his mechanics and technique, not athleticism and quickness. If he lets those rebounds into the middle he’s staying in the AHL.
by red army line on Dec 13, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Bingo
He doesn’t have Varlamov speed, but I always heard he had better positioning. That may be true in the future, but right now he needs to do better with rebounds and timing. Doesn’t matter if you’re always at the proper angle if you’re also always in the butterfly too fast
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
But the team in front of him was terrible last night, to be sure.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
Ok I’m a little connfused. What in my posts here appears to be arguing that Neuvirth did
nothave a bad game?
Nothing. I should have added that even with those extenuating circumstances, it was a very poor game.
What I wrote was tangential to what you wrote and comes across as more combative than I intended it to. My bad.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
Steve Hindle Reports Nylander to Grand Rapids
Nylander has supposedly been loaned the Grand Rapids for the remainder of the season.
Not entirely reliable, but we’ll see.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions
I just don’t have it in me to get worked up until I see confirmation. Great news, if true, but I’ve been teased before.
/I don’t wanna go to no dance unless I’m gonna get to rub some titty.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Don’t think we should get excited. We’ll know for sure tomorrow morning I guess.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
About 70% of Nylander’s 4.5 million would open in Cap Space.
He would still have Caps contract so we would still be stuck at 48 contracts and could only take on 2 more.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
Actually I can’t remember, does the Bourque reclaim put us at 49 contracts?
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sure it does. Haven’t actually looked but I see no reason why it wouldn’t.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
My quick count of the Capitals official rosters and trying to remember which prospects are simply future-properties and contract signings I came up with 47. I’m sure I’m forgetting at least one or two prospects who have been signed. I know DVR and Eakin both have contracts, I couldn’t remember about Finley.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
If I recall correctly from an early season discussion, the guys still in junior who have contracts don’t count against the total.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
It depends when the K kicks in. Eaken, IIRC, doesn’t actually kick in until 2010-11 so he’s not on our K limit right now. SDR I think might be.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
By my count, the Caps contract count stands at 45 for the 2009-2010 season.
The count is 48 including Bourque returning to the organization and Eakin’s signing.
Then subtract the 2 contracts for 18yo/19yo players returned/playing in the CHL: Della Rovere and Eakin. It is my understanding that Anton G’s contract also does not count due to age and assignment. Also, Dovgan’s contract is gone from the count, but was there when people were discussing the counts in the off-season.
don’t have it in me to get worked up until I see confirmation
This.
I don’t see why he’d prefer that to Europe, but what do I know?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nylander wanted a clause in his contract to the KHL that he could come back to the NHL at any moment (and to teams other than the Capitals). All european teams refused him. This move allows Nylander to be traded at the deadline if he plays well in GR and potentially play in the playoffs.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
True, he was being a pain about it. Assuming there’s a grain of truth to the rumor, I still couldn’t see him traded at the deadline, because wouldn’t the acquiring team have to bring him up through re-entry waivers?
Still, until the team announces it, it’s just another silly rumor for a rainy Sunday.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Wouldn’t matter in the play-offs, see Pens and Satan last year.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
The team trading for him would not have to bring him up through waivers. After the trade there is a 2 week grace period or something where the team can move the player without exposing them to waivers. That’s how we got Kronwall to HER last season after only a few NHL games.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
We didn’t pick up Kronwall trough trade, we got him through Waivers, that is why he was not subject to waivers on the way back down two weeks later. We were near the bottom of the waiver list and only teams who had not made a claim had call which at that point was only 2-3 teams.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
Good point. I’m pretty sure it applies for trades as well, though. It would be perverse if you could trade a guy from the AHL and then pick him up at half salary when the team you traded him to tried to bring him to the NHL club.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not like we’d snag him back off waivers, so I’d guess it to be irrelevant. But I was implying that a team that traded for him while he was in the AHL might be afraid to bring him up for fear of getting stuck with half the salary/cap, as has been discussed before relating to the Caps. The playoff scenario posed above is potentially interesting, though expensive for the acquring team.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nylander would still have to consent to the move.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Never heard this one before and fwiw, it’s not true.
The explanation for Kronwall someone else gave was accurate. He had cleared waivers before being sent to the Marlies and then the Caps claimed him on re-entry waivers when the Leafs tried to bring him up to the NHL later in the season. So the waiver clock started and he was sent down before the 10 NHL games played/30 days on the roster threshold was reached.
Yeah I realized the error. So what’s the rule with trading AHL players? I really can’t imagine the NHL has a rule that forces newly acquired AHL players to pass through waivers to get to the NHL. That is so ripe for abuse there has to be a protection against it.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Ripe for abuse?
What you are describing is re-entry waivers and there are a small number of players that are subject to re-entry waivers in any given season. If a team trades for a player in that situation, they know what those conditions are.
It’s different when one team has a spare group of guys that they try to shuttle up and down; in that case I have no problem with the re-entry waiver rules. But when team A trades for a player that team B has in the AHL, but can’t bring them back to the NHL that doesn’t make much sense to me. That just prevents teams from trading those kind of players and ends up leaving guys stashed in the AHL when they otherwise would have gotten a chance to play in the NHL. I don’t think that’s cool and I don’t think the NHLPA would think that’s cool. There should at least be a one-shot safe-harbor for teams that trade for guys in the AHL so that they can get the guy to the NHL without risking both losing the player and having to pay half their salary.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions
Actually the opposite. Anyone could load up on players to keep in the AHL and only bring them up in the playoffs once no one would claim them because of the salary. It would be a way to buy a cup.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
Cool Lester Smooth
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 13, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
Van/Min replay on NHLN, which is great for me, because I fell asleep on the couch during a commercial break in the first period.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions
I’m not as concerned with losing to a bad team on a back-to-back road game with an AHL goalie, than losing to a good team at home, well-rested and with Varly in net. I think winning those games against teams like the Devils, Boston, Pens, Sabres, etc is more important. I’m OK with losing some games to the likes of Carolina and Toronto as long as we win the ones against the teams you are more likely to face in the playoffs.
Caps defense was just awful last night but Erskine does play a lot better when he is well rested. I don’t know why BB chose him over Sloan last night. If he doesn’t trust a well-rested Sloan to play a back to back game against a mediocre team why is he keeping him around? These two teams have not fought or had any serious scrums that I can remember during any of the games that they’ve played so to me it was not necessary to keep Erskine in the lineup but then again I’m not sure Sloan would have made a big difference last night either.
Poor Green, he is not going to the Olympic games after this, not that I’m unhappy about it for reasons already stated here by some of you but I’m sure he is going to be very dissappointed.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
Erskine was a good choice for last night, just not for the night before
Leafs like to be mini-Flyers, so having a big man is nice. That being said, Erskine should have rested the night before to prepare for the Leafs, and Sloan should have been there instead.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Yeah, that would have worked too. What is the point of having that extra D-man if you are not going to use him when it makes perfect sense to do so, like during back-to-back games?
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
To chew up extra salary cap space?
In all honesty, it beats me. I think not playing sloan the night before was a big mistake.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Yes, Green will be disappointed to not make the Olympics. But here’s how I feel. I’m not overly fond of Canada’s cast of characters. They’ve got Crosby, along with the main stars of the Flyers (Richards and Carter, not to mention Pronger). Essentially, it’s the Flyers, plus Sid Crosby. A team for Caps fans to root against and a team we’d rather not have Green be part of.
Yes, I’m like the parent who doesn’t want my kid to make the football team (or cheerleading squad) since I don’t like the other kids that are on it.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Don’t forget the four SJ Sharks, give or take. I think that’s the team that will be best represented.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
That’s true, too. The Sharks’ whole top line. (But they got a lot of Flyers and Crosby)
Rocking the Red since 1975
And guys like Iginla who is a complete class act. I don’t even think Carter makes it so really there will be Crosby, 2 Flyers, and a bunch of other guys. I’ll root against Canada regardless, but it has nothing to do with the personnel on the squad.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions
I find it very hard to root against Iginal or Nash. It’ll be painful to see them with Crosby.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
Plus they so arrogant
I hope it ends up as Russia vs USA in the gold round. With Miller you never know. 2nd Choice would be Russia vs Sweden. 3rd would be anyone as long as Canada isn’t there :P
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
I tried to explain why I wouldn’t root for Canada. That not even the hilarity of the Ghetto-Fabulous Space Cadet himself could overcome my hate of a team with Sid, Pronger, and Richards. They just did not understand this.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
I don’t care if Sid, Pronger, and Richards were all left off the team. I don’t care if the 18 classiest guys in the league were on Team Canada. I will never root for Team Canada in hockey. The Canadian sense of entitlement when it comes to hockey just turns me off, and I’ve encountered way too many Canadian fans that dismiss an American fan’s opinion simply because they are American. Of course, they aren’t all like that. Absolutely not. But enough of them are and Team Canada is always such a powerhouse that there is no point rooting for them. Team Canada is the closest thing hockey has to the Yankees.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 7:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m glad Green is not going to be on that team. Now I won’t feel guilty about rooting againt them.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
Maybe Green should join the Russian team. He can change his name (for the duration of the Olympics to Mikhail Davidovich Zelenkov. Nickname: Misha. Yep, Green’s father is named David; hence the patronymic. (BTW, Green’s middle name is David).
So Mike, I dub thee Misha Zelenkov. (Zelenkov is the Russian last name equivalent to Green.)
Game Over Zelenkov!
Rocking the Red since 1975
I’ve encountered way too many Canadian fans that dismiss an American fan’s opinion simply because they are American
But it’s nice to know that we can do the same to them when it comes to football, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, auto racing, all Summer Olympic sports, Nerf sports, Wii……
zzzzzzing
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Speaking of the Flyers, are they done for the season or can they still recover? With all the talent they have and with 52 games left to play I guess it’s quite possible but it’s not looking too good for them right now or the Rangers for that matter.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
They’re only four points out of a playoff spot. A good week and they’re right back in it.
by David M. Getz on Dec 13, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I think they have a much better chance of making it than the five teams ahead of them right now.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
I meant the “next” five teams ahead of them right now (Rangers, Panthers, Islanders, Lightning, Canadiens)
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
They certainly look better on paper than any of those teams. We’re talking about the Booth-less and Bouwmeester less Panthers. The Isles who were last year’s bottom feeder. The Bolts, who were the bottom feeders in their division. And Montreal who let most of their key players walk in disgust after their horrible second half of the season.
Rocking the Red since 1975
It’s really odd to look at. The Flyers have the 2nd worst record, better than only Carolina and worse than every team in the West. They would be a lottery team if the season ended today. But they’re not that far out of the playoff picture.
The Flyers have too much talent to be a lottery team this year.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I’m looking at their schedule now and they are playing BOS on Monday (I’m watching that one) and then Pittsburgh on Tuesday and Thrusday, yikes.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
Not a good week for them to bounce back for sure… and I’m just going to ignore the Nylander news below. I don’t want to jinx it.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
Caps confirm they are working to send Michael Nylander to AHL Grand Rapids on a standard loan.
by lolCaps-project on Dec 13, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
Working...
Working also means no deal done yet. So Nylander is here to stay until we hear otherwise
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
He still has to agree to a deal. But, at this point, if I were Nylander, I would agree. Even playing in the minors is a better showcase for a future deal than sitting out entirely.
Rocking the Red since 1975
So would I
but I would also agree to europe. Nylander likes circles more than logic….
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
On the Olympics, will the Russians use the “Chipmunks” line since it worked so well at the World Champs in 2008? Or will the front line be Ovi/Malkin/Kovy?
And who are the Chipmunks? Semin is Simon as Semin is the Russian equivalent of the last name “Simon”. Theodore is Fedorov as it is the last name in Russian that means “Theodore”. And Ovi is Alvin. (ALexander oVechkIn) And Alvin is the most notable of the Chipmunks.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yes, reunite the Chipmunks for at least one shift in the Olympics. (Even though that line never seemed to work out for the Caps.) The first time the Caps tried it, Fedorov sprained his ankle and was out for a while. The next time they did it, Semin had a horrible game and was banished to the third line. (The Caps won both of those games.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 13, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions
And…scene.
"After the Cold War, the AK-47 became Russia's biggest export. After that came vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists (and a couple good hockey players)."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 13, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
Now call up Alzner before we go to Colorado!
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 13, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Hockey players aren't like other people. Witt after being hit by a car:
I’m okay. No big deal...I’ve got to go play some hockey. I’m a hockey player.
The events of today have done more to put me in the spirit of the season than any Christmas song ever could.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 13, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
fapfapfapfapfapfap
"Oh, the usual. I bowl. Drive around. The occasional acid flashback."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Dec 13, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
Thumpthumpthumpthump
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He’s melting.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
No carrot needed today!
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 13, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
surely Natty will find the infamous Nylander Blingee
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
He found it just a couple of days ago, in point of fact.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 13, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
in nattys current absence you can go here for at least one
http://www.japersrink.com/2009/12/9/1193217/michael-nylander-placed-on-waivers#26870981
THANK GOD. And the Skins won today too? I’m not sure I can handle this much good news!
by Davethecapsfan on Dec 13, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
And their website. http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=509767
by HateOffSeason on Dec 13, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
So say Nylander tears it up in Grand Rapids, can we still trade him for something?
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 13, 2009 8:20 PM EST reply actions
Yep; the contract is still on the books (so he’s still team property), the cap for it isn’t, if memory serves.
"After the Cold War, the AK-47 became Russia's biggest export. After that came vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists (and a couple good hockey players)."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 13, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions
Gordon
Given the news of the day, a minor comment, but just read the post …
Happy 24thBirthday to Andrew Gordon
In honor of Nylander being assigned to Grand Rapids, here’s the following song by Billy Preston “Will it Go Round in Circles”:
I’ve got a song, I ain’t got no melody
I’ma gonna sing it to my friends
I’ve got a song, I ain’t got no melody
I’ ma gonna sing it to my friends
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
I’ve got a story, ain’t got no moral
Let the bad guy win every once in a while
I’ve got a story, ain’t got no moral
Let the bad guy win every once in a while
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
I’ve got a dance, I ain’t got no steps, no
I’m gonna let the music move me around
I’ve got a dance, I ain’t got no steps
I’m gonna let the music move me around
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
[Instrumental Interlude]
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
I’ve got a song, I ain’t got no melody
I’ma gonna sing it to my friends
I’ve got a song, I ain’t got no melody
I’ ma gonna sing it to my friends
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
Will it go round in circles
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky
Rocking the Red since 1975
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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