Recap: Caps 6, Avalanche 1
by Becca H on Dec 16, 2009 1:01 AM EST
in Game Recaps
214 comments
[AP Recap - GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary]
Tonight's game featured two of the best teams in the League right now - and yet there was little to no hype leading up to it, few (if any) mentions of it being a Cup Final preview, and more than a couple of empty seats scattered throughout the Pepsi Center.
Still, the Capitals and their fans didn't need any of that to understand the importance of this game. The first of three games against the Western Conference, on the road, facing a team with more familiar faces behind the bench than on it...this was a test.
And the Caps passed with flying colors.
Ten more notes on tonight's game:
- Making his NHL debut probably would have been enough of a birthday present for Kyle Wilson, who turned 25 today. Two hard-working assists, the game's third star and a Caps win? Icing on the birthday cake - and enough to likely give him a slew of new fans among the Caps' faithful. Welcome to DC, kid.
- Of course, on the end of those two assists was some good net-crashing work by Tomas Fleischmann, who picked up goal #12 and 13 on the year tonight. Coming into this season, Flash had just two career two-goal games; he's got four already this season.
- When this team is clicking, everyone's involved. It was, and they were, as four of the six goals came from the third and fourth lines.
- Jose Theodore made a triumphant return to Denver and came oh so close to blanking his former team, turning aside 27 of 28 shots and keeping his composure while being run more than once. Just the kind of game he needs to get back on track.
- At the other end of the rink, however...yikes. Craig Anderson has gotten a lot of credit this year for leading the Avs back to respectability, and rightfully so, but he was less than sharp tonight. To put it nicely. Very nicely.
- Going into this game, the Caps had nine - nine - defensemen on the roster. By the end of the night only four of the six who dressed remained in the game, with Green getting taken out late in the second (more on that in a minute) and Morrisonn mysteriously absent. And let's not forget the fact that Erskine spent a good chunk of time in the sin bin.
- The shortage of able-bodied men on the blue line led to Brooks Laich stepping in as a defenseman for the third period - and did a nice job of it, too.
- The Avalanche did a pretty good job of doing the impossible - making Alex Ovechkin seem invisible. Of course, they forgot about his two talented linemates, who each picked up a goal. And the other three lines. Six different guys had multi-point performances tonight, and not one of them wore #8.
- It's hard to say that the Caps weren't working hard, because they were, or that they didn't win the little battles, because they did. So it's a little puzzling that they only managed to draw one minor penalty. Less puzzling? They took five of their own. It happens.
- The David Koci / Mike Green / John Erskine incident has riled up the debate once again that the Caps need an enforcer so other teams will stop running our players. I'm of the (somewhat unpopular) opinion that it's not necessary, nor is it a deterrent - guys like Carcillo and Koci aren't going to be deterred by "threat of punishment" because this is the way they play. Furthermore, few if any enforcers kicking around the league today can be had for cheap, and few if any know where the line is between defending teammates and becoming a liability by acting stupid.
Of course, GMGM gets the final word. Discuss.
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And compliments to Becca....
….on getting a game worth summarizing ;)
I lived with a blind guy for a while, then he figured it out and demanded back rent.
I was just thinking the same. And extra compliments for actually getting it up, despite the lateness of the time.
"And next year it will be ours."
Back when I wrote this, I don’t think I would have guessed that Wilson would play this season, much less that he’d start his NHL career this way. Does that comment way back then make me the founding member of the Kyle Wilson lobby?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 16, 2009 1:19 AM EST up reply actions
No chance you were the founding member. I know of at least two guys that were on his bandwagon before he was on your radar.
Really, really smart play from him last night.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
This is kinda beautiful
Seriously, when you win a game 6-1 against a division-leading opponent and your three stars looks like this…
God what a beauty
Great game. What more needs to be said?
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Becca, you are spot on. I know that a popular meme is that the Caps need a tough, but it always seems like the other teams toughs are the ones getting them in trouble. Carcillo, Koci, Duco… need I go on? Avs fans were hoping for a suspension tonight on Koci.
"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."
Now that’s pretty bad when Avs’ fans are hoping for a suspension for Koci. When a guy doesn’t even have the support of his own fans, it’s bad.
Rocking the Red since 1975
No, the guy apparently gets almost no ice time and is clueless when he does have it. MHH is not wild about him and wants a suspension on him just to get him out of the lineup for a few games.
Unleash the Alex!
Sparkly speaks truth. We hated the Koci signing when it happened but were willing to endure it if was for protection of a young Duchene/Statsny-based team. Unfortunately, he gets a whopping 30 seconds of ice time usually before the first commercial break, loses any fight he managed to get into, and sometimes throws the bonus stupid/slow-of-foot penalty in just for fun.
Suspension means we might get to see some more of our actual rebuilding blocks instead of watching 28 open and close the bench door.
"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "
All I know is that the main effect of Erskine jumping in like he did was that the Caps ended up down yet another defenseman. What if it had been a playoff game?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 16, 2009 1:21 AM EST up reply actions
I understand that Erskine isn’t the best guy to be the enforcer. But in the games mentioned above, the teams that have had their tough guys run someone have ended up getting blown out. Combined score (19-3?)
"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."
One thing that worried me here was the timing. In those other games, the Caps player was run, and then the Caps put up a bunch of goals. This time, the Caps had a 5 goal lead when Green was run. People taking frustrations out on our stars is not a trend I’d like to see.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 16, 2009 1:29 AM EST up reply actions
That's something I'm scared about with Green
He needs to get the Ovie like 230 lbs of muscle. Right now people take runs at him, and that is bad long term, dangerous in the playoffs.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
230 pounds of muscle does nothing to prevent concussions. It would serve no purpose other than to make him heavier, and slower. If a goon like Koci wants to run him from behind into the boards, it doesn’t matter if he weighs 320 lbs, he’s still going to get his bell rung.
Grand Rapids A-Go-Go
Slower is bad, but I was thinking more for other injuries. Legal shoulder checks and the like. Muscle is nice padding for bones and joints.
That’s true though, the angle is probably killer no matter what.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Definitely this. I physically matured late so when I got to college I put a ton of muscle on. It really just hurt my game and now the physical mass is all conspiring to meet in my gut. I should have just stayed thin and lanky like my brothers (two of them at least).
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
And considering Green’s dad’s physique I’d say he’s in for the same gut conspiracy I’ve been fighting.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
Definitely.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Most NHL D don’t grow into themselves untill the’re 27-29.
He’ll get bigger AND better over time.
Scary, isn’t it? :D
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
Just like goalies, slow starters
It’s awesome! Great that we have such a young core that is always improving. Green+Varly for D, Ovie+Baxter for O
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
And don’t forget the Fehr, Semin, Flash, and Schultz are also young guys themselves.
Rocking the Red since 1975
People taking frustrations out on our stars is not a trend I’d like to see.
Then why did you have a problem with the timing of the Erskine fight? He was reacting directly to the incident. If guys like Koci are going to run our guys to stir things up, why sit by and let it happen without repercussion? I personally think that being up 5-0 is exactly the right time for this. I have no problem with what Erskine did. It put us in a tight bind on the blueline, but Laich stepped up big. Fedorov did the same last year. That’s what good teams do.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 16, 2009 7:57 AM EST up reply actions
The presence of Erskine did nothing to prevent Green being run. While it was nice the he stood of for Green, did it really establish anything? Was Carcillo watching the game thinking “Gee, I’d better not board Mike Green, I might have to fight John Erskine”. Of course not. He already wants to fight Erskine. All this did in that situation was get a 5 minute penalty. Green was still laying on the ice.
I think it was less about Erskine’s presence and what Erskine did immediately afterward, more about the gesture than the rep. They’ve got to stand up for each other somehow because signing a goon for goon’s sake isn’t practical right now.
"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 16, 2009 10:47 AM EST up reply actions
I agree. We need guys to stand up for each other. I was just getting at the idea that keeping an enforcer around is a deterrent to cheap shots. It just isn’t.
Oh, I’m with you there, Lord knows the enforcer we had last year wasn’t helpful in that regard.
"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 16, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
Brads is an excellent deterrent. With all the diseases out there nowadays no one wants to get someone else’s blood all over them.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 16, 2009 3:32 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
You don’t know where I’ve been [Koci]! You don’t know where I’ve been!
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And wasn’t that the original strategy? Light it up on the PP and blow teams out when they get tough? Now we see it working and it still doesn’t smell like roses. Does the PP whooping we’ve handed out make up for losing Mike Green to a dirty hit?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
I kinda like the “so you wanna run our guys? well we’ll just run up the score on you!” way of handling things.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
That only works so long…Once a game is past a certain point a loss is just a loss as far as the scoreboard is concerned. Losing a player stings for much longer.
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.
To me the NHL tough guys that are available are just too dumb to bring on. They don’t intimidate anyone, they just cost their teams extended PKs.
"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."
Yup. I’m not advocating us getting one. I’ve been one of the most vocal since Brashear left as far as “good riddance.” I think it just needs to be noted that scoreboard punishment extends to a certain point and then things can get even more out of hand.
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 trouble is that it doesn’t really help in a game that is out of control (5-0). But Carcillo flat out cost the Flyers that last game, and if the Caps keep doing that, I have to think that it will make an impact, not on Koci, but on the Avs coaching staff who won’t put him out there in a close game.
"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."
To that point, with a game out of control at that point, why is your enforcer even on the ice? If the score had been reversed, I’d understand that you’re looking to protect your own guys from being run, but it’s not as if any of the Caps were going to be doing the running.
"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."
They wanted to send a message. You may have beat us, but you haven’t “beat” us.
"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."
In that MIN/VAN game on HNIC last weekend Boogaard took a bad PIM trying to start a fight with Hordichuk. Then later he tries to make up for it by drawing a PP and takes a dive. Another VAN PP (no even up call). Those guys just hurt the team.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
Exactly. And I guess I just don’t see how some mystical enforcer, this Dale Hunter type with Donald Brashear fists (who doesn’t even seem to exist anymore as far as I can tell) is going to dissuade those guys. The ones you listed, and others beyond them, aren’t goons and they aren’t enforcers. They’re morons, period.
How do you make someone think twice about hitting your players when it’s pretty clear they’re not even thinking once?
by Becca H on Dec 16, 2009 1:29 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
We haven’t seen Ovechkin fight. Maybe he could fill the role. =D
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.
Just what the Caps need, Ovi to break a finger on Carcillo’s face.
/ snark appreciated.
"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’d be upset with Ovie if he fought. He’s taking himself out of the game for five minutes.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 16, 2009 1:37 AM EST up reply actions
Would like to see Ovie fight just once. I have a feeling he could lay down some havoc.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 16, 2009 3:02 AM EST up reply actions
If he got emotional enough to fight....
It would end up being a board spilling brawl. Epic.
That said, I hope I never see it, because that would be some Cap got seriously hurt.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
no, please no game 7 ECF against them! End it in 4, Caps.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
I agree with the sentiment, but the Pens aren’t going down without a fight. Hate ‘em, definitely, but I can’t deny that they’re no joke.
Unleash the Alex!
anything can happen in the playoffs. Like, god willing, a first round upset.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
No. I’m with you at the moment. We haven’t played the Pens yet, so we have no idea if they’ll be a problem this year. We only know that they appear to be every bit as good as the Caps.
"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."
I’m hoping Marty gives us Act II of his total meltdown vs. Carolina last season.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
Certainly you’re not. We haven’t cracked trap teams yet.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Dec 16, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
I know it’s a joke. But I still want AO to drop ’em once or twice.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
I’ll join you in the AO Fight Club Lobby. But like you said, only if it’s an annual occurrence or thereabouts.
Right. Just enough to put people on notice that he can and will. Put some fear of God in them. He’s an absolute bull, I’m sure he could mess someone up if he chose wisely.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
What are the Caps really going to do as a deterrent? Run Duchene?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 16, 2009 1:30 AM EST up reply actions
Yup – go after him and his little dog, too.
Seriously, I think this team is tough enough to stand up to the morons and smart enough not to act like them. I’m perfectly happy to not have them running around trying to exact revenge and make statements and earn “respect” by lowering themselves to that level.
I’m with GMGM here – you don’t need enforcers to win games, and you don’t need them to win Cups.
…and that’s my last lucid thought of the day/night/whatever. Night – play nice, kids!
Speaking of Duchene, what’s up with his big minus on the season? -8 or something.
by red army line on Dec 16, 2009 5:17 AM EST up reply actions
Guys like Carcillo and Koci aren’t going to be deterred from dirty/borderline hits by the threat of a fight. They are fighters themselves and having to drop the gloves won’t keep them from playing their game. So I completely agree that there really isn’t any roster change that could have prevented the hit on Green.
To me, the threat of fighting really only realistically deters dirty hits from guys who aren’t fighters and who aren’t out there looking to run guys, but may sometimes cross the line. For those guys having an enforcer may make them think twice about making a hit. But really, how many dirty hits come from guys like that as opposed to guys in the Carcillo/Koci/Ruutu (Jarko) mold? Not very many, to my eyes.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 16, 2009 3:38 AM EST up reply actions
Enforcer
I agree that a Cup team doesn’t necessarily NEED an enforcer. I also agree that the play of Carcillo, Koci and others would not be deterred by the threat of a fight, but…
If GMGM does shake up the roster a bit utilizing the Circles92 money and clears at least one of our nine defensemen, I would like to see us pick someone up cheaply who fills the role. This player would be a healthy scratch on most nights and play 4-5 minutes a game when given a sweater. There are going to be games where his presence greatly helps. I’ll buy the argument that an enforcer may not always be a deterrent, but at least we’d have a guy to use in a retaliatory role. There will come a game where things get out of hand, and we could end up sacrificing someone needlessly to injury or suspension. It helps sometimes to be able to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak1DIzvD3eE
Bradley has become a valuable asset, and one of these nights he may be seriously injured trying to fill the enforcer role by default. Erskine’s currently in the lineup most nights because he’s the closest thing to a heavyweight we have. If we had a forward to fill the role, it frees up a slot on the blueline for a better defenseman and makes Erks that much more expendable to use in a trade or be sent to Hershey.
My suggestion would be to look at a guy like the Blues’ D.J. King. He’s a monster as an enforcer, would not expect to be a regular player, and St. Louis would probably deal him for almost nothing as they have Janssen in the lineup. He’s been injured but is due back very soon.
I have to say that the instigator that was called on Erskine was a travesty. In all the situations where an fight was a necessary response to a hit, last night was a nearly perfect example. Erskine didn’t start the fight, he responded for a guy who couldn’t do it on his own.
"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."
Idk, the instigator was kinda legit. Erskine didn’t Carcillo him, but he did kinda jump him. But I have no problem with Erskine doing that, totally warrented.
But from the refs point of view, they were going to penalize the Av, so things were already under control before Erskine went out and fought.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Exactly. The NHL doesn’t want Erskine to enact his own justice. Hence the instigator penalty. That is the whole reason it is in the rulebook.
No. The reason it is in the rulebook is to prevent Rene Bourque from jumping Tyler Sloan. The only reason fighting is tolerated in the NHL is because penalty minutes aren’t enough of a deterrent when you can really hurt someone. That’s why they let players police themselves with violence. When you cross the line you have to answer the bell and risk being punched in the face with bare knuckles. If you penalize the guy that is holding the dirty player responsible you take away self-policing. All that’s left are the stupid staged goon fights, which is what I thought the NHL didn’t want.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
Completely agree. That’s the entire purpose of legitimate fighting in the NHL. Once again, the NHL justice system has its head firmly wedged in its ass.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
I’d take Aaron Assram over any enforcer.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
How’d you get that inside Avs knowledge? Here I thought I was a dedicated Rat and I find you’re in this recap before I even got a chance to look at it.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Pay a visit to MHH – the fine folks over there let their feelings be known on the topic.
Unleash the Alex!
Oh I know where he went. I’m getting at the fact that he was still at Bailey’s when I left last night and he still had time to get all up in this thread and check out MHH.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
No clue. We just met up for some post-game beers and watched the third period.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
So who won? And how hard did Sct112 put you into the boards?
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 16, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
My team won. Sct112 didn’t hit me, thank God, but he did give me a vicious slash to the back of the legs. He also took shifts that AO would call absurdly long.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Damn. I was hoping for some carnage. Of course I have no idea how big either of you are.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 16, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
He is much bigger than I am.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
That’s what I gathered.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 16, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Not vicious enough since you were walking and felt okay joining us for beer. I’ll remember that for next time.
"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."
Ha. For clarification, that was completely sarcastic. It was definitely a love tap.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
See: I work for a living. So while you were tucked neatly in your bed, I was here, working for the man… and reading about hockey.
"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 was at the game last night
and I posted this over at Mile High Hockey:
That hit by Koci was absolutely inexcusable. There is no reason for the man to be on the ice, there was no reason for him to hit Green like that, and if he is going to pull stunts like that, healthy scratch his ass for the rest of the year. Props to Erskine for sticking up for Green. If Koci wanted to start something with someone, he should have started it with Erskine to begin with.
I wasn’t cheering for the fight, I was watching Green laying there in a heap, hoping he was okay. Anyway, some of us are civilized.
I am an Avs fan and a Caps fan. I am rooting for the Caps to take the Cup this year (since I know the Avs won’t be in contention).
I hope your team got the stench out of their respective olofactory systems from the turd the Avs laid on the ice last night. I thought for a minute the stock show had arrived early.
The peeps from here that came over to visit us at MHH are come cool folks.
Colorado Avalanche: Please excuse the mess while we are under construction.
My comments.
1) Very nice game for Tommy F. Let’s play “Jumping Jack, Flash” in his honor.
2) Nice debut for Wilson. Plenty of assists and happy 25th. (Just a few days younger than Andrew Gordon)
3) All lines scored except the 2nd line. They would have scored (and the guys there would have points) if Laich’s “goal” had not been disallowed. (If he hadn’t accidentally “kicked” it in). So, let’s not be too hard on the boys on that line.
4) I hope Green and Morrisonn are okay. Let’s add Koci to our Rogues’ Gallery along with Carcillo, Duco, Gleason, Boll, Chimera, David Backes, Pronger, Briere, and the rest.
5) There are times it seems like we need an enforcer. Except we hate to have one that brings no other skills to the table.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Get Backes off that list. Gleason too. Both are just pure bad ass hockey players. You don’t like them because they aren’t Caps but they aren’t scumbag goons. I’d take either guy in a heartbeat and wouldn’t be the least bit ashamed to see them in a Caps jersey.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
The hate for Backes is overblown. His hit on Semin was a lovetap.
I’d love to have Backes on the Caps.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously. He gave him the same Xcheck that happens 100 times in every game. This one (happened to?) hurt Semin so Caps fans are all up in arms. Similar to the Chimera stuff but I can get more behind the Chimera hate than the Backes hate because Chimera acted like a D-bag all game, refused to fight, then sucker punched Shamo, then said nobody challenged him until the third.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
As unhappy as I’ve been with Backes and Gleason, those two have an upside and would not be classified as goons. Backes does have skill and scored over 30 points last year but is not having a very good year this year, thus far. He also usually has a very high number of penalty minutes.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Neither would I, but you misspelled it. Alas, gotta wait for finals to end.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
If he’s talking about Jared Boll, that’s spelled correctly.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
I know who he’s talking about. I’m mostly ambivalent about him. Don’t care much one way or another.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
That was sweet. What an innocent, unmuddled brain you must have.
"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."
And he’s in college! What is happening to America’s youth?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
Mile High Hockey is awesome. Definitely added to my list of awesome SBN blogs!
"And next year it will be ours."
Ovechkin's play tonight
I thought Ovechkin had a good game tonight. Why?
1) His team was playing well and winning, thus he didn’t force things.
2) He set up his team mates nicely. It was obvious the Avs were given 8 a lot of attention and Ovie found his line mates for the most part.
3) This may be a trend. I believe, ever since his suspension, he isn’t hitting as much. I know he said he wouldn’t change his play but I see it. He is still hitting but it seems as though he is letting up on hits when the puck has already been moved and a hit wont affect the play.
As the season goes on it feels more and more like its gonna be caps and pens in the east finals. I really hope this is the case and cannot wait
Wilson > MP
I liked MP’s spark as well, and I know it’s only one game, but Wilson seems a little more of a complete package; and it helps being the same size as more of the other players.
Wilson’s had more time at the AHL level to develop his game and is 3 years older. Let’s not go crazy; we’re still finding out what both can do at this level.
"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 16, 2009 7:45 AM EST up reply actions
I agree. We have seen Wilson in one game in the NHL. We have seen Perreault in 18. Neither GP is enough to fairly compare the two, IMO.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 16, 2009 8:01 AM EST up reply actions
And this is likely comparing the MP that got sent down after being worn down a bit. Let’s see how Wilson looks after 18 games. I suspect he’s smart enough to keep his body/conditioning together, and he won’t take the same punishment MP does, but it’s way too soon to say. In any event, I don’t think they fill the same role. MP is a top 6 skill guy and Wilson is likely going to be a 3/4C.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Carcillo is not an enforcer any more than Sean Avery is. He’s an agitator. He makes opponents fear for their knees and heads, and a little bit of fear isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He’s not a Brashear level enforcer, but he is a tough guy. Same way with Koci. Guys that really don’t bring anything to the table except the last two plays that we have seen of both of them.
"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 can’t believe I’m about to defend Carcillo, but comparing Koci and him is not on target. Danny actually has hockey skills. Unfortunately for him, these skills come with what I can only assume is a pea sized brain.
On the other hand, Koci has no NHL skill set I’m aware of unless being a complete moron is considered a skill. He’s a waste of a roster spot and probably a Schultz hater.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Dec 16, 2009 7:52 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
and probably a Schultz hater.
rec’d. what an elitist take-down.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 16, 2009 7:55 AM EST up reply actions
You mean an “elitist smakedown”.
"So much on my mind I just can't recline. Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 16, 2009 8:02 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
i applaud your continued efforts to get smakedown to take hold.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 16, 2009 8:36 AM EST up reply actions
here is proof of his tiny bit of talent...
“Daniel Carcillo(notes) scored a power-play goal – just his third tally of the year – and was involved in one of the three first-period fights between the Penguins and Flyers. He also lost a second score on an obvious kick-in”
my first question when i read this.. is what the hell is he out on the power play for? obviously they have got to have AT LEAST 1 more forward with better scoring ability than him..
I had that same thought watching the Pens-Flyers game. And yet, there’s Carcillo out there creating chances and flying around and generally looking like the only guy on that team that gave a damn. it was strange.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
Not really. He stuck with the Yotes because Gretzky thought he could put up good point totals. Gretzky gave up on him, rightly so, because he got sick of his poor decision making. Danny reminds me a lot of Avery. Has better skill than people realize because the dumb stuff he does overshadows everything else.
A man gotta have a code
He also had a real nice play on the PHI goal before he took out Brads.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
Two years ago Carcillo actually did show some offensive finish. He had 24 points in 54 games with the Yotes. This is to go along with his 324 PIM.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not exactly like using those forwards has been working for them lately…
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. Carcillo is more Avery, Koci is more Brashear.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I buy that, though their purpose is really the same. Carcillo is able to contribute 10 points a year, Koci is just there to pad the penalty totals.
"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."
Disagree that their purposes are the same. It’s like saying Dale Hunter’s and Craig Berube’s purposes were the same.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Except that unlike agitators like Cooke, Avery, and Ott, Carcillo likes to fight and will answer for his shenanigans.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 16, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
I apologize if this has been said, but don’t have time to read everything, but do you all think there’s any question about re-signing Brash to another 1-year, 1-mil deal if Nyls isn’t a question? I personally don’t think we need an enforcer, but I can’t believe we wouldn’t have kept him just to keep him.
If we’d had the money and roster spot. I’d have kept him as my #23, certainly.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 16, 2009 8:02 AM EST reply actions
Someone (I think it was Ewell) made the comment online last night about a lack of purpose to skate for 8 minutes a night just for something like this. I mean, they were up 5 last night and 4 on Florida during the Duco play a couple weeks back. The good thing about last night is that Erskine came in and did what he could with Koci. I’d like to think last night was a “got your back” message in action, or maybe it was the right guys on the ice.
Besides, we had an occasional game or two like this last year, which probably goes to Brashear’s effectiveness as much as anything.
"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 16, 2009 8:15 AM EST up reply actions
Always love for Stecks scoring. I’d like to see him do it again, and again, and again…
by mercurialwinger on Dec 16, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
First time he’s been below 50% on draws since Nov. 21st and only the third time all year.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 16, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
Notes from my couch/bed:
Thought Erskine stood out in this game. Helped by the fact that he was just about the only D-man on the ice near the end of the game. While still slow (he’ll always look this way) he was making good decisions and made a few really nice cross-crease pass blocks that don’t show up on any highlight reel. His willingness to take on Andre the Giant Koci was quite impressive. What would have happened though if another line was on the ice/we weren’t rotating D cause of a previous run on Shamoo (according to BB)? Question for the rest of the rink, though. Erskine got a 10 min misconduct. What for? His strap was ON, so that wasn’t the case.
Never really been a Schultz supporter, or detractor for that matter, but he and Alzner both had great games tonight. Alzner’s sliding pass block on the PK was beautiful, and Schultz’s quiet game was made a little more vocal by his cross check penalty that I’m not upset he committed. Speaking of PK, Semin and Flash as a PK pairing scares me… Even though they looked good together last night (Semin was great on the PK).
After tonight’s game, I’m absolutely convinced. Against playoff caliber teams, or litmus test games, the Caps come to play. Vs. the rest of the league, I think they just screw around. The more I watch it, the more I can kinda get behind it. Hell, it’s not even 2010 yet. Are they not proving they can turn it on at will (on a game by game basis)?
I laughed just a little bit when Backstrom kept the puck and put it in the net himself. Might have anything to do with the wide-open nets Ovie’s missed lately, costing Nicky 2-3 points in the process?
Might have anything to do with the wide-open nets Ovie’s missed lately, costing Nicky 2-3 points in the process?
If I had to guess, I think it more likely that Ovi simply wasn’t open. The Avs D had him locked down pretty good (I give them credit for that). The problem with their game plan is that it’s not enough to just lock down Ovechkin.
Unleash the Alex!
Team Mantra: Lock down Ovie, we’ll put up 6 on you. Let him play, we’ll just beat you with 4 goals.
by FFSEnough on Dec 16, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
This is so rec'd
Team Mantra: Lock down Ovie, we’ll put up 6 on you. Let him play, we’ll just beat you with 4 goals.
ALEX, FЯEE
Erskine got a 10 min misconduct. What for? His strap was ON, so that wasn’t the case.
An instigator minor automatically adds a 10 min misconduct.
What would have happened though if another line was on the ice/we weren’t rotating D cause of a previous run on Shamoo (according to BB)?
Great point. I consider it a stroke of luck that Erskine happened to be out there when Green got hit. Who would it have normally been, Schultz? Also, with Ovi’s line out there, there would’ve have been no one capable of taking on Koci, which absolutely had to be done. Sure, they may have scrummed it up a bit, but I can only imagine our reaction had no fight occurred.
Would it be crazy to suggest that Feds had as much influence, if not more, on Brooks as he did on Semin? I was really impressed w/ Brooks’s defensive skills.
Any else notice (I think in the third period) when Ovi took a semi-run at an Avalanche D, narrowly missing contacting his knee? At least it appeared that way. My heart skipped a beat.
I thought there were a few penalties that Ovi got away with last night. I believe we were on a PP when he tripped up an Avs player at the blue line. There was another one he got away with, but my memory is fuzzy. I can’t remember what the call should have been. I do believe it was in the third period, though.
eh, everyone got away with a few penalties last night.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
Yeah but the trip was obvious. If my mom can sit on the couch and call a trip, the refs probably should, too. I would rather Ovi get the penalites called against him that he deserves than them not being called and the “preferential treatment to star players” argument being brought up for the bazillionth time.
I didn’t go back and look at the trip or anything, but when I saw it, for some reason it stuck on my mind that he had the puck on his tape (or near it) and the guy was just in the way. Locker made a big deal about it, but I really didn’t feel it was worthy if only because it appeared as if he was in possession of the puck the entire time.
for the record, i’m fine with preferential star treatment of AO.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 16, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
Observations from the sofa...
Damn I wish my leg would get better. Spider bites suck big time.
1) I think part of the reason the Caps had success against Anderson last night vs. the western conference is because they’ve seen him a whole lot in recent years. He played a lot of games against the Caps with the Panthers, and they should have a book on him.
2) Happy birthday Kyle Wilson! Awesome debut. Not an Al Hill debut (go look him up) but 2 assists in your first game on your 25th birthday is great.
3) Theo looked very sharp against his old team. Sure the Avs didn’t have as many chances as the Caps, but Theo was there to get most of them. The one he missed was a deflection from a rebound shot that snuck through.
4) Great effort by Poti, Alzner and Schultz. After ShaMo and Green were out and Erskine was in the box, they really earned their $$. Kudos to Brooks Laich as well for stepping back. And did I really see Fleischmann getting into the corner on the back check during the 3rd. Kudos to him too, he had a terrific game.
5) It’s hard to criticize Erskine for going after Koci after he wiped out Green, since The Code indicates Koci has to answer the bell, but the game situation should have been kept in mind. He knew that the team was already without ShaMo and that Green was unlikely to be back soon. By instigating the fight and going on, he left the team with three defensemen. Does it mean the Caps need an enforcer? I doubt it. If Erskine doesn’t drop the gloves or do anything, the Caps get a full 5 minute power play. On the 3 minute PP, they didn’t score (it was already 5-0, though, so it wasn’t that big a deal. I’m not saying Erskine did the wrong thing, but the game situation should have been taken into account…
All in all, a terrific win for the Caps. Going into an arena that’s tough for the road team because of the altitude and environment, the Caps dominated the game from the opening face off to the end. When they play like this, it’s not hard to picture them winning the Cup…
Let's go Caps!
One more...
6) The Brooks Laich wave off was the correct call. He was trying to kick the puck up to his stick blade for a tap in and he kicked it too hard. If he had banked it in off the blade, it would have counted, but he missed… so no goal. The Avs goal that was waived off was also the right call, since it was scored by pushing the goaltender into the net with the puck. That’s a big no-no.
Let's go Caps!
Re #5)
This is the issue I have with our biggest physical “answer the call” threat is a Dman. For this reason, I would argue for keeping Sloan in the lineup on just about every night Erskine plays, even over someone like Laing. However, a key point to keep in mind here is, if BB is accurate in his comments, it was Koci who took out Shamoo. Then he takes out Green. Game situation be damned at that point, if you’ve now taken out two of our D men, you’re going to answer to whoever is on the ice.
It’s impossible to criticize Erskine for what he did (and I know you’re not, really). But if he has time to consider the game situation, he should also have time to realize that Koci might be getting a gamer and won’t be around later to answer for the hit. Therefore, per the Code, he goes after him right then and there, rather than the Caps hunting around at other Av players later on because Koci was ejected and wasn’t forced to answer the bell.
Did anyone else laugh a whole lot at Mike Knuble trying to shake the puck out of his pants?
Unleash the Alex!
I wanted him to skate up the ice and into the zone, shake it out then score. What’s the rule on that ?
Had a great time at the game last night, unfortunately I could’nt get mobile posting from my cell to work. We were two seats to the right of the caps bench, two rows off the ice. It was really cool to see the players on the bench and everything that was going on there. We also got a real good view of Mike Green coming off the ice after the koci hit….his face did NOT look good. His left temple was very bloody and his eye was black, blue, and very swollen. Fortunately, he did not look to woozy or confused so hopefully no concussion. Saw Morrison leave the bench in the first period too in obvious pain but we could not tell what was hurting him.
I think Ovie is playing with a rib/chest injury. In the third period, Ovie was skating toward an Avs player who was holding the puck literally right in front of us. Ovie was standing up like he was expecting the avs player to shoot and Ovie was bracing to block it. The Intresting thing? Ovie was shielding his chest/sternum with his free hand trying to protect it.
What was up with the older dude with the official’s jersey behind the bench?
"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 16, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
we must have missed him, our view of the rest of the seats behind the bench was mostly obstructed by the tarp they draw over the tunnel to the locker room to protect the players
good stuff, Crafty—I was sitting directly across from you behind the Caps PIM bin (which was busy). I was shocked at how many Caps fans were sporting colors last night.
The Pepsi Center is a nice venue: conveniently located downtown, great sightlines from the cheapies, lots of bathrooms next to lots of Food and Bev options. Pretty light with the video review on the Jumbotron—no view of Laich’s kicked effort, nor Koci’s hammer on 52…it was odd.
Our crew got in the vicinity early and went to Brooklyn’s (meh) nearby, my first indicator that there were more than a handful of DC faithful on hand. We caught most of the warmup: towards the very end, Ovechkin was hammering feeds from Nick all the way up to the final pre-game Zamb—a display of power for a full two minutes that was drawing oh’s from the small group of Avs fans I was parked next to. Yawn.
Half the group went up to the cheapies and the other half went down to the lowers before the drop…then the tribute to Mike Keane happened, with no warning. Clearly inspired by the overwhelming number of moving moments in his career (OK, he’s got his name on some important hardware), the Caps proceeded to open a tall can of cool Rocky Mountain whipass. COL was totally outclassed from the opening minute. It was a bit disappointing, actually.
Other thoughts:
1) We played a defensively accountable game in our own end. Finally.
2) Good on John Erskine for not wasting a moment to go after Koci, who, like Dan Carcillo, casts a pall on the NHL game. Ersky is slow and a general liability, but he will drop the mittens. Needs more tiedown.
3) Green better pick his head up when he sweeps around willy nilly behind the crease. If David Koci can catch him, so will others.
4) Kyle Wilson lobby? Hello? Two primaries and a damn near goal on a breakaway (which he looked a bit stunned to have at first before he broke in.) No drop off from MP, at the very least and he looked solid defensively. Depth is nice.
5) Karl Alzner was awesome, and the sliding shot block in the third after the game was well in hand? Win.
Support your local bakery!
Me and the Wife were at Brooklyn’s before the game as well….Decent, but nothing great. the burger I had was good, but the fries were crappy. As For my Wife’s cheesesteak….lets just say you should never order a philly cheesesteak unless your on the east coast.
Pepsi Center is nice, we have been there for a few games now(went to root against the flyers when they were in town). I gotta say that the overall game experience at Verizon is much much better with the exception of beverage/food choices. Everything from the video presentations, the buildup to the game, the music choices, the lack of replays…..It just couldn’t compare to the rocking VC atmosphere. Even the fans seem at times disintrested. Granted i can understand that at last nights game, but it’s even been that way at games we have seen were the avs did well and won.
Props to the JR peeps
that hung at MHH last night. A good time was had by all (at least once we stopped watching the game).
Yes, we hate Koci.
Also, I disagree on your math on the number of able-bodied d-men playing for the Caps last night. JM Liles and Scott Hannan were AWESOME for you guys. That should have brought your total to 6.
"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "
Lulz. Fun game, and I checked out your GDT long after the game was over. Next time I’ll stop by during the game!
ALEX, FЯEE
It’s nice that you can have a sense of humor about it. I imagine if the situation was reversed, we’d be saying something similar.
"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."
What the hell else can I do? Maybe you weren’t aware of the abortion of a season I had to sit through last season. It grows thick skin and you have to roll with the lows as well as the highs. Caps fans know what I’m talkin’ bout, right?
"I know everyone has their own opinion, but your opinion is wrong. "
Oh yes. As YNC said – the local football team is brutally bad (Redskins), the Nationals are even worse, and the Wizards are nothing to write hme about. Literally the only decent pro sports team we’ve got this year is the Caps, and it wasn’t so long ago that they were in teh draft lottery themselves.
Unleash the Alex!
the local football team is brutally bad (Redskins), the Nationals are even worse
But at least the Nationals have a plan.
by David M. Getz on Dec 16, 2009 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
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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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