Recap: Caps 5, Buffalo 2
by Stephen Pepper on Dec 23, 2009 11:25 PM EST
in Game Recaps
132 comments
[AP Recap - GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary]
Sensational matches against the Sabres, at home for the holidays, are starting to become an annual tradition, eh?
Coach Bruce Boudreau warned of a team's tendency to dangerously ease into the first game of a homestand after a long road trip. But these Capitals came out as if they had every intention to earn a few days off and time with the family before a Christmas feast. Although the team sporting the angry cashew on its jersey crest pushed back hard in the second, the Caps bent, but did not break. The Sabres are still "for real," but when the Caps' offensive juggernaut awakens, as it did immediately, not even a Vezina candidate in Ryan Miller can withstand the attack.
Ten more notes on the game:
- The Caps led in scoring chances eight to one after one, stunning a pretty sound defensive Buffalo squad. The SOB line simply overwhelmed both the third-best team in GA/G and the league's SV% leader between the pipes. Of course, that scoring chance ledger evened out a bit to 12-7 for Washington after two.
- Speaking of Miller, you had to think that all of this talk about his "ridiculous" stats would call for a correction. Right? A mere 33 for 38 (.868) for the Buffalo 'tender tonight. From Nicklas Backstrom's top shelf slapper to a Derek Roy-deflected Mike Green blast to a Brendan Morrison trick shot last utilized way back in the B.C. juniors, Miller was simply overmatched.
- Second correction of the night, deserving of its own "note": B-Mo back on the scoresheet for the first time in ten games. In mesmerizing, end-of-practice-dangling, shinny-style. He's been frustrated and centering multiple pairs of wingers of late (Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble, Laich and Alex Semin, and now Tomas Fleischmann and Knuble), but hopefully tonight's deft move in the crease gets him back on track.
- What else is back on track? The power play (perhaps). Finally the home team got an opportunity in the third tonight. And then another right after that. Capitalizing on both with a mere two shots. Flash drew both of those dreaded HHT penalties from Craig Rivet and Paul Gaustad, by chugging along and with a nice inside-out move at the blue line. He's now drawn three and committed two on the season. B-Mo and Semin did, however, give two PP opportunities with offensive zone infractions. It was Semin's third penalty in his last 13 games.
- What's gotten into Nicky? Two wicked wristers at sharp, goal-line angles, from each side of the cage, in consective games, along with a slot-area slapshot to the roof to open the scoring tonight.
- Was Coach on to something when he referenced the competition on the blue line, now with nine D in the fold following Karl Alzner's recall? The six assembled for tonight alone blocked 17 shots, two more than the Sabres, a team known for its shot blocking.
- They protected Michal Neuvirth quite well in the first frame, mostly limiting the Sabres to an initial shot and then clearing or corraling the rebounds. Not so in the second: young Michal was tested with serious NHL-caliber traffic in the middle period, and 20 shots. Only two got by him, one a bit questionable through the five-hole. So I'd call it a great follow up to the effort on Saturday in the City of Champions.
- We should single out John Erskine here for a monster game. Seven hits to lead both teams, three blocks, over 20 minutes of ice, and 22 shifts, which led all Caps defenders.
- On the other side of the ice, Tyler Myers is quite a defender already as a teenager. A towering specimen with long reach, the Texan held his own against the Alexes.
- Want a nice game-within-the-game? David Steckel vs. Gaustad at the face-off dot: the third-best in the league in FO% vs. the best, respectively. The two jawed and shoved one another early in the contest, and ultimately dueled to a draw (each won 3 of 6 against each other). Overall, Stecks was 8-14 (57%). Backstrom was a typical 5-12 (42%).
Now, with all of the good vibes surrounding the team right now, there's a sobering reality that the Caps are just keeping pace with the league's elite. While besting another 22 win club tonight, the 26-wins-in-35-games (.743) New Jersey Devils are up next. And the Penguins blitzed Ottawa tonight 8-2, for their 26th win in 38 contests.
But as we like to say around here, the regular season means [Franceschetti], and the team is approaching the mid-point of the season in excellent form. So here's wishing the players a happy holiday with the fam, wherever they currently are calling home.
Game highlights:
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The angry cashew? That is beautiful. Better than “Buffaslug”. Rec’d for that moniker alone.
Neuvirth so deserves the hard hat tonight, and really deserved a star. Two goals on 34 shots total on the night? Hard to ask for more.
I spent a lot of the night yelling “Dammit Semin!”
Good to see both B-Mo and the power play (hopefully) off the schneid.
This recap should have been entitled “Buffalo Wing Night – Caps 5, Sabres 2”
Good to see and meet the folks who showed up to the meetup at second intermission.
That is all for tonight. Sleep well, all.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 23, 2009 11:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah, “the angry cashew” got me too, haha.
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
by kellobellow on Dec 23, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta agree about the angry cashew. Brilliant!
I also felt like I was yelling at/about Semin a lot tonight.
Backstrom is on fire.
And I could see that Ovechkin was going to score that goal as it was coming out towards him. Sometimes, you just get this feeling, and in this case, I was right.
Text message received after the game, basically — “USA is in trouble. Ovechkin and Backstrom have Miller figured out.” Eh, I figure even the best goalie in the league is entitled to a bad game. But only against the Caps. Better now than in the Olympics.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 23, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Were you yelling at Semin before or after his assists on Backis’ 1st and 2nd goals?
by mechanicsville on Dec 24, 2009 12:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Considering his first assist wasn’t deserved (I am categorically against 2 assists on a give-and-go) I wouldn’t try to hang my argument on that. Second assist was a nice pass but even as it was happening I thought it was ill-advised and if Backstrom doesn’t make an amazing shot (again) then we aren’t talking about Semin’s two-assist game.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 12:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I need to re-watch the game tomorrow also. Had company over tonight. At this point, I’m playing devil’s advocate that 28’s game tonight was not worthy of being “yelled at alot tonight”. He was, after all. 1/3 of some of the most dominant line play we’ve seen this season.
That pass on 19’ssecond goal, ill-advised or not, was on a rope right to Nicky’s tape.
by mechanicsville on Dec 24, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I don’t think Semin’s game was that bad, but it wasn’t a great performance by Semin’s standards. He definitely had some cute plays but he didn’t make me want to gouge my eyes.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
trending Sasha then.
Not a eye-gouging game though. I yelled, but personally I think it was more about not burying some of his opportunities, not necessarily that he had a bad game or anything.
by Vinn on Dec 24, 2009 1:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ding ding ding.
Yelling is perhaps not the correct word. Sighing, maybe? Groaning? He had all the time in the world on a breakaway and didn’t convert. Sure, you say it’s Miller and he’s great and all, but it’s Sasha, and he scores there. Blame the ice, blame whatever you want, maybe something’s not quite right with him, because he seems to have been that way for a couple of games.
Yeah, trending Sasha.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 7:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
On the breakway you have to give buffalo credit… they did a good job of taking away the angle on that one.
by ididntdoit on Dec 24, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To me, he spent a lot of time trying to make the cute play instead of putting the puck on net, even with an open shot, and ending up losing the puck and the play going the other way. I can think of at least twice when that happened off the top of my head.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 7:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
After, what, four years, he hasn’t learned that he doesn’t have the time to cock the hammer on his stick when he’s in the slot? How many more goals could he have if it could just snap it home?
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
by hotdog88gt on Dec 24, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is that why Backstrom had to kick it to his stick?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 24, 2009 2:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Neuvirth so deserves the hard hat tonight, and really deserved a star. Two goals on 34 shots total on the night? Hard to ask for more.
I thought so too. I know he had his weak moments, but there were also times he was the only guy paying attention. And he regained focus after a bad second period.
Good to see and meet the folks who showed up to the meetup at second intermission.
Aw, I only made it out during the first intermission. Pickup game, I hope?
I enjoyed meeting a handful of you, and I still haven’t met a Rink Rat I didn’t like.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Dec 23, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hard Hat for Neuvy! Congrats!
ALEX, FЯEE
by Your Nation's Capital on Dec 23, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He did, but 2 goals on 20 shots in one period, and one of them was a miscommunication with the ref? Even that isn’t horrid. Miller had a rough night by comparison.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 7:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What was the miscommunication?
From the radiocast Neuvy sounded solid. I’m glad he got the hard hat too and I agree he should have had a star.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
by oldemystix on Dec 24, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Neuvirth I think thought that puck was played with a high stick. The ref disagreed.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I also didn’t make it out to the meet up at the 2nd Intermission. But it was good meeting some of you during the first!
I want to know who texted, “Go Bubbles!” to the VC jumbotron before the game began. I saw it during warmups and it wasn’t any of us that were at the meetup during the first intermission.
by terpgrrl on Dec 24, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In full disclosure, I first read Wyshynski use “angry cashew.” There’s so many bad ways to go with that Sabres logo.
by Stephen Pepper on Dec 24, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it wasn’t original, I just couldn’t remember where I’d read it.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 7:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Somebody needs to explain...
How Flash earned that third sar. I didn’t see the game and I’m confuzzled…
ALEX, FЯEE
by Your Nation's Capital on Dec 23, 2009 11:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He drew two penalties, which the caps converted on, and had the initial shot that led to Bmo’s goal.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 23, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You are correct
No way Flash was a star tonight, sentimentalism be damned. I can think of 3 other Caps that could have had that star ahead of Flash, not that it really matters.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
they mentioned his 100th career point, i’m pretty sure
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
by kellobellow on Dec 23, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah it was. Doesn’t make him one of the three stars though.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
oh i agree, and was surprised by it, just sayin that’s what they said :)
"No Brooks Laich, no win. Know Brooks Laich, know win."
by kellobellow on Dec 23, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was surprised he got a star tonight initially but I think its good to see stars go to players for reasons other than just points. While there were other options in this game I think Flash’s 3rd star is deserved.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno….he played a solid game and drew 2 penalites which put the game away.
by Yoshietree on Dec 24, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha. That is a charitable characterization. The two goals put the game away, not the two drawn PIMs. Did anyone get a star of the game for drawing any of the 8 PPs the Caps blew in Canada? No, because scoring is what matters. Plus, if Neuvirth doesn’t make some big saves the game isn’t ready to be put away by those PP strikes.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta say – and I am a HUGE Flash fan – that I thought Neuvirth deserved the 3rd star, 100th career point and two drawn penalties notwithstanding. Neuvirth played very well – and the defense was there to grab the rebounds and get them out of danger.
by IRockTheRed on Dec 24, 2009 12:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can’t the same argument be made for assists in the NHL? For example, had Semin not made that cross crease pass to Backstrom he would have never of scored. Although goals go on the scoreboard, not assists. At the same time we still give credit when it is due for great set ups. Sure Flash didn’t score the two PPGs tonight but would they have been scored without his penalty draws? Probably not.
Hockey isn’t just about the guy that scored the goal or made the save, but also the little things that lead to tallies on the scoreboard. IMO it is nice to see a guy get recognized for it, and will only encourage that type of play.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This was a game where multiple people could have been named stars besides the guys named. I don’t disagree with Nick and Ovi. Other choices for third star, besides Flash, including Neuvy and Semin or even B. Morrison.
Victory has many parents.
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Dec 24, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Green could be thrown into that as well. But what it comes down to is, we are arguing over the three stars of the game, which really means nothing. It takes more than three people to win a hockey game; well usually…
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The connection between an assist and a goal is much closer than the connection between a drawn PP and a goal. It’s not even a credible argument. Sure, the passer needs the guy to finish to get the A but he is directly involved in that play. Was Flash even on the ice for either of those 3rd period goals (which ultimately did not decide the game, they just broke BUF’s spirit and put the nail in the coffin). You’re right, arguing about the third star is silly, and signifies how well the team played, but there is no way Flash was the third best Cap. If you want to reward some of the intangible stuff why aren’t we arguing for Erskine to get a star? Neuvirth should have gotten the third star, Green would have been next for me, and then you could pick from Flash/BMo/Semin. All of those guys had some real strong shifts, and all three probably could have had statistically better games. I just think it’s lame to give a guy a star because he happened to hit a milestone.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
F & B, you write clearer and type faster than I do. :D
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
by dlw66 on Dec 24, 2009 1:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
might’ve had something to do with the TV feed? CSN showed the trip on flash at the blue line at least 6 times. a nifty play on his part. i’m not torn over the 3rd star, though. have i ever mentioned i love it when nicky shoots? watching him set up for the one-timer was sheer awesome.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 24, 2009 1:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I completely love when Nick shoots. He needs to use that shot more. Of the SOB line he seems to be the least cute, which is funny because he’s the most pure set up man. He is the first guy to realize “holy crap we just need to get this puck on net.”
I just saw the trip at the blueline, nifty move for sure. But watching the whole game I’m still not all that impressed. He had a good game, but that milestone was more important than it should have been. Green had a phenomenal game, he was flying all over the ice, making good puck decisions, and no defensive gaffes.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the best shot I’ve ever seen him take. A pure bullet, while drifting backwards no-less.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 1:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Got to sit down with the rest of the elites tonight. As much fun as it is to with Green’s rushes from my Sherpa seats, there’s something sublime about his skating from 10 rows back.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
by RedBirdie on Dec 24, 2009 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was with the elites as well, and judging by the discussion going on behind me all night there were definitely some interlopers.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NIcky’s first goal – was it not off Roy’s stick blade?
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
by hotdog88gt on Dec 24, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was Green’s. Nick’s went straight in off the crossbar.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn’t sure, Derek Roy went limp, and Miller looked like he didn’t see it or wasn’t ready for it. It was past him before he knew it.
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
by hotdog88gt on Dec 24, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree. Making an assist means that a point goes up on the board. Drawing a penalty gives you a PP and a PP does not put a point on the board. Nobody can say for sure that a goal would/wouldn’t be scored on any PP or at any other time for that matter.
If anybody can, I’m taking you to Las Vegas with me!
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
by dlw66 on Dec 24, 2009 1:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously I think that an assist correlates to a goal much more than a drawn penalty. Well maybe it’s not obvious. Anyways, I am just saying there are other things in a game that lead to goals that often get overlooked. I believe drawing a penalty is one of them, especially for a third line skater (even though flash played a majority of this game on the 2nd line).
My final argument for the three stars, because as FB said it is “silly,” is this. Stars are given to players that affect the outcome of the game the most. Meaning, which plays lead to goals or prevention of goals, more specifically chances (see below). In this case Flash’s two draws led to two goals. Had the caps not converted, he isn’t a star. It’s stupid but that’s how it is.
The reality is the three stars are determined in large part due to scoring chances converted into goals, prevention of these chances of becoming goals, and in some rare cases momentum swings. This is why solid defensive games, such as Erskine’s tonight, almost never warrant a “star.” It’s kind of like a shut down corner in the NFL. Said corner may not have a lot of tackles or INTs but that is because their coverage is so good they prevent the ball from being thrown their way often.
I agree that Flash should not win out just because of a milestone. The star system is flawed and practically meaningless, but then again it has to be extremely difficult to pick out the best three players in a given game, when measuring all of the intangibles.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 1:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with all of this. Just nit-picking after a solid team performance. I’m almost all the way through the game now and I may move Green above Neuvirth at this point. I also think you’re right that the big kick save was in the 3rd.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It should also be noted that Green only skated 24 minutes and in general our D minutes were very evenly spread out.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I misunderstood where you were going with this. Within the context of The Three Stars i agree also.
I’m not much of a fan of The Three Stars, though.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
by dlw66 on Dec 24, 2009 2:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it's funny
I didn’t see the 3 stars until just now but last night I was thinking, I hope Flash gets one… not only for drawing two penalties but for playing really well the entire game and creating chances…
And those two drawn penalties, incidentally, were both created entirely by Flash’s pace and effort. He forced the Sabres to hook and trip him because his legs were moving all night.
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 24, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t see the 3 stars until just now but last night I was thinking, I hope Flash gets one… not only for drawing two penalties but for playing really well the entire game and creating chances…
This.
Flash was working his tail off all night. Those 2 penalties were the most obvious results, but I thought he was working harder than any other Caps forward on the ice for the whole sixty.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Dec 24, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree with your comment on Neuvy’s game tonight. I thought he gave up far too many juicy rebounds, let in an easy save—it was the Caps D-men who kept it at 2 goals against tonight.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Dec 23, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I personally have decided to go purely on Neuvy’s stats for tonight and thank the Capitals organization for leading me into CHRISTMAS with my family feeling warm and happy
by Icebat on Dec 23, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He made several very nice saves when the game was close. The second goal was deflected. I didn’t see many juicy rebounds, but rest assured, I’m about to watch the game again.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Keep an eye on Flash, too; he looked excellent tonight, IMO.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 23, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He was fine. But he wasn’t better then Neuvirth. And he probably wasn’t better than Green.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If that wasn’t his 100th career point I don’t think he’s on that list, and that’s my complaint.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Neuvy’s play was solid at best. He did make some nice saves in the third. Before that I distinctly remember Laich bailing him out on two huge rebounds that looked like sure goals. At the same time a goalie’s skaters are supposed to clean that stuff up but IMO Neuvys rebound control was suspect until the third.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He had a huge kick save in the second period where he just got a toe on the puck. He also had a few other big saves when it was a one goal game.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point. I do remember that kick save, thought it was in the third for some reason.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. The thing that gets lost sometimes about Neuvy is his youth and inexperience.
Goalies always take longer to develop and his only top level experience is here IIRC.
Right now, IMHO, he is an injury replacement that needs more seasoning, with a huge upside.
Within that line of thinking, he had a very good game tonight.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
by dlw66 on Dec 24, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He does need more seasoning, and I think he’s probably being evaluated against Varly, unfairly. They are different styles and Neuvy is never going to make the same flashy saves. He’s more about being in position, and he did that very well tonight. Regardless of whether you think he’s a starter or an AHL goalie, he had a good game tonight.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. I, like many, thought he would get a callup and a few starts this year at some point.
I’ve seen exactly what I expected to. Some good, some bad, and plenty to work on.
he will take his time up and learn from it and be better for it in the end.
If you don't wanna get hit, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
by dlw66 on Dec 24, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You cannot have a good game and let in a soft goal. Period.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Dec 24, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What if you stop 55 other shots in a 2-1 victory?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 24, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And now it’s time to carefully consider the meaning of “good”. What about stopping 55 shots in a 1-0 loss?
by mechanicsville on Dec 24, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a GREAT game. 55 saves in a losing effort will get you a star every time in this league.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Emo Bunny Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Dec 24, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“only Sith lords deal in absolutes”
Sorry. that is a result of the star wars marathon on spike yesterday
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Marathon again? Must need to goose the ratings.
Great use of the quote, though.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess he could have stopped that first one but it wasn’t terrible, IMO. There was plenty other blame to go around on that one.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It was his 100th.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8470039
And he played a solid game that was culminated by drawing two penalties to put it away
by Yoshietree on Dec 24, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know it was his 100th. I wasn’t challenging that, I was saying that if it wasn’t a milestone point it doesn’t get him into three stars territory.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I agree…..scotch struck again last night.
by Yoshietree on Dec 24, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Backstrom had an absolutely gorgeous shot for that first goal, but you wouldn’t know it by watching the NHL-provided highlights. Thanks for nothing, fig nuts.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I had an excellent time tonight. It was awesome to faces to names :)
And it was an excellent game to boot.
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Dec 23, 2009 11:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wish I had been able to make it out tonight!
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Dec 23, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So here’s wishing the players a happy holiday with the fam, wherever they currently are calling home.
I thought this was heading to a Caps TV clip or something, rec’d on on song choice!
by HolyJumpin on Dec 23, 2009 11:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Now, with all of the good vibes surrounding the team right now, there’s a sobering reality that the Caps are just keeping pace with the league’s elite.
Here is the difference. Of the five teams with at least 50 points, only San Jose has played as few games at home as the Caps (16 of 37 total).
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 23, 2009 11:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And the Pens have 6 shootout wins. I’d rather have the fewest (tied) regulation losses than the most shoot out wins. Something tells me 5 on 5 play is going to be more important for the Caps to get where they want to be than shoot out skills will be.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 23, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great point. I hadn’t kept close enough track of all of those gimmick wins (Caps have three).
by Stephen Pepper on Dec 24, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The second half of the season sets up well for the Caps. Lots of home games, only, what, 3 more games out of EST. And, I’m also pleased that the Caps get all the Pens games January and after. All the better to gauge where the team stands.
by mechanicsville on Dec 24, 2009 12:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pissed as hell that I mssed out on watching this one. Glad we got a good win vs Buffalo. Hopefully I’ll get to watch some of saturday’s game…
I could have been equipment manager, but nooooo!
by boutros23 on Dec 24, 2009 12:19 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Where would Ovie rank in the hardest shot contest?
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 1:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not at the top, I don’t think. I don’t think AO would win a single ASG skills competition. But he does all of them so well that the combination still makes him the best in the league.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he participated in the hardest shot contest (2008), and came in 7th out of 8 shooters:
Jason Arnott (West), 99.1/100.3.
Alex Ovechkin (East), 98.3/95.6.
Jarome Iginla (West), 95.7/miss.
Vincent Lecavalier (East), 101.9/98.6.
Dion Phaneuf (West), 94.6/96.2.
Andrei Markov (East), 95.9/96.9.
Chris Pronger (West), 99.5/99.7.
Zdeno Chara (East), 101.4/103.1.
i’d venture to think he’d do better if given another chance (he seemed uncomfortable that round), but there’s no way his shot ranks with the markovs, charas, sourays on the blue line.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 24, 2009 6:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
crap, on second look, that list isn’t in order.
i’ll blame ESPN!
if the rules allow players to drop their lowest scores, then AO ended up 5th out of 8 (and did in fact beat russian teammate markov).
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 24, 2009 6:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He just doesn’t take standardized tests well, does he? Didn’t he flame out the year he participated in fastest skater? Guess he needs game conditions to excel.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 7:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
indeed, i think he might’ve finished dead last in 2007 (the year andy mcdonald won).
the list of fastest skater winners is fun to look at. fedorov and bondra dominated the ’90s, and is it really possible bill guerin won the 2001 race?
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 24, 2009 7:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
all star shoot out craziness is much more Ovie’s style. Goodness knows he’s the only one who really gets into the spirit of it.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
by RedBirdie on Dec 24, 2009 8:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. I am just curious of what he puts on the gun.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 1:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think he may have participated in one a few years back but I forget what he shot. I’d say probably high 90s but no triple digits.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 24, 2009 1:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m curious as to whether he shoots harder in a game situation since he is more fired up when it matters.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
by oldemystix on Dec 24, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Observations from Section 421
No, my leg hasn’t healed yet (it will be months) but it has healed enough to let me lead a somewhat regular life (admittedly with a bandaged leg…)
1) Ryan Miller has nothing to be ashamed of tonight…the Sabres defensemen, they should be ashamed. The BMo goal was a pretty shot, but my Sabres-fan friend sitting next to me shook his head. BMo was in front of Miller making that nifty shot, and the nearest Sabre skate was Tallinder, a forward (and he was 2 strides away…) In looking at the goals the Caps scored, not a single one was soft, or even slightly mushy. There was nothing Miller could do on any of them. It wasn’t Miller’s best game, but it was far from his worst, despite giving up 5.
2) Gads. that Ovechkin goal. The goaltender that has a chance to stop that shot hasn’t been born yet. My Sabres-fan friend sat there stunned on that shot, and I could tell he was wishing the Sabres could have someone with this kind of talent.
3) Mike Grier is still an effective player… he played a typical Grier game tonight and looked damned effective. That’s the only Fire Sale trade I’d like to see undone. Grier is still playing well, and Jakub Klepis…
4) It sucks that my leg still hurts so much that I can’t jump up for goals. I can only sit there (fortunately I’m in the front row)
5) Going into this season, Varlamov needed to work on his rebound control, and Irbe has helped him there. Neuvy needs to work on this as well, and hopefully being up with the big club he will work on that with Irbe as well.
6) I know that her voice was annoying, but what happened to Michelle, the hostess for all the off-ice things?
Anyway, this was a great effort, a solid win over a very good team. The Sabres should be the Northeast winner and likely the #3 seed in the playoffs this year and this game was a good test for the Caps.
Next up Marty Brodeur…another test…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Dec 24, 2009 2:00 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Always liked Grier, and was psyched when the Caps had him. I went to school with him at BU, when he was team’s leading scorer, and along with his size and hitting abilities, needless to say, he was a huge fan favorite. Agree would be nice to have him back.
by katzistan on Dec 24, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like Grier too
and wish him well, but he doesn’t really have a spot on this Caps team..
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 24, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I could see him playing with Steckel and Bradley in Laing’s spot, with some spot duty on the Power Play as the guy in front of the net. He makes every team he is on better. He would be a welcome addition…
Of course, the Sabres look to be buyers at the deadline, so the likelihood of him going anywhere is minimal…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Dec 24, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the only Fire Sale trade I’d like to see undone. Grier is still playing well, and Jakub Klepis…
But Grier was going to be a UFA and almost certainly leave anyway.
by David M. Getz on Dec 24, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He wasn’t a UFA when he was traded to the Sabres. He played there for several seasons before leaving as a UFA to San Jose. I think he might have stayed here.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Dec 24, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Neuvirth's development
There has been some really good commentary tonight about Neuvy’s game and think most of it is spot on. I think this is his audition period for next season. The team wants to see if he’s ready to compete for a 20-30 games at the NHL level next year. If he’s not ready, they need to do some planning, like grabbing a cheap veteran backup for 2010-2011. The team needs to know if they have to buy time for Neuvirth or Holtby to step up and take the #2 job. No disrespect intended to Brent Johnson’s paycheck, but if they the team needs to bring back a veteran who they know (and won’t cost them a fortune), Johnny may be an option next summer, if the team is skittish about handing the car keys to the two youngsters.
by NHL Observer on Dec 24, 2009 2:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
IMHO Best case scenario in goal based on observing all 3 goaltenders to this point – regardless of how this postseason goes – is probably to “officially” make next regular season another #1 goalie battle between Varly and Theodore with Neuvy getting more games. This is assuming no other org makes JT an unexpectedly rich offer. Even if the Caps don’t offer him the most, if they offer a decent deal I’d think he’d take it to stay with a winner. I think Theo’s capabilities are clear to the league.
by Icebat on Dec 24, 2009 3:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yea, staying with a winner is always a plus, and not having to sell a house in this market, though with what he’s making, his house is what, 25 games?
by Doncosmic on Dec 24, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He won’t be making that next year. Anywhere.
But your point stands.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 10:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Semin had a bad game at all tonight…and I don’t think his assist on Nicky’s 2nd goal was ill-advised at all. They run that play for the majority of our 5 on 3 goals. Semin got the D to go down, then cleverly adjusted his angle to attempt the pass and got it across where it needed to be. Threading a pass across ice and by 2 opposing players I’ll take it if the recipient has to kick it to his stick…the pace on the pass was enough to give Backstrom enough time to settle and bury it.
Surprised there hasn’t been more said about Alzner in this game tonight. I know on the sheet he ends up a -1 but there was a ton of stuff he did in this game tonight that won’t show up on the scoresheet that just left me impressed. He’s not sitting for awhile if he plays like that and the competition for the D spots seems to be working to a degree. Expect at least 1 to get moved somehow soon thought.
Neuvy was solid. Still has holes he needs to fix but he battled and earned this win tonight. PP taking over was nice to see too.
by Davethecapsfan on Dec 24, 2009 2:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
To be honest I didn’t notice 27 all that much in this game, but I tend to believe that is a good thing, especially when talking about Alzner
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 2:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was watching him; he seemed to have a pretty solid game, -1 notwithstanding.
And he got dragged out of a scrum by the scruff of his neck, for a bonus. :-)
by IRockTheRed on Dec 24, 2009 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i thought it was funny that alzner chose to break up the scrum by hugging the sabre (who didn’t seem to appreciate). rook, it’s usually better to hold back your own guy.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 24, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Somehow I don’t see a rookie trying to hold back Ovie
by Doncosmic on Dec 24, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A couple things...
-If I remember correctly, about 17 minutes into the game, we had more goals (2) than Buffalo had SOG (1).
-Was it Gaustad who got kicked out of the face-off after he and Stecks got into a shoving match at the dot early in the game?
-I agree that it’s probably a good thing that you don’t really notice Alzner. However, I did tonight. I don’t know if he’s one of those cases where you have to see him in person to appreciate what he does or what. When I watch on TV, I tend to not notice him a ton. At VC last night, I actually caught a lot more stuff than I would at home. He definitely seems a little less passive. I think he got into two scrums, one in the first with Ovi and another at some other point in the game (at least I thought I saw him in there). When I watched him, he had pretty good positioning. I recall a number of times where his stick was on the ice to break up a pass from a Buffalo player who was coming down the left side in the offensive zone. So despite the -1, I think he had a pretty solid game.
-Funny Buffalo fans in my section. Lady with her friends next me kept talking about Connolly and Kennedy. “C’mon Connolly. Move yer feet!” “Kennedy…his feet just move faster than his head can think.” She made some comment about us not being true fans after our first or second goal. “Where were you guys five years ago? I didn’t see you rocking the red back then.” Kid told her, “That’s because we weren’t red five years ago.” She didn’t understand it and mumbled to herself that, yeah, exactly…at least they were true fans. Then, she started insulting the food(?). Second intermission, “I don’t want that pizza! Papa John’s SUCKS!” After the fifth goal, “HAHA! After five goals, they get free wings? I don’t want those wings!”
-There were a couple drunk guys a few seats down. One in a Miller jersey stood and cheered every time Miller touched the puck. Also told a kid to go get another hot dog after we scored a few. Kid never had a hot dog(?). Oh, and we didn’t score any goals. “Refs 5! You guys ZERO!”
And I was pretty happy because this was the first Caps win I’ve seen in person. Only other game I’ve been to was Game 2 of the Rangers series.
by letsgocaps on Dec 24, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
ugh, we had obnoxious Buffaslug fans behind who who did nothing but insult the Caps, their fans, and DC the whole time, when they weren’t discussing their tyhroid problems, how all Buffalo players are “scrappy,” and wondering how Julie’s infertility treatment is going.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
by RedBirdie on Dec 24, 2009 9:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Buffalo fans have certainly tended to be obnoxious at VC. They were really bad after the game in April this past season. (They weren’t as bad last night.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Dec 24, 2009 9:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. I’m glad I was able to avoid any conversations about infertility.
The lady next to me also said something I couldn’t totally understand, but I think it was something about Caps fans being a little better than the Toronto fans who “can be totally brutal.”
by letsgocaps on Dec 24, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Damned with faint praise. I’m not exactly wild about Buffalo fans either, so I guess it goes both ways.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We were lucky…not too many in our section last night. The people behind us in line while we were waiting to get in were fairly annoying. They were talking about the lady on the front of the ticket and how they were 100% positive the team must have gave her season tickets for appearing on the ticket. I wanted to turn around and just be like, the ticket is 1/6 of a picture you dumbass. Have you ever read the back of a ticket to any event? It says by you attending the team and venue have the right to use your image without you being compensated. They thought it was a photoshoot.
by terpgrrl on Dec 24, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh jeez. How do you think you get those kinds of pictures in a posed photoshoot?
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I took a look at their game thread, and it’s sad. They were the away team, and it had 89 posts. And I’m glad they didn’t visit here, because they’d be trolls.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I did too, and agree that they seemed like a sad and hateful bunch.
And it’s very unlikely that we would have been welcomed if we paid them a visit. MHH and Misconduct are much cooler peeps.
Ah well.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Last game against Buff when we shut them out I saw 3 buff fans walk out of VC. I swear one of them was crying.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I checked Die By The Blade, and see that Buffalo fans online as just as bitter towards the Caps, fans, Horn Guy, and anything else associated with DC. Very bitter group, those Buffalo fans.
Fun fact: A popular opinion can still be stupid.
by RedBirdie on Dec 24, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I saw that too – I was not impressed with their gameday thread.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought there was a character limit here for those without avatars!
But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes.
by hotdog88gt on Dec 24, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
One complete and total nitpick that I just noticed. David Steckel is second in the League in faceoffs, not third (and was yesterday as well).
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 10:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Last night Comcast put up a graphic that had Stecks in third entering the night. Not saying it’s right, but likely is the source of the info for the bullet point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 24, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cool. NHL.com said second, but we all know Comcast is never wrong.
Unleash the Alex!
by gotsparkly on Dec 24, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 25, 2009 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Caps are 2-0 when Spaceman is playing by my count
by Garyland1177 on Dec 24, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Which means he’ll be back on Saturday, no doubt.
"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."
by gfcaps fan on Dec 24, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fuckin spaceman. Sorry i hate that guy as evidenced in the GDT the last time he was at VC.
by terpgrrl on Dec 25, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
67 | 45 | 13 | 9 | 99 |
|
Atlanta
|
66 | 28 | 28 | 10 | 66 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
66 | 27 | 27 | 12 | 66 |
|
Florida
|
66 | 27 | 29 | 10 | 64 |
|
Carolina
|
67 | 28 | 31 | 8 | 64 |
(updated 3.12.2010 at 1:23 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
