Thursday Roundup - Gamenight: Kings @ Caps
by J.P. on Feb 5, 2009 6:46 AM EST
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Two-and-a-half months ago, the Caps visited the Kings out in La La Land to complete a SoCal back-to-back after beating the Ducks the night before. The result was less than desirable (though two empty netters helped the final score look worse than the game itself).
Jose Theodore watched that game from the bench, and Mike Green, Alex Semin and Sergei Fedorov all were out with injuries (Green's suffered the night before), so when the Kings pay a visit to D.C. for the first time in two years tonight, the Caps should be better prepared and certainly will have fewer excuses to fall back upon in the event of a subpar performance.
Of note is the fact that the Kings are one of two NHL teams (San Jose being the other) against whom Alex Ovechkin has never scored a goal (and one tonight would be the 200th of his career). Oh, and here's a fun fact - the Caps and Kings used to be division rivals! It's true! (Hey, I'm trying here).
L.A. (the team, not the city) is on the lower end of mediocrity - 21-21-7 record, decent goaltending, unintimidating scorers and middling special teams... in a word: meh. In a few more words: the kind of team that gives the Caps fits (see also Oilers, Edmonton).
The puck drops a few minutes after seven tonight. Hopefully, 22 guys in red will show up on time for it.
Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:
I'm not sure I buy the "Green for Norris" hype just yet, but it's certainly more believeable than "Green for MMA Champion."... The Bears added a goalie to the roster, meaning a) Michal Neuvirth isn't expected back in Hershey any time soon and b) neither is Simeon Varlamov (and if you missed Dmitry Chesnokov's translation of a recent interview with Varly over at OFB, make sure to check it out).... On this date back in 1991, Dino Ciccarelli scored his 400th career goal (en route to 608) in a 5-3 Caps win over Vancouver. Three years later, Peter Bondra had his five-goal game, and five years after that, he lit the lamp three times after scoring four two days earlier against Tampa.... Finally, for some reason, February 5 has historically been a big day for The Rink. From a personal hockey/blogging highlight to not one but two fun pictures to caption (remember that second one?) and even a Sean Avery post, we've had nine previous posts on this date. Who knows what we'll have today?
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Who knows what we’ll have today?
Hopefully two more points. You’re absolutely right, though, this is the kind of team that has given us fits all season, and let’s hope that 22 guys in red show up on time.
As for AO scoring his 200th? He tends to break these kinds of milestones in style, so if he gets one, I’d look for two and maybe a hat trick.
Green for MMA Champion
Brashear said. "I never saw Mike drop the gloves, but he’s got that cool temper and that’s what makes him so good.
Brashear must have been checking out puckbunnies during this game
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=280415015
I thought the same thing. Either that or Mike Wise actually gave that quote.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I would be shocked if Green isn’t one of the three finalists for the Norris. Outside of his numbers, which are off the chart, there’s been a groundswell of support for him that’s been growing steadily in the Hockey News, the NHL Network, XM Home Ice and just yesterday in a big article on nhl.com. As the Caps continue to rise in the standings, so will support for him in the Norris race. That said, the trophy is Chara’s to lose and unless he gets hurt and the Bruins collapse, Lurch will probably walk away with the hardware this June. After that, Mikey’s time will arrive.
I think Green is a contender for the Norris.
Green is currently on pace for 74 points (based on his PpG pace over the last 30 games). The other defenseman one would consider for the Norris are on the following paces,
Dan Boyle 67
Dennis Wideman 59
Nicklas Lidstrom 56
Zdeno Chara 47
I think consideration is a given. Whether he wins is another story but I think you can easily make a case for any of the five at this point. If Green is able to get to 80 points then I think he will win.
With that said…still makes me scratch my head how Wideman and Green were not in the allstar game. That demonstrates how screwed up the process is.
by CapsFanSince1979 on Feb 5, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions
Norris has nothing to do with how many points you score. Norris is about the best defenseman, and Green can light up the lamp, but his defense leaves something to be desired. I don’t buy Green for Norris at all.
Football's boring. Get over it.
+19 to date. Yeah yeah, people discount plus minus, but if you’re creating tons of offense when you’re on the ice, the other team isn’t.
by Sombrero Guy on Feb 5, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
In truth, it seems like the Norris tends to go to the best defensemen who also scored a substantial amount of points, but that will be put to the test a little bit with Chara this year. I agree that Green won’t win the Norris until he becomes better defensively, but I hope he is at least a finalist this year. He deserves recognition, and not being in the ASG was a total joke.
In truth, it seems like the Norris tends to go to the best defensemen who also scored a substantial amount of points
Exactly. The guy with the most points doesn’t automatically win it, but if you’re not in the top 10 among defensive scoring, you’re not going to get much consideration.
Unless your name is Rod Langway.
Green’s defense is WAAAY underrated, IMO. There’s more to playing defensive hockey than hitting people in the crease. He can pick-off passes, backcheck, skate the puck out of trouble, and pass the puck out of trouble better than any other Caps D. Did you see in the Devils game when he was alone with the puck with three Devils converging on him? Just skated right on by…
I’d give him an A+ for his offense and a solid B for the defense. Sounds like a finalist (who won’t win the prize) to me.
by bilspacecadet on Feb 5, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
JT60
I love the last post on JT60. It is all about, “what have you done for me lately.”
Lately he has been great, and his problems early on were those of techniques, positioning, and rebounds and just not seeming settled in.
I still believe that a goalie can only bail out the D so much which has helped. I will be watching the Johnson issue closely, as I think we will need to be careful to not overwork JT down the stretch.
And before anyone starts in with the “Norris should go to a defenseman who actually plays D,” Green is +19, fourth in the League among blueliners.
I think he could be a finalist, but I still think it’s Z’s to lose. Then again, there’s a lot of hockey left to be played…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It’s easy to get a +19 when the forward line with you is usually Ovechkin. I can’t really back that figure up with a link to a stat, but I see it a lot. I don’t really think Greenie should be a finalist. Which is fine.
Football's boring. Get over it.
They also tend to score a lot of goals, and the way our scoring lines play, they’re puck possession guys. I’m not saying Mike’s not a top-5 d-man, I’m just saying I don’t consider him Norris material.
Football's boring. Get over it.
My statement wasn’t about him being a candidate.
I’m just saying that it is no easy task at all to be at +19 as a dman.
There are only 13 players in the entire league right now that have over +\- over 19. There are only 3 dmen that have a +\- over Greens.
Oh, no, it’s not easy, but I think the players he tends to be on the ice with help a little. The guy’s a beast, and I’m glad to have him.
Football's boring. Get over it.
OK, well I was just responding to your statement where you said, “It’s easy to get a +19 when the forward line with you is usually Ovechkin.”
Green's First
JP – In the post “Thinking Inside the Box,” when Ted refers to Green scoring his first goal, did that happen that night against the Leafs? That would be another thing that happened on February 5?
At this point in time: If you are strictly looking at the numbers it should be Wideman’s to lose rather than big Z’s.
Wideman’s statline compared to Chara’s and Green’s:
Wideman Chara Green
+/- +32 +25 +19
G 12 11 16
A 25 19 26
PIMS 16 58 36
TOI 25:36 26:37 25:33
But then he doesn’t wear the C and he isn’t over 7 feet tall on his skates.
How can I get a table in this post rather than this ugliness?
You can’t. No tables in posts, I don’t think.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Wideman’s definitely having a good season, but let’s not forget he’s played 12 more games than Green.
My intention was to point out that Chara has been annointed the winner by many (myself included) and I was quite surprised by the fact that Wideman is probably more deserving of the Norris than Chara is.
In my mind, it makes the argument for Green that much more compelling.
Maybe they’ll split some votes (sorta like when teammates are up for MVP).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No, I agree with your point, but then Chara does draw all the toughest assignments in terms of matching up against the opponent’s top lines. Still, Wideman has been a big surprise in Boston and if Chara wasn’t on the team, he’d be getting a lot more pub.
our group has an extra ticket for tonight
One person in our group is sick and can’t go….you’d have to sit next to me though….
ooh! Are we allowed to use The Rink for tickets?
I need to sell my 2 VIP tickets for March 1 against the Panthers. I just thought that was perhaps against the rules so I stayed quiet.
If it’s in the comments, feel free. But don’t start FanPosting or FanShotting tickets…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That's fair
And just in my own defense, the only reason I am selling them for March 1 is because I am going to Boston to see the Caps in the Garden on Feb 28th!!
Anyone want to take these primo seats off my hands for a Road-Crew Warrior?
(2nd row, next to the Caps bench, just inside the blue line, parking included: Face Value: $175/ea)
Hopefully....
I had to eat a pair back around Thanksgiving for way under but with their record, the sellouts, the playoff push and a divisional game I would really like face value.
They're up there
but I just dread the thought that someone buys them and then shows up in seats that have my name written on the back of the seat cover wearing a damn panthers jersey. Ugh…..
Haha…then you have to sell them for less.
FYI:
The few times I have had to sell on I am very Cap-centric when writing emails back and forth to get a feel for them. If they start speaking knowledgeably about the Caps I sell them the tickets. If they don’t say anything like GO CAPS I usually wait for the next person to mail me about the tickets.
okay whew
I figured there would be no takers because of the short notice but I thought I’d give it a shot. :)
Gabby JP?
Wow, that 2006 post was a chatty one, JP.
I have always appreciated the brevity (not purely short, but to the point) of your posts.
Keep up the great work!
Hopefully this Feb. 5 doesn’t have an infamous post like the 2008 version.
I liked reading the old entry with the more narrative style. It’s interesting to see how it’s morphed.
I took a different approach to that post than I have to almost everything else I’ve posted here (even immediately before and after that one). I try not to be excessively verbose (shaddup!), but I am, after all, a lawyer with a background in politics, so some habits die hard.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This was a pretty key point made in the Green article
“He’s led the Capitals in ice time in all but 10 of his 39 games. Let’s not forget, the Southeast Division-leading Capitals are 26-9-3 with Green in the lineup and 7-6-0 without their fourth-season standout.”
granted his injury coincided with injuries to other players, but its kind of hard to ignore the night and day difference.
Tarik is saying Kozy’s not on the ice at practice…Uh Oh…
Ron and Fez Noon to Three
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 5, 2009 11:12 AM EST reply actions
Hopefully just precautionary – obviously the team needs a 100% Koz in the long-run over even a 99% Koz tonight.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Bruce confirmed this
Fehr will be on the top line with Feds and Ovie.
He was slated to get more time anway with Clark out, but now he gets a shot at the A-Line.
Let’s see what he does with it. Fehr gets a chance to show his potential… the 3,248th times the charm!
Let’s see something Eric!
Yeah...
I’ve made comments about Fehr before and how I’m kind of done waiting for him, but I’ll take another trip to the well. Hell, I really LIKE the guy and it would be great to see him start to shine.
But if you can’t turn up some offense when you are skating with Federov and Ovechkin, I am pretty much going to assume that you can’t turn up some offense.
Bring it Eric!!!
Ugh. It sucks having Kozlov out.
I’ll be at the game. I forgot my jersey when I went into work today though so I have to make the drive back and then back to the metro station.
/That’s Laich dedication baby
I just wouldn’t feel comfortable without it on…need to rock the red you know?
To answer your question though I’ve been to every game this season except the Devils loss in SO, the Detroit win, and the two NYR games. So pretty good with me\the jersey.
how are you missing the obvious opportunity to skip the double commute and get a 2nd sweater? :-)
Russian Machine Never Breaks
If Johnson opts for Hip Surgery
and is done for the year, in the last year of his contract.
Do you think the Caps go shopping or get a permanent RED jersey picked out for Varlamov once his knee heals?
Biron is in his last year. Backstrom is in his last year. THere have been a lot of rumors that Boston is looking to shop Fernandez at the deadline for a few final pieces they want for the playoff run.
Also, what does that mean for next year? Theo-Varly? Varly-Theo? Johnson gone? Theo-[Trade Pick-up]?
I don't think Varly's ready for prime time.
As DMG and I both commented in his goalie thread, Varlamov has had some injury issues this year (as in more than one) and his conditioning isn’t up to playing an 82-game schedule. I think he spends another year in Hershey if he doesn’t heal real fast.
Tend to think Theo/Johnson another year, with possibly a rent-a-goalie for the playoffs.
Even as a back-up?
So you think we would re-sign Johnson to another contract? And it probably be more then 1-year since we wouldn’t want to have Theo and Johnson both hitting the market next year.
(I mis-posted this below… was intended as a response to gotsparky. Sorry for the clutter)
Varlamov would be OK as a backup but isn’t ready to handle multiple games in a short time span. The team has constantly talked about how he doesn’t know how to conserve his energy correctly yet.
It’s good to put 4000% of your effort into a save as a goalie but that will wear on you really quick if you’re playing more than 1 game a week.
The issue with him being a backup is his development. There’s a good chance it’d be better for a 21 year old, especially one with conditioning issues, to play 60 games in Hershey than 20 games in Washington.
I think his development problems as far as being a back-up is just strength\conditioning which can easily be done this off season if he tagged along with Ovechkin and his super trainer.
all this time off due to injury will make him fresher for the post season. i don’t get all this groupthink about him not being ready. what about those two games he played indicated he wasn’t ready?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
As far as raw skill, he is ready.
As far as the tedious strain of NHL games night in and night out, he isn’t ready. The team has said this which is why people are referring to it.
I don’t have links but I’ll see if I can dig them up.
what are we talking about?
- or backing up theo in the playoffs? i think the common theme from yesterday was that if JT is down for the count, we’re done, regardless, as would be most teams.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Even as a back-up?
So you think we would re-sign Johnson to another contract? And it probably be more then 1-year since we wouldn’t want to have Theo and Johnson both hitting the market next year.
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