Recap - Thrashers 5, Capitals 1
by Stephen Pepper on Mar 17, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
129 comments
[AP Recap - Game Summary - Event Summary - WashingtonCaps.com Postgame]
A hockey team dressed in burgundy and jaundiced yellow gold football jerseys trounced one from Washington. Go figure.
Hold all of those milestones waiting to be reached: Alex Ovechkin's 50th; Alex Semin's 30th; Nicklas Backstrom's 20th; the team's franchise record sixth-straight road win. Instead, the Caps allowed 5 goals, including rookie defenseman Anssi Salmela's first NHL goal, and fired 50 shots on Kari Lehtonen. Most of which were those perimeter shots, from the point or off drop passes outside of the slot, that we so know and loathe. And a team that really shouldn't be winning all of these games down the stretch now has an impressive six-game winning streak.
Just when we thought these Caps were invincible at home, they begin to stumble. And just when hitting to the road is trumpeted as the antidote, the team decides to play non-contact hockey for roughly half of the game.
- If you were watching the third period and had no idea of the score, you'd have probably imagined a close game. The skating was there, but the traffic and deflections were not. Until Keith Aucoin and Eric Fehr both hacked at a loose puck in front of Lehtonen, finally putting one by him, I counted exactly one attempted deflection from a point shot, late in the second, by Semin. Lehtonen saw most everything else coming.
- Seems like Lehtonen often puts on a big show against the Caps. Well, he's only 10-6-2 against Washington, after tonight.
- The old frustration of Semin reaching to hook an opponent who strips him of the puck returned for a game.
- Special teams? Well, a complete inability to clear the puck can result in a 1-for-4 night on the PK. And without Mike Green, the PP strategy essentially becomes a ceaseless feed of the puck to Ovechkin for one-timers from the left side. Like a pitching machine in a batting cage.
- Led by Brooks Laich, who took a team high 14 draws and was the only center to at least break even (7-14), the team was schooled at the dot and anywhere else a face-off was contested (21-60 total).
- In the last three games, all without The Legend Sergei Fedorov in the lineup, Caps pivots are 72-177 (40.6%) on draws. And even worse in the O-zone (20-52, 38.5%).
- Brian Pothier was predictably rusty early, a bit hesitant in the neutral zone in deciding whether to carry or pass. The 2-4 pair with John Erskine that might ultimately become a consistent third pair is clearly going to take some time to round into shape. Both committed hooks early (both of which penalties resulted in goals). A bit much for Potsy to skate almost 17 minutes and 20 shifts in his first NHL game this season, don't you think?
- One-fifth of those 50 shots were courtesy of Ovechkin (who missed another seven). But when he snapped and started plowing over opponents along the wall in the offensive zone (somehow he was only credited with three hits), the contest became interesting. Unfortunately, by then, his team was down 4-0, and individual attempts to skate and stick handle around opponents persisted, mercilessly for the viewer.
- Could Rich Peverley become this team's next Jon Sim to the Caps? No, not quite yet (1 G and 1 A in 2 games against D.C. as a Thrasher), but did he embarrass Shaone Morrisonn and Tom Poti, chugging unmolested through the neutral zone, zig-zagging through the slot, and heading right to the cooker.
- Poti was on the ice for every Thrashers goal.
- Another rookie on ATL's backline, Zach Bogosian, you might say shadowed Ovechkin fairly well; he was on ice against #8 more often than any other Thrasher D-man. But I was pretty disgusted to see him smash 5'9" Aucoin's head to the ice, after the latter was pushed into Lehtonen, and the goalie was way of the crease and harm's way. Shutout or no shutout bid.
- At least Aucoin had a nice little game, eh?
Scored a goalAssisted on Fehr's 11th goal of the season, won 4 of 6 O-zone draws, drew a penalty.
On this night, it was a game where several Thrashers, particularly young D-men, remain late-season eager to prove themselves worthy of a significant role in a developing system. That showed. Aside from Ovechkin's firestarting shift late in the second and consistent dispensation of punishment along the boards in the third, a determination by the Caps to demonstrate to themselves and the coaching staff a capability of making a lengthy playoff run didn't.
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Looked like it was going to be one of “those nights” early on, but what can ya do? They caught a really hot team at an inopportune time, and it happens sometimes. Time to forget about it and focus on Florida.
Ron and Fez Noon to Three
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 17, 2009 7:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Man, was Tom Poti bad last night. He seemed surprisingly overwhelmed by the added minutes and role with Green out.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 7:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You’d think a vet who’s seen more TOI/G with his previous teams wouldn’t mind it.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 17, 2009 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hence “surprisingly.” :)
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a team of dogs, Poti gets the dog of the evening award. Just terrible. 3 of the 5 goals directly resulted from bad plays by him. I argued yesterday that Poti was the teams shutdown d man. I humbly stand corrected.
Its surprising how much the D misses Green…
Greener for Norris anyone? :)
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not surprised. Green is the key to the PP, the key to the offense at even strength, and a valuable minutes eater (to say nothing of his actual abilities in the defensive zone).
He’s the straw that stirs the drink.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was referring specifically to the defense corps. I am not surprised that the Caps, as a whole, miss Green. The offense and the PP obviously miss him a lot. Last night was a visible, real example that there is no one on the D that can fill the gap minutes wise, on the PK, etc. That is both sobering and a shock. After all, few people will argue that Green’s strength is in his own end.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s only because few people have a flippin’ clue.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still say that if you had to choose, you would say that Green is stronger on offense than he is on defense.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but offensively Green is absolutely dominating at his position this year.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the one man break out. It woulda been nice to get the puck out of the zone at some point (without the ref carrying it to center ice).
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 17, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OV had three hits in a single shift. Which category is more inconsistent? Hits? Giveaways or Takeaways?
I thought Aucoin looked good out there
by Sombrero Guy on Mar 17, 2009 7:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think GvA/TkA.
And all three of those hits by AO were legit hits at Phillips Arena, Verizon Center, Caeser’s Palace, George Clinton’s tour bus… Anywhere they’re tracking hits, those three would’ve counted.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on Aucoin. He’s a l’il sparkplug for sure.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That line (with 14 and 16) seems to have decent chemistry, all things considered. Guessing it’ll be broken up tonight when presumably 91 returns.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 17, 2009 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m really disappointed it 14’s play right now… his decision making is very poor. (i.e. whether to pass or shoot) …
and it seems to me that he’s on the wrong line… while there might have been some cycling from 14,20,16 … I don’t think he’s enough of a “digger” to play w/ the other two. Not that we have many other choices available but I see him on an open ice line rather than the 3rd/grind line.
by Scofield on Mar 17, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flash doesn’t have a point (in eight games) this month, and only has the fluke goal in Boston since Feb. 20 (12 games). He did have one washed out against Philly, but he’s simply not getting it done. At all.
Two goals since January 14 is the same number Shaone Morrisonn has, for chrissakes!
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ShaMo for Norris… ha
That is another suprising and sobering stat. Flash has really hit the wall lately and I wish that I could think of something to explain it. The other thing that is really frustrating me is that Gabby continues to give him ice time over other guys (Fehr) that seemingly have earned it.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That “something” is that, to paraphrase Brooks Laich, he wants bread but isn’t going to the bakery to get it.
by Stephen Pepper on Mar 17, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While I agree with your flash opinion,what about “we really need to go to the net” Fehr? He has been awful too. Getting knocked off the puck, taking thirty foot wristers (seems to be contagious) etc… It is time for him and his natural goal scoring ability to sit or be sent down to win another calder.
by bestpilot on Mar 17, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He did score the only goal last night by going to the net. There have been countless conversations on this site about Fehr and his role on the team, particularly his role on the 3rd line, ie being the puck carrier rather than the grinder. I’m not sure if that is the case, or if he wants to be the puck handler.
For me its about giving the guy a shot, he showed last night he’s willing to go to the net, and that Flash is not. Let’s see what Fehr can do with 15 minutes skating with Semin and Feds rather than 9 skating with Steckel and Brads.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good observation. Dude looks lost right now.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comment on the Officiating
The way the zeebs handled the scrum in the crease late in the game was icing on the cake for me.
What the hell were the GM’s talking about last week in FLA? Calling the game as the rules state. Were the four fouls committed by the Caps penalties? Sure they were by the letter of the law. But if you are going to let some of the crap that ATL was doing slide early in the game, you can’t by any means call some of the crap they called on us.
What really burns me up is the scrum though, and just highlights how bad they were last night.
1. Fehr never touched Lehtonen, how did he get a Goalie Interference? (Should have been a Rough)
2. Interference for the guy who dumped Aucoin (Check)
3. Bogosian should have been dinged for 6 min + of penalty time. Instigator, Roughing and an Instigating with face-shield. To give him ONLY a roughing penalty when the guy he was roughing didn’t get a single minute in the box is just flat out stupid.
Call it like it is, fellas… not how you want it to be.
On Ovie’s 3 hits late in the 2nd. His first two should have drawn penalties for leaving his feet. The guy’s got to start being more careful.
by FFSEnough on Mar 17, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Disagree on AO’s hits – one was borderline, but on a lot of them he doesn’t leave his feet until after contact as made, as he’s driving through the guy.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah i agree with JP regarding the hits.. he only comes off the ice right after contact cause he leans his shoulder so far out there..
by sexypills03 on Mar 17, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the first one… once he locked in, he only took like 8 strides before he hit the guy… it should’ve been a charge.
by Scofield on Mar 17, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can’t get an instigator/instigator w/face shield unless you have an actual fighting major, so instead of roughing, Bogosian would have needed to get the full five for fighting.
Regardless, I didn’t think the call in this case was bad at all – although the interference minor should have gone to Aucoin and not Fehr, since he was the one who ran over Lehtonen. The NHL (heck, most hockey leagues) treat the goalies the same way the NFL treats the QBs. The reason Bogosian only got the roughing was because, in the NHL’s view (and I agree) the goalie’s deserve special protection – and Bogosian was the one “providing” this protection.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The reason Bogosian didn’t get more than a rough was because he didn’t drop his gloves.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Although you’re right, that’s not always the case. Giving a five for fighting is up to the discretion of the ref (believe me, I’ve gotten fighting majors when I didn’t drop ’em – precisely because I was trying to avoid getting a fighting major). In the shots I saw, Bogosian was giving Aucoin some pretty good donkey punches with his gloves on. The ref would have been well within the rules to call him for a double minor at the very least, and possibly for a fighting major.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where did you get fighting majors when not dropping your gloves? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that happen.
I agree, that he could have given Bogosian more, but it was all moot when Fehr joined the fray.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
College, but the rulebooks are similar. The one difference is, we got suspended the next game if we fought, so I was trying to stick up for a teammate without actually dropping the gloves. Huge mistake – I got suspended anyhow and got my ass beat because I couldn’t get a hold of the guy’s jersey.
Anyhow, to the best of my recollection, I’ve seen it a couple of times in the WHL, where fighting breaks out like drum circles at a hippie gathering.
I think the refs basically got it right in this case. Bogosian was protecting his ’keeper.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The NHL (heck, most hockey leagues) treat the goalies the same way the NFL treats the QBs.
Not in the playoffs against Philly… cough cough
by Scofield on Mar 17, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kinda makes me wish that Thoreson’s testicle had actually exploded.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As D’ohboy mentioned, you don’t get the instigator unless you get a fight. And it comes with a ten minute misconduct.
Also, Aucoin didn’t get a penalty.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And yes, kudos to the Thrashers for coming up with a jersey (I shall not dignify it with "sweater") that makes their ridiculous baby blues with the lettering down one sleeve look almost traditional.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Screening the Goalie
Let’s hope they do better in the playoffs. Not a hockey player, but I imagine our forwards want to avoid getting hit with one of Ovie’s slap shots this time of year.
by Bartolo on Mar 17, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only goal the Caps scored last night should be on a loop playing in every room that a Caps player walks into. Want to score goals? Go to the net.
How about Bruce starts Aucoin tonight. Think that that message will be received by anyone?
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The European Effect
I hate to sound like Don Cherry, but last night was European hockey at its worst; little hitting, no traffic in front of the goal, tons of perimeter shots and a decided lack of passion. I suppose that when five out of your top six forwards are Europeans (although AO probably shouldn’t be counted in that five since he plays a NA game), you’re going to have nights like that. However, I think it has to be a real concern going into the playoffs where it seems the majority of goals are of the “dirty” variety. I never like making sweeping statements after bad losses, but last night exposed the serious weaknesses this team possesses. On their good nights, you can envision these guys going to the Finals but on their bad nights, you wonder how they’ll make it out of the first round. Maybe they can turn the switch and become the relentless type of team they were last year. I certainly hope so because if they don’t, I’m afraid it could be one and done again.
by b.orr4 on Mar 17, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
As “European” as last night’s problems might have been offensively (and I’m not sure I buy that on a night when Viktor Kolzov had more hits than Matt Bradley, Brooks Laich and David Steckel combined), the team could have potted three ugly goals and it still would have been the North American blueliners and goalie who would have been most culpable for the loss.
Yes they stunk. Yes they floated. But I see no reason to bring nationality into it.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Every time we lose we look like we have a fatal flaw and can’t do damage in the post season. When we win we look like we can beat anyone. You just can’t draw any conclusions from a game like this. If anything, you should be happy that the teams that give us difficulty are all out of the playoffs (except CBJ, but we won’t have have to deal with them). When it comes down to playing good teams the Caps show up. Look at our head to head against the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff field and maybe you’ll feel a little more confident.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 17, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If anything, last night reinforced the alarming trend of the Caps turning it on and off based on the opponent. It’s interesting that Bruce has not been able to snap them out of this tendency to some degree, but I think it’s on the vets to keep the fires lit for these young guys night in and night out.
By all rights, we should be in position to sew up the conference right now; instead we’ve let 10+ points just slip through our mitts and it could cost us at least a round of home ice in the playoffs. That’s the message an unproven group of young players needs to hear right now.
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good teams play good teams well, and then lapse against bad teams. Great teams play well against other good teams and beat bad teams. If this was a one off example of them just failing to show it would be one thing, but it is certainly a trend, and while I’m not talking about a falling sky yet, it is certainly frustrating.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also thought Theo was horrible. The first goal was not his fault, as the D let the Thrash’s guy walk below the dot and get off a shot. But the remaining 3 he let in could easily have been stopped, at least IMO.
by fat_daddyo on Mar 17, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know about “easily,” but he was not sharp. At all.
He’ll get another shot tonight, apparently.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know it’s hindsight, but why on EARTH did Bruce not start the Russian Vacuum last night?
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few possible reasons:
Perhaps he wanted Varly to get a game around the room/flow-of-the-team before throwing him in.
Maybe he didn’t want a potential first round playoff opponent getting too familiar with his number one goalie, so he was planning to go Theo/Varly.
Matybe he wanted to see what the kid could do against a (theoretically) better team.
Maybe he was playing for a split in the two games, so he put more eggs in the first basket and figured anything in FLA would be gravy.
Not sure I buy any of those, but they’re explanations with varying degrees of plausibility.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I do, either : )
My guess is Theo convinced him he wanted/needed to keep his recent good streak going with more work.
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another possible reason. Theo didn’t look terribly sharp (or at least gave up a bunch) on Saturday night. He wanted to give him a shot to come out, reassert himself and then give him a well deserved night off in FLA. Seems that might have back-fired a bit.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he knew we’d suck enough without a vacuum on the ice.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 17, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get off JT60!
Theo is keeping the Caps in games, kids.
If at first you don't succeed, don't try parachuting.
by hotdog88gt on Mar 17, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The shots he misses, more often than not, are ones where’s he’s screened. For some reason Washington doesn’t want to impair the vision of goaltenders on a regular basis. I also think AO could use a few more nights off.
If at first you don't succeed, don't try parachuting.
by hotdog88gt on Mar 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whaaa? Maybe cut his minutes but under no circumstances to you give him a day off if he’s healthy enough (and willing) to play.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 17, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Against the Flyboys, yes, he did keep them in the game.
Last night, not so much. Let’s review:
Kozlov’s goal, the second one, was unobstructed and from outside teh “home plate” area. A good goalie has got to have that one. Granted, it found the corner, but with proper positioning it should have been a good-but-ultimately-routine save.
Salmella’s goal, the third one, was unobstructed and entirely routine. Just a soft little shot from above the dot that should never get in the net.
The fourth goal was perhaps a tad obstructed, but not tipped and I think it went through the five hole – which ought not happen.
He was real bad, imo.
by fat_daddyo on Mar 17, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, we get it already.
I still stand firm that there are FIVE other guys on the ice who are just as responsible for netminding. The “Jose stinks” comments are easy and common, in my opinion.
Last night’s loss isn’t his fault entirely— Lord knows we sure as hell didn’t have many points on the board to counter the opposition’s.
"For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.
Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion; that it may sing; " - The Prophet
by Violetta on Mar 17, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JT kept the Caps from being down early in the period with save after save. It was ridiculous how many shots from in close that Thrashers were getting.
If at first you don't succeed, don't try parachuting.
by hotdog88gt on Mar 17, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its not his fault Peverley waltzed through the entire defence, and its not his fault expressly that the PK spent the night taking a dump
Inability to clear traffic = bad news. Even Patrick Roy can’t do anything with that.
Ron and Fez Noon to Three
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 17, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not attacking their “nationality”. I’m questioning the finesse game they tend to play all too often lately. My comments are hardly anything new. Boudreau has complained on numerous occasions about their “cute” play, about their refusal to go to the goal, their unwillingness to get dirty in the corners. Like it or not, the perimeter game is more European than North American and it’s not an indictment of their ethnic background to note that they reverted to the style of hockey they grew up playing. When one team plays on the fringes and another drives to the net, the results are often going to be like last night despite the huge difference in talent. Have we become that PC that we can’t even note a style of play without it being considered a slur.
by b.orr4 on Mar 17, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No. But to single out the Europeans when I don’t think Laich saw the paint all night and Fehr made his first visit to it in the closing minutes, is a little unfair. When “Boudreau has complained on numerous occasions about their "cute" play, about their refusal to go to the goal, their unwillingness to get dirty in the corners,” he’s generally talking about the team on the whole, not just his Russians, Swedes and Czech. After all, it’s Gabby’s system and Gabby’s team. If he wants more net crashing, it’s on him to make it happen strategically/systematically.
And get out of here with that PC/slur stuff.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Russians, Swedes and Czechs get the vast majority of ice time on this team. They’re the one that set the tone for the game. To single out Fehr, when he only got nine minutes of ice is also unfair. And as far as the PC crap, you’re the one who said I shouldn’t be bringing nationality into it, not me.
by b.orr4 on Mar 17, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I said it because it was willfully ignoring the entirety of the “effort” the forwards provided in what you proudly proclaimed was a Cherry-esque rant, not because I was being politically correct or overly sensitive or any of the other wonderful attributes your defensiveness would imply.
Brooks Laich had 17:50 of ice time, more than Kozlov, Flash or Nylander. Where was he all night?
Look, if the problem you see is a European style – as coached by Bruce Boudreau and implemented by the 18 skaters he gives sweaters to on a given night – you’ll get little argument from me. But if the problem is with the European players, I’d respectfully disagree that it starts and ends with them.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’ve got your opinion. I’ve got mine. Let’s leave it at that. When sarcasm starts creeping in, the entire exercise loses its appeal.
by b.orr4 on Mar 17, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough, and apologies – I’m having a lousy day that has nothing to do with hockey.
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no problem. I’m taking this hockey thing way too seriously anyway.
by b.orr4 on Mar 17, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was a post yesterday that Pepper wrote for that. It seems you aren’t the only one. :)
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tell me about it
I was in a great mood last night and then the Caps came along and crushed my spirit. At least they can get some points back tonight. I also hope that the Thrashers beat the Penguins tonight.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BB keeps talking about us being “too cute” and not going to the net enough. Then he gives Flash 50% more ice time than Fehr. As long as he gives more ice to the cute players, ES and PP, he’s not going to stop these guys from playing cute. We have a lot of skill guys and skill guys like to make pretty plays. Despite the lip service BB hasn’t really figured out to address this.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 17, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree completely – there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of repercussions for being “too cute.”
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by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quite the opposite in fact, cute seems to be rewarded with extra ice time. More on the PK, better teammates, etc.
by Sct112 on Mar 17, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed 100%. I think Boudreau’s gotten a little bit lax about enforcing that kind of thing and instead just talks about it.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One positive
During the last few minutes of the game – deep into garbage time – the Caps actually did something that I liked a lot, and which I hope they continue. After the goal, With Semin, Nylander, Laich (possibly Flash, can’t recall), Jurcina and Schultz on the ice, Laich went to the net and Nylander pretended like it was the “umbrella” warm-up drill; he just kept picking up the puck and feeding it to Jurcina, who repeatedly cranked vicious slapshots from the point. The result? Several great scoring chances immediately after the Caps’ lone goal of the night on a similar play.
If the Caps want secondary/tertiary scoring, they’re going to have to continue this sort of play. Getting traffic in front of the keeper is step one, but step two is getting good, hard shots on goal from the point. Doing this prevents the defenders from simply collapsing down low, particularly if it’s Jurcina dropping bombs – the guy has an absolute cannon, and very few forwards will want that shot hitting them in the back of the legs.
Shots from the point have been one of the missing elements from the Caps’ game all season. Beside Green (who doesn’t frequently score on traditional point shots), the Caps have barely any scoring from the back end. I know that Boudreau’s system doesn’t necessarily emphasize this sort of offense, but when Nylander is out there with a guy like Jurcina, it’s the most effective way of utilizing their skills. Not only will this sort of play generate scoring changes in itself, but it will also open up the ice for the forwards down low.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Indeed, Boudreau doesn’t emphasize that style of attack. And it’s one that’s employed quite a bit in the playoffs.
by Stephen Pepper on Mar 17, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which is why, with each passing lackadaisical offensive effort, I get more worried about a potential first-round exit.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Getting 2 defenseman out on the power play is a good thing, but maybe that’s the traditionalist in me speaking.
"Japers is ok, the general level of hockey knowledge is probably better there than here... but they never miss a chance to be arrogant about it, for example insulting THIS blog, which I find distasteful and hurts the site credibility. Also, they rely way too much on numbers to judge players."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 17, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoa… where’s that signature from? And are we really arrogant? Distasteful? Too reliant on facts?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figured I’d borrow from Deadspin and have a comment FAIL of the day/week.
"Japers is ok, the general level of hockey knowledge is probably better there than here... but they never miss a chance to be arrogant about it, for example insulting THIS blog, which I find distasteful and hurts the site credibility. Also, they rely way too much on numbers to judge players."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 17, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
since Deadspin partnered up with Facebook to allow a backdoor access for commenting privileges, it’s gone to shit. There are still some extra funny mainstays who post, but the dilution of the Deadspin product in just a few months has been extraordinary.
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I blame Leitch.
"Japers is ok, the general level of hockey knowledge is probably better there than here... but they never miss a chance to be arrogant about it, for example insulting THIS blog, which I find distasteful and hurts the site credibility. Also, they rely way too much on numbers to judge players."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 17, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Admittedly I was relatively new to DS over the last year or so, so I defer to experience.
"Japers is ok, the general level of hockey knowledge is probably better there than here... but they never miss a chance to be arrogant about it, for example insulting THIS blog, which I find distasteful and hurts the site credibility. Also, they rely way too much on numbers to judge players."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 17, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
was your sig gleaned from a DS comment for real?
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gosh, D. You really have to stop with your arrogant research and statistical mavenhood.
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some people dig it, some people don’t, to each their own.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Statisical mavenhood” – I gotta remember that one.
If at first you don't succeed, don't try parachuting.
by hotdog88gt on Mar 17, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, when has this blog ever insulted Deadspin? I know I didn’t and that doesn’t sound like any of the rest of us either.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This was a comment I had on Tarik’s blog. It is my opinion only and I was referring to frequent derisions of Tarik’s blog that I read here. Also, it’s my opinion only that there is too much reliance on pure numbers, for my taste. I ended up with saying that there is good hockey knowledge here, and no BS. I apologize if I offended somebody and was out of line, but I do stand by it.
by mauree on Mar 17, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think the derision extends any further than to 90% of the poster content at TEB. It’s a friggin’ zoo.
by bigonetimer on Mar 17, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And for that be thankful there is TEB’s blog, because if those people came over here it would be mayhem.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why would it offend us that you are badmouthing this blog elsewhere on the internet and attributing valid criticisms of other sources made by commentors and authors alike to our arrogance?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t mean to badmouth JP. I was not referring to difference of opinions and criticisms, but to plain insult-like comments.
DMG:
It’s just my opinion only and I should have written that explicitly. Having said that I will always criticize the interpretation of some stats to prove/disprove a player value. Schultz was +16 in games I thought he was just terrible. Yet in Nashville and Philly, where he scored a -2 total, I thought he had two really good games.
In any case, I should have been more careful and worded my comment differently, for that I’m sorry.
by mauree on Mar 17, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No worries.
I will say that plus-minus is an incredibly tricky statistic with very limited number of times it alone can be applied singularly, and very little value on a small sample size. That’s true of most stats though, which I why I think we try to use as many metrics as we can.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would absolutely say you were not out of line. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if we were going to act like we were some sacred cow that couldn’t be criticized that would be the ultimate sign of arrogance. Besides, I think we’d all agree that discourse is a good thing and that no one’s opinion should automatically be accepted as The Word. That said, I think that we make an effort to provide evidence for positions we support and are open to being swayed by other people points. I don’t think any of us would say that someone should accept our opinion simply because it’s our opinion, which is what I would think of as arrogance.
I do disagree that we place too much emphasis on statistics because I don’t think the points we make are purely statistically driven; I think it’s more than we make a point of providing evidence to support a position we take and statistics, as a (more or less) unbiased record or actual events, provide a good tool for doing that. Reliance totally on statistics to form an opinion would be a mistake – for example Semin has more points per game than Ovechkin this year but Ovechkin’s obviously the better player, and Theodore’s a better goal than most with his save percentage. But the stats provide something that memory cannot do, which is provide a record of all events, something memory cannot do. The Capitals have played over 4,000 minutes this season and it’s impossible for someone to remember every blocked shots, faceoff win, shot on goal, and who played against what quality of competition and how successful they were.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is why it’s so important that we get accurate stats – see my comment below entitled “Faceoffs.”
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you hate jeff schultz. we got it.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 17, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
to bring this topic full circle, a timely quote from deadspin.com of all places:
My favorite tip, though, came from a man named Brad Carlin, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Minnesota. He said, essentially, you’re better off not watching games at all. “The best handicappers are people who don’t watch games,” Carlin told me. “The brain is one of the least effective predictive machines we have.” That is to say: We bring our own biases, and if we watched, say, Minnesota play well a couple of times, we’re going to think they’re better than they actually are.
statistics are meant to be a tool, not a religion. while it is possible to “lie with statistics,” it is far easier to make a statement without any supporting evidence. i come to this blog to learn about the game. competing opinions are great, but i’d rather read the defenses of the competing opinions. our eyes betray us for a number of reasons (as DMG points out below), and Japers’ Rink encourages commenters to try out a theory by backing it up with something substantive (hence a number of great recent FanPosts).
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 17, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
You complete me, Natty.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and just because i've been needing to share this with SOMEONE..
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 17, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s brilliant.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s brilliant.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I’m pretty sure D’ohboy is referring to even strength. After all, the Caps have 99 problems but the PP ain’t one. Hit me.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roger
I’m talking even strength. I’ve debated the “Ovie on the PP point” issue to death with several of my good friends. I’ve always supported it, because it allows your best player to play the full two minutes on the PP, plus, he’s really good at keeping pucks in and catching opposing forwards from behind on the breakaways.
However, if Bruce wanted to go to a #2 PP unit of Nyls, Fehr, Laich, Poti and Jurcina – with the express purpose of Jurcina bombing away from the point with traffic – I wouldn’t object.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now that is a PP unit that strikes fear into the hearts of the opposition. Commence the Power Kill.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 17, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes it’s not about personnel, and it’s about what you ask that personnel to do. Ask Jurcina to rush the puck up the ice and the result will be ugly, but ask him to bomb away from the point while Fehr and Laich go for deflections, add some potatoes and. . . “you got a stew goin.”
Part of the reason that Nylander looks so lost all the time is that he’s used to having the offense run through him. As a result, he either sulks at the half-boards or, if he does get the puck, twirls around for 25 seconds waiting for everyone else to work off of him. However, put him out there with complementary players and he just might surprise you.
The big issue that unit would have is getting the puck into the zone. For a guy who stickhandles like Ron Jeremy, Nyls sure has problems penetrating the zone.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ron Jeremy and hockey. Now those are two things I’d never thought I’d see together in my lifetime.
by b.orr4 on Mar 17, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was either the Hedgehog or John Holmes. Had to go with Jeremy’s mainstream name-recognition.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We need to go Peter North on the Panthers tonight.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would that necessitate winning in the shootout?
Eww…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That most certainly would be a “Number Two” Power play unit
Ron and Fez Noon to Three
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 17, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lehtonen’s 10-6-2 record against the Caps is even more impressive considering he’s had the Thrashers in front of him for all of those games…
by MikeL-Caps on Mar 17, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hardly – the Caps were terrible for the first two-plus seasons of Lehtonen’s career (during which the Thrashers iced a Division-winning team).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Mar 17, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Faceoffs
As I noted in this fanpost (which drew a collective ‘meh’ from the readership here), the Caps’ faceoff percentage on Saturday night seemed artificially inflated. To my eyes, the Canes owned the Caps in the dot all night, which repeatedly gave the Canes puck possession and scoring chances. However, according to the stat sheet, the Caps actually beat the canes in draws 35-34.
Last night, I thought the Caps actually looked better on faceoffs, and yet the official scorer in Atlanta seemed to disagree. Compare this with the boxscore from Saturday.
While it’s not uncommon for the official scoring on “secondary” statistics (giveaways/takeaways, faceoffs, hits and blocked shots) to vary greatly between arenas, this was a pretty huge swing. Regardless, I think that the Caps’ faceoff percentage might be artificially inflated by their official scorer, which makes me worry even more about their ability to win draws in the playoffs.
by D'ohboy on Mar 17, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In terms of style, this loss didn’t strike me as all that different from a lot of the Cap’s wins this year. I thought we had some good chances and were buzzing around a lot in the first ten minutes — if something goes in, maybe it lowers Lehtonen’s confidence, Atl is more on its heels, some more get through, and we’re talking about this great game where we took fifty shots and won. Instead, we get down early and there’s no Rangers game mojo to bring us back. Every time we lose, I read about how we have to go to the net and get dirty goals, but as JP has pointed out, we haven’t had secondary scoring in ages, even in many of our wins, and we’ve won a lot of games. We have creative goals, interesting goals, goals willed out of thin air, and get some good to good-enough defense and goaltending. I don’t know — maybe this doesn’t hold up over the whole season (I haven’t been able to watch as many games in NY as I’d like), but the ones I have seen, win or lose, played out a lot like this, living or dying by our skill. I understand that the point is — yes, but just think if we did have those dirty goals! — but maybe we’re not built that way — we’ve still won a lot of games playing whatever style we play (er, not to open the b.orr4-JP can o’worms).
by #Six on Mar 17, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It was already mentioned earlier in the thread, but I just thought I’d say again: Tom Poti has been abominable. I think this guy needs to be traded in the off season so he can be another teams Mike Green Lite. He wasn’t brought in here to be a stalwart defenseman, and he isn’t.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think trading him would be a bad idea. There’s no one on the Caps who can go into that number two slot and it would result in everyone else on the depth chart being moved up a slot, a problem because I think many of them are being asked to do more than they should be asked to do right now.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you assume he is not traded for someone capable? If you look at Tom Poti’s career, and what his role was to be when he was signed (i.e. BG – Before Green), that’s not what he’s doing now. Really you are getting most of the Poti downside (defense) without any of the upside (offense) because he’s not called upon to fill that role.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you assume he is not traded for someone capable?
If the argument is that Poti isn’t very good, I don’t see why anyone would take him for someone who is good (this is what I thought it was at first and I misunderstood). If it’s an issue of the role he’s being asked to play, I suppose it’s possible but since it takes two to tango I’d have to research who I think might be a realistic option in the offseason.
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Duh: Poti for Pronger. ;-)
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or….Poti and Theodore for Pronger and Giguire!
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what?…no Getzlaf?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 17, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we’d have to throw in Fehr, whom i’m sure is the guy anaheim wanted in ’03 anyway.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We could always trade him to the Kings for Malkin
Ron and Fez Noon to Three
by YvonLabresMoustache on Mar 17, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, no, no. Throw in Nylander. Ooh but Nylander, Theo, and Poti for Pronger, Getzlaf, and Giguire? That’s a little one sided. Better throw in a second round pick because, as we all know, a second round pick is the magic key to making any incredibly lopsided trade work!
by David M. Getz on Mar 17, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another good strategy would be calling Atlanta and saying, “Don, make me an offer.”
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Mar 17, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 22 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
|
Atlanta
|
12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 |
|
Florida
|
14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
|
Carolina
|
15 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 7 |
(updated 11.7.2009 at 9:10 AM EST)
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