Game Day - Hurricanes @ Capitals

by J.P. on Mar 3, 2009 7:00 AM EST

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Remember way back when (i.e. last season) when hardly a week would pass without a Caps/'Canes matchup on the slate? Well, on the off chance you miss that, you're in luck, as the Hurricanes appear on the Caps' schedule three times in the next 18 days (a span of ten games). It's not quite the three head-to-heads in four games the two teams had back in late January of 2007, but it's still more than enough time for these pseudo-rivals to get plenty reacquainted.

How are our old buddies from N.C. doing these days? Well, they're fighting for their playoff lives, and not doing a great job of it. They're in the bottom half of the League in goals per game and goals against average, five-on-five ratio, power play percentage and penalty kill, and have lost to Ottawa and Atlanta (and beaten Buffalo) in the last week.

But they've got one thing the Caps don't: desperation. The Caps - unbeatable at home through the early part of January - are just 7-6-0 in their last thirteen at the VC, with some big wins (Detroit, Boston, Philly) and some bad losses (Colorado, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Columbus) thrown in there.

So you tell me - does this Carolina team more closely resemble the kind of team the Caps have beaten at home lately or the kind that has given them fits? Yeah, I thought so. Get ready for a nail biter.

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Yup, we're definitely screwed.

I guess the most frustrating part of all this is to see an incredibly talented team who can take anyone out just coasting and slacking. We know they can do it if they’ll just wake up and focus. There isn’t enough want there – it’s like they’re resting on their laurels until the playoffs. Come on guys, wake up.

by gotsparkly on Mar 3, 2009 7:56 AM EST reply actions

unpredictable

they’ve definitely shown they are unpredictable, so i have no idea what to expect tonight – nailbiter or blowout from either side. driving up from Charlottesville and hoping Caps crush, obviously!

by thealanwattsriot on Mar 3, 2009 8:21 AM EST reply actions

If they can’t get focused for Florida, a team that is playing with as much intensity and want as the Caps of last season, then this game will be no different. I think.

by ns on Mar 3, 2009 8:39 AM EST reply actions

History as a predictor

If you believe in trends, you can put this one in the win column:
Jan. 13-Bad home loss to Edmonton. Next game-big win in Pittsburgh
Feb 5-Bad home loss to LA. Next game-big win over Florida
Feb. 20-Brutal home loss to Colorado. Next game- Inspiring win over Pittsburgh
Feb. 24- Killer loss to Philly. Next game-easy win over Atlanta
March 1-Humiliating loss to Florida. Next game-????

So there you have it. Steal the money from the cookie jar, cash the unemployment check and take the rent money to your nearest bookie (or online gambling site) and bet the entire load on the Caps. They’re the lead pipe, A#1, no-brainer lock of the week. (DIsclaimer: This poster does not endorse or support illicit gambling. Nor are we responsible if you lose all your money and become homeless by foolishly believing that anyone has any idea what this increasingly schizophrenic group of players will do from game to game.)

by b.orr4 on Mar 3, 2009 9:10 AM EST reply actions

I wrote a long post to exactly this effect, saying exactly how predictable they are (bad loss means good win next time out) but then I read your comments and see I could not have said it better.

by Sct112 on Mar 3, 2009 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

"increasingly schizophrenic group of players"

very nice. and true.

by ns on Mar 3, 2009 9:17 AM EST reply actions

If they're gonna have a bad run

better to get it out of their systems now, rather than, say, six weeks from now.

I expect them to struggle against the Canes tonight, as they seem to be in a bit of a funk. Still might win, but I’m not thinking it’s going to be the most heartening effort.

I’m hoping they’ll be back on track heading into the playoffs, though.

I should note that I am the single worst prognosticator I know, however, so take all my analysis with a generous leavening of Morton’s.

by fat_daddyo on Mar 3, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions

We have a pretty darn impressive record against Eastern Conference teams that would currently qualify for the playoffs.

3-0-1 against Boston
2-0-2 against New Jersey
1-2 against Philly
3-1 against Montreal
2-2 against Florida
3-0-1 against Rangers
3-0 against Pittsburgh

only a losing record against Philly. 17-5-4 overall against Eastern Conference Playoff teams.

What scares me is only 4 of our final 18 games are against teams currently qualifying for the playoffs.

by Sombrero Guy on Mar 3, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions

I hate seeing Pittsburgh back on that list…

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Mar 3, 2009 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

Torn

Very tempted to watch the Detroit vs St. Louis battle tonight over the Caps game. If the Caps play like utter ass tonight, i might be switching over =/

by ns on Mar 3, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions

Looks like it's Neuvirth in net tonight

TEB says Theo’s got the flu (I wonder how he was feeling on Sunday)

by superjuan on Mar 3, 2009 5:20 PM EST reply actions

or a pre-cursor to a trade?

by bigonetimer on Mar 3, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

…kidding, sort of : )

by bigonetimer on Mar 3, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Whew

Anyone think McPhee might be making a few more phone calls after that second period? At least Semin redeemed himself. This home stand is brought to you by Ambien.

by chockster on Mar 3, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions

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Southeast Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Florida Litter Box Cats	53	25	17	11	61
Washington Japers' Rink	54	28	21	5	61
Winnipeg Arctic Ice Hockey	56	26	24	6	58
Tampa Bay Raw Charge	53	23	24	6	52
Carolina Canes Country	55	20	25	10	50