Game Day - Islanders @ Capitals
by J.P. on Apr 1, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
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And down the stretch they come...
After a good-for-the-team/bad-for-the-bloggers stretch of two games in ten days, the Caps now will play every other day until the season ends - a half dozen games against teams whose combined record currently stands at 155-172-51, and not a one of which has won more games than they've lost this season.
Tonight's opponents, the New York Islanders, are the League's worst team, and would have to get hot to finish 29th overall (though they have shown signs of life lately, going 1-0-1 against the Wings and Flyers last weekend). The Isles have lost four of their last five and have the NHL's worst road record and enter Wednesday's game as the only team in the League without double-digit wins away from home. Ouch.
They're also a team against whom the Caps are looking to close out a season sweep, having won the first three meetings by a combined score of 12-7. Alex Ovechkin has led the way (shocking, I know), with five of those goals (including two overtime game-winners) and a pair of assists.
More important than the past, however, is the immediate future. A quick peek at the standings shows that the Caps, as Vogs points out, control their own destiny with regards to second place in the Conference, and that not only matters with respect to home ice advantage in the second round, but also likely means a more favorable first round match-up.
Six games left.
It's time, boys. Flip the switch.
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It’s time, boys. Flip the switch
From your lips to God’s ears…
They showed some good signs against Tampa, coming out and dropping a 3-spot on them in the first period. That was nice. After that, not so nice. At least the 25 minutes that I saw.
Hopefully they come out, dominate early, and put the knife in when they have the chance. The Isles have played them pretty even in regulation, though, so I’m thinking this one will be tighter than we collectively hope.
In the end I’ll say 5-3 Caps, Fedorov with an EN goal to ice it.
The Caps were good against TB when things were chippy, which gives one hope since a) the playoffs are chippy and b) it showed they can basically flip the switch.
That said, a 60-minute effort would go a long way to calming nerves.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Caps were good against TB when things were chippy
Good to hear, as I missed basically all of the third
a) the playoffs are chippy
Reason #1 (of probably several dozen I could list) why the playoffs for Lord Stanley’s Cup are the most compelling drama in sport.
b) it showed they can basically flip the switch.
Yeah, man. When this team plays with an edge, they’re as good as anyone.
The fact that Caps control their own destiny is great. The bottom of the table is basically a coin toss at this point. The 2nd seed could face anyone from the Flyers to the Panthers. The Habs looked pretty good last night against the Hawks. I thought that they would crumble and fall out of the playoffs.
Does everyone still think that that Rags/Habs are the best first round matchup for the Caps?
Unrelated – I like when people call the standings “the table.” Very British.
And I still want Florida. Or Montreal. Or the Rags. Or the Bolts (what?).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
My wish list, in order of personal preference:
1. Montreal
2. Florida
3. NYR
4. Carolina
5. Pittsburgh
Carolina doesn’t scare me a bit, to tell you the truth. Anyone but Pittsburgh is my theory.
Pittsburgh v. New Jersey tonight, that is a big one to me. Go Pens.
I actually don’t mind getting Pitt early on, if that’s what happens. I’d rather get rid of them early than late when they’ve had time to get up to steam.
That and Malkin isn’t exactly a playoff performer. Better to get ’em early.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 1, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve been preaching this the past few days. We have to overcome our Pens stigma sometime, and if it happens this year, awesome.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
First Round Shmirst Round
It says a lot about the franchise’s history that its fanbase can barely envision a more glorious spectacle than a victorious FIRST round matchup over a hated foe.
How’s this for a dream: Caps vs. Pens in the Eastern Conference Finals?
/knocks on wood, rubs rabbit foot
The keyboard is mightier.
That would erase any past playoff scars away immediately. I’m subscribing to your thinking here…
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I dunno, Caps fans seem to hoard their scars jealously. Might take more than one.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
If the Caps lifted a Cup after sending the Pens away in the ECF, I think our ego’s would be mighty giant.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Your lips to God’s ears.
The flood of red marching down Pennsylvania Avenue would be epic.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
as would the butthurt in Western PA for a whole summer.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
So, which is sweeter, the parade or the butthurt?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
The parade, followed by the butthurt. We have to enjoy the spoils first.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok all this parade talk, I think I have to perform some drastic counter-karma measures.
The keyboard is mightier.
Ha. Conditional tense, man. We’re by no means guaranteed anything, but fantasies aren’t bad.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
HA HA
Another educated Caps fan. 22pts in 20 PO games last year far from shabby, and most of them came in the first two series. It is tough to say how AO plays in the playoffs because he doesnt last long enough to matter. You might as well face it. Whenever you play the Pens first round or ECF it is going to be old hat and another handshake with Capital tears
by black&goldtilldead&cold on Apr 2, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll take the Habs and the 100 years of ghosts over the Rags. In fact, NYR is increasingly becoming a team I would rather anyone else dispose of.
My ideal first rounders in the East are:
BOS-NYR
WAS-MON
NJ-CAR
PHI-PIT
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wanted the Rags or the Habs all season. But the way Torts has the Rags playing makes me reconsider that position. However, until the Rags PP starts being dangerous I’m not really worried about them.
You should be worried for one reason: Henrik Lundqvist.
Any goalie that good (and possibly more handsome than JT) should be feared.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hm. I’m sure there’s a diversity of opinions on the issue. Maybe not.
Perhaps this should be our Friday Pick ’Em. :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
HA.
The Rags have become a much scarier team for me in the last two weeks. The fact that they seem to have righted the ship, have King Henrik, and have a coach that has won before has really changed my view on them. More and more I think that the Habs are the team I want to see in the first round. Mostly because if anything goes wrong, they will fold under the pressure of Montreal’s century season like a house of cards.
Would love to see Montreal in the first round – gotta think they’re the opponent of choice for everyone now. Shaky goaltending, lots of holes otherwise…they look ripe.
I realize I’m a distinct minority in this opinion, but I am totally unfazed by the prospect of the Rangers. Their G might steal a game or two (although I doubt it) but I think he has to win 3 or 4 on his own in order for the Caps to go down. Which could happen, I suppose, but the odds are real slim. Their weaknesses match up so nicely with the Caps, and on a strength-to-strength comparison the Caps are so much more the dangerous team…
Torts has them playing hard, to his credit, but the Caps out-talent them in a relatively easy series, at least imo.
Yeah it’s been in the back of my mind and DMG has voiced a similar fear. I just don’t think Hank hasn’t had a dominant year this year so it’s not as big of a concern. Yeah, he could turn it on at any time, but I don’t remember Hank ever dominating to carry the Rags to a playoff series win. They beat NJD pretty hands down last year and then Hank didn’t do much to slow the Pens. He won the Gold Medal but I think that is a little different because it was fewer games, over a shorter time span, with the Swedish Olympic team in front of him. It’s a fear, but there are no bad teams in the playoffs and our skaters have basically dominated the Rags’ skaters this year. I’m a little hedged from where I was earlier in the year but I’m sticking with MON or NYR.
Its all about potential right? All it takes is Hank to steal a game or two in a series and the summer begins. I think that he has a higher “steal” potential than a Price or a Ward.
I agree, he hasn’t been as awesome as he could have been over the course of the year, but it seems like being in the Rags lockerroom in December/January/February was like spending your days in a burn unit, just not much to be happy about. That seems to have changd in the last two weeks.
There are a bunch of games to go, but it doesn’t look like anyone is going to back into this years playoffs like the Sens did last year.
Well, Ward does have a Conn Smythe… He stole a game or two on that trip and he’s also been hot as hell lately.
I figured someone would call me on saying that about Cam Ward. I can’t spend too much time arguing that back and forth because its just a gut feeling of mine to pick Henrik over Cam.
Yeah I mostly agree with you. 100 times out of 100 I take Hank over Cam Ward. I’m just saying that hot goalies are not really predictable and it doesn’t even depend on top end skill. Brodeur has played in how many playoffs and only (!) won 3 cups? On teams that are better than the Rags team now. One good goalie is a concern but usually the team needs to be pretty solid in front of him. I’m just not that afraid of Hank right now.
The Caps’ best shot is against Montreal. Shaky goaltending and not a very physically imposing team compared to the Rags or even Carolina. As far as the Pens go, even Pummeler said they didn’t want Pittsburgh in the first round. Carolina looks solid right now as well.
Take the Habs with the Rags as your second-best chance at getting to the 2nd round.
good advice
Taking advice from a crappy band who makes a stupid song to try to get A fan….NICE
by black&goldtilldead&cold on Apr 2, 2009 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions
OK, tonight’s game just moved into “wholly unacceptable to lose” classification, based on this tank-errific news:
If the NHL decided overtime ties with a contest for blocking slapshots or piling an opponent into the boards, then, you might expect to see Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt on the ice. But when he lined up to take the first shot in the shootout against Philadelphia Saturday night at the Coliseum, jaws dropped and the question that came to mind was: “What in the wide world of sports is Islanders coach Scott Gordon thinking?”
Leading off with a stay-at-home defenseman? The other shooters made sense. Center Frans Nielsen has been a regular shootout participant, and All-Star defenseman Mark Streit, who was taking his first shootout attempt of the season, is the Isles’ leading scorer. MSG commentator Stan Fischler asked Gordon after the 4-3 shootout loss, “Why Witt?” A smiling Gordon responded, “Why not? Do you know something I don’t?”
The coach then explained that this was yet another opportunity to experiment in a lost season.
Oh, and Mark Streit isn’t playing tonight.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Pedantic, I know, but doesn’t the above just move the game further into unacceptable-loss territory? After all, the Isles have managed nine (count ‘em) wins on the road this year. In a stretch run with real benefits on the table, they just can’t lose this game.
That said, the thing on Witt is fricking mind boggling.
I’ve given up predicting easy wins. I’m going tonight fully expecting a nail-biter that goes to a shootout. The Caps are good but they seem to have no ability to win easy.
I have actually been thinking that exact same thing. The Caps have been a high scoring team most of the year, but they haven’t really laid the smack down on anyone. They have put up a couple of 7 spots but also managed to give up a ton of goals in those games. I’m still waiting for the 7-1 win, or the 8-3 win that high scoring teams always seem to have.
Didn’t Witt score 100 goals or something in a season in juniors?
Also, enjoy KC, Isles.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
A team would make some people in KC very, v ery happy.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Midwesterners love their sports. The Blues have an excellent fan base in St. Louis, no reason to believe KC, which packed the house for a pre-season Kings-Whoevers game, would be different.
The keyboard is mightier.
My boyfriend’s one of them :P Just hockey fans, though.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Actually, for selfish reasons I’d like to see New York move to KC because I figure it results in the following:
(1) KC moves to the Western Conference
(2a) Nashville moves to the Eastern Conference
(2b) Nashville goes to the Southeast
(3) Washington moves to the Atlantic
Doesn’t Detroit have a right of first refusal on a move from West to East, though, or has that myth been debunked?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m not sure. I’ll bet for many years they would have been the most logical team to move if someone needed to, but right now Nashville seems to be the most logical based on geography.
Yes, but geography doesn’t trump the power of the Wings and their desire to have a much easier travel schedule.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Much more likely Detroit moves in to fill the void in the Atlantic, as mentioned elsewhere. Even if not them, Columbus would probably be more likely to move to the East than Nashville given the time zone issue.
If Detroit wanted to move, they’d have moved by now, don’t you think? And isn’t it typical NHL perversion that they move a Central timezone team into the East while keeping an Eastern timezone team in the West?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
They would have made their desire to move known and it would have been resolved a la Toronto.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Not exactly what? You think they’d tell them to FO if they begged to move east, which by the way, they haven’t?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Yes. They’d tell them “not now, we’re not moving anyone, and by the way, Chicago’s gonna be hella pissed if you leave them as the only O-6 team in the West, so cool your heels.”
You don’t think Detroit would prefer to be in the East, where travel (and everything associated with it) is much easier, where they’d be playing Toronto and the other 0-6 teams more, and where they’d be on TV more often in prime time locally? B/c what – they’ve got a great rivalry with Columbus that they wouldn’t want to ruin?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I don’t think playing in the West is such a burden on Detroit that they want out,. The travel would be better but there is value to staying in the West. Besides, how many Wings fans value rivalries with Toronto/Boston/Montreal/NYR over Chicago/Colorado/Dallas/St. Louis? That’s ancient history.
If they did want out, I think they would have made more than a peep in the near 30 years they’ve been there.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Toronto got out when they could. Detroit’s next, if/when they can. It’s simply a much better business environment for them in the East.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I don’t get the majority of St. Louis fans I’ve talked to though. Some of them know their entire teams roster, love the team, but couldn’t tell you who Ovechkin is.
Blues fans I know love the Blues. And they know nothing about the rest of the league. I’m not sure that’s a problem. They are passionate. They also have, if I recall correctly, the cheapest seats in hockey, and the coolest saturday special: A raffle to have your rent paid for the month.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
K.C. can support two hockey teams. Duh.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nah, Phoenix’ll move either to Winnipeg or Hamilton, doncha know?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
In seriousness, I really, really don’t think Winnipeg can sustain an NHL team. I’d say the realistically viable markets for NHL teams right now are
Toronto
Hamilton
Kansas City
I dunno what Hamilton’s market is for it, but in defense of Winnipeg, don’t the Moose draw over 14k per?
"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."
by Bald Pollack on Apr 1, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Ouch.
"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."
by Bald Pollack on Apr 1, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
They do very well by AHL standards (second in the league, I believe), but I don’t think Winnipeg has all that much money and growth has basically stagnated there.
Yes. Gretzky already pointed this out to the Canadian media. It’s not about filling 18k people into an arena every night. Any Canadian city could probably do that. It’s about marketing opportunities and local business support. A city as small as Winnipeg just couldn’t drum up the local support to keep a team there. That is basically what is happening to Nashville too. Their attendance isn’t great but it’s not enough to drive them from town, the local business investment and marketing is the issue.
by Rob Parker on Apr 1, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Seattle has the Key Arena, which is terrible for hockey but could house a team (it already has the Thunderbirds) That said, I wouldn’t expect at hockey team to move to Seattle. It is the farest of fare weather towns. They couldn’t keep the Sonics, and didn’t really fight to keep them. They almost lost the Seahawks. They supported the Mariners when they were a 110 win team but now are having all sorts of attendance problems.
If I were looking to expand, Seattle would not be the place to do it.
I think a lot of people are reluctant to move a team to Vegas because of it’s rep as a tourist town, thinking most people there don’t actually live in the town, and season ticket holdings would be tough. That’s the fiscal reason, though.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
There are about 2 million of us here…but I don’t know how many people other than me would be at the games. Casino’s would buy up a lot of tickets to hand out to VIP’s, people would come to see their favorite teams play, but I don’t know if all that would be enough to support a team. That being said, I’d be first in line if we got a team
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 1, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I think any high level pro team is going to struggle in Vegas. A huge percentage of its population are out of towners, a lot of the people there any given time are tourists, a lot of people there work at night in casinos, bars, theaters, etc. Then there’s concern over reputation in the center of the (US) gambling world.
Bottom line is Vegas might be able to support an NHL team but there are other, better options.
I think the tourism concerns are overblown. The NHL could use a way to expose casual fans to the game and a team in Vegas could do that. A good marketing campaign can make an NHL game a “thing to do” on the strip. That is the first step. Before you all point out how bad the NHL is at marketing, remember that any arena in Vegas is going to be owned by either Harrah’s or MGM, and both of those companies are great at marketing. The ECHL Wranglers draw very well and they are not even close to the best players in the world.
The gambling concerns are also unfounded. NHL players can gamble wherever they are with the internet. Keeping the NHL out of Vegas isn’t going to stop players from gambling if they want to gamble (or their coaches… or their wives). However, the gambling revenue can subsidize a team so that ticket prices can remain low and attract more fans. This is a major reason PIT fought to get slot machines in their new arena. Unlike the other non-traditional markets Vegas has a built in revenue stream that can support a team.
There is also a standing population of transplants in Vegas. Many of these people grew up as hockey fans and still are hockey fans. Whether that number reaches critical mass or not, I don’t know. I do know that the way Vegas is depicted greatly underestimates the amount of hockey love in that city. And, as we all know, hockey is a great sport and really you only have to get people exposed to it in order to get them hooked on it. Vegas baby.
I could not be more against hockey in Vegas and now that the boom is over, Vegas isn’t exactly ‘the place to be’ either. Wait until half the casinos fold. Where are all those people who going to live/work? Not in Vegas, for sure.
And from a personal standpoint, I’m not going to Vegas to watch hockey unless the ‘Spirit Squad’ is serving drinks and topless. And I’m not talking Chippendales.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Yeah, Vegas is hurting right now. It’s a city dependent on expendable income, and that’s on short supply right now. But Vegas isn’t alone in that boat. A LOT of cities are really hurting, and a lot of industries are hurting. The economy will turn around barring any drastic changes in the way America orders society (discussion for another forum) and when that happens Vegas will rebound as well. I’m not saying the time is now to move to Vegas. I’m saying that when/if the NHL moves a team or expands Vegas should be on the short list. You may not be willing to travel to Vegas to watch hockey, but how many cities do you travel to “to watch hockey.” Probably not many unless it’s close and the Caps are the visitors. I can accept that you are against being in Vegas, but you haven’t really given a reason why so I don’t know what else to tell you.
I don’t think it’s a viable market for a ‘major league’ hockey team. It’s a gimmick and will wear off, especially due to the local economy. Yes, the national economy will come back, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be booming in Vegas again. I’ve been there twice in the past 4 months and let me tell you, they are hurting and the dominos are going to start falling. The Vegas bubble has not yet fully burst.
I just don’t think it’s a smart idea to put a team in a town where you are assuming a great portion of your attendance is going to be via tourism. How do you build a fanbase like that? Let the NBA make this mistake.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
North Las Vegas, Las Vegas, and Henderson are all among the 20 fastest growing cities in America. You are selling the local community short. I’m not disagreeing that Vegas is hurting, I have friends there, I know they are in a bad spot. But Vegas is not going anywhere, I am quite confident of that. When the economy rebounds, so will Vegas.
When nobody lives there it’s easy to grow fast. Check that near 20% foreclosure rate. It’s not that Vegas is going anywhere, but it’s not about to become some burgeoning metropolis like many were predicting. The Vegas bubble was bigger than most, people built and built now you have major players like Sands Corp. on the verge of bankruptcy. There will be others. Too much, too soon, and a warped view of what normalcy is bound to be.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Here’s the thing about Vegas.
The NHL stands a chance there IF and only IF they beat the NBA there. They would be the first and only major pro team in a city with cash to burn. I’d be willing to bet, pun intended, they would be a hit. Put ‘em near the strip, and you’ve got another “novelty” entertainment option for sunbelt visitors who would otherwise never consider a hockey game.
If an NBA team makes it there first, you lose that opportunity. Strike while the iron is hot, baby.
The keyboard is mightier.
I totally agree that the NHL has to be there before the NBA. I can also tell you it is unlikely that the NBA goes there any time soon. I was working in the service industry there when the NBA all star game was in Vegas and it was a nightmare. Complete Nightmare. There were a lot of shootings, they set a weekend record for arrests, restaurants reported a huge increase in patrons walking out on their checks. After that the local sentiment was much less in favor of having an NBA team than they were going into the weekend. Let’s just say that NHL players, and the majority of their fans, generally display a higher level of self control and discipline so I wouldn’t expect the same sort of behavior.
What is the likelihood of Toronto getting a second team? Wouldn’t the Leafs put up a huge fight about that?
I don’t have any doubt they would, and honestly I don’t know if there’s any way they could be appeased.
“Rec” is short for recommend — it means you like the post. If enough people recommend a post, it’ll change colors so the eye is drawn to it. That way casual readers can spot just the good stuff.
“Flag” is flag for inappropriate content.
by Gould Old Days on Apr 1, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Based on my work productivity...
I have flipped the switch and am playoff ready.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on Apr 1, 2009 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Why do I think of Bon Jovi, “Last Man Standing”?
Take your seats now folks it’s showtime
Hey Patrick, hit the lgihts
There’s something in the air
There’s magic in the night
(I encourage people to listen to the song anyway, it’s Bon Jovi’s tribute to Johnny Cash.)
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I’d imagine a Bon Jovi tribute to Johnny Cash to be like a Rico Fata tribute to Gordie Howe.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 1, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Best joke of April Fools and you didn’t need to do some lame gimmick.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Johnny Cash and Bon Jovi should never even be in the same sentence. That is just wrong.
by SethB on Apr 1, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Aw, man, I feel the love.
By the by, per Tarik, Jurcina is the odd man out tonight, and Theo starts in goal. Works. My guess is Varly’ll get starts once the division is sewn up.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
No surprise on JT.
He also says Johnny was out there a bit. Nice.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Raise your hand if you’re surprised. Like I said, my guess is Varly’ll get starts once the division is put away.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I wonder if he might get the Atlanta game at home on Sunday, but that’s probably not going to happen. Likely he’ll start a road game.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t Bruce say he’d get at least two starts before the end of the season?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Supposedly the org (not necessarily Bruce, iirc) told him that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I thought he said Buffalo, not that that makes sense
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
Theodore Tomorrow
Jose Theodore is expected to start in goal tomorrow, which means Simeon Varlamov will likely start Friday against Buffalo. Varlamov is supposed to get another start in the following two games (both against Altanta) and then Theodore is expected to start the final two regular season games at Tampa Bay and at Florida. This can change, of course, but that’s the way I see it shaking out.
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
That was his second guess. This was his first guess:
“Varlamov has been told by the Washington coaching staff that he’ll get at least two more starts with the Caps before the end of the regular season, and with the NHL’s worst team coming to town on Wednesday, I’m thinking one of Varlamov’s opportunities will be against the Islanders.”
In any case, if the Caps don’t clinch before Friday, I’d bet Theodore is back in goal against Buffalo.
I was thinking more along the lines of “Mob Scene” by Marilyn Manson. Makes me think of playoff victories…
And “Beautiful People.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 1, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Today's fun fact
Alex Ovechkin loves hump day. He has 9 goals and 9 assists this year during Wednesday games.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions
Your tagline
Yup! Just ask Hockey Buzz.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Perhaps I should post anonymously, and make trade predictions, that’s how you get traffic these days!
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 1, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
What, Hockey Buzz’s sloppy seconds?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
The best match-up for the Caps would be the Rangers as their lack of scoring is something the Caps can deal with. Montreal is free-falling right now, although they got a nice win last night vs. Chicago. Either of these would be good.
I’d prefer to see the ‘Canes in Round 2, ideally after they’ve been softened up in a 4-5 match-up with Philly….
How many of you are Irish Channel Regulars?
I’m pretty much there after every game. There before the games on weekends.
Jurcina Sitting
From Tarik: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/jurcina-will-sit.html
I suppose it’s not nice to do a happy dance of joy about this, but it did bring a smile to my face… :D
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.12.2012 at 10:06 PM EST)
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