Game 1 Open Thread - Rangers @ Capitals
by J.P. on Apr 15, 2009 5:00 PM EDT
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PrintNew York Rangers at Washington Capitals, Apr 15, 2009 7:00 PM EDT
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Let’s do it guys!
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 15, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions
"The Laichness Monster" (credit: Jibblescribbits of MHH)
If MileHighHockey members can negotiate the 24-hour waiting period to join the rink, there will be a field trip over here tonight to cheer on the Caps, comment on Theo’s performance (hopefully he’ll be awesome), and spread our love of imaginative nicknames.
Meeeeeeee. And I’m looking for a link as well.
by Simply Sensational on Apr 15, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Wish I could help =/ Hopefully somebody can!
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
MORE LINKS
justin tv (password is “glass”)
I’d try the atdhe link (posted above as well) first, as they’ve had the best link in my experience
Justin.tv is working the best for me, Mozilla is having trouble opening Ustream
by Simply Sensational on Apr 15, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Ustream is getting a little laggy as the viewer load increases,,,justin tv still going strong
Have not checked out atdhe yet
Ustream works on my IE and i’m going to stick with that unless it becomes choppy
by Simply Sensational on Apr 15, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
if anyone needs to get a little pumped up
courtesy of ninefttl
by Pivonka, Michael Ridley on Apr 15, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions
True, although we probably have about as many SHG as they have PPG…7, sound about right? =P
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
just wanted to wish you guys good luck from the other side
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 15, 2009 7:07 PM EDT reply actions
I think it was a fair call, but obviously I’m a bit biased :)
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Big hit by Brads!
Anyone else overjoyed that Gordo is back in the lineup?
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
May the force of hockey be with you. And then a kabong.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
A few numbers to remember:
Ovechkin: 6’2", 220
Avery: 5’10", 190
Why do I think Avery going to go after someone not named Ovechkin?
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I think Avery’s more like 200 these days, and Ovechkin 230. But I don’t think size is going to make a difference and I think Avery will go after anyone and everyone.
I can see him working on Semin
Ovie would crush him.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Needs more traffic
If Lundqvist can see the shots then they are not going in.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Need more traffic in front of the net
I know rush and crash isn’t our best style, but shooting from 25 feet won’t get it done.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Ovie throwing himself into Staal quite nicely
Looks like the Caps read the scouting reports, too. Staal on Ovie? Fine, take some hits, too, Staal.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Lots of hitting so far in this game. I hope it last for all five games.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
And Avery gets a penalty
Karmic justice. Elisha Cuthbert shall be avenged!
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
She is hot.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Saw 24 on Monday
Picked up a few pounds, but still waaaaaay cuter than anyone I deal with in real life.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I think, just maybe, we’re holding the mental advantage.
by CapitalCentre on Apr 15, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
This makes me happy
No deer-in-headlights looks for our guys this year.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
He can’t help himself. Flash the red in front of him and he has to do something stupid.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
The longer this is 0-0
the less I like it.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Agreed. Don’t wanna give them confidence.
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't worry
The longer it stays 0-0 the more likely it’s a Capital that scores. The Rags are pretty offensively challenged.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Keep talking me off the ledge.... :)
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Then things are working out just fine.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
haha
That’ll be the dryland training tomorrow.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Seriously
This game has great tempo so far. Could use some goals…
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
The tempo has to favor the Caps, right?
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I’d say so. The Rangers aren’t really an up and down team…
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Preferably for the Caps, that.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Am I the only one afraid of Theo getting cold because there’s not much action going on on that end so far?
A la Mighty Ducks as well, gotta keep up with the references.
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s getting some action now…
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Nah, just his best friend, the post =p
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Repeat after me...
the post is a goalie’s best friend….
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Damn
That was a sick move.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Been a while since it’s worked, too.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
And a pretty sick stop, too
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
That’s a lazy clearance
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Yeah…I’d rather he panic and hammer it down the ice.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Is Gomez afraid of the puck?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Ha
Rangers can’t score on the PP and give up amongst the most SH goals.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I love watching Ovie hit people
It makes me happy inside.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Ovie
Is the real Russian Rocket…a heat-seeking one.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
DAMN COMPOSITE STICKS!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Torts really has the blender going tonight.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
- Alexander Ovechkin’s first period: eleven shot attempts, six shots on goal, and six hits in 7:53 of ice time.
NO KICKING MOTION!
Are they serious? Crosby bent that shot like Beckham.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I don’t know. Sure didn’t look like it and the refs ruled that it was no distinct kicking motion not that he touched it with his stick.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
untroubled
He is giving out some juicy rebounds but no one is driving the net.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
As said before...
if he can see it, he’ll stop it.
Need more bodies in front of the net…
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
1-0 Pittsburgh. Evidently the retfs are quite reasonably lifting the rules where The Diver is concerned.
0-0 Canes and Devils
Great ref joke on Czabe today
Doing their The Commissioner skit with a guy doing David Stern:
Question: So will LeBron James get his customary 4 steps in the playofs, or will it be increased to 5?
Crosby is teh NHL’s LeBron, just not as talented.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Somehow I’ve missed every replay of it so far. I’m sure they’ll show it at least 5-6 more times though.
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
This period is really why numbers are misleading. Caps are killing in shots (14-4), faceoffs (11 of 15) and hits (16-11, although GOOD hits is probably like 6-2 or 6-3). But they have only tested Lundqvist like once.
Time for Laich, Fehr, Bradley, Stecks and Gordo to start digging.
….and? The numbers suggest the Capitals were the better team. The better team doesn’t always have the led or even win the game.
I think the other point being made was
the Caps have only one really quality attempt despite the numerical advantages listed.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Had the better of the play, for sure. The little turnover to Callahan is scary (thank, Nylander, for watching him sail on in there) as that’s the way the Rangers will have to win if they’re going to win.
I’ll say it again, the Caps just need to get one past Hank, and the Rangers will have to open it up, and the Caps will be able to pour on the coals.
If, on the other hand, the Rangers score first, this game is going to suck.
Frustrating period for the Caps. Absolute domination, but nothing to show for it. On the Avery watch, he’s already targeted out Green as I expected, but I’m not sure how much more we’ll see of him if the game stays like this.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 15, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions
Hopefully it won’t end up like that regular season game vs the Flyers where we had 25 shots in the first period and ended up losing 7-1…
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
we should expect this in this series… Rangers are strong defensively…Caps just have to keep up the pressure consistently
The one problem is that the Caps will get frustrated if they keep getting chances and not scoring. When the Caps get frustrated, they take lazy chances, when they take lazy chances, odd-man rushes happen.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 15, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, that’s their slogan. I’m not kidding.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 15, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
There are more Rangers in front of Lundqvist than Caps
That ain’t gonna work.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I think I might be imagining Lundqvist
is Ken Dryden II, and it makes me worry. A Caps lead, and I’ll settle down.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Lundqvist is so deep in his net. Let’s get some shots through
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
YES YES YES YES
That huge sigh of relief you just heard was from Salisbury, MD
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
If they get there...
we’ll find someplace.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I heard you in Dayton, OH! Did you hear mine? :)
by HeartbreakRidge on Apr 15, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well look at that.
A simple shot through traffic.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Flash in front of the net
YES! A little bit o’ traffic, and see what happens?
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Don’t make Ovi angry. You won’t like him when he’s angry.
by Gould Old Days on Apr 15, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
How was that not interference?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Well, that sucked
Isn’t Scott Gomez like 73 years old already?
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Check with the puck nowhere near the play as the puck crossed the Rags blue line.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
It was bad, Avery's pick was worse
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
who’s your father, who’s your father, who’s your father, referee? Never met him, never knew him, you’re a bastard referee!
DOWN GOES AVERY!
Just wish it was Ali sending him down….
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Is it bad that the only favorable outcome that I can think of for that series is for the train that the two teams take back to Philly goes up?
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
That just means he’s leaving tons of rebounds that we need to have guys in front to shovel them in.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah
Antro’s shooting percentage is very good. Don’t let him shoot from below the circle.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Fleischmann should not be killing penalties.
by David Getz on Apr 15, 2009 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Hey guys? A SH tally would be ever so sweet. Maybe one of those “oops I almost lost the puck” breakaways from Laich?
So, can I panic now...
can call for Varly starting in the 3rd period?
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Right now, I don;t think the team is the problem.
Jose is.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
That first goal was WEAK.
And the second wasn’t exactly a striking shot, either.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
dude seriously, that’s weak, Theo is not to blame for any of the goals….while my name might say otherwise, i’ve been ripping him before this series but tonight he’s done all that he could
We'll have to agree to disagree
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
OK, I'm in the minority
Let’s hope after the Caps win tonight the point will become moot.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
WHAT?!?!
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbo(u)r?
The Capitals have not yet begun to fight.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I will note that with better officiating this momentum shift does not happen. Then again with better officiating Ovie’s goal doesn’t happen either..
Owwwww...a Ranger has an ouchie.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Not to mention stinky.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Not a good period, still.
But I’ll take the late goal and hope we can clean up the mess in the third.
Okay, I’m just going to say what we’re all thinking: the girl who holds up the wings during the Hooters league headlines thing is adorable.
by David Getz on Apr 15, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Trivia question: I’d say NYR, Detroit, and Boston.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
I think we just saw the following exchange:
Al Koken – What are the keys to the third period?
Tomas Fleischmann – Well, we’ve got to fight and get the puck and play good defense and score.
Flash should be a coach.
He’s been watching the NHL Network coach commercials.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Love those.
And come on Caps, I’ve got an ESPN streak of five riding on you guys.
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 15, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyone who ever hires/uses Ameritel because of their triplets ads should be drug out into the street and shot.
Rangers winning the way they need to: play defense, wait for a breakdown, and pounce. Add in a shaky goal, a bad change, and a pair of stooopid penalties, and they’ve got the lead.
If the Caps just play in their system, thne Rags cannot beeat them.
I’m no genius, but 12 divided by 15 is pretty close to 80 percent…not what we wanted to see from the SP…
I am SOOOO staying out of this...
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Yeah. It went right through him. Gotta have that one.
Don’t forget, he’s gotten bailed out by the post twice.
In my opinion, he’s looked shaky out there.
That’s like a WR dropping a pass that touches his hand…you can’t have that
On the post shots he probably would have stopped them if they’d actually been on goal
you talking about the first goal:?
It went off his pad and squeezed in under his glove. That is DEFINTELY a soft goal. If he had a pad on it, it was stoppable. Period. End of sentence.
If you want room to talk about shot strength, angle or some other excuse, take it to the AHL.
And?
If you are defending it, then fine. Just admit then that you are making excuses for a weak goalie.
Me? I think Theo is better then that and that was a weak giveaway,
When the press talked about “Theo can’t be weak in net for the Caps”, this is what they meant.
Who the hell is Torts
to demand an audience with the refs to find out what BB said? And why would they actually skate over?
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I actually think that’s fair.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
When coaches can order refs around
then any pretense of objective officiating is gone.
Or maybe, it just that I coached HS wrestling for too long – if we disagreed with a call twice, we got bounced from the gym.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Someone get checked into the glass to break it?
Btw, cool that we have red posts now between glass plates.
Knee on knee, right?
Gotta admit, OV’s gonna get that call. The league doesn’t weant him out with a blown ACL.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
At a glance...
I thought he did, but yeah, I’ll take the call.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I love this. Caps fans will keep bitching about the non-calls that led to Rags goals. Rags fans will bitch about the nonsense penalty that Ovechkin drew for being Ovechkin. No matter what, the refs lose.
by Gould Old Days on Apr 15, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Beast of a shift from Antropov
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I never get the goalie taunting when we are tied
You’re mocking Henry for giving up three? What exactly do you think happened on the other end of the pond?
I think it’s more trying to get into his head and off of his game.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m with Wisper. I can’t imagine that it makes a difference. Are we expecting to see a quote tomorrow, “Well on that fourth goal I know I should have had it but I couldn’t see it because I had a tear in my eye”.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t get it either. I just said that’s probably more of what the hoped effect was.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on Apr 15, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, if the goalie was that shaky
the team wouldn’t be playing on April 15th.
I’m all for it when we’re up 3-0 or 4-1. Or when you know they are oh-so-close to getting the hook.
We will all love him unconditionally
if he wins tonight. I promise.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
just be honest, you clearly have been against Theodore as the no 1 all year regardless of his performance on the ice agreed?
I would be if I was a Capitals fan.
4 wins in his last 14 playoff games and they haven’t all been with mooks.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
f
for your money, if Johnny would have stayed healthy you would have wanted him to be the number 1 right?
No. And if you’re going to put words in my mouth you’d better have something to back it up with, capiche?
So what does this all mean for the Capitals? Well, for starters it means that the Capitals probably aren’t too far behind other Eastern Conference teams when it comes to how much faith they should have in their goaltending (which isn’t exactly new information) and that the steady stream of criticism leveled against Theodore this season is largely unfair. But most importantly it means that while Theodore might not be all the likely to steal a ton of game or a series for the Capitals, he’s even less likely to be the reason for an early postseason exit.
ok thank you, i admit my fault, i tried to impeach you and you came through….now show more support from here on and we’re cool
Or just stay objective like you have been and call it the way it is. Theo’s goals tonight have been soft. He’s also had some very nice saves. And he really hasn’t been tested very much. It’s a typical Theo game. He’s inconsistent, but on this team that’s probably good enough as long as everyone else comes through.
by Gould Old Days on Apr 15, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
The nickname Jose Threeorfour still applies…
Swing by The Flyer Frequent. You have nothing better to do.
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 15, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as we score fourorfive
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I ran the half mile from our performing hall after observing a rehearsal to get here – Saw Girardi’s trip on a replay, and then Sasha’s goal. I needed to get back earlier, I think.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I’m already having bad memories of a Caps playoff run long ago. Lots and lots of Maalox….
by HeartbreakRidge on Apr 15, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude, they’re dominating the last 5 minutes.
They keep playng like this, it’s just a matter of time.
Well, sooner or later we’ll be right! ;)
by HeartbreakRidge on Apr 15, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
believe it or not, im actually glad im NOT at the game right now… thou with the cost of the tickets on ebay, it was an easier decision
I pawned off Games 1 and 2 for $1000
Im keeping my Game 5 tickets since it may be a deciding game.
(Im hoping there is no Game 7)
Not that big of a deal
Face value was $228 per ticket. I sold them for $250 and threw in my parking pass.
Its not like I was doing any big time scalping.
Oh
Ok, that’s mighty good of you.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
PPP, that truly is unheard of in DC for a first round game. There is a real change going on here.
by Gould Old Days on Apr 15, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
That actually doesn’t sound so bad now that I re-read that it was 2 games.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
TSN
They are talking a lot about the terrible ice. Are your guys saying anything?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I’ve counted at least 5 mentions and I am switching channels a lot.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
They don’t bite the hand that feeds them.
by Gould Old Days on Apr 15, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Laugh
Nice work Naslund
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Obviously not Naslund’s stick ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
They realise that it doesn’t always have to be a one-timer to OV right? Something else might surprise Lundqvist
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I'm not so sure
1 on 1 from 15 feet? More on the D than JoeT
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
It was a bad defensive play, not a sick move.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Well, I was impressed by the puck movement
that twisted Shultz out of position.
Or maybe I should just shut the hell up and let all you experts have your echo chamber to yourselves.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
It's Okay
I agree with you.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Yeah
Dammit. Can’t let goals like that get scored especially short-side.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Schultz stripped – wasn’t anything the forward did.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
He pulled the puck between Schultz’s legs. He fell because he was trying to follow it. It’s a nice move.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
As soon as Dubinsky got by Schultz I knew it was a goal :(
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
my mouth is shut
While obviously Schultz was embarassing there and should not see ice the rest of the night, Theo needs to make that save in the 3rd period.
Yeah. What good is benching him? It wasn’t a matter of effort. It doesn’t teach him not to do it again. It’s just a knee-jerk frustration move that doesn’t go any good.
Yeah
Tell him he clearly got an edge and build him back up.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
STRING HIM UP!
Throw him off the top of the Washington Monument. That’ll teach ’em.
And then next time all he’ll be able to think about is that if he screws up once he’s done for the night.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 15, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Is that supposed to be an insult? Benching a player for a physical mistake doesn’t do any good. Are we supposed to pull a goalie whenever they allow a bad goal or a player whenever they miss the net or make a bad pass? No. Physical mistakes happen and punishing players for them doesn’t do any good.
Slow glove happens. Going down at the merest suggestion of a shot is a problem.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Yeah
That’s exactly what I mean. All of those goalies go down super early. Where is the eye rolling icon.
Ok people, never say anything bad about Theodore regardless of any facts or what your eyes tell you.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Actually, you’ll rarely see a group more harsh on Theo than this crowd.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I know. That’s more directed to Theo’s PR agent.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Yet I was told I couldn’t negatively comment on Theo tonight by management. Hmmmmm….
2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Dry Humping Mediocrity
You shouldn’t listen to Dater.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
“Other goalies have has success playing the butterfly, so playing the butterfly can’t ever result in poor goaltending” is an awfully bad argument.
no that’s not my argument, that was my response to people arguing that going down low early as a butterfly goalie is “always bad”
I said that when a goalie is going down so so so early then it’s usually a sign of a confidence problem.
It’s usually the same for playing so deep in their crease although Lundqvist is an exception to the rule there.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
No...
go over the video before tomorrow’s game and show him what he did wrong.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
You're right in that taking him out tonight fixes nothing.
5 minutes of video review tomorrow will do a lot more good.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Down too early. When goalies start doing that they have low confidence (usually)…Theo needs a big save.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I’d rather it go to OT than stay at this score!
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Looking at the scoreboard now, I’d take OT
by Simply Sensational on Apr 15, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve seen Flash block more caps shots than shots he’s taken.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
He did deflect one into the net, so he gets a pass for now.
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to say
I hate that slashing the stick is a penalty when it breaks but not if it doesn’t especially since the shitty composite sticks blow up whenever you breath on them.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
3 goals on him, idk how much more we can ask for…
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the God Damn Rangers.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
Why so few? Are you some kind of Ranger sympathizer?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Good point. Don’t want to burn out.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Well, maybe not “usual”, but a decent amount of the time.
by thehoagster07 on Apr 15, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
But why is the question?
They suspended him for SAYING something about an ex-girlfriend. Obviously, something vile, but still, words, not violence. And yet he’s getting deference from refs? Why? I’m not denying that he is getting deference, just puzzled at the possible justification.
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
I want to smack Torts so bad right now....
He better had been waving at one of his players to come to the bench….
Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors.
Really?
Thought it was too good to be a J.P. post ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Except my shenanigans are funny.
His shenanigans are just mean and cruel.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I figured you just thought, “Well it was about stats, it must have been DMG!”…which is a pretty logical train of thought, really.
Yeah
That was actually what happened.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Per Yahoo: Caps have a 45-20 advantage at the dot tonight. Wow.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
I saw less than one period. The officiating was terrible enough I may as well had seen the whole thing.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
""Penalty?"
All signs point to yes.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 15, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So retarded
They keep from retaliating against the little cunt the whole night and he goes and gets away with that. Fuck.
What a load of crap. Horrible, horrible officiating tonight. Caps have to be able to deal with that though.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
Jose has to give up less than 4 goals against the freaking Rangers too. Some of them might have been tough saves, but you have to make them in the playoffs. D for the day for Theo.
Aboslutely, the Rangers are 28th in the league in scoring? I didn’t see very much emotion from Jose either tonight. He looks scared or something, and he doesn’t challenge the shooter enough.
Such a frustrating game…won 2/3 of faceoffs, outshot them by 14, had 3 more PP’s…we just didn’t get it done. Somebody needs to step up next game, and that somebody has to be Jose Theodore.
It happens
If the Caps play that well (maybe a bit better goaltending) they’ll win the series.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Apr 15, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I love when the Leafs guys are on our side. Against us, it sucks, but with us, they know how to make me feel better.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
We have a lot of practice trying to make ourselves feel better after losses ;)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
What makes me feel better, honestly, is that what I saw can be fixed. We weren’t beaten, we beat ourselves. Fixing ourselves is good.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Apr 15, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
My concern is most of the problems are ones that have been there all season, We can fix PP and have in past. Defense, PK, and JT is another story. Well JT situation is easily fixable. :-)
But the defense has been pretty good most of the season and the PK’s been good in the second half.
I think discipline is the number one significant yet fixable problem.
I realize most people here believe the D has been good, but I don’t see it all. As much as I dislike JT all those goals we gave up this season weren’t his fault. Besides Green/Mo combo which most nights is solid defensively I don’t trust anyone else out there. I keep hearing how D stuff is fixable well it still hasn’t been fixed.
PK has gotten better in spurts, but is nowhere near where it needs to be come playoff time. We are way too reactive at times at the points. You can’t play halfway on the PK. Best teams on PK like the Rags are aggressive, have active sticks, and block shots consistently from getting to their goaltender. Not exactly Caps strengths. Caps do those things intermittently but never for more than a couple of games at a time.It’s too bad that we can’t clone Semin and Gordo so they can play all 2 minutes of every PK.
Nothing tonight should surprise any of us. Ok maybe Kozzie’s goal or Rags inability to win what seemed to be any face off that mattered.
This was the Caps team that we’ve seen all year. Most likely they will come out and tighten things up in game 2 and win. However, don’t be surprised when you see all this same stuff creep up later in the series.
In the words of Dennis Green “They are who we thought they were”.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 15, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Statistically, the D’s been pretty good. They do, however, seem to give up a lot of odd man rushes and good chances and I’m not sure if that’s Boudreau’s style or the personnel. My guess is a little of both.
245 goals given up in regular season is not what I consider good in today’s NHL. If anything BB’s offense should help a defense because he wants to pressure the other team. When Green is on the ice we play the most aggressive forechecking and pinching yet that is also when our D is the best statistically I beleive.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 16, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
But just looking at the goal numbers misses that a large part of why the team gave up a lot of goals was poor discipline. Five-on-five the team was fifth in shots allowed per minute and 11th in goals allowed per minute, despite playing 1 in 5 man games on D with an AHLer and in front of a goalie whose save percentage was not very good at all.
Even if BB’s style keeps the puck in the other end most of the time, it still sets up the defense to look bad due to odd man rushes and such coming their way.
Our 5 on 5 numbers I believe are that good as a result of BB’s system. Puck doesn’t spend much time in our own end when 5 on 5.
No doubt the dumb penalties and resulting abysmal PK’s hurt big time, but I saw way too many easily preventable goals if guys just took their man and rode him to the boards or cleared the puck off the boards instead of sending it down the center.
I should have gone stats geek early in the season and started charting the even strength goals.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 16, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
No doubt the dumb penalties and resulting abysmal PK’s hurt big time, but I saw way too many easily preventable goals if guys just took their man and rode him to the boards or cleared the puck off the boards instead of sending it down the center.
I don’t disagree on that, but the question is whether they happen more or less often on the Capitals than they do on other teams, and I don’t think they do. In any case, I think that the fact the team’s defense is, statistically, average or a little above average considering the style of play and the injury problems the blue line has had makes it hard to say they’re a bad defense corps, or even below average. That said, they’re not nearly as good as the offense.
We took so many fewer penalties tonight than usual, though. Discipline didn’t kill us tonight, softies did.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 16, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
DOG’s penalties are all about discipline in my mind. Feds was the worst one all night and cost us a goal.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 16, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Best way to fix the PK is to not take penalties. Stems from Discipline. JT is whatever, and Varlamov doesn’t make us immediately better, I don’t think. Two goals were directly from poor d-play (Though Green getting tripped isn’t his fault) and Schultz’s. You can FIX that. You can FIX force feeding Ovechkin. You can fix things by looking at tape, and realizing Lundqvist was leaving blocker high open all of the third period. I don’t feel too too bad about it.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
I think the real question to ask may be does Varly make us any worse.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 15, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t say one way or the other, but you and I both know Bruce won’t go to him. Hell, he wouldn’t go to Kolzig last year.
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Apr 15, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I totally agree JT will have to struggle at least once more for BB to even contemplate a change. For Caps sake I hope it doesn’t come to that.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 15, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That Schultz play was embarrassingly bad, but to call him out alone for this game, that’s just silly. Caps defense helped Theo out as much as Theo helped. Just a bad game in our own end in the second and third.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 15, 2009 9:47 PM EDT reply actions
Three-or-more gives up a softie and the Sarge, who apparently left his horseshoe at home, looks like the Rags number one star of the game. Screened JT on number three because he lost his guy earlier in the play and then gets abused by Dubinksi. Add in two dumb DOG penalties and too much fancy against a Rags PK that was standing us up at blueline. Sadly none of that was surprising we’ve seen all before,
Rags did plenty to try and help Caps -Took dumb penalties and couldn’t win faceoffs.
Well at least Kozlov finally got a goal.
Annoying game, but not the end of the world. For those that said that Theodore doesn’t need to win the series but can lose it, well, he lost a game. Not a great game for the Caps but you can’t let in a goal on every decent scoring chance. Fortunately you have to lose 4 to lose the series.
The Rangers got the road win they needed tonight, but the Caps will come back strong for game 2.
Just got back – maybe it looked different on tv, but the Caps dominated tonight. Puck posession must have been 75-25. Caps gave up about 4 scoring chances, and what do you know, 4 went in. Theo looked terrible. Fighting the puck, totally not confident. I don´t know what you can do, can´t yank him after one game, but he´s gotta make some stops.
That’s about what it looked like on TV as well.
by Pivonka, Michael Ridley on Apr 16, 2009 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to be a total downer I’ll list what I thought were positives too.
Laich is doing his best Holmstrom imitation. He pitched a tent in Rangers crease.
Juice and Erskine shot the puck from the point and on net.
When not playing ‘feed number 8 and 52’ and ‘fancy pass’ the PP looked good.
Kozlov looked like the good regular season version Kozlov. Good puck possession and smart cycling of the puck.
Flash while scary at times in our own end looked much more energetic and physical in the offensive end. Compared to his play against the Flyers last year I saw definite improvement. He was active and drove the net instead of standing around.
Faceoffs! Total, absolute domination. Keep winning that battle and a lucky break is bound to come Caps way. You dominate possesion by way of faceoffs a bounce will go your way just due to the odds.
bring on Varly
i’m not saying it’s the right move, but i’ve seen enough of Theodore over the last few years. you get good games and you get games like this. if our defense, as a whole, was superior we could overcome it and limit the number of chances he has to fail epicly. but it ain’t. i’m ready to roll with varly now and accept the consequences, JT just looks like too much of a dead end, and the series only get harder as you move on. you can’t give away games like the caps did tonight – not that the rangers didn’t earn it (mostly), but the caps definitely should have won and didn’t deliver. i’m sure this will be labeled too wild a reaction by some, i’d just rather lose with our (very talented) goalie of the future than not know what could have been.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Just my thoughts, which are most likely repetitive:
Jose was disappointing. Those are exactly the saves he’s got to make if we’re going to succeed. Slow glove? What about no glove? It wasn’t even in position to make the save, hanging down by his side. He didn’t look ready — he looked like Huet in games 2 and 3 tonight.
Ovechkin is doing all the things he does well, but he needs to do a better job of picking his shots. He had, what, 13 shots, but none fantastic? I’m sure he was more excited than anyone else out there, but he needs a little more calm and a little less rash.
Backstrom had 2 assists, i think, but was otherwise invisible. He wasn’t able to be his usual slick self. I expect that he’ll have adjusted by next game.
Congrats to Kozlov! Finally!
Semin was pretty good, but he’s going to have to step up a notch and dominate. NYR is a team that he can dominate – he’s just got to do it.
Schultz. I was initially extremely angry at him, but I chalked it up to a bad play. Regardless, Jose’s got to have that save. Lundqvist makes that save. Schultz was alright, otherwise.
Nyles had a good game, I thought. It’s just too bad that he couldn’t get anything great going.
Fedorov had a much better night, but his delay of game was still ridiculous.
It’s a long wait until Saturday.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 16, 2009 12:07 AM EDT reply actions
Nyles had a good game, I thought.
Really? I thought Nylander was terrible tonight.
The keyboard is mightier.
Okay, I’ll clarify:
Compared to most nights lately, he had his best game in a while. He skated hard and attempted to make a few things happen, but Fehr wasn’t great tonight and neither was Flash.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 16, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I think my standards for Nyles have lowered so I was thinking he had a pretty good night when in all actuality it probably was mediocre. Given some of his performances this season I’ll take what I saw tonight. Fehr? Was he even on the ice? Talk about invisible. I noticed him once getting thrown down in front of the King that was about it. At least Flash was trying to create.
by Carl Putnam on Apr 16, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
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