So You're Saying There's a Chance
by J.P. on Apr 16, 2009 10:30 AM EDT
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PrintQuick reminder - the Caps are down 1-0 in a best-of-seven series, not a best-of-one.
To be sure, that's not as good a position to be in as being up a game in the series, but before Stan Fischler breaks out his broom, let's make one thing clear: this series is still basically a coin-flip.
Historically, NHL squads that found themselves down 1-0 in a first-round best-of-seven after dropping the first game at home have gone on to win 49.3% of those series (thanks in part to a .681 Game 2 winning percentage).
Throughout all rounds of NHL playoffs, Game 1 home losers have won 45.7% of series, and throw the NBA and Major League Baseball into the mix and that number is 44.1%.
Point being, the Rangers still have to win three more games before they advance. Sorry, Stan.
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C’mon… you can do better than that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ouch
My commenters would have gotten it right away…
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
They’re too busy checking Brian Burke’s trash for phone messages from TBL or NYI.
Oh, wait, sorry. Not your commenters. It’s TSN that does that.
Yeah
No dumpster diving for us. We just dream up crazy trades.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
and I bet our chances are better than one in a million.
by Sombrero Guy on Apr 16, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
But not 1-in-100, right? Because that’s not much of a chance at all!
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 16, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
C’mon… you can do better than that.
Considering what I do for a pastime, I SHOULD do better than that.
"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."
by Bald Pollack on Apr 16, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
J.P.
I couldn’t get through this.
Too many blocks of text.
In the future, use my style if you want to be a good sportswriter.
Every sentence is so important it deserves it’s own paragraph.
(Psst – it’s also a way)
(to make it)
(look like you’re writing more)
(than you actually are)
(neat,)
(huh?)
- Stan Fischler
by David Getz on Apr 16, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I like…ellipses…
- Steve Simmons
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Fischler is like a harmless Don Cherry – a bloviating egomaniac who only still has a job because he’s always had it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Excellent! Of course, you now need to master the Strachan method:
Strachan: “My sources tell me that the Canadiens will trade for Lecavalier tomorrow.”
MacLean: “Sources?”
Strachan: “My colon and rectum. Also, Eklund. And Bruce Garrioch.”
That’s: Bruce “Malkin to the Kings” Garrioch
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Oh dear lord…ENOUGH of this guy
Its now at the point where I want the Caps to win the series just to show him up. In Seinfeldian terms, I’ll take a series win purely on spite and nothing else.
Ron and Fez Noon to Three
by YvonLabresMoustache on Apr 16, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions
Fischler and Al Strachan are in a fight to the death to see who can be the worst hockey journalist. As retarded as Fischler is, at least I don’t have to see him on NHL Network broadcasts of HNIC, spreading asinine rumors that even “Eklund” won’t publish. For that, Strachan gets the nod. Also, Strachan looks like a carp.
I was watching the HNIC clip about hockey blogs that Wysh starred in, and the whole time I was thinking that the blogger participants were being too soft on hockey’s mainstream media. For every Kevin Paul Dupont, there are five Strachans, and it’s guys like Strachan and Mike Milbury that get the most print space/airtime. Maybe if the MSM weren’t dominated by those assclowns, intelligent people like JP, DMG and Pepper wouldn’t take it upon themselves to cover the sport/team that they love in a manner that doesn’t aim at the mouth-breathing lowest common denominator.
I just want to say
I’m not worried in the least. If we play like that every game, the Rangers simply don’t stand a chance. We dominated every facet of the game minus goaltending.
Just as easily as Theo gets rattled, he can find his groove. The Rangers aren’t going to be picking top corners on their shots every game, so if he can make a few early saves Saturday and the crowd gets behidn him, his confidence will snowball.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on Apr 16, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think Jose has a better game on Saturday, and I think Schultz does, too. he seemed like he felt he was too slow to make any spectacular plays, and, once he did try, he got schooled and then lost his edge. It was just an unfortunate series of events for Schultz. i think they’ll both bounce back.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 16, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
We won Game 1 last year, didn’t do us any good. Still like the Caps for the series.
BUT
Theodore could SUCK MIGHTILY any given night. There will never be that kind of security.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
and he might. but NEVER again will I sit down and watch a Caps playoff game with any sort of comfort while he is in net. nothing 5-6 drinks can’t smooth out…
Russian Machine Never Breaks
You mean you didn’t have any drinks…?
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 16, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
i tried the drinking approached, it didn’t work. i just became super focused and pissed at everything that the Caps were f’ingup.
by ns on Apr 16, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
For the record, I wouldn’t feel any better about our chances if we won that game.
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 16, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions
How can you not believe at this point? They lost a game, which I don’t think anyone was predicting a sweep, not with the guy they’ve got in net. Moreover, they lost the right game (Game 1 is the easiest loss to overcome) and they lost while thoroughly dominating. They got 3 goals, without the benefit of anything flukey – no deflections off skates, nothing from the point sneaking through, nothing like that.
Other than the final score, a couple breakdowns and the goaltending, there was quite a lot to like about yesterday’s game.
Looking ahead, there are plenty of reasons for confidence.
The Caps are gonna be ticked, and they are gonna come out hard on Saturday.
The Rags record in day games sucks.
They don’t have to be a lot better, just a little better.
Win on Saturday, win on Monday, we’re all smiles in here on Tuesday.
It’s going to take a Finals appearance before I believe in Theo again. Maybe.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
You mean you actually believed in him once? LOL. I assume that was in 2002?
by Carl Putnam on Apr 16, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I still believe we win this series if for no other reason than Rags offense does nothing to frighten me. After that its a crap shoot in my mind depending who we get and if finally this team plays with some consistency. We all know what they are capable of doing. I guess that is a two way street though on upside and downside.
We lost a one goal game where we had awful goaltending and awful defense.
I’m not worried. Just need better performance from those two units, hell, average performances at the very least.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 16, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
Crap D and we still only gave up 21 shots. I’d like to see that number down to 15 and for goodness sake cut down on the lapses that lead to those counter attacks.
One thing we’ve seen from the Caps all year is that they have a great ability to really clamp down on D and smother a team after a game like Wednesdays.
Game Over T-shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/beltwaysports
Agreed 110%. It’s hard to imagine Theo playing worse or the Rags PP being any better than they were last night.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But it’s not hard to imagine him playing similarly bad at any given time. :-)
Russian Machine Never Breaks
It’s also not hard to imagine him playing well at any given time.
The maddening thing about Theo is his inconsistency, not his overall ability.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
not to mention....
The Caps essentially dominated the game, everywhere except for in the goals scored.
And I’m still bitter about the first two Ranger goals.Those no calls were ridiculous.
Bragging is not The Maven’s forte.
Strange. The rest of that article sure sounded like he was bragging about his prediction.
Yeah, one should never attribute ego to someone who talks about himself in the third person using a nickname he gave himself.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Apr 16, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we also lost the first game of the season and bounced back handily.
Fitting we start the second season this way.
Yeah and we lost game 1 last year with a comeback win only to lose the series. I’m happy we lost! Weee!
Yes, losing is the new winning, haven’t you heard?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You guys are great – actually paying attention to Stan. Such good little kids. Stan is like your grandfather after he has had one too many glasses of beer/wine. He has some great stories from the olden days, but really has no idea as to what’s going on around him. If drunken grandpa has gotten your feathers ruffled, you need to get a thicker skin … but either way, he is right, Rangers are gonna win! Let’s go Rangers!
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
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c’mon he ain’t trollin’. but the bad news is mark messier isn’t going to be guaranteeing any victories, either.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
Yeah, Scotty’s good people. But that image is great.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m a damn bit sexier than that troll, let me tell you! But as JP can attest, I’m a long time reader, rare commentator. I would actually enjoy watching the Caps play, except the organization employs Tom Poti, and that is just unacceptable.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Apr 16, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Little vignette from last night. After the game I’m walking up the aisle next to a Ranger fan who’s carrying on. I said, quietly, “Yeah, but you’re still stuck with Redden for five more years at 6.5M”. He looks startled, smiles and says, “And you’re stuck with Poti.” I couldn’t let that go so I responded with, “Poti is decent and good on the PK but don’t tell Scotty Hockey that, he can’t speak rationally about Poti”. The Ranger guy actually agrees and seems amazed that Caps fans might know something about the Rangers, much less hockey. Anyway Scotty, Fischler is unreadable, you’re not.
Given that the heckled him when he played there, Tom Poti is going to endure a maelstrom of fan attention when the series moved to MSG.
You’re right, I can’t wait!
I’ve said it for years, one of my biggest goals in life is to get a smiling headshot of Poti that he signed, “Dear Scotty, I hate you too. Love, Tom.”
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Apr 16, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks Lis. And you are right, my dislike for Poti does often cloud my perception – but given what he put Ranger fans through, can you blame me? As for a who is better/worse between Poti and Redden, can’t there be a third option of nuclear holocaust or something? =op
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Apr 16, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
What exactly DID Tom Poti do to the Rangers?? I’m a little unclear on that.
Enjoy your blog, by the way.
Failed to live up to the fans unrealistic expectations, like most people who wind up pariahs in New York sports.
While I rarely have unrealistic expectations, they did try to sell him to us as the replacement for Brian Leetch … I never thought anyone would replace Brian Leetch, I just wanted an acceptable defenseman and Poti wasn’t. In fact, he couldn’t play defense. He couldn’t play offense. And he was a pussy. So I didn’t like him.
However, he is part of one of my greatest Garden stories – Rangers vs. Tampa – I am sitting in the last row of the 300s and spend the entire game railing on him, loudly. And he was woeful all night so I had plenty of ammunition. The game goes to overtime (I think tied at 3?) and he scores the winner on one of the nicest slap shots I have ever witnessed in my life. The entire section turns around to point and laugh at me. Even I had to laugh. Good times, good times.
I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!
by Scotty Hockey on Apr 16, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
No one’s ruffled by Stan. It just provided a little context for the post.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
"Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is...."
Stan Fischler used to be an objective hockey journalist who knew what he was writing about. Then he was hired by MSG to be an analyst, and objectivity went out the window as did his journalistic credibility. He became a shill for the home teams on MSG (esp. the Rangers and Devils) and he sees them both in the best possible light.
The only difference between Stan and Don Cherry is that Cherry owns more clothing, and isn’t likely suffering from dementia cause by too many hits on the scotch bottle..
Let's go Caps!
Just my .02 on Stan Fischler.
He’s talking like the series is already over. That’s a hockey god foul. Interpret that how you want.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 16, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions
The XM hockey guys this morning were begging Caps fans to call. Only listened for about 5 minutes but apparently all callers and e-mailers were (incorrectly) sounding the funeral dirge for the Caps already.
“Where are the Caps fans?”
“C’mon Caps fans, it’s only one game!”
I was frustrated I did not have their phone number.
managing minutes
Upon looking at the TOI after the game, I don’t understand why #52 is on the ice for 30’ and #8 with 26’?! Between playning all 2’ of pk’s and double shifting, I wonder if there was any gas let in the tank for the 2nd half of the 3rd period. Clearly, Schultz got undressed by Dubinsky, but Green looked plum tuckered out trying cover for his partner. Not enough legs left to get there. And regarding #8, I don’t recall seeing him get a SOG in the last 10’ of the game.
Over? Did someone say it was over?
Below is the list of teams over the last ten years that have lost the first game of the playoffs and went on to the first round. Except for 2007, it seems to happen every year:
Philadelphia-08
Carolina-06 (won Cup)
San Jose- 06 (home ice advantage)
Anaheim-06 (home ice advantage)
Edmonton-06 (home ice advantage) (Cup Finalist)
Montreal-04 (home ice advantage) (lost first two at home)
Calgary- 04 (home ice advantage)
Ottawa-03
Tampa Bay-03
Anaheim- 03 (home ice advantage) (Cup Finalist)
Vancouver- 03
Ottawa-02 (home ice advantage)
Detroit-02 (Won Cup)
St. Louis-02
Penguins-01 (home ice advantage)
LA-01 (home ice advantage)
San Jose-00 (home ice advantage)
Pittsburgh-99 (home ice advantage)
Toronto-99
So it looks like the Caps will be the only low seed to lose game 1
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 16, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah I tried to post that before the sharks game so they would prove me wrong and lose. But of course, it’s the sharks and we all expect the playoff meltdown.
I get confused on how to word it since 2 is a lower number than 7 but a higher seed…
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 17, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's save the panic until Saturday evening.....
I think Theodore will do much better, but I fear the Rags will play better. Having Drury back will give them a boost, especially in faceoffs. It will be tough to score more than 4 goals against Lundquist, so Theodore has to be solid. Caps will have to do better in a 5 on 5 game and in their PK. If the Rags win on Saturday, it’s likely a clean sweep and we’ll have no game 5. If the Caps win Saturday and split in NY, we are in good shape again.
saturday morning/afternoon for me. I’m not panicking, but as a long time Caps fan I can’t help but think this will be another extremely talented, underachieving Caps team. I hope I’m proven wrong. Last year I got my hopes way up after game 1 and that didn’t go well, so this year I’m going for the opposite
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 16, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Also I’m pissed at Versus for switching their HD coverage to Versus.
by sincitycapsfan on Apr 16, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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