Fedorov as a second season Capital

by zephyr on Apr 28, 2009 12:02 AM EDT

Even the least observant Capitals fans among us have been chirping that old man Fedorov isn't playing quite to the pace we expected. Some even talk about his play being incredibly sub par. The rest of us are waiting to see him unleash some kind of fury during these playoffs.

...more after the jump

In 07-08 he was an instant success. He put up turn around numbers (2g 11a in 18 games, opposed to 9g 19 assists in 50 games with the Jackets) in the regular season.

It seemed that all of the Russians and the excitement of playing on a new team refilled his fuel tank; enough for maybe a few more seasons.
He took an immature Alexander Semin and turned him into a temporary responsible point producing machine. Even George McPhee seemed surprised about everything Fedorov was adding to the roster behind the scenes

I think we all may be remembering him a bit too fondly though. In last years playoffs he put up surprisingly similar numbers to what he is doing this year.

I decided to take a look back on Fedorov's more recent history and see if he becomes a Captain Clutch during game 7s/elimination games.

Game 6 Rangers Caps
0g - 0a - +1 - 0 PIM 0 SOG 70% FO

Game 5 Rangers Caps
0g - 1a - +1 - 0 PIM 3 SOG 50% FO

(08 Post Season)

Game 7 Flyers Caps (Eliminated)
0g - 1a - +0 - 6 PIM 2 SOG 81% FO

Game 6 Flyers Caps
0g - 1a - +1 - 0 PIM 2 SOG 50% FO

Game 5 Flyers Caps
1g - 1a - +1 - 2 PIM 4 SOG 39% FO (1st Star)

(03 Post Season)

Game 4 Ducks Wings (Eliminated)
1g - 0a - +0 - 0 PIM 6 SOG 60% FO

(02 Post Season)

Game 6 Avs Wings (Won Cup with 1 more game)
0g - 0a - +1 - 2 PIM 2 SOG 47% FO

It's really nothing too impressive in his more recent history. It seems that whenever he has the chance of being eliminated or to eliminate an opponent he steps up to be decent in some area.
It was interesting to see that he didn't get very many points overall in series that he lost. Losing is sort of a rarity to him in the playoffs as it is.

In general, I think we should be happy about his performance this series as he as taken less penalties, is +1 and is only two points away from matching last series total against the Flyers.
I think he is still a strong center and just needs to get fired up again somehow. At the very least, I think it's great that he keeps Ovi, Semin, Kozlov, and Varly happy.

A personal best game tomorrow would be a great thing to add to his 00 decade resume. The chances of the Caps going deep are going to be dependent on him stepping up and providing more scoring and defensive responsibility.
Matt Bradley can only get so many 2 goal games...

In closing, as JP said:

...The old man of the bunch - you owe it to yourself and your legacy to be Sergei Fedorov at least one more time. Tonight would be a great night for it.

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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Comments

I think a lot of what Fedorov has brought to the table is intangible, if that materializes tomorrow, awesome.

by Ovechwin on Apr 28, 2009 2:22 AM EDT reply actions

Excellent post. I just hope the old man can put together one more good run and get us far this year, I think varly is a great goalie for the future but he can put it together now as well if we keep playing like the past two games.

by i12swim on Apr 28, 2009 2:45 AM EDT reply actions

I feel like he has that ability that Ovechkin has…the, “OK, I want to score now” and then he does but for some reason he’s just not using it.

Do you guys recall the Ottawa game where he launched an absolute bomb at the net and after review they called it no goal? The very whistle where play resumed he took the puck to the blue line, fired another, and red-light-o-rama got his goal back.

His shot is just incredible but it seems like he doesn’t put a lot into it sometimes.

by zephyr on Apr 28, 2009 3:20 AM EDT reply actions

It takes him a lot longer to get his shot off than it used to and he generally doesn’t get himself the time and space to let it rip.

by Rob Parker on Apr 28, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

He's 39

Nearly 40. He can’t just turn it on and off like the old days. But maybe, just maybe he can squeeze a little bit out for a game 7.

by japerscreepers on Apr 28, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

The rest of us are waiting to see him unleash some kind of furry during these playoffs.

I do not think I’m waiting for this.

;)

by jimmiebjr on Apr 28, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

Lawlz, corrected.

by zephyr on Apr 28, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

So you get the blog hardhat my friend.

If I had the wings of an eagle,
If I had the arse of a crow,
I'd fly over New York tomorrow,
And shite on those bastards below.

by Bald Pollack on Apr 28, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

The chances of the Caps going deep are going to be dependent on him stepping up and providing more scoring and defensive responsibility.

Haha, “hate to say I told you sooooo”

by zephyr on Apr 29, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

You have to make a FanPost like this every big game from now on ;-)

by Scott in Shaw on Apr 29, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

May as well update this baby for future reference.

Game 7 2009, Rangers Caps

1G – 0A – +0 – 2 SOG 50% FO (2nd star)

Guess this game he chose scoring the gwg as the area to excel.

by zephyr on Apr 29, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

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