Game Day - Sabres @ Capitals

by David Getz on Apr 3, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

[AP Preview - WashingtonCaps.com Preview]

Hey look at that, a game day! And we've only had to wait through one off day since the last one this time!

When it comes to the Capitals, the recent problem, fans, pundits, and even players have all said, is that the team hasn't had all that much to play for in the last couple months of this season. Between the early lead the team opened up in the Southeast, Boston's incredible start to the season, and how well New Jersey was faring without Martin Brodeur, it seemed like the Caps were all but a lock for the East's number three seed and that the team was content to let the season wind down, see who their playoff opponent was going to be, and go from there.

But things have changed. The Capitals recent success (7-2-1 in their last ten) and a stretch of, shall we say, unimpressive play on New Jersey's part (3-6-1 in their last ten) has put the Caps in second place in the East and in a position to earn a potentially much weaker first round opponent, as well as home ice advantage for the first two rounds. Oh, and if the Caps win tonight, they clinch the Southeast Division.

Hopefully those two incentives provide enough motivation for the team that they come out strong from the opening faceoff, because they'll be facing an absolutely desperate Buffalo team. How desperate? Even if the Sabres win all of their remaining games, the team would finish with 95 points, likely barely enough to secure a playoff berth, and the team's still fighting hard enough to have toughed out a 3-0-1 record over their last four games, coming from behind three times in the process.

On Wednesday night it took a couple of fights and a ~~questionable~~ heavy hit from Mike Green to wake the team up and get them clicking. Here's hoping it doesn't take anything that extreme to get the team going tonight, because if it does it might be this season's first meeting of these teams all over again.

Tweet Comment 60 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Here’s hoping that get going from the get go, for a nice change of pace.

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Apr 3, 2009 7:31 AM EDT reply actions

And stay that way, for an even more shocking but awesome change of pace.

I dunno. Can we beat Buffalo? Sure. But like you said, they are absolutely desperate. We are not. While last night didn’t clinch the division for us, I’m okay with that, because it leaves Montreal in seventh seed, and if that’s looking more and more like “be careful what you wish for”, well, such is life and hockey.

I want to see them snap out of the ho-hum, so badly.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Here’s hoping they stop blacking out Sabres games on NHLCI so I can choose to watch the CSN coverage of the game instead of MSG’s.

If at first you don't succeed, don't try parachuting.

by hotdog88gt on Apr 3, 2009 8:06 AM EDT reply actions

I’m feeling pessimistic about this one. They let a tired Tampa Bay team back into the game and watched the Isles jump out to a big lead. I’m afraid a cathartic effort just isn’t in the cards tonight.

I’ll say 4-1 Buffalo. Hope I’m wrong.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 3, 2009 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

Let’ s see. Hold on to second and get to face Montreal, Florida or the Rangers. Fall into third and you’re looking at Philly, Carolina or Pittsburgh. If that isn’t enough motivation for winning tonight then they’ve got a serious problem.

by b.orr4 on Apr 3, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Has not seemed to be a motivating factor for the team so far?

by fat_daddyo on Apr 3, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

True. But for a while the way NJD was playing it looked like the 2 seed was out of reach and we were basically locked for the 3 seed. Maybe the fact that the 2 is ours to lose puts some jump in their step. Who knows.

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s really tightened up though. There is only a 4 pt differential between the 4th and 8th seeds. Although Philly’s got a game or two in hand, all six teams you mention above are in danger of falling to the 7th seed.

by Cluster on Apr 3, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

The good thing there, though, is that if Philly falls to 7th, they’ll be playing pretty crappy hockey and should be ripe for the pickin’.

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

…until they meet us and one of their career back up goalies decides to make a stand and fight for a new contract.

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

All it will take is a 2 game losing streak by Carolina and they are fighting for their playoff lives again. The bottom of the standings are so close that I don’t think we can predict who will be where at this point.

The Caps very well could be facing Philly even if they get the 2 seed.

by Sct112 on Apr 3, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

That Carolina win streak is looking an awful lot like the 2008 Caps. Which could mean that like the 2008 Caps they’ll storm into the playoffs and run out of steam. At least they’re far enough back that we can end one uncertainty by winning tonight.

And if I had to choose between Philly and Carolina, I’m not sure which one I’d take.

by gfcaps fan on Apr 3, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Philly. Carolina has better goaltending.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Carolina. It’s not rational necessarily, but I do think the Caps have shown an ability to beat them in the past couple of years when the chips are down (for the Caps). Their goaltending might be better objectively speaking, but Philly’s goalies are godlike against the Caps for some reason.

by grapejoos on Apr 3, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

The morning lines.

Ovechkin-Fedorov-Kozlov
Laich-Backstrom-Semin
Fleischmann-Nylander-Fehr
Steckel-Aucoin-Bradley

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Apr 3, 2009 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

HA

Bruce was listening to me.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d love to see a couple of games with standard lines as the playoffs get closers….chemistry tastes good.

by Yoshietree on Apr 3, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Rotsa ruck. BB changes line combos like I change…well, I don’t change anything that fast to tell you the truth.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 3, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Surprised Aucoin and Fehr are split – they were good together the other night.

The top two lines were the best combos in the playoffs last year, so I’m fine with them.

Btw, any lines-related post should come with the disclaimer that they’re likely to change before the “post” button is hit.

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

any lines-related post should come with the disclaimer that they’re likely to change before the "post" button is hit

Funny/Sad cuz its true.

by Sct112 on Apr 3, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Time for a BB line generator?

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Ohh… nice idea

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

The only rules are that Ovie and Green are on the top lines and Flash can’t be below line 3.

by grapejoos on Apr 3, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

And every other time you form new lines the SOB line goes together.

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

HA – rec’d

by Sct112 on Apr 3, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d move Aucion to that third line, Erskine to the fourth and let all the other d-men play. Nylander has to feel some consequences for his awful play.

by b.orr4 on Apr 3, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

He is facing consequences – he has Flash on his wing. Zing!

I hear you, though, and agree.

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks. Sitting in a conference + your post = glares due to laughter…

bravo good sir bravo

by Yoshietree on Apr 3, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

What do you think BB’s loyalty to Brash will do to this chemistry experiment when he is able to return?

Personally, I see more value to moving Erskine up front and playing a more talented D in the back. Erskine always been more effective with managed minutes, and as a 4th liner he’s get what, 10 minutes max?

by Cluster on Apr 3, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Note to self: “Preview” button will help catch grammatical errors.

I sound like a Carolina fan.

by Cluster on Apr 3, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Disagree. I think Erskine has been playing very solid D of late, and is much more valuable getting 13 minutes there than 7 on the 4th line wing.

And when Brash is ready to go, I think it really depends on the opponent as to whether or not he gets a sweater. Do you need him against Montreal? I don’t think so. At least not until he’s proven to be needed.

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Thats the beauty of being able to scratch people huh? If someone gets run in the first game, Erskine handles it and Brash dresses for the next game out.

I’m totally on board with giving Brash the view from the press box. Erskine’s been good recently, I’d like to see him out on D rather than sitting on the pine waiting for a reason to fight.

by Sct112 on Apr 3, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Just out of curiosity, who thinks in the last game that Jackman has the guts to go after Schultz if Brash is standing next to him on the ice? Love him or hate him, Brash is our nuclear threat. The deterrent that stops all this other crap from ever starting.

by b.orr4 on Apr 3, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Why would Brash have been on the ice? I forget which forward line was out there but odds are it wasn’t the 4th line. He’s no deterrent on the bench.

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

The official shift chart from the Caps-isles game:
WSH #55 SCHULTZ Fighting (maj)(5 min), Def. Zone Drawn By: NYI #28 JACKMAN

Islanders on ice:
11- 28-37-17-24-35
Capitals on ice:
20-39-10-55-60

Brash would have been on the ice.

by b.orr4 on Apr 3, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Jackman, while a douchebag, would have gravitated toward Brash if Brash had been on the ice. Jackman probably considers himself heavyweight material and would be willing to give it a go with Brash.

I think Schultz was just a victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

by Cluster on Apr 3, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s not even close to being in Brash’s category. Just check out his fight card
Not a true heavyweight in the bunch.

by b.orr4 on Apr 3, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

All I’m saying is that I think he’d go with Brash in the scenario. Of course he’s not in Brash’s category in terms of fighting skill, but Jackman’s 6’3" 210, definite heavyweight size. He’s not going to shy away.

by Cluster on Apr 3, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

If Schultz skates into the fray and smacks Jackman in the head, I think he goes with Schultz regardless of where Brashear is.

by David Getz on Apr 3, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Unrelated: I’d like to see Brashear beat down The Fray.

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I think that’s completely related.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 3, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly, Schultz gave him a face wash, expecting to get one in return, and Jackman dropped the gloves. I think that no matter what Brash was doing, Schultz was going to be the one in that fight.

by Sct112 on Apr 3, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Tend to agree.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I can understand the appeal of Erskine on the 4th line but personally I don’t think there is any chance in hell he has the speed or quickness to do anything on the forecheck. In general Erskine is able to be so physical because he is in a position where people have to come to him. Pucks either go into the corners where he roams, or people try to come to the net where he waits. I don’t see him getting deeper than the face off dots on a dump and chase.

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I can’t justify playing Erskine as a forward. He’s had one practice as a forward since juniors. I don’t think he fits there.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 3, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Line 1 – me likey
Line 2 – me likey even more
Line 3 – me NO likey (Flash , boo; Nyls, double boo; Fehr, why punish him with those two stiffs?)
Line 4 – me somewhat puzzled ( Stecks and Brads, likey; Aucoin as 4th line pivot, don’t particularly see him as a natural for that position)

by fat_daddyo on Apr 3, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Remember that Flash and Fehr have been good together regardless of who their center is. Nylander has probably been placed where he’ll cause the least trouble.

I’d still like to see Erskine on a wing just once.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I remember Ben Clymer as wing – ugh. That did it for me with regard to defensemen playing out of position.

You’ll have to remind me about Flash and Fehr together – not to be a dick – because it’s honestly not what was in my recollection of them?

by fat_daddyo on Apr 3, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Well if Fehr plays like he has the last few games, it could be promising…

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Apr 3, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

A prime example is goal #5 in the Valentine’s Day game against Tampa. Flash steals the puck from Ramo behind the goal and centers it; Fehr steps up into the slot and slams it home. I know there was a night when Flash-Steckel-Fehr was hell on wheels in an away game, although I’m trying to remember which game.

I know that I have seen Flash-Steckel-Fehr, Flash-Backstrom-Fehr, and Flash-Nylander-Fehr at times this season and they’ve all been at least decent lines.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Apr 3, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Well it’s not much, but Flash has has the primary assist on ~50% of Fehr’s goals.

by Yoshietree on Apr 3, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

The Sabres are headed in the wrong direction lately, and while a loss won’t eliminate them, it will put a major dent in their playoff chances. Consider their remaining scheudule:

Today @ Washington
Tomorrow v. Jersey
Monday v. Detroit
Wed @ Toronto
Thurs @ Carolina
Next Sat v. Boston

In their last 6 games they have all of the likely division winners in the East, the hottest team in the east in Carolina, the defending Champs, and their #1 rival. If they make the playoffs with this schedule, they’re going to be a tough team to beat. I suspect though, they won’t make it with this schedule (the only game where the can be “expected” to win is at Toronto. )

Hopefully the Caps will be able to play their game. Ideally, both teams will want to pressure the opponents defense and rush the puck up the ice…. could be a high-scoring and fun affair tonight. And if any team wants to play the up-and-down game against the Caps, I don’t like their chances.

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 3, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Check out the front page of nhl.com. They’ve got this Back to the Future thing going where they show all the logos of the teams fighting for playoff spots. The teams that are locks have their logos in bright colors and the others start to fade in realtion to their chances. By the time you get to Buffalo, the Sabres logo is looking like Marty McFly in his family photo. Pretty funny.

by b.orr4 on Apr 3, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Brilliant analogy.

Earth angel, earth angel…

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

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Stupid question about playoff rosters

Are hockey playoff roster like baseball playoff rosters? In other words, once you set the 25-man roster (or whatever the number is in hockey) for a series, is that fixed in stone? Or can you move guys on and off the active list?

I ask in particular with regards to Brashear. Say the Caps get Montreal, and even the limited deterrent that Brash provides is probably not necessary. Can they move him off the roster, i.e., not even healthy-scratch him, and move him back onto the roster if things look to be rougher than expected?

Or do they have to carry him on the roster, give him a seat in the press box, in order to have him available for a series?

by fat_daddyo on Apr 3, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions