Game (6) Day - Capitals @ Penguins
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
302 comments
There is perhaps no better time to judge a team's or an individual's mettle than when they are faced with an elimination game. The phrase "must-win" is thrown around freely in the sports world, but only truly applicable in situations like that in which the Caps find themselves tonight - lose and the season's over. Period.
The Caps, of course, have found themselves in this spot far too often over the past two springs and have responded well, compiling a 5-1 record (with the single loss coming in overtime) and outscoring their opponents 20-11 along the way. They've also won both of the games in which they faced elimination on the road.
Not surprisingly, their best players, for the most part, have been their best players in these games - Alexander Ovechkin has five goals, an assist and a plus-four rating in the half-dozen win-or-go-homes, Nicklas Backstrom is 3-3-+5 (and has scored in each of the six games), Alexander Semin is 4-3-+4 and Mike Green is 1-4-+4.
Looking for veteran leadership? Sergei Fedorov - who has at least a point in each of the last ten games he's played in which one team or the other could be eliminated - has two goals (including the series-winning tally last round), five assists and a plus-four rating as a Cap and Tom Poti has a goal and four assists (all last series and four of those points came in Game 6). Role players stepping up? Matt Bradley had two goals in Game 5 of the Rangers series and added an assist in Game 7 and Brooks Laich has six assists and a plus-five rating (but hasn't found the back of the net). And the only applicable goalie stats that matter are Simeon Varlamov's sparkling 3-0 record, 1.33 goals against average and .940 save percentage.
Other than the five goal-scoring forwards listed above, however, the Caps wings and pivots have been awfully silent, having scored just one goal in the six games (Viktor Kozlov's eventual game-winner in Game 6 of the Rangers series). Tomas Fleischmann was point-less in the three first round elimination games this season, and didn't play in any of them last year. Kozlov has three helpers in six games to go along with his goal.
On the blueline, Milan Jurcina had a goal and had a plus-four rating in Games 5 through 7 last series, Shaone Morrisonn was plus-five (both were even in each of the final three games a year ago), and John Erskine was was plus-one last round and plus-two last year in elimanation games (worth noting, however, is that Erskine has been a minus-one in each of his last five games).
On special teams, the Caps have scored at a 23.1% rate on the power play (but were worse against the strong Rangers penalty kill) and have only killed off 74.1% of the extra-man advantages they've faced (but were better against the woeful Rangers power play).
Point being, the Caps have been here before. And they've done well as a team, thanks to their stars and a bit of help from elsewhere.
But they haven't faced an elimination game against these Penguins (or even a team like them), so these stats mean little. What does mean something, however, is how these Caps - to a man - play. Win or lose, tonight's effort will tell you all you need to know about a lot of these guys and their respective futures with this team... whether that begins Wednesday night or next October.
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Well said… We’ll see what the boys are made of tonight…
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 7:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You can say that again.
I need 100% of you guys to give 110% 100% of the time.
by capsfan4life on May 11, 2009 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reading Ovechkin’s comments after the game, I can’t imagine he won’t have the C very far in the future.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/boudreau-nobody-wants-to-go-on.html
Boudreau on Leadership
When Boudreau was asked whether Alex Ovechkin is the type of leader who will stand up and deliver a speech tonight, he said: “I haven’t seen it. Coaches aren’t in the room a lot, where he would stand up and say something profound, other than cheering, ‘Come on guys, let’s go, we have to bear down.’ I haven’t seen him walk around and say, ‘Come on guys, this is what we have to do,’ unless he’s echoing my statements.”
I don’t know whether to take that as a negative or.. well a neutral thing. I’ve been in support of Laich taking captaincy (or minimally an A) this entire season, but none of us really know what goes on in there. I base my pro-Laich-ness on his publicized commitment, desire, and comments with the media, along with his steady play (183/183 if you count playoffs these last two seasons).
I look at Clark and I see the desire, but he’s been way too injury prone to back it up.
But again, I’m sure the way he talks to the media has nothing to do with his leadership or the way the other players view him. All I know is that it appears Laich has a good head on him.
by :hsughrofl: on May 11, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t use that quote against AO. BB said that he, himself, didn’t see it. Not that it didn’t happen.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, i’m guessing this isn’t meant as a message to AO one way or the other. i hope not. probably just gabby living up to his nickname?
by Natty Bumppo on May 11, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Scared At All
The Caps are supposed to lose tonight. If they win, it’ll be gravy. While this is an elimination game for the Caps, I’d say there is just as much pressure on the Penguins, if not more. It’s very, very difficult to win three straight games against a good playoff opponent, as the ’Canes showed last night, and there is no way in hell that they want to come back to the VC for Game 7.
This team absolutely, positively needs three things tonight:
1) Varly must have a great game. He doesn’t need to pitch a shutout (although that would be nice), but he needs to make the important saves (like his Game 7 save against Antropov), while not allowing any softies.
2) More of the same from Ovie.
3) Someone, anyone, other than Ovie or Backstrom to make a contribution to the scoresheet. In Games 1 and 2, it was Steckel (I know, Flash scored in Game 1, but . . . screw Flash). Semin, Fedorov, Kozlov, Green, Poti, Laich: I don’t care who, as long as it’s someone.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 8:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well History is on the Pens side.
80% of the time the Game 5 winner is the winner of the series. This is based on information gleamed from Versus, and NHL network.
I also think that the Pens have a ton of confiedence right now, It isn’t like Varlamov has stolen a victory from them, or has even appeared like he can’t be beat. The Pens are getting a ton of secondary scoring and they return home to an ice surface that has not appeared to be kind to your main scorer in this series. ( I am speaking of the sloppy ice conditions and its affect on AOs shooting and stick handling). Things are clearly in the Pens favor and I do not think the Pens will pull a Hurricanes situation at home tonight.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
History was on the Rangers’ side last series, too.
History, as they say, is history.
The Pens are unquestionably in the better position here, and for many of the reasons you mention, but they’ve still got to win one more game.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure the Pens have tons of confidence right now – just like the Caps did after winning the first two games.
Varlamov has outplayed Fleury in every game thus far, with the exception of Game 4. If you don’t think his save on Crosby in Game 1 was a game-stealer, I don’t really know what to say.
The Pens are getting lots of scoring from their secondary players. But they’re secondary players for a reason: they don’t score consistently. Otherwise, they’d be primary players. If the Caps get a goal from Semin, Laich, Green, or any other secondary player, I like their chances.
Sloppy ice affects both sides equally. The VC ice is atrocious, and yet the Caps outscored their opponents handily at home this year. This isn’t the Devils vs. the Red Wings in ’95, or the Avs vs. the Stars in ’99/00, where one side clearly is faster and more skilled than the other and therefore the opponent garners an advantage from soupy ice.
Of course the Pens have the advantage, they’re up 3-2 in the series. However, if you don’t think they’re feeling all sorts of pressure to close this out at home, I think you might be deluding yourself.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you think that being down is an advantage?
I understand that we are inclined to mentally put ourselves in the best position possible. Your response is a prime example of this.
Valarmov is no where near what he was in the first two games. He looked tired in game 4 and in game 5 let some goals through he wouldn’t have in games 1 and 2. The Pens have beat him from Crosby down to Talbot. They don’t have that mental block that “damn this guy is unstoppable”. There was a lot of talk about the Pens “gripping” the stick. I don’t think that is a problem now.
The sloppy ice really didn’t slow down the Pens in the first two games at Mellon Arena, and it certainly did appear to affect AO. There was a post on here from a Caps fan about that earlier and I am just too lazy to go find it right now. I don’t think the pressure they feel is as great as the pressure the Caps feel.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reading comprehension fail:
Of course the Pens have the advantage
So you think that being down is an advantage?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if you read the entire post and didn't draw a little bit out it wouldn't be a fail
But thanks for drawing straws.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You made it easy for us not to have to read past the subject line.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool, so why was my fan post taken down?
Can I get an explanation so next time I won’t make the same mistake?
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was moot at this point – the topic had been discussed ad nauseum and there were plenty of other places on the site for you to input your two cents on the matter.
Also, the misogynistic ad hominem reference to a specific player wasn’t appreciated.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So why didn't you simply post there saying that?
Seems rather little to just remove a post? But then again this is your sandbox so do as you please.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Having that FanPost up was going to do nothing but ignite a flame war, so I took it down. It was less than useless – it was detrimental to the site overall.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So a Pens fan supporting the view that AO did not make a dirty hit was detrimental to your site?
Cool I understand you a lot better now.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, right.
At least you’re not going to piss and moan that it was taken down because you happened to have a differing point of view, right?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Said discussion was not only covered, but some folks here thought that AO should have been sent off for 5.
Tossing in a childish name to describe said player didn’t do you any favors.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There were Caps fans who thought he should be suspended?
For what? I don’t think Ovaries is a clean player but that wasn’t a dirty hit.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There were Caps fans who thought it was a major, sure.
And seriously, stop with the AO nickname. You’re making yourself look as smart as anyone who calls Crosby “Cindy”.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, how about you stop with the ridiculous (and misogynisitc) childish name-calling?
Besides it displaying a protozoan level of originality, cleverness and intelligence, it’s an area that’s particularly sensitive to a lot of people who are a part of this community (and others) who have had personal, related health difficulties.
So leave it over at PensBurgh or wherever, but don’t bring it here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To quote Rodney King….“Cant we all just get along!”
by Dalehunter on May 11, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry I got your Ovaries in an uproar.
And since when does naming an organ create a “sensitive” issue? Quit being a baby
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See ya.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Don’t tease us like this unless you really mean it.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s been banned.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
F’realz. Enough was enough. Simple rule – if one person is ruining or lessening the experience for a whole hell of a lot of people, he’s not going to be long for this community.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
For the record, I thought he was an ass as well. I don’t come to Japers’ to run my mouth like I do at the Pensblog. If I feel the need to job the Caps, I say it there.
For Pens fans, this place is for serious discussion only. I don’t use the terms “Ovechicken,” “Ovary,” or any other of these kind of insults. I’ll be happy to point out what I think are the Pens’ advantages in the series, but that’s as far as I go
And really, if we’re up 3-2 in the series, do we need to resort to that crap?
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe my biggest problem with him was that he talked crap about the discussions at Pensburgh when he was here but then loved to flame the Caps fans that went and posted on Pensburgh. I didn’t have the heart to call him out about what he said because I didn’t want to disrespect Frank and Hooks like that, but c’mon guy.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bless you. Took you way too long in my opinion.
by gfcaps fan on May 11, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, J.P. You obviously just don’t have a sense of humor. How many times over the last couple days have you found yourself wondering whether Pascal Duodenum is going to play? Or which Evgeni Malkinoma was going to show up? The malignant of benign type?
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m been more worried about them putting in Eric Gallbladdered to go after Ovie.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d love it if they did that. At worst the Caps get a PP out of it, at best we get a goal because of his total lack of talent. He’s not gonna catch AO, much less fight him.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention probably get his ass handed to him when he tries to hit AO.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, agreed, I was just thinking of any reason to throw in an Eric Godard reference. Ovie gets more minutes on one PP than he does an entire regular season game.
Poor goon.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and on a side note
ad hominem didn’t really fit the argument being presented. But hey what do I know I only study latin.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He says that even though they are up they are at a disadvantage due to the "pressure" factor.
Sounds like a alleged disadvantage to me!
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And not to beat a dead horse..
but his logic states that Being up a game and having the Caps one game from elemination is putting immense pressure on the Pens. I don’t know if he thinks pressure is a positive or a negative. So I asked him a question.
Sorry I found a flaw in someones logic and pointed it out. I will quit posting on this subject before you go all 3rd grade and ban me.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah and on the wrong side of the bed.
And someone peed in my wheaties.
It has been a great day!
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
eeeeewwwww. Hang in there. Hope you at least changed your underwear!
by Dalehunter on May 11, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No I still have my poop stained sidney crosby underroos on.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the sloppy ice effects OV more because of how he plays. Long shifts + hard skating + slush = not winning the third period/OT
BTW carolina is a great poster over on the Penn State boards, but this rivalry brings out the animal in all of us.
by gnuf on May 11, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You really think Semin and Green are secondary players? They may be not playing so great this series (Green especially), but they’re still top-line, All-Star caliber guys.
For the Caps to win tonight (and Wednesday), they need to have their real secondary players score like the Pens have the last couple of games (Fedotenko, Staal, Letang).
by RCheli on May 11, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d like to see more consistency out of both Green and Semin. They’ve certainly not been playing like top-tier players this series (and Green for the whole playoffs), but both certainly have the talent.
I (still) think that the Caps’ top-end talent is superior to that of the Pens. The issue is that two of our “Big 4” have disappeared for this series and the Pens’ superior role-players are doing their job.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I (still) think that the Caps’ top-end talent is superior to that of the Pens
I guess it depends on how you define top-end talent. The Pens have 2 of the league’s three best offensive players; we have the other. Further, the gap from these three to anyone else is quite wide, so even if you think Backstrom is 4th and, say, Semin is 5th, I’d still say the Pens offensive top 3 is better than our offensive top 3.
I’d say the talent levels on these teams is basically a toss up. Pens appear to have an advantage in speed; we appear to have a slight advantage in goal. If Green had shown up during this series, that might have tipped things in our favor.
by CarlosLA on May 11, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is Gonch the Pens #3? Definitely not Staal.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d say that their top-two is better than our top-two, but the drop from their #2 to #3 is HUGE. Semin, despite his play this series, is just ungodly talented, as is Mike Green. Their #3 would be Gonch, in my book. Staal is good, but Gonchar was clearly a more important cog on their team, as evidenced by their record without him this year.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This game is when the Caps actually show up, with their backs against the wall.
by Stonewarden on May 11, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. We need someone else to carry the load. Ovie is a Horse, but everyone will be following him and someone else should be free to take a shot. I don’t think we need Brash. Leave his slow ass at home. don’t get me wrong, I like him but he is not what we need tonight. We need speed and finesse and scoring all of which Brash has none.
by Dalehunter on May 11, 2009 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Know hope – the Pens are 0-3 (shutout twice) in their last three first chances at closing out a series.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Watching the B’s dismantle the ’Canes last night has made me hopeful. I was watching that game and the whole time I kept thinking that Caps could easily do the same thing to the Pens.
I still think the injury to Gonchar will catch up to the Pens. At some point, the Caps must establish pressure on the forecheck and force the Pens’ defensemen into turnovers.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dop we know for sure he’s out tonight?
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bylsma’s throwing up the smoke screen of uncertainty, but I don’t think I’m buying it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dunno if he’s pulling a Willis Reed after pulling a Willis McGahee. Maybe a Willis Jackson.
I’m out.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On Saturday afternoon, TSN of Canada reported that Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar would miss “several weeks” due to an apparent knee injury suffered in the first period of the club’s Game 4 battle against the Capitals. After the Pens grabbed a 3-2 series lead with an overtime win Saturday night, I ran into Gonchar. While unavailable to play, he traveled with his teammates to Washington. I didn’t speak to the Penguins’ top defenseman, but I watched him make the long walk down one of the Verizon Center corridors.
Now, this is a totally unscientific assessment, but I don’t think he’ll be out for “several weeks.” He was walking without any noticeable trouble or limp. Of course, he wasn’t running, either. When I asked a former league executive who has traveled with teams during the playoffs about what I’d observed, he agreed the injury likely isn’t as bad as the broadcast report indicated. He believed if it was that significant of an injury, Gonchar more than likely would not have traveled to Washington. Instead, the official believed that Gonchar’s accompanying the team was a sign the player was getting some heavy treatment from the medical staff.
In the playoffs, as you all know, teams aren’t very forthcoming about injuries, and I can understand why. In this case, I don’t expect to see No. 55 on the ice for Monday night’s Game 6 at Mellon Arena. But I wouldn’t be shocked if he were to become available if the Pens-Caps series goes to a Game 7 on Wednesday.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are tons of stories of players continuing to play for the rest of the game after tearing a knee ligament, the ACL in particular, so the lack of a limp doesn’t shock me all that much.
My feeling is, if he’s not 100%, go ahead and play him, because I’d rather he be out there hobbling for 25 mins than someone else.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can also walk pretty easily without an ACL, it’s the lateral movement that is a killer. I’ve got several friends that tore ACL’s and didn’t have to fix them because they aren’t professional athletes. They still play pick-up basketball and stuff like that but they wouldn’t be able to regularly put a lot of lateral stress on their knees. I have no idea what happened to Gooch, but just being able to walk isn’t enough to convince me he’s ok. Tom Brady walked off the field and down the stairs when he first got hurt, and we all know how that turned out.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
John Elway played his whole career without an ACL, and he did OK.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is that right? wow. do you know when it happened? back at stanford or while he was in the NFL? heckuva running QB in his prime.
by Natty Bumppo on May 11, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crazily enough, he lost it in HIGH SCHOOL.
Madness, huh?
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he lost it racing as a three-year old.
Sorry – couldn’t let an Elway mention pass without a subtle reference to his horse face.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So what we’re saying is that E.J. Hradek is a shitty doctor?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This feels a little like a “baseball” stat (you know, BA on the second wednesday of the month)
But each game is independent and the Caps just seem to love playing from behind, so here we go!
We only had a 10% chance being down 3-1, right? So now we have 50% better odds than in our first round series
by gnuf on May 11, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s very applicable that this Pens team over the past two seasons has failed to close out its opponents on its first try three straight times. Granted, they were able to in the following game, but it speaks, perhaps, to their effort level relative to their opponent’s when that opponent is desperate.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m curious how MAF has played in those games. We need a softie or two tonight…
by gnuf on May 11, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MAF is 0-3/2.70/.913, so it’s not all him.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Caps are starting to remind me of the Millenium Falcon. Just when you think that they will never make the jump to hyperspace. . .
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Star Wars Geek in Me...
…says this must be rec’d.
As long as you don’t say something about having a bad feeling about this….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t worry! They’ll hold together.
Hear me, Caps? Hold together.
by jimmiebjr on May 11, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Ok, ok, you get a rec too!
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have faith in our coach to have made the necessary adjustments, and the boys will be fine. I just won’t be able to watch, as I’ll have doubled my medication and confined myself to the spare room because whenever I’m watching happens to be when that little creep scores. You know of whom I speak. Tell me when it’s over!
by FlyingCloud on May 11, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Here’s one theory I’ve had (and right now can only hope is true): They are drawing all of their series out to 7 games just to make sure I spend more $$$ by having to use ALL the tickets in my book.
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 11, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
While nervewracking and expensive, I could get behind that theory.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but think of all the money you’re saving by drinking VC beer instead of paint. Oh, wait, VC beer is $7.50 for 20oz, so paint is probably cheaper.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’ll probably just stick with beer tonight, but I’ll spend considerably less (on better quality) than I get the Booth.
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 11, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, all the conspiracy theorists should expect a Caps win tonight and for the officiating to be heavily in our favor, right? Nothing Gary would like more than a Game 7…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It might benefit ratings, but not sure it benefits Team Bettman.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Storyline = Ratings = Team Bettman
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
of course it benefits the NHL.
but I think in his heart of hearts, he probably would hope that Pittsburgh gets through. After all, Pittsburgh is the franchise he feels should be modeled on.
If they don’t win tonight, it’s a crap shoot.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not if he fixes Game 7. Duh. :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he should have fixed it so the home team won all of the games.
by Sombrero Guy on May 11, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its tough to model a franchise on Pittsburgh, not everyone gets “lucky” enough to get two first overall picks and two second overall picks in a four year period.
by renstar on May 11, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is true. I really don’t think you can argue that Detroit is the model franchise of the NHL, considering arguably their two best forwards (Datsyuk and Zetterberg) were drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds. And they also happen to have been winning that big shiny silver thing consistently for over a decade.
by bigmac1124 on May 11, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always hate hearing how great of a drafting team Detroit is — and they always go to Datsyuk and Zetterberg as examples. Look, if they were such great talent evaluators, why did they wait until the 6th round to get Datsyuk and waste their earlier picks on players such as Ryan Barnes, Tomek Veltonen, Jake McCracken, Carl Steen, and Adam DeLeeuw? They got luck with Datsyuk, plain and simple.
Plus, look at the deal that brought Fleischmann and the pick that turned into Mike Green to the Capitals for Robert Lang. Who won that transaction?
by RCheli on May 11, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Washington most definitely got the better end of the Lang deal, but if your talking about Green and Flash’s play in the playoffs this year…..
by bigmac1124 on May 11, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that there are certain guys on the Caps right now who just don’t know how to play in the playoffs, how the game is different. The difference between the regular season and the playoffs is like the jump from the AHL to the NHL: everything is quicker; the defenders are better; there is less room to work; etc. Green and Flash are young, and, in Green’s case, he has to understand that offensive defensemen have to become less offensive and more defensive, more physical during the playoffs.
And look, it takes time for guys to adjust. The aforementioned Datsyuk is a good example: he was horrible his first few years in the playoffs and has gotten better and better.
by RCheli on May 11, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Fleischmann’s dangerously close to be headed down the same path as Viktor Kozlov when it comes to playoff performance, but Green was good last year and in the minors. Couple that with the fact that we’ve been told he’s “had the flu” five times since St. Patrick’s day and I think it’s pretty clear he’s just not 100%.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s also having stick problems apparently.
by Scott in Shaw on May 11, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools.
That said, the Green stick story is insane.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cue the Billy Barule line from Caddyshack in 3…2…
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do his sticks have his brains in them?
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My suspicion is that the stick change is also injury related. He’s looking for the stick to compensate for whatever is lacking due to his shoulder, obliquie, whatever it is not being 100%.
by Vickster on May 11, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that. But it doesn’t excuse terrible decisions.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not in the least, but he has A LOT going against him right now.
by Vickster on May 11, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t sound injury-related – sounds more ill-preparedness-related.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you’d be surprised how much strife being without one’s primary weapon can cause. that said, I don’t excuse his decision-making either.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I understand it. But…
If you have a dozen twigs left and they’ve discontinued it and only those dozen exist on the planet, you’d start to familiarize yourself with some alternatives as you got down to six or so, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. I responded before I clicked the link :-).
But I do know that losing one’s stick is akin to losing one’s arm, or eye – it’s a body part that is almost irreplaceable. New sticks are difficult to get used to. But he’s been using a new stick for almost 3 weeks now, if he’s still getting accustomed to it, that’s a little suspect, I think.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
During the offseason, sure. But not during the stretch run of a season. Green probably should’ve spent last August learning to use the S17s.
I’ll defend him here—the few times I’ve had to change stick models, it’s really thrown me for a loop. I swear I’m going to save up a couple hundred bucks right before the Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX P88s are discontinued.
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah adjusting to a new stick is a pain. But when I was a kid I had at least 3 different blade patterns discontinued and I was able to adjust within that season. Yeah, I’m not as good as Green and thus probably not as sensitive to differences in my curve, but I also wasn’t on the ice nearly as much as he was. I’d Imagine he’s changed sticks before and figured out how to do it. He also probably has a pretty similar replacement stick so I’m not buying the stick as the cause of any problems.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tell me about. I go through a process every time a stick I like is discontinued where it takes me months to find a new one, which I use religiously until it breaks or they discontinue one. Went from the old two piece, to the Vapor XX, to a pro stock Sickick 7k and now….sort of in the wilderness again.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do they even make Sher-Wood’s anymore? I used to love the Sher-Wood Featherlites with an 85 flex. I think I had a Bourque or Spezza pattern. I wasn’t picky.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Sher-Wood Coffey (righty model) was mon-ey!
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 11, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. I used to love that stick. I think I’ve got a Spezza, only because my old pro-shop ran out of Bourques.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just gotta buy bulk at this point. Find a stick you like and then watch the online sites religiously for a bulk deal. Hopefully you can find the stick you like for (relatively) cheap and get a few, that should last you a while.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I miss living near Canada. I also miss playing hockey, but that’s another matter altogether.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roger. Lots and lots . . . and lots of injuries.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That what I was doing with the Vapor XX’s; used those for about 2 1/2 years. I wish I could have done it with my latest, but I bought them on ebay, so, no dice.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i feel the exact same way about my ping pong paddle.
by Natty Bumppo on May 11, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had read prior to this that he had also changed the flex or something on his sticks. It’s my understanding that it’s not a simple brand change, but I’m not having any luck finding where I read that last week.
by Vickster on May 11, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They reported it during the game 4 broadcast that he changed the flex of his stick as well. I had a pretty lengthy discussion with DMG about the implications of that change in the GDT at the time.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, thank you!
It’s always nice to know that I’m not just imagining things. :)
by Vickster on May 11, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said. We need the grassy knoll referee, we need the magic bullet.
Go Caps!
by Dalehunter on May 11, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tonight’s referees are… Paul Devorski (10), Dennis LaRue (14)
The same Paul Devorski, btw, that called Game 7 against PHI last year and (correct me if I’m wrong – it may have been Koho, not Devo) whistled Poti for the trip in OT.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Devo: “When a forward comes along, you must trip it.”
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Allllllllll abboaaaaaaaaaardddddddd!
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 11, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I woke up this morning feeling strangely confident about tonight. On a gut level, I know I should be expecting the worst, but then I started breaking this game down and suddenly there were a lot of positives to feel good about:
For starters, the Caps have been there done that (down 3-2 in a series) and won the last two times. The fact they’re going to Pittsburgh shouldn’t faze them. They won in Philly last year and MSG this year, two of the toughest buildings in the NHL.
Secondly, I just find it hard to believe that a team as good as the Caps will lose four straight to anybody, not just the Penguins. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s really hard to beat a team four in a row when you have dominating talent. Much harder when you’re relying on fluky bounces to pull out victories.
Thirdly, the “luck factor”. Sooner or later, the bounces have to go the Caps way (don’t they?). Pucks eventually are going to hit Caps sticks and bounce away from the net, not in. It’s just the law of averages. You can’t get every fortunate bounce. Why can’t luck run out tonight?
Finally, and maybe most importantly, there’s the “desperation factor”. We saw it last night in Boston. When teams are evenly matched talent-wise, usually the hungrier team comes away with the win. The Penguins will say they need to win tonight because they don’t want to come back to DC, but deep down they all know they don’t really HAVE to win. The Caps, on the other hand, have no alternative. It’s win or go home and I think that fear will produce the first true 60-minute effort of the series from the guys. If the Penguins can match it and come away with the win then hats off to them. I just have a feeling they won’t. I said it would go seven at the start. I’m sticking with that prediction.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the Caps have been there done that (down 3-2 in a series) and won the last two times. The fact they’re going to Pittsburgh shouldn’t faze them. They won in Philly last year and MSG this year, two of the toughest buildings in the NHL.
Can’t the Pens feel the same way? This is against a franchise they have owned in the Playoffs in the past 15 years. So if you go on the past the Pens should feel just as confident. I know you will argue the recent history point, but the Pens have all the history on their side.
Your second and third points are built on luck and the claim that the Pens have had “fluky” bounces. As Crosby said after game 5 you have to work to get lucky and the Pens are doing that.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re mixing your metaphors. This current group of Caps have gone down 3-2 in two series and won both times. That’s a fact. This current group of Pens has never beaten the Caps in a playoff series. That’s also a fact. And history, as jp stated earlier, is just history unless the current participants have been involved in the previous events. Alex Ovechkin was 14 years old the last time the Caps & Pens met in the playoffs, so I doubt he has much emotional stake in those losses. And as to what the great philosopher Sidney Crosby has to say about making your own bounces, my guess is that if the Caps won the last two games on tips, he’d be singing a different tune.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since you don't appreciate Crosby here it is from Thomas Jefferson
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
Cry all you want about the bounces but that is hockey. I could make the same argument about some of the lucky bounces the Caps have gotten in regards to Varlamov’s saves. He got some nice breaks that could have altered the series, but to do so would belittle the tremendous effort he has given in net, and really sounds little. So I will refrain, luck is created by work and if you can’t accept that fine, but the Pens will.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who knew TJ played hockey? But actually I prefer this quote from Ernest Hemingway:
“For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can.” Kind of sums up this series. Yet as fun as this little get together with the Pens has been, I’ll be so happy when it’s over. Care to guess why?
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah man, don’t you remember the legendary JAM line of 1803?
Jefferson-Adams-Madison
And I’ll never forget that scrap TJ had with Cornwallis.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
Jefferson could have been a HOFer if he could have kept his hands off of Hemmings off the ice.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec’d for this and your contributions to the entire thread. I’ll miss the childish invective and references to the female reproductive system but alas, all good things must come to an end.
by Lisita on May 11, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
please clear the crease, and don’t wave your stick at the puck. Play the penguin near the puck and eliminate him. Too many goals have been third and fourth whacks at the puck.
by Sombrero Guy on May 11, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Need more of the following:
Etc.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also applies to the forward group, both in the offensive zone (Fleury should be intimately familiar with the smell of Laich’s jockstrap by now, no pun intended) and backchecking. I’d pay a million dollars to see Fleischmann pinball his way into MAF’s grillepiece, and score a rebound goal. Sigh. A man can dream.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on May 11, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have no Mahbles! You… HAVE… NO…. MAHBLES!
by MetalCap on May 11, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Major League 2? Kudos to you.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can you give kudos major league 2?? in any way, shape or form? horrible horrible movie. ML1 = all time great. ML2 and ML3 = waste of life (time spent watching)
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve gotta respect the pull.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, i’ll go w/ that. just don’t respect the movie. ack!
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of my best buddies’ brother is the second-baseman in the opening scene of Major League III. He actually drilled Scott Bakula in the back of the head by accident during filming. Random.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did he leap home shortly after?
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you’d have thought he would’ve leaped before it happened…
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can only leap when he’s succeeded in his mission, guys! To get the babes who want the guys in ML3!
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow who thought the epic ML II reference would be topped with a Quantum Leap reference!? My day just got bizonkers!
by MetalCap on May 11, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quantam Leap. One of the Top 5 most underrated and underappreciated TV shows in the last 25 years. Along with Northern Exposure and Magnum P.I., in my opinion.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d almost be in favor of a two minute penalty, if someone would cross-check Crosby into the goal post so violently that he thinks twice about going there again.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup, a pretty simple wish list would really help turn things around. To this (clear the crease), I’d add just one thing: don’t back down every single time to Malkin and Crosby when the start at the blue line. Maybe the dmen have noticed that strategy isn’t working so well since both guys still make it to the net (or leave a perfect drop pass) every single time the dmen concede the ground. Hey, I know, take a page out of the Pens defense of Ovie’s rushes.
by CarlosLA on May 11, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you saw what happened in OT when fedorov decided to go for a stick-check on malkin at the blue line of game 5… walked right around him.
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fedorov on defense in a tied game = do not want
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As Boudreau pointed out, Feds should have been in the penalty box then and Jurcina should have been the defenseman playing Malkin. Might have been a different result. Of course, the play should never happened because the refs should have called the Penguins for interference for leveling Gordon seconds earlier.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, but Bruce still put Feds out there on D to kill that penalty at that point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right…. OT of an uber important game and you put a forward on D during a penalty kill… what kinda message does that send to your D Corp?? I’m guessing Mo (as much as I loathe the guy) wasn’t a better option to kill the penalty?
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mo jumped off the ice prematurely after just 30 seconds of ice time and, according to Bruce, Feds had to jump on to replace him because all the other defenseman had already taken a shift in the first 2:30 of the period. Bruce made it pretty clear in his presser that Feds was the last option on the bench because everyone else was kind of gassed at that point.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Feds has been playing like he’s been gassed all post season… it’s kinda like playing russian roulette (pardon the pun)
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But, as detailed in the post, he has stepped it up at the right times. He may not have much left in the tank, but he seems to be bringing it at opportune moments.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But only moments, and only moments when he’s not playing defensively.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my fear is that alzheimers kicks in and he forgets when those opportune moments are…
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that the really choice? Back down or poke Crosby/Malkin’s stick? If so, then we’re playing half the game everyone else plays, and that may explain our collective defensive problem. ’-)
by CarlosLA on May 11, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ovie's TOI
If AO’s time on ice continues to be ridonkulous then I don’t think there’ll be a Game 7.
uhh...uhh...uhh...
by hotdog88gt on May 11, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He had 24 minutes of ice time last game with two goals and three points and was +1. I want him on the ice as much as he can go. The Penguins would love to see his ice time reduced, though.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brooks the Soothsayer
I ran into Brooks Laich yesterday afternoon at a gas station. He was looking all Men in Black-ish with his dark suit, shades, and black Escalade. Pulled into the pump behind him, but all I could muster was “Hey Brooks, good luck tomorrow”. His response: “Hey, how you doin’ today? Yeah, we’re headed to the airport now. Don’t worry, there WILL be a game 7”.
Actually made me feel better the rest of the day.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
How many chicks did he pick up whilst filling his tank?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Did he ever get any furniture for his theater room?
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s got a theatre room in his Escalade?
by Stonewarden on May 11, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's big enough...
…but I meant the one in his house…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, he seemed to be eyeing my wife in the passenger seat while he was talking to me. Hard to tell because he was wearing sunglasses.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
She was eyeing back, wasn’t she? :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha. Yeah, she thought he was cute, but she was more interested in busting my balls because I was tongue-tied like a little kid despite the fact that I’m almost a decade older than him. He caught me off guard with his willingness to engage in conversation.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hockey players are some of the most down to earth people you’ll ever meet. I’ve found it the primadonna to be the exception rather than the rule like in other sports cough NFL cough NBA
But I’d imagine growing up in small town Canada and waking up for 5am practices will do that to you.
by gnuf on May 11, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also think that the junior hockey system has a lot to do with it. Talented kids come into junior hockey as 16-year olds and promptly get smacked down by their 19-20 year old peers, and brought into line by their coaches. Imagine how humbling that must be? Then it happens again in the minors, and again in the pros. Compare it to basketball, where the players are recruited to high school, recruited to college, wooed by agents and then handed ridiculous sums of cash (which all but guarantee a roster spot), all by the age of 2119, all the while being told by coaches, the media, and their growing entourage that they are the greatest baller to walk the planet since MJ himself… It’s no wonder they end up with over-endowed egos. I look at a guy like Brandon Roy, who had to struggle just to get into UW, and I think that struggle helped make him a better, more grounded person.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crap, that was in response to:
How many chicks did he pick up whilst filling his tank?
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many chicks did he pick up whilst filling his tank?
Well, the Escalade seats eight so….ten.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I call BS. Brooks Laich doesn’t need to pump gas. His car runs on awesome.
by Scott in Shaw on May 11, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Yes. Yes, it does.
uhh...uhh...uhh...
by hotdog88gt on May 11, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The next time you’re at a bar and anything remotely sports related comes up, I want the Brooks Laich Myth to substantiate itself into the mainstream consciousness.
For example, “Maury Povich? Shit, Brooks Laich fathered 67 kids at once! Of course they’re his!”
Brooks Laich = Chuck Norris?
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, shit, really? Well… it’s not a total loss, I guess.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can we stop for a moment and envision a similar encounter, only the guy filling his car at the station is Flash?
Hey Flash..good luck tomorrow. Watch those stick fouls. Keep your legs moving. Be strong on your skates. Go to the net.
Flash (in doofy accent): We’re headed to Pittsburgh right now. Swipe credit card? I just did that? Dammit….
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 11, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While BB hangs out in the passenger seat and yells encouragement…
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Jakub Klepis chills in the back seat.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ouch. You really had to go there, didn’t you?
Well, I’ll see your Klepis, and raise you a NOVOTNY!!!!!
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Novotny’s nothing… when you’ve got Roman Tvrdon in your arsenal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smack, smack, smack.
That’s the sound of me tapping out.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alexandre Volchkov didn’t see your tap and drops a late elbow on your dome.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Klepis still a Bear? I forget what happened to him…
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope – he was a teammate of Jagr’s in the K this year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw a guy in a red Klepis sweater at a game earlier this year. I wasn’t sure if that was awesome or pathetic…
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on May 11, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1) Nice that Laich feels confident, but its time for him to step up his game. To be 12 games into the post season and looking for goal #2 isn’t what most Caps supporters would have expected. Especially the way Brooks finished the season.
2) Bradley/Steckel/Jurcina, perhaps even Erskine can say they have stepped up their play thus far this post season. Laich, not so much.
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 11, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to see Laich in front of the goal so often tonight that he gets mistaken for MAF.
by jimmiebjr on May 11, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Brooks Laich went back in time to have sex with MAF’s mother, thereby becoming the only time traveling hockey player in history to play in front of his own son, at the same age.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Gordie Howe did that? And it was Ken Dryden’s mom?
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can’t figure out how to work a “Chris Chelios is old” joke into this
by renstar on May 11, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Chelios was the guy MAF’s Mom cheated on?
by jimmiebjr on May 11, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want them to win for other reasons
I’ll admit I’m a relatively new Caps fan, but far from the bandwagon cries that I will no doubt get. Despite the history between the Penguins & Capitals, and the Capitals Playoff History in general, I want them to win for reasons other than just to change the historical outcomes.
1. The NHL needs the Capitals to become an annual powerhouse. I am led to believe more often than not (with no cited evidence), that the fans of the NHL in all cities are silently cheering for the Capitals to win. They bring excitement, energy, and a feel good vibe for all fans.
2. These are the new Capitals. I don’t care about the Pens vs. Caps history. These are brand new teams and I want the Capitals to beat the Pens because of their players being who they are. I’m so sick and tired of the Penguins being plastered all over the leagues promos, advertisements, etc. They didn’t even win the Cup last year. WTF NHL… Not that it will ever stop, just saying…
3. To silence the comparisons on who will win the Cup first (both teams & individually), who is the better team/player, who has the better fans, who has the better resurrection of a Hockey Town, etc.
4. Two back to back series with Game 7’s – How awesome is that as a fan? I mean seriously? Yeah, it’s not great for the players as they will be fatigued from playing more games, but what an awesome story the Capitals are writing right now. The story has not ended.
5. I want to have an excuse & reason to continue growing this hideous epic fail of a chia-pet experiment on my face.
by migz on May 11, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They promote the Pens
Because Crosby is the best Canadian hockey player in the league right now. Canada is the NHLs biggest hardcore fan base. They have to sell what sells. I understand your pain, I hate seeing Tom Brady all the time in football, but you gotta sell what sells.
Success without honor is like an unseasoned dish, it will fill you up but it won't taste good. - Joe V. Paterno
by carolinaeasy on May 11, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby...
…is playing better than anyone right now, but overall he’s not the best player on the Penguins. Malkin has been the best player in Pittsburgh the past 2 seasons and when they write the final history of this era of the Penguins, Crosby will be remembered as the captain and Malkin will be remembered as the team’s best player.
I’d be hard pressed to put Crosby in the NHL’s top 5 skaters over all right now as better than him are Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Iginla and Chara. He’s at a level with Eric Staal, Heinrik Zetterberg, Ryan Getzlaaf, Patrick Kane, Marty St. Louis, Ilya Kovalchuk… heady company and I’d take any of them on my team, but Crosby’s not better than the top 5 players I listed. He’s somewhere in the next 5-7 players… which ain’t a bad place to be.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d be hard pressed to put Crosby in the NHL’s top 5 skaters
Dude, no way. He’s easily #2 or #3 (acknowledging my Ovechkin bias). I probably give him the edge over Malkin for his overall consistency, and he’s certainly been the best Pen in the playoffs.
Fantasy pick, if Ovie’s off the board, I’m taking Crosby. For all of his faults, he’s mighty valuable.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby is a great player… I’m not disputing that. All I see though is that he is not a complete player… he could become one, but right now the player with the most complete game on the Pens is Malkin. Malkin is as good a play-maker as Crosby, has a better shot, is better defensively, is more physical than Sid. I can’t think of a part of Sid’s game that Malkin isn’t his equal or better.
In fantasy picks, Crosby goes #2 or #3 behind Ovechkin and maybe behind Malkin. The reason I’d put Datsyuk ahead of Crosby isn’t his points, but his defense. Datsyuk is the best defensive forward the NHL’s seen since Sergei Fedorov circa 1995, and he may get better. Can he approach the level of defensive forward that Bob Gainey was? He might, and that’s way up there.
I’d put Iginla ahead of Crosby as well because, well, Iggy can a team with about 3 or good players to the playoffs on a regular basis. Calgary’s second line is nowhere near as good as Pittsburgh’s ditto for the 3rd line, defensemen, etc. And yet, Iginla seems to get them to the playoffs. Chara is the most complete defenseman in the league (I know, sacrilege in a Caps blog to say that), but he has everything.
One last point. Remember last year when Crosby missed about 25 games with an injury? Did the Penguins really feel the loss? They felt it some, but they stayed competitive and won the Atlantic division despite that due to the efforts of….Evgeni Malkin….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see your reasoning, but if I’m building a team from scratch, and I can’t take Ovechkin, I’m taking Crosby. More so than Malkin, Crosby makes me angry when I see him with the puck because I know what he can do with it. I’m not really afraid of Malkin.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two points. Lidstrom is still a more complete defenseman than Chara, hands down. Second, that CGY defensive corps is pretty solid, and the furthest Iginla ever “led” the Flames was when Kipper was hot. Since that Cup run CGY hasn’t done anything in the playoffs. If they weren’t a Canadian team they’d be taking heat like the Sharks.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure that I agree that Crosby is playing better than anyone right now, or that Malkin is better than him. Crosby has been far more dangerous than Malkin this series, yet AO has equaled their production. For one guy to equal the output of the 1st and 3rd leading scores in the league is pretty impressive, given how little help he’s gotten.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he meant Penguins-specific. At least, that’s how I read it.
AO’s blown the playoffs up the past few games.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best Canadian player right now is Iginla, who plays for a team that’s very top-heavy. The Flames’ role players aren’t all that good and after you get past their top 3-4 players, they are very thin. Crosby may be the second or third best player from Canada right now (I’m not sure he’s better than Eric Staal…)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby is definitly the best Canadien NHL player and has to be placed into the top 5 in the NHL overall. BTW, he is still only 21. The same age as the Caps rookie goalie.
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 11, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As much as I hate to admit it, Crosby is really good.
He is probably the best player not named Ovechkin by far.
Datsyuk gives him a good run for it at times, but it’s hard to evaluate with the good players he plays with all the time. Put him next to some chumps named Pascal Dupuis instead of Franzen/Zetterberg or Holmstrom, and I don’t know if you can make the debate.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tend to agree. Coming into this series, I was a firm believer that Malkin was better than Sid, but I no longer feel that way. Malkin, at his best, is better than Sid at his best (I think), but Sid has much less dramatic peaks and valleys.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m interested to see where they both are in 4-5 years.
Is Malkin going to develop a post up, drive the net game more? Is he going to shoot more? Become more physical? I still think his physical tools could lead him to become way better. But I’m not sure if he has the drive/commitment yet. Crosby for what its worth, is not outworked by ANYONE on the ice. A lot has been made about the faceoff practice, but look at the stats. He wasn’t that great when he came in, and now he is extremely good. But, the question I have is, Can Crosby focus more on shooting?
I think that last part is what could separate the two. When Crosby focuses on shoot first, pass second, he is so much better. But at times, he gets caught over passing. He will have a great chance and will dish it instead, trying to involve his teammates.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In 4-5 years, they probably won’t still be on the same team.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe. I’m not sure. I know they took the not so helpful route for resigning, but I do think if Pittsburgh wants them they could keep them.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With the cap going down, they’d have to sacrifice a few someones, I’d expect.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but what someones will that be?
My bet is you sacrifice the Orpiks and company to keep your superstars.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Orpik is who’s winning this series for the Pens, though. Crosby’s really only a little better than so-so in the D-zone and Malkin, excepting Game 3, has been invisible. The real difference between the Caps and Pens right now is that all of the Pens’ role players are doing their job.
And doing it with more speed than the Caps are.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's funny to see how the script has flipped
After game 2 the prevailing opinion was “Crosby can’t do it all by himself”. Now we’ve arrived at “Ovechkin can’t do it all by himself”.
It is truly amazing just how similar these teams are.
That being said, there’s no reason the Caps can’t flip it right back around again.
by Vickster on May 11, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing this Caps team has shown us is that it does have the ability and desire to win, but not in a comfortable or dominant fashion. They can dominate single games, but not entire series (yet). Someone’s going to have to be brought in this offseason to push the envelope for the Caps to be able to dominate consistently.
Who’s that going to be?
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And to think I has half buying some of those Pittsburgh arguments that Malkin might be equal to Ovechkin. This series has proven that Malkin doesn’t even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as AO. I bet those people who voted for Malkin over Ovechkin for MVP are feeling kind of stupid right now.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.
Malkin is in the question. But the light switch hasn’t turned on yet. He is still behind the curve development wise. Ovechkin has been putting up points and numbers just like Crosby at a torrential pace. Malkin is still just growing into his body. I just think the difference between Malkin and the other two is that Crosby and Ovechkin have a ridiculous drive Malkin hasn’t shown yet. There have been flashes, but I still think he takes a back seat at times. Some of that is probably due to his being with Crosby (he was dynamic last year when Crosby was out and at times when Crosby suffered this year Malkin carried the mail) but I don’t know if he has figured out just where he fits in the picture for the team.
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, Malkin is a Jeff Shultz/Alex Semin hybrid? :)
by Vickster on May 11, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
tall, thin and neat?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 11, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, yeah. He’s got consistency issues (when he stops scoring, he stops scoring for a long time, i.e. playoffs), and he doesn’t put forth the effort required a lot of the time. When he’s erased from the game, he can’t find his way back into it. But he plays the position well and is dominant at times.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point is that Malkin might some day be in the equation with Ovechkin, but he’s not close to being there yet and this series has shown it. MVP caliber players don’t show up for four periods out of 15. Crosby is far more deserving of MVP consideration than Malkin. I’m not crazy about Crosby, but he’s a hell of a player. From what I’ve seen of Malkin, he seems to be a more talented, bigger Semin.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think there’s a soul in the league more talented than Semin. Malkin may make some better use of what he has, but talking pure skill/talent…shit, that’d be tough to sell anyone else as good as Semin.
Semin likes Kane, and I think I agree with that, as he might come close to Semin in overall skill/talent/ability, actually.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sid’s got him in the skating department though… i think, all-in-all, semin could be one of the worst skaters i’ve ever seen.
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He clearly has an inner-ear problem :-).
I’ll clarify though, technically speaking, no one in the world has the hands that Semin does.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
indeed. as far as talent with the puck, there is none better. it’s a shame he “fans” so much… i love watching that curl-n-drag wrister. it’s amazing how much torque he gets on that shot w/ little to know body involved.
by Scofield on May 11, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kovalchuk, maybe? Datsyuk?
Semin’s lost way too many pucks in this series for me to agree with that.
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Consistency isn’t the point, here. Kovalchuk and Datsyuk cannot do what Semin can do. Say that all 3 perform a single move. If all 3 perform it flawlessly (no arguing semantics here), Semin’s would be the prettiest. When Semin completes a move, it’s one of the most beautiful plays in hockey.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hold that judgment until the summer. A lot of us think he’s hurt which would have something to do with his inability to shoot or stickhandle. If not then I’ll listen, but we’ve all watched too many Caps games to not understand how amazing his hands are.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think Semin’s career could go in several different directions. The upside is Datsyuk/Hejduk-level production. Ultimately, I see him more like Hejduk, because I’m not sure he’ll ever develop the defensive awareness of Datsyuk.
The downside is that he ends up like Maxim Afinogenov, albeit with clearer skin.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We all know that Semin’s got a future as a runway model.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming that fashion runways have room for that little toe drag move of his.
by jimmiebjr on May 11, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t they ALL?!
- Russian Dance Music *
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two back to back series with Game 7’s – How awesome is that as a fan?
Horrible, actually, for fans of the two teams playing. For the NHL, sure, I enjoy watching edge of your seat hockey as much as anyone here, but not when the Caps are involved. I’ve been more stressed out the past two weeks than I have been with term papers and work and any other crap I can think of.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said JP. I still believe in this team. Just work hard and win tonight, boys. Whatever happens in Game 7 happens. Win one game.
by grapejoos on May 11, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We have been totally spoiled. Green, Backstrom, OV, Varlamov, Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Kane, etc
Nobody’s even 25 yet! These players will be around for a long time, and we’re lucky to be able to watch them all. The Caps teams I followed back in the 90s seem so… old now.
by gnuf on May 11, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, they would all be in their 40’s now.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d take Bondra now over Nylander. Seriously.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he also doesn’t skate around and around and around.
i wonder how many players Bondra would still beat in a race (i’m betting everyone but one or two)
by Chimaera on May 11, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bondra at the end in ATL, though, was definitely missing his speed. He was barely a shadow of his WSH self, skating and shooting-wise.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know what the league/team rules are for retiring jersey numbers, but Ted, I beg of you to please just go ahead and raise #12 to the rafters. Sometime next year would be great. This current team of Caps, plus us fans, deserve to see someone rewarded for loyalty and years of production.
Bonzai!!!
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For what it’s worth, back when I was on Facebook Ted was in the “Retire #12, it’s time!” group.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Opposition research? ;-)
He’ll do it. Give it time.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are no league rules regarding jersey retirement – it’s entirely up to the teams’ discretion. I do believe, however, that Ted laid down some ground rules for jersey retirements and that one of them was a HHOF induction. Anyone else recall that?
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but he backtracked on that.
Here’s my post on when he wrote what he wrote.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But did you write what you wrote about what he wrote when he wrote it?
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That sounds like circles, boy. And we don’t like them CIRCLES here!
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless you’re talking about these circles. In which case, I like them very much.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember something like that but I don’t know that it was a bright line rule.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I demand that ’ol Ted add “Retire #12 Bondra jersey” to his damn Bucket List that we keep having to hear him talk about, HHOF induction for Bondra or not. To not do so would be inexcusable.
by Cluster on May 11, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’ll be done.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 11, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’d take a 45-50 year old Pivonka to Nylander?
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nylander’s been playing like he’s 50, so why not?
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on May 11, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol and yes.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 11, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this point, I’d take a bad case of the clap over Nylander.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easy. The clap doesn’t have a NMC.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but we could be rid of the clap with a week’s worth of penicillin. Nylander is more like herpes. We’re stuck with him, and he only shows up every now and then.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was agreeing with you from the start. Way to drive it home, though.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This has no bearing on anything, but last night marked the first time both the ’Canes and Caps lost the same game of a playoff series since Game 1 of the last round.
Southeast represent!
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Got’em right where we want ’em.
Believe!
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on May 11, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lot of sh*t talk e-mails read on XM from hockey fans about Ovi being a dirty player.
I think like many had feared the Gonch hit did shift perceptions of him over another notch.
The announcer’s “defense” of #8 was that yes, he often takes more than 3 strides to make a hit, and yes off the record they know of people who are in fact targeting Ovi, but that he brings excitement to the game. Not sure that’s the best/most accurate defense that could have been mustered for Ovi’s style of play.
by Icebat on May 11, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who gives a crap what some hairball from Pennsylvania thinks about Ovechkin. The bottomn line is that we’ve got the best player in the world and they don’t. Screw ’em.
by b.orr4 on May 11, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There’s a reason that charging is one of the least-called penalties in the rulebook – if they called it as it’s written, almost every hit would be a charge, because all it takes is three deliberate strides. Plus, what do you think refs are going to do? Count every stride rather than actually following the game?
Ovie is not a dirty player. He’s a physical player who plays all-out every shift. I think it’s disingenuous to suggest that a guy traveling 20+MPH can/should suddenly bail out on a hit at the last second because the target of the hit moved. How many times have we seen Ovie get the worst of one of his hits because the opponent sees him and adjusts at the last second? Remember the Malkin collision last year, or the collision with Orpik earlier this series?
Did he deserve a penalty? Yeah, he did, because he tripped Gonchar rather than hitting him. It was the right call. This wasn’t Darcy Tucker’s low-bridge on Michael Peca. . .
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got called for charging way too much in college for taking a long run at someone (probably as much as I got called for hooking/holding/interference combined). I used to hate the damn rule. I mean, shit, if I get that kind of run at someone then it’s their fault for not seeing it coming, right?
.
On the other hand, leaving your skates to hit someone is dirty. Unless you’re Daniel Briere trying to hit Zdeno Chara, at which point it’s cute in a, “aww, that’s cute” kind of way.
RE: the Ovie “trip,” there’s no reason to begin another ad nauseum discussion about it, but I’d figure you’ve never been kneed before on ice if you consider it a minor infraction when someone deliberately sticks a knee out in front like that. If you want to hit someone, you use your shoulder or hip (or back, if you’re Rob Blake). If you want to trip someone, you use a stick. If you want to hurt someone, you use your leg. End of story.
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You say you don’t ant another discussion about it, but then you go ahead and throw it in there that he was “deliberately” doing it? On a Caps site? No dice. The main argument all along has been intent, and there are a lot of people here that don’t think there was any intent to injure. You can disagree, that’s fine. But you can’t sneak in your interpretation of the salient factor under the guise of not wanting to start another discussion about it.
As for your last statement, I disagree. If you want to trip someone you can use a stick or a leg. If you want to hurt someone you usually use a stick, and elbow, or a fist (depending on the league rules). Using your leg subjects you to a higher chance of injury than using an elbow or a stick does, and that’s why those are the preferred methods of goons everywhere.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’re talking about different situations. Yes, you use a stick or elbow to injure if you’re mixing it up. But if you’re lining someone up for a good 20 ft., and he moves on you, using your knee is as effective as anything (and more so in most cases).
I’m not inside Ovie’s head, so I can’t say whether there was clear, wilful intent to injure or not. But in legal terms, it’s what we call “reckless indifference.” A reasonable person should know that when you stick a knee out on a guy, it’s extremely dangerous. And yeah, I realize it was a split-second decision, but most of us have it ingrained in our hockey minds that you just don’t do it. Reach out and grab/push him, yank back with the stick, but don’t stick a knee out. That’s all.
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But his knee was only slightly farther out than his shoulder. Video evidence shows that Ovechkin didn’t adjust to Gonchar’s body when he tried to get out of the way. Ovechkin threw his check and connected on the lower half of it.
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s easy to say when you aren’t in the game, but we’ve probably both seen a lot of instances where guys are about to miss a check and instinctively pop the leg out a little bit. Without even accepting that AO did this (I think a lot of views show he just kept his leg planted and took a constant line) it’s not unique to AO, or dirty players. It’s a human instinct, especially when you are taught that if you step up on a guy “you have to get a piece of him.” I can agree it’s reckless, but that’s a far cry from concluding that he meant to do it or is a dirty player.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The one time I really charged a guy, I 1) didn’t get called, 2) got speared in the gut. Not fun, that. I can see the intent behind charging calls, and by and large, I think the NHL gets this one right.
I’m sure that I’ve been kneed at some point, but not badly enough to get injured. After watching it repeatedly, I just disagree with your assessment that Ovie stuck his knee out in an attempt to injure Gonchar. Go to youtube and watch any reel of his hits (there are like 4 million of them) – he always takes a wide stance prior to a check. Now, you can say that’s an inherently dangerous way of hitting, but I know many people who feel the same way about hip-checks, because if you get low enough, you can destroy someone’s knee. When Tucker hit Peca, it was with his hip/ass, and it was a hip-check that blew out Bobby Orr’s knee the first time. There are plenty of ways to injure someone in hockey without going knee-on-knee, and that hit was far from the most egregious knee-on-knee hit I’ve ever seen.
In order to avoid an inevitable flame-out, let’s just say we agree to disagree.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In order to avoid an inevitable flame-out, let’s just say we agree to disagree.
Fair enough. On both the kneeing and charging fronts. =]
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty much with you on the charging. I think it’s silly, and the NHL doesn’t call it very often as a result.
With the kneeing stuff, it’s not that I don’t see your perspective, it’s more that I think it’s difficult to scale-up our hockey experiences to what Ovie is doing. It’s like trying to extrapolate what it must be like to pilot an F-1 car after getting out of our econobox/pickup/what have you. It’s just too hard to do. He’s going much, much faster than us and things are happening much, much quicker than they seem.
The problem with the “reckless indifference” issue is that this isn’t a court of law, and if it were, Gonchar would be hosed by a “reasonable assumption of risk” issue.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And, depending on the state, possibly contributory negligence.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if you want to call Ovie out for being dirty, just do it, but...
You are in the minority, outside western PA. The TSN crew led by Bob MacKenzie said the intent to injure simply didn’t exist.
Ovie’s a badass. The Pens don’t have a badass. And as a result…
We’re moving on into the Finals this week.
Get used to it.
by S h a g g y on May 11, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1) There is no intent requirement for a major penalty. It is simply the “severity” that determines the level of punishment.
2) Whether being a “badass” assures playoff success is a point of debate. Cue Sean Avery discussion…now.
by docciavelli on May 11, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s a difference between “punk-ass” and “badass.”
by DrinkingPartner on May 11, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes, having a bad-ass on your team can actually cost you a game and the series. See Carcillo, Daniel.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Pens do have a badass...
…Max Talbot certainly qualifies….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on May 11, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The whole of Stanley Cup History is measured by one criteria: Badassery
Stanley Cup champions are dominated by bad-asses – now, some of the Conn Smythe winners do not exude it, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Sakic, but most do:
Messier, Roy, Lemieux (no, not Nancy boy Mario, CLAUDE), Yzerman, Orr, Hextall, Billy Smith, Scott Stevens.
A badass hasn’t won the Conn Smythe in a while – time for a change.
Come on, Ovie. Take the Pens down.
by S h a g g y on May 11, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dude, the year Sakic won the Conn Smythe, he played the last two series with a separated shoulder. I’d call that pretty badass.
by D'ohboy on May 11, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But you agree that 1) The Pens have no badass and 2) the Caps have the biggest badass of all. Ever.
by S h a g g y on May 11, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Define you terms
What makes a bad ass? Is Scott Neidermayer not a bad ass? Why isn’t the guy that has 6 of the last 7 Norris trophies not a bad ass?
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Related: I think playing an NHL game and picking up a goal and an assist on the day of your last radiation treatment is pretty bad ass.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad asses don’t need treatment.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 11, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mario beat cancer like he beat the Caps countless times. Revel in the Youtube clip of him getting beaten in a fight— it’s so much more satisfying than 2 Stanley Cups
by chicos_pants on May 11, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mario beat cancer like he beat the Caps countless times.
With radiation? With chemicals? In a hospital? I don’t get it.
by David M. Getz on May 11, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
67 | 45 | 13 | 9 | 99 |
|
Atlanta
|
65 | 28 | 27 | 10 | 66 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
65 | 27 | 27 | 11 | 65 |
|
Florida
|
65 | 27 | 28 | 10 | 64 |
|
Carolina
|
66 | 27 | 31 | 8 | 62 |
(updated 3.11.2010 at 1:04 AM EST)
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