Think this series has been close?
Through six games, the Pens have outscored the Caps by a single goal, and the series (at least on the scoreboard) has been every bit as close as that stat might imply - 92% of the series has been played with the teams either tied or with one team holding a one-goal lead (the Caps have had a one-goal lead for 89:11, the Pens for 87:25), and there hasn't yet been a three-goal lead for either squad. It's no wonder we've all been on the edge of our seats since the opening face-off of Game 1.
over 2 years ago
J.P.
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I’m worn out and all I do is sit and watch. I honestly don’t know how the players can do it. And just think, if the Caps should win, we only have to do this 14 more times.
how about only 8 more times?.. i def see the winner of this series representin the east
by sexypills03 on May 12, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Carolina though is a fuckin’ playoff beast. I have to admit that I’m scared of them.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m worn out and all I do is sit and watch
And totally. We’re all going to lose a lot of years of our lives after this one ends.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Then again, you strengthen your heart by getting it to race during exercise and what not. As long as your heart comes down afterwards, we’re probably improving our lifespans, even just that little bit.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll say this – my beard has a TON of gray streaks in it that were not there a month ago.
I know look significantly older (not good – but inevitable)
by vt caps fan on May 12, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I really have all the respect in the world for the Penguins squad. Do I like them? Hells no, and the more I watch, the less I like. But, I do respect them. I even respect Crosby when he’s on the ice and not yammering at somebody. (The rest, well ….)
Pens fans are another matter entirely. Having been to Mellon Arena for Game 4, the depth of my hatred for Pens fans now knows no bounds.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Which is largely irrelevant to this topic of discussion – perfectly fine, I suppose, but I’d rather this thread not turn into the trashing of an entire fan base based on one person’s (or several people’s) anecdotal evidence. Hope everyone can respect that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Never intended to. Just making a statement. Sorry if I bugged you (as usual).
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Not at all – just didn’t want it going down the wrong path, that’s all. It wasn’t your comment that bugged me – it was the next one or the one five comments later, y’know?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
There has been a temptation on my part to turn off the tube and walk away until, say 9:15 pm, and then catch the late 3rd period action – BECAUSE it’s such a close and nail-biting series. Of course, I don’t. My wife wishes I dont watch at all because of my complete and total anxiety throughout.
This is what we do for enjoyment? Yeesh. .
I thought the boys were f—-ed, when the Pens 1) went up 3-2 and 2) earlier, on the 5 on 3. But now, forthe first time since game 2, I am feeling awfully good about our chances.
Because it’s an absolute toss up. And the Caps are excellent when in the corner.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
But they have to play like they are in the corner. They didn’t in the last game 7. That won’t be good enough this time.
The bright side here is that the Pens were in the corner in game 3, and won on a fluke, as opposed to a dominating performance. Hopefully, we eliminate the flukes.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say in game 3 the Pens won both on a fluke and with a dominating performance. We had no right even being in that game.
But the fact we were still in the game isn’t entirely dismissable. It’s just as much on the Pens as us.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Same thing at my house last night...my wife was like, "what is wrong with you!"
I was a wreck, pacing in and out of the room.
Girlfriends (and boyfriends) of guys (and girls) like us just don’t get it. Thankfully, my parents watched me play as I grew up, so they understand some, and get just as nervous as I do when we watch together.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
My girlfriend gets more nervous and crazy than I do. She’s only been a fan for about 4 years so I made a good convert.
That’s 4 years, though. My girlfriend of a year and a half still comes up to me as asks, “do we have to watch hockey, again?” I’m assuming she’s just not a convert… :-(.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha. Being able to watch hockey with someone you love is awesome. It’s something I think would be hard to find in another person.
Steckel scored and I think she jumped 4 ft into the air and started jumping all over the living room just like Stecks was for about 5 mins. I sat on the floor and was just stunned. I really thought it was over.
Are we surprised?
All season long we complained that the Caps never gave a full 60 minute effort. That they were so confident in their ability that they only turned it on when necessary. Now, we’re seeing it in the playoffs. It’s only when they’re facing elimination that they really come to play. Part of that I attribute to their youth and not fully understanding that the playoffs really are different and you can’t loaf for long stretches of time. Pittsburgh gets that and it’s probably why they’ve dominated for such stretches. The other part I attribute to their high skill level and their belief they get by on that alone. Green is the poster boy for that. In any case, a game seven ought to be enough to get their attention. If it doesn’t, they’ll only have themselves to blame.
Speaking of, I was glad that Green was getting in with some of the Crosby-cleaning-out.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t have minded Laich’s penalty, in the first, in either game 1 or 2. But not on the PK in game 6.
Send a message, but that was a bad time for it.
by vt caps fan on May 12, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
The swagger is part of their game - it's their persona
But they cannot wait until the 3rd period to turn it on. I pray to God for a Caps’ 3-goal lead in the first Wed nite.
by S h a g g y on May 12, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Rec’d because Locker won’t when he “uses” this tomorrow night.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 12, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Steinz cites it in chat. Money quote:
Baltimore, Md.: This series has been 381 minutes long. The teams have been tied or separated by 1 goal for all but 21 of those minutes. How incredible is that?
Dan Steinberg: Great stat. I saw that first on Japers Rink. If he’s the originator, he’s a genius.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 12, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Statistics
If you look at all the stats the only GLARING one is shots on goal. Other then that it has been a close series. I believe these caps are killing ghost of the past in this and other series. Is it Wednesday night yet?
All I know is that there should be no questions left that Caps-Pens is the NHL’s premier rivalry right now. What a series…Game 7 will be a tight, stressful one
by sincitycapsfan on May 12, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions
How about numbers of PP opportunities? Don’t have the stats, but anecdotally it doesn’t seem its been close?
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
I just went back through the box scores (yeah I know, I said I was gonna do my paper today) and checked the contributions of AO and Crosbalkin. AO has factored into the same number of goals as Crosbalkin. Crosbalkin has a couple more points because they assisted on each other’s goals a couple times, but in terms of goals on the scoreboard, AO has equaled their production. Pretty freaking impressive. If he can continue that for game 7 and we can get any substantial production from anyone else then I think we win this series.
Indeed, that is impressive. I’d be interested to see that translated into % of teams goals OV and Crosbalkin have been a part of.
I’m thinking it’s a bluff. And if Gonch does play, I don’t see him being nearly as effective as usual.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup. Skating with the team and playing in game 7 are not the same thing. If anything I think he replaces Goligoski and is just a PP specialist. If that’s the case BB better have a high man hounding him since you know his mobility is not going to be up to snuff.
Again, I wish to God that they would play tight point. I’m am so sick of the D being completely open. Who else in the league plays such a lackadasical point like we do?
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
our thoughts???
woop! woop!
woop! woop!
woop! woop!
woop! woop!
until Gonch gets rid of the puck.
Seriously, get better Gonch, you’re a good player with a horrible agent that let you play for these clowns!
by war_capitals on May 12, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep – injured guy skating in an optional practice doesn’t mean much to me (especially in light of yesterday’s discussion in the comments about how one can skate/walk just fine without an ACL… as long as you don’t need to make any sharp turns).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
“All the time,” he said. “A lot. I think, ‘Wow, like, it’s me.’ It’s good, so why not? I am who I am, so if I am in this position why can I not read news about me, what you guys write about me, what they say about me? So I love this kind of stuff.”
I think that’s going to get A TON of attention, soon.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions
Sorry, that’s an AO quote from the Bog.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Is there anyone who thinks game 7’s not going to go to OT? I mean, I’m hoping the Caps pound in 3 in the first period and coast to a 5-0 win, just like the rest of us. But seriously, will 60 more minutes be enough to settle this thing?
I think both teams want to end it early, so I think the pace of tomorrow’s game is going to be incredible. I think it’ll be difficult to keep the game tied, to be quite honest (horrified).
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
This series has reminded me of a couple of old Leafs ones. The cross bar in OT last game reminded me of the SJ series in ‘94 when Johan Garpenlov nailed the Leafs’ bar about 5 minutes before Gartner won it on an ugly goal. The announcer even yelled out the goal before realizing that it hadn’t gone in.
And this game seven could be like the Blues’s series in ‘93. That one was really close until game 7 when the Leafs blew St. Louis out of the water 6-0 on home ice. I hope it’s a carbon copy!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
I was happy to learn later last night that a ref told BB that would have been washed out for goalie interference if it went in.
Try here.
"Serious question: Is Ovie going to demand a trade if they lose this series? Any chance of this?"
by Bald Pollack on May 12, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
okay, so rules question: how can goalie interference be significant enough to wash out a goal, but not significant enough to send a player to the box when the shot hits the crossbar?
by Natty Bumppo on May 12, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Incidental contact – we saw it a few times late in the season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by Natty Bumppo on May 12, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
i also wrote “thanks” but that mysteriously disappeared from my response.
by Natty Bumppo on May 12, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I read the link but ask the Sabres about refs having the stones to call off an OT winner. Actually, don’t or you’ll never hear the end of it.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Looked like Staal deflected it with a high stick too, no? I can’t remember exactly.
The keyboard is mightier.
My brother said the VS feed showed a clear view that it was deflected with a high stick. I haven’t seen it.
Which kind of just goes to show that any hockey crowd when riled up enough will have people that do stupid things. Vancouver fans did the same thing (in a 4-2, well deserved loss in Game 5).
IMO, any hockey fan who claims that their team’s fans would never do such a thing roots for a team that hasn’t been in one of those super-high stakes, super frustrating situations recently. I’m not defending throwing stuff on the ice by any stretch – it’s something fans should never do – but it’s simply going to happen sometimes, no matter how well-behaved the fans are most of the time. Such is the nature of human frustration.
Steinz Thinks You're a Genius
Baltimore, Md.: This series has been 381 minutes long. The teams have been tied or separated by 1 goal for all but 21 of those minutes. How incredible is that?
Dan Steinberg: Great stat. I saw that first on Japers Rink. If he’s the originator, he’s a genius.
From today’s Bog chat.
Steinz is wrong – I’m no genius. But the love is appreciated (and mutual).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Wow, I can’t believe I’m so bored I just spent 15 mins reading through that garbage of a chat. I especially liked his “media guys don’t root for teams.” What the hell’s the point of being a local sports guy, then?
Apologies to those who like Dan S., but Jesus, that was like using a cheese grater on my lips.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Journalistic integrity? This isn’t the National Enquirer.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on May 12, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
A “local sports guy,” though. As if I’d be interested in reading a guy from Pittsburgh write about the Pens, or a guy who’s favorite sport is Baseball write about hockey — it doesn’t make any sense. The writing comes off as cheap and uninspired.
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Whoops
“…a guy from Pittsburgh write about the Caps…”
Geez :-).
by DrinkingPartner on May 12, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
You forget to mention
Thanks to the officials, the Caps played one extra period shorthanded. Moreover being scared of the cheap calls, unlike the Pens, the Caps did not have a luxury to play tough defense like the Pens did, hitting, grabbing with hands, etc. It’s been close only because of the officials.
This is a good sign in my opinion too, considering this series seems to be a duplicate of the series between the two big clubs.
how about that?? Aucoin and Bourque both scoring in that game……bodes well for Caps future….
by RedskinFan4Life on May 12, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn’t Aucoin 30+ already, a career AHL-er? Maybe for one or two years, but I think we found our 3rd line in this postseason and Gordon-Bourque-Osala or something similar is a good 4th in the near future.
by red army line on May 12, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
If the last two games are any indication, I rather enjoy how he feels.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hopefully with patience If he’s a smart kid (and I have no evidence that he is not). His time will come and probably sooner than he’s ever expected.
The guy has been through a lot for a young goalie. Break out year in the CHL followed by two quick trades. He wanted to go pro a year before we let him then he got traded and hurt. Then he goes pro and we sit him in the pressbox, ship him to the ECHL, ship him to Europe, back to the ECHL, and only finally to the AHL when Varlamov got injured. I didn’t watch him play but his numbers suggest he’s remained focused and played some solid hockey throughout all that. It’s not a bad position to be in.
For anyone not keeping track, the Bears won games 1 and 2, lost games 3-5, and won games 6 and 7. Apart from the lack of overtime (only game 3 went to OT) and fewer close games, it’s hard not to hope for the similarities to continue tomorrow night.
I’d go as far as to say it’s impossible not to hope for the similarities to continue tomorrow night.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 12, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
let’s hope the Caps can take a page out of the Bears playbook!
by RedskinFan4Life on May 12, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions
oops, that was supposed to be a reply to previous thread….
by RedskinFan4Life on May 12, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Not just one, several—
1. Winning
2. Shutout
3. Shutout win
4. Beat the Pens
by red army line on May 12, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
how about knocking the Pens off their feet with lots of hits?
by RedskinFan4Life on May 13, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know where else to write this, but. . .
Holy fucking shit balls, I just saw SCOTT NIEDERMAYER fight PAVEL DATSYUK!!!!
Nope. Other way around. Niedermayer with the “People’s Elbow.”
I also saw Corey Perry pound the crap out of Rafalski, and Hossa take on Getzlaf.
What the hell was Rafalski thinking?
Rafalski wasn’t thinking anything. Corey Perry would make a great predator. He goes after the weak and the injured. He knew Rafalski just got back and made sure he had it out with him when that broke out.
It looked to me like Rafalski started it. Maybe there was a hit behind the play that I couldn’t see on TV though.
I just emailed a buddy of mine, the gist of the message was, regardless of the outcome, this is one of the best playoffs I can remember in years.
Yeah it has been great. I credit the officiating.
by Rob Parker on May 13, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
credit the officiating
For making the playoffs better because of their bad calls?
by RedskinFan4Life on May 13, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Incredible stat
I can’t believe the stat about both teams having a lead in every game of the series so far. If that happens again in Game 7, has that happened before, right? I doubt we’ll ever know the true answer but it just seems rather improbable over 7 games.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
50 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 59 |
|
Washington
|
50 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 56 |
|
Winnipeg
|
53 | 24 | 23 | 6 | 54 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
50 | 22 | 23 | 5 | 49 |
|
Carolina
|
53 | 19 | 25 | 9 | 47 |
(updated 2.4.2012 at 8:30 AM EST)
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