"They can think whatever they want to think, they're still down 2 to 1."
6 months ago
J.P.
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i would like to see a pissed off caps team on friday night. light the fire, bruce!
by Natty Bumppo on May 7, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If they’re half as pissed about the Pens’ chirping as I am….
they will DESTROY the Penguins, and leave them broken and battered…by 15:00 of the first period.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on May 7, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT they will continue beating them for the other 45 minutes and not leave anything to chance
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, Bruce, they have been the better team
…and we ARE up 2-1, but you better motivate your team to play better than it has or else you’re going to wake up Sunday down 3-2.
by topshelf_22304 on May 7, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
go bruce!! heh. looks like GMGM venting on CI as well about the officiating.
by usiel on May 7, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You can add the GM to the coach and star player as parties that have separately discussed the officiating within a 16 hour span.
We've got a goalie who's playing pretty good right now, while you've got one who can't get onto the ice without falling on his ass.
by Bald Pollack on May 7, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can’t blame them, though. Something’s definitely not right – there’s no way in hell they deserved all the penalties they got, and there’s also no way in hell the Pens only committed two penalties.
I’m betting both McPhee and BB have a fine waiting for them in the morning, courtesy of the Commissioner.
by DrinkingPartner on May 7, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does it really matter? It had to be said.
by :hsughrofl: on May 7, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was more highlighting the asshole nature about not being able to speak against injustices. I agree with speaking out.
by DrinkingPartner on May 7, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What can you do? You complain it could make it worse.
At best you could press for changes in the off season. I doubt anything will come of it, except more calls.
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I certainly don’t have any data to back this up, but I feel like teams that complain are almost always rewarded with favorable officiating thereafter. Seemed to work for the Pens in Game 3.
I’m not sure I’ve seen a case of making it worse. The Caps have a very legitimate beef here. Other than game 2 (which was even in PPs), the Pens have a 13-4 PP advantage. That is horrifically imbalanced. It’s not supposed to be even every game, but the officials are simply not calling it both ways, and pointing out these figures is going to get the Caps some breaks in game 4 if they work hard.
by grapejoos on May 7, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gamesmanship I’m fine with. Phil Jackson does it in playoff series. But 3 separate occasions? We get it, you don’t get enough man advantages. Move on.
We've got a goalie who's playing pretty good right now, while you've got one who can't get onto the ice without falling on his ass.
by Bald Pollack on May 7, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really? We complained after game 2 (Orpick spear and Kunitz cross-check), look what happened.
You can’t complain about an imbalance in power plays. If you commit a penalty, you get penalized. It’s not like they’re saying: ok…Orpik held Semin 10 minutes ago, it’s time to call Nylander for skating in circles. I feel like the Caps are playing pretty undisciplined and they’re paying for it with the man down.
Some of the calls are questionable, sure. But it happens. Gather yourself and fight back, don’t complain to the press.
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a good point re: complaining after game 2, though Pittsburgh did plenty of complaining after game 2 also. The Caps asked the league to review something for suspension, the league did, and they said they didn’t like the conclusion. The Pens complained a lot that the Caps were committing penalties that weren’t called.
I’ll be the first to admit the Caps are taking too many penalties (including several of the non-discretionary variety), but this is an extreme imbalance. My opinion is that officials are going to be sensitive to one team getting twice as many power plays as the other over a series and over 3x as many in the last game.
Just to be clear, I don’t think that the Pens getting 7 PPs means the Caps should get 7, or 5, etc. But I do think that it’s a load of crap that the Caps have calls go against them like Varly’s slash when, IMO, touchy calls like that are not being made both ways.
by grapejoos on May 7, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right before the slash Malkin ran Varlamov in the crease. Late in the third AO was pinned to the boards by Gill for a good 3-5 seconds away from the puck. That hook Semin got that led to the Malkin PPG was the kind of crap that was going on all game (when we actually had the puck, of course). The Malkin/Varlamov one was the worst because it was 2 seconds between the fouls. We have a legitimate beef.
I agree that we need to press through bad calls but it’s not like we are making crap up. And as far as complaining to the refs, it happens every year and seems to work. PIT did it after game 2 v. DET and got some calls in game 3. Then Babcock did it and got the calls in game 4. PHI complained about us in our series last year and the refs listened (or seemed to). There are countless examples of this working. Refs are people too (if just barely). They hear criticism and pay attention, even if subconsciously. It’s the same reason they are more prone to call PIMs against a team getting dominated and the same reason situational reffing occurs. If we can use their humanity to our advantage then we should. Especially considering how favorably PIT is treated by officials (not just in this series).
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We aren’t making stuff up, but it happens in every sport at every level of the game.
I don’t know if you’re a football fan, but there was a play in the ’Skins game when Cartwright dove on a punt and rolled into the end zone. Even on review they got the call wrong by the play book. What can you do? Play better.
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Football fan yes. ‘Skins fan no. Fans pay a lot of money to watch these sports and I don’t think it’s too much to ask the league to get it right and never stop trying to improve.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Try to improve, yes. Try to get it right, yes. I don’t they’re ever going to get it perfect just because people aren’t infallible
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I buy that but I have a hard time buying that the NHL is doing everything it can to get the calls right. Things such as PR and competitive balance are having way too much impact on their decisions and it disgusts me.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
rec’d for truth
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on May 7, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hell, I rec’d it, too. The officiating has been horrible in almost every game I’ve watched. I wonder, though, if some of what we see as a decline in officiating is actually due to the increase in television coverage quality over the years. Back in the day, we wouldn’t have seen the stuff the refs didn’t call.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on May 8, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the thing, though. They were wrong, and they don’t seem to learn from their mistakes. Employers generally fire employees who make the same mistakes over and over again. I don’t see why the Refs shouldn’t be held to the same standard. It’s not even about being “correct,” it’s about calling good games. They have not been calling good games.
by DrinkingPartner on May 7, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What’s the difference between being correct and calling good games? As I’m watching a game, the rulebook doesn’t change during the last half of the third period, for example, but a lot of people seem to think that stuff shouldn’t be called then.
Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!
by JustinM on May 8, 2009 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the difference here is consistency. Call the game by the book, or let almost everything go, but be consistent so the players know how to play the game.
To me, a well-officiated game isn’t one where the refs make every call that is technically a penalty, but one where the players, coaches and fans all know what is and what isn’t a penalty.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
After reading what was actually said I’m siding more with GMGM.
I don’t like the thought that because they had 7 PPs we should have had more. If you commit a penalty you get penalized. They shouldn’t necessarily balance out.
His point was mainly that the refs aren’t protecting Varly AT ALL. Which is crap.
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t mind BB and GM lobbying against some of this BS going on, in fact it’s probably necessary. What I mind is when some of our bretheren here (no one in particular) start whining. The calls will even out, but we need to play better, period.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 7, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We need to play better. Yes. But the calls don’t even out. I’m not sure how you can believe that the calls will just naturally even themselves out. If it was just game 3 I would accept it because we got dominated but we played them evenly in game 1 and the same crap happened.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My contention is that, going forward, the calls will trend toward evening out, for the series.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 7, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I get that. My point is that that won’t happen if GMGM and/or BB don’t make some noise about the disparate officiating. Games 1 and 3 weren’t the result of random error, which would even out.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I whine during the game, it helps me release my frustration so I don’t break the TV…
Thank you, JP for this blog, it’s saved my life.
After the game I look back and get over it. If I was in the game I’d get over it. The calls won’t just even out, we have to play better to earn the calls.
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The calls won’t just even out, we have to play better to earn the calls.
so true.
I get frustrated during the games also…in the end, very rarely will the refs be the sole reason a team wins or loses a series. Sabres fans: silence!
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 7, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The calls that BB and GMGM are specifically railing against aren’t “earned,” though. Varlamov just has to stay in his crease, which he’s been doing, and his getting run over is, for some reason, not enough for a power play.
by DrinkingPartner on May 7, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate complaining too, but I’m all about the truth. The truth is, that game’s officiating sucked. It was really bad, and JP has it right. The caps were called when their infractions were light, and the Pens weren’t. Nothing wrong with the lack of calls on the Pens, or the touchy calls on the Caps, just that the two coincided. If it went the same way (either way) for both teams, officiating wouldn’t have been a problem.
It is true, however, that officiating didn’t steal the game from us. Even so, I’m fine with BB or GMGM calling out the officials, because they should be by someone. As one of my fellow teachers once told me, “that’s not complaining, that’s keeping it real.”
by Love and Osechkin on May 8, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s not what we need. It’s one thing to whine about it as a fan (not pretty for the fanbase) (I’m guilty :-(…) It’s another to have the managers complaining publicly.
Remember the letter? Did we take kindly to that?
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s sad, but its become part of the game.
Coaches and players complain about reffing because it is perceived to have an influence on future calls. And it probably does.
Make up calls, balancing penalties, calling differently at different points of the game…its just an awful system the NHL has that allows so many factors to go in to enforcing the rules of the game.
by Stormblue on May 7, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The main problem is the speed of the game. That’s also one of the best things about the game.
It makes it hard to get the calls right by the letter of the law because you only have 4 guys on the ice and no replays, so you have to bend the rules to a degree that the refs can let the play flow and get an indication when a penalty actually occurs.
I think its a decent system, like the strike zone in baseball. I don’t know if they do this, but they should meet with the captains before the game and let them know ahead of time what their tolerances are for calls like slashing, hooking, charging, cross checking and boarding. Otherwise they’ll lose control of the game.
by snowburnt on May 7, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again...
They just need to let the same refs work the entire series so that players and coaches can figure it out and adjust to what the standard is. At least in that case there is a hope of consistency. Having new refs do every game is retarded. It just creates inconsistency in each game and inconsistency throughout the series. The NHL administration is just like the American government. They are out here “fixing” the game by tinkering with whatever they want, oblivious to the fact that any success we have is despite the fact that we have incompetent governance. Set some clear rules that we can understand and get the fuck out of the way.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe do it MLB style and rotate the 4 officials through the series? Or have three linesman and three refs, and have one in the booth each game. For important games they already keep a backup official warming up incase a primary is hurt. Why not set up a team and rotate officials?
by renstar on May 7, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll take it. I just want officials that are familiar with all the crap that has gone down over the course of the series. If the same guy is consistently pulling border line crap (Avery in the first series, Orpik in this series) then the ref will notice and be more likely to start calling him. When you have a new ref every game the same guys do the same crap every time and never get penalized for it.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that and the definition of slash, etc doesn’t change each game
by renstar on May 7, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I completely agree. I can see why they don’t do it, though, because if a certain group calls with a bias, they don’t want that bias all series long.
The reason it won’t work is because I don’t think the Refs are particularly honorable. I don’t think they’re bought, or influenced, or anything, but they definitely do hold different standards for different teams.
by DrinkingPartner on May 7, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caps are certainly the squeaky wheel after this game. Even McPhee is in it now. I’m no sport psychology expert, but It will certainly be interesting to see how the players respond and come out tomorrow night. I want take no prisoners effort. They seem to respond to the underdog, us against the world role.
by Ames on May 7, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love Bruce! That quote is just money.
by frets on May 7, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Pens have shown a distinct lack of respect for the Caps. When NJ got beat by Carolina, Crosby texted his teammates saying “Good. We got Washington.” Whenever they lose, it’s because of something they didn’t do not what the Caps did do. Crosby refuses to admit that Varly made a great stop on him, etc, etc. If Bruce is smart ( and I know he is) he plays this lack of respect angle to the hilt.
by b.orr4 on May 7, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I noticed Crosby actually used Varlamov’s name last night (though mispronounced, lol). After the two losses it was ‘the goalie’, or ‘he’.
by Ames on May 7, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When NJ got beat by Carolina, Crosby texted his teammates saying "Good. We got Washington."
Source?
by David M. Getz on May 7, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
From the May 7th Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (half way down the column):
“You think Crosby is amped for this series?
You have no idea.
The Carolina Hurricanes barely had finished off the New Jersey Devils by scoring two goals in the final 1:20 of Game 7 of their series to determine the second-round matchups when Crosby started texting teammates, “Good … We get the Capitals.”"
by b.orr4 on May 7, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Hadn’t seen that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 7, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said, the Pens don’t respect the Caps. I heard on XM that Fedetenko said the series against Philly was tougher though I can’t confirm where he said it.
by b.orr4 on May 7, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you sure you sure that wasn’t Bettman and NBC?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 7, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you think that’s an issue of no respect or the opposite – him and his teammates wanting to beat the Caps to make up for the regular season?
by zephyr on May 7, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting stuff, b.orr, thanks for that.
Personally I don’t know if it means the Penguins/Crosby don’t respect the Capitals or if they do respect the Capitals. Crosby’s an ultra competitive guy and I’ve heard whispers than the rivalry between him and Ovechkin means more to him than he lets on. It may be more a case of wanting to face his rival than wanting the path of least resistance, somewhat akin to if a Red Sox player (circa 2003) had said “Good, we get the Yankees”.
by David M. Getz on May 7, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re being awfully generous. I doubt the mainstream media would be so generous if a certain reigning MVP had texted his buddies “Good, we get the Pens” after the match up was set.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 7, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe. Neither “meaning” would surprise me.
by David M. Getz on May 7, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty sure he also texted “Good, we get the Sens” last year.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
…from the Pens suite, wearing a suit, as they dropped the puck for game 82.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on May 7, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But, really, can we blame Sid for texting that? I think any player/team waiting to find out who their opponent in this situation was going to be would prefer the Caps to the alternative, the Bruins. They had just dominated in a four game sweep while we struggled against an average team for seven games.
Sure, there is probably some rivalry aspect to it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this was being taken a bit out of context and Sid was just being honest.
by Cluster on May 7, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a Ravens fan, and this sounds like the exact same story this year when the team found out they were going to play the Steelers in the AFC championship. They all cheered because they wanted to beat the team they hated the most and lost to in two games during the regular season. Sometimes it just pumps you up a lot more when you’re playing your arch rivals.
…I really don’t want to get knocked out of the playoffs by another Pittsburgh team this year though…
by bigmac1124 on May 7, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, hopefully last night serves as a wakeup call for the Caps. They looked like shit.
The fact that they were in position to steal a game in OT was borderline miraculous.
Maybe Pens shot their wad and will come out a little flat for Game 4. Shame they were so dominant on the forecheck (or the Caps so inept on the breakout, whichever way you like it) as MAF was looking real, real shaky back there. If he is as bad on Friday, and the Caps can get to, say, 30+ shots, they win.
by fat_daddyo on May 7, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is true. The Caps definitely looked like hell last night. It was literally one of the worst games I have seen them play all year. They don’t get outshot in that manner, and it seemed like they had the puck for a total of two minutes, which is not like them at all. The turnovers were killing them while the break-out, which was closely affected by the turnovers, looked like complete shit. I’m still wondering where Mr. Green is. It’s starting to bug me a little because it now looks like he’s in more than just a slump.
by bigmac1124 on May 7, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He caught the Jeff Carter flu.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 7, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That said, I don’t think it happens again. The Caps are usually good about feeling ashamed, and coming out MUCH better the next time around.
by DrinkingPartner on May 7, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I endorse this message
Our breakouts blew. The ice was shit. Their forecheck was flying. They got on a roll and that happens.
b.orr is spot on: there is no respect for the Caps other than a little shock and awe when it comes to Varlamov. God that would infuriate me if I was playing. I can see BB saying, “they dont care if we took the season series from them because they think they are better right now. That’s right -better. And you all are lying down for that shit.” Christ that would pump me up.
The constant is MAF – he is the weak link, IMO. He can be beaten. We just need someone other than Ovie to carry the load. Semin, Green, Laich, need to join the f’ing party. Greener needs some PP time to get warmed up, Semin needs to stop the curl and drag and just bring the heat. Laich – needs no invitation other than go to the net.
I know emotions can get the best of players – happens to everyone. But I think they have to know the Pens think they themselves are better and are anointed to go on. Not on my watch, buddy.
by S h a g g y on May 7, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Be careful team...
We don’t wanna start sounding like we’re whining…..
by RedskinFan4Life on May 7, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ovechkin had a death threat against him by a 17-year old Pittsburghian.
by red army line on May 7, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 7, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s old news, but I’m glad to see the authorities took the threat seriously, even if it was made in anger or the heat of the moment – what it was hasn’t come out yet. I’ve seen too many news stories where 17-year-olds made – and carried out – death threats to feel entirely comfortable, if they took it as a joke and didn’t do anything.
by IRockTheRed on May 7, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so what do you think the odds are that we get a call up from hershey for tomorrow night? i’d like to see aucoin, personally.
by mechanicsville on May 7, 2009 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m thinking Aucoin, too… unfortunately, Hershey has a playoff series they’re in, too… and it’s CRAZY how close their series is matching with ours!
by IRockTheRed on May 7, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah; each of WSH-HER won first 2 at home, lost Game 3 3-2 (OT)
by red army line on May 7, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s unfortunate that almost any call-up we make will screw Hershey for their next game.
by red army line on May 7, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that’s the way it goes. hershey’s personnel situation doesn’t conern me.
by mechanicsville on May 7, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hershey is one of those: wouldn’t it be nice if… situations. I think the Caps are more important
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 8:36 AM EST)
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