Game (4) Day - Capitals @ Penguins
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
171 comments
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 [Sidney] Crosby started texting teammates, "Good ... We get the Capitals." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (h/t b.orr4)
Putting aside the various interpretations one could assign to the above quote (and you can be sure that if a certain other superstar playing in this series had sent a similar text and later made the media aware of it, "disrespecting his opponent... again" would only be the only interpretation making the rounds), if Sid wants the Capitals, it would be the courteous and appropriate thing to do for the Capitals to oblige him.
Through three games, however, "the Capitals" have not shown up en masse, and certainly not for sixty minutes at a time. The Penguins have had the territorial and possessory advantage, have outshot the Caps by a wide margin and have outhit them.
And yet, the Caps have a 2-1 lead in the series.
Now would be the perfect time for "the Capitals" to show up to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series heading back home, but to do that they'll have to play with a sense of desperation, something they were sorely lacking for 58 minutes on Wednesday night, and something that can't be faked.
It's no secret that these Caps respond well to being backed into a corner. As we wrote before Game 3 of the Rangers series:
Since Bruce Boudreau took over behind the Caps bench some 17 months ago, his team has often been at its best when it has needed to be, be it an 11-0-1 run to make the playoffs on the last day of the 2007-08 season or forcing a Game 7 after falling behind 3-1 in the series to the Flyers a year ago. Right now, they need to be at their best - and there's every reason to expect that they will be.
Now, of course, we can add coming back from 0-2 and 1-3 deficits to win that series to this evidentiary list.
But where's the desperation with a 2-0, now 2-1 lead? This team is experiencing playoff success within a series for the first time since having a 1-0 lead on Philadelphia in the first round last spring, and frankly, they look like they don't know what to do with it.
Enter Bruce Boudreau. Make that Jack Adams Trophy-winner Bruce Boudreau.
You think this is success? Wrong. The League refuses to afford any protection to the team's rookie goalie, the officiating is one-sided, television networks are broadcasting your game plans, and the injuries are piling up.
Put another way for you visual learners:
This is not success. This is a challenge. This is motivation. This is the Caps against the world. This... is desperation.
Leading up to Game 5 of the Rangers series, with the Caps down 3-1, we talked about having faith, but we also noted that we have a hell of a lot more than that to go on, and that still holds true. Now we have a team with its back against the wall - even up two-games-to-one - and it's them against the world... just like it ought to be.
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step up, play hard, show a pulse.
Frankly, if they can’t get up for this one, I have questions about the leadership/makeup.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 7:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So, which period do you guys think we won’t show up for today?
Nah, today I’m hoping for a Brads-like performance. Or maybe for Semin and Green to do something. But it cant’ all come from number(s) 8 (and 39).
by Bonzai on May 8, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is there any doubt this team takes a 20 minute “intermission” between the 1st and 2nd intermissions?
by ThreePingPost on May 8, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome graph JP. I think that the media/cbc and League/refs don’t intersect with the pens enough, and the Us / Nylander circles intersect way too much.
I see what you did there. Nylander has his own circle.
I laughed.
by HateOffSeason on May 8, 2009 7:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i would like to see Ovechkin’s world view.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 14 recs
Is drive fast a subset of “get chicks”?
by HateOffSeason on May 8, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i believe they all work under the “Ovie Style” banner.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sweet graph, Rec’d and I’m posting that on FB.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Need to put the SL65 AMG in there somewhere…
uhh...uhh...uhh...
by hotdog88gt on May 8, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JP awesome work. Especially for us ‘visual’ guys who need pictures.
I BELIEVE.
by vt caps fan on May 8, 2009 8:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WE believe
Didnt you get the memo?
by S h a g g y on May 8, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK…not to go (slightly) off topic here, but since many of the commenters here have been good at recommendations in the past…
Can anyone recommend a good public place to watch the game in the Shirlington area of Arlington/Alexandria? My buddy and I were planning on heading out to a bar to watch the game after work tonight, but weren’t sure which bars were “hockey friendly”.
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 8, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you have any Buffalo wild wings\buffalo wings and beer around you? Any places like that just give them a call before hand and say that you want to watch the game. Every bar has vs. so you should be able to watch almost anywhere.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Capitol City Brewery is a good option. Great beer in a good spot in Shirlington. Probably several “hockey-friendly” spots down there, but I would recommend this one. There is also one downtown near the Verizon Center.
by Cluster on May 8, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only slightly related – I find Cap City’s beers offend my palate.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I’ve had that one. Haven’t been to a Cap City in ages. Maybe it’s better now.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like some of the brews they, um, brew out at SweetWater Tavern in Merryfield.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sweetwater is not too shabby…don’t forget to order the drunken ribeye!
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 8, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is good eatin. Also, dough balls FTW.
by grapejoos on May 8, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn those little bastards are good. They’re basicallyt donut holes passed off as pre-meal bread. So money.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes but...
You can’t really watch the hockey game at Sweetwater…
by markbona-capsfan99 on May 8, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They’ve got two huge HD screens in the bar area.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I have been there, not a bad idea to try it out—I’m not too crazy about the beer, but it doesn’t “offend” my palate.
Thanks!
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 8, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You drink paint. :)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, right
(my ability to “drink anything” does have a little to do with how my name came about).
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 8, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Out of all the places most wouldn’t think of Frederick, MD as a sweet beer spot but it is. Flying Dog brewery tours on the weekend (all you can drink) and Brewers Alley has some of the best microbrews around.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got this email Pete,
What: Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins Game 4 Viewing Party
Where: The Front Page
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203
http://www.frontpagearlington.com/
(703) 248-9990
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got that too. that place is actually walking distance from where I work, but not too close to where I’m meeting my friends, who would (understandably) like to keep things in walking distance from home.
Thanks a lot to everyone who chimed in!
by PaintDrinkingPete on May 8, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of us needs to see if CCR carries hockey games. mwuhaha!!!
by war_capitals on May 8, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh and bloging
I just wanted to give some readers an idea of what they ( penguin fans ) are saying on their sites about this whole Ovie threat and Caps fan in general. Pens Blog: The site is very cool, it has funny pictures, and other then that they have ripped the Capital organization for not allowing pens fans to get into the Verizon Center, ripped them for going after that kid who made the threat, and basically ripped all cap fans for lacking any hockey knowledge. I just wanted to say how it sickens me to read these statements about anyone and not just a hockey fan. The pen fans think they are God, they think that they are the only fan base that know anything about hockey and if anybody else threatens their posts…they foam at the mouth and will verbally abuse all comers. I respect the freedom of speech. I understand that people get crazy about their team. But to have a whole site framed to crush, thrash, and verbally abuse anyone that’s not a pen fan is ridiculous. Most of us are adults and should act like adults!
That all being said…..Go Caps and be the living Pitt out of them. (so i can go back to their stinking site and gloat!)
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 8:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Eh, it is what it is – schtick. They have an audience and they play to it. Or maybe they found an audience for what they like to do.
Either way, I can tell you that they’re actually good guys who love their team – just like us here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah JP
We all might get crazy and act stupid, but it all comes from the same place. Blind love of our teams.
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 8, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know, I’ve gone over there a couple of times when you’ve linked a post, and generally I don’t find it very funny. Some might attribute that to my age or gender, but trust me, I love snark. Pensblog isn’t snarky, it’s usually just mean.
by gfcaps fan on May 8, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on man
You don’t think gay jokes 24/7 are funny? That’s comedy GOLD!!!
Game Over T-shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/beltwaysports
by CStoneNo37 on May 8, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Look Ovi has lipstick on and is kissing Chris Cooley, lawlz.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Concur. They are like the “Maxim” magazine of hockey blogs. Try not to read what they write, just look at the pictures they post. They are hilarious! The ones of Boudreau yesterday were priceless.
by Cluster on May 8, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The one of him eating the hamburger. That one is nice.
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
eh, if all they can bring is fat jokes…
the one of ovie doing the cannonball into a pool was amazing though
by sonia on May 8, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i actually find the Pensblog kinda funny.
I enjoy their photoshops, even when they’re aimed at our team.
Some of it is a bit much, but I can’t say it wouldn’t be funny to poke fun at things like they do.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm leaving DC in 2 hours with 6 friends for game 4 (we all have LL tix)
I’m probably going to wear my Redskins jersey just to get a reaction.
by KevinE on May 8, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ugh, at least wear a jersey of a team that made the playoffs this year. :)
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea, i'm sure i'll get an earful
But F em…give em a taste of their own medicine…even though it’s only 1/20,000th of what they did to Fedex. Too bad their colors are yellow or I could sport this..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190306273448
by KevinE on May 8, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I look forward to seeing you in Empty Netters collection of jersey fouls :-)
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steelers fan base <> Penguins fan base.
If I could do a cute ven diagram the Steelers would be the big circle and the Pens would be the little circle with some overlap. Wait until football season if you want to stick it to Steelers fans, it’s hockey season now and we have our own (hockey) vendetta to deal with.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All I can tell you is
if you do that be ready for some friendly ribbing. They will no doubt give you a tongue lashing. But if you wear it you better be ready for it. I don’t condone it, I think you should go out of your way to treat visiting fans with class so they can talk good about their experience.
When people come to a bar in State College for a PSU game, I usually buy them a brew and talk to them. I think that accomplishes more than verbal abuse.
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 8, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty sure you meant to respond to KevinE, but point taken.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its very teamcentric, and not really deep. They are pretty funny I’m sure I’d go there if I was a pensfan. It just doesn’t bring much to the table if you’re not a fan of that team. Last round we were treated to Scotty Hockey’s site, I actually book marked that one. I’ll be going back there often.
by d_fens_65 on May 8, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nice post.
people love to hate DC, and not just their sports teams. who really cares what anyone from Pittsburgh thinks?
i actually like their team, sans Crosby (talented but a douche), and never understood the pedestal they sit on….whatever. Go Caps.
by ns on May 8, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only Pens whose
style of play I really like are Malkin,Cooke and Letang.
I could tolerate Gonchar (Oh BTW – can we pleeeaaaaasseeee stop the Larry Murphy whoops for him. I hate that even more then the desecration of our National Anthem… Let’s invent a cool tradition like throwing a dead octapuss on the ice okay?)
I don’t really buy that the reason MAF has so many bad quotes is because he is French-Canadien and even though I think a lot of the stuff about Crosby is because Buttman pushes him, he is a whiner way too much for me.
by markbona-capsfan99 on May 8, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone else see...
The cheering, hollering, and chating in Chicago during the national anthem?
Is the Red and Ohh in DC that bad compared to what they do?
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They always do that and it’s a waaaaaay cooler tradition than what goes on at the VC.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I know they always do that but I’m saying all “coolness” aside the main gripe I hear about the Red and Oh is a lack of respect for the anthem. Isn’t what a lot of the DC fans do less disrespectful than what is done in Chicago?
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually think the gripe is about the fact that people use an O’s cheer at a hockey game that bears no relationship to a Baltimore baseball team, but because that argument was falling on deaf ears we’ve been dressing it up as a respect issue. To no avail, I might add, based on its omnipresence at every home game so far.
Regrettably, I don’t think we’d have a “red” cheer if it weren’t for the “O.” People tried to start “red” to stop/counter the “O,” which didn’t work, and now ignorant new fans think “red” must be okay because everyone does “O” and it has just spiraled out of control. I don’t think it’s ever going away, and I’m sad, but tired of trying to fight it.
by Scott in Shaw on May 8, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t really bother me one way or the other. I don’t participate in either the Red or the O.
Now we have two dumb things being yelled though and I don’t find either of them too respectful.
Also, I don’t know about you guys, but I disliked Theo after home game 1 (for a reason other than the first goal as a Cap on his first shot faced) when he didn’t take his mask off during the anthem. He has a habit of never doing that.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zephyr, you should know goalies are weird. I have no idea what Theo’s ritual is pre-game but I can forgive him for not taking his mask off when another country’s anthem is playing.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get over it. go out with some one else.
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree about THE Pensblog (sad about the imitator) It’s a hilarious place, and while some of the posters have serious issues, I think most of it is tongue in cheek and in good fun.
by gnuf on May 8, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice, jp. Bruce is playing the oldest card in the coach’s deck. The respect card. Most of it is smoke and air, but for some reason it always seems to work with players from high school or the pros. And Bruce has plenty of hard evidence to back it up; the PP inequity, the media coverage, Crosby’s comments. Hell, he even has a death threat to throw on the fire. I expected game three to go the way it did, more or less, and I’m fully anticipating a completely different look for tonight’s game. For a team down 2-1, the Pens are a shockingly over-confident team and don’t think Bruce isn’t going to drive that message home to his players. If the Caps come out like they did in game 3, it’s time to start worrying. I just don’t believe that’s going to be the case.
by b.orr4 on May 8, 2009 8:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree that the Caps aren’t going to phone it in tonight, but the Pen’s have to win this game more than the Caps.
If the Caps do win tonight, do they half-ass it Saturday? Up 3-1?
by Stonewarden on May 8, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“I’ll worry about Saturday Saturday” – Bruce Boudreau
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or do the Pens fold up at Verizon?
honestly, i’m not worried about saturday now. Tonight is the critical game. 2-2, the series is completely changed. 3-1, we can at least get a decent bit of rest.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll speculate. I’m not the man behind the bench.
by Stonewarden on May 8, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It worked for the Patriots even after winning 2 superbowls in 3 years
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even before their first win of the series, there was an awful lot of mouthbreathing coming out of Pittsburgh…A lot of disrespect. I call it false bravado. And what else are you going to do before you win a game? (Besides whine?)
The question is, is someone else on the Caps going to step up and deliver a great performance? Malkin answered his bell; time for Sasha Semin to be accountable. Backs, in spite of the cue shot in gm 3, needs to step it up starting tonight. Koz has returned to his comfortable postseason shell. And Mike Green? Hello? I’d settle for 75% of his game right now.
I continue to believe.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on May 8, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone else...
Expect to see Jay Beagle in and Nyls a healthy scrratch tonight besides me? Maybe it’s just hope on my part, my real hope is Federov is okay and Green is back to full form tonight.
by markbona-capsfan99 on May 8, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
creepy… you totally called it! now, who ya like in the 10th? (degenerate gambler reference)
by war_capitals on May 8, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last exam at 1:30, so by game time I should be sufficiently hammered and a nervous wreck.
/keep it together keep it together keep it together keep it together
by ninefttall on May 8, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My little girl came home from school yesterday and said they learned about…wait for it….Venn diagrams. Then I open Japers this a.m., and it’s a world of Venn Zen.
Pretty karmic, I think
by S h a g g y on May 8, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so i guess we’d know by now if anyone’s being called up for the game tonight?
by mechanicsville on May 8, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
aucoin is small enough to sneak in without people knowing.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m picturing him locking Nylander in a trunk and putting on 92’s jersey.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fans will be fans enough said. Now onto the game. I have a halve day of teaching today, I am going to play 9 holes of golf, and I will be in front of my TV at 7. I cant wait!
HORN HORN HORN!!!
LETS GO CAPS!!!
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He has a “halve” day. I think that’s metric.
by Stonewarden on May 8, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
halve/half
Sorry I get that one mixed up….and I teach….NOT math!….
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m just messin’ with you, Mr. Hunter.
by Stonewarden on May 8, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I enjoy most about lurking and laughing (but never posting) at the Pensblog is the simplicity of 98% the responses to the supposed Caps fans who “cblog” there: “You’re a douche and so’s Ovechkin. Go Pens.”
It’s like a puppet show.
.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on May 8, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So true….the word douche, doosh dooshe, however you want to spell it is posted a ton of times…lol
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they actually blocked pensblog at my work
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You forgot to mention the use of the word “Craps”. It’s sooo original.
by b.orr4 on May 8, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and “job”, as in “that fat douche jobbed us out of our tickets.”
by algoon30 on May 8, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
almost fell out of my chair very funny. I would love to know how they photo shop all those pictures.
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their readers use photoshop and then email pics to them.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think this should be highly encouraged. All the photo shops I could think of that I can’t do.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have no photoshopping skills but someone should replace this lady’s face with Crosby’s and the Birds with Hats.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another great move by Ted!
LETS GO CAPS!!!!
And in the spirit of Pens Blogs:
Pens fans are douches, Crosby is a Douche!
Wah, wah, wah about anything I don’t like
LETS GO CAPS!!!!
by markbona-capsfan99 on May 8, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. A short meeting at 11:30 then i am off to the Links! It’s 70 degrees here and I am getting nothing done. My students are currently watching a movie. ( Troy )
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Troy, can the Caps please get a different clip to use right before opening faceoff? Seeing Brad Pitt up on the scoreboard with his flowing hair seems just a little bit too Club Scarlet for me.
by Cluster on May 8, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it. I think I was one of the only people in the theater that thought of Pitt as the good guy too.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Gladiator one should be at the end. But that’s my $.02.
"Pennsylvania idot no match for Russian Machine"
CI genius rains supream.
by Bald Pollack on May 8, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
another teacher. i’m unfortunately teaching about the ICRC and the UN. Boring. Rather find a worksheet, but alas, HSAs coming up quickly.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am with you on that. Seniors graduate soon and then it’s a matter of days until Summer!
Ahh I can smell the beach now.
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, mostly freshmen for me. so this time of year they forget all the breaking in I’ve spent on them in getting them to behave and do stupid stuff just because it’s warm outside.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great points, JP. Caps need to trump these psychological “games” by shutting them up and winning on the ice. I think it will be a long journey to gain respect of the league, certain other teams, media, etc. But for all intents and purposes it starts tonight.
I, too enjoy reading the Pensblog. Those guys are hilarious. The key is to read it, but don’t feed it!
by frets on May 8, 2009 9:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought the trick is: kick someone’s ass the first day, or become someone’s bitch. Then everything will be all right.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you Rob Newhouse.
"Pennsylvania idot no match for Russian Machine"
CI genius rains supream.
by Bald Pollack on May 8, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler…
by frets on May 8, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s kind of like those photo features with the blaring headline " Kelly McGillis was the sexy star of Top Gun. See what she looks like now". You know you shouldn’t bite, but of course you do and then you find out she looks like your 60 year-old uncle. That’s kind of what Pensblog is like.
by b.orr4 on May 8, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey I still think she’s hot….just turn the lights down and open that second six-pack…
by markbona-capsfan99 on May 8, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tonight we can start putting a lot of bad history behind us...
I mean, the wretched playoff record against the Pens, the lack of respect, all that. Read Peerless’ prognosto for tonight’s game – there is a reference to this a the “hump” game in the series, yet may be shaping up as much more than that.
We can start putting a lot of the agony behind us – tonight. TONIGHT.
(I’m not going to make until 7 – if I dont, I’ll have my ashes dropped over Mellon Arena)
by S h a g g y on May 8, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yea, JP is right. I get irritated reading Pensblog too a lot of times but they are pretty funny. I’ve emailed them before-they dish it but they can certainly take it too. They will email back and forth with funny stuff. They seem like good guys.
" 60 percent of the time...it works everytime"
by shwedy on May 8, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pensblog has helped...
I think a great deal of my anger at the Penguins is based on the countless images of their fans celebrating. Used to be when the Caps played in Pitt, the camera would pan the crowd cheering from the same spot each game. There was a huge (huuuuuge) woman in the seat next to the camera wearing a tight fitting Mario jersey. Tons of makeup, 70’s feathered hair with the Kerry Fraiser -part in the middle, brutal. So, already pissed about ANOTHER Pens goal or win, we would be subjected to that fat sow screaming her lungs out. Just awful to endure. I had many rough experiences with Pens fans at the Cap Centre growing up, but that heffer on camera became emblematic of the typical Pens fan for me. I wanted her dead.
Still, that was years ago, I have moved through various cities and my following of the Caps has ebbed and flowed on and off. Thus my disdain for Pens fans fell off over time. Once the Caps returned to the RWB unis, I decided to get back on board (good timing!) as I could now see the games on TV (I’m in Richmond). These past few years, sowly the hatred of Pittsburgh has returned and rolling through the comments on Pensblog and the other sites rec’d on the left bar by JP has re-ignited the image of Pens fans as obese, out dated, just plain stupid human beings. As warm and fuzzy as it makes me feel to point and laugh at them, if that fat bitch gets to cheer another Pens playoff win over the Caps…it’ll hurt just as bad as it did back then.
About two years ago I was in a coffee shop here. A woman walked in wearing all denim. Denim jeans, blue button down shirt, denim jacket, and Chuck Taylors. Her hair was in a dated style- y’know, one of those people who were having a blast in 1987 so they never felt compelled to change their image. I kind of chuckled at the dated, worn out look she was sporting- not in a mean way, more of a “people are funny” sorta way. As she came closer to where I was sitting, I could see a little logo on the front pocket of her shirt. It was a Penguins logo. Not the skating penguin, but that more corporate looking design they used in the 90’s. All of the sudden I could feel the rage returning. My wife asked what was the matter.
“Huh?”, I replied.
“You’re scowling”, she said
“Meh”,
“You look like you know that woman”.
“yeah….I know that woman…..”
by algoon30 on May 8, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wow man. You have pain that runs really deep. You KNOW PAIN.
She was wearing a “denim suit” in fashion terms.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, I’m ashamed to have such easily-ignited disdain. But indeed for Caps fans, there was alot of hurt to be had at the hands of the Penguins and it is obviously still lingering.
I wish it to be gone….MAKE IT GONE !!!!!!!
by algoon30 on May 8, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a great post!
I feel your pain. I work in PA and I have to endure endless smack talk from students, teachers, and other countless people. All with the same haircut! (kidding) I only hope our playoff woes end and we all can chip in and get them all haircuts.
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I go to Pittsburgh a lot. A lot of women have that hairstyle there.
Also as soon as it gets warm when you drive around the city and suburbs there’s an inordinate amount of topless men out and about.
one last thing: people think that leather steelers jackets are suit jackets there.
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
people think that leather steelers jackets are suit jackets there.
And people in DC are so uptight they insist on wearing wool suits during the disgusting summer months. DC is not that cool. This city is not a center of fashion or entertainment. Hate the team, not the city.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
100% wool is the only way to go on a suit. They breathe really well too.
DC has the worst summers I’ve ever seen second to Shanghai.
But I agree…bashing the city is too easy, tired, and old.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
100% wool is not the way to go if you take the metro. If I worked anywhere that had a shower I would just wear my pajamas to work and bring my suit. Lots of southern cities relax the formal requirements in the summer (from what I hear, never lived in any of them). My point is just that DC has questionable people and questionable norms just like any city.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you but again on the suit thing DC = Government and Government = Suit you know? There is no time for relaxing when the nations fate in your hands!
West coast is where it’s at for casual work environments.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OH CRAP!
I sincerely apologize for wishing death upon an anonymous Pens fan. After that “death threat” hullabaloo, dont want to take any chances. I hope the woman I spoke of is happily munching on Jenny Craig snack cakes, in a jersey that properly fits her, with a modern yet sensible hair style. But if a piano should fall on her….can’t say I’d be upset.
by algoon30 on May 8, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you Fehr and Balanced
you are living up to your name….
I have relatives in Pburgh, take it easy 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 8, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve got a lot of relatives in and around Pittsburgh. Aside from their terrible choice of a hockey team I’ve got no problem with them.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a game called 6 degrees of Pittsburgh. I guarantee you can connect two people in less than 6 degrees to Pittsburgh.
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not saying DC is fashionable. I wear my suit when it’s cold and eschew the jacket when it’s not.
Some people take it as a criticism, some take it as a complement. I know my tone was pretty condescending, but it’s nice to be around the laid back atmosphere up there.
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To get ridiculously off-topic: it’s not the fiber, it’s the weave. I’ve got some wool suits that are lighter than silk, and I’ve got others that I wouldn’t wear if it’s over 65 degrees. Moreover, good wool won’t wrinkle/stink as much as linen/cotton.
Get an Italian suit made of “lana fresca,” or ask for a “summer weight” suit. Pricier, but well worth it, seeing as they can be 4-season suits here in DC.
by D'ohboy on May 8, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But seriously--
Who’s in goal?
I assume Varly, but has there been any thought given to putting in Theo? With back-to-backs (and three in four nights), can Varly handle the workload? If not, wouldn’t it be better to have Theo in here instead of Game 5, especially if we, gulp, blow Game 4?
by bilspacecadet on May 8, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I find this idea somewhat daft. Why, in the name of all that is holy, would you take out a guy who is leading or near the top of all the statistical categories?! If he needs rest, then we need to win in 5 and then he can have a few days off.
by mechanicsville on May 8, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nah I think it’s gotta be the other way. You need to make sure you do everything you can to win this game. 3-1 vs 2-2 with a game the next day is a huge swing. We’ve gotta throw everything at them including the kitchen sink (Nylander…no literally throw him at them).
If Varly’s wupped tomorrow so be it and then make your decision. Gotta win tonight
by MetalCap on May 8, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this. Gotta go for the jugular tonight. If we’re up 3-1 tomorrow morning, then maybe you rest him.
by gfcaps fan on May 8, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is he seriously tired? he’s only 21 he should be able to play 5 in a row. Am I wrong?
by Dalehunter on May 8, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are/were durability questions — he was hurt a couple of times during the regular season and hasn’t ever worked a full 82 game season.
by gfcaps fan on May 8, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh well. i think you have to ride him till he drops at this point.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He played 4 games in 5 days twice in the RSL playoffs last year. He is in the zone. I’m less worried about him responding than Feds, Kozlov, and most of our D.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s not that he’s tired but there was joint/muscle pain after his first couple NHL games
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you – the kids 21 and walking on air right now, there is no goalie around more “in the zone” then him right now, until something shows otherwise, he’s the horse – ride ’em Bruce!
by markbona-capsfan99 on May 8, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FanShot is up to discuss it (and thanks, Zephyr, for beating me to it).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I shouldn’t even bother making fan shots anymore. =]
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I might need to adjust the Venn Diagram – “Nylander” and “Us” might be overlapping too much.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give it a few months and they won’t overlap at all.
by Scott in Shaw on May 8, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as long as jesus or some other being is involved in the us column.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that or give nylander a few more circles, all over the place and away from where he needs to be
by renstar on May 8, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d. I bet Nylander took all of his notes in school in Venn diagram form
by meatball20 on May 8, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is anybody else surprised that AO didn’t get fined for calling the Refs a joke? I can sorta see why, comparatively, BB and GMGM didn’t fet anything, but AO actually called the Ref[ereeing] a joke. Seems like that’d be punished in this NHL.
by DrinkingPartner on May 8, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If they fined Chris Kunitz $2,500 for crosschecking Varly in the throat end then reached into AO’s wallet for mentioning the officiating, they’d look even more foolish than they already do.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, we’re saying this was a reasoned conclusion? Wow, I thought the NHL thought itself above that kind of malarkey!
by DrinkingPartner on May 8, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looking foolish has never stopped the NHL from a bad decision.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just about to say that; beat me to the response.
by gfcaps fan on May 8, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they’d look even more foolish than they already do
Not possible.
by MassCapsFan on May 8, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he did. At the end of his presser, he said “I don’t want to talk about the refereeing. They had… 2 penalties. It’s a joke.”
I can assure you that the NHL, as insecure as Gary Bettman is, took that to mean:
“I HATE THE NHL, I LOVE RUSSIA, I’M GOING TO FIND GARY’S MOTHER AND THROAT#&% THE &^% OUT OF THAT &%$#IN’ ^&&* DIRTY *&$ WHORE-S&^%#@ G&%$#@ RAT-EATING PIG*#$^$*!”
If I were Gary Bettman, that’s exactly how I would have taken it. But I’m not Gary Bettman. I hope all of you will not become Gary Bettman in your future. Thank you.
by DrinkingPartner on May 8, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn’t call the refs a joke. He said that the pens only getting two penalties was a joke.
I think if he said, “the pens only had two penalties and the referees are a joke” we would be hearing a lot more about it.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is semantics. There is NO way the NHL has the stones to suspend AO short of an criminal offense. They didn’t want to suspend Kunitz because he is too important to the team. They can’t suspend AO for that reason and because he is 50% of the hype machine around this series.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Suspended? Absolutely not. Fined? Absolutely, on top of Bettman’s mother’s grave. I’m still surprised he wasn’t fined.
by DrinkingPartner on May 8, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think at that point AO could claim language ignorance.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So can we say he "might" be getting special treatment? I know Crosby gets it, so is it possible AO is?
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 8, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Venn, oh Venn will we EVER rid ourselves of this Pitt Curse?
Biggest game since 1998, in my view.
2-2? Toast.
3-1? A feeble glimmering twitching chance.
by Uncle C on May 8, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pessimistic much?
2-2 is where the series “should” be. Caps can take two of three with two at home just like they took two of the last three with two at home.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on May 8, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pessimistic very much. I’ll admit it. I have not seen a completely well-played game, a game that captured and held their attention for a full sixty, from My Boys (except for KidGoalie) in a few months. I love them dearly but they’re killin’ me.
by Uncle C on May 8, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game 3 was the only one we lied down on. Games 1 and 2 we fought real hard after a slow start. PIT is a good team, they are going to carry the play on occasion. PIT played slow the first 10 minutes of game 3 but nobody is complaining about an uneven effort.
by Fehr and Balanced on May 8, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
any Baltimore Rinkers?
Looking for a bar in Bmore tonight to watch the ever so important Game 4 tonight, and think a little red support would be sweet.
Bueller?
by ns on May 8, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"This is not success. This is a challenge. This is motivation. This is the Caps against the world. This... is desperation."
No…like they teach in those management seminars, “it’s not a challenge, it’s an ‘opportunity.’”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on May 8, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is this considered bulletin board material, even if it IS the truth?
When Boudreau was asked whether Sidney Crosby poses any matchup problems for the Caps, he said: “Yeah, he’s the second-best player in the world. Of course he poses problems. He’s the best player we play against.”
by gfcaps fan on May 8, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What’s going on with him and the whole team? It seems like this series has really lit a fire under them.
There is so much whining and jabbing.
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“I’m usually not a whiner,” Boudreau said. “I think I’ve exhausted my bad officiating comments. Let’s just let it go. …Let’s move on. Let’s just hope the better team is the better team.”
by zephyr on May 8, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
too much whining and not enough playing IMO.
Varly has saved their bacon all series, and they’re talking way too much.
Maybe it will work to put all the focus on Bruce, but I’m not sure. He can’t lace them up to play for the team.
by Chimaera on May 8, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In their defense, most of the whining has come from a couple of isolated comments and discussed ad nauseum.
The main whine is coming from the fans.
by snowburnt on May 8, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
In the 2 playoff games that Varlamov has lost this postseason he has followed up with a shut out. Not saying he will do that tonight but he seems to step it up to another level.
by PennCapsFan12 on May 8, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 22 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
|
Atlanta
|
12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 |
|
Florida
|
14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
|
Carolina
|
15 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 7 |
(updated 11.7.2009 at 9:10 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
