Recap: Caps 4, Sabres 3 (OT)
by J.P. on Sep 17, 2009 9:55 PM EDT
Email
Print[AP Recap - Game Summary - Event Summary]
The Caps came from behind twice in the third period and won the game on a Brian Pothier overtime 5-on-3 power play goal to kick off the preseason the right way. Having not seen the game, we'll leave it to the professionals to recap (Corey's period-by-period impressions can be found here), but a few things jump off the scoresheet and from Steve Kolbe's call of the game:
- A couple of primary helpers from Nicklas Backstrom should help him make the team.
- Tyler Sloan continues to make a strong case for starting the season in Washington, making Karl Alzner and John Carlson even longer shots than they were before.
- "Jeff Schultz, two minutes for cross checking." Love it (also worth noting: Schultz led all skaters in ice time).
- The Caps won 62% of the game's faceoffs, and only Anton Gustafsson (1-for-4) finished below 63%.
- Jay Beagle's goal, four shots and 70% faceoff percentage makes a statement.
- Joe Finley's fists did not.
- It sounds as if Mike Knuble's goal was exactly the kind he's getting paid to score: ugly, which is beautiful.
- Semyon Varlamov, from the sounds of it (and the picture above), was quite sharp, for the most part.
And so it's off to Chicago at 1-0. More importantly, with just two weeks until the regular season opens, the Caps are finally getting to play some real hockey... and we're getting to enjoy it, even if we can't see it.
136 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Per Corey, “Brendan Morrison is OK after being checked into the boards late in the third”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Sweet merciful bagel, my heart skipped a beat.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
In the short-term, yes. Anything long-term and you’re looking elsewhere, I think (which brings us back to that sidebar and how hamstrung the Caps are in their ability to look elsewhere).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
What about Aucoin? I know about his FO% and defense issues, but if you put him with Laich and Semin it might be okay.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Brooks Laich could be a stop gap but I’ve never liked him as a C, much less a 2C. There is no “notwithstanding Nyls’ K” because if he was gone we’d have plenty of options, be it through trade or FA. If BMo goes down and we can’t replace him with Laich or Nyls (as I suspect) then we are limited to a trade, meaning we’re giving up something of value.
A man must have a code.
Per Corey, "Brendan Morrison is OK after being checked into the boards late in the third"
Our side discussion notwithstanding, who is the replacement for an injured BMo?
I know he’s less than ideal, but don’t write off Aucoin. I still think Laich and Aucoin could make a decent pair, with each one supplying what the other is missing to combine to form one good wing and one good center. Basically, Laich takes the faceoffs and plays good D, Aucoin is the creative playmaker/passer. And both of them can score.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 17, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
“Laichoin”?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 17, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I should have read your explanation first, ha. You’re not even mentioning that Semin is going to be on that line. Aucoin just needs to skate and distribute the puck and he can survive in that roll for the short term. Laich can take care of the physical work and both Laich and Semin are reliable defensively so Aucoin’s defensive deficiency is less of a concern.
A man must have a code.
Semin is better than reliable defensively when he’s engaged, but Laich may be a shade below that.
I have to say, the concept of a Laich/Aucoin/Semin line intrigues. I’d think I’d still be happier with Laich on the third line with Steckel and someone, but it definitely intrigues.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the speed that both BMo and Aucoin bring to that line.
by red army line on Sep 18, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Weren’t there some numbers a while back suggesting that Laich’s defense was passable, but nothing better than that?
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the 5-on-5 stats point to Laich being nothing special defensively.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
As if we needed another reason to hate Pittsburgh, that’s where Weber hails from.
by thehoagster07 on Sep 17, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s wrong with this picture?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’ll optimistically hope this shot’s about 3 seconds before Schutz’ cross checking penalty.
by mechanicsville on Sep 17, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll optimistically hope this shot’s about 2 seconds before Varly gives Vanek a warning not to come into his neighborhood any more.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
…even better. and with Vanek’s “neighborhood” in such close proximity to Varly’s stick, it probably wouldn’t take even 2 seconds.
by mechanicsville on Sep 17, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s the context? There is a Cap skate in the bottom left and if that’s a PK I think that might be acceptable positioning. You can’t get tied up with the man in front on a PK or you leave a 4 on 3 with a double screen. You still have to be free and make sure you’re in position to go for the rebound, which it looks like that guy might be able to do. 5 on 5 that’s inexcusable.
A man must have a code.
Agreed, though judging from where Vanek’s looking, I’m not thrilled with Varly’s sight line.
Btw, I guess they’re saving the nice goals/nets for the regular season…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Good attention to detail, gotta save the nice whites for opening day.
That’s definitely a tough screen, but I’m not sure what the alternative is. If that D commits it means Varlamov has to go to the extreme short side and leave the hole far side open if that puck doesn’t hit the screen. I think it’s pretty common now that on the PK the G has to beat the screen.
A man must have a code.
I think the answer we’re looking for is “hockey’s not played frame-by-frame.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Haha. Let me get the MS Paint and I’ll show you something. Varlamov should be out at the top of the crease pushing Vanek away from him. That’s what’s wrong with this picture. If Valamov takes that extra 2-3 feet of real estate he can basically push Vanek out of his sight line and back towards his help. That’s what’s wrong with this picture.
A man must have a code.
Looks like Varly at that point is moving laterally, so I think he can be excused on that point.
by red army line on Sep 18, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah on the PK the goalie has to be responsible for 1 man in front. That’s a really good screen though, props to Vanek.
Comment first, think second, read third.
Who knows what happened leading up to this picture though.
My best guess by the way everyone is standing moving is the puck was to the right of the net. Got passed up to the right point and the play is moving to the left side and Varly is about to slide over to the left.
Comment first, think second, read third.
oh noes
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 17, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
While I love that meme, not to Varly, please. Theo, no problem.
Also, it’s awesome to have a goalie that comments on this site for questions like this.
If Connolly can stay healthy (I know, I laughed too.) I really think Vanek has a serious shot at 50+ this season. Guy is really, really good at finding the net.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
1) As if there was any doubt that Nicky B. would make the Caps opening day roster. (LOL)
2) Ironically, other blog sites were really impressed with how Carlson and Alzner did today.
3) Knuble is proving he was my best birthday present ever by signing with the Caps. (My other best birthday present for the year was the Nats’ acquisition of Nyjer Morgan.)
4) Glad B Mo is okay.
I don’t doubt that (re: #2), but I’ve thought for a while that Alzner and Carlson will get squeezed out because they can be sent to Hershey without having to pass through waivers, so a strong game by Sloan just makes that all the more likely in my eyes.
Further, per Corey:
It’s only two periods, but it would be hard to say the two kids on defense look more ready to help the Caps right now than Tyler Sloan. Both John Carlson and Karl Alzner have done some good things, and Carlson has shown he isn’t afraid to try and chip in offensively, but Sloan has been very steady. Might not be a stretch to say he’s been the most mistake-free guy on the blue line to this point.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And:
Karl Alzner said he felt really good, more relaxed on the ice. Also likes playing with John Carlson.
Then let them have about 27 minutes of it per night for a couple months.
A man must have a code.
by Rob Parker on Sep 17, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Alzner and Carlson playing the rest of 2009 in Hershey. And if that raises the trade value of a defenseman on the NHL roster and GMGM gets something in trade for ShaMo or Juice, even better.
It’s hockey. Preseason lasts until March.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 17, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
It’s hockey. Preseason lasts until March.
Awesome
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I love it, Capitals Hockey valium to survive the rollercoaster regular season.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 18, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Any thoughts on what the odds might be that GMGM deals a blue liner before the season to make room for #27?
by mechanicsville on Sep 17, 2009 10:47 PM EDT reply actions
I could see it, but I don’t know that it would necessarily just be to make room for Alzner. It could be that Alzner makes the other guys expendable, maybe it’s just semantics.
A man must have a code.
Right, it seems that there’s some expendability (sic) right now.. And that’s what I’d call a pleasant dilemma.
by mechanicsville on Sep 17, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Right, but I don’t think GMGM is in a rush to move anyone. I think he’d be happy to go into the season with the guys that played in the playoffs and let the kids simmer in Hershey; I don’t think there is any rush to get them to the NHL, especially Carlson.
A man must have a code.
And also the Caps, no matter really which group of 6D are manning the blueline, are a lock for the playoffs and really the division too (I doubt Carolina can maintain a torrid pace for 82 games). No rush. As for the playoffs, then if Alzner is flat out better than a guy on the roster, call up 27.
by red army line on Sep 18, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t see a partner. It’s hard to make trades right now b/c everyone’s healthy and no one knows exactly what they have and what they don’t have.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Toronto Maple Leafs? It’s like they’re preparing to stock Hamilton’s nonexistent blueline.
by red army line on Sep 18, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
With NHL players? That doesn’t make sense. They have a glut on their own blueline.
A man must have a code.
I think that’s the point. They’ve got enough D for two teams
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 18, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh good. Glad BMo is okay, though absolutely Finley or one of the other guys should have made the Sabres pay for that check from behind.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
It happened with like, 13 seconds left in the game, with the Sabres already short-handed, right? If so, I don’t think there was time for it and they weren’t going to put Finley out there for the PP heading into OT.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Which further drives home the lack of utility in the enforcer position, as such.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Kolbe/Vogs did note that Giroux jumped right in to BMo’s defense.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I suppose as long as somebody took names on that one.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
So did the referees, it sounds like – I assume that the perpetrator got to have a seat?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
Yeah, 2 minute minor, which gave them a 5-3 heading into the OT if memory serves (my short-term memory is abominable).
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I guess you could say that they did pay for that. With the game.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
I would have been better able to accept that if the game were worth standings points. As it is, I’m just glad that BMo is okay.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 17, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I say this just proves the Detroit model of turning the other cheek. Unless they truly massacre one of our guys to the point where it affects the remainder of the season, we’ll gladly let you do stupid crap because our sick PP is going to make you PAY!
Woo. : ]
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 18, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Can’t enforce from the bench. Guess what line was out there when BMo got hurt.
A man must have a code.
I found this most interesting:
No player averaged more than 52 seconds per shift.
I’d wager that average goes up a solid 7-15 seconds if AO and Semin are playing :-).
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 17, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions
ugh, i don’t think i can take one more Sloan might make the team post.
That clown is terrible. You can’t rationally tell me we don’t have 10 of the 11 NHL defensemen who aren’t better than him.
I can’t see Alzner having much to gain developmentally from more time in Hershey.
If he loses out, its because there wasn’t enough separation in his play to overcome the waiver and salary aspects that make it easier to send him down than others.
I’m sure he could still do some growing in Hershey, if only for part of the season. Playing big minutes in Hershey gets him used to more situations and allows him to be more aggressive with his offensive game. That experience will still help.
A man must have a code.
and I believe it was you who noted elsewhere that “overcooking” the kiddos in the AHL seems to work for Detroit.
Even Victor Hedman (I think) and Steven Stamkos (I think) and Sidney Crosby (I think) could’ve been helped by some time in the AHL (for Crosby, maybe like 5 games, because he really picked up his game late in the season and continued from there).
by red army line on Sep 18, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I just think he could’ve been a little better and stolen the Calder that year. IIRC he had like 80 points with 10 games to go then exploded. Obviously he was already really good but in my mind he improved around 20%, which is significant. And I think for centers, defensemen, and goalie it’s a tougher transition to the NHL than from wing.
by red army line on Sep 19, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s like that new game show on GSN… The Money List! Or a sports-related Name Those Players (That Tune)…
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 18, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Tarik’s review is up:
*Speaking of Backstrom, he earned the first star of the game, notching a pair of assists and taking a game-high five shots on goal.
Backstrom leading the team in shots? Woot!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 18, 2009 12:27 AM EDT reply actions
After all that Ovie-shoots-to-much criticism, one can’t help but think Backstrom hits 557 shots.
by red army line on Sep 18, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I imagine this has come up in another thread, but this means Varly is sticking with #40 (and not changing to #1 as some had suspected), right?
I dunno, that’s a good question. We are still in preseason so I wouldn’t say for sure until we get to the regular season and he knows for sure that he is going to be on the team as the backup.
My guess is number 40 worked pretty well for him last year so he’ll be keeping it.
Comment first, think second, read third.
Wow! Great feeling to be able to actually discuss an actual hockey game. Just glad our game wasn’t against Calgary.
I had to read the Schultz comment like 5 times just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.
I’d assume he was talking about the hit on okposo, had to take him off on a stretcher although reports are he’s ok now. probable concussion.
Wow. I gotta check that out. I saw the score sheet and there were a ton of PIMs so I figured it was a rough one.
A man must have a code.
I hope someone tattoos Phaneuf this year. That was a dirtbag move in the regular season, much less pre-season. What a punk.
A man must have a code.
Clean hit, but unnecessary follow through, imo. He had him lined up and a simple hip check would have sufficed. Love to see the re-tilt Saturday, and if Phaneuf dresses.
from the house that Red Jesus built
I think he led with the elbow. If he kept the elbow tucked in I can live with it in the regular season, but not pre-season. It’s also violated an unwritten rule to destroy a guy that is engaged with your teammate already.
A man must have a code.
Some video highlights from the game.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by EmilyB on Sep 18, 2009 1:19 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Beagle’s goal pretty.
Pothier’s goal pretty.
(starting a new thread because I don’t know if I’m allowed to reply on YNC’s personal thread there)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Great forecheck by A. Gordon, love it.
Was Baxter trying to pass to Knuble on that goal? Certainly looked like he was trying to get the puck to the far side of the net.
Carlson lost a puck battle to a much smaller player and Alzner was caught in no man’s land on the third goal.
A man must have a code.
Yeah that Bourque, Beagle and Gordon goal was a thing of beauty. Does that happen in a game with all NHL’ers? Dunno, but man I love a hard, “I’m going to skate till I die” type of forecheck.
Comment first, think second, read third.
Yeah, that did look killer. Gordon followed through and kept the puck all at once. Great feed in front, Bourque crashing the net and Beagle firing true, no rebound stuff necessary (but available had it been!) Doesn’t hurt that Buffalo appears to be pretty out of position on the play, but yeah, couldn’t have asked for a better execution.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Puck Previews: Blackhawks reeling; Sabres streaking; Holmstrom’s 1000th game
- Will Teemu Selanne remain with the Anaheim Ducks through the trade deadline?
- Nikolai Zherdev takes stick to crotch, elbow drop in KHL game (Video)
- Puck Headlines: Accused coach Pravilov dead; more Tim Thomas heat; Junior team goes nuts post-shootout
- After Scott Gomez scored, other candidates for NHL goal drought obsessions
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Lightning forward Dominic Moore fined $2,500 for hit on Rangers Ruslan Fedotenko
- Lightning forward Dominic Moore fined $2,500
- Blue Jackets place Lebda, Methot on injured reserve, add Prout, York on emergency recalls
- Blue Jackets put Lebda, Methot on injured reserve
- Lightning's Dominic Moore fined $2,500
Certain photos copyright © 2012 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.
