Recap: Rangers 3, Capitals 2
by J.P. on Sep 24, 2009 10:06 PM EDT
92 comments
[AP Recap - Game Summary - Event Summary]
The last time the Caps were in Madison Square Garden, the result was an emotional Game 6 victory in the very definition of a "must-win" game.
Thursday night's match between the Caps and Rangers was anything but a "must-win" - it was barely a "must-play" - and at times, it showed. For the most part, however, the pace was good, and with Opening Night a week away, the Caps are probably right on schedule.
Ten notes on the game:
- The game-winning goal was the result of a surprisingly poor defensive shift by the third line, including Matt Bradley getting blown past along the boards and David Steckel failing to tie up Christopher Higgins' stick in front.
- Jose Theodore was solid again, very much so at times. But if he's at one end and Henrik Lundqvist is at the other and you had to bet on which 'tender would make the big save and who would let in a questionable tally... you'd have cashed in on the game-winner.
- Alexander Semin just needed the assist to complete the Alex Semin Hat Trick (goal, assist, stick penalty).
- While the bar wasn't set particularly high, Mike Green had his best game yet this preseason, firing five shots on goal, blocking four shots and drawing two penalties.
- Alex Ovechkin, on the other hand, had his worst game of the three he's played, throwing himself out of position going for big hits and trying to force passes that just weren't there. Still, his assist on Keith Aucoin's goal was pretty (as was Aucoin's conversion). We'll cut him a little slack.
- Speaking of cuts, have we seen enough of Alexandre Giroux yet (and by "we" I mean "Bruce Boudreau")?
- Hats off to Brandon Sugden for dropping the mitts twice with Donald Brashear (who took a couple of bad penalties himself). Sugar held his own, winning the first bout when Brash lost his balance, and taking the second to a decision after about a minute-and-a-half of huggin' and punchin'.
- Milan Jurcina had another strong game, racking up eight hits (more than twice as many as any other defenseman in the game) and three blocked shots.
- If Marian Gaborik's groin can hold up on MSG's ice, he'll have a huge year. But it won't, so he won't.
- The power play that was so potent a night ago was 0-for-5 tonight (and allowed one shorty against and nearly another that resulted in an Ovechkin penalty). Needs more Knuble.
And so the decisive Game 9 of the Caps/Rangers best-of-nine series is set for Sunday in Washington... No? Oh well. Just one more of these exhibitions left before the games start to really matter - the long summer is nearly over.
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Yes, we need Knuble in our lineup, to calm down our kids. They (Backstrom,Semin, Ovy) seemed to having a parade to the penalty box.
Thank God, it was only a preseason game.
by CapsFan75 on Sep 24, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don’t get too loud hatin’ on the SOB line for being too cute (PIMs is something else). It’s pre-season. If Knuble and BMo are out we don’t have 2 scoring lines so BB may as well stack the one and let everyone else play a checking game. SOB gets to work on playing the puck at full speed, which is what they do; and the grinders and prospects get to work on banging in the corners (before they bang in HER corners), which is what they do. The whole point for the veterans is to get the rust off.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 24, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay, now you’re doing it on purpose.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Sep 24, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s what HER said.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 24, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Nice.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 25, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bang and bump and grind in HER corners. You know what else is going to be in HER? A fore…check. Yeah.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 24, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t see Bradley so much as getting blown past as going for the hit and just missing. That said, he took a terrible angle and let Dubinsky get low and around, with speed.
Semin was maddening all night, both for good and ill. As soon as I tuned in, there was a tripping penalty in front of the net and I muttered, “I’d bet anything that was 28.” I was annoyed to be right. Then the sublime wrister, then the retaliatory trip that resulted in the second Gabbo goal. Urgh.
I thought Alzner had a couple of nice plays after he settled down and stopped pressing so much. Continuing on the D, Erskine had a couple of truly poor plays with the puck, including the one that resulted in the shorty and Schultz continued to be Jeff Schultz; a guy with a huge wingspan, playing positional hockey that frustrates dynamic offensive players.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 24, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t see Bradley so much as getting blown past as going for the hit and just missing. That said, he took a terrible angle and let Dubinsky get low and around, with speed.
Bradley’s angle looked terrible because Dubinsky made it look terrible… with speed.
I thought Erskine had a pretty good game. Schultz was Schultz but more assertive. Awesome.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 24, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Schultz had a good game; I was impressed with him tonight.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 24, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question: If Schultz and not Bradley had been the defender on Dubi there (humor me), what would the collective reaction of CapsNation have been?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 24, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They probably would have been pretty happy that the puck got poke checked loose.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 24, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bueno.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 24, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That Dubinsky guy is someone the Caps should keep a close eye on. This isn’t the first time he’s made one of our defenders look silly.
Signed,
Capt. Obvious
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 25, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Put ’em together, and you have… SCHOOBINSKY!"
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 25, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that sounds like a disease I really don’t want to get.
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hasn’t this already been answered empirically?
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 24, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Positive… sadlty. But, I don’t think Schultz would have made the mistake in the first place?
Caps 'n Bears
by Bongos on Sep 25, 2009 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m Ron Burgandy?
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Home Depot would have run out of pitch forks and torches.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 25, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to imagine the angle Brads takes in that scenario is influenced by how fast the guy he’s skating against is. The play is totally different when you’re racing John Erskine to the corner as opposed to Mike Green, right? It was a terrible angle, given that the guy with the puck had a head of steam and is fast in general.
by Knee high to a duck on Sep 24, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough. I’d have to watch it again but Dubinsky could have also turned on another gear that Brads didn’t expect after Brads took his line.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 24, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dubinsky did a stop and go. Brads is still looking for his jock.
That whole Caps line was on gliders heading back into the zone—QL included—on the back check, and I had a bad feeling when I saw who had the puck. He seemed to be able to walk around our defensive zone all night unimpeded.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 24, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I watched that, and the first thing that occured to me was “football.” What Bradley and Dubinsky engaged in was no different than what a speed rusher (Dubinsky) does to a tackle (Bradley) when rushing the passer taking an outside route. He went wide, dipped his shoulder, and went past. As the lineman (Bradley), the one thing you are taught never to do is let the other guy get his inside shoulder past your outside one. If he does that, he has leverage and the angle; you have nowhere to go. Bradley was left with no way to defend, other than to hook him.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 25, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is it that Erskine was so good at? I guess I’m tired of watching slow-footed, di-witted #4 on the ice when we have Alzner and Carlson in the stable!
by mechanicsville on Sep 25, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he played his position well, was tough on the puck, made a couple nice simple passes to start the breakout. Things he’s gong to have to do in the regular season. Obviously he crapped himself on the PP but really who cares? That was charity time and he’ll never get a chance to hurt us like that in an important game. His game isn’t flashy but not everyone’s game has to be. Simple and tough is his MO and I think he’s done it well pretty consistently since he got his extension. And I was not an Erskine fan before; I was halfway to calling for Bruess to get rid of 4skine.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was an undisciplined way to handle Dubi, though, which is the issue. He should have ridden him to the corner, but let him get away, instead.
And due to various questionable replays and TV views, I couldn’t see Semin’s penalty. I knew he got it, and I knew it was him, but I never once actually saw it committed, so I was a little confused for a few minutes. That was a hell of a shot, though.
Giroux, Aucoin, Sloan, and Alzner ought to be in HER together shortly.
As for Sloan and Alzner, I didn’t see anything particularly inspiring from either, though Alzner had a much better game tonight than last, IMO.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 24, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just throwing this out there as a random thought; What is the possibility Sugden makes the team in the Stephen Peat role – enforcer who is a healthy scratch and only activated for the bullies (Philly, NYR, Tor?, etc, etc)?
by bigity b on Sep 24, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Between nil and zero. He won’t “make” the team, but he could possibly be a South Carolina call-up every now and then, if they really feel they need him.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 24, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Related: I’ve posted the two Brash/Sugar fights -
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 24, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s a game young fella…Brash taught him a bit of a lesson in rd. 2, but kudos all the same. Cheap stonemitts are a dime a dozen in the NHL and if that’s the way GMGM rolls and the kid keeps a clean score sheet, why should you spend more?
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 24, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
(Note: Sugden’s 31 – not quite a kid)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beagle looked very good to me duging a couple stretches in the 3rd period. Looks like an NHLer to me.
by mechanicsville on Sep 24, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And +1 for the Alex Semin Hattie, mister. V. Funny.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Sep 24, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Varly
Why was varly in the game for 7 seconds?
by kvarnson on Sep 24, 2009 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t see the game, but was it at the end and the Caps were trying to pull the goalie? If so, its because Theo is quite possibly the slowest skater in all of hockey. Takes him a full minute to skate from the goal to bench, its painful to watch. They did that a couple of times last season, too.
by RedBirdie on Sep 24, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It happened before the end of the game. I only watched the last 5 minutes and it was already on the stat sheet before then.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 25, 2009 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was at the beginning of the second period. Not sure why.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unrelated Question... and an answer
Yes, Varlamov was in the game for 7 seconds so they could pull the goalie out; it takes Theodore too long to get to the bench.
My question: Does anybody know the title and artist for the opening song the Caps have been using this pre-season before the games start? I have it stuck in my head, and I need to get a copy so I can play it until I know it well enough to banish the bits and pieces that I’ve picked up, but I can’t find it online… :-( Thanks in advance!
by IRockTheRed on Sep 24, 2009 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Varlamov was in the game for 7 seconds so they could pull the goalie out; it takes Theodore too long to get to the bench.
I don’t think so – it was at the beginning of the second period.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t somebody make a crack in the game thread that he was the extra skater on a delayed penalty? Now, that would have been fun.
by gfcaps fan on Sep 25, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I got clarification from the team on Varly playing last night. Turns out it was an official scorer’s error – he never set foot on the ice during game time.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some dumbass in my fantasy draft took Gaborik in the first round.
tictactoehockey.blogspot.com
myunjustifiedego.blogspot.com
by turnituptoeleven on Sep 24, 2009 11:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If he can’t hold up on Minnesota’s ice, how’s he going to hold up at MSG?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Sep 25, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and then he has to play games on all that SE conference ice, some of which is notoriously mushy at best. Gaborik doesn’t last 12 games this season.
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figured he would be healthy until about the beginning of December.
Comment first, think second, read third.
by zephyr on Sep 25, 2009 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
(sorry for the frikkin’ novel)
Here’s how it looked from section 305:
Madison Square Garden was a tomb. Maybe half full, and they could barely get any noise going at any time. I took advantage of the deathly pall about a minute after the second fight to shout out Brandon Sugden’s name as loudly as I could. I hope he heard. The kid deserves to hear his name shouted in MSG after the night he had.
On a related note, Donald Brashear is not a good hockey player. At the end of his first penalty, he rumbled back onto the ice, and the Caps basically continued their power play for a little longer. He’s an empty jersey out there. And Brashear’s decision making on the second fight was inexcusable. Rangers had the puck in deep and were had just taken a shot on goal when play was whistled dead. I don’t care if it is preseason — killing a scoring chance so you can try to save face after getting planted in the first fight is selfish and stupid. I don’t miss Brashear. Not one bit.
Cudos to the Caps fan who brought the cowbell, and rang it every time the Caps cleared the zone during a penalty kill. She really got under the MSG crowd’s skin.
OK, picture the PensBlog charicature of Ovechkin. I don’t mean that stupid tutu picture, I mean their version of him as a player. Sure he scores a lot of goals, but he’s selfish, plays no defense, cherry picks constantly, has no discipline, and randomly headhunts players who don’t have the puck and never gets any penalties called for it. That’s the Alex Ovechkin who took the ice today. This was a true “get that out of your system” game, because if he plays like that again he needs to be benched. I’m serious. The second Rangers goal falls squarely on his shoulders — he was constantly out of position that whole shift and essentially gave the Rangers a power play. Only it was worse because his teammates didn’t know they should be in penalty killing mode.
If I were king, you could mark about 5:00 left in the third period as the moment that Alex Giroux’s bid to make the team officially came to an end. 2-2 game, tail end of a Caps’ power play, and Lundquist is sprawled out after making one save when the puck lands on Giroux’s stick right in the crease. And he buries it — right into Lundquist’s pads. Caps probably win the game if he scores there. I think it’s time for Giroux to see a sports psychologist, because nobody can score 75 goals at any level without having the skills to score that goal. It makes me very sad to say I think there’s something wrong there. There’s no other explanation.
Let me preface this next section by saying I like John Erskine. I there’s a place on the Caps for John Erskine. With that said, John Erskine:
- cannot keep up with Mike Green
- should not be asked to play Mike Green minutes
- and should never, ever, EVER be put on the power play again
I don’t know how it looked on the TV, but his play on the first goal may have been the worst hockey play I’ve ever seen. With the Caps on the power play, Erskine takes the puck and begins to move it out of the Caps’ zone. All four other players (you can probably guess who they were) break for the Rangers blue line. When the young guns are all between the red line and the Rangers blue line, and Erskine has just crossed the Caps’ blue line moving up the left side, Gaborik cuts across center and puts a little pressure on him. Erskine gets a little off balance. That’s unfortunate, but it happens all the time.
Erskine’s next action, though, is totally inexplicable. The smart thing to do is to send the puck up the ice along the boards. Maybe it’s a turnover, but that’s not so bad. Instead, Erskine centers the puck across the Caps’ blue line to ABSOLUTELY NOBODY. Nobody, but Gaborik, that is. Who gets the easiest breakaway of his life. I don’t care how infrequently Erskine plays the PP, he has to know that he’s the only guy back in that situation. A brain fart of the highest magnitude. Far, far worse than an injured Jeff Schultz blowing a tire. I can’t stress strongly enough the key element that the TV can’t show — exactly how far away every single Caps player was from the puck that Erskine sent across the ice. It was embarrassing.
Mike Green was fine today. His tracking radar is still off, so he still isn’t hitting the net with any shots. But that’ll come. Otherwise, he was unexceptional (in neither the good nor the bad ways). He cheats the play a lot. It’s risky. It generates more Caps goals than it costs them. That’s his game. But I can’t question his judgment on any particular plays. Erskine definitely made him look worse, though. Erskine just could not keep up.
Boudreau has challenged last year’s Bears to force him to put them on the Caps’ roster. One player really stood out and is doing exactly the things Boudreau said would earn him a roster spot — Tyler Sloan. I’m officially a Sloan believer right now. He was steady, solid, and reliable. It made me feel good to see him out there. Juice also had a nice game, although I think some of Juice’s good stats can be attributed to Sloan’s steadiness. To my eyes, Sloan was the better player on that pairing.
Alzner looked like he was thinking too much. He took a bad penalty after getting out of position and diving for a shot block (the shot never came) when his stick tripped a player up. He was out of position some, and just generally didn’t look comfortable. He doesn’t belong on this team right now. Thank goodness his pairing mate played as solid a game as you could have asked for. A veteran game. Good patience, good judgment, a couple of big hits and a lot of calm, steady presence. That paring mate was Jeff Schultz, and he played perhaps the best game as I’ve seen him play. Schultz may have passed Poti in my mental depth chart today (a testament to Poti’s poor preseason as well as Schultz’s continuing development). One of the stories of the game in my mind was Schultz playing exactly the way everyone has wanted him to for the last few years.
I predict the Caps open the season with 13 forwards (12 really, since Nylander won’t play) and 8 D. The team rotates Green, Schultz, Poti, Pothier, ShaMo, Juice and Sloan, with Erskine a healthy scratch. That lasts exactly as long as it takes GMGM to trade a player or two.
Theo was very solid. I can’t blame him for any goals. I think the 3rd goal looks worse in slo-mo — it really was a bang-bang play, with the puck coming from behind the net through traffic to the waiting player right on the doorstep. And he had no chance on the Gaborik goals.
Aucoin did his thing today and he did it well. I still think there’s a place for him in the NHL, but it may not be the Caps. Still, the guy can finish, he plays with a lot of energy, he’s got good vision and good hands. I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the Caps’ power play, and maybe on a line with Morrison and either Semin or Knuble.
If Jay Beagle doesn’t make the roster, it won’t be because he didn’t work hard enough. He had a couple of great forechecking sequences and was demonstrably playing his guts out. Sorry Bourque lobby, but Beagle has been the better player. I think Aucoin and Laing have probably claimed the two roster spots that are available, but Beagle is my close #3. I think Bourque and Giroux are a ways behind them.
It was fun to see hockey in New York. Tomorrow’s 7:30 AM flight, with me still on Pacific time, less fun.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 12:11 AM EDT reply actions 9 recs
Thanks for the report, glad you had fun, and let me warmly welcome you to the Tyler Sloan fan club!
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I swore it was D’ohboy.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jesus, God.
I think the third goal looks worse in slow-mo, but I still don’t think there is any excuse for Theo not being square to the puck. He has to do something to protect the mouth of the net there.
I agree Schultz and Sloan were great; I also think Erskine was better than you seem to think (but I didn’t see the full rink view of goal 1). Erskine isn’t realistically going to play PP or with Green on the regular season so if that was the extent of his failure I can live with it. I thought he did well what he will be asked to do in the regular season.
Tough words for AO, but I can’t say they are undeserved and I didn’t see him wandering nearly as well as you did.
In defense of Brash I’m not convinced he accepted the 2nd fight out of a sense of his own pride. Sugden dropped his gloves way early and when Brash realized half of me thinks he just dropped ’em to stop the kid from looking like a fool. I think it was an awkward situation all around, but still bad timing.
Perreault is higher than Giroux on the depth chart.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
From Corey:
Theodore said he was hugging the near post to prevent a Dubinksy chance, and when he slid across Higgins miss-hit the puck and it trickled past him.
Yup. That’s how I saw it too. Theo had to protect the post. Higgins was Steckel’s man. I can’t blame that goal on Theo.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand the hugging the post thing but he should still stay square when he slides laterally and allow his pads to cover the bottom half of the net, IMO. Zephyr is probably a better authority.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So it was Erskine who passed it right to Gaborik. I wasn’t paying full attention and didn’t catch who it was since it was the start of the period, I was talking to some other Caps fans and it seemed like an innocuous play, but it doesn’t exactly take a keen hockey eye to notice that atrocious play. It was the perfect breakaway pass…to the wrong team. Unfortunate, since I thought Erskine played a good game otherwise and even did some good things with the puck moving it out of the zone.
Otherwise I largely agree with this post. And man is Brashear on a short leash with the Rags fans. The loudest the building got aside from goals was booing Brash.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 25, 2009 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, maybe it’s just shifting from watching games on TV to seeing one live, but Erskine just looked really slow out there to me. Maybe everyone else is used to it, but it came as a shock. In comparison, Schultz didn’t look slow to me — he looked patient and in control.
It doesn’t help Erskine that he spent most of the game out there with the young guns. Ain’t nobody gonna look fast in relation to those four flying around everywhere.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 5:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, Erskine is slow, but he’s good at what he does. Being Green’s partner is not what he does, nor is taking a regular PP shift.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 25, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly.
Erskine looks best when he has a specific person to detail; even better, when his job is to pester the Pest, causing Pest to lose his cool and flail about like a two year old.
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shouldn’t we be asking “WTF?” of Boudreau for putting Erskine in such a predicament? Normally you put people in a position to succeed; the power play doesn’t seem to me like that sort of position. Not that I want BB’s head on a pike, far from it, but I don’t know if putting someone in that position makes any sense whatsoever unless Ersky ASKED the coach if he could get some PP time?
Flame on, fellow Rinkers… : ]
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Sep 25, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
honestly, I don’t pretend to understand 90% of what goes on in Bruce’s head. But it works most of the time, so I just say “There’s a reason he won the Jack Adams and I’m stuck in the oh-so-exciting field of corporate governance!”
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, it’s pre-season. Gotta assume there’s something he wants to see, even if he knows it probably won’t work. If he does it for real, then we scream.
by gfcaps fan on Sep 25, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brads has gotten PP time as well. I think BB likes to use meaningless PP time as a reward to some of the guys that work hard but will never see real PP time.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brads got PP time in game 5 if the Rangers series because BB wanted to give him the chance for a hattie.
Erskine said at some point last season that the last time he was out on the ice for the PP was in juniors, when his coach was so furious with the poor play of the PP units that he sent out the grinders. I found that amusing for some reason.
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Erskine said at some point last season that the last time he was out on the ice for the PP was in juniors, when his coach was so furious with the poor play of the PP units that he sent out the grinders.
That anecdote was relating to the last time Erskine had played forward, not the last time he’d be on the powerplay.
by David M. Getz on Sep 25, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah, sorry. do you have the link to it handy by any chance? (clearly, my memory is failing me)
by RedBirdie on Sep 25, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was steady, solid, and reliable.
The reasons I’ve loved Sloan from that first game I saw him in last season. There’s always something to be said for the D-man who just gets the job done without any sort of fanfare.
On to continue my search for internet on a remote island at 7 am next Friday morning.
by SeattleCapsFan on Sep 25, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The funny thing about Brash is that you’d never know that he’d done anything stupid – the commentators mentioned about Torts going up to him and demonstrably patting him on the back after the 2nd bout with Sugden.
May I take another moment to say what godawful commentating that was last night?
I thought it was especially ridiculous when whichever one of them it was adamant in the suspension of AO if he went to Sochi. He then quickly shut up when one of the others said, “Even so, you think the Washington Capitals are going to let him go?”
I’m glad we only have to watch one more Internet away broadcast. And I also firmly believe that we should make sure Ted gets off his ass and gets us televised preseason games next year.
by DrinkingPartner on Sep 25, 2009 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I predict the Caps open the season with 13 forwards (12 really, since Nylander won’t play) and 8 D. The team rotates Green, Schultz, Poti, Pothier, ShaMo, Juice and Sloan, with Erskine a healthy scratch. That lasts exactly as long as it takes GMGM to trade a player or two.
I’ve seen this formulation in a number of places (it also applies to Nylander). I’ve used it myself. But the question is — what is the return, and does it: a) still leave a roster log jam (e.g., you’d still have to send someone down or try to pass them through waivers), or b) still leave you hard up against the cap?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Sep 25, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Bourque lobby accepts your apology, and agrees insofar as Beagle has had the better preseason.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Sep 25, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
where is BMo?
Why isn’t Brendan Morrison playing in these games? Is he hurt? Or do Bruce and GMGM think it’s more important to clear out the questions with regard to the Hershey guys than to play BMo? Isn’t he gonna need time/games, to get comfortable with his linemates and his role? Or is BMo such a consumate pro that he won’t need all that much time to acclimate? That he can plug right in and be ready at the gun?
by Uncle C on Sep 25, 2009 6:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
For those of us that can’t read Twitter at work: What?
by Sct112 on Sep 25, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Also, Brendan Morrison has been held out with a sore neck stemming from the hit in Buffalo. Boudreau also said Bourque will practice Sat.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you kindly sir. The damn security folks at work… just killing me.
by Sct112 on Sep 25, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s also in today’s link roundup for your dining and dancing pleasure.
"Hey friend, an avatar makes you more personable, friendly. Have I mentioned we serve cigars and flavored vodka?"
by Bald Pollack on Sep 25, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Posting from the plane. I love Virgin…
One thing I forgot (yes, I actually did leave something out): with apologies to sparkly, the power play was scratch-out-your-eyes on several occasions. There were two sequences of about a minute each where everything was clicking and it looked like the power play we all love. But there were also two terrible lapses. I already went at length about Erskine’s, but Ovi had one that was just as bad.
Playing point at the center of the blue line, Ovechkin fumbled a pass (looked like he was trying to get cute to me). At that point he’s off balance and needs to protect the puck and just get rid of it. If he dumps in the corner, it’s a minor turnover, no big deal. Instead he tries something cute again and whiffs. Rangers defender steals the puck, and it’s your classic turnover at the blue line — it’s off to the races. Ovi hustles behind and barely gets there in time to break up the breakaway with a slash. Bad way to end the power play.
On a positive note, the second power play (Aucoin, Giroux, Clark, Schultz and Sloan) looked pretty good. Schultz actually had a very nice shift as the power play quarterback. Still waters run deep.
I’d like to see more two defenseman sets on the power play. I’d like to see fewer shorthanded breakaways.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 8:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The PP was great against a PK that sat back (Chicago) and let them do their thing. A PK that is aggressive (Buffalo/NYR) and makes these guys make the smart, quick pass rather than the pretty pass has given them trouble this preseason.
That said, this team’s PP is probably the least of my worries going into the season.
by Sct112 on Sep 25, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forgot the worst thing about Ovechkin’s play — after he broke up the breakaway, he slid HARD into Theo. Terrible judgment. The worst thing you can do in a preseason game is injure a teammate.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s two Caps goaltenders thus far in preseaon. Not good, Ovie.
Not good.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 25, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently he’s trying to ensure that his fellow countryman gets that #1 job…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That crossed my mind the day he sliced Neuvy but I didn’t dare post on account it’s too preposterous.
Unless I just got Cled in which case, well played, JP.
IS PAĐŻTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Sep 25, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that was just standard everyday wry humor. Cled would have been like “WTF was Josaay doing getting in Ovechkin’s way anyway? One guy’s the franchise player and the other is a washed up old sad gollie — it’s pretty obvious who needs to get out of the way on that play”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d like to see more two defenseman sets on the power play. I’d like to see fewer shorthanded breakaways.
For a change, anyway.
"Sometimes life leads a $100 bill on your dresser, and you don't realize until later that it's because it screwed you."
by Bald Pollack on Sep 25, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The first goal last night had me rolling my eyes. NHL goaltenders make those saves. That five-hole goal was the equivalent of a Mite goalie letting a bouncing puck elude him and end up in the net.
I can’t see, other than the money he’s being paid, how JT60 keeps his #1 job if he plays like he did last night. If SV40 stays healthy he’ll have that job by the All-Star break. How can you say he was solid after seeing that first goal?
01-20-13...the end of an error
by hotdog88gt on Sep 25, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Because he was solid, for the most part. Had some great stops on a PK in the third. If he gives up two goals through 55+ minutes, he’s given his team a chance to win. Like I implied, he didn’t make the big save when the team needed it. But he didn’t get shelled and couldn’t be faulted on the second goal. Solid.
And there’s no All-Star Break this season, chief.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess “Chief” is better than “buddy” or “pal”.
01-20-13...the end of an error
by hotdog88gt on Sep 25, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a much more prestigious rank.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 25, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not your buddy, guy!
Also, why no All-Star break? Is it because of Vancouver?
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Sep 25, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marian Gaborik on a breakaway with no defender within 20 feet, is “like a Mite goalie letting a bouncing puck elude him and end up in the net”? Um, OK.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 25, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry about that. It was Gaborik with the puck. Me solly.
01-20-13...the end of an error
by hotdog88gt on Sep 25, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I mean it’s not like Gaborik is one of the best goal scorers in the league. Oh, wait…
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 25, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be honest, if Theo bought his pads after 2001 he shouldn’t have a 5 hole at all. Completely Theo’s fault.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 25, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 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.
