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How Donald Brashear Thinks Donald Brashear Saved The Caps Season

via N.Y. Daily News

Lost in this morning's story about Donald Brashear's less-than-warm reception from the fans of his new team was The Donald's perception of his role in saving the Caps' season. Asked about whether his controversial hit on Blair Betts in Game 6 changed the course of the series, Brashear responded:

"It did. It certainly gave our team some wings," Brashear [said]. "In the playoffs, you want to get that extra edge, and sometimes it's things like that that make a difference. That extra spark got the guys going on the bench."

Ted Starkey's reaction is spot-on: "Of course, with the Capitals tied at 1-1 in Game 6 and facing elimination when the hit happened and the Rangers buzzing around Semyon Varlamov, a five-minute major could have spelled the end of Washington's season." (Hey, a 12.9% chance is still a chance...)

But that's not what happened, and the Caps would go on to win Game 6 (thanks in no small part to the two power play goals scored in the absence of the Rangers' best penalty killing forward) and take the series two nights later. Let's be clear, though - the Caps got lucky and, if anything, it was the injury and not the hit itself from which they benefited, no matter how Brash spins it retrospectively (history's written by the winners, right?).

Anyway, it's just another reminder of what kind of risk you're running and the potential rewards to be gained (ill-gotten or otherwise) when you give a player like that a sweater in a key game. Going forward, the Caps look to play less roulette... though perhaps more Russians.

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Break out the MS paint!

"You know you're an alcoholic when the bartender knows your name - and you've never been to that bar before."

by Bald Pollack on Sep 3, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

That was my first thought too. As far as the hit I’m with J.P.; it helped more that Betts was out of the lineup than any momentum swing that came from the check.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 3, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hockey isn’t played frame-by-frame!

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 3, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

just a touch high-handed.

from the house that Red Jesus built

by bigonetimer on Sep 3, 2009 11:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Whatever makes him feel better.

Comment first, think second, read third.

by zephyr on Sep 3, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Is he trying to get booed out of NY? Why would you make that comment when the loser is your new team?

by Sct112 on Sep 4, 2009 7:59 AM EDT reply actions  

Guess his point is “I may not score goals, but I’m a game-changer you want on your side.”

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Sep 4, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

Well he also threatened to fight the STHs in the meeting so that wasn’t even the most antagonistic comment he made.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 4, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

All due respect to Brashear, I like my metaphors with Monster.

"You know you're an alcoholic when the bartender knows your name - and you've never been to that bar before."

by Bald Pollack on Sep 4, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

I like it.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 4, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

This will be an interesting season for the Rangers.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Sep 4, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions  

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