Capital Ups and Downs: Week 16
by J.P. on Jan 18, 2010 11:00 AM EST
in Capitals Ups and Downs
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PrintOur weekly look at individual Washington Capitals' ups and downs:
| Goalies | Trend | Notes |
| Michal Neuvirth |  |
Two starts, zero finishes, a 9.64 GAA and a .733 save percentage are flat-out ugly stats for the kid |
| Jose Theodore |  |
3-1-0/2.15/.929 in two starts and two relief appearances; in other words, steady when the Caps have needed him to be. |
| Semyon Varlamov |  |
Eighteen games and counting... buh-bye, Calder. |
| Defensemen | ||
| John Carlson | |
Plus-four in two games since being recalled is impressive, even if one of those pluses was a cheapie. |
| John Erskine | |
Missed all four games in a week in which the Caps had five fighting majors, more than one-third of their season total. |
| Mike Green |  |
On the ice for 12 of the 15 goals the Caps allowed for the week and 11 of the 19 goals they scored, racking up two goals and five assists along the way, Green now has points in eight consecutive games and in twelve of his last thirteen. I'd buy an up arrow, I'd buy a down arrow... so he gets a "no change." |
| Shaone Morrisonn | |
Brutal start to the week (on the ice for all seven goals against in Tampa), Mo's instigator and fight in defense of Green was the best thing he's done in weeks, and following it up with a plus-two against Philly wasn't bad either. |
| Brian Pothier | |
Mystery injury following the Florida game in which he scored his first goal since mid-November. |
| Tom Poti | |
One goal, one assist, plus-four for the week, including a plus-two in the 7-4 loss in Tampa. |
| Jeff Schultz | |
Plus-four for the week. Ho-hum. |
| Swingman | ||
| Tyler Sloan | |
Played in all four games for the week, and seemed to get better with each one. |
| Forwards | ||
| Nicklas Backstrom | |
When one goal and three assists is a quiet week, you've set the bar pretty high. |
| Matt Bradley |  |
The coveted Purple Heart for his heroics in Tampa. |
| Jason Chimera | |
With a goal, three assists, two fights and a plus-three rating (and a Gordie Howe Hat Trick), he's certainly starting to fit in rather nicely in D.C. |
| Eric Fehr | |
Two goals and a plus-four rating on a third-line that's gellin'. |
| Tomas Fleischmann | |
One goal, two assists, an even rating, four shots on goal and just 42.2% in the faceoff circle might not deserve an up arrow, but his shootout game-winner against Florida gets him there. |
| Boyd Gordon | |
Won just 25% of his draws on the week and was minus-one in three games. |
| Mike Knuble | |
Had a tough go of it in the Sunshine State, but rebounded with three goals in two games over the weekend. |
| Brooks Laich | |
Had a clutch shootout tally against the Kitties and busted out in a big way against Philly on Sunday with as many goals as he'd scored in his previous 19 games (adding an assist, to boot). |
| Quintin Laing | |
One game, eight shifts, no stats of note. |
| Brendan Morrison | |
Two assists and a plus-five rating for the week, but no shots on goal for a guy who is looking more like a decent third-line center - and not a top-six pivot - all the time. |
| Alex Ovechkin | |
Three goals, seven assists and nearly a fight for the League-leader in plus-minus, who hasn't scored a power-play goal since December 23. |
| Alexander Semin | |
Two goals, five assists and a plus-four rating keep Sasha on a roll (six goals, five assists in his last seven games), but that nagging wrist injury doesn't seem to be getting any better. |
| David Steckel | |
When you dance with the League's fighting major leader for your third NHL fight (and first in nearly two years), you get a Purple Heart. |
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Comments
I take issue with more of the “heriocs” angle on Bradley in Tampa. He didn’t exactly step in and take a beatdown from Boogaard. No, you can’t hate on his intent. I would have preferred, even enjoyed to see Ovie get that random fight out of his system.
Don’t give me any biz about “not paying him to fight”. It’s going to happen once in a great while. 87 doesn’t get paid to fight either. I already feel gross bringing him into the comparison. :-)
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
And what if Ovechkin fractures his hand or wrist? No way EVER the Caps want Ovechkin to fight, especially against a guy who is a known fighter. I’m sure the Pens don’t want Crosby doing it either but Crosby’s fight this year was against Zidlicky, not Steve Downie. Last year he fought MacLean of Florida, another non-fighter.
by Ed F - WNST on Jan 18, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’m fucking tired of the “What if Ovechkin Fractures his hand or wrist?” argument. I’d rather him break his hand on a fluke fight than bust his knee on a routine hit where someone’s ducking out of the way.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 18, 2010 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Personally, I’d rather he didn’t do either…
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Jan 18, 2010 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Duh, but which one happens more often?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 18, 2010 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Lecavalier broke his hand fighting. TBL wasn’t very happy about it.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
That didn’t really answer my question at all.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Well it’s an empirical question, I’m just providing a poignant example. How often do knees get blown out?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Probably about as often, but you see injuries on hits once every few nights. Very much rarer from fights.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
But fights happen a lot less often. There have been thousands of hits in the NHL this year versus fewer than one thousand fights. Even if more injuries occur on hits, if I’m trying to avoid getting a guy hurt and I have the choice between him giving or taking a clean hit or getting in a fight, I pick the former.
I don’t necessarily disagree, I just think it’s really stupid to say “Never fight because there’s a chance of injury” when really situation will dictate behavior.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
And Crosby fought Ballard, another non-enforcer. I agree that AO shouldn’t fight Downie, but disagree that he shouldn’t EVER fight. AO should put the league on notice at some point, but not with an established fighter.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I fully support this.
Partly because I think Oveckin will absolutely beat the snot out of someone someday, and I will be entertained. When you think about his center of balance, his reach, his strength…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 18, 2010 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
There is an outside chance that Bradley saved the season, literally… and he intervened not a second too soon.
Double Purple heart
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Jan 18, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
Bush said “outside chance”. Ed said “what if”.
Don’t get me wrong. A small part of me was disappointed that we didn’t get to see Ovi fight. He COULD have taken Downie, but he also could have slipped given his inexperience in fighting, and who’s to say Downie follows the code and doesn’t throw cheap shots when Ovi is vulnerable?
The small part of me that was disapointed that Ovi didn’t fight was quickly replaced by a fist pumping yell for Matt Bradley. Brads did the right thing.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 18, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions
Nobody’s to say Downie would have followed the code. He’s a maniac.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I agree with this, but I’ve said before, There’s a bigger chance of him getting hurt on a huge hit that he lines up than in a fight. Also, with the position of the team currently, if Ovechkin does get injured, we sit him out for a while. Also, someone that athletic and how much he talked to Brashear probably knows how to throw a punch without hurting himself.
How often do players actually get their hands/wrists/fingers hurt in fights? I think I’ve heard of it happening maybe twice.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 18, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
I honestly wouldn’t have cared if Alex fought Downie. I just take any opportunity that presents itself to soil Downie’s name.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
related
http://deadspin.com/5165024/young-steve-downies-crazy-head
Not saying having your dad die in a car crash while driving you to hockey practice when you’re 7 is an excuse, but I did have a little sympathy when I read that last year.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 18, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve seen him try to kill a guy on the ice. No excuses for that.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
agreed.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 18, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
But how often do you look for it? Broken hands in fights are really not that rare; not as rare as you make it out to be. But usually it’s just goons so it’s not even worth your attention. How often do knees get blown out? AO has hurt himself once throwing a hit, and he didn’t even miss any games due to injury.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
No, but Ovechkin’s either been really lucky, or he’s super human. He doesn’t seem to get hurt on some plays where you think he should be.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
So let’s test the limit and let him punch helmets, skulls, or get punched in the face?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Broken hands in fights are really not that rare; not as rare as you make it out to be.
And it’s not just broken hands. Didn’t Brash hurt his knee last year in a fight that kept him out for weeks? There are a thousand reasons you don’t want AO fighting good fighters. Broken bones, concussions and twisted knees are just a few of them.
Erskine’s not and look how long he was out last year after taking a solid right. The point is that unless you really know what you’re doing, lots of bad stuff can happen in a fight. Ovie’s a beast, but Downie is an experienced fighter and unless AO has been working out at home, my guess is he’s had little experience in swapping punches. He’ll eventually get into a fight, but his first real one shouldn’t be with a guy like Downie.
I’ve been saying that since it happened. I’m just saying we shouldn’t be soccer moms about Ovie fighting.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
That’s what I said – and the knee was not really a direct result of the fight, other than he got his foot in the wrong place and was trying to get his footing back when he got suckerpunched in the face… so yeah. Accidents can happen in fights too easily, and an experienced fighter like Downie is not a good first opponent for Ovechkin to take on!
I need a snappy signature...
Jason Blake
says Downie won’t follow the code, for sure.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I’m not saying Brads didn’t do the right thing. I’m just saying that if Ovechkin was on the ice with Backstrom and Semin, with Green and Schultz at D, who’s going to run in and defend him?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 18, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
He couldn’t make the skate as fast as Brads, and he’d have just awkwardly tackled Downie.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 18, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d for awesomeness.
"If you want money go to the bank, if you want bread go to the bakery if you want goals go to the net." - #21
by snakegriffin on Jan 18, 2010 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
You’d best watch out for Mr. Nasty
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 18, 2010 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
BONGO TIME!
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
What if someone blows up a plane today?
Outside chance we get hid by a gamma ray burst in the next 100 years.
Ovie is eventually going to have to fight once or twice. May as well get it out of the way now and not in March.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
I’ll tag along by saying if you’re not willing to let your captain defend himself, what happens if Semin’s getting pounded on with the lines as stated before? Are you going to let Ovechkin defend Semin?
If you’re not willing to let your captain defend himself in some situations, why is he your captain?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
by Whiter Mage on Jan 18, 2010 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
If we get hit by a gamma ray burst, then Ovechkin won’t ever have to fight.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 18, 2010 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
Pfff.
I would’ve LOVED to see OV fight Clownie… but Russian Machine isn’t used to punching… what if he broke his hand? Outside chance, of course, but cmon, let’s look at it from a risk/reward point of view…
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Jan 18, 2010 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
How many times can I say outside chance?
If it’s a 1 in a 1000 chance, that’s a .1% chance we lose the heart of our team and don’t advance more than 1 round into the playoffs. In return we get… to see OV fight some idiot. Maybe it’s worth it for entertainment, but not on paper.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Jan 18, 2010 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
He’s going to HAVE TO fight (at least one time) in this league, eventually, or he will be looked down upon. Reality.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
Didn’t he take fighting lessons from Brash last season?
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
He has had a fight. I think Mike Richards.
That’s the kind of guy he can fight with (and it wasn’t much of a fight).
I’m firmly in the “don’t fight” camp. Bradley did the right thing, and in the situation where Bradley isn’t on the ice and some dummy is trying to start with AO, well, we’ll deal with that when we get to it.
There is no margin in AO fighting. Frankly, I’m having a hard time understanding how this is even an issue.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Agreed. And I’m also not sure about the “he’s going to HAVE TO fight (at least one time)” mindset – not anymore. The game has changed; whether it’s the salary cap rendering actual enforcers kind of useless or the new rules or whatever you want to chalk it up to, fighting just no longer seems like a way guys have to “prove” themselves to be considered men or respected in this league.
I don’t think people would respect Crosby any less if he hadn’t had those little fights (against guys w/ the same level of skill, mind you) – and you can be damn sure if it was Crosby lining up against Downie, someone would have stopped that, too. Ovie’s shown time and time again that he’s not afraid to fight – I’m thankful that he’s never actually had to do it.
In the regular season. That Richards tilt was preseason and not pretty :P
If you play a physical game and on the edge, you’re going to be challenged to fights along the way.
If you don’t take one of the comers, or worse yet, if Bradley or the like keeps coming to unnecessarily save the day, you look like a fraud. Maybe not to everyone, but to some. I think you can accomplish what you need to without hurting yourself.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
How many times did Lemieux fight? Was he short of respect? I don’t think so.
I’m not buying that you have to fight to make your bones in the NHL; at least, if you can do other things, like score, pass, hit and take a hit.
Don Cherry may thing so, but he is a dinosaur.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Like I said elsewhere, I can kind of see both sides. I’d like to see AO fight once for the same reason I wanted to see Stretch play – because it’d be cool and to see what he can do, and because it makes a good story. But like with wanting to see Stretch play, I see where it’s not in the best interests of the team or the franchise for him to do so, and Brads did the right thing for the situation IMO.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
by gotsparkly on Jan 18, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Buhh.. what? I’d much rather fight Boogaard than Downie. Boogaard is gigantic, sure, but Downie is homicidal.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Exactly. Great that Ovie’s willing, and maybe we get to see him go eventually. But it would have been foolish to let him fight someone that’s legitimately insane. Brads is a hero for that.
by brs03 on Jan 18, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Respectfully disagree. I’m not saying you NEVER let Ovie fight his own battles…but not against a guy like Downie. Bradley 100% did exactly what he was supposed to do there, penalties be damned. I give Ovie a lot of credit, because he was ready to throw down—but there’s no way his team mates should allow that fight to happen; good for Brads for stepping in. Just my 2¢.
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 18, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
We’ve seen Ovechkin come to the defense of his teammates in scrums before without having to fight. He’s just bearhugged guys and that has worked given Ovie’s size and strength. But remember Ovechkin’s injury this year came in the scrum with Columbus so to dismiss or discount the risk of an injury in a fight or scrum doesn’t add up.
I will leave you all with the following:
Jarome Iginla fights and can fight. However, I know for a fact that the Calgary Flames don’t want Iginla fighting because of the risk of injury whether it be hand, wrist, shoulder, etc. Iginla got hurt a several years ago in a fight down the stretch and it hurt the Flames for the post season. They have talked to him about not doing it but sometimes things just happen in the heat of the moment. Some day it will happen with Ovie, but you can bet every dollar in your wallet that Leonsis, Patrick, McPhee, and Bruce don’t want him dropping the gloves and fighting because of the risks involved.
by Ed F - WNST on Jan 18, 2010 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I tend to agree with both sides a little and disagree a little. Seeing Ovi fight would satisfy my curiosity, absolutely. I’d like to see him do it once just to see what would happen, because it’d probably be all kinds of awesome. But then, I wanted Stretch to get some ice time in his one trip to the bench last season, to satisfy my curiosity and because it’d just be cool.
Do I think either scenario is in the best interest of the franchise and the team? No. Certainly Ovi shouldn’t be fighting on any kind of a regular basis. But dammit, I want to see it anyway because it’d be cool.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
it’d be cool.
No it wouldn’t. It would be stupid.
Most likely nothing horrible comes of it, but the only things that can happen are bad things.
Why take the chance?
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
I’m kind of tired of the soccer mom mentality that “Something Bad Might Happen.”
Statistically, he’s far more likely to get hurt on any of the hits he throws or receives. This is a silly argument.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
It is a silly argument.
And the point is not that something bad might happen, it’s that the only things that can happen are bad.
Finally, I’d like to see the statistics on the injury potentiality of hits v. fights.
Peace.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
I agree with you from the beginning that it’s not the best of ideas, but I’ve said that once he drops the gloves, you have to let him defend himself. Non-superficial injuries from fights are EXTREMELY rare. I’m not saying I want Ovechkin out there fighting every goon who touches him. I’m saying that at some point, I have no problem or objection to him defending himself, and frankly, I think some good could come out of it, because if Ovechkin does drop and throw with someone, a good chunk of a country up north and a lot of detractors will shut the fuck up. Do I even really care about that? No. I just think it’s dumb to say “HAY DON’T FIGHT OVIE YOU MIGHT GET HURT”
We don’t tell him to stop hitting because he might get hurt, and seriously, tell me, when was the last time you heard someone got hurt during a hockey fight? I’ll show you a grocery list of injuries on hits that have happened since.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Further to this argument, there’ve been 858 fighting majors in the NHL this year (from Hockeyfights.com). How many have resulted in injuries? I think maybe three or four, but I can’t get a confirmation from any sites yet (though I’ll keep looking). Obviously, there are far more hits in the NHL, with Clutterbuck currently leading the way with 188. As a result, there are far more injuries from collisions. Statistically was the wrong word to choose, but I’d argue that a fight is safer from non-superficial injuries than a collision in the corner. If players toss helmets aside, the odds further go down. A bad collision can end a career. A loss in a fight might result in a mild concussion, or a broken bone in your hand, far worse. In the long run, I don’t mind it, as long as it’s not something we end up seeing every day. 1-2 fights a season from Ovechkin, I can stomach.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
How many bad collisions can you think of that ended careers? Maybe a series of bad collisions, like Lindros or Neely, but one hit ending a career? No. Nick Kypreos still has post-concussion issues from the fight that immediately ended his career.
And as far as your characterization that the fight injuries are superficial, most of the guys we’re talking about barely play any hockey, so even if they are hurt it doesn’t come out. They are tough as nails and the injuries are usually to their hands. I can recall (in addition to Iginla and Lecavalier) several fighters who had metal plates put in their hands because of fights. Nobody cares because they are goons, but if AO needed a plate in his hand… bad news.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I didn’t say all injuries were superficial. I said most injuries are (Cuts, bruises, yadda). Yeah, some guys hurt their hands, but I don’t see that very often. I can’t even remember the last time I saw it.
As far as collisions go, I remember Pat Peake’s career getting ended on a hit, for the most part, and Steve Moore, though a cheap shot, also comes to mind.
Peake’s was a fluke, but there’ve been others. Steve Moore’s was a cheap shot, and I don’t remember specifics, but if Bertuzzi offered Moore a fight, and Moore had accepted, would the cheap shot have happened? Frankly, it’s kind of not worth discussing, because we don’t know, and Bertuzzi’s a moron. But I would rather Ovechkin get hurt from a fight than a cheap shot.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Steve Ott broke his hand fighting last year. Cam Janssen has broken his hand fighting. Beauchemin broke his hand fighting a few years back. It happens at least once a year, but it’s normally guys you don’t care about.
The Moore incident is just not applicable, and the fact that you have to go back to Pat Peake goes a long way in proving my point.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
A broken hand isn’t a career ending injury. It sucks, there’s a lot of rehab, but no, it’s not career ending. I’m not a fan of Ovechkin fighting that often, but again, I don’t have a problem with a few.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
No, it’s not career-ending, but it will take you out for a significant amount of time (varying depending on which bone(s) are broken) and AO wouldn’t be the same until next season.
It’s kinda silly because both of us would like to see AO fight at some point, I’m just pushing back at your assertion that hitting is as or more dangerous than fighting. That’s not true. Fighting is definitely dangerous, even if these guys manage to not get injured very often. A lot of that has to do with how good they are at defending themselves as well, and without the fighting experience I’m not confident that AO can defend himself adequately against experienced fighters.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Which, I’m not suggesting he fight experienced guys, just that I think we’re all too afraid of something like fighting, where it’s not really that much more dangerous than playing. Yeah, it’s an addendum of risk, but it’s not really as dangerous as some people make it sound.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
I think we’re all arguing two sides of the same point.
Yes, Ovechkin should occasionally fight his own battles.
But, FFS please, NOT against Steve Downie!
I need a snappy signature...
Yeah...
…if he didn’t put our captain in the hospital for a week with a concussion…
I need a snappy signature...
How many bad collisions can you think of that ended careers?
pierre turgeon?
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 19, 2010 9:10 AM EST up reply actions
Which one ended his career? I kinda got old and thought he just faded away.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
if you ask fans in montreal, he was never the same after hunter in 1993.
by Natty Bumppo on Jan 19, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t ask fans in Montreal anything about a French player. He played for like another decade and had some real good years. If you ask anyone that ever watched him they’ll tell you he was a soft player from day 1. I’d never justify what Hunter did, but that was most certainly not a career ending hit. Ulf on Neely is a much better example.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Assuming the odds of someone getting hurt throwing or receiving a check are lower than the odds of someone getting hurt in a fight (something I doubt) it’s the case that the odds of Ovechkin getting hurt are higher if he’s fighting versus if he’s not. Given that the Capitals have a very strong interest in Ovechkin not being hurt, it hardly seems worth it to risk it unless there’s some benefit to the team. In most cases, that benefit’s very, very small.
I’m saying that at some point, I have no problem or objection to him defending himself, and frankly, I think some good could come out of it, because if Ovechkin does drop and throw with someone, a good chunk of a country up north and a lot of detractors will shut the fuck up.
But I don’t care what anyone pundit thinks of Ovechkin, I care about the Capitals winning games. If he’s going to do something to prove a point that might hurt the Caps’ ability to win games, I don’t want him to do it.
No. I just think it’s dumb to say "HAY DON’T FIGHT OVIE YOU MIGHT GET HURT"
We don’t tell him to stop hitting because he might get hurt
No, but the difference is that hitting is a part of the game that’s going to help him win games.
seriously, tell me, when was the last time you heard someone got hurt during a hockey fight? I’ll show you a grocery list of injuries on hits that have happened since.
Aggregate totals aren’t the issue, frequency is.
Statistically, he’s far more likely to get hurt on any of the hits he throws or receives.
Based on what evidence? There are far more hits per game and guys are almost never hurt on them. Sure, fights don’t usually result in injuries but it seems at least plausible (and logical) that on a per-incident basis fights are more dangerous. Plus, I’m pretty damn well sure you don’t have the stats to back that claim.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I admitted above, F&B, that statistically wasn’t the best word to use, and I did try to find the stats, but I don’t have the time today to do it. I’ll make a fanpost later about it. Also, I’m pretty sure they’re roughly even. My post above best answers all of it.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Yeah, pre-mature commenting. Didn’t read your white flag. I’ll save my powder for your FanPost.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I was pretty sure Iginla had also been hurt fighting but didn’t want to throw it out there. I know TBL was pissed when Lecavalier broke his hand as well. Moral of the story? NO team wants their stud fighting, but if the guy wants to fight, at some point there’s nothing you can do to stop him.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Not to mention...
Brashear, last season, blew out his knee in a fight when he lost his footing and went down awkwardly.
Throwing a punch or being hit in the face is not the only way you can be hurt fighting.
I need a snappy signature...
Oof. That is gruesome. Makes me laugh at the people that want players to remove helmets to fight. I understand how it makes sense to protect your hands, but isn’t it more important to protect your dome?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
And even more...
You get an extra penalty if you fight with a face shield.
Seriously! It’s an unsportsmanlike conduct.
I need a snappy signature...
True...
47.6 Face Protection – If a player penalized as an instigator of an altercation is wearing a face shield (including a goalkeeper), he shall be assessed an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Should the player (including a goalkeeper) who instigates the fight be wearing a face shield, but removes it before instigating the altercation, the additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty shall not apply.
I need a snappy signature...
And, if I remember correctly, he did not play for the rest of the regular season. We saw other people in the lineup, like Keith Aucoin. I was beginning to think that Brash’s days with the Caps were numbered.
And the suspension during the playoffs was the final blow.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I don’t think the injury really hurt Brashear’s playing time so much as his play did.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
The injury didn’t help; he missed several games due to that injury. My point isn’t so much that it was Brashear that it was that you can be hurt in fighting due to a fluke accident as easily as due to punching someone in the face…
I need a snappy signature...
You have a $124 million asset. Want him fighting?
You have a Lamborghini. Want to use it to haul mulch? You could, but it wouldn’t be what you made the investment for.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 18, 2010 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t see how you can make this comparison if you support him throwing his body around playing physical every game.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
Why is this so hard for you people to comprehend?
Ovechkin is built for being physical, hitting, and dealing with guys trying to “headhunt” him. He has tons of experience laying on hits and taking them.
Ovechkin is not built to be a fighter. He has no real fight experience and even the best fighters get injured a lot during fights.
Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.
Body-checking is one thing. Pounding someone on the skull with the tool of your trade is another; and so is getting pounded on your own skull.
Ever punched someone in the head? It hurts. Skulls are hard and hands are delicate. If you doubt me, go find the a stud behind the sheetrock in your office. Punch it as hard as you can. Do it again. See how your hand reacts. Note that AO uses his right hand every single time he’s on the ice. Think he needs a broken knuckle?
And this leaves out the fact that the other guys is actively trying to pound AO’s head. How bad does a busted knuckle hurt Steve Downie? But a fractured orbital socket or cheekbone for AO is potentially disastrous.
The game is so, so, so puny in value to the cost of the candle in this case…I just don’t see how anyone can want to see AO throw down.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Hahahahaha. Love the Purple Heart.
I think Gabby’s hit gold with his forward lines. That they’ve stayed together as long as they have is impressive.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Seriously. Someone with more time than me should attempt to track the different line combinations Gabby has used and see what the longest stretch of continuity has been. I’d be surprised if it didn’t coincide with a nice stretch of winning (like 6 out of the last 7).
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 18, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
I think it was on OTF last night that I heard praise for this team and the way various players are willing to step up (instead of relying on an enforcer) — and I think they specifically named Bradley, Chimera, Morrisonn, and Steckel. It made me laugh — yes, Steckel gets credit and deserves his purple heart, but I think that won’t and shouldn’t ever happen again.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Jan 18, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
When I was watching the game, I noticed a huddle at the bench after the Ovie/Brads/Downie moment. I was thinking to myself “they’re figuring out who’s going to go fight next.” Mildly surprised it was Steckel, but there weren’t too many other options.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
STECKEL IS A BEAST
wait, no he isn’t. someone needs to put nails in that kid’s cereal… toughen him up.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Jan 18, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
I feel like TySlo participating in all the games should get an up arrow, it’s more than I expected!
Matt Bradley is my fµcking hero, I mean he was before, but now he’s like double or something.
And because he’s improved in each game. That’s trending up, IMO…
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Jan 18, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
If Schultz is a +4 on the week and trending the same, that implies that the trending has to be relative to expectations. Since this blog’s expectations are (or should be) pretty low at the moment, an improvement suggests that he exceeded expectations and therefore gets the up arrow, yes?
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Can we also give the injury sign for all the Flyer faithful that made it out yesterday? They may not physically be injured, but there hopes and dreams of getting respect from the Caps are broken for some time…
(knock on wood we dont see them 1st round)
Not really scared of them so long as their starting goaltender is one of Emery or Leighton.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Jan 18, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And they fact that once they are down 2-0 in a series, hockey takes a back seat to WWF.
by SA-Town on Jan 18, 2010 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Gordo’s down arrow (and the reasons for it) combined with the abundance of fourth liners makes me believe that if a trade is made, he’s one of the most likely candidates to be included.
But why and for what? He’s not gonna open a ton of cap space, and he’s not gonna fetch much return. I’d rather just bring in more talent and make him the 13/14th F. Depth of grinders is going to be valuable in Spring.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
We have too many 4th liners. Why not move one for a mid-late round pick and hope for a gem?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I guess, but if Guerin was a 3/4 last season what can you realistically hope to get for Gordon? What team is going to want him enough to pry him from us?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Include him in a package for whatever big splash they’re going to make at the deadline.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I guess. But he’s just a throw in at that point, he’s not really bringing anything back on his own.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Then how could he be useful to a Stanley Cup hopeful?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
If Steckel gets hurt.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
eh, I guess somebody has to be last on the depth chart.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
That and Steckel-esque on faceoffs. Steckel gets booted from the faceoff circle, and there isn’t any downside having Gordon come in.
Beautiful stat from peerless...
Caps…17-point lead in their division. Bears…16-point lead in their division. Stingrays…16-point lead in their division.
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
Though the Caps are falling behind Chicago and SJS.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Jan 18, 2010 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Say what? We won a series because we had game seven in our barn.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 18, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
The Caps won that series because they were the far better team. It should never have even been as close as it was.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 18, 2010 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
They are, but this makes me wonder whether the Olympics will affect the playoff picture at all. Just how many Olympic-bound players do CHI and SJS have?
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
A heck of a lot right?
Matt Bradley is my fµcking hero, I mean he was before, but now he’s like double or something.
I know for a fact that SJS has more than we do. We’ve got five, one of whom is unlikely to get a lot of playing time. CHI I don’t know about.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
I think the Olympics will be good for us. My only worry is that the Russians will not treat Sasha’s tendenitis appropriately. Varly will get rest plus motivation. Flash will get big time forward experience. OV is a warrior. Nicky B is durable and it’s a push.
The bigger things for us is that it should help Green stay healthy and angry and motivated for the playoffs.
by souldrummer on Jan 18, 2010 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Why would you question the Russian’s medical care? Are they importing a KHL training staff as well? (Maybe that’s how they got to 50% KHL…)
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
who knows about their care? I’m just saying they’ll be gold at all cost and won’t be into strategic rest or boudreau’s current play little practice with sasha
Yeah, I was being snarky, sory.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
We all know about the Russians’ track record with medical care. Or lack of.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Actually
Wasn’t that all the stuff my snark was originally directed at?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
I assume so too. The Alexei Cherepanov situation does not do wonders for one’s confidence in Russian sports medicine.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Fortunately...
…a case of tendinitis in the wrist is a lot different from an undiagnosed case of myocarditis…!
I need a snappy signature...
They have 6.
Patrick Kane – U.S.A.
Jonathan Toews – Canada
Duncan Keith – Canada
Brent Seabrook – Canada
Marian Hossa – Slovakia
Tomas Kopecky – Slovakia
Matt Bradley is my fµcking hero, I mean he was before, but now he’s like double or something.
Beat me to it...
The Sharks have:
Dan Boyle – Canada
Dany Heatley – Canada
Patrick Marleau – Canada
Joe Thornton – Canada
Thomas Greiss – Germany
Evgeni Nabokov – Russia
Douglas Murray – Sweden
Joe Pavelski – USA
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Jan 18, 2010 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say
Douglas Murray is Swedish? (Next thing you know, you’ll be saying Nicklas Backstrom isn’t….)
by bilspacecadet on Jan 18, 2010 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
Wouldn’t mind him being on the Caps along with Nicky.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I’d love Doug Murray in a Caps uni.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Heh.
Apparently, he doesn’t like to be called “Doug” – in Swedish, it sounds like “Dog.” grin
I need a snappy signature...
According to Wikipedia, he is...
“Douglas Murray (born March 12, 1980 in Bromma, Sweden) is a Swedish ice hockey player, currently playing defence for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. He was drafted in the 8th round, 241st overall by the Sharks in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.”
The Sharks website concurs:
http://sharks.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8468114
I need a snappy signature...
He was the guy that dropped Morozov in the WCs a couple years ago. Are there really people left that don’t know he’s Swedish?
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Ha. Good point, I thought it was obvious but I’m not the normal fan either. He also played on Long Island so he’s been on my radar for a long time. (Fuck Cornell.)
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
You’re just f*cking everything in sight today, man. :) Slow weekend?
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Actually no… lots of quality time with the lady…
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
You just broke a lot of hearts.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
It's what I do.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
by Rob Parker on Jan 18, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d.
"I must be hallucinating. What's a good thing for a hangover?"
"Drinking heavily the night before."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 18, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
Only his fiancee’s…
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 18, 2010 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
Since the name doesn’t sound Swedish.
That’s like Robert Lang, the former Cap who was traded when leading the league in scoring, who is Czech. Doesn’t sound like a Czech name. Sounds like a typical North American name. But plenty of Czechs have German surnames. Lang is actually a German name which means “long”.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Douglas Murray’s father is of Scottish descent. His mother decided she wanted all the kids to have Scottish names.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
Notice how when the Caps have a shootout, it is the healthy type.
The hockey genes come from his mothers side of the family her dad is a famous Swedish hockey player Lasse Björn. Douglas Murray is a fan favorite in Sweden and if Beng-Åke or Bengt as you would say hadn’t included him in the Olympic squad there would have been an uproar in Sweden.
Okay, one more than we do. Shouldn’t be a huge difference, really, although four of those six will have a long play into the medal rounds, most likely.
Still looks to me as if the Caps among the contenders are sitting pretty, Olympics-wise. They’ve only got five guys going.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
I’d be content to send Varlamov on a Vancouver conditioning stint and keep the other four here with a stack of ones. Hate the extra mileage on Caps—hate it.
Interesting name for the Olympics — Vancouver conditioning stint. It would be much tougher competition for Varly than the AHL. Only problem, he’s expected to be the third string goalie for Team Russia.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Down to magic number of 27 with 34 left.
And, that line for Fehr seems to indicate he should have an up arrow. For a third line minutes, thems some nice numbers.
27 points or wins?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Wins or opponent losses I’d think.
Matt Bradley is my fµcking hero, I mean he was before, but now he’s like double or something.
Technically, I don’t know if we control our destiny for the conference.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
For the championship... no
But for coming out on top at the end of the season, is what I’m curious about…
I need a snappy signature...
That’s what I mean. The Devils have two games in hand, and are only a point back. Do we have two games against them left?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
We have ZERO regular season games left against NJD.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
So we need to finish out the season with more points than they have. Sokay. We can do this.
I need a snappy signature...
NJD are doing their part – on their way to a third straight loss, down 4-0 to the Isle after two periods.
Now if Buffalo could just return to earth’s orbit…
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Phoenix will have our support tonight in that regard.
Devils fans are probably wondering “where oh where has the offense gone” at the moment.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Wow, wait...
The Islanders just blanked the Devils???
4-0???
They apparently went 1 for 4 on the PP, but dang… not complaining, but still… the Islanders???
I need a snappy signature...
DiPietro getting the shutout, too.
I think that deserves a Hockey is for Everyone DiPietro yell!!
Woos all around!
by terpgrrl on Jan 18, 2010 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And hopefully zero playoff games.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 18, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
Once we control our destiny in some other category, I’ll be more than happy to put that up, but we have yet to control our destiny in anything but the division this year.
While we can’t beat the Devils head to head, we’ll just have to win more games than them from here on out to control our destiny. They only have one game in hand compared to us now.
So, if we win 2 more games than them from now to playoff time, we’ll finish ahead of them in the Conference standings.
(Of course, if the 4th place team in the Conference is any team other than the Pens, watch out.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
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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)
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