Sunday Caps Clips: The Skid Hits Three Games
by J.P. on Jan 3, 2010 9:28 AM EST
in Caps Clips
Email
PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on yesterday's loss from us, Vogs, Tarik (blog, gamer), Ed Frankovic, Peerless, RMNB, and Joe B.
- "It seems the Canuck Nation owes a small thank you to the staff at The Loden Hotel in downtown Vancouver. When Russian superstar Alexander Ovechkin was held to just three shots in the Canucks' 3-2 win over Washington on Dec. 18, it could have had something to do with the fact the Capitals' rookie party had gone long into the previous night in the penthouse suite of the boutique hotel overlooking Coal Harbour. Some say Ovechkin saw his first sunrise on Canada's West Coast." Great. [Vancouver Sun (h/t, YNC)]
- Maybe nights like that are why Alex Ovechkin is Russia's #1 bachelor. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- More on a disciplined Delly. [NHL.com]
- Why was Dmitri Kugryshev left off the Russian WJC team? "He didn’t come with a good attitude." At least that's the answer given publicly. [G&M (h/t, YNC)]
- Coverage of the Japers' Rink Pick-Up game. [FanPost, FanShot]
- Finally, happy 41st birthday to Steve Poapst (sorry, "Hall of Famer" Steve Poapst), and happy 36th to Stefan Ustorf.
114 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I guess we’re looking at BMo’s new signature?
Know Nicky, Know win: my theory is that his Swedish eyeballs expect Dec/Jan to be dark, and his second game-changing migraine at the same time of year is his brain’s way of rejecting the vitamin D overdose. (Plus, hangovers really suck.)
Don’t know this to be fact, but I’ll throw it out here. We were discussing Nicky’s migrane this morning, and I said at least you can disclose it because (a) he’ll be back next game and (b) you can’t aggravate it by checking him in a game. The response was that yes, a game conditition could have caused it, and he did leave the game after getting checked and banging his head on the glass. Before knowing it was a migraine, I did worry about a possible concussion. So maybe?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I never had migraines until I Banged my head in a car wreck. Since then, hitting my head on something has been a semi-reliable trigger, but not the only one.
Luckily for we Backstrom lobbyists, the league takes head shots seriously and has a consistent, nigh-draconian enforcement poli—oh. Nevermind!
Honestly, I don’t know why everyone doesn’t use one. Yea it’s less macho, but you can really mess yourself up on the ice. Wearing a bigger helmet but being able to play for 2 more years seems like a fair trade to me.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
So the boys were out too late the night before the Vancouver game. So now the truth comes out.
#NeedLessPartying# NeedLessPartying#
Or only party on nights before off days.
Rocking the Red since 1975
There was so much more going on in Vancouver, especially for Ovie. He had public appearances and private appearances, and endless media.
ALEX, FЯEE
That by itself could be an issue. It’s one thing to do that stuff at home, but it’s got to mess with things on the road. Even with the in-between day in Vancouver.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Yes and no. Yes, it probably ended up detracting from his game performance, but in his self-chosen role as ambassador for the sport of hockey, the circus was necessary and he represented himself, his sport, his team and his country quite well.
And if this report is correct, CapsNation also owes thanks to the hotel for making sure the Caps enjoyed themselves discreetly, with no embarassing headlines, photos, or Puck Daddy posts. coughEdmontonOilerscough
However, the Canadians may have discovered a way to slow down Ovi’s game. Just keep interviewing!
ALEX, FЯEE
Yes, I think that may have been Canada’s plan all along. Can you imagine the Canadian media hordes that will descend upon Ovi for the Olympics this year? And how Russia will do?
But why can’t the Caps beat the teams in California? We can’t blame the Canadian media for that one. I didn’t think the California media was anywhere as ruthless as the Canadian media.
Rocking the Red since 1975
We’re talking about guys, the majority being in the 21- to 25-year-old range, who one night stayed up late? For what many players have said has been one of the memorable moments of their career (rookie dinner)? In the middle of the season? Jeezus, you people have watched too many after-school specials.
I don’t have NHL Network. Anyone know where I can stream this game?
"My face is my mask."
by Jake Shapiro on Jan 3, 2010 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
On Kugrysgev, is there something about those Russian redheads? I seem to have a weakness for them for some reason.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Kugryshev’s stats with the Remparts probably make a decent case for top-2 line Juniors minutes.
And Team Russia’s abrupt exit from the WJC indicates that perhaps his offensive skills might have been useful. In the top two lines.
To his credit, he is focussing his disappointment into on-ice productivity, with a flurry of goals for the Quebec Remparts since his dismissal from Team Russia.
I think that speaks well for his future in the Caps organization, unless he now gets branded with the “difficult” label.
And this is just a WAG on my part, but I don’t think he’s in too much of a rush to run back to the motherland to join the KHL.
ALEX, FЯEE
Hmmmm. Mired in their worst slump of the season, playing terrible hockey (on their standards), and playing without their #1 center and best goalie, the Caps lose a 2-1 game against a pretty good Kings team, on a day when the Kings goalie stands on his head and the refs wipe out a couple of goals or near-goals with inexplicable quick whistles.
Maybe things aren’t so grim after all.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
I think so, or at the very least take the extra point out of it. Enh. The Caps’ slumps seems to come in bouts of three games, although usually they at least get the extra point in game 3. I’m not too stressed about it.
Unleash the Alex!
As I wrote in the recap, “Of course, if this is rock bottom… it ain’t so bad.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Very true. They scored the fewest goals in their last three losses, but they also only allowed 2 (one of which was a fluke), faced an Olympics-bound goalie and played pretty well minus their top center against a very good Kings team.
I think the slump is coming to an end. Hopefully.
At least the Pens have lost four straight.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Emo Bunny Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 3, 2010 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
OMG, the Bruins have made a bargain with the Devil!
Guess they miss Phil Kessel.
Rocking the Red since 1975
by CapsFan75 on Jan 3, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Longest losing streak in the League, I like it. And somehow didn’t realize it had been 4 straight until you mentioned it!
Yeah! And for some reason, I thought that made it five; bummer. But at least it’s longer than the Caps’. Both teams are going to recover quickly, though. Hopefully, the Caps first.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
They were discussing next year’s Winter Classic on HNIC Hot Stove last night (video captured at OFB). Aside from certain asinine ideas (Cowboys Stadium?!?), why do they keep insisting that if the Caps play it should be against the Pens? Please, Ted, just say no!
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
People outside those two cities absolutely adored the Caps / Pens series. Unfortunate but true. Everyone wants more.
So I hear a rumor about a possible 1/21 meetup for the Caps / Pens game at Bailey’s?
Unleash the Alex!
I know, but this is one occasion that should not be the Sid and Ovie show. Frankly, if the Rangers don’t work, the Islanders could be interesting, especially because it seems those games almost always go to OT. That one, though, kind of hinges on how they do the rest of the season. Young, rebuilding team. Actually, the Avalanche could be a good matchup, and it’s cross-conference, too.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
No, I’m cool with that too. What about Caps / Canucks or Caps / Flames? That’d settle the Canadian angle, be cross-conference, and should be a pretty exciting game.
Unleash the Alex!
Except that they want two teams in the US for the Winter Classic which rules out any Canadian team.
Rocking the Red since 1975
What? Is HNIC HOt Stove keeping track of Japers’ Rink? I posted that idea here.
by HateOffSeason on Jan 3, 2010 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Anyone else catching Nino-mania? I managed to see him in a WHL game not long ago and was very impressed. Somewhat disappointed that it looks like there’s no chance he’ll be around when the Caps are picking.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 3, 2010 4:10 PM EST reply actions
I’d rather be picking last, thankyouverymuch.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Or should we make a trade to acquire the appropriate draft pick so we’d be in the ballpark for picking him?
Rocking the Red since 1975
I’d wager Neidderreiter is probably going mid-to-late 1st, given all the other talent above him. We could use another pure scorer, though, and he plays pretty big, as far as I can tell.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 3, 2010 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
Steve Poapst, as smart as they come.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
by Rob Parker on Jan 3, 2010 4:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Easy rec.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jan 3, 2010 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
At the end of the first period, Hershey leads Adirondack 2-0. Varly has eleven saves and two penalty minutes (!) for delay of game.
ALEX, FЯEE
Did he forget he trap again?
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Jan 3, 2010 6:53 PM EST up reply actions
Or will we end up with 3 tenders on our roster with Neuvy and Varly both getting lots of work, for the next 1.5 months since the schedule is uber crowded.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Shit
per @timleone
Varly (28 saves) goes distance in 4-1 win, but he suffered a minor undisclosed injury that leaves him day-to-day.
I could have been equipment manager, but nooooo!
Hopefully, he cut himself shaving. He’ll be back in no time.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 3, 2010 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Other hockey news.
The good news: Pittsburgh blew a 2-1 lead that they had after two periods and lost 6-2. This was in spite of the fact that Pitt had many more shots on goal than Florida. Vokoun made nearly 50 saves.
The bad news: Buffalo beat Montreal 1-0 and have pulled ahead of us in the Conference standings. Boo! (Maybe Buffalo will have its annual second half collapse. One can only hope.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
The Sabres don’t impress me nearly as much as the other 50-point teams. Ryan Miller has played out of his mind for three months. It’d be hard to do that for another six. And if he doesn’t, Buffalo is a one-and-done team, no matter where they finish (which I would expect will be second in the NE, behind Boston, and probably a 5-6 seed.
If you've read this far...seek help.
I just noticed that Alzner is not listed in the Team’s roster on the Caps’ website. Was he sent back to HER? The list looks up to date, Chimera is in there but no Alzner. I find this a bit strange.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson
You’re right.
So does that mean the following people will play D on Tuesday: Green, Schultz, Poti. Morrisonn, Erskine, and Sloan? I assume Pothier’s still out.
I understand they were even playing Ovi on defense in the LA game as well.
Rocking the Red since 1975
He played some defense at the end of the game where they wanted to keep him on the ice longer trying to get the tying goal. Didn’t really work, he didn’t generate chances, and he got abused as a defender. Couldn’t pinch worth a damn, and couldn’t take the puck from anyone.
by HateOffSeason on Jan 3, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
He’s also not listed on the Hershey roster. NHL.com doesn’t list any transactions involving him, nor does the Caps’ website…
And now we can speculate about who will be in goal for Hershey for their next game.
Holtby’s done well there and seems to have taken over as their #1 (with Neuvy up here).
Neuvy seems to have taken over as our #1, by default since Varly’s injured and Theo hasn’t done the job, as of late. I think Neuvy won’t be sent down any time soon.
Any speculation as to when Theo will get his next start?
Rocking the Red since 1975
I was thinking pretty soon since Varly was about to come back and then Neuvy probably would’ve been sent back down, but with Varly apparently re-injured that changes things. Honestly, I feel kind of bad for Theo. It sucks loosing your job to 2 rookies back to back years, especially after all he’s been through. But I am pleasantly surprised with Neuvirth :)
Overall, I’ve been really happy with Neuvirth, too. I’ve said for months that Varlamov’s athleticism is something he relies upon far too heavily – a lot of those spectacular saves he makes, he wouldn’t need to make if he was in the right place and didn’t give up the rebounds he does – and that Neuvirth was the better positional goalie. Varlamov is definitely improving in that area, particularly with having Irbe to help him out – and that was a brilliant decision for a coach! – but until his technique improves enough, he will be susceptible to injury.
I can easily forgive Neuvirth the two penalty shot goals against. A rookie netminder will always be at a disadvantage in a penalty shot situation against a veteran player. I only watched the first frame of that particular loss, so I can’t comment otherwise, on how anybody else looked…
The team as a whole looked better last night, and that quick whistle that killed the play right as the puck went in the net really did not help matters for us. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I don’t expect Theodore to start very frequently – maybe one game this week. If Varlamov is injured, Neuvirth can hold the fort up here. Holtby HAS been doing very well in Hershey, so he can hold things down there until Varlamov is un-injured and able to play.
It’s interesting that Leone tweeted that Varlamov was hurt. Walton interviewed Irbe after the game and nothing was said there. Maybe it really is a day-to-day thing that has nothing to do with his groin.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Just got back from the Bears game. Varly played very solid tonight. A couple of excellent glove saves as well as good rebound control. My favorite thing about Varly – he’s not afraid to knock the guy in front of him out of the way. The only goal scored against him was partially due to one of the Hershey players blocking him from moving over. Aucoin scored twice so he got the first star but Varly was definitely on his game.
Needless to say, I was surprised when I saw the tweet about Varly being injured again.
Apparently, we drafted a “bad boy” in the first round. Apparently, Johannson got a major penalty and a game misconduct. It leaves Sweden without its Captain and centerman.
Is Johannson usually this bad, for getting penalized?
Future grit and sandpaper.
Rocking the Red since 1975
baldinga
There’s a GWG for Johnny Carlson in the USA-SWE game.
He mentioned in his post game interview Alzner and Bourque told him he had to play in the tournament.
Heck yeah, Ryan would get mad at Chris if he didn’t lobby for Carlson to play!
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 1:00 PM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Puck Headlines: Dustin Penner’s pancakes; why Stanley Cup is sports’ best trophy
- Fantasy Hockey: Odd year for rookies; Corey Perry on fire; buy on Robidas
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Dave Bidini; NHL players and food; greatest trades never made
- Puck Daddy chats with John Tavares about all-star season, commitment to Islanders and Nassau Coliseum as a ‘dump’
- Thus ends the incredibly odd NHL journey for Mike Comrie, a.k.a Mr. Hilary Duff
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Jets deal minor-leaguer Riley Holzapfel to Ducks for Maxime Macenauer
- Coyotes goalie Smith named NHL first star after recording four wins last week
- Oilers sign veteran D Sutton to 1-year extension
- Struggling Wild call up Scandella, Foucault from minors; team has used NHL-high 38 players
- Struggling Wild summon 2 more players from minors
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
