Sunday Caps Clips: Burning the Flames

Sure would be nice if he can play at the NHL level in the next couple of years. We need the farm to produce some defensemen.

I remember reading that story a couple of years ago about her serious heart attack. I recall she could only view highlights afterward. Gee, would that be me, if it were my kid in the NHL? Watching this group can sometimes be stressful and they’re not even my kids.

I haven’t figured out what percentage they should be together. I know that it can’t be 100% of the time due to their worst tendencies.

That being said, they will need someone to be 1RW if Knuble’s productivity starts going down, due to age. Most likely candidates would be Semin (if he resigns) and Fehr. No, I’m not ready to give up on Knuble even though the first line, as constructed before last night, needed to be shaken up.

My own personal guess — about 70%. They’ll do well for about 7 games or so and then things start falling apart.

I posted a Fan Post recap since no recap happened.

Yea, who’s thinking the Calgary media sort of jinxed their team with that piece?

Meh. They came out uninspired, and then Calgary proceeded to self-destruct. I think Calgary had a hell of a lot more to do with the Caps’ 7-goal barrage than the Caps did. Bad penalties, blown coverages, insane turnovers — Calgary played some of the worst hockey I’ve ever seen last night.

It was fun to watch, and it’s nice to see that the Caps can take advantage of what’s handed to them, but other than that, I don’t think last night proved much. And I sure hope the Caps don’t take any “lessons” from it (other than how not to play, courtesy of the Flames).

Let’s see how they do against the next team that plays them like it’s the playoffs.

I agree with you that Ovi’s quote was more than just words.

I watched the game this morning, and I was expecting a dreadful first period (since I had read the thread while on the road early this morning), but frankly the Caps weren’t playing badly. It was uneven to be sure, but I think they lost the opening momentum with the fluky goal, and it set them back on their heels a bit. But despite the second goal they were pushing back. The pivotal moment for me was Nicky’s PP goal with about five minutes left. It’s good to see finally a planned play work to perfection. All that practice on their PP came to fruition there.

In the second and third they really controlled the puck. They look determined too, from the top down. And that five on three, there were four or five SOGs before Ovi’s first goal went in. I would say that their PP form and confidence has returned. They played looser after that.

I think it’s a bit of the chicken and the egg—which came first. It may be true that Calgary imploded, but the Caps had to put on the pressure to make them implode. And they made sure that they didn’t give Calgary the opportunity to get back into the game. Haven’t we also been complaining about the Caps needing a cut-throat mentality as well. I didn’t see them loosen their grip once they had the game in hand, especially in the third.

Nice points on optimistic stats on our team. We needed them.

Just have to give you a hard time on Tampa

stealing out thunder

Note on Tampa: they got off to a good start (for them) last year and then faded.

This is huge, in my mind. I have little doubt the Caps will remember how to score consistently, but learning how to defend consistently would be a major breakthrough. Maybe it’s primarily due to Neuvy’s play, but I am more optimistic than I was at this time last year for this reason. Team defense is what the Caps have lacked, but they seem to be finding it.

And what would happen if DiPietro got hurt and couldn’t continue? Would the Islanders be forced to play with an empty net for the remainder of the penalty (or in this case the game)?

Not to mention Mackan looked to have much more confidence offensively when paired with Semin and Laich before he got hurt. He should get the nod once he’s ready to go. Hopefully soon. He needs these games.

I think we need to see more of both players at both #2 and #3C before making any kind of definitive statements either way. MP looked phenomenal for one night centering the second line, but he’s looked pretty bad thereafter.

It’s good to hear positive things about him down there. All benefit to us.

On that same note, here’s the postgame interview of Ovi on HNIC.

Love his Ovi impersonation.

that’s the worst commercial i’ve ever seen

If they measured using attempts, it would be very different. Caps are missing a lot and getting a hell of a lot of shots blocked.

Depressing to think about. Why on Earth did we draft Pokulok when the only thing he had going for him was his first name. (We had hit will with 1st rounders named Sasha before.)

But then big bodies were the order of that day.

1) They (in Calgary) have more respect for the Caps than the Caps own fan base does.

2) They haven’t called for the dismantle the team approach yet. Trade all the aging stars, including Iglina, for draft picks and prospects. Tanking a season will likely ensue. Commence rebuild with picks, including a lottery pick.

“Overwhelmed by Alexander Ovechkin – the man personally responsible for making toothlessness an acceptable lifestyle choice…” Oh, Canada (media), your jealously is showing.

And to think we have problems. Sounds as if it’s worse in Calgary.

I found this line funny too though it felt more applicable last season.

The Caps can slice you open quicker than Roman Polanski fileting Jack Nicholson’s nose in Chinatown.

Which, of course, begs the question, why was Gordon sitting out for so long?