Game Recap: Devils 5, Caps 0
by Becca H on Nov 22, 2010 10:10 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
For the second time in three games, the Capitals came out flat against a lesser opponent. For the second time in three games they let the other team dictate play early and often. For the second time in three games they gave up at least five goals. For the second time in three games they were shut out.
And for the second time in three games, we'll have to put the tape in the shredder and hope for a better effort next time out. One game in November, or even two or three or four, does not a Cup-winner make (or break). But that doesn't stop us from asking about focus or lack thereof, about effort or lack thereof, about Alex Ovechkin...or lack thereof.
Ten more notes on the game:
- There is plenty of blame to heap on goaltender Braden Holtby, who needs to stop at least a few of those and had too few big saves in the midst of too many weak goals. Still, to blame the entire loss on him is to not have watched the game at all (especially since he made some good saves in the third). A young goaltender in just his fourth full NHL game needs help from the team in front of him...and he didn't get it.
- Speaking of goaltenders, interesting night in net to say the least. Michal Neuvirth's reported morning skate "tweak" thrust Holtby back in net for an unplanned start and forced the Caps to recall Semyon Varlamov - fresh off two games in two nights - from his conditioning stint in Hershey. On another night Holtby probably would have been yanked; tonight the only thing he could do was take the bullet.
- Which of course begs the question, if Varlamov wasn't going to be ready to play tonight, why wasn't Dany Sabourin recalled in his place?
- Was Johan Hedberg really good for the Devils or did he just not face very much in the way of challenging shots? Eh...let's go with a little of both. Give Moose some credit, he made some nice saves. Take some of it away because he saw just about every shot he faced.
- The odds of Alex Ovechkin getting benched aren't great (although with every game one has to think it becomes more of a possibility), but the next "best" thing is to demote him - which has to be why he was seeing plenty of time alongside third-line regulars like Marcus Johansson and Matt Bradley tonight. Still racked up over twenty minutes on the night, though, despite still looking off and lacking that Ovechkin spark. Wish that was surprising.
- A lone bright spot on the night was the play of John Carlson and Karl Alzner, who had as strong a performance as you could expect given the egg laid by the team in general. Carlson in particular seemed to have some jump, no doubt fueled by excitement over playing in an arena he used to visit as a fan. Er...sorry for the lousy homecoming, John.
- Worse ice, Verizon Center or Prudential Center? Unlike the game, that's a tight contest. The puck was bouncing all over the place, players were losing their footing, and nothing seemed smooth. Just awful...or was it the ultimate home ice advantage?
- The Caps had 4 shots in the first period and 16 shots in the second period. You'd be hard pressed to find a difference between the two, however, unless you count the number of goals they gave up.
- By the time the halfway point of the game rolled around and the Caps had dug themselves a five-goal hole, all you can hope for is that the team doesn't do anything stupid and doesn't get injured. Well, Tyler Sloan left after the first period. Mike Green didn't play after the 7:10 mark of the third period. Alzner left the game in pain at one point, although he did ultimately return. So...at least they didn't do anything stupid?
- The Caps were credited with just seven giveaways - that's good. Unfortunately it felt like at least half of them went into the net - that's bad.
The top team in the NHL lost - badly - to a team currently fighting it out for a seat at the draft lottery table. The League's best offense got shut out tonight by one of the League's more questionable (and injury-riddled) defenses, and gave up five goals to one of the League's most anemic offenses. They opened the game by surrendering a power play goal to a team clicking at just over 10% with the extra man on the season. They failed to cash in on four power plays despite having one of the top power play units in the NHL.
It sounds ugly, and it was ugly, and there's no other way to look at it. However, so many things going against the natural order tells us that this was not a game that signified the ultimate decline of the Caps but rather highlighted their need for two healthy goalies and the ability to stay focused...regardless of the opponent. And that falls on the players, the captain, and the coach.
Back in action on Wednesday against a division rival - time to right the ship.
Game highlights:
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Poor Becca.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
Like it was going to be anyone else writing this one. :-)
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Nov 22, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, yes, we know, I’m a jinx…it’s fine. Just petition JP to have me removed from recap duty ;)
…actually I might be on deck for Wednesday, too. It’s either JP or me. SORRY GUYS!
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
No, no, no — weird things always happen when you have the recap. They aren’t necessarily always bad things. Maybe next time you recap it’ll be Alzner’s multigoal game.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 22, 2010 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
I so want it to happen.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 22, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Doesn’t matter to me at all, but the whining from Stretch would probably be worth it.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Oh, I’m not a country music fan. It’s one part the whining from Stretch, and one part the joy I would experience if Alzner had an offensive explosion.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 22, 2010 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not a country music fan either but it might be time to let Alzner select the music. We need a different approach. Plus, Alzner’s been playing better than most of the team so let him pick.
Let me make the following motion: Let Alzner and Carlson choose the music for the next home game warmups. 7 minutes of Alzner selections followed by 7 minutes of Carlson.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I would buy a ticket to that game in a heart beat!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe you need to go to the Travis strategy during the Yotes winning streak. No recaps.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Nov 22, 2010 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
First and foremost, props to Becca for having to write a re-cap on a living nightmare and doing a fine job. The Caps apologize for the pain.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
Indeed
johnerskine04 Sorry caps fans…. That was embarrassing tonight.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I apologize to Becca M on behalf of all Caps fans everywhere.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Becca, it was a tough difficult job, but someone had to do this recap. I salute your perseverance to stay with it. It seems like lately you’re like the Captain of the Titanic, the last to leave a sinking ship.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:19 PM EST up reply actions
Service above and beyond.
Salute.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Well, I thought I was going to be asleep by now, but no such luck.
Scoring chances from me: Here.
Red Army Line: Here
My personal note is that even though the chances were nearly even, the Devils had lots more odd-man rushes and generally higher quality chances. Make no mistake, they were the better team tonight, but they also got every bounce.
AO is looking better and better to my eyes, he was just snake-bit.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 22, 2010 10:17 PM EST reply actions
Because its so early in the season I won’t begin panicking,but Ovi to me looks horrible,he can’t hold onto a puck.His passes are too often way off target either way ahead of a player or well behind and when he does get it there its usually too stiff .He is contantly losing pucks at the blue line.I said this for the last two seasons but Ovi does not belong on the point on the power play he belongs where he was most succesful in the past in that left circle slamming one timers and creeping in to the net.To these eyes Ovechkin has been terrible for tha last few weeks now.For a few games I shrugged it off but now it seems like its been over a month of very sub par play.He isnt at the Kovalchuk level of disapointment yet,but he is quickly getting there.Despite getting off to a better start than last season,and maybe it will become a good thing ,these Caps are not playing nearly as well as they should be even in wins.
Holtby just isnt ready yet.He looked the fool on Arnotts wrap around.That was just horrible, I would have pulled him right there.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
these Caps are not playing nearly as well as they should be even in wins.
No question about that, they haven’t played like a team with their record. Up to this point in the season, the bounces were definitely in their direction.
Per Ovechkin, I thought he looked horrendous against Atlanta, okay against Philly and pretty good against New Jersey. He’s hitting iron right now instead of finding twine and that’s just flat-out luck. I’d like to see his stick on the ice in his own zone more often, instead of in position to skate him into the neutral zone as fast as possible, but I don’t know how much of that is system and how much is AO.
Holtby just isnt ready yet.He looked the fool on Arnotts wrap around.That was just horrible, I would have pulled him right there.
The guy on the bench had played a game on both Saturday and Sunday. Holtby came out too far, but he had at least a shot at getting back if Sloan didn’t skate into him and hold him to the near post. The first goal was a tip on the powerplay, the D were much more to blame than he on both the second and third goals, on the fourth he lost the puck in traffic and no one tied up Arnott’s stick. The 5th goal, he gave up a rebound to Kovalchuk from the high slot on a 3-on-2. Maybe he shouldn’t have given up that rebound, but when Ilya Kovalchuk is shooting the puck from there, you make the stop first and you ask questions later, especially on an odd-man rush. Zubrus potted the rebound, not much you can do after that.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 23, 2010 6:45 AM EST up reply actions
My faith wasn't rewarded
Well, so much for my positive thoughts about tonight’s game. I thought for sure the Caps would bounce back from their two straight losses and make a statement. I thought Ovie would emerge from his Rip Van Winkle act and re-emerge with a vengeance. I have no words now, it’s getting more depressing. This team has forgotten how to win right, heck they’ve forgotten how to win period. And Ovie remains as big a mystery, and I’ve run out of explanations or excuses for his lack of focus and intensity.
Yes, the Caps laid a Deviled egg in NJ as the TV announcer just said.
Good pun — by the TV announcer.
I think it’s time to send Ovi home from the road trip to see the doctor — which is what they did with Semin after a horrific game against NJ last year when we knew he was playing with a bad wrist.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
What kind of doctor? It depends on whether he’s got a physical injury or a mental block. Maybe he’d get better results from a witch doctor at this point. Anything, just fix it!
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
Rumor has it that he was injured in the Nashville game last month — wrist injury. (Gee, his whole playing with an injury and playing terrible sounds just like Semin last year.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
If Ovie has a physical injury to his wrist, does it make sense to continue to play him, especially for the TOI he’s been getting? I’m thinking long term continuing to play hurt will do more harm than good, and it isn’t doing much good now anyway.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
That’s why I’ve been saying that he should be sent home and sent to the doctor since playing hurt will do more harm than good in the long run.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Too bad you’re not the one making this kind of decision.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
C’mon, y’all. The Caps are cold, ice cold. It happens. They just came off a pretty good hot streak. They’ll get hot again.
Better for Knubs and Green to be down now and get some rest.
Let’s all relax.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Nov 22, 2010 10:19 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
What is it about November and terrible play by the Caps. Two years ago, there was the road trip from hell. They lost in OT in NJ. And then went on a West Coast swing. They beat Anaheim but Green was “pronged” in the shoulder. Then, they lost to the Kings, were clobbered by the Sharks (with their backup goalie), and then lost to Minnesota and got defensemen injured right and left. Schultz and Oisk at least. In that time, Fedorov came back from an injury and went back on the shelf. Semin was already out.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Per your Edmund Fitzgerald reference above, I’d say the Caps have encountered the witch of November as Gordon Lightfoot said.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
This is about where I’m at.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 22, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
Bless you both for keeping a cool head :) Every team goes through a slump like this, and as much as it sucks there’s nothing about this game or Friday’s game that screams “typical Caps game” to me.
That’s my silver lining, that losses like this are completely out of character for the Caps, especially as we’ve come to know them this season. They happen to everyone and have little to do with the team itself – and better now than later in the season, right?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
It’s the waiting for this painful period to end that’s so difficult.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
The only thing I’m really worried about is Ovechkin right now. As frustrating as it is for us, it has to be that much more frustrating for him.
Thought he hit the outsidee of the pipe in the third, on a pretty classical AO rush. That’s promising.
Anyway, who cares what he does in the regular season. We’ll find out everything we need to know about these cats in April.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Yeah at least he recorded 5 SOG which is more in line with where we need him to be. I almost wish somebody on the team would tell him that they don’t give a shit if he gets suspended, he just needs to go out and destroy people.
Armchair psychology alert: he strikes me as the type where if you make him take any edge off his game, he tones the rest of it down. Kind of like the Manatees that write Family Guy episodes.
by Kolzilla on Nov 22, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It’s hard to freak out too much when you’re tracking scoring chance data, although watching the 2nd and 3rd goals were daggers. I was real pissed about those.
Silver lining: Carlson had himself a whale of a game. When he was on the ice, good things were happening for the Caps. That’s encouraging to see. I had the Caps down for 17 ES chances and Carlson on the ice for 13 of those, while I had them down for 18 ES chances against and he was only skating for 6 of those. When you’re out there for better than 2/3s of the chances for and 1/3 of the chances against, you’re doing something right.
The other silver lining: the Carebears are playing really well, even if they’re not getting the goals right at the moment. Backstrom, Semin and AO all had good games by my notes and by my eyes, AO really turned it up in the 3rd. He put his foot on the gas and was racing after pucks and creating chances.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 22, 2010 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
Carlson was great. It seemed like the most exciting points in the game were when he was out there – glad to see the scoring chances reflected it.
I’d actually agree on Ovie, which is promising. We keep seeing these glimpses of what he can be, which I think is even more frustrating – it’d almost be easier (“easier”) if he was sleepwalking through every second of every game, but those brief flashes of Ovie…he’s in there. Just needs to break out.
The last 2-3 games, in fact, he’s looked like he’s on the cusp. Hit some posts and just missed the net on a few other chances, feels like he has to break out soon. Right?
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
So it’s you who’s the glass half full person.
Actually, hold that thought. I’m trying to see a silver lining in the clouds too. I’m looking for something, anything, to give me a sign that Ovie is on the verge of breaking loose. After all the angst I’ve felt with him and the Caps, I’ll second your note of optimism while crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Stunned I’m the first to rec this.
"DON'T SAY THAT! Please! That is the worst, most stupid thing anyone could say! Cause it quite clearly isn't "only a game." I mean if it was do you honestly think I'd care this much?"
by Bald Pollack on Nov 23, 2010 7:25 AM EST up reply actions
Serious Question
Do you think any of the players read this site and see what are comments say?
Braden Holtby needs to be in Washington 2010
Andrew Gordon “liked” J.R. on Facebook a few weeks ago, someone wrote here.
by red army line on Nov 22, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Doubtful. We do think some of the front-office folks might read the posts, but probably not the comments.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 22, 2010 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
this came to mind after someone posted the john erskine tweet……players know what the internet is, im sure they use it.
Braden Holtby needs to be in Washington 2010
If they ever did read here thy probAbly don’t have an account and on the crazy chance they do would never reveal I’m Eric fehr oh oops lol but I bet they do read on occasion blogs or atleast mainstream media
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Of course it’s possible. I just personally doubt it.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 22, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sure a few of them have checked out the site itself, and people within the organization do read the posts – but I’m betting the comments section is one area they don’t delve into.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Ted has at least glanced through the comments. In one Teds Take, during the draft, he posted that he was proud “we have such knowledgeable fans” (or something along those lines). The discussion was in the comments, I think, with the post being basic info, so I guess he at least looked through a bit.
by red army line on Nov 23, 2010 6:10 AM EST up reply actions
Think there’s a good chance that OV is hurt somewhere…Ricky Dobbs played hurt for three weeks this year, played himself out of the Heisman (not that he really had a chance), got a bye week and came back and played like one who had a little tiny chance at being invited.
Perhaps OV needs to sit, but I don’t think he’s the type of guy who sits for a nagging injury, in his brain.
If you are driving in the left hand lane and you are not passing, you are a #$@&$
“Good thing we can retreat to the solitude of the dressing room to hash this out in private…Oh hai there HBO cameras!”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Nov 22, 2010 10:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Such lovely timing. Well, the audience will get some great raw material. Literally, on so many levels.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
If HBO was in the house tonight, the material would be beyond raw even for HBO.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
…any shirtless men wandering around?
/shallowness wrapped in a pretty silver half-nekkid lining
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
That would be the only upside to a game like this.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
Watching now. Only because Corey talked about Holtby being willing to talk. Ovi was not terribly talkative.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Holby is a really good kid. Had a really tough time lately.
Sorry, no shirtlessness.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Well what do we pay them for? If they’re not winning hockey games they at least owe us some shirtlessness! (Just looking for that pretty silver half-nekkid lining.)
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Nov 22, 2010 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
Always makes it worth it. The interview after the Thrashers game was fantastic for that.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
One bright spot in a universe of darkness.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
Is the bright spot Holtby or the shirtlessness in the locker room?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Can’t not love the shirtless! Though Holtby being willing to talk is pretty awesome. Of course that is just my very female opinion.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
Shirtlessness, but Holtby Potter too.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
I noticed in the Atlanta post-game vid that Sasha has a side tattoo like Ovie. Couldn’t tell what it was though.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
No. No freaking way they have matching tattoos too.
Ohhhhhh lord.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
Why would Sasha want to have a tattoo in honor of Ovi’s deceased brother anyhow?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Maybe he got confused over which Sergei was being missed, I don’t fucking know.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
LOL!
I don’t know why your comment me laugh, but it did.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
“Feds, you are always in my heart.”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
“…or on my side.”
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Nov 22, 2010 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
“Staal, who’s your Daddy?”
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Feds was in the beginning of the 3 and a half minute Ovie dance video! I watched it tonight in between periods. It was nice to unexpectedly see him again.
by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 22, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
no way Ovie is letting his BFF, tattoo buddy leave the team.
Shocked that Semin would have a tattoo in English. I need to rewatch that video. I did watch it twice, once for the interviews and another time for the sightseeing but I missed the tattoo.
by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 22, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
you can’t tell if it is English….Nice shirtlessness! Sasha and Brooks probably win for lowest body fat percentage!
by Ray of Sunshine on Nov 22, 2010 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Marcus was pretty impressive, too. I was surprised because I had this impression that he was kinda slender. I was picturing him looking like Varly. Maybe I just read too many of D’oh Boy’s comments about him being weak and pushed around.
I just rewatched it but you’re right, you can’t really tell what the tattoo says. At least I enjoyed the repeat performance.
by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 22, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yup. Same side, same location. It takes up less space though.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
He also has one on his right forearm. There was some twitter traffic last week from Chesnokov to Steinz that Sasha had gotten a few, were new (don’t know that he had them before), and to check out the one on his hand. I’ve seen pictures of his hands, but cannot see a tattoo, so not sure where it is. After seeing the one on his left ribs, I thought, did he and Ovi go together this summer? What does it say???
The one on his forearm is his niece’s name from what I’ve heard. Did not know about the hand and ribs.
wtf. Just wtf.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
Greenie still is the winnah for tats on the team. Corvo’s were the creepy ones….
by Ray of Sunshine on Nov 22, 2010 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
If that’s what winning means then the others should be grateful to be losers.
Seriously, forget me nots?
And Corvo is creepy, period.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
I’m kicking myself for not saving the link to that vid.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 11:24 PM EST up reply actions
This one?
http://video.capitals.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=38866
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
You’re right, I think Theo had the most body art. To each his own!
by Ray of Sunshine on Nov 22, 2010 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
I am not a fan of them at all. I thought he had managed to avoid that sort of thing. I don’t get it because I understand it’s painful. Why would anyone want to volunteer for pain? There’s enough involuntary pain in life.
Why would anyone want to volunteer for pain?
I can’t answer this without going into tmi, plus since mine are just piercings I’d think the answer would be different than it would be about tattoos.
Most tattoos are so stupid. Especially faces.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
maybe they came home with matching tattoos from their vacation in Turkey. Actually I recall seeing a pic of Ovie at the baby baptism in Latvia this summer and he looked like he had a tattoo on his side then, although you couldn’t see it clearly in the bad Russian paparazzi pics. Here’s the pic.
by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 22, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
I always hate watching them after losses like this. Everyone is so frustrated and disappointed.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
Loved the Alzner segment.
For those who know goalie gear, what is that protective vest Holtby is wearing?
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
That looked like his chest protector. My oldest son’s shoulder pads are made from the same stuff. It’s a different system from the traditional ones. It’s a series of little cubes sown into mesh that is flexible, yet supposedly very protective. However, I have never felt they were as protective for the clavicle area for a skater. My son’s pads look almost like a little short jacket, with a velcro closure on the front. You can attach rigid pieces in vulnerable areas with velcro, as well.
Okay this might be a really dumb question…but how does it happen that the Devils end up +16 but we only end up +15?
I guess if it were scored in the middle of a line change or something so we had one less player on the ice…?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:35 PM EST reply actions
and by +15 I meant -15*
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, for some reason I thought those didn’t affect +/-
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
It’s a question/assumption. Makes sense, but I don’t actually know.
"It's always good to have vikings."
It does make sense because on a penalty shot, only the shooter and goalie are on the ice. The goalie’s teammates watching on the sidelines can’t get penalized if the shooter scores.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
Oh yeah, I definitely agree that it makes sense. I just assumed it was like the man-advantage, and just didn’t affect anyone’s +/-.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
Your screen name and signature are ironic, given today’s events.
Guess you also have a weakness for Virgo males.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I read that as virgin and laughed like a lunatic.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 23, 2010 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
Sounds like a possible bag skate in the morning based on BB’s postgame comments.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
bag skate?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
A practice without pucks – basically they get skated hard and for a very long time. Supposedly brutal.
And I say doooo it, Bruce.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
At least the Caps know that as hard as BB will skate them it still won’t be as bad as the Wild practice earlier this season.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Nov 22, 2010 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
What Wild practice?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
That is the one. My favorite part was the John Madden quote.
“Message sent, message received,” Madden said.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Nov 22, 2010 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks, Becca.
Do our boys deserve that? Or even worse?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I think they deserve some of it – I don’t like the idea of things getting nasty between the players and perhaps the whole Richards treatment is over the top, but they need something.
However, as you pointed out below, it probably won’t (and shouldn’t) happen tomorrow considering the schedule. That’s the problem; they need practice and they need a bag skate and they need rest, this damn schedule is insane.
I guess the silver lining (I’m in silver lining mode right now) is that the schedule being so compact now might mean it’s a little more spread out down the stretch…although I haven’t checked to confirm that.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
How the Caps respond in the next game after a bag skate will tell a lot about how much control BB has over the team and if they’re still listening or tuning him out.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
So that’s what’s wrong! Not enough bag skates! ;)
"Because the game is not just about fighting no more. " D.J. King
What was his last comment in reference to? The reporter said something along the lines of does that make it tougher/harder and Bruce said he didn’t want to say anything but that they would address it. Was that about the laughter he heard down the hall?
by Ray of Sunshine on Nov 22, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe when Corey finishes whatever story he’s writing, he’ll answer that. Looked like he was pointing in the direction of some noise when he asked.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Just started watching it and I definitely heard laughing – it was the Russians, heard Kovy’s voice in there, too. Will have to watch to the end to see what you guys are talking about, though :P
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Whoa. Yeah, he was talking about the laughter from the Russian guys, I’d almost guarantee it.
And that comment about the practice was ominous, maybe the schedule will not be a factor tomorrow.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Bruce definitely had a look in his eyes – kind of like when you were a kid and your mom/dad would get the same look – you knew you were in trouble.
by Ray of Sunshine on Nov 22, 2010 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
Was he using the players’ middle names? Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin, Lars Nicklas Backstrom, Eric Effin Fehr?
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It still cracks me up that his first name is Lars.
by CaptainAwesome on Nov 22, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
Anyone know what Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, or Brooks Laich’s middle names are?
Knuble is Michael Rudolph Knuble (but he’s injured so we can’t yell at him).
Green is Michael David Green.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
For the longest time I thought the “mean lars” thing was a joke, but I couldn’t figure out where “Lars” came from.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
So the Russian boys are in BB’s doghouse for taking the loss lightly?
by Ovietracker on Nov 23, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
Hopefully he will, I am super curious…it just sounded like lockers banging or something…which wouldn’t make sense to bother him.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 22, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
And of course, both the Flyers and the Penguins won today. When it rains, it pours.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
There goes the silver lining I was imagining in the wake of the latest Caps dark cloud game.
by Ovietracker on Nov 22, 2010 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
And Tampa Bay won, as well. And Sid Crosby is now leading the league in points.
I’m ambivalent. Should I root for Stamkos to keep scoring and scoring so he can pass up Crosby? Or should I still hold out hope for my boys to get hot again.
I have one good thing to say about the prospect of Stamkos leading the league in stuff. It beats seeing Crosby leading the league.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Sorry for ruining your silver lining even more.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
It just keeps getting better for me, doesn’t it? I’ve tried not getting down so much on Ovie and the Caps, tried to keep things positive, and the hockey gods just won’t cooperate.
by Ovietracker on Nov 23, 2010 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
Well, the one thing I glean from this game is that, as much as the Caps did blow tonight with the exception of the last 10 minutes of the game when they seemed to find something to motivate them, Holtby is probably a solid 2 or 3 years from truly being in the goalie conversation. It’s great that he’s done as relatively well as he has thus far, but man does he need a lot of work. I’d be happy to not see him up here, again, barring injuries and other unexpected occurrences, for a whole year. Let the kid rough it on a smaller paycheck for a little while longer!
by DrinkingPartner on Nov 23, 2010 12:12 AM EST reply actions
The kid’s here ahead of schedule. Last year, he was supposed to play in South Carolina but did so well at Hershey when called up, due to the various injuries to Neuvy and Varly (and a few missed games by Theo) that he ended up playing more games at Hershey than any other goalie (until the Calder Cup.)
This year, he was supposed to be #1 at Hershey but is here due to, you guessed it, injuries to Varly and Neuvy.
With Holtby’s struggles, I recall the struggles Neuvy had when he first came up in 2008. He started off well but then started having problems. There was one game where Theo was sick and Neuvy was getting shelled, I think it was 5-1, but they couldn’t take him out since there was no backup. And then his struggles last December in the Toronto game. I don’t recall the final score but we were saying that Neuvy didn’t look ready for the NHL.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I just saw the Dump ‘n Chase note on the Caps site. Today was the third anniversary of BB’s hiring as head coach. What a downer way to commemorate the occasion.
I figured that wanted to commemorate by pretending to the team for which he took over as head coach.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 23, 2010 12:57 AM EST up reply actions
The Caps had 4 shots in the first period and 16 shots in the second period. You’d be hard pressed to find a difference between the two, however, unless you count the number of goals they gave up.
I wasn’t able to see the game, so I found this point informative as I wouldn’t have guessed it, thanks
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. - Michael Jordan
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