Recap: Caps 3, Hurricanes 2 (SO)
by David Getz on Nov 28, 2010 10:05 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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Print[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
[Ed note: This recap was actually authored by J.P., but not posted under his account due to technical difficulties.]
Through two periods on Sunday night, the host Capitals - 11-1-1 at home entering the night - held a 2-1 lead over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. They also had a 10-0-0 record when leading after forty minutes, while the 'Canes hadn't won once when trailing after two (0-9-0). So the end result of the game - a win for the home team - may have been easily guessed. How they got there, however, was a little less predictable, as the Caps yielded the game's next goal with less than three seconds left, and needed the shootout to earn the win. Hey, they can't all be 6-0.
Ten more notes on the game:
- David Steckel is the League leader in faceoff percentage, but even he loses more than one out of every three draws... like that one with eight seconds left and a 2-1 lead on which he was beaten by Eric Staal (who came into the game with a 42.8 win FO%). Steckel won eight of 11 draws on the night. What're the odds?
- That said, the Caps still had a chance to keep the game from being tied, but Tom Poti was out-muscled and out-positioned by Staal in front - not the kind of play you expect from the veteran blueliner.
- The Caps started the scoring with Marcus Johansson 's third goal of the season, a pretty move that showed both creativity and patience reminiscent of another Swedish Caps pivot. Yes, his game is coming along nicely.
- Washington's second goal was potted by the scorching-hot Alexander Semin on a beautiful feed from Alex Ovechkin - a perfect example of the latter making one of his teammates better. Ahem.
- Semyon Varlamov was very good in goal, saving 26 of 28 shots on the night, including a game-saver in overtime and three stops in the shootout. Yes, his shutout streak was snapped at 92:50, but his hot play since returning from injured reserve continues.
- Before the game, 'Canes coach Paul Maurice noted that the Caps "are a team that is playing a better defensive game than they have in the past." The four goals they've allowed in three games against Carolina speak to that. So does the 'Canes 1-for-12 mark on the powerplay over the three games.
- One game after everything seemed to go right, Bruce Boudreau shook up his lines. Big time. one wonders why.
- John Carlson played 25 very solid minutes, including four shots on goal, four hits, three blocked shots and 2:27 of perfect penalty killing.
- Back to Ovechkin, he was a force all night (just ask Tim Gleason), firing a game-high seven shots on goal and scoring the shootout winner. You get the feeling the goals are going to start coming in bunches, and soon.
- Matt Hendricks had a career-high five shots on goal - as many as he had in his first eight games as a Cap.
In the wake of the disaster in New Jersey, the Caps have posted three-consecutive wins against Southeast Division opponents by getting timely scoring, solid defense and outstanding goaltending. Now it's time to hit the road again and show the rest of the League what they've got.
Game highlights:
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Ah the recap. For all the late game hand-wringing tonight there are a lot of positives to take out of the game.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:08 PM EST reply actions
I’d say so. Nice goals by Johansson and Semin. And shootout goal by Ovi.
Varly looks good! We won in spite of a near Halaking by Cam Ward.
This was the type of game the Caps tended to lose last year.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Johansson’s looking stronger on the puck lately and it shows in the box score. I was surprised to hear Boudreau shy away from the Backstrom comparison. He thinks they play different styles. Not sure who would be a more appropriate comp.
by Kolzilla on Nov 28, 2010 10:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
In some ways I think that’s BB taking some pressure off the kid by not encouraging anyone to expect the same level of success/scoring. That said he and GMGM have to be pleased with the progression MJ90 is showing.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
Speaking of Halaking…St Louis on Wednesday
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Nov 28, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
It’s going to be a dark cloud hanging over me for the next 3 days.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
But St. Louis has no offense. Or at least they had none against Dallas.
But I know what you mean. Given that the Caps also have a crappy record playing in St. Louis’ arena.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
It’s Halak.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A new word needs to be added to dictionaries:
Halaking, adj.(hockey) the act of standing on one’s head to thwart a superior opponent.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Two stars and some guy
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Not Fair...
..if not for New Daddy Cam Ward’s performance, the ‘Canes aren’t even in this game. He robbed Ovechkin twice, and also stopped Steckel point blank, along with Fehr and Johansson. It could have been 5-1 entering the third if he wasn’t on his game big time.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 29, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
Congratulations, Captain Hardhat
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Poti is not quite there yet. He really needs 5+ consecutive games to get into shape.
Carlznerson impress me more and more with each game. We’re going to have a very good top four for a very long time.
by Kolzilla on Nov 28, 2010 10:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions
For me, I’m not bothered about the style points that we lost by not sealing the deal in regulation anymore. I am bothered by the trend of us taking more penalties than we draw although I blame that on the zebras tonight.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
On a positive note, the Caps didn’t let that bother them. They found a way to win.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
Carolina is very good at drawing penalties and avoiding taking them – it’s not on the zebras tonight.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
You didn’t think they missed an obvious call or two?
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
Nope.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Interesting.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
Do you have anything specific in mind? There was one play where I thought they could have called a trip on Ovie, but that’s balanced out by a play where they could have called a high-stick or hook on Semin and didn’t.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
That trip was the main one I thought they missed. While it was marginal after our only PP chance Mackan definitely got interfered with slightly…I think if he actually goes down from the contact and sells it he gets the call, but regardless it was an attempt to interfere with him. I also thought Carlson got tripped behind our net once but on replays it looked more like it may have just been the two skaters getting tangled.
I didn’t think we should have had 4 or 5 PP chances…just maybe another 1 or 2 tops. Wasn’t major, I just expected an even up or two.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
I saw that, and what looked like a trip on Carlson. The Carlson one looked bad, and you could hear/see the Caps’ bench giving it to the ref (#37). The ref was so busy talking to the bench that he lost track of the play for about 20 seconds.
Ultimately, neither seemed egregious. Maybe calls that veteran guys get. I thought Ovie’s hook was a little weak. Again though, I didn’t walk out of this game thinking the refs had really influenced the outcome all that much. The Canes are really, really good at drawing penalties and not taking many in return.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Obviously it didn’t influence the outcome, just seems a disturbing trend for us to not be able to draw penalties and in these games where we’re able to build a lead, being able to send out that lethal PP to break their backs would be a nice thing to have (much like we did against Tampa).
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
I’m thinking Boudreau shook up his lines to keep the players fresh. He wants to know his options, who plays best with whom, to get a feel or what combinations have the best chemistry. It’s a luxury he can afford now that the team has gotten back on track.
As I noted on the Third Period thread, the postgame interview video is on Caps365. Ovie is wearing the much deserved hard hat.
Yeah. He’s doing this to avert boredom as much as anything else methinks. He does have very stable D pairs at least. Sometimes he probably likes to shake up the lines to focus on a chemistry independent forechecking approach where guys focus less on pretty touch passing and more on just making the basic hockey play.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
by souldrummer on Nov 28, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
On the line changes, after Friday’s game I would not have expected line changes.
But, in reading the “tea leaves” based on Saturday’s practice, change was in the air. The “normal” second line of Laich/Flash/Knuble was reunited. And Johansson was in his typical role of centering Fehr and Chimmer. So, we obviously were not going to see Friday’s second line.
Other practice notes: Semin and Gordon didn’t practice. Hendricks took his place in practice. King practiced with 4th line. Is Gordon injured or what’s the story on him?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Hard to argue with moving Johannson and Semin as they both scored a goal on their new lines. I thought the 3rd and 4th lines both had very strong nights. Fehrsie in particular had a bit of a bounce back game it felt like. Good to see it show up on the scoresheet with the helper on Mackan’s goal.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
I’d say so, as well. I assume Bruce figured it was time to reunite Ovi and Backstrom with Semin since Semin scored two of his goals on Friday with assists from guess who.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
If the Caps continue to get consistent goal scoring production with different line combinations, that’s a very good sign. Boudreau is aware injuries happen, so mixing it up with the combinations provides an opportunity for players to have different linemates in the event something happens. It’s good planning, good strategy.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
Mixing things up also allows you to tailor your lineup to the way a specific team plays. It might be that teams that use variations of the trap have a harder time defending Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom since they all handle the puck well. Moving Semin to the 2nd line might be more effective against teams that play more of a run and gun style.
(I have no idea if this is accurate, but I think there might be something to the logic)
Maybe Bruce learned a few things pouring over playoff game film this summer.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Nov 28, 2010 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
It did seem like, in the past, the Caps would put the OBS line together against the Bruins and have success. (Bruins Dec 2008 game; our opener against Boston last year) This year, they didn’t and, let’s say the results were less than stellar.
I think your comment is on the mark. Against certain teams, the OBS line is the best combo to use and one of those teams is the Bruins. I’m surprised they weren’t together for one of the Montreal games in the playoffs.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I think they were together for the first period of Game 5. Of course, the Caps didn’t show up until the 2nd period, so it didn’t make much difference.
Seems like it might be effective, but what do I know.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Nov 28, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Fehrsie in particular had a bit of a bounce back game it felt like.
Really? I thought that, the assist notwithstanding, he was pretty invisible.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
That line had some solid shifts throughout the game I thought, he made some nice plays on the boards. They didn’t dominate possession quite as much as the 4th line was at times but overall they did well I thought. The only line I really saw get hemmed in for extended periods of time was the 2nd line.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah. Flash was brutal.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
He had a decent moment or two…and wasn’t abysmal at the dot, although we were playing Carolina. I didn’t even feel like they really gave up great chances when they were stuck in our zone but they seemed to be chasing and reacting rather than anticipating.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe it was just me (sitting waaaay up high) but did Flash look frustrated to anyone else tonight? Not used to seeing that out of him but he looked pissed when he got the penalty, annoyed when he missed chances, etc. Usually he’s not so visibly disturbed by stuff like that.
Again, maybe I’m just reading too much into it…just wondering if anyone else saw it.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
He had been sitting. Whether the claim is “rotating everyone in” or not, I’m sure on some level he’s going to want to prove he shouldn’t be the one to sit.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
Agree on that one. (When did Carolina become a more disciplined team than the Caps?)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Any objective observer would be hard pressed to claim we didn’t deserve another PP chance or two tonight. Most nights when we complain about missed calls I just chalk it up to the usual. Tonight it just didn’t seem even with the type of calls they were making against us.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Just a few missed trips, among other things. But we have guys named Sasha, so of course, they’ll call penalties on us for that. (Okay, snarking here)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
The NHL is considering implementing the Sasha rule to, you know, level the playing field and try to establish more parity in the SE division.
/sarcasm
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, call more penalties on teams with guys named Sasha. Can you imagine how many more penalties would be called on us if Sasha Pokuluk had made it?
/sarcasm in return
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I can see it now, the refs checking the teams’ starting lineups. They find TWO Sashas, and they plan the timing of when they will blow the whistle and raise their arms.
/sarcasm back at you!
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
We’re having too much fun here — trading sarcasm back & forth.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Isn’t that what recaps are for?
/snark, for a change of pace
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve noticed our fan base, as a whole, have numerous comments on the recaps. While some other teams’ fans don’t have much to say on recap threads but lots in the game day threads.
For example, the St. Louis Blues have extremely heavy commented game day threads, as in from 500-900 comments. But comments are sparse on recaps and preview threads. (I’m surprised they haven’t started breaking up their Game Day threads by periods.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
It’s what I’ve always suspected—Caps fans are unique and special, just like the team they support.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Isn’t that what recaps are for?
Actually recaps are for talking about, you know, the game.
"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 29, 2010 5:57 AM EST up reply actions
And despite all that, the Caps still won. Sometimes the refs interfere enough to affect the outcome. Not tonight.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
Well it wasn’t like the Vanek OT winner game when the margin was 7 to 1.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
That moment seems like a very distant memory now.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
True. And at least the Sashas were only getting called for single minors (and not double minors).
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Adds new meaning to the term Sasha Minor
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
Good one. Last year was the year of the Sasha Major penalty
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
…to be followed by the Sasha Major Suspension
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
Carolina is consistently towards the top of Penalty +/-, IIRC.
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 28, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Anyone notice in the post game interview Ovie’s shirt has a Weagle on it… along with the NFL Equipment logo?
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
OK, I need some education. What the heck is a Weagle? Does it have anything to do with “Don’t Fear the Weagle” or do I have Blue Oyster Cult on my mind?
Whatever Ovie is wearing has to be much better than some of the tee-shirts in his closet.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
The logo on the shoulder of the jerseys (an eagle, shaped in a W)
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Nov 28, 2010 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
Weagle is the Caps Logo with the W/Capital thing on it.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
by souldrummer on Nov 28, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
I didn’t know that. I learn something new every day. Thanks for the enlightenment.
by Ovietracker on Nov 28, 2010 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
Japers Rink: “Offering more enlightenment than a team full of Rousseau’s”.
Glad to help.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
by souldrummer on Nov 28, 2010 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
A team full of Rousseau’s what?
Sorry, I am an asshole.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Nov 28, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure what you’re looking for. Rousseau: French father of the enlightenment. Guess my line fell flat.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
by souldrummer on Nov 28, 2010 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
It was a reference to your misuse of the apostrophe. You made Rousseau possessive, rather than plural.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Japers Rink: "Offering more enlightenment than a team full of Rousseau’s".
and more linguistics than Strunk and White
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
by kingzman264 on Nov 29, 2010 2:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting to see BB using the Carlznerson pairing against the other team’s top line. Looking at the Fenwick/Corsi stats, they did quite well against Staal’s line.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 10:55 PM EST reply actions
:) Looks like it was AO-Carlzner vs Staal, and they destroyed him.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Nov 29, 2010 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
Maladjusted
In the first period, when the Caps were killing off Ovie’s hooking minor, the Canes came up the ice with speed on their breakout and the puck-carrier cut to center ice right-to-left before throwing a pass back to his right to hit a streaking player down the right wing. The player easily gained the zone with possession and set up the PP, because in the Caps’ PK alignment, there’s nobody covering that wing if the puck carrier and two more players are to the left of center ice.
The Canes then lost possession and had another breakout. I turned to the person I was sitting with and told them what I just saw, and I said, “watch, the Canes have found a soft spot in the Caps’ PK scheme – they’ll do it again.”
Sure enough, the next time down the ice, the Canes did the same thing, with the same result. Time after time (I lost count after 5 or 6 times) on every PP breakout, the Canes kept hitting a man with speed down the right wing on a pass from center ice. Only once did the Caps attempt to deny the pass, and that time, it simply became a dump-in with speed and the Canes regained possession pretty quickly
Ultimately, it didn’t matter in this game. The Canes didn’t do much on the PP, since the Caps were doing a good job of denying passing lanes and blocking shots. Nevertheless, allowing your opponent to gain the zone with possession on the PP is a bad thing. PP%’s go up sharply when teams have clean possession in the zone, and this becomes all the more important now that the Caps play an “aggressive” PK scheme that purports to deny their opponent clean possession.
Over the long haul, this is the kind of thing that will kill the Caps, and it’s why I vehemently disagree with Alan May’s article about Boudreau. If I can see what the Canes are doing on the PP breakout, then someone on the Caps’ bench should have seen it. The adjustment to such a scheme is remarkably simple – instead of a strict “2-2 Box,” the Caps could have played a 3-1 once the puck crossed the Canes’ blueline on the breakout. Alternatively, they could have played a 1-2-1 diamond, with the “2” pushed out to deny the passing lane to the onrushing forward.
Another way to help deny that pass is to put offensively-capable penalty killers out on the PK, and tell them to look for that pass. The risk of the play the Canes were making is that it left very little margin for error should one of the Caps intercept that pass and head the other way. Four of the Canes (the LW, the LD the C/D making the pass, and the RW/C streaking down the board would essentially be out of the play immediately once the puck was turned over. It was a tailor-made shorthanded 2-1. If I were in BB’s position, I would have rotated more offensive forwards on the PK over and over again (Semin, Laich, Backstrom, Johansson and Chimera), and I would have dared the Canes to keep trying that play.
The Caps did exactly none of these things. That the Canes didn’t score on the PP is largely beside the point. Paul Maurice or one of his assistants saw a soft spot in the Caps’ system and exploited it. They did it repeatedly and the Caps never seemed to adjust to it all night. I can’t imagine that the Caps’ coaches and players were unaware of what the Canes were doing if it was so obvious to me – they’ve forgotten more about hockey than I’ll ever know. If they were aware of it, then why didn’t they make an adjustment? Are they just so arrogant/stubborn that they don’t care? (Note that I’m using the third-person plural, because there’s more to this than just Boudreau and the coaching staff.)
Good coaches and players find the holes in their opponents’ systems. Good coaches and players find ways of adjusting to those tactics. Great coaches (Bowman) and players can make those adjustments on the fly and do it several times per period. The more I watch the Caps, the more I think this team is unable or unwilling to make those adjustments, and that’s going to kill them in a seven-game series against a coach/team is willing and able to do it.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
by D'ohboy on Nov 28, 2010 10:57 PM EST reply actions 8 recs
Great analysis…if worrisome.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
You often bring such thought-provoking analysis, and now I’m wondering if that soft spot on the PK system has been there since the start of the season. When you say the team is unable or unwilling to make those adjustments on the fly I assume you mean the coach. And that not all opposing coaches either saw or were able to exploit the same soft spot, such as in the Tampa game. The Caps were able to frustrate Tampa’s PP play quite effectively as I recall. (I haven’t seen last night’s game yet so I going by what I’ve read). What was different in last night’s game? The experience of the opposing coach?
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Nov 29, 2010 8:01 AM EST up reply actions
Just so I’m not D’ohboy-downer, I’d like to add that Carlson and Alzner are already a very capable shut-down D pair at the ripe old age of 20/21. Carlson was hitting a lot tonight, which was fun to watch, provided that Alzner had his back (which he did). Alzner’s gap control in the neutral zone is just amazing to watch. If he wants to stay with a forward, that forward is simply out of the play. He still gets wrong-footed sometimes (witness St. Louis’ brilliant chance in the last TB game), but more often than not, his positioning is spot-on.
Johansson’s looking good, although I’d like to see him getting #2C TOI, as opposed to ~13:00. Flash is not a C, his decent faceoff performance tonight notwithstanding. The team seems to have more jump when Mackan’s out there.
Agree with DMG about Poti. Beyond his gaffe on the GTG, he iced the puck once on a long backhanded clear when he had about 5 seconds worth of time if he’d only picked his head up. That’s a rookie mistake. Being made by our “veteran” defenseman.
Games like tonight reinforce why Semin can go into slumps: the dude ALWAYS shoots top-shelf. If he starts missing, he misses the net entirely and starts clearing the puck for the other team. When it works, though. . . it’s awesome.
Steckel gets paid $1.1m to do . . . what, exactly? Dave, with Backstrom and Hendricks out there with you, if you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin. If you get caught cheatin’. . . that’s why they put them other dudes out there with you.
Twice, the Caps were caught with three guys watching the puck high in the zone during 4v4 overtime. Within a minute. Both turned into great scoring chances. To keep this positive, Varly made great saves on both chances.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Agreed on all points. Carlznerson has really picked it up from an off game or two from each earlier in the year. I’d like to see MJ90 more at 2C as well…and pair him with Semin. Believe me I have the same reaction to Steckel losing that draw when the result was so bad…but hard to argue with his overall performance at the dot tonight. I saw both of those 2 on 1’s develop down low in OT as well, didn’t seem to be any reason for it to happen yet it did. Don’t remember which pairings were on for each, or if it was the same pairing. Also not sure if it was a mixed pairing after Green limped off.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 28, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Is it just me or are we waaaaaay better off with MarJo being permanently promoted to 2C and then trading away Flash. Then the lines would look something like:
AO-Lars-Laich
Semin-MarJo-Knuble
Chimera-Gordo-Fehr
Hendricks-Stecks-Brads
Scratch- King
In my humble yet novice opinion, those top two lines are perfectly balanced with speed, power, finishing touch, playmaking, and grit. The third line may not have as much scoring potential without MarJo, but it takes on a more grittier personality which I like, but it still has the capability to put in some goals. And the fourth line is just pure awesome because Brads and Hendricks are the shit, but we all know that. I mean you could quibble with who is RW1 and RW2 and the such, and maybe Gordo is not the ideal 3C but Gordo at 3C makes me feel a lot better than Flash at 2C or any C for that matter. And we also still have the option of calling up Matty P for 3C. Anyway we could trade for a solid veteran D-man so Sloan will never see NHL ice again and have someone capable to cover Poti’s ass when he inevitably fails to clear the puck and/or protect the front of the net. Then our D pairings will look something like this:
Green-Sarge
American Hero-Alzner
Poti-Solid Veteran D-man
Scratch-Erskine
Overall, I think we would be a much more complete team that’s better off in the long haul, especially the playoffs where Flash’s play has been quite awful, if we promoted MarJo and got rid of BB’s adopted son, I mean Flash.
Kids in the backseat cause accidents, Accidents in the backseat cause kids.
by Area 51 Forever on Nov 29, 2010 1:18 AM EST reply actions
My biggest concern with having Gordon on the third like that, is his speed. He isn’t slow, but I am not sure how well he would keep up with Chimmer and Fehr. Macken is as fast as they are…well within reason, as Chimera is so damn fast.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 29, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
He isn’t slow, but I am not sure how well he would keep up with Chimmer and Fehr.
Do you have Fehr confused with someone else?
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Fehr is kind of sort of maybe relatively speaking somewhat decently fast enough when he’s moving his legs…hypothetically in a theoretical parallel universe.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Nov 29, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
I mean, if Fehr is just going in a straight line without the puck he isn’t too terribly slow! Not like Slown anyway…its all relative I suppose. Haha.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Nov 29, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Sloan, for all his faults, is also a better skater than Fehr. It’s not the speed of his skating that is a problem.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 29, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
On the Caps defense, there aren’t many skaters better than Sloan. Green is, and Carlson is better too. Alzner is about the same level in terms of just skating ability. Poti isn’t quite as good a skater as Sloan, and clearly Schultz and Erskine aren’t close at all.
That said, it’s not just how you skate, but where you skate, and on that issue, there’s no debate.. out of the seven defensemen the Caps have, Sloan comes in 7th. The top player on D for the Caps in terms of positioning is Schultz (and it’s not close…), followed (in order) by Alzner, Green, Poti, Carlson, Erskine and Sloan. Erskine is 6th, but his positioning has improved dramatically to where he is almost a passable 6th defenseman. Carlson is 5th in positioning, but there is no doubt he will get better (the guys a rookie… there’s a learning curve when going from the AHL to the NHL). I fully expect that Carlson will be a better positional player than Poti by season’s end, not because Poti will get stupid, but because Carlson will learn.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 29, 2010 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
Fehr isn’t a great skater, but he is a smart skater. His philosophy in the offensive end is pretty simple: If the puck is on your corner of the rink on the wing, get in the corner and get it. If the puck is on the other side of the rink, get in front of the net. Works for me.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 29, 2010 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
Belated Observations from Section 421
Belated thanks to Comcast, home of DNS issues on a Sunday Night…
Anyway, it was a great game played by the Caps with only a few brain-farts, two of which led to goals. Hopefully Bruce and co. we were watching NHL Network last night as their analyst called them out on both goals and showed the simple plays that would have prevented both of them…. anyway:
1) Great work by the MJ90-F16-Flash unit. They forechecked with some ferocity that led to one goal and a bunch of good chances (some of which Cam Ward stopped. If they can keep up the effort, then maybe Fehr will get his game going again. Ditto for Flash, but he seems a little bit more set in his ways.
2) Speaking of Cam Ward…other than Tim Thomas, Ward’s play in this game was the best I’ve seen in person of any opposing goaltender this season. The guy had his A game going… someone should do a study of goalies and their performance in the few weeks after their wives have a kid. There’s got to be a natural boost there due to the joy of a new baby, and the relief if everything is alright and that you don’t have to worry as much about it. Remember last season, Matt Bradley’s wife had their first and Brads had his best season ever? Oh and anyone who doesn’t think that first star wasn’t earned, watch the game again… he pretty much got them a standings point by keeping the Canes in the game.
3) I wonder what Paul Maurice said to the Canes after the first intermission? It just about looked at the end of the period they had quit (other than Ward). The icing Brooks Laich chased down…yes Brooks gave a good effort, but he was a stride behind the defender at the blue line, and the guy just peeled away from the puck to cover a pass Brooks might make. That’s the kind of play that gets you sent to the AHL.
4) Good for NHL Network for calling out Backstrom and Poti on the Canes’ goals. If Backstrom simply pushes the puck out of the Caps zone in the second period, then they don’t get the turn over and score. And with 2 second left, the rule book (other than intent to injure) is out the window. Poti should have tackled Staal. So they get a holding call with 1.9 seconds left… don’t tie up his stick, just grab him and hold on. Game situation stuff…
5) NHL Network’s analyst also mentioned that the reason Ovie appears to be “slumping” is that he’s not scoring goals, but he’s figured out that he’s now trying to be more of a playmaker to get the defense off of him. If defenders have to respect his passing, he’ll get more room for shots. Oh, and 6 assists in 3 games is hardly a slump.
6) I can’t also remember a recent NHL game where there was so little hitting going on. Did either team have 10 hits in the game (actually NHL.com reports the Caps outhitting the Canes 23-20… I can’t remember that many hits for the life of me…)
7) All of you haters… did you know that yesterday Jeff Schultz blocked seven shots? Only Alzner, with 4 blocks, got more than half that many… for both teams!
Anyway, it was a win, not a great win, but one that at the end of the year counts as 2 points. Quoting Ron Weber, “And now the Caps hit the road; hopefully the road won’t hit back…”
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 29, 2010 10:24 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
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