Recap: Caps 5, Bruins 3
by J.P. on Nov 5, 2010 10:07 PM EDT
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Heading into Friday night's NHL action, the ten teams the Caps had faced to date had compiled a cumulative 54-53-13 record, with only the Boston Bruins having more wins than losses on the still-young season. Two of those wins, of course, came against these very Capitals, so to say that Friday night's rematch with the B's was the biggest test of the campaign thus far might even be understating things.
And the Caps passed the test. Barely.
For the second consecutive game, the Caps took a lead into the third period, only to cough up three-straight goals before pulling a victory out of their... hats, this time by a 5-3 score. Hey, at least they never trailed in this one.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Alexander Semin may be playing the best hockey of his career right now. Sure, his shorthanded goal was spectacular (and more time on the PK for Sasha has always been something we've advocated). But what was every bit as impressive was his backchecking effort to break up a Bruins 3-on-2 in the first period. As of right now, Alex Semin is as fully invested as Alex Semin gets (and, if we're really lucky, that will shame his captain into putting forth the same kind of effort).
- The shocker of the night (well, other than Tomas Fleischmann cleanly winning a faceoff and Tyler Sloan subsequently beating Tim Thomas with his first goal since a day shy of a year) was Bruce Boudreau pulling Michal Neuvirth after the third goal. Neuvirth may have been struggling a bit (per Boudreau post-game), but throwing Braden Holtby in for his NHL debut in that situation? Bold. And Holtby responded with a four-save win. Congrats to him... and to Bruce for having his decision work out.
- John Carlson had a very strong game, as he scored the game-winning goal and was Boudreau's most-used blueliner against the David Krecji line, which was pointless and dominated at even strength.
- Speaking of blueliners, the Caps had three goals from their defensemen tonight, which matched their season total prior to the game. Mike Green was one of those goal-scorers, and had an all-around solid night, but seemed to be favoring his shoulder a bit late. Let's hope it's nothing.
- The Caps continue to be slow starters... but the goals are just pouring in for them during the second twenty minutes of games. With three more middle stanza goals against the B's, the Caps now lead the NHL in second-period tallies with 20.
- When the Caps failed to score on a 58-second five-on-three advantage, you had a feeling that it would come back to haunt them, like walking the lead-off hitter in an inning. It didn't, necessarily, but when you've got those guys and a minute to work with, you need to score.
- How strange a night was it (other than that Sloan goal)? The reigning Player of the Month (Thomas) and Rookie of the Month (Neuvirth) got yanked, Zdeno Chara was a minus-four and Alex Ovechkin might have been the worst player on the ice (perhaps he was a bit woozy from taking a hit up high early on).
- Boyd Gordon won the draw on the game-winner, but Eric Fehr's effort on the play served as a bit of a reminder that winning and losing faceoffs isn't just about the center, but his wingers as well. It was one of many strong plays by Fehr (who was jawing with Milan Lucic early and often) on the night.
- Prior to tonight, the Caps had allowed two power-play goals at home all season. In a 55-second span of the third period, they doubled that total.
- I still can't get on board with Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich on the same line (to say nothing of the two of them flanking Flash). The chemistry isn't there, and with those two redundant wingers, it's hard to imagine it ever will be.
On Friday night, the Caps held one of the best teams in hockey to 18 shots on goal (and just nine through two periods)... but they blew a three-goal third period lead. They chased a goalie who has had a historically good run to start the season after two periods... but their penalty kill surrendered two big goals. They won the game... but they still seem to lack some aspect of how to close out close games. Ultimately, they won. And that's that.
Flyers Sunday.
Game highlights:
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Congrats Greenie!
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
And, uh, hi there Boyd.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Not sure what to make of Gordo’s inclusion there. I would have gone with Sasha, but that’s just me.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Carlson, too. Eff Shawn Thornton.
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by J.P. on Nov 5, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
‘nother good point. The B’s got dominated like the gimp in Pulp Fiction for 40 minutes.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
'Salright. Johnny can have a tasty steak or lobster
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Glad someone besides myself thought JC should have been one of the stars of the game. At least he gets to enjoy dinner at the Palm as a “consolation” prize. Will he take the girlfriend or his defensive partner?
Rocking the Red since 1975
He should take Alzner, he had a very strong game too!
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--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 6, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Not just 40. In the final frame, while the Bs outscored the Caps 3-1 (not counting ENGs), they were out Corsi’d by 6.
by red army line on Nov 5, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have voted for Carlson as second star myself. Although we could have also made the case for Ovi. (In any case, there were plenty of heroes on the Caps tonight.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yeah, I don’t see the case for AO. Semin, perhaps.
by red army line on Nov 6, 2010 3:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Who got the hard hat?
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Look below :)
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Not another Capitals blog!
"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat"
Two thirds of those three stars makes no sense to me. Semin should be somewhere on that list.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 5, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
____
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by J.P. on Nov 5, 2010 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
I’m not sure how I feel about that. I suppose for getting thrown into the fire, but otherwise, how much did he need to do?
"It's always good to have vikings."
I’m fine with it. First start ever, not an easy situation, gets the win. Several other players had great games for sure, but why not? I don’t really think it’s a big deal.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
He faced down the Boston Bruins in panic mode in his end for a great long time. A team that had just scored THREE TIMES in ten minutes.
Salute.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
First appearance, not start.
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 6, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
_____________
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Oh, damn. On first glance I thought I could order me a Braden Holtby with FREE SHIPPING.
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by boutros23 on Nov 5, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
“Dear Hockey Diaries…”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
“Dear Penthouse Forum…”
No wait… wrong blog. ;-)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 6, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I need to get one of those pushpin iPhone mics like Vogs has.
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hey, i don’t see us in panic mode or ‘very concerned’ mode anymore.
this team is progressing. and it looks like they’re not on track to peak any time soon.
hey, i’m not saying we’re shoo-ins for the cup.
but they’re maturing and getting their shit together. this is good
yes, but we’re playing stronger on special teams these days (ok, not tonight), working hard, and pulling out games that could get away from us.
our worst game in the past 10 was against the Wild. We were inches from sending it to OT, but Backstrom robbed the other Backstrom. On our shittiest night, we almost pull out a point from a solid team which had been dominating for the whole night.
Fleischmann wins a face-off, to Sloan for a goal, and Ovechkin is comprehensively average. I’m looking for locusts.
That John Carlson—is he an American? He deserves a gif of some kind.
Semin should have gotten an assist on his goal. He was really a pain in the ass to play against.
Hendricks > King. Signed, Captain Obvious.
I still like it better when 3-0 leads dont become exciting finishes.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
I believe JC was born in Massachusetts and raised in NJ.
I’m with you in that the Caps should not keep blowing 3 goal leads. I’m wondering if Neuvy is out of gas and needs a breather.
Rocking the Red since 1975
10 rocky minutes, 4 of ‘em shorthanded, isnt the worst night’s work against the well-balanced B’s. I saw a batch good performances, all over the roster, and Yet Another Home Win.
Tonight I’m just going to shake my head and say Cardiac Caps.
As for G, I’d love to see Holtby sunday. Thought the recipe was 60 or so games of platooning and/or play the hot hand. By either standard, Neuvy looks rest-able.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Neuvirth may have been struggling a bit (per Boudreau post-game), but throwing Braden Holtby in for his NHL debut in that situation? Bold.
Boudreau mentioned in the post game presser that Neuvirth was looking over at the bench after the third goal as if he was asking for some relief. That apparently spurred his decision to put in Holtby.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 5, 2010 10:22 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, I heard that. Prior to hearing that, I’d figured it was more of a move to send a message to the team than to the netminder, but when a goalie looks over, it’s time to yank him, no doubt.
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Kind of surprised that Neuvirth would show that lack of confidence, it never really seemed his style.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
That’s interesting if that affected his decision, something I definitely didn’t notice. Neuvy’s probably just a little tired. He recently did 3 games in 4 nights and he’s been playing a ton of games all season.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
Wait do we really want to start Braden in the Flyers game, probably the hottest team right now… I don’t know about that.
Yes. Or I do, at least.
This Flyers game is not going to be decided by who’s in net for either team. And Braden is, how should we say, protective of his crease.
Ahem.
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Braden won’t put up with their shit.
I have a twitter.
Not another Capitals blog!
"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat"
a Braden vs. Bob goalie fight would be awesome.
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In theory, yes, I’d love to see Braden throw down.
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Also, I really hope someone got Holtby’s first NHL display of Holtbyisms on video…
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my mom took one look at Holtby and says “Someone had a little too much coffee today!”
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We need to call up Cody from Swift Current. He scored the game-winner on Bob at the rookie game. Unassisted.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Goalies, like all other players, favor different sticks. I saw THIS
in Holtby’s locker room, with a tag a the bottom that read, “Philly”
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Dunny-on-the-World
by Boggles on Nov 6, 2010 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Right now what Neuvy wants, Neuvy gets as far as I’m concerned. If he needs the night off to avoid overwork. take it — it’s still early.
Got my user name back from the dingo...
Bring on the Flyers. For that matter, I’d love to play the following three teams in the playoffs this year, en route to the finals: Habs, Flyers, Pens. And for good measure, we can beat the crap out of St. Louis and Halak to hoist the mug.
I don’t ever want to see Halak again. Ever. If we do and light his ass up I will be overjoyed. But I never want to face him again.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 6, 2010 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Caps face the Blues on Dec 1 and March 3. Thanks, scheduling gods!
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Last season Caps had four shorthanded goals all (regular) season this year they have four in 14 games.
by Malin A on Nov 5, 2010 10:33 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs
That’s a rec’ing
I have a twitter.
Not another Capitals blog!
"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat"
Letting a team that likes to play with the puck free to actually play with the puck – WIN!
(Plus sneaky Sasha sneaking)
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Sniper Sasha sniping…
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
Weird what pressure can do for a PK.
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 6, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Another random note- I loved Semin’s reaction after his goal, it made me smile.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
He’s looking, dare I say it, awesome and super enjoying himself lately.
I have a twitter.
Not another Capitals blog!
"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat"
I died laughing. He fist-pounded the ice and had the biggest grin.
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Want. As. Wallpaper.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
When I saw it on the big screen at VC, I howled. The stoic Siberian is no more!
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He likes it here, he likes Ovechkin, he owns two houses next to each other in Arlington, and he doesn’t seem like a guy who likes to go outside his own comfort zone. Some of these things seem to indicate that he could be resigned.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
The only way it could have been better is if Marc Staal was under him on the ice…
Wait, what?
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 6, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s ridiculous. I mean you look at where they were last year… Definitely did not expect them to be this bad.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
1) yep, and 2nd in the league behind the Kings.
2) i know, right? wtf is this madness. Hockey’s off to an odd start this year!
Even more hilariously, the Devils are absolutely terrible. -23 in 15 games. Damn, that’s impressive.
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 6, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
and yet another loss. I think “schadenfreude” pretty well sums it up.
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Kinda past the schadenfreude stage, personally. Now I just feel faintly ill. They have got to get rid of MacLean. He is not an NHL coach.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I haven’t been following particularly closely. Is it a coaching thing, a “bad chemistry” thing, some combination of both? New Jersey never seems to have the happiest of locker rooms of late, but I thought maybe that was just the Lemaire reign of terror.
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Indirectly, it’s got be a Kovalchuk thing. Really. That contract is why they couldn’t ice a full team and that’s thrown everything off. The injuries are just piling it on, though.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Exactly. You can’t just point to Kovalchuck on this one. He’s actually one of the guys that is worth his cap hit. Look at some of the guys that aren’t and then you’ll see the problems.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
You’re correct, but it’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. If they don’t sign him, they still have bad contracts, but they don’t have to find a way to hide $3-4 million worth.
And right now, I’m not sure you can make a valid argument that he’s worth that contract. It’s not like he’s lighting up the scoreboard.
"It's always good to have vikings."
They don’t need to hide the money because of him, they need to hide it because of the other guys. People just focus on him being the last guy signed, so it must be his fault. He doesn’t have great production as of now, but I find it hard to believe that he’s not going to pick it up over the course of the season.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yes, he’s the last guy signed. If they don’t sign him, it’s possible they still get hit with all the injuries and they’re still dreadful, but you don’t know what they might have done with say $2 million. It’s all theoretical. It’s not Kovalchuk’s fault, he’s just the flashing neon billboard for all their problems.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Two Bruins whom Alex Semin made look foolish tonight: Andrew Ference and Patrice Bergeron.
On Green’s goal, Semin was pestering Ference to the left of the goal. Ference went after him and took himself completely out of position. That left Green with a wide-open slot and a perfect shooting lane. Green’s curl and drag was sexy, but Semin helped make that play.
On the PK when Semin tipped Chara’s pass, Bergeron had at least a stride and a half on Semin, but he still got beat to the puck. Then Bergeron got muscled off the puck and allowed Semin to break away. The start of that play was the very definition of “out-worked.”
As I said to Knee High during the game, Good Semin is a treat to watch.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Nov 5, 2010 10:54 PM EDT reply actions
Not hard to do that to Ference
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by Marisa Ingemi on Nov 5, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Semin stripped so many guys using that stick-lift-at-the-last-moment play.
by red army line on Nov 6, 2010 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Great observations. I’m going to go back and look for the play against Ferrence. I was at the game and excessively hammered so lots of the details got by me. The sweet play on the shorty was obvious though. Great game by Sasha.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
well
I still do not know why Thomas was pulled.
Beat the Flyers tomorrow.
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Given that we play them Sunday at 5, that would be a neat trick. Very glad the NHL had the consideration to schedule a far more pleasing product in DC during the ’Skins bye week.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
Oh
I thought it was tomorrow.
Oops
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by Marisa Ingemi on Nov 5, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Because he looked awful, particularly on Semin’s shorty.
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.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Semin almost beat him with another bad angle shot earlier in the game?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I was as hammered as you, so I don’t really recall much.
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.
I was as hammered as you
What? Naaaaaah…
"Do you see my fist? It was fists like these that built quaint Canadian cities out of the harsh Canadian wilderness, etc. etc."
Not in Seattle anymore.
by SeattleCapsFan on Nov 6, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Twice, actually. Both of them were labelled for the water bottle, but Thomas fought them off.
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by Knee high to a duck on Nov 6, 2010 3:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
At the moment, my enthusiasm from seeing the caps jump out to a 3-0 lead over the Bruins while only allowing 9 shots on goal outweighs seeing them let the lead evaporate in less than 5 minutes.
Hopefully they take what they did right and disperse it out over 3 periods instead of 2 when we play philly.
I didn’t hear the Milbury tirade during intermission, but 8 was off tonight. He had at least two opportunities to take the puck to the goal, and pulled up to pass instead…not bad plays really, but un-Ovechkin-like. He had no power in his skating tonight.
Sasha, however, was a menace all over the ice, at evens and on special teams. The no-look, through the legs pass from behind Thomas’ cage in the first (that Nick should have buried backdoor) was sublime. He was giving Chara fits all game long.
Oh, and memo to tonight’s linesmen: drop the goddamn puck and quit worrying about who’s a cheatin’ bastard in the dot—they all are. Never seen so many toss outs.
"I don't care about winning the division or winning the President's Trophy. I just care about getting to the playoffs." --GMGM
I was swooning over Sash all night. He’s so in his zone, and he looks like he’s loving every minute of it.
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He was carrying that first line tonight.
"I don't care about winning the division or winning the President's Trophy. I just care about getting to the playoffs." --GMGM
One of those nights when Ovi’s not quite Ovi, and you’re just soooo happy to have Sash to take over, in his very special snowflake way. I think Semin’s looking fitter than he has in a few years, and I hope to all hell he doesn’t get hurt any time soon (knock wood).
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Yeah, his motor was great tonight, and he did take over that second period.
Best part: he’s less likely to get hurt playing balls out ,like he was tonight, than if he’s floating around half-interested.
"I don't care about winning the division or winning the President's Trophy. I just care about getting to the playoffs." --GMGM
I didn’t hear the Milbury tirade during intermission, but 8 was off tonight. He had at least two opportunities to take the puck to the goal, and pulled up to pass instead…not bad plays really, but un-Ovechkin-like. He had no power in his skating tonight.
I looked like he might have tweeked his groin or hammy in the first period. I forget the exact play, but he went down a bit awkwardly and came over to the bench looking sore. He lacked any jump after that.
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A hammy/something makes sense. Here’s to a quick heal.
"I don't care about winning the division or winning the President's Trophy. I just care about getting to the playoffs." --GMGM
AO may be a little bit hurt. TJ at Alex Ovetjkin noted that he slid into the boards in Calgary with both knees late in the second period, had trouble getting up and the top line stayed on the bench for much of the third. Yes, that was a while ago, and yes, he got the SO goal against TML on Wednesday, but…
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
He went down hard in the first, on what only the fans thought was a trip to Thomas’ right. He tripped or fell again getting up from it, which looked more painful or weird than the previous fall. Went straight to the bench under very low power.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Thanks, I joined the game “in progress”, just in time to see Sasha’s spectacular shorty.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Great timing! That play, from center ice through, was classic 28. They ran his face-down celebration on the j-tron at least twice.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
_________
via RMNB:
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
ok, I have admit, not even I picked Tyler Sloan to score the first goal tonight (or any goal, actually)
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ahem
Don't celebration when you score goal
by Big Boutros on Nov 6, 2010 12:32 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs
Thanks!
This message speaks direc’tly to me, every time.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
And the Ducks come through for Caps fans once again. Today, they beat the Penguins. And yesterday they beat Tampa Bay.
Thanks!
Rocking the Red since 1975
Actually it was the Kings that beat Tampa last night.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 6, 2010 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions
one of the more amusing moments tonight was during the first Caps PP (I think that’s what it was. It was certainly in the first period). Bruins had their guys all stacked up as Ovie brings to puck across the Boston blue line and fakes the slapper….
causing all four Bruins to take a big jump backwards in perfect unison! I couldn’t stop laughing.
if anyone DVR’d the game and can make a clip of it, I’d be grateful.
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Pretty sure you’re right about the timing, that happened right before us an cracked me up too. The gif will make a fine answer to “Why does 8 think he can attack against, like four defenderz?!”
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Check Clips tomorrow to learn about an encounter with an Ovi slapper.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
huzzah! And this is why you are Queen of the Weekend Clips!
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Nobody likes a tease.
But unless it’s Ruutu or Briere, I already feel sorry for someone.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Thanks, Capitals second period scoring fest, for single handedly shoving Tim Thomas back over 1.00 GAA!
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It was one of many strong plays by Fehr (who was jawing with Milan Lucic early and often) on the night.
During one of the early faceoffs, I thought they were going to go at it. Lucic leaned into Fehr and put his stick over Fehr’s, then Fehr did the same, then Lucic, then Fehr … Some players (I’m looking at you Colton Orr and DJ King) would have been in a hugging match dropped the gloves at “Hello.” ;)
I believe in JC.
So late to the party, but home at last. What a great first 2 periods. What a horrid 10 minutes. It was hard to tell how much was just their PP clicking, our play falling off, and Neuvy either being tired, off, or cold from a lack of rubber going his way for the first 40 minutes. I thought the 2nd goal was a fairly pedestrian shot from where I was sitting, but I’d like to watch a few more replays. He also seemed to hesitate on how he was going to play the breakaway that tied it as well. Chalk it up I guess, the team looked out of it first 10 minutes of the 3rd.
Sloskine was terrible in the 3rd after looking fairly competent in the 2nd especially (not even commenting on Sloan’s goal). Green and Schultz had a better game than they did Wednesday, and Green’s shooting touch is back. Anytime he’s drilling high glove like he has last 3 games you know he’s in the groove.
I didn’t get to hear the Milbury rant on Ovie, but he definitely didn’t have a great game tonight. Empty netter is whatevs, just clocking in with that one, and the pass to Green on his goal was a great job of drawing two D men and laying it off…but as many have noted he lacked any power in his skating and seemed to be concerned with other stuff. I don’t know if he’s nursing something after that crash into the boards in the 1st or sick with whatever Semin had but he looked out of it for parts of the game. The funny thing is on that 2 on 1 he actually skated hard to pull even and be in position to make a play but then let the pass through almost uncontested. Not his best night, 2 points aside.
If we have to hide Sloskine to have Alzner and Carlson together I’ll be cool with that. Those two are turning into a solid 3/4 pairing and glad RAH got the credit he deserved for his bomb tonight.
As far as blowing the lead goes…normally I’m the voice of reason and saying 2 points is 2 points and the important thing is the win. We can’t keep taking our foot off the gas though. We looked great for the first 40 minutes, especially the 2nd but we held them to 3 SOG in the 1st as well. They’ve got to learn how to put teams away. Granted, I knew we weren’t getting another call the rest of the night after that 1:27 carryover into the 3rd, and the PK isn’t always going to be flawless, but we have to find a way to stop the bleeding at 3-1 and not let it snowball like that. That being said, seeing how we’ve gone on to complete the comeback against so many teams like Boston was attempting to pull on us we did get it together for the last 10 minutes…not to mention we’re tied for the lead in the league (Kings have game in hand) it’s hard for me to not wonder if we’re being a little too nuts with the criticism. But it’s still valid.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 6, 2010 2:20 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
If we have to hide Sloskine to have Alzner and Carlson together I’ll be cool with that. Those two are turning into a solid 3/4 pairing and glad RAH got the credit he deserved for his bomb tonight.
I agree. They looked great last night. It helps that Poti has been out so BB has been forced to conclude that the rookies are better together than pairing them with Ersk or Sloan. I’m hoping that when Poti returns BB doesn’t split Carlzner up.
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 6, 2010 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Another note on the Bruins comeback against us.
Early in the game, we had a 5 on 3 that we couldn’t convert on. At that time, my fear was that the officials would later call a 5 on 3 against us. It’s almost a truism — a 5 on 3 for one team seems to get balanced out by a later 5 on 3 on the other team. While a 5 on 3 against us didn’t happen, we did have 2 penalties against us close together (and the Bruins scored on both of them).
I personally thought the 2nd penalty was ticky-tack. But, oh well!
Our guys did a better job of staying out of the box during the first two periods (and were able to kill the penalties and even get a shortie). The third period - well!
Rocking the Red since 1975
Belated Observations from Section 421
Well, my blood pressure has finally settled down to the mid-200s, and the Flea Market is done (moved $143 worth of merchandise, less the $20 fee…$123, or about 6 beers at VC).
Anyway, from last night some observations:
1) To whomever is wearing John Erskine’s uniform. What ever you’ve done with Erskine, just leave him there and keep doing what you are doing.
2) I believe the reason that Sloan scored was because when Thomas saw Flash taking the draw, he assumed that his team would win the draw.
3) Ok Gordo, Steckel, Nick, etc…. enough with getting tossed from the face off circles. Yes, if you’re not cheating,you’re not trying, but be a little more discreet about it.
4) Semin is playing as best as I’ve seen him in awhile…naturally, it’s a contract year…
5) Green was the #1 star with a goal (and it was a beauty), and an assist, but it seemed like he was turning the puck over quite a bit…
6) Great game for most of the back liners, including 2 goals.
7) Hey, look Hooks, Ovie scored another ENG…meaning the Caps got another WIN. ;-) (Seriously, we love you Hooks, but you brought it up first…)
8) Had a bunch of Bruin fans behind me, they were pretty pleasant when they were down 3-0, but they became rather rude when the Bruins tied the game. I suspect it was the alcohol.
Anyway folks, the game ended up in the win column, two points came with it, and that’s always good. That said, the Caps need to close out opponents in the third period and allowing 6 goals in the last two third periods is unacceptable. Toronto is not a good team, Boston is a good team, and Philly tomorrow is a better team than Boston (right now anyway)…
Keeping the faith… while it hasn’t been as pretty as it could be, the Caps are in first in the division and conference, and I’d much rather be there than behind…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 6, 2010 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
________
Three G for the defense, unless you’re not counting Sloan. ;)
Johnny has a seeing-eye shot. No clue how it made it in thru all this traffic:
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Wonder if you were in the section next to me. We had some loud Bruins fans in the section just across from us who were getting really loud — to say the least. (Note: they left early after the Caps scored Goal #5)
It seems that the folks who hold the season tickets in that particular locale seem to always sell their seats to opposing teams fans (and so we got Bruins fans there last night and other nights, Buffalo, Carolina, or whoever.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
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