Recap: Caps 4, Blues 1
by J.P. on Dec 1, 2010 11:14 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]
After facing three-straight Southeast Division opponents and concluding a 14-game string of games against Eastern Conference opponents (against whom they rang up a 10-2-2 record), the Caps took their show on the road to face a Western Conference team for the first time since October. And what the team perhaps understandably lacked in emotion facing a rare opponent they made up for with great goaltending and timely goal-scoring en route to a 4-1 win in St. Louis.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Semyon Varlamov is as locked-in right now as he has been at any point in his NHL career. Watching him track pucks to his glove, stick, blocker, mask - whatever - tonight was an absolute treat, and his diving stop on Brad Boyes on a first period St. Louis powerplay was magnificent. Since returning from Hershey, he's 4-0-0/1.22/.957 (and if Tom Poti had tied up Eric Staal on Sunday, those last two numbers would read 0.98/.965) and has stopped 110 of 115 shots against. But Michal Neuvirth is definitely starting tomorrow night, right, Bruce?
- Nicklas Backstrom took a few pages out of his linemates' playbooks tonight, getting an assist via a rebounded shot on goal (à la Alex Ovechkin) on Brooks Laich's tally, scoring on a rebound of a Mike Knuble shot (as Knuble himself has so many times), leading the team in shots (like AO), and then sealing the game with an empty netter (as Ovechkin has frequently done over the past few years). Good to see he's learning.
- The big story heading into the game, of course, was the Caps facing Jaroslav Halak for the first time since last spring. Halak was, well, mortal, which was a welcome change from the last few times Caps fans saw him.
- One of the other eagerly anticipated (for some) storylines heading into the game was the possible totally spontaneous, unplanned fight that might occur between former Blue D.J. King and his one-time teammate Cam Janssen. And... Janssen was scratched. Yawn. But kudos to King for picking up his first point as a Cap on Boyd Gordon's fluky score.
- Speaking of Gordo's goal, it was his first of the year, leaving Jeff Schultz as the only Cap with ten games played who has yet to dent the twine. C'mon, Sarge.
- And speaking of Schultz, the team (with a special shout out to Alexander Semin) did a fabulous job killing off his third-period penalty, made all the more impressive given that they were without Double Nickel and Poti (who didn't play in the third period).
- Mike Green had a noticeably off night, failing to register a shot on goal or a blocked shot and getting dinged with an awful Corsi/Fenwick. He's clearly not at 100 percent, and one wonders if he will get there at some point this season.
- Over the last two games, the Caps have drawn just two penalties (St. Loo's too many men doesn't count) and they've had more power play opportunities than their opponents just three times in the last 11 games (which is as many times as they've received just one power play in a game over that span). Just sayin'.
- Former Caps prospect Stefan Della Rovere made his NHL debut and played just 6:47, which was apparently enough time for him to post the worst Corsi/Fenwick on the team.
- Semin was held without a shot on goal for the first time since March 5, 2008. I guess that's one way to be sure not to add to the "number of shots he's fired at Halak without scoring" stat.
And so it's off to Big D to face the Stars, where the hockey world will see Scott Hannan in a Caps uniform for the first time... and a red-hot Washington Capitals team.
Game highlights:
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Var-ly Var-ly Var-ly
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
And man did varly deserve that!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 2, 2010 1:05 AM EST up reply actions
The St. Louis media got it right… exactly right.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 2, 2010 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
Crowd was audibly frustrated with the Blues and Varlamov. I feel a bit bad for them, because if they had Perron, Oshie, and Polak on the ice, they’d be much, much better.
And who isn’t laughing at Janssen. He doesn’t get a sweater, but SDR and Dave Scatchard do? Insult to injury – DJ King gets a point.
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I thought that was a little gamesmanship by St. Loo – Boudreau has to submit his lineup first, so he has King on it, and then the Blues scratch Janssen, leaving the Caps playing a somewhat less valuable player than they might otherwise have. Didn’t bite the Caps, of course, but it could have.
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Interesting. Odd as well that I’m 99.9% sure that they announced both SDR and Scatchard as scratches before the game. I didn’t realize they were playing until the beginning of the second period. Obviously SDR got little ice time, but I think I might have noticed. I just wasn’t looking for him. It must be possible to change scratches at the last minute.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Scatchard = Scratchard.
(I couldn’t resist. That name sound so much like “Scratch”)
On Della Rovere, I’m sure he made it to the NHL much faster than any of us would have guessed. (He probably would not have made it to the Caps this season had they not traded him.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
And I’m betting he wouldn’t have made it up if it weren’t the Caps, injuries aside.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 1, 2010 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
Although one could argue that Janssen and his antics could’ve thrown the Caps off more than someone making their NHL debut and another who has been in the AHL for the last two years. If the Chicago game the night prior was any indication, St Louis seems to have a feisty roster and I saw none of that last night. They didn’t even seem willing to try and push the Caps buttons.
Bonjour! nice to finally out-Halak Halak!
Spidey, hope you have a fabulous time tonight.
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It was awesome. Got some great photos of the kids and me and my wife all in Caps stuff.
Then for 1st night of Hanukkah, which we did when we got back, my wife got me a Caps hat (the one with 1974 on the back) and a Winter Classic long sleeve white shift with the logo on front and Ovechkin w/# on the back.
Good night all around.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Very nice. (On TV, I actually saw some fans with Caps jerseys at the game.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I’m going to go through the broadcast at some point. As I posted, we were 9 rows from the glass about at the top of the face off circle just to the right of the Blues bench. I looked quickly at the highlights in the recap, and I’m nearly certain we’re in them in a few places.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
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Maybe it was you. I got a charge out of seeing the Caps fans at the Blues game. (Of course, I’d be rooting for the Blues against any other opponent than the Caps. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Blue.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I’m nearly certain now that you can see us, but I’m going to watch it to be sure.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
HBO Caps/Pen preview is on NHL Net right now, fyi.
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After the own-goal, I feel like I can finally post it:
Jaroslaugh Hahahalak.
Bastard.
Caps took this one due to Varly and some good fortune.
Good timing on the Hannan trade, eh, what with Poti going down?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Agreed all around. Especially on Hannan – otherwise, Sloan would be suiting up…. again.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I thought he was healthy scratched.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
nope, IR for ten days. I think he comes off tomorrow.
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That’s his second own goal of the season, too. remarkable.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
The other one was way more awesome, though.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 1, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
well, yeah. I looped it and just watched it over and over and over again. It was mesmerizing. The circus music Detroit played was a nice touch.
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Here’s my scoring chance count. It’s a lot prettier than the Corsi.
This game reminded me a lot of MTL-WSH last season—special teams for the outplayed team struck first, and great goaltending sealed the deal. Plus the 1 goal against.
Also, even though I caught this game, thanks to JP, DMG, Pepper, Becca, and anyone else who does recaps. Between the recaps, highlights, and comments, it’s almost as if I’m not missing games at all :)
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
I’m telling you. It’s hard to distinguish between the games I’ve seen live and the ones I’ve watched on Game Day Thread.
We cheer the goals just as lustily and boo the refs just as fervently here in our cyber-rink.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
A lot prettier? :(
To the same extent that syphilis is not as much of a bummer as AIDs, maybe.
And, yes, we Halak’d Halak this time, which is satisfying.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Maybe not so much differential, but capping the ES chances at 17 is good defense. Not great, but good.
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 Dec 1, 2010 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
So I guess it’ll be Poti giving up his seat on the bus for Hannan, instead of Oisk. As a lot of people have been saying, a team with Poti and an injured Green won’t be sitting Erskine a whole lot.
Happy with the game though. Neuvirth was the new Varly, but now Varly is the new Neuvy. Also, something about 4-1 wins always feels so rewarding. It’s like, you played a good all around game against an opponent who was never out of it. It feels more legit than a 6-0 win.
Old enough to hate the Red Wings, but too young to really remember why.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 1, 2010 11:29 PM EST reply actions
More so Varly is Just bein Varly
by washfan29 on Dec 1, 2010 11:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
At least a healthy Varly being Varly.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Varly makes me happy that he’s been playing so well. Before I was saying, as good as Neuvi had been(in Oct) I thought and still do that Varly has a higher ceiling.
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.
Varly will always be more impressive, simply due to his style, but ceiling? I dunno.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 1, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong I think Neuvi has a lot going for him but I think Varly is more likely to make runs at Vezina for a few years then become mediocre as he ages. No goalie, including the Dominator, gets away with playing his style for a very long period unless they make some changes.
Neuvi’s style will allow him to stay as good as he is now until he’s Martin Broduer’s age.
But as far as their prime abilities I think Varly has the edge over Neuvi.
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.
speaking of twitchy, unorthodox styles: the Bruins had no business being in that game tonight except for Thomas. Flyers got soooo many prime chances. Timmy did everything except back flips on ice to stop pucks.
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speaking of unorthodox styles, I think it would be hilarious to see a Stand-Up goalie make it into the NHL right now.
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.
I suppose it’s easier to improve at positioning than athleticism, because the latter is sort of something you have or you don’t. And with Irbe coaching Varly, he could definitely improve his positioning. The thing that scares me about him is that athletic goalies are a much higher risk for injuries (as we’ve seen) and those injuries will linger and impact their play for much longer, since the movement and reflexes are so much more important (again, as we’ve seen). So, yeah, higher ceiling, but with higher risk.
Old enough to hate the Red Wings, but too young to really remember why.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 2, 2010 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
When I watch them and see what they are capable of I think they both have equal ceilings. It’ll be very interesting to see them develop over the next few years. (Even if one or both end up going to different teams)
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Man, both Laich and Green got killed in Corsi/Fenwick…and MarJo, in his 11 minutes as well.
This one wasn’t precisely how you draw them up, but maybe it was lack of adrenaline for the “meh” opponent, combined with STL being super-focused.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Admittedly, I did not notice that Poti was missing, but I did think 90 was hurt for a while. It seemed like he was skipped an number of times. 11 minutes makes sense.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Good thing we have all those spare forwar…
Oh,hell.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
DJ King = Our one and only spare forward.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
We can get guys from Hershey – MP, Gordon, Beagle, guys like that. But otherwise… yeah.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Originally, when Beninati and Locker were counting up defensemen, they thought Carlson was the missing man. But then Carlson showed up. So, of course, it was Poti. (Is it the glass groin again?)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
What do you think?
"And then they’ll look at guys in my situation, that could play three good games in a row and have one bad shift, and they’ll say, ‘Well, that’s why he’s been in the minor leagues his whole career.'" --Matt Hendricks
Migraine. Definitely,
Or maybe flu-like symptoms.
And if not that, a high ankle sprain.
Or, you know, it it could be what it always is.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
When you hear hoofbeats, think “groin pull.”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
You pose lots of possibilities, my friend.
But since it’s Poti we’re talking about, I assume the groin.
Migraines are Nicky’s problem.
Flu seems to be Semin’s problem. Or one of them anyway.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
It’s probably and upper-lower-mid body injury of some kind.
Or plantar fascitis.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
With Poti, it could be his groin, or anything related to his insane allergies…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 2, 2010 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
I was just assuming that BB nailed MJ90 to the bench in the third period of a tight game – and looking at his and Laich’s Corsi numbers, it looks like they were getting hemmed in when they were out there, so maybe not a bad decision.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
This one wasn’t precisely how you draw them up, but maybe it was lack of adrenaline for the "meh" opponent, combined with STL being super-focused.
and the Caps have to play tomorrow (and then on Saturday!), so they may have been going a little less than 100%?
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And score effects. When you lead the entire game (essentially) that’s what happens, especially when you’re playing a team whose name screams “meh” but that’s actually really good in Corsi.
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 Dec 1, 2010 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Mmmmm. Good point about score effects. Not surprised to see that STL does well by Corsi. The way they forecheck and grind, they spend a LOT of time in the offensive zone, as we just saw. They’re a pretty good team, I would say, just ice cold at the moment.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Ice cold is an understatement. Until their really bad recent stretch, they were actually looking pretty good. They have a lot of good young players and are proud of the fact that they’re building from within and didn’t fork out megabucks for Kovy.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
The only team the boys should be going “meh” on in this league is the Islanders.
Every other team in this league has skill and sometimes effort, who can win any given night against any team. Imo the skill difference between teams isn’t that big, it comes down to coaching and effort night in and night out.
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.
The Caps shouldn’t be going “meh” on any team.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 2, 2010 12:35 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
For today, while Semin didn’t get an “official” shot on goal, he had one “golden opportunity” to score where he missed the net.
At least he got an assist on the PP goal. And did a great defensive play on the last PK. So he earned his pay for the day, in other words,
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I thought he got a shot on the breakaway. Did he shoot wide?
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I thought Halak got a piece of it, and I also thought if he hadn’t, it would have gone in. But who knows? Shot totals are a bit iffy, anyway.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
He went backhand and missed the net. It was right in front of me. Came down the center, cut left, and backhanded wide left.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I didn’t think so. I may be wrong, but I thought he missed entirely.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Now Ovi is only 3rd on the team in goals. Nicky passed him up with the empty netter on the Ovi pass. (But it was a smarter play for Ovi to pass it to Nicky who was much close to the net than to shoot him himself.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Did it seem like a lot of guys were falling for no apparent reason? Even the linesman ate it somewhere in there.
Spidey, what do you think?
Is the ice usually bad in STL?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I noticed that, too. Made me think the ice wasn’t great.
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I couldn’t tell if people caught and edge or slipped. I saw the linesman go down early. Green went down once. Carlson went down once.
I haven’t skated there, but my son did. He said it was bad, but no worse than any other ice that is used a lot.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
@brettleonhardt
Off to Dallas … Last time in TX, a bunch of these guys were locking down a Calder Cup.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Dec 2, 2010 12:01 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Bruce’s post-game was full of win. I believe it was Vogel who asked him if it was brought up that the Caps hadn’t won in St. Louis since 1996. Answer?
“No, we didn’t bring it up. Actually, we did last year, and we lost in a shootout, so I said, well, never bringing that up again. Not that I’m superstitious or anything.”
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by RedBirdie on Dec 2, 2010 12:02 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Backes had an interesting take
They capitalized on a few chances…I don’t know if they really earned their goals
I didn’t think we were great tonight but maybe we learned last spring pretty doesn’t always work against Halak.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
You beat me to that quote Dave!
At least he’s pretty straightforward. Not having watched the game it seemed like the caps were pretty outplayed, but also from the replays Backstrom’s goal seemed to come off poor rebound control from Halak, Gordo’s was a gift, and Laich’s was a mistake on their defenseman letting that go through. I’d buy getting lucky on Gordon’s but the 2 we needed to win tonight certainly weren’t.
“We play them about once every century so I couldn’t tell if they usually do that. I don’t know if they saw something they wanted to exploit or that’s the way they’re always playing, but it was pretty effective. They kept us from setting up in the zone most of the game.” David Backes on the powerplay
But the Caps PK seems to make some guys to take notice.
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.
The PK was pretty solid tonight. While they peppered Varly all night it felt like they never really got set up on the PP chances. The few times they had any consistent zone time it was all perimeter play for the most part. I’ll take 2 rebound goals and a fluke by just throwing it at the net.
Good goaltending and superior special teams play. Hmm…where have I heard that before in games Halak has been involved in? Nice to be on the opposite side than the one we were on in the playoffs.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Dec 2, 2010 12:41 AM EST up reply actions
Gordo’s was a total fluke, but they worked and put themselves in the right spots to get the first in third goals, imo. And even Gordo’s goal, classic Boyd grinding it out and fighting for that puck.
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I was so happy when it was revealed that it was Gordon and not Brads. I love Brads but am glad Gordon finally got a goal! He has been in the line up for one regulation loss, but hadn’t scored!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 2, 2010 1:01 AM EST up reply actions
I was hoping it was Brads so he could have a few goals without using his stick yet. =]
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Haha, I nearly died when I heard that interview with him where he said that one of these days he might actually score with his stick. That guy’s sense of humor is the best.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 2, 2010 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
The Caps earned the first goal when Brooks Laich took his own advice and went to the net… The third goal was earned as well, as they completely left the Blues D flatfooted (they’re not that good defensively…)
Gordo’s was flukey, so Backes has a point there, and the empty netter…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 2, 2010 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
At least part of why Green’s Corsi/Fenwick was so atrocious was because he and Schultz took the lion’s share of the defensive draws (10 more defensive starts than offensive a piece). There were plenty of those to go around; the Blues dominated possession of this game to be sure (look at that zone start report if you have any doubt), but even under those circumstances, 52/55 got thrown back there a lot.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 2, 2010 7:38 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Good observation. And which forward trio was most frequently starting in the D zone? Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble.
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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by red army line on Dec 2, 2010 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
Should my spite be directed to CSN or Verizon for now having the game in Richmond?
May the way of the hero lead to the Triforce
said i needed a subscription for all non-76 hockey channels
seems pretty lame to need a subscription to watch the closest pro hockey team live
May the way of the hero lead to the Triforce
by TJL on Dec 2, 2010 8:17 AM EST up reply actions
…Boudreau has to submit his lineup first, so he has King on it, and then the Blues scratch Janssen, leaving the Caps playing a somewhat less valuable player than they might otherwise have. Didn’t bite the Caps, of course, but it could have.
Regarding the value of King, does the fact that Donald Brashear played a lot of games for BB mean DJ is a lot less valuable than Brashear was? If King is just passing thru town, OK, but I’d like to see him get a jersey more often. The guy is 12 years younger than The Donald is and I haven’t seen enough of King to make up my mind about him.
Tell your girlfriend to stop texting me.
Brashear was a better player than King will ever be. Remember, Donald had 11 goals in 1999-2000, in only 60 games. King will retire with less than 11 goals. Donald played in over 1000 NHL games, King will be lucky to see 300 before he hangs up his skates…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 2, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
This is pretty much where I’m at. To me, King looked fine last night, but crappy in his last game at NYR. He looked good earlier in the season against the Isles, but not so much the next game. Maybe that’s what he is, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a stretch of 3-4 games in a row where he plays, just to see if his game sharpens at all.
Not losing any sleep over it, cause he seems like a great teammate who knows his role is limited and who doesn’t cost much.
Observations from the Sofa
Sorry it’s late, but I go home late from work and had to do the dishes after the game, and then I fell asleep…
1) Great game for the top line. Nice to see 8-19-22 back together. They worked the puck well and got some great chances. The shift where they bagged the goal in third was a great effort. They set up Knuble well, and his shot, though not a goal, left a juicy rebound for Nick to bury.
2) The Caps now lead the NHL in ENG with 7… How awesome is that? It means that they’re getting lots of chances to bury opponents and they are burying them.
3) Despite the effort, I don’t like that the Caps were outshot 38-25…38 is a lot. They needed to do a little better in covering up angles and such. That said, Varly only had a few tough chances and pretty much got all of them (the one Blues goal changed direction when it arrived at the net…)
4) Last night reminded me of why Erskine needs to be upgraded. On several occasions he misplayed a back pass, leading to a Blues takewaway. Not good. Hopefully Hannan will allow the Caps to give Erskine a break. I don’t think Erskine would mind taking a game off now and then… Sure he had a helper and was +2, but there were a number of these plays…
5) Great to see Ovie hitting again like Ovie. Think Jansens’ hit on Bradley motivated him some? Loved how he cleaned out Sobotka…
6) Alex Steen – 7 shots on goal…. the guy can play.
7) Matt Bradley is making the most of his chances…. had less than 10 minutes of ice time (less than Poti) but got 3 shots on Halak. Another solid effort for Brads. This team definitely #needsmorebradley in the coming years.. George, get him extended please?
Anyway, the schedule maker is evil and the Caps probably didn’t get into their hotel until about 2 AM Central last night (3 AM eastern). But the game tonight starts at 8:30, so they’ll get an extra half-hour in their pregame naps. Here’s hoping they can get another solid effort tonight…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 2, 2010 10:17 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
This team definitely #needsmorebradley in the coming years.. George, get him extended please?
The team needs someone like Bradley, but not necessarily Bradley himself. Hendricks has been the same type of player and Bradley will be 33 at the start of next season. I’m fine with GMGM waiting to see how the rest of the roster is going to shake out this summer instead of giving Bradley another one of his patented loyalty extensions.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 2, 2010 11:18 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Nice reply fail by me. Obviously supposed to be a response to MikeL-Caps.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 2, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Didn’t stop me from rec’ing it.
"If you don't shut the [hell] up, I'm going to kick you in the balls so hard your dentist is going to have to work around them at your next cleaning."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 2, 2010 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
I know… but I’m thinking they can extend him for a small cap hit. I imagine if the Caps offered Brads anything, he’d probably take it.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 2, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
Bradley > Hendricks. I agree that age may be a concern, though. I’d let go of Hendricks (if possible) at the end of this season and give Brads 1 year extensions until his play really starts dropping off.
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by red army line on Dec 2, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Hendricks is just over half the cost of Bradley and can also fill in at center. How much better do you think Bradley is?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I’d say he’s worth pretty close to twice as much as Hendricks, honestly. He’s a penalty-drawing machine, doesn’t take many, establishes solid possession and moves the puck up the ice. I think he’s better on the PK, too.
I agree about the age thing, though. I wouldn’t give Brads anything more than a one year contract and I’d damn sure wait until the season is over to see how he did over the course of the year. There are good bottom-of-the-lineup players to be had every season, it’s true, but that bottom of the lineup is important; depth there can make or break a team in the playoffs, or even in the regular season.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 2, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Penalty drawing machine is pretty charitable. He may have good rate stats, but in ten minutes a night, how much does that really play out? How many extra PPs does he actually give us a year?
And I like that Hendricks can play C. If Brads could play C, that might sway me. I like him, but he’s expendable (as is Hendricks and any other 4th liner).
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
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