Recap: Rangers 7, Caps 0
by Becca H on Dec 12, 2010 10:11 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
It's hard to define "rock bottom" until you see what comes after it, because until it gets better there's no frame of reference. Still, losing a sixth straight game in such an embarrassing fashion has to be seen as something of a rock bottom point for this team - this team that is expected to do so much, this team that has all the talent in the world, not only failing to score but giving up a seven-spot to the Rangers.
There were opportunities missed by the Caps and opportunities cashed in - repeatedly - by the Rangers. There was shaky goaltending at one end and goaltending that was as good as it needed to be at the other. And with the injuries, the sickness, the inability of a once potent offensive team to generate anything more than a series of dented posts, there was a lopsided loss and a streak that goes to six for the first time in the Bruce Boudreau era.
Hello, rock bottom.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Scott Hannan is probably wishing he was back in Colorado after this one, as it was certainly not the most brilliant of his brief tenure in Washington. Hannan was on the ice for three of the seven Rangers' goals and in the box for their lone power play strike, at times a victim of poor play by his defensive partner but at times simply not challenging enough.
- Of course that only sheds more of a spotlight on the fact that, without Mike Green and Jeff Schultz in the lineup, the defense is forced to take on roles for which most of them are not equipped. When Brian Fahey has to skate over 16 minutes in the NHL and the forwards seem less than interested in helping out...well, we saw what happens.
- The scary thing about this one is how quickly it elevated, because for most of the first period the Caps were playing a relatively good game. But with just over two minutes left a series of events led to the Rangers cracking the stalemate - Tom Poti got the puck away but failed to clear the zone, Semyon Varlamov failed to hold the post, the puck deflected off a stick and voila, 1-0.
- Rough night for Varlamov overall. He faced far too many odd-man rushes en route to that shot total and his team didn't exactly help him out, but this outing will not help him in his attempt to wrestle back the starting goalie job from Michal Neuvirth.
- It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...or so the story on Alex Ovechkin 's night shall be written. The worst of times came on the Rangers' fourth goal, when Ovechkin turned over the puck and failed to get it deep, then left the ice for a badly executed line change.
- The best of times came about five minutes later as he laid out Girardi with a big hit and then hunted down Mike Green 's old sparring partner Brandon Dubinsky for an uncharacteristic fight. Say what you will about superstars fighting, but this was the most captainlike thing Ovechkin has done in a long time - attempting to fire up his team, from the moment the gloves were dropped to the almost primal screams he directed at the bench en route to the penalty box. The fact that it didn't work is on the shoulders of his teammates.
- It doesn't matter how much you may hate a player, you don't boo someone when he's injured. At some point you'd think humanity has to play a role - it wasn't evident tonight in the Garden when Ovechkin was felled by a Semin shot, though, that's for sure. Classless, MSG. Classless.
- Never has a break in the schedule been so welcome as the two days off before the next Caps' game, if only because (hopefully) it gives Mike Green time to get back - from the flu, from injury, from whatever it is that's been bugging him.
- For all the talk about poor defense by the Caps tonight, they amazingly only gave up twenty shots on goal. It's a small sliver of good news wrapped in the reality that most of those twenty shots came as a result of odd-man rushes - and poorly played ones, since seven of them went in.
- Alexander Semin finds himself mired in a bit of a slump, which is fine and certainly not news considering the wealth of teammates struggling around him. What is not fine is the fact that he's gone back to the selfish, lazy play that we thought had gone by the wayside. He continues a stretch of really poor play with a bad pinch on the power play that led directly to the shorthanded goal, killing any momentum the Caps might have had.
- The usually stalwart defensive presence of Nicklas Backstrom went missing again tonight, as he was dinged with a minus-three (tied with four of his teammates for that dubious distinction) and still doesn't look 100%. Chicken soup and bed rest, Nicky - we need you healthy.
Injuries, a vicious flu bug, the December doldrums...chalk it up to whatever you like, the fact is that the Caps have been slumbering for awhile now. And if it takes a game like this to snap them out of it, so be it. Because it's better to hit rock bottom in December than in April when you can't fix it - let's hope this is as low as it gets.
Game highlights:
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Comments
(Posted on 3P, just before recap came up.)
As for the dialog on firing Boudreau – it can be constructive, but I doubt many minds will be changed.
Those in favor say: 1) the team needs a change; 2) the team isn’t responding to him; 3) he doesn’t have the answer; 4) the Flyers/Pens/Devils changed mid-season with success
Those against say: 1) it’s the players not him; 2) let’s not overreact here – it’s only December; 3) he doesn’t have his top D-pair; 4) there really isn’t a better solution out there than him
This is an emotional issue for some, not unlike some unresolvable political issues. There is no right answer, and we won’t know until a decision is made or it’s clear it won’t be.
I’m on the side of staying the course, precisely for the reasons I wrote above, but I understand why others may think Boudreau should go. That is a fair opinion.
Per the posts above, however, let’s make it constructive on both sides. Please don’t write "Fire Boudreau" in a one line post. Please don’t write "If you think BB should be fired you are an idiot."
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 12, 2010 10:13 PM EST reply actions 11 recs
Rec’d, well said. I’m confident that, during a non-gamethread scenario when emotions aren’t running so high that the Rink is capable of carrying out a pretty rational discussion of whether BB should be the coach.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
I concur. During a train wreck is most definitely not the time to carry out such a discussion. You know the Caps are hitting rock bottom when the game thread gets that heated.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
Pens fans were calling for Bylsma’s job during their struggles in October. It took a closed door players only meeting and an extremely embarrasing loss to Boston to break the Pens out of their funk. Maybe this will be the wake up call the Caps need.
Le-Tang Clan: Ain't Nuthin To Puck With!
I hope so. I read what you had posted during the game thread—thanks. A different perspective helps.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
I hope the captain has the presence of mind to call it. If not, I hope knuble can call it based on veteranship. Perhaps he can pull the “my last good chance” card.
If it's too loud, turn it down.
I’m hoping they don’t practice tomorrow and just have a meeting of the minds.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
I’m hoping they don’t practice tomorrow and justhave a meeting of the mindsstay in bed and get healthy.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I meant to add, “whilst eating chicken noodle soup.”
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
Dude, I love your sig. Just saying.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
by Steck It Out on Dec 12, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
If you mean me, thanks. I found that shirt online and decided to buy it and use it as my sig.
Le-Tang Clan: Ain't Nuthin To Puck With!
Indeed. Got a laugh from me. Props.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
by Steck It Out on Dec 12, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. I’m all for letting things run their course as well. I can’t help but think it’s also a confidence thing. After all these losses Im sure the boys are shaken up mentality wise too
by jogabonito on Dec 12, 2010 10:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
While I’m definitely starting to lean towards the fire BB side of things, I do still think it’s on the players. It’s time for them to stop talking to the media and saying the things that we as fans want/like to hear after a tough stretch — and time for the players to have a closed door meeting to say the things they need to hear from each other.
Here’s another thought – much has been made of the fire BB/don’t fire BB issue. What do we think of a third option – hiring someone without firing anyone? Someone in the GDT suggested Hartley as a BB replacement. Why not Hartley as a BB assistant or consultant?
Adding Hartley to the coaching staff gives the team a Cup-winning, disciplinarian, who can exert control over a roster of stars and potential HoFers. Hartley is also a friend of BB so adding him could put pressure on BB that his possible replacement is in place without offending him too much.
Thoughts?
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 10:57 PM EST up reply actions
That assumes a lot that Hartley would consent to come on in an assistant capacity.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
Why not? He’s not working an NHL job at all now.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
Because he’s a Stanley Cup winning coach. If the Caps bring him in at all, it won’t be as BB’s assistant.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
I fear that risks turning into a very redskins-esque drama.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I don’t follow the Redskins, so I have no idea what you mean.
I think the Nylander saga is comparable to Redskinsesque drama considering that the it involved a player.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
last year, rather than fire Zorn, they stripped him of play calling duties and brought someone else in. It was this long torturous, glorious drawn-out drama. So, Zorn was still technically the head coach, but without any power.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I think calling in a friend to help out is a much different situation.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s call in John Anderson, then. He’s actually BB’s best friend.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
That’s an interesting idea. I wonder why BB wouldn’t suggest that himself. It would at least give him another perspective.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Because that’s a tacit admission of failure and a lack of imagination.
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 think the Montreal series was exactly that.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not so sure. You see it happen all the time outside sports, why not in sports. We all work with people who we admire that we want part of our team. These are people we trust as advisors and confidantes. If BB were to bring on Anderson, he’d be admitting that his assistants aren’t what he needs and that he has an open mind.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Fine. Email him. Call him on the phone. Don’t put him behind the bench.
Caligula made his horse a consul; doesn’t mean it was a good idea.
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.
But the horse haz teh Clop!
/sorry.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Dec 12, 2010 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah. Let’s have a big ol’ jamboree behind the bench. Bring in Bonzai and Calle and the whole gang.
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.
Realistically, of course, if you bring in a new assistant, then one of the two behind the bench goes.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
He could also be a coach/consultant who’s not behind the bench for games. Neither Irbe or Forsythe are there.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
How is it worse? If it wasn’t for the fact that BB and BH are personal friends and have worked together in the past, I wouldn’t suggest it at all.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 12, 2010 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
Even though I originally suggested Hartley, that’s sort of an off-season move.
If BB gets the heave-ho, I’m guessing they hand the reins to French or maybe Woods until the off-season. I don’t think Hartley would come in to be an interim head coach, and I can’t see GMGM/Ted bringing in a guy on a long-term contract mid-season.
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.
My issue is if it’s the players, the team is pretty awful. The same mistakes have been happening for the past 3 years and the same issues have been happening for the past 3 years. It’s an issue of whether it’s the arrow (Boudreau) or the indian (the players) and I do believe it’s the arrow right now.
Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.
I love the sentiment. This is what makes us watch the next game.
Because it’s better to hit rock bottom in December than in April when you can’t fix it – let’s hope this is as low as it gets.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I just wish tomorrow wasn’t Monday.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
My dad always puts things in perspective: any day that your feet hit the floor is a good day.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
For those days that don’t, make sure you packed a parachute.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Or a nice suit at minimum.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Let’s just hope Uncle Ted doesn’t give Bruce the old “vote of confidence, he’s our guy” on the blog tomorrow. Because if he does, watch out Bruce.
Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....
You know what? As I wrote the post at the top, I thought about that. You have to believe the press is asking that question of GMGM or Ted, yet we haven’t even seen a non-response response. Odd, me thinks.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Ted said something the other day to the effect of, “all that matters is making the playoffs”.
As irritated as I am by this stretch, I do agree and feel like this team needed a serious dose of humility. It’s not a hot goalie It’s not a bad call. It’s not a bad break. It’s YOU and you SUCK. Fix it.
Choking since 1985.
great recap, as always, Becca
and a hug. I can’t imagine having to watch the entire thing and then write ten constructive bulletpoints.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
by RedBirdie on Dec 12, 2010 10:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I agree on that count. And to write 10 bullet points on a game like this without cursing.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Poor Becca. The curse continues. Props for staying the course for the entire game. Great spot-on recap as usual.
by Ovietracker on Dec 13, 2010 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
Link to Ovi’s fight, for those interested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB2V6igK3cI
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
Alexander Semin finds himself mired in a bit of a slump, which is fine and certainly not news considering the wealth of teammates struggling around him. What is not fine is the fact that he’s gone back to the selfish, lazy play that we thought had gone by the wayside. He continues a stretch of really poor play with a bad pinch on the power play that led directly to the shorthanded goal, killing any momentum the Caps might have had.
But I thought he had finally put it all together and had gotten over his consistency.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:24 PM EST reply actions
…his inconsistency, you mean?
Look, just as a few good games early in the season didn’t mean he’d for sure turned a corner, a few bad games now doesn’t mean he hasn’t. Just not loving his play the past few games (and I do mean a few, he’s only had two or three really bad outings in a row).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Consistency problems …. I had more typed but deleted it because I felt it all went unsaid. Deleted a little too mhc. oops.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
He’s consistently inconsistent. It’s what he does.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 12, 2010 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you, Abalard.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
What can I say…7-0 shellackings bring the philosopher out of me.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 12, 2010 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
Bad as he’s been playing, he also is one of our sick guys, as well. (And was battling through some ailment of some sort last year.)
Granted, it’s not an excuse but I know that I think less rationally and am more grouchy when sick than when well and so would make more mistakes.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
So you’re saying that sometimes Semin looks like he’s turned a corner and other times it doesn’t? Yep, he’s sure turned a new leaf alright.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
No, I’m saying that just as so many were preaching “wait and see” during the first few good games, I’m preaching “wait and see” after just a few bad ones. He’s had far more good games than bad ones this year, I’m inclined to believe he’s just having a rough patch until it becomes a rough month or two.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
But isn’t this classic Semin?
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Good point, Becca. I’m sure with some better health, he’ll probably start playing better and thinking more rationally. Even before Saturday’s game, BB had pointed out that our sick guys who were doing the morning skate were not at full strength yet.
Being ill would constitute a rough spot.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Backstrom looked so slow out there – not sure if its the flu, but not good at all.
OV had been a focus of a lot of the attention this year around not playing up to his norm, but I feel like Backstrom’s game looks off as well this year. Not nearly as much of the no look passing to give his linemates an extra second with the puck, more coughing the puck up along the boards (when he’s on them), and a lot more passes being tipped or intercepted.
Unfortunately for Backstrom he was stuck the first 27 games carrying Ovechkin, and since then has been sick or something.
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 12, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
Here’s our score card on our sick guys since they missed Friday’s practice.
1) Backstrom looking slow
2) Laich demoted to the 4th line
3) Semin reverting to his worst self
And then Green hasn’t played.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
It was pretty surprising to hear that all but one of the guys who couldn’t practice due to flu suited up for a back to back weekend.
Gutsy, but it certainly didn’t lead to good hockey.
A sick Backs is better than having Laich or MP at 1C for a whole game. Same for sick Semin and the lot.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
Or that’s what they figured at the time. In retrospect, it didn’t look so great. With Boudreau calling our our top players after Thursday’s game and hearing that the guys were sick, I was wondering if one or more of them should just get Saturday’s game off to rest and bring up Hershey guys to take their place.
Or can we call guys up due to sickness..
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Apparently it isn’t, although it might still be no worse than.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Dec 12, 2010 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
We also haven’t lost 7-0 for all the games that they’ve been sick, so it stands to reason that it probably is.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
Disappointment doesn’t even begin to cover it… I had to leave before the second and was hoping that when I cam back to check the score I’d be in for a pleasant surprise :(
Kudos on OV trying to get his team going. Solid move. Sorry it didn’t work. As far as the classless MSG fans go, I’ll let sports karma take care of that!
by jogabonito on Dec 12, 2010 10:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
In reality, I'm sort of glad this happened.
This team needed a collective ass-kicking to maybe get back on track again. It’s not pretty, but to me, it’s necessary. They’re playing like shit. But it’s gotta rain before the sun comes out again.
I didn’t watch the game, so I can’t really say anything based on the play, but count me in the group that isn’t panicking yet.
The Cup isn’t won in December. It’s going to get better. It will get better.
So take it easy.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
I’m not glad it happened per se, but I do find myself in the middle of any of a number of sports movies/tv shows, where the lovable team can’t dig its way out of a paper bag, but then somehow figures out the problem and goes on a tear to the championship.
I went to tvtropes.org and found a number there that might apply.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I feel like our lovable collection of introverts need a group viewing of Slapshot so we can laugh and remind ourselves of our love of hockey.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Look how fast they took Boudreau out of the picture there!!!
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 12, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
I am with you, I think it’s actually going to be good in the long run for this team to have their asses handed to them a few times now. Last year they pretty much coasted through the year with almost no adversity and then… well I still can’t talk about the Montreal series.
Tonight was the most “Captain-ey” I’ve seen Ovie act, let’s see if we can’t get this turned around and tighten things up.
by Beakers Lab on Dec 12, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
Bright spot
MP looks better in subsequent games than he has in previous call-ups at this point.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:30 PM EST reply actions
He looks good since the rest of the team looks so bad.
(Okay, I’m being snarky here.)
Still, glad to see MP look good. And he’s our best option at present for 2nd line center and should remain up here at least until Schultz is back.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Yes, you are being snarky, unnecessarily so. How many times have you seen Ovi drop the gloves? It was a good moment in the worst game ever.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
correction: the worst regular season game ever.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
I must admit I stopped watching the game before Ovi’s fight. But even if it didn’t have the desired short term effect that we wanted, I hope it has a better long term effect.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
As I’ve written to you before, I stay to the end, whether pleasurable or bitter.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Dum-da-dum, da-dum-da-dee-da-dum
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
by STLSpidey on Dec 12, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Shit, that’d be perfect. Monty Python would cheer me up by about 10,000%
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat….
This parrot is NO MORE! If you hadn’t nailed him to the perch he’d be pushin’ up the daisies…
Oh Lord…we beseech thee….tell us who croaked the Bishop of Westminster….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 12, 2010 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t tell you how many times I whistled that at DCU games this year.
"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 12, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Will always rec this.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
by Steck It Out on Dec 12, 2010 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
I might just watch this movie tonight! Thanks for the laugh!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 12, 2010 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, Becca. I feel for you.
We can say “it’s only December” and “they have the talent; things will turn around” — and all that is true, but the concern I have deep down is that maybe the team management is saying the same things. Something constructive needs to be done; if the strategy is to tread water until the seemingly inevitable turnaround, that isn’t going to hold up for long.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
It is time to panic. They’ve lost in every conceivable manner. Now the harder they try the worse they play. D-Man takes a chance on offense; no backcheck & it’s in our net.
4 points out of 9th place-that’s “no playoff” territory.
Sorry, if BB can’t overhaul the game strategy he cannot be retained past Jan 1.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:33 PM EST reply actions
Not time to panic. There are still 50 games to go in the regular season.
As for BB’s system, 07-08 and 08-09 looked pretty sweet by any eyes and numbers when it was working.
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 12, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
when it was working.
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.
Has it worked with any frequency (beyond rarely) at all this season? Last season (last season was the scoring part, but not the puck dominance part).
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 13, 2010 8:19 AM EST up reply actions
They’re eleven points clear of ninth place, for what it’s worth.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
I don’t think it’s time to panic at all. If the losing streak goes to 10 or this type of play continues into January then maybe we start talking about roster moves and perhaps a coaching change.
We know the team isn’t this bad. They need a team bonding day in Vegas or something. Just anything to shake the negativity that’s clouding the locker room right now.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
I think a day off tomorrow along the lines of “do whatever and just get the stink off you” would be good. Not sure if firing the coach with the highest winning percentage since BB took over is a good idea.
by Beakers Lab on Dec 12, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
I’m back from the game. Ugh… I don’t even know how I managed to sit till the end. Wanted to leave in the middle of the second but then I thought maybe the guys could score at least one. And then Ovi fought. Wow… it was really painful to watch him fight because it was a gesture of despair – if your captain fights, something is really wrong with your team. I don’t know if you guys saw it on TV but before the fight he talked to Nicky. I was like what’s the heck he is telling him so intensely. Now I know what. In the end, I wasn’t even angry at the caps, I just felt sorry for them, just pity nothing else.
if your captain fights, something is really wrong with your team
But if your captain doesn’t fight in the situation tonight, something is really, really wrong with your team. AO laid an absolutely devastating, yet totally clean, hip check on Girardi. He knew he was going to get challenged, and actually initiated the fight with a fairly tough dude.
He’s pissed at himself and his team, and manned up. Agree with Becca, he did exactly what a captain should’ve done, and his team let him down.
by Cluster on Dec 12, 2010 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
What’s wrong with the team came afterward as others have said. No response. Nothing. It’s like they just gave up and quit despite Ovie’s desperate attempt to provide a spark of life.
by Ovietracker on Dec 12, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
if your captain fights, something is really wrong with your team
This, of course, is why Mark Messier and Dale Hunter were terrible captains.
by David Getz on Dec 13, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
“…when it was working.”
Neuvirth saved our bacon early in the year; we aren’t the same team as last year or the end of 2008-2009. You’re kidding yourself IMHO.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:37 PM EST reply actions
ok Mr. Know-it-all relentless negativity, please either start contributing to the larger discussion, or take you dropping of “facts” somewhere else. The act is old.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
What are you talking about? The big difference is the 2C.
Execution is different from system. I don’t think the system needs to be overhauled, but simplified, especially defensively.
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 12, 2010 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
Execution is different from system.
Not if the system is really freaking difficult to execute consistently.
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.
Easier with a 2C. Tweaks, not overhaul.
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 13, 2010 8:19 AM EST up reply actions
Bingo. Run & Gun ain’t gettin it done.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:41 PM EST reply actions
FWIW, you can reply directly to the post rather than starting a new top level thread for each comment
If it's too loud, turn it down.
Sorry, thought I clicked “reply”.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
As evident below by yours truly.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
by Steck It Out on Dec 12, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Use the reply button.
I’m not sure what you’re saying. You say system needs to be overhauled, I say no, and you say “bingo”.
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 12, 2010 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
I think BB has been stubborn about his “Big Offense” mantra; sometimes you need Plan B & Plan C.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
Well, there are many on this board who can talk systems much more adequately than I, but I don’t think the guys were playing BB’s system tonight. Puck possession is the idea and they weren’t doing that very well. And I would argue that his system is more complex than just a “big offense” mantra.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A loss like this is the point where the team is no longer in a slump, and is now realistically in legitimate trouble. Had they lost similar to last night, it’s a slump. Tonight, there was disinterest for most of the game, which is too bad because they played a decent first period.
The most telling point to me is after Ovechkin’s fight with Dubinsky, the team didn’t even remotely respond. Not even a bit. No one was skating harder, no one was checking better, shots and passes looked off. There was no response.
To me, this is a team that is not responding well to frustration and bad luck. It is entering, what I believe, is the hardest kind of adversity. The self-imposed kind. Self-imposed adversity is when you start making mistakes and lack the effort or will to get out of it. It’s a team-wide confidence issue, and a lot of that falls on coaching.
I don’t know if Boudreau has the answers. To me, the closest event to what’s going on right now, the self-imposed adversity, was the Montreal series. That was a failure. Now, he has an opportunity, a vital one at that, to adjust and get this team under control. I know we will all watch with great anticipation and, ideally, hope.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 12, 2010 10:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn’t say that it’s a mark of trouble, but there are definitely issues. In sports, there’s the saying that the team is never as good as their hottest streak, and never as bad as the biggest slump.
The team is better than this, but it highlights many of the issues that exist with the Caps.
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 Dec 12, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
I’d rather them face this in mid-December rather than in May. Don’t get me wrong, I’m hating this as much as anyone but then I remember how spoiled we were last year and how easily the Caps went through the regular season and how the season ended. I am hopeful that this is the blip we can look back on later as the turning point. Only time will tell though.
by Beakers Lab on Dec 12, 2010 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, and I agree. This happening in March or April is not a “legitimate problem”. It’s potentially a death blow. Teams don’t usually recover from what we’re all seeing right now, late in a season.
Rather, I believe this is an area that is utterly critical to how this team will approach this coming pre-season. We will not know what happens behind closed doors for the most part. Maybe we hear of something at practice, maybe there is a players only meeting. But I do believe what happens next will help illuminate what occurs in April (hopefully beyond).
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 12, 2010 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
and is now realistically in legitimate trouble.
Too early for that, IMO. If this was in March or April, then yeah. But it’s still December. There’s still plenty of time for this team to get on track.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
Reply fail. Blargh.
"Sure, mom, I settle down with a nice girl every night, then I'm free the next morning."
by Steck It Out on Dec 12, 2010 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
because Monday after back-to-back losses isn’t bad enough: possible snow flurries during the morning commute!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
please no. I have to head out to the Shore on Thursday.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I’m in Lexington KY, we currently have roughly 1/2 an inch of snow and they have already canceled school tomorrow. total snowfall expected 1-3 inches. sigh
by Beakers Lab on Dec 12, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
Champaign, IL. Hoth like conditions here. 1-3 inches of snow but drifting all over the place. High of 11 degrees tomorrow. I’d love to have DC’s flurries tomorrow.
If it's too loud, turn it down.
My kids are hoping school gets cancelled tomorrow due to the cold. As a sympathetic father, I told them to put on another coat.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Already canceled here. Wind chill will be -8 to -18. The university wont close though, so ill be in, reading the rink, avoiding my thesis
If it's too loud, turn it down.
you’re giving me horrible flashbacks. I don’t miss those sorts of windchills.
what’s the thesis on?
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
you’re kids actually talked to you? :-p
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
yes. but when I told my daughter, she asked me where she was supposed to put her “three coats.”
“You had a full sized locker when you were in middle school. I just have a very small locker. I’m not waiting for the bus in this weather.” Followed by almost a classic Queen Latifa “talk to the hand.”
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
tbh that’s one of many reasons why I’m hoping for a closing, our lockers are small, old and busted.
But nooooo, let’s spend money on a scrolling marquee sign outside, or new carpet. Sure all the textbooks are falling apart, we only run the heat for thirty minutes in the early ass morning and that’s it, and the majority of our students freeze because they have no room to put their winter coats in their locker, but…budgets!
/bitter betty.
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
We just got a brand new science building paid for by a bond offering!! But still small lockers.
Apparently, lockers aren’t really used anymore. My 10th-grader doesn’t even have one.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Guys come on….enough of the weather OT
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 12, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
Upset about the rain?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
OT
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 12, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Our lab rooms got renovated two years ago, in the cheapest ways possible.
Turns out flameproof surfaces in a chemistry lab is not all that necessary. And who really needs a drain for the emergency shower? A few sponges and the problem’s all solved!
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
Praying for a closing or at least a delay, the Weather Channel says it’s about to get ugly around here.
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
nice name change! (and…you’re a she?!?!)
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Thank you, and yes I am!
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
You can be anything you want online.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
right, I forgot. I ended up being Johan Franzen one day
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
hdu I am a princess in meatspace too.
Princess of Complania. I am an excellent ruler.
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
My oldest doesn’t start kindergarten till next year so they are stuck at day care regardless =D
by Beakers Lab on Dec 12, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t sleep after this kind of nonsense, plus I have a toothache/earache. If I can get to the Dentist tomorrow maybe I’ll be less fatalistic for the next game. Now, time to write some year-end charity checks (if my hand will stop shaking)!
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:53 PM EST reply actions
…Varly?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 12, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
clever
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Halak?
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 12, 2010 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Jan 12, 2010
Caps get spanked. Brand new captain drops the gloves against a psychotic (and luckily gets rescued). Caps then reel off 14 straight wins.
Coincidence? Yeah probably. But just sayin’…..
by Cluster on Dec 12, 2010 11:05 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I much prefer that a crazy major penalty is taken by Ovechkin laying a clean hit on someone and then jumping into a fight, rather than one like Semin giving a crosscheck to the head in retaliation.
Completely different message, completely different tone. We’ve got a light schedule this week so we will see if they show up to the next one.
just in case anyone wants to re-live Steinberg’s hilarious take on that night….
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Observations from my sofa...
1) Yuck… that is all for tonight. Nothing more needs to be said here. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Ugh. Nothing. Zero.
2) Why they heck are you looking here? I said I wasn’t posting any more observations.
3) Really, stop reading this! There’s nothing here to read.
4) Ok… this is the last time I am going to say this… Observation #1 is the only one tonight… nothing more.
5) I give up.
6) Hey, that number on the left is the number of games the Caps have lost. You know, in 1997-98, the Caps lost 6 in a row too, and then ended up in the Finals against Detroit. Three of the games lost in that streak were to the (then lowly) Tampa Bay Lightning…
Ok, two days to get better, get healed up, and get ready for some Duck a l’Orange
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 12, 2010 11:09 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
You know, in 1997-98, the Caps lost 6 in a row too, and then ended up in the Finals against Detroit. Three of the games lost in that streak were to the (then lowly) Tampa Bay Lightning
An excellent piece of perspective for us young’ns. Thanks.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
by SeattleCapsFan on Dec 12, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
And we would have never made it to the finals if we hadn’t fired Ron Wilson at the end of that streak.
(I know!)
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I know you’re making a joke, but it feels mis-delivered.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
Just making the exact type of dig on the people that want to fire Boudreau that I wrote earlier shouldn’t be made.
My bad.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
No, like… I feel like it was either mis-worded, or I misunderstood it. I support the joke, but it confused me.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
Didn’t he take the team on a host of bonding experiences to create a “positive vibe” away from the ice? I remember bowling, putt putt and possibly paintball?
After the game Wednesday they can go to that bowling ally next to the VC, bowl it out.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
I’m trying to remember, but I don’t think the Caps have ever had a Stanley Cup winning coach either pre-tenure or post-tenure.
Terry Murray, in 2011
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2010 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
LA to win the Cup? Maybe… but Detroit is probably the team to beat right now…. subject to change, of course.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 13, 2010 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
Re’d, especially for no. 4. And Duck a l’Orange.
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."
Oops reply fail.
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 Dec 12, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
reply fail seems contagious around here tonight.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Rinkers need to simplify and get back to the basics. Problems are being exposed, but we are better than this.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
All this season, I’ve been saying that the team wasn’t as good as their record.
Now, they’re not as bad as their recent showings.
They’re somewhere in the middle. the only problem is, that’s a middle bigger than Boudreau’s.
How far they are to either end of that voluptuous bell curve will determine the fate of this season. I’m just of the opinion that they’re toward the wrong end. This team makes way to many mental errors and has far too many breakdowns, and Boudreau’s system just amplifies those. Tonight did nothing to change that, one way or the other.
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 think it’s more than a confidence issue? When the Caps are on, they’re on, and it’s been this way for 3 years now (playoffs not-withstanding).
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 12, 2010 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
No. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I think BB’s system is high-risk/high-reward. When it goes bad, it goes bad in spectacular fashion.
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.
Which is a recipe for a playoff bouncing. 2 bad games in a row can burn your chance at a series.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 12, 2010 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Haven’t we seen this in the four playoff series under Boudreau to date? They’ve struggled in each of them.
This discussion earlier would have had you shunned by the hall monitors.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
That’s because it’s you. You are so damn unique and edgy to this site, that the aforementioned hall monitors simply cannot handle you and your 100% original, not at all inane and totally not stupid comments.
Sparkle on and defy gravity, you precious snowflake you, don’t let those meanies rain on your parade!
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
it’s been way too long since there has been a smakedown like this. rec’ed.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Smug much
Didn’t agree with the Jonestown-like faux optimism, so I am somehow not in the club. I’ve been watching hockey since I was a teenager (I’m 57) & the Caps since 1976 (was away in college until 1975) so I think I can tell a team in trouble when I see it. If you disagree, fine, but the smug mean girls act is sort of juvenile IMHO.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s all collectively untwist our panties and forget about it.
Please do not ruin the place that I come for reasoned discussion and debate about the Caps and hockey in general.
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 Dec 12, 2010 11:52 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
You are 57 years old and you are dead ass serious with this attitude?
CaptainAwesome is now PrincessPowerful
by PrincessPowerful on Dec 12, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
57 years old and harboring a lot of disappointment from playoffs past, yes. Would like to see a talented team have a swagger, not die on the vine. Was at game 7 last year without my wife (she couldn’t take the pressure) & walked around Chinatown until some Montrealers took mercy on me & bought a few rounds. Even they felt sorry for Capitals fans.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 12, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
harboring a lot of disappointment from playoffs past
You will find lots of commiseration here. I’m 27 and have been through enough of these in my (relatively short compared to your) life for my tastes. We want to see a winner as much as you. All of this frustration comes from that.
If it's too loud, turn it down.
Dude, I’m gonna ask you to settle down. You have 39 posts. RB has over 15000. Perhaps she understands the rules, comment style, and culture of the Rink a touch better than you. It would be in your best interest to sit back, watch the discussion some and see how you fit in. Also, a quick glance at the community guidelines might go a long way.
If it's too loud, turn it down.
by renstar on Dec 12, 2010 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I had a different “handle” last year (lost my P/W & changed e-mail addresses) & also went to a lot more games & didn’t post much.
I’ll sit back for a while like you suggested.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 13, 2010 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
It’s fine to have an opinion/disagree/even argue (hell, I get into some epic ones), but the personal sniping needs to stop on both sides.
To put it simply, before you post something that you think might piss someone off, try to think, “after I post this, would the person on the other end ever want to have a beer with me?” If the answer is no, you had probably reconsider what you’re about to say.
This place should be filled with the kind of people you’d like to watch a game with over a beer, were that possible. If you keep that in mind, your interactions with people will go much better in future.
Otherwise, I think everyone needs to relax. It’s one game. A shitty game to be sure, but still just one out of eighty-two.
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 Dec 13, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
Thank you thank you thank you!
I agree, I can take disagreements but the personal attacks and sniping are inappropriate. Let’s keep this community a fun place to be everyone. The Caps losing streak isn’t helping, I know, and there are no easy answers to what ails them. We all have our opinions, but they’re just that—opinions. Let’s share them and debate them in a civilized and friendly manner.
by Ovietracker on Dec 13, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
One more note — take it however you want.
This is the place lots of people come to get away from politics — especially important for a DC team. You might want to reconsider that signature.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 13, 2010 8:49 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Sparkle on and defy gravity
rec’d for that alone.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
First trip to MSG
My trip to NYC for the game started out with a nice chat with the Locker on the Acela.
It was kinda downhill from there. The only brightside was a kid to my left, maybe 8? He heard me tell my sister-in-law (new to hockey) that Avery is a douchebag. Kid then turns to his mom and asks, “mom, what’s a douchebag?”
by Whiskey_Robber on Dec 12, 2010 11:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Ha. That happened to me once when I was with a foreigner. I just pointed out the nearest dude in an Ed Hardy t-shirt and flat-brimmed baseball hat.
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 used the term when talking to my life insurance guy who’s from an older generation than I and he didn’t really know what I mean (although he had, or course, heard of the feminine product).
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
my evening saver at tonight’s game: father in the rangers store telling his son that a sean avery jersey wasn’t allowed. “any other jersey on the racks, tommy.”
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 13, 2010 12:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
for those wondering about why Varly was left in, Corey says: “Boudreau said Neuvirth got sick before the game and couldn’t play so he left SV1 in the whole game even though he wanted to pull him.”
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
[re-post from ennd of gamethread]
I think it’s hard to fire your coach when
1) The team has collapsed to 2nd in the conference. Please recall where they were when Hanlon got the sack.
2) There are obvious non-coaching mitigations. 55 is a big deal. 52 is a bigger deal. Do you think 8 and 19’s woes are mostly coaching related? Somehow I do not.
3) It’s December of a season that we said means Henri ‘the pocket rocket’ Richard.
4) It’s December of a season some suspected would be a fractal of the 5-year rebuild, with key kids (27, 74, 90, The Truth, Hurts) learning teh hard way — and hardening together.
I don’t think they’re gonna be bad for good, even though WOW, they suck right now. So here comes the second period of the 10-11 season. I’ve seen the Caps have atrocious first periods before, and go on to Win.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Responding to this game or spate of poor play with “Boudreau must be fired!!!!” is overreacting.
There are, however, a goodly number of folks around here who seriously doubt A) the suitability of the system, B) Boudreau’s ability to adjust it on the fly, and C) Boudreau’s ability to get the players to play his system with the necessary consistency.
This issues are not new. They’ve been around since 07-08. We can make all the excuses we like, but at the end of the day, this is a pretty brittle team, and brittle teams don’t win Cups.
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 Dec 12, 2010 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
D’oh frames this correctly. I love the panic vs don’t panic stuff. This isn’t about either. It’s about the fact that BB and his lack of adjustments continue to plague this team. The team was getting beat down low again tonight in their own end and BB refuses to change strategy and get wingers involved to support the centers and d-men. Instead they were sitting at the blueline as usual waiting for outlet passes that were never coming. In addition, the team continues their history of inconsistent play and attention to detail under BB.
The Caps probably would have lost this game regardless of whoever was coaching due to the flu stuff and Sarge/Green pairing on the shelf. However, its how they lost it that again bugs me. Not sure what its going to take for people to see that BB isn’t the guy to take this franchise to a title. This losing streak will end sooner or later no matter who the coach is. That isn’t the issue. It’s whether the guy in charge is the a coach who can win a title at the NHL level.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Links guy at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Dec 12, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I love this comment so much I want to take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant.
The team was getting beat down low again tonight in their own end and BB refuses to change strategy and get wingers involved to support the centers and d-men. Instead they were sitting at the blueline as usual waiting for outlet passes that were never coming.
As a D/C, there’s nothing more frustrating than working your ass off to get possession of the puck and then see nothing up-ice except the numbers on your wings’ jerseys as they skate off into the neutral zone.
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 Dec 13, 2010 12:01 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Shit.
Rec’d for truth.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Dec 13, 2010 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
Submitted for consideration (or, “what I’m trying to believe”): Last year completed the installation of BB’s basic system. This year is to install the variations that any System needs to succeed.
I see change in the D and in the PK — enough to make me doubt that BB is as rigid as we sometimes insist. I see roster issues that don’t make System change faster or easier. And, again, I see a team that’s been a Bummer Variety Pak for weeks yet remains in 2nd place in the conference. They’ve 15-20 games to get their collective head out their Avery and make something work.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Dec 13, 2010 12:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This is a perfectly valid opinion. I’d just like BB to show more game-to-game and in-game tactical flexibility. More than anything else, I think that’s where he gets beat in the playoffs.
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’d actually like to see him mix things up on the PP a bit. I’d like to see Semin on the point with Ovie down low (at least occasionally). I think you might see teams cheating towards Ovie while killing the penalty, potentially creating space for Backstrom and Semin.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 13, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah. It’s time to get Ovie off the point, but I don’t see it happening regularly until Green comes back from injury.
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.
Probably true, thought Carlson did rather well on the point tonight. It seemed like he was holding the blue line better than Green has lately.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 13, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
‘Bears D’ seem to me much more prone to hold fast at the blue lines than their mates. I hope the vets follow the kids example in this regard.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Dec 13, 2010 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
That wing support that won’t get in your car, though, is a bitch. Caps wings feeding glass to the opposing D and (even a little) honey to their own would be a flipping revolution. I know I’ve seen ’em do it. Against DET one time, and maybe Boston once, lemme think..
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Dec 13, 2010 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
They’re also four points out of eighth place.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Facts, schmacts. Groin’s poti will heal, and Nicky’s hair — the source of his meanness — is growing even as we speak. Alzner’s learning almost as much from Schultz’ minutes as he was from Schultz, jus cause he’s like that. After the Classic, top NASA engineers will make Varlavirth into one healthy, cat-quick, positionally sound G bound by Neuvirth’s term and Varly’s salary.
It’s gonna be great, you’ll se.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Dec 13, 2010 12:43 AM EST up reply actions
The Caps are brittle and fragile. The same could be said for their fans. We’re looking for answers that aren’t forthcoming, which leads to more frustration. It’s a vicious cycle.
by Ovietracker on Dec 13, 2010 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
Varly was looking shaky tonight, although the team didn’t exactly help him out. I actually wonder if he is getting sick himself, since Neuvy is also sick. Varly being sick would be a nicer reason than Varly and Neuvy both being in a slump together with the rest of the team.
I definitely think their was a lack of timely saves tonight. I felt that some of those goals were downright awful. Granted some of the later ones he had no chance on, but he has to make a few of those saves especially at the start of the second.
Once the Caps got behind they really started missing Green and Schultz’s outlet passes. The wingers started cheery picking to try to generate some offense and the weak passes just turned into counter attacks for the Rangers.
I thought OV’s fight added fire to this situation as they tried even harder to get a goal on the powerplay with OV in the box. We witnessed the results of that effort.
If a goalie plays the super aggressive style that Varly likes to play they are going to have some games where it looks like they are moving the opposite direction on every goal and there are going to be a lot of “fluky” looking goals. I’m surprised it doesn’t happen to him more often.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Part of the problem is the cherry picking. Cherry picking might get you a decent scoring opportunity every now and then, more often, it results in your guys getting stuck in the d-zone with no one to pass to.
I think the cherry picking is exacerbating our problems.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 13, 2010 1:30 AM EST up reply actions
And this tendency gets all the worse when the team is scuffling as they are now.
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.
Right. The natural reaction is the dead wrong reaction.
If only there was someone who’s job it is to identify these mistakes during the game, and quickly act to correct them before we get down 3 or 4 goals.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 13, 2010 2:13 AM EST up reply actions
Correct and he is allowed those games. but during a slump nothing is going to crush the morale of team more than weak/untimely goals.
The one thing Bruce’s teams seem to lack is patience. I think his system works, but when the Cap’s fall behind instead of sitting at one goal down they press the situation. I don’t think that is a knock on Bruce, but getting O.V. Semin et al to continue to back check even when they are down by a goal seems to be an issue.
maaaan everybody’s gettin all pissy up in here.
Anyways, becca you are truly a champ who does not deserve your curse. It was said previously, but its worth mentioning. And at the end of the day, this is one game out of 82. Also thank you for addressing the booing of Ovi. It was really uncalled for. It was pretty heartwarming to hear Joe B talk about it too.
My biggest issue with the caps at the moment is Ovie and Backstrom. Both of them are not playing the way they were last year, and that is a huge issue considering that they are supposed to be the two best players on this team. Seeing ovi fight tonight was admirable but also disturbing. I feel like its not in his nature, and I feel like it speaks volumes about the team’s mentality at the moment. Hopefully this is rock bottom.
For most of the year our goaltending has been superb. Last night it was not so, and that, along with the Caps’ overall bad play of late, just snowballed into last night’s mess.
I’m not on the “fire BB” bandwagon right now, but have to think he’s in some hot water right now.
Tom Poti got the puck away but failed to clear the zone
This has been a problem for our D corpse for a lot of games this year
My biggest issue with the caps at the moment is Ovie and Backstrom
AO’s ice time is still out of line, especially on the PP. Is there any other player in the league who spends the entire 2 mins of the PP game in and game out (I counted the goalies already)?
Tell your girlfriend to stop texting me.
Brad Richards, Malkin, Crosby, Kaberle, Stamkos
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
D corpse
Is this a misspelling or do you consider our defensemen to be playing as though they were dead?
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I just looked up your term TOTUS. There’s the Blog called “Barack Obama’s Teleprompter Blog” where the catch phrase is “No TOTUS without POTUS” and a conservative Political blog by that name as well.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
It absolutly falls on BB
I have always loved BB,but all of this falls on him.
He tinkers way too much and all the tinkering has to be getting into the players heads.They must see it as an inditment of there play.This leads to overthinking and holding those sticks too tight.We are a team of such high talent who right now and may be the worst team in the NHL.We are what we are, a team thats lost 6 in a row and been shut-out and embarrased way too often lately.Nothing works.Ovechkin who has one ppg all season is still playing 2 minutes on the point every pp.It doesnt work,period.Its a liability ,for gods sake how many 2-1 does he give up every game being on that point.his stickhandling has been attrotious.His play has been attrotious .I don’t think hes dangerous right now.I think its 100% ok to panic now and panic hard.while HBO cameras are all over our players and we are embarrasing ourselves on a nightly basis.I don’t see a way out.This team is broken right now,there is no defence and we sure as hell aint scoring any goals.At this point we need to start worrying about making it to April,and that in itself needs to fall on the coach.This team will not be able to keep BB if this slumping doesnt get turned around fast. If the next few weeks are like the last few I dont see how BB stays on as coach especially if it ends in embarrasment on the national stage Jan,1. for the next few weeks this team will either play for their coach or throw him under the bus.That is sad,because this team should absolutly be running over teams,were bigger,faster,more talented than all of them and when you fail like we are now the coach will be the one to pay for it.So lets just hope AO captains up and starts to perform and the team follows.Because right now its becoming embarrasing that the Nationals are looking like the most exciting DC area team and they dont throw a pitch for a few months.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
Don’t panic. Slumps happen. Every other team had already had a six game winless skid since BB took over, and last night the Caps became the 30th team to join that group (according to one of the recaps linked in the Monday Clips). I think you’re guessing too much with guessing what the players think (in reality, no really important player—a Young Gun—is really affected by tinkering—I’m sure Semin is used to 2RW and loves 1RW, Backstrom doesn’t mind moving from AO’s C to Semin’s C I’m sure, etc).
Panic leads to hasty decisions that can end up screwing up a team. See Sutter, Darryl, or Sather, Glen, or even McPhee, George (pre-lockout).
Would you mind more paragraphs? Thanks, makes comments easier to read.
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 13, 2010 8:27 AM EST up reply actions
were I the GM I wouldn’t fire him yet, but after the last few years, and especially the way we got so badly out-coached (IMO) vs Montreal in the playoffs, I wouldn’t hesitate to fire him at some point this season.
Bourdreau has never made wine out of water. He’s simply been a solid players’ coach who knows how to maximize offense out of very talented offensive players. A lot of times he does a good job simply by staying out of the way.
So, that being said, if the team is struggling, and Boudreau’s NHL track record is mixed at best, I don’t see any reason to stick with him longer than necessary.
Were I GM, the biggest problem for me would be: there doesn’t seem to be any good candidates to replace him with.
A friend who’s a diehard Rangers fan was at the game yesterday, he’s been watching hockey for decades, and he thinks the team might have quit on Boudraeu. If that’s the case, GMGM is in a tight spot.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
the team might have quit on Boudraeu
I’m not sure I’d go that far, but they sure didn’t respond well to his tirade during the timeout. Then again, their responses to his motivational techniques seem to have always been mixed at best, which is a bigger problem for BB as a coach.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 13, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Great posts from a great fanbase.
As much as I like Boudreau, the problem I have with him is the strategies and schemes he uses to run this team. Disclaimer: I have not watched every game this year, and have only attended one due to being out of the area for extended periods of time. And by the way, I obviously am not a hockey coach. However, much of my criticism comes over this season and the past two.
First, why does Boudreau “mix it up” all the time with lines that just really don’t make any sense? I understand he’s trying to spark some energy or make some different options, but he does it so much that these guys don’t seem to be able to get in a groove.
Why is Knuble no longer on the top line? I haven’t read up much on this one, but I kind of brushed it off since Ovi and Semin seemed to be working. However, we all know that both of them, particularly Semin, are streaky. When you have two players who begin not scoring at the same time on the top line, what example does this show for the rest of the lines?
Third, can we please stop with the excuses? This one is sort of direct at Ted. Look at one of his latest posts:
-“We don’t get any breaks and we aren’t making our own luck. With a thousand cameras around the rink and net, no one could see if the puck went in or not. Amazing but true.”
-“We take an ill advised penalty and have to kill off a 5 minute power play. We didn’t.”
-“Nets go off the mooring at the wrong time. There is a stoppage of play and for what reasons?”
A fitting ending would have been “Just sayin..”. This organization always uses the excuse “hot goalie” or bad refereeing or bad penalty or whatever. Yes they exist, but every team faces these things and must overcome them. “The guys felt sorry for themselves.” What does even mean Bruce? We’re talking about professionals, not the high school down the street.
I still think the season will turn out to be fine. If not, it’s not the end of the world. Can’t get much worse than last season losing game 7 in the first round. Hopefully they turn it around before the Winter Classic.
by the_SwampFox on Dec 13, 2010 1:26 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
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