Sunday Caps Clips: Not‑So‑Great Eight; Caps @ Sens Game Day
by J.P. on Dec 19, 2010 9:36 AM EST
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Your savory Sunday brunch links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's loss from us, Vogs, WaPo (Carrera: blog, gamer), CSN Washington (Beninati), Caps365 video (Boudreau, players), Kukla's Korner (with Don Cherry's thoughts embedded), Peerless, Frankovic, RMNB, KOL, CSNNE (Haggerty: 1st, 2nd, 3rd), and PHT.
- Previews of tonight's showdown with the Sens from Vogs, NHL.com (Hunter) and Peerless, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Silver Seven for more coverage from the other side of tonight's match up.
- HBO certainly is no excuse for the current losing streak, but it's clearly having some impact on the team. [ESPN (LeBrun)]
- And if HBO isn't selectively editing to conform to their narrative, the Caps may be in bigger trouble than we thought. [NYPost (Brooks)]
- David Steckel sums it up: "Who cares how well we can play? We’re sick of how well we can play. Losing sucks." [Boston Globe (Dupont)]
- Finally, happy 37th birthday to Andreas Salomonsson and happy 40th to Robert Lang.
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Does anybody know what Robert Lang’s doing these days? I don’t remember a retirement announcement. (He’s the last guy I can remember being traded as he was leading the league in scoring, BTW)
I thought he started the year in Phoenix and then went on LTIR but I can’t find anything about that, so maybe I am wrong. Does anyone now? Now I am really curious.
let’s just skip the negative and go right to the positive:
Happy Birthday, Robert Lang, one of my favorite Caps!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
It’s not easy to find something to feel positive about at the moment but that Stanislav Galiev made team Russia after all is pretty good news. That’s three Caps prospects on team Russia: Galiev, Kuznetsov and Orlov.
Was there a chance he wouldn’t?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Interesting, thanks. I had assumed he was a lock. Is he not on the team because the rest of the forwards are that much better, or is this another case of Team Russia punishing a kid for leaving the country.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Happy Birthday Robert Lang
I always liked Lang also, even if some of his glory years were with the Pens. Without Lang, there may be no Mike Green ;)
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 19, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
I was sad to see him traded at the time. Not for any particularly good hockey sense (I had way less then than the pittance I have now). But he was leading the race for the Ross and he had a year (two?) left on his contract.
However, I am more than satisfied with the results of that trade.
"It's always good to have vikings."
There was no excuse for the passivity of the first 10-12 minutes last night—they lost nearly every battle in their own zone in that stretch and that’s inexcusable. Breakouts consisted of lobbing aerials to the neutral zone or throwing the puck around the boards to the weak side and hoping for a tip out; no crisp first passes, no possession, no accountability, only desperation.
If it hasn’t happened yet, the boys need a players-only meeting, if only to reinforce all the good work accomplished in the third period. I think Bruce has been tuned out at this point, and it’s on the team to find and sustain the ‘want’ in their game. There are no more excuses.
A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.
--James Beard
Sunday thought: AO = .... VC?
I was thinking this recently, and with VC (aka Vince Carter) in the news this week, having been traded from Orlando to Phoenix, I started thinking about AO’s recent slump, and how his game might be analogous to VC’s…
To wit:
early career) loads of highlight-reel plays off sheer athleticism; hero to a city; DVDs made in his honor
mid-career) still an all-star, but is neither great enough to will his team to a ring nor ego-less enough to sublimate his skills to be anything but the #1 alpha dog on his team
late career) athleticism waning; hasn’t sufficiently developed other parts of his game to be effective as he ages; now just a shadow of his former self…and trade bait
I dunno, a random Sunday thought. Every time AO tries to cut in on the blue line, I think…if it’s not working now, what will he do when he loses a step?
This slump is killing me.
late career) athleticism waning; hasn’t sufficiently developed other parts of his game to be effective as he ages; now just a shadow of his former self…and trade bait
Really? Ovechkin is 25 years old and you’re already marking his career arc to be similar to an NBA player that was one of the many so-called “next” Michael Jordans. Interesting. There was once a young, hot shot captain with so much skill and talent that he dazzled everyone just about every night. Come mid-career he was, as you put it, still an all-star but was supposedly
neither great enough to will his team to the Cup nor ego-less enough to sublimate his skills to be anything but the #1 alpha dog on his team. He didn’t excel at the two-way play his them coach expected so much of his forwards. His team almost came close to trading him in 1994 to Ottawa. That didn’t happen, as fate would have it. He gradually got better at defense and would be arguably considered as one of the top two-way forwards in the history of the game. 3 Cups to go with the numerous accolades he had built up over his career. HOFer. He is now the GM of Tampa. You might have heard of him. His name us Steve.
Just a random thought on the possible arc that OV’s career could take. Then again, I don’t have a crystal ball to look into the future nor am I a prophet. Anyways…Yeah. This slump is killing me.
Previously incarnated as UF and UnleashFurry...
Lost member of the now defunct 'Black Avatar Alliance'
by Christoph J on Dec 19, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Yzerman’s story is a much more hopeful outcome for Ovi than Vince Carter’s.
But agree, this slump is killing me. I’m thinking of depressing career comparisons as well.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The slump is frustrating and unnerving. How Ovie responds, and how the rest of the team follows him, will IMO define this Caps’ season and quite possibly his Captaincy. I’ll be as excited as everyone else when the Caps finally win one, but it will be tempered by sobering reality. Even while they were winning they often did not play complete games, had slow starts or weak finishes. These issues will have to be addressed in the regular season and not when the playoffs start.
Don’t ask me why, don’t ask me how, but when I woke up this morning every part of me told me that the streak ends tonight. Maybe it was how they performed in the third period where if they weren’t going against the best goalie in the league, they’d have scored three or four goals. Maybe it’s because they’re going against an Ottawa team that impresses nobody, particularly in goal. In any case, I just feel what I haven’t at any time during this god awful streak, tonight’s the night.
More likely its that they are playing the Sens.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Dec 19, 2010 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
Another team that’s had no luck in their history. I used to live in Ottawa. I was a little kid at the time and wasn’t aware of professional hockey but was aware of older kids in the neighborhood playing there. And I also lived in St. Louis.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Peerless’s post about the five stages of grief theorized by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross describe my emotions exactly:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
I accept the fact that Caps have lost eight in a row. I accept any player movements or coaching changes that have happened and will come. I accept the fact that eventually they will win again, and I accept the fact that we don’t yet know the impact of this streak on their playoff or Cup hopes. We won’t know for a while. In the meantime, I’m not upset or angry or losing sleep. The streak will end when it will end.
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 19, 2010 11:11 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
5 Stages of grief
The video version of the 5 stages of grief….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1spa_ASeHc0
I think the giraffe could be BB.
by Bucky Katt-Luvs Caps on Dec 19, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Except that Boudreau does not look like a giraffe.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
No but their cussing styles are remarkably similar.
by Bucky Katt-Luvs Caps on Dec 19, 2010 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Some day a movie will be made. And a coach will be giving the exact same speech as Boudreau in it before they turn it around.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The High Talker from "Seinfeld".
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
Coach Boudreau looks a lot like him. Sounds a lot like him too. Although the current eight game slide by the Caps is no joke.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 19, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wallace Shawn, what a great character actor. Unfortunately he’s dead so not a possibility for playing Boudreau in the movie version.
Wallace Shawn is not dead. Maybe you are thinking of Dick Shawn from The Producers.
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 19, 2010 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
Knowing is half the battle
Being aware of the stages of grief helps one get to acceptance a lot faster. Reading posts ‘round here for the last few weeks has been illustrative of people unknowingly posting while in the throes of one these stages. You would think Blames is one of the stages as there’s a lot of that going around too, but maybe it’s just a subset of denial or anger. Said it before here, but there’s almost nothing a fan can do (besides showing up and cheering) to affect the outcome of a game, so just sit back and enjoy (or at times not) the ride.
Obstreperously Avatarless
One fact, however, regarding player movements:
The NHL holiday trade freeze goes into effect midnight December 19. No trades, waivers, loans with few exceptions until December 27.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Doesn’t have any effect on coaching movement.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Dec 19, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Well, there’s one optimistic player:
AndrewGordon10 The 1989 flames lost 12 games in a row in the month of december. Anybody know how that season ended?
Is he right about the 12 in a row? I’d prefer it end at eight.
"It's always good to have vikings."
No, he’s not. The 1988-1989 Flames were 8-4-2 in December 1988 before winning the Cup the following spring.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 19, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
In fairness, he was only three at the time. :-)
Too bad he’s making stuff up, but at least he’s trying.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Or got the Flames confused with someone else. Or the wrong year Flames.
Appreciate the thought from him even if the details are wrong.
Something tells me that Andrew will make a good coach some day.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
And the 1986 Flames lost in the Final to the Habs. The final was noted for a couple of things:
- It was Patrick Roy’s rookie season and the legend was born
- Brett Hull made his NHL debut for Calgary in the Finals
- Brian Skrudland scored the fastest playoff overtime goal in NHL history, scoring at 0:06 of the first overtime in game 3
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 19, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
There’s your half-full statement of the morning. Thanks Mike.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
With an assist from Andrew G. He actually had proposed the scenario but Mike figured out the correct year.
Well done, Mike. (And Andrew)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I need a glass half full statement after last night’s loss. I need a glass half full of something alcoholic to get me through tonight’s game against Ottawa.
From the faceoff, McPhee brings it in with Skrudland. HE SCORES!!
—Don Whitman calling Brian Skrudland’s overtime goal in game two.
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 19, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
I noticed you stopped linking to “On Frozen Blog”. Today, they linked to an article on Dale Hunter and speculation on whether he’s ready for an NHL job.
I’ll include the link even if you disagree with OFB on many points.
And on Hunter becoming an NHL coach, I think he needs some more experience coaching professional players as opposed to juniors before getting an NHL head coaching job. He should become an assistant NHL coach or be a head coach in the AHL to get experience with pros first. (Given those that criticize the possible choice of an AHL coach for our team, hiring a coach from juniors would be even worse — from the standpoint of experience.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
SCF’s coach Therrien —> Half season AHL coach Bylsma
Adams winner Boudreau —> No pro coaching experience Hunter
It’s a little too much to expect catching lightning in a bottle twice. At least Bylsma was in the system.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 19, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
At least the AHL is some professional coaching experience. And at least Bylsma knew the Pens system.
Methinks that Hunter would be at a disadvantage with no pro-coaching experience.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I don’t think GMGM is going to get all misty eyed and hire a guy because he’s got some history with the team. That hasn’t helped him in the draft, has it. If he’s inclined to make a change, me thinks it would be someone with significant NHL experience. These guys are going to need to have some confidence that their coach knows how to win at the NHL level.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 19, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
I haven’t stopped linking to OFB. I just didn’t think that them quoting an article from April without adding any value to it was Clips-worthy.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 19, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe a bit of a palate-cleanser: Team USA takes on Rensselaer (exhibition game) today at 4, with Patrick Vey Wey playing on the second defensive pairing. Follow here:
http://usahockey2.com/usah_blogs/world_juniors_blog/?p=867
Team Canada takes on El Nino and the Swiss (exhibition game) today at 7pm.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I like this way of thinking about it from RMNB:
@RussianMachine If you think of it as two back-to-back, four-game winless streaks, it’s not so bad.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 19, 2010 12:03 PM EST reply actions
and if I think of it as one-tenth of the season, I want to toss my lunch
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Dec 19, 2010 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Anyone else play Caps Mobile Fantasy? Here’s a fun fact:
After 9 games in November, the leader had 40 points.
After 9 games in December, the leader has 20 points.
Did I say “fun” fact? I meant depressing…
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Hi Everyone. Was just wondering if any of you all are going to skip watching the WC considering the way the 2 teams are playing. I fear a national viewed embarrassment. I’ll watch, but I’ll be ready to change the channel at any second. So depressed.
-These go to eleven.
Since I’ll be at the game, I’ll probably watch the whole thing — unless the score gets ridiculous and I’m really feeling uncomfortably cold. (It may be the uncomfortably cold part that drives my decision on when to leave.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Right now I’m watching Rex Grossman QB the Redskins. Does that answer your question?
/not easily embarrassed
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Dec 19, 2010 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
We’re going. But even if we weren’t we would still watch.
I haven’t yet and don’t plan on missing any games—not sure which stage of grief I’m in but I don’t give up. Or maybe I’m stubborn.
Reminds me of the observation: teams on a winning streak are never as good as they seem near the end of their streak. Likewise teams on a losing streak are never as bad as they seem near the end of the streak. There have been positives to take out of several of their recent games, and I know they will win one—whether tonight, against the Devils, or god help us the Pens.
But they will win one eventually.
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 19, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
I’m so glad I’m not spending the money to go. I would be dreading it even more than I am now. I hope you have a great time and they win it for you though!
-These go to eleven.
Well I’m feeling a little more excited about it now. I know it will be cold and I know that I won’t be able to see the game very well and I know the Pens are a very strong team at the moment. But I just thought it was too great of an opportunity to attend a rare and memorable event. Maybe I’m sappy but I really enjoyed watching last year’s WC—all the hoopla—everything.
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 19, 2010 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
I think Ottawa is in for a beating tonight…
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
Bruce still the coach?
If they get shut out tonight in Ottawa, will that cause the axe to fall? My gut says no, but after a stinker tonight, the Bruce watch goes to a game-to-game status.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
If they give up another 3-0 first period, I’d say all bets are off.
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 we have a long way to go before he’s canned. He’s got too many years of excellent results and good rapport with the players. It won’t happen this month, probably not in Jan either.
I don’t think he’ll be canned unless it is looking like the team won’t make the playoffs. I think firing the coach would have the effect of completely demoralizing many of the players and throwing the year away.
Gotta disagree with that one. I think Shanny has Dan Snyder locked up in a room somewhere to make sure that he maintains team control. Flip should be fired before the end of the month. Godawful performance last night. BB needs to reverse direction by the Winter Classic. Part of what’s working against him is the weekly autopsy of his struggles on HBO.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
I didn’t think we were there either, but that first period last night looks like a team that just isn’t rallying.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Although there’s the question of whether changing coaches sooner rather than later gives the team the chance to right the ship – so that there’s a chance to make the playoffs in the current season. (see — Bylsma, Dan, and Laviolette, Peter)
The Caps need to start looking a lot more engaged if they want to make the playoffs with this coach.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
Something that might be good for us here: Brian Elliott is starting in goal tonight for the Sens. He hasn’t won a game in his past 6 starts and he has given up 14 goals in his last 3 outings.
Here’s to hoping we don’t make Ottawa’s offense look like worldbeaters.
Then for sure we’ll lose. Haven’t we faced a few other back-up goalies during the streak to negative effect?
There are 5 more games until the Winter Classic. Even if the Caps go 0-5, I think BB is safe until after the WC. The next game after that is against Tampa Bay on Tuesday and by then Schultz should be back in the lineup and the HBO cameras will be gone. If the Caps win that game I think BB stays a little longer. If not, I think he’ll be gone. I just can’t imagine GMGM having any faith left in the coaching staff after losing 14 in a row. The team doesn’t play again that week until Saturday against the Panthers so I think that would be a good time for it to happen. It’s sad to be looking at the schedule and trying to figure out when the best time for a coaching change could be but at this point I just don’t see enough of an improvement in this team to justify keeping the coach around for much longer.
Also, actions speak louder than words. If the players really wanted BB to stay I think they would have won a game already. I’m starting to believe that deep down they want him gone.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
I don’t think they’ll lose 14 in a row, but the question is, what if they lose 12 of 14? Or 13 of 15? What do you do then?
Fire Boudreau.
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 19, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think it will happen this season, regardless of how much I think it should. They’re going to give him through the Winter Classic. If this streak hits 10, I think he should go, or even if they go 3-13 (or some similar W-L/OTL record) through the Winter Classic, he should probably go. The Caps have way too much talent to lose to the teams they have been, in the manner they have been. They consistently make the same mistakes, and are stopped by the same systems, and that’s on the coach.
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 19, 2010 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting. I’m feeling like the end is in sight for Boudreau. I anticipate they get beaten badly by Ottawa tonight – the handy excuse of having played last night giving them an “out” from working hard. After that, I’m not sure when the end comes, but I think it comes within 2 weeks.
Coaches tend to linger a little longer than I think they ought to, of course, so it might go longer. But I’ve definitely got the dead man walking when it comes to Bruce.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The only way I think he really goes is if the Caps end 2010 without another win.
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 19, 2010 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Losing badly to Ottawa would be enough for me. I’ve been on the fence regarding BB, but that would push me over.
I think if the clubhouse is lost, it’s loss. Whether that occurs at 13 games or 9 games, you make the decision to do what’s best. Why wait?
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
SME is saying that Boudreau will get the whole season to either succeed or fail.
Given the injuries that have forced non-NHL talent into the gameday roster, he might be right.
I’m not in agreement, but I might be projecting, as I have wanted Bruce gone for some time now.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
But then they won’t want to bring in a new coach for the WC, the Caps win that one and BB’s job is saved! Can’t fire a guy after a big win like that!
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 19, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
WC should stay the hand for awhile. Add a game or two after that and we’ll see.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
That’s the only thing that has kept me from joining the “fire Bruce” chorus so far. Ever since the playoff series against Montreal, I have suspected that BB is not the guy who’ll take this team to the end of the Stanley Cup road. But I don’t want to see him lose his job in 2010.
The players like him and don’t blame him for their losses, right? They say they lose focus or do individual things instead of playing the system — they don’t say that he has a bad system. Even if he should lose them between now and December 31, they’ll feel the loss of a guy who they liked and (in quite a few cases) helped them succeed. I do not want to see this team having to play on a tremendous national stage, in unusual conditions, with the additional pressure of getting to know a new coach and lamenting the departure of someone they personally liked.
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 19, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I’ve gone from “wait until the team is healthy” to “Watch Bruce”. I agree with you that the situation with the holidays and then the WC should stem the hand of GMGM. But there are some style points to openings and adjustments. It wasn’t BB’s strategy or adjustments that got them to come back last night. It was more Matt Bradley’s grit and his big goal. Really have no idea what’s up with the top line, though. Would help if Semin was back and 100% so they could consider going back to SOB line to jumpstart the offense.
All of the line switching has an air of desperation to me sometimes, though.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
About the only time the Caps had any offense this year was when Semin was on the top line since Knuble hasn’t had that great of a year so far. The second line had been toast no matter who the personnel on it were.
Agree it would help with Semin being 100% and back in the lineup. He hasn’t been right, healthwise, since late November. Even then, he was being nagged by some injury or other and the trainers having him skip practices. Then, getting sick last week as well the day before the Avs game.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The only bottom dwellers are Ottawa and NJ. The other games are two against the Pens, one against the Canadiens and one against Carolina. They might win tonight but Ottawa didn’t play last night and they’ve had a lot of success against the Caps recently (3-1-1) so I wouldn’t count on it. Their best chance is against NJ but then again if Broudeur plays the way he can it could go either way. I’m not sure this team is capable of winning against the Pens or Canadiens right now and CAR has won 4 in a row and they’ve played really well in each of their last two loses against the Caps. They will be very motivated to win at home in this next game so I can definitely see this team losing another 6 in a row.
If they manage to win a couple of games out of the next six or seven, I believe you still have to consider a coaching change but I think it depends on which of those games are won. If they win against the Pens in the WC and against Tampa the following Tuesday, then I think BB gets a chance to see if the team can put a few winning streaks together but If the only wins are against the two bottom dwellers then you have to do something, no? Then again, look at NJ. They are in a lot worse shape than the Caps and haven’t fired their coach yet so it wouldn’t surprise me if BB finishes the season with the Caps.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
I just can’t imagine GMGM having any faith left in the coaching staff after losing 14 in a row
I haven’t been able to imagine someone having strong faith in this coaching staff for a long time.
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 19, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
TSN just had a fun Top Ten special on Goalies Gone Wild.
You got to see fun stuff like Roy-Vernon, Roy-Osgood, Matthew Barnaby and Garth Snow, Hextall vs everyone, Hasek coming way out of his net to trip Gaborik with his body, and Tukka Rask blowing up after a shootout. Good stuff.
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
I remember all of those (well … not all of Hextall’s antics), and they are all fantastic.
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 19, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
- was Hextall jumping Chelios in the 1989 SCF forn injuring Brian Propp earlier in the series
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nAVNvoUp2Y
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 19, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve seen this clip before, but obviously didn’t see it myself/don’t remember when it happened. Hextall is a crazy, crazy man.
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 19, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
They interviewed Hextall during the show, and he was quite funny and open about how he was on the ice. they also showed his famous fight vs Felix Potvin in 1996 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnJqCZDcex0). Asking Hextall after who he thought won it, all he said was “I did obviously. Didn’t you see how he bled all over me?”
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 19, 2010 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
He hasn’t seemed the same to me since he got it. Maybe too much pressure? Kinda like his Olympic performance?
-These go to eleven.
He seemed fine to me — until the long winning streak last year ended. But Ovi himself was doing well then. It was the defense and goal tending that failed in the games before the Olympic break. But after the Olympics…. well. And then after the 2nd suspension….. Ovi was no longer Ovi.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Not actually true. The team went on their 14 game winning streak immediately after he got the C which was around January 6th. Even after the Olympics he came back strong—too strong in fact in the Chicago game. That suspension is what I think got him questioning the physical side of his game down the stretch leading into the playoffs.
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 19, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
Apparently the Bears are wearing some crazy Christmas jersey today. Leone says they’re really ugly and Walton is bitching about having trouble reading the numbers.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Bears Xmas Jersey 2006-2007
Hope they didn’t take this back out of mothballs
The OatesStache: Tickling taints since 1975.
by Rather Bengt on Dec 19, 2010 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
OMG, could be. Maybe not, but close. Here’s Leone’s description:
Bears wearing horrible holiday jerseys. Dark blue w/ ornaments, swirls. And gold numbers? Worst things I’ve seen since Beast of New Haven.
"It's always good to have vikings."
So far, no updates on Capitals Insider from Katie C. No news on any new players injured. No news on whether Semin was able to join the team in Ottawa or not. No other new news, of any sort. I’m presuming it’s another no Semin night. I just hope he’s able to do the NJ game.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
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