Recap: Stars 2, Caps 1
by Becca H on Dec 2, 2010 11:59 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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Print[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
Over the course of the season the Capitals have become well-versed in playing tight, one-goal contests and have largely come out on the winning side of things. Tonight wasn't one of those nights, but it wasn't exactly for lack of effort - just a few missed passes, missed shots, missed chances and the odd missed call or the outcome of this would have been very different.
To come away with a loss is hardly satisfying. But at the same time there's comfort to be found in the compete level tonight, from start to finish. It doesn't take the place of two points, but it's still a nice parting gift.
Ten more notes on the game:
- In the dying seconds of a one-goal game, the Caps managed to squeeze the tying marker past Andrew Raycroft...only to have it washed out because of incidental contact. It's a call that, along with goaltender interference calls (and non-calls) has seemed to haunt this team in recent years. And if Alex Ovechkin had legitimately pushed a Dallas defender into Raycroft, it would have been correct. Unless he grew an invisible third arm that had amazing double-jointed flexibility, however, he didn't and it wasn't. Tough way to end this one.
- After a few days off, Michal Neuvirth returned to the net for his rebuttal to the recent play of Semyon Varlamov. And for most of the game he was making all the stops he needed to (and a few he shouldn't have been able to) to keep his team in it. Unfortunately it was one he probably should have had - albeit one that possibly got a little help from Karl Alzner's stick - that deflated any momentum from the game-tying goal twenty seconds earlier and that turned into the eventual game-winner.
- Marc Crawford said prior to the game that he was putting Raycroft in against the NHL's top team to give him "a huge challenge".. Well, he rose to the occasion and then some, turning aside 37 of the 38 shots fired at him by the Caps and proving to be the difference in the game. But that was predictable, wasn't it?
- He probably would have preferred to get a win in his debut, but Scott Hannan's first game as a Capital was a good one. In just under twenty minutes of work, Hannan proved that he was what we thought he was - a solid, steady defender who is willing to sacrifice his body (to the tune of four blocked shots) and throw a few hits (three of 'em, to be exact) while being a good penalty killer (4:50 of shorthanded ice time, no goals against). If that's what he brings every night? Sold.
- It's either a hard-hitting game or a full moon when Jeff Schultz racks up four hits. We'll give Sarge his due and go with the former, as the two teams were credited with a combined sixty-six hits. Pass the ice packs, please.
- Of course, one of those hits landed that goon Schultz in the box after he took exception (and rightly so) to a slash that went undetected by the refs. And while it feels like an excuse to blame the refs, and while the Caps don't lose this game if they capitalize on some of the missed chances, the officiating was once again fairly lopsided and the Caps doubled up the Stars in minor penalties.
- One penalty that we'll take eight times a week and twice on Sunday is the kind of penalty Ovechkin took at the end of the first period. As the period came to a close he earned a trip to the sin bin when he launched himself at Adam Burish, who had leveled Marcus Johansson seconds before. Generally picking a fight after a clean hit is a pet peeve (although this was borderline clean at first and looked nasty in the moment); still, it was nice to see the captain acting like...well, a captain.
- Alex Ovechkin is never scoring a goal ever again. /antijinx
- It feels like just about every night one of the Caps' defensemen goes down with an injury - so it was a scary moment indeed when John Erskine seemed to fall into the boards awkwardly and later disappeared from both the ice and the bench. Luckily he returned to finish the game, but we're about a day away from just bubble-wrapping the entire blueline to prevent further scares.
- Always fun to see an arena whose ice makes the Verizon Center look like Rexall Place, isn't it? The puck was bouncing so much it looked like a superball out there...and let's just say a drinking game that required a shot every time someone fell would end up being incredibly messy.
So the Caps wrap up their mini-road trip with what amounts to a relatively good loss against a tough opponent. There were opportunities squandered throughout and that will need to be addressed, as will the parade to the penalty box - and at some point you probably want the best player in the League to get a goal or twelve - but ultimately it's one of those losses that falls into the category of "sometimes the other guys win".
And that's okay.
Game highlights:
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I thought the defense did a great job all around tonight. Especially from Green in the offensive zone and Hannan on defense. Neuvy let one go by him, but other than that did what he needed to do. Again, a bad call at the end of the game is the story of this one. A 9-game goal drought shouldn’t be over-looked either.
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
"I was pretty excited that Bruce made me captain and it's something I enjoyed. My record speaks for itself. I'm 1-0. I just went out there and did what I do: get the game winner." - Matt Bradley
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Dec 3, 2010 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
Caps gave up just 21 shots tonight, distributed fairly evenly across the three periods – that’s definitely a sign of good defense, I’d agree with you there.
And re: Ovechkin, Corey had this note earlier today:
Each previous time Alex Ovechkin has gone 7+ w/o a goal he has responded with 6 goals in 5 games and 6 goals in 3 games, respectively.
Just something to keep in mind…….;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
The play where he fell down on the one timer opportunity really irked me. He’s not the kind of player that does that. I guess it’s always a little more noticeable when Crosby gets a hat trick in the same night.
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
"I was pretty excited that Bruce made me captain and it's something I enjoyed. My record speaks for itself. I'm 1-0. I just went out there and did what I do: get the game winner." - Matt Bradley
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Dec 3, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Semin is wasted with Chimera and Laich as linemates
He needs a playmaker on his line. For all his faults, Flash could at least get him the puck in scoring positions. Semin is lost playing with two blue-collar linemates. At least put Mackan with #28. Well, luckily, BB being BB, we probably won’t see this line again for a while. Hopefully.
Fehr has to be in the Flash hot seat at some point…not only did he blow an open net in the first but it was almost comical how badly he missed the net.
Fehr deserves some hot seat attention, but that net wasn’t nearly as open as you make it sound and he didn’t miss by as much as you claim.
If Flash made Semin any better then that line would have clicked when they were together and Flash wouldn’t be sitting on 6 As.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
it was a gaping net
and he shot it about four feet wide. So yeah…it was comical.
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 3, 2010 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
also the Flash-Laich-Semin line was one of the better lines in the opening games
It was broken up, as all lines are on this team, but it wasn’t a fail like this one is.
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 3, 2010 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
No. By the time the puck got to Fehr Raycroft had already gotten back to the crease and Fehr had a sliver to shoot at far side. You’re also probably measuring “4 feet” by where it hit the boards. He didn’t miss the net by 4 feet.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 3, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, in the moment that missed chance by Fehr looked really awful and ridiculous – watching the review, though, the pass is a little off his stick so he’s not in a good shooting position, and by the time he does settle it down (fucking ice) there’s a defenseman moving in and Raycroft is just about back in the net.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Raycroft also played it very smartly and came out hard vertically to really attack Fehr’s angle. I want him to bury that, obviously, and he needs to at least challenge the goalie, but it’s not like he was staring at an open 6×4.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
it's laughable the excuses that are made for players that are favored...
over ones that are scapegoated. that is all.
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 3, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
No one’s letting Fehr off the hook here but that doesn’t mean you completely rail on the guy without looking more closely at the play itself. I don’t think it was as “comical” as you seem to think it was.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
And when Becca agrees with me it’s damn near universal truth.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 3, 2010 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Frankly, I thought the open net Carlson missed after Semin was taken down on the breakaway was far worse. Probably had something to do with how terrible that ice truly was.
Yeah that was pretty bad as well.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Staal12 would have roofed it.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
by zephyr on Dec 3, 2010 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Agree. I was much more pissed he didn’t score than May was pissed it wasn’t a penalty shot.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
Completely agree. Raycroft was way more out of the play on that one than on Fehr’s play. Carlson’s miss was made even worse by the fact that my fantasy team really could have used that goal.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 3, 2010 1:08 AM EST up reply actions
My fantasy team could have used that goal as well.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 3, 2010 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
It’s laughable to suggest that a community composed of thousands of members has homogeneous opinions of every player.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Dec 3, 2010 8:19 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Amen to that! Maybe not every point in the entire post but I agree that Semin and Chimera are not a good combination on a line together. Just about every time they’re put together on a line, the Caps lose and can generate next to no offense.
Examples:
1) First game after acquiring Chimera
2) Tonight’s game
Okay, the Caps did win one game with that combination but it was a low scoring affair with Carolina.
Semin is fine with Laich as a linemate but with either Backstrom or Johansson or even Perreault centering.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Mackan is playing pretty well for a 3rd liner. To throw him into the bigger challenge of 2c could prove poorly. Or he could mature even faster. Its a big gambit for a rookie with no AHL exp.
At this point a trade of MattyP seem to be the most looming foreshadows. Boyd and Hendricks don’t make for great 3c’s either.
Semin, as great as his has been lately, really needs a talented play maker. Similiar to Ovechkin, you’ve got a ton of skill in the least important position. Except Ovechkin can normally make his own legitimate chances, whereas Sasha just looks silly and forced.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Lately, Semin has been making more of his own chances than AO has.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I see your argument and raise you “Ovechkin has been creating chances for others!”
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
I guess. I maintain the position I took early in the year: AO’s numbers look better than his play. I guess he looks like he’s waking up lately, but he’s not where he has to be.
Watching Nick play with the puck on the boards makes me hurt inside wishing that line would fucking cycle. All this bullshit “score on the rush” nonsense is killing one of the strongest aspects of Nick’s game.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I don’t even want to hear in a joking way that Ovie will never score a goal ever again. This is the type of hex talk that has a way of gaining traction.
Ha. I’m not the one that said it. He’ll score again, but maybe not 50.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
damn hard to score the way he’s been defended lately. When’s the last time we really saw him alone on the ice?
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I’m not listening to excuses. Every great goal scorer gets covered. He needs to adapt his game.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Man…there was one sequence late in the game where Nick was just powering along the boards, winning all kinds of battles, and I think I jinxed it because I was already writing the bulletpoint in my head for the goal that would surely ensue. He’s just amazing.
I think Ovi’s waking up but it seems like his assists – lately, at least – seem to be coming because he’s not able to score so rather than try to shoot through 3 guys or fight through them he’s making nice passes (which he’s always been able to do).
Can’t say I was thrilled to see him flexing his hand on the bench after a slash. Again. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s up with him.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
can’t say I was thrilled with yet another slash on a Caps player
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Well he leaped in the air for a loose puck and the Star tried to play it with his stick. I think that’s where the contact was. Not a real slash.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
not there, the one where Sarge got his stick slashed out of his hands and broken and like 2 sec latter Sarge picks up a boarding call for shoving the Stars player that did it
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Small Pic, but it exists!
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
by breaklance on Dec 3, 2010 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 11 recs
Who’s to blame on that? Knuble plays the boards very well too. But both he and Ovi seem to be shying away from the corners these days.
I touched on it earlier tonight, but when Laich played top line he played very well, and so did Ovi and Backs. That was also with Ovie on the opposite wing. Perhaps more of this is in order, and Gabby tells Laich to kick them in the shins every time they lose a puck battle along the boards.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
I blame AO. He’s the guy firing off the rush. He’s the guy way ahead of the play without support. He’s the guy getting impatient and refusing to get the puck deep and start the cycle. He’s the best player on the line, and he’s not playing like it.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
If Ovi is that far into opponents D zone with no one else around him there better be a line change going on, otherwise the forwards shouldn’t ever be that far behind.
But he should be making the smarter play and dumping it in, in the case of slow forwards.
But it drives me crazy when a line change isn’t going on and the team is MIA. Like how, for instance, Alzner can dump it in from half and Chimera from our blue line will be the first guy to get to their corner every time.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Quite often, what happens is Ovie takes off full speed. Almost no one can keep up when he does that, so he gets stranded by himself. The fault is on him, not his linemates.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Eh, I think it’s mostly because he’s the highest guy by about 8 strides on most breakouts more than him embracing some Chimera like speed.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
That too. But Ovechkin has an explosive burst that can get him through the neutral zone in Chimera-like time.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Pucks got to be somewhere in front of him to do this. Even if he is standing still on the blue line everyone else is at least skating up ice.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Yeah, if he doesn’t get the pass he circles back around or stops on the blue line. The style of play just forces into a rush type situation. That’s fine and dandy but if it’s not working maybe try not doing it 100% of the time.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
That’s fine and dandy but if it’s not working maybe try not doing it 100% of the time.
This line applies to more than one aspect of AO’s game lately.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 3, 2010 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
Becca, hugs. what a brutal game to have to recap.
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“Incidental interference” is bullshit. AO had nothing to do with the D taking out his own guy. But, AO went into the crease on his own. I’d have lived with the no-goal if it had been a good ol’ fashioned crease violation… but the NHL doesn’t call that anymore, so it’s a crap call. The PIM on Schultz was also fucking garbage coming right after the ref watches Schultz get slashed and Baxter get his stick held. Odd eyes on that one.
At the end of the day, the Caps lost on a soft goal from a 4th liner and Neuvirth was outplayed by Andrew Raycroft. Yeah. Can’t bitch about the reffing when Andrew Raycroft is better than your guy.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Neuvirth outplayed Raycroft. The Caps just made Raycroft look great by missing loads of prime chances.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Hilarious. I think Raycroft’s stats look better than his play, and I agree we didn’t challenge him a ton, but he didn’t let in any soft goals. I’m not sure what analysis you can use that says Neuvirth was the better goalie. He was alright, but a bad rebound turned into a goal and then a ridiculous shot beats him for the GWG. The only puck that got by Raycroft was a gorgeous cross ice play on the PP. Caps win if goalie performances are traded.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Neuvirth let in 1 soft goal, but he didn’t give the other team nearly as many open chances. If goalie performances were traded, I think Dallas still wins due to that.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
What do you mean? When was Raycroft giving up the open chances? I thought that was the DAL D, and Raycroft was the guy bailing them out. And again, 0 Soft Goals > 1 Soft Goal.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
The Caps had a number of times when they had a open net shot and just missed it. Raycroft was not in good position a number of times.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
They also had plenty of times where they shot and Raycroft didn’t give up a weak goal or a bad rebound right to another Cap. Can’t say that about Neuvirth.
If the Caps goalie gives up no bad goals and the Dallas goalie gives up 1 bad goal, the Caps win.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 3, 2010 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
Funny how quickly Varly stole the #1 job. Neuvy still needs to provehimself. As far as know the first month of the season was a fluke.
by Kolzilla on Dec 3, 2010 12:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’ll reserve judgment on Valry until he plays a full month.
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Neither guy has the #1, and both have to prove that the success they’ve had as young guys isn’t a “fluke.” Goaltending is about consistency, and both guys have questions at this point. If we can make it all year with one of them hot we’ll be ok.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I’ll wash my mouth out with soap for this, but how do we know Varly’s groin isn’t in a fluke right now?
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
It might be but after tonight Neuvy will be stapled to the bench until Varly regresses badly or gets hurt. So roughly another 3-4 games.
by Kolzilla on Dec 3, 2010 12:40 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Glad you aren’t the coach. That’s no way to handle a young goalie. And that’s no way to handle an injury prone goalie. They need to keep platooning. Notwithstanding the soft goal, Neuvy wasn’t terrible so I don’t see any need to flat out bench him.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 3, 2010 12:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Did he though? 2 goals on 21 shots…and one of them was a border line stinker. I’m not saying he didn’t have a decent night, but , meh
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
"I was pretty excited that Bruce made me captain and it's something I enjoyed. My record speaks for itself. I'm 1-0. I just went out there and did what I do: get the game winner." - Matt Bradley
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Dec 3, 2010 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
Hey, skating directly into your own goalie is a legit defensive tactic. Nothing bullshit about it.
Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.
by sydtron on Dec 3, 2010 12:10 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
throwing an opposing team player into your own goalie is also apparently a legit defensive tactic.
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Becca will always recap losses. /antijinx
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
GWG looked like one of those “cmon son get your stick out of the way” don cherry bounces that we see on Coaches Corner.
Hell of a wave off. Can’t help but feel jobbed on that one. Reminiscent of early 3rd period game 7 wave off for Knuble goaltender interference…ugh…
Refs allow play to continue....
I don’t even think Alzner got a piece of that, but even if he did that’s a routine play. D do that all the time and when you get the puck it shoots into the stands/netting. That tip was so far out that it doesn’t really matter either way. Neuvy flat out has to save it.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Well, Varly will be nice ‘n rested for an irritated Atlanta squad on Saturday. Here’s hoping Evander Kane is still on the shelf but you know that won’t happen.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I haven’t rewatched it but yeah it just looked like a human moment. I think he missed it by a milisecond.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
from Bruce’s presser — the puck was rolling on the ice and knuckling when the shot came off. Hard for a goalie to pick up.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
Bruce really went to bat for Neuvy there. Could have hung him out to dry, but refused to blame it on him beyond “It’s a goal he’d like to have back.”
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You shouldn’t jump on your goalie in a tight match like that. Definitely not a rookie.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 3, 2010 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
oh man, Bruce’s presser. “What do you want me to say that I can’t get fined for? Like, I mean, if you look at the friggin’ call….” “You wanna know why I voted for coaches challenges? That’s why!” “And I hope I get a call on this thing: what’s the actual rule on breaking a guy’s stick with a slash.” and so on and so forth.
it’s going to be a brutally long flight home. He’s pissed at everyone.
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I wish Ted would say go ahead I’ll pay the fine. Unfortunately, they probably wouldn’t show the presser because of the language.
"It's always good to have vikings."
They are probably several minutes behind. Even live TV is on like a 30 second delay for that very reason, and to prevent further Janet Jackson nightmares.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
it’s already taped and up on the website (that’s what my link is, available for your viewing pleasure, whenever that may be)
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I watched it — I think Bruce was biting his tongue, but the language wasn’t a problem. (Certainly nothing like we’d expect from Torterella)
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
absolutely biting his tongue. He knows that blowing of steam, while it might feel good, isn’t going to change the outcome, is going to cost him money, and isn’t going to make the officials feel warm and fuzzy about him or his team.
So, good judgment, but, yeah, I would have been amused to see Bruce really rip into that crew and let the f-bombs fly.
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Janet Jackson moment….yikes!
Don’t think about a wardrobe malfunction and Bruce Boudreau…
Hey, don’t blame me for what’s in your head now, I specifically said not to think about it…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 3, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Bruce is angry, but Ovie’s despondent. “no comment about it. It’s unbelievable.”
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I’m afraid to watch it. Is Ovi probably in tears?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
more like depressed disbelief. Also has Hannan and Hendricks.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
No, say it isn’t so. I don’t want to see or hear about a despondent Ovie. He’s recently found himself and his game. I don’t want him to regress, I want him to move forward.
He just seems a bit depressed and pissed off about it. Frustrated. I’m sure they’ll all put it behind them.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 3, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
I’d be depressed and pissed off, too. He was busting his ass to create a scoring chance, did so, and got fucked by yet another example of incompetent refereeing.
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In a critical game situation, after a night of absolute shit refereeing (some of the most incompetent I’ve seen in a small while). Yeah, I can understand his demeanor.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 3, 2010 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
every time I think “The officiating can’t get any more incompetent than tonight!” I’m proven wrong. I shudder to think what disaster we’ll be treated to in the next couple of weeks.
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You know, I tried to play it down a bit in the recap because I really don’t want to sound like one of those fans…but holy Nicky on a cracker, were those refs awful tonight. If they don’t work to draw penalties it’s one thing but I’m getting tired of the Caps playing hard and getting called for ticky-tack stuff – or even legit stuff – and then seeing the other team get away with the same things left and right.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Dec 3, 2010 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yup. But the officiating was poor on both sides even. Dallas was called for some BS too.
It’s one thing if your team is just playing undisciplined hockey. But there were non-calls. There were bogus calls that came immediately after non-calls. There were consecutive calls that didn’t really merit a whistle to blow, let alone so close together.
Just a big handful of bad.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 3, 2010 12:53 AM EST up reply actions
Which calls were weak on DAL?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
I thought the second call was bogus, and felt like a make-up call.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 3, 2010 12:55 AM EST up reply actions
Bogus in the way they felt like calling the game. I view officiating as if it’s consistent between two teams. It was just a mess out there tonight IMO.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 3, 2010 12:56 AM EST up reply actions
…yes. That doesn’t make sense to you? Yeesh, thought that was a fairly common saying ;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I have never heard that saying, but I think I am going to start using it!
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 3, 2010 2:56 AM EST up reply actions
I shudder lose sensation in my extremities
to think what disaster we’ll be treated to in the next couple of weeks May.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
if I start thinking about the unmitigated disaster that is NHL officiating in May, I’m going to suffer from shell shock.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
They should probably add another referee =]
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
yay, a new and exciting way to blow calls!
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It’s games like this that keep me thinking “that could have been Ryan Fucking Getzlaf” whenever I see Fehr.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 12:24 AM EST reply actions
Really? Because whenever I see Backstrom doing something awesome I think “that could have been Phil fucking Kessel” and I feel better.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Dec 3, 2010 12:31 AM EST up reply actions 14 recs
Funny, because whenever I see John Carlson I think that could have been Tyler Cuma.
by b.orr4 on Dec 3, 2010 12:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Heh… sometimes GMGM hits them out of the park, sometimes he swings at a ball in the dirt.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
Every GM has bad draft picks but come on, I’d hardly call Eric Fehr a ball in the dirt. He’s had some ups and downs and he’s regressed a bit so far this season but you make it sound like he’s Sasha Pokulok.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Well, I look at him compared to who else was there. Some of the guys drafted later that round: Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Burns, Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards, and Corey Perry, and the next round had Loui Erikkson, Patrice Bergeron, Matt Carle, Shea Weber, and David Backes. Compared to them, I’d say Fehr was a ball in the dirt. 03 was a ridiculously good draft in general, and though there were some worse picks, it really irks me that we didn’t get at least a reliable top 6 forward or top 4 defenseman.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
A 20-goal scorer is never a ball in the dirt. There were better players taken after Fehr, but he is a legit 2nd liner.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
A 20-goal scorer is never a ball in the dirt.
Check my screen name, and I think you’ll find a 20 goal scorer who’s considered a ball in the dirt.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 12:58 AM EST up reply actions
Except he’s not. He’s considered a spare part for the Caps.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Yeah, he wasn’t a bad draft pick where he was (and not taken by us), and he wasn’t a bad choice to take in that trade at the time. We needed skill, we didn’t know AO, Green and Backstrom were in the works, and he is at least a legitimate NHL player. He’s just not going to help us win a Cup.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 3, 2010 1:01 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I guess that comment would have made more sense on CI, I keep forgetting people here understand hockey.
I think I should clarify my position on Fehr: this is a guy we want to go to the net and do the dirty work. That’s a tough job, and brings with it a high risk for injuries. Here we have Eric Fehr, who at 25 is coming off double shoulder surgery, and just had his first healthy offseason of his career. This doesn’t seem to me like the kind of guy who is built for the rigors of a Knuble style game. Unless he can stay healthy a whole season, and can post decent numbers, I don’t think he can be considered a success.
The Flash example may be a bad one, because he wasn’t a first round pick. If we got Fehr the same way we got Flash, I’d be fine with his development. I just expect more from a first round pick in a loaded draft, and I’m not optimistic that I’m going to see it in the future.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 1:08 AM EST up reply actions
keep in mind Fehr lost almost a full season to a serious back injury. He’s behind is draft peers because while they were playing hockey, he was wondering if he’d skate again.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
That’s kind of my point: how durable do you think he is when he’s lost a season to a back injury and had surgery on both shoulders? We need him to be able to take a beating if we want him going to the front of the net.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
remarkably, I think all his injuries have been addressed. The back injury was misdiagnosed at first, and then treated very carefully. He’s never had a recurrence. The shoulders were fixed, he played all last season without suffering another shoulder injury. I’m not worried about his injury history.
I’m worried about his apparent overall regression from last year, though.
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If he really is over the injury bug, that’s great. I hope you’re right. It just makes me wary because if it’s not gone, it’s a big problem.
From what I’ve seen of him this year, it seems like he’s done less net-crashing and more perimeter shooting. His shots seem to have a way of hitting the goalie square in the gut too. He’s had some pretty goals flinging it at the net, but it’s not really what we want him to do. I’m guessing this is the sort of regression you’ve noticed too?
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 1:23 AM EST up reply actions
Fehr is different from Knuble in the tools he has – mainly in his superior shot. However, losing so many early years to injuries has really hurt his development. If he can learn to play in front of the net (which he has shown ability at) than he can be a legit threat and a key piece in the future. I think this season will show if he can do it or not.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
By Knuble style I just meant a guy who crashes the net. And as I said above, those early injuries may not be his fault, but they still matter.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
Fehr can crash the net fairly well, but he’s also a threat from further out due to his wrist shot. I do wish he would crash the net more, because he is so big that he can be effective there. I don’t think his injuries will continue to hinder him – it’s more a matter of whether he can overcome the problem of missing prime development years.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
There’s definitely still the possibility for improvement. He could stand to go to the net more, and hit wrist shot could use a little work (half the time it looks like a saucer pass to the goalie). If he can do that, and stay healthy, then I’ll consider him a decent pick. But right now, when you hear “picked between Zach Parise and Ryan Getzlaf” I don’t think you expect a slumping third liner with an injury history and an unclear role in our offense. Hence my 20-20 hndsight.
No man is an Islander.
by Flash in the Pan on Dec 3, 2010 1:31 AM EST up reply actions
All very true. In my view, any 1st round pick who ends up as a legit NHLer is at least a decent pick. I still think Fehr should get some time on the 2nd line, to show whether he can fill that role. On the current 3rd line, he’s not crashing the net because he’s the best shooter. On the 2nd with Semin, he wouldn’t need to be – he could crash the net while Semin shoots. I just feel he is being wasted, and can’t see why. Unless he is given a better chance, he will likely continue to slump.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
If he’s traded for a player who’s a better fit later — I don’t think that’s necessarily a bust.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
But Flash wasn’t a Caps draft pick but rather gotten in a trade along with the 1st round draft pick that became Green.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
There’s no way that we have the premier players we do AND fit a salary hit like Getzlaf ($5.125M) in the current fold. If you think Getz would be here right now (in place of Fehr) then say good bye to one of Green/Backs/Semin. You’ll be lamenting another pick made by GMGM in place of one of those guys. Although I don’t begrudge your coveting a talent like Getz, it’s folly to think we could afford him with the crew we have.
by ZamMan on Dec 3, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It's getting hot in here
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Detroit is terrifyingly good this season.
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When has this changed?
Only reason they were so low in the standings last year was because of a lot of fluke injuries.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
I hadn’t looked at that closely enough – Detroit has played FIVE FEWER GAMES????
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
yeah. They’ve collected close to 80% of their available points. It’s in-fucking-sane.
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essentially, yeah. They had two 4-day stretched in October where they were idle.
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so do they end up with a compressed schedule later?
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
yeah. December looks like hell for them, games pretty much every other day. And then there’s the eight back-to-backs they have to play after Jan. 1.
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and three back-to-back in December alone. The Wings might come back to earth a little as a result.
but I’m not holding my breath on that happening, either.
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and I should note that Wings fans, like good little Wings fans everywhere, are rocking the tinfoil and are convinced the schedule is all some sort of sinister plot to keep their team down.
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Maybe that’s whay, when someone here—was it you Becca?—who predicted the Caps would make it to the Stanley Cup Finals but stopped short of predicting a Caps victory. I’m picturing the Caps winning the East and facing the Red Wings in the Finals. Whoa Nellie.
that is both my dream and nightmare. Please, anyone but the Wings.
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While I’m tired of the Wings in the SC Finals, I would rather see them then Dallas. And I’d rather see someone else besides Chicago, as well.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Be honest. If the Caps make it to the SC Finals, would you rather they play the Wings, Stars, or Blackhawks?
Too early to tell. It may depend on who’s injured, who’s hot, who’s traded on any of those teams.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
I mean if the SC playoffs were taking place now, who would you rather the Caps play from the West? I should also have included the Canucks in the mix.
Definitely not the Stars. No way! No how!
My assessment. They would probably have a half decent chance against the Blackhawks. The Wings — about 50/50, depending on who had the home field advantage.
As for other opponents:
LA Kings — Advantage Kings.
San Jose Sharks — Advantage Sharks (but maybe if the Caps had the home field advantage)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
the Kings and Sharks aren’t looking particularly hot right now, the Sharks game tonight excepted.
a little premature to be judging cup opponents, no? It is only Dec. 2.
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a little premature to be judging cup opponents, no? It is only Dec. 2.
…that, too. We don’t know if we’ll get out of the first round, let alone what the other teams in the West will look like come June. It’s still so early.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Yes, the Kings and Sharks are having their issues this year. Is it the lack of Nabby (the designated scapegoat) or are their guys getting a bit too old?
And last year’s “feel good” stories, the Avs and Coyotes, are doing well this year, as well.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Actually I’d take the Kings, Stars or Blackhawks (although I don’t see them getting back to the Finals). Wings would be tough, and the Sharks are such an unknown.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I also don’t see the Hawks getting back to the finals.
I think a Caps/Wings series would be an even series although I’ll admit I’m judging on the regular season matchups the last two years where the home team would win in a close matchup.
The Kings are the type of team the Caps have trouble with — in the regular season. Defensive, trap style team.
Stars — ughh!
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I did indeed predict they would make the Finals. But to be honest, I stopped short because once you get to the Finals it’s so up-in-the-air and hard to predict – usually both teams that are there deserve to be there and after that, whatever happens, happens.
…it’s my way of saying I think they could win while hedging my bets in case they get there and lose ;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
And we could have officiating like we had tonight….
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
well, if it Caps vs. Wings, the refs will be confused as to which team they’re supposed to be screwing over, so it’ll all be good.
it’s getting to that point that is going to be the problem.
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The Caps getting there is my wish, but yes it will be a problem. For all the talk about redemption, we won’t know for sure if they’re the real deal until April. They have to make it through April if there’s to be hockey played in May and June.
Our new mantra shall be the following:
We just need to make the playoffs.
We just need to make the playoffs.
We just need to make the playoffs.
We just need to make the playoffs.
We just need to make the playoffs.
Pittsburgh can have the top spot in the East if they want it because it hasn’t done anyone any good in many years and it’s clearly jinxed.
We just need to make the playoffs.
We just need to make the playoffs.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Dec 3, 2010 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Pittsburgh can have the top spot in the East if they want it
HA! last time they had the opportunity, they tanked the game. bastards
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I’d rather the Caps take top seed and play like it, with authority.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
by breaklance on Dec 3, 2010 1:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Regarding the washed out goal, The good people at Defending Big D also think OV didn’t interfere but was in a chaotic crease that makes him look guilty, so therefore the refs made the correct call. Last I remember you can review that sort of thing afterword, but can’t if the goal is washed out. Is it an insane idea to always call it a goal even if your 99 percent sure that its interference. Is it better to get the call right or be the guy waving his hands like a mad man.
But still.. where did the lighter fluid come from?
Dead on. The refs should have allowed the goal then reviewed it.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
yeah, but reviews can prove you were wrong, in public. waving it off means no review and maybe a private call from Campbell expressing his disappointment that the correct call wasn’t made. And who wants to be wrong in public?
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why doesn’t a review mean there’s a question in our minds, and since we’re talking about a goal, we want to be certain we got it right?
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
you’re trying to apply logic to the NHL.
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I think there should be an option on goals for the referee to not call anything if they weren’t sure about what happened and then consult video. It’s not that hard.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
They can already do essentially that – call it as a goal. That opens up the review option.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Yeah…but that’s not the same at all.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
Same result, just not same process. Under the current rules, when in doubt, the refs should call it a goal.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
It’s not the same result though. There needs to be irrefutable evidence to turn over whatever the initial call was. If it’s iffy to them they should be able to be honest, consult with the other officials, and then see video to sway them one way or the other.
Plus, who wants to be wrong, like RB said?
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
They overturn goals often enough – why should a few more make a difference? I’m not saying that your idea isn’t good, because I do think it is quite good. I’m just saying that under the current system, which has issues, they should call iffy goals as goals and than fix it if they were wrong. They owe that to everyone – the fans, the teams, and the players. But then again… why would common sense be involved with the refs?
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Yeah, I’m with you, that’s why I think it needs an amendment to the rule. I don’t believe the officials will ever use the review system, as it is, in such a manner. I think they need to have some type of out that gives them the option to get things right.
Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once.
judging by Bruce’s comments, they’re considering letting coaches challenge goal/non-goal calls. Maybe that would be a start to addressing this problem on “no goal” being non-reviewable.
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That would be awesome. I’ve heard talk of it, but nothing approaching official.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I think it was brought up at the GM meetings last month and was quickly shot down, unfortunately. I remember Bruce saying he was for it when it first surfaced as an issue (I think Dale Tallon brought it up).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
he said tonight that he voted for coaches challenge (in his presser…the link is up above somewhere). Not sure what sort of vote was taken, official or not, but someone is out there polling the coaches, so it’s being taken seriously enough.
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Yeah, I think he probably just meant that he was for it (and my guess is the GMs took the temperature of their coaches before the meeting) but now that I think about it I definitely remember it being tabled at the GM meeting and dismissed pretty quickly. It might pop up again someday but I wouldn’t hold my breath for it happening any time soon.
Sounded like a lot of the GMs didn’t think a few select incidents – this was right after Florida lost to Toronto on that non-goalie interference call, remember? – were enough to warrant a whole rule change.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
let a few more GMs have their teams be the victim of incompetent officiating and they’ll suddenly change their tune.
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Wasn’t the headshots rule due to just a few incidents though? Not anywhere near as big of an impact, admittedly. I wonder how much of the problem would be how it might affect the flow of the game. If I recall correctly, I think the proposal was that a team could only challenge once a game, and only if they had their timeout, and they would lose their timeout if the challenge failed.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
a few very high profile incidents. When you’re the lead story on SportsCenter because yet another blindside hit, which the league refuses to ban, leads to yet another player being taken off the ice on a stretcher, well, something has to be done.
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personally, I wouldn’t tie the challenge to the time out if you only get one of each. If you’re wrong, you’re wrong, life moves on. The refs are wrong all the time without losing anything.
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It’s good, in a way. Simply in that it forces the coach to make sure he wants to challenge. However, I think the proposal would be better if the timeout was left out.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
but in a situation like tonight, the Caps wouldn’t have been able to challenge. they used their TO. so we’re back to teams getting screwed because of a non-reviewable blown call.
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My fault – I was saying that what you said above was better. That the challenge shouldn’t be tied to the timeout. That works in the NFL, where each team gets 3 timeouts per half, but would lead to problems in the NHL.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
gotcha. and it’s late (2am?! Where the hell did the night go?)
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…waving it off means no review and maybe a privatecallemail from Campbell expressing his disappointment that the correct call wasn’t made provided the call went in favor of his son’s team….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 3, 2010 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think the question now is “why can’t any goal be reviewed?” If there’s a question of whether the puck crossed the line, they haul out the video and get on the phone to Toronto. If there’s a question of whether a puck deflected off someone, they’ll review until they figure out who gets the assist. Why don’t they do a review if there’s a question of if a player crossed a line or a body part was in contact with a goalie?
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
remember that no-goal in Montreal last year in the game that broke the winning streak in which I believe they called a no-goal after ovie drove a pile to put the puck in the net?
that was reviewable. why not this?
I don’t think that was reviewable. Wasn’t it washed out immediately?
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I don’t think it was reviewed. Or if it was, it had to originally be a goal call. That’s NHL rules.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
http://www.japersrink.com/2010/2/10/1305348/alex-ovechkins-no-goal-from
you were right. it was called as a goal and ridiculously washed out
I thought it was called a no-goal, so I was actually wrong. The NHL rules say a washed-out goal is non-reviewable – I remember that from a few previous games where the refs blew a call.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I have such deep hate for that game. If Ovie’s goal isn’t washed out and the rest of the season plays out the same, Ovie wins the Richard, and Montreal never evens makes the playoffs. And our spring wouldn’t have been Halak’ed.
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god forbid this sort of thing costs us a playoff series :-)
But still.. where did the lighter fluid come from?
Heh. Actually the wave off against the Flyers in 2008 was much more appropriate than this one here. As for last year vs. Montreal… last night was more appropriate than that one. In the Montreal wave-off, there was no contact at all….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 3, 2010 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
I heard very little of hannan tonight. Perhaps it was because i could only watch the dallas broadcast.
either way, music to my ears.
He was solid, did what he needed to, and didn’t make any major mistakes. Good game for him – for players like him and Schultz, that is what we want.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Every game theres a good laundry list of calls that get messed up for both teams. The Caps have gotten the largest share of the bad calls; but, our competitors have even gotten some raw deals here and there. That being said, tonight was just a complete shit show for the zeebs, everything was tilted against washington in that respect. I’ve lost the will to even make stupid tin foil hat jokes to cover up the fact that we might just have an incompetent force of officials
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Now that’s bad when you’ve even lost the will to even make stupid tin foil hat jokes. We’re reaching new lows.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
There’s a laundry list of calls fans think get messed up, which is why I rarely call out the officiating – every team gets blown calls, every fan thinks their team gets screwed over, and generally they don’t impact the game too much. Tonight was ridiculous, though, there could have been a few more calls on Dallas and the Caps got called for stuff that should have been let go (or was on the other side).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I am definitely biased, especially in the heat of the game. . .but to see the calls go so onesided for so long just irks me.
Dont even get me started about how pissed off i got when a call that has continuely been screwed up all over the league, especially with us, comes back to bite us again!
I was watching the game at a friends house, and i just couldnt explain to them why that call was just such a horrid call in the history of the capitals.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
My problem with that call isn’t the call itself, but the rule. If they just allowed goals to be reviewed for goaltender interference, the ref could call it a goal, and let Toronto sort it out (and get it right). Asking the referee to determine that contact was or was not made with the goaltender on a call like that (or Knuble’s last spring) is asking an a lot of a guy who has 12 massive dudes within 90 feet of him that may impede his view.
Why can we go to video review to reset the clock from 2.2 seconds to 3.0 seconds for a center ice face-off, but we can’t get a second look on a potentially game deciding goal call?
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Dec 3, 2010 2:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree completely. I do blame the refs; but, i also blame the people who put those refs in the situation to have to make those sorts of calls (like u said).
I think it’s completely ridiculous that they dont review goalie inteference calls. I feel like those are some of the most important calls refs will make, and the most oft messed up
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Are your tin foil hat jokes a reference to Tin Man in The Wizard of OZ? As in, if only the refs had a heart?
No, it’s to the scarecrow. As in, if they only had a brain.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
Hah no, but that would’ve been clever.
I more meant that I give up trying to make up crazy excuses as to why the refs may be calling a bad game. I.E. – The fix is in, campbell sent emails to the refs telling them to screw us over, or Bettman hates the caps, etc
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Maybe I’m up too late, but I’m tempted to cast Bettman as the Wizard — pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Don’t make fun of my obsession over ketchup dispensers ever again! ;) Ted Leonsis
um, sorry to drag everyone away from bitching (rightfully so) about shitty officating, but that Sturm deal from this afternoon? “No deal.”
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Failed his physical!
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Actually, both Kings and Bruins said no deal was ever made. That could just mean he failed his physical though.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
they’re covering up the failed physical.
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Wait… you mean GM’s cover up what they’re really doing and aren’t 100% honest?
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
does any GM know what it means to be 100% honest? ;)
every trade is conditional on passing a physical. it’s just highly unusual to have a player fail it.
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But GMGM is always so open about injuries!!
I hope that Sturm can get back to 100%. Always sucks to lose a good player to injuries, no matter what team he is on.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Didn’t a player traded to the Flyers in a deadline deal fail the physical two years ago?
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
possible. Like I said, it’s unusual. if the best we can come up with is maybe, some guy, like, two years ago, might have failed a physical, it doesn’t happen very often.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Most trades don’t fail due to failed physicals but I clearly remember a failed physical killing a Flyers’ deadline deal at that time frame.
So, we’re probably talking a failed trade happening once every 2 years or so.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Kyle McLaren failed the physical to be traded from the Sharks to the Flyers in 2009.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3959112
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 3, 2010 3:10 AM EST up reply actions
Pass or Fail?
Ovi/Nicky wallpaper from Dobberhockey:
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
eh. But they are adorably joined at the hip. I once saw them, Nicky trailing just behind as Ovie did intros. “Hi guys, I’m Ovie. This is Nicky. Nicky, say hi.” “Hi.”
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
ugh. i just want our old OV back. . .i like the assists and all. . .but i really, really hope, for his sake, that he can find his stride
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I finally was able to put into words what bugs me so much about the bad officiating. In every Caps game I’ve seen where bad officiating played an important role, it has made the Caps lose. Just once, I want to see the Caps win due to poor officiating.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
that’ll happen just as soon as we watch that parade down 7th street…..
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
So it’s not just me then? I know I have a bad habit of fixating on something, but I honestly can’t think of a single game where poor officiating enabled a Caps win.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I can’t, but I’m a homer and I know it.
although, the other night, Sasha hooked a guy in the neck and tugged a couple times for good measure, right in front of the ref, and no call. But that was another overall poorly officiated game, imo (Carolina) but I laughed about it, because it was so ridiculously obvious. Ticky-tack got called, but not that one.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Do you mean win because the bad officiating is going in the Caps’ favor, or win despite bad officiating against the Caps?
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I logged off before I noticed your question. Fortunately timmyv38 answered for me.
Yes, it is wishful thinking to expect the Caps to win because bad officiating goes in their favor. It would be so aberrational, it would signal a major cosmic shift in the universe. Either that or an impending sign of the Apocalypse.
The bouncing puck was definitely NOT the norm at the AAC. Usually the ice is much better. Don’t know what the issue was for that game.
Defending Big D - Dallas Stars news & analysis
Blogging The Boys - Dallas Cowboys, all the time.... since 2005
That sucks about the d-men. I remember it seemed that way last year for us; we were on our 4th AHL defenseman at one point during the season. Either you guys better get healthy for the Classic!
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Belated Observations from the Sofa....
These late games… augh.
1) Having watched the replay over and over again, I can see how the referee might wave off the goal from his position behind the net (and he was a brave man for being there considering how many shots went high off the glass from both teams last night!). It could look like Ovie pushed the defender into the goalie. That said, in the replay it sure looks like the puck is already in the net when Ovie makes hard contact with anyone from Dallas. The defender had shoved Raycroft over in trying to get position on Ovie, the puck goes in, then Ovie hits the defender hard. This goal should have counted.
2) Someone tell Alan May when he says Ovie isn’t that strong, to have a look at that knock down of Hal Gill from last season. I am sure in his spare time Ovie can knock down oak trees with his bare hands…the guy is possibly the strongest player in the NHL not named Pronger.
3) The second Dallas goal that Laughlin said Neuvy might want back. After seeing the replay from behind the shooter, I’m not sure Neuvy (or most goalies) get that one, High on the stick side, just under the crossbar and inside the far post… best place to shoot on a goaltender. It was essentially the same shot Fedorov had to beat Henrik Lundqvist in the third period of Game 7 in 2009. If Neuvy is in position to make that save, then he’s leaving to much of the near side open. It’s a tough shot, but the guy hit it. Credit to him.
4) Both goaltenders had very good games last night. It was a redemption for Raycroft, and I’m sure Crawford knows about Lehtonen’s lack of success against the Caps (Ovie in particular.) That Adam Burish was the third star in place of Neuvy is not very fair. Burish played well, but it was a battle of the goalies, and none of the goals was really the goalies’ fault.
5) The quality of the ice in the last two games was pretty poor. If both games were in the same arena, I could understand it, but that they were we in different cities….hmmmmm. If this continues to be a trend, it may be something to look at. It’s not very hard to make the ice be of poor quality (turn up the thermostat on the air conditioners, turn down the dehumidifiers, change the temperature of the water in the zambonis, change the tires on the zambonis). Bad ice once in awhile happens. Two nights in a row, maybe a coincidence… more than that…
6) Yes there was a steady parade of Caps to the box in the second period, but all of the penalties were legitimate. The reason to complain is not that the Caps committed all of those penalties (they did), but that they missed at least two obvious penalties by Dallas, esp. the slash on Schultz’s stick. There won’t be any review, as Colin “Colie” Campbell’s son plays for Boston, and it’s in the Bruins best interest that the Caps lose… (Ok, I’m kidding…. I hope. After seeing those emails from that court case, I’m not so sure there isn’t a bias in the NHL office…)
Ok, four game homestand coming up featuring Atlanta, Toronto, Florida and the Return of the Prodigal Son, Tomas Fleischmann and the Avs. I can smell the points… ideally 8, but hopefully 6 at least…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
Maybe the Caps need to trade for Gregory Campbell.
"And then they’ll look at guys in my situation, that could play three good games in a row and have one bad shift, and they’ll say, ‘Well, that’s why he’s been in the minor leagues his whole career.'" --Matt Hendricks
Hah! He and Hendricks can room together! And you thought The Who were rough on hotel rooms…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 3, 2010 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry, I had to run off before recap was up, but here are scoring chances. I counted several chances for the Stars in which the Dallas player got open but either fanned on the one timer or a backchecking Cap got back to deflect the shot away (desperation). The Caps were a bit loose, I thought, but not all that loose. I didn’t notice Loui Eriksson at all, so that must be good.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
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