Recap: Penguins 3, Caps 2 (SO)
by Becca H on Dec 23, 2010 11:50 PM EST
in Game Recaps
Email
Print
[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
It's always a bit of a letdown when a game like this has to be decided by a gimmick. When an evenly played, highly competitive match between two heated rivals is forced to end with what is essentially a skills competition...yeah, it's a little anticlimactic.
That being said, it did end up being a fairly exciting conclusion to what was a very exciting game overall. Hard to ask for much more, really (short of a win) and really it's the only type of loss that seems remotely palatable coming against an opponent like the Penguins. That they played well, got a point and set up a great rematch in just over a week is almost as good as a win.
Almost. After all, it IS the Penguins.
Ten more notes on the game:
- As well as the Caps played in front of him, especially in the first two periods, Michal Neuvirth still had to come up big from time to time - and he answered the bell. Aside from some key saves at key times, he also stoned Evgeni Malkin on a penalty shot and followed it up with a great save in tight on Sidney Crosby. He stood tall in the shootout, too, turning aside Penguin after Penguin before finally being beaten by Pascal Dupuis. Dominant performance for #30.
- At the other end of the rink it was his Pittsburgh counterpart who almost stole the show tonight. Marc-Andre Fleury committed highway robbery far too many times despite the Caps' multiple attempts to get traffic in front and collect the rebounds he'd occasionally let out, and stopped 24 shots in the first two periods alone. And in the shootout, it was only a slick move by the Caps' captain that got by him - after that he closed the door.
- Alex Ovechkin started the evening out with a bang - or more specifically, two bangs - as he absolutely leveled Malkin in the first minute of the game and then took out a second Penguin intent on revenge. The hits started the game's first scrum and seemed to throw #71 in white off his game a bit. Ovechkin also ended the evening well, with a beautiful shootout goal to put his team momentarily ahead. In between, however, he seemed to be trying to do too much - the intensity was there but the finish, as it's seemed to be for some time now, was not, and whether it was broken sticks or bouncing pucks he once again couldn't catch a break.
- It's awfully nice of the officials to cover for the fact that Mike Rupp can't stay on his feet by giving a phantom tripping call to the nearest Cap, Alex Ovechkin. Luckily the pure definition of a bad call also resulted in one of the most dominant penalty-killing displays of the night by Washington, as the entire team seemed to rally around the bad call. It's something, right?
- The game plan for Pittsburgh was clear from the outset: lay the body on Mike Green. Every chance they had to hit him, they did, and for the first period, at least, it seemed to be working. Green fought through it, though, and (thanks to yet another injury early in the game to Tom Poti) seemed to get better as the game went on while skating an impressive 34:03 on the night.
- Oh, and that look of relief on Green's face after he scored? That's what happens when your last goal was November 14...and he almost had two, had that puck been clearly in during the overtime. New rule: all goalies must wear see-through gloves.
- The power play goal by Green came after kind of an amazing stretch about halfway through the second period where ongoing Caps' pressure forced the Penguins to ice the puck at least four times in succession. During that time the Caps were able to maintain the zone at length and wear down the defenders until Dan Bylsma used his time out. Of course that's usually more helpful when you don't follow it up with a penalty, as the Pens did ten seconds later (and then again ten seconds after that).
- Before the extended five-on-three, the Caps had multiple opportunities on the power play and squandered them all. Had they been able to get one early on (particularly in their first man-advantage just over a minute in) the story might have had a different ending. Instead they failed to cash in and shortly after killing off the penalty Pittsburgh struck to take the 1-0 lead - on their first shot of the night.
- Is Mike Knuble the epitome of a Penguin-killer or what? He always seems to come up big against them, and tonight was no exception, as he gave life back to the Verizon Center faithful by collecting a great pass from Brooks Laich and tying the game up shorthanded.
- It's hard to say more about John Carlson than has already been said, but the kid was really good again tonight. Of particular note: a one-on-one battle with Sidney Crosby in the third period that Carlson handled with the calm, collected demeanor of a practiced veteran. Would love to see that every game for the next ten to fifteen years, wouldn't you?
So it does go in the books as a loss, and it's a bittersweet ending to what was a really great game. Losing is never fun, no matter what the circumstances, and it's really not fun when it happens against Pittsburgh.
But if the question for the Caps coming into this one was whether they could play with a team like the Penguins, whether they could match the pace and skill of another elite team, there's no question that the answer was yes. This game was a great preview for next Saturday - which hopefully will have a different end result.
Game highlights:
203 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Becca – thanks for staying up to do this. Now get some sleep. And – on me, don’t set your alarm tomorrow. Take the day.
Repost from the 3P thread – here’s an article from Burnside that gives even kudos to both teams, including some specific big love for Mike Green.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Haven’t read the burnside article yet, but seriously, kudos to Green. They hit the crap out of him intentionally and the guy still played his minutes, half of Poti’s mins, scored the GTG, etc. Much respect.
"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
Here’s the paragraph:
The Mike Green show
Yes, the Pens won for the 15th time in 17 games Thursday, but there wasn’t a better skater on the ice on this night than the oft-criticized Washington defenseman. With Tom Poti sidelined after taking a high stick early in the first period, Green saw his ice time jump to a season-high 34:03. He scored for the first time in 15 games when he blasted a shot home at the end of a long 5-on-3 to tie the score at one. He had not scored since Nov. 14. The two-time Norris Trophy nominee also looked to have scored in overtime, making a dandy move around Fleury who somehow got his trapper on the puck before it crossed the line. Or at least Fleury managed to cover the puck so no one really knew if it did go over the line, but it’s been that kind of year for Green. Still, on this night, Green had six shots on goal to lead the Caps and provided reason for optimism that maybe the worst is behind the smooth-skating defender.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Least Green got one of these
He should order his steak raw and slap it on whatever hurts worst.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It’s so true. My husband, who’s only come to understand hockey because of me, was raving about how surprisingly great our defense was. And most of that was Green.
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 24, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Greener was awsome last night but...
And I am sure he learnt his lesson ,that when you take everyones pants off like he did in OT.He needs to be like Shaq or Dwight Howard and slam it home instead of just tucking it in.He knows this and I am sure despite playing so great last night ,I am sure he didnt sleep at all.
Great Game Greener,you’ll get em next time.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
green was outstanding on both ends. does anyone know which feed NHL network picked up, ours or theirs? locker gave due credit to green for several defensive plays, including 52’s hustle after staying on the ice during a botched line change. i hope NHL network viewers got those pointers.
by Natty Bumppo on Dec 24, 2010 1:29 AM EST up reply actions
our boys rang across the country!
Makes me feel at home in Los Angeles
It was the CSN feed, and I have to say (I watched as much of this one as possible – changed channels like a madman) – I’ve been a critic of Green in the past, but that was an incredible performance last night.
by Chris Burton on Dec 24, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Great game that ended wrong, but c’est la vie.
And to the jerks in 400 tonight, suck it, please.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Fuck them for not letting you stand up during the SO. I was standing up in my living room. (I covered my eyes half the time, but I was standing up.)
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I couldn’t watch the Pens shooters. After Letang scored, I put my head all the way down so I couldn’t see, lifting up after I’d hear the cheers for the save. Worked pretty well. Well, there was that last shot….
"It's always good to have vikings."
I was right there with you, sitting down and not watching the shootout. I did see them on the OTF highlights this morning. Ovi’s score was a deke to Fleury’s blocker side. All the other shooters tried straight on or glove side. Do they not watch the shoot out too?
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
I know everyone likes to get on the video review and give a big “Ohhhh” but the fact remains that Fleury made a great save against Green in OT and prevented the patented “Game Over”. Even with a see-through material the glove itself didn’t go a full puck length past the line, so obviously nothing under it would either.
If the puck was under the tip of the glove, that was well over the goal line. However, there is no way to tell – I think the refs made the only call they could make.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I’d agree on that. Mostly joking about the see-through glove – but it might have made the call a bit easier, no? :P
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Did you see that Boudreau basically said that the puck was in? I found that to be a bit one-sided. No way anyone could tell for sure.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I didn’t see that, but it doesn’t surprise me – they almost have to say that. There’s no way for sure to know whether it did or didn’t go in and I don’t think BB has special powers we don’t ;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
After last night’s episode and seeing him in jeans, I’m beginning to believe his gut somehow defies gravity.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Serious props to everyone (team and crowd) who managed to delay the drop of the puck long enough to get them to review it, though.
Seemed to me that you could see the puck through the glove netting, but you really couldn’t be sure if it was completely over the line. I’d believe in a heartbeat that it was a goal, but there was no way it was going to get overturned on review.
"It's always good to have vikings."
I think the fact that Fleury was there was fabulous. A good chunk of his glove was over the line, but we don’t know where the puck was, and never will. Just a shame that Green wasn’t thinking about lifting the puck. After that move, I suspect he thought he might tuck it in. Bummer.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Didn’t mention it in the recap but that move he made to get into that position was sick. Ridiculous. He looked really good all night, nice to see at least one of the Young Guns starting to wake up. It was almost like he was fueled by the physicality (and the missed elbow to the face Cooke gave him – loved that Cooke was in the box when Greenie scored) and just got better as the game went on.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Burnside mentions Green’s dominance in his article. Not only did he eat up 35 minutes. Not only did he score. Not only did he almost end the game. But he did all that and got the snot beaten out of him with regularity. He is going to be one sore puppy tomorrow morning.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
I wish I’d seen the first two periods – it sounded incredible, and the 3rd was awesome. Typical Caps/Pens game – a few bounces going the other way, or a few calls being made right and the game might have ended differently.
Speaking of calls – what game were the refs watching? There were an awful lot of penalties by the Pens going uncalled, and 2 penalties called on the Caps for no good reason.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I think you were watching the even-up period. The Caps got plenty of calls earlier.
Eat, drink, and be merry! And then drink some more.
Even up Period?
There should be no such thing – remember call them as you see them? Or is that a quaint concept that doesn’t apply to the pride of Canada?
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 23, 2010 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
Has nothing to do with Crosby. It has to do with human nature. It is nearly impossible to call all penalties on one team, especially when they are judgment calls. Things tend to even up.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Even up Period?
There should be no such thing
Ummm, how long have you been watching NHL hockey? (and I know you’re going to say for decades, but really, when don’t you see make up calls?)
"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
Not every box score has the same # of penalties by each team, although I agree with your point.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 24, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, the Pens had loads of two man advantages.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 24, 2010 12:20 AM EST up reply actions
Considering both of our 5 on 3’s were the result of delay of game penalties there isn’t much to complain about from their side on those. The Cooke one was something I’ve never seen before, everyone was looking around like did he really just do that?
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Dec 24, 2010 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
I thought Brendan Morrison did it at some point
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 24, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
As I said, I didn’t see the 1st or 2nd. But if there was an “even-up” period, it means the refs weren’t doing their job – which is to call the game fairly.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
by timmyv38 on Dec 24, 2010 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, part of it was that the Caps seemed to outwork the Penguins a bit more early on and frustrate them into taking some dumb penalties – they then turned it on in the third and got the Caps to do the same (minus that ridiculous “tripping” call, I’m still pissed about it). And hey, the Caps got a shortie out of it!
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
The Pens committed a number of penalties during the 3rd, and didn’t get called for any. That is my main complaint.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
They got away with some, for sure. I saw Semin get away with a hook but Stecks got slashed a few times, Green got elbowed in the face and high-sticked a few times, etc.
Luckily special teams didn’t decide this game (or at least the Pens’ side didn’t, since the Caps got both a PPG and a SHG).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
the refs weren’t doing their job – which is to call the game fairly.
I don’t think NHL refs have the same definition of calling a game fairly as you might.
"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
You mean fairly as in 10 penalties for the Pens, none for us, and a phantom game misconduct against Crosby and Malkin?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Exactly! But seriously, it goes both ways…if the refs call a bunch against one team early, I generally feel there’s going to be more against the other later. Not that they’ll be exactly even.
For example the FL game a couple weeks ago. 7 PPs for Caps in the 1st, 1 for FL.
Rest of the game it was 6 against Caps, 3 against FL.
"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
You and I (as usual) are in full agreement. You knew, after 1P, that the Caps would be short in 2P and 3P. It’s just human nature.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Yup, and that’s why it’s on the Caps to score in those early situations, cause you know it’s gonna come back to bite you.
"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
the funny thing is, the Caps had plenty of PP and did next to nothing with them, but I agree. There were plenty of opportunities to call something on the Pens that were let go. Even the obnoxious pens fans next to me were laughing in bewilderment at the calls made against the Caps. But sadly, any time a team has a +4 or +5 power play advantage heading into the 3rd period, you know exactly how the game is going to get called.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 24, 2010 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
also, did Erskine even “rough” Cooke? Looked like he skated up to him after Cooke was cheapshotting Ovi, but the ref had started restraining Cooke so Erskine held back. Aside from a facewash from Cooke, and getting tripped up by both the ref and cooke, it didn’t seem like erskine was even involved. .
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 24, 2010 12:20 AM EST up reply actions
That was more a statement call I think, the refs making sure things didn’t get out of hand.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 24, 2010 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
You’re right, but isn’t that accomplished by calling roughing on the team that takes offense to a clean hit? Calling nothing leads to the game getting out of hand. I just hate the automatic even up calls
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 24, 2010 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
You’re asking me to envision a world that’s utopian?
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 24, 2010 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
Dare to dream.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 24, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
There was a lot of penalties this game. The most blatant ones were called, the only bad one was of course the phantom trip called against Ovechkin.
I think the refs were trying to put away the whistles but the Pens kept putting it over the glass and we had MP being overeager plus Backie doing a high stick. They had to call those.
MP’s holding penalty shouldn’t have been called – the Pens player trapped his hand inside his elbow. There were multiple slashes, there was Dupuis knocking Carlson down in front of the net on the 2nd goal, and one of the hits on Green (I think it was Craig Adams, not sure though) should have been a charge.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Um, no. Perreault CLEARLY grabbed his arm and pulled him down. It was a no-brainer call.
There were two “iffy” calls – Backstrom’s high-stick, which sure a shit looked incidental and not all that high, and Ovie’s trip, which looked like Kunitz simply blowing a tire.
This game is all about overcoming diversity.
Um, no. MP did have his hand on the guy’s arm, but the contact knocked MP over and the guy closed his arm on MP’s hand. That was when they both went down. I see exactly why the refs called it, and I’d honestly be surprised if they didn’t, but MP didn’t commit a penalty.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Yeah, if you’re going to call that penalty against OV, at least get the phantom call correct…should have been a crosscheck, if anything.
"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
I thought it was a very rough night for RAHJC. Seemed a step slow to everything and just wasn’t completely there.
Somebody please fix the PP. And Ovie.
Very encouraged otherwise. The streak seems solidly behind them, but lots of work to do.
by CVDTerp on Dec 24, 2010 12:01 AM EST via mobile reply actions
HBO 24/7
Is the Pens’ announcer the biggest jerk this side of John “Yankees Win” Sterling?
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 24, 2010 12:04 AM EST reply actions
Jack Edwards?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
::twitches::
The Pens’ announcers are brutal. Was it the TV guys or the radio one? I hate them all, Steigerwald and Errey are the biggest homers around and I think Mike Lange (radio guy) is so overrated for doing the same shtick over and over.
“Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee shootshescores”.
Efffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff youMikeLange.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Mike Lange
I had a`brain cramp.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 24, 2010 12:08 AM EST up reply actions
What’s amazing is that he does the “He Shoots He Scores” thing such that all but the “Heeeeeee” comes well after you know the Pens scored. It’s really weird.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Errey is a monumental a-hole. Don’t you remember him making fun of the C on Ovechkin’s jersey last year saying it was ridiculously small like that was supposed to be a slap at Ovi’s captaincy.
Lange is bad. Edwards is bad. The guy in Buffalo is, IMHO, more annoying than both when the Sabres score. The guy in Carolina can’t pronounce names from anywhere outside North America. The guys in Philly, TB and Detroit sound like choir-boy sopranos when the Flyers, Lightning and Wings score.
And what’s with the Detroit radio color guy who has a recurring habit of inserting “uh” between almost every word in a sentence. Shouldn’t someone tell him?
Full disclosure – I listen to a lot of hockey on XM with the time zone difference.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
UGH. Jeanneret in Buffalo, what a massive tool and homer he is.
Jeanneret, Edwards and Steigy/Errey/Lange – the unholy trinity of hockey commentators. I will watch games on mute if I’m stuck with any of them.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
“Upstairs where mama hides the cookies.”
ARGGGGHHHH
Jeanneret just kills me.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
You guys are way off on Mike Lange. See Justin’s comment above regarding HHOF. Even if you don’t like the goal calls, it’s still pretty silly to judge a guy based solely on that.
.
Follow me on twitter, Picasa or at Pens Through My Lens.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Dec 25, 2010 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
Also not in the recap, it probably would have been nice to have someone like Bradley or Hendricks in the lineup to help keep the Pens a bit more honest while they were running Green. It’s unfortunate that both were out due to injury and illness, you know they probably both were dying to be out there.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Yup, I duly noted that I’d have liked Hendricks in the lineup (sure others felt that way). But I’d rather have him healthy for the WC than playing hurt tonight. Here’s hoping.
"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
HBO also has sadz that Hendy wasn’t in tonight.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
In reality, Hendricks was sick last night (and told to stay home from the morning skate). That’s why he was missing. I’m not sure if the reason he was missing on Tuesday was illness or injury. I had assumed illness. On Wednesday, he had thought he’d be back but that didn’t happen.
Get well, Hendy!
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Amen.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Dec 24, 2010 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
Didn’t we trade for someone like that in the offseason? Shoot, what was his name again?
This game is all about overcoming diversity.
by D'ohboy on Dec 24, 2010 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m posting this tweet because it comes from a Penguins blogger/writer. A guy who pretty kicks the Caps while they’re down at every opportunity.
@emptynetters
Seth Rorabaugh
As much as I rip Green, he did have a very good game tonight. Was very strong in all three zones.
I’m curious if what we witnessed tonight was a turning point in his career. It’s been clear all season how hard he’s been trying to focus on the defensive end of his game, and now, hopefully, he’s finding a good balance.
I’m sure I’m making a bigger deal of it than it is, but his play tonight was the difference between “Norris Nominee Mike Green” and “Norris Winner Mike Green.”
Now it’s just consistency.
Not just the Caps – when he says he rips Green, he’s not kidding. I’ve gotten into lengthy debates with him over his (what I view as) irrational hatred and continued underrating of Green. Nice to see him admit he’s wrong for once. Dingus.
And I’d agree, tonight was definitely the type of game that pushes one from nominee to winner. Maybe he just finally got healthy, maybe it’s the extra incentive of playing Pittsburgh, maybe he’s dying to use this stage as a chance to redeem himself – and on HBO, no less – whatever it is, he was fantastic. Very proud of him tonight.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Two things to add to Becca’s solid-as-a-rock review:
1) I thought the PK looked as good as it did in the beginning off the season when it went on that perfection streak. Even without the Knuble goal, everyone was attacking passing and shooting lanes vehemently – Green and Hannan in particular at times.
2) This was the best I’ve ever seen Green, at least in recent memory. 34 minutes of ice time is grueling even if you’re playing a less than decent game and not being smothered. But Green played superb defensively, putting his body on the line by blocking passing lanes constantly, being physical, and absorbing the kitchen sink Pittsburgh was sending his way. Their gameplan was clearly to rough him up and get him off his game. Guess what? It failed miserably. He was a force and was close to another goal tonight.
The Caps can, and should, hang their hats on this game. This was superb. If they play with this effort everynight or in the playoffs, they will win a lot of games. Period. Boudreau and his staff HAVE to hammer that in their heads.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 24, 2010 12:08 AM EST reply actions
Oof. Thanks for bringing up the PK, I admittedly was writing a lot of this in the backseat of my sister’s car on the way home and I’m grateful you guys are able to pick up some of the slack ;)
Hannan’s slowly settling in, I think. Still looks a little lost out there at times but he’s adjusting, and the PK overall was tremendous tonight. That kill on Ovie’s “penalty” was amazing but all of them were great, and this was not a low penalty game. To kill off all the extra-man advantages against a dangerous Pittsburgh power play AND get a PPG of their own against the top-ranked PK…that’s about as good as you can ask for.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Little shout-out to Marcus here. His penalty killing was outstanding. He was everywhere.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
I think learning defense in a new system is akin to the “defense taking longest to develop” meme that goes around about young blueliners. It’s hard to learn, especially on the fly and in the middle of one of the worst slumps this team has seen in recent memory. Your flaws are going to look even worse when the team is playing like shit.
The Hannan tonight looked like what I expected him to be.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Dec 24, 2010 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
I thought it was a good team effort. I just really wish the top guns would find their groove again. I thought this is the game they were gonna break through. I like the fact that we were capable of playing with the Pens toe-to-toe even with out Schultzy, Bradley, B. Gordon, Hendricks… the list goes on and on.
PP still has a few issues, goals on the 5 on 3’s would’ve completely turned the tide and as far as I’m concerned, you should score up by 2 men.
Merry Christmas everyone. See ya Sunday.
"If I was being paid thirty-thousand dollars a year, the very least I could do was hit .400." - Ted Williams
Backstrom
Worst game I’ve seen him play in a long time. Slow, sluggish, no puck control, no creativity, no spark. Blech.
He and Ovie need to start eating their Wheaties.
The keyboard is mightier.
I thought Joe said he face-offs stats tonight were great?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Backstrom, 2G (none since Dec. 1), 6A, -2 in December.
Doesn’t look great on the ice to my non-professional eyes.
Problem?
"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
Both him and Ovie are playing poorly, and they’re each making the other worse. Wish there was a good answer for why….
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
“Making each other worse” is not the droid I was looking for. Boo.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
It didn’t even work to break them up tonight – I was shocked as hell that Bruce started a line of 21-19-22. I thought both showed some flashes of good things but I’m not sure if it’s just that they’re too talented for it not to come through occasionally, even if they’re playing like crap, or if it’s glimpses of something to come.
Blargh. Get better, boys.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I’d love to see stats on the number of PP offensive zone draws the caps lost. It seemed like every chance they had to build on some momentum, they lost the faceoff. Thankfully they seemed to be pretty solid in their own zone.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
They went 13-28 in o-zone draws. Backs was 5-14, Laich was 2-3, Steckel was 3-3, Beagle was 0-1, MP was 2-6, Mackan was 1-1.
And for domination of a single player – Steckel went 8-10 against Crosby.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Seems like 85 is getting tossed from the circle quite a bit as well.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Was he? Ovie and Laich were the only two Caps aside from usual centers to take faceoffs, and they each took 3. Can’t say I remember seeing MP in the faceoff circle much though.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Seemed like it to me. Last game as well.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
If it was happening in the 1st or 2nd, I just missed it. Of course, it’s always possible that all 6 of those faceoffs I mentioned above were from MP getting tossed – I don’t know of any way to find out.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
He might have been tossed in 2 or 3, but he was losing offensive zones too. Not his best night.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 24, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
I noticed it against the Devils as well. I remember thinking how odd it was that the home center was getting tossed so much.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Definitely not. 2-6 in the o-zone, 0-2 in neutral. Mackan wasn’t much better – 1-1 in the o-zone, 1-4 in the d-zone, 1-3 in neutral. Steckel was the only regular center over 41%.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I guess our boys need to start working on faceoffs.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Those 3 need to train with Steckel, Beagle, and Gordo. Steckel is the NHL faceoff leader, again (63.6%), for a reason. Gordon’s second best of the Caps centers with any real amount of faceoffs (57.7%), and Beagle is looking like he could be a dominant faceoff man (61.1%). I’ll give Backstrom credit, he is much better this season than ever before. He is currently at 53.0%, and has never ended a season at 50% or higher.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Sounds like a plan, Timmy. The way our PP has been going, I’m wondering if it’s time to give Beagle and Gordon some time on the PP.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Question: If this counts as a loss, then why don’t the NHL standings say “Lost 1” in the streak column?
Eh, they said “Lost 3” when we were on loss #7, if I recall correctly. I wouldn’t put too much faith in that part of the standings :P
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
They don’t count OTL/SOL in the streaks.
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 24, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Really? I never knew that, interesting…no wonder they said “Lost 3” or whatever it was, there were some OTL/SOL in there.
I think they should do that only for SOL, to not include OT is weird.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
FWIW – At ESPN.com, the standing say “Lost 1.”
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
That’s why I’ve always preferred ESPN’s streak column. A simple W/L streak, no accounting for OT or shootouts.
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 24, 2010 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
It probably has something to do with the fact tha shootout wins don’t count in tiebreakers any longer. Just more proof to the worthlessness of the gimmick.
I don’t think it’s new. I’m pretty sure NHL.com had their streaks like this last year too, though I could be mistaken.
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 24, 2010 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
HBO must be fapping themselves silly over that game tonight, great stuff.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
If fapping themselves is the same as giving a sample in a fertility clinic, then I agree.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
They could shut the thing down. Great game and one of the better crowds in recent memory, complete opposite of how they were Tuesday night.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Dec 24, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not looking forward to the ending, of course, but with the HBO camera work, microphones and music, I could watch the whole thing. I vote for an expanded 24/7.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Pensburgh Quotes
The recap over there was very fairly written, with this great line:
Later in the second, down by a man, the Matt Cooke made an attempt to clear the zone but the Verizon Center industrial fans kicked in and swayed the puck into the crowd down on the Caps’ own end.
One poster had blinders writing:
-Speaking of Caps stars, Green got a goal, but wasn’t all that good, in my opinion.
and another did not:
can we just sign mike knuble so he STOPS KILLING US?
and one was rude:
Q. Can we just call Mike Green "Scooter Enthusiast"?
A. How about just "douche"?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
If Talbot was on the scooter, we’d be looking at a completely different response. Haters gonna hate, Greeners gonna Green.
Obviously, Superstar on the scooter would have been, well, Supercool!
.
Follow me on twitter, Picasa or at Pens Through My Lens.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Dec 24, 2010 4:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’ll never give credit to Cooke for anything, but I have to say the guys got an amazing set of arms to be able to wrist that puck almost the length of the ice and over the glass. In all my years of watching hockey, I’ve never seen someone do that.
Green whipped one from the D zone to the O zone against Montreal a year or two ago.
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 24, 2010 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
They reeeeally love to hate him in Pitt and I don’t entirely get it. Very strange.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
There was a whole Pensblog post devoted toward the fact that he rides a Vespa, which for some reason was considered extremely un-cool. I don’t get it either, but who cares.
Their fanbase insists that we’re infatuated with their team. All it takes is a visit to Pensblog – if we’re infatuated, they’re stalkers hiding in the bushes, ready with chloroform.
But its all dumb shit, like how fat BB is or how fat Ted is. I mean they sound like they are all 15 years old or something.
I think they are unfortunately.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
by GoPens! on Dec 24, 2010 12:50 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Probably.
And hey, at the very least people like that can make us appreciate our Pensburgh pals :)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I’d like to take that as a compliment, but when the standard is that low, then it’s tough to be too proud lol
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I’m glad we take the high road as a community. Frankly, what they do is easy. If their writers can’t summarize a game without pictures for the drooling masses, and doughnut photoshops, then so be it. Different content for a different audience. I’m glad we can communicate without going on a rampage of vulgarities and fat jokes.
It is extremely uncool. It was cool back in the 90s.
I didn’t think Mike Green was any kind of good before he scored, though. After he scored Greener played like Mike Green.
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.
and one was rude:
I didn’t know Talbot had time to post on Pensburgh.
"It's always good to have vikings."
haha he wasn’t in the shootout so there’s a chance he was mobile posting from the bench
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Overall, good defensive game for the Caps except for a couple of fatal mistakes. They no longer really have the offense to make up for any mistakes.
PK for the Caps — great, or we’d have been dead sooner.
PP — abysmal, overall (even though we finally scored at the end of one of the 5 on 3’s but after the 1st penalty of the group was expired, if I recall correctly. I almost feel ready to have Boudreau put the 3rd and 4th liners, including the rookies, on the PP since they’ll probably drive to the net better than the “normal” cast of characters.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
We lost in a shootout. I won’t lose any sleep over that fact.
"I'm not a big Yankee fan. It's kinda like living in ancient Rome and rootin' for the lions."
by Steck It Out on Dec 24, 2010 12:38 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Next question. Is the Backstrom line now considered the “first” line these days? Or is the new, reconstituted Ovi/Perreault line considered the first line?
(All right, Perreault’s ice time wasn’t super high and our high minutes guys were Ovi, Backstrom, Laich, and Semin, as is typical.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
So nice to see a good game being played.
I can’t really feel that bad about this loss.
Yea its the Pens and you love to beat them.
But fresh out of a slump, we held our own with one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now.
If our PP would work it would have been a nice win, but for now, I am satisfied with a well played game and a point.
proud 4th line advocate
After a long arduous summer of training, back for a new season of perpetuating hockey superstitions
Well, iced, you feel much better about it than I do.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Belongs in clips discussion tomorrow, but Kuznetsov apparently scored a very amazing goal tonight for Russia in their friendly against Slovakia. He also had an assist, as did Orlov. No sign of Galiev on the scoresheet in a 6-1 win.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
So the redhead who works one of the penalty boxes that got cut open and came back in the 3rd got 4th star right?
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
She did get a standing O (at least from the folks in that corner/side) as she made her way back to the box.
.
Follow me on twitter, Picasa or at Pens Through My Lens.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Dec 24, 2010 4:30 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not even mad, great game.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
Loving the positivity tonight, kids :) It’s nice to “lose” and still feel like the team put forth a good effort. Plus they got a point, which is good.
And here’s to a rematch with a much better ending next weekend!
To the gentiles around here, Merry Christmas to you and yours – to my fellow tribe members, I hope you enjoy your day off and your Chinese food and movies ;)
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Woo winter classic webcam
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=14&id=88523
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out alzner’s postgame interview. When discussing the second goal he says one of the caps D was pushed into the goalie so Knuitz had an open net and even he could have scored, then quickly leaned back and made sure to say “not saying he is bad but”. You can tell he is still young and I think it is quite endearing that he is trying hard to to say the wrong things.
"Ovechkin is as subtle as a shot of vodka."
it’s difficult for me to assess john carlson’s night. i wanted to disagree strongly with your bullet point, becca—my honest impression was that he was terrible. he had at least 4 gaffes that led directly to scoring chances. he didn’t look right to me. but on second inspection, he really did match up against crosby just about every time out. given that he’s still so young and the defense was stretched thin tonight, i’ll save my frustration for other players.
Observations from Section 421
Sorry they’re late, had to watch Letterman’s Xmas Show (with Jay Thomas telling the “Lone Ranger” story, and Darlene Love singing “Baby Please Come Home”… great stuff!) And then Craig was on and he was funny and had Kathy Griffin and…. well I’m here.
1) Great effort by the Caps tonight. They took the game to the Pens, played a lot of time in their end, forced them to take some good and some not so good penalties. Lot’s of power play chances for the Caps (not a lot of converting, but we’ll get to that). The ice was very much tilted in the Caps favor…
2) Helluva game by Marc Andre Fleury. He pretty much got his team the win tonight. He made at least 3 or 4 saves by my count from point blank range. Neuvy was strong too, but Fleury was better and earned that #1 star he got.
3) The Caps pretty well handled Crosby, but it was a bad situation when he got open for the first goal. The problem was that both Green and Carlson were on the backline at the time due to a penalty ending and both are usually on the right side. Crosby was on the Caps left side when he tipped it. There was some confusion there, and it cost the Caps as Crosby was left alone. Part of me would think he was lucky, but Crosby is too damn good. He noticed there were two right d-men on for the Caps so gravitated a little to his right (the Caps left) knowing that there might be some confusion…
4) Man, did Ovechkin take Malkin pretty much out of the game with that hit in the first minute. After that, Malkin pretty much avoided anything physical and kept himself away from the wall. The only time I noticed him was when Neuvy stopped him on the penalty shot.
5) GREAT penalty killing from the Caps tonight. The Pens were 0-5 and allowed a shortie making them a net minus-1 on the power play. Not that I recommend the Caps take more penalties. Malkin’s being absent had something to do with it.
6) Great effort from Green and Hannan tonight as well.. in fact all five of the Caps defensemen who played through the game played well and sucked it up when Poti got hurt again… It looked like Poti took a stick up in the head…
7) I know that Fleury might or might not have made that save in OT. That said, with the camera set up at the VC there was no way to see the puck the way he covered it. The NHL needs to develop technology that would indicate that the puck is in the net. At my office we have a white board that when you write on it, the image can also be sent to a laptop. If they can see what I’m writing on the white board, they should be able to tell if a puck is in the net or not.
8) Ya know… these drops with the parachutes look like fun… how come those of us in the 400s don’t get to participate? And no, sending a few Red Rockers up there to throw a couple of t-shirts doesn’t cut it. Either make it fair or scrap the idea…
9) Finally, a merry Xmas and Happy Holidays to everyone here at The Rink!
Well, break time for the NHL. Two days with no hockey (the D.T.‘s have already started!) Unlike some teams, the Caps have a very short holiday and they’re heading out on the road Xmas afternoon to Carolina…. hopefully the Caps can bring two points back with them before that rematch against… well, you know…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
They don’t get to the 200s either. Nor do the Red Rockers. Guess I have to buy my teeshirts.
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 24, 2010 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
200s are box seats are they not?
They get a ton of free stuff already, though its arguably built into the ticket price. My friend’s family had box seats, the #$#, bragging in between periods about the free beer while me and my friends like everyone else fork out the cost of a 12 pack for 1 beer.
But from my game experiences over the last few years and in the pre-Ovie era, they never really got into the 400s for anything.
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.
Not box but club seats. No freebies and expensive but the view is great (who needs to renovate the house anyway).
The 100 levels were sold out by the time we decided to move from the 400s. In fact there very few club seats left when we committed.
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 25, 2010 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, folks
Great game tonight. Your boys played their asses off. When the Caps tied it at 1-1, the guy next to us said “now we’ve got a game” and I thought yeah, maybe if the Pens decide to show up. They seemed to be missing for long stretches. Thank God for Fleury, I guess.
On a side note, it was nice to find that, despite the pregame message on the jumbotron, the VC Leaners are alive and well!
.
Follow me on twitter, Picasa or at Pens Through My Lens.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Dec 24, 2010 3:45 AM EST reply actions
We were well represented in our section too. We had Pens fans. We had leaners (represented by both teams).
And we had an entire row of slow-to-sit downers. I don’t mind people standing but they need to sit down before the next face-off.
Seriously great game. I have no voice. What is it about these two teams—they bring out the best in each other.
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 24, 2010 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I was in 400’s opposite side behind the net. Though really, beyond the first 5 rows if you sit fully back in the the seat you can’t see the net almost directly under you, not from people but from the steepness.
The shoot out was killing me. Our section couldn’t figure out if they wanted to sit or stand, or when, and I was just like “can we please stand like everyone else in the stadium” but of course I sheepishly followed the section in our up’n’down dance.
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.
had some numbnuts in 407 that kept standing throughout the game. They would jump up every time a scoring chance was about to happen, and “forgot” to sit down for about a minute as everyone behind them yelled at the to sit
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 24, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Hello all!
A few thoughts from a Pens fan perspective:
-The refs were calling this game they way a Pens-Flyers game is generally called: They call every little infraction to start the game, then swallow the whistles. Suddenly they cough them up and start calling everything, then swallow them again.
- MAF saved our collective a$$es.
- Pens looked VERY sloppy in 2nd period (typical Pens hockey this season)
- Matt Cooke: WTF?
- To start OT Boudreau keeping Ovi on the bench until Orpik was off was a good move, except when Ovi came on the ice the brick wall that is Michalek was there and made several good plays to neutralize him. #4, worth every penny. You’d think he would wait until Goalagainstski was out there.
- Green looked better than I have seen him this season. He played a fantastic game.
- Where was Backstrom?
- All in all a very exciting game. Hope the WC is as good!
Le-Tang Clan: Ain't Nuthin To Puck With!
I disagree with the transparent glove idea. How about an under-ice video camera system? We’d have to get input from the guys who make ice cubes for TV commercials to help make the clear ice, of course.
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
Ice is clear. Hockey rinks paint the ice white, along with all the lines and such.
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.
They paint the concrete under the ice, not the ice itself.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 24, 2010 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
They paint the permanent markings on the concrete… temporary markings are painted onto the ice, usually about 1/4 inch below the surface.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 24, 2010 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
Thoughts
1. Matti Perreualt – I thought MP85 had a bad game. He’s overmatched against teams with good centers. 25% in the faceoff dot, 4 PiMs (one of them in the o-zone) and -1 on a night where he only got 12 minutes of ice time, mostly with Ovi. Not good. If we go into the playoffs with him as 2C we’re in trouble. It’s not for lack of effort – he is just too small to be effective defensively.
2. John Carlson – looked very poised out there. He still makes some rookie mistakes but he may be our most consistent two-way defenseman. Not bad for a 20-year old.
3. Mike Green – Great game. Really stepped up. But I think he puts himself in bad situations on the rush when he tries to go around defenesman and gets thumped. He needs to learn when to cut his losses and simply dump the puck in. When he gets creamed in the o-zone it usually leads to an odd-man rush the other way. Plus it’s not good for his self-preservation.
4. Overall, Pittsburgh plays a much cleaner style than we do. Short, crisp passes. Players in the right position. Efficient breakouts. Minimal mistakes. We definitely play a more risky game: long, cross-ice passes, individual rushes, long-distance shots from the perimeter. Pittsburgh’s style simply is better suited for playoff hockey. That said, we still outplayed them last night, and if not for Fluery we win handily. Good job to the team.
However….the Caps still have a lot of work to do. The game at Heinz Field will be much more difficult. Pittsburgh is good at making adjustments and with them having the last line change you’ll probably see a different complexion to the game. Pittsburgh will probably try and match up Malkin/Crosby against Perreault’s line as frequently as possible, and my bet is that it’ll be a much higher-scoring game.
The "Other" Box Seats Blogger
As far as play styles I thought it looked that way because the caps were scrambling to put pressure on and score all game, never being in the lead the entire game.
What bugged the heck outa me was that the pens would sit on their hands when they had the puck. Less risky, yes, boring as hell to watch as they waste 30 seconds skating around in their own zone, yes. Wish the caps would actually challenge the guy during that.
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.
Matti Perreualt – I thought MP85 had a bad game. He’s overmatched against teams with good centers.
And this is probably what’s going to prevent him from being a long-term solution at C, even if he solves his consistency issues. In a conference with Crosby/Malkin/Staal, Richards/Carter/Giroux, Savard/Krejci/Bergeron, he’s going to have a tough time with potential playoff matchups.
This game is all about overcoming diversity.
It was a very good game however I didn’t think Mike Green’s first half of the game was anything short of disaster. He couldn’t avoid a hit to save his life, carry the puck, or make a pass well. In part because the Pens were targeting him, but also he was still playing like he had been for the last 12 games or so.
However, after he scored – he changed. All of a sudden he had confidence and was flying around, making passes, avoiding hits, and creating. Lets hope this version of green sticks around. (and that backstrom can get the same treatment asap)
TOI was really odd for the game.
Something that’s been bugging me, viewing from behind the pens goal 400 level, was it looked like Neuvy didn’t even react to Dupuis shot. Head fake or not it just looked like he lost focus for that moment, positionally he was still square to the net not the shooter.
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.
Haha After Green’s goal I turned to my brother was like…“he doesn’t even look happy, he just looks relieved”
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Dec 24, 2010 12:41 PM EST reply actions
I only got to watch the game in bits and pieces; it was my mom’s birthday last night and family trumps hockey, even against the Pens.
That said, something that really grabbed my eye was their forecheck. Not the actual forecheck itself, as usual it was heavy and effective, but rather how they set it up for maximum possession.
Pittsburgh is very organized coming through the neutral zone, the puck carrier waits for the two forechecking forwards to generate speed towards the blueline, then dumps the puck to whatever corner the Caps aren’t in, or can’t get easily. Watch for it during the WC — if they have clean possession in neutral, they’ll basically weave until they get their play set up in the way they want it. The puck retriever takes a hit, the second D takes a hit as soon as he gets the pass and the C may also get hit as the puck comes out of the corner, if it does.
If they don’t have that time and space in the neutral zone, then their forecheck is leagues less effective. It gets dumped to a corner, the d-to-d or d-to-c pass is totally open and the breakout can start against what essentially becomes a 1-2-2 passive trap. The Pens aren’t nearly as good at trapping as MTL or NJD, so the ice is much easier to attack than when they’re able to set up the play they want.
Their style coming through neutral contrasts pretty sharply with the Caps, who look like they have a pretty similar goal on their forecheck. But instead of setting up that forecheck at neutral, they try to set up an offensive play at the blueline, then dump and forecheck if nothing is available. Pretty small philosophical difference that results in vastly different play.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 24, 2010 2:31 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I saw a fair amount of fan posts about the lines recalling that Boudreau left the lines alone during last season’s 14 game winning streak but changed the lines for yesterday’s game even after beating NJ.
I know Bruce wanted to get Fehr back in who had done really well on Sunday before his grandfather’s funeral. But then he essentially nuked Tuesday’s first line, dispersing the entire group, sending Ovi to the 2nd line and Sasha to the third line (or was it Backstrom to the second line and promoting Fehr & Perreault).
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
Related FanShots on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
