Recap: Thrashers 3, Caps 1
by Stephen Pepper on Dec 4, 2010 10:37 PM EST
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Print[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
The fifth meeting of the season between the Capitals and Thrashers felt uneasily similar to the Caps' first-round playoff series vs. Montreal last spring: a bewildering array of offensive opportunities by Les Capitals, and 46 shots on goal, was met by an amazing goaltending effort and an opponent that kept the a lot of those shots away from the slot, and blocked twenty more. (Incidentally, those Habs blocked an average of 26 shots per game in the series.) But more to the point, this was, and is, a hot Atlanta team that's now won 6 of its last 7, and bench boss Craig Ramsay is getting the absolute most out of his team (even without Evander Kane tonight) and his goaltender.
Is the Southeast Division up for grabs? Not quite, but the Thrash are looking a lot like the playoff team that it's currently positioned to become.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Apparently, the Thrashers like to keep their sticks up as well as their heads. Just ask any of Jason Chimera, Boyd Gordon, John Carlson, or Mike Green. Chimmer's mouth was a Halloween costume in the first period.
- Before Michal Neuvirth won the Calder Cup for the Hershey Bears in 2008-09, Ondrej Pavelec won it for the Chicago Wolves. After some early struggles in his NHL career -- and a freak loss of consciousness to start the season -- the kid is on a roll and absolutely scorching. Ask Mike Green about that too. You'll seldom see a point-blank glove save in the slot as good as the one Pavelec made on a wide-open Green late in the game.
- Coach Boudreau reunited Alexander Semin with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom to bail the team out (again) of what had become a real defensive logjam from Atlanta. But swapping Mike Knuble for Semin all but negated the offensive threat of that second trio.
- Eric Fehr was everywhere that he should have been in the first frame, putting three shots on net and driving to those high-traffic areas. But he cooled after that period.
- So since David Steckel committed a minor infraction that Jim Slater avenged by engaging Stecks in a fight, Slater need not be issued an instigator penalty? Steckel's knee-on-knee collision with Tobias Enstrom certainly wasn't pretty and probably wasn't legal, but the non-call on the instigator went against the rule book.
- Scott Hannan was praised by Craig Laughlin on JRR this morning for his gap control. He also seemed to be consistently in front of the play, except for when Alexander Burmistrov netted another beautiful tally tonight against the Caps, this time the GWG. Or was it Hannan's pairmate dragging him (and his ice time) down?
- Further to the point about the second line, Marcus Johansson played a solid game in his end and won 5 of his 10 draws, but was pretty quiet, seemed to react to, much more than direct, the play -- as a scoring line pivot should -- and made a few curious passing decisions.
- The toughest night at the dot for the Caps belonged to Backstrom, who won just 5 of 17 and was beaten by Bryan Little 5 of 6 times in the offensive zone.
- While Ovechkin finally scored a goal tonight, his almost four full minutes of power play time in the third did not result in another to make it a game.
- Speaking of Ovi's tally, the second intermission couldn't have come at a worse time. The Caps bent the Thrashers with a stunning display of puck possession and individual playmaking skill late in the middle stanza, but the break prevented Atlanta from breaking.
Still, in the six games since the debacle in New Jersey on the Monday before American Thanksgiving, some of which also could be considered "playoff-style" affairs, the Caps have allowed two goals or less in all but the one tonight, and killed 21 of 24 penalties. So hats off to an astonishing goaltending performance and move on to, hopefully, feast on the visiting Leafs on Monday.
Game highlights:
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My biggest problem with the Steckel call is that the ref right on the scene didn’t call the PIM until after the fight. If it had been an immediate call by the guy that saw it best, then I’d live with it. Knee, trip, whatever, I can live with that call. But it has to be made instantly and there has to be an instigator call to even it up. Pathetic job by the refs, again.
Varly got caught cheating by Burmistrov. He went down way too early and left the top half of the net wide open.
AO scores from the bottom of the left circle. So sure, let’s continue to banish him to the point on the PP.
Schultz looked bad on Ladd’s goal. His lanky legs didn’t do him any favors and his stick wasn’t anywhere near to help him out. Poor job on what turned out to be the nail in the coffin.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Dec 4, 2010 10:45 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
it’s inexcusable that they only decided to call the kneeing penalty after the fight. But it doesn’t surprise me. Nothing can surprise me these days.
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So much for calling it badly both ways, as discussed this afternoon. Although by the last PP, I was back to wanting to be able to decline the penalty.
"It's always good to have vikings."
So much for calling it badly both ways, as discussed this afternoon.
The logic in getting to the call may be flawed, but power plays were 5-2. Calling it “fairer” wasn’t going to get the team to convert any of those opps any better.
"If you don't shut the [hell] up, I'm going to kick you in the balls so hard your dentist is going to have to work around them at your next cleaning."
More chances still make a difference, especially the potential 4 minute PP and whipping out the PP that Ladd scored on if they had called the instigator.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
If they had called the instigator in addition to all the other penalties called in that instance, it would have been a 4 on 4 for two minutes and both Stecks and the Thrasher also in the box for the fighting major as well. A wash, in other words. But that would have been better than being down by a man.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I hate to be a tinfoil hatter, but the fact that they called the knee on Stecks well after the play after they refused to call a high stick when they saw Chimmer bleeding all over creation was fucking ridiculous.
"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
by bigeugene on Dec 4, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
My husband had the same issue with the Steckel call that you did — with the PIM not called until after the fight.
I also felt the Caps were lucky to only get a fighting penalty and a 2 minute minor from it considering the guy on Atlanta got hurt on the play. (If that had been Ovi, I’m sure it would have been a 5 minute major.) In any case, that was the killing blow.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I wonder if Schultzy’s bout with mono this summer is still affecting him. Fatigue, slightly slower reflexes, etc.
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Would not surprise me.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
We’ve gotten screwed by the refs plenty this year but tonight we can’t really bitch – those two consecutive PP chances in the third were golden opportunities where we failed to convert. Ovie is a non-factor on the power play at this point as far as a goal scoring threat.
What could explain the Caps persistence here? Looking at Stamkos, and at the SH odd-man ~breaks that you see in AO’s PP point, how do you not try something else?
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
I agree. Time to do something else on our PP, or should I say, powerless play. Ovi is basically wasted at the point. Okay, he can play it occasionally but not the entire two minutes. Typical Caps PP — they do lots of passing for the first 1:30 and then someone misses a pass and a very gassed Ovi tries to chase it.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Tonight wasn’t a screwed by the officials night. We failed to convert all our PP’s. They converted one of their two PP’s.
I did notice the officials throwing our guys out of the faceoff circle quite a lot so we had to use a substitute. And two of Atlanta’s goals happened after we lost a faceoff in the defensive zone with a substitute (or should I say ersatz) center.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
by CapsFan75 on Dec 4, 2010 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The penalty for kneeing was called before the fight, but it was by the ref who was close to the benches. I saw his arm up before Slater and Steckel started shoving. The lack of an instigator call was terrible – and that has happened against the Caps at least twice this season.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
That could explain why a lot of people couldn’t see it. We were sitting in Section 117 — behind the goal for Atlanta’s goalie in 3rd period.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I’m in 409 (behind the goal the Caps shoot on in the 1st/3rd), and as soon as I saw Enstrom down I started looking for the refs, and one had his hand up. He appeared to be the one with the best view. Oddly enough, the guys right behind me didn’t see him – they were saying the same things as F&B.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Directly opposite of us — I see.
(My husband was also saying the same things as F&B as well.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I get a good view from above, straight down the ice. I didn’t see Steckel’s hit, I was following the puck as it went up the ice at the time. I don’t know if any video angle would show that ref or not – I only caught a glimpse of him.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Why do you think the far ref had a better angle?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
He was looking straight on at the play, and wasn’t the one nearer the puck. The ref closer to that end was following the puck, whereas the ref further up could see the whole thing.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I just don’t think he had a very good angle from where he was standing. You’re addressing who was actually paying attention. I’m not a ref but I think it should have been the other way around regarding who was watching the puck and who was watching behind the play.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Regardless of who should have been watching where, he made the obvious and correct call. It was a clear (although accidental) knee-on-knee hit, and with the way the puck was moving, he was in the better position to view it, and he was the one who called it.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Auger was the official who had the end-zone view of the Steckel knee, but McCreary did call it from the Neutral zone. You have two referees, in case one misses the call, the other can make it. Having said that, Auger seemed to be pretty much out to lunch most of the night and missed the High Stick on Chimera completely. Looking at the replay, it does look like Steckel tried to hang him up with the leg, as Enstrom tried to avoid it, so it was good call. However, Slater is obviously the instigator here and that should have been called. There is no way the Caps should have been down a man in that situation. Steckel’s kneeing penalty and Slater’s instigator should have washed out, as well as their fighting majors. The teams should have skated 5-on-5. The tough part about the ensuing power play was that Schultz misplayed it, plain and simple. He either didn’t know there was someone on his left side, or hoped the pass would go to through to the boards, because he didn’t react to the cross ice pass and the puck was in the net before Varly could get across. Schultz didn’t even move.
Having said that, Auger seemed to be pretty much out to lunch most of the night and missed the High Stick on Chimera completely.
Auger is out to lunch every night. He’s utterly incompetent, no matter which teams are on the ice.
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What’s worse is it was not even a penalty. One guy finishing a check and another trying to get out of the way. Steckel did not extend his knee. Hell, his knee was well under his body. Refs calling the result on that when they couldn’t call the result on Chimera’s mouth.
This is becoming a theme. More important though… I don’t mind a ref swallowing a whistle when an infraction does not affect the play, but when you are taken off the puck, or prevented from making a key play by an infraction, I don’t give a crap how many have been called. It looked like the early 90’s out there tonight.
It was a penalty – it was virtually the same as the Ovie hit on Gonchar a couple years ago. Steckel’s knee hit Enstrom’s knee. Even though it was accidental, it is still a penalty. However, the refs did miss a number of calls. For some reason, bumping Chimera to keep him from getting to the puck isn’t interference anymore.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
What????
He didnt stick out his knee, watch the replay everyone. No penalty should have been called before, or after, the fight. Penalty was called, which NHL refs love to do, on the result, not the infraction.
You’re right, Steckel didn’t stick out his knee – and no one here said he did. Regardless, he hit Enstrom’s knee with his own knee – which is a penalty.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
he hit Enstrom’s knee with his own knee – which is a penalty.
Not if it’s done unintentionally in the course of regular play.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
NHL rulebook says nothing about an unintentional knee not being a penalty. Reading what it says, it implies that an accidental kneeing SHOULD be called as a minor. Rule 50, if you’re curious.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
NHL rulebook says nothing about an unintentional knee not being a penalty. Reading what it says, it implies that an accidental kneeing SHOULD be called as a minor.
Nice try. So you’re basically saying that it doesn’t say that an unintentional knee should be a penalty, but you’ve decided to interpret it that way. The rule is actually pretty clear:
50.1 Kneeing – Kneeing is the act of a player leading with his knee and in some cases extending his leg outwards to make contact with his opponent.
“Leading with,” and “extending” sound pretty damned intentional to me.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
Very bad game for the Caps — to say the least. They looked like they did against Montreal.
We kept having guys thrown out of the faceoff circle (Backstrom multiple times and Gordon). The first two goals by Atlanta were because of failed faceoffs, especially when our center would get tossed out and we were stuck with a substitute instead of a real center.
Next question — why wasn’t Semin on the ice when the Caps had an extra attacker for the empty net? While he didn’t have a great game, I couldn’t think of anything he did that was so egregious that he should have been sat down.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
It looked to me like Semin could never settle the puck down and deke properly. Each time he tried to make a move he lost the puck.
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by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 6:25 AM EST up reply actions
Knuble is looking a lot like an anchor lately.
It would be nice if he, or Laich, or Chimmer, or Fehr were to heat up. Or the D did some more scoring.
In the end, Pavs made all the saves he ought to, all the saves he might not ought to, and all but one of them that he had no business making. No bounces, and there you have it.
The Caps are looking snakebit.
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Will Laich end up on the top line on Monday? That was my suggestion when Backstrom kept getting thrown out of the faceoff circle today (and then we were stuck with Knuble doing the faceoff and losing it, of course, and that resulted in the goal for Atlanta). Hence, my suggestion for sticking Laich up there as an alternative to Backstrom when Backstrom is kicked off the faceoff circle.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
It did — for the two games it was used.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Problem is, Laich on the 1st creates problems for the 2nd. It could be Mackan, Knuble, and Semin, but that presents some problems. Namely, Mackan winning faceoffs and whether Mackan can fill the 2C slot. So far, he has done nothing to show me that he can do so at this point.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Actually, Mackan, Knuble, and Semin did well the time it was used. We won that game and we got a goal out of that group. But I see your point on Mackan not ready for 2nd line duty.
Mackan, Knuble, and Semin is a vast improvement over any line that contains both Chimera and Semin.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Agreed with the 2nd point. I think Mackan will be a 2C in the future, but not yet.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
As for the combination of Semin and Chimmer, games used.
1) Game with Chimmer/Backstrom/Semin line — against San Jose in December. Loss
2) Game with Chimmer/Fleischmann/Semin — loss. Believe it was one of the 5-0 losses.
3) Game with Chimmer/Johansson/Semin. We won and Laich/Backstrom/Ovi worked well but there wasn’t really offense from that combination of forwards.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Chimmer should never be on the 2nd. He’s a fantastic 3/4W, but has no business being on the 2nd with the lineup the Caps have. Put him on the 3rd with Mackan and Hendricks – the speed and grit would be so tough to play against.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
That’s the truth — on Chimmer.
As for which fellow should be our 2nd line center, good question. Our current alternatives are Laich (who’s better as a winger), Mackan, or bring up Perreault.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
IIRC Chimera-Marjo-Fehr worked well earlier this season. I’d rather not have Hendricks on the 3rd line—he’s good, but clearly a fourth liner.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
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by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 6:29 AM EST up reply actions
If you have Chimmer-Mackan-Fehr as 3rd, who’s on the 2nd? The Caps have 7 players who are viable top 6 players right now, and that combo has 2 of them.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Semin, Laich, Perreault? #need2C
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
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by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
Why bring Perreault up when it’s unnecessary? Play Ovie-Backs-Knuble, Semin-Laich-Fehr, Chimera-Mackan-Hendricks/Gordon, Bradley-Steckel-Hendricks/Gordon. One thing with that lineup is that Mackan has a better faceoff guy paired with him, just in case.
Also, the Caps can’t even call MP up. They have a full roster, unless someone goes on IR.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
the Semin-Laich-Fehr proposal...
is similar to the Semin-Laich-Knuble fail. No playmaker
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 5, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
It’s very different due to replacing Knuble with Fehr. Fehr has a better shot than Knuble. Semin is a very good playmaker, and both Laich and Fehr are good shooters. It’s not the line I’d want to see going into the playoffs, but it’s the best option currently available.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Have Semin and Fehr ever been on a line together? I can’t recall and find it curious BB has not tried that if he hasn’t. I have been disappointed in Fehr so far this season (hoping that will change), but earlier was interested in seeing Semin-MoJo-Fehr, which depends a lot on MoJo settling in more and more as 2C. Maybe not this season, but then we aren’t sure what we have next season yet.
Best of my knowledge, no. Or not very often at least.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
He has last season, but it never worked well.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Semin and Fehr on a line at even strength. I’ve seen the Ovi/Fehr combo which would not work when put together but occasionally when we’d score a goal during a line shift transition, we’d have a goal where one or the other would score (with an assist by the other)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I’m pretty sure I have, but yeah, very short lived. Maybe it was one of those Backstrom-migraine games.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
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by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
Semin is a sniper, he needs a playmaker
to get him the puck. A superior passer. Neither Laich or Fehr are that.
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 5, 2010 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Alex Semin disagrees with you. He’s a hell of a playmaker with the puck on his stick.
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by Knee high to a duck on Dec 5, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know, I was just going along with things. With this lineup I prefer MarJo at 2C, but I suppose we could go
8-19-28
25-90-16
21-85-22
39-15-10
26, whatever number King wears
I really want a legitimately good player playing with MarJo. Is Fehr that? He was in 07-08, 08-09 and in 09-10. Jury is still out on whether he is this season, but I’m much more confident Fehr can drive offense than Chimera.
As for the roster…hey there, St. Louis. How would you like Big Bad DJ King?
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
One huge problem with that – it is a one-line scoring team. Semin and Ovie need to be seperated to prevent that.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Disagree with that. Top line, 3A, 3B, 3C. Offense won’t be a problem. Hell, look at Florida!
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
We already know 25-90-16 won’t produce offense. 21-22-anyone hasn’t produced yet. Any combination of 4th line players in unlikely to produce much – a goal every few games maybe. Like I said, a one-line team. Shut down the top line by throwing your best defensive pairing at them and the Caps won’t get more than a goal or two a game.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Things never work out that simply for the other teams ;)
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
The Caps are not Toronto. Every team has its struggles.
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.
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by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t want Laich getting 3rd line minutes with the way he’s played thus far this season. Need that possession out there on the regular.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 5, 2010 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
I think the cumulative effects of so much crappy officiating has left me exhausted. I can’t ever work up any rage about the zebras. I can’t even bitch about the crappy ice conditions. I can manage a “meh” about the ugly style Atlanta plays. And Craig Ramsey reminds me of the Heaven’s Gate cult guy.
hopefully something, anything, will turn around against Toronto. At the very least, at least I’ll enjoy belting out Oh, Canada.
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Of course the Leafs won their shootout with Tim Thomas tonight. Bah.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Someone needs to check the game pucks for magnets, it seems that the opposing teams are rigging their goals to emit a matching magnetic field that repels any firepower of magnitude less than an Ovechkin one timer, or in more comparable terms: a Death Star.
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by Natty Bumppo on Dec 4, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
The one highlight of the game (from a Caps perspective). Not only because of the goal, but because that shift lasted close to 2 minutes in the Atl zone. It was a passing clinic, and had the Thrashers completely gassed and perplexed. As Pepper said, too bad it was just before the 2nd intermission; it really got the team – and the arena – jacked up.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Another game similar to Dallas, and no not poor officiating, but a team that puts almost twice as many SoG as their opponent seemingly dominates play but the big difference is one team netted their chances.
ATL has really benefited from the fire sale of Chi as their Mo-town pick ups have the team playing tight defensively and with a lot of passion. Play-off hockey. This may of been a regular season game, but if the Caps want to succeed in April and beyond they need to solve this style of hockey through a culmination of effort, grinding, and sacrifice.
Tonight wasn’t about which team wanted it more, it was which team capitalized on their chances, and played the smartest. Puck bounces and luck are excuses, you have a goalie sprawled out and 3 forwards in the crease someone needs to dig in and put it away. Tonight the Caps best chances came in these situations but the Cap’s forwards were easily pushed out and weren’t allowed the puck.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
the ice looked pretty terrible tonight, too. Not quite as bad as Dallas, but pretty bad. Lots of bouncing pucks and guys falling down.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
I’m sick of hearing the ice looked terrible line, to be honest. We bitch about the ice at VC, the ice in Carolina, the ice in Dallas. Both teams have to deal with it, so it’s a wash.
"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 must admit that the condition of the ice in VC was the least of my worries tonight.
I’m worried about the Caps offense — or lack of it, as of late. Not to mention the fact that this is the type of game they need to learn how to win ‘cause that’s the type of game that’s played in the playoffs.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I agree that the excuse is old, but it’s not exactly a wash. Bad ice hurts more skilled teams more than it hurts less skilled teams.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
never mind that I think it’s ridiculous that the best hockey league in the world cannot ensure that it’s players play on quality ice. A bad sheet here and there is going to happen, but the number of night we go “Bad ice” is getting too be a bit much.
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I definitely agree with you on the point that the NHL should have better ice. But there is always a circus in town 5 hours before the game. Think about the children!
"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 don’t think the NHL has the leverage to force most of these arenas into doing what it will take to ensure quality ice. Until all the NHL teams own their arenas it’s going to be a problem.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Until all the NHL teams own their arenas it’s going to be a problem.
Seeing as how there’s one owner in town now, it makes all that talk about commitment to creating and maintaining good ice sound rather hollow.
And I hear you talk the talk, but I don't see you walk the walk and I still don't believe a thing you say.
There’s a reason for that…
The basketball court wasn’t picked up yet at 4:00 PM when the teams arrived……..
But yes, the ice WAS bad, and yes, the laws of physics must be obeyed. The guys had to settle the puck way too much; their power play depends on being able to make passes quickly and get off one-timers, and they couldn’t do that in slush.
It’s not an excuse; the Thrashers don’t use the same style the Caps do. Blame whatever, I know none of y’all believe me, but the ice WAS crap, and it DID affect the Caps’ play.
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Like the Montreal game. Seems that Atlanta has us figured out. This may be the year that the Thrashers break their playoff slump.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
here’s hoping that either the Caps don’t end up with the 1 seed or the Thrashers don’t end up with the 8th
We don’t want Caps as #2 seed combined with Atlanta as #7 seed either.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
I’m not worried about any seeding or bad matchups this year. If they didn’t learn from last year that you just need to do the things that need to be done to win a playoff series it isn’t going to matter anyways. I don’t fear Atlanta, they are improved and have played us very well no question about it…but this isn’t the Caps team clicking on all cylinders.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Dec 5, 2010 2:31 AM EST up reply actions
They frankly haven’t been clicking on all cylinders, by any stretch of the imagination. Granted, they played “over their heads” last year, as Red Army Line has pointed out but … Semin has been the main guy clicking for us for most of the year but he hasn’t been for the last two games. Hence, next to nada in the way of scoring for the team.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
“You can have 100 perimeter shots and it looks good on the [scoreboard] but if they’re not taking penalties cross-checking you in the back then you’re not fighting to get through there.” Gabby
3rd Period I certainly thought they guys were playing perimeter, but I didn’t think so in the first 40 minutes. They were attempting to play down low, attempting being the key word. If the more skilled player’s aren’t willing to touch the goal with a 10 foot pole, then Semin can’t play top line. Ovie and Semin specifically can be terrible about playing low and in the crease, but on a night where Backstrom isn’t attempting to is always going to result in a goalie have an easy time.
Pavelec certainly made some fantastic saves, but a lot of them were made a lot easier by the lack of traffic in front and chaos in the crease. And for the Care Bears who’s going to do any of that? Pure skill isn’t a substitute for effort and grit. It certainly helps and benefits greatly in the presence of the latter though.
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.
There were a ton of rebounds that kicked out to … nobody.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
That was the thing I noticed. Rebounds that bounced exactly the wrong way.
Case in point, on the Fehr breakaway, a perfectly scoreable rebound dropped into the low slot, but it handcuffed MarJo (?) and he poked it wide.
I’m not putting a lot into this other than it was a frustrating loss.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Atlanta is outstanding about quickly collapsing around the goalie. it’s ugly as hell to watch, but effective at limiting quality shots, as well as preventing the opposition from putting pressure on the goalie as well as positioning themselves well to take advantage of rebounds.
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Against teams that do this well, it seems like you need to just dog pile the net. Playing perimeter certainly doesn’t work and you don’t get those types of defensive schemes to open much with cross ice passes. I mean they’ll let you go top to bottom, left to right, all you want the defense stays in position to block the shot or at least be around high rebound areas.
I though ATL’s PK played a more passive, by comparison to the league, scheme very well doing exactly what you and I said. They blocked a lot of shots and collapsed quickly, and were aggressive when they needed to be to get a clear but weren’t over-committing to forcing them.
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, Atlanta seemed content to let the Caps have the puck and focus on collapsing to prevent the goal. Otherwise, really passive.
Like I said, effective, but ugly as hell to watch.
Atlanta seemed to also walk a very fine line on obstructing most of the game. Wasn’t quite clutch and grab, but it was close. also ugly.
I sound like Semin and his love of pretty hockey.
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It seemed that Atlanta’s guys were playing practically on top of the goalie during their PK so the Caps couldn’t shoot hardly anything.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
She likes to re-clarify the already obvious.
"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 know, I’ve just reached my limit on it.
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Be still my heart...
My God! Bruce said it out loud! This team doesn’t drive to the net! Before somebody shows up with their statistical analysis that the Caps are only shooting from six inches farther away than last year, it was all there in its uglyness last night. The Thrashers did what Montreal did last spring. Until this team decides it wants to score the hard way, by jamming the front of the goal, they’re not going anywhere when it matters. Cashing in rebounds matters more than pretty top-shelf shots. Drive to the net, tie up their defensemen, screen their goalie, create your own space. How much louder does the message have to be? Stop hitting the goalie in the logo. Put your shots on the ice, make the goalie create a rebound, cash it in!!!
I'm home from the game
The bad, the guys lost and it was pretty dispiriting.
The good – Ovechkin scored, the guys got a TON of shots on goal (46!!), and Hannan seems to be working out. I think these things will begin to gather steam.
Even more good – I had a blast hanging out with Rather Bengt, and really enjoyed seeing Ovechwin again, and finally meeting Becca and GotSparkley! Being on the rink has increased my friend circle and I really, really like that.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
I met JR celebrity Rather Bengt, my life is complete :P
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
he’s lovely, isn’t he?
RB, I wish the game had gone better!
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Yes, he is. :-) He wears the mantle of Manscot very well.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
He does indeed! So glad I came up with that word :P
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
/highfive.
Thanks for coming up at the break. I didn’t see your tweet about meeting up till after the game.
There's always more to learn about Hockey.
No problem, I figured as much, or figured my phone reception was awful and I wouldn’t get it.
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
Shucks, it’s enough to make this modest Canadian blush ;).
Seriously, I am glad all of you who have taken the time to come by and say hi have done so and I may even meet more of you at the game vs TOR Monday.
I poured spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
Hopefully Monday is better!
I tweet far too much. Follow me!
Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.
I made this same point in my recap for Inside Hockey (wink wink, great site you should totally check it out): on Knuble and Fehr – sooner or later those two are going to have to start finishing their chances if the Capitals are going to come close to being as dangerous offensively as last season.
The two fired a combined eight shots at Pavelec, some of which could have been more accurately placed. Fehr is now shooting a paltry 6.9% of his this season, which ranks 377th in the league, but perhaps even more alarming is Knuble’s 6.8% rate. Considering that Knuble has been over 15% every year since the lockout, that has to raise some concerns. Or, for the glass-half-full crowd, he’s due for a serious breakout.
As for Knuble, I’m not so much in the glass-half-full crowd with him. However, the cage on his chin gives me pause. He’s a tough old bird for sure.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Yeah, the injury can’t be helping but it’s almost like he has a hand injury. Maybe they all have hand injuries – him, Ovie, Fehrsie, I dunno. Knuble in particular is getting to the puck but not roofing it or sneaking it by the goalie
Someone in GDT noted that Knuble’s shots are all low – none has any elevation.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Doesn’t it seem like Fehr’s 09-10 season was the fluke, and this year (and two previous) is what you’re going to get from him? 10-15 goals, 10-15 assists? He’s a pretty good third-line forward.
It’s impossible to know right now. His numbers don’t look pretty now but guys like him and Knuble are going to get their goals if they keep getting chances. One hot month changes the picture and it’s still pretty early in the season.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Last season it’s a safe bet that each and every Cap produced more than they really should have, or would normally. With Fehr, he’s still young enough that he can develop further—not necessarily more skill, but a different mentality.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 6:35 AM EST up reply actions
That’s true. Most of the Caps had better than normal years last year. But aside from Knuble, most of them are also comparatively young — like Fehr. Ovi is Fehr’s age. Semin a year older. Laich a couple of years older. (And then Schultz and Green are both less than a year younger than Fehr.)
Hence, the comparatively young ages of the Caps is a reason for hope for further development. Knuble is the only relatively old guy among their key players.
Now on the other hand, if most of the guys have been relatively old and had done that……….
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
@VogsCaps
#Caps are now 1-for-17 (5.9%) on PP vs. ATL this season, scoring one goal on 34 shots (2.9%).
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Caps were 1-for-33 against Montreal in the playoffs. Any of this sound familiar?…
…or ominous?
If you've read this far...seek help.
LALALALA
I do not have any idea what you are talking a-bout. Ancient history. That’s why they play the games. 110 percent! Gritty veteran. Hot goalie. Shitty ice. Wingah. Crease-clearing defen—
Win one scrummy, mucking, cycle-heavy game. Do it whenever you have to.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Is it time for the Caps to learn how to play hockey the Flyers’ way or the Penguins way? No, I don’t mean playing dirty hockey. But the Flyers are the model on how to play trap type teams like Montreal (and the current edition of Atlanta and last year’s edition of the Devils.)
And Crosby got a hat trick against Atlanta, so he’s obviously doing something right — like crashing the net. We were able to beat Atlanta once this year but if memory serves me correctly, it was probably against their backup goalie.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
the Capitals have beaten Atlanta twice at the VC, once beating Mason and once beating Pavelec.
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Somehow I blanked out on one of their wins against Atlanta at VC. I know they won one where Semin had a hat trick. That was their last win against them and it happened before the 5-0 debacle against them in Atlanta.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Or the Blackhawks way, or the Red Wings Way, or the MTL way……
That meme gets old.
"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
Yes, I know that meme gets old. But, seriously, the Caps need to figure out techniques that work against teams like Atlanta and Montreal and implement them.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Insert headdesk gif.
"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
No meme like an old meme.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
‘cause an old meme don’t stop!
time for bed. gotta get some shut eye before sculpture garden skate tomorrow.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
How much can you realistically do against a hot goalie? The Pens, Wings, etc, won’t be scoring 5 times, that’s for sure.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 6:37 AM EST up reply actions
No, I think it’s the Pens that play the Caps way, but better.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 6:36 AM EST up reply actions
But the Pens also have a good second center.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
So did the Caps, back in the days of 91.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 8:56 AM EST up reply actions
They still couldn’t make it past Round 2 that year.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
No, I think it’s the Pens that play the Caps way, but better.
(emphasis added)
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
"It’s a huge win for us," Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay said. "We talk every game about steps and details. This is just another step, but it’s a step against one of the best teams in hockey. You have to like that. You have to enjoy it. You have to savor the moment.
‘Unfortunately in this business it doesn’t last very long because I’m quite sure we play Monday."
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
no flash, no win?
i kid, i kid. but tomas got two assists tonight, good for him.
The first period was entertaining, it was certainly a playoff-type atmosphere as some have mentioned, and ATL appears to be a team that one would want to avoid come springtime. They have a team that will be hard to eliminate.
Another preview of April. Caps create 0 traffic and just bomb it in from a mile away or are content to skate up the boards and take narrow angle shots.
Many a night from yonder ivied casement, ere I went to rest,
Did I look on great Orion sloping slowly to the West.
They generated plenty of good chances.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 6:38 AM EST up reply actions
This.
Tell your girlfriend to stop texting me.
by hotdog88gt on Dec 5, 2010 8:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
This, and trying to pick corners on a hot goalie instead of finding a way to get a dirty goal or two. Pavelec had a great game. One could even say he was “unconscious”.
Tell your girlfriend to stop texting me.
by hotdog88gt on Dec 5, 2010 8:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Another observation. I didn’t catch it until reading some post game posts elsewhere but did any of you notice that Schultz was essentially MIA for the last 5 minutes of the game? Heartened to see that Schultz was not being bashed by any one here but surprised to not read much about him here, if anything.
Will be have new defensive pairings for Monday’s game? I also scanned the stats and noticed they paired Green up with Carlson at the end. I don’t really expect those two to be a pairing as they bring the skill set of offensive defensemen.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
You’re right about Schultz. About halfway through the third Schultz-Green was broken up (in part because of PPs, no doubt).
I doubt there are new pairings unless someone gets hurt/healthy.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
Some of the Schultz bashers (on other blogs) were having a field day. There seems to be a large contingent of anti-Schultz fans. They are not on this blog, luckily.
I’d say, Schultz brings plenty to the table for the Caps. A defensive defenseman who’s good at that. He’s generally one of our better defensemen in the Plus/Minus department. And if it happens consistently, it says something.
I’m sure the mono he had during the off season hasn’t helped him any.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
Schultz, Fehr, and a pick
is my dream package for a 2C
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 5, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Thank God you’re not the GM. That’s one of the worst proposals I’ve ever heard.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
it's not a proposal unless there's a player on the other end, right?
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 5, 2010 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Wrong. You suggesting it makes it a proposal.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
And it depends on who the 2C is before we can evaluate on whether it’s a good proposal or a bad one.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
by CapsFan75 on Dec 5, 2010 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
so it's the worst proposal ever if it's for Stamkos, Crosby, Sedin. etc...
by DonnieKnutts on Dec 5, 2010 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
How about suggesting a player that there’s even a snowball’s chance in hell of getting?
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Brad Richards, I assume? Highly unlikely, unless Dallas falls far out of playoff contention by the deadline. They won’t trade their 2C if they are still in the playoff hunt – and right now, they lead their division.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
And Fehr-Schultz-pick is too much. Even Schultz on his own may be too much, considering the contract extension.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most unpredictable team in the NHL and where we defend Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, and Alexander Semin until the bitter end. That is to say, when someone tries to call BS on the Corsi numbers.
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Dec 5, 2010 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
Even though there’s a portion of our fan base who is pretty upset with Schultz right now.
And plenty of people are upset with Fehr at the moment as well.
I personally would rather keep them both and hate to trade them for a one month rental. I feel they are young enough to still have an upside.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
That portion will be upset with Schultz no matter what. It also tends to be the less intelligent portion.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
by timmyv38 on Dec 5, 2010 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It would have to be on hell of a player to break up our top defensive pair.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
What kind of “2C” are you talking about? You’re sending ~4.5mm in salary the other way, plus a pick. It better be either an RFA that would play 1C minutes on a weaker team or a legitimate stud player in his UFA years. Schultz and Fehr and the pick would net a huge asset in return.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Dec 5, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
Only name he’s thrown out there yet is Richards, which seems unlikely to actually happen.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
that's why the package is like that
I’m expecting a huge asset. Looks like Getzlaf’s salary would work…wishful thinking
Losing Schultz and Fehr for Richards would be a terrible trade. As good as Richards is, he isn’t that good. And there’s still the little problem of Dallas being very unlikely to want to trade him, as well as Richards having a NTC.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Just for fun, I decided to run the numbers of what would happen if we did trade Schultz and Fehr for Richards. Richards makes 7.8 M and is an unrestricted FA after this year. Schultz and Fehr together make 5.1 M and their contracts do not expire after this year. So it costs us $2.6 million in salaries. Our Cap space is currently $2.3, But because it’s pro-rated, we could probably get him under. Chances are, he would probably have to take a cut in pay in his next contract. He’s a useful talent but probably not really worth $7.8. Would he take a pay cut for a team with a chance for the Cup? Possibly.
What would be the implications for the Caps if we got him? Well, the second line would be in fine shape, with Laich/Richards/Semin or Laich/Richards/Knuble, depending on what line Semin was assigned to. Our third line would be more like a 4th line, with Chimmer, Boyd Gordon, and Hendricks and our 4th line would be a 4th line. As for the defense, we’d essentially be in a similar boat as we were before acquiring Hannan, one injury away from relying on career AHL guys as our third pairing. Most people would probably agree that Schultz is a better defenseman than Hannan.
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
On one of the earlier threads, Shaggy had posted that he’d order a Sid Crosby jersey and wear it until he made the Hall of Fame if Ovi didn’t score last night.
That’s practically the equivalent of selling your soul for the team to win a championship a la Joe Boyd (the main character of “Damn Yankees”).
That would have meant wearing a Crosby jersey for at least 20 years. This assuming a typical player’s career plus the waiting time required for getting into the HOF.
Selling one’s soul is an awfully big sacrifice to take for the team.
New updated story.
Caps fan is disgusted with another loss, swears they’re ready to sell their soul for Stanley Cup so along comes Applegate. Voila, our fan is transformed into a hockey player with the talent to become a scoring center. New center gets sent to Hershey and dominated the A so much he earns call-up. New center starts on third line and moves up and eventually bumps Nicky B to second line. And the rest is history. (But, of course, the spell is broken after Game 6 in the SCF.)
Rocking the Red for the Caps since 1975. Rocking the Red on additional fronts as well.
an amazing goaltending effort
I think this is being too generous. Pavelec was good last night (yea I know, 45 saves blahblahblah), but he wasn’t “amazing”. I can think of MAYBE 3 saves where I thought “man we were robbed”. He was leaving juicy rebounds up the middle all night, and we just failed to capitalize on them. I’m really becoming convinced that we have a nasty habit of making good goalies look fantastic. While our SOG numbers often look impressive, the quality of shots is comparatively low, although I don’t know enough about hockey/style of play to say exactly why or if this is entirely true. But yea, Pavelec did not have 45 saves worth of standing on his head last night. We just made him look really fucking good.
Don't worry about getting to your point, I'm going to live forever.
Pavelec WAS that good. He had 7 or 8 saves that were unbelievable. Aside from that, he simply closed off the entire net on all the easier saves, even when the Caps were crowding him. Over half the shots were of the simple variety, but Pavelec was all that saved that game from being a blowout.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
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