Recap: Blues 4, Caps 3 (SO)
by J.P. on Feb 14, 2010 12:21 AM EST
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For a team entering the final quarter of the season with a huge lead in their Conference, coming off a once-in-a-generation win streak, dealing with a couple of injuries and about to head off for a couple of weeks of vacation, motivation and focus can somewhat understandably be hard to muster up. And, frankly, for the Washington Capitals, the "little things" should be more important right now than wins and losses: starts to games; penalty killing; defensive-zone coverage; breakout passes, etc. - basically correcting bad habits and not falling into any new ones.
So while the Caps lost to the Blues Saturday night in one of those should've-ended-as-a-tie games, there was some good and some bad along the way (as there usually is), and plenty to work on going forward for a team that looks quite ready for the break.
For the seventh straight game, the Caps were outshot, and for the sixth time in those seven they allowed 35 or more shots against (though five of the 36 St. Louis shots on goal came in overtime). They also allowed the first goal of the game for the seventh consecutive time out. And they let Blues sneak behind them for homerun passes all night.
But their penalty killing was, for the most part, superb, including killing a 1:18 mid-third period 5-on-3 with one of their best killers in the box. They dominated the faceoff circle, winning 61% of the game's draws (with each of the four lines' pivots topping 57%). And the power-play (read: Mike Knuble) potted a couple of tallies.
Indeed some good, some bad... plenty to work on.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Jose Theodore rebounded from three-straight appearances with a sub-.887 save percentage (though, to be fair, he was often better than the numbers would indicate) to stop 33 shots through overtime and three of the four shootout attempts that came his way. He also made the save of the night when he snared an Alex Steen shot with his glove from the seat of his pants with the Caps killing off that two-man disadvantage, and can't fairly be faulted for any of the three goals he allowed. It's a rare night when arguably the Caps' best player is their goalie and the team can't find a way to win.
- It's hard to believe, but the Karl Alzner interference call and the interference no-call on Eric Fehr immediately followed by the missed-haymaker no-call on Eric Brewer were actually all part of the same game (as were numerous other missed and questionable calls, both ways). I've said it any number of times and will again - players and coaches don't care if games are called loose or tight as much as they care that they're called consistently so they can adjust their play accordingly. Tonight's game was about as uneven as they come.
- Place your bets as to what Cam Janssen gets for his brutal cheapshot on Matt Bradley (who, thankfully, seems to be okay).
- Jeff Schultz lost Patrik Berglund badly twice on one shift in the first period. Luckily for Sarge, I suppose, it only resulted in one goal against.
- Bless Quintin Laing for sticking up for his teammate and dropping 'em with Janssen despite the obvious mismatch that would ensue. That praise out of the way, here's some harsh reality on Q: he's simply not a good penalty killer, despite his willingness to give up the body to block shots (which is actually what got him in trouble tonight, as a puck deflected off of him and past Theodore for the Blues' third goal).
- Alexander Semin's wrist shot; Brooklyn Decker; a volcano.... What are things that are ridiculously hot, Alex?
- The defense missed the calming, minute-chomping, veteran presence of Tom Poti tonight, to be sure, but if the choice is ever "John Erskine and Tyler Sloan" or "Karl Alzner and John Carlson," give me the latter. The still-chocolatey-smelling duo ended up with three penalties in just under thirty combined minutes, and Carlson's inability to play a puck along the glass in the neutral zone created a 2-on-1 on which the Blues cashed in, but neither of them runs around nearly as much as Sloan or Erskine, and both are better with the puck.
- Brendan Morrison has looked rejuvenated over the past couple of games skating with Semin and Brooks Laich, winning 64% of his draws and setting up Semin's snipe in St. Loo, among other scoring chances.
- I don't follow T.J. Oshie closely enough to know what kind of reputation the kid has, but his dive at center ice in an attempt to draw a call while killing a penalty was nearly Sean Avery-quality. Impressive.
- Thanks to an ad on the end boards, I've had this stuck in my head all night. Oh, and "home of the loosest slots"? Really?
And now we break; time to rest and recharge the batteries (for most), and return fresh and focused (for all).
But will everyone who played tonight be with the organization when they play their next game, just hours after the trade deadline? Will some new faces be with the team in Buffalo that night, or are George McPhee and Bruce Boudreau going to go into playoff battle with what they've currently got on the roster? With all the talk of rest and relaxation... don't count on the Caps' brass getting all that much. They've got work to do.
Game highlights:
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Chris Mason earned his star tonight
His team, however, did not deserve this victory.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Get well soon, Brads. We miss you already.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
BTW in that first pic I love seeing all of Q’s gear yardsaled across the ice.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And the headless Cap in the top pic is Gordo, come to check on his linemates.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Hockeyfights has the video with the St. Louis feed. You’ll hear the announcers call it dirty at first, then start backpedaling.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
First time seeing the hit and wow. Disgusting. I really hope this guy gets suspended he deserves it. What the hell was Laing thinking though? Getting your face beat in is stupid. I understand he was pissed, but you have to know your role and what you’re capable of.
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Feb 14, 2010 1:46 AM EST up reply actions
I think Laing can sufficiently take a beating in the face. Who else was going to cover for Brads? Would’ve liked to see Big Nasty throw it down … but that won’t happen anytime soon.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
by Christoph J on Feb 14, 2010 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
A full week of practice is going to do the team a world of good, methinks.
What amazing date in history are we giong back to today, Mr. Peabody?
I'm sorry but I hate that oshie kid
For some reason he reminds me of Crosby and that’s why I hate him
by washfan29 on Feb 14, 2010 12:31 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 14, 2010 12:32 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
See
That’s the best part about AO. If that happened he’d probably score when it happened!!!
by washfan29 on Feb 14, 2010 12:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The Russian judge gives that a 9.2.
That was a dive all the way.
What amazing date in history are we giong back to today, Mr. Peabody?
I’ll have to watch it again, but I didn’t think that was a dive by Oshie. It definitely wasn’t a penalty on Green (and good on the refs for not calling that – one bright spot in an otherwise terrible night of reffing), but I thought there was enough jostling for position and Oshie was getting ahead of himself enough that he legitimately lost control and left his feet.
Either way, I would have loved to see Oshie on Team USA next week.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 14, 2010 12:48 AM EST up reply actions
This is how I saw it. Oshie was leaning into Green/heavily on his stick, and when Green moved or the stick slipped he just fell forward.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 14, 2010 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
correct
that, and he sorta lunged one-handed with the stick to poke the puck further away from the Caps player. Oshie makes a lot of those scrambly plays that end up with him on the ice, but he’s not a diver.
.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com
by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 14, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
I love watching Oshie, such an exciting player.
One particular play against Calgary earlier this year he lost his stick in the defensive zone, and just drilled Giordano on the boards. As Pang mentioned during the broadcast he plays a similar style to Ovechkin. I love watching players who play that style. Best of both worlds.
I’d kill to have him on the Caps.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 14, 2010 12:58 AM EST up reply actions
he's one of the most popular players here
it’d take a lot to get him out of the ’Lou.
.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com
by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 14, 2010 1:00 AM EST up reply actions
no
not really.
.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com
by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 14, 2010 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
Understandable, not like I thought he’d be had for Sloan (make it happen GMGM!). I’d say killing to get him is quite the price.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 14, 2010 1:02 AM EST up reply actions
After having watched the replay, I will retract my earlier statement. It was not a dive.
But the Russian judge joke stands. :-)
What amazing date in history are we giong back to today, Mr. Peabody?
Aaaah!
Really? What made his second leg go flying up into the air above shoulder level?
That’s the diviest dive i’ve ever dived.
If Brooks Orpik had been on the ice his head would have exploded.
by bilspacecadet on Feb 14, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve issued a Photoshop challenge based on this pic. Have fun!
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
That was an absolutely pathetic dive. Even Crosby would be offended by that one.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Feb 14, 2010 12:33 AM EST reply actions
As much as I wanted the Flash at C experiment to end, I would take it over Stecks at 3C. That line had a lot of trouble generating any speed or offense.
by Kolzilla on Feb 14, 2010 12:38 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Agree that Stecks is much more effective as a 4C. If we are right about that, and Flash at C is a less than succesful experiment, then clearly GMGM needs to find us another C.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Feb 14, 2010 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
We already have a 3C. He's just in Hershey
MP85
by washfan29 on Feb 14, 2010 12:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think after the break
I think he’ll be a great playoff performer just cuz of his agressive style
by washfan29 on Feb 14, 2010 12:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Second Line 2010 (Laich/Flash/Semin) needed to be broken up badly. That group needed a break from each other.
We have a problem getting the parts to fit. We have more 2nd line type players than we know what to do with. And not enough good quality centers.
It’s not that Flash could not ever work out as center. He needs work on face offs. And defense is not his strong suit at all.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Watched the St Louis feed.
They said the league sent an actual letter to refs before Friday’s games to call interference penalties a lot closer.
A lot of those penalites weren’t penalties earlier this week.
Nothing like consistency among refs. Seems that the penalties called seems to have a “flavor of the week” type quality. What will be called today, as opposed to last week.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I’d just like the refs to call things consistently for both sides within a single game. After the Pens game and some of the others lately, it seems like there’s a lot of no calls/bad calls going against the Caps. I don’t want to sound like a biased homer, but it seems that way.
It’s just the NHL. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some, but the reffing is (nearly) always bad.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
it's not calls against the caps
Just terrible reffing in general. I read an article a while ago that a bunch of their main refs were injured or something, so they have a lot more inexperienced guys than normally.
But yea recently it has been terrible. Last night was weird, tight on some things, loose on others. Pick one and make it consistent!
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
As JP says, it may be time to roll with the kids for defense, even though they had their hiccups today.
Alzner is the last guy you would expect to see get two minor penalties. Of all people. Luckily, the Caps killed his penalties. (His second one was one of the ones resulting in the 5 on 3 for St L)
Rocking the Red since 1975
His second one was also one of the worst penalty calls I’ve seen. Totally agree on the kids, waaaay better than Erskine or Sloan.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Feb 14, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
remiscent of earlier in the year
…in that there we conceded a ton of odd-man rushes…at least a couple breakaways, a couple two-on-ones, and a lot of three-on-twos… not good.
Cheap shots aside, StL is a good hard-nosed team. A series between these two would be entertaining.
especially since it would be for Lord Stanley’s chalice!
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 14, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe we’re cycling through again and we’ll get hot right around April.
"Welcome to Canada -– everything fun is always behind a fence."
Well we won’t see that — unless we had a Stanley Cup Finals between them. (Likely won’t happen. St Louis is actually my 2nd favorite hockey team. It makes me wonder if I am a jinx to hockey teams.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
still a shot
it’ll take a lot of clawing and scraping.
.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com
by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 14, 2010 1:14 AM EST up reply actions
Only 4 points away. Last year, if I remember correctly, the Blues got off to a horrible start. They were in last for awhile and everyone had given up on them. But somehow they squeaked into the playoffs. Granted, they couldn’t do anything once they got there but still…
The Blues are actually not out of it, yet.
Rocking the Red since 1975
That’s true, only problem is that it is tought to climb those 4 points sometimes
They could definitely start playing some dynomite hockey after the break and go on a little streak and get in.
Only problem is that the other teams ahead of them could do the same. In the 3 point system, many teams can lose a few games in OT but still be ahead
Perhaps it is the optimist in me that hopes STL doesn’t think they are gonna make it and becomes active in the trade talks.
Jackman for Fehr or Flash, Draft Pick(s), and/or Prospects?
Still waiting for someone to draft Paul Newman. . .
The caps have about a 0% chance of not making it.
"Welcome to Canada -– everything fun is always behind a fence."
And the southeast. Is it still 26 points?
"Welcome to Canada -– everything fun is always behind a fence."
It’s actually 27 points, according to NHL.com.
Of course, there’s plenty of incompetence outside of the South East Division to ensure that they’d be in the Top 8, without any problem.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Sure.
If by “entertaining” you mean you enjoy seeing the opposing team deliberately send out guys to injure your team, then, okay.
Cheap shots aside, StL is a good hard-nosed team.
Other than that, how’d you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
by bilspacecadet on Feb 14, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
By that extension, Brashear was sent out to deliberately hurt someone in Game 6 vs. the Rangers, no?
"Where are we going Morty?"
"Back to the boatyard. Somebody's about to get a fucking slap."
by Bald Pollack on Feb 14, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
One cheap shot by a guy with a history of cheap shots and suddenly the Blues are all a bunch of thugs and Davis Payne is passing out foil in the locker room. Let’s settle down.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 14, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
And Backes’ vicious cross-check on poor, fragile Semin last year. How dare you forget about that flagrant, disgusting show of cheap-shottery!
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 16, 2010 12:58 AM EST up reply actions
Just curious, aside from the Janssen hit what did you think was a cheap shot? I thought it was a pretty normal NHL game aside from that one play.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
BTW
Wilco is from this area, and have probably played AT the Casino Queen, home of the loosest slots !!!!!
.... formerly "Tim" of StLouisGameTime.com
by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 14, 2010 12:57 AM EST reply actions
Did anyone realize that the hottest team in the Eastern Conference is …. (drum roll please) .. Carolina. They have won 5 in a row and are only 3 points behind Florida and the NY Islanders.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I could see them making the play-offs if they keep this up
Still waiting for someone to draft Paul Newman. . .
I want them to end up 9th in the conference.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 14, 2010 4:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Man....
..I want Patrik Berglund as a 2C on the Caps
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
He was crap for my fantasy team at the begining of the year so I droped him.
He sure is playing well now, though.
What amazing date in history are we giong back to today, Mr. Peabody?
22 y/o 6’4 215 lbs..plenty of upside
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Feb 14, 2010 1:57 AM EST up reply actions
Nobody show F&B this (clock for larger):
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
F&B will be so jealous. (Unless he wants to bid on it.)
Next question, how do you clock on a link? (Put a time limit before the link goes away?)
Yes, I know what you really meant to type.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Clocking on a link takes a certain amount of skill, and it’s really best left to us prifessionals.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
by EmilyB on Feb 14, 2010 1:50 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
How is it a good thing that Quentin Laing attacked Janssenn? Rather than a possible 7 minute power play we got 4 minutes of 4 on 4 followed by a 1 minute power play. They’re calling the instigator penalty now for everything unless it’s a certifiable side-show. How about instead of dropping mitts with the guy that hurt your player (who had better be getting 3 games at the least, that hit was MUCH worse than Greens hit AND resulted in an injury) you check on your player that’s injured, step up the hitting on the rest of their team and punish them with your power play? I guarantee Janssenn didn’t care that Laing was attacking him, he probably welcomed it. I doubt Laing taught anyone anything either.
The downside to that, is if Laing doesn’t do anything, someone complains about the team not sticking up for each other. I think Laing did the right thing, he just shouldn’t have been penalized.
A small part of me did wish that Jansen didn’t get booted just to see how many times Ovie would have tried to put him through the boards.
I’m gonna reiterate that I don’t think the NHL will suspend jannsen. Already you’ve heard folks start to blame brads for “admiring his pass” and that he should have been more aware on the ice. Which is a complete joke considering the hit came after tha pass was made and resulting shot taken. If they determine that his shoulder made contact with brads head then I bet no suspension but a fine for the major penalty.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Feb 14, 2010 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
Well it looks like something will be handed down
Per Bob McKenzie’s Twitter:
Cam Janssen will face NHL discipline for late hit on Matt Bradley.
43 minutes ago from UberTwitter
That had to be the cheapest 4 on 4 I ever saw. I was not a happy camper about the penalties doled out on that at all.
Janssenn hurts our guy who does NOT come back this game.
At the very least, the Caps should have earned a 3 minute power play on it. I can see giving both guys a fighting major. And maybe give them both a a 2 minute minor on top of that. And then give Janssenn a 5 minute major.
Janssenn’s hit was definitely worse than the hit that got Ovi suspended for 2 games (and worse than the hit that got Green suspended).
Rocking the Red since 1975
The way the current rulebook is laid out, Laing should have been called for what he was called for, and comparing this hit to other incidents isn’t done.
"Where are we going Morty?"
"Back to the boatyard. Somebody's about to get a fucking slap."
by Bald Pollack on Feb 14, 2010 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
I’d have to disagree, he should have gotten 17 minutes with a fighting major that gets cancelled out. there was no reason for him to get an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, or at least if he does get called for it, how could Janssen not get one as well?
I’ll agree with your notion that by the way that the rule book is written he could have been called for unsportsmanlike conduct, but that’s not the way that that rule has been used in any game I’ve seen this year. Going by the measuring stick you’ve laid out, a ref could call or not call anything during a game and be completely justified. Bradley probably should have gotten a penalty for getting hit, right?
there was no reason for him to get an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty
Yes there was – it’s a rule: instigate a fight while wearing a visor, get two minutes for unsportsmanlike. It’s automatic.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Thought the unsportsmanlike was called because of his visor?
I like Vog’s idea about the instigator rule only being called for retaliation for a clean hit. Janssen hit Bradley when the puck wasn’t there, so it’s automatically a penalty; which negates the instigator call on Lange.
I felt like the Caps should have ended up with at least 3 minutes of a power play for this incident as opposed to only 1.
Rocking the Red since 1975
But. That’s. Not. The. Rule.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 14, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The law is a ass.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Rob Parker on Feb 14, 2010 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How is it a good thing that Quentin Laing attacked Janssenn?
Because if Q, or anybody else, doesn’t come in and stick up for their teamates in a “dirty hit” situation, it sends a message to the other teams that they can take liberties with the Caps players without retribution. Other teams will run our guys all night if they don’t think they will fight back. Q’s only fault there was he didn’t take off his helmet/visor before he went in.
Just to clarify, I do not want our guys starting fights after clean hits.
What amazing date in history are we giong back to today, Mr. Peabody?
I dont mind standing up for a player, but a fight is the worst way to do it. better to escalate hitting or score 5 goals. an instigator penalty just shows that we’re undisciplined and fly off the handle if you break our snowflakes
To me, it’s the difference between a clean and dirty hit. If a guy is hit with a high elbow, boarded and hurt, slewfooted, etc., then somebody needs to jump in, instigator be damned. Just take your visor off first.
I don’t mind the extra 2 if it means the other team knows that they will not be able to run our guys and not get away with it.
Also, I do not rely on the refs to have their backs when things get nasty later with all the hits that would be coming if the boys decided to just hit 2X or 3X more because of things like this. the other teams will step up their hits also, posably (sp?) starting a penalty fest that would not nessecarily be in favor of the Caps.
What amazing date in history are we giong back to today, Mr. Peabody?
playoffs
EAST
Washington vs. Montreal
New Jersey vs. Boston
Buffalo vs. Philadelphia
Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa
WEST
San Jose vs. Calgary
Chicago vs. Nashville
Vancouver vs. Colorado
Phoenix vs. Los Angeles
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
I like those better. MON doesn’t scare me. I’d like OTT and PHI to flop though.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I want PHI to drop 3 places.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
I guess that’s better, but I don’t see it happening. IF they make the playoffs I want them up against PIT in the first round. Get one PA team out of the mix right off the bat.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
how about this.....
after today’s games, it’s now…..
Washington vs. Montreal
New Jersey vs. Boston
Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo
Ottawa vs. Philadelphia
I could live with that…..
Rock the Red! Rock the White! Rock the Blue! Rock the Pens!
by RedskinFan4Life on Feb 14, 2010 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
But their penalty killing was, for the most part, superb, including killing a 1:18 mid-third period 5-on-3 with one of their best killers in the box.
have to disagree with you there…..St. Louis is 25th on the PP at about 16% success rate (according to NHL.com). Prior to St. Louis, we had Ottawa and Montreal and Pittsburgh. Ottawa and Pittsburgh are worse than St. Louis on the PP - they scored PP goals against us as well (Ottawa 2-2, Pitt 1-6). Montreal was 1-5, but they are 2nd on the PP so they are a tough team to handle on the PP.
I’m not convinced the PK was good this night. I’m glad the Caps killed the 5-on-3, but I was watching their PK — they just sit back a lot. That gives the other team a lot of time/passes to make something happen. I’d rather be aggressive and pressure the puck handler. I liked what St. Louis PKers did to us. Sure, maybe a little higher risk involved, but I’d rather be proactive than reactive….
That makes 4 straight game they’ve given up a PP goal. Just strengthens my beliefs that D is our most important need right now and we need to address that. Yes, C is not hot stuff either, but last I looked, we are lapping the field in goals scored anyway. I do not want to be giving up 1 goal per game.
Rock the Red! Rock the White! Rock the Blue! Rock the Pens!
by RedskinFan4Life on Feb 14, 2010 9:07 PM EST reply actions
Yes, C is not hot stuff either, but last I looked, we are lapping the field in goals scored anyway.
Considering the other options at 2C and how they play in their own end, more the reason to get such an option.
"Where are we going Morty?"
"Back to the boatyard. Somebody's about to get a fucking slap."
by Bald Pollack on Feb 15, 2010 7:24 AM EST up reply actions
Guess timing is everything
At least we won’t be gun shy about a potential trade now. Really it’s been about 5+ games where we haven’t been particularly awesome.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks. Oh and f**k Brooks Orpik.
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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- Lightning forward Dominic Moore fined $2,500 for hit on Rangers Ruslan Fedotenko
- Lightning forward Dominic Moore fined $2,500
- Blue Jackets place Lebda, Methot on injured reserve, add Prout, York on emergency recalls
- Blue Jackets put Lebda, Methot on injured reserve
- Lightning's Dominic Moore fined $2,500
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