Thursday Caps Clips: Five Caps All Sent Packing
by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 6:38 AM EST
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Your savory breakfast links:
- In case you missed it, in the late games last night Finland beat the Czech Republic 2-0 and Slovakia downed Sweden 4-3, meaning that all five of the Caps Olympians were eliminated from the tourney in the span of a few hours.
- Here's what Alex Ovechkin had to say after Russia's loss to Canada... [Japers' Rink]
- ... and here's what Puck Daddy had to say about his game in particular: "Alex Ovechkin was pathetic." [Fourth-Place Medal (and if you're up for more piling on Ovi, check out From the Rink and, well, the rest of the Internet today)]
- Sigh. Milbury. [Puck Daddy]
- The rest of the Caps (you remember them, don't you?) were back to practice yesterday. [Ed Frankovic's Blog, WaPo, Dump 'n Chase, CSN Washington]
- On the injury front, good news on Matt Bradley and Tom Poti, but the news is not-so-good for Jason Chimera who "had missed three games before the break with a groin-muscle ailment," "left [practice] early after telling Boudreau that he felt the muscle 'tightening up,'" and "has a history of these types of injuries and never looked 100-percent comfortable today." [CI]
- The Caps' style of play is - get this - good for hockey. Who knew? [Columbus Dispatch]
- Five key Caps storylines to keep an eye on down the stretch. [the CAPS lock]
- For readers new and old, let me direct your attention to a simply astounding piece of work by Natty Bumppo - the Japers' Rink Glossary, v 2.0. It's everything you've ever wanted to know about The Rink but were afraid to ask... and then some. Bravo.
- Finally, happy 20th birthday to Stefan Della Rovere, happy 24th to Mr. Nasty, happy 39th to Byron Dafoe and happy 59th to Andre Peloffy.
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Well, at least my allegiance is 100% with Team USA now…
by Kewibr on Feb 25, 2010 6:47 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
My allegiance was always 100% USA.
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 25, 2010 6:49 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Still up in the other side of the world? How’s it?
Who do you guys go up against next?
"I was thinking it would be cool to see a game on the road. I have been looking all over this atlas but I don't see Vancouver anywhere. What state is this sh*t in!?"
- Dallas Stars Forum
It’s good. weather has been mid-high 60s and sunny this week. Quite nice.
It’s only 9PM here, 14 hours ahead.
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 25, 2010 6:54 AM EST up reply actions
And I obvs meant who USA vs. in the Semis, m’bad.
"I was thinking it would be cool to see a game on the road. I have been looking all over this atlas but I don't see Vancouver anywhere. What state is this sh*t in!?"
- Dallas Stars Forum
Finland.
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 25, 2010 6:57 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, to Milbury’s commentary on Boyle, and Boyle’s reaction to a clean hit. Blatant slew foot.
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 25, 2010 6:51 AM EST reply actions
Wow
I’m still royally Pissed about that Boyle semin thing
by washfan29 on Feb 25, 2010 6:58 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I dislike Boyle because he’s kind of a bitch, this was definitely a huge bitch move. But I do have to give him credit for owning up to the fact that he was in the wrong on this one.
Inexcusable is the fact that Milbury thinks a team should just stop hitting when the game is out of hand, or almost over. You don’t win by letting up. You win by playing to the final buzzer.
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 25, 2010 7:02 AM EST up reply actions
And I guarantee if a Canadian had clocked a Russian like that late in the game Milbury would be saying “and once again, the Russians are playing soft and can’t handle a little physical North American hockey.”
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 was a bit surprised to hear Olczyk call Anton Volchenkov’s nudge of Staal ‘borderline dirty’, then call Semin’s hit ‘dirty’. Both were playing the body, both happen 100 times a game and both Canadian players just weren’t ready for the contact.
I’m never surprised to hear Eddie O. (or Milbury) say something incredibly stupid. I’m genuinely surprised when either of them provides good insight or any level of intelligent conversation.
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 25, 2010 7:06 AM EST up reply actions
and both Canadian players just weren’t ready for the contact.
With the way Russia was NOT hitting all game, you can’t blame em.
But in all seriousness, Semin’s hit was clean. Boyle’s slew foot should, but won’t be suspendable.
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 Feb 25, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
Well I think Volchenkov’s shove was borderline dirty, sending a guy into the boards like that. Semin’s hit was completely clean though. But Eddie O had it in for the Russians all game. An objective announcer he is not.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Volchenkov doesn’t send Staal flying if Staal is even minimally braced. He just started battling for body position a little early. That shit happens all the time and if one guy doesn’t flop like a dead fish it’s a non-issue.
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 agree. On the reply it looks like Volchenkov barely even touched Staal. I realize that this is not the case, but there was nothing dirty or malicious about it.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Silver lining
We don’t have to listen to the media bitch about Ovechkin not talking to them any more. Without defending him, has anyone asked the media how many North Americans gave unlimited interviews to the foreign media? The place has got to be a zoo.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
On the other hand, that interview by Roenick with Ovechkin was awesome. Ovi’s such a charming fellow.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 7:48 AM EST up reply actions
I searched NBC’s Olympic site for the video but to no avail. It aired last night right before the game, so maybe it hasn’t been posted yet.
"We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
Is today the “best by” date on the Costco-sized box of “pathetic” Wyshynski had lying around?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Feb 25, 2010 7:25 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Seriously. Its almost as if he was personally offended.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:28 AM EST up reply actions
He seemed to be on Twitter last night.
Actually, he came across as bitter and pathetic himself, complaining that Ovechkin “blew off” the press.
I was not impressed.
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Feb 25, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
Disagree. I thought he came across as witty, informative and engaging, as he usually does.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Without rehashing what I said last night, I thought Wysh’s opinion was dead on then and still is now.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
it’s possible—at least subconsciously—that wsyh feels he needs to “prove” to all the haters that he’s not always pro-AO, pro-caps. for me at least it’s easy to get used to all the praise, and hard to compute when he criticizes AO.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
He might want to think twice about the next viewing party in DC?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nah. Did you meet him at the viewing party? He’s good people.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 7:45 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong. I think in general Wyshynski is right; the Russians just didn’t show up last night (although if Nabokov could have stopped a puck one time, he might have given them a lift). It just seemed a bit overkill. And while the bright light seems to shine on Ovechkin today, where is heaven’s name was Malkin? This is a Hart Trophy finalist and Ross Trophy winner. Did he even need to take a shower after the game?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Malkin is also a Conn Smythe winner, for doing all the things he didn’t do last night.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Malkin made a disastrous turnover that led to the back-breaking goal and then missed on a breakaway. Can you imagine the howling if that had been Ovechkin? And from what I understand, Malkin’s english is just fine now. How come there’s no howling about him not giving interviews? Caps fans will just have to get comfortable with the reality that the Canadians hate Ovechkin because he stole the “Best Player in the World” title for the Golden Child and any time they can take him down a notch, they will. By the way, the Annointed One didn’t get a point last night and wasn’t even on the ice for any of the Canadian goals. Not hearing much about that, are we?
Well….the fact that Crosby didn’t do anything doesn’t take away from the fact that Ovechkin had a terrible game.
Ovechkin is a big, flashy star. The criticism (unfair or not) comes with the territory, and that’s a role he and his fans all have to accept.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And Malkin’s not a star? Ovechkin’s the poster child for Canadian hate and until he wins a Cup, they Canadian media will not miss a chance to take their shots at him.
Ovechkin and Malkin are in completely different orbits when it comes to star power.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:56 AM EST up reply actions
Fact. Unless Malkin suggested the press ask Crosby about the US game to piss him off, of course.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
I’m with b.orr4 here. Regardless of stardom levels, Ovi’s the guy a lot of the Canadian media love to hate, because he opposes Crosby.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Right. And he opposes Crosby because he’s at that level of superstardom. And with it, comes a higher level of scrutiny.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Between his celebrations, his reputation (positive and negative) and his highlight reel goals, Ovechkin is a NATIONAL figure. Most people don’t know Malkin unless they’re hockey fans.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
International, really. An International Man of Mystery, if you will.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He even has the haircut
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
And dental x-rays.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
Deep down, I bet Malkin just loves the fact that Ovechkin is out there taking all the hits as the face of Russia.
Deep down, I bet Malkin just loves the fact that Ovechkin is out there taking all the hits as the face of Russia.
Malkin scores goals and everyone talks about Ovechkin. Russia falls flat and everyone largely talks about Ovechkin.
That’s the way it goes when you’re star of the show, you get the lionshare of the attention in good times and bad.
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 25, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed.
Unrelated: I had never thought of trolling via a sig line. Kudos.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
made worse by the fact that he’s commenting on another blog.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sometimes we all miss the mark.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 25, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
If it helps, I laughed.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
Me, too. You’re appreciated, Hooks.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
No worries, we all look for little jokes here and there but that was a bit obnoxious.
Better thought than actual execution. Kind of like the whole Russian forward grouping.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 25, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
How do you feel about your team's execution coach?
“I’m in favor of it”
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Possibly the best football soundbite ever.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
I would probably go with some of Mora’s best, particularly the “We Stunk” presser and the “Diddly Poo” presser.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
And of course,
PLAYOFFS??!!
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
And Hooks returns to our good graces.
Thanks for the change, chum.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well played Hooks.
Ovi deserves the lion’s share of the criticism he’s getting.
The media stuff and his play were both things he could control. Russian Fed gets a little criticism on the media stuff prior to last night and the whole OLY media setup is a joke (see my comments from last night), but once they were out of the tourney its all on Ovi.
He played like crap and he’s a star. That means people are going to pile the loss on him more than others. It’s just like being the star QB on a football team. Not always fair, though in this case it certainly is, but that is part of the territory.
Just because he plays for the Caps doesn’t mean he’s above criticism.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
Everyone point and laugh!
Hooks vehemently argued that USA had no chance and CZE was going to by the surprise team of the tournament! Bwahahahahaha. I was right! You were wrong!
Hey, it’s all I got today.
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 question the “vehemently”, I was just ready for another US disappointment and couldn’t be more happy to be wrong.
I did have CZE as my dark-horse medal hope. Was only off by a couple hundred miles, huh?
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
And yeah, you shoulda picked the little brother. I hope those old men have another silver bullet in the chamber…
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.
Can I just say there is not rampant Canadian hate for Ovechkin.As I have said before fans love him (look at the love-in for OV when the Caps played Vancouver this year) and a lot of the true hockey media love how he plays (even that jingoistic buffoon Cherry likes him, despite what you may think).TSN has shown plenty of Caps’ games this year and alot of this can be attributed to the star power OV brings. As maybe stereotypical as it seems, Ovechkin plays what some people would call a half-Canadian style and you could argue Crosby plays a half-European style. Why wouldn’t Canadians love that about OV?
Any player mentioned as the face of his sport is put under a microscope until they win the ultimate prize in their sport. This is not something the Canadian media has accentuated. It’s the nature of sport and how media reports it in most nations or professional leagues.
Sometimes I wonder as Caps fans if we perceive slights towards our guys a bit too sensitively. Let’s all breathe deeply. Canadian media is more busy fretting about what will we do if we don’t win gold rather than slighting OV.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Feb 25, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 16 recs
Rec’d for everything, and then some.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Rec’d for truth.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe we need to send the Penguins fans to Canada for some education. Well-put Bengt.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 25, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
Why do Pens fans need to be sent to Canada for education? I’m confused.
Either way, great post by Rather Bengt. Excellent points.
Didn’t really explain myself. Bengt’s post seemed to show that it’s possible to root against Ovie while giving him credit as being the best player in the world at the same time.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 25, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
I know many Penguins fans, myself included, who will readily admit that Ovie is, by far, the best offensive player on the planet. No questions asked. I just didn’t know what you were referring to.
Sure, but I’d wager pretty heavily that if you polled Penguins fans asking who the best player in the world is, Ovechkin would finish far, far behind Sidney Crosby (he might not even be number two)
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
As Ovechkin even mentioned, the best player in the world is a title that changes almost every day, depending who did what the night before.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
I don’t buy that at all. Sorry. I mean, sure, in some sort of metaphorical sense maybe, but the results of one game are wholly insignificant when we have so many other games to look at.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
At the risk of beating it into the ground even more…..
To me, that’s how close it is. On any given night one of the three can step it into a higher gear and hold the title of best player, but it’ll change quickly.
Ovechkin can do things that Crosby/Malkin can not, but just the same time we see the results head-to-head.
I wouldn’t fault you if you thought Ovechkin is the best player in the world, but I think there’s every right not to buy it as an open and shut case.
We’ll see when it’s all said and done how the MVP, scoring titles, Stanley Cups and tournaments (Juniors, Olympics, World Championships. etc) all compare. Until then, enjoy the ride.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
AO and Sid re-enter the season with the Richard race tied at 42. It will be interesting to see how that goes.
I think AO will take the scoring title (Ross), and we’ll see how the olympics affects the MVP race. More voters might be willing to consider Ryan Miller a little more favorably, especially if he can backstop the US to the gold medal game.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
(Noting that these trinkets do not necessarily determine “the best player in the world.”)
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Of course not.
I’ll never change your minds and you’ll never change mine, and that’s fine. It’s what makes it a great debate. Hope it lives on for many more years, for hockey’s sake in general, even if it is tiring for us.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
MVP – doesn’t that mean “most valuable to his team in the NHL?” Do the Olympics really have anything to do with it?
I need a snappy signature...
Olympics should have nothing to do with the NHL MVP race….But the voters are human and if Miller keeps playing out of his mind, he may be rewarded more than he should be.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
First game back is Caps-Sabres. Funny how that works.
Miller can put down the USA and swing the Sabres up onto his back.
Are they in the market for more scoring come the deadline?
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I know some idiot writer threw out the Hart for Miller based on his game against Canada, but I’d me more inclined to see that as reinforcement for the Vezina.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
In a perfect world goalies should be Hart ineligible. They have their award, the Vezina.
Any goalie is more valuable than a skater, since they control the outcome of every game.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
You’re not the only person to make this argument, but I disagree. There are awards specifically for forwards, too, and yet one can win both the Selke and Hart in the same season.
I don’t even think the goalie controls the outcome of every game, although it certainly is skewed that way for the most part.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 25, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
But the Selke refers to a specific aspect of being a forward. The defensive aspect.
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 Feb 25, 2010 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure if I agree with that. There are any number of circumstances where the goalie has no chance on a play to determine the outcome of a game. In a power play situation, if the PKers allow a past to go quickly from one side of the rink to the other for a slam dunk shot, the goalie has zero control on the outcome.
Backstrom’s weaving through three German defenders in the Olympics to feed Loui Ericsson is an example of this. The German goaltender was left out to dry when three of his skaters failed to do anything about Backstrom (or Ericsson for that matter, who was camped out alone in front of the net…)
Goalies mistakes usually do go up on the scoreboard and can very much influence a game, but they don’t always control the outcome…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
Goalies mistakes usually do go up on the scoreboard and can very much influence a game, but they don’t always control the outcome…
Of course, but you put a guy like Crosby or Ovechkin on a team with Toskala or Dan Cloutier as the goalie and the forward won’t get a whiff of MVP consideration when the goalie keeps them well under playoff contention.
Goalies, to me, are like pitchers in baseball. They’re a much different breed than the position players and should be treated differently.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
Its analogous to a pitcher winning the MVP. Lots of people feel that because they already have the Cy Young, they shouldn’t be eligible for an MVP.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
Admittedly a bad goaltender can cost a team success, just as a great goaltender can help a team to be better than they probably are. Even then, if goaltenders were that valualble, they would be highest paid players on their teams. In most cases, they arent.
Pitchers are viewed the same way as well in baseball, but if the outcome of a game was more about who was on the hill and how they did vs. the hitters, all of the starting pitchers on major league teams would be the highest paid players. On some teams, one or two of the starting pitchers are the top paid players, but in most cases there are other players paid more.
No doubt bad goaltending hurts in hockey, but the best goaltending doesn’t always win.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, any goalie has a bigger impact than a single skater, but at the same time this creates a higher threshold for goalies to meet in order to get Hart consideration. If every goalie is really valuable then you have to be truly exceptional to stand out. Just look at how rare it is for goalies to get serious Hart consideration.
The way Miller has carried the Sabres is no different from how Ovechkin or Crosby or any other forward has carried their teams to win the MVP: in all cases they are performing at a much higher level than everyone else at their position. I have no problem with Miller getting Hart consideration to recognize his achievement.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
Nabokov is putting up just as good as season as Miller is, as is Tomas Vokoun.
/just sayin’….
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Also Kipper gets less offensive support than Miller does (2.17 GF/60 to Miller’s 2.42 GF/60), and has a better GA/60 than Miller does by a pretty wide margin (1.83, best in the league, to Miller’s 2.07).
In fact, Kipper, Brodeur, Lundqvist, Vokoun, and Rask all have better GA/60’s than Miller, and all get less support than Miller’s 2.42.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
And of those goalies you mentioned only Brodeur is in a solid playoff spot, and Miller faces significantly more shots per game than does Brodeur.
Miller is dragging a mediocre team to a division title (I know Ottawa has the lead, but Buffalo is only 1 pt back with 3 games in hand).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
I also don’t think Miller deserves it as much as he did in the first half of the season, but I still think he deserves consideration. And my point that goalies should be considered for the Hart still stands.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, and how does GA/60 differ from GAA? Because Miller has the lowest GAA of any starting goalie?
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
I think the greater point I was trying to make is that it appears as if Miller doesn’t have it as tough as conventional wisdom says he is.
If there’s any goaltender out there that deserves a hug or a pat on the back more than anyone else, its Tomas Vokoun.
GA/60 is how many goals against per 60 minutes, and I believe GAA covers totals.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
No, GAA definitely covers goals per 60. So goalies who give up 2 goals before going to a shootout have a GAA of around 1.85.
And Vokoun does have it tougher than Vokoun, but his team is going nowhere. Of the other goalies you mentioned Miller either faces way more shots (NJ allows the second fewest shots per game) or gets way less goal support (Nabby faces as many shots but SJ scores way more than BUF).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
No, GAA definitely covers goals per 60.
which is crystal clear if you ever play fantasy hockey.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah. Vokoun’s team provides much more support than Vokoun’s.
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by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 25, 2010 8:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Stanley Cups and tournaments (Juniors, Olympics, World Championships. etc) all compare.
Hold on to that for dear life Hooks. I gotta say, it does upset me to see you stoop to those arguments. I know, it’s all Crosby fans have because the individual stuff is overwhelmingly in AO’s favor, but team accomplishments don’t factor into this discussion in a meaningful way. You can have Trent Dilfer, I’ll take Dan Marino.
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by Rob Parker on Feb 25, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly. As hard as this is going to be, imagine putting Sidney Crosby on the Capitals and Russian national teams and Alex Ovechkin on the Penguins and Canadian national teams. Now try to tell me that Ovechkin isn’t the one with all the championships.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In Game 7 and last night, Crosby was clearly on the better team both times. It wasn’t like the two teams were even and the difference was Crosby outplaying AO. Crosby was just on a better team and that team won.
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.
Yeah, definitely. Maybe if Crosby scored seven goals and Ovechkin literally crapped in his pants you could convince me that the result of last night’s game should change the “who’s better” argument.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
I see the issue —
I’m looking at the career.
You’re looking at the skill. That’s fine. Like I said, we can look at goals, assists, points and everything too.
Crosby and AO have virtually identically career PPG. They do not have identical success in games.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
They do not have identical success in games.
I agree, but I imagine that when you say this, you’re confusing team success as being relevant to the argument.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
I think it’s a factor in the equation, for me personally, to determine how the greats stack up is how their careers play out.
No doubt hockey’s a team sport and Russia was over-matched last night and that’s not AO’s total fault. I get it.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
And you’re right that this story is still being written. For fucks sake, these guys are both still in the first quarter of their careers! I’m already tired of the BS in the debate and we have another 12-15 years of it.
(And my prediction is that AO is going to be the better player for the first half of their careers, and Crosby will be the better player for the second half. Sid’s body is going to hold up better and his game isn’t so dependent on explosive athleticism.)
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.
You can have Trent Dilfer, I’ll take Dan Marino.
Yes, because Crosby is Dilfer.
Let’s judge the G’s and A’s at the end of their careers too, I’m fine with that as well.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
Clearly Crosby isn’t Dilfer, but I’m just trying to demonstrate the point. I figured I’d use a stark comparison. There are so many examples of guys that were better players not winning lots of championships you should be able to find one that suits you. How about Messier and Gretzky? How about Bobby Orr and anyone of his contemporaries?
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.
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by Hooks Orpik on Dec 24, 2009 11:00 AM EST 11 comments
Sidney Crosby: An Olympic gold medal, another scoring championship and a second Stanley Cup in as many years. You know, just to put a nail in the coffin about who the best hockey player in the world really is.
I thought he had written this as a bit of a joke last year but apparently not.
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Hey, if it all comes to fruition the least of my attention will be on what you guys perceive Crosby as.
(Kind of crazy re-call or search there too, props to you!)
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
Personally, I don’t care how Crosby is perceived and whether or not he is a better player than Ovechkin. That’s stuff doesn’t matter to me. I care about the Capitals team winning a Stanley Cup(s) and if they do win one it won’t be because of the efforts on one individual. Even if Ovie scores 20 goals in the playoffs, the team will still need contributions from everyone else or at least a lot of the other players in order to win. That’s why the Pens won last year. They were the best team in the playoffs, not because of Crosby’s or even Malkin’s individual efforts, just ask Max Talbot, Scuderi, MAF…
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by CapsFan2020 on Feb 25, 2010 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with every word of that. I particularly agree with the last part. Ovechkin and the Caps are not flawless, so we shouldn’t get upset when their flaws are mentioned. If we want tons of praise and recognition heaped on AO when he does well then we have to accept the criticism when he does poorly. And he certainly deserves criticism for last night – he was awful.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Great stuff, RB. And further to the point, talking about “Canadian media” in hockey is like talking about “American media” and the NFL. It’s so broad it’s impossible to pin point. There are lots of idiots and lots of thoughtful people on both sides. There are certainly Canadian media buffoons that look for any reason to hate on AO, but at the same time tons of thoughtful analysis comes from Canada as well.
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 thought he was way too harsh on Nabokov pinning all 6 goals on him. The first three he had little to no chance on, and he made a ton of big saves early on. However, the last three definitely need to be stopped, and he shouldn’t have even had a chance to give up the 5th and 6th goals.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Weren’t you scratching your head as a goalie on his save selection on the third goal? That’s a routine bfly slide that hits him right in the chest.
I mean the D wasn’t doing him any favors but I would have pulled him after that.
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Personally I would have yanked him after 3, as a (very) few others have said. But I wasn’t terribly impressed with him the other night, either.
I’m not sure if I would have pulled him at the timeout, but I was baffled that the timeout seemed not to have been called for the purpose of pulling him (if that makes sense).
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by CapitalCentre on Feb 25, 2010 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
When he got sent in after the 6th goal I thought Bryz looked good. With no one playing D in front of him he acquitted himself well during his two stints in the tourney. Should give him some confidence for the stretch run.
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by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
+ Ovechkin should be fired up and will get to avenge this loss more immediately
- As if we needed to have one more thing for Milbury/Cherry to have over Ovie.
What gets me about it is that this is team play – why is Ovi taking all the blame for a team loss?
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Because the story was written before the game was played.
To be fair, he is the face of Team Russia and he had a flat-out bad game. But the reality is that he is, at the absolute outskirts of fairness, the third-most culpable Russian in that loss.
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Yup. Like it or not, as famous and high-profile as he is, its going to come back on him somehow, much like it would have probably come back on Crosby had Canada lost (and much the same way A-Rod was always blamed for not being “clutch” and not a “winner”).
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:46 AM EST up reply actions
I doubt it. It probably would have been pinned on everyone BUT Crosby had they lost.
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Crosby’s the “face” of team Canada. They lose, he gets blamed. It probably wouldn’t be justified, but its just the nature of sports and fans in general to look at the best player and somehow “blame” him for an entire team’s failure.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:49 AM EST up reply actions
That was because Brodeur was so obviously terrible
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
Yes, well, Nabokov was not exactly a shining star last night and the media goes after Ovi first.
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Ovie sells papers, Nabokov doesn’t. Nature of the beast.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Feb 25, 2010 8:01 AM EST up reply actions
And Brodeur’s a pretty high-profile guy as well.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:02 AM EST up reply actions
Actually, I thought he did get a good bit of grief. He was minus-two, deflected one in his own goal… and the media wasn’t shy about mentioning it.
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I don’t remember him getting criticized at all after the game against USA.
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.
He took some heat, especially for the goal that went off him, but Crosby wasn’t as invisible that game as Ovechkin was last night. And Canada wasn’t eliminated in their loss.
As you admitted, Crosby was one of the best players on the ice during that USA game, so why should he have taken a ton of criticism?
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
Agreed on both the top counts. And I did say Crosby was one of the best players against USA, but if the premise is “if you are the star, you take the heat in the loss” then I think Crosby’s treatment should be different. I’m more just arguing that being the star isn’t enough to explain why AO is getting hammered, not that Crosby should be. People looked for excuses with Crosby. “The minuses weren’t his fault.” “His wingers weren’t meshing.” “He didn’t mean to tip the puck.” With AO? Nobody is talking about how the rest of his line was bad. Nobody is talking about how the entire team came out like crap. Nobody is talking about Datsyuk being invisible all tournament (except you Hooks!). It’s just a difference of treatment, that’s all.
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 25, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If Canada loses and Sid isn’t productive, Crosby will be raked over the coles. Have no doubts. Luongo/Babcock will take some weight too, but I think you’ll get your wish be an all too eager Canadian media if they lose.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
Nobody is talking about Datsyuk being invisible all tournament
i at least noticed dats making some great plays on D and in the corners. kovalchuk and semin were my two biggest disappointments. semin because i remember how well he’d played in previous international tournaments, kovalchuk because he literally did nothing (combined 0 goals, 1 assist and an average of 3.3 shots on goal in the three games after latvia).
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, Kovalchuk was brutal. Last night Datsyuk was ok, but that was his best game. He played some solid D, but that’s not why he was there. He needed to provide some offense and he didn’t. If NJD fans weren’t so busy screaming about how Devils are carrying Team USA, they might be a little concerned that their goalie and stud deadline acquisition were both seriously underwhelming.
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.
And Sid gets at least one more game to make a statement.
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At MOST. I’d call out Nabakov, Bykov, and the Russian defense before I call Ovi out.
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Agreed – third worst individual, at most.
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At the very most. Some of the forward lines weren’t much more than pylons either.
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True, but much less was expected of them.
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I will never understand most of Bykov’s decisions in these Olympics. I have never coached hockey on any level in my life, and even I could see he was completely out of his element.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Should start calling him “Donnie” Bykov since he was that far out of his element.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:51 AM EST up reply actions 9 recs
so rec’d.
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 Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve been calling him the Russian Norv Turner, but that works as well.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
That’s where I scratch my head. How, almost to a man, do NHL-level players play so badly and so uninspired in what is arguably the biggest international game of their lives for most of them up to now? I’d have to think there will be some major changes before 2014, or Russian hockey fans will experience what Canadian hockey fans feared.
If you've read this far...seek help.
How, almost to a man, do NHL-level players play so badly and so uninspired in what is arguably the biggestinternationalgame of their lives for most of them up to now?
I was wondering similarly after Game 7 against Pittsburgh last Spring.
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I have to think that some days you just shoot blanks and nothing goes right. To use an AD&D term, some days you’ve got to make that one critical roll, just one roll, and you throw a damned 1. It happens.
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I agree. The Russians just came out “flat” against a team that had a chance to work out all their kinks against Germany and got some confidence off that. I think that day off was the worst thing that happened to them.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:58 AM EST up reply actions
Well, I will admit to turning the game off last night when it became 3-0 but I don’t think Russia came out flat per say. Everybody knew that the Canadians were going to come out flying. The fact that Russia tried to weather the storm does not mean that they came out flat.
Once Canada scored, and it took them about two and half minutes, they started rolling downhill and with that crowd behind them, there was no way anybody by themselves was going to stop them.
If any of the three other teams left in the tournament wants to beat Canada, they MUST score first and they can NOT trail at any point in the game. Otherwise, Canada is going to do to them what they did to Russia no matter how well they play.
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I thought Russia look horrendous from the get go. Even before the first goal you saw the Russians getting pinned in their own zone, Kovalchuk standing around as Weber pinched past him for a scoring opportunity, Ovechkin making a terrible breakout pass across the middle getting picked off leading to more pressure, turnovers at the Canadian blueline, and a pathetic backchecking effort by Kozlov on Getzlaf’s goal.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
If any of the three other teams left in the tournament wants to beat Canada, they MUST score first and they can NOT trail at any point in the game. Otherwise, Canada is going to do to them what they did to Russia no matter how well they play.
I agree with that 100%.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
That’s pretty much what I was thinking last night – “How anticlimactic, I’m having flashbacks to Game 7 against Pittsburgh.” Ick.
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I so hope that that is the only flashbacks to that I get this season.
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The Caps team wasn’t as skilled as that Russian team, wasn’t in good health, and had been worn down by a 7 game series and 6 previous hard fought games. They ran out of gas. Sure, they didn’t look prepared either, but I don’t think that collapse was on the same level as what the Russians did last night. Though it is fair to ask WTF BB did to “get them ready” for it.
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.
Mine as well. And the Russians had the same problem in the WJC, if you remember that Filatov called out the Russian coaching after they got smoked in the WJC. He said that the Russian game plan was to get Filatov the puck – the result looked remarkably similar to what I saw last night before I turned it off in disgust.
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Exactly – replace Filatov with Ovechkin and it’s the same strategy. Dats even said as much pre-Olympics :-).
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 7:52 AM EST up reply actions
I think its a style thing. Its never been a Russian “thing” to get pucks deep and forecheck aggressively, and I don’t think you can get away with that on NHL ice.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 7:56 AM EST up reply actions
Great comment.
Maybe the Russians have to change their style a bit, considering the rest of the world has accepted that in certain games/tournaments, they have to do the dump-and-chase.
Not always — and not against inferior competition — but against big, strong teams like the Swedes, US, and Canada, it’s a must.
The big bottom line is that the KHL is not the NHL. It’s a different style of hockey, and for whatever reason, they cannot, or will not, adapt to the North American style of play.
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by IRockTheRed on Feb 25, 2010 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
Related: Get Orlov to Hershey ASAP. Don’t let that League screw him up any more than it already has.
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by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Funny, I was thinking about that last night too. Get the kid out of there!
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by CapsFan2020 on Feb 25, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
Also related, any chance Radulov comes back to the NHL much better than he left?
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.
no doubt
I can already tell he’s better. He’s stronger and faster, for one, and looks like he actually gives a crap on D.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting. I figured he’d mature and get a little better; I was just building on the points above. I don’t watch him enough to really know, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him pick up some bad habits while he is over there.
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.
Well, in fairness, the stuff I noticed he improved on is stuff that comes with age/growth, not coaching (the speed and strength).
He still looks awkward and douche-y, though :).
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
True, but while the KHL players did not really show up for the tournament, the NHL player weren’t really playing the NHL-style game either. They reverted to their Russian ways of puck-possession, 5-man units, etc. That works when you’re playing against a team with 1 or 2 good lines, but not against Canada with is made up of all All-Stars.
The Russians have this complex that they need to prove their style of the game is superior to the rest of the world. They won’t, cause its not.
You mean you expected the Russians in an international tourney not to play a Russian style, NHL’ers or not? Bykov is a product of the Russian style, yes?
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Well, yeah he is. But with the NHLers you’d hope as a coach you’d implement a system that plays to your players strengths and the opponents weaknesses. These NHL defenses are too good to just say “to hell with everyone elses style we’re gonna play our game win or lose”. you cant play that way and expect to win.
Completely agree, I just can’t say that I’m surprised they tried it. Disgusted, yes. Surprised, no.
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My thing is is that its not just Bykov, its Russian hockey as a whole, and I think its pretty much every country thats guilty of playing their own system its just Russia is so high profile and so brash about their desire to win that when they don’t everythings put under a microscope.
by DonCaps819 on Feb 25, 2010 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Every country has their own system, like the vaunted defensive structure of Sweden, the aggressive puck possession game of the Czechs, the high paced hard forechecking game of the Canadians. Every team has their own style and whichever team meshes their selection of their teams with their style will almost always come out on top.
Don’t forget the gutsy, crowd-endearing play of the Cameroons.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Feb 25, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah the Swedes and Fins have their own styles, but you watch their games and they look like NHL teams. They’ll dump it, they’ll cycle, they play physical. Sweden still has that distinctive nature to their game, but they have incorporated “NHL” aspects to their game so they can succeed.
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.
We should not forget that this game was played on an NHL-sized rink where it’s a lot easier to pin teams in their defensive zone. Sochi will be on an Olympic-size rink and the Russians weaves and backpasses and stretch passes will work a lot easier. You can say the Russian NHL players should have been able to adapt, but half the team has been in the KHL all season and a lot of those guys have probably played most of their lives on a bigger ice surface. Given that fact alone, it’s no surprise that the US team is doing so well.
You can say the Russian NHL players should have been able to adapt, but half the team has been in the KHL all season and a lot of those guys have probably played most of their lives on a bigger ice surface.
So why exactly was Frolov watching on TV? Even that scumbag Artyukhin would have been an upgrade. At least he would have hit someone last night. I’m no fan of Kovalev, at all, but I have to imagine he’s a better top 6 than Maxim Afinagenov.
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.
Yeah… how many other leagues and teams will put up with the antics of Darcy Verot?
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
An asst coach for the Coyotes was on NHL Live right before the game. Can’t remember his name but he has international experience, including as a head coach in the old Russian Super League. He said the Russians don’t match lines and certainly wouldn’t have watched video on the Canadians. They just go out and “play their game.” That worked well 20 years ago.
And AO toed the company line on that. Every time he was asked if he watched the Canadians play, he said no.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I still can’t understand why Bykov didn’t swap the keepers during the time-out. Nor can I understand why he didn’t try to get a different match-up for Ovechkin’s line. Nor can I understand why he didn’t mix up the PP last night.
I can’t remember the last time I yelled so much at TV about a coach’s actions (or lack there of).
What are people’s thoughts on Bykov’s inability to coach this team having an impact on the lackluster appearance of Ovi’s play? I think back to the Glen Hanlon days, when Ovi just couldn’t seem to shine under his system regardless of his obvious talent. Is it possible that this could be (partially) the case?
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
Very much so.
Bykov either could not, or would not adapt the Russian style of play to North American hockey. There was no team cohesion. He shuffled lines frequently, and sometimes the shuffling made no sense.
I don’t think there was much integration between the KHL players and the NHL players, and the two leagues, despite the KHL’s wishes, are NOT equivalent…
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I wonder if Bykov is done as the coach of team Russia. Not that it really matters.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
Well yes I agree with all this from a team perspective, but how stifling was that to Ovechkin personally?
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, I take that back – Ovi is at most the fourth-most culpable Russian in that loss. Throw Tretiak in with Bykov and Nabokov for playing politics and putting KHLers who didn’t belong on the team on it.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:01 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Thank you. That’s what I forgot in my above post. Though that was one of the silver linings last night. If nothing else the Russian’s showed the world that the KHL is no where near being on par with the NHL.
I did the Captain Picard facepalm when Morozov shanked that one-timer early in the first.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:03 AM EST up reply actions
Which is weird, to me, as other times (in the tournament), he still looked like he would have been a plenty capable NHLer.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
“Morozov” is Russian for “Giroux.”
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Not really fair, as Morozov has been a solid NHLer in the past. Giroux doesn’t have that to fall back on.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
I basically meant “dominant in a second-tier league.” And he had one 20-goal NHL season (in which he had exactly 20). Solid? Eh. This resume doesn’t scream “solid NHLer” to me.
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He was as solid an NHLer as Boyd Gordon is when he’s healthy. *
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
Or should I say Jason Chimera? Either way, you see the point I’m making.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
Keep in mind that’s pre-lockout days for Morozov on a decaying Penguins team, of which Morozov was probably their best player on many nights.
I think his style would have been a lot better suited for the post-lockout NHL world, especially if he came back to Pittsburgh to play with one of the centers.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 25, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
Same here. It was his choice to leave for KHL. Not like team weren’t interested in signing him.
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by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
And from what I understand, isn’t he also the highest paid player in the KHL? Financially, he’d have to take a pay cut to come back to the NHL. And isn’t that KHL money tax-free in Russia?
I heard it’s tax free, but it’s not stable — i.e. teams don’t always make payroll, sometimes they ask (read: need) you to take a little less some weeks. But I think that’s more on a club by club basis
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 25, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
I believe you are correct. He was the highest paid when the league started. Not sure if he’s still the highest paid, but he’s definitely at the top.
Yes, I believe money is tax free.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
If I get the time (or more importantly, the motivation), I’ll get y’all a selection from the Russian hockey press about KHL players and teams being jobbed out of their salaries.
It’s not pretty.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Er, a selection of stories. There’s more than one, and each of them depressing.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Morozov also got to play with Mario. Still didn’t work that well. Granted, it was a tail-end-of-career Mario, but still Mario.
Although I guess a late-career Mario was still damn good. Mario’s PPG from the time he made his return until he retired for good is 1.35 ppg. Or about the Same as Sid and Ovie’s PPG in a post-lockout NHL. Unbelieveable.
The man was so good, he took 3 years off, came back, and put up 76 points in 43 games (and had 17 points in 18 games in the playoffs that year)
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
All with a bad back. Dislike him and that team of his with all my heart, but he was an amazing player.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
Morozov’s career high in goals was 20 in 01. And his career high in points was 50 in 03.
In his first 4 years, his goal totals were 13, 9, 12, and 5. And he played close to or over 70 games each of those years, so its not like he was hurt.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
Did anyone else find themselves wondering whether Morozov or Alex Giroux is the better player last night?
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.
Ovi is at most the fourth-most culpable Russian in that loss. Throw Tretiak in with Bykov
Make that 5th, and add Alexander Medvedev and the Gazprom oligarchs in there
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
When Maxim Afinogenov is by far your best player in a game against Canada you are going to lose. He seemed liked the only guy who was willing to bring an aggressive forecheck and be aggressive with the puck. The rest of the team just gained the blueline and then stopped. Either take the puck to the net or dump it.
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by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Afinogenov looked a lot better than I ever remember him looking in Atlanta. If he’s really up for sale this trading season, I’d give him a look. He’s pretty damn fast and his goal was kinda sweet.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
Ummm, no. No to Afinogenov in a Cap’s sweater
by Moonage Daydream on Feb 25, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
righto
Safe to say Nashville needs secondary scoring quite a bit more than Washington.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
To repeat to death my Maxim Afinogenov joke:
Q: How do you say “third wheel” in Russian?
A: Maxim Afinogenov
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by Rather Bengt on Feb 25, 2010 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
What Russian NHLers were snubbed? I don’t know enough about the KHL guys outside of Morozov and Radulov.
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 Feb 25, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
I cannot freaking believe they left those two guys off the team.
Wow.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:18 AM EST up reply actions
Zubov supposedly.
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by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
who’s playing in the KHL. (i assume you knew that, just wanted to put it out there.)
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
Yes I knew that. Just saying he was a guy left off the team. I’d add that while he’s playing in the KHL, he at leats has experience playing in the NHL and has played on teams with most of the Russians before. He’s over the hill, but I don’t think he would have looked any worse than either guy in their 5/6 pairing.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
He’s 84 years old, I think. (Actually, just 40.)
But is a 40-year-old defenseman really the answer? We see how poorly Pronger and (at times) Niedermeyer have played.
Yeah, but we also saw how poorly the guys who they took over Zubov played. By all accounts, Zubov was having a very solid season in the KHL (i.e., better than even the guys they chose)
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
True, but it’s different because CAN could replace their old guys with NHL star caliber D. RUS isn’t that deep so leaving a guy like Zubov off hurts a lot more.
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 was extremely impressed by radulov, at least during pool play. is there a snowball’s chance in hell he winds up back in nashville—or at least in the NHL—in the next year or two? do the preds still own his rights in the NHL’s view?
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
Huh. I thought he was a dog, but I mostly only watched the one game in which he killed a teammate with a bad hit.
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i may be overly influenced by his sweet goal against latvia. he seems to have semin-type hands, even if he’s not a complete package as a forward.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
Got skill in spades. Funny you mention Semin. He reminds me a lot of Sasha. Great skill, very questionable decision making with the puck.
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by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Isn’t Latvia KHL quality, though? Must have felt right at home.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 25, 2010 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Something like 75% of the Latvian team plays for Dynamo Riga (which plays in the KHL). I think they’re a middle-of-the-road team in that league, but they’re certainly not pushovers.
Dinamo Riga is 13th of 24, so yeah, middle-of-the-road at the moment.
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by IRockTheRed on Feb 25, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I think it was like 16 guys on Riga. I believe when SLO played LAT the PxP guy said Palffy was playing against 16 of his pro teammates.
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.
Yeah, we own his rights. Its well known that when he returns to the NHL he has to either play a full season for us, or have his rights traded. I was surprised, frankly, that Weber didn’t run him last night. It was mentioned in radio interviews by both Weber and Suter.
There’s certainly a chance he returns to us, but under what circumstances, I don’t know. He won’t make as much money here, but he would be damn sought after. He’s an incredible offensive talent and would immediately be Nashville’s best offensive player.
He’s just a total douche and the mere mention of his name makes me gag. I’d boo him the minute he hit NHL ice until he proved himself. What I think happens is Poile trades his rights for a high draft pick.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
One thing I will say to this is that I felt the exact same way about Semin when he decided not to come back for the ‘05-’06 season. I labeled him a traitor and was pretty angry at him for a long time, even after he came back the next year. He’s since shown his loyalty (to AO, at least).
Perhaps Radulov can be a similar prodigal son.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
It was mentioned in radio interviews by both Weber and Suter.
What was? That he has to come back to NSH or that they want to run him through the wall? If it’s the latter, kinda makes it hard for him to ever come back.
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.
My bad for not wording that well. The radio hosts asked if the would put extra force behind a hit on him, and they both said probably so. Its no secret that Arnott and Weber especially were really, really pissed.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
oops
*they, not *the
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I remembered Arnott being pissed. I figured it didn’t matter because he’d be gone before Radulov came back, but never heard Weber or Suter saying that stuff. Good for them. Doesn’t sound like he’s going to wear that sweater again. Hopefully DP can get something remotely near fair value for him.
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.
Consensus is his rights aren’t worth a whole lot. Likely to be tossed in a trade at some point.
I’d’ve given up my birthright to see Weber lay out Defectulov.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
I was impressed with him as well. Excellent at using his body to move defenders out of position when he has the puck. Seems like a pretty strong guy.
"If you want money go to the bank, if you want bread go to the bakery if you want goals go to the net." - #21
by snakegriffin on Feb 25, 2010 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
Kovalev was something personal, so I’m not shocked. Him and Bykov don’t get along at all. He was a non-starter from the day they started drawing up a list, from what I understand.
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.
Right Frolov was the obvious one. I’m not so sure about Kovalev. he has been underwhelming, but there is more than a decent chance he would have been a better option that some of the invisble KHLers.
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 Feb 25, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
not so underwhelming during their current streak, but clearly underwhelming at the time russian hockey made their selections.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
Kovalev is better than Viktor Kozlov any day of the week and twice on game day.
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It really depends which week you get Kovalev. At worst he’s just as invisible, at best he blows Kozlov out of the water.
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by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 25, 2010 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
I couldn’t help but cringe when Kozy didn’t pick up Getzlaf on that first Canadian goal.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree – when he’s bad, he’s bad. The playoffs against…. shit, now I can’t even remember, where he kinda coasted all game and then gave the other team the game-winner when he got tapped on the hands and decided to cringe in pain instead of play through it was especially bad. Kovalev is pretty stereotypically Russian, and he would’ve been no worse than Kozlov last night (probably would have been guilty of the same defensive lapse, too).
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
It was against Boston. Kovalev dives, that’s no secret. He did it against the Nordiques back in ’94 and that play changed the whole series and paved the way for the Rangers to win the Cup.
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 hear Kovalev is better than Viktor Kozlov any day of the week. Any truth to this rumor?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
Dunno…was it from Eklund?
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by Rather Bengt on Feb 25, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
E5
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
crap
eklund has to go in the glossary doesn’t he? boo.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
Kovalev was not left off because of talent, he was left off due to some personality clashes he’s had with the folks running the Russian Team…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
Who are the two you have ahead of him? And are you counting Bykov?
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.
Nabby and Bykov. Then I added Tretiak.
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Yeah I got impatient and didn’t read below. So you think there’s an argument that AO was the second worst player for RUS? No chance. There is zero evaluation scale that has Malkin playing a better game than AO last night. At least AO didn’t cost the team any goals against. I also thought Kovalchuk was pathetic.
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 agree
Malkin was awful…Ovechkin wasn’t great, but didn’t do anything truly stupid.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
Especially considering Malkin was the guy most responsible for the 3rd goal, which was probably the back breaker. If it wasn’t the 3rd, it was the 4th, and that wasn’t on AO either.
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.
to be fair, NBC did highlight a couple end of shift back-checks that Ovi didn’t seem to be following through on.
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 Feb 25, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, RUS wasn’t back checking at all. I wasn’t trying to say AO was good, I’m just saying he wasn’t close to the worst. A bad back check isn’t the same as turning the puck over just inside the blueline, then not back checking and then coasting toward your net as Nash puts the puck in.
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.
Didn’t AO fail to backcheck on Weber’s goal? I don’t really recall…
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
You’re probably right. There was so much bad back checking by the Russians that it would be hard to be wrong.
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 know he was on the ice for it, and Weber had about six days to tee it up.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
I totally agree with everything you said. But… I think an argument can be made that more is expected of Ovi than of anyone else on that team and that he didn’t do the things he needed to do to help his team win. Neither did other guys. But if Ovi’s the guy off of whom everyone else feeds, there’s an argument that his ineffectualness (is that a word?) was more detrimental to the team than the other dogs’. I’m not making the argument, but I think it could be made.
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I can buy that. Maybe AO wasn’t the 2nd worst Russian player, but he could be the second biggest disappointment. Subtle distinction but I think you may be right that it’s important. But nothing he did puts him above Nabokov’s 3 soft goals. And Bykov absolutely takes the cake from an organizational perspective.
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.
Yup yup. And note, I didn’t say “worst,” I said “most culpable.”
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Right, I just imposed my own interpretation.
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’m a living, breathing, blogging Rorschach.
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But look at it this way, too – if that was a Caps game, you could blame the coach, the goaltending and the defense, but ultimately there’s a responsibility for the team’s leader (wearing the C or not) to have everyone ready to play and, when it’s a guy who plays like Ovi does, to provide a spark. That never happened last night.
The loss is by no means on Ovechkin. But he had a bad game in all respects and he’s the one guy from whom they expect the most (and deservedly so).
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by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 7:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Fair enough. I just still think that if it was Crosby in that position, they’d try to blame everyone but him. Media’s Golden Child and all that.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Hopefully we’ll find out Friday night.
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by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 7:55 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
Me too, but I have my doubts. Before last night (or technically this morning), I’d have given the Swedes the best shot at that. Not having a lot of faith in the Slovaks.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Swedes never looked hungry enough. The Slovaks are playing with more passion. And better scoring. Which they’ll need to go against the Canadians.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
The Slovaks have now beaten Russia and Sweden – two pre-tourney medal favorites, for sure. But yeah… it’d be a pretty big upset.
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And the Slovak win over Russia was for two reasons, only one of which had to do with the Slovaks — a goalie who was great when he needed to be. The other one, just like here – bad coaching decisions.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Besides, it’s not like Ovechkin’s used to play with a subpar D corps when he’s here (zing!)
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 7:57 AM EST up reply actions
The Caps’ D is miles better than what I saw out of Russia last night.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
agreed. even with all the firepower up front (and some a couple of real stars on D), this entire tournament i’ve been thinking “the caps are a lot better than this russian team.” obv that has a lot to do with coaching and player familiarity. i guess i was wrongly expecting some of the best hockey i’d ever seen.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 8:03 AM EST up reply actions
Here is the line Caps fans aren’t going to like…
2-1-3, -3
That’s Ovechkin’s line in the last four “double” elimination games (where either team playing would be eliminated with a loss) — three NHL playoff games 7 and last night.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Oof. That’s a gut punch (but wouldn’t the ’08 World Cup be in there, too?).
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That’s the one I was trying to remember and missed. He had a pair of assists in that one, including one on the game/championship winner.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Yep. And there had to be a “double” elimination game or two before the Finals there as well.
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I think its also unfair not to include his stats from when his team alone would have been eliminated, especially in the Rangers series last year when he pretty much put the team on his back.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:05 AM EST up reply actions
Ovie has looked worn out this week even on non-game days. Hopefully he can find some downtime to recharge mentally and physically.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
And don’t forget that the media has an ax to grind (fair or not) with Ovi over how accessible he made himself (or was made) during the Games.
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Might be interesting to see how accessible he is or isn’t when he gets back to DC, particularly to certain members.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I’d be shocked if it was the slightest bit different than what it was before.
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I don’t expect otherwise, but you never know. Those were some pretty mean, personal shots they took at him (I’m not looking at Wysh here, but the national guys). It’s not the same as criticizing his play.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I would be surprised if Ovie changed how he deals with the local media. The national media? couldn’t blame him if he wasn’t quite as accessible.
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!"
all five of the Caps Olympians were eliminated from the tourney in the span of a few hours.
Use it as motivation, boys. There’s still one prize left to win this year.
"Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It's just not really widely reported."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 7:41 AM EST reply actions
Agreed, and there’s one big upside – having them all eliminated early gives the Caps an advantage over a lot of other teams in the stretch run, because they all got some rest and some extra practices.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Rest, yes, but not sure about the practice – Nate said last night they’re not expected on-ice ‘til Tuesday, with the first game on Wednesday, but then I don’t think they were all s’posed to be home quite so soon. :(
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
If I’m Bruce, I tell them their first mandatory practice is Sunday. I don’t expect to see them today but I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least some of them tomorrow.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
And, come to think of it ….
If the Russians really do not play with a system or a playbook, they’re going to need those extra practices to reset their thinking into that more structured mode, or we could have a rough stumble out of the gate. I really hope they get those extra couple of practices in.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Makes you wish you could listen in on a discussion between Ovi and Sasha comparing Bykov to Bourdreau.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
I hope Tretiak didn’t fill Semyon’s ears with too many fairy tales about the mythical “Russian way”.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
True… but if some of Tretiak’s talent could be transferred….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
AO is gonna be so happy to be back with his regular linemates and also a coach who knows what he’s doing.
I expect he’ll get a nice long chat with Boudreau, and maybe a chat with Uncle Ted as well.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And the various parts of Mike Knuble’s anatomy that randomly bounce pucks into nets.
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Throw in the soul-crushing losses, huge Division/Conference leads and Trade Deadline, and yeah, I see them having a bit of trouble coming out of the gates, m’self.
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by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
My prediction is that the Caps will be making good use of that cushion of points they laid in with The Streak. The Olympic debacle won’t be easy to shrug off, plus Chimera is still hurt, plus the up-tempo offense will suffer from the layover, and yes the Trade Deadline is prolly bringing changes.
Bright side is 12 of 20 games are in the friendly confines and DC still has AO’s back.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Hell, it’s not easy for us to shrug off.
On Chimera being hurt – keep in mind we’ve still got most of a week left before they jump back into action. I think a letdown is definitely possible, but pulling the guys back into regular practices and re-establishing structure will help and might avert a debacle.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
The schedule does not really give them much of a break, although the teams they’ll play right out of the gate have their own issues…
at Buffalo: Miller’s played a ton of minutes this year and every minute in Vancouver. Do the Caps see Lalime in the first time out?
Tampa Bay: rested and ready for a playoff push? They’re one point out.
NY Rangers: They’re still in contact with the top-eight (one point out) despite no offense to speak of. Any hangover for Lundqvist, Drury, or Gaborik? Those are the guys who can’t afford one.
Dallas: Will the other Marty still be there? And they’re only one point out of a playoff spot.
Carolina: If — and it’s a really big if — the Hurricanes get out fast in their first four games, they could close the nine-point gap between themselves and 8th place. They took a 5-game winning streak into the break.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Dallas: other party is still there, they’re apparently sticking with him. They put Auld on waivers yesterday.
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!"
TB is in turmoil again at the moment with the Walz firing. It will be interesting to see what happens in their first couple games after the break. That team is a soap opera.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I though the Bolts we’re getting ready to be part of Saw VII…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions
No, that’s the Oilers.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
by gotsparkly on Feb 25, 2010 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Zing! Zang! Zoom!
Yes, you get Rec’d.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Didn’t stay up for the late games, but am genuinely surprised to hear that both the Czechs and the Swedes lost. Did Henrik have a bad game?
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 7:51 AM EST reply actions
Swedes looked flat and Gaborik is the only NHL elite sniper who brought his ‘A’ game to the Games.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
thought the Sweedes had a lot of pressure, personally. The Slovaks scored on 3 straight shots in the 2nd. But only had 4 shots total that period. Something like that. Nick played well.
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 Feb 25, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
The Swedes were old this year, with maybe a few too many holdovers from Torino and Peter Forsberg should have been nowhere near the players’ bench. He should have been a commentator for SVT. And now Bengt leaves to koach in the KHL.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I didn’t think Lundqvist was bad. The stats look ugly but he didn’t have much of a chance on any of the goals.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Shouldn’t Byron Dafoe be older than 39? Damn.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
He was born with Dick Clark/Bob Costas genes
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Feb 25, 2010 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
Chelios’ genes are already mutated.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 8:06 AM EST up reply actions
So, did Sweden overlook Slovakia, or is Slovakia really just that good?
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Didn’t see the game, but I hear a lot of it was CJH (Client Jaroslav Halak).
If this tourney has reminded us of anything, it’s that hot goaltending in a single-elimination format is, uh, pretty important.
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Hiller has actually been better than Halak, he just didn’t have a Gaborik or Hossa or Chara or Demitra in front of him.
If the Canadiens choose Price over Halak, they’re even crazier than I gave them credit.
Gotta go with Canada on Friday, though. Looked unstoppable.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 8:15 AM EST up reply actions
This tournament is over. Just save some time and give Canada the Gold, USA the Silver and throw the bronze medals on the ground and let Slovakia and Finalnd fight for them.
Why save time? Let Canada grit it out the whole way and come back to the NHL exhausted.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
gimme a break
We beat ’em once, we can beat ’em again.
Finland’s no slouch, that’ll be a tough, tough game on Friday for US.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 8:40 AM EST up reply actions
If the US beats Canada, then you really will have a Miracle on Ice. I’d love to see it, but realistically, after watching last night’s game it probably ain’t happening. And yes, the Finns, with Kipper in net, could definitely beat the Americans.
How much of that was the Canadians being that good and how much was the Russians being that bad, though? The US is a hundred times more cohesive than the Russians.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
good point
I was in shock last night at how awful Russia was playing in the first period. They didn’t even belong on the same ice as Canada.
Nabokov delivered one of the worst goalie performances, if not the worst, in a big game I’ve ever seen. It was way worse than Brodeur on Sunday. When Corey Perry scored in the 2nd, he was about 15 feet out of his crease. WTF?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
I only got to see the third period, after the final score was already o the board. Easily the worst twenty minutes of hockey I have ever seen. Canada looked awful, and they were out-awfulled by the Russians. I saw no evidence of playmaking or strategy, and no sign of teamwork. Just ten guys skating randomly, flailing their sticks.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Canada was robotic in the first period. It was an obscene display of offense and piss poor goaltending, to sum it up.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
For the San Jose guys, last night was a classic case of winning the battle but losing the war. Yeah, they shelled Nabakov, but now they have to try and win a Cup with a guy who’s confidence must be lower than pig slop. It shouldn’t be too uncomfortable in the Sharks drssing room come Monday.
They did a pretty good number on his backup, too. Glad I’m not a Sharks fan.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
When the Sharks ownership is asked to vote on Sochi participation, how will they answer?
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
How about Caps management? Losing to Canada in Canada is one thing. Losing to them in Russia would be a whole different can of worms. Evcen Ovi might be rethinking his stance on Sochi right about now.
Not a chance. He’s way too proud. He needs to prove that he can do it.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 25, 2010 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
Well, at least SJS fans can now hope that their big game losing is over. Maybe Thornton, et al. finally got it out of their system.
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 realize that. I’m just saying we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss like you did. We thought all that before Sunday, and look what happened.
At this point, I’m not counting the US out of it until the final horn sounds. We’ve got the best goaltender in the tournament and a coach who adjusts quicker than the opposition. I like the odds right now.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
Exactly. Canada has been beatable so far. The Swiss took them to a shootout and the US beat them straight up. Last night was one game in a single elimination tournament. Let’s not get carried away.
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by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
Yep, these people after last night are crowning Canada already. PPP said that USA won because Brodeur wasn’t a butterfly goalie. I say BS.
I’m guessing Canada is hoping like hell Finland beats us Friday.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
Two of those goals definitely went in because of Marty’s “style.” So not BS, but a lame excuse.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
Yeah, thats my point—it was an awful excuse. A loss is almost always a loss, no excuses. There were other ways the Canadians could’ve won that game.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
And like I said after that game, maybe some pucks go in up high on Luongo because he’s already down on the ice. Well, that’s how Russia got their first goal last night, and I don’t recall but I think a second one was up higher like that too.
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 like the odds right now.
I’m sure you’d find more than a few Vegas sports books willing to oblige you right now.
No way I’d ever lay money on a tournament like this.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
I beg to differ. Finns or Slovaks are good enough to beat US or Canada. Now if Canada brings their “A” game and Luongo is on top of his game certainly they will probably win the whole thing. However, that means winning 4 games in 6 days. I still think they probably win it all. Best chance for them to lose may be against the Slovaks. If they get the US on Sunday they will be out for blood. US is going to have its hands full with a veteran Finnish team. Slovaks are no joke. For years the one thing they were missing in international competition was goaltending. Halak has provided it.
For those who didn’t watch the late game, the Swedes didn’t wake up until they were down 2-0 in the span of 37 seconds. By then the Slovaks had confidence. Even after the Swedes tied it 2-2, the Slovaks looked focused and stuck to their game. All hail their GM. Wonder if he’s going to strap on the skates again for practice today.
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by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
What CP2Devil said. The Swedes were flat, the Slovaks hungry. And they were sharp enough to capitalize on their opportunities.
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Yes, he is, and Jurcina’s on the Slovakian team. I think we can safely root for Slovakia.
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They have the “former Cap factor” as I learned yesterday from Natty’s glossary.
"We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll. "
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 8:45 AM EST up reply actions
FCF was/is an epic playoff predictor. Don’t think I ran the numbers last year, though.
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i wonder if it holds true for international competition. We’ll see on Friday I guess.
"We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Feb 25, 2010 8:53 AM EST up reply actions
On Twitter last night/this morning, Friedman recounted a story about how Chara and Demitra were furious with the work ethic of the team at the ’04 World Cup, and said so during the intermission of a game then. At some point between then and now, maybe there have been some “Come to Jesus” moments for players on the squad.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
Chuck Norris doesn’t want Chara pissed off at him.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
I’m ecstatic for Slovakia to be able to play for a medal. Of course I’m a huge Bondra fan and I rooted for Slovakia when he played. I even bought a big Slovak flag. This is huge. I know many people are talking that they’re already going to be beaten by the Canadians, but if Slovakia pulls off the upset, THATS your miracle on ice right there.
Please
Put the “Miracle” talk to rest. These are all NHL players. They are in the same league and class. They are not amateur players going to school and working jobs. Imparting “miracle” to a tournament of professionals is a great disrespect to the amateur American Teams that won gold. If Norway won, Miracle. Any of the top 7, no Miracle.
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 25, 2010 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But it doesn’t have to be a miracle. Why can’t a gold medal victory just be a gold medal victory. If someone knocks of Canada, awesome. But it won’t be a miracle.
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.
Maybe we should start collecting the bulletin board material…
let the record show, in the biggest game of his sparkling career, Ovechkin delivered a major dud. He was a total nonfactor.
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I disagree with LeBrun right away that Ovechkin’s in his “prime”. I think that’s still a few years off, as scary as that is.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Ah…and here we arrive at ye olde “crux”
Wednesday’s elimination also ends a controversial Olympics for Ovechkin, who — for reasons that remain unclear — decided to clam up with the media in Vancouver and rarely granted interviews. For a guy who is so publicly imploring the NHL to send its players to Sochi in 2014, his behavior here with the media and his decision not to help showcase these Olympics are mind-boggling to say the least.
Once again Wednesday night, he answered just a few questions for TV rights holders and Russian media and just two questions for the wire news services before blowing off the media at large. Twice. No matter how you spin it, it’s unacceptable for a player of his stature not to fulfill his obligations as a spokesman for the game.
When asked by a news agency reporter whether he was disappointed with Wednesday’s outcome, Ovechkin said, “What do you think? I’m disappointed.” He then walked away.
Classy Datsyuk? He answered lots of questions. So did Evgeni Nabokov, who got drilled for six goals before getting yanked. Somebody had to answer for this loss, but apparently Ovechkin didn’t see it that way.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
You would have thought that the host country’s players would be the focus of attention – apparently, with nothing to write about anymore since the Canadian team found life again, Ovie is the whipping boy.
Fair enough – it’s a big stage, Ovie’s a proud guy, and this was probably humiliating at best to him. But soul-crushing? I dispute that.
The thing I was maddest about? That little bitch Boyle got away with what he did and no Russian defended him. Semin could have been seriously injured.
He might not be in his statistical prime, but the clock is ticking loudly on the whole idea of Ovechkin leading a team to a Cup. We scribbled about that “last June”: http://peerlessprognosticator.blogspot.com/2009/06/2008-2009-season-by-tens-wingers-alex.html
Next year will be a telling year in the career of Alex Ovechkin. He will be 24 years old when the season ends. That’s barely getting started in most walks of life, but looking at the greats – Gretzky won his first Cup at age 23, Mario Lemieux at 25, Maurice Richard at 22, Bobby Orr at 21, Gordie Howe at 21. The window is open for Ovechkin to join those greats, and to be mentioned in the same breath as them, he will have to have his name engraved on the same piece of hardware.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Last night’s was not the biggest game of Crosby’s sparkling career.
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No goals, no assists and not even on the ice when a Canadian goal was scored. Yeah, you could say that, but you can be sure the Canadian media never will.
Why does it matter? The route was on early and the game was played accordingly. Had Canada been in a tighter match at any point, Sid would have gotten more ice time and may or may not have contributed. I find the dissection of his statline to be mostly irrelevant.
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Agreed. Its a straw man.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
(And by “route” I mean “rout”… coffee time!)
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Its the French version of “rout”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not a slam on Crosby, but a counterpoint to how the Canadian media would probably have responded had Russia won 7-3 and Ovechkin been mostly invisible in the win.
I doubt it. If they’d lost, they’d be placing blame on everyone from Yzerman to the equipment manager – not looking to take away from the other side. But I guess we’ll never know.
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He still led the team in TOI for forwards (or at least was at some point around the middle of the third). I agree with you, this game says nothing about Crosby, but it’s not like he didn’t have plenty of opportunity to get in on the party.
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 didn’t get your reference, JP, until I read Lebrun’s hyperbolic assessment:
“It may very well be that Ovechkin atones for 2010 and leads the host country to Olympic glory in four years, but that won’t carry the same weight if the NHL doesn’t send its players to Sochi (Ovechkin has said he would play regardless). But let the record show, in the biggest game of his sparkling career, Ovechkin delivered a major dud. He was a total nonfactor.
Shocking? You bet. And it’ll take four years to heal these wounds."
This is way,way over the top. Does anyone believe this was the biggest game of Ovie’s career? And by the way, hasn’t Canada had it’s epic failures in Olympic hockey?
was this bigger than the 06 games when Ovi scored the goal that knocked Canada out?
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 Feb 25, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
Oh how quickly they forget…
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
Quick answer — was Crosby on that team?
Doesn’t matter to me that he wasn’t, but you know that’s going to be the response.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Nope, was a rookie.
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by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, he was definitely invisible last night. probably equally as much as ovechkin. luckily for crosby, however, the rest of team canada showed up to play.
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You all apologize for OV,
…and say it isn’t his fault alone that Russia lost, and you are correct. But in the same breath say that Crosby contributed nothing to Canada’s win. He may not have shown up on the scoresheet, but he didn’t have to. He contributes in other ways, be it face-offs, backchecking, defense, etc. The game was out of reach early, why try to rack up points when he knows it isn’t necessary? He’s a smart player and this is what you don’t seem to comprehend.
Also, I seem to remember that Crosby was called upon against the Swiss to win the game against a hot goalie, under all the crushing pressure of his home coutnry and he delivered. The same night, OV was called upon against the Slovaks, and he failed. Yes, it took Crosby two tries, but so what? OV had 3 tries!
This is all moot. You can’t complain about how Ovechkin is treated differently in losses when you fail to see that he is worshipped in wins. The same with Crosby. These guys are the “face” of the league. They are Captains, and called upon to stand up there, win or lose, and answer for their teams failures, just as they are showered w/ praise when their teams succeed. They don’t look for apologies, or excuses…
Yes, it took Crosby two tries, but so what? OV had 3 tries!
And AO scored one. If Bryz made another save we are talking about how both AO and Sid won the shootout. Both are 1/3 in PS/SO moments in the Olympics. The difference isn’t about them, it’s about the team. I feel like a fucking broken record.
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.
So Crosby didn’t contribute any points in the game last night because he is a smart player? If at some point during the game he felt he only needed to contribute by playing defence and winning face offs then maybe he should have been asked his coach to put him on the fourth line. Players in first lines are expected to score goals. Also, are you saying then that his teammates are a bunch of idiots because they kept trying to score goals the entire game?
I don’t recall reading anything about Ovie providing excuses for the loss. Can tell us where you read this?
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On Crosby, I’ll repeat what I wrote above:
Why does it matter? The rout was on early and the game was played accordingly. Had Canada been in a tighter match at any point, Sid would have gotten more ice time and may or may not have contributed. I find the dissection of his statline to be mostly irrelevant.
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Mostly, my point should have been that it is irrelevant what Crosby did, like JP has stated below. People lament that the two are constantly mentioned in the same breath, I just assume it will always be this way, and try not to get to bent up about it.
People have jumped to OV’s defense in playing poorly by pointing to Crosby and saying that he didn’t score any points either. I for one, wonder why that is even the default?
If OV______, then Crosby______
what’s funny is that you replied to one canucks fan (missy) and one predators fan (chris).
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
Why is that funny? You don’t have to be a Caps/Pens fan to have feelings about either player or team.
well you talk about the need to defend and apologize for AO, but missy doesn’t have the need to apologize for AO.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
oh...
you were talking about the canucks fan “missy”. I thought it was another “cindy” reference. facepalm
You must be confusing the Rink with Capitals Insider. We do not make “Cindy” comments on this board. Many posters here may not like him as an individual, but we do not like the derogatory name calling. We also argue his merits as a player. If you bothered reading through more of our posts you would have known that.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I’m sure that won’t be hard. As much as I didn’t really want to read that article, I found this snipett interesting, assuming it to be true:
One Russian player, who shall remain anonymous because he wanted it that way, told ESPN.com after the Slovakia loss that his great fear was the KHL and NHL players were not on the same page and he hoped the team would come together before it was too late.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Maybe we should start collecting the bulletin board material…
After a bad loss, I find my solace by staying solely within the confines of the Rink for a day or two. If I don’t read that stuff, my blood pressure stays down to acceptable levels.
Does it come with a free mug?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
If they knew anything about history, the title of that article would be “Russian Hockey Meets its Austerlitz” (ice was even a factor there too) and not its “Waterloo”.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
Wishful thinking YLM…. You are technically correct (the best kind of correct!) but “waterloo” has been accepted in common parlance as a big defeat
#NeedsMoreBradley
It’s also a song by ABBA that Smithers accidentally switched in for Mr. Burns’ Wagnerian tape.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
It also reminds me of “Waterloo Sunset,” which is one of the greatest songs ever written.
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by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Especially since it looked like Russia had a lot of Kinks in their game
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
They could’ve practiced all day and all of the night, but with Bykov behind the bench, they weren’t going to win.
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by J.P. on Feb 25, 2010 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
i was tired of waiting for nabokov to be pulled.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 9:46 AM EST up reply actions
Milbury
Why does this guy get air time? Someone explain it to me because I can’t figure it out.
He used to be a player in the NHL. What is he most noted for? Going into the crowd at Madison Square Garden and hitting a guy over the head with his own shoe. I was at that game and yes, a Ranger fan initiated the incident by taking a swing at one of the B’s as they skated off towards the locker room. No excuse for 15 or so Bruins to go into the crowd and randomly begin grabbing fans. Milbury grabbed someone who was neat but was not involved with the altercation, tackled him, got his shoe, and began hitting the guy with it.
His playing career was rather non-descript. He wasn’t a top defenseman on his team to be sure (Brad Park and later Ray Bourque were the leaders on the back line). He certainly wasn’t a great motivational guy, and he was a bit of a rabble-rouser in the dressing room. Don Cherry (the B’s coach at the time) did like him because of the trouble he caused.
As a coach, Milbury’s teams consistently have not done well. No Stanley Cups, few playoff appearances… so he’s probably not a TV analyst for his coaching ability, either.
His track record as a GM is also quite well known. The New York Islanders are still recovering from his unintentional sabotage years after he was fired. Imagine if the Isles still had Luongo and Chara… I think they’d be a much better team than they are now.
The time has come for NHL teams to stop issuing the guy press credentials. He clearly is not a professional broadcaster (what other broadcaster have you ever heard use language like he does?) and he is clearly also not an expert on the subject matter. He has no reason to be in the building unless he buys a ticket.
Just make sure if he’s sitting near you that your shoes laced up tight…
Let's go Caps!
Why does this guy get air time? Someone explain it to me because I can’t figure it out.
The fact that we’re talking about him like we are and he’s kinda blowing up on the internet in general at the moment seem like a pretty good guess. He’s there to agitate and be controversial.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe, but it’s not like he has any credibility like Don Cherry. Say what you will, but the guy was a great coach and he got the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals a few times in the 1970s. His teams might have been good enough to win had Montreal not been dressing 12 hall of famers every night.
Milbury has no credentials as a player, coach, GM, or any other job in the NHL, and he has no credentials as a broadcaster….to me, if I’m running a team, it means he doesn’t get a press credential either.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
I do have to say the shoe slapping incident still cracks me up. What makes a man decide that he’s going to take someone’s shoe and starting him with it?!
Maybe he thought he was Nikita Kruschev? Who knows.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Apparently Milbury and the Iraqi news media (although their guy missed)…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Nikita Khruschev used to slam his shoe into the table to disrupt debate when he didn’t like the direction of a discussion.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Eh I misplayed my quote. What is should have been was:
“That really hurt! I’m gonna have a lump there, you idiot! Who throws a shoe? Honestly! You fight like a woman!”
#NeedsMoreBradley
Anybody got an e-mail address for NBC sports? Who knows, maybe a few hundred e-mails ripping Milbury might make them do something. If that ever happened, then last night’s loss would not have been in vain.
There’s another email in the Ovi translation from last night, too.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
SAD SAD SAD
Hockey is my absolute favorite professional sport. I love the game. Nothing combines the speed, skill and physicality of hockey. Add to that a tournament with the best players in the world and you have just compelling action.
However, actions like Boyle’s last night, and the resulting lack of condemnation by paid announcers, just makes my stomach turn and just highlights why I think this game may never reach beyond hard core fans.
Semin’s hit was clean, IMO. However, others may disagree. Fine. To say that based upon the time of the game that Semin should not have tried to hit Boyle is a joke. At what point in the game should the Russians have waived the white flag. At what point in the game should Getzlaf knock off the trash talk from the bench? Do people think Pronger would have held up if he had a chance to nail OV or Semin like that? Hardly.
The same folks calling Semins hit unecessary are probably the ones claiming Brads should not have been “following his pass” or Green should have known Koci was on the ice.
The NBC announcers had a great opportunity to call out Boyle for a dangerous hit which has no place in this game. But they passed. I wonder how many casual fans watched that and wondered why Semin’s hit was considered bad but Boyle’s hit was just him “getting in Semin’s face”? A great chance for NBC to enlighten folks about this great game and to promote the sport it airs and a total swing and miss.
This goes beyond just having a Cherry-like controversial figure on the air and goes to having folks behind microphones who bring nothing but dishonor to the game and the network they work for.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
To be fair, Emrick called out that Boyle had Slew-footed Semin right away and when it appeared that he might not be getting a penalty, he said he was surprised there wasn’t a penalty coming to Boyle. Olczyk called Semin’s hit dirty (which it wasn’t).
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
right on emerick. edzo called semin’s hit dirty even after seeing the replay and i think both guys called Boyle’s slew foot. IMO they didn’t point out how dangerous Boyle’s hit was. However, my comments were mostly directed to the analysis in the booth. Those guys have the benefit of time to do a more thorough analysis of things and they whiffed. Including JR and the Bill Patrick.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Feb 25, 2010 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone see this
I was on cnnsi (for their esteemed hockey coverage, not swimsuits – much) and saw this:
“The Washington Nationals may have actually won something. Red Sox owner John Henry said that January’s NHL Winter Classic did a number on the Fenway Park field, but there is also rumbling that Washington will be the host of the next classic. Chicago’s Wrigley Field has also previously opened its field to the puckheads.”
h/t The Boston Globe
I’m not sure if it would have made a difference, but I think it would have made more sense to yank Nabakov during the 1st intermission and not send him back out there to start the 2nd.
the large amounts of beer and vodka last night are not helping me feel better this morning. I woke up and hoped that ti was all a very bad dream. Sigh.
And Boyle, that dirty little prick shouldn’t have even been there!
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!"
This guy agrees
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Feb 25, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
I can’t remember which announcer it was, but early on in the game one NBC guy even mentioned that Boyle was his pick for this year’s Norris. I laughed.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
My take on the Olympics so far is that it’s a goalie’s sport.
As much as we look at Ovechkin and Crosby and whoever to be the go-to guy, they weren’t the biggest factor.
In all four of yesterday’s games, the goalies had the biggest effect on the outcome of the games — whether it was Nabokov and Lundqvist playing really poorly, or Vokun/Hiller/Miller/Kiprusoff all either throwing shutouts or keeping their team in the game when outmatched/outplayed.
Related to this, you’ve got to hope that the biggest beneficiary of all of this is Varly. Russia needs a shutdown goalie who can carry his squad like Lundqvist did in ‘06 and Miller may be doing this year for the US. Varly just witnessed the shaming of the goaltending core of his country and was invited to Vancouver to help prepare him to be the goaltending future of his country. Now’s the time for him to make a statement that had he been healthy, he could have shown big in the Olympics like he did in last year’s playoffs. The only way he can make that statement is by seizing the netminder’s gig for the Caps down the stretch and leading the Caps to a deep run on their way to a Russian defined Stanley Cup.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 25, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Here’s the thing — right now, because of his injury and long layoff — Varlamov is the #3 goalie on the Caps, and will have to fight to regain that top spot. He still has to work himself back into game shape and prove down the stretch that a) he can stay healthy and b) that he can get his game back before he’s handed the starting gig for the playoffs.
It’s no given that he’s the starter in game 1 against the Rangers (or whoever the 8th place team will be).
That’s why I say “seize”. He has to “seize” the gig by outperforming Theo. Just being on the sidelines for major events like the Caps’ streak and the Olympics when he would have so enjoyed it, he has got to have an itch to do the work necessary to come back and contribute.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 25, 2010 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree that Nabokov or Lundqvist were the stories of their games. The Russians played like garbage and were sunk before Nabokov gave up his first soft goal, and I didn’t think Lundqvist played poorly. Sweden just came out flat and Slovakia outworked them and capitalized on their chances.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Getzlaf
I know trash talking (Euro & non-Euro) is pretty common during the tournament, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone carry it to the level of Getzlaf last night. Good on Geno for that elbow to the face although I might have followed it with a stick.
still wrestling with who is the bigger douche – Getzlaf or Perry?
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
Perry, no question. Getzlaf is a pretty good guy by all accounts.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, all I can say is Eric Fehr would never have acted like Getzlaf.
by b.orr4 on Feb 25, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It’s hard to talk trash in the face of a player on the ice when you are sitting in the stands.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
personally, I’ve always thought Getzlaf was a complete tool. But then again, he’s a Duck, and I think they’re the dirtiest, douchy-ist team in hockey.
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!"
Hate that guy. He’s throws more than his fair share of cheapies. Not sure why his rep is so clean. Ask anyone who follows the Pacific. He’s not well loved.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
glad to know I’m not crazy, or unduly influenced by Mr. B’s hate of the Ducks. I kept seeing stuff about Getzlaf and going “Are we taking about the same guy here?” When your dirty play stands out on a team full of dirty players, I have no idea how you get a ’clean" rep.
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!"
They used to be, now its the Blues.
Check out Fear the Fin’s piece on the Canada game last night. Glowing, glowing praise for Getzlaf. I’d have to agree that he’s the game’s top center not named Crosby or Backstrom.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
No love for Datsyuk? Or Jumbo Joe?
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
I see all three play often. Offensively, Getzlaf is better than Pavel, and is just a better player than Thornton right now.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
Datsyuk hasn’t done anything this season.
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 hate defending the Red Wings on any level, but he hasn’t had a lot of help. That team is dying alive.
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LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, they have next to no young offensive talent. They’re in deep trouble down the road.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
Remember when Ville Leino was supposed to be the second coming for them? Ah, those were the days.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
To be fair, that was right after he scored that really sweet goal on the Caps. We thought he was pretty good at the time, too, IIRC.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
And Locker called him “Jay” Leino!
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LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Locker is never one to pass up a good pun, or a bad pun, or a miserable pun…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
I think it adds punch to his commentary.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
by gotsparkly on Feb 25, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ooooh… that was a stinker.
Yes, you get rec’d.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
PD’s offensive GVT isn’t as good as Getzlaf’s (and its still 7.2), but he’s also got twice his value defensively, and he’s got one of the best shootout GVT’s in the game (for whatever that’s worth)
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
I should’ve clarified in my comment on Getzlaf being better than Datsyuk. Obviously, Pavs is better two-way by a country mile.
What’s Getzlaf’s shootout GVT? I remember him having some awesome moves.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
What amazes me about Getzlaf is that his qualteam is so awful (.052) and he’s STILL putting up really good numbers (I think it evens out that his qualcomp is pretty low too)
Getzlaf’s shootout GVT is .6
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Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
Sid leads the league in that at 2.8
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
Where can I find those numbers? I wanna see Nashville’s SO numbers.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
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LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
agreed, no one of that team has performed up to expectations except Jimmy, Helm, and maybe Bertuzzi (and that’s because his expectations were so low). But that still doesn’t give Dats a pass on the craptacular season he’s having.
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!"
Exactly. If you’re that good, you produce regardless. And as “little help” as he has on DET, he still has more help than lots of other stars that are still producing like Gaborik and Kovalchuk.
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.
Holy. Shit.
Volchenkov only got 15 minutes against CAN? Hysterical. It’s like Bykov had no clue what his players were capable of. At least he didn’t have control of the personnel decisions…
Bykov picked the team? Bwahahaahahahaha. Russian hockey is a fucking joke.
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.
Can you have a non-national coach your national team? I.E. could an American coach Russia?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
Dave Lewis was the BEL coach. But there is zero chance in hell the Russians would pick a North American coach.
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 know
I’m speaking theoretically, here, because the Russian hockey system is in deep shit.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions
Right. They clearly need to have their Peter the Great moment and come to the Western World.
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 25, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I like the historical reference, nerdlinger.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
This post is gold
Read it, seriously.
While much has been written about how Bykov represents a new style of Russian coaching, and how he understands Russian NHL players having played abroad himself, it was obvious as early as in the game against Slovakia that he was still using the old Soviet tactics, such as rolling all four lines equally, or using four pairs of defensemen, or long shifts for his lines, or not having special teams for power play and penalty kill opportunities. While these strategies may worked against inferior opponents, such as Latvia or Czech Republic, they fell apart against 100% NHL squad of Canada.
Bwahahahaha. Bykov is coaching a men’s league team!
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.
Perry runs away with that competition.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
The only guy that could catch him is Hartnell.
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.
hey now
Scotty H is a good guy, just plays on a douchey team.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
Bias! He is a douche on a douche team.
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.
Yes, bias.
Don’t like his borderline ’tender interference, or something else?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:17 PM EST up reply actions
That, the biting, the entire way he carries himself, lining up guy’s heads when they are defenseless, always looking for a sneaky stick shot, always talking shit. Take your pick.
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.
speaking of dirty play
Been meaning to ask this. Do y’all feel as if Jordin Tootoo’s a dirty player, or do you just not get to watch him enough to tell?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t get to see him enough, but I have heard of his dirty reputation.
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!"
Can’t believe everything you hear ;)
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
I like the guy, and haven’t watched much this year, but he certainly has some moments that rub me the wrong way. I wouldn’t put him in Steve Ott’s class, but I’d like to see him clean it up a bit. The gloved punch on Robidas is probably the one that pisses me off the most. I have no problem with him getting ready to defend himself because a) it was a clean hit and b) clearly Robidas was coming to start shit, but you cannot throw a gloved punch like that. Ever. He plays hard and he’ll answer the bell, so he definitely gets credit for that.
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.
ok
I mentioned this the other day, but he’s really cleaned that shit up this year and stuck to high energy, hard hitting yet clean play, which is what got him that extension.
Did anyone see his fight with Staubitz last year? You may recall it from the controversy.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
The MMA elbows to the face fight?
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.
yep
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I saw that one. Staubitz was throwing the elbows right? I thought that was pretty lame. I’ve always respected JT’s toughness, and to be clear, I wouldn’t even mind that level of dirty on the Caps. We could use a little more of that.
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.
Yeah, Staubitz was hitting him in the face with elbow pads.
The best was Tootoo was bleeding all over the creation and headed straight for the box after getting his ass illegally handed to him and face beat all to hell instead of the dressing room.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah he is a tough SOB. I’ve been shocked he hasn’t found an offensive game in the NHL. Between his skating and shot alone you’d think he should get up around 20 goals.
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.
USA-Canada final -- Tonight
I am really, really hoping that Team USA will obliterate Team Canada in womens’ hockey tonight for the gold medal.
I need a snappy signature...
Let’s hope the games in the run up to the Games aren’t an indication what is going to happen today. I’m cautiously optimistic.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
Me too. Honestly, the US’s goal differential would have been much higher than it was if they hadn’t backed off in at least one game… in the third frame against China, they took only two shots on goal, and played pass the puck and worked on other skills rather than continuing the slaughter. Two shots, one goal.
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Feb 25, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
I very much have my fingers crossed.
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Feb 25, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
That’s because Americans are polite and friendly.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Wasn’t it the reverse in 2006? US won all the run up and Canada won the gold?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Yup. In 2002 even I think the teams were 4-4 in the run up to the tourney. Hoping for a reversal.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Feb 25, 2010 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, did not expect Sweden and Russia to lose on the same night. A little less wear and tear on the Caps’ Olympians is always welcome, though.
I guess Canada goes from “favored” to “overwhelmingly favored” now, huh? The road can’t get much clearer.
/Captain Obvious over here.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
the awesomeness of Ryan Kesler will prevail!
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!"
Be interesting to see how the Canadian team deals with Slovakia and (presumably) the USA. Slovakia is committed to defense, but has the speed and skill up front to make you pay on the counterattack, in contrast to Russia that had an outgunned D corps and a forward group with zero discernable interest in defense.
The US will play defense, too.
We’ll see.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Can win? I’ll say. Apart from when they were stupidly putting themselves in the penalty box, they were living in the US zone. Absent a great effort by Miller and a pretty bad one from Brodeur, Canada wins that one handily.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I predict they will get their comeuppance. This Olympics has been full of surprises and upsets. Why should that change now?
by FlyingCloud on Feb 25, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
Allan Walsh, with the Slovakian strategery for future success in the long-term:
Slovak team older vets converged to discuss their new plan to revitalize Slovak hockey. “We’re all going to retire, travel the country and impregnate as many women as possible. You know, like they do with horses!”
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
well, that’s certainly an interesting strategy.
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!"
#NeedsMoreBondra
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
by Wheeler on Feb 25, 2010 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
They’ll need lots of Juice.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
#NeedsMoreJurcina….
To quote Too Many Hats, “Nah.”
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
Obladee, obladah, life goes on......
Tidbits from Tarik on practice:
- Neuvirth’s practicing with the Caps and is sporting a red, white, and blue set of pads. Eeeenteresting.
- Jason Chimera’s also on the ice for practice again this morning after leaving early.
- From @andystrickland: NHL hearing with Cam Janssen has been completed, now waiting for decision to be handed down.
- Boudreau’s using the time off to put the guys through another hard skate today. “guys are tiiiiiired.”
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Also, Chimera’s stayed out for the hard skated and Tarik says he looks okay. Now THAT’s good news.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Amen, especially after what we’ve heard before.
Also, heeeeey… that avatar looks new.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Yup, the Jagr Bomb was avatar-worthy.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
by gotsparkly on Feb 25, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In the small size, it almost looks like Ovechkin is jabbing his stick through Jagr’s chest….
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Neuvy’s old pads were beat-up hershey brown, lol.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Yup, but I find it telling that the new ones are red, white, and blue. Neuvi, Theo, and Varly are in for the tussle of their lives for those two goalie spots.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
One more OLY note. Lost in all the talk about yesterday’s games was the fact that the Swiss may have been one of the most impressive teams in the tourney. If they had a couple of scoring wings they’d have done some serious damage. Too bad for the Swiss Nino Niederreiter wasn’t born a couple of years earlier.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Yes, I came away super impressed by the Swiss and am excited to see if they are able to remain at this level. Always nice to get new blood in the medal mix.
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!"
Too bad for the Swiss Nino Niederreiter wasn’t born a couple of years earlier.
Yes please.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Oooooh. Delly gets to spend his birthday playing the London Knights. The Knights are first in their division, second in their conference, third in the OHL. And riding an eight-game winning streak. If Barrie wins, they crack the 100-point mark on the season.
Go Colts!
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I can’t root against Dale Hunter. Under any circumstances.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Went over to watch part of practice, since I do my labs at my hotel at night. The guys got skated around the rink, hard, at the end of practice. Watched (heard, anyway, with a loud booming THUD! – it was up against the wall next to me) Bradley wipe out on a hard turn.
Chimera did skate in the lap skate, too; he didn’t look to be in too much pain, and that is excellent news IMO.
Second goalie for most of practice was Stretch. :-) Did not see Neuvirth, as I got there about 45 minutes into practice.
I need a snappy signature...
More quotable goodness from the Bryz
"They came," said Russia goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov of the Canadian onslaught, "like gorillas coming out of a cage."
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
If he would have said “mist” instead of cage, I would have become a fan of his forever.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 1:51 PM EST up reply actions
For quotes such as these Bryzgalov is easily my favorite non-Capital Russian.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Feb 25, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
I read an article/profile of him a few years ago that was great. Seems like an awesome dude.
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
He put drwings from his kids on his mask. That’s cool.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
sigh All five Caps being ousted from the Olympics was NOT the birthday present I was hoping for.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Well, there is a silver lining to the cloud…all five Caps will not be injured in the Olympics costing the Caps their services for the upcoming stretch run and playoffs. :)
And happy birthday. :)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Heh.
You know it’s bad when Gabby cracks a joke about “well, [the hit] was on a Cap so maybe they don’t do anything.”
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
CAPS FANS ARE CRAZY BANDWAGONER CONSPIRACY THEORISTS!! OVEHCHICKEN DOESN’T BACK CHECK!!
Go fLYERS!@
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
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LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 25, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
One wonders, though, since we haven’t heard anything yet about Cam Janssen.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
They postponing this decision yet again?
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
The NHL doesn’t have jurisdiction… heh.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Feb 25, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
Based on Tarik’s write up from practice, he was talking about Boyle’s hit on Semin last night, not Janssen.
He was, but you can read whatever you want into it.
Stupid question time.
If Janssen’s hearing was this morning, and the work day is nearing it’s end, how come we haven’t heard anything yet? I’m assuming no news is bad news. I can’t imagine they need this long to make a decision. Talk about your 5pm info dump. Only thing missing is today isn’t Friday.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Oh I agree, you can easily read into it. I just don’t think the NHL could base any kind of a fine on it.
As for Janssen, I would be shocked at this point if he got anything. From the moment the hearing was “pushed back” for vacation or whatever excuse they used at the time, it seemed less and less likely that he would be suspended.
Maybe it would have been different had there not been the break, but at this point, outside Caps fans who have an interest in it, it’s long forgotten and the NHL can just ignore it.
For as much as I was okay with Green’s suspension and naively thought that they might just be serious about the hits to the head stuff and perhaps his 3 games was indicative of how they would handle future issues – in fact nothing has changed. The only thing NHL discipline is serious about at this point is continued inconsistency.
by Ames on Feb 25, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Brooksie’s looking at going 16-9 in the playoffs, based on his math (45 games less 20 regular season). That’s a few too many for me, an average six games per round.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Listening to BB talk about Flash you can really tell how much he adores him. This is why I think GMGM will not trade him, not even for Hamhuis.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
I tend to agree, but at the same time Bruce is the coach and while he has input, if McPhee thinks that moving Flash will bring back a player who might help win a Cup, he’ll do it. But yes, Brcue’s love for Flash certainly works in his favor for staying.
We’ll take Semin.
;)
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
hm?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:17 PM EST up reply actions
Good Semin or Bad Semin.
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.
Inside joke here?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Sorta. Basically that when he’s good he’s just about as good as anyone but when he’s bad he can really hurt the team. His inconsistency is maddening.
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.
Alex Ovechkin.
No, I’m not joking. He’s the only player on your roster that would touch him. That said, we both know neither play will be traded. Bit of a fantastical exercise.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
I know you love him, as you should, but if Nick Backstrom doesn’t at least open a discussion then DP is crazy.
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 always forget about Backstrom, duh, Backstrom would open a talk, easy. Only difference is we have a franchise center already.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Not like Backstrom you don’t.
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.
no
Nobody has a franchise center even close to him except the Ducks, and even then Getzlaf isn’t that close.
Wilson’s pegged for the top center role for a loooong time, so it would be foolish to theoretically trade for another guy in that role.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
Right, except that if you can move Wilson down to the 2C then you are looking at a dominant line up down the middle. My biggest concern with Wilson is still his skating. I haven’t watched him at all this year, but in the Frozen 4 last year, and the WJC last year, even when he was playing well he looks like he has to try too hard to skate. The guys that end up being stud centers usually have a more effortless stride.
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.
Its a minor concern, but you are right about the skating. He’s only 20, so I’m hoping that improves.
How big is Backstrom?
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
6’1", not a giant but big enough to hold his own. Plus, he’s a rock on his feet and has a vastly underrated physical game. He doesn’t fit the power forward mold that Wilson has, but he won’t get pushed around by anyone.
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.
Think he’s listed at 6 feet, and 187. But I think he’s bigger than that, and it’s all in the core.
This picture makes him look freakishly huge:
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
HA!
yep, no one has a franchise center like Nick Backstrom…
::cough cough::Crosby, Malkin, Staal
Nope. No one.
you just had to throw in staal, didn’t you?
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
Well he’s a lotto pick and has a Cup. What has Backstrom ever done?
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.
made Mike Richards cower on the ice?
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!"
by RedBirdie on Feb 26, 2010 12:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
HA!
Staal? STAAL!?! ::cough cough::
Neither Staal is in Backstrom’s class, and definitely not the PIT Staal.
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.
You're right about Staal
He definitely isn’t in Backstrom’s class, but as a Pens fan, I keep hoping he will grow into it. He’s newly 21, you know. Able to drink at his brother’s bachelor party LEGALLY now.
I wager though that he would be first or second line Center on probably 50% of NHL teams. Caps NOT included.
You talkin’ about Jordan Staal, right?
His skillset or talent is nowhere near Backstrom.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He’s never going to grow into Backstrom’s game, so I’d move on from that. He probably won’t even grow into Eric’s game. Maybe he could handle it as a 1C on a lot of teams, but I don’t think 50% of the GMs would be comfortable with him as the 1C, and I definitely don’t think he’s a 1C on a Cup team. He’s heavily protected by Malkin and Crosby so he isn’t asked to do much; specifically he isn’t asked to play out of his comfort zone, which is a great defensive player that can chip in on offense. If he’s “the guy” that teams are watching I don’t think he does much at all on offense.
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.
do i remember jordan getting PP time during the last caps-pens game? i might be mistaken, but it stuck out at the time as the pens giving jordan more chances. he’s bigger than his brother which helps. you’d have to think his faceoff percentage will improve as he gets older. it’s a shame for him he’ll never quite compare to the two guys taken right after him in the draft, but i’d take him as a 2C on the caps.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 7:32 PM EST up reply actions
He was on the PP a little bit, but I don’t see how that proves anything. I’m not saying he has no offensive skill, he just isn’t going to carry a team with it. And on a team as thin up front as PIT it’s no shock that he gets PP time.
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.
put it this way
Jason Arnott is a better player now, and probably always will be, which is fine—thats not what Staal was meant to do.
Staal is the exact type of player David Legwand is. Superb defensively, able to contribute on offense occasionally.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
He has shown flashes of play w/ his size, reach and strength that just blow your mind…even eclipsing some of the things that Malkin and Crosby do. But regardless of whether he is a 1C,2C,3C, or not, he has an elite skillset that most players do not. Which is why I even mentioned him in the same breath as Backstrom, Malkin, Crosby, etc.
. Maybe he could handle it as a 1C on a lot of teams, but I don’t think 50% of the GMs would be comfortable with him as the 1C, and I definitely don’t think he’s a 1C on a Cup team.
Again, we’re talking about a 21 year old. I’d venture to say there aren’t many guys like him, and its surprising that you are so dismissive. Not to mention, he has missed about 3 games in his 4 year NHL career. The kid is an ox, and I wonder what type of player he will be in 6 or 7 years.
I’m not dismissing him, I’m just tired of the Staal hype. The whole family is overrated. Hearing Pens fans whine that he didn’t make Team Canada is hysterical. Sure, he’s 21 and has upside, but that’s the same as the rest of the guys. Backstrom is the same age and leaps and bounds ahead of Staal. Don’t you think he’ll get better? I wonder what kind of player Backstrom will be in 6-7 years. My guess is he’ll be battling for the Art Ross. Staal won’t ever get to that point. He’s good for what he is, I just don’t know why Pens fans can’t be ok with that and always want to believe that he’s a class or two above where he really is. If his name wasn’t Staal and he wasn’t on PIT you wouldn’t be pushing this hard for him. And Backstrom hasn’t missed a single game in his NHL career.
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.
Lost in all this is that Backstrom is only a year and change older than Staal, but I guess I’m just a blind homer. Backstrom only gets points with AO!
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 25, 2010 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
Hearing Pens fans whine that he didn’t make Team Canada is hysterical
I never said he should’ve made Team Canada. I really don’t know many Pens fans that cared one way or another. I would prefer fewer Olympians on the Pens so they can be fresh for the playoffs. You know, making it past the second round is hard work. Oh, you don’t know…
And neither do you. You didn’t do shit. You may not have heard Pens fans complaining that Staal didn’t make the Olympics, but that’s apparently because you don’t bother going to Pensburgh. You know, the best blog covering the team you claim to support. You’d rather stir shit over here.
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 26, 2010 1:55 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Who wants to talk to people that always agree with you? I find other fan’s perspectives interesting. Pensburgh is not my single source for all things Penguins, and it helps to keep a sense of humor in these discussions. Your comments are 75% of the content on these pages, so I realize you are HUGE caps fan…but take it easy.
Well if you want to talk with people that disagree (and I agree on that point) then you can bring that Staal love around here any time. Those guys suck.
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.
Shows what I know, me and my Western Conference only brain. Duh, my bad.
Although, no way any Staal should be in the same sentence as Malkin, Crosby, and Backstrom.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
And I thought you left Malkin and Crosby out because the two of them are the near unanimous class of the league at the C position. Didn’t realize you overlooked it.
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.
They are, you’re right, major brain fart though. I get kinda tired of talking about Crosby and Malkin wherever I go, though.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You’re telling me.
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.
contrary to popular opinion
The league consists of many a talented player, as some are finding out during the Olympics.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
Further
to clarify some pervasive misconceptions, it’s a team game.
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 25, 2010 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
rec'd
For saying it. We all love our stars, but without the Joel Wards and Brooks Laichs, we’d be screwed…
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
If nothing else, watching the Russian KHLers get torched last night gives me an even greater appreciation for the fringe players of the NHL. I think any objective talent evaluator would take Erskine, ShaMo et. al. over the KHL slop.
I'll say it again.
Kevin Dallman was the KHL D of the year last season. Kevin Dallman. Best D in a professional league.
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 bad, but many didn’t know how bad until last night. It’s pretty clear that after the few superstars there’s a massive drop in talent level in the KHL.
And none of the superstars are even in their prime.
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.
Speaking of which, aren’t you glad now that Fedorov and Kozlov are gone? I mean, most of us knew Knuble and BMo were upgrades, but last night was a huge affirmation.
Of course I am, but I was glad at the time. I could have lived with Fedorov, but not for the price. I never wanted Kozlov.
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 think to be fair you should factor in North American ice versus International. This year was a change from the norm, after all.
Even more of a reason to take (and play) more NHL players.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 25, 2010 10:49 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that’s what he did. It sounds like he went into the Olympics with an open mind about the KHL and the performance of those guys is what convinced him they aren’t that good. The Russian KHL guys are among the best the KHL has to offer, and several other teams had KHL players, but I can’t think of a single KHL player that had a significant impact on this tournament. Jagr had one good game, and he’s clearly not the model KHL player.
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.
CAM JANSSEN SUSPENDED FIVE GAMES
Per @mirtle.
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I don’t believe it….
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
me either
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
Didn’t mean to scoop anyone, btw.
Personally, I didn’t think the specific hit deserved five—but I’m glad to see stiffer punishments handed out, and Janssen is definitely a tool.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, I do. if Green gets three for his houlder/elbow that didn’t result in an injury then Janssen deserves five for concussing a guy.
Over the shoulder boulder houlder.
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by oldemystix on Feb 25, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
wait, you mean there might have been some logic to this decision!?!
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Feb 25, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
I deserved more than 3 which is what Greenie got and he does not have any previous suspensions that I’m aware of plus Bradley was hurt, not that it should matter. A dirty hit is a dirty hit whether the player is seriously hurt or not; however, the NHL seems to take this into account for some reason.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
On a semi-related note—and I have NO idea when this actually happened, or if it’s already been discussed here (missed some open threads lately), Cam Janssen deleted his tweets defending the hit.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Mirtle:
The suspension is for “a late hit to the head delivered to an unsuspecting opponent,” the league says. Hit was on Caps’ Matt Bradley
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links
http://twitter.com/mirtle/status/9643773379
http://twitter.com/mirtle/status/9643714474
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
I was looking up some stuff about Cam earlier. No links, but two tidbits:
1. His Olympic vacation was to the US Virgin Islands
2. When he was paired with (some other skater whose name I’ve already forgot, sorry), they called it the “Eve of Destruction Line”
Also, TJ Oshie spent his time off skating with buddies from UND, and Keith Tkachuk spent his helping coach his kids’ peewee team, defeating mark Messier’s peewee team 7-1.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
now we’ll understand when it’s renamed the keith tkachuk leadership award!
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Finland wins women’s bronze 2:33 into overtime, 3-2.
USA! USA! USA!
by sixsevenfiftysix on Feb 25, 2010 4:23 PM EST reply actions
gonna be honest
Don’t watch women’s hockey. Don’t like it.
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by Chris Burton on Feb 25, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
I wish I was watching :( Still stuck at eff’ing work.
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’m watching, but can’t seem to find anyone else. NM and PPP are both pretty dead right now, just a couple people on each watching the game.
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I’m in class. Can I get an update?
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.
still scoreless 9 minutes in, canadians on 2nd powerplay right now.
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Crap, Ovie is pissed. If I were GMGM I would just put him in the first available flight back to DC.
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Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
NBC picks
Blackhawks-Capitals for the GOTW on March 14. Haven’t been this stoked for a non-Preds NHL regular season game since ever.
On the Forecheck-where Patric Hornqvist is never underappreciated.
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Hopefully it’s a Cup preview. I’d love to see Hossa lose a third straight Cup.
Related, anyone else feel like SLO is a lock for 4th place. Hossa has to be on the top team to not get any reward, it’s only fitting.
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.
That makes it a noon or noon-thirty game, eleven am Chicago time. Not wild about that, plus it prolly wrecks our ESPN Zone party chances.
But I totally agree it should be the GOTW.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
It doesn’t ruin our party chances. There is a good chance that I can get the private room behind the main bar. It holds max 50 people, but I’ve already said something to my boss about a large group of Caps fans wanting to watch that game. She agreed that it would fine to put all of us in a private room. We’d have sound and the game on all of the plasmas.
would’ve been cool to have the big screen, but maybe this way more DC people can come? i’m psyched.
by Natty Bumppo on Feb 25, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
I’m also psyched since I just found out I don’t have to be at work that day until 4pm, so I can party with everyone, responsibly of course.
Who do you have SLO losing to? ;-)
US or Suomi?
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Ugh
So torn on this one. Obviously I can never root against USA, but I really don’t want us to lose to CAN. FIN is a real tough team, and Kipper is playing well, so they’ll be tough. But I really think the USA can win that game and set up a rematch for Gold. Though, if the USA loses, I’d love to see Selanne get his shot for Gold. Let me marinade for a few before I actually pick a winner.
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.
Wait, they chose a market that wasn’t NYC, Pitt, Philly, or Det? HOLY CRAP THE WORLD IS ENDING.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Another note on the birthday front. It’s happy 20th to Anton Gustafsson, Bengt’s kid and our #1 draft pick of 2008. He was born the same day as Stefan Della Rovere.
Since there were no clips this weekend, some birthdays (of any Cap born on Feb 20 or Fev 21) were missed. On Feb 20 was the 35th birthday of former Cap Brendan Witt. Many people would like to forget him. Yes, I know. He’s the guy that didn’t want to stay around for the Caps’ rebuild and ended up with the horrible NY Islanders. (I have to mark the birthday of the one Cap who shares my daughter’s birthday, but was born 10 years sooner.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Is there video of Boyle’s slewfoot on Semin yet?
by CaptainAwesome on Feb 25, 2010 10:06 PM EST reply actions
After this Olympics, there will probably be less respect for the Caps than before. So many fans and writers will equate the Caps with Team Russia. And consider them as losers.
The Caps play better when they’re underdogs with something to prove anyhow. Let them win four rounds of playoffs as the disrespected underdog.
Rocking the Red since 1975
newsflash
I don’t see how you can be a “disrespeced underdog” when you are the #1 seed in the conference w/ several of the worlds best players on your team.
Just sayin…I’d wouldn’t hold out hope for this.
SJ will be a disrespected underdog no matter where they finish given their past playoff failures and Nabokov’s performance on Wednesday. And the Caps are running away with the East at this point and you still hear a ton about how their D and goaltending isn’t good enough for the playoffs. Ovechkin’s Olympics aren’t going to gain them any more respect.
Everyone acknowledges that playoff hockey is different from regular season hockey, so you can be disrespected even if you are the #1 seed.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 26, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
55 | 28 | 22 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
57 | 26 | 25 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
55 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 54 |
|
Carolina
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.13.2012 at 1:00 PM EST)
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