Recap: Lightning 3, Caps 2
by Becca H on Mar 12, 2010 10:46 PM EST
in Game Recaps
177 comments
[AP Recap - GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary]
Mark this one down as "just one of those nights".
There are any number of reasons why this game goes into the books as a loss but ultimately it was because the Capitals took the ice tonight lacking urgency, against a Tampa Bay team with nothing but. Everything about the way they played this game showed that they were willing to do just enough not to get embarrassed, and as a result were outworked and outhustled for long stretches.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Tampa Bay has had their struggles in net this year, but Antero Niittymaki always seems to save his best work for the Caps - which makes you wonder why Mike Smith ever sees the light of day when Washington is on the docket. He was everything Tampa needed him to be and more tonight, robbing the Caps on more than one occasion and adding his name to the growing list of netminders who come up big in Washington. Marty, Manny...make room for Antero.
- You can't stop what you can't see, however, and there's no way he saw Tomas Fleischmann's bullet of a shot from the short side. Flash's goal off a great cross-ice pass from Alex Ovechkin gave him 20 on the year - and made him the sixth Cap to hit that milestone. No other team has more than four.
- The story in recent weeks has been about the Caps' struggling penalty kill, which has dropped below 80% and is under 60% when facing the Lightning. Apparently one way to fix that is to take fewer penalties, as the Caps were shorthanded just once and escaped unscathed. On the flip side, 2-for-4 on the power play - that'll do, boys. That'll do.
- In his postgame press conference, Boudreau dismissed the idea of luck being on Tampa's side tonight, saying "you make your own luck". That was definitely the case for the Lightning, who outworked the Caps at every turn and got rewarded by favorable bounces and deflections.
- One guy who was rewarded for the Caps was Brooks Laich, who made it 3-2 late in the game by doing what he does best - going to the front of the net and collecting rebounds. Great night for Laich, who picked up #21 on the season and added four hits, two takeaways and two blocked shots to his resume. Probably wanted to win that one faceoff he took, though...
- Semyon Varlamov most definitely wants a do-over on that first Tampa Bay goal; beyond that, it's hard to pin this loss on the young netminder. He was the victim of a few unlucky deflections (including what would ultimately be the game-winner off of Lecavalier's elbow), and probably had his best performance since returning from injury. Every game he looks a little stronger, a little closer to circa-November Varly - now the team in front of him just needs to help him out.
- Add two more assists to the growing number of helpers Captain Ovechkin has racked up this season, as his second straight two-assist performance now gives him 52 on the year and a whopping 96 points overall. Yowza.
- The theory behind the rotation of players in and out of the lineup is fairly easy to understand. Everyone gets a look, everyone gets a tryout and by the playoffs Boudreau knows what he has. And yet you have to wonder why he'd throw John Erskine back into the lineup against a team that's got both speed and mobility - it's not like he doesn't know what he has in big #4.
- Brendan Morrison can't buy a goal, but he had a pretty good game for himself regardless and seems perpetually on the edge of breaking out. He had two shots, a hit, two takeaways and two blocked shots, and was an absolute beast in the faceoff circle with nine wins on twelve draws.
- Can we have Jeff Schultz and John Carlson back now? Please? We promise to feed them and walk them and...
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Not this guy's fault!
Только игра! Почему надо быть сумасшедший?
Flickr Page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrismgordon/
That’s who was in front of the net tonight?
"You can hit the streets or the sheets, it don’t make Dynamite no nevermind. That’s your bag, baby. You can go or you can come, can you dig it."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 12, 2010 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
how could anyone!? nothing but love for this guy
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
by Caps Canadian Connection on Mar 12, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
Having now watched Gabby’s post game, he was definitely as defensive of Varly after this performance as he was critical after the Sens performance.
And I agree with his assessment. No goalie in the world is going to stop those two wicked deflections. As Green says, if the goalie only gives up one softie a night this team should win every game.
Every game I think this is finally the game BMo breaks out, every game I’m proven wrong.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I laid reputational money on B Mo and he looked semi-lost from the 40 minutes of gametime I saw.
I need a soapbox to yell from:
ALL RECENT ACQUISITIONS STARTING WITH B MO HAVE STATS THAT GO DOWN IN THE PLAYOFFS
I want them to see this so a) they know we know and b) they friggin do something about it
“They played for weak teams” Cool. Great. Now have four guys who aren’t the type to pull their teams up by the bootstraps or even play as well on those crappy teams (that make the playoffs) come playoff time.
I want to see some negative press bulletin board material.
…but maybe in a couple of weeks, gotta stoke the fires close to the time to kick the tires.
SXSW is fun, not a very sobering event really, but highly recommended
Stamkos is one he’ll of a player.
In light of today’s first round vote, tonights game was a reminder that all it takes is a hot goalie.
by The Jade Donkey on Mar 12, 2010 11:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Disagree
You can beat a hot goalie if the team is working hard and crashing the net to collect rebounds. Deflections, rebounds off pads, shots through screens, that’s how you beat a hot goalie. It’s gritty, not pretty, but if that’s what has to get done, then #needsmoreslippers.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 12, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
The Caps seemed like they were making all kinds of shots on goal during the early part of the third period but nothing would go in.
After that third goal by Tampa, the Caps seemed like they gave up. (While they did score one goal during the third period, the intensity had gone down)
I will say Tampa did have a better man in goal. Nitty >> Varly.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Also, while a hot goalie can steal any given game, it is much MUCH more difficult for them to steal a 7 game series from a more talented team. It takes more than just a hot goalie.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 13, 2010 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
That’s what I keep saying.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 13, 2010 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
You can beat a hot goalie if the team is working hard and crashing the net to collect rebounds.
Pretty much the point BB made in his post-game presser.
"You can hit the streets or the sheets, it don’t make Dynamite no nevermind. That’s your bag, baby. You can go or you can come, can you dig it."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 13, 2010 8:16 AM EST up reply actions
I should clarify: In addition to having a hot goalie, Tampa had to badly outwork the Caps. If the Caps had decided that they really wanted this game, they could have made a run at it by setting up shop at the top of the crease and playing for the dirty goals and selling out to make the plays in the neutral zone. The hot goalie was definitely a boon for the Bolts, but that definitely wasn’t all it takes.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 12, 2010 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Plus it helps if you put your best lineup on the ice…
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
They had one of the their best “offensive” lineups, at least on paper, playing. For the defense, not so much.
They were also playing their backup goalie.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Every “offensive” lineup is going to be good. But they sure as hell didn’t pick up Belanger for him to be a press box hero. I’m completely against the scratch decisions from last night. I also think it’s time for everyone to consider the possibility that Gordon should be getting a sweater every night instead of Steckel.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a possiblility I’ve been anticipating since the deadline.
by mechanicsville on Mar 13, 2010 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
With the speed of Tampa, and thus ability to get behind a slower defense. I was surprised not to see Carlson in the line-up tonight. Kid is one hell of a player.
Even though it was a regulation loss, I am still glad to see them shut down Stamkos. Guy’s goal numbers/streak is crazy.
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 12, 2010 11:09 PM EST reply actions
I know Bruce dismissed the idea of bad luck being the decisive factor. It’s what a good coach does. But we completely, utterly, totally dominated the early part of the second period only to see the Lightning get two goals on deflections to go ahead 3-1. There’s no way they had outplayed us to the tune of 3-1 by that point in the game. No way in hell.
Correction: Flash with a star and a souvenir
Originally posted by Ovechwin in the second period thread
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Steak or Lobster, Brooksie? What'll it be?
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
That picture makes me incredibly happy. rec’d. Where did that come from?
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 12, 2010 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure. In all honesty, a Pens fan linked it to me in an attempt to make fun, but I instead embraced it.
Haha. It is really cute. Ovi is such a character off the ice.
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 12, 2010 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
It came from Swedish paper Aftonbladet, from just before they left for the Olympics.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Ah, thank you. That is a nice article under it too.
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 13, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
This is the article from the Pens’ game. Note Mats’ thoughts on Ovie and the Olympics. I thought he was correct in his assumptions about the quality of Ovie’s olympic linemates.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Might actually have been taken at the time of the Pens game, as aftonbladet’s reporter Mats Wennerholm came to see the game before he went on to Vancouver. I need to fish out the link, but he wrote a magnificent column about that game.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
No Penguin fan should ever, and I do mean ever, make fun of two teammates in pose when their star lives in the owner’s basement, figuratively speaking.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 13, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
That’s cute picture. (As for the other guy, the hair’s not blond enough or long enough to be Nicky.) I’m not sure it looks enough like Semin.
Rocking the Red since 1975
I clicked on the link you posted earlier and found that out.
(I was thinking Nicky but the hair looked less blond than usual.)
In any case, there’s lots of cute pictures floating around the ’net, of either Ovi with Nicky or Ovi with Semin.
(I guess when Ovi ever gets married, Nicky and Sasha will be two of his groomsmen, along with Ilya K. and maybe even Varly.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yes, something about the camera angle or the lens makes Nicky’s face look a little longer and thinner than it usually does, therefore not quite like himself.
The hair may be wet, which would make it look darker.
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Mar 13, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Adorable! Nicky should smile more.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Speaking of which, I’d smile, too, if I was driving that G55 that was featured in his intermission clip.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Mar 13, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
Love this Photo: Nice Lars Scratching the Bear
Fabulous photo but I have a dumb question (I am sometimes technically challenged). I want to use it as my screensaver on my MacBook Pro, but the pixels are visible when I downloaded the image. How do I get a high quality version of it?
by capsyoungguns on Mar 13, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
In the healthy scratch department, I could not understand why both Schultz and Carlson were scratched today. While I understand having a rotation, I could not understand why we are turning to both our 7th and 8th defensemen on the same day.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Because the Caps management doesn’t understand defense.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 12, 2010 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
Bad timing, I think. We all know that TB is more than capable of scoring, and I suppose it would have been more ‘appropriate’ to scratch (what I believe to be) two of your top-4 D-men against Florida on Tuesday.
BB does what he does. Whatever – I doubt it makes a difference in terms of conference standings.
Yep. The Caps would have to play under .500 hockey and Pens/Devils/Sabres would have to play flawless hockey to even have a SHOT at taking 1st in the conference.
Don’t think of 74 and 55 as scratched tonight vs Tampa. Think of ’em as rested for Sunday in Chicago.
by redlineblue on Mar 12, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a positive way to look at it.
(I was wondering if maybe the original plan of scratching Knuble might not have been a bad idea so he’d be rested for Chicago. Or should we have rested Semin instead?)
Rocking the Red since 1975
I think he rested everyone he could this week, and knows that every game is this week is equally important (especially Sunday’s).
by redlineblue on Mar 13, 2010 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
Originally, the plan was to rest both Knuble and Belanger but Bruce changed his mind about the former.
I figure he’ll play his best people Sunday. And maybe rest people on Tuesday and Thursday game.
I figure that Laich and Backstrom will not be rested since they have consecutive game playing streaks going on.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Ovie-Lars-Knubs
Semin-Belanger-Laich
Fehr-BMo-Flash
Chimera-Steckel-Gordon
Green-Schultz
Poti-Corvo
ShaMo-Carlson
Theo
That’s what I expect to see Sunday. No fucking around.
by Davethecapsfan on Mar 13, 2010 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
Hopefully not as well as Laich has played lately
by Davethecapsfan on Mar 13, 2010 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
That and if Flash goes on that line instead of Laich, the 2nd line will have nobody to be a bother in front of the net.
I have to go. But if I find one single dog hair when I get back, I'll rub... sand... in your dead little eyes. I also need you to buy sand. I don't know if they grade it, but... coarse.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Mar 13, 2010 2:06 AM EST up reply actions
switch laich and semin then it’ll be good
Хотя я гуляю через долину тени страха смерти i никакое зло.
by OvechKING on Mar 13, 2010 9:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Nick Backstrom doesn't 'rest'.
He waits.
by redlineblue on Mar 13, 2010 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
And Laich has played every game for a long stretch as well.
(With those streaks going on, Laich and Backstrom are the least likely to be scratched.)
Maybe scratch Knuble for a day of rest, every once in a while. Or give Semin time a day off after getting “dinged”. Or Ovi for a particularly goony team after they’ve clinched everything.
Rocking the Red since 1975
And then on Sunday: 8, 19, and 52 are all scratched, and we laugh at NBC.
by TFG on Mar 13, 2010 12:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That would be hilarious. NBC would never show another Caps game though….
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 13, 2010 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
That is a bad thing? Do you really want your between period stuff to be doled out by Pierre and Mad Mike?
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Mar 13, 2010 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
True…but I like the national attention.
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 13, 2010 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
sorry this is completely off-topic, but is it just me or does it seem like ovechkin isn’t having as much fun anymore, doing ‘silly’ things?
I've often thought of becoming a golf club
by Caps Canadian Connection on Mar 12, 2010 11:50 PM EST reply actions
heavy is the head that wears the crown
by Gin and Tonic on Mar 13, 2010 3:04 AM EST up reply actions
So if Carlson is supposed to play to get hos mistakes out how does sitting him help?
Way to set up Varlamov to fail.
Semin needs to sit Sunday but it won’t happen.
Erskine and Sloan were basically benched for the final 10. If only we had 3 better D to play…
I want my money back.
I can think of 6 million better ways to spend money than a 2L that quits.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 12:12 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
hos mistakes
I lol’d.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
So did Sloan because he somehow got a sweater and a two year NHL K.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 12:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yea, I don’t get dressing him anymore.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
I didn’t mind him getting a game to work off some rust…depending on the team we’re facing I’d tap him to fill in for an injured D before Erskine. Playing both in the same game just was a bad idea imho. When my brother texted me that at work earlier today I literally did a loud WTF.
by Davethecapsfan on Mar 13, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
In defense of Bruce: Where was Carlson at this time last year? Two years ago? Maybe giving him a breather isn’t the worst idea in the world. This is probably the longest and most rigorous season of his career so far, and its about to get even longer and even more rigorous.
The evidence of overplaying was right in front of him in Hedman (or rather, switching from a short to longer season). That being said, he played a ton of games last year (OHL reg season + postseason + Calder Cup run) and should be fine, I think, with conditioning and stuff. Seems to be a big factor into why he’s such a great young defenseman.
CИДHИЙ KPOCБИЙ: АЛEKCAHДP OBEЧKИH, OH CEЙЧAC TBOЙ ПAПA
by red army line on Mar 13, 2010 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
They want/need to sit Carlson for a couple of games during the remaining games to make sure he doesn’t go over the 25 games played mark this season. That keeps him eligible for any Rookie of the Year consideration next year. So counting last night, expect him to sit out at least one more game.
by b.orr4 on Mar 13, 2010 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly. The time to sit Carlson was to protect a RFA year. Who cares about RoY? It would be nice but the money was way more important and that obviously wasn’t a big deal to GMGM. I’m opposed to sitting him to keep his RoY eligibility but in the grand scheme of things it would not be the worst defensive decision made by the team this year.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
With regards to a refund, I’m just glad I didn’t even consider dropping the $100+ per seat that stubhub sellers were trying to rip from my hands tonight. Seriously, Friday or not, this wasn’t even between two playoff teams.
Mediocre effort, but still it didn’t merit the team being booed off the ice after the second period. That was disgusting, embarrassing and just downright stupid. I know that when you buy a ticket, you’re entitled to boo but, c’mon, this is the best team in hockey with the best home record. I think they’re allowed a bad period without being treated like they’re the Columbus Blue Jackets.
by b.orr4 on Mar 13, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hold on...
When Montreal fans boo their home side after a lackadaisical effort, they’re called “hockey savvy.”
When Caps fans boo their home side after a lackadaisical effort, they’re “deplorable.”
Hmmmm…
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 13, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
As soon as the Caps have a crowded ceiling at VC, then the fans can be equated to Habs fans.
"You can hit the streets or the sheets, it don’t make Dynamite no nevermind. That’s your bag, baby. You can go or you can come, can you dig it."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 13, 2010 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that was really his point. I think it was just that there shouldn’t be a double standard about booing the home team, even if it’s a good team. Fine, MON has the history and reputation, but I don’t see how it’s OK for them to boo when the home team is sucking eggs but it’s not OK for the Caps fans to do it. If the Caps were actually playing well and got booed, that’s one thing. But I didn’t like the effort or the line up last night so I was pissy pretty much the whole time. I honestly don’t even remember if I did boo, or if I just screamed obscenities, but I stand by the fact that they deserved 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.
by Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 6:24 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong, the effort was shite, and rightfully so. This is all reminscent of the anthem discussion the other day. To paraphrase what (I think) JP said, the booing was/is dumb, but I’m not about to get in the way of others if they wanted to do it.
Besides, Montreal fans have their own issues right now.
"You can hit the streets or the sheets, it don’t make Dynamite no nevermind. That’s your bag, baby. You can go or you can come, can you dig it."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 13, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
True, to each their own. I just don’t see how having a good record in previous games immunizes you from critique when you lay an egg in a subsequent game. I have to admit, I was getting real pissed off at the “who cares” chant.
What MON issues are you referring to?
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve just never been one of those folks. Maybe it’s all the soccer games, but I’m more the head in hands type than the type who basically says “stop sucking,” for lack of a better phrase.
Surprised you hadn’t seen the Subban-ators.
"You can hit the streets or the sheets, it don’t make Dynamite no nevermind. That’s your bag, baby. You can go or you can come, can you dig it."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 13, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions
Wow. That is ridiculous. I can’t imagine how that could possibly have been a good idea.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
It’s straight out of any comedy bit than had Nazi stuff as the punchline or something, I’m still stunned.
"You can hit the streets or the sheets, it don’t make Dynamite no nevermind. That’s your bag, baby. You can go or you can come, can you dig it."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 13, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
Meh. Let’s just say all the boos were directed at Boooooodreau. He sure as fuck deserved them for that line up card.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
dude watch your language, there are little kids and an old lady sitting right in front of you.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 13, 2010 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
Not little kids! They were in High School! And seriously, next time you have to supply the ponchos.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
i was doing you a favor; now you get to wash your jersey for the first time ever.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 13, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
Ha. We’ll see about that. But I have to wash my jeans too now, jerk.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
Sitting both Carlson and Schultz was a mistake. Sloan I could see them wanting to get a game in, but Erskine against the Bolts was just foolish. We had our chances that’s for sure…Nitty made some key stops but we didn’t work hard enough to create sustained pressure outside of a very few bursts. The PP did look good tonight, and I suppose the PK had a clean sheet…amazing how much easier that is when you only take 1 minor penalty.
Varly made some key saves…still not where he wants to be but I think he was a little unlucky tonight with some deflections and the team not holding the fort.
by Davethecapsfan on Mar 13, 2010 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
You and me both. Why did they sit both of them, only to use both our 7th and 8th best defensemen. I could understand sitting one of our regular D men out but not both.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Nor were they the only ones missed…even though BMo had a better game than others lately, I’m not sure the reasoning behind picking Belanger to sit when he was just starting to get comfortable.
by Davethecapsfan on Mar 13, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Because Belanger has looked lost since coming over. OT assist to Flash notwithstanding.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
And he’s going to get more comfortable in the press box? I realize there are times that sitting up in the press box and watching can be a big help for a guy, but I don’t think it’s the case with Belanger. He’s a veteran that knows the game and really all he needs to do is play the game with the Caps and working on making BB’s system second nature. He could be with a video coach pointing out “that’s where we want the C going” but I think Belanger already could figure that out on his own and just needs to play. That argument holds more weight with Carlson because young guys can definitely benefit from that, but, again, if we are playing him to get his mistakes out I think it’s more important that he’s on the ice.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
At this point I think we’re just pumping up Varlamov’s confidence (slowly) in case Thedore has a Game 1 meltdown all over again.
I want my money back.
i turn to cluster and make a perplexed face.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 13, 2010 2:50 AM EST up reply actions
Haha. That’s part of the joke. I did buy him a beer and you a water. Refund!
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
Probably what you think he’s referring to.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Yeah, I didn’t think it was that veiled. His head wasn’t in the game last night. When his hands are losing every puck that touches his stick, it’s all mental. We know he has the skill, he just wasn’t focused. The most specific example was late in the second period when we had possession in the zone and Semin was skating toward the bench and the puck slid right in front of him around the face off dot and he just ignored it and floated by. He wasn’t busting his ass to the bench either. He was gliding and completely ignored the puck. Even just turning to dump it down would have been a better play but instead he let the puck go to a TBL D and they cleared. Inexcusable.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
28 had a few high-energy shifts in the first and I thought he might have a Game. But he got hit in the face (didn’t see how) late first: dropped a little blood in the LW dot, looked for a call, and took his helmet off leaving the ice. There wasn’t much up arrow after that.
Agreed. I think even after that high stick he had a real nice shift where he just stick handled through about the entire TBL team but nothing came of it. Then as the game went on he became more and more disinterested. I have no idea why he was rewarded with top line ice.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I knew you were referring to 28, I was just wondering if there was a specific instance that had you steamed. I missed the 1st period, but did see the icing that led to the D-zone face-off & consequent goal. Yes, I was yelling at him for it, too. Hard to understand. Someone who was at the game commented it might have been deflected. I have no idea. Otherwise, I don’t agree that he was constantly losing the puck; I saw some good battles in the corners & along the boards. He was shooting, although only one was ongoal; there were 7 attempts blocked or missed & 1 each give- & takeaway. Not his best game, but not his worst, either. I expected more from just about all of them, him included.
BB seems to believe that the best chance at a quick score in very limited time is to put 8-19-28 back together. It has worked. I don’t think he’s into “demoting” people as much as he looks for other combos for certain effect. I just don’t see him benching his biggest offensive threats, even if they have a bad game.
If I hadn’t paid to see this game, and it wasn’t my last live game of the season, I’d be less upset. I get what BB’s been doing, and so long as this line shuffling/scratching top players ends soon, I’m not going to cry over a loss like last night. Whatever, give Erskine and Sloane some playing time.
The big point you made that sticks out as a terrible idea was #2, setting up Varly to fail. That kid needs as much playing time as he can get, but playing him with a mediocre D against some pretty quality O is not how you get a kid who’s been off for 4 months back into game playing shape. Yea it’ll be good for him to face quality shots, but hanging him out to dry when he still has yet to give us a solid performance definitely is not doing him any favors. Good one, BB.
Bah. I too want my money back, what a lackluster effort.
It was awesome meeting everyone at Bar Louie though! Hopefully there will be another get together (besides Sunday) before I leave.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 13, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
I think this was a case of competing factors, though. I think BB was trying to set up the roster for Sunday’s game, which I think he sees as a HOCKEY GAME, and not a hockey game. Since that’s the case, Sunday will probably see our tentative “playoff roster,” and I think right now that means Theo in net and Schultz and Carlson in the lineup.
What this meant for last night was Varly in net, and Sloan+Erskine in the lineup. I think BB, and the team as a whole, looked past last night’s game because Tampa was on the second of back-to-back games.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Yup I agree, hence the “I wouldn’t really care except it was one of the few games I got to this season” attitude.
I just have an issue with the Varly thing because he still isn’t playing like he’s comfortable or trusts himself, and IMO one way to NOT fix that is putting him in a situation like last night. BB, the team as a whole, and even some fans might have looked past last night, but for a young goalie who’s only….3??…games back from a very long injury period, that could really mess with his head.
Then again, I’ve never met the kid, and I have no idea what’s going on in his head. I’d like to say In BB I trust, but with goalies I’m skeptical. I think he tends to overestimate their mental resilience.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 13, 2010 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
It was nice to meet you, BTW. Sorry we really didn’t get much of a chance to chat.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Yea likewise! Hopefully we’ll have another chance sometime soon!
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 13, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you as a positive matter, I just wholeheartedly disagree as a normative matter. He can mess with the F lines as much as he wants; we have so much depth there is no chance we ice a bad F group (I guess if he sat 19 and 8 maybe) and Fs need to be used to playing with more different partners than D. The D though… well, we don’t have that depth. We can easily ice a crappy D corps. See: last night. It’s also more important to let the D partners get used to each other and develop chemistry. You can have an above average D corps and have them play great, like the Cup winning Canes. But for that to happen these guys need ice together, and fast. Corvo I think ended up with 3 different partners over the course of last night. How’s that going to help? If I had my way BB would play his “playoff D” every single game the rest of the way; in the pairings he expects to use them. Then he’ll have a better idea of what he has to work with, and if any of the pairs are actually not going to work. But consistently farting around on the back end is not going to work, IMO.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
jwaltonhockey
A Hershey win or an Albany regulation loss Saturday=a third East Division title in five seasons. Hershey now 50-12-0-2 after 5-4 ot win Fri
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Even more awesome. That kid has major potential, I can’t imagine how good he will be in a few years. (Of course I say “kid” as if he is younger than me, too much time reading articles).
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 13, 2010 1:43 AM EST up reply actions
Another point I wanted to ask on here for anyone who was watching on TV, from my seats I couldn’t see the play that started their 1st goal well but it looked like Green got caught in no man’s land on whether to pinch or not to try to keep the puck in at the blueline. Someone was leaning forward in front of me but it looked like he could of got there but pulled up trying to be responsible when in effect he just put himself out of position to make either play…directly resulting in the 2 on 1 the other way.
Anyone who had a good view of this was that description pretty accurate or did he have no shot at keeping it in and just got caught up a little late trying to get back?
by Davethecapsfan on Mar 13, 2010 12:30 AM EST reply actions
Ed Frankovic saw pretty much what you saw:
http://wnst.net/wordpress/edfrankovic/2010/03/12/lightning-edge-caps-3-2/
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Observations from Section 421
Not a good night to be out… or to be at the game… yuck all around:
- Nice effort by Brooksie going to the
bakerybanknet. Unfortunately there were not a lot of good bounces in front of the net when the Caps went to the net.
- Finally Vinny Lecavalier used his head in a game against the Caps
- I fully expect we will see the top lines and defensemen in Chicago Sunday
- Bruce will probably begin settling on the final combinations this coming week, but it looks like he has a pretty good idea of what he wants.
- Kudos to Flash for his first 20 goal season!
- As I’m writing this, there’s a Progressive ad on the TV suggesting people go to HelpFlo.com to sign up to win a chance to be in an ad with Flo the spokelady… Let’s sign up someone (Maybe Chris Pronger?)
- I really thought the Caps were going to win this game after the first 5 minutes in the second. They got 10 shots on goal in the second before the Bolts scored their 2 in the second…
And now an 11:30 AM local time game in Chicago…hopefully the Caps can come get their complete game together on national TV…and All That Jazz…
Let's go Caps!
11:30 am local time – and the clocks go forward an hour as well. Oy.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
And 11:30 am Chicago time, which is actually 10:30 am when you factor in the move to daylight savings time. And that’s after a 1:00 pm game in Philly today.
It just seems like the Caps never do well on days I go to the game when I feel I should be elsewhere.
1) We’re in a bit of a crunch at work. I ducked out (with the caveat for folks to call me over the weekend if I’m needed).
2) My daughter was coming into town.
(The Caps lost last year on occasions when I felt I should be elsewhere. The Colorado game they lost when my daughter was at the Prelim Session for a swim meat. And the Columbus game, she was sick at home.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Oh, so it is your fault they lost tonight? For the sake of the team, listen to your instincts!
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 13, 2010 3:18 AM EST up reply actions
Bullet Thoughts
- or dashes. Whatevs.
- Anyone (cough, CLUSTER, cough) still think that Erskine is a bona fide NHL defenseman? After the second time he dropped his stick, I turned to my friend and told her that he needed to put some stick-em on his shaft. Apparently, the announcer for TB in the highlights said essentially the same thing. I’ve never seen a defenseman drop their stick as much as Erskine. For all us office drones, that’s the equivalent of spilling coffee on your keyboard every morning.
- Sloan didn’t stand out as being atrocious. Being able to skate will do that for you.
- After tonight, if BB doesn’t think Fehr deserves a sweater for every game, I honestly believe there’s some personal beef between them. Fehr had a really solid game and should have had an assist on the goal that Morrison didn’t bury. He needs to be on the ice for every game.
- I like BMo, but I think he’s essentially played himself off the playoff roster at this point. Belanger hasn’t been super-impressive, but at least he’s shown an ability to put the puck in the net from three feet away.
- BB is so freaking predictable sometimes. Are the Caps down by a goal or more? Is there about 10 mins left in the game? . . . Here come the Care Bears!!!
- Things that don’t have any traffic: the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska, a pedestrian mall, the front of the net when the Care Bears are on the ice.
- I know Brooks got a PP goal, but Knuble needs to be returned to the #1 PP unit. The last few games that he’s been demoted to the #2 unit have been very vexing because he’s only getting maybe 35-45 seconds of ice time at the tail end of the PP.
- BB needs to pay more attention to his faceoff lineups. If we’re down by a couple goals, please don’t put either BMo or Flash out to take an offensive zone faceoff. If you’re willing to roll 4 defenseman for the last half of the third, you ought to be willing to mess with your lineup enough to get a real faceoff artist out there for key draws.
- Varly didn’t look awful, but that first period goal was a killer. The Caps had thoroughly outplayed TB for the whole period and had nothing to show for it. That shot just cannot go in.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 13, 2010 1:45 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Erskine is an NHL defenseman… I don’t think he’s good enough to be a top-6 guy on the Caps, but he adds depth, and he can spell a guy if need be. On a team with weaker defensemen he’d be a top-6 guy. Sloan on the other hand… is an AHL guy.
Let's go Caps!
He looked decent enough, a decent depth d-man, last night. Which is so frustrating with him. One night, it’s oh, look, that’s a guy who is a depth guy and plays well enough and doesn’t try to play “fancy.” And then other nights I’m about ready to volunteer to drive him back to Hershey.
That said: Consistency, they name is not Tyler Sloan!
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
The Blood Cult of Matt Bradley. Tune in Wednesday when Japers Rink offers their first burnt offering to Matt Bradley to give him an endless supply of the blood for his strident ways.
For all us office drones, that’s the equivalent of spilling coffee on your keyboard every morning.
Awesome.
Agree that Fehr looked real good last night. How the fuck was there not an interference call on the play where he just got smoked and hobbled off the ice? Doesn’t get much more blatant than that.
If BMo sits, do you have Steckel or Flash at 3C? I’m not sure I love either option. If Flash is playing C, he should definitely be on a line with Laich, but then that makes him 2C in all likelihood. Not sure I’m a fan of that at all.
During the second intermission I’m in the concourse talking about Semin getting benched or dropped a line or two. He doesn’t come out on the first 2L shift and I get excited… then the SOB line. Ugh.
You think dropping Knuble to PP2 might be a way of managing his minutes? I’m not sure I’d agree with that even if it was the case, but he is getting old and can’t skate 20 minutes a night anymore.
I need to watch that first goal again. The angle I had from my seat it didn’t look that bad. What was bad on that play? Both Green and AO quit skating in the neutral zone and allowed a 2 on 3 to become a 2 on 1. Against TBL’s 4th line. Shameful.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
The non-call vs. Fehr was Godawful. Almost as bad as the non-call against Chimera a couple games back. Way to go with the consistency, NHL. . .
The BMo/Belanger/Flash clusterfuck of underwhelming #2 centers needs to get resolved. ASAP. I think I’d like to see Belanger snare the #2 spot alongside Semin and Laich, then BMo drop down to play between Flash and Fehr, with Gordo centering Chimmer and Brads.
Really, there are a zillion different permutations. I just don’t want BB to trot Steckel out there every game, because he’s a goddamn liability on the PK.
I do think the team is making a conscious effort to limit Knube’s icetime, and I get it. I’d just rather they limit his 5v5 ice time somehow, and keep him out there for the first minute of the PP. If all goes well, the PP won’t even last that long. . .
Varly just has to stop that first goal. Bochenski can shoot (too bad he does fuck-all else), but getting beat high far side from that far out should not happen to an NHL goalie, and the timing of it couldn’t have been worse.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Varlamov was way off his angle on the first goal. Shuffled way too far to his left and left the whole blocker side open.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 14, 2010 1:54 AM EST up reply actions
I know I’m never gonna win any arguments about Erskine. Like I said Friday, I have more of a “soft spot” for him vice evidence that he should be in the Caps lineup game in and game out. He’s a likeable, blue-collar guy that I find easy to root for, and he’s tough as fucking nails. But I’ll put it this way: I’m never upset when he’s scratched (except maybe against teams that try to bully) and when he does play I’m simply hoping that Uneventful Erskine shows up, which didn’t happen last night.
Though I do agree with MikeL below. Erskine can probably go to a dozen other teams and easily be a nightly top-6 guy.
playoff standings!
EAST
(p)Washington vs. Boston
Pittsburgh vs. Montreal
Buffalo vs. Philadelphia
New Jersey vs. Ottawa
WEST
San Jose vs. Calgary
Chicago vs. Nashville
Vancouver vs. Colorado
Phoenix vs. Los Angeles
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
The Blood Cult of Matt Bradley. Tune in Wednesday when Japers Rink offers their first burnt offering to Matt Bradley to give him an endless supply of the blood for his strident ways.
My notes:
What was Semin thinking as he hammered the puck into icing resulting a second goal by tampa. He actually did it couple of
times this season. If i remember corectly,there was another goal following. Somebody tell him not to do that again.
Maybe he could just ask Erskine…
Is it me or the crowd at verizn centre was pretty quite this game?
I liked ow SMo was playing. He was really aggressive and hammered people into the boards.
Most pleasant one- into Downies face. I hate that guy…
I don’t know if the crowd was that quiet or not. I sure got scolded for being a little too loud.
And yeah, that icing on the second TBL goal was absolutely ridiculous. One more stride and he hits the red line.
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 Fehr and Balanced on Mar 13, 2010 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
Friday night crowds can be pretty quiet sometimes. Folks are tired from the week. Also, recent crowds have seemingly had a lot of “single-game” folks, and fewer STH, at least in my section.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Could you please change your site format from what you just adopted an hour ago or so? This black ink on navy blue background is unreadable — at least for me.
Rocking the Red since 1975
who is this directed to? i’m not seeing black on navy blue.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 13, 2010 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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