Recap: Stars 4, Caps 3 (SO)
by Becca H on Mar 8, 2010 10:47 PM EST
in Game Recaps
177 comments
[AP Recap - GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary]
For awhile there it seemed like the Capitals would be able to hold off the Stars with just one or two goals. But for the second time in three games, the Caps jumped out to a 2-goal lead only to see it slip away - and despite the late game heroics of their captain, were unable to hang on to the game.
At this point in the season, with the standings the way they are, points and wins are almost secondary - the Caps are eying the Presidents' Trophy but the more important task is to find some chemistry, establish a playoff mindset and get everyone and everything clicking. And while there were times tonight that the Caps simply looked unbeatable, some of the old habits still slipped in and reminded us that there is work to do yet before the spring.
Ten more notes on the game:
- By the end of the first period, the Caps had racked up 19 shots on goal, tying a season high - one that would be demolished in the second when they added another 23 shots on goal. According to Versus, that 42-shot total through two periods was a franchise record. With 10 more in the 3rd, the grand total was 52 shots. Wait...how did they lose this game again?
- Two words: Marty Turco. This wasn't the oft-maligned goalie of the past few years - this was old school Turco, turning aside shot after shot with frustrating athleticism (and a bit of luck). He was the reason the Stars were in the game long enough to tie and eventually pull ahead, and he's the reason they come away with two points tonight.
- And at the other end of the rink...Semyon Varlamov. Give him some credit, he's steadily improved in each start he's had since returning from injury - but steadily improving and back to his old self are two very different things, and once again Varlamov faltered late in the game. His performance in the shootout wasn't bad, but that go-ahead goal by the Stars early in the third needs to be stopped, and it wasn't.
- So much for that good penalty-killing at home, right? Two penalties, two power play goals for Dallas. Granted, one was a hell of a shot by Richards and the other went in thanks to a healthy screen by Jeff Schultz, but still.
- We have a tendency to sometimes get a little overdramatic here in CapsNation, and I'm sure to many it seemed like Alex Ovechkin would never score again - especially after he was repeatedly stoned in the first by Marty Turco. Rest easy, folks...Ovie's back. His first goal was a nasty wrister on the power play, his second a bit of late theatrics to tie up the game and tie Stephane Robidas into a pretzel. Those hoping for a Washington Hat Trick in the shootout, however, were probably disappointed.
- After two very good outings in his first games as a Cap, Joe Corvo stumbled a bit tonight, on the ice for all three goals against and making a bad defensive play in overtime.
- Big night in the faceoff circle for the Caps, as Eric Belanger finished 9-for-15 (60%), Brendan Morrison went 10-for-15 (67%) and Nicklas Backstrom won a respectable 46% of the whopping 24 draws he took.
- The second line of Semin, Belanger and Brooks Laich has taken a bit of time to gel, but they were very strong tonight and had some of the better chances. Both Laich and Semin finished the night with 7 shots on goal, and Semin in particular looked more focused than he has in weeks.
- With guys like Mike Ribeiro, Alexander Semin and Brad Richards in the same game, the expectation heading into the shootout would have been for a series of dekes, fakes and dazzling displays. Um...oops. Richards scored a decent goal, but Ribeiro lost the puck and Semin tried to put himself into the net rather than the puck - a move that even drew a comical "what the...?" look to the goal cam by Turco. The prettiest Caps shootout tally came courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom, who should always, ALWAYS take part in the gimmick.
For long stretches tonight the Caps showed the offensive skill that makes them one of the League's elite scoring powers; when they had the puck they were dominant, and were it not for a brilliant performance by Marty Turco they would have put the game well out of reach early.
However, for a few stretches in between they showed why defense, penalty killing and goaltending continue to be their Achilles' Heel. These things will take time to sort out, and there will be stumbles along the way as the Caps continue to incorporate their new players into the lineup and recover from the Olympic break.
With 16 games left, time is running out to do just that.
Game highlights:
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Turco still sucks.
Every other night than tonight of course.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
by Ovechwin on Mar 8, 2010 10:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
It seems like so many goalies seem to look like Vezina trophy winners against us. Guess we bring out the best in the other team’s goalie.
Rocking the Red since 1975
That’s what happens when you are good, you can’t just sneak up on teams.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
Good write up.
Would hate to give up a SO goal where someone’s sliding into my crotch, spraying me in the face, and scoring the game-winner simultaneously, but seems that they all happened there at the end on Eriksson’s SO winner.
I love lamp.
In the third period, it looked to me like Varly was starting to drop into a butterfly too early. I don’t think it accounted for any of the goals, but he was leaving a lot of the top of the net open.
The first two goals he went down and got beat high, but that’s because he was screened. Butterfly goalies always play the percentages and cover the bottom of the net when they are screened. The third goal was just terrible, but definitely not a result of going down too early since he got beat 5 hole.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 8, 2010 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Corvo isn’t much better than Pothier (GvT says he’s worse!) but BB is playing him like he’s something special.
Since the Oly break, the D has been terrible in the crease and b/t the circles — you know, anywhere down the middle. Criticize Varly all you want, the Stars could have easily had three or four goals in the first. (Some of why they ended up with zero was their inability to finish on net, but some was Varly).
Carlson is looking better and better every game. At this rate, he’s got a shot at being our 2nd best D… by the end of the regular season.
Semin had one of the best shifts not to end in a goal I’ve seen in a long time in the third. Tough luck.
Our PK is terrible. That’s our biggest flaw and the #1 reason to worry heading into the playoffs. I’d love to see some kind of experimentation for a couple of games with a completely different style, e.g., more like Torts’ attacking style. We sit back and don’t pressure the puck and at the same time give up great position in front. Not surrpised that isn’t working for us.
Steckel with some sweet possession and then a great pass, followed by his best SOG in weeks. Keep it up!
GVT isn’t a rate stat and Pothier has played seven more games than Corvo has this season. Secondly, even though it’s designed to compare across teams, it’s not especially great at doing that. Players on dominant teams get inflated ratings, players on terrible teams, which the Canes were earlier this season, get bad ratings.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 8, 2010 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed…after seeing his career SO percentage + the Russia/Slovakia game in the Olympics, I don’t know why Ovie would even be top 3 SO guys
by alright alright alright on Mar 8, 2010 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
I get the thought process – if you have an Ovechkin on your bench and you don’t use him in the shootout, you’re kind of a moron. There’s always a chance he’ll pull out some brilliance, and it’s not like he’s NEVER scored in the shootout – he used to be pretty good at it.
And really, if you have to use him it’s better that he goes first. Less pressure, maybe he won’t overthink it. Unfortunately it didn’t work tonight but c’est la vie.
I know the SO is not relevant in the postseason
…so really, who’s good at it at this point is pretty inconsequential as far as this season goes… BUT I kind of wanted to see BB trot out a new guy… Belanger, even Corvo. Somebody else. Just to see. I get the point on Ovie—you have to use him—but I know I’m not the only one who knew with some certainty that Ovie and Semin would miss and Backy would make.
by DonnieKnutts on Mar 8, 2010 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, Lars is just solid. Ovie almost seems more comfortable going 1 against 2 d-men than breaking away alone, just me?
by alright alright alright on Mar 8, 2010 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
I definitely agree. My friends and I joke that he can’t score unless he has to push someone out of the way first. (hence his not very good shoot-out percentage)
by RockinRed4Life on Mar 8, 2010 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
I agree, you can’t not use him (especially when he has scored 2 of the team’s 3 goals), so putting him first is the way to go. If he doesn’t score, no big deal, the other shooters can make up for it. If he does score then great, and you have Baxter shooting next to really put the pressure on the other team.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 8, 2010 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
to be honest
i was kind of dreading if Ovie DID make it, because of the inevitable hats…
by DonnieKnutts on Mar 8, 2010 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
IOU one rec, friendo.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 8, 2010 11:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, he seems to be overthinking it or something. I thought he had finally gotten his SO touch back; was it the Florida game at the beginning of the streak? I guess he needs a defenseman breathing down his neck to score on the breakaway. Other than Nicky, who’s reasonably reliable in the shootout? I might have liked to see Chimera take a crack at it, but maybe I’m just dazzled by his foot speed and he sucks at the shootout.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
Oh Crap
Not dinasaur there, I didn’t know she logged in on my computer and didn’t log out.
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
That’s better.
"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."
Sig file makes that hilarious
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 9, 2010 2:15 AM EST up reply actions
because he is Ovechkin.
personally think he should just keep it simple in the SO, but if you look at a lot of his erm “break away”(the ones where he undresses a defenseman, both D, or hell the entire team) goals he isn’t putting on an amazing deke on the goalie(though on the defenseman is another story) he is shooting from somewhere, somehow, completely unexpected. OR he does something very simple on a true break away.
Maybe he should try falling to his back in the SO?
Joe Corvo understands we hold "Penguins" with as much disregard as theatre people do Macbeth.
Now if we can only get Craig Lockern to start calling him Jumbo Joe. . .
he actually had a nice idea on the SO, Turco was just better
that five-hole was open for a tantalizing second.
by DonnieKnutts on Mar 8, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
He torched Turco in that third period. He just scored the damn game tying goal. Wouldn’t you think.. Marty DOESNT wanna see Him first???
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
Just wanted to point out that Ribeiro actually did not lose the puck on his shootout attempt. He has done that move and scored on it and I can see how you would think he lost it. It is a pretty dandy move, when it works…
Here is when he scored on it….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XreUfjIMBuY&feature=related
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
Well, I remember him scoring on that play – this time it looked like he was trying it and actually did lose the puck. They don’t have all the shootout attempts up (yet?) but watching it that seemed like what he was trying to do, only to be stymied by either a rolling puck or the lovely VC ice.
If he hadn’t lost the puck he would have gotten a shot on net, and it never actually made it to Varly.
I think the same ice cost Brookie his SO goal too. He undressed Turco w/ his signature BL21 backhand toe drag and it bounced on him.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
That backhand toe drag always seems to get the tender but I can’t remember the last time Brooksie actually burried it.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
He usually always does a couple “test drives” at the end of warm ups after the goalie leaves the ice, and whenever I watch and see him do it he buries it perfectly. Ice conditions after 65+ minutes of hockey vs 15 minutes of light warmup skate.. totally not gonna help.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
PK please get better....please!
The PK has to be addressed and fixed. Only Toronto and the Islanders have given up more PP goals than us this year. We’ve given up more PP goals than freaking Edmonton. Not good.
Going back to 1990, only the ‘91 and ’92 Pens have won the Cup with a PK under 80 percent (they were 79.2 and 79.9). And were in the 78’s after tonight.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Mar 8, 2010 11:14 PM EST reply actions
I don’t know. Directv subscriber here so I had to watch a very poor stream on my computer.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Mar 8, 2010 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
It’s really maddening that Boudreau refuses to make any adjustments to the aggressiveness of the PK. The second Stars goal was scored on a point-to-point pass where Daley had nobody within 10 feet of him. The point men simply cannot have that kind of time and space to operate. They’re allowed to set up a god damn picnic with the time our forwards give them. Why is BB so stubborn about this?
I have no idea. Clearly, whatever system they are using now is not working.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Mar 8, 2010 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
They need to practice PK at all their practices. Last year, Bylsma worked on systems during the playoffs. The Caps many times had practice off. I think that probably contributed to the Caps losing Round 2. While I think Boudreau is a very good coach (and a vast improvement over Hanlon, among other people), I believe Bylsma is a better coach, much as it pains me to say so.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Nope, Gordon (for both), Steckel for the first, Chimera for the second.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 8, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
Shift Chart
Did something happen to Erskine?
Download link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4419178230_412d4af5d2_b.jpg
by vzotsky on Mar 8, 2010 11:18 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
rec’d. would be cool if these became regular features of the write-up comment sections. i always enjoy looking over the shift chart, but i’m usually far too lazy to seek it out.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 9, 2010 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Where do you get these?
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 9, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
I used to just look at http://timeonice.com/ but that site isn’t working for the current season, so my coworker helped me write an excel macro to do it. The data draws from the NHLs time on ice reports.
Nice write up. Varly’s got to have that third goal and as he shakes off more of that rust, he’ll get better and better. I’m really not that worried about him, particularly with the way Theo’s been playing. The penalty kill, well that’s another story. If they don’t get that fixed and pronto, first round loss here we come. Bruce might start by having his PKers become a lot more agressive all over the ice and especially at the points. Way too much time and space to give guys at the NHL level. Even the worst power play is going to score with that much room to operate.
Well, the hour is getting late for Varly considering Neuvy is a perfectly viable option. I give Varly another start, maybe two, to turn it around and then call up Neuvy.
With you there. I’m still trying to figure out what more Theo needs to show to Bruce.
Driving under the influence of hockey since godknow's when.
Feel free to throw a beer on me as, when the third period started, I turned to my neighbor and said “Two shutouts in a row?”
"This guy is an android. He's not human....Oh my goodness."
No, the first beer (well, splashing therefrom) came essentially as I spoke the words.
My defense, such as it is — I wasn’t thinking about the game, I was thinking about money for Saves for Kids.
"This guy is an android. He's not human....Oh my goodness."
ok ill admit now that im really biased and im like obssesed with sasha semin but did anyone else think he played a really great game 2day (excluding the shootout fail). he seems a lot more agressive after coming back from the olympics and i wish he had scored 2night cuz he put in agreat effort but it was really great to see captain ovie score again
is it normal to have strange dreams of yourself meeting ur fave hockey players in sometimes life threatening situations?....I think no...crap
by frazyruskyluver28 on Mar 8, 2010 11:33 PM EST reply actions
Well, admitting that you’re biased is the first step ;)
But I agree, I thought Sasha had a very nice game. He had some great chances and was backchecking a lot, I was really hoping he’d get rewarded. Just not his night, I guess, but maybe like Ovie he’s getting close? And…yes, let’s pretend that shootout attempt never happened, deal?
We were at the game and the replay on the SO attempt looked like Semin’s left skate got caught in a rut and caused him to trip. Sometime during the 3rd period, he was on the bench and it appeared a trainer/equipment guy was working on one of his skates. Right after that, Sasha went on the ice and did the little “trying the blades” shuffle. So, maybe he was having skate issues, but he did seem to catch a rut. Terribly unfortunate since he’s usually better in the SO than Ovi.
Why oh why did Boudreau not use Knuble in the shootout tonight?
My recommendations for shootouts for next game (and would have been my recommendations tor this game). Ovi, Backstrom, Knuble. Knuble had been one of our hottest forwards as of late in general. After that, I’d recommend Laich and then Fehr. Yes, I know Fehr is usually a disaster in shootouts but he was our hottest shooter since the break.
It would not have been Brenden M.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Why oh why did Boudreau not use Knuble in the shootout tonight?
Because Turco got run once in the shootout and it didn’t work.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 8, 2010 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Really? Can you bounce a puck off your arse in a shootout?
Morrison was fine; save for Semin the shooters seemed to have Turco beat when they went to the backhand, only one of them roofed it.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
by Bald Pollack on Mar 9, 2010 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
No more using Semin as one of the first three shooters in a shootout. I love the guys — maybe a little too much.
But he would not be one of the first three guys I would use these days.
Rocking the Red since 1975
what makes you think knuble would even be good at penalty shots? he’s 0-for-1 on the season. i can’t find his career numbers.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 9, 2010 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
Yes but his style is not 1 on 1. Remember when he had that break away? He didn’t know what to do. His job is to get in the goalie’s face and knock in rebounds. Hard to do that one on one.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
This is true, I’d like to see Steckel out there. . .I bet he learned a few moves when he was at UofM. . .just seems like tha guy who has some crazy moves he has been practicing. Semin should be out there, Lars 100% should be, I bet some of the D-men have good moves too. . .Maybs Corvo or Belly has something flashy?
The bogus thing about SOs are that an f’in high schooler could beat an NHL goalie if he has a good enough move. (I’ve seen it myself)
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Knuble definitely should not be in the first three shooters. Rebound goals don’t count in the shootout.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Mar 9, 2010 1:46 AM EST up reply actions
Hate to say it, but I think Flash is pretty good at shootouts and should be among the first few.
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 9, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. I’d go Backstrom, Semin, Flash as my first three – but as we talked about somewhere else, you HAVE to put Ovie in. Unfortunately.
Plus Flash wasn’t available last night…
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 9, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Good point.
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 9, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
Observations from Section 421
Ouch… that’s the operative word for today….just, ouch as in:
Ouch : Erskine took a nasty one on the face
Ouch : The Caps goaltending tonight got outplayed by Marty Turco
Ouch : The Caps PK was 0 for 2.
Some other notes and such
- For my money, Varly needs more playing time, and he needs it now. That said he needs to get it in Hershey. Neuvy has proven he can handle an NHL load. Theo has proven he’s the #1. Varly needs minutes and if he keeps playing like he did tonight in the 3rd, he’s not going to get them here.
- Despite outshooting Dallas 42-16 after 2 periods, my neighbor in 421, George, and I were both talking about how worried we were that the Stars were hanging around…yikes. We also were thinking the Caps were looking rather sloppy in their own end despite the success in shots… and it turns out the were.
- Dollars to donuts, the Caps work on the PK in practice tomorrow
- And the shootout, with Varly taking the reps.
- I wonder if that car you can win comes with the Red Rockers included…
- Nick Backstrom should always go first in the shootout, no exceptions
- Ok, correct me if I’m wrong but after Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin and Laich, your 5th shooter is the guy you scratched for the last game, as opposed to a guy with 25 goals, or the best offensive defenseman the NHL has seen since Paul Coffey? I don’t mind seeing BMo deep in the shootout at 8th or 9th, but 5th? C’mon Bruce, Knuble or Green would have been a better choice (or, dare I say it, #needsmorebradley).
- Anyone who doubts who the leader on this team is, doubt no more…
Still, it wasn’t a total loss, in that there was a point to be had, and points are always good. It’s just not good to leave one on the table, which is exactly what happened tonight.
Let's go Caps!
I couldn’t understand why Brendan Morrison was used in the shootout either. Consider he hasn’t scored for a while. Yes, Green and Knuble should had the shot before B Mo.
I still feel like the Caps should have won this game. Their PK was absolutely, totally pathetic. It’s so bad that you might as well add 1 to the other team’s goal total when we get a guy in the box.
(Yes, I know I’m exaggerating.)
What is the opposition team’s conversion percentage against the Caps? I’m sure it’s worse than the Caps PP conversion percentage.
Rocking the Red since 1975
No, but its close. Caps convert 25.2 % on the power play, #1 overall. Opposition converts 21.5 percent of the time against us (i know it seems higher, and on the road it is). That 21.5 rate would be 5th overall, which means our PK makes a league-average power play perform like a top 5 group.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Mar 9, 2010 12:28 AM EST up reply actions
It’s still depressing as hell.
(Yes, I know I was exaggerating but the sad part is that I was not exaggerating by that much.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Sorry, can get a little too “by the book” when it comes to numbers sometimes. But your point is spot on, and its frustrating as well as depressing. I think we have the talent to be a decent PK team, especially with the speed we have at forward, so its maddening when the results are as bad as they are.
by Hangsleben's Heroes on Mar 9, 2010 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
Eventually BB is going to have to change it. . .I wouldn’t be surprised if they start practicing a PK that is a little bit different next week.
Look at the brightside though, we’re winning FOs, still scoring goals, Varly looked great in the first 2 periods, and is slowly returning to form. There were moments when he showed the stark athleticism that saved the team in last years play-offs. Specifically, I remember a play where he bounced back and forth within goal stopping 3 shots from 3 different angles.
The forward lines looked very complete tonight. Every line was buzzing and getting scoring chances. They registered 52 shots! Thats awesome!
1st Line- returned to their normal self and pushed Turco to the brink and eventually scored twice because of Ovie’s heroics.
2nd Line- Semin played like a madman, taking great wristers from different angles, made a few cute plays that worked, some that didnt, didnt take a penalty, the line as a whole was buzzing really well, and got some quality scoring chances
3rd Line- Chimera continues to dazzle with speed and the line played some great checking hockey and also got a few chances
4th line – Other than Bradley’s penalty, the personal on the 4th played really well. Steckel played one of his best games to date. The rest buzzed like busy bees all night
The defense (im not sure of the pairings) also all played well, in a bend but do not break style. They were a little off tonight, but other than that played a good game. Green had a great game carrying the puck and putting pressure on the offense. Carlson looks better and better.
My only problem with the defense was their inability to clear at times, which will hopefully get a bit better. . .Dallas played a really aggressive forecheck too. . .so against teams that arent as aggressive, we may be better off
The new guys all looked good. . .Corvo has played better. . .he got pretty unlucky tonight.
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Boudreau needs to change the PK — pronto. It is plain and simply a disaster area. They should watch some video of the best PK teams in the league — and practice similar techniques.
What would Bylsma do?
Rocking the Red since 1975
I agree, they certainly have the talent, they just need to coach it.
Bylsma. . .grrr. . .
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
If you’re asserting the only measure that Bylsma > Boudreau is because of a better PK unit, Pittsburgh’s numbers since the PK are:
‘05-06: 78.1%
’06-’07: 82.1%
‘07-’08: 81%
‘08-’09: 82.5%
‘09-’10: 83.2%
Meanwhile the Caps are:
‘05-’06: 78.9%
‘06-’07: 80.2%
‘07-’08: 80.5%
‘08-’09: 80.6%
‘09-’10: 78.5%
They’ve been killing them better long before either coach got to the gig.
"First Lady, I'm sorry I pimp slapped you into that china cabinet."
The Pens have had good PK units the past few years due to Crosby becoming a better defensive player (he’s good on draws and he has a great reach..) and because the Penguins have had (and still have) solid shut-down defensemen like Orpik, Scuderi (who has moved on),Gill (ditto), and McKee. Gonchar is pretty good too on the PK.
There needs to be some improvement in the Caps PK, and it needs to happen in the next 15 games…
Let's go Caps!
Good to know. Gabby needs to get the boys working on the PK. The Caps can’t win the Cup with a PK in the 70’s..
Let's go Caps!
Well, at least while taking penalties in close games. Last night was good with the number of PIMs, just unfortunate in the result.
CИДHИЙ KPOCБИЙ: АЛEKCAHДP OBEЧKИH, OH CEЙЧAC TBOЙ ПAПA
by red army line on Mar 9, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
I hate half wins.
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Founding member of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
by Ovechwin on Mar 9, 2010 12:05 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Overtime losses count as losses when it’s playoff time. So I feel no satisfaction what so ever. Especially when it’s a game that we should have won. We are looking like the Caps of this past October.
Rocking the Red since 1975
You dont think we outplayed them in the OT? and what actually cost us the win is the clock? In the post season we have atleast 15 more minutes and I am willing to bet a first round pair of tickets we win that game in a post season match up.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
Haha — Mario’d
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 9, 2010 2:25 AM EST up reply actions
So who will be the healthy scratches on Wednesday? I assume that Walker and Flash will be back. Erskine, who got banged up today, will probably be out.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Unfortunately, I can see Bradley getting taken out for that penalty.
I am just glad that the team is going to get a good amount of practice before the Play-Offs.
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
I figure Bradley will be out. But who will be the other scratch. Will Boudreau decide that Semin or Laich need a rest? (Now, I’m the first to figure that it’s not something that would normally happen. And would certainly not happen for the playoffs, unless an injury were involved.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Actually I think you may be right with Laich or Semin getting the rest. New guys need to keep assimilating, Stecks had a great game, B Mo just sat out, Walker needs to get in i think. . .Flash is in. . .it is soo confusing! ahhh!
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
I assume Walker and Flash are back. I doubt if B-Mo will be out on Wednesday.
Semin is looking okay but can’t seem to score.
Rocking the Red since 1975
He was working really hard for goals tonight, I bet he gets one next game.
He played a great game actually, i dont think he is getting benched
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Besides Sasha has had a great track record in the past against Carolina who’s been hot as of late.
Don’t particularly want Semin benched.
(It’s now a hard decision as for who to bench. Essentially we’re benching guys who don’t deserve it.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Seriously, GMGM mustve thought someone would be messing up!
Carolina has one like 8 of their last 10, they are most certainly hot.
I would like to see Knuble benched, just to make sure he doesnt get burnout before the POs. That being said, i forget how old he is all the time, he’s got great vitality
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Grandpa Slippers can finally put his grandpa slippers for once!
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
That’s a bit scary. Calling Knuble “Grandpa Slippers” when he’s almost young enough to be my kid. People my age who had gotten married right out of high school probably have kids the age of Knuble.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Hah oh wow, well i think it is relative to the youngins on the team!
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Personally I don’t think you rest any of the top 6 yet.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
Though top-6 is a little fuzzy. Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble, Semin…BMo/Belanger/Flash/Fehr/Laich for the next two spots?
CИДHИЙ KPOCБИЙ: АЛEKCAHДP OBEЧKИH, OH CEЙЧAC TBOЙ ПAПA
by red army line on Mar 9, 2010 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
Will they get a good deal of practice? That’s questionable.
But they will get their line combinations and goalies sorted out by then.
I assume Varly gets one more start this week and one next week. And if he doesn’t get his act together by then, he’ll be back at Hershey.
Rocking the Red since 1975
He played a great 1st and 2nd period, i tink he gets a few more starts (3) until BB decides whether or not we bring Neuvy up. But. . .believe you me! I am glad Theo is playing so much better, really relieved that we may have great goaltending in the POs!
I think BB is going to run them during the POs because of what happened last year, and because of what happened before the olympic break ( the streak ending because they rly had very little practice).
As far as line combinations go. . .I think GMGM has put BB in an amazing position, the new guys have livened up the lines they are put on, and the lines these past 4 games have mostly looked rly good
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
That’s been typical of Varly’s last two starts. He plays great for 2 periods and then ….. poof.
I’d like to see the kid come back and get his act together.
Theo’s doing well now. But I know he has a history of being inconsistent. And then what happens next year. Do we resign Theodore?
Rocking the Red since 1975
Next year, I think we could sign a tandem of Neuvy and Varly, I think Neuvy is ready. Varly will be ready soon i hope. . .Holtby will be at that level soon, and can do back to backs (oh snap!)
I think Varly will return to form soon. . .he only had 1 rly bad softie.
He was completely screened for one of the PPG, overplayed the other.
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Yes, Holtby is good at doing back to backs. (I figure he’ll get a few callups here next year, given the track record for Varly and, for that matter, Neuvirth, for getting injured.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Yeap, maybe Theo could take a paycut? But then again, if he is their goalie in the finals. . he’ll want alot.
Any idea who is behind Holtby? Pretty sure he was ECHL earlier this year, wonder who the Stingrays are using. . .and Hershey will use if we take Holtby up next year
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
I think Todd Ford is the goalie at SC but not sure.
Holtby’s backup in Hershey, Bacashihua, has been a healthy scratch the last two games due to Holtby and Neuvy existing.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Ah word, Bacashihua. . .nice name
bed time for me, cant wait for OT thread tomarrah
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
On defense, Erskine is scratched, although he may not be a healthy scratch, and Morrisonn gets back in the line-up.
Up front, Flash and Walker are back in, Brads will probably sit, and it might not be a bad thing to give Laich, Knuble or Semin a break. Semin looks like he is ready to bust out, so maybe not him. Knubs looked ok though vs. Dallas as did Laich.
If Flash wasn’t scratched last night, I bet he goes 5th (if not 4th) in the order…
Let's go Caps!
I apologize for going to the game tonight…Caps have had 2 home losses since Dec 1 and I have been at both. Damnit.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
Are you going back to Seattle? Maybe you ought to take a little trip to Pittsburgh and take in some hockey there. (And bring bad luck to their team.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
We should try a JR wide voodoo doll hex on Huet, Niemi, Kane, or Keith when we play ChiTown.
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Or should I say it in French:
Oui! Oui! Oui!
Or in Russian:
Da! Da! Da!
Rocking the Red since 1975
Oui! Oui! Oui! And don’t forget the stupid goatee!
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Voodoo doll of goalie with stupid goatee.
I hope the result will be a flurry of goals against MA Fleury.
BTW, I once knew a guy in college named Fleury. He was in my chem class.
Rocking the Red since 1975
This, now this, would be amazing.
Would be absolutely great to take down the guins 6-3 again.
I, unfortunately, haven’t gotten the chance to unfairly berate someone with a similar last name to one of the players i hate in the NHL
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
Never met anyone named Crosby. (Haven’t attended any Star Trek conventions where Denise Crosby was a guest.)
As for the Pens, I vow to attend a game of the next Eastern Conference team who dumps the Pens in the playoffs before they get to the SC finals. I will attend a game AND I will root for that team. (I will, of course, strategically pick the opponent so that it’s someone I would root against w/o guilt.)
Rocking the Red since 1975
Hah, I will start posting on their blog even.
That would be awesome for the Pens to get bounced early
Bah-Ram-Ewe, Ovechkin will wreck you. Fear the Furious Fleece!
So you’ll post on “Die by the Blade” or “Litter Box Cats” or whatever blog of the team that dumps them?
Rocking the Red since 1975
It’s because we didn’t get to have a PBR before the game together.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
probably true…and I spent each intermission looking for DohBoy to get tickets for Friday, so that didn’t work either.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 9, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
well if you’re going friday, maybe this time we can try and enjoy a cheap beer before hand! I made it to rocket bar but well.. i realized i had no idea who i was looking for so i had a pint and bounced!
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
sounds good…will let you know if I can scrounge up tickets!
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 9, 2010 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
I missed tonight’s game:
Was Corvo actually bad, or just snakebit?
How was Belanger’s chemistry with Laich and Semin?
Did Boudreau look hangdog all game because he’d had to scratch Flash?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Corvo had a so-so game, but not the kind of game he should be having for the price paid. That said, it’s beginning to look like he “gets it” and will get better as he plays more.
Belanger, Laich and Semin looked pretty good together at times, but there were a couple of times when they passed too much (go figure). Brooks needs to do more of what he preaches (“If you want goals, go to the net…”)
Gabby was upset not because of scratching anyone, but because the team was only up 2-0 after outshooting the opposition 42-16 in the first two periods. He knew that the Caps should have put the game out of reach, but that they didn’t…
Let's go Caps!
Here is a novel idea. Don’t pair Mike Green and COrvo together.
In addition I know many don’t feel comfortable with out goalies. I especially don’t feel comfortable with Varly in goal. Yes he was good in the playoffs last year, but he also gave up similar soft goals during that stretch. Varly lost this game and he will lose others.
Green and Corvo were only together when the Caps were behind in the 3rd and trying to rally…. it makes sense then. Once the game was tied, Green was back with Schultz and Corvo was back with Poti.
Let's go Caps!
Just uploaded my photos of the game to Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrismgordon/sets/72157623584295524/
Только игра! Почему надо быть сумасшедший?
The PK needs work, no doubt, but Mike Green’s hooking penalty was just plain lazy. I know he plays 30 minutes a game, but you can’t take thant penalty.
That was a very bad penalty to take… a little more effort and he doesn’t need to hook the guy.
Let's go Caps!
Why was Laich in front of the net on the 5 on 3? I think he is a good player and all but I thought one of the sole reasons we got Knuble was to sit him right in front of the net for situations like that. Knuble did miss a gimmie in overtime right next to Turco but I like Knuble’s chances in front on the 5 on 3 over Laich’s.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
Great game.
I’m glad that Ovie scored two goals on us because I love him. That was my one wish for the game: the Stars win it in extra minutes and Ovie regains the league lead in goals.
Turco totally stole that game. I didn’t know he had it in him. :P
Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Mar 9, 2010 10:19 AM EST reply actions
Was I the only one fairly impressed with Carlson last night? I thought it was easily his best game so far.
Even atheists believe in Matt Wieters
nope i thought he played very well. He’s kinda like Schultz, if he doesn’t make any huge glaring mistakes you don’t notice him. He just will skate the puck more than Mr. Nasty.
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
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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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