Monday Caps Clips: Post‑Mortems Continue

When did Langway play 20 minutes for the Caps?

Elliott’s article was excellent. I thought he was spot on about Green and Ovechkin. Ovechkin needs to develop more to his game and not be so predictable. Other teams see, fans see it. It’s getting less difficult to defend him. And Green just needs to play his game, and not try to be the defender he’s not.

Is the PD/Kouleas video unavailable to everyone or just those of us that happen to be in Japan?

Wow. Less than a minute in Milbury is an idiot. It’s pretty obvious that Bruce was sticking with Varlamov in the playoffs. And the D was definitely not the problem, though there were lapses. McGuire hits it. It’s things like 1-for-33 on the PP. The stars playing like individuals. They didn’t play as a team, and didn’t adjust to the Canadiens’ style.

They are both right on one thing. It’s curious that GMGM backed Boudreau immediately. Adjustments need to be made. Either in Boudreau’s system, or if they don’t think that can be done. In the coach that is leading the team. That is something that GMGM needs to look at over the summer.

Also, while the D isn’t as bad as it is made out to be, I wouldn’t mind it getting boosted, that’s for sure. Perhaps a Zbynek Michalek? (Never happening, I know).

Why are they so angry? Their team lost, and the Penguins could win, again. That’s too much to take

Works for me.

Anyone recall how Boston or Detroit responded to their unexpected early exits, as far as roster changes?

Love how Wysh starts talking about a #2C (good), and the host Kouleas says “trade Semin and pick up someone like Colby Armstrong.”

Then you see Wysh mouth “Colby Armstrong???” with a pained “are you fucking high?” look on his face.

The Nieuwendyk comparison is apt, however. Dallas dumped a promising young winger in Jarome Iginla, but got a Cup in return.

Following up on the 80’s Oilers comparison, the NY Times had a great column yesterday on the greatest playoffs upsets in NHL history. For Caps fans, the comments by Gretzky give hope:

In part because the Capitals boast the charismatic Ovechkin, and in part because they finished 33 points ahead of the Canadiens in the regular season, some have called this the greatest upset in Stanley Cup play. But four other upsets involved teams in which the points gap between the teams was larger, all before 1994. The largest, the 1982 first-round defeat of Edmonton by Los Angeles, has some significant similarities and perhaps some lessons for the offense-oriented Capitals. The freewheeling, confident Oilers, featuring the 21-year-olds Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, finished a whopping 48 points ahead of the Kings. But the Oilers lost in a wild five-game series that set numerous records for goals.
Most famous among them was Game 3, known among Kings fans as the Miracle on Manchester for the location of their rink on Manchester Boulevard in Inglewood, Calif. The Oilers squandered a five-goal third-period lead and lost in overtime, 6-5.
In his autobiography, Gretzky called it "the best thing that could’ve happened" to the young Oilers.
"We had gotten too big for our hockey shorts," he wrote. "We jeered the Kings’ power-play line from the bench when we should have been yelling for more defense."
In two years, the Oilers would be a bit more reserved and better defensively on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. Critics would argue that modesty and defense were also in short supply among this season’s Capitals.
NY Times

I think if you meshed Friedmans analysis with Puck Daddy’s you’d have the exact reason why we pooped the bed and some solutions to not pooping the bed moving forward.

Some leftover media-day pics.

They all have such despondent looks on their faces…sigh….
On a shallower note, lovin the specs on TSloan

I skimmed the comments on the Friedman article for some reason and found this gem:

The Caps need a coach who is not a clown and a person with the cachet to be the boss. Ken Hitchcock would be good…

Talk about a complete 180 in coaching philosophy.

TSN named Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom and St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk co-winners of the 2009-10 NHL on TSN No Guts, No Glory honour.

I really enjoyed the break down comments from Laich and Oshie respectively and Tkachuk’s comment about sharing the award with someone that didn’t break any bones. I have to admit I’m gonna miss Tkachuk a little.
link

As a player or fan, the most unsatisfying thing you could possibly do after a loss like ours is to say you lost because of bad luck. Not exactly going to win you a sportsmanship award either. And while we all know (or at least feel) there were many things, from fundemental strategies and roster selections, to nuanced player-level changes that could’ve been made to change this series dramatically, the admittedly faulty way we went out and played was still more than enough to win 4 games, and more often than not does win us 4. Not to say MTL didn’t earn it, or that we couldn’t have played (and been coached) much better than we were, but I think it’s clear by the BtN stats that we were, in part, snake bit.

Yes, our PP was atrocious. And not just on paper. We looked lost and uncoordinated until late in the series. But just like MTL got a break on the PP when a shot from the point sawed a WSH stick in half and floated gently to a winger in the slot… these bounces happen to everyone, except the 2010 Caps in the playoffs. We didn’t get a flukey goal when we needed it, a fortunate bounce, or a plinko goal. Because not getting lucky is a form of getting unlucky.

In the end, we all want to rationalize and place blame for the loss, but the ratio of blame to people who deserve the blame is pretty out of whack. Yes, you can tag BB for a decent amount (and in various facets of the game). Yes, Sasha didn’t put the puck in the net. Yes, Green had a couple trademark, top shelf boners in the defensive zone, but still it doesn’t feel like enough to have deserved a loss.

So while there is real blame to pass out and real changes that need to be made, and there were things that we could’ve done to win this series, GMGM knows that drastic changes need not be made. I’m not totally satisfied with how we played, but I also recognize we played far well enough to win. Sometimes you just crap out.

After a few days to calm down, regroup, stop thinking about the Caps, etc (which I’ve been pretty much unsuccessful at), it was interesting to read the Friedman article.
I agree with his assessment of Ovechkin, especially two things: First, his game changed this season; he was a different player after the last suspension, the final event that changed his style. Second, he has become increasingly predictable, (Engblom noted his change of tactic from North/south to east/west and showed how since the switch he’s been less successful; I strongly agree with that), as he began to rely too much on his signature move and shot. Semin also began to rely heavily on his wrister from the slot. After all, where were Semins moves to the net, where he could lift the puck straight up to the top from in close? Someone has to get him the puck down there, and he has to go there to get it.
I also agree with the assessment on Green. He’s a great offensive defenseman, and should remain so. He needs a rock solid stay at home (not a project or middling player) so that he can pursue that course. If you’re going to have a 4th forward, the 1 D should be a dominant specimen. Schultz may be good, but he isn’t the playoff answer to the 1 D equation.
BB isn’t going anywhere, but as someone mentioned above, there must be more accountability at practice. Too many options, too many low key, keep it light days. Help the players become more than one dimensional characters of themselves by encouraging them to create new moves, new techniques, so that they are less predictable. Games are not the time to practice that new head fake. If the post season removes your time and space, toe drag after toe drag is not beneficial ‘practice’.
I can go on and on. There are so many things that need to get tweaked, not hacked up, but seriously tweaked. And Friedman was right on target about one thing, it really comes down to personnel. We all know that. We know who should stay and who should go. If they keep Semin, then put him back on left wing and put Fehr on the RW, but pick up a brutish center because Semin isn’t bringing anything physical and Fehr, though vastly improved, is not physically imposing despite his size. You have to make up for that on the wings, and the center is the place to do it, if you want Fehr and Semin on the 2nd line. (my guess is semin gets moved at one point because he’s on a one year and if you keep him all year, he walks for nothing.) Eitherway, the Caps have to get meaner, uglier and more physical. There is too much of a division between the 1st and 2nd lines, and the top two versus the bottom 2; the 3rd and 4th line have improved a lot, but the 2nd regressed. (we can still blame Nylander.)
Too long. Sorry. Still haven’t gotten enough distance. I liked the Pens getting frustrated and losing to the Habs.
Now the Habs have got me pulling for them. WTF, man, wtf?

Save for Kids isn’t on the front page anymore, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has sent their checks in, let you know that I’m truly touched by the notes you guys are sending, and remind you if you’ve been avoiding the internet since Wednesday (and who can blame you?), instructions on how to submit your pledge can be found by clicking the link in my signature.

Went to a party Saturday and was asked, “Have you gotten over Caps losing the series to the Habs?”. My response “Nope, I’m still pissed”.

For all the excuse makers inside and outside the organization, hope you enjoy watching 4 weak squads battle for the East knowing full well the Caps could have/should have beaten every single of them.

For almost 3 decades I’ve learned to get over Caps playoff losses pretty quickly. Normally 2-3 days later I’m back to normal. This was because in most cases I felt like those Caps squads were good, but wouldn’t ever have a true chance at a Cup or even the Cup Finals. The ’97-98 squad making it to the Finals was just a fun ride. However, this time I figure it will take me until late May or June…2011.

Have I forgotten anything? Oh yes, see what you can get for Semin.

Love this from Friedman, but the one-year paycheck GMGM just gave AS28 may it difficult to do anything with him. The Caps could get as many as three decent wingers for what AS gets paid.

Volchenkov…that is all!

TEB posted the summer schedule. His August schedule is depressing as hell.

Okay, this is pretty funny. Canada is now officiellement divided as to the question of “Who is Canada’s team?” for the duration of the playoffs. Which begs the question – wouldn’t a all-Canadian Coupe Stanley Cup final be delicious?

TSN’s Dave Hodge asks a question.

Glad Green finally spoke to the press. The comments TEB has tweeted are precisely what I wanted to hear. Makes me feel a bit better honestly.

in figurine form!

Steinberg has the full scoop

So when is Ups and Downs coming out?

Good company!