Wednesday Caps Clips: Comeback Loss; Caps @ Bolts Game Day
by J.P. on Jan 12, 2011 8:40 AM EST
in Caps Clips
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PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's loss from us, Vogs, NHL.com, WaPo (Carrera: blog, gamer), CSN Washington (Beninati), Caps365 video (Boudreau, players), On Frozen Pond, Peerless, Frankovic, RMNB, Caps News Network, KOL, Puckhead, WC2010 and Litterbox Cats.
- Previews of tonight's tango in Tampa from Vogs and NHL.com (Compton), and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Raw Charge for more coverage from the other side of tonight's match up.
- The Bolts are about to get a heapin' helpin' of home cookin'. [Peerless]
- Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green are
the new Jaromir Jagr and Sergei GoncharAll-Stars. [Dump 'n Chase, Caps365 (video), CI] - George McPhee was on NHL Live! yesterday. [NHL Live! (audio)]
- The "AO-as-Steve Yzerman" meme has taken root. [ESPN (Burnside)]
- Ovi speaks with CBS Sports. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- Who's your Caps first-half MVP? Click through for mine. [Puck Daddy]
- Another round of "how good is the Caps' PK really?" [BtN, McNally]
- Today's "No More SouthLeast" offering. [CSN Washington (Raby)]
- Yes, Ovi has dabbled in the dark arts. [Peerless]
- A trio of your favorite (perhaps) Caps writers talk, well, Caps. [OFB]
- Coverage from the WaPo's D.C. sports owners forum thingy. [D.C. Sports Bog]
- Down a level, the Bears will be well-represented as they host the AHL All-Star game. [Patriot-News (Leone)]
- A look at Hershey's masked men's masks at the midway point of the season. [Stack the Pads]
- Evgeny Kuznetsov and Cody Eakin make The Hot List. [THN]
- Dmitri Orlov: coming soon to a country near you. Like, America. [Sportnk.ru via Google Translate]
- Finally,happy 33rd birthday to Josef Boumedienne and happy 44th to Ulf Dahlen.
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Starting to think Baxter could use a brief tour of nacho country to focus him up.
He looked like absolute doodoo in a lot of ways last night. Not sure what’s up with that guy. But the Caps are now scoring in spite of him, and for a team as thin at C as the Caps, that’s a painful blow.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
The Captain and his running mate both need a night in the press box, I think.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 9:02 AM EST up reply actions
I thought Ovie looked pretty good last night, and created several opportunities for Knuble.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I just want him to have a chance to heal.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
What is it with him and Backis whiffing on so many shots?? After playing this game for 20+ years, they suddenly don’t know where the puck is??
Which is one of the biggest critiques you can make about the team. It looked like he was playing a lot with Wilsie and Chimera, but maybe I just kept noticing after partial line changes. Not exactly a murder’s row on that line.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Without looking up the TOI, I agree with you, I think his regular line was with the guys you mention.
They were double shifting AO, Baxter and Laich, I think, so the lines got a little cocked up.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
It started out Laich-Johansson-Willsie on one line and Chimera-Perreault-Fehr on the other, but in the third BB sat MattyP and Willsie, so the remaining wingers got switched about.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
So does Matty P. being sat for the third start the real drumbeat for a trade for a 2C now and MP being sent back down? I don’t know how a player can be a contender for a 2C slot, but not have the confidence from the coach to play in close games.
I thought at the beginning of the season that MoJo might eventually fill 2C before the playoffs, or possibly MP, but what I think no one anticipated was the varying struggles of our top 4 guys for so long and deep. If they all were playing more or less as they did last year, then I would give MoJo or maybe even MP a shot still, but time’s-a-tickin’ and we can’t afford a 2C who sits.
The drumbeat for a 2C trade started when Fedorov left. Perreault was never going to be the solution at 2C this season.
You had me at no problem.
I think MP’s a placeholder. It doesn’t seem like anyone in the organization really thinks he’s the 2C solution this year. I just don’t think there’s a trade that makes sense now. By the deadline they’ll do something, but right now the only option I see is Arnott, and he’s not that appealing. If they have to settle for him at the deadline, so be it. But for now I think they are comfortable letting MP gain experience, knowing full well that he’s not the solution and that as soon as they find a suitable alternative he will go back down.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Maybe I am deluding myself, but I am keeping the hope that the Sens are going to have a firesale and we can get Peter Regin.
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 12, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
Regin is a guy they’ll build around. Even if they have a fire sale I don’t see them moving him.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
LeBrun and Burnside discuss the Ottawa situation in an ESPN blog this morning: http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/3499/daily-debate-something-has-to-give-in-ottawa
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 12, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
I think the Sens’ fall is a cautionary tale about how quickly the window can close on a Cup contender. It seems like a million years ago when Ottawa was battling Anaheim in the 2007 Cup finals. Remember how good that Sens team was, rolling through the Eastern Conference?
Please god don’t be us. Hey… at least we never rolled through the Eastern Conference… right?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Yeah that’s a disconcerting comparison every time it’s brought up. BUT…disagree about Ottawa’s window closing quickly. They were contenders for roughly a decade.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Yeah – their problem was that they failed to advance when their stars were younger. 2007 was actually as the window was closing.
Still, we could look back at 2008, 2009, 2010…
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
The secret is to keep adding new young stars…
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 12, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Hossa, Chara, Spezza, Fisher, Vermette, Kelly, Heatley, Volchenkov, Regin, Karlsson, Michalek, Cheechoo, Foligno.
It’s not as though the Sens didn’t have a great deal of young players or turnover from their emergence in 1999 through their collapse in 2009. Some of the more recent “stars” have underwhelmed, but it’s becoming clear that the sun has set on “Alfie’s Sens.”
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
Well, they lost a lot of those guys, some for nothing (or basically nothing). The guys that are actually good are either from the pre-Cup times or named Peter Regin. Since the lockout, they haven’t really brought anyone in that is too exciting.
Karlsson and Regin would be it, they are just too few and far between.
C’mon, maaaaaaaaaan. Did you really put Cheechoo on that list? I could almost live with Michalek, but Cheechoo?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
And as of now, we have no real idea how Kuznetsov or Galiev or anyone else is going to turn out, either. Cheechoo at least had a few excellent NHL seasons.
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
Really, he had one excellent season and one good season. He was washed up by the time OTT got him and everyone knew it. I’d cut you slack if they got him one or two years after his Richard, but they didn’t. He was toast.
We have no real idea of how good Kuz or Galiev is going to be, but I am highly confident that Kuz will play in the NHL. Even if he’s Alexei Kovalev Version 3.0 I can live with that. It’s better than what OTT is adding, and a hell of a lot better than Cheechoo.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Just for shits and giggles, here’s Ottawa’s roster from their first 100-point team in 1998-99.
Now here’s their President’s Trophy season in 2002-2003.
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
And here’s their draft history.
Can’t imagine Caps fans would be too happy with GMGM if he had a record like that. What the hell happened to all their 2010 picks?
I didn’t realize Regin was a 2004 pick.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
That ’01 draft was a beauty, though.
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 12, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously, I was about to say so myself.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
Sure was. Too bad they lost most of it, and overpaid what they kept.
It sorta goes to show that you can never stop drafting well. As soon as you stop bringing in fresh talent, you start the decline. For the most part they’ve even been using their first round picks. They just haven’t gotten much out of them as of now.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
True, they just choked away the beginning of their window with disappointing playoff performances in the early rounds every year. Glad that’s not us.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Well this year’s first round exit won’t be disappointing cause they’ll be a #5 seed going in. So that’s good.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
If the Kings keep sliding, I could see us trading for Handzus. But that’s a) a big if, and b) not a whole lot better.
It actually is a whole lot better, but maybe not good enough. I think Handzus is a great 3C. I’m just not sure he’s good enough of a 2C for us. Not unless Semin gets his November game back on.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
If we’re angling after players who are UFA next year, I have a list:
Umberger, R.J. " F CLB 28 $3,750,000 2012 (UFA)
Stoll, Jarret " F LAK 28 $3,600,000 2012 (UFA)
Hecht, Jochen " F BUF 33 $3,525,000 2012 (UFA)
Frankly, I’d be OK with any of those. I’d be more OK with Stoll and Umberger than Hecht, but Jochen Hecht’s a pretty capable two-way player in his own right.
I pretty much agree with you, I just don’t see Umberger or Stoll moving. Both those teams are fighting for the playoffs and LAK could actually make some noise.
Hecht doesn’t move me, but he’s an upgrade on what we have so if that’s your standard…
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I wouldn’t so much say that Columbus is in a fight for the playoffs as Howson’s in a fight for his job. They’re six points out of a playoff spot, and there’s a crowded field of teams that are clearly better than them.
That being said, I’m not sure Scott Howson can afford to trade away pieces at the deadline because he’ll get fired if they don’t make the playoffs.
Umberger’s an Ohio State guy and the fans love him. I think he’s pretty much untouchable. Vermette would be nice but that’s a lot of time left on that contract.
I don’t know if that really matters. How connected are they really to OSU hockey? And if you need a rebuild, holding on to a guy isn’t going to help. No chance Umberger is more of a fan favorite than Bondra.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Well there isn’t much in Columbus that isn’t related to OSU, and EVERYONE in that area is an OSU fan. So if you are a hockey fan in Columbus, you are an OSU hockey fan.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
I thought that was all OSU football. I wasn’t aware that their hockey team had much of a following.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
imo, they don’t. There’s a handful of die-hard puckheads in Columbus, and that’s it. The couple times I went to games there, it was maybe half full; however, the opponents I saw were Harvard and Lake Superior State.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
They don’t but there aren’t a ton of Blue Jackets fans either. Plus, alot of people in Columbus would root for anyone who went to OSU, regardless of whether they actually follow OSU hockey.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
but my point is people aren’t going to OSU hockey and following OSU hockey just because it’s OSU hockey. They go “oh, hockey,” and then go back to counting down the days until football starts again.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
That’s how I thought it was. Did anyone in the Columbus area really realize that Umberger was an OSU guy before he went there? Do they track former OSU hockey players like they do their football players?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
No not at all, but once he was there, being an OSU guy made him a fan favorite, and Columbus needs that.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
Columbus has Rick Nash. There will always be fan favorites. I just can’t imagine that Umberger is make or break in any sense. If they aren’t in playoff position, they need assets much more than they need an OSU guy.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I am all for a Rick Nash for David Steckel trade, FO % be damned.
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 12, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Way to take a stand, RB.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Grazie.
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 12, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
The West is so tight that they are still at least in contention. Do I think they are good? No. Do I think they will make the playoffs? No. Do I think they’ll win more than 1 game if they make the playoffs? No. But they aren’t going to shoot themselves in the foot either. Unless they collapse over the next 5 weeks I doubt they sell off Umberger.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
They’re in the middle of a pretty significant collapse (which I predicted, woo?) – that early season form was a mirage. The Blue Jackets are terrible, again. Lost 5 in a row and 7 of 10.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I didn’t realize they were dropping so fast, but I’m not surprised either. Ever since they waived Kyle Wilson the brains on that team have gone to shit.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I feel bad for their fans (not really), but the brass up there is a disaster. They’ve basically just become a doormat for Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis. To illustrate, the Preds are 42-13-1 against them since the CBJ/MIN expansion. That’s ridiculous.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
Nah, CBJ is really an example of a successful franchise that just gets stuck in a tough division so they get boned by the schedulers.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
/hawerchuk’d
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
Umberger’s a pretty crucial piece there, and wears a letter (I know, I know). I don’t think he’s high on the list of guys Howson will move.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
On team of under-achievers, why get rid of one of the few guys who seemingly brings effort every night and at least has some experience playing for a winning franchise?
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
Because he’s not signed next year and he is one of the few guys that is going to bring back assets.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Since I assumed it.
I guess I’d live with that cap hit if we picked him up, but I don’t really love it.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I really don’t see there being any viable 2C candidates available on the trade market for the Caps this year. The only guys who I see as being viable and available are UFA next year (e.g. Umberger, Stoll, Hecht).
There are some decent 3Cs who are UFA at the end of this year and potentially available (John Madden, Michal Handzus, Eric Belanger, Brendan Morrison) and some guys who would be as big of a question-mark in the 2C slot as the guys we currently have (Mike Santorelli, Rich Peverley (should Atlanta bomb in the second half)) but there isn’t really a solution to that spot who is a pending UFA.
And what does Arnott have to do to get a mention?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Umberger is a quasi-center though. He’s a better W than a C from my recollection, and we’ve already had enough of those.
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
I mostly agree, but I think he’s a better C than the guys we’ve tried.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Honestly I’m not sure he’s a huge upgrade over Laich at this point. Here are his career stats for comparison.
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
Career stats aren’t really going to tell the story unless they are split by C/W. Laich has put most of his numbers up from the wing, so you can’t really extrapolate that to C. I’d probably have to watch Umberger more to really get a good grip on it, and I very easily could be giving him too much credit for that money playoffs.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Because he’s not signed next year and he is one of the few guys that is going to bring back assets.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Hey CB, since you’re here I meant to ask you —how’s Stavos looking since you picked him up?
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 12, 2011 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
Better than I expected. He’s very shifty and talented and is quick on the trigger, which is something the Preds have lacked.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Talking about players on the Preds who are doing better than I expected, Sergei K’s been scoring well of late.
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 12, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I would say he’s been the Preds’ best forward this year (isn’t saying much, but still). He’s getting time in all situations and has 21 points in 17 games now.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, though a couple of things make me there’s at least an outside shot to get Stoll. (1) Terry Murray’s been on him about his production, and his production hasn’t been good; and (2) they seem obsessed with finding a scoring winger to play with Kopitar (Sturm is not the answer). Would be nice if Fehr plus another asset would work but at this point, I’d probably say give Semin if necessary.
At least Umberger would be able to teach the rest of the team the right way to play hockey.
"If you want money go to the bank, if you want bread go to the bakery if you want goals go to the net." - #21
by snakegriffin on Jan 12, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If we end up trading for a 2C of this caliber(unspectacular), we had better also get an upgrade on D, like a Kaberle or some such.
You had me at no problem.
Did you just put “Kaberle” in the same sentence as “upgrade on D.” He’s not good in his own zone. He’s a downgrade on D. He’s a good offensive D, but with Carlson and Green is that where we are really hurting? Kaberle does most of his damage on the PP, and he won’t get that ice with Green on the team. Even if they go to two real PP units, he’ll get much less PPTOI than he’s used to and it will be a waste of the assets we give up to get him and the cap space that could be used to get someone else. If we are looking at getting another D, I’ll take Phillips over Kaberle.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Sorry, I meant upgrade on D rather than upgrade in the defensive zone. And I would think that some help on the power play would be welcomed right now, even if it means going Erskine-less. Is Kaberle better or worse in his own zone than Erskine? You’re usually going to have an injury or two on defense.
You had me at no problem.
I don’t think Kaberle is the panacea for the PP.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
No, especially when he’s not going to see the ice. Regardless of what we think he might be able to do for our PP, he’s just not going to supplant Green and I see no indication that BB has any interest in taking AO off the point permanently.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Kaberle isn’t much better than Erskine in the D zone, if at all, and he’s three times as expensive. I’d rather put that money toward finding a 2C than having a 4.5 million dollar third pair guy. And if he’s replacing Erskine, he’s actually a 4.5 mill. 7D. When all are healthy, Erskine is in the press box. So now it’s “is Kaberle better than Poti and/or Schultz?” He’s not better than Schultz, and I don’t think he’s as good defensively as Poti. (Take notes Becca, Poti is better than a Leafs defender.)
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Just spitballing here. The Caps have been pretty solid defensively, they could use some help on offense. Obviously, I’d much rather see GMGM use all his ammo on a big name center than a mediocre center and a mediocre defenseman.
You had me at no problem.
I agree with you. I’m just shooting down any suggestion that Kaberle is right for this team. If we want to talk D depth, we can talk D depth. I’d just go in a different direction with it than Kaberle.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
From Boudreau's 365 Video (paraphrased)
On the PP:
We lost the game on the PP. We can’t continue looking so lethargic. I keep putting the same guys out there, thinking it’s going to turn around, and it doesn’t…I have to shake it up.
On the general effort level:
The kids and the grinders worked hard.
Some pretty pointed shots, there. I’d love for him to sit AO, Green and Backstrom for a PP or two. We’ll see if he follows through.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Sitting Ovi & Nick for a PP sounds like something that should be done, frankly. I’d leave Green there since we need at least one defenseman per unit and possibly two.
My feeling: the PP is badly broken. I’d say, use the grinders and the kids there, instead. Or even set the PP units based on which players are working the hardest and/or getting the best results. No one (at least among the forwards) gets an automatic berth any more regardless of name or salary.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Since you can’t sit AO or Backstrom for a whole game, you really have to sit them on the PP to send any kind of message.
You had me at no problem.
What kind of message do you think they need? Do you feel the effort is not there? Certainly the expected results have not been.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
The effort is definitely not there, because we know what they are capable of, and this ain’t it. Whether they need to play harder or smarter, they are not doing everything they can to improve the on-ice results.
You had me at no problem.
I tend to agree but have seen a lot less coasting around the blue line from AO this year. Maybe just having to think about being more defensively responsible (and being deeper in the zone) is making it harder to play his offensive game. I’m not making excuses for him – he’s an elite player and is expected to adjust. I just don’t ever see him excelling at winning puck battles along the boards or playing great defense. And I’ll admit to holding my breath when he slid to block a shot last night, and thinking “please don’t hit his wrist”. As you point out, maybe he could be really good at all these things if he was trying harder. And maybe sitting him would help.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
He’s just as bad as he ever was in the defensive zone, and Backstrom hasn’t been cleaning up messes there this season.
AO seems to be allergic to the goal line. If he’d consider carrying the puck in deep along the boards and behind the net, he might find things opening up for his teammates. Instead, he attacks the net every single time, despite the teeth of the defense setting up for exact such a move.
You had me at no problem.
He’s just as bad as he ever was in the defensive zone
Observationally, I actually think this is the one area that he’s significantly better.
T-R-A-P: TRAP, TRAP, TRAP!!!
I dunno, maybe I’ve missed it. I just rarely see him make a play against an opposing player that gets the puck out. Sometimes the puck bounces to him randomly, and he’s almost always able to carry or pass it out of the zone. But as far as applying pressure at the points, challenging guys who have the puck… I just haven’t seen it.
And I’m always embarrassed for him when the other team carries the puck through the neutral zone, he tries to line up the puck carrier for a hit, he whiffs, and he finds himself on the wrong side of the red line while the puck enters the zone.
You had me at no problem.
That’s how I have seen it also. He definitely is in the defensive zone more often, but he never seems to actually get the puck or break up an offensive play.
Yes, that’s what I meant about him actually being deeper in the zone but not necessarily effective on defense. That said, having to actually skate back hard on defense is going to wear anyone out more than cruising by the blue line. Maybe that’s also contributing to the lack of offensive explosiveness others have commented on? Not so much a matter of TOI as what he’s doing with that time. Just a thought.
If Lurking equaled Learning, I'd be a force to be reckoned with.
Agreed, from my point of view anyway. There are times where Ovi seems less engaged than others, but he’s been more consistently engaged in the Defensive zone, and has been deeper, more towards the face off circles and less out at the blue line waiting for an outlet pass.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 12, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
That, or possibly (and I know this is a radical idea!) move Ovi off the point and don’t let him stay out there the entire 2 minutes, especially when his line was out there when the penalty was taken.
I agree though — for all the line shuffling BB does, it seems strange to me that he’s been hesitant to mess with the PP personnel, given just how ineffective it seems to be at the moment. Granted, the guys he has out there regularly should be able to convert, but for whatever reason it just isn’t happening.
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by PaintDrinkingPete on Jan 12, 2011 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
….and don’t let him stay out there the entire 2 minutes
Another bullet point BB brought up in his postgame presser.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Time for some of the Shitbums to get some PP time…
In all seriousness, I see a few problems with the PP. The first is the inability to win pucks along the boards. This will lead to puck control, which is something the Caps couldn’t do last night or haven’t been able to do for the past month or so. Taking 8 & 19 off the PP doesn’t help this issue and neither does putting a unit out there of 25-26-16. 8 needs to embrace playing up front on the PP and going into the dirty areas for pucks.
Second, in regards to puck control, the Caps aren’t generating enough shots to have offensive zone faceoffs. I didn’t count last night, but it seems that Vokoun rarely froze the puck when on the PK. By doing so, FLA was able to keep the clock moving, and never allowed the Caps a chance to set up. It seems to me that going to the net or maybe just dumping the puck in on goal then rushing to the front will allow the Caps an opportunity to get more offensive zone faceoffs on the PP. This can serve as an alternative if the players aren’t winning pucks along the boards. The success of this strategy also depends on the abilities of the centers to win these faceoffs.
Lastly, the lack of a “finisher” is killing the Caps right now. Personally, I think this role needs to be filled by Backstrom. He is the 2nd best forward on this team, but he needs to develop more of a scoring touch to open up chances for Ovechkin. Teams seem to give him a ton of space, practically baiting him to shoot because they know that he is a pass-first, shoot-second player.
by JimCareyFanClub on Jan 12, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
Florida had three goals on 10 power play shots, the Caps 0-for-9.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 12, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
move Ovi off the point
He was playing the half wall at some point last night with Green and Carlson at the points. Didn’t help.
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Jan 12, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
It might’ve if anyone on the ice at the time could maintain possession.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
that was ridiculous. never have I seen the Caps turn the puck over so easily so many times so Florida could clear it without any effort.
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Lately he’s been much better. I don’t know if the shoulder thing was hindering him more than anyone let on earlier in the year, but he’s been more dynamic on the PP lately. It seems like he’s been moving around the zone quite a bit more, but my eyes have a diabolical plan to deceive me, so I have no idea what I’m seeing, really.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I see the problem as mainly being a few European forwards.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Unfortunately, that’s like all of our PP.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
The key ones at least. The PP seems to be doing better when it’s the PP2, with players like Fehr, MP, and the grinders.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Which really speaks to BB’s concerns about the work ethic on the PP. When the grinders get out there they do much better at winning those puck battles, unfortunately they could use another skill guy to help move the puck around and break down the PK.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I figure it’s time to have the PP be mostly grinders at this point since the current crew is not doing the job. Our “skilled” guys can be rotated in and out as needed but center it on the grinders these days.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I"d add Laich in that group. Not much help breaking up the D box or getting in front of the net (ie, what I assume he’s suppose to be doing).
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Burnside’s piece was obviously written before last night’s game (or even Monday’s). I’d say the Bruins are trending up — they look wonderful as of late. Are the Caps trending up as PB says? They’re doing well despite nearly everything going wrong, except the PK on most nights and goal tending.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Someone posted in the recap that the best part of the game was being able to wear shorts and sandals…for me the best part was paying $13 for lower bowl tickets on stubhub, versus the $125 for the game vs Montreal over Christmas break.
Nice arena, free parking, crappy start to the game.
Saw a guy with a Hendricks winter classic sweater so I complimented him and asked him the price…$1700! Turns out he had bid on the game worn, quite proud to show me the tag. That’s a lot of coin.
More than a couple Hershey jerseys too.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 12, 2011 7:44 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
A ton of Caps jerseys, which is always nice to see.
I thought they kept the rink pretty cold, noticably colder than Verizon. Not sure how the Ice Girls like that.
So much objectification last night.
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 12, 2011 8:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
So awesome to see so many bears making their All-Star team. Quite a farm we seem to be building based on numbers down there and the (albeit somewhat inconsistent and excluding Fahey) production of those called-up.
Was nice to see Willsie get a point last night on Macken’s pretty goal.
These OT losses are getting frustrating though.
And no offtopic thread today? or is it just me?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
Interesting parallels between the Bears last game and last night’s Caps game:
Both teams got into penalty trouble (Bears had 12!), with the opponent scoring 3 PP goals against them.
Neither could convert on any of their own PPs.
Both rallied to tie it up in the third, only to lose 3 – 4 in OT — while on another penalty.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Oh, that is weird.
Too much time spent up here learning bad habits. (Just kidding but those are some weird parallels)
I could look this up, but if you know, has their PP been struggling too overall?
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 12, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
ASG
With the admission that yes, the game is completely meaningless and probably a waste of time, its still an honor for a lot of players to be considered All Stars. So, who’re your biggest snubs?
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
I really think JC74 should have made the rookie team. His stats this season are leading amongst defense-men, not just ROOKIE defense-men
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 12, 2011 8:02 AM EST up reply actions
Fowler leads all rookie defensemen in scoring, Shattenkirk is second. No mystery why they were selected; the SuperSkills competition is a show. The one I just don’t get is Ekman-Larsson. He doesn’t get nearly the minutes of the other two and has not put up anything close to their numbers. He also has had three assignments to San Antonio so far this season. Carlson, on the other hand, is the most complete defenseman in this rookie class, and it’s not even really very close. Maybe he’s one of those guys the team “begged off” from going?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Oh i didn’t mean to take away from Shattenkirk/Fowler and the other guys who made it…definitely deserve the honor.
Rest is good though too, as SA-Town pointed out below. Especially for a team so plagued with injuries/illness this year.
I like Laich, but I <3 Green
Keep the faith!!!!!!
by RockinRed4Life on Jan 12, 2011 8:42 AM EST up reply actions
He got in because they needed a Coyote and they didn’t want to put one in the actual all-star game. I hate the rule where every team must have at least one player selected.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
Yandle over Boyle or Marc Staal would’ve been much more acceptable than OEL over RAHJC, imo.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
Umm no. Yandle’s defense doesn’t match his offense. Right now he’s actually the guy everyone claims Mike Green is.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
And it’s an all star game. So that’s fine. Marc Staal is a nice regular season player, but he’s not well suited for an all star game.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
All-Star choices aren’t about the game itself. No one cares who wins. It’s about recognizing good play combined with fans choices. I haven’t watched an NHL All-Star game in years.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
by Carl Putnam on Jan 12, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
Keith Yandle has to be better than Dan Boyle, right? Please say yes. I’d take Marc Staal ahead of both but this is the All Star Game.
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
According to a Swedish paper Marcus Johansson was snubbed when he didn’t get one of the rookie spots. Marcus wisely responded to the claim with a “I don’t know and that’s not up to me to decide” comment.
For me Peter Forsberg is not just my favorite hockey player he is the reason I fell in love with hockey.
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My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 12, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
So on the Junkies this morning, one of them said he spoke with an ex-NHLer who is closely affiliated with the team (sounds like Alan May) who was saying that Ovie showed up this season out of shape and overweight. Buy or sell this is a potential explanation for his lack of production?
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Sell. He’s been moving all right. His finish is off.
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 12, 2011 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
Probably more related to his wrist than anything else. Guy has fumbled the puck more than ever, including wiffing on a pass to the point during one of the PP’s last night. If it’s his left wrist than that could explain his control issues with the stick and puck. Might also explain some inaccuracy on his bread and butter one timer.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 12, 2011 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
I could see there being some truth to the notion that Ovechkin is a half-step less explosive this season. Maybe last night, for example, he could’ve blown past that D on the breakaway rather than dropping a pass to Knuble?
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
I think he’s trying to be less predictable. Hell, no one saw it coming.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
Being predictable old Ovie is what’s been preventing him from scoring as many goals lately. Everyone seems to know better how to defend against him and there haven’t been a whole of changes in how he does things to help him score or at least get a better shot on goal.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Well, outside of passing or dumping and chasing (which they tried to do a little last night with general failure), as soon as he touches the puck and has 3 guys on him, there’s not a lot he can do.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
right, but perhaps by passing more than he normally would, he’ll start racking up more assists, leading other teams to back off a little anticipating the pass from him
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
I know he is, but he’s still attempting a lot of shots, that either get blocked, or poke-checked before he can shoot, and they’re still all over him like a TSA agent at the airport. What I’m saying is pass more, almost like 4-1 passing versus attempting to shoot. It might help get Nick and Knuble going better
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
There’s been dozens of times this season when he passed it on a play where he should have shot it. What you’re saying he should do is what he IS doing, and it isn’t working. Teams still expect him to shoot and will continue to guard him that way.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
If Backstrom could put the damned puck in an empty net, Ovechkin would have more assists and more goals.
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 12, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah. You have to wonder what the hell’s going on in that blonde head of his.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
It’s not just his finish, he’s not winning puck battles. Mike Weaver (?) I think was that guy’s name is some nobody with a long stick who’s beating AO to and while on the puck. It doesn’t make any sense. For that matter, Nicky seems to be having the same trouble. i wonder if Nicky’s actually hurt, too.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
If they are, though, do you really think the organization is incompetent enough to make/allow them to play through it?
On the Forecheck: Spals to the wall.
by Chris Burton on Jan 12, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe. They didn’t exactly rest Backstrom late last season before the first round despite him being hurt.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
And they let Mike Green play in a totally meaningless pair of games to end the season, when he was dinged up.
So, um, yeah, I can easily see the club letting those two guys take the ice at less than 100%.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Jan 12, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m gonna agree that they might be that short-sighted, yes.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Guys are always playing hurt in this league. Question is will whatever they have get worse by playing through it. I doubt they would throw Backs out there if he had a knee or other injury that could be made worse. One problem with not running away with the SE is that you don’t have the luxury of resting guys at this point.
I do expect them to be smarter about it late in the season. The positives about some of the down years guys like Ovi and Backs are having is no pressure to put them out there to acheive milestones.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jan 12, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
Really? It looks to me like he’s lost the explosive speed he used to have.
It could, of course, be the hammy he was getting work on during 24/7, of course. But I don’t discount the out of shape angle entirely.
I do think, particularly in light of the cortisone shot, that his wrist is definitely part of the problem. Whether it’s all of the problem, who knows?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
If he were out of shape, playing 20 minutes a night all year long thus far is going to fix that quick. If he was out of shape at all in training camp, he sure as shit ain’t now. It’s something else.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
I completely don’t believe in “playing yourself into shape”. Given the grind of the season, you start the season at your peak, and then it’s a decline from there as the games and minutes add up. If he was at less-than-peak condition to start the year, he’s at less than he might be now.
Just my opinion, though, your mileage may vary.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Jan 12, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wait, what? How does any of that decrease your cardio? Playing (and skating and working out and everything) is only going to help that, especially the more you do it. Your muscles may feel the wear and tear and you may get weaker, but your fitness level is only going to get better and better with the more work you put in.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
He’s logged a ton of minutes so I don’t think it’s cardiovascular endurace issue. If anything, the idea would be that he’s lost some quickness or explosiveness.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Well, “in-shape” is probably the wrong term to use, then. He’s plenty in shape, but he’s potentially weaker than he’s ever been.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
So how is that “in shape?”
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Because “in shape” refers to fitness, not strength.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
Ovechkin has had the impression of spraying shots all over the rink. Right now, he is on a pace for 174 missed shots this season. That is almost precisely the number he had last year (172), a season in which he played in only 72 games.
Discuss.
If you've read this far...seek help.
What percent of his total attempted shots would that be?
It feels like his shots on goal are down this year. Are his shot attempts down? Are his blocked shots down?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I don’t know how many shot hes has had blocked, but his SOG pace (382) would be his lowest of his career (if you annualize his 368 SOG last year, it works out to 419 over an 82-game pace).
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jan 12, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
There was a moment last night when Ovie carried the puck into the zone on the left wing, stopped up hard, and looked around for someone to pass to. He waited too long, and ended up trying to dump the puck in. But he hurled the puck across the ice to the right corner, no one was chasing the dump, and Florida carried it right out.
The word “spray” came to mind when watching that erratic decision, even if it wasn’t a shot.
You had me at no problem.
Im not sure if he is really out of shape but when i see this explanation, i always remember Ovies comment about his personal coaching change in the summer- “We will see if it works out”.
And you can say that it didnt work out well for him. He was gassed at the training camp, has more weight than ever and like many here say, he lost his explosivness.
I’ve been wondering this all season, and am close to “buying”.
Ovi hasn’t looked nearly as explosive this season as last, and changed his offseason personal trainer
Alex Ovechkin changed his personal trainer in the offseason.
No reason was given for the change. “I changed my coach,” Ovechkin said. “I worked with a different coach and we’ll see how I’m going to feel this year. It’s probably the same but different group of guys I work with, some different drills and it was good.” Look for Ovechkin to lead the NHL in goals and points this season. Needless to say, he should be the number one overall pick in most drafts unless you really value goaltending.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/39217257/sports/player_news
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 12, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I also recall Corey mentioning on twitter that Ovi was laboring in the first day Herbies more than he had in the past. I think the phantom wrist injury is more of a factor, but there probably isn’t one magic bullet to explain the decrease in production.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 12, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
I think this is the most likely explanation, that it’s a combination of factors. More weight, less than tip-top condition, sore hammy, sore wrist…add in some bad luck in shooting percentage and there you have it.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Why would Alan May be gossiping about Alex with a radio station?
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Could also be Ken Sabourin?
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 12, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
Listened to the Junkies podcast
Just to add to the post above with some specifics on what was said. One of them asked the former NHLer affiliated with the team what was going on with Ovechkin and if he was a little out of shape. He said, “You watched 24/7, didn’t you? Last year he looked like a ripped, shredded linebacker.”
The rest was paraphrased – “You cannot get in shape during the regular season. If you come to camp and you’re not in shape, it’s over.”
Ripped? LOL. Ovie hasn’t looked ripped in years.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Seriously. Besides, the jump in weight (going from low 220’s to mid 230’s) was last year, not this year. I think people who don’t follow the team but pretend to (I’m looking at you Sports Junkies) are just sticking with the “Ovi parties all summer long” meme. If it’s anything but mental, I’m thinking it’s the wrist slash from preseason.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Here's a quick replay
… of the hooking call against Green last night in OT
by Brainumbc on Jan 12, 2011 8:55 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Wyshinski called it a “Superman dive” on Twitter. I thought he was trying to do his best Bobby Orr impersonation.
Nobody has ever been deemed unhealthy for eating too much broccoli. -- Andrew Gordon at RMNB
too bad they can’t review penalties like they can to see if a puck crossed the goal line
LET'S GO CAPS!!!
Cool shirt. But seeing it in a onesie made me spit my coffee.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Just like all the other rock merch these days.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Contributor at Five For Howling.
Couple of tough moments for Hendricks last night.
In the third, in a tie game, he has the puck on a 4-on-1 and manages to pass the puck directly to the defender; then he can’t get the crucial clear in the last seconds of the PK in OT.
I know he’s a great story and all, but those two plays are just brutal.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Well, yeah, but he’s a 4th liner for a reason, cool guy or not.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, he’s not the guy we expect to step up and save the day. Perhaps a single PP goal…
You had me at no problem.
I do expect him to be able to make a simple hockey play, though. Like passing to a team mate rather than into the skates of the single defender in the zone. I mean, that was a total brain lock: scads of ice, scads of time, and he tries to thread the diagonal pass through the defender to the guy on the doorstep. Granted, if it gets through it’s a slam dunk, but the other two options he had were infinitely more available and with the addition of one extra pass, gets to the result Hendricks was looking for.
The failed clear falls into the same category
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Failed clear deserves some credit though — it was a very nice play by the Florida player.
It’s up to Hendricks to make a clear that even a very nice play can’t stop, but still — it was a hell of a keep-in
Wearing the weagle is a way a’ life
by Gould Old Days on Jan 12, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
Thought this last night and agree.
The pass on the odd man rush on the other hand…
"So if I drank a bottle of rum (not really, it was about 2/3 of a bottle) starting at 1p and continuing through the Caps game does that mean I need to do that every Caps game from here on?"
"I would, but I’d also get yourself onto the organ transfer list as well just in case."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 12, 2011 11:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
You’ve got to admit though, that failed clear was brutal, even for a 4th liner.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
He played it like a potential 2nd liner, instead of a hard working fourthie. I don’t think Beags messes that up, for example. The success and fame is getting to Hendrick’s head!
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 12, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Did anyone else see this?
Like I said in my post, they haven’t gone down two men since Dec. 9 – and, yes, I apologize in advance for the two 5-on-3 goals the Caps will give up to the Panthers tonight. Oops.
Now we know who to blame… :P
Whoops, forgot to add text to the link. It was from this article.
The BtN article was on my mind the entire game, particularly when the Caps were down a pair.
"Ovechkin has been playing more like Boy George than DMX." - Drunk Guy
by Laich It Or Lump It on Jan 12, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
In other NHL news, did anyone catch this slewfoot by PK Subban on Dubinsky last night? Funny that this one and Boyle’s in the Olympics were such blatant ones, yet neither were called for a penalty.
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
Boyle’s was much worse. This was a bad one and should get punished, but I doubt it will. He looks just off-balance enough to maybe say it was an accident. I’m not buying it. These guys are way too good on their feet.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Slewfoots hardly ever seem to get called, for some reason. This was a blatant one. Wondering if Subban will get supplemental discipline? Where’s my dartboard…
You had me at no problem.
I think it’s in Campbell’s office.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Next to DGB’s wheel…
"I would feed them lefts until I was pretty much tired of doing it." - Alan May, JRR, 10.16.2010
…and flowchart.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 12, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
Hopefully Boogard gives him what he’s got coming on Saturday in the rematch (assuming neither one are healthy scratches of course).
I would love to see Boogaard fight Subban, but it’s never going to happen. Subban wimped out on fighting Bogosian – he won’t even try with Boogaard.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Doesn’t matter if he fights back. It isn’t really a big deal if he gets suspended a few games for throwing down with an unwilling combatant.
Subban will get his, and Dubinsky isn’t one to back down from a fight. I suspect Dubinsky might handle this on his own.
Subban is rapidly moving up the [Avery] chart, and is probably in the top 5, right up there with Avery, Ruutu, etc.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 12, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
Somthings to consider:
Ovi and Backs are having well below par seasons
Semin is on a milk carton
None of our skaters are top 5 in points, goals or +/-
We have no established 2C
The PP is currently MIA
Apparantly we have below average goaltending
A win tonight and the Caps are first in the SE and second in the conference
Sidney is playing at an MVP level, leading the league in scoring. Stamkos is on pace for 60. MSL is in the top 5 in scoring. And yet with a win tonight, we will have more points than TB and Pittsburgh.
Would you rather be where the Caps are we are with underperforming assets or where Pitt and TB are with players playing at the top, or above the top, of their games?
Just trying to capt