Recap: Canucks 4, Caps 2
by Becca H on Jan 14, 2011 10:11 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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Print[GameCenter - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Corsi/Fenwick - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Zone Starts]
With both teams coming off of shutout losses and both teams possessing some serious firepower (albeit somewhat dormant on the Washington side of the ledger), the expectations for this one were that it would be a great all-around game - fast-paced, stars being stars, perhaps some great goaltending to back it up.
To some extent, it delivered. The Caps matched the Canucks in intensity for some of the night and appeared to have some jump in their step, which is more than one could say about their last few outings. Unfortunately some ill-advised lapses, continued power play woes and the ongoing inability of the Caps' big guns to fire straight combined with Vancouver's ability to outwork, outplay and outscore them, and the Canucks roll out of DC two points firmly in hand.
Ten more notes on the game:
- There were times tonight where it looked like the vintage Caps were back. One such moment was the play that led to the opening goal of the night, a crisp passing sequence that started with John Carlson's deft drop-pass to Boyd Gordon, continued with Gordon's great breakout pass to Matt Hendricks, and finished with Hendricks rifling it by Roberto Luongo.
- The second was the ridiculous Swede-to-Swede sequence late in the game that saw Nicklas Backstrom find his countryman Marcus Johansson with a cross-ice pass we've seen so many times - but not much lately. It gave the Caps life and cut the lead to one with plenty of time to even it up.
- Unfortunately there were more plays that screamed circa 2011 Caps than those that inspired nostalgia for teams gone by. Case in point: Jason Chimera’s ill-advised "fancy" move at center ice that not only made him look like an idiot, it eventually ended up in the back of the Caps’ net. Doing that anytime is not a good idea; doing it when a Sedin is on the ice? Awful.
- You’d probably like to see Mike Green not take himself out of position to lay a hit on Hansen in that situation. By the time Green made contact the pass was already up ice and on Daniel Sedin’s stick, with 52 unable to get back and leaving Chimera - the guy who started the whole sequence - to try and hustle back in a futile attempt to cover.
- You’d also probably like to see David Steckel challenge the point a bit more on the power play and do so without using his 6’5" frame to screen his goaltender. Oops.
- Back to Green, he absolutely deserved to be whistled for a trip on that shorthanded breakaway late in the second period. Because as the rule states, if you hit the puck first it's a penalty. Or...wait, that can’t be right. Can it, McCreary?
- Hey, the power play was powerless. In other news, water still wet, sky still blue...
- How about young Marcus Johansson? One of the bright spots on the night and on the season, he just seems more confident and more aggressive every game. His goal to give the Caps hope late in the game was his third in the last three games and a reward for being one of the few Caps to play hard all night long.
- We’ve been saying for weeks now that Nicklas Backstrom hasn’t looked quite like himself. Tonight he came pretty darn close, with a team-leading five shots on net (including a breakaway chance that just needed to get up an inch or two), a gorgeous assist on Johansson’s goal and a bit more speed in his step than we’ve seen of late. He topped it all off with a stellar 19 wins on 24 faceoffs (79%). Hopefully that breakout game is just around the corner.
- Scary moment when Steckel and Eric Fehr collided near the blue line. Scarier was the amount of pain Fehr appeared to be on the bench afterward, and the fact that he left the game with what they’re calling an "upper body injury". Get well soon, Fehrsie.
Sure, there were some bad bounces. And bad luck seems to follow this team these days, there’s no doubt about it. But at the end of the day, this team needs to figure out that it doesn’t come down to bad bounces or bad luck...it comes down to bad work ethic. The game is 60 minutes long, and against a team as talented as Vancouver taking even a minute or two of the sixty off puts you in a hole that is just too hard to climb out of - especially when you can’t score.
The time to figure that out is now.
Game highlights:
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Becca needs a hug.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Jan 14, 2011 10:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
And three fingers of scotch.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Go for the whole hand.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Jan 14, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
Pfft, I’ve moved past the Scotch and on to the hard stuff…pass the damn Yoo-hoo.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
At least I was prepared tonight, the way I’ve become accustomed to with this season’s Caps. I have lots of hard liquor handy, either to celebrate or wash away the gloom.
by Ovietracker on Jan 14, 2011 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
I recommend — chocolate for Becca. Chocolate is a woman’s best friend during bad times. Either Hershey’s or Godiva.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Or perhaps the way the team has been playing lately try our old college staple. The “Purple Jesus”. Grape Koolaid mixed with grain alcohol. In the morning you won’t know who the Caps are, much less care.
"Don’t put your beer in the microwave, eh. It’ll boil."-Bob McKenzie
by ExPatCapFan on Jan 15, 2011 12:48 AM EST up reply actions
Didn’t watch the game, but I’m happy to hear that Nicky B. looked much better. Hopefully he’s just starting to turn it around and reverting back to his old self that I miss so much.
Rink Rabbit & newest member of TySlo's fan club.
Please let tonight be the dawn of Nicky’s resurgence!
by Ovietracker on Jan 14, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Post game Nicky was a little tense in the video – I did like his answer about “if I knew what was wrong, what the answer is, I would tell you right now”. He also mentioned his no goals in 18 games which is rare to hear a player say. Usually they are more vague about not scoring. Based on Nicky’s work tonight, I think and hope he is about to turn the corner.
So impressed by MoJo. Not only his hockey skills but he comes across as quite intelligent in his interviews. Not your typical 20 year old hockey player.
by Ray of Sunshine on Jan 14, 2011 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
I was in transit during the third period but felt they might put in a better effort. And seeing Mackan’s hustle eralier, I knew he’d get rewarded. Good Mackan.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
He needs to start scoring in games that we win, though.
Six Beers Too Many fantasy team: It's Neu-virth Than Usual
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Jan 14, 2011 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
Considering it was called a penalty on Green on the breakaway, why wasn’t he given a penalty shot versus a 2 minute tripping minor?
I too would like to know the tyle interpretation here.
Wait for it.
by alisterio on Jan 14, 2011 10:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think penalty shot is if you get taken down when you are clear of the defender, whereas it’s only a penalty if you are still in contact and get taken out. I’m not 100% sure though
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
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Ted's choice
Wow, was that a glass half full recap. I thought the caps looked completely flat from the get-go.
Been a long time BB supporter. And i admire Ted’s bias towards loyalty.
But this team, as is, has no shot of post season success. They play <20 minutes of hard & smart hockey per night. Totally predictable that they’d have a good 3rd period after those first two. More predictable that they’d play with awesome intensity for the last 5 minutes.
Every pass seems to be slightly off. Positioning is consistently a problem. Too many whiffs, falldowns and broken sticks on great shooting opportunities. We’re not going to change the players meaningfully (unless we trade for a veteran goalie), so the one thing you can change is BB.
Oh, and for those many of you who seem to long for the post-Semin era, well, careful what you wish for.
There’s a meaningful change that the Caps can and need to make – 2C. That needs to be made before a coaching change – BB has yet to have a full team.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I understand the issue with no 2C. But the team could be said not to have had a good 2C last season, yet won the President’s Trophy.
The issues with the Caps this season go well beyond this, and start with Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin, Laich and Green’s precipitious drops in goal production.
The ice will show everything.
I agree with that, but getting a 2C should still be done before any talk of BB getting fired. Lack of a 2C has killed us each of the last 2 postseasons, and the Caps have yet to address it.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
it’s much easier to fire Boudreau & hire Hartley, than it is to get a quality 2C. Most teams don’t just “give” those away…
by OvechkinGR8 on Jan 14, 2011 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
Oh yeah? Do you know if Hartley is available? Wants to coach? Have you talked to him regarding how much he wants to be paid? You should probably funnel this info to McPhee before he makes a mistake and keeps Boudreau around.
Yes, but it doesn’t fix the problem. It’s much better to just fix the problem that needs to be fixed – which is 2C.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
But that’s the problem. Which teams have a 2C that’s available; i.e. have a surfeit of centers, and among those teams, what do we have to offer for it? We have good young defensemen, two good goal tenders, and fairly young scorers who used to be good scorers.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
If it’s a team that is rebuilding, we have picks and prospects – which would be optimum. If it’s a possible contender, Semin might be the only trading piece.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
This year it’s dicier to find a rebuilding team as 13 teams are still in contention for the Western Conference playoffs. Less teams for the East but….
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Even though I know it’s been said not to be a good idea, what about Arnott? I don’t see how he could possibly be a downgrade from what we have (or don’t have, actually) and the Devils will need picks after the Kovalchuk debacle. I just don’t know any other decent 2C’s on other low-end teams.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Each of the last one postseasons, I’d say.
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by red army line on Jan 14, 2011 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
2. It killed them against the Pens and Montreal.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
I agree that it was a dagger against PIT as well. There were more identifiable problems against PIT (particularly on D, but Varly wasn’t that good after game 3 either), but I would identify 2C as the biggest individual problem, probably.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I disagree with Pittsburgh. Feds was 1st in Corsi, 6th in pts/gm, 12th in ESTOI/gm and 6th in PPTOI/gm over the regular season (I would include playoffs, but over the same amount of games this year for example Mike Green was ahead of Nicklas Lidstrom in QoC). Like San Jose, the Caps showed a massive change in underlying numbers between 0708-0809 and 0910, but high shooting and save percentages belied those changes.
More on topic, even though Malhotra had been playing the toughs this season, Kesler was getting AO-Backstrom (considering the defensive prowess of Kesler and Malhotra, I wonder if BB would have been better served using the last change to get Backstrom against the Sedins). At the very least Kesler did get most of his TOI against AO-Backstrom (with Bieksa-Hamhuis). Carlzner and the fourth line against the Sedins. Perreault was largely against Hansen-Glass. AO was +5 in zone starts (5 more in D zone than O zone), which makes generating offense tough. Good thing Backstrom was good in the dot.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 14, 2011 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
Regular season stats have no bearing on this. The playoffs are what we are discussing.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Limited samples screw everything up. Green was terrible, and hurt. Fehr was hurt. Semin was hurt. Backstrom (I think) was hurt. The only reason why things would change from regular season to playoffs for Fedorov is his wing’s play, and Semin couldn’t do anything. He’s the scorer on that line. In that case, a lack of another scorer, not 2C, was the issue. Or Flash, can’t forget him.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 14, 2011 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
Take a look at the TOI charts for the series – Semin wasn’t Federov’s wing. Ovechkin and Kozlov were with him, for at least the first 5 games – and they both were good. Semin was with Flash and Backstrom for most of the series. Federov had 3 assists in the 5 games with ovie and Kozlov, and 1 assist after.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Amen to your comment on what the post-Semin era will look like. Lots of low scoring losses. (Sasha, why do you keep getting injured? And, no, I’m not talking about the injury that happened last Saturday. I’m also talking about whatever “lingering” injury happened in late November, plus the “lower body injury” that happened in the Rags game in mid-Dec.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Definitely agree. This team has not looked the same over the last 6 weeks that Semin has been missing.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
by Rob Parker on Jan 14, 2011 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m a long time and die hard Gabby supporter too. The entire infamous streak I was saying “its not him, he’s doing his best to bust this, its his players” and I’m still singing that song. But one of my biggest disappointments for him thus far has been his inability to get the top line back into anything other than a giant defensive liability and that they still get over 20 minutes a night.
And the powerplay is really starting to hurt. I, when watching, am sitting there screaming at my TV "move your damn feet, get closer to the net, dump and chase, give effort " to no avail.
Powerplay, I think, will reform when the top players play like the 100 million dollar men that they are. But right now they aren’t going to reform constantly changing teammates and still playing 22 minutes a night.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
It seems that “dump and chase” on PP mostly results in defenders getting to the puck first. On ES plays they do not throw it back because of icing but on PP it just goes back to our zone. Of our PP regulars, Green dumps the puck most often and not surprisingly — he’s normally the last to approach the blue line and by that time you have 4 defenders and 4 attackers around there with no chance to get through easily. Probably he should deliver the puck to other guys much faster.
Cup, please.
don’t worry, they lost this game unconsciously.
Wait for it.
by alisterio on Jan 14, 2011 10:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions
At the beginning of the game I said to myself, “I completely forgot that the Canucks signed Hamhuis.” Then after watching that game I was reminded why he was one of the most sought after FA’s this off-season. Him and Bieksa killed our top line tonight.
I thought we played well in the third period and some of the first but overall, I wasn’t too pleased with the effort in this game. Chimera’s turnover in the neutral zone was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen. Didn’t help that it came after one of the better shifts from our offense, too.
At least the next game is against Ottawa? :shrug:
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Let’s stop with SC Finals hope for this team and be very concerned that they make the playoffs? This point has been discussed ad nauseum but if our stars don’t play like stars then we’re DOA!
At the very worst, the Caps are the 5th best team in the conference (that’s by blindly looking at adjusted Fenwick). They need a hefty dose of bad luck to miss the postseason.
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by red army line on Jan 14, 2011 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
That’s been the most optimistic note posted tonight, my friend.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Sorry, sixth. Tampa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Florida.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 15, 2011 4:08 AM EST up reply actions
Playoffs-Sure Thing (posted below but belongs here 4 a reality check)
BTW, I’m pretty sure they’re effectively as close to 9th than 1st in the conference, because Carolina’s 7 pts back with 2 games in hand & Philly’s 6 pts up with one game in hand. We’ve also played 25 home & 20 away.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 1:26 AM EST up reply actions
Although Bolts threw away a home game to the Devils, and Thrash lost as well 2night
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 1:27 AM EST up reply actions
Luck has a way of balancing itself out. our secondary scorers are playing better at evens than they have in years. right now the caps have poor luck. Not top say that bb should just wait for it to even out, because I believe that party of the luck we observe is coaches making adjustments all the time, but that this team will start rolling eventually.
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by red army line on Jan 15, 2011 4:12 AM EST up reply actions
PIM on Green..input please
As I understand it (and believe saw it)…57.1 Tripping
If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player makes contact with the puck first and subsequently trips the opponent in so doing, no penalty shall be assessed.
I could swear Green made contact with the puck first. Dude near me said a new NHL rule may overule this…I am unaware…any thoughts
According to the current NHL rule, which you stated, it should not have been a penalty. That was obvious even at regular speed. McCreary simply blew another call. There is no rule overruling it.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
McCreary can go !&%$ himself. That guy has had it in for the Caps for ages now. From my view in 409 last night, it looked like he was intentionally missing calls against Vancouver at the end of the game. My favorite was when Ovechkin is being held by his jersey near the top of the crease by one Vancouver player while another Vancouver player is punching him in the back of the head, with McCreary watching the whole thing transpire from less than 20 feet away, with no call of course.
Well, I liked your recap, Becca. It’s good to point out some of the positives since this game wasn’t so bad compared to others in recent memory. So many posters keep harping on the negatives.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
There were times tonight where it looked like the vintage Caps were back. One such moment was the play that led to the opening goal of the night, a crisp passing sequence that started with John Carlson’s deft drop-pass to Boyd Gordon, continued with Gordon’s great breakout pass to Matt Hendricks, and finished with Hendricks rifling it by Roberto Luongo.
That play actually started one pass earlier than Carlson. Give a little credit to his partner, will ya? It’s not like Carlson is carrying him!
Green was already shooting up ice when Chimera got poke checked. He wasn’t going to get back to Sedin whether or not he hit Hansen. It would almost have been harder for him to avoid Hansen than to just finish that check.
Chimera has got to feel absolutely sick. He was in the box for the 2nd VAN call (though it wasn’t a particularly legit call, thanks Bill) and he got poke checked making a move he has no real business attempting in a situation that he has no business attempting it. He’s going to want this one back.
Schultz has not been impressing me lately. I don’t know if it’s rust or what, but his lack of mobility has been getting exploited a little more frequently and he hasn’t been making the best decisions with the puck. Maybe it’s just that kind of year.
Mackan had another great game. Ho hum. This is exactly why some of us thought it was better to let him grow in the NHL back when he was having his quiet November.
Did it look to anyone else like MP was playing wing? I didn’t pay close enough attention to say for sure, but I caught a few shifts where Beagle was taking the draw and playing down lower in the zone on defense. Might the MP to wing experiment be starting? And what kind of praise is that for Beagle if he’s being trusted with 3C duty (or was it really the 4C?)?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Beags actually was the 3C when both Perreault and Johansson were out injured
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
MP took 5 draws, Beagle 2. They were playing largely on the same line at ES.
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by red army line on Jan 14, 2011 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
And didn’t get a whole ton of time. I’m pretty sure at least one of MP’s draws was on the PP as well. I guess BB was mostly trying to get them out there on the fly.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
I’d say send MP down but now with Fehr out, there’s really no other choice. What the hell is this team going to do for forwards on Sunday?
8-19-22
21-90-25
26-39-85
83-15-?
They had damn well better be playing the trap for 60 minutes.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
Is King ready to go? If not we can probably get Aucoin up on an emergency recall. Not ideal, but it shouldn’t be a big deal if our horses were playing well.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
Unless they recall either Willsie or A. Gordon or someone else. I worked out the numbers on the roster and we are majorly short of “active” players, in general. I figure Poti’s on IR. And tonight I learned that Sloan’s been sent to Hershey for a conditioning stint so that means we have only 6 active defensemen, with no spares.
For forwards, Bradley’s on IR and I presume Semin will be put on IR as well since he’s missed the requisite number of games to be put on IR retroactive to last Sunday. So, we have no spare forwards either, even if King plays.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I’d like to see another D’Ohboy frame-by-frame of what the Caps are doing in the last four games. To me it looks like they’ve lost their structure in the neutral zone. Their spacing and alignment is too loose and teams are exploiting it. Just look at the shot totals.
In their own zone? So much for the forwards dropping down to support the D on the breakout. Vancouver was terrorizing our D tonight and forcing turnover after turnover while the forwards were practically at center ice waiting for a pass.
The Kolzilla PR department has advised me to post a link to my work at Inside Hockey, so here it is.
www.Insidehockey.com
My depressing stat of the night
Since December 1, 2010 the Caps have played 20 games.
The Caps have scored more than three goals a game in three of those games.
The Caps have been held scoreless in four of those games.
You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life- Stephen Malkmus, 1997.
Hopefully that breakout game is just around the corner.
I’m not holding my breath. We’ve seen and talked about these breakout games so many times this year I’ve lost count. I can’t even pretend I’m hopeful that any of the young guns are really turning a corner with regards to their offensive production (or in the case of the forwards, general useful play).
The guy is Peter Schumpmaker. Lord knows what a schump is, but you can bet your bippy his ancestors made them. What he's doing is far worse than crafting fine schumps.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 15, 2011 12:29 AM EST reply actions
Where's Bald Pollack
Didn’t see the game. Virus/Sleep/Now insomnia.. Sounds like a good thing. You negative posters are lucky Bald Pollack’s not around…oh yeah, he only applies the Japers’ conduct rule book to as he calls them, “rooks”.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 12:41 AM EST reply actions
And people on his bad side.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Mean Girls
When he’s on duty it’s the “Mean Girls” thread.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 12:52 AM EST up reply actions
What in here do you think violates the Japers’ conduct rule book?
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
anything negative or despairing about the Caps' play
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 1:00 AM EST up reply actions
No, if you’re negative but make constructive arguments then its fine. Making hundreds of negative comments a day is not fine, though. Maybe this is unfair, but having a long commenting history probably helps too, done people know what to expect.
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 15, 2011 4:36 AM EST up reply actions
It's not what I think, just the hall monitors
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 1:01 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t ever recall anyone ever being disciplined for criticizing the Caps. I’ve done more than my fair share of it.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
You're not a "rook" I guess
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 1:11 AM EST up reply actions
So your only contribution to this thread has been to complain about Bald Pollack telling you how we roll here? Sounds appropriate for a Recap.
If you really have an issue, you can take it up with him via email, but seriously, enough with the Chicken Little stuff.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jan 15, 2011 7:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Thanks for coming in here (yet again) and needlessly starting a flame war. You’ll last long here.
"There is none higher, sucker MC's should call me sire.
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire, I won't stop moddin' till I retire."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 15, 2011 8:15 AM EST up reply actions
Clue. If in the wee hours of the morning after a disappointing loss you feel the need to write a nonconstructive and inflammatory post such as this—DON’T.
I come here for good analysis and unvarnished criticism and praise. I want both the good and the bad. Posts such as this are a waste of time. You want to discuss a bad play in detail—go for it—but be cool if people disagree. The ensuing debate is what makes the threads interesting.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 15, 2011 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
At least they're not the Wiz
Don’t like giving up home game points but IF (& that’s a big IF) they get turned around, they often play roadies the full 60 min so they have a shot, unlike the Wiz.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 12:43 AM EST reply actions
Finally - bench Becca?
Aren’t Japers’ editors superstitious enough to put Becca on IR re recaps for a while? Although hers are often the best written and ref-snarky ones on here. (sorry, Becca)
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 12:48 AM EST reply actions
Playoffs-sure thing?
BTW, I’m pretty sure they’re effectively as close to 9th than 1st in the conference, because Carolina’s 7 pts back with 2 games in hand & Philly’s 6 pts up with one game in hand. We’ve also played 25 home & 20 away.
" Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen." - Mort Sahl
by Langway's Legacy on Jan 15, 2011 1:08 AM EST reply actions
I am worried about making the dance.
Remember, three years ago, if we lost to carolina on the last day, we were out. Last year spoiled us.
Sorry Becca
Your optimism is tired.There was no match in intensity it wasn’t stars versus stars.It was stars vs. a big black hole.Thats what the Caps are right now a big gaping black hole that is sucking the life force out of Caps nation.Its painful to watch,because this team flat out sucks right now.They aren’t even mediocre,they are plain bad.
Makes me want to cry.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
That’s what pens fans were saying last season after one of the caps wins. This team just lost to a team that’s top six in any team start you want. I don’t know about you, but I expected this.
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.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 15, 2011 4:32 AM EST up reply actions
I definitely expected it, but I was still disappointed in the effort.
Drunk Guy: "Alex Ovechkin is playing more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan this year."
Laichitor: "He has AIDS?"
That pretty much sums up how I felt. I was hoping they would pull a rabbit out of the hat. Sigh.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 15, 2011 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
you should never expect this from a team that was so dominant offensively for the last few seasons.You couldn’t have expected Ovi ,Backstrom,and Semin to be seemingly castrated as they seem.This is pathetic and it Bruces job to figure it out and utilize his big guns accordingly.He hasnt ,and I think he is making it worse.
Ice Breakers>Goal Shakers....THE CAPS !!
Semin who?
Am I the only one who sees no difference with Semin off the ice? I was at the game against the Panthers last Tuesday and I didn’t know Semin hadn’t made the trip with the team. I knew he had been hurt but wasn’t sure. Anyway half way through the game I pulled out my phone and looked up if he was even playing in the game. That’s how non existent he has been. I wasn’t sure if he was still hurt and not playing or jut playing but invisible. I am in no way blaming our woes on Semin this team needs to score period. But how hard is it to see that we should trade him while he’s still worth something for a second line center?! Yes MJ90 is starting to play well but we need a consistent center now. I’m tired of waiting an d we have to do something to shake it up. GMGM I hope you were listening.
I feel like comments like this are just started to jump on the bandwagon against him. I am still waiting to hear something new and constructive on this subject. Honestly I have hardly noticed Ovie the last month or so, he does one of the same two or three moves every single time he gets the puck and loses it with no attempt to get the puck back 80% of the time. He plays defense the way a disgruntled teenager does the dishes after many nagging requests. Sure he hits, but often times its with no regard to the puck being nearby and a 2nd opponent just picks it up and skates away. It seems that ragging on Semin has become the cool thing to do, but our 100 mil 13 year contract guy has been awful of late and just seems to get “oh he’ll turn it around someday” type remarks. Where did the old Ovie go?
by Carlznerson on Jan 15, 2011 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
While Semin’s play was certainly not good before his latest injury, I agree with you that some of the ragging has gotten a bit much. Ovi and Backstrom have certainly been criticized lately — there can be no denying. But I perceive more calls to trade Semin or let him walk than for any of the others.
It sounds like there were many documented ailments for Semin since late November (“nagging injury”; then sick; “upper body injury”; and now his latest.) It sounds like he played them, aside from missing 3 games then.
This comment goes for Semin & Ovi (and likely Backstrom as well). There comes a point where playing with injuries is counterproductive. When I first heard rumors of Ovi having a wrist injury and given his poor play and the fact that he wasn’t doing well and given that it was going on for a long time, I was of the opinion back in early Dec that maybe he needed to see a doctor and sit out a few games to get well.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Ovi and Backstrom have certainly been criticized lately — there can be no denying. But I perceive more calls to trade Semin or let him walk than for any of the others.
Of course there have been more calls to trade Semin. Are you suggesting trading Ovi or Nicky instead? I don’t think so. Semin is the most expendable—and the most frustrating. I want to bop Ovi and Nicky’s heads together so that they can reclaim their chemistry and start putting some pucks in the net. But they are the team’s core. Get them going and the team will get its mojo back. Semin is an important piece but not as important as Nicky and most assuredly not a catalyst for the team the way Ovi is.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 15, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn’t suggest trading Ovi or Nicky at the moment. And realize they are more important pieces of the team than Semin. But I’ve probably been even more frustrated by Ovi’s performance this year than Semin’s since his slump happened sooner and, in spite of a few bright moments, had been going on longer. And for Nicky, he’s been about as frustrating as Semin and I’ve been wondering what’s up with him. I’ve probably been more understanding of Semin’s slump since it sounds like he’s essentially played hurt, with documented injuries. (Of course, Semin’s tendency to get injured so often is frustrating as well.)
I keep telling myself that these guys (Ovi, Backstrom, Semin) are too young to be washed up. I’m sure if even one of them regained their mojo, the team would do better
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I guess it’s the way you you constructed your point—that you perceive more trade calls for Semin than the other two—my response is “of course.” The two of them are locked into longterm contracts and are the two most valuable of the team (and I’d go with Green as the third most valuable).
So trade talks/suggestions are therefore going to focus on Semin. Of all the UFAs he is the one with the most value to get the best return. In a perfect world I hope the team gets a center that can lock down Semin’s line because I believe that he has the ability to win the Con Smythe. But he also has the ability to disappear. Good Sasha I love to watch. Bad Sasha makes me gnash my teeth.
Also whatever is causing the lack of production from Ovi and Nicky, this is the first time in their careers that they’ve been so inconsistent. They have been remarkably reliable in season’s past. Semin has always been inconsistent—brilliant one game then invisible the next. So the criticism of those two vs Semin is going to be shaded differently and rightly so.
Alright, confess-how many goals are you going to make this year?
"I'm not going to tell!"
Well can you at least guarantee fifty?
"No way. I have a different objective. To win."
by capsyoungguns on Jan 16, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
Doesn’t have to be new and constructive to be correct. I disagree that Ovie can’t be noticed as well. I always notice him on the ice. He shows signs of life and signs he is at least into the game. He never dissapers. Semin does, just something myself and a myriad of others have noticed. Also lets be fair here. Of course there is going to be trade talks about Semin. He is in the last year of his contract! Ovie and Backstrom are signed for a gazzillion years a piece. If Backstrom was in a contract year there would probably be trade talks about him. It’s not picking on Semin it’s wanting to get somthing for a player not adding anything to the team right now and for a player that could very well be gone after this year. Why defend him? Want to talk about being constructive? Please give me a valid argument as to why at least talking about trading him isn’t constructive?
by CapsCupPlease! on Jan 15, 2011 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
Did you say this in October and November? I’m resigned to the fact that a certain group always will talk about trading Semin, no matter the context. The fact is that Ovi and Backs have totally underperformed the entire season so far, and it does not matter that they are signed for a gazillion years. In fact, since they are, it makes it even more alarming. What if this is all there is with them? I don’t honestly think so, but as it’s now January and we’ve been saying for months “the goals will come,” well, they really have not yet.
So what about Semin? The goals did come for him when they weren’t for the others. If not for him earlier in the season, we certainly would not have won as many games as we did and would be in a deeper hole. He was fabulous, then the WHOLE TEAM went into a funk. I don’t think it’s fair in the context of this particular season to isolate his drought. If he were the only one going 14 games or whatever without a goal while Ovi, Backs, and many others were going gangbusters, I would raise my eyebrows, too.
And regrettably, now he’s injured, as it’s been regrettable that Green has missed games, in fact one more game than Semin, though it will be even tomorrow. Or that Schultz, Poti, Brads, and Johansson have been out with injuries at times. I don’t hear people blaming them for their injuries.
Don’t be at all surprised that Semin comes back from the injury and sooner or later starts lighting it up again, while Ovi and Backs still will be underperforming. I feel like something fundamental has changed with Ovi, and that Backs just seems perplexed right now. Semin will score again and we’ll be damn glad he does.
I agree with you on the isolating Semin’s scoring drought when the other guys are slumping as well. And note that his scoring drought came when he was playing through a series of injuries as I’ve been harping on, I must admit. Alexander Semin had NOT played healthy since November. His ailments have been documented. It started with the “nagging condition” that caused him to miss practice before the Blues game (but not miss any games) in late November. Then, the flu that had affected most of the team, including Backstrom. Then, the “upper body injury” that happened in the Rangers game that caused him to miss the next three. Or had that injury happened before the Rangers game? He came back for the Devils game after being considered “doubtful” only the day immediately preceding. Which leaves me to wonder how healthy was he that day — not very, probably. And played because they were desperate for bodies that day since Fehr was out of town for a funeral and Hendricks got hurt/sick that day and no spare forwards were on the active list.
Criticism would be more fair if we were talking about an able bodied Semin not producing in December and early January. But Semin was not exactly healthy during that time frame.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Given the career to dates of all the players, it’s far more irregular for Ovie and Backstrom to be slumping like they are than Semin to light it up for a bit than completely disappear. We all were hoping that this year was different but really it’s going according to script. If it continues he’ll come back and get hot again for a bit, then get cold once more just in time for April.
Why should we be worried about having Ovie and Backstrom as the 2 signed to long term contracts? Nicky is our 1C, which is far more important to have signed long term than our 2nd best wing on the team. That’s not even an argument for any sane fan. Ovechkin has been far more consistent of a force in his career (both regular season and playoffs) than Semin has. If we’re saying you have to choose 2 anyone with sense is going to say Ovechkin and Backstrom. That’s why Semin gets mentioned so much in trade bait talks…we might not be able to afford him, and you don’t want to lose an asset for nothing. Long way to go yet, but it is a dilemma.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jan 15, 2011 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
I understand all of that and that’s not my argument, that Semin is more important than Ovi or Backs. My point simply is that this season I don’t think you should look at Semin’s slump in isolation. First, the player I saw start this season, Semin, was a complete player and I don’t think he’s started a season like that before. Scoring a bunch, yes, but not the complete package that I think most saw and commented on.
Ovi and Backs, on the other hand, also started the season differently, but not in a good way. What are we to think of this? Then the team as a whole, practically, falls off a cliff. So, I think there’s more to this for Semin than just what you expect. I see differences for all these players and whether they are lasting or not we’ll only know as more time passes. It would be nice to have everyone back, healthy, and playing on consistent lines so that we could finely get a good look.
The team hasn’t fallen off a cliff, the losing streak certainly hurt and we haven’t been great lately but we are picking up points. We’re starting to have to plug in more and more holes in the forward lines as well. We’ll see how the next 3-6 games goes.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jan 15, 2011 7:45 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Dave, we will see, but regardless of the points we’ve scrounged out of the ice, it’s been dicey. As is often said around here, the points or stats may say one thing, but my eyes tell me somethings else and it is not good. I want to see some semblance of last year’s team. If they can manage to get some of our terrific offensive fire back and keep the foot on defense, then it will be good. But, we have to get some offense back. Keepin’ the faith.
The reason why I have faith is the things that we are missing are the few things you would think have to come around eventually…PP production, and production from Ovie/Nicky. Semin I’m sure will have more hot streaks as well, and maybe Green will figure out how he can look so great some nights and so off others in time for the playoffs this year.
If the problems were the same old, same old I would be worried. Goaltending I don’t think has been a weakness in quite awhile, and the defense on the whole IS better…short little relapse lately but if we can nail down some of the poor turnovers it would help not leave the goalies out to dry.
About the only thing I worry about is the lack of starting effort in games, but I have to wonder how much is the guys prepping themselves for April. As long as we get in the playoffs and are in the top 5 in the East I really have no problem with it. April is when we need to be at our best, not January/Feb.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jan 15, 2011 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
You make some valid points. I want to say that I like Semin. When he is on he is one of the best in the world. But he has been wildly inconsistent in his career not just this year. The same can’t be said about the rest of the crew. You asked if I was saying this earlier in the season. No I wasn’t however I have been resigned for a while to the fact that we probably will not be able to keep Semin. So let’s trade him now and get something for him instead of losing him as a free agent in the offseason.
by CapsCupPlease! on Jan 15, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
I actually computed some numbers earlier this year just to see just how “wildly inconsistent” he was compared to a certain other player. The player I chose was one on another team who’s had roughly similar productivity and is roughly the same age over the last two years and is also a winger. I computed the numbers over the last two years. I counted up the number of games in which they scored a goal and divided it by the number of games in which they appeared. I also counted up the number of games in which they got either a goal or assist and, likewise, divided it by the number of games in which they appeared. (I skipped any games they missed.)
My results: in 2008-2008, the other guy had a better Games With Goals/Games Played ratio but had a slightly worse Games with Goals or Assists/Game Played ratio. In 2009-2010, Semin came out slightly better in both departments. (I can provide the actual numbers if desired.) So, Semin does not really come off as worse in the consistency ratio.
And who is this player I used for comparison. None other than Zach Parise. Granted, aside from this year, Parise is generally more durable. And he is certainly much more disciplined when it comes to taking penalties. But Parise himself has had the hot and cold streaks as well when it comes to producing goals and assists. Okay, I’ll admit that durability is a big issue with Semin and so is discipline but the metrics I was using was to judge consistency in scoring and assists.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Parise brings much more to defense than Semin does, so that comparison is leaving out key points. Plus, Parise was on a team with a much more defensive strategy, while Semin was on a team with an offense-based strategy – so Parise having as much production is an indictment of Semin.
There is no problem a hammer cannot either fix or make irrelevant.
Their Plus/Minus stats were reasonably close, which would correct to some degree for defensive system vs offensive system. In 2008-2009, Parise was better; a +30 as opposed to Semin’s +25. In 2009-2010, Semin was better, a +36 as opposed to +24. Granted, the great offense for the Caps contributed to last year’s higher figure but still, it’s not that Semin is a disaster on defense. Both guys contribute more than they give up.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Psst…plus minus isn’t great to use. Use behind the net rating instead, which corrects a bit for team effects. Parise generally gets much better competition than Semin and may just be the best defensive winger in. the game. Granted, zach also gets a stud in zajac.
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.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
by red army line on Jan 16, 2011 5:00 AM EST up reply actions
You’re more the expert on the Advanced stats than me.
Overall, I acknowledge that it’s difficult to assess and correct for quality of line mates in anyone’s stats.
In any case, in this particular example, I was comparing consistency on the offensive front. as opposed to other attributes, including defensive ability. I’m sure, if someone were choosing a team and were asked to choose between Parise and Semin, Parise would be chosen. But my own example was more to point out that on the offensive productivity front, Semin is not exactly more “wildly inconsistent” there than Parise.
Actually, it would be an interesting exercise to apply my offensive metrics to various other folks. (Now, all I need is a nice, publicly available Oracle database that contains NHL player statistics and I could write some nice SQL queries to do all the metrics I want on people.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Groan.
How much more damage do Green/Schultz have to cause before BB realizes he f-ed up and puts Hannan back with 52? I won’t hold my breath. That breakaway goal last night made me lose it.
The MP-85: Compact, durable, travels well and capable of sustained firepower when needed. The most deadly thing to come out of Quebec since Poutine.
The one where Green decided to check a guy instead of play defense in the neutral zone – and Jeff Schultz lost his man? Yessss. Chimmer’s stick kabuki merely started that snowball of suck.
The MP-85: Compact, durable, travels well and capable of sustained firepower when needed. The most deadly thing to come out of Quebec since Poutine.
But to be fair, Green and Schultz (even with Green going for the hit) were already having their momentum going up ice because no one expected Chimera to commit such a bad turnover at center ice there. Green played it poorly but when you make a turnover like that it’s going to lead to a prime chance.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Jan 15, 2011 7:46 PM EST up reply actions
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