Capital Ups and Downs: Week 2
by J.P. on Oct 17, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
in Capitals Ups and Downs
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Our weekly look at individual Washington Capitals' ups and downs:
| Goalies | Trend | Notes |
| Braden Holtby |
 |
Had the best seat in the house for the win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night before heading back to Hershey. |
| Michal Neuvirth |  |
At least the Caps moved their young goalie with the nagging lower-body injuries over the summer and got rid of that headache, eh? |
| Dany Sabourin |
|
Had the best seat in the house for the win over Ottawa on Saturday night before heading back to Hershey. |
| Tomas Vokoun |  |
Yeah, he let in a couple of awful goals against the Bolts. And maybe he'd like to have played the two Pittsburgh tallies differently. But since allowing Tampa's fifth goal, Vokoun has three wins, a .963 save percentage and 1.34 goals against average, stopping 79 or 82 shots against in 134 minutes and change. Fire up the Vokeswagon. |
| Defensemen | ||
| Karl Alzner | |
Tasked with shutting down opponents' top lines, Alzner did just that this week, playing 56:48 on the week (including just under five minutes on the penalty kill) and being on the ice for just one goal against - Bruno Gervais' flukey below-the-goal-line marker in the Tampa game. Oh, and that career-best three-game assist streak (snapped Saturday night) didn't hurt either. |
| John Carlson | |
Carlson pitched a perfect week, playing 61:08 (5:38 shorthanded) against top competition without being on the ice for a single goal against. In fact, he's only been on for one opposition tally so far this young season, the goalie-pulled game-tying goal for the 'Canes. The points aren't there yet, but if he keeps up the stout defense, who cares? |
| John Erskine | |
You tell 'em John Erskine's comin' and his mo's comin' with him, you hear? |
| Mike Green |  |
Had a big assist in the Pittsburgh game, and while it was his only point of the week, consider that he's been on the ice for seven of the Caps' last dozen goals (and all four power-play goals to date). He still seems to be familiarizing himself with new D-partner Roman Hamrlik... |
| Roman Hamrlik |  |
... who has been on the ice for seven of the 11 goals the Caps have allowed on the season, including five of eight last week. He's also the only Caps blueliner without a point so far, has registered a shot on goal in just one of four games, and is the common denominator on the three power-play goals the team has yielded (no other skater has been on for more than one). Is "Hamrlik" Czech for "Poti"? |
| Tom Poti | |
Are we really going to have to come up with something to fill this space every week? |
| Jeff Schultz | |
Was on the ice for both of Tampa's third-period goals, but also provided a key primary assist and three hits in that game. The rest of the week was solid but relatively nondescript - exactly what you want out of Sarge. |
| Dennis Wideman | |
Scored in each of the week's first two games (including the OT game-winner in the 'Burgh) and added a helper on the eventual game-winning goal on Saturday night. And while he was on the ice for five of the ten Caps goals on the week (no skater was on for more), he was also on for four of the eight they allowed. Such is life with Dennis Wideman, it would seem. |
| Forwards | ||
| Nicklas Backstrom | |
Scored his first goal in forever on Saturday and had a pair of assists (including setting up Wideman's game-winner) in Pittsburgh, but isn't quite "there" yet, though he has been on the ice for all four Caps' power-play goals. Most troubling? Backstrom only won 38% of his faceoffs in the week's three games. |
| Jay Beagle | |
When you're a fringe NHLer, sometimes you do things like Beagle did on Thursday in Pittsburgh - challenge the toughest guy on the ice to drop the mittens when he tells you to chill out. Unfortunately for Beagle, things didn't end well, but it sounds as if he's doing alright. |
| Troy Brouwer | |
Deflected a Jeff Schultz point shot past Dwayne Roloson for his only point on the season, which is disappointing considering the linemates he's been given (i.e. an Alex and a Swede nearly every time he's stepped on the ice). He sure is throwing his weight around, though. |
| Jason Chimera | |
Followed up his opening night tally with a two-goal effort against the Bolts and used his wheels to draw a penalty against the Sens as he continues to shine on what's been the Caps' best line. |
| Jeff Halpern | |
Won 68% of his draws on the week, including 75% of the eight he took in his own zone, and wasn't on the ice for a single goal against at even strength or in his 4:06 of penalty-killing time. The helper against Tampa was a cherry on top. |
| Matt Hendricks | |
Hasn't shown up in the stat sheets much yet, but did have a big shootout goal in the Lightning game. |
| Marcus Johansson | |
A couple of pretty wrap-around goals bookend a week in which he may have been the Caps' best forward. His work in the dot continues to be a concern, however, as he's won just 40% of his draws overall, and a pitiful 27% in the offensive zone. |
| D.J. King | |
Got a sweater, nine shifts and seven minutes against the Sens. |
| Mike Knuble | |
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Knuble scored against the Pens from within inches of the goal (and without even shooting the puck), then followed it up with a helper on each of the Caps' goals on Saturday. Maybe he doesn't have to skate with Ovechkin and Backstrom to be effective after all. |
| Brooks Laich | |
Centering a shutdown third line that isn't allowing much of anything to opponents' top lines at even strength - the only goal Laich, Chimera and Joel Ward were on the ice for all week was that same fluke Gervais goal, and that's despite being matched against the likes of Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, Evgeni Malkin, and Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. |
| Alex Ovechkin | |
Scored a big goal on a pretty deflection in Pittsburgh, but was a minus-two on the week and had a couple of shifts that you'd rather not see from your "lead by example" captain. |
| Mathieu Perreault | |
Had an assist and provided a different (and interesting) look for the fourth line against Tampa, but didn't get a sweater in either of the week's other two games. (That 12.5% in the dot isn't helping.) |
| Alexander Semin | |
No Cap forward was on the ice for as many goals-against (four) as Semin this week, and nary a one of those came on the penalty kill. Instead, three of the four came with the score tied (as did his penalty in overtime against Tampa), and the other with the Caps up one in the third period. On the flip side, no Cap forward was on the ice for as many goals-for (four), two of which came with the Caps trailing by a goal, and one apiece with them tied and up one. Still, a no-goal/two-assist three-game week is less than should be expected from this $6.7 million man. |
| Joel Ward | |
See the Laich blurb above for the key points from the past week, but here's an over-arching point: there may not be a player on the team that does more things the right way and seems to have better attention to detail than Ward. Thanks for trainin' him up, Barry Trotz. |
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Comments
What a fabulous job youve done with this weeks ups and downs. You are a fine young chap.
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Why thank you, good sir (though I’m not sure I can accept the “young” part of the compliment).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It’s all relative. You are young to me.
by capsyoungguns on Oct 17, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Ha…Truth is it may be the first time I have completely agreed with it…The closest bubble player I thought was TB20. I really like what he has brought and I am not sure we can fault him for his linemates like you said. But first week with a new team I see him bringing good things come spring and dare I say summer.
Check out a new social network, Hockey Connect, a place for coaches, players, family and fans to share strategies and experiences.
I second this. Your “ups and downs” get an up arrow from me.
What’s interesting is how parts of the top six are doing well but the two lines overall are rather meh.
by capsyoungguns on Oct 17, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
My overall takeaway here is that it’s somewhat fitting that, individually, there have been a lot of good performances but, overall, the whole has been perhaps less than the sum of its parts.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Very true. I’m enjoying some of the moments but….!
I see potential in Brouwer on the top line and am hoping he sees enough time there he can gel with Ovi and Nicky. As I recall it took Knuble time to find his groove with them. Presuming of course that Ovi and Nicky pick up their game more than they have thus far.
by capsyoungguns on Oct 17, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
The idea of Brouwer on the top line is appealing, but so far I’ve seen too many times when he’s been in front of or behind a perfect pass to put in the net. That’s something I’m hoping he can work out with 8 & 19 after a few more games. Really hate to break up Mojo and Knuble; they seem to have something working.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
I like the idea of Brouwer on the top line for the additional reason that he hits well. Ovi is a target for physical play by everyone else, so I think it may help to have Brouwer on that line to provide equally physical play, in addition to Ovi, to keep the other teams wary of wearing out against two hard hitters.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
His physical play is good, but what I was looking forward to the most (and what seems so far to be true) is his ability to draw penalties, something the Caps were lacking in last year.
"You can want to get to April but when you get to April you may not like the answers you get, so you might as well enjoy the ride while it's going on." - Brian McNally on JRR, 8/29/2011
Nice...
This is good stuff…. although I think Sabo should have gotten a kiss icon like Holtby did.
As far as Poti goes, memorable quotes from great movies might work:
Tom Poti "I just want to tell you both good luck. We’re all counting on you. "
Tom Poti “Thank you sir, may I have another?”
Tom Poti “Noonan!”
Tom Poti “Use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved.”
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
THIS IS A BAD UPS AND DOWNS DAVE STECKEL DESERVES AN UP ARROW FOR MENTORING PHIL THE THRILL KESSEL.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
by sydtron on Oct 17, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Nobody…no-body…for the Caps works the wall like Joel Ward has done so far.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Even if they’re not putting up shots they’ve been cycling or just flat out holding the puck up so much better than the other lines. Too bad no one else is fighting like they are.
Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
Leave me here, and when you want me, sound upon the bugle-horn
I tried to convey in my blurb on him how simultaneously awesome it is to have him on the roster and disappointing that a guy doing just about everything right is so relatively foreign to this team.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The truth hurts.
I’ve enjoyed how he has reawakened Chimera’s defensive side and convinced Laich that cycling is a good thing.
by capsyoungguns on Oct 17, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
To be far, Ward is better at what he does than most NHL players working today.
by Charlie Foxtrot on Oct 17, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
And what wasn’t mentioned: there’s no more exuberant player on the bench! Very happy to have him.
A danger to myself and others on the ice
by can't skate on Oct 17, 2011 12:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
hey now…I’m not sure Hendy would yell out “Fuckin’ right” over and over to this comment ;)
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 17, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
There…another movie quote (sort of…)
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 17, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha, as I think about Knuble’s goal against the Pens again and read “without even shooting the puck” it cracks me up. It was like he intimidated that puck into the goal. I wonder if the Pens would take a deal that they start each game a goal down if Knuble isn’t allowed to play.
One has the feeling that many years from now, when Knuble is an old, inconitent old man in his early 100’s, he could waken from a blissful slumber and fart a puck past a Penguin goaltender.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 17, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
Props for showing some restraint on Beagle’s icon. I might have used an icon of a guy w/ two x’s for eyes or some zzzz’s. But that would be classless an uncalled for and I’d have to apologize for it after discussions with my PR guy.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Had he done what he did in defense of a teammate, he’d have gotten the famed Purple Heart o’ Laing.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Better than the Lacerated Spleen O’ Laing.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Oct 17, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Or the Swine Flu Bedpan O’ Laing…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 17, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the way the ups and downs came out this week…
…but I’m worried about the process by which you wrote them.
Unleash the Apathy.
by D'ohboy on Oct 17, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
Whatever – it’s not “how” I write my posts, it’s “how many” posts I write that matters. I’d rather have multiple posts up written the “wrong” way than a bunch of drafts that never see the light of day but were written the “right” way.
Besides, it’s October. It’s still early.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 17, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Look, all I’m saying is that you had better start developing good posting habits now, because the pace picks up in the playoffs, and with all the alcohol you’ll be consuming it’s going to require a lot of gritty efforts on your part to keep up.
Unleash the Apathy.
Multiple sources from inside the Japers’ Rink locker room have informed me that Becca has posted a “Dry Island” board — about half the folks put their names on it and half didn’t. Then F&B came in and elbowed it to the ground.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Oct 17, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 12 recs
Well done.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
"This [job] would be so much easier if it wasn't for the fucking [customers]."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 17, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm. Does this make Becca the Pronger in this controversy.
by capsyoungguns on Oct 17, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
The party elbow is a key part of proper Irish Car Bomb form.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 17, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This year’s different. We brought in F&B to make us tougher to argue against. But yeah, the window’s closing – I can’t keep this up forever.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 17, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
I read somewhere that come playoff time, it won’t matter how it gets done, as long as it gets done.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 17, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Tom Poti Are we really going to have to come up with something to fill this space every week?
How about a weekly update on how much caps space the team has banked thanks to his LTIR status? Sort of like a telethon toteboard.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Wouldn’t that be a constant $0?
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Oct 17, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Wouldn’t that be 0?
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Oct 17, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think we have banked some already.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Oct 17, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Per Cap Geek $103,753 accrued LTIR to date.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Oct 17, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, I amend my initial weak attempt at humor to say:
A weekly update on LTIR $ accrued to date per CapGeek.com
Everyone happy?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Oct 17, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I think there was a disconnect with what Skullduggery and I were saying — the team has banked $0 to be used later (i.e. at the trade deadline) because of Poti on LTIR. sk8 and others can explain it better than I, but it’s the line below Accrued LTIR to Date here: CapGeek: Washington Capitals.
J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…
by Alz Well That Ends Well on Oct 17, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
A fine post indeed: it’s nice to get such a succinct sense of how the competition is doing.
The two players who stood out most to me during the Pens-Caps game were Backstrom and Laich (well … and that bloody guy on the ice … ). I think more than anything what struck me about them was their play away from the puck: positionally smart and obviously focused on doing the little things right.
Also, I think that if Knuble and Giroux ever play on a team together the Pens goaltenders might very well just turn into a puddle of nothingness on the ice. It’s like they want those guys to score.
Jagr? I don't even know 'er.
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