Recap: Caps 3, Panthers 0
by David Getz on Oct 18, 2011 9:59 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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[GameCenter - Ice Tracker - Game Summary - Event Summary - Faceoff Summary - Play-by-Play - Home TOI - Visitor TOI - Shift Charts - Head-to-Head - Fenwick/Corsi - Zone Starts]
Five games into an 82-game season, there's not a lot that can be said with a ton of authority given the paucity of observation points. Rather, October for the NHL fan is more about previews; glimpses of where the season might be headed, be it for individual players, your favorite team, or the League.
Tonight the Capitals offered those of us clamoring for answers an at-times tantalizing look at just how good they could be if everything comes together, using their speed, skill, and even tenacious play to establish their dominance over another team that has also played pretty well in the early going. There's still a long, long way for this team to go, but at least tonight they looked like they were heading in the right direction.
Ten more notes on the game:
- As a general rule, I try to stay away from the off-ice side of things. Nonetheless, it was kind of nice to hear that Matt Bradley felt he owed Alexander Semin an apology after his offseason comments and that he felt Semin deserved to receive the apology in person - and, it's worth mentioning, it seemed a lot more in line with the personality Bradley showed Caps fans during his six seasons in Washington.
- Matt Hendricks' dogged pursuit of the puck in neutral zone while the Capitals were shorthanded after Roman Hamrlik's first period interference penalty was one of those plays that was both important and easy to miss. It may not have looked like all that much, but anyone who has played the game can tell you that seeing a teammate work like that serves as inspiration to everyone on the bench.
- Speaking of Hendricks, his little curl-and-drag move after coming out of the penalty box late in the second was one of those moments that reminds you that even NHL depth players are extraordinarily skilled - and that's part of what makes being a fan of this sport so much fun.
- The scouting report on Jacob Markstrom says shoot often and from anywhere. Which, without taking anything away from Marcus Johansson's strong performance, is unlikely to change given the first goal surrendered tonight.
- It has been interesting to see Jason Chimera look so strong this season, creating on offense, hitting with authority, and using his speed to harangue opponents in all three ends after how lost he looked for a lot of last year. The question is: Has Chimera completely bounced back, or is this a result of him being put in the perfect position to succeed as a complimentary player on a solid checking line?
- While fully acknowledging that he's carrying an unsustainably high shooting percentage, is at an age when develop can be hard to pin down, was a highly regarded prospect, and has been getting a little lucky, it's getting awfully hard to argue Marcus Johansson's message-sending benching didn't have a pretty significant positive influence.
- Roman Hamrlik has not only looked mediocre so far this year, often he has looked like an outright liability. It's tempting to say that the system in Montreal must have hid him, but it's hard to believe any system could hide play like this.
- I generally pride myself on writing thoughtful, insightful, analytics-driven pieces on hockey. That said, my reaction to Alexander Semin's third-period goal was a simple, "Holy s---. That was impressive." And I can't of any better way to describe the play.
- And speaking Semin, as nice as his goal was, his backcheck on Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski just a few moments earlier was in the same league - and probably more important for a number of reasons.
- A year ago, Boudreau made a conscious effort to try to get Alex Ovechkin away from not-quite-perennial-Norris-
finalist Mike Weaver. Tonight Ovechkin was limited to a secondary assist and just two shots on goal. Sometimes effectiveness is more about the way two guys' playing styles contrast one another and less about pure talent, and meanwhile we're left waiting for Ovie's 2011 breakout game.
Tonight's result is certainly encouraging, especially right before a measuring stick game in Philly, and here's hoping it was more about the team continuing to come together and less about the quality of their opponent.
Game highlights:
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Highlight of the game for me: That one cycle where the 3rd line cycled the hell out of the puck.
Hockeyorgasm.
That was a fantastic shift. If only Ovechkin would play like that. He would be a terror.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Oct 18, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
They should have played “Sweet Georgia Brown” over the PA at the Phone Booth after that ended…. it was beautiful to watch.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 19, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Thought Ovechkin and Backstrom were creating chances tonight, even if they didn’t get one.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 18, 2011 10:04 PM EDT reply actions
Visual Evidence!
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Oct 18, 2011 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Humperdink?
Humperdink.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 19, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Dominant possession night for the first line. They killed it in Corsi/Fenwick.
With a bit better luck (or better finishing perhaps) they could have had a couple goals.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Ovie should have buried that early chance on his backhand in tight.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 18, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Markstrom really impressed me. No matter where he was positioned, his pads seemed to cover the entire crease.
Tu ne cede malis
by _Skullduggery_ on Oct 19, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
It was really funny to watch it when Knuble threw the puck into two (or three?) FLA players just because Semin was moving in that direction, and then Semin not only took the puck but created a great moment. Sema certainly was on fire tonight.
Cup, please.
My favorite moment of the season so far is watching Semin take the puck of of Laich’s stick as they were both headed toward the net, as if to say, “Nyet. Puck mine, not to be stuffing tonight, or do you have concussion?”
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 18, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
“You get where belong, dead wood. Score on deflection and tip-in. Sasha score beautiful goal.”
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Oct 18, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
Great game tonight. Definitely the best thus far this season. Ward continues to impress the hell outta me. I don’t care what their salaries are…seing a strong, well executed cycle is one of my favorite parts of hockey.
/nice write-up DMG…hopefully we’ll see more of your writing as the season goes on.
Totally agree.
The other thing is…he seems to (maybe I am incorrect) rarely get knocked down to the ice…seems very strong on the skates…digging Wardo!
Marcus Johansson’s goal was a great example of what Justin Goldman of Goalie Guild has been saying for a long time about the Vertical-Horizontal Stance: use with caution.
Markstrom drops into the VH early, and that lets Johansson pick his spot. Every stance has a hole, and the problem with dropping into VH early is that you’re frozen. It’s a stance that gives you nowhere to go in that situation. Markstrom can’t react.
In that situation the VH stance is as effective as the Great Wall of China was against the Mongols. As effective as the Maginot Line against the Germans. As effective as abstinence education against a teenager.
Mackan hasn’t been in the league very long, but he’s experienced and skilled enough to show Markstrom what happens when a goalie gives away all his options to an NHL player who has time and space.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Oct 18, 2011 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I thought Ovechkin was quite good, had a lot of good chances that he didn’t quite connect on and I thought he worked hard for the puck. The goals will come.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Oct 18, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions
AO’s best game to date, imo.
He had some nice chances. If he continues to generate chances like that, he’ll score. We’ll see if he can keep it up.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I couldn’t believe he didn’t pot at least one tonight. It seemed like he was everywhere.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 18, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
That 50 bucks and a beer is looking pretty good for you right now.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Still a young season, but Boudreau’s usage of that line definitely suggests that Imma win that bet.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 18, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I would say that his usage of the line hasn’t been the biggest limiting factor for their lack of production.
(Unrelated: Screw you for having one of the Bruins tonight.)
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Oct 18, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
So far? I’d say that he’s only gonna hit those numbers if he gets big time offensive starts and that’s not how he’s getting used. Fewer minutes, not overwhelming offensive zone starts, not going to hit gigantic numbers. Might be an MVP caliber player anyway, but just not in the gaudy sense.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 18, 2011 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
AO’s best game to date, imo.
I’ll agree with that, although was I the only one who thought he was just coasting whenever he wasn’t on the attack through the first two periods?
It seemed like, whenever there was a turnover, even if the puck stayed close to him for five or ten seconds, he wasn’t trying to make anything happen.
He was definitely a beast in the third, though.
Geeks of All Nations, Compile!
Only one PP on the night, right?
Not sure I missed any really blown calls, though.
Hamrlik was real bad.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
1 PP, 2PK, and matching roughing penalties.
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
2 Hamrlick PKs
Yeah, he’s sucked so far.
But man, was that PK both times BRILLIANT?
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Oct 18, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
First one looked terrific.
By the time of the second one, FLA looked like Joe Barry Carroll, but whatever. It was a good effort from the Caps.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
by fat_daddyo on Oct 18, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Let's Get This MoJo started
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
by Dimagus on Oct 18, 2011 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 11 recs
Definitely looked in even before he knocked it back further into the net.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 18, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Did that go through the wickets or squeeze between the skate and the post, can you tell.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Look at the middle gif. Left pad is on the post. I think it trickled 5-hole.
"Everything in excess... moderation is for monks"--Robert A. Heinlein
"Facts are meaningless, they can be used to prove anything"--Homer Simpson
on replay I thought 5 hole without a doubt
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
A magician never reveals his secrets. Mojo the Magician. If Neuvi is Hello kitty is Mojo… 
He can creep through the tiniest crack
He can walk on the narrowest rail
"There can be darkness in other people's soul..." -Semyon Varlamov
by LittleMissWhiskey on Oct 19, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s so fast, you’ve seen Mackan one moment, and then he is gone
But hopefully, nobody ever finds him lying out on the lawn.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Oct 19, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
BTW Caps 29.4% PP, just sayin.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Oct 18, 2011 10:18 PM EDT reply actions
Glass half full!
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Oct 18, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Coulda had one on the trip to the produce section.
Other than that, you see any that you thought they needed to get calls on?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I wasn’t looking too hard, but not really, no. I also wasn’t really complaining about the lack of them this game. More a global observation.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
Sasha caring, with a sniper rifle
(1st gif with a different frame rate, only way to keep up with his stick and the puck)
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
by Dimagus on Oct 18, 2011 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 9 recs
I still can’t figure out where he found that hole.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Oct 18, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Right through the breadbasket?
Not sure how that one leaked through, actually.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
yeah I rewound and tried to figure that out at least 5 times before giving up and saying “that was damn impressive.”
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno, man. That is trademark Semin.
Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...
by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Oct 18, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The beautiful shot from his front leg, yeah. But the rush down the wing, beating the d-man and the goalie… That’s Ovie to me.
by Berube Doobie Doo on Oct 18, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
A perfect shot… just under the cross bar on the far side. One of those shots where the goalie fishes it out of his net and says “Damn, nice shot….” Markstrom’s reaction is priceless… you don’t see shots this good at the AHL level and at the NHL level only a few players can make them.
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Oct 19, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Chimera, Semin, Laich sealing the deal (and padding the numbers)
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
by Dimagus on Oct 18, 2011 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 10 recs
He sniped that corner.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Oct 18, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
not the easiest pick off the backhand, either….great game from 25 tonight.
Cross check and all call.
by bigonetimer on Oct 18, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Tomas Vokoun. I think he has to start the bulk of the games this season. Not only does he stop the high percentage chances, he also seems to allow no juicy rebounds. Everything tonight was either gobbled up or shoved into the corner.
he’s one up’d himself every game he’s played this season. If the trend continues, he scores against philly AND gets a shut out
Would be nice to finally avenge that Hextall goal, all those years ago.
Geeks of All Nations, Compile!
Flagged.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Oct 19, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t get to see the game but happy to see good news when I get on the rink! Just hoping they can see the difference in effort = the difference in result and keep this up. Also, nhl.com has THE WORST video player in the history of all time. That is all.
The safe word will be "hwiskey"
Also, nhl.com has THE WORST video player in the history of all time. That is all.
Seconded. For my browser (safari), it’s completely inoperable.
Founding member of the "Bring Silent Jay McClement to Washington" club.
by Flash in the Pan on Oct 19, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I absolutely loathe that it doesn’t cache data and only streams. Like how if you pause a youtube, or any other player, the video will continue to load. So if you don’t have that great of internet the player is just as inoperable.
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.
Great points on the recap DMG. I’m really hoping Hamrlik isnt as bad as he has looked, but no part of his play has hinted otherwise. Will be monitoring that closely…
I also thought the fourth line was tremendous tonight, all three of them – but Perreault’s energy really stood out. When he gets going like the Energizer Bunny, it’s fun to watch.
I’m looking at Hannan last year and thinking that I’ll give Hamrlik 10 or so games to really get into the flow with the whole team.
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I’m with you. The two penalties and the failed clear (somewhere, Tom Poti smiles) have to be cleaned up, but he just can’t be this bad. I hope.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Just got back from the game (thanks for the great birthday win, boys!) and was quite certain Hammer was going to have a bad game from watching warmups. He seemed ill at ease and out of sorts from the get-go.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
When I saw “Happy birthday, Emily” on the screen where they show messages at the game, I thought of you and wondered if you were the Emily to which the message referred to.
Anyway, happy birthday.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Without that “most NHL games by a Czech born player” record to look forward to, he’s lost all sense of purpose in his life. I fear he’s lost forever.
Oh, and a belated happy birthday!
Founding member of the "Bring Silent Jay McClement to Washington" club.
by Flash in the Pan on Oct 19, 2011 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
We played really well, best game of the season, I loved rolling 4 lines, but lets not miss how terrible Florida played.
The caps won 90% of the 50/50 puck battles and Alzner fought off 2 guys a couple times no problem. We should take some credit but not give Florida (and their schedule/travel) some flack.
"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"
Ovi TV chest bump
<img src=“”http://s1117.photobucket.com/albums/k595/Caps_shutterbug/?action=view¤t=OviVokuonbump.jpg" target="_blank">
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"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity"
by caps_shutterbug on Oct 18, 2011 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I love that Alzner waits for everyone else to give props and skates off with the goalie
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Such a good defenseman. Knows where his responsibilities are. Protect this house.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Do you think he hums Bruno Mars as he goes (Grenade perhaps?)
"There can be darkness in other people's soul..." -Semyon Varlamov
by LittleMissWhiskey on Oct 19, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm still puzzled by all the Hamrik bashing
What I see, and I’ve watched every minute thus far, is a reliable if somewhat plodding defenseman that makes the smart play 99% of the time. He and Green seem to work well as a tandem. I’m curious as to (1) what people expected of Hamrik and (2) what they would prefer. Coming out of the offseason, I thought the Caps signed a stable, smart veteran who would clean up in the defensive end and add an extra gun at the point. He’s what I thought he would be. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he’s stood out, but he’s definitely not been as bad as what I’ve read.
P.S. The penalty on him tonight was an awful, awful call.
As for the game itself…the Caps were simply fantastic in the defensive zone tonight…filling lanes, backchecking and limiting the Panthers to bad angles and no rebounds. There might’ve been a few minutes in the second where FLA carried the play, but other than that…
We’ve been screaming for 60 minutes, and we got it.
Insert “it’s only Florida” and “it’s the second of a back-to-back” here…
by DonnieKnutts on Oct 18, 2011 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Insert "it’s only Florida" and "it’s the second of a back-to-back" here…
not from me. Tonight the Caps did what they are expected to do in this situation and completely dominated from start to finish. I don’t remember the last time I saw a game this complete from them.
see above for my Hamrlik thoughts
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t watch the game, but I’d add that “it’s just Florida” doesn’t take away from the performance for me because the Caps have had a tendency of playing down to the competition. It sounds like they kept their foot on the gas and controlled the game, so regardless of the competition that’s what we’ve been hoping for.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
exactly right. Even at 1-0 I wasn’t even slightly concerned which is a nice change.
SOG allowed was damn impressive
1st – 2
2nd – 9
3rd – 9
and Vokoun wasn’t forced to make a “holy shit” save all night
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
they were dominant, but at 1-0 i was concerned that a fluky goal would ruin the good effort. Thankfully, Semin delivered
by DonnieKnutts on Oct 19, 2011 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I was there — and it’s been a long time since I remember seeing that active a forecheck. The PK was also very effective – the Florida PP got no shots at all on the 5 on 4 in the 1st period, and was 0 for 3 on shots on the 5 on 4 in the 3rd.
There's no bigger burden than a great potential - Linus Van Pelt
Hamr needs to not make glaring mistakes – like the failed clear (when he had some time and space) which led to one of the two times that FLA had extended zone pressure all night – and he needs to not take bad penalties. He needs to be in the right place, which he too often has not been.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
Regardless of how we got to the 5-0 start…that’s 10 points banked already. 10% of the way to 100 already locked up 5 games into the year. Big tests coming up, keep banking those points when we get them.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 18, 2011 10:59 PM EDT reply actions
And to me it appears they are improving with each game.
by Beakers Lab on Oct 18, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Semin's goal
How absolutely fitting was it that “He doesn’t care”’s goal came immediately after a committed backcheck? I was waiting for him to make solid eye contact with Brads on his way back to the bench. Of course, we need to see it in the spring, but I wonder if it even crossed his mind.
but I wonder if it even crossed his mind.
Nope, that’s what happens when you don’t care.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Oct 18, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Just got home from game. Good game, boys!
This time, they kept the pressure up and kept shooting in the later periods. So many times, I’ll go to games where the Caps are outshooting the other team in the early part of the game but only one goal (or even no goals) to show for it. And then make a mistake, only to have it result in a goal against.
Markstrom was having a great game in his debut. The media noticed and voted him 3rd star. Vokoun had a good game — a shutout.
Was it just my imagination or the last two shifts of the game were played by the 4th and 3rd lines (but Sasha there for both)?
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Don't agree with Hamerlik bashing
He’s 5th in league for blocked shots, something the Caps have been very weak at for a long time.
He keeps the puck in the offensive zone quite well too.
Yea some mistakes but I don’t see anything of the magnitude to be matching all the hate here on Japers about him.
Fire BB! Changing line combos every period is not modern hockey its bad hockey.
by sickleandhammer on Oct 19, 2011 1:35 AM EDT reply actions
It’s been noted that although his play has hardly been mistake free he is still blocking a ton of shots. I noted him making some nice keep ins tonight as well. This doesn’t mean he isn’t having problems in our end at times, which he is. He’s still adjusting to a new team and a new D partner too.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Oct 19, 2011 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the recap, DMG, and the splendid DiMaGae. Hard to find fault with a 3-0 shutout, whomever (whoever?) the opponent. Looking forward to the next 2 games: hoping the upward trend continues.
Didn’t see the game, but the talk here last night was that Green may have taken one in the Meat and Potatoes. Wondering if he was skating with the “New Shutdown Line” at the time.
Rooting for the Caps from the OBX.
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Oct 19, 2011 6:57 AM EDT reply actions
Simply fabulous game. From start to finish. Went to bed happy, happy, happy.
Best of all Vokoun’s learning curve with this team is rapid. He’s already begun to master the very thing that Goldman of the Goalie Guild warned about him: getting use to not facing a barrage of shots on a continual basis but just making the big save when needed.
caregate
speaking of bradley, how invisible was he last night??
hamrlik hatin'
From Vogs’ recap: “Caps defenseman Roman Hamrlik blocked three shots tonight, all of them in the first period. He is tied for second in the NHL with 19 blocked shots. Only Tampa Bay’s Brett Clark (24) has more blocked shots than Hamrlik. Clark has played one more game than has the Caps’ defenseman.”
his penalties were pretty stupid on his part (especially for a veteran), but it’s not all bad, eh jp?
1) blocked shots are a two-edged sword – while it’s great that he’s blocking the shot, that also means that he was on the ice when the opposition had offensive zone possession (bad) and the time and space necessary to take a shot (worse). Hamrlik looked somewhat better tonight, but I thought that was in large part because the Caps spent much more time in the offensive zone and did a much better job of slowing Florida down through neutral ice. I’ll be very interested to see how Hamrlik does against Philly.
2) DMG wrote the recap, not JP.
(FWIW, I thought his “interference” penalty was absolute BS – if anything you could’ve given the FLA player a hooking call on that play.)
Unleash the Apathy.
I’m not sure I agree on the time and space aspect. You can’t make such a broad claim without taking a closer look. For one, it could just be point shots, which wouldn’t really implicate the Dmen. If he’s blocking shots from the hash marks then you’d have a point, but I don’t know that the raw numbers can tell you that.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
Also, if the player has to release a quick shot and Hamrlik is right on top him him to get his stick on the puck as it’s released that’s not having time and space.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 19, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
i’ve never heard of somebody saying “blocking shots is a two-edged sword”. no, it’s not. if you are blocking shots, you’re preventing chances to score. there’s no way to determine if the shot was blocked due to a miscue by Hamrlik.
by BD5504 on Oct 19, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, high blocked shot numbers indicate you’re spending a lot of time in your own end. Andy Sutton spends a lot of time in his own zone because he isn’t that good at moving the puck up the ice. Anton Volchenkov spends a lot of time in his own zone because that’s where his coach sends him out all the time. Hamrlik is closer to AV than Sutton, but he has had some trouble clearing the puck, which leads to more shots against and more blocks.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Oct 19, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Hamrlik
I don’t believe Hamrlik has played nearly as bad as you have pointed out a few times on this site. It doesn’t surprise me though. I mean you think Schultz is God’s gift to defensemen, then hate on Hamrlik who actually provides Green a competent partner to not have to cover for all game. Unbelievable.
Trollin’, trollin’, trollin’ on the river.
by SethB on Oct 19, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
it’s not “trolling” when you speak the truth.
go look at the Corsi numbers for Hamrlik and Schultz last night…i’ll give you a hint on who was better: it wasn’t Schultz!
First off, no one thinks Schultz is God’s gift to defensemen. There is a middle ground between Bobby Orr and Colton Orr. You should check it out.
Second, while one stat from one game looks good for Hamrlik, he also plays with Green and started in the offensive zone twice as often as Schultz. Plus, while I don’t know the specific numbers, I’d bet Hamrlik also saw more time with the top line than did Schultz. All that is going to really help his Corsi numbers relative to Schultz.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 19, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
and why is it that Hamrlik is playing with Green? because Hamrlik can actually be relied on to play solid defense, make a good outlet pass, and not be a liability on the ice. there’s a reason he gets as much ice time as he does. Schultz brought Green down to a level we hadn’t seen before last season, and this season he’s being sheltered because of it.
i love how last season all this site would talk about is how great Schultz’s corsi/fenwick numbers are, but now that they aren’t as good, you twist it around to keep making it look like Schultz is a good defenseman.
if you can honestly sit here and say that the defense doesn’t look much better with Schultz playing 3rd pairing minutes and Hamrlik playing with Green, then I don’t know what you’re watching.
i can’t wait til Erskine is healthy and Schultz is in the press box.
ps – every time you defended Schultz last year with your in-depth numbers instead of just watching the guy play, it made it look like you thought Schultz was the best d-man on the team and deserved none of the abuse he was getting from the fan base. if you’re going to say all these great things about him, don’t expect to not have it thrown back at you when he stinks up the place.
because Hamrlik can actually be relied on to play solid defense, make a good outlet pass, and not be a liability on the ice.
Yeah, one good game doesn’t outweigh four previous shite ones at the moment.
Schultz brought Green down to a level we hadn’t seen before last season, and this season he’s being sheltered because of it.
This season with Calznerson’s continued emergence, Schultz can afford to skate fewer minutes and provide solid defensive support, as he’s done with Green and a myriad of defenders in the past.
every time you defended Schultz last year with your in-depth numbers instead of just watching the guy play, it made it look like you thought Schultz was the best d-man on the team and deserved none of the abuse he was getting from the fan base. if you’re going to say all these great things about him, don’t expect to not have it thrown back at you when he stinks up the place.
The abuse he gets from the fanbase (he doesn’t hit) is fucking moronic. I’d prefer a guy not get out of position to make a hit that will make mouthbreathers hard so that he can spend time, you know, defending.
As to the former, we agreed here that Schultz regressed last year. How about providing some back up to this claim? Or get some perspective to the discussions before proceeding?
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by Bald Pollack on Oct 19, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I know this whole argument is pointless, because you clearly have misinterpreted every argument in favor of Schultz (and I don’t know why you keep saying you as though I am the one posting stuff about Schultz, or as though this site is a monolith). But I will make this one point:
Schultz brought Green down to a level we hadn’t seen before last season
You do realize Schultz also played with Green the year before when Green put up 76 points and Schultz led the league in +/- right? Nah, I’m sure you knew that.
But it must all be Schultz’ fault that Green had a down year last season. Not injuries that Green sustained, not the entire offense going into the shitter. All Schultz.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 19, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think you’re a little confused.
and why is it that Hamrlik is playing with Green? because Hamrlik can actually be relied on to play solid defense, make a good outlet pass, and not be a liability on the ice.
You reference Corsi…taken a look at goals against per sixty?
there’s a reason he gets as much ice time as he does. Schultz brought Green down to a level we hadn’t seen before last season, and this season he’s being sheltered because of it.
When Schultz and Green are apart, Schultz gets sheltered less than Green. Also, Schultz-Green was only a problem against Montreal, if memory serves. They were fine at 5v5 in 09-10 and 10-11 (remember that Green only played 49 games).
i love how last season all this site would talk about is how great Schultz’s corsi/fenwick numbers are,
His Corsi wasn’t good last season. In 09-10 it was passable, not great
but now that they aren’t as good, you twist it around to keep making it look like Schultz is a good defenseman.
if you can honestly sit here and say that the defense doesn’t look much better with Schultz playing 3rd pairing minutes and Hamrlik playing with Green, then I don’t know what you’re watching.
Who said that?
i can’t wait til Erskine is healthy and Schultz is in the press box.
Erskine had the best season of his life last year and probably won’t replicate that again. He also only had a marginally better Corsi than Schultz despite much easier competition and easier zone start.
ps – every time you defended Schultz last year with your in-depth numbers instead of just watching the guy play, it made it look like you thought Schultz was the best d-man on the team and deserved none of the abuse he was getting from the fan base.
I don’t think anyone here ever thought Schultz was any better than the 3rd best D on the team at any time. Now he’s 6th best, I think that’s nearly unanimous here.
if you’re going to say all these great things about him, don’t expect to not have it thrown back at you when he stinks up the place.
Sample size. I can show you a game where Ovechkin had a negative Corsi against a bad team, easy.
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by red army line on Oct 19, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
the ONLY reason i reference Corsi is because this site makes a living out of doing it, even when the numbers don’t make much sense. If you’re going to love on #55 for having solid corsi numbers, how can people claim Hamrlik is a “liability” on the ice when his corsi numbers were better?
watch when Schultz gets the puck in the defensive zone and senses the smallest bit of pressure. the puck just gets rung around the boards, usually to the other team’s d-man, and they can’t get out of the zone. scoring chance ensues. rinse, repeat.
Erskine had a fine season last year, and he’s the perfect 6th d-man. Schultz has done nothing but regress since his +50 season (and the only reason he was +50 was because the Caps were an offensive juggernaut).
Green looks much more comfortable and like himself now that he doesn’t have the Schultz anchor hanging around his neck.
there are people on here who thinks Schultz is better than the 6th d-man on the team, and that’s proven with the idiotic post below who says he’s the 2nd best d-man based on some sort of statistics.
i don’t know what you’re getting at with the “I can show you a game where Ovechkin had a negative Corsi against a bad team, easy.” I’m sure it happens pretty often. All i’m saying is that don’t expect the people who watch these games and see things waaay differently than you do to not bring up this site’s Schultz love, especially with flat out idiotic lines like “hamrlik has been a liability this year”
Green looks much more comfortable and like himself now that he doesn’t have the Schultz anchor hanging around his neck.
Green was putting up 70+ pts with that “Schultz anchor” prior to last year. What changed last year? Hmmm….could it possibly be that Green was hurt and the PP sucked? Or was it also Schultz’s fault that the PP was terrible last season and thus killed Green’s point totals? Was it also Schultz’s fault that the top line had a major down season?
flat out idiotic lines like "hamrlik has been a liability this year"
Hamrlik has been on the ice for more goals against than any other Caps Dman this year. How is it idiotic to say he’s been a liability?
The only evidence you’ve provided that Schultz sucks is that in one game Hamrlik had a better Corsi (you might want to read up on the effects of sample size). You’re gonna have to come with something much better than that if you want to make an intelligent point.
But you’re right: no one here watches the games and we should just trust your eyes.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 20, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
if you can honestly sit here and say that the defense doesn’t look much better with Schultz playing 3rd pairing minutes
That’s because it means our D is deeper and better, not because 55 sucks eggs.
Obviously, this is all speculation.
by Rob Parker on Oct 19, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
so if Hamrlik is as bad as some on here are saying, why is his position not switched with Schultz? why isn’t Schultz playing the most minutes on the team, instead of Hamrlik? Schultz doesn’t “suck”, but he’s nowhere near as good as some on here think he is, and I’ve finally had enough of reading on here how good he’s playing just because he was a +2 on a random night, while players like Hamrlik are playing in all situations and then getting crapped on for being 2nd in the league in blocked shots. i’d like to see you go out there and put your body in front of these shots. unbelievable.
Making criticisms is not the same as hate. And so far that’s all I’ve read, discussion about his defensive miscues. There have also been a variety of responses as well, with many posters advocating a “wait and see” period, giving him time to adjust to the system and new guys. He has already been strong as a veteran presence, picking right up where Hannan left off.
Finally, what has Schultz done in the last five games to earn your disdain? Seems to me as if Wideman and Schultz are developing a pretty good rhythm together.
by capsyoungguns on Oct 19, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
i don’t have schultz “disdain”, but he should be so much better than he is with his size and reach. he doesn’t make solid plays under pressure, and that’s what gets me more than anything. his feet are so slow that faster skaters can just fly right by him.
he’s playing fine with Wideman, my whole point about commenting on here is don’t rag on Hamrlik when he’s playing well, but definitely not as good as he could be, especially when this site has been hammering their point that they think Schultz is awesome when he’s clearly NOT. you don’t get dropped from the 1st to 3rd pairing, no matter what happened with Carlzner, if you are good enough to play top pair minutes.
Simple fact: defensively, Schultz is the second best Caps dman, after Alzner. All the numbers and stats show this. He wasn’t a perfect partner for Green due to his lack of puckhandling, but he usually covered for Green when they were together – not the other way around. He is vastly underrated, and all you’re doing in trolling – like Seth said.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
Also, are you aware that Hamrlik has been on ice for most of the goals opponents have scored on the Caps? On a few, he was a major cause of the goal due to not being in position.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
i’m also aware that he’s on a new team, in a new system AND is playing the most minutes of any d-man (or forward for that matter) on the team. calling him a liability is flat-out stupid.
do your EYES tell you that Schultz is the Caps 2nd best dman? I have no idea how someone can honestly sit here and say that he is better than Carlson, Hamrlik, Green or Wideman. He’s gone from the first pairing, to the 3rd pairing and the least amount of ES minutes per game. i’ve never been the “OMG SCHULTZ SUCKS HE IS AWFUL” kind of guy, like many in the fanbase are, but it pisses me off when people on this site dedicate articles and numerous bullet points in the game recaps to how good Schultz played (when watching him makes me cringe), but then say that Hamrlik is a “liability” when he’s playing the most minutes per night on the best team in hockey, at the moment.
Try reading my post instead of insulting me. I said he is the 2nd best DEFENSIVELY. Not overall. He is better defensively than Green or Wideman by a long shot, as every defensive stat shows. He is better than Hamrlik this season defensively, and it’s hard to judge Carlson defensively due to his partner being the best defensive dman on the team. Schultz is a PURE defensive dman. Your problem is that you go completely off what you see, and that is an incomplete picture. Stats show what happens when you’re not watching the player. For instance, did you know that Schultz has a lower ESGAON/60 than Lidstrom, Chara, Keith, Weber, or Green since the lockout? This doesn’t show when you watch him because of his playing style. Try finding out facts instead of insulting people who are more knowledgeable.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
Observations from Section 421
Got back from the game late…so you have to wait. Great game though…
1) This was, by far, the best effort the Caps have put forth this season. Yes, Florida was coming off travel and this was the second of back-to-back away games, and yes, Tomas Fleischmann is their top-line left wing (and he played a pretty good game, I thought), but when the NHL Schedule gives you an opponent that’s weaker and that you’re supposed to pound into the ice, well you’re supposed to pound them into the ice. The Caps did it. It could have been a much higher score if not for…
2) Jacob Markstrom. This kid has got some serious talent. He robbed a number of players from right up front. Yes the first goal he allowed was a bit weak, but Patrick Roy in his prime doesn’t get the second one. Nice of the media to make him the third star last night… well deserved. Hopefully the Panthers organization will continue their tradition of letting quality goaltenders go after a few years and ship him off to the Western Conference by 2014… Think about it, in their 20 or so years of existence, the Panthers have had playing for them John Vanbiesbrouck, Roberto Luongo, Tomas Vokoun, Ed Belfour, Mike Vernon… Luongo still holds all the career marks for the Panthers…
3) The cycling was terrific for most of the game, and led to lots of chances for the Caps. If they can keep that up it serves two purposes, generating scoring chances and keeping opponents scoring chances down. Nicely done.
4) Of course, with success comes cuteness, and when Brooks and Chimera had a 2-on-1, the pass was covered…Brooks should have been thinking shot in that situation
5) Matt Hendricks is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine… how did the Avs let this guy get away? Guy has some serious stickhandling skills….
6) If Ovechkin keeps playing like this, the goals will come… I think he’s more happy about 5-0-0 than his goal total.
7) Hamrlik… yeah, two penalties. The first interference was an easy call due to a miscue on his part, but the Caps PK completely shut down the Panthers on that one. The second call was a bit weak, but technically, by the rule book, he did interfere. Just wish they’d be consistent and always call that or never call that.
8) Vokoun has been stellar after the first 3 periods of the season… wish his agent would let Vokoun’s play speak for itself…
Anyway, the Caps have a trip to Philly for cheesesteaks and pucks, and here’s hoping the streak continues. The Red Wings host Columbus on Friday… the NHL would love to have the last two unbeatens playing on NHL Network Sat. night, I bet…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
Vokoun is the Showstopper
Unreal, best free agent signing Caps have made ever, Neuvy will get his time to shine in future, but this season and maybe a few more Vokoun is the go to guy
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