Wednesday Caps Clips: Late Lead Lost
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 6:40 AM EST
in Caps Clips
Email
PrintYour savory breakfast links:
- Recaps and other assorted musings on last night's loss from us, Caps365 video (Boudreau, players), Vogs, Capitals Voice (audio), NHL.com, WaPo (gamer, blog), WashTimes (gamer, article, blog, blog), CSN Washington (Beninati), DCEx, 106.7 The Fan, Puck Daddy, Peerless, Frankovic, SB Nation DC, KOL, DSP, and RMNB, and On The Forecheck and The Tennessean for the view from the other side.
- A look back at the first 15 games of the season that may challenge what you thought you thought about what you saw. [WaPo]
- Life without Mike Green in the lineup stinks. [WashTimes]
- Bruce Boudreau says Alex Ovechkin has "got to find a way to succeed." So... the coaching staff's work is done on that front? [WaPo]
- Wherever he plays, Mike Knuble makes the most out of it. Because he's a pro. [WashTimes]
- Troy Brouwer has been an increasingly valuable presence (and hey, that was before last night). [Red Light District]
- Catching up with Olie Kolzig. [DCEx]
- An awesomely in-depth look at the Caps' primary logo. [Hockey By Design (h/t Edanger)]
- Caps WAGs go shopping for a good cause. [DSP]
- Notes from Bears practice. [Patriot-News]
- Finally, happy 34th birthday to Josh Green.
270 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
BB lost that game plain and simple. I will give him sending out Backstrom, he is usually pretty responsible defensively. But to send out Schultz, are you kidding me? JS should not see the ice in the last five minutes of a one goal game. Weber went around him like he wasn’t there.
So tired of this, another year wasted…..
I wholeheartedly disagree. Schultz is perfectly responsible defensively. Yes, he got walked on that first goal. But he had no help from backchecking forwards (Ovechkin), Carlson did nothing to cut off the pass or take the goal-scorer… it was a team fail.
Schultz is worlds better than Erskine. Worlds.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 7:25 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I agree that the wrong set of forwards were sent out after Washington had scored their goal. I would have thought our top defensive group is the one that should have been sent out rather than our “first” offensive line (where 2/3 of them were on ice after our goal).
Also agree that Schultz is better the Oisk.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Schultz shows his lack of awareness and hockey sense on this play, and you can’t blame that on anyone but him. He has to know that late in the game Weber will be sneaking up the right side—if you watch the replay he doesn’t look over towards Weber once, he keeps his eyes glued on the puck the whole time and almost looks shocked when the pass is made to Weber. You have to be more aware as a defensemen late in the game.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If I’m not mistaken there was a play earlier in the game where Schultz saved the goal simply by being 6’6" and using his reach. Vokoun was caught out too far and the puck squirted to his left side where a Nashville player could tap it in. Schultz poke checked it away a split second before it was a goal. At the time it happened, it looked like Vokes got his stick over and deflected it but when they showed the replay angle it was Schultz reaching from behind the defender and knocking it away at the last second and Vokes would have been late. No one else on the roster makes that play. Just pointing out that there are plays that go both ways in a game and we tend to single out the bad because it sticks in our mind (kind of like how I only see the bad side of Semin though I know there are plenty of good plays too).
by Potitang on Nov 16, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Yup. He also handled Kostitsyn on a 1-on-1 pretty easily. I thought he had a fairly strong game, actually. At least he wasn’t chasing guys into the corner and dropping his stick in the final 30 seconds of the game… something I haven’t yet seen criticized here, oddly enough.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Schultz played a part in that goal by Carlson, Backstrom or Ovechkin take the blame.
Erskine, well, he needs some pine tar because he drops his stick several times a game. Back to 09-10 Lumberjack.
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
It looked to me that Erskine’s stick might have broke in the last 30 seconds, in which case he needs to drop it.
There also could have been some game awareness there. In the last few seconds of the game, it’s ok to take a penalty if it means the game goes to OT. Sure,the 4-on-3 is worse than a 5-on-4, but that charity point is forever…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 16, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
There also could have been some game awareness there
Totally agree… so don’t go chasing dudes into the corner – it’s like playing in as an outfielder late in a close game with no one on and having the ball hit over your head.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well put. They should have collapsed around the goal…. and Vokoun should have been in front on the post…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 16, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
JS played a very good game, one of his best, until that shift. Still BB deserves most of the blame. Why would you even put him out there, knowing his strengths and weaknesses?
Because he is the second-best defensive dman on the team, maybe? Schultz wasn’t at fault on the goal – it was on the forwards. There is no reason for Weber to be allowed to stroll in all the way to the goal. It doesn’t matter which dman is there, that play is pretty much impossible to defend when the forwards aren’t doing their job.
The question isn’t why was Schultz out there – it’s why was the 1st line out there, instead of a better defensive line.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
Just thinking aloud…starting from the neutral zone, all else being equal, wouldn’t we expect the top line to have the best goal differential?
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
Over the course of the season, you’d certainly hope so. But at the micro level – in that specific instance, when the emphasis is more on “no goals against” than “get some goals for,” it’s not the right decision to put them out there (especially if they’re going to be largely indifferent to that “no goals against” stuff).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Wouldn’t a goal scored be as good as a goal saved?
(for the record, as far as I can tell, Laich’s line was better two-ways last night once you factor in that AO would see Weber-Suter while Laich may not, and so I think putting 8-19 out wasn’t a good choice)
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
I personally don’t buy the “goal scored is as good as a goal saved,” especially not when you factor in situational hockey. At that point last night, the focus should have been on prevention. Obviously if they scored a goal it gives you insurance, but you don’t go out there assuming you’ll score. You should go out there assuming NSH is about to give a major push and put their best offensive players on the ice, which is why you respond with your best defensive line. And Laich, Ward, and Chimera were all rested (as were the 4th line, who also would have been a better choice, IMO).
Please, call me F&B.
Yeah, that’d be my answer. Except mine would’ve been more eloquent, sexy, and ninjafied.
(Overly) simple logic: what % of shifts result in a goal-for? What % result in no goals-against? It’s far more likely that you’re not going to be scored upon than that you’re going to score, so send out the troops who can fortify that likelihood. Even if 8’s line saw 55/45 scoring chances in its favor, the odds of them scoring there were slim; the odds of a checking line not allowing a goal is much, much greater, and those odds are also greater than the likelihood fo 8’s line not allowing a goal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And Laich, Ward, and Chimera were all rested (as were the 4th line, who also would have been a better choice, IMO).
I agree, but would note that that’s the trio that was on for the GWG.
I still think the right move is unquestionably those three (or some combo of them and the fourth-liners, who were dominating possession in the second half of that game) at 1-0.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Because his other option – Dennis Wideman and John Erskine – was worse.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Does my twitter mini-rant last night count?
I was hot last night, but that’s basically who Erskine is at this point – a guy who can drop the mittens, play better than Tyler Sloan, but who’s no better than a marginal NHL D. That’s the sort of play you’d expect a guy like that to make.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Does my twitter mini-rant last night count?
To me, certainly. Just hadn’t seen it here and wanted to make sure it didn’t go unmentioned (as it was likely to do since, hey, it wasn’t Schultz fucking up).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That goal was scored long before the puck hit the back of the net. Nashville was allowed to gain the zone with too much momentum with too little challenge to the puck. They rant their offense the way a coach draws it on the white board. And if a team is allowed to do that, they face too few challenges all the way down the ice.
If you've read this far...seek help.
___
Nashville was allowed to gain the zone with too much momentum with too little challenge to the puck.
In large part because some Caps were too busy looking for an offsides call and not busy enough, y’know, playing the whistle.
(via KOL)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
And how does a defender — not a defenseman (I’m assuming that’s not a defenseman at the top of the screen) — get caught outside an opposing skater at the blue line? Even if a defenseman steps up, he’d better neutralize his man, or else he’s chasing from outside and behind the rest of the way. That just ain’t gonna work
If you've read this far...seek help.
The distance between Ovechkin (or whoever was the LW at that time) and Weber is mortifying. Schultz is literally defending half the ice with the puck in the middle of it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Exactly…Nashville has already broken Schultz down into a two on one… Weber right, the puck carrier left. Ovechkin is trailing (badly), and again… THREE CAPS DEFENDERS ARE OUTSIDE THE FACE OFF DOT with the puck in the middle of the ice. This is almost a case study in defensive suckitude.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Did anyone see if the Caps got a bad line change? I know they were changing on the fly with Knuble’s line skating to the bench.
Bed defense or bad line change, the operative word there is “bad” It’s not taking care of business late, and the Caps have given up game-winners and empty netters in two of the last five games.
If you've read this far...seek help.
And blame Schultz all you want, but he’s completely screwed there, stuck defending a 2-on-1. If he keeps backing in, Fisher (puck carrier above) has a great shot opportunity. If he plays Weber while Fisher still has the puck, Fisher has a mini-breakaway. So 55 pressures Fisher a bit, Fisher dishes and Weber is fast enough to get around Schultz wide (especially since Ovechkin is off doing something somewhere).
So should Sarge have taken away the pass and let Fisher cruise up the gut unabated? Something tells me that decision would have been unpopular.
Tell me, Schultz haters, how he should have played that differently.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 9 recs
He should have gotten Ovechkin to backcheck harder.
Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Nov 16, 2011 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 11 recs
Did AO stay on the right wing? If he did, that isn’t his guy. If he didn’t, then yeah, total backchecking laziness.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 9:08 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
My assumption is that he was LW on that shift, because if he was RW, he’s still out of position and where the shit is Brouwer (if he was the LW)?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Exactly. How could the LW be on the RW wall at that point. It seems possible, I guess, but it also seems more likely BB just went back to AO on LW because that’s how he rolls.
Please, call me F&B.
I find it far more believable that AO is a good bit out of position than that AO is a little bit out of position and TB’s on another fucking planet.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
He should have clubbed Boudreau over the head for sending out that line…
If you've read this far...seek help.
Was Weber Ovi8’s responsibility? Didn’t BB put him on the right side last night?
I’m more inclined to blame stupidity on them for slowing up and expecting an off-sides (even though there wasn’t a whistle) rather than just shitty play.
"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
Once AO committed to trying to get that puck from between the benches, he was never going to get all the way back to Weber on the far side of the ice. What he has to do after making that decision is make sure the Preds don’t have an easy zone entry (and Brouwer has to not obligingly remove himself from the puck carrier’s path) and backcheck hard on the puck carrier.
So I’m going with Schultz needed to give JC74 telepathic instructions (or hell, if only there was another way to communicate, like pointing, or yelling) to cover his own damn side of the ice, or make Ovechkin take that one extra step in the neutral zone, or get Brouwer to take his man instead of getting out of the way, or all of those things. Dammit, Schultz! You know nutzing!
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, if AO had taken one extra step in the neutral zone instead of gliding, or one extra step in the defensive zone instead of gliding, he’d have either broken up the entry, or been putting good pressure on Fisher. Does Fisher go tape-to-tape on the backhand to Weber in-stride if AO is in contact with him? I doubt it.
Either way, AO needs to put more effort into backchecking on that play.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Rank the six Caps in terms of culpability on that goal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
In reverse order, probably Vokoun, Schultz, Backstrom, Carlson/Brouwer/Ovechkin, but all five skaters did something at least questionable during that sequence. Vokoun is doing the right thing in a 2-on-1, which is take the shooter and let the D take the pass.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
@TheGoalieGuild made an interesting point last night – if Vokoun catches with his left hand, his stick is in better position to break up that pass. Obviously that’s not a criticism but rather an observation of how bad luck played a part in that goal as well.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But the Goalie Guild also hammers away on why it’s an advantage to Vokoun to catch with his right. Does this mean it’s not so simple, or maybe even a give-and-take scenario?
Please, call me F&B.
I don’t think that one instance really hinders the “advantage” argument any moreso than if the play had developed on the opposite side and he’d cut off the pass would help that argument.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Why not? My whole point has been that in some respects having a right hand glove is an advantage, and some it’s a disadvantage. Last night we saw the disadvantage. It’s just a mirror-image situation and the advantage/disadvantage is a wash.
Please, call me F&B.
Well, because I’m assuming that the argument for it being an advantage is that shooters are more used to seeing left-catching Gs and thus tend to shoot at spots that are tough for left-catching Gs to handle which, in turn, are not spots that are necessarily tough for right-catching Gs to handle – the whole advantage, if there is one, is with the shooter’s relative lack of familiarity with a wrong-handed G.
The situation last night could have happened on either side and been an advantage or disadvantage for either type of goalie – it had nothing to do with familiarity and tendencies.
At least that’s what I’m assuming the argument would be. I’m not sure I buy it, but that’s how I’d frame it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s probably the best way to frame it, but in my experience it’s not an accurate one. There are basically three kinds of NHL shots: 1) the shooter has time and picks his spot. In that case, the hand that the glove is on is irrelevant, the player will adjust and find the hole. 2) the “just get it through traffic and on net” shot. The hand the glove is on is also irrelevant, and these tend to be shots from further out. 3) the “put the puck in his feet/get the puck up high in a scramble shot.” I have a hard time believing the hand the glove is on would play into this either, but I guess it’s possible.
Please, call me F&B.
Telepathy with Carlson?
So you want him to be Alzner.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
Even better, be more like the Sedins…
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 16, 2011 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
nah, that's just creepy
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
by Bman21212 on Nov 16, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, the problem is Ovi appears to be chasing Fisher instead of going to cover Weber. Schultz has to guard Fisher there.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
Brouwer dropped his stick.
Carlson motioned for someone to take Erat, so he could help Schultz.
Backstrom either thought Brouwer would take him, or didn’t see the motion.
Vokoun possibly committed way too much to the near post.
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
Katie saw the pointing differently:
As the Nashville skaters lined up to enter the offensive zone, you can see in the replay that several Capitals seem to pull up – defenseman John Carlson even points at the linesman – thinking that their foes were offsides.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Why would he point to the linesman in that situation? I can see him yelling or pulling up but pointing makes no sense. I’m w/ Dimagus, he was trying to point out defensive coverage to the forwards.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
What forwards is he pointing to for defensive coverage, the two along the boards not in a position to defend anyone?
If you've read this far...seek help.
Backstrom is in position, but he spins and veers off towards the center instead of staying on the wing. Brouwer would be close as well on the outside but he lost his stick so he stopped to retrieve it.
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
Backstrom is in a position to cut off the third man in (the skater immediately to his right and just behind him), but the Caps are still left with one defenseman outside the faceoff dot on the other side of the ice, a forward not backchecking, and two Preds on right half of the ice with one defender back.
If you've read this far...seek help.
There are two forwards around two Preds. Just because they aren’t in good position at that instance doesn’t mean the d-man shouldn’t let them know who to mark. He could also be letting them know who he’s taking so Schultz knows to step towards the puck carrier. Not sure, but I’m pretty sure he’s not pointing to the linesman who’s clearly signaling that the play is onsides.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
What do you mean? Players raise their arms all the time when they think offsides should be called.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 9:01 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Not sure if you are snarking, but Katie said he was pointing. And the screen cap shows him pointing. Don’t typically see players point to the linesman like that but you do see them point out defensive coverages.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe. Guess only John Carlson knows the answer to this one.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He needs to be called on the carpet for that one…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
I dunno… Absolutely every time a puck gets shot out that has DoG potential, ever player on the ice immediately points. Not exactly the same scenario, but I think it’s plausible he was doing something similar. But like JP said, nobody knows except Carlson.
by Murshawursha on Nov 16, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
They do sometimes. I’ve always interpreted the point to mean “hey asshole you’ve got this right?” Generally I think it’s more common that they point to direct traffic, which especially makes sense with Carlson and Schultz paired up. When you’re playing with a guy you’ve played with for years, you don’t need to say much. A newer partner requires much more communication.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Nov 16, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions
Generally, I’ve only see defensemen point to let the forward know which side to cover (which maybe Schultz should be doing to tell Ovie to cover Weber). Whatever reason Carlson is pointing for, I can’t see a good reason unless he thinks he can get to Fisher first.
You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."
He should have stepped up on Weber and knocked him on his ass, then slid over to Fisher and picked his pocket faster than Carrie Underwood. Start the transition with a long seam pass to Ovi who’s in perfect position behind all the Preds defenders and watch him go one-on-one w/ Rinne (tounge out, bicycle kick) and bury the game clinching goal. It’s really not that hard.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
Err, tongue…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
As a Schultz hater (aka mouthbreather) I have no issue with how he played it. I agree that he was screwed no matter what he did, the best he could have done was gotten lucky. My two causes are a) Ovechkin not bothering to do much of anything and b) Preds #44 (I think) effectively taking Backstrom out of the play and further tying up Brouwer. Just sucks…
But that was coherent and dispassionate, not the stuff of mouthbreathing… you may be the rarest of birds: someone who dislikes Schultz for legitimate reasons.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Not a Schultz hater, but my main criticism of him there is that he was caught flat-footed… he wasn’t in a position to even make a decision one way or another because he was flat on his skates. So he would’ve gotten beaten either way.
by DonnieKnutts on Nov 16, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Disagree. He made a decision and lunged a bit at Fisher, the puck carrier, forcing him to make the pass. Maybe he thought he could recover on Weber once the pass was made, but I don’t think it was lack of decisiveness that burned him there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Tell me, Schultz haters, how he should have played that differently.
He should have hit someone. Duh.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 16, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 8 recs
1st Goal Against
Don’t have a youtube account, but here’s a megaupload of the 720p goal clip.
Warning: May cause urge to punch computer monitor upon viewing.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YA8RSI1W
"A picture is worth a thousand words. For moving pictures we manage to shorten it to one or two."
by Dimagus on Nov 16, 2011 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Alright, having watched this a couple of times:
Ovechkin starts covering the high slot with NSH fighting for the puck along the boards near the faceoff dot. He’s even got his stick on the ice at points, so kudos to that. Given where everyone else on the ice is, he sure looks like he’s playing LW; he’s on the weak side while Brouwer is on the boards near the puck.
The puck comes out of the zone along the right boards, and Ovechkin pursues it from the high slot to the right boards between the benches. He tries to take the puck, but doesn’t succeed. Ovechkin turns and starts back towards that high slot. He has a chance to apply back pressure to the puck carrier, but doesn’t skate hard enough. Brouwer, perhaps anticipating that he will skate hard enough, turns his back to the boards and let the NSH puckcarrier skate to the inside and gain the zone. I don’t know if this was a miscommunication, or they both failed, but they could have stopped that play right then.
At the line, Erat passes though Backstrom and Kostitsyn (Backstrom seems to have IDed Kostitsyn as his guy, and picked him up), then starts skating towards the net. Backstrom doesn’t leave Tits to pick up Erat. By the time he realized how the play was developing, it looked like Erat had a step-and-a-half on him. Carlson was in position to pick him up as he went to the net, but JC74 was puck-watching and ended up on Schultz’s side of the ice, taking away neither the pass (he reached for it with his stick, but he wasn’t really in position to stop it), nor the layup that followed.
In the mean time, the Preds have executed a successful zone entry
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 11:51 AM EST up reply actions 12 recs
Except for leaving that last line in there. Two post-fails in two posts…I’m losing the room.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
Is that a “Ron Wilson” losing the room, or a “Glen Hanlon” losing the room?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Either one beats “Bruce Cassidy,” since he never had the room.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
And a big thanks to Dimagus for providing this content, as always.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I blame alot of this clusterfuck on the constant tinkering with lines and players having to think too much in a situation like this.
An admirer noted: "I think it's safe to say that your mustache has experienced more than an ordinary man's entire body".
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 16, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
Constant tinkering of lines? What, Ovie Backstrom and Brouwer have never played together before? Maybe not as much as Ovie Baxter Semin/Knuble, but they’ve played enough and the two anchors know each other very well.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
At the same time, if Ovi’s on the RW, it’s new.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nashville was allowed to gain the zone with too much momentum with too little challenge to the puck
This has been the trend I’ve seen all season. The opponents get many more carry-in and pass-in entries than I’d care to see, while the Caps so frequently have to dump it in or get the puck in, relatively uncontrolled, some other way.
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
Huge problem vs. Dallas last week.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
was just going to say that. And to see Dallas get worked last night by FLA…
by DonnieKnutts on Nov 16, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
Like the headliner of “Russian Machine Never Breaks” talking about the game being like a bad country song. The song for Green should be “If I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all”.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Disappointing final minutes, but I must say I thought the first 55 minutes was a great improvement by the Caps. Good defense, good fore-checking. Much improved.
My hopes for a deep playoff run seem more realistic watching their play last night. The last 5 min. is a hard but good lesson for them to take forward…Never stop playing.
Well, KSR, you’re much happier about the last night’s game and more hopeful of their future than I. I do hope you’re right, for the sake of our team. To me, last night’s game seemed like that punch to the stomach and really disheartening.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
by CapsFan75 on Nov 16, 2011 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think we should have huge discussions and picture/video breakdowns of all the goals after we steal games with a quick burst of goals in a 10 minute effort victory. It would only be fair.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 17, 2011 1:15 AM EST up reply actions
Peerless captured it well: the stop on Knuble—in his office—right before the NSH goal was hugemongous. We’re singing a different tune this morning if Gramps converts there. #pissed
Cross check and all call.
We’re probably singing a different tune if the guys who came out for the shift immediately after taking the lead had been more committed. But I’m beating a dead horse on that one.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 8:07 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Not to mention if Knuble is able to stuff that puck under Rinne nine seconds before the game-winner.
Woulda-coulda-shoulda
If you've read this far...seek help.
Not to mention if BB had sent out the CHECKING line and Alzner’s D pairing. But if I knew anything about the game I would be in right?
Alzner’s pair had just been on the ice for Brouw’s goal. I was fine with 55-74 rolling out there but I was shocked to see Backstrom’s line come out. I guess I see some logic in terms of FO%, but that was just a braincramp from Bruce.
Cross check and all call.
What are the chances BB is some sort of mad genius with perhaps method to his madness? Drives me crazy the way he tries to justify the mental lapses and lack of a “Killer Instinct” with his “guys thought offsides” defense but… if this season is all about accountability and looking at some of his recent choices and strains with he and his captain is this not a brilliant move to put the top line out there to put up or shit up? Such a well played hard fought game all to be lost on one/two of the games waning shifts, I have to imagine that was quite a heated postgame locker room… I bet Ovechkin/Backstrom feel as bad as anybody bout the outcome and what better game for old habits to cost them… here’s to hoping there was a perfect lesson learned last night…
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. -Thomas A. Edison
Not just BB’s “idea.” Ovi said it in his postgame interview.
"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
Yeah saw that, was just the way BB addressed it in his that seemed to give it some merit… if he doesn’t acknowledge and instead focus’ on the actions within his guys control and the let up instead of clamp down mentality his team often exhibits… just sometimes seems to me he works to defend a bit too often rather than call them out
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. -Thomas A. Edison
it’s like a damn glue factory around here
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Elias
With a fancy bit of trivia.
Shea Weber registered a goal and an assist in the Predators’ 3-1 win over the Capitals on Tuesday and he posted a plus-3 rating, extending his streak of consecutive “plus” games to a Nashville record nine games. (His combined rating over that stretch is plus-14.) Weber is the first NHL player to finish with a “plus” rating in each of nine consecutive games since Washington’s Mike Knuble and Alex Ovechkin had concurrent nine-game streaks in the 2009-10 season.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
Great piece by Neil in the post today. It looks like Vokoun has been less than great in close games and on the PK.
by Kolzilla on Nov 16, 2011 8:49 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks! Check is in the mail.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
What happened to the post?
Link here just goes to the BB article.
Caps with the score tied at even (but not always full) strength: 5.7% shooting, .877 sv%.
It’ll be interesting to see whether scoring chances (47%) approach Corsi (55%) or vice versa, or whether they head to the middle.
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Odd for there to be that big a gap between scoring chance % and Corsi%?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
They do converge, I’d think, over the course of the season (though, at an individual level, Plekanec-Halpern dominated scoring chances while losing out in Corsi). Otherwise this whole “shot quality” thing would undeniably be true.
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Well we can’t have that happen…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If I can gather the Corsi data from last year I can plot the two and see. My guess is scoring chances are more predictive.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work in the Washington Post and on ESPN Insider.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
10-5-1? This team could be really dangerous if they quit sucking.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 16, 2011 9:08 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
It’s all in the trend. 7-0-0 followed by 3-5-1 and losers in four of their last five. Right now — not in October and not what we might see after the first of the year — this team is (again, right now) Winnipeg, which is 3-4-2 in their last nine and losers of five of six (of course, it is Detroit, too, which is 4-6-1 in their last 11 after their 5-0-0 start).
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
So is the “this regular season, it doesn’t happen if the team wins or loses as long as they play the right way” crowd happy with the first 55 minutes last night?
And isn’t 55 minutes more important than 5? At least in terms of being something to build on? Or are we only happy when they win and they win the right way?
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 16, 2011 9:11 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
(and of course, happen = matter)
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 16, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
No, there were a lot of positives from that game. Of course, not scoring on a 5-on-3 with Weber and Suter in the box is not among them.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So are you happy this morning? (not just to Kolzilla, but to everyone who’s happy with 91.7% of yesterday’s game)
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 16, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
I’m feeling like we let one get away, and the analysis above shows why, but I’m not losing sleep or agonizing. They are 10-5-1. Long way to go. Looooong way to go. Frankly, I don’t care if we are 1st seed or 4th seed. I’d like home ice in teh first round, but that’s about it.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I’m not thrilled that they’ve lost 4 of 5 and the Alexes seem to be hurting more than helping right now. I’m actually pretty pleased with how everyone else on the team is playing of late.
I thought Semin was rather good last night, fwiw. Even his penalty was a bit cheap – not his fault the Pred was holding his stick like it was a bird with a broken wing.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He wasn’t bad last night, but Ovechkin wasn’t great. I’d like to have one game where both of them play the right way. For better or worse, they’re responsible for setting the tone of this team, not Joel Ward.
Yup. And it’s worth noting that Semin was significantly better pre-penalty than post-.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He also drew a pretty cheap penalty later in the game. Was waiting for the diving call that never came.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
I was annoyed with Semin pulling his patented “stand still for 5 seconds then fire the puck into the defender’s shin pads” move on the 5 on 3, but other than that he had a pretty good game. That is one of the few things that annoys me even more than Laich’s “call for the puck at the side of the net then jam it into the goalie’s pad” move.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 16, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
If the team’s going to misplay or sleep on a portion of a game, maybe that portion should be somewhere in the first or second period rather than in the last five minutes of regulation. Maybe timing the troughs is the next thing for them to work on.
Campaign Promises fantasy team: Hamrlik To Fall
by CapitalCentre on Nov 16, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
I was very pleased with the second period and pretty much all of the third up until that point. Both teams had defensive lapses (and NSH looked like they had a set play that wasn’t getting adjusted to in the Caps end), but it was for the most part a tightly checked game.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 9:23 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
No, they weren’t very good for that stretch. After that, they turned it up though.
My mind is all twisted like a peanut.
I’d offer it was less them not being good versus Nashville playing hard. There wasn’t a lack of effort on our part in those first 10 minutes, Nashville was just playing well too. We ended up having the more dangerous chances as the period went on.
Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.
by Davethecapsfan on Nov 16, 2011 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
Just praying for a 10 game losing streak at this point. Anything to bring about regime change in DC. BB is a good guy, but he is done here.
Of course it didn’t matter last year, so probably won’t matter this year either.
I will never pray for a 10 game losing streak. If I am praying, it’s for BB to be successful. He’s who we have now and his record speaks for itself.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Nov 16, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
On the other hand, so does his playoff record.
I’m not to the point where I’m going to hope for a losing streak to get him fired. If last year’s didn’t I imagine it would take a meltdown on the order of being out of the playoff picture at the All-Star Break for him to get fired this season.
by Murshawursha on Nov 16, 2011 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
Who cares about his regular season record? Caps play in one of, if not the weakest, divisions in hockey. They are making the playoffs unless they completely collapse.
BB should have been gone after MTL series. We have wasted another two years with him. Anyone who thinks the Caps are going anywhere with BB is clearly not watching.
Who cares about his regular season record?
Based on today’s comments, I’d say a lot of people. Although that may just be because they played like crap for 5 minutes.
"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’m not gonna disagree, I was rooting for him to be gone last season, and I still think he’s probably not the best option to coach the Caps this season (though he’s at least been a little bit better in the accountability department, which was my biggest beef with him). However, given how management’s treated him thus far, it would take a collapse of epic proportions to get him fired, and perhaps not even then, and I’m not willing to root against the Caps to that extent. Not that desperate, yet.
by Murshawursha on Nov 16, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
10 game losing streak: Caps will have 10 wins in 26 games, ~23 points I guess. They’d need 72 points in their final 56 games for a comfortable 95, 1.3 points per game, a 105 point pace over the course of the season.
A 10 game losing streak puts this team in real danger of missing the postseason.
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that helps — if Ovechkin, Backstrom and Brouwer can’t properly defend against the Predators (all due respect to a team that won last night) they don’t exactly stand a chance against teams with 30 goal scorers on a line.
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 doubt even a 10 game losing streak would knock off BB. Maybe 15 game. But really, he’s here to stay, and has one more playoff run. After that, all bets are off.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
I’m not so sure, but only because I don’t think the length of any losing streak matters. Based on everything we know about GMGM, I’d say Bruce is safe as long as it’s clear he hasn’t lost the team. If it becomes obvious that they’re not responding to him, a two-game streak could do him in.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s a good point. Knowing how he trades it will also seem sudden to us. Though I don’t remember how he really dealt with the last one, Hanlon.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
Thanksgiving is coming up…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Well, with Hanlon as soon as it became apparent that the team was no longer buying what he was selling, he was gone.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Have the Caps ever really bought what Boudreau has sold? At best, they’re Rent-a-Centering what he is selling. When given the chance, they all immediately play however they please.
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
Funny line and all, but you don’t win Conference titles with everyone freelancing. I’m talking more about something like him bag skating them and them responding with a blowout loss or a noticeable divide in the room or something like that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
dcsportsfan1 put it perfectly below — the only way Boudreau leaves is if Boudreau stops selling. The team has long since stopped buying, even the much-ballyhooed defensive system that was implemented can fall apart in a moment’s notice (see the west trip last year that started with Anaheim? or whomever)
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
How can you say the team hasn’t bought into what Bruce has had them doing when the PK dramatically turned around last year, the defensive system that was implemented mid-course worked, and adjustments to the PP have worked this year? They may not have always been the right answers, and to be sure there’s a subset of the team that has done whatever it’s pleased whenever it’s pleased, but I think you sell short the amount of faith a lot of this team has in its coach.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
They have faith in the coach, sure, but is faith alone enough to stop the mental mistakes the team has? The inability to commit players to dump and chase? The inability for Ovechkin to stay on the right side of the ice? He moved over to RW, but every time he would rush up the left side and turn the puck over as he’s done for the past year.
I don’t see Boudreau as the answer, flat out. The team is going to fall because it can’t beat teams that play with work ethic instead of pure talent.
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
Let’s rephrase the question a bit. Is Ovechkin buying into what Bruce is selling? So far I would say not 100%.
Assuming Boudreau isn’t saying, “Do whatever you want when it suits you,” clearly not. More important question: Is Ovechkin capable of 100% buying into what any coach is saying?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Is there any indication that he isn’t coachable?
I’ve never heard it.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 16, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
Looking forward to Whyno’s Ovechkin story which hits at noon supposedly.
Slava Malamud had a bunch of depressing tweets last night. The issue for me is that if Ovechkin starts to change his game it has to start soon so he has the whole season to work on adapting it. Can’t say in march that you are going to retool your game.
Slava can be a big drama queen. his twitter shtick wears thin on me.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Well, have you seen enough from him to say, "That guy is 100% on-board and committed to the system the team is playing. Even if he thinks he knows better or wants to freelance, he’s been successful at surpressing those urges and stayed disciplined to the system, and has taken well to coaching, adapting his game as needed "?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
In one word, no.
One thing I have noticed over the years is that teams aren’t as scared of Ovechkin’s line as they used to be and they aggressively attack his line and try to score on them. Didn’t use to happen before and while Ovi has improved on the defensive end he’s still a liability there.
I don’t think it’s that they’re not as scared, but they know that they need to push the play themselves instead of sitting back.
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
Well, have you seen enough from him to say, "That guy is 100% on-board and committed to the system the team is playing. Even if he thinks he knows better or wants to freelance, he’s been successful at surpressing those urges and stayed disciplined to the system,
I can’t say that I think he’s 100% committed to the system, but that’s mostly because I don’t know what system that is. Maybe I’m simple, but I can’t see a defined “system” in the way the Caps are playing. I can see ones in many of the opponents, but not the Caps.
has taken well to coaching, adapting his game as needed
Again, I don’t know what coaching he’s received. The limit of BB’s innovation seems to be putting him on RW. Has he been given any other instruction than that? Has BB spent time showing Ovi how to counteract what defenses have been doing to him? Has BB come up with a strategy to get him more time and space? I don’t know. I’m not seeing it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Ovechkin is a smart guy. He also has a huge desire to win and be successful. Put those together and I think that if BB was teaching him something that works, he is smart enough to do it.
by Gin and Tonic on Nov 16, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Wasn’t the offensive “system” in 07-08 pretty much “you guys have talent, go for it”?
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
Point being, with the level of talent this team has why can it not succeed? Not just winning, but when they lose be able to walk away knowing you played the game right. I see teams with borderline talent having as much success as the Caps and they’re only improving year-to-year. The Caps are in a consistent state of decline as the pieces are in place, they’re just getting older.
What’s going to change between now and, say, 2013-2014 season? Will there by any fundamental improvements or only excuses such as “hot goalie” or “not getting bounces”
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
Again, I don’t disagree that Boudreau may not be the guy to get them to the next level. But I think he gets another shot at the playoffs barring the team quitting on him. That’s all I’m saying.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I agree. That’s why I don’t waste a lot of energy on Boudreau’s job security. I’m not sure what it will take for GMGM and Ted to fire Boudreau, but I know they don’ t have a hair trigger. The team is winning. The team is selling tickets. The team is among the best in the NHL as I write. All that, plus a commitment, says no chance of imminent coaching change.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
They have faith in the coach, sure, but is faith alone enough to stop the mental mistakes the team has?
I think that’s an entirely different question, and I don’t necessarily disagree with your conclusion, but what I’m talking about is GMGM’s likelihood of making a switch and what I believe it to be most reliant upon, which is the team noticeably quitting on Boudreau.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I don’t see it happening because if Boudreau was going to leave before his contract was up, it was happening after Montreal. It didn’t, so, he’s here to stay.
I just don’t see the team ever giving up on him because I don’t see the team really buying into his system. Unless his system is, in fact, effete play in which case they’re the most disciplined team in the league at following a system. Which might have a nugget of truth hidden in there because I can see it being totally possible that Boudreau takes the reins off the figurative horses as often as possible. If you get to play how you want to that may be the reason people consider Boudreau easy to play for.
Turn over the puck by kicking it right to the middle of the ice*, something you’re taught from day one is a no-no? Well, Mr. Laich, it was a good try at making a quick-transition breakout. Next time put some more mustard behind it.
(*or was it Fehr, I can’t remember who had that abomination of a pass)
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 Nov 16, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Bruce would never cut Fehr a break on anything.
by Murshawursha on Nov 16, 2011 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
Boudreau has coached teams to 94 points (a 109 point pace after Boudreau took over), 108 points, 121 points, and 107 points, and they’re currently on pace for 108 points.
I think Caps fans have forgotten how hard 100 points is. You can’t do that without buying in, at least a little. Hell yeah, these players have bought in. It’s just flippancy to say they haven’t.
Taking it to another level is another question, and that’s what it takes to win a Cup. I’m personally with those who think another voice may be what this team needs at this point. But only because of what Boudreau has built. He deserves credit for his accomplishments just as he deserves criticism for what he does that holds the team back.
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 16, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 8 recs
And to all those who only think Broudeau is a bad coach: His next win will be his 200th, which would make him the second fastest coach to that mark after Don Cherry. And since this Sat’s game is a HNIC, I expect that to be brought up.
"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
so he could tie or surpass Grapes on HNIC. This could be entertaining TV. (get to see a couple old friends along the way this week. Is Fehr playing yet?)
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Sadly no, Fehrsie won’t be playing.
Didn’t realize that Eakin was from the ‘peg too. Now I understand Bruce keeping him up, something he’s done with callups in the past when the team is scheduled to play in their hometowns.
"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
bummer. quite like the guy and wish him and those glass shoulders all the best.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Remember, Jets are here next week. Fehr could be in the lineup by then.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
trying to sell that game, unfortunately
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Atlanta/Winnipeg at home right before Thanksgiving with the team playing like crap and the natives restless…
Is it getting warm in here or is it just Bruce?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Tuesday marks 4 years since we all said “Who the hell is Bruce Boudreau?!”
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Well if you’re setting odds on another personnel move for the third straight holiday season, there you go.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Keep United in DC. A Fair Deal at RFK, and a Pathway to a Stadium for a team loyal to the city.
by Bald Pollack on Nov 16, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
Over an eight-year period from 1998-1999 through 2006-2007 the Ottawa Senators topped 100 points six times and averaged 104 points per season (remember, much of that is before three-point games). Five times they lost in the first round of the playoffs, twice they lost in the second round, and they lost once each in the conference final and Stanley Cup final.
Eight years, seven playoff series wins, no Cup. If the Caps do that by 2015-2016, is that going to be hailed as a successful team, or one that came up short?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
No. The Caps will be permanent residents of the list of best teams that never won one.
However, I’d rather be in the position the Senators were or the Blues for that matter for many years, than the position the Leafs and Panthers have been in recently. We need to give ourselves the opportunity to win.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
The trouble is, Caps fans have sort of seen this movie. Fourteen straight years in the playoffs from 82-83 through 95-96…eight one-and-done, five second round losses, one conference final. Fourteen years, seven playoff series wins, no Cup finals, no Cup.
It’s like watching a rerun of Ishtar in Mandarin. It’s still bad, and I don’t understand it.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Ishtar never had a chance to be successful. The Caps do.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Hanlon stopped selling too. What was his quote the day he was fired? Something like he didn’t know what he was going to do/say to the team anyway.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 16, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions
___
Awesome look at Holtby’s bucket:
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 16, 2011 11:47 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
ADORBS/MASK is off the charts.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
I’m waiting for the goalie who has his mask painted “SHOOT IT HERE…I DARE YA”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
If I were a goalie, I’d be wearing pads with a net pattern on them, and a mask with crossbar paint that looks straight from about 6’4" off the ice, along with more netting underneath that, and something that looked like board ads above that. Every possible advantage, I’d want.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 11:53 AM EST reply actions
Including replay-failing.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
So...this is out?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
For me? Yes.
But that’s an awesome look for the Charlotte Checkers. Bravo to whoever that is.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
Not Charlotte. It’s Trevor Kidd when he played for Carolina. The guy really did love his checkerboard patterns.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, what? How did I not see this?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 16, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
He had a similar pattern with Toronto, except he had little maple leaves in the blue squares.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
Man, the crease looks so weird…
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 16, 2011 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, not a huge fan of Neuvy’s pad color change. I’d think that white pads would be harder to differentiate at a glance from the net while bright red would stand out.
On the plus side, I can tell who’s in goal now. Color-coded for my convenience!
Vokoun catching with his right hand doesn’t give it away?
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 16, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
You mean like these?
"Hockey is my life, wine is my passion." -- Igor Larionov
by Scott in Shaw on Nov 16, 2011 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OT, but I gotta represent.
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
yeesh...
That glove looks like the radio observatory dish at Arecibo
If you've read this far...seek help.
I hadn’t read this quote from the Ovechkin article that just came out in the Examiner.
When goals aren’t coming with any frequency on the rush, it becomes a point of contention. In a perfect world for the Caps, Nicklas Lidstrom’s view of Ovechkin would be true.
"With his speed and the moves he’s got, I think as a defenseman if you take one move and try to take it out, he’s going to the next move and he might be going wide instead of going inside," the Red Wings defenseman said. "Even though you kind of know what he’s going to do, he has the speed to beat you."
But hey, what would Lidstrom know?
(Washington Times, not the Examiner)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If the defense men are playing up on him and forwards are being tasked with specifically back checking him doesn’t that mean that somebody somewhere should be wide open?
If the D is jumping into the rush, yes. But not like the Caps have all that many clear-cut rushes. Watching PIT-COL last night I was amazed at just how many times the teams were able to get 2-on-1s, 3-on-2s, etc, clear cut. From the notes I have the Caps have had those sorts of chances this season in the single digits (though I’ve only watched about half the games in their entirety).
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 Nov 16, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, those people are wide open back in the neutral zone because AO keeps rushing ahead of his teammates into a 1 on 3.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Nov 16, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
But hey, what would Lidstrom know?
And Lidstrom plays him once a year, maybe sees him a few more times… doesn’t take seasons of film review to see what’s going on and what needs to.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
happy birthday Josh Green. Any relation?
I’m just in it for the Schadenfreude. -D'ohboy
by Alz in the family on Nov 16, 2011 12:43 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
No, Joe Beninati. No relation.
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
by bilspacecadet on Nov 16, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Shit. I should’ve been all over that joke. Nice one.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Really enjoyed McNally’s catching up with Olie, and excited to see he’ll be in DC next month.
Pledge Drive 2011-2012: CARSON KOLZIG FOUNDATION! Season Pledge total--$403.25!
Another good discussion today. Could it be as simple as last year’s adage ‘the CAPS are only as good as our Young Guns" (paraphrased, of course)? I point to Peerless’ observation that 8-19-28 (plus 21) are ALL ‘-.’ That, indeed, is a frightening indicator for the rest of the season….to say nothing of the future, considering the heft of 3 of those contracts. Those boys better get cranking.
Asked if he thought his game had become predictable, Ovechkin was dismissive.
"No, I still have chances to score goals," he said. "So I just have to score."
Well that inspires confidence…
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Nov 16, 2011 1:18 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
He shoots less often, misses more often (relative to shots taken; he could have missed shots > 50 percent of SOG for first time in his career). It’s just too much scatter shot at this point.
If you've read this far...seek help.
What do you expect him to say? What do you want him to say?
“Yeah, I just have these two moves – come down the left side and cut to the middle or try to go wide with a puck-through-the-legs move. So yeah, I’m pretty predictable.”
He’s not wrong about needing to finish better than he has been, nor to imply that he has been better at doing so in the past.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think anything that acknowledged the need for adjustment would be fine. He doesn’t have to call himself a one-trick pony. He can just say “you always have to try new things and figure out how to beat the D.” Maybe even something that acknowledges they’ve scouted him and know what he likes to do, but that’s obviously not going to happen.
Please, call me F&B.
That’s fair… but it’s also not who this guy is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Asked if he thought his game has become predictable, Ovechkin was reflective.
“Good friend of mine say, ‘This is very simple game. You pass the puck, you get the puck, you shoot the puck. Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t score, sometimes it rains.’ Think about that for a while.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 16, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I just don’t think Ovi’s style of scoring allows for 50 goals And a ticket to the Finals.
Sure his highlight goals are about will and audacity, but (my impression is) the bulk of his scoring comes from his prowess as a lethal mobile artillery platform. If he were a [insert hated top-goal scorer name] known for tight crafty moves and whatnot I could see being concerned about his lack of scoring. His goal-scoring is optimized for run-and-gun/fast break, not defensive responsibility and plug and play schemes. I think people on various levels are going to have to come to terms with/and account for this, including him.
Oh no, don't do that, don't do that. If you shoot him you'll just make him mad.
See: Stamkos, Steven; Gionta, Brian; Gaborik, Marian, etc.
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 Nov 16, 2011 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
Well, he did score 48 once.
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 Nov 16, 2011 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, pretty crazy. He just immediately jumped out at me as the “which one of these is not like the other” on that list.
Please, call me F&B.
The playoffs two years ago, vs. MTL: Some of us went into the last couple of games saying we really hoped to see MP skating. I thought even if he got limited ice time it would be good for him to see Gionta up close – how he played the game effectively despite his size.
Gionta is listed as 3 inches shorter than MP – in the always extremely accurate NHL stats
Oh no, don't do that, don't do that. If you shoot him you'll just make him mad.
Red Light District is interviewing Joe B in a few minutes. I’ll try to link the archive in Clips tomorrow:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rldhockeytalk/2011/11/16/rld-hockey-talk—episode-84—111611
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
___
Off-topic administrative note: We’ve got a ticket promotion post going up at 4:00. Even if you’re not interested, do us all a favor and click through on the links on that post and ones like it, as that helps us out. Gracias!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Seattle Times on the use of acupuncture to cure a hockey prospect's headaches
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2016775172_tbirds16.html
Unleash the Apathy.
Do they have anything for hockey coaches’ headaches? I mean aside from sending Avery to the minors or trading Semin…
Go FlyeRzzzzzzzzzz
Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)
by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 16, 2011 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
Something else to think about regarding our record minus Green: we’re 2-5 with Carlznerson split up.
it’s in vogue to blame d woes greatly on Mike Green’s importance, but no one skater should have that sway on a team of this caliber. I’d say a lack of greens, a little carlznerson split, a dash of erskine rust, a teaspoon of Hamrlik over-the-hill, I’m not sure if I’m tasting a hint of Schultz’s 55 Off-Year Hangover Special, but any self-respecting 11-12 Caps fan should heap on a healthy dose of high-risk-high-rewideman
Oh no, don't do that, don't do that. If you shoot him you'll just make him mad.
So looking at the video of Chris Stewart’s hit on Kronwall last night, after Kronwall goes down there are immediately three Red Wings in Stewart’s face looking to get a piece of him. What are the odds the Caps react like that in a similar situation?
Does it really matter?
Is there any evidence that “deterrence” of that kind actually works in the NHL these days?
"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin
by Gould Old Days on Nov 16, 2011 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
Does it matter from a deterrence standpoint? Probably not. Does it have value from a “team coming together to have the back of one of its guys” perspective? I would say absolutely yes.
by Murshawursha on Nov 16, 2011 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
Related FanShots on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Who are the Non-Smythe candidates for the Devils, Kings?
- End is near for Rick Nash, Blue Jackets as trade discussions set to resume
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
