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Wednesday Caps Clips: Blue Debut

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 29: Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Washington Capitals is scored on by the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Verizon Center on November 29, 2011 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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Who knew that when Francois Bouchard was traded for Tomas Kundratek, it would touch off a wave of personnel moves?

Boudreau out…Hunter in.
Woods out…Johnson in.
Sjogren out…uh, who’s in?

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 7:10 AM EST reply actions  

Considering Sjogren’s agent’s activities on twitter recently, this is no shock to me at all.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 7:26 AM EST up reply actions  

Is that “Rico Winters or whatever his name is” Twitter account?
Note to self: never piss off GMGM.

Terrifically juvenile.

by stemmer on Nov 30, 2011 7:32 AM EST up reply actions  

Ritch Winter.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 7:38 AM EST up reply actions  

“Rico WInters”

I became a big McPhee fan when he went into the Blackhawks locker room and confronted Mollekin (their coach) and challenged him to a fight right there with Mollekin surrounded by his team.

This is another reason.

And I will never play poker with McPhee… ever!

Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...

by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 8:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Alan May and Dale Hunter walk into a studio with McHugh, Milbury, and Jones…George McPhee is driving the getaway car.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:38 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

May sits stoically as Milbury takes that slap to the face.
Fun after each view.

"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen

by caps&skins on Nov 30, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

the incredibly calm way May delivered that whole fight statement just made it all the better. And you can totally hear Milbury flipping out in the background.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Wonder if Milbury would fight like a man, or try to beat on May with one of May’s shoes.

Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...

by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions  

so that’s the end of Sjogren’s NHL opportunities, right? Caps won’t bring him back and how long do they own his rights for?

by Beakers Lab on Nov 30, 2011 7:47 AM EST up reply actions  

Seems like he napalmed his bridges, so to speak.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 7:59 AM EST up reply actions  

Burnt 'em like a Swedish Christmas goat

That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
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by boutros23 on Nov 30, 2011 8:03 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

He’s the white Anton Gustafsson.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 8:03 AM EST up reply actions  

Anyone know if Winter has any clients we might want in the near future? Because I think that bridge has been burnt, too.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 8:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Look for yourself.

"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 30, 2011 8:08 AM EST up reply actions  

Grazi.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 8:09 AM EST up reply actions  

Grazie.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 9:53 AM EST up reply actions  

Wow. Getzlaf, Hossa, Coburn, Lucic, Hasek. And Dustin Penner. Pretty good list.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 8:11 AM EST up reply actions  

Might want to get some of his players status updated, though.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 8:12 AM EST up reply actions  

And their teams, but that’s probably what you meant.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:13 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 8:16 AM EST up reply actions  

Penner, eh? I bet Burkie loves Winter too…

Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...

by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions  

Winter must love Burkie back as he still has Cody Franson playing for the Preds not the Leafs.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 8:40 AM EST up reply actions  

Napalming bridges… next on Mythbusters!

Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...

by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 8:32 AM EST up reply actions  

Guy never really had a shot anyway. Probably realized that and would rather be home than in a foreign country. Can’t say I really blame the guy.

by reesem37 on Nov 30, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions  

He might not have had a shot this year, though the Caps did just have a dramatic coach change. But at minimum playing in the AHL would have given him a much better shot next year.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions  

The irony of Sjogren leaving is that the Caps could probably have used a big, physical 4th line guy like him rather than Cody Eakin, and with the recent coaching change, that Gallup was likely to happen sooner rather than later.

Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."

by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 8:08 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I’m not sure how much of it was his agent’s influence or his own thoughts on the matter, but with the new coach, it seems very knee-jerk to just leave before even seeing whether the new coach would give you an opportunity. If I’m Sjogren, I would have at least waited a few weeks and studied up on the new coach. Hunter apparently really likes role players, though he most likely would not have liked Sjogren’s attitude on the matter.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:29 AM EST up reply actions  

9 out of 10 find that the autocorrect on my phone generates strange results.

Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."

by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions  

I think it’s pretty telling that when Beagle went down Mattais was not brought up. Makes you think there’s no way that cat’s ready for prime time.

A danger to myself and others on the ice

by can't skate on Nov 30, 2011 10:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I’ve noticed that both goalies are giving up big rebounds this year. I haven’t studied Vokes’ play in the past, but I do recall Neuvy doing his best Velcro impression many times last year. There was a goalie coaching change over the summer – I know that Prior is considered to be one of the best, but could he be behind some of our issues in goal?

by JMurphyCSC on Nov 30, 2011 7:27 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions  

Prior worked with Neuvy before. Both goalies have had bad games and some decent ones. Obviously Vokes can be dialed in like he was for Nashville and Neuvy was a Pens killer last year. I don’t think you just unlearn a fundamental part of your game, so with Neuvy it might be just some discomfort, rust, or a bad night. With Vokes, I saw rebound control issues from the beginning. I like the way he plays (Neuvy too) but he isn’t as good at rebound control as I would have liked.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 7:38 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Neuvy’s new pads causing an issue?

by Beakers Lab on Nov 30, 2011 7:48 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t think Neuvy fell into a groove yet. Perception bias and all but it seems he does better over a stretch rather than filling in from time to time.

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 30, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions  

When BB was doing the “ride the hot goalie” thing, Neuvy had plenty of reason to be as velcro-ish as possible.

One thing I’ve noticed in his limited time out is that they have him playing a bit more aggressively – a more Vokounesque style if you will. Where he would have smothered pucks last year, he’s trying to play the puck a bit (and giving up juicy rebounds). Where he played close to home, he’s now farther out and leaving the backdoor open.

Personally, I liked his style last year. The more conservative style suits him, and it did a helluva job keeping pucks out.

by creasemonkey on Nov 30, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions  

One thing I noticed in particular last night (and if I can notice it from my couch, it’s bad), is that the Caps are really easily bottled up in the neutral zone and in their own zone. At this point, it’s looking more and more to me like it’s probably something that has to be addressed with a personnel move instead of a systemic one. But where/what do you move?

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 7:41 AM EST reply actions  

Since Ken Hitchcock took over the Blues have allowed 13 goals in 11 games. They’re doing a lot of bottling up of other teams. I don’t know that I would read too much into last night. One team is on top of its game, probably playing as well as it can given its roster. The other has been playing poorly and is breaking in a new coach. If this is a problem a couple of weeks from now, it will be a problem. Right now it just impresses me as something to work through.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 7:49 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

That’s the thing though. It seems like this has been a problem for a few weeks or more, which is why we have a new coach. I’m hoping they can work through it.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 8:03 AM EST up reply actions  

The last handful of games aren’t how they should be playing, though there have been neutral zone lapses with other rosters so it could be a system problem. I have a hard time thinking it is definitely a personnel issue in its entirety when personnel have changed and coaching has not. I give it a few weeks before panicking.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:14 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Hunter made two points in the post game last night concerning things he saw. One, the forecheck needs work (that should be a clear indicator that he wants to make his team harder to play against; tougher to beat coming out of their own zone), and the defensive positioning needs to be better.

These are things that don’t deteriorate overnight; they are the accumulation of bad habits creeping in that make a team lazy. A lot of these problems go away if these areas are dealt with effectively. I would think that with as much firepower the Caps have, if the forecheck is made to be effective it will create a lot of scoring chances off turnovers in the opponents’ end. And that means a lot fewer instances of their own getting bottled up in their own end.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions  

I think to the former that’s why I was kind of surprised to see Johnson come in now. Woods’ familiarity with most of the D aside, I can’t really think of anyone that Johnson’s tutored in that role (though to be fair I haven’t really looked).

"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 30, 2011 8:32 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know how much D tutoring he did when there but Johnson was an ass’t with Tampa Bay in 2009-10 and they had D-men such as Victor Hedman, Andrej Meszaros, Kurtis Foster, Matt Walker and Mike Lundin.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 8:46 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Good looks sir.

"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 30, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Just for a little more context, Johnson started the season coaching with Norfolk (TBL’s AHL affiliate) went up to TB (IIRC, after Melrose’s dismissal) and then ended the season back with Norfolk.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Not to be pedantic, but it looks like Tocchet was the coach the whole season that year for the Bolts and Melrose was dismissed the season before.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 9:06 AM EST up reply actions  

Oops, was that not the Melrose season? My apologies.

Anyway, pretty sure Johnson started the season with Norfolk, went up to TB and then returned to Norfolk later in the season.

I will see if I can track down the details.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions  

You are correct, Melrose was the previous season; from what I’ve read, Johnson worked with the Lightning that season, but not as a coach. OT, Alan May was an asst coach in Norfolk that season. (08-09)

Here’s some info. about Johnson’s travels in the ’09-10 season…

link to Norfolk news release about Johnson returning to Norfolk late in the season

and

Johnson’s Norfolk Ads Bio

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:15 AM EST up reply actions  

Thanks for the info sk8.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions  

Thanks for encouraging accuracy (something I support!)

Actually, glad I found that news release as it does a good job of describing his travels that season within the organization.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:22 AM EST up reply actions  

I might be wrong about my recollection, but I recall Bruce saying at some point after a particularly bad game of neutral zone play that he was trying to keep them out of the neutral zone because they weren’t doing very well while they were in it.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions  

He was hoping they could leap from one blue line to the next, avoiding it altogether? I get what you’re saying, but there are ways to fight off trapping in the neutral zone. The biggest is to dump it in and forecheck like a beast.

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s hard to have a forecheck when you’re spending entire shifts hemmed in your own zone, either because you can’t get possession of the puck or because you don’t know what to do with it. By the time the team gets the puck, under control, to neutral, the forwards have to dump it and go for a change.

The back end needs to get much better and in multiple facets of the game. Godspeed, Jim.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 9:48 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

It’s not just the backend that’s killing the Caps on the breakout and transition. The first goal was a perfect example:

The Caps had possession twice along the boards, but turned the puck over both times. The wings and center have to make that play, or get the puck out, or at least eat the puck along the boards. Turning the puck over is the only thing they shouldn’t do.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Right. As soon as I posted it, I knew I should’ve clarified that I’m not just talking about the D, but the five skaters in the D zone.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:05 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Yeah. The Pittsburgh series in ‘09 was a good example, too. The D looked terrible, in large part because they’d look up ice and see nothing but Pens jerseys while the forwards were chilling in the neutral zone.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions  

Man, what the hell was Ward doing on that first goal. I expect it from some guys, but not him. (Although given how many times we’ve said that recently, maybe I should start to expect it from him, too.)

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Nov 30, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions  

That makes at least three times now that I’ve seen Ward make a terrible turnover that results in a goal-against.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions  

First and second goals were just atrocious puck handling. Hopefully Hunter can teach the team the secret of “don’t ever, ever put the puck in the middle of the ice in front of your goalie”

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 30, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Wasn’t it Chimmer who did the behind the back pass up the middle when he was along the wall that led that sequence? Not denying Ward’s miscue but Chimmer went to the well too often (as it had worked minutes earlier).

by ralCapsFan on Nov 30, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions  

His was the first turnover.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions  

when they do have their opportunities they waste them. There was one point where I think backstrom was in the O zone corner fighting for the puck and the rest of the team was hanging out in the neutral zone.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions  

You know, I’m not so sure the Caps really have that much firepower. When their best players are playing at a high level that’s true—call it a confidence trickle-down effect—but that hasn’t been the case on a consistent basis for a while. I don’t see enough players that make those around them better overall.

Regardless, executing at a high level will be Hunter’s challenge. They have to up the tempo and it starts will very involved practices.

by Langway on Nov 30, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Orlov looks like he has the potential though…

by KSR17 on Nov 30, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions  

Orlov looks like he could be a player. Like, “top-four” player.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions  

Last game made me want to keep him in the NHL, but burning an ELC year is kind of disheartening.

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 30, 2011 10:49 AM EST up reply actions  

ELC is getting burnt one way or the other, unless I’m mistaken.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Based on Orlov’s age, his first year of his ELC is this season regardless of how many games he plays in the NHL.

The only question right now is whether or not he plays 40 NHL games and this season counts as an accrued season. Same case for Eakin.

Both players are 1991 birthyear and not sept-15 or later. (May for Eakin, July for Orlov)

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions  

oh, oops, I was under the impression he still could play without burning an ELC. Keep him here — he looks like he can take soft ES or PP minutes and advance himself as a defenseman. He plays with the sort of confidence and swagger that the Caps need on the backline. Having steady players like Alzner is phenomenal, but you need someone who can play like Green while not being a liability, or on the IR in this case.

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 30, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m now in favor of keeping him on the team all year, even if he’s the 7th D. 7th D gets a lot of ice, and he may develop better in Washington than Hershey.

Eakin needs to go to Hershey.

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions  

Agreed. I don’t see what other people see in him.

I wanted a look at Sjogren but that ship has sailed.

by Joran on Nov 30, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions  

Agreed! Is Eakin really on the second line?

He’s too slight of build to win battles—not good enough right now. Why not put Knuble on the second line? He should not be on line four.

by slipperyice on Nov 30, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions  

Eakin gets knocked off the puck way easier than Semin and doesn’t have anywhere near the skillset to justify having that sort of liability on the 2nd line. At least most of the time it’s Semin skating at 11/10ths that causes him to get pushed off the puck, Eakin is just way too small right now.

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 30, 2011 11:02 AM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn’t mind slotting him in on the 3rd pairing and just playing him till he becomes a liability. With a new coach that seems to be blueliner oriented, might as well get the new kid adjusted to it so it isn’t a shitshow when he has to fill in. The other guys should have enough experience to make a more rapid transition to whatever Johnson is going to have them do.

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 30, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m not in part because I don’t believe a decision has to be made now whether to keep him all season or not. Only has to be made if there’s a cap related decision to be made, etc., and right now that’s not the case. With Green out and the current D available, no question for now giving Orlov the playing time and see how things go makes sense especially with his play so far. He’s a young dman, so I still think this is a see how things play out situation. I definitely don’t want to see him sitting as a 7th dman for more than a game (or two) when he could be playing in Hershey. He has looked more comfortable/poised playing on the right side, which I’m not surprised by.

Regarding the hipcheck, it’s great when it works and doesn’t take him out of the play.

As to Eakin, I agree and have said it before, Eakin needs time to physically develop/gain the strength to be in the line-up against bigger/stronger players. Shows some good things, but I don’t understand the ice time and role he’s been playing since the call-up.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

The hipcheck keeps forwards honest about cutting to the middle — I like having a D man responsible enough to know when to use it, but it can go bad. Since there will never be another Stevens and Shanahan culling hits to the head, a guy who can lay a good hipcheck every once in awhile is going to be rather invaluable. Orlov laying out people every once in awhile is something I want to see, even if it means a few scoring chances and a goal from time to time till he matures enough to know when and when not to try to pull one off.

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 30, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions  

Orlov is exceeding my expectations enough to buy into the argument of keeping him up for a good stint, unless there’s a compelling/necessary reason he should return back to Hershey ASAP.

Hi. My name is Christoph J. I'm a Caps fan.

by Christoph J on Nov 30, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Definitely the bright spot of recent games.

by Langway on Nov 30, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions  

That’s pretty much what I’ve been seeing:

Defense leaving lots of openings, possibly because of zone time.
Offense only getting opportunities on the rush, most of the time losing possession upon zone entry. It’s not like they’re not getting opportunities to maintain puck possession either, they don’t keep good position to keep the pucks in and they don’t execute on possessing the puck. There were several times last night where it looked like we had 2 guys on the boards on both sides and they didn’t even notice when the puck went by them. It almost looked like the game has gotten too fast for this team.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions  

A lot of that comes down to execution. The Caps have been adept enough at gaining possession in their own end, but where they’re having trouble is making a good, crisp, tape-to-tape first pass. As a result, they’re either turning the puck over in their own zone or in neutral ice.

A new coach might help some in the execution department, but ultimately that’s got to fall on the players – both forwards and defense – for not making, or getting in position to receive – that first pass.

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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 8:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions   1 recs

John McKay is missed… to be sure.

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by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 8:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, that’s been a problem since Hanlon. That’s got to be a Bruce system thing or GMGM keeps picking up players who can’t break out cleanly.

You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."

by apk3000 on Nov 30, 2011 8:27 AM EST up reply actions  

It seems to me, too, that there’s entirely too much D-to-D passing, particularly using the back wall to facilitate that pass. (Which, to be fair, is probably a result of looking up and not seeing any forwards to whom to pass.)

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by AMusingFool on Nov 30, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

I also cringe when they merely throw the puck up the wall, even if it gets out, since that’s just surrendering possession without even being able to get a change. That’s alright if you’ve been hemmed in for two minutes, but when it’s only been 30 seconds at least try to get it out under control.

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I believe in next year.

by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions  

So I listened to John Walton’s presentation of Hunter’s debut last night. Surely, having thrown off the yoke of BB’s various stifling systems, our boys would come charging down the runway, blast off at the first puck drop, and overwhelm the Blues before most fans had found their seats. Those 5 shots on goal they mustered did result in one tally; not a bad percentage. Undoubtedly, DH’s first intermission pep talk as Head Man would light the fuse of a 2nd period explosion. Their shot total did go up to six, so there’s that.

OK, it’s easy to criticize and sarcasm has been labeled the lowest form of humor, but I did take a couple of things away from watching the recap. The highlight reel wasn’t that long: watched it four times. Admittedly a few plays cherry-picked from a game doesn’t provide a complete picture. I would classify the Blues’ 2 goals as bust-ass and the Caps’ as needlethreading. I believe getting into (continuing?) the habit on relying on the latter is not a formula for playoff success.

There are 2 plays I thought were revealing and if anyone wants to school me, please speak up. Orlov steals the puck in the neutral zone; nice pass from one knee to Semin; Semin blasts shot from half a mile out that any NHL goalie would stop: play over. I considered they may have been in a line change, but is what Semin did their only option? I would suggest that the majority of the Caps’ shots I saw from the hilites were of this variety. The other play that caught my attention was on Oshie’s goal. There were a lot of justified demerits handed out for poor plays (Carlson and Ward come to mind), but I don’t think Alzner will be adding his contribution on the Oshie goal to his resume.

It’s just one game in a long season. Next up, the Penguins; a team they’ve been pretty successful against lately. At home. It’ll be pretty disappointing if some evidence of an upward trend isn’t discernible.

Maybe Hunter and Johnson could duke it out at practice today to light a fire under their asses.

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by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 30, 2011 7:50 AM EST reply actions  

The shifts seemed pretty short last night, so if the Semin play you’re talking about was late in the third, the rest of the line was already changing, I believe.

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by apk3000 on Nov 30, 2011 8:22 AM EST up reply actions  

Shifts did seem shorter last night.

by kovachs on Nov 30, 2011 8:23 AM EST up reply actions  

Only one Cap had an average shift length of as much as 50 seconds. John Carlson. Ranges of average shift length:

<= 40 seconds: 4 skaters
41-45: 9 skaters
46-50: 5 skaters

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 8:30 AM EST up reply actions  

No power play = no 2 min Ovi shifts to raise his average, as I caught in someone’s tweet while catching up this morning.

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by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions  

There is that, but even with only a short 20-second shift on a power play, the 23 shifts he skated was exceeded only once this season, and that one (24 shifts) came in an overtime game against Winnipeg.

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 8:36 AM EST up reply actions  

Even so, typically under Bruce a line got to make a rush, get the puck out of the defensive zone to make another rush. Last night, it seemed Dale didn’t let them make that second attack.

You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."

by apk3000 on Nov 30, 2011 8:41 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m guessing Hunter is going to want to reverse that — fewer instances of starting in their own end and more a product of forcing turnovers off their forecheck. They might end up with as much “time of possession” in the offensive zone even with shorter average shifts.

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 8:47 AM EST up reply actions  

yeah, those shift times scream that he wants them expending themselves on the forecheck rather than expending themselves on trying to get out of their own zone.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 9:25 AM EST up reply actions  

I was at the game and thought several times that the shifts were very, very short.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:33 AM EST up reply actions  

As was discussed on the GDT, Hunter tried to get the first line out for O-Zone face-offs, and then, if pressure didn’t pan out, switched lines. I found that very intriguing. There was one sequence where 8-19-20 were out for a face-off, the puck came back in our D-Zone and there was a quick change to 25-21-42. Very quickly, there was another O-Zone face-off and 8-19-20 was out there once again.

This type of line shifting makes for short shifts, but I think I like it.

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:35 AM EST up reply actions  

Puns, puns are the lowest form of humor. Which is so patently untrue it’s purely obvious that Mr Johnson had zero sense of humor to start with.

Anyway, I’m with Peerless on this one. Although the loss was disappointing and I was a bit annoyed, the Blues are just not a fair comparison right now. They’re clicking on all cylinders and maxing out their abilities. The Caps, rather obviously, are not. In retrospect, keeping it close is not half bad.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Puns, puns are the lowest form of humor.

I was being sarcastic when I said that.
There is a quote, sometimes attributable to Oscar Wilde; “Sarcasm is the lowest for of wit, Brendan”.

(Threw that last part in to keep this about hockey).

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by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 30, 2011 4:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Huh, learn something new every day.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 4:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Those 5 shots on goal they mustered did result in one tally; not a bad percentage.

It was their only scoring chance in the period. Very good percentage.

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by AMusingFool on Nov 30, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions  

(breathes a big breath and sips on his coffee)

AhhHHhh

Doesn’t it feel good to wake up and have a hockey team with a WINNING record? :)

by Brainumbc on Nov 30, 2011 8:00 AM EST reply actions  

And SportsClubStats projects us now into the 8th playoff spot, just ahead of the Devil, Canadiens, and Bolts. We have a 43.4% chance of making the playoffs!

Of course, we’ve only played 25 of 82 games.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Winning record by exactly one game. 12 wins, 11 losses.

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by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 8:32 AM EST up reply actions  

One game over .500 works in the playoffs.

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by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Nov 30, 2011 8:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Not necessarily – 8-4 might not get you where you want to go. But > .500 in each round? Yeah, I’d take that.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 9:51 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

It’s still a loss, even if there’s a charity point attached.

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by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 8:36 AM EST up reply actions  

long running joke. just roll with it.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 9:49 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

The Germans?

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s not over ‘til we say it’s over.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions  

What does Pearl Harbor have to do with anything?

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

He’s on a roll.

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by Steve-R on Nov 30, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

MarioD jokes never lose their zest.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 9:57 AM EST up reply actions  

What a pro that one was. Makes me almost miss him. Almost.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Glad to see you’re working on your aim.

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by MikeL-Pivonka on Nov 30, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions  

I hate Vokoun’s style as a goalie. IMO, he gambles too much, it’s almost like an adventure everytime an opposing player crashes the net. I know Neuvy hasn’t exactly played like a franchise guy this year, but I really like his composed style a lot more.

The caps’ blueline situation really worries me right now because I don’t think it was built the right way. Wideman (despite his good performances in the beginning of the season), Schultz and Hamrlik are huge question marks come playoff time.

I’ve been watching lots of Eastern Conf. games this year, and I have to say I’m kind of scared the way the top teams are using their forecheck. Note, I’m not a X’ and O’s kind of guy regarding to hockey, but if they release 3rd and 4th liners against our blueline for more than a half of a game, we’re pretty much in trouble.

I think the Caps problem wasn’t only lack of effort and discipline under Boudreau. I really believe there is a problem with the structure of our current roster.

by brazilianbeast on Nov 30, 2011 8:06 AM EST reply actions  

I think the Caps problem wasn’t only lack of effort and discipline under Boudreau. I really believe there is a problem with the structure of our current roster.

The team made a decision to change head coach and now an assistant coach, but it seemed clear from McPhee’s comments on Monday that roster moves are a possibility. However, he also thinks that he created a pretty good roster over the summer and that it’s underperforming.

I’m probably wrong, but I have to believe that you won’t see any major roster moves for at least five to ten games, as Hunter installs his systems and philosophies and waits for the team to respond.

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:19 AM EST up reply actions  

We need a big possession center so bad to QB a cycle game down low. Not only did we not score, we did not put any pressure on St. Louis to draw penalties. Such a soft offensive game last night. With that type of effort, we have to run n gun if we want to score.

by SA-Town on Nov 30, 2011 8:24 AM EST up reply actions  

I’ve no energy to start the “we need a 2C” discussion yet. Might as well start the “we need a stay-at-home D” discussion as well.

And – Laich doesn’t fit your needs?

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions  

Laich is the only one that seems to have a chance vs a defense like last night.

by SA-Town on Nov 30, 2011 8:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Well, any team, in theory, could use a really good player where they, right now, have a weak one. Thing is, what do you give up?

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions  

Burnside puts it well in his article this morning:

All teams would fire their coaches if they thought they would be guaranteed the kind of run the Blues are on. But, that’s not how life works. The reality is that when a general manager makes a move like George McPhee did Monday morning in dispatching Bruce Boudreau and installing Hunter, who had never coached a pro game of any kind before Tuesday, he does so with the understanding that the desired change may not be evident immediately, regardless of how seamless the transition has been in St. Louis.

“This is going to be a process,” McPhee told ESPN.com during Tuesday’s game.
“This is a team that’s not playing with very much confidence right now.”

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:25 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

So, the London Knights don’t get paid?

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 30, 2011 8:28 AM EST up reply actions  

They get paid a minimal stipend. Doesn’t really count.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 8:58 AM EST up reply actions  

Are they considered amateurs? Are some of them playing at College?

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 30, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions  

I think some of them are going to college while they play, but Canadian colleges. And I do not believe they play for the college, they play for their own team while taking classes at college.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions  

Some of them take college classes, some don’t; some are still in high school, since playing age is 16-20yo in the CHL.

Players receive a stipend and many stay with billets since they live away from home. As was discussed a bit in yesterday’s clips, some stars receive money ‘under the table’.

There’s an education program and a scholarship package (too complex to explain here), but here’s a link to some info. if you feel like reading. Not the same as an NCAA scholarship, but there are players who earn scholarship year(s) to attend university.

http://www.chl.ca/page/whlinfo

http://www.chl.ca/page/ohlinfo

http://www.chl.ca/page/qmjhlinfo

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:37 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Aww yea, sk8 bringin the facts

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions  

that should read “some” live away from home

There are articles out there on NCAA vs CHL, etc.; some are worth reading, but keep in mind the author and audience about pros and cons.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions  

Whatever they’re getting, it’s enough to torch NCAA eligibility. And then there’s the rumors of major payments to the star athletes to get them to come play.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions  

That’s true, but the “average” player doesn’t seem to get those large payments.

And the NCAA is a mess, but that’s a whole different issue.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, let’s get Nate back in here to follow up on yesterday. ;)

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions  

But if you play Junior B, you retain your eligibility to go to college. Do they not get paid?

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Even Junior A. So I guess not.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

the NCAA has very strict rules regarding stipends (and this is a recent change—previously, acceptance of any stipend made you ineligible, even if the stipend was used to cover training costs). Major Junior players get a stipend to help cover living expenses, that’s why they’re ineligible. If MJ was pay-to-play and the stipend covered those costs, it would likely be a different matter.

Is Junior A and B pay-to-play?

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Agree with the lack of confidence. Big time.

I also think it’s easier to come into a team that’s been down for a couple of years and get them to kick it into gear, just because they get a more relaxed effort from the opponent. See, for example, Bruce Boudreau.

Also, the Blues have a terrific roster, Hitch is a good coach who has done all this before, and just sometimes it clicks now and sometimes it clicks later.

The Caps got abused last night, but they pretty obviously did not quite know what to do out there. The were trying a new breakout – pass up the wall, quick pass to the center, and out – but they couldn’t pull it off regularly. After a little practice, they’ll presumably be more comfortable with it.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions  

They practiced that up-the-wall pass a fair bit today.

by Aliceanna on Nov 30, 2011 6:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Varly and Holtby are adventures in goaltending. Vokoun is calm as a cucumber compared to them, though Neuvy is much calmer than Vokoun, mostly because he’s much better at rebound control and freezing the puck for the whistle.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Neuvy’s calmness is pretty well known around the locker room. The Hershey guys all talked about it during their Calder Cup runs, and last year (I believe during the first round), Nicky said he thought Neuvy didn’t have any nerves, just ice water in his veins.

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by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 8:38 AM EST up reply actions  

Between Bruce’s comment that Nicky’s panic point was farther than everyone else’s, and Neuvy’s ice water veins, they should host seminars for Caps fans on how to remain calm.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Remain Calm. All is Well.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:44 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Now all we need is the GIF of the horse dying of fright.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 8:45 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m sure someone will satisfy that request.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Caps fan watching Caps hockey

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 8:48 AM EST up reply actions   3 recs

Bless you, sir.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions  

Rec’d for all my investing ventures (stocks, real estate, and emotional caps fan)

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by Christoph J on Nov 30, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions  

So along with the Evason watch (now with the third head coach), Hunter gaining familiarity with the team, the dust settling, etc., something to keep in mind is the holiday roster freeze other than LTIR returns and call-ups as needed for a short period starting approx. three weeks from now:

NHL holiday roster freeze: Dec 19 midnight to Dec 27 midnight.

Caps schedule:

DEC 1, 2011 PENGUINS CAPITALS
DEC 3, 2011 SENATORS CAPITALS
DEC 5, 2011 CAPITALS PANTHERS
DEC 7, 2011 CAPITALS SENATORS
DEC 9, 2011 MAPLE LEAFS CAPITALS
DEC 13, 2011 FLYERS CAPITALS
DEC 15, 2011 CAPITALS JETS
DEC 17, 2011 CAPITALS AVALANCHE

then 3 games during the holiday roster freeze:

DEC 20, 2011 PREDATORS CAPITALS
DEC 23, 2011 CAPITALS DEVILS
DEC 26, 2011 CAPITALS SABRES

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 8:46 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

You are intimating that, if roster changes are coming, then they are coming before December 19?

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 8:49 AM EST up reply actions  

Just noting the timeline, I am not stating that changes will come before that date, just context as the new coaching staff puts their systems in place and assesses the team/individual players. Plus any health updates with Green (and Beagle.) Plus, as we all know, it takes a trading partner for most roster moves of significance.

I assume they want time to assess the situation with the new coaching staff and thought it was worth nothing the upcoming temporary freeze and that there will have been 9GP (including last night before 12/19.)

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 8:56 AM EST up reply actions  

Also, in somewhat related news, today is the one year anniversary of the Hannan for Fleischmann trade.

The Clark/Jurcina for Chimera trade was announced the day the roster freeze ended in ’09.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions  

Good gracious, could the Caps use Scott Hannan right about now. I’d like to know what metrics the Caps FO was using to evaluate available D last offseason, because that was (yes, in hindsight) a huge mistake to let him slip away. Durable and cheap and few mistakes in the defensive zone.

Cross check and all call.

by bigonetimer on Nov 30, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know that Hannan is the answer but good god has Hammer been a pylon. I’m trying to remain optimistic that this is just an adjustment period but he’s more flat footed than Daffy Duck.

by Dirk Dangler on Nov 30, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions  

He actually had what I thought was a very quiet, solid game last night…maybe he’ll perform better under Coach Hunter.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions  

and few mistakes in the defensive zone.

Except one, very, very, badly timed big one…

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 9:22 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know if Hannan would have wanted to play for the Caps, especially for the price. He seemed very West Coast bound.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions  

Who knows? He was on the market forever, he might have come to play for Hamrlik’s price. As of right now it’s hard not to look at the Hamrlik acquisition as a bust.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions  

I think he would have come at Hamrlik’s price, but I don’t think we should have brought him back at that price. We need puck moving D, and that’s what Hamrlik was promised to be. He obviously wasn’t that, but I don’t think spending that money on Hannan would have been wise without the benefit of hindsight. We need puck moving D bad.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions  

We need puck moving D who can stay healthy, at any price. And Hannan, while not fleet of foot, is an excellent puck mover and makes a very strong first pass.

Cross check and all call.

by bigonetimer on Nov 30, 2011 10:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Really? I always thought of him as inbetween Schultz and Alzner. Like Schultz+

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, MHH was telling us how Hannan is Poti-esque with the puck. Hamrlik is a much better puck mover, all else equal.

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions  

they could use Flash, too

by DonnieKnutts on Nov 30, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions  

From Burnside’s piece:

The notion that the two were feuding is way off base, the former coach said.
“It’s so far from the truth,” Boudreau said.
“We got along, I think, famously.”

Waiting for all the retractions from yesterday’s “Ovechkin, Coach Killer” stories…..
…..waiting….waiting…..

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 8:48 AM EST reply actions  

No, they’ll all just accuse him of lying, sugarcoating, and trying to save face. This reminds me…anyone read French? I like renhockey, but it’s all in French and I just can’t translate every tweet. Apparently there was some stuff last night about Bruce’s abilities in the locker room and how there was a country club atmosphere (we knew this) and that when he taught with video, he was unduly harsh on most of the guys but very apologetic to the stars like Nicky. Not sure how accurate my paraphrasing is or how accurate renhockey was.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 8:53 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t see anything in his timeline…

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by boutros23 on Nov 30, 2011 9:00 AM EST up reply actions  

if you send some of the tweets my way, I can try to translate them. Although my French is pretty rusty, I don’t get to use it all that often.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 9:53 AM EST up reply actions  

The story I heard translated was that he was extremely harsh to Nicky during video, but apologized later. Also that the new veteran players were shocked by how things went. Even some of the younger players were fed up with it.

by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 30, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Yep, that’s what I was referring to. I couldn’t find the specific comments but I believe we follow the same people who were discussing it.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 1:17 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Fed up with what?

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 1:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry, the person talking about it on twitter had difficulty translating into English so the story wasn’t completely clear, I asked for clarification on Nicky and she did clarify that he was very harsh to Nicky during video sessions but later apologized. She said it was hard for her to explain it in English so I stopped asking questions. But looking back at the tweets, she also said the story was that he lost the room 2 weeks ago and no one wanted to play for him anymore.

by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 30, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Ah, so very Bruce. We’re doing accountability now and you played like shit, so I’ve got to trash you, but I really don’t want to and it makes me feel bad so I’m going to apologize for it.

Side note: in leadership, you gotta be you. When you try to be someone else, your charges sense it and it rings hollow and just puts them off.

Hopefully Hunter won’t have that problem.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions  

well, if you feel you were unfairly critical of someone, I think it takes a big person to recognize that and apologize for it.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions  

In that case I agree with you 100%.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

since this morning, I’ve been reading it as, Bruce really tore into Nicky during a video session, Bruce realized he was going overboard, and apologized for doing so. but then maybe I’m giving Bruce too much benefit of the doubt.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m not sure that it was just a one time thing though. Sorry the story came across very vaguely and I tried to get a little more clarification but didn’t get a lot other than Nicky was a target and got an apology later, but he might not have been the only target.

by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 30, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions  

if it’s vague and whoever is putting that story out there doesn’t respond to request for clarification (even just a “Sorry, don’t don’t know if it happened more than once”), they’re we’re just left to speculate. an I can speculate with the best of ’em.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 2:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Can you link the tweets? Several posters here speak French, no doubt.

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know where she got the info from exactly. She did say it was from @antichambre and @renhockey. Last night I recall looking at @renhockey feed but it was all in French so I don’t really know what tweets she was looking at or if it wasn’t posted directly on twitter and she was just attributing those two as the source.

by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 30, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions  

oh sorry forgot to mention that I can’t link the tweets or paste them in here, twitter is blocked at work so I can only look on my phone. But I would start with those two people above to try to figure out the source.

by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 30, 2011 2:27 PM EST up reply actions  

I saw the @antichambre tweets and they say that Bruce lost the room over the past two weeks and that the players didn’t like the way he would go after them (likely meaning during video sessions or whatever). That was it.

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by boutros23 on Nov 30, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Who is “she” and who was her source?

by Ginga on Nov 30, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions  

The heart-warming sentiment is all good and well, but if Ovechkin had such a great relationship with Coach, why didn’t he bother to make any adjustments or skate as hard as he did last night?

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. Plenty of people have great personal relationships with their superiors, but disagree with their professional direction.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:07 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

That may be, but what does it matter if Boudreau and Ovechkin went to the movies together but professionally the coach couldn’t get through to his star? I’m not trying to be the turd in the punch bowl, I think it’s great that the two are friends. I just don’t think we should automatically assume that Ovechkin listened to his coach where it mattered.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions  

Isn’t it clear that 8 didn’t listen when it mattered? The only question (and it’s admittedly somewhat trivial in retrospect but enormous, prospectively) is whether he did so out of personal spite or out of an inability to accept coaching and criticism.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:13 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

BB speaks ‘defense and accountability’ as a second language. AO speaks english and modulation-of-approach as second languages (and has 1.67 hands).
Any chance ‘lost in translation’ is as good a subtitle as ‘the Alex Keller story’?

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by redlineblue on Nov 30, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

F&B, BP, any others want to chime in here?

Terrifically juvenile.

by stemmer on Nov 30, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions  

Apologies for the curtness and will circle back to it:

As to whether or not liking a coach and respecting him are different? Sure, and I think that May’s observation the other night on AO not being able to adjust with the shortened ice time might have some validity to it.

But if we’re talking about the larger “coach killer” narrative, I wouldn’t dismiss it completely. Was listening to Simmons’ podcast today (with Wysh), and the latter touched on the fact that from the McPhee presser, Hunter would seem to have carte blanche in the room save for taking the C off Ovechkin, which of course goes to his importance to the franchise, but would also seem to slightly hinder anything Hunter may try to do.

AO might not have “killed” Boudreau, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he was tried for obstruction off justice Ray Lewis style, if that makes any sense.

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by Bald Pollack on Nov 30, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I think McPhee kinda waffled on the C issue.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions  

I just thought stemmer was just snarking on JP’s comment about “personal relationships with their superiors.”

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by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

Oh. Ha. I get jokes (and that’s a good one, though they probably hate me personally and approve of my direction “professionally”).

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

Well fuck, big whoosh on my part. Can I blame the novocain?

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by Bald Pollack on Nov 30, 2011 1:05 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

000

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I could watch this forever.

If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.

by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Nov 30, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions  

I couldn’t find my “clean” Breaking Bad pizza GIF. I think this one’s a keeper.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 2:05 PM EST up reply actions  

I think I will

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by caps&skins on Nov 30, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions  

BP, by request. Nice.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions  

I think Ovie’s got some other stuff to work out. It didn’t look like he started playing until there was 6 minutes left in the game.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Knubles comments about all games under Hunter being tight with a fine line between winning or losing really concern me…am I crazy, reading to into it or does anyone else feel this way?

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 8:55 AM EST reply actions  

I interpreted that to mean that he thinks that they’re going to be adjusting to the systems he puts in place for the rest of the season… to go along with Brooks’ comments, you have to undo some of the things you do by instinct after playing for a guy for four or five years. It’s a major adjustment.

The quote I found from Whyno’s timeline was “For us the rest of the year, it’s going to be such a fine line between winning or losing.” And looking at the other tweets around it, it seems that the question of the moment was about adjusting to Hunter’s system.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions  

So are they saying that Bruces system was so wide open, and in Hunters goals will be at a premium since it is much more defensively responsible?

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know. I haven’t had time to watch any of the postgame video. I read that Hunter prefers a more even approach and a more defensively responsible game. I read that he doesn’t want to do run and gun hockey. I thought it was really interesting that the Caps blocked something like 36 shots and the Blues only blocked a few (the last number I saw was 1. I’m adding a few more since I didn’t see a final count).

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions  

I think it was 20 to 6…The shot totals were very lopsided

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 9:22 AM EST up reply actions  

More blocks due to all the time spent in their own zone defending.
I’m more interested in seeing them establish a forecheck that can be sustained.

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by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions  

The Caps weren't running and gunning under....

Bruce. They went to a more defensive system—or a hybrid system that hasn’t worked. I don’t buy this line that it will take some time, or a long time, to adjust to Hunter’s system. Really? That sounds like preemptive excuse-making to me. Call me naive, but hockey isn’t all that complex, is it: it’s basically a work-your-ass off game, which is why hard-working inferior teams quite often bottle up more talented goal-scoring teams. Work ethic has been one of Washington’s problems, along with a blue-line mess and mediocre goal-tending. The Blues certainly have adjusted to Hitchcock pretty fast—and for my money the GM should have hired a coach with some NHL chops. This is a team whose window already seems to be closing—if you look at the way Ovie is performing, not to mention Semin’s issues—and so hiring someone without any pro experience is baffling to me. We’ll see how it goes….

by slipperyice on Nov 30, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

They went to a more defensive system when the run and gun dried up.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

Forwards still dart up ice and give 0 support to the D men — even if Boudreau ran a more defensive scheme, the forwards exited the defensive zone far too quickly looking for a stretch pass causing the center or D man to get stuck with the puck against the forecheck or causing a turnover in the neutral zone.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions  

Call me naive, but hockey isn’t all that complex, is it: it’s basically a work-your-ass off game, which is why hard-working inferior teams quite often bottle up more talented goal-scoring teams.

Fine then, you’re naive. Ask Barry Melrose how, “I don’t need no Xs and Os, I’ll just motivate ’em real good” worked out.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions   4 recs

That’s a little bit unfair. I think his point was that the new Xs and Os shouldn’t be obscenely difficult or require a hugely long time to implement. And certainly working your ass off is important regardless.

by Murshawursha on Nov 30, 2011 3:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Slipperyice: “Call me naive”
D’ohboy: “Fine then, you’re naive”

Am I the only one seeing snark today?

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by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 4:04 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I read it as him legitimately disagreeing. If it was all tongue-in-cheek, then I apologize.

by Murshawursha on Nov 30, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions  

You need the system to be second nature. If you are thinking then you’re too late. That second nature takes time. It’s like if all of a sudden you had the keys on your keyboard moved around. It’s still just typing on the keys, but you’re going to do it less effectively for a while.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Nov 30, 2011 7:59 PM EST up reply actions  

I saw that “new” defensive system last season, but it has been no where to be seen this season.

by SethB on Nov 30, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Call me naive, but hockey isn’t all that complex, is it: it’s basically a work-your-ass off game, which is why hard-working inferior teams quite often bottle up more talented goal-scoring teams.

Those hard-working inferior teams aren’t usually inferior as a whole. There are elements of inferiority and each team has some talented players. The Blue Jackets have the worst record in the league right now. Yet they have players who are doing really well, like Rick Nash and Vinny Prospal. Just because your team has a bad record doesn’t mean your players are terrible. A few guys make a big difference, often enough to beat the team that is better on paper. Eventually, though, when you put together hard work and lots of talent, that makes for a better team than just hard work and a bit of talent.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions  

That was a strange quote. It sounded a lot like the things players said when the team changed systems under Boudreau last year and, frankly, it’s a little worrisome. This team has enough offensive talent that it shouldn’t have to win 2-1 and 3-2 all the time.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions  

Thats why I sense frustration in Knubles voice…I am sure no one in that locker room thinks the should have to grind out 1 goal wins with all the weapons they have….

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions  

I think you can say that about most teams who are going to focus on defense. Not too many players are going to say, “yeah, I think were gonna blow guys out night after night”. I think these days the margin for error is slight and their gonna have to play 60 minutes to win. Sounds like playoff hockey…

Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...

by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 30, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions  

versus Bruces wide open system…I vokoun, Hunter and someone else also eluded to the lack of odd man rushes last night for the Blues. Sounds like a shot at BB.

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know how apparent it was on TV last night, but the team was using a fairly passive 1-2-2 forecheck last night (a.k.a. the trap.). If that continues beyond just Hunter making initial adjustments (or playing against other trapping teams like the Blues) then we’re going to see a lot of one-goal games with tight defense.

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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:20 AM EST up reply actions  

I think the team was playing its old system because the Hunter system is not yet in place.

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t think I ever saw the Caps that passive, even in their old system.

Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:46 AM EST up reply actions  

Hunter played a dump and chase game. Hopefully he isn’t going to try to foist that philosophy on the team.

by Ginga on Nov 30, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions  

Completely agree with this…..not only would you end up punishing the D and leave them tired by the third period but it would also open up space for Ovi to use his favorite move again.

by kovachs on Nov 30, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions  

Couldn’t agree more.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:34 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Look at what Boston did throughout last year’s playoff run. Beyond Thomas, I think one of the keys to their success in long series was their ability to wear other teams down by throwing Lucic, Horton, Marchand, Thornton, Bergeron, etc. at opponents’ defense, game after game after game.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Indeed.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:50 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Didn’t it work well for the Caps against the Rangers? I seem to recall Girardi looking worn out near the end of the series – although I don’t know how much of that was ice time.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions  

I think that was more about ice time – they only had 4 D Torts would play (all the more reason they should’ve been hammering those D, which, to their credit, they did a bit).

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:52 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

I think a lot of that was ice time, but yeah. Moreover, if you look at this year’s roster, they should be even better at this sort of game. I mean. . . fuck. They’ve got Chimera, Laich, Ward, Knuble, Hendricks, Brouwer. . .

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions  

Gosh, it warms my heart to hear these truths. I imagine this is why Detroit plays their defense retrieval the way they do. It may also contribute to why Green is so oft injured… other teams punishing us on their dump and chase efforts. We really need to be better at these fundamentals.

by feeya7 on Nov 30, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions  

The book is out on Green

He’s essential to our game and gets rattled. Teams go out of their way to punish him. Especially when cheap shots to him go unpunished by our team and the league.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

oh, most definitely. we need to start doing the same things, legally, of course. best way to punish the other teams’ best player without taking a penalty, crush them to death on a dump and chase

by feeya7 on Nov 30, 2011 11:10 AM EST up reply actions  

A bit OT, but one thing about last night….the Blues had a first year pro dman playing his first NHL game after traveling that day …. didn’t even get to practice with the team or the relatively new head coach.

I kept waiting for the Caps to hit him, pressure him, do something.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Hitch has made a good living out of taking teams with . . . limited . . . defensemen and turning them into contenders.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions  

Don’t see this as relating to Hitchcock and his coaching style, which yes, we are familiar with, just noting there was a rookie dman in the line-up who needed some pressuring.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions  

It relates directly to Hitch’s coaching style. The exactingly precise structure through neutral ice prevents teams like the Caps from getting a head of steam. It prevents them from reaching the offensive zone with fresh legs. The way Hitch brings his forwards down in the zone means that his defensemen are almost never left on an island the way Green is. There’s always mutual puck support. In Hitch’s system, defensemen don’t need to make great plays, they just need to make the right ones.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions  

Not talking about dmen making great plays and yes, I know Hitchcock’s system in general. I still believe there were opportunities in the game to try to pressure a young dman, especially one not accustomed to playing Hitchcock’s system and who could get flustered. Yes, it’s more difficult to get to that player, etc., but while I’d need to watch the game again, seemed to me there were some opportunities.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions  

How were the Blues able to integrate that system so seamlessly? I feel like that would take weeks around here.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:10 AM EST up reply actions  

All due respect to a team that cleanly beat the Caps, but, the trap is the most simple system in the NHL. It takes the least amount of hockey sense and physical skill to pull off.

Comrades, leave me here a little, while as yet 't is early morn:
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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

I think this is a bit of an oversimplification, moreover, I think it takes away from how Hitch teaches the trap.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s oversimplification but you don’t need to put in a lot of time in the video room to examine how to approach the game in the trap. You play grab-ass in the center of the ice and, in an emergency, you just skate backwards. There’s not a lot of mental work to be done, just work ethic. Blues already had plenty of the latter — Hitch just had to say “jump”

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 30, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s not just the neutral zone trap. The Blues seem to have mastered the breakout. They’re hounds on the forecheck. They swarm puck carriers within .0001 seconds of gaining possession.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

eh, they always were. They’re just over-performing right now because Elliott is on fire.

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 30, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Maybe in general but last night they certainly weren’t carried by Halak.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, I thought they played near-perfectly.

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions  

It prevents them from reaching the offensive zone with fresh legs

I wish Mojo hadn’t been hurt because he hasn’t had trouble gaining the zone all season, it seems.

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions  

And that Orlov kid throws a decent hipcheck…

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions  

I kinda though thats why they brought in Brouwer and put him upfront. Ovi dump, Brouwer chase and hit, Backs supports and hope puck ends up w/ Ovi in scoring position.

However, in order to do such things, you need to at least gain the red line, which they seem incapable of doing against teams like the Blues.

Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...

by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 30, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Upfront as in on the top line.

Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...

by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 30, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I was actually kidding; I didn’t actually think Hunter would teach an outdated tactic. Giving up possession for no reason is just silly. That said, if the blueline is stacked, like you said, it can be effective.

by Ginga on Nov 30, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions  

ah, got it

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions  

I wish the “rec” button were bigger, and springy, so that I could whack the shit out of it with a mallet.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions  

From your keyboard to Dale’s brain. I think many of us have been dying to see a consistent punishing forecheck from this team in what seems like forever.

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by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions  

I wonder if his discipline from years past will keep ovie playing less physical?

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions  

Great question. Haven’t seen him play with reckless abandon for awhile.

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"

by Steve-R on Nov 30, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Or you can dump it in and then meet the defenseman in the corner in ill humor. Do that enough times, and suddenly it gets a lot easier to get in the zone.

It worked quite well for Pittsburgh against the Caps in the 2009 playoffs. Mike Green still has bruises from it.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Not just against the Caps either. Forecheck won them a Cup.

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by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions  

No reason for the Caps, being one of the biggest teams in hockey, not to put their bodies into every D man retrieving the puck.

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 30, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Laich on Ovi & the C

From 106.7:

After all the typical comments that the letter doesn’t make a difference in a voice being heard, and there are many leaders in the room, he went on to say…

“I don’t understand why this is an issue. Alex is the captain, and that’s not gonna change. We love him as our captain.”

by Aliceanna on Nov 30, 2011 9:01 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

Why is it an issue? Because media needs something to whine about.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions  

The Great Yawning Machine of Ye Olde Media must be fed continuously, or it gets surly.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s not just the media. This is discussed here constantly.

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

And, like the media, none of us are in the room – and, like the media, we need something to whine about.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Most definitely. If fans only discussed facts, it wouldn’t be half as much fun!

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Each of the last four Caps’ coaches won their debuts. Not one of them one a Stanley Cup.

Sounds to me like Hunter is off to a rocking start, then.

Roman Hamrlik is so bad that I've forgotten how bad Jeff Schultz is.

by Alex Reed on Nov 30, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions  

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

If the Caps still lost 6-1 or something we would be worried, but it was 2-1 with some bad bounces and only 20 seconds of PP time. We’re looking for what changes are made across the next week or two, not the next day.

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by Dimagus on Nov 30, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions  

To be clear, I was going going glass half full, but yea, I agree with you.

Roman Hamrlik is so bad that I've forgotten how bad Jeff Schultz is.

by Alex Reed on Nov 30, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Rome wasn’t built burnt in a day.

If the Caps still lost 6-1 or something we would be worried, but it was 2-1 with some bad bounces and only 20 seconds of PP time. We’re looking for what changes are made across the next week or two, not the next day.

Adjusted.

by Ahberg on Nov 30, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions  

You’re not going to learn much about a coach by watching his team play against a Ken Hitchcock opponent that is playing well, but there were a few things I noted. You can follow along on the shift chart.

First of all, Hunter basically kept his lines together. Alex Semin’s ice time is usually the test for that. He had one shift with Ovechkin and another with Backstrom, but until desperation time, most of his shifts were with Eakin and Johansson.

Marcus Johansson didn’t take the ice for 15 minutes following one of the longest shifts of the night — 1:34 for the Eakin-Johansson-Semin line. During his absence, his line was skipped twice, centered once by Backstrom, once by Halpern, and once by Eakin (with Knuble at wing) during his absence. Equipment issue? Minor injury? Or accountability for taking such a long shift?

Speaking of accountability, Troy Brouwer took the dumbest, most pointless penalty I’ve seen all season when, while on the penalty kill, he tried to whack Jason Arnott’s hand with his stick and instead caught him just under the eye, drawing blood. It was a real “what the hell are you doing?” moment. The double-minor gave the Blues an extended 5-on-3, but after that, Brouwer didn’t miss a shift.

Laich, Ward, and Chimera got a steady diet of Backes, Oshie, and Steen. More than 3/4 of their playing time came against that line. Ladies and gentlemen: Dale Hunter matches lines.

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:27 AM EST reply actions  

From what I read, MoJo had a stinger on his hand from blocking a shot.

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions  

Marcus Johansson didn’t take the ice for 15 minutes following one of the longest shifts of the night — 1:34 for the Eakin-Johansson-Semin line. During his absence, his line was skipped twice, centered once by Backstrom, once by Halpern, and once by Eakin (with Knuble at wing) during his absence. Equipment issue? Minor injury? Or accountability for taking such a long shift?

Minor injury. He took a puck off the hand during Brouwer’s penalty and didn’t return to the ice until the third.

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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions  

Cool. Then the real test for on-ice accountability was Brouwer’s terrible penalty. He didn’t miss any ice time after, even though it was the kind of play that can lead to a benching.

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions  

Then the real test for on-ice accountability was Brouwer’s terrible penalty.

True, and let’s not forget Carlson’s boneheaded mistake in not touching the puck for the icing call late in the 3rd. I’m glad Hunter coached JC74 because I think out of anyone he’s probably one of two players (Wideman) who regressed the most from last season, and we need him to be a stud for a long time.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions  

Anyone else think that might have been a team failure, too? I bet you see Carlson going a lot harder for that puck if he hears “man on!” or “one coming!” from behind him.

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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 10:14 AM EST up reply actions  

Vokoun was waving and (presumably) yelling at him.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:15 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Someone, maybe Joe B or Locker, said Carlson thought he was hooked on the play so maybe that caused him to slow up? Still no excuse.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Locker did say that, and also immediately said Carlson still made a bad play. I was surprised – that was uncharacteristic of Carlson.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Gee, a Cap not playing to the whistle? Inconceivable!

by Murshawursha on Nov 30, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions  

You keep saying that but I dont think it means what you think it means

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I wanted to punch Brouwer in the face for that penalty.

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by boutros23 on Nov 30, 2011 9:31 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Speaking of accountability, Troy Brouwer took the dumbest, most pointless penalty I’ve seen all season when, while on the penalty kill, he tried to whack Jason Arnott’s hand with his stick and instead caught him just under the eye

Disagree on the optics. From my eyes, it looked like he took a whack at Arnott’s stick, which caused Brouwer’s to ramp up right into Arnott’s face. It was one handed, fwiw.

It was probably a little reckless and he needs to keep that stick under control, but I’ve seen worse. Bad luck.

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by leacha on Nov 30, 2011 9:31 AM EST up reply actions  

I got a good view — dumb penalty, but, it happens. A bit too aggressive stickwork on the PK nonetheless.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions  

My question is, what the hell was he doing swinging his stick like that? He was practically begging for a penalty. Getting the double minor was bad luck, but it’s hard for me to see that play ending well.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions  

Don’t players do that all the time, to make the puck carrier lose control of the puck a tiny bit?

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions  

Not as high as he was. Brouwer went close to chest level with it – I’ve usually seen it closer to the legs.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions  

He shouldn’t have tried to do it to begin with. If he succeeds at what he’s attempting, that’s an easy 2 minute slashing call. And what the hell is he doing with his stick off the ice on the penalty kill anyway? Put your stick down and block the pass!

When a failure to commit a lazy 2 minute penalty results in a 4 minute penalty while you’re on the kill, I think that’s a pretty terrible play.

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions  

If he succeeds at what he’s attempting, that’s an easy 2 minute slashing call.

Do they call one-handed slashes?

I don’t think he was trying to knock the stick out of Arnott’s hands or to break his stick.

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions  

He needs to have that stick on the ice and his feet churning (note, they were set and he was coasting) to get a body on Arnott and tie him up.

Reaching and whacking, especially with one hand, is not the proper play there.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions  

Also, that timeonice site is completely awesome.

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by leacha on Nov 30, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

One more point — except the 15 minutes when Johansson was hurt, the top three lines got about 2 shifts for every 1 shift of the fourth line.

Free Mike Knuble!

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Just put Grandpa Slippers on one of the top 3 lines. Then you can continue to ignore the 4th line.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Eakin to the 4th line, then I’m all for giving them small minutes.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions  

I agree Eakin would be better there but he really needs to be in Hershey. And I’d really like to see us put together a punishing 4th line. Put two wings with Halpern who will hit everything that moves, have nasty dispositions and just generally create havoc. Hendricks may be one of those guys but I’m not sure he has the speed. I realize that tinkering with the 4th line is a pretty small thing given this team’s issues, but I do think this would help in the “making the Caps harder to play against” department.

by Dirk Dangler on Nov 30, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Exactly. How are the Caps gonna be a tough,

forechecking team with Eakin playing big minutes on the second line—with Semin, who isn’t exactly a hitter himself, to say the least! That line makes NO sense. Who is going to bang in the corners in that group?

by slipperyice on Nov 30, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s a terrible second line, especially with Marcus struggling. I’m far from a Semin fanboy but pairing him with those two is setting him up for failure.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m pretty sure that is why Mojo is slipping. Eakin in the O zone is a second Semin but with less of a wrister and stick skills. No one on that line will or is able to crash the net hard.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions  

What’s worst is they have nobody who can possess the puck with consistency other than Semin.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Speaking of accountability, Troy Brouwer took the dumbest, most pointless penalty I’ve seen all season when, while on the penalty kill, he tried to whack Jason Arnott’s hand with his stick and instead caught him just under the eye, drawing blood.

It wasn’t quite as bad as you’ve portrayed. He hit Arnott’s stick, and his stick bounced up and got Arnott’s face. Still not to be encouraged, though; not sure what he thought that check would accomplish if it “worked”.

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by AMusingFool on Nov 30, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

He hit the top of his stick, though. If Arnott hadn’t have lifted his own stick it would have (or should have) been called a slash. Only 2 minutes (rather than the 4 for the cheek cut) but still dumb.

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by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions  

And for the proverbial icing on that pile of poo, the Caps came thisclose to getting whistled for delay of game on that same sequence. Oof.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions  

My cautious optimism about Hunter has turned into trepidation after last night’s game. The team did a really good job of limiting scoring chances against, blocking shots, etc., and they did a decent job of generating puck possession, but they were not taking shots, nor were they actively pressuring the puck in the offensive zone in such a way as to generate turnovers. The forechecking was fairly passive until about the 10 minute mark in the third.

Hunter had his team play a very conservative game. If he’s going to play that conservatively all season, we’re going to be in for some very boring stretches of hockey.

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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:27 AM EST reply actions  

First game and two days of practices with the same assistant coaches?

Hold off on evaluating just yet.

by Joran on Nov 30, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s one game. One game. ONE GAME.

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I wish people wouldn’t post pics like this (not to pick on you beakers, I see it a lot). I think it stiffles discussion on what is otherwise a well-argued point.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions   3 recs

I fail to see what was “well-argued” about it. Trepidation about Hunter, when he hasn’t even had a chance to run a real practice or install a new system? The Caps were still playing BB’s system last night – how does that reflect on Hunter at all?

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions  

You can disagree with someone’s point without denigrating their ability to reason.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I understand what you are saying, and I disagree. My take is that people were damn near rioting levels calling for BB to be fired, he was and now we have people already freaking about the new regime with 1 day under their belts. I’m not trying to call anyone out or put anyone down but there does seem to be a feeling of panic that I don’t think is justified at this time.

by Beakers Lab on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Typical with most mid-season coaching changes in this League from what I’ve seen, maybe even most coaching changes.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions  

I think using the word “trepidation” is hardly indicative of panic.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions  

One game in which the team is playing in front of an amped-up crowd and is coming off of a bad road loss. People criticized Bruce for trying to play rope-a-dope with a Buffalo team that was down a bunch of starters; why not criticize Dale Hunter for having the team play passively in his debut rather than having his players try to dictate the flow of the game?

And jeez – all I said was that I was trepidatious – i.e., nervous or anxious. I’ve just gone from threat level pale yellow to threat level yellow.

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by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions  

Of course it’s nerve-wracking. But given that Hunter wasn’t even running the drills in practice, I’m not sure how much impact he could have had on the tactical side in game one. The effort was certainly improved.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions  

one game

in which your arch-nemesis is the next game on your schedule. You don’t think guys were looking ahead?

They play this blues team once or twice a year. I was disappointed in the effort too, but this isn’t the NFL and they’ve only had 2 workouts with the new coach.

by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:10 AM EST up reply actions  

You don’t think guys were looking ahead?

First game with a new coach and they’re looking ahead? God I hope not.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions  

If they couldn’t muster up a jolt of energy last night, that’s a big problem. Now, I think they had energy last night. But with the lack of confidence and system confusion right now it looked disjointed.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions  

Fantastic point. Thanks as always for the insightfulness. :-)

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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Not a singe one. That’s a glaring issue. I would speculate that it’s Ovechkin’s fault.

by Aliceanna on Nov 30, 2011 9:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

How about a higher standard, I can’t name a single good play Schultz has made in a game since Dale Hunter was named head coach.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Hasn’t been on ice for a single goal.

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

And zero hits.

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by EmilyB on Nov 30, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Schultz is one of those defensemen who is best when he is invisible.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Can anyone name a single good play by either guy this season?

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by twistedlogic on Nov 30, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions  

Schultz had that beautiful defensive move in OT that went a long long long way to setting up the winner against Winnipeg less than a week ago.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions  

all sorts of sexy defensive work

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions  

He sucks. He’s big and didn’t lay both guys out.

by JimCareyFanClub on Nov 30, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions  

go flyerz!

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:02 AM EST up reply actions  

This is the first time I’ve seen that play (gifs weren’t working before with my crappy island internet). Goddamn I love that man sometimes.

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by SeattleCapsFan on Nov 30, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions  

the link is bookmarked on my other computer, but Dimagus had all sorts of awesome gifs on his photobucket account. I could watch for hours.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 5:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Shultzie looked good last night, his cheese to chip ratio was of the charts

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by Cap-O-Vens on Nov 30, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions  

And there was that nice pinch-and-pass in the overtime game against Anaheim on the winning score.

by Twenty Seven Ninety on Nov 30, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions  

They were on the PK for most of the 2nd period and the 1st period was a bit of a shit show. It was a vast improvement, even in a loss.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Most of the second period?

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s one game where he hasn’t even had a chance to run a practice. Give it at least 3 or 4 games, when he’s had time to get a new system in place and have the guys practice it some.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Hunter has had one “get to know you” practice and one game-day skate. Nothing the team did last night was appreciably different from the systems put in place by Boudreau. The Blues played a perfect road game and the Caps spent much of the second period killing off penalties. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The team needs work. Hunter needs some time to fix things.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions  

I think last night might been Hunter’s “this is what goes on here? really” moment ala Arnott.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions  

agreed. I also think some people—less so here—had some seriously unrealistic expectations based on the last coaching change. Hunter was not going to say “Ok, boys, score goals!” and turn them loose and hope to god that they won 5-4

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions  

Well, I thought the team would at least come out gunning, but Hitch’s system is pretty much tailor-made to curtail such shenanigans.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions  

acknowledging that Hitchcock is the master of denying teams the space to really run around, I was still pretty damn disappointed in how passive the Caps looked for long stretches. And that absolutely is not on Hunter.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions  

No, but the trap is literally designed to ensnare aggressive teams. It’s the hockey equivalent of an ambush.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions  

you are far more knowledgeable about these finer points than I am: how do you break the trap? There has got to be a way.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions  

Break out (a huge problem last night) dump, chase, punish in corners, forecheck hard, get a lead.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s similar to what I drew up for beating the 1-3-1 last year. You either move the puck quickly before they get time to set it up, or you work a long dump-and-chase game with speed. The big problem with the trap now is that teams can’t obstruct players with the puck like they used to. Get Chimera with a head of steam, then have one of the D shoot the puck in off of Ward or Laich. Chimera goes behind the net and retrieves the puck. Repeat.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions  

The big problem with the trap now is that teams can’t obstruct players with the puck like they used to.

Should say “without.” Pre-lockout, teams were mugging guys who didn’t have the puck to slow them up.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions  

I don’t think they’re calling obstruction enough (it seems to be making a comeback), but I’m so glad the full-blown muggings are largely gone from the game

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

There’s been a lot of blatant interferences recently that are going uncalled. The one that Buffalo did to Chimera stands out to me – I think the NHL needs to talk to the refs about it.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions  

I didn’t want to be all tin foil hat, but, yeeeeeeeeeeeeah. Obstructions been creeping back into the game the last few seasons and if they don’t crack down on it soon, it’s going to go a long way towards killing those offensive gains the game made post-lockout.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions  

I’ve been watching a lot of games recently, and I’m seeing it in almost every game. Too many hits away from the play, and a lot of defensemen picking forwards to free up another dman.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah. they’re just more clever about it now. They don’t hold their stick or arms out, they just sort of “gently skate in their way.”

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:44 AM EST up reply actions  

They need to call the rub-outs on the halfboards a little tighter. Either hit the guy or get out of the way — just getting in his way is pretty much the spirit of interference.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions  

You don’t want to do the rub-outs too high though. Otherwise it might get you in the eye.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Definitely agree. Obstruction is back (and yes, it’s done more subtly). I’m not sure why but I think I first started noticing it in games versus Pittsburgh (it may have even been the playoff series against them). I want this gone yesterday, but I have a bad feeling it’s going to keep rearing it’s ugly head.

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by _Skullduggery_ on Nov 30, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Obstruction increases tenfold in the playoffs. it’s ridiculous.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions  

The playoffs have started…everyone swallow your whistles. I don’t mind the whistle swallowing when guys are fighting in the corners, but obstruction has got to go…

/broken record

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by _Skullduggery_ on Nov 30, 2011 11:38 AM EST up reply actions  

And if the defenseman does get there first, cream him.

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions  

If Chimera’s coming with speed, the defenseman would need rocket skates. Or maybe these.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions  

That is so 2005. They’re onto Thermiteblade now…

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by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions  

D’oh, one more question since I have you here, and I can’t remember: were teams trapping against the Caps in 09-10? Was everyone just letting them have their way, or were the Caps semi-disciplined enough to still get the puck up ice?

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Teams still trapped the Caps. IIRC, the Caps had a devil of a time playing against a Hitchcock-coached Columbus team that year. The Caps under Boudreau had two, somewhat paradoxical weaknesses: really hard aggressive forechecks, and the trap. The former pinned the Caps’ defensemen in their own end and cut off passing lanes to streaking forwards. The latter allowed the Caps’ defensemen more time, but clogged up passing and skating lanes in neutral ice, forcing the Caps to play dump and chase (or turn the puck over and chase).

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s the hockey equivalent of an ambush strong sedative.

ftfy

by Beakers Lab on Nov 30, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Panger noted (watched the Blues feed last night, just fyi) after watching the Caps practice that Hunter seemed to be trying to calm the team down rather than rev them up.

I think that ties in to the fact they’re playing with zero confidence.

I also note that the last two coaching changes that I paid close attention to – Bylsma and Lavy – the first game out of the chute looked remarkably similar to last night. Confusion about what to do and when, disjointed effort that led to everyone not pulling in the same direction, and a loss.

Let’s see what they do against the Pens.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions  

You need a blank canvas before you can paint.

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions  

And you need time to actually paint.

I would never expect much from a team with a new coach right away, much less when playing a team coached by Hitchcock.

If they look bad in late January then I’ll start to think about hitting the panic button

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by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

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by snowburnt on Nov 30, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions  

I also think some people—less so here—had some seriously unrealistic expectations based on the last coaching change.

And that coaching chage was for a coach who had already spent time in the system coaching some of the players he would inherit. Hunter has no experience coaching in the Caps’ organization and might not have seen many — if any — of the players in person (save for those like Carlson and Wideman, who he coached at London), and almost certainly not with the critical eye a coach needs.

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by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions  

very very very good point. I count seven “Hershey guts” on the roster Bruce inherited for his first game.

Did Bruce attend Caps training camp that season? At the very least, that would have made him a bit more familiar with the non-Hershey players.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions  

Yes, Boudreau was involved with the rookie and training camps while he was with Hershey.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions  

I think when comparing Hunter’s debut with BB’s, that it’s important to remember BB’s initial “system” was basically to just let the Young Guns loose to do their thing. Not a lot of science behind that kind of play.

"Neuvy was eating pucks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

by SeattleCapsFan on Nov 30, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Also what Peerless said.

"Neuvy was eating pucks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

by SeattleCapsFan on Nov 30, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions  

It’s safe to assume Alex Ovechkin, Washington’s captain, will never refer to Hunter as a “fat f…”

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_farber/11/28/bruce.boudreau.paul.maurice.firings/index.html?sct=nhl_wr_a1

Did I miss something? Did Ovi talk smack about Bruce? Or is Farber just resurrecting a 2-3 year old quote from Avery and putting it way out of context to look like there was more drama than there actually was?

by Brainumbc on Nov 30, 2011 9:34 AM EST reply actions  

That’s from the time a few games back when Ovie muttered something on the bench. Supposedly, it was “fat fuck”, but no one actually knows.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 9:36 AM EST up reply actions  

There is the “Ovi muttering under his breath after getting benched in the last minute and we aren’t sure what he said but everyone seems to assume it was fat fuck” incident.

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Of course, the media forgets that the Caps scored the tying goal and then Ovechkin was on the ice during OT and assisted on the winning goal.

by Joran on Nov 30, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions  

Of course, you can’t let facts get in the way of a good story. 1 minute shift skip = ZOMG FEUD!

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by Bman21212 on Nov 30, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions  

I’d assume that if Ovi was going to mutter something to himself, it would likely be in Russian which pretty much destroys all change of trying to lip read anyways.

by Brainumbc on Nov 30, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions  

he seems to stick to English on the ice.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Yea when you’re saying something you intend for someone else to hear. I’d bet a mutter of anger is more likely Russian.

If he stubs his toe walking down the street instead of yelling SH&#^T he probably yells… well, I don’t know what they yell in Russian. But it probably sounds weird.

by Brainumbc on Nov 30, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

My thoughts from the game: Finish… your…. checks!!!

Too many times the Blues (and most of our opponents over the last 2 weeks) get off easy, rather than finishing their checks, Capitals go off for changes, or circle back up ice. It’s extremely frustrating to watch, and I feel like doing some of these little things will pay huge dividends for the Capitals in the later periods. I expect this to change in the next week or so with Hunter at the helm.

I’m not sure if this is luck, bad timing, or most likely – the product of the Capitals opponents hemming the Caps in their own zone, but it seems like every time someone like Ovechkin gets through the neutral zone and through a few defenders in our opponents zone, they have zero support because everyone else went off for a line change. I think I answered my own question — so in other words, the Caps need to work on their breakout big time.

Tu ne cede malis

by _Skullduggery_ on Nov 30, 2011 9:50 AM EST reply actions  

There was a great sequence in the third where the Capitals were hitting everything that moved, and they did a good job of getting the puck up ice as a result. They then managed to work the puck in the offensive zone and generated some pressure. Of course, it ended with a Jason Chimera tripping penalty in the O zone, but it was somewhat encouraging.

Reporter: "What’s your Mom’s birthday?"
Tortorella: "I have no idea."

by Wheeler on Nov 30, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Agreed, I would just love to see it the entire game. And I’m hoping it starts sooner or later with Hunter’s emphasis on the forecheck.

Tu ne cede malis

by _Skullduggery_ on Nov 30, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions  

Oops… “sooner rather than later” would be more appropriate.

Tu ne cede malis

by _Skullduggery_ on Nov 30, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions  

another game, another single goal. I’m bored of this. And I’m terrified for tomorrow. Unleash some fury, unleash some goals, unleash some wins. Please.

My mom went last night and asked me “What happened to the adorable kid they had in goal last season?”

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 9:52 AM EST reply actions  

Caps 5v5 scoring chance%, 10-game moving average

"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau

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by NGreenberg on Nov 30, 2011 9:57 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

depressing

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions  

That’s so bad it makes my 401k look good! /jayleno’d

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:09 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions   1 recs

Really surprised you can post this morning after being blinded by the glare of the camera last night.

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by Bald Pollack on Nov 30, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions  

As a matter of optics, that looks worse than it is (using 45 percent as a “base” line), but it still ain’t good.

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions  

I’m going to stop commenting for a while because I am in such a minority. But, I think all this Hunter talk is premature. He has been here for less than 2 days. On the other hand, there are multi-millionaire players who have been here for years and aren’t producing. Regardless of the coach, the opposing team, the trap, the bad ice, etc. etc. is there anything else we can also add that let’s a majority of these guys off the hook for not self-starting, hustling, caring, etc??

by Wilderthing on Nov 30, 2011 10:13 AM EST reply actions  

I could have envisioned GMGM walking in Monday morning and saying, “Bruce isn’t going anywhere – it’s on you all to fix this” and walking out.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:16 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Me too, until Boudreau had his post-game presser in Buffalo.

"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau

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by NGreenberg on Nov 30, 2011 10:18 AM EST up reply actions  

Yep. It would’ve had to have happened a week earlier. Maybe after WPG then TOR.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 10:24 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

Some thoughts on last night...

It’s easy to get hung up on the fact that the Caps only managed 1 goal on 20 shots, but let’s not forget that St. Louis played a really really good game last night, they were all over the puck, never gave anyone space and played like a damn good team. I was really impressed watching them.

What I saw from the Caps was a lot of frustrating missed passes that led to very short O-zone times, people losing the puck on a stick (Ovi) and some bad D-zone clearing, but this team hung with one of the best in the West right now, and they wouldn’t have done it had they not been churning legs … unlike we’ve seen in games past.

Not happy with the loss, but the Blues are playing like a fantastic team right now that has made its mark keeping shot totals low and staying on the puck, and the Caps lost in a 2-1 nailbiter. It’s better than losing 5-1 to the Buffalo Call-ups, right?

Not only that, that Ovi charge into the O-zone at the end of the game got me out of my chair. Sure, he missed, but it’s been a long time since that’s happened.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:22 AM EST reply actions  

It’s easy to get hung up on the fact that the Caps only managed 1 goal on 20 shots

How about only two scoring chances thru first two periods, five overall for the game? Prob the worst offensive performance this team has had in my recent memory.

"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau

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by NGreenberg on Nov 30, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions  

And it really could have been a shutout if Halak makes a save he’s supposed to make. The encouraging news was that Ovechkin actually created space for himself and his teammates last night.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Agree. STL dominated that one very, very thoroughly.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions  

Watching the Caps’ difficulty exiting their own end, relative to St. Louis’ fast breakouts, was pretty depressing last night. Many times, the Caps’ top two lines didn’t do much in the offensive end, because the team spent so long trying to dig the puck out of their own end and get it through neutral ice. By the time they got the puck in the zone, it was time for a change. By contrast, St. Louis was two passes and out of the zone with possession all night. With Roman Polak, Barrett Jackman, Cade Fairchild and Ian Cole on the back end, you can’t tell me that’s personnel.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Like I said, the passing and D-zone clearing drove me nuts, but we’ve been pounding this team over the head for the past year and a half about putting in a 60-minute effort, and I think we came pretty damn close tonight.

Baby steps.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, I’m not remotely worried. This team will likely look a bit disjointed for a few weeks, and the Blues are at the top of their game right now.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions  

that’s some mighty high praise from Ken Hitchcock about Bruce (the CBS piece), and if it’s any indication of how the rest of hockey feels about him, Bruce will be kicking ass and taking names and leading parades rather soon.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:26 AM EST reply actions  

Listening to BB right now on the Junkies. When asked “what happened after 7-0 start?”, BB said, “If I knew, I would still have a job”. Gonna miss those Boudreauisms.

He's a better skater than Nick, but he's big in the back[side]...BB

by Backeez Got Back on Nov 30, 2011 10:31 AM EST reply actions  

aw, heart breaking

What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.

by BetterOffWith28 on Nov 30, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions  

For sure. I’m gonna miss the hell out of Bruce’s personality

"I wear tinted visor not to trick other players, but so hot girls in stands don't see me looking at them" - Alex Ovechkin

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by sami426 on Nov 30, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions  

It still blows my mind that just a month ago the Caps were 7-0 and looking like they’d never lose.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 10:34 AM EST up reply actions  

It still blows my mind that just a month ago the Caps were 7-0 and looking like they’d never lose.

Really?

They beat the Flyers in Philadelphia 5-2. But the Flyers had more scoring chances, shots, hits, blocked shots, and faceoff wins. If not for Vokoun stopping 40 shots and making crucial saves during the second period because of lapses in Washington’s defensive play this could easily be a loss for Washington.

And yes, they demolished the Detroit Red Wings at home, 7-1, who were also unbeaten coming into the contest. But Detroit was on the road for a set of back-to-back games and was clearly gassed in the third, not registering a single scoring chance despite being down 4-1 entering the period. Plus, Detroit had Ty Conklin in net, who posted a woeful .881 save percentage and 3.22 GAA last season.

"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

by NGreenberg on Nov 30, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Vokoun is part of the team, right? “Stopping 40 shots and making crucial saves” is why we got him.

And if you’re going to sit here and tell me that after a 7-0 start they didn’t look like the best or nearly the best team in the league, then you’re out of your mind and exercising 20/20 hindsight.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions  

That was Game 2. Were you saying that after Game 7?

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions  

I’d bailed from the Rink for a while because I got tired of being a broken record and then having people respond to me by telling me that I was panicking and “too negative.” It was fruitless.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

The debate was there at the start. People loved the offense but were concerned about a shaky defense requiring us to score 4 or 5 goals to squeak by in overtime.

And then we thumped the Flyers. And dominated the Panthers. And destroyed the Red Wings. And, at 7-0, everyone agreed that this team was playing like one of the best in the NHL and perhaps they’ve cleaned up the defense. Then out of nowhere, the team goes 5-11. And all of the sudden we have people coming out of the woodwork talking about how much they sucked during the 7-0 stretch, and that is just absurd.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions  

So they played to their capabilities and expectations for three games. The first three or four they didn’t. The last N they didn’t. If they kept playing like they did in the three games you referenced, there would be no issue, but they didn’t. Instead, they went back to playing like they did in the first three, the lower lines stopped propping the team up, and instead of squeaking by, they have been exposed. From all evidence, the three games played to expectations have been the anomaly in this season.

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start

by renstar on Nov 30, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions  

And, at 7-0, everyone agreed that this team was playing like one of the best in the NHL and perhaps they’ve cleaned up the defense.

Find me a quote where I say this, or where Neil says this. Or Kolzilla. Or Steckel Me Elmo. Or Killer_Carlson. Or Fehr and Balanced.

The Panthers, Flyers and Wings games were fun, no doubt, but the Wings game in particular wasn’t nearly as lopsided as it looked. The Wings got some atrocious goaltending.

Ultimately, the underlying issues that bother me about this team were there from well before the season. I’d hoped that the roster turnover and the new “accountability” regime would improve matters, but the first four or five games of the season convinced me that nothing was different. I even alluded to the fact that the team would likely do well in the regular season:

As presently constructed and coached, this team will likely be very fun to watch and do very well in the regular season and then. . . well, we all know what happens then.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions  

I’ll grant you that. As long as you’re not going to tell me you thought the Caps would do as poorly as they have the last 16.

The team I saw in the first 7 was a lot different than the one I’ve seen the last 16.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, they deteriorated pretty badly over the last ten games. But if you were looking, the patterns were there from the beginning of the season.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Actually I think a couple of the names you mentioned were spewing some optimistic “this is more like it” quotes in the second half of that winning streak. In fact I’m almost positive.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions  

I said this:

If the Caps can play like this (and like Tuesday’s game against Florida) with consistency over the course of the season, I’ll feel good about their chances going into the playoffs. If, on the other hand, they play like they did against Car, TB, Pitt and Ottawa, I won’t care what the record says.

Followed by this:

Then it’s the same old shit. This team has too much talent to turn games into coin flips. When they turn games into coin flips, the leave themselves vulnerable to seven game series against less talented opponents.
This is why I get so frustrated when they sleepwalk. The Caps played very well last night (aided by some puck-luck) and they overcame what was a pretty awful game by Semin. The team is so stacked (ala Chicago a couple years ago, but with better goaltending) that they ought to be able to put in efforts like this every game, even when Ovie or Semin aren’t playing well.

Essentially, I acknowledged that, while those games were well-played, the overall pattern was one of inconsistent effort and an inability to play up to their talent level. If the Caps could have played two out of every three games the way they played in Philly, then Boudreau would still be the coach and they’d have likely won at least one Cup by now.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Right, you’ve never really strayed from your party line (and I’m not saying you were necessarily wrong in terms of consistency, although I seem to recall it was 3 or 4 in a row that were good, solid wins). I’m talking about a few of the other names you mentioned.

It’s not a bad thing that they said positive things, either, btw…just pointing out that for a brief moment in time this team had even the most cynical fans starting to believe, and we’re dismissing that because the first set of games had some bad stuff in them.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I know that I was holding my breath. I thought they looked good against FLA, PHI and DET, but I was also cautious because two of those three games were against teams on the back-end of back-to-back games.

As always with this team, it’s about consistency and underlying patterns, and so, while maybe some of those folks made some more positive comments, that doesn’t mean that they changed their minds regarding the underlying issues with the team. Moreover, given the anti-negativity comments most of us received, many of us just quit making those comments or curtailed our comments more generally.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions  

We were getting legitimately above average goaltending between Games 3-7 as well don’t forget.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Nov 30, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions  

And if you’re going to sit here and tell me that after a 7-0 start they didn’t look like the best or nearly the best team in the league, then you’re out of your mind and exercising 20/20 hindsight.

Ask around. I saw it coming.

"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

by NGreenberg on Nov 30, 2011 1:27 PM EST up reply actions  

For which, without clicking through, I’m sure you were thoroughly scolded for negativity.

I had much the same thoughts. Sometime around the FLA and CAR games they put together a run where they looked good at fundamental hockey, but prior to that the wins were as a result of unsustainable save pct and shooting pct from guys like MoJo.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

The save percentage of late I hope is unsustainable as well. The play has been bad, the save percentage has almost paced it.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Nov 30, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions  

There was quite a bit of “these are unsatisfying wins” talk, at least after the first three or four games. The last couple wins [of the streak] were more decisive and as a result of better play, so the talk settled down a bit. But there was definitely quite a bit of unhappiness with the way the game was being played, and it started right back up when the same ugly play started up again.

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start

by renstar on Nov 30, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Right, but I’m getting kind of tired of people dismissing the entire winning streak because the first few wins weren’t great – the first few wins were wins that the team found a way to earn while balancing a lot of new guys, new line combos, new goalie, etc. The second half of that streak it really did look like things were starting to settle in – to the point where even THIS site was filled with positive comments, even from the usual detractors.

Saying the team played well early on and that they were starting to look like contenders is not a fallacy, even if you want to cherry pick the “bad” games (which weren’t even that bad, for crying out loud) and ignore the good ones.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Likewise, I’m getting tired of people who said “you’re panicking and being too negative” after the first five games of the season now saying, “well, that’s all just hindsight.” You can’t have it both ways.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Right. My point is that people – and this is not strictly addressed at you, because I see it lots of places – want to dismiss that whole 7-0 start because of a few bad games. Instead of saying early on it looked like the same old crap, then they seemed to get it together, then they simply stopped listening to BB altogether, lost Mike Green and came completely unraveled, it’s a bunch of more general “see? We knew it all along” comments. Even though during those few really good games almost everyone who had been negative at the start of the season was coming around.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Said it better than I could have. I’m not trying to dismiss that you had reasons to be negative in the first few games. I’ve been here the whole season, reading the comments every game. I know the debate was there at first.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions  

And what I’m saying is that – personally – I didn’t change my mind, I just got sick of being told that I was panicking and being negative. I know several other folks who felt the same way.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions  

See for example this thread. You observe that the Caps were shyte on the breakout and got dominated as thoroughly as you can get dominated in a hockey game, and like clockwork you get the spate of “Oh Noes Everybody Panic” responses.

I note in passing that it is possible to note shortcomings and not panic.

Patron saint of quality footwear.

by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions  

That’s just not really true. The Caps playing damn near flawless for a stretch isn’t new to the BB era Caps. Them playing great is not mutually exclusive with them showing the same old problems that came out. It’s not hindsight analysis when we say the Caps showed the same problems they’ve always had during their winning streak.

Release the Mackan!

by Killer_Carlson on Nov 30, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions  

But all wins are not equal. If they had kept up the play level (whether they won or not) from the last few games of that streak, the first few wins would have fallen under the category of “good teams win games that maybe they shouldn’t have won.” But they didn’t. So just as it is wrong to dismiss the entire streak, it is wrong to ignore the flaws in the earlier wins when considering the quality of the team during that streak.

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start

by renstar on Nov 30, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m not saying we should dismiss any of the streak – what I AM saying is that, considering that the good games came in succession and came at the end of the streak, there was plenty of reason to believe that the new players/systems had kicked in and the old habits we’d seen early on were gone. For awhile there, those first wins DID fall under that category for a lot of us, even those who usually see the glass half empty with this team.

I just think, as much as you can’t see 7-0 and say “they were 7-0, that’s a Cup winning team for sure”, you also can’t look at it and say “yeah, but it doesn’t really count because we knew without a doubt the bad stuff would come back”.

Bottom line is this: wins are wins, they had a good start to the season, things went south and a change was made. At this point the debate seems almost silly since within the next few weeks I’d imagine this team doesn’t look the way it has in the last few years, either for better or for worse.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions  

An analogy would be last year’s start. I think the general consensus was, while the team was winning, it was in large part due to Neuvy stealing a bunch of games they had no business winning. During the 7-0 run, the consensus was that the team played well and were rewarded with strong wins (recall that even during the TBL game, once Vokoun got over his shaky start, they dominated it).

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 1:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Plus, Detroit had Ty Conklin in net, who posted a woeful .881 save percentage and 3.22 GAA last season.

But not a .720, 7 GAA?

I mean, seriously, this hindsight nonsense is bordering on ridiculous. What you’re telling me is that literally nothing the Caps could have done would have impressed you in that 7-0 start because they gave up 40 shots in a 5-2 win against the flyers. Undoubtedly, you predicted after that Red Wings game that the Caps would go 5-11 and get their coach fired.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Except that, for a significant portion of us, it wasn’t hindsight. We got hammered for panicking and being “too negative.”

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, I distinctly remember after Game 2 the vigorous debate we had about this team. Not after Game 7, however. Not even close.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

See this thread.

It got old. I know I wasn’t the only one who just got sick of talking about it.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I know, I read it myself the same day it came out.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions  

So then you understand why I just quit talking about it. My opinion didn’t change, I just stopped expressing it on here. What I’m saying now isn’t hindsight – I’ve been critiquing this team’s attention to detail and Bruce’s coaching style since 07-08. Honestly,

I’m sad that I was proven right. I’d have much preferred to eat crow as Bruce sat in the back of a 1978 Eldorado convertible holding a big-ass silver trophy while rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue. I’m sad that a good guy lost his dream job. I’m sad that someone who did so much for this franchise couldn’t take it to the next level.

It doesn’t change the fact that I – and many others on this site – saw these issues and their inevitable solution a long, long time ago.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions  

I still don’t think we looked all that dominating in most of those games. It’s easy to say that now, of course, but I thought the only game we looked amazing in was Detroit who had Conklin in net

"I wear tinted visor not to trick other players, but so hot girls in stands don't see me looking at them" - Alex Ovechkin

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by sami426 on Nov 30, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions  

Conklin should still be better than that horrendous showing.

there was also the 3-0 Florida game

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 10:39 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, forgot about Florida. And yes, Conklin should still be better but as Neil noted above, they were coming off back to back also. I realize everyone plays back to back and they shouldn’t have come out as flat as they did, but if that’s the game we’re using to measure our season, then it’s not a good measuring stick at all.

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by sami426 on Nov 30, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions  

back to backs is still no excuse to look as horrid as that Wings team did. They played Columbus, for crying out loud. In Columbus. Very short travel to DC. They had, I think, 4 days off prior to the C-bus game…..plenty of time to rest up. Detroit laid a turd and the Caps took advantage of it—something we don’t see often enough from this team.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions  

I completely agree with you. I just don’t think we should be using that game to prove that we were all that elite.

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by sami426 on Nov 30, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

Carolina. Who was also in the process of getting the coach fired, it should be noted.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions  

hey hey hey, they were not in the process of trying to get their coach fired! They just needed a new direction, and struggling to deal with their captain having an emotional breakdown over ka-bonking his brother’s brain into South Carolina. Only ex-commies are conniving and evil enough to actively work to get their coach fired.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m always curious when a team like Carolina fires their coach this early in the season – especially when I’m not exactly sure what their expectations were for this year. It’s not like many people were looking at that roster over the summer and thinking "gee, they’re contenders for sure". This isn’t a 2007-08 Caps situation, or an 08-09 Penguins situation, where the talent is finally there but it’s clear that the team is underachieving.

Seriously, does anyone think that the Canes have been underachieving to this point? I think Muller’s going to do great there, I do, but I don’t buy that the turnaround will be enough to rationalize firing a coach midseason. If they thought Maurice was the problem it’s not like they couldn’t have let him go next summer when they reshaped their roster for the 2012-13 season…

I may just be bitter that a great coach like Muller is going to be wasted on that team. Blech.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions  

But they have a Staal, so they are automatic contenders!

by SethB on Nov 30, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions  

They absolutely needed to fire Maurice. He was using a river hockey, run and gun style with an extremely offensively limited team. Who can score goals on that team? Staal, Skinner, Ruutu, Jokinen, and Larose. That’s about it. Moreover, which of those listed are actually top tier players? Skinner and Staal.

A few years from now, I think we’ll see this hiring as the turning point for the franchise. Muller will implement a defensive style of hockey built on the shoulders of the large amount of two way players they have on that team and the aging Cam Ward.

Best case scenario: They stick to a defensive game and their big bucks players on the blue-line remember how to actually play hockey (Kaberle). Staal will regress back to his normal numbers and Skinner will continue to develop into one of the best skaters in league history. I could definitely see them making the play-offs sometime soon under these conditions.

Worst case scenario: They stick to a defensive game and their defense continues it’s horrid play. They ship out a big name and re-tool their blueline to the nth degree. Staal continues to slump; but, plays good defensive hockey. Skinner will continue to develop into one of the best skaters in league history. The Canes don’t make the play-offs next year.

Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!

by kingzman264 on Nov 30, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Corey Tweet
Mike Green said Boudreau’s firing was “necessary,” said the team wasn’t responding to the former coach.

Green will get hammered for saying it, but I respect the honesty.

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Associate Editor at Five For Howling.

by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 11:12 AM EST reply actions  

Interesting to say the least. Was not expecting that reaction from him.

by kovachs on Nov 30, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions  

cmasisak22 Кори Масисак
More Green on Boudreau/Hunter “… a strict guy. That seems to be what we need maybe for guys to respond.”

Wow.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

Yowsah. At least he’s honest, I guess? Wasn’t really expecting that.

I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck

by twistedlogic on Nov 30, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

he’s never been one to give the standard hockey quote. I’m sure his upset Bruce is gone at a personal level.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

So upset that he hasn’t even talked to Bruce yet.

by kovachs on Nov 30, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions  

this is the guy who ducked reporters for how many days following a playoff loss? I don’t even try to make sense of his thought process any more.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions  

Someone, can’t find it now, had a longer quote which included the term ‘months’. Anyone find it?

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

Yes, from Sky Kerstein’s feed.

#Caps Green on BB says “obviously he was a great coach and unfortunately we weren’t responding here in the last couple months”

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by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

cmasisak22 Кори Масисак
Green on Boudreau: “Its a new chapter now. Obviously he’s a great coach but unfortunately we weren’t responding in the last couple months..”

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

He followed it with

cmasisak22 Кори Масисак
More Green on Boudreau “I think it was a necessary thing, but we’re definitely happy to have Dale here. He seems like an honest guy …”

And then what Kolzilla posted above.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions  

Mike Green’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer… I wouldn’t necessarily read that as anything more than “for the past while.”

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah Mike Green’s more like a plastic knife that breaks at work :)

by OvechkinGR8 on Nov 30, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

ha, anything referring to a time frame in these type of interviews I take with a grain of salt (or two or three) … but thought it as interesting just the same.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

No doubt.

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions  

“was” interesting

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions  

Sounds like something Matt Bradley would’ve said…

DUE TO THE LENGTH OF NHL HOCKEY
SKATE ELECTRIC WILL NOT BE SEEN

by docciavelli on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

"… a strict guy. That seems to be what we need maybe for guys to respond."

They’re kids…scare ’em.

Signed,
Crash Davis

If you've read this far...seek help.

by ThePeerless on Nov 30, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Bunch of lollygaggers

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro"

by Steve-R on Nov 30, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Wow – can you imagine Ovechkin saying same?

by S h a g g y on Nov 30, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions  

He’d get hammered for it, so even if he felt that way he couldn’t have said it without some major backlash. I’m glad Green had the balls to say what I’m guessing many in the room felt.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions  

Green has a combo view in and out of the locker room, seeing as how he hasn’t been playing.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

Green’s confidence in saying it publicly like that makes me think it’s an open sentiment among all the players in the room.

by aaw6848 on Nov 30, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

And/or Mike Green doesn’t have a firm grasp of public relations (as he’s demonstrated in the past).

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by J.P. on Nov 30, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

He’s sour grapes for Bruce spilling the beans on his mono.

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by sydtron on Nov 30, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

that’s a good point. Greener always playing the ‘bad boy’ card…

by aaw6848 on Nov 30, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions  

Good for him. Good for us. And I don’t think it constitutes going out of his way to trash BB on his way out the door (not that you or anyone else has implied such).

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions  

It’s also possible that Green feels comfortable saying it because it’s known that he’s one of BB’s “Hershey Boys,” and that the loyalty is assumed. Personally, I’m much more capable of being forthright about people when I know that they know that I’ve got their back.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:31 AM EST up reply actions  

makes sense, but it’s weird that Green hasn’t even called him yet… it isn’t like Green has been too busy playing games or anything.

by aaw6848 on Nov 30, 2011 11:38 AM EST up reply actions  

or he doesn’t have the first clue how to approach the situation and went with the “yeah, I’ll just give him some space. That sounds like the right idea.” Happens all the time.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 11:40 AM EST up reply actions  

That’s true. But I was just thinking that if I was in that situation, if I were thinking I need to just give it space and wait for my time to talk to him – I would probably say something a little more casual to the media than what green did.. I guess this all goes back to JP’s thoughts on Green just not being great with the Media

by aaw6848 on Nov 30, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions  

I think you are putting way more thought into this than Green did which is why I believe he was just answering a question honestly.

Player’s answer questions in practice and post game settings based on how they are framed for the most part. It’s not like its a long open ended back and forth where nuances are fleshed out.

The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Associate Editor at Five For Howling.

by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Everyone’s so up in arms about Green’s statements. Maybe he’s just not comfortable talking to Bruce yet. It’s a little bit like a death in someone’s family; some people just have trouble finding the right thing to say.

Or, could just be Greenie’s a headcase. ;)

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m going to go with “both”

are people really that up in arms about it?

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Apparently in the media. Masisak particularly.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I’ve forcibly made myself stay away from most media, twitter, and all that since Monday. otherwise, I’d tear my hair out.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions  

To be fair to Corey, he rightly points out that Green is a highly paid star because of Boudreau, so you’d have thought he would say something different.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Corey’s also been around the team long enough to know Mike Green is not the brightest bulb on the team.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions  

The entertaining media tweets today aren’t about Green, they are the ones reporting that according to Caps, Evason is staying. It’s likely true, but given the statements about Woods and Evason earlier in the week, it’s amusing to see the rush to report this as fact. Things could change.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I had the same reaction to that.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions  

how many coaching changes as Evason survived so far, anyways?

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions  

As a Caps assistant coach,

Caps Head Coaches:

Hanlon
Boudreau
Hunter

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Did Evason and Hunter play together?

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions  

no. Evason played from the Caps 1983-1985, and then went to the Whalers. Hunter arrived in 1987 (which I assume you knew, because you’re awesome like that)

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Heh. No, I’d have to research something like that. (well, obviously we all know when Hunter got here, now) I remember stuff really well, but as I wasn’t following the team back then, I would have no idea.

"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."

by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions  

I’ve had to crash-course Mr. B (hello, I know you’re lurking in here) on Dale Hunter History the past few days :) acquainted myself with the trade, the goal, the hit heard round the world….

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Not with the Caps, Evason didn’t play many games with the Caps and he was gone before Hunter arrived via trade from the Nordiques.

OT: Evason was the co-head coach of the Calgary Hitmen (Jeff Schultz and Karl Alzner were on the team) the year of the NHL lockout and Forsythe also came from the Hitmen. Evason had other WHL head coaching positions before the season with the Hitmen.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Indeed he did. I saw Evason for a couple seasons as coach of the Blazers when I lived in Kamloops from 1998 to 2001. At that time, his teams had ex-Caps Tyler Sloan and Shaone Morrisonn.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Or maybe Green figures that since Boudreau has basically said exactly the same thing, it’s safe to acknowledge in public what everyone already knows.

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Brouwer

I’ve been pretty unimpressed with his play, although there are flashes every now and then. I think he’s better suited for 2nd or 3rd line duty, but I don’t know exactly how or where he’d fit in on those. Possibly flip flop him and Ward, but it seems like Hunter used the 25-21-42 line to match up with the Blues’ top line last night, so that might not be likely. Another alternative I’d consider would be dressing Matty P and putting him on the top line with 8 & 19, then move Brouwer to the 2nd line with 90 & 28.

Like I said, those are a couple alternatives, but I’m curious if you guys see the same thing I’m seeing, or if dropping him down to another line would create a bad matchup for the Caps.

by JimCareyFanClub on Nov 30, 2011 11:16 AM EST reply actions  

I’d like to see 8-19-22, 28-90-20 as the top 2. MP doesn’t have the skill to consistently play top-6, but Knuble should definitely be there.

Failure is always an option.

by timmyv38 on Nov 30, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

Well it’s only been 1 game, but the book on Hunter is that he likes to go with his big guns the majority of the time, so I think you have to look at whether or not Knuble is suited to skate close to 20 minutes a night. I don’t know how much it would kill chemistry to rotate him and MP between the 1st and 4th lines to keep Knuble’s minutes down, but stay flexible depending on how physical each game turns out to be.

Consistency has been MP’s achilles heel, but I’d still like to see him given the opportunity, rather than just assume he can’t cut it. There needs to be someone on that line with 8 & 19 that can control the puck and allow the top unit to sustain some pressure. Last night and even in some other games this season, it seems that opposing defenses’ strategies against the Ovechkin line are just to “weather the storm.” Meaning they’ll sit back, trap the offense, then dump and chase. Aside from a few times that Ovechkin rushed the puck into the STL zone last night, the top line didn’t sustain very much offensive pressure. But then again, none of the lines really did either.

by JimCareyFanClub on Nov 30, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I doubt Knuble would have to skate 20 mins under Hunter. First line had only 16 last night. And even so, if Hunter sticks with the short shifting from last night, I see no reason why Knuble couldn’t handle 18-20 mins.

by Ginga on Nov 30, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Semin is dying on the vine and really needs a jolt. I’d roll out the care bears line as my scoring unit against weaker D pairings. Just to get something, anything, generated on offense and help this team re-gain some measure of swagger.

Then I’d have 20-90-22 and 42-21-25 as 2nd and 3rd lines.

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

Yup. We were talking about this in GOD’s fan post – put the SOB line back together and force-feed them easy pairings at home and offensive zone starts on the road. Flip it and reverse it for CLAW. Give the scraps to the other two lines.

Unleash the Apathy.

by D'ohboy on Nov 30, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions  

We’ll find out a lot about Hunter very quickly if he puts that line together. Does he stick with it for more than two periods at a time? Does he let them gel a little bit and give them leeway? Or does he bring down the iron fist after the first cute play and split it up?

by Kolzilla on Nov 30, 2011 11:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Anyone who has not read Gouldie's Ovechkin/Semin fanpost should...

Re-posting Doh’s lines and Gouldie’s execution of said lines:

“…really want to see SOB pretty consistently for the next few games.

8-19-28
22-90-20
25-21-42
85-15-26

Send Eakin back to Hershey.

by D’ohboy on Nov 29, 2011 4:02 PM EST

I love it. And here are the rules, in order of precedence (and these apply to either on-the-fly changes or faceoffs)

Rule 1: If the puck is in the offensive or neutral zone, and 8-19-28 is rested, play them
Rule 2: If the puck is in the defensive or neutral zone, and 25-21-42 is rested, play them
Rule 3: If the puck is in the offensive or neutral zone, and 20-90-22 is rested, play them
Rule 4: Play the 4th line

by Gould Old Days on Nov 29, 2011 4:17 PM EST

by S h a g g y on Nov 30, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions  

Expectations

I do not expect changes to take place rapidly. I expect to see them phase in over time. Hunter is taking over a brand new job. He needs to learn and assess the players. He needs to test things in practice. He needs to educate players on any changes. He needs to get into a rhythm.

In short – he needs to do what any new business executive would in a new job.

There is a very popular, well known, business book called The First 90 Days. It is a Bible for HR professionals as they coach executives on transition to new roles.

Of course, sports are business. Hunter does not have 90 days before he’ll be judged – if nothing else on # of wins. But, like a business executive, if Hunter makes changes before completing any sort of assessment, then he risks further damage. Let’s be patient and recognize that he is still trying to win, even as he learns and makes adjustments. What you, as a fan, may think is an easy adjustment (i.e., moving 22 up a few lines), may not be viewed by Hunter as easy.

We need to be patient and view this transition as something beyond this year.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Nov 30, 2011 11:48 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

Well said. I think we were all hoping for a rousing thriller last night, like BB’s first win vs Philly in OT. Damn, that was an awesome joy ride.

THAT said, I would hope for good showings against the Pens, Cats, and Flyers over the next 2 weeks to see how DH is measured against key Eastern foes.

by S h a g g y on Nov 30, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I just wish he had 90 days until the next Penguins game.

Capitals goal scored by #22, Mike...

by KNUUUUUUUUUUBLE on Nov 30, 2011 12:16 PM EST up reply actions  

From the sounds of it, it seems like Hunter is going back to basics and covering all elements of the system he wants to implement. I really hope Hunter, and specifically Johnson, keep drilling the fundamentals of the game.

With the size, speed, and finesse of this team, I think they could really flourish with an aggressive, hard hitting dump and chase style that works very quickly through the neutral zone.

Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!

by kingzman264 on Nov 30, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Sounds like more than just back to basics to me. This sounds to me like a new and different system.

And I like it!

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Cool report, thanks

"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame" -Denis Lemieux

by leacha on Nov 30, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Regarding Sjogren:

One thing of interest reading translations of the Swedish coverage was being reminded of some recent rumors. There were recent reports that Farjestad was actively recruiting Sjogren to return to the team after a recent player departure (I think Sjostrom), which Sjogren at the time said was all from the team side. Anyway, doesn’t matter in the context that sounds like his time with the organization is over based on both Winter and McPhee’s comments (even if for now, Sjogren’s under contract for next season, too,) but I wonder if he would have left had the open roster spot not been there for him.

Also, the news reports indicate there’s still some paperwork or agreement between the Caps and Farjestad to be worked out before he can actually play for them, but nothing sounds like an issue, just time and paperwork.

Moving on…

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 11:49 AM EST reply actions  

Funny how the hockey media had always assumed a club putting too many Russians on their roster would have trouble keeping them. Turns out, it’s the Swedes that bolt (at least for the Caps).

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Kugryshev

Dovgan

Semin in ’05-06

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Not familiar with Dovgan, but I did forget about Kugr (though he did stay for a full season on the Hershey-Charleston-Hershey route so I wouldn’t really say he bolted like Sjogren did).
Didn’t Semin’s year have something to do with his “service to the Russian army” or something like that?

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought the military service card was why Semin didn’t come back after the lockout was over.

You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is "Never Try."

by apk3000 on Nov 30, 2011 1:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Pretty sure that was a horseshit excuse. He just didn’t feel like coming. At least IIRC.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 1:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Ovechkin and Malkin sure didn’t have to go into the military.

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Pretty sure that was because he attended a military academy for his secondary education. I will look for a source.

J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…

by Alz Well That Ends Well on Nov 30, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Here’s something I’ve seen before. Seems to be widely quoted on junk bio sites of Ovechkin. Not sure the original sourcing:

Because he has studied at the Military Institute for Border Guards, he apparently does not have to serve in the military in Russia. Military duty is supposed to be "compulsory" in Russia, but it is so in name only and is enforced selectively rather than uniformly; for instance, young Russian star Ilya Kovalchuk has never served in the military, while Ukrainian-born Nikolai Zherdev was forced to go to arbitration court in Switzerland because Russian authorities claimed he had to serve in the military. Apparently Ovechkin will not have to face these circumstances.

J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…

by Alz Well That Ends Well on Nov 30, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions  

The Russian military allows for alternative service, and if this includes playing for the KHL, it makes sense that Ovi “did his duty” and was allowed to come over but I don’t think it would have allowed Semin to come to the NHL if he actually hadn’t played enough to negate the compulsory military duty. I don’t think he qualified when he played for Traktor because he was in their farm league and was a teenager. During the lockout, he played only one year in the KHL and that’s when the military duty issues came up.

by jopierce on Nov 30, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions  

I don’t think any of us understands the complexity and insanity of Russian politics/hockey/military commitments enough to comment on whether this was a legit excuse or not. He was very young and did come over eventually (and, more importantly, he stayed here) so I’m inclined to believe that he – or the people who were handling him at the time – were telling the truth.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Nov 30, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Every situation is different, just mentioning a few Russian players who had ELCs voided or ripped up.

Dovgan gave it a try as a teenager and spent the season in SC. He played 1 game at the end of the season with Hershey. Then, he went back and played in Russia for a season. They, he returned and played another season with SC plus a couple of games for Hershey.

Kugryshev played last season with Hershey, plus the 3 games with SC.

Semin – Plenty out there on the topic, believe what one wants to believe after reviewing information on the topic. At the end, when he did return, it included a new 2 year contract, in place of his ELC, which had term remaining at the time he left for Russia.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions  

if it wasn’t for Steinberg, we’d never see crazy things like a Canadian MP wishing Dale Hunter good luck.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 12:40 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Hockey OT:

With all the Caps happenings and a quiet year in terms of Caps prospects and the WJCs (U20), there hasn’t been a lot discussed here, but the Canada camp roster was announced.

Today’s news is that the USA Hockey camp roster will be released on Monday afternoon.

As to Caps prospects, Kuznetsov may be the only Caps prospect playing in the tourney this year, especially with Galiev’s injury/surgery.

Birthyears eligible for the tourney – 1992, 1993, etc. (1991s are too old)

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 12:59 PM EST reply actions  

Is Jarred Tinordi too old now?

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions  

He was born in February 1992, so he should be okay.

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Norway playing at U20s, or did they get bumped out?

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Asking about Soberg?

No, Norway is not in the main group this year:

http://www.iihf.com/channels1112/wm20/schedule.html

In Div 1, Group A, which plays earlier in December in Germany:

http://www.iihf.com/channels1112/wm20-ia/statistics.html

The other question is what will happen with Soberg and Team Norway. I haven’t checked for a few weeks, but last time I looked he wasn’t playing anywhere so I wasn’t expecting to see him play for Team Norway (simply an assumption.)

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

From Bob McK

Tampa Bay expected to announce a multi-year extension for D Victor Hedman today.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 1:36 PM EST reply actions  

I think they made the right call there in terms of Hedman v. Duchene. They had got Stamkos the previous year, and needed a blue-chip Dman. This was also my position in regards to Edmonton and Nugent-Hopkins v. Larsson.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 2:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Well, Nugent-Hopkins was the consensus best player available, wasn’t he? In the case of Hedman v. Duchene, it made sense to draft for position since there wasn’t (IIRC) a consensus as to which player was better.

"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."

by The Ghost of Bebop on Nov 30, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions  

RNH was the top NA skater, Larsson the top Euro skater.

I was working on this a while ago, but I’m still pondering the question of when building a team to go with the “franchise” center or the “franchise” defenseman. I figured since EDM had a bunch of stiffs on the back line, and had already drafted some scoring talent up front, it made more sense for them to draft Larsson, who you could put in the lineup on Day 1 and he’d probably be there the next 20 years.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions  

And yet somehow Larsson went fourth overall. I think that’s nuts.

by RCheli on Nov 30, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions  

If memory serves, Nugent-Hopkins by year’s end was the consensus best NA skater and favored by the majority, but some still had Larsson. I guess RNH was as “consensus” as most #1s (only real consensus #1s I can think of recently are Stamkos, Crosby, and Ovechkin).

Going back, I remember that there was some uncertainty about Tavares going #1 since NYI hadn’t tipped their hand like Tampa had the previous year about Stamkos.

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by red army line on Nov 30, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

You’ll get no argument from me on that point. I am interested to see the terms of the extension, as I am with most of the younger D-men in the league as comparison points to what we can expect contract-wise with Green.

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

I think McKenzie said on twitter it should be something like 5 and 20.

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by YvonLabresMoustache on Nov 30, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions  

In addition from Bob McK
Nothing official yet, but I’m hearing Hedman’s extension will be around five years at around $4M per year, give or take $100K.
22 minutes ago

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions  

John Carlson’s got to come in well under that, right?

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 10:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Impressed by the new D coach

Well worth taking a listen to the caps report….podcast should be up 20 minutes after it’s over….

by kovachs on Nov 30, 2011 2:40 PM EST reply actions  

appears that Caps fans in DC will finally be able to flaunt their caps pride on their license plates just like Maryland and Virgina fans. h/t to Steinz.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 2:58 PM EST reply actions  

Bruce media round-up

Steinberg summarizes Bruce’s appearance on the Mike Wise Show, for those of us who weren’t able to listen earlier today.

TEB had a loooong talk with Bruce today. Highlights. I’m sure there will be a big article tomorrow.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 3:03 PM EST reply actions  

TEB finally shed some light on bruce’s contract status as well:

He’s weighing some offers to do television. But, ultimately, he wants to get back behind an NHL bench. (He has the remainder of this season and next remaining on his contract and will continue to be paid unless he accepts another NHL job.)

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions  

if I’m him I wait until the “perfect” opportunity comes up. He’s going to have plenty of options come summer time

by Beakers Lab on Nov 30, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m already jealous of the lucky bastards who hire Bruce.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Eh….maybe. Judging by what happened here in Washington, I can’t call that team too lucky.

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by twistedlogic on Nov 30, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions  

no I think he learned a lot here and he’s going to be even more successful at his next stop.

by Beakers Lab on Nov 30, 2011 4:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

I don’t have much tolerance for stupid. Or cheese on food that doesn’t need it. -duck

by twistedlogic on Nov 30, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions  

This team was stacked. Whatever team hires him next won’t have the same level of offensive talent. People say he’ll instantly be a better coach at his next gig, that he necessarily will have learned lessons from this one. Maybe, I don’t think it’s assured, given how long it took him to learn any lessons on the job here. If I had to bet, I’d bet BB reached his all-time high point as a coach in 09-10. But he’ll get work for many years, for sure.

"Oh, so that's what you're gonna do."

by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Nov 30, 2011 8:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Awww, Bruce. Good luck, buddy. We’ll always have the memories.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 3:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Jeez, Steinberg is putting in Yeoman’s work the past couple of days.

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by leacha on Nov 30, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Steinberg is awesome. I have no idea how he not only finds with this, but finds the time to either transcribe or summarize so much of it, plus add stuff like “this wasn’t exactly a scorched-earth Jim Riggleman media tour.”

also awesome: CI put up the video of Hunter break Ulf’s face.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions  

That is outstanding. Boy, would I love to see someone on the Caps get their stick up into Orpik’s mouth tomorrow…

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions  

I’d love to see Nicky take 7 or 8 unpenalized what’s at Orpik’s hand. not that I’m bitter or anything.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I love how Ulfie isn’t going to drop his mitts, just stand there and jawbone so he can go back to cheap shots, until Hunter crosschecks him in the teeth. That did the trick.

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by fat_daddyo on Nov 30, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions  

In the context of the Bobby Ryan rumors, this is interesting to read:

jeffmillerOCR Jeff Miller

Randy Carlyle met with Bobby Ryan today concerning trade rumors and told him he “has to find that inner peace in himself to deal with it.”

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 4:12 PM EST reply actions  

“find some inner peace that you’re going to end up in Columbus. Sorry.”

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Translation: “You know that team that sucked ass last Saturday? Yep you’re going there.”

by Rather Bengt on Nov 30, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions  

As of right now, would it actually be going to a worse team? Not in the standings, but the trend.

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by gfcaps fan on Nov 30, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m with gfcaps fan, I’m not sure CBus is the worse team long term.

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by Carl Putnam on Nov 30, 2011 6:33 PM EST up reply actions  

As someone getting ready to move to LA and preparing to adopt the Ducks as my new home team, I hope this isn’t right, but I’m not optimistic. Oh well, it will be just like here.

J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…

by Alz Well That Ends Well on Nov 30, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions  

getting ready to move to LA and preparing to adopt the Ducks

does not compute

by Ginga on Nov 30, 2011 7:33 PM EST up reply actions  

The Los Angeles Ducks Of Anaheim?

"Fais gros comme moi!" - Alex Ovechkin

by Gould Old Days on Nov 30, 2011 11:24 PM EST up reply actions  

The Ducks have Sluggo, a friend of a friend. Plus he was here for 24 years.

J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…

by Alz Well That Ends Well on Dec 1, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions  

“So I’m staying here?”

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Nov 30, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Tim Leone just linked this story. Looks like the Phantoms are coming back to the Philly area (Allentown, in the Lehigh Valley).

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 4:17 PM EST reply actions  

lucky them. Allentown.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 4:20 PM EST up reply actions  

The Allentown Phantoms seems eerily appropriate.

by SethB on Nov 30, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Been the plan, does make it sound like the arena is closer to a reality with progress being made.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought this article had some interesting comments by Boudreau on Semin.

Boudreau also discussed his relationship with the Capitals’ other star Russian goal scorer, Semin, who is on pace for a career-low 18 goals and 37 points. He said he communicated with Semin more this season than any other season, and he never felt the unpredictable right wing was uncoachable.

In fact, Boudreau, who made Semin a healthy scratch last week for the first time since his rookie season, used the word “misunderstood” to describe Semin, and added “the referees definitely don’t like him and there are a lot of penalties he gets that are unwarranted, but he’s got a reputation so he gets called.”

Boudreau said Semin cares a great deal about winning, almost to a fault.

“Unfortunately when he took penalties he felt so much remorse,” Boudreau said. "I mean, a couple of nights ago he took a penalty and said, ‘I couldn’t play anymore after that because I was so shaken up.’ He cares, but things right now aren’t bouncing for him.

“When you’re used to doing something like scoring and you’re not scoring, it wears on your mind, and I’m sure that’s where it was with Alex. But I talked to him more this year than ever before and he talked to me more than ever before. We communicated well and he wanted to do a lot of things right.”

by vtcapsfan99 on Nov 30, 2011 4:34 PM EST reply actions  

We know so little about Semin; yet, we judge the guy so much. His personality really isn’t out there like Laich, Ovechkin, or even Vokoun, earlier this season. For all we know, the guy could be an extremely sensitive person with a relatively fragile ego. So many people have judged him to be a diva who doesnt give a shit, or incorrectly use the word enigma to brand him as a player who just doesn’t listen/communicate.

Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!

by kingzman264 on Nov 30, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions  

In response to JP’s tweet….

@JapersRink: One-in-five current NHL head coaches has played for the #Caps. I’m sure that number (six) is not a League-high… so who has more?

I did some research, and found some interesting results. Turns out, both the Caps’ and the Maple Leafs’ have 6 NHL coaches who previously played for them at some point (the league high). The Islanders and Flyers are tied for 2nd, with 4 a piece. Surprisingly, both the Hartford Whalers and old Winnipeg Jets have 3 former players in current NHL coaching positions, each.

Interesting.

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by thebreakawaygoal on Nov 30, 2011 4:41 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Does that include Muller?

Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...

by dcsportsfan1 on Nov 30, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions  

I believe so. Not sure if he played for the Caps, but I’m sure I counted whatever teams Wikipedia said he played for……

Blogging the NHL (and the Caps) at The Breakaway Goal Blog and on Tumblr.

by thebreakawaygoal on Nov 30, 2011 5:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks for the recap…much appreciated from one who only gets down there from time to time.

by ralCapsFan on Nov 30, 2011 5:49 PM EST up reply actions  

GMGM wanted you to take that video. In fact, he was touching the temple of his forehead while you were recording this video for the entire time. In fact he may still even be controlling your mind as I ty….

Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....

by Bonzai!!! on Nov 30, 2011 7:14 PM EST up reply actions  

@reporterchris: The #sabres have called up defenceman Joe Finley.

Hmmmmmm……

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by thebreakawaygoal on Nov 30, 2011 6:05 PM EST reply actions  

And ShaMo continues to toil away in Rochester, unloved.

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by RedBirdie on Nov 30, 2011 6:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Unloved? Maybe. But since he’s earning $2.075M while toiling in Rochester (which is why they’re not calling him up), I can’t really feel sorry for him.

"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

by bagace on Nov 30, 2011 7:30 PM EST up reply actions  

The re-entry issues with Morrisonn means it will stay that way for now.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 8:37 PM EST up reply actions  

The #sabres opponent have called up a lawnmower.

J.P.: You might be the king of all geeks here…

by Alz Well That Ends Well on Nov 30, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Pens have called up Simon Despres… could make his NHL debut tomorrow night, which would mean second game in a row the opponent has a rookie dman playing his first NHL game against the Caps.

Despres, Pens ‘09 first round pick, was Galiev’s teammate in Saint John. This is his rookie pro season.

by sk84fun_dc on Nov 30, 2011 8:39 PM EST reply actions  

Well, that’s at least one guaranteed goal for Pittsburgh. Fuck.

by Murshawursha on Nov 30, 2011 9:25 PM EST up reply actions  

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