Recap: Avalanche 2, Capitals 1
by Rob Parker on Dec 17, 2011 11:49 PM EST
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So far in the Dale Hunter Era, the Washington Capitals have shown two distinct patterns: Total domination of Canadian teams, and being utterly manhandled by American teams. Tonight the Caps faced the Colorado Avalanche, an American team that used to be a Canadian team. Unfortunately for the Caps, the American part of the Avalanche franchise won out and the Caps fell to 0-5-0 against American teams.
Ten more notes on the game:
- Goaltending has been an issue for the Caps for most of the season, and tonight's game started ominously for Michal Neuvirth. Some people will see a puck that got lost in the crowd, some people will see a 60 foot floater that found the net. Either way, it's hard to imagine Neuvirth wouldn't like another crack at that shot.
- Once that fluke goal got out of Neuvirth's system, he was solid. He stopped all the shots he saw the rest of the way and gave the team a chance to win. But when you are playing such close games, those freebies really hurt.
- As everyone that even passively follows either of these teams knows, the Caps and Avalanche were involved in a significant trade over the summer. Semyon Varlamov was shipped from Washington to Colorado for First and Second round draft picks. While some combination of the Avalanche coaching staff and Varlamov's back conspired to ruin the Neuvirth v. Varlamov showdown, the bigger story line remained. Caps fans have been excited at the prospect that Colorado's pick might be a choice top-ten pick. So Caps fans are likely ecstatic that the team has found a way to double the odds for a lottery pick.
- Little things can make a big difference in the NHL. Just prior to the first Avalanche PP we saw an example of that. Mathieu Perreault won the defensive zone draw to the corner, and then Dmitri Orlov got to the puck first and reversed the puck behind the net to Roman Hamrlik. If Hamrlik is able to control the routine pass then he has a simple play to get the puck to a wing and the Caps are out of their zone. Instead, Hamrlik muffed the pass, the Avalanche kept the puck in, and Perreault took a penalty. A routine breakout turned into a big PK early in the game, already down 1-0.
- If a team is losing going in to the third period, and then they only muster 5 shots on goal in the third period, that team will probably lose the game. The Avalanche played well, but they aren't exactly a shut it down kind of team. The Caps simply need to find a way to create more offensive opportunities when the pressure is on.
- Everybody knows you need to get traffic on good goalies if you want to score goals and John Carlson really made it a point to demonstrate that lesson tonight. His textbook screen was instrumental in getting Erik Johnson his first goal of the season.
- When Alex Semin scored on his snipe of a shot in the second period, you could feel the same thought resound across Caps fans: "It's about time." While one might wonder if Giguere has done any film study on Semin, it was still a great shot. The Caps are going to need more of that from Alex "Sell High" Semin if they are going to resemble the team that used to strike fear into the heart of defenses.
- Over the summer Caps fans were excited to welcome former-Captain Jeff Halpern back to the team. Caps fans knew they were getting a responsible player that would give an honest effort on the third or fourth lines. Even his most ardent supporters probably didn't envision him playing his way up to the second line this year, but (nominally) that's just what has happened. That's a good sign, right?
- Even though the Caps weren't directly burned by a faceoff loss, going 19-33 in the dot made their job harder all night. They started a lot of shifts in puck-pursuit mode, and didn't give themselves controlled possession in the offensive zone. On the last gasp power play opportunity Halpern got tossed from the circle and Brooks Laich lost the draw. Threat neutralized.
- Sometimes it's good to listen to out-of-town broadcasts (even if it is the Avalanche crew). Hearing the excitement they had watching Alex Ovechkin, in a game in which Ovechkin didn't really move the needle for Caps fans, was refreshing. His days of 65 goals are behind him, but he can still be an exciting player and hopefully we can still appreciate that.
The Caps continue to be a very flawed team, but they also continue to be a team that doesn't realistically represent what they will be when it matters. There are so many changes and adjustments being made that it makes no sense to get too worked up over these games. All that matters is how well the players continue to learn and execute the new systems. At this point it's a long process, one that won't be glamorous, but the transition has to be made. The next chance to take a step forward comes next Tuesday against the Nashville Predators.
Game highlights:
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the Caps fell to 0-5-0 against American teams.
Whoa, nice.
"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.
The incongruous optimistic paragraph for me negated the good analysis that preceded it. The acrostic should have been F-L-A-C-C-I-D.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 17, 2011 11:56 PM EST reply actions
In the acrostic department, I’m not so sure “Goalie Woes” is the one that should have been used. Instead, it should have said “Scoring Woes”
But see your point on FLACCID.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Exactly, to pin this loss on Neuvy is misguided. He played extremely well and if saw the goal and replays tha followed you can tell he doesn’t see the puck. Hard to stop what you can’t see.
"I think not sucking is way more of an important thing to pay attention to first." -- Gabe Newell
The acrostic might get people to think otherwise.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
So you read more into the acrostic than the actual bullet points? Good to know.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 18, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
In case you missed his sarcasm in his response to you, he expects people to not make assumptions on the basis of an acrostic for amusement and actually read the whole damn thing he took the time to write before rushing to judgement.
I’m grateful that we get quality recaps after such frustratingly bad games.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 18, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions
I did read the article and didn’t base my entire conclusion on the acrostic. But, as Shoot the Bullets noted, there was a bit of dissonance in the impression gotten from the writeup and the acrostic, when reading both.
All in all, Rob did a very good recap. It’s actually pretty clever to come up with acrostics for the recaps. I do get a kick out of them even if I might read too much in them.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Sorry I’m snappy. Something about an unsatisfying late night….!
I’ve never considered headlines and hidden amusements such as the acrostics to be anything more than a diversion. Besides, the acrostic wasn’t totally of the mark. I’m sure that Neuvy would desperately like both of those goals back. The second one wouldn’t have happened if he had simply corralled the puck in the first place (he shares blame for that goal).
Neuvy, however, served as a great example to our goalie son of why even the most innocent-looking floaters from afar can be dangerous. Our son has a tendency sometimes to not play close enough attention when the play looks innocent, but he tracked the puck particularly well during this morning’s game.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 18, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
so, we need a victory against Pekka Rinne now, right?
sheeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiit
by brazilianbeast on Dec 17, 2011 11:57 PM EST reply actions
More positive then I would have thought but I see the point. I am of the thought that if we are having these discussions in 5-6 weeks…this team is in dire straights.
The recap certainly sounded more positive than what I’m feeling. Rob has been talking about all the “adjustments” we’re making,
I must admit I’m not feeling too good about a team that can’t muster very many shots on goal during a third period where they’re only down by 1 goal. This hasn’t only happened today but on other occasions as well. Our “old” team from the last few years would get a lot of shots on goal even if futile but would still get shots.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
by CapsFan75 on Dec 18, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I've clicked "Rec" & somehow "flagged" 2 comments...my sincere apologies...no idea why.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:14 AM EST up reply actions
As I just tweeted – I’m still preaching patience. Remember, Boudreau was 9-9 at the start of his tenure. He needed a 15-6 season-ending run to make the playoffs. I’m far from happy, but you are kidding yourself, if you thought this was a quick fix.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Dec 18, 2011 12:03 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Knuble?
Missed a lot of the game. What I watched I did not see Knuble at all.
Cannot understand that unless he’s nicked up.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:03 AM EST reply actions
He was back on the 1L for one shift. But now I’m wondering - how has Johansson now become the new “go to” 1RW for third period. I know he was there for one golden game — last game but.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Good catch…I am actually the worst at in-game observations…rely on you all and my buds…
Just seems like we are losing 22 on 4th line..as he himself has stated that he is only as good as the players he plays with
Of course if no SOG then no Knuble clean-up. Shoot the frickin’ puck & crash the net. Gigere got lucky on the bad rebound he gave up; could have easily ended up in the net.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
Because they are hoping Semin catches fire on the top line so they can trade him for good value.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 18, 2011 12:08 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think it had more to do with MP going down. Hendricks didn’t play much either.
by Gin and Tonic on Dec 18, 2011 12:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I didn’t expect to see so many line combinations afterward, though. Was it just my imagination? I thought with a 4th liner down, just double-shift a top-liner, alternating between Ovechkin and Backstrom, with Hendricks at C if need be.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 18, 2011 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
I think it’s not unusual to see many combinations when a guy goes down. At least not with the Caps. I think I recall in a game where Nicky B went down, I saw all kinds of centers on the first line that time, including Flash which became the beginning of the Flash as center experiment.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Well, this is Dale “Steady Lines” Hunter, right?
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 18, 2011 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Shocked that we only got out shot by 2. Sure didn’t feel like it. We still can’t get out of our end quickly enough to set up in the Ozone; it felt like most of our shots came off a rush.
Also, Ryan O’Reilly is a beast.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 18, 2011 12:08 AM EST reply actions
Yes he is. I could say that and point out how much DMG likes him every time we talk about COL.
Please, call me F&B.
He’s got a crazy bend on the end of his stick, too. (And I mean that in the nicest way.) They were showing it on the COL feed. I wonder how that sort of thing is legal, but I’ve never really bothered to learn about those rules.
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 18, 2011 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Are you sure we were 19 for 33 on faceoffs? I thought it was a lot worse. 19/33 would actually be a good percentage for faceoffs.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The notation was unclear. As a Math person, I tend to read 19/33 as a fraction.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
We were 19 & 30 before the last minute…lost all three O-zone draws with Neuvy pulled.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
How can there be negative-14 faceoffs in a game?
Get out of the basement and actually watch some hockey, geek.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
MarJo was the only Capital with a faceoff percentage >50. He was 3 out of 4 or 3W and 1L. He was not 3-4 or -1 on the draws……
Halpern wound up going 2 for 9………I figured he would have been the guy bringing up the average…….
by CapsDegenerate on Dec 18, 2011 6:45 AM EST up reply actions
They seemed to be throwing alot of people out of the circle last night, hell Ovechkin stepped in to take one last night and the puck was dropped before he was ready…not that it would have changed the result, but still.
"I think not sucking is way more of an important thing to pay attention to first." -- Gabe Newell
conveniently my mother called me with 5 minutes left and then my roommates crashed the internet so I guess I’m a little lucky not to have seen the end.
still, 2 goals in 2 games?? ugh.
I think some signs might be there that this team is embracing the new style DH wants to play but they still have a long way to go
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
oh geez I didn’t even remember that. ugggggh is right.
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
At the very least, allowing 2 goals against per game isn’t really sustainable in the long haul save for the absolute best defensive team in years nowadays, while you have to figure scoring even less than that is even more unsustainable.
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 18, 2011 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
Alex Ovechkin: “I don’t think we play bad today. We play well but unfortunately we lose the game.”
WTF?
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:20 AM EST reply actions
hmm. here’s a better quote from chimera
“We’re playing just good enough to be in games – we’ve got to play better to win them.”
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
by Wisco12 on Dec 18, 2011 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
@SWhyno: Halpern: “We weren’t very good tonight. It’s a joke when …” stops himself … “We weren’t very good tonight.”
Reality check…Jeff, please go inform the Captain
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Ahh Jeff, you should never have left the Caps. Then, you’d still be Captain. And would have more authority in the dressing room.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
If you need a letter on your jersey to have authority in the dressing room, you’re probably not worth listening to.
And the idea of Halpern, even with continuous service with Caps, keeping the C all this time is laughable. Hilarious, even.
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 18, 2011 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
As laughable as it may sound, if his service had been continuous,he’d still have the C. They don’t usually strip people of the C unless there’s a problem.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Based on the two quotes above, who looks more like a leader, Ovi or Halpy?
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:43 AM EST up reply actions
WTF? That kind of shit is getting so old.
by Kolzilla on Dec 18, 2011 2:36 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
And here we give up 2 first goals to people. One to their enforcer. And another to Erik Johnson who’s so injury prone. And here Johnson was the #1 pick in the 2006 draft, the year that Toews, Kessel, and Backstrom were available. But he was injured in the golf cart accident. What can I say — it was the Blues making the pick. If that team didn’t have bad luck, they’d have no luck at all. (Blues are my 2nd favorite team — for the record.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Recap
I cant hope to match the quality of Japers Recap, but i had my own thoughts on the game:
Wouldve been great to see a Varly V Neuvy showdown, but Sacco wisely quenched that (varly being hurt complete BS, it was more either not giving the Caps more fire to face a former teammate or him giving the san jose game away)
us Caps fans are spoiled. ive seen plenty games where we just arent getting any bounces, but we find a way to win. but those days are over. at least in this coaching scheme. we cant make mistakes or we are going to lose.
neuvy has had a peculiar season. that goal wasnt the only one ive seen where it shouldnt have gone in and he looks around like “what?”
our third line should be our second line. and by that i mean by Laichs and Chimera’s production, and by that i also mean that they need to upgrade from Ward to be truly great.
bounces bounces bounces, we lost a lot of draw, but it seemed like 33% of those we lost when our center actually got it backwards. it was almost as if the Avs planned on winning their faceoffs by forcing the puck forward, but not enough to get to the D. maybe they did…
The ICE??? why was the ice so bad, its colorado, they have assistance in getting it cold. joe and craig did a great job of not calling out the ice crew right there, but those people didnt earn their paycheck tonight.
Semin’s goal was of course as always, a teaser. I think he played a great game (he decked someone, other than the goal, was his best move of the night). its been awhile since ive seen him score and we not win. hopefully that trend does not continue.
finally. Ovechkin. i find that his game correlate directly with his hitting. when he crushes people, he usually follows it with quality offensive chances (that Pitt game was my favorite game of the year even though he didnt score). he didnt really bring it this game, but i will admit he has had a little more fire since the boudreau firing that before.
im glad we opened the season 7-0 or this record would be scary
oh i missed one thing.
If you havent scored a goal this season i bet you are lining up to play the caps.
i cant believe how many times ive heart first goal of the season.
and even more, first goal of your career!!
Our third line is our de facto second line, no matter what they say. In the past, I used to say that the line with Ovi is our first line no matter who else is on it and the line with Semin is our second line unless Semin is on the first line or in the dog house. But now I would revise that statement to say that the line with Laich on it is our second line.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
well said. Laich has been incredible this season in my opinion. he has played so many roles, and he doesnt do any of them poorly. with chimera 10+ goal territory, that line has become the second line.
Even though Chimmer has now cooled off.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
hes cooled down a bit, but that speed has still gotten a few scoring chances lately.
i was very ready to give up on chimera because he had shit for hands, but that appears to have changed this season
The third line is the second line. I think it’s called the “third” more for sake of “checking = third” traditionally. They’re average slightly more 5v5 ice time per game so far this season (behind SOB, in front of the other forwards).
Red Line Station and @RedArmyLine, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
I believe in next year.
by red army line on Dec 18, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
Rob, your’re obviously not the only person this year who’s referred to our second line as being “nominally” our second line. I’ve been saying that as well. Great minds think alike on that one.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I posted yesterday about what I saw in between the second and third periods of the San Jose game with Varly. He was behind Winnik being interviewed, walking around shirtless holding his back strangely and had something on his lower back. There’s a picture out there of this if you don’t want to take my word for it. I don’t think they planted that on purpose so they could hold him out the next game. He went out and promptly let in 3 goals, don’t know if it was related to his injury or not, I think his team’s D had something to do with it as well, the GWG was a tip in. I don’t think it’s a serious injury though. In fact one of the MHH SBN people was at the game and talked to the Avs TV guy, who reported it was a muscle pull that Varly just needs to rest for a few days.
Apparently the Nuggets were doing something the previous night and they had the basketball floor down over the ice. I’ve watched all of the Av’s games this season and the ice has never looked that bad.
by vtcapsfan99 on Dec 18, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Seemed like everybody was falling the ice was so soft. And I thought the Verizon ice was bad.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 18, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
It’s usually not. Like vt said, the Nuggets had an intra-squad game the night before. Always messes with the ice some.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
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The Hockey Writers
by Cheryl Bradley on Dec 18, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
varly being hurt complete BS
No, it wasn’t. I was at practice. He was hurt.
Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers
by Cheryl Bradley on Dec 18, 2011 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
This team really looked bad tonight. Where was the checking line? And why did Halpern (best in NHL on face offs) not take more faceoffs, why the continued reliance on Laich, and where was Knuble? I thought the goal tending was shaky and Ovi did not look particularly good. Semin, however, had a very strong game and a beautiful goal. He was the best player, was on ice for 7 of 10 scoring changes 5v5 and none against (according to Alan May), but was not on the PP and not on the ice at the end of the game. Those coaching decisions may have cost them the game. Semin also has only had 2 penalities since Hunter arrived and none tonight. He looks stronger and stronger every game. I know you haters (including the author of tonight’s recap) can barely even admit when he has a good game, but he is totally buying into Hunter’s system. The rest of the team has real problems, though.
Agree with the ? re sitting Sasha on the PP & at the end of the game.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
to the point of semin. i was very surprised not to see him on the ice at the end of the game, in both 6v5 and 6v4 situations. bad call by hunter.
Come on. I’m an unabashed Semin apologizer, but reduced penalties don’t mean he’s bought into the system. He’s had some flashes of good, but he looks like—God help me—he just doesn’t care. Also, you have been around for SO LONG, why do you not have an avatar?!
If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
by Hang a Laingtern on Your Problems on Dec 18, 2011 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
I agree about Semin buying into Hunter’s system. He’s playing a lot better. He’s hustling on the boards and trying to make plays on the offensive zone.
During Boudreau’s last games you could barely notice he was on the ice. He’s getting better, but he needs more consistency doing that.
by brazilianbeast on Dec 18, 2011 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
Let’s face it, with Ovi & Semin not scoring, and Green out of action, that’s >50% of the reason for the impotent offense.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:36 AM EST reply actions
The Caps continue to be a very flawed team, but they also continue to be a team that doesn’t realistically represent what they will be when it matters. There are so many changes and adjustments being made that it makes no sense to get too worked up over these games, all that matters is how well the players continue to learn and execute the new systems. At this point it’s a long process, one that won’t be glamorous, but the transition has to be made.
Love and share the optimism F&B. I hope our fan base can settle into this mentality. There is no quick fix in any team sport. We’re 9 games in? On to Tuesday, with another practice on Monday.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
I hope our fan base can settle into this mentality.
You are an optimist!
What do you think is happening to the team? ... The ship be sinking.
How far can it sink? ... Sky's the limit.
by Rainbow, Kitty, Beer on Dec 18, 2011 12:45 AM EST up reply actions
I think we’d like to see progress in order to become optimistic. We’re spinning our wheels right now, and might just “learn” our way into also-ran status.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:47 AM EST up reply actions
You are too impatient, my friend. As I wrote above, Boudreau was 9-9 at the start of his coaching tenure. Things take time. They are obviously not right, but you have to fail often to learn what you need to do to succeed.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Allow me a moment of snobbery — knowledgeable and realistic fans will settle in to this mentality. Unrealistic fans won’t.
Mid-season coaching changes rarely, rarely make a difference. Don’t point to Bylsma for me. He’s an anomaly. I believe Hunter will get this team to the playoffs. If not, I believe there will be player changes off-season, not coaching changes.
Time to sit back and let the changes begin to work.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Dec 18, 2011 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The reason I don’t share your optimism: coaching changes won’t fix whatever the fuck is wrong with Ovechkin and Semin. If any knowledgeable or realistic fans would like to explain how this problem will change I’d love to hear.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on Dec 18, 2011 12:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If you don’t think coaching changes will fix Ovechkin and Semin, then give up on them and trade them. Seriously.
A coach is supposed to get the most out of his players. Hunter isn’t yet, but I have faith that he will.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
by STLSpidey on Dec 18, 2011 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
One is probably not long for this roster, so, yeah. The other…is his own island. He has to find his game on his own. There’s a wide gap between “getting the most out of your players” and what Ovechkin must do. In my view.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on Dec 18, 2011 12:56 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought Ovi has some good, more creative moves last night. His best chance was from a blistering shot from the right that stung the goalie.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 18, 2011 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
Although maybe if the Caps are not in playoff position, there will some deadline deals to get rid of veterans to acquire picks and prospects for a rebuild. Granted, there won’t be as many moves as we did for our massive post 2003 rebuild.
But if the Caps are in playoff position, they’ll keep most of the same people unless a really good deal comes along.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I think that’s probably right, especially if Colorado is out of the playoff picture as well, and we have two lottery picks.
I can see Knuble, Wideman, Halpern, Chimera, Hamrlik all as possible trade fodder.
It’s not a bad idea.
However, we are a long, long way from that.
Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
Follow me on Twitter.
Just over two months away from making an assessment.
If we’re out of playoff contention, Semin and Schultz would be added to your trade fodder list.
Doubt that Colorado will be in the playoff picture. But doubt that we (or Colorado) will fall to the rock bottom. Columbus, Anaheim, and Carolina are inept enough to prevent that from happening.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Wise words my friend. Good to wake up to.
We have all wanted a culture change both on and off the ice. We want this team to be tougher and more disciplined. We want our star to find his scoring groove again, but within a different system under a different coach. Yet we apparently want it to happen overnight.
This team is simply not used to forechecking and cycling consistently and creating the scoring chances out of it. And they are still seeking that smooth transition from creating a scoring a chance from a turnover while playing the trap. They are getting them, but the rhythm and confidence is quite there yet.
Instead of looking to the Bylsma example, perhaps we should look at Laviolette instead. The Flyers struggled at first under him as well but found their mojo when it most mattered. I’m looking at each game for improvements in the new system: more discipline, more reliance and trust in the system changes, more of an even keel of emotions through the game. Just like trying to shed that extra 20 pounds, the changes will not happen overnight.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 18, 2011 8:27 AM EST up reply actions
As a 58 year-old second generation French Canadien-American and 50+ year DC-area resident, I think I know hockey dysfunction when I see it. We’re teetering, and this team historically has problems with adversity. I am impressed with Dale’s even-keel approach but we are spending too much time in our own end to look like a top tier squad. I hope the team proves me wrong and the optimists pile on later in the season.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 12:57 AM EST reply actions
Meh.
One game under a coach installing a new system early on. Shit happens.
Still, best to win a few games now and then.
The scary part is that I don't even know if I'm being sarcastic or not
by The Moose on Dec 18, 2011 1:00 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Used to go to the Cap Center, sans ticket, every game for years after I graduated from college & invariably score free or near-free tickets. Then started coaching basketball, got married, & had three kids (last one just graduated from college). Life happens, which is why sports needs to occasionally be pleasurable & not just induce more tension.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 1:08 AM EST up reply actions
My husband & I used to go to the Caps center as well for about 10 games a year. Given that we lived in the VA Exurbs, going to games during the week was not exactly feasible. Then we had kids and got wrapped up with their activities, such as Swim Team. Now, my younger one is a junior in college. We started going to the games again at the tail end of her HS years and are now in our 3rd year of having season tickets. Our eldest is about the age of our two slumping Alexes — about a year younger than Semin and a few months older than Ovi. In many ways, Semin reminds me of her. When the Alexes were going well, I could feel like a proud parent. Now…. well.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Yeah, I work up near Baltimore now & getting downtown by 700 (used to be 730 at Cap Center) during the week is impossible. I live in Bowie & used to work in Cheverly & Upper Marlboro…parked on the Central Ave side, leave & go east (everybody else was going west) -home in 30 min if I didn’t stop at Farnsworths (sp?) or Langway’s pub. After the first 5-7 years, especially after we made the Langway trade, we had great teams but bad goaltending or we could have won a Cup. Favorite players were Bengt & Rod.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 1:38 AM EST up reply actions
Now we live a little closer in (Reston instead of Sterling) and we drive to Metro and Metro it in so it’s more feasible to do so many games.
I enjoyed our days of Langway although my particular favorites were Carpenter and Gartner. I recall all the WLTT ads where that radio station would have a WLTT Good Guy party at Langways’
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Observations from the Sofa...
What was that that just went by me? Oh, one of the cats just… what is that?
Anyway…
1) Good item number 1 – Ovechkin played a pretty good game, he said so himself. But in fact he did play well. He made some excellent chances for himself and for other players on the ice with him.
2) Good item number 2 – Neuvy’s save percentage was nice tonight.. but that brings us to…
3) Bad item number 1 – Soft goals… Both goals were soft. The first one was, well, Neuvy not paying attention. The second might have been a screen from the point, but Locker was right on the broadcast that if Neuvy has better control of the situation just before that, they don’t get that shot at all. Both goals are on Neuvy, no one else.
4) Good Item number 3 – Semin showing flashes of brilliance on that goal. Was a sweet shot right into the upper corner…. hint to other players, that’s where you beat Giggy…
5) Joel Ward – how many times did he get set up nicely only to whiff on the puck or misplay it, or shoot it wide, or…
6) Another solid game for Wideman. Have Hunter as coach has really helped him along.
7) To the aliens who replaced Chimera with a guy who has good hands and Chimera’s speed… can we have that Chimera back, please?
So next up is Pekka Rinne and Nashville. Any chance his “Prophet” will be back or was he banned from this place?
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
Ward has been underwhelming...seems to be pressing.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 1:10 AM EST up reply actions
Totally disagree with point 3. Really hard to stop what you can’t see and if Neuvy wasn’t paying attention I doubt he has his glove up the way he did, for me it’s apparent he just doesn’t pick up the puck with the way it fluttered in. For the second goal…seriously? Looks like you’re determined to blame the goalie regardless.
Point 4, Backs tried the exact same spot later and was stoned and a number of shots went high over his shoulder, I think they knew.
"I think not sucking is way more of an important thing to pay attention to first." -- Gabe Newell
I agree Neuvy wouldn’t have stopped the shot with all the screen. But if he plays the puck and gets hold of it before it goes back to the point, then that shot never happens.
The first goal was completely inexcusable for any goaltender at any professional level.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 18, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
On a different note, russian rookie Orlov now has 5 assists in 13 games. Which is xInfinite more than Hamrlik’s 0. Orlov’s 82 game pace would be for 32 assists.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Orlov a pleasant surprise...hopefully a Gonchar in the making.
by ShootTheBullets on Dec 18, 2011 1:11 AM EST up reply actions
And, if that is the case, he does not end up having his “glory years” with the Penguins. But, then again, Orlov does mean “eagle” so let’s hope he sticks with the Weagle. Eagles soar high in the air. They don’t waddle on the ice.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
by CapsFan75 on Dec 18, 2011 1:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Gonchar had some good years with the Pens, but he had his best seasons in Washington. He scored 15+ goals (including one year with 26) in DC 6 times. His highest goal total with Pitt was 13. His first 3 years in Pitt he did have his highest assist totals, but in the year the Pens won the Stanley Cup, Gonchar played only 25 games (albeit with an impressive 6-13-19 scoring line for those 25 games…)
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 18, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
In a perfect world having 3 d in healthy Green, Carlson, and Orlov we could be looking at 100 points from 3 rear guards. Not including Wideman or Hamrlik. That’s ballparking Nashville’s D level of production.
Bruce Boudreau when asked about Brooks Laich's return to the lineup, he said: "He just adds another dimension to our team. If it was puzzle, he just fits that thing. He completes us."
Brooks Laich completing everything from teams to tires and everything in between.
Of course, that’s the catch. Having that entire trio healthy. And will Nashville even end up keeping both Suter and Weber after this season?
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
After what they paid Rinne, I don’t see how they can keep them both.
Occasionally reporting from Section 421 of the Verizon Center...
by MikeL-Pivonka on Dec 18, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions
There are so many changes and adjustments being made that it makes no sense to get too worked up over these games, all that matters is how well the players continue to learn and execute the new systems.
At the same time, we are 31 games into the season, we have to step up. This may not sound right, but it seems that we either win, or lose in regulation. If we lose, we need to have them in overtime or in the shootout, and this is hurting our point totals…
Just think what our point total would be if they still did ties. We would be looking like a really bad team right now.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
on the flip side, if we managed to get OT losses more than once,
we probably won’t be complaining as much. Right now, we’re not in the playoffs. Granted two points away, but still if some of those losses were in OT instead, we’d likely be in the Top 8
Probably true. I can think of at least a couple of losses (Nashville, the Islanders) where we should at least have made it to OT.
That being said, we’d still be mad after an OT loss. (When the Nashville game took place, I was saying that I’d be pleased if we went to OT. Of course, that was before the Caps scored first.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Hard to be patient when we’ve seen these same players be dangerous, fun, and energetic. Now they are laurel and hardy. I’m at a loss. Totally dumbfounded by their play
"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 Dec 18, 2011 8:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions
For me, the impotent PP stood out as the difference last night: 1 for 8 on PP draws. 3 SOG on 4 chances…inexcusable. And yet, 7 forwards log more ice time than 28 with the man advantage? Does not compute.
Cross check and all call.
It’s as if Hunter does not believe that Semin is a scoring winger anymore and that Brouwer, Chimera, Laich, and Knuble are better in that department. Granted, Semin has been in a long slump….
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
The PP is brutal. Should I just hammer on it every recap? I could basically write the recaps before puck drop at this point.
Obligatory soft goal. Obligatory PP blows. Obligatory Alzner is a stud. Obligatory the rest of the D is a bit of a mess. Obligatory why can’t they get more shots. Obligatory patience for the new regime.
This PP is so impotent an Ottoman Emperor would let it babysit his harem.
Please, call me F&B.
by Rob Parker on Dec 18, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Well, if you wrote the recap with those points, it would be a great time saver. Just have to delete the ones that don’t apply for a particular game.
You also need a bullet point in that recap in honor of the Caps player who scores which can be filled in as needed. (Note: the singular of “player”).
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Not a criticism of you, mate.
Your points made in the recap are 100% valid. I was just sharing my take.
Cross check and all call.
I know, I didn’t take offense. I just feel like I bitch about the PP every game I watch and I try not to make my recaps totally predictable and repetitive.
Please, call me F&B.
I really hope this is the game where Sasha starts to catch fire, because I’d really like to see him resigned next year.
Not changing my signature until Hechavarria is promoted to the big leagues.
[Funny phrase about how few followers I have on Twitter]
I wouldn’t hold your breath.
But speaking of Semin, everyone should take a look at the picture up top. Any chance that’s not a hook on Semin?
Please, call me F&B.
Ah, I missed that. Subtle. So many hidden diversions…. I’m sure the refs blamed the bad ice.
Knuble: "I am what I am. I play well with good players."
by capsyoungguns on Dec 18, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
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