The Noon Number

by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 12:00 PM EDT in The Noon Number

4.00 - Capitals goals-per-game average over the 14 games Alex Ovechkin has missed thus far in his career (including a 4.90 average in ten games last season). Without Ovechkin in the lineup, the Caps are 8-5-1 since he entered the League.

A quick look at the games AO has missed (click on the dates for game details):

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Let's repeat that 8-2 game tonight!!!!!

by brettpedigo on Mar 22, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

We’ll need 2009-2010 Backstrom to repeat that kind of performance tonight.

by Berube Doobie Doo on Mar 22, 2011 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

LVP! LVP!

by bodyodor on Mar 22, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

And if you look at just the last 9 games they have 46 goals!!! (if I counted right) That’s nutso.

by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Mar 22, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

But all those games were under the “run-n-gun” Caps, not this “new” Caps team. It’ll be interesting to see how the Caps game plan for tonight.

Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....

by Bonzai!!! on Mar 22, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wow did Becca H login as J.P.? I’m pretty confident the Caps will struggle to score more than two goals tonight. The D and goalies need to be stellar in order for the Caps to have a chance.

Dale Hunter would punch the 2010-2011 Caps right in the Kidneys
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by Kolzilla on Mar 22, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

She’s obviously a somewhat talented hacker.

Or found the sticky note on the fridge with the PW on it.

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.

by breaklance on Mar 22, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a reminder that the team has, in the past, won without their captain and scored as much if not more in his absence.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Paging Mr. Semin…Mr. Semin, please pick up the courtesy slack and pot a few.

Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy motherfucker.

by NJNJ on Mar 22, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, if there’s one guy I’ll be watching especially closely, it’s him.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I have no faith without Mr. Arnott out there to kick his butt.

But I hope I’m wrong.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Why? He scored plenty before Arnott was here.

Arnott’s a crutch – it’s wholly on Semin himself to produce or not produce.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

If you haven’t see a difference in Semin since he’s been centered by Arnott I don’t know what to tell you.

Scoring is one thing, but when 28 has been paired with JA there seems to be a different approach to his game with respect to hitting, defense, not doing stupid stuff etc. His best all-around play this season has come since Arnott arrived.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s fair to say that Semin has played better with Arnott, just as he played better when Sergei Fedorov arrived. I take no comfort in that observation. He either needs to be more self-motivated, or needs to learn to play without a crutch. Either way, it’s hard to justify that extension for a player who might not be able to produce consistently without a net (not of the hockey variety).

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

by ThePeerless on Mar 22, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree 100 percent.

We’ve seen what Sasha is capable of when properly motivated. There is no good reason he shouldn’t play like that every night out. He seems to be a better brain from being one of the great players in the NHL.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

The crazy thing is he does produce consistently no matter who his center is. I mean who was his C last season when he posted 40 goals? Laich/Bmo/Belanger and some time with the Carebears. I mean I’d be inclined to say he posted that number pretty much himself because it didn’t matter who his center was.

Now 10-Semin is totally different from Feds/Arny-Semin. 10-Semin could score seemingly at will but was lazy, careless, and didn’t defend too well other than the occasional great forecheck(but it seemed 3 times out of 5 it was a stick penalty). Feds/Arny-Semin plays closer to Datsyuk, 2-ways. He controls the puck and the flow of the game and no player can carry the puck safely when he’s on the ice. If he played like that on a consistent basis he’d be totally justified in his 6.5 salary.

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.

by breaklance on Mar 22, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

His best all-around play this season has come since Arnott arrived.

Agreed. But he’s had similar stretches in the past. And at $6m+ per year, he needs to be (and is capable of being) more of a self-starter.

Put another way, if you’re spending $6m+ on a guy who needs a $4m+ center in order to be effective, you’re throwing good money after bad.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I’m not arguing the situation is a good one. Just that in the short-term 28’s better-off with Arnott in the lineup.

Semin and the goaltenders will be where GMGM earns his money over the next year or so. For right now I hope Jason Arnott cattle prods Sasha to a spectacular playoff run. If Semin is good in April and May we are probably the best team in the EC tournament.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure. Everything’s better with Arnott in the lineup. That’s why they went out and got him. And he’s been a great fit with Semin.

But Semin can and should perform regardless of his pivot. He gets superstar money – he shouldn’t need a babysitter.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Arnott wasn’t here in Oct/Nov when Semin was having MVP type weeks. He is capable of brilliance with all sorts of teammates on the ice….

Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy motherfucker.

by NJNJ on Mar 22, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Bingo. He’s scored with worse than Arnott, he’s done nothing with better than Arnott. It’s all on him.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Semin’s been better the past month than any time I can remember. The difference for me is what he’s been doing (and not doing) when he doesn’t score goals.

In the most basic sense: I’ve never seen Semin play like he cared as much as he has the last few weeks.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

That certainly fits the narrative, and I don’t think it’s incorrect, but he was that good against the Flyers in the playoffs and has had similar “wow, he gives a shit” stretches not unlike this most recent one.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s 41 games out of 58 played without a goal that is the kind of thing that concerns me. It’s one thing to be streaky, but geez…

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

by ThePeerless on Mar 22, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

You and me both.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

In the most basic sense: I’ve never seen Semin play like he cared as much as he has the last few weeks

I have…in Oct/Nov when he was our best player on the ice with the exception of maybe Neuvy in Oct. The guy was scoring, playing great D and seeing a lot more PK time then and doing a fantastic job.

We’ve seen this before, nothing new. Did the new guys (Esp Arnott) coming on help get him motivated again? Maybe. It could just be the fact we’re getting close to the playoffs and he probably wants to atone for last year. No matter how aloof he is, you can’t tell me he doesn’t care whether he excels when it matters or not. He does.

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Mar 22, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You’re absolutely right about Semin and how he should be playing based on his salary. I guess I’m just thinking about the short-term here.

I’m in the results business over he next (hopefully) few months. If it takes a veteran pushing Semin into good play, I’ll take it if it means we win big games.

After the season we can have a conversation about what to do in the long-term. Right now I just want to win 16 playoff games.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen to that.

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by J.P. on Mar 22, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets not forget in the absence of both Arnott and Ovie, Semin gets to play 2/3rd of the carebears with Nicky.

Tonight’s game would be a great time for Sturm and our D to chip in.

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.

by breaklance on Mar 22, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Tonight’s game would be a great time for Sturm to chip in.

Quoted for emphasis.

by LucyImHome on Mar 22, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought he’s had a couple games now where he looked like he would break through only to have things not go his way. But his apples was perty. Just want more of them.

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.

by breaklance on Mar 22, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfounded.

"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH

by hotdog88gt on Mar 22, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

(Insert snarky trade Ovi comment here)

"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net" -Brooks Laich

by sami426 on Mar 22, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Ovi is one of only two Caps forwards who average more TOI/G than Knuble in more games played this season.

Tonight, the 38 year-old – who the team is counting on for net presence in the playoffs – takes his hard-nosed style against a hard-nosed team in 71st game of the season to try to get a gritty win while Ovi rests.

I will wince with every cross-check he absorbs.

"Instead of watching me all the time for what is wrong with me, maybe you need to watch yourself." Alex Ovechkin

by Icebat on Mar 22, 2011 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Guy’s only played less than 70 games twice in 8 years, including last year when he played 69 he missed time for a broken finger. If it happens, it happens, but I’m not going to grind my teeth over it, and look forward to seeing him try and get 20 goals again in the last few.

"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg

by Bald Pollack on Mar 22, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not expecting him to go down or anything that obvious or dramatic. I’m just recalling my (long ago) previously stated opinion that he got beat down to relative ineffectiveness by the 4th/5th game of the Montreal series last year after being a difference-maker in the Caps wins earlier in that series.

Either way, it’s a pretty safe bet he’ll hit that individual achievement landmark in these last 9 regular season games now that he’s back to scoring a bit more consistently thankfully.

by Icebat on Mar 22, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions