The Morning After
by Becca H on May 5, 2011 12:01 PM EDT
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PrintWhen the Caps completed their collapse against Montreal last spring, it went down as one of the more heartbreaking losses in recent (if not franchise) history. Regular season records, phenomenal individual performances, a boatload of talent – the path to the Finals seemed all but set. And then in the blink of an eye it was all over, a 3-1 series lead squandered and hopes dashed. It was a series in which, despite losing that pivotal Game 5, most of us believed right up until the end that the Caps could pull out a win. After all, they only needed one. It just never came.
This year certainly won’t compare to that one. It’s another exit from the playoffs that came too soon, sure, and an exit via an embarrassing sweep no less. But unlike the heartbreak of last year, this spring simply brings a certain numbness, a lingering disbelief that it wasn’t just a dream – that really just happened. We feel numb because after the pain of last year we wanted to believe that something had changed. Numb because it was clear from at least the halfway point of this series that the team was not as focused, because we had time to realize that once again the dream would have to wait.
It’s hard to fathom how this all came to be. To many fans and media it seemed that they’d made the right adjustments, something that was reinforced as recently as two weeks ago as they disposed of the Rangers in just five games, including a statement game to clinch at home. The demons appeared to be exorcised. In that series against New York the Caps’ stars were stars, the role players played their role, the goaltending was elite. Guys seemed to want it, could taste it, had that killer instinct that has been missing for so long.
Nothing could stop them. We started to believe again.
And then seemingly overnight, it was gone. "Stay angry" had somehow morphed into "stay awake" in a matter of days. This team simply stopped playing; they stopped using the system that had gotten them so much success over the last half of the season, stopped feeding off the adversity that was supposed to build character and keep them focused for the long haul. Suddenly instead of a team effort it was a select few, including the captain, who looked hungry for another win – and everyone else seemed content to stand by and watch. They were afraid of making mistakes and then powerless to recover when they ultimately made them.
The why of it all is a mystery. Was it the coaching? Was it the system? Was it the players? Was it the captain? Why did the pieces that seemed to be the final ones suddenly make no difference? What makes a group of professional athletes suddenly unable to show the intensity necessary for postseason hockey? What makes them glare menacingly at reporters and pledge constant vigilance off the ice, only to have them step on the ice and roll over? Why does this team, with all the talent and character in the world, become incapable of finding another level when other teams with varying levels of talent can become playoff juggernauts?
The questions abound, and will for awhile. The how and why, the what the hell and who cares, the who will stay and who will go – both on the bench and behind it. And we have a long summer ahead of us to see how those questions are answered, or if they’re answered at all.
Today, however, in the aftermath of another soul-crushing postseason loss, it just feels…numb.
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This is one of the worst sports-watching losses I’ve suffered in a long, long time.
Way more soul-crushing than last year, IMO.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Disagree completely. Last year, my confidence was high on taking the MTL series after the 3rd win. This year, my confidence was high that the season was over after the 2nd loss to TB. Last year was losing to an 8 seed in the first round and blowing a 3-1 lead. This year was advancing to the 2nd round and losing to a 5 seed. There is no comparison, in my mind.
Disagree completely. This team was supposed to be much better suited to compete seriously for the Cup. We brought in the veterans, the 2nd line center, defensive depth, capable goalies, and a new system along with the core being in the prime of their careers. Last year we lost due in large part to a great goaltending performance, this year we didn’t even need that to lose. Sure Roloson was good, but he didn’t really have to be great; most of the team just didn’t show up, and that is way more disheartening than when your team actually does show up and just gets beat.
Get me a tub of Häagen-Dazs because I'm depressed.
Looking back this team had serious problems we just chose to overlook. A significant losing streak, too many shotout & key players Mia.
What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
by BetterOffWith28 on May 5, 2011 1:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Last year was much worse. The Caps were playing a significantly worse team, were on top of the NHL with very few signs of struggling during the season, and were in the series up until the last minute.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
by timmyv38 on May 5, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Last year made this year more painful.
Last year when they lost I realized all the flaws they had and in retrospect losing made some sense.
This year I thought they had grown, had finally started to “get it”.
Only to suffer through a very similar fate.
A beatable team that out-coached and out played us with more effort and focus.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
For me, and others here, last year made this year much more bearable. It wasn’t nearly as big of a letdown, especially after they went down 3-0.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
True for me as well. My expectations were much higher last season. And my raw pain much deeper.
This season has been such an uneven one on just about every front, but with them playing well after the trades I allowed myself to hope for a deep run. I honestly didn’t expect them to beat the western Conference team should they have made it that far.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on May 6, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Well yeah, I'm talking about whatever point one decided/realized this series was over
for me, this year’s gut punch was after the Game 3 loss, not Game 4.
I thought the team had learned from last year, so my expectations were higher.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
It’s the key to his faceoff dominance.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This hurts less than last year because victory was so close last year.
This year, victory was already on the golf course this time last week.
Never had a chance.
hurts more for me this year…I’m numb, but after dominating the rangers it raised our expectations, it made us hope. At points in these games we still could hope, we tied we took the lead, but we coughed it up as though our lead taking goal was the last thing we needed, as though the game was over.
They played like they were in awe of themselves and of a division opponent we have the capacity to dominate. After game 4 with the rangers there was always hope that the team could come back from any deficit. they took our hope and buried it. It was disheartening to watch and made me depressed to be a fan. I’ll keep the faith and hope gabby makes us eat our words that he doesn’t have the capacity to win or adjust, that even he can learn from this melt down.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
Hurts more here, too. The team went through a lot this season and it seemed to finally fall into place and feel right. Now, another whole year to wait, again.
Are you not entertained?
At the time it seemed like things fell into place, but looking back on it I’m not sure they did. Seems like we were able to hide our short comings by winning games against teams we were supposed to beat and not teams that we had to beat to prove we were the best. There were very few blow-outs this year and most of them went against us. We were beaten by more than 5 goals at least 4 times and a couple came after the re-tooling.
It’s fine to look at the regular season as not as important as the post season, but at least use it to practice. As one of my high school coaches told me (he probably got it from someone famous that I just hadn’t known about) Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. Another thing he told me is that all of the practice in the world doesn’t matter as much as the end of whatever drill you’re doing at the time. If you give it 110% when you have nothing left in the tank come game time you’ll be able to commit the effort required to win. Giving it 110% in the regular season will ingrain what needs to happen in the next season. if you’re working harder than all the teams out there you’re less likely to be injured, more likely to catch those “lucky” bounces and more likely to create winning.
This team needs to believe in itself and show it through all next season if they want to win. They can’t give up three goal leads, they can’t let other teams take it to them. They have to set the pace. I don’t expect them to go 96-0-0, but I expect them to bring their A game every night. Seems like we had way to many “they just out worked us” games this season, is I guess what I’m trying to say.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
Hurts more this year. First year we lose to Flyers, fine. Second year I thought they lost to a better Pens team. Last year was the first failure to me. This year I thought they had learned from last year. I also think this years team is better. Better defensemen, more mix of vets. It hurts more this year because I now realize it is the same old Caps I’ve been following for 30+ years.
I don’t expect them to go 96-0-0…
I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see them go 96-0…only to ruin the perfect season by blowing the 2-0 series lead they’d have in the finals.
by HockeyGoalie29 on May 5, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope he isn’t eating Pizza Supreme Doritos and Ho-ho’s in disappointment.
/said too much
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
by Bald Pollack on May 5, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Take a bath in cash
and berate the bikini’d palm frond fanners while chugging Louis the XIII Cognac like I do after a tough loss.
After the third period on Tuesday night, I told myself I was resigned to this fate, that it was going to be another early exit, and that I didn’t care because that was what I should have expected from the Caps all along.
But when it was all over last night, I still felt like crying.
At least they didn’t drag it out this year… No stringing us along to a seventh game with false hopes. Tampa delivered the coup d’grace, and finished us quickly. So at least there was that small mercy.
If George isn’t going to fire Bruce, then Ted needs to fucking fire George.
Same shit different season is not okay. Bruce has had three seasons with stacked teams and choked out in two of them. The same weaknesses that crushed us last season are still here. What the hell is it going to take for George to realize?
dear Becca...
I’m sorry you had to write this piece, but I’m glad you did: I wouldn’t change a word. well said.
i just wish the substance had been different.
Probably the last person you want to hear from is a Ranger fan, but two thoughts:
1. The Rangers series probably should have raised some faint alarm bells. I know we got beat in 5 games, but other than Game 5, they weren’t easy games (2 OT’s), and in all honesty, we have zero offense. Zero as in none.
2. As an outside observer with no real rooting interest, I don’t view this semifinals series loss as a Capitals collapse as much as a Tampa victory. For some reason, this Tampa team tends to fly under the radar. Maybe it’s that they’re from Tampa, maybe it’s that they have loaded themselves with ‘no-name’ players like Dominic Moore, Bergenheim, Roloson, etc. who just play their asses off. But with three bona fide stars, all these speedy role players, and a phenomenal coach, I know it’s a huge disappointment, but I don’t think it’s any shame to lose to them, even in 4. The story today is “Capitals collapse again” but in my view, Tampa doesn’t get enough credit.
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
by Joe1969 on May 5, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Actually the last person I want to hear from right now is a Tampa Bay fan.
Get me a tub of Häagen-Dazs because I'm depressed.
The only reason I feel like it’s a caps loss is that we’ve beaten this team, we can beat this team. I wouldn’t have minded if the caps team looked like they put up a fight. They didn’t. Each of these games looked like the two games we lost against the Leafs where we gave up a three goal lead in the third.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
Cheers, and thanks. I agree that Tampa has been criminally underrated around these parts. They have a very good hockey team.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on May 5, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Tampa has been a very good team all year and in the playoffs. I think the skepatism comes from there defense and goaltending. They are young on the blueline and old in net. The Penguins were able to beat both the first couple games, and then basically Roloston took over and won the series. And he did it again against the Caps. Have to give him props for that.
by StripesForLife on May 5, 2011 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Most painful?!?
What’s most painful to me — and I’ve only been a fan since ’06 — is the mere fact that we have arguments about which of many collapses are the most painful.
*is the most painful. Grammar fail.
For the record, last year’s collapse felt more painful to me. This year it just feels like more of the same, and therefore it has less of a shocking sting to it.
by Naptown CapsFan on May 5, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
i liked this team better when we didn’t have all the talent and they fought in every game. Something is wrong when the star player leads the team in hits. When players are crashing our goalie and players aren’t taking up for him. This team lacks that in your face grit and needs it.
BB isn’t the problem. this team is weak.
the "system"
I’m about sick of hearing about the “system” and players adhering to it.
We’ve seen the emperor, folks, and he has no clothes.
1-3-1 is a system.
The Caps’ purported “system,” promoted by the media ad nauseum was not a system at all. They were marginal more attentive in the defensive zone and dumped the puck deep, say, every third time. That’s not a system.
I think
Disagree. The system the caps used worked when the players worked it.
The first period of all of these games the caps worked a great offensive dump in system that created a lot of opportunities that they didn’t cash in on. Tampa Bay cashed in on their few opportunities and the players stopped working the system and it gave Tampa many more opportunities that they were able to cash in on.
When they got desperate or lazy they stopped following the system. The third period I saw more skate ins, fewer attackers coming with pace and 0 cross ice dump ins which were key to them getting the opportunities initially.
Tampa was also very aggressive transitionally and took advantage of our miscues, for example: when our defensemen pinched and couldn’t maintain the zone. Also Tampa won every battle that counted, they won the wall battles, the puck battles, everything that counted.
This wasn’t the story of a system failing the team, this was a story of the team failing the system.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
by snowburnt on May 5, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dump-and-chase as a tactic
being abandoned or used improperly is a microcosm of the team failing the system.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
If you would allow me to add to this…
The system worked beautifully once the players got used to it. That came first to the players on an individual level (think early-March games – still looked sloppy, but not as bad as January), and then it started clicking on a team level in late-March/early-April. The team looked good, and they were gaining much-needed confidence in the new system. They were clicking.
And if you were paying attention, you’d see that they were playing mostly scrub teams. The Caps were just starting to gel in that system as a team, and they were getting good, but (and this is a BIG but) they hadn’t really been challenged.
Then they hit the playoffs. Outside of Lundy, the Rags weren’t really much of a challenge. The Caps still played the new system fairly successfully, bu tthey started getting lazy. That should have been tightened up between Game 5 and Series 2 (this is where I fault BB). IMO, they got over-confident in their play.
When the Bolts hit them, the Caps either A) got a lead/stopped working the system/dropped the game or 2) got flustered because the big-guns weren’t scoring big/stopped working the system/dropped the game.
Also IMO, the third & fourth lines should have been seen more ice time. The big guns haven’t fired well all year, but our grinders have rocked. But I digress…
The sad thing is, at the end of the regular season, they were moving in the right direction, but I don’t think the Caps were ready to approach the Playoffs with the new system. A couple more weeks and some greater challenges, and I think they would have had enough confidence in the system and team play within it to have won it all.
I’m probably in the vast minority because I belive that it would be a long-term bad idea and quite detrimental if Uncle Ted dropped BB right now. The team was headed in the right direction in the regular season – it was the timing that was off. The change in systems was started too late into the season to be effective in post-season. But next year….
Don’t think the coach needs to go. Don’t think most of the major stars need to go (except possibly Semin). I think the peices are there – just tighten up the roster a bit (coughSchultzcough). A full season of playing a defense-first system, and this team will be unstoppable.
Completely agree, particularly in the fact that they used wins from sub par teams to push them to the top of the conference. On thing that kinda feels strange to me is when a team opens things up against them the caps respond with the same. The games against chicago and anaheim that were high scoring affairs both teams played a spread out fast paced game. We won those, but it kind of shows that this team would abandon their patient system if their opponent would let them.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
So, something Locker said during last night’s telecast was very telling. It was, about Backstrom, "he has a very big laundry list of responsibilities … "
Press pause. There is this concept (mostly in computing, but it’s applicable everywhere) of load balancing. No single point has too much to do. Backstrom’s playoff performance has been hashed to death, and I don’t get the sense that Nicky is one to make excuses.
It was well known that he BROKE HIS DAMN HAND. That plus “I no make excuses” seems to indicate (at least to me) that he was playing at less than capacity. In that case, is it not the job of the coach to offload some of his responsibility among the other players?
And if his system, by its basic design, does not allow such a redistribution of work, isn’t that a failure of coaching?
I’m the guy that GMGM said “those that don’t know about hockey should STFU” (paraphrasing), but somebody break this down for me. Because Gary Williams retiring didn’t simply kick my dog over the cliff today.
GO … somebody I root for.
:sigh:
Super bummed.
I didnt even bother watching game 4. I just knew there was no magic left. We werent catching any lucky bounces, yet it seemed like everything TB threw at the net went in, by a lucky bounce (off a skate cough Mike Green cough or a perfect shot (the Stamkos wrister was gorgeous)). I feel they should have pulled Nuevy early in the series as he wasnt making any sparkling saves and allowing weak shots or pile ups in the crease get into the net. I was praying to bring in Holtby (when I saw he was called up I got excited) but it was not to be. He just seems bigger in the crease, and holds his ground and position, and I think some of those goals might not have deflected or trickled through quite as easily. I think TB would have HAD TO beat Holtby to score. Hindsight is a bitch I guess but I guess Nuevy earned the spot after a successful first round.
But take nothing away from TB and Roloson, they played stellar hockey for the most part, capitalized on opportunities, and flat out beat our team hands down. Our power play faltered (again), and our “new defense” was mediocre at best. Im left wondering what could possibly be done to correct this now. And Im wondering if AO may be the best player that will never win a Cup. It just seems like something is missing but I cant put my finger on it.
Et lux in tenebris lucet
"Lack of Intensity" -- not
It’s been said here and elsewhere that part (if not all) of the Caps’ problem is “lack of intensity” or a “lack of hunger.” I submit this isn’t the case. These guys look plenty intense in the locker room, at practice, in interviews, and elsewhere. It seems strange that they’d be so intense before taking the ice, then loose that intensity during the game, but then resume that intensity upon leaving the ice.
Instead, I think there’s a different problem: the Caps are so intense and hungry that, when things go wrong during a game, they overexert and try to play beyond themselves (or in Backstrom and Semin’s case, play tight and frantic). There’s a sports adage that you shouldn’t try to play beyond your abilities.
In most every game that matches two talented teams, each team usually faces some adversity at some point in the game. The Caps faced a lot of adversity in this series — they were on the end of a lot of botched calls and bad luck. (Anyone else catch the “Hockey Night in Canada” radio discussion of the bad calls in Game 3?) Teams that face that much adversity need to find a way to pull themselves together and overcome. I think this Caps team doesn’t yet know how to do that in the high-pressure, short-format playoffs. And the high expectations for them only make matters worse, by adding to the pressure. I think it should be no surprise that a lot of teams that felt they had little playoff pressure were able to make deep runs in the last few years.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how you teach a team to dig in and not get frantic — I think that only comes with time (and a little luck, which boosts confidence), if at all. But along with some tactical needs (to rejuvenate the offense, to get more speed on the defense — hurry up and mature, Orlov and Miskovic), this team needs to find a cool confidence.
by tfirey on May 5, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
This is also the way I feel about those who say the other team “wanted it more.”
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
I agree completely
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on May 5, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Just my Opinion...
Great insight- tho, IMO, the confidence you speak of is the kind of quality that is one of those inherent intangibles that a successful leader conveys and, in turn, in whom whose “subjects” find comfort, calm and a clear sense of direction. It’s tough to instill in a team, or teach a team for that matter, the dig in and don’t go frantic quality when their leader- BB in this instance- is as frantic as, if not more so, than the team he is guiding… Seemed even the cool calmness that arrived with Hannon and Arnott was superseded by the frantic nature when the pressure hit… In BB’s presser after game 3, and granted I watched still in a haze of shock, it seemed to me he had succumbed to the frustrations and was at wits end- he’s such a likeable guy and it was almost painful to watch. A look at the sports dynasty’s of the modern era and nowhere does a parallel come to mind who embodies the same kind of unnerving mannerisms and characteristics of “Gabby”… Likeable as he is, I just can’t see the team finding the determination and unswerving focus to accomplish the goals they’ve set for themselves under his tutelage…
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. -Thomas A. Edison
Instead, I think there’s a different problem: the Caps are so intense and hungry that, when things go wrong during a game, they overexert and try to play beyond themselves
I think you are probably right on this. AO doesn’t play the one man game because he loses intensity, it’s because his brain shuts off and he gets tunnel vision trying to do it all.
If this is the case (and I think it is for many of the players), what does this mean for Bruce? There’s an argument that BB shouldn’t be blamed if a bunch of professional hockey players can’t get themselves motivated in the Stanley Cup playoffs. But surely part of his job as the coach is to help the team relax and stay focused on the gameplan when things go wrong. The team may not give up when faced with adversity, but they have shown more times than not that they don’t deal with it well in the playoffs.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on May 5, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Would not be surprised if that’s not only the case with Ovi but also with the other Young Guns as well. When folks are in the “zone”, they’re probably not trying to think of every step. But, when not, they are thinking of every step and it doesn’t work.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
I’ve been watching this organization for over 20 years and despite them losing they are my team. The loss doesn’t hurt, I knew after they didn’t play well in the first 2 games this was going to be a sweep. I told the people sitting with me that night, that the team that was on the ice for Tampa was full of heart and purpose and that the Caps looked stunned and a little lost. They weren’t playing like a team, they weren’t stepping up the way they needed to and frankly the star players haven’t all season.
Changing to a more defensive minded game doesn’t mean that the top goal scorers should now not be scoring. It doesn’t mean that your power play stops working either and both of those things have been broken since last season. The penalty kill improved greatly as did the defensive play, but the scoring has been off since the early exit last year.
These players are accountable for their actions (or non-actions). You can call it mental toughness, heart, whatever but the fact is that they have to want it so bad that they see nothing else. They have to be so committed to winning, so committed to playing their team game that they don’t panic and decide to play how they want to as an individual. What TB did or didn’t do should have made little difference to this team, they should have been so focused on their play that they ran right over TB. Yes TB is a good team but they aren’t the best team out there.
sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast...
Late Season Trades
Last night watching the game it occurred to me how important these trades can be: The Bolts got Bergenheim; we got Sturm.
Bergenheim was a free-agent signing. He was RFA with the Islanders, and they declined to give him a QO.
Big mistake on their part.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
Bergenheim has been huge all playoffs for Tampa. He seems to be flying under the radar with teams focusing on St. Louis, Stamkos and Lecavlier.
by StripesForLife on May 5, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Sturm was one of the few who seemed to play hard every shift. His knee held him back, but he’ll be healthy next year. If he takes a big pay cut, I think they should try to sign him for 1.5 or less.
by Thag on May 5, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
we got Sturm
…who did a lot of what ‘we’ got him to do. And Arnott, who hobbled around for the last 7 games or so. And Wideman, who’s still never been in the same lineup as a Babyface Carlson and Hopalong Green.
....when the truth is if they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it.
--GMGM
by redlineblue on May 5, 2011 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thank you! Well said!
I’ve been out here isolated, getting the annual, “Sucks to be you” or “We’re Sharks fans. We know!” comments and looks. But for some reason, this year is just different. The last 3 all hurt more. Maybe because it didn’t go the full 7 games. Maybe because TB just looked so strong. Maybe to lots of things. But this article gets me, as I’m sure it does Caps fans everywhere. Nice to know I’m in the company of my own people and not just the one to quiet a room of full of excited Sharks fans.
Outwork your opponent
My Vent
I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired of the Caps losing in new ways. There’s no question in my mind that both the GM and the coach must be released. We just got beat badly by a rookie GM, a rookie coach and a less talented team! The X’s and 0 blunders were daggers to me. Our coach couldn’t figure out how to beat the 1-3-1. The power play is horrible. Our breakout was pathetic and that’s the coach’s fault, not because Green was hurt. I cringe when I see wingers on the point. I want Ovechkin on the right wing at all times. The tail is wagging the dog. Our Captain is so out of position so many times that it makes me sick! I totally blame the coach for that. Other players see that too. Ovechkin will be even better if he’s coached with some good teaching and good discipline! Our defensemen CAN NOT HIT!!!! Opposing wingers and centers run amuck! Our extremely skilled but passive defensemen were totally exposed by worker-bee wingers. That is the GM’s fault. My solution? Hire a tough GM with Cup winning experience, hire a tough coach and trade for some hard hitting real defensemen. It is so hard to be a Caps fan. I’m like the battered wife who always goes back to the abuser because I love him. LETS GO CAPS. LETS DO IT NEXT YEAR!
Since everyone is dropping their wisdom. . .
In the end, I think the factor that lead to the Capitals’ postseason demise was the loss of focus. The NYR series had a certain professionalism to it. Although there were some key defensive breakdowns that led to the Rangers’ lone victory, most of the series was won by simply playing smart.
- After Kubina and Gagne were hurt AND Roloson looked like garbage in that first game, I thought this series was a lock. Unfortunately, the Capitals were too content with keeping the game even. In the first two home games, numerous golden scoring chances were passed by. Put ANY of those in and the whole series would’ve been different. I don’t know what was said at the time, but when you’ve got a shorthanded team and a goaltender that’s practically throwing rebounds right back at you, something needs to be done. Ramp up the pressure. Play harder. Close them out.
- The 1-3-1 should’ve played right into the Capitals’ hands. In the first two games, it seemed like BB had the troops perfectly prepared to counter their strategy. Exposing how deep the back defender is. Taking advantage of the inability of the 3 central defenders to pick up speed on a dump in. Breaking open Tampa Bay with good offensive cycling. Unfortunately, once tampa bay got the lead in games and in the series, it seemed like the Caps just stopped doing those little things. They stopped focusing on trying to beat this system and started to focus on winning. The game plan went from executing Point A, B, and C to win, to simply, score more goals.
- The effort was there. Anybody who says that the team ‘didnt want it’ was either not watching the series or only turned it on for the last 10 minutes of game 7. The willingness to bang bodies, block shots, tumble in the corners was there. After going down 0-2, it seemed like the desire to win turned into pressure not to lose. Like i said earlier, instead of following the gameplan, i felt like everyone was just trying to do anything to win. Instead of dumping the puck in, AO would carry it into 3 defenders. Instead of tossing the puck out to the point, Semin/Lars would fire an awkward shot into a body or try to pass it down low. Instead of passing the puck to the outlet man, players would try the stretch pass. The team lost its confidence and swagger. Everything that was built up during the past month or two was gone.
- Perhaps my biggest indicement of Bruce Boudreau is that he seemingly failed at coaching the team how to contain 2 lines of offense and 2 tandems of defensemen. Line matching in this series should’ve been paramount with the amount of depth the Capitals had over Tampa Bay. Without Kubina or Gagne, Tampa Bay should’ve had very little offense. Shutdown the top line with your top defensive set. Match speed for speed against Thompson/Bergenheim. It isnt going to work perfectly; but, it would’ve helped so much in terms of limiting Tampa’s effectiveness. Trade line for line and in the end WSH would’ve had more than enough left over to win.
- It happened in the Montreal series and it happened these past two weeks. Giving up the first goal allowed Tampa Bay to control the game and dictate the pace. This team playing their game is incredible. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean dick if you’re always trying to change in order to cut down a lead or haphazardly protect a lead.
- I said it before, and I’ll say it again, Ovechkin on the point isn’t such a bad thing. Sure, it puts your most dangerous play furthest from the goal; but that isnt the problem. Making the focal point of your Powerplay a blue-line bound, mainly offensive player, who most teams know to defend at all times, is a bad thing. First of all, this makes Ovechkin the most important player on the PP and the most vulnerable. He has the puck the most while also being the player who absolutely can’t give it up. In most situations, everyone else is standing around waiting for the puck to go back to the blue line before they start moving again. There’s very little movement across the ice.
- In order to shoot the puck it seems like everyone needs 1) An open look and 2) a nice pass from Ovechkin. If the puck isnt being worked under the goal line, it’s usually 1 or 2 passes away from going back to Ovechkin. Tampa Bay’s is the exact opposite. Although MSL usually ends up with the puck, it feeds high quality scoring areas rather than high quality scoring players.
- As far as individual players go:
1) Schultz was absolutely torched this series because of how fast Tampa Bay is. The entire offense is just filled with straight speed merchants.
2) I think the criticism of Fehr was completely uncalled for. He was one of the best
players in the series (when he played) and I can’t believe Bruce couldnt see that.
3) Backstrom is most certianly this year’s playoff goat. If it ends up that he wasn’t even injured this postseason I dont know what the fuck is up. Not only did he fail consistently on defensive assignments, he sent all the beautiful goals AO served up on a silver platter, straight back to the kitchen. It wasn’t a matter of whether it got it on net. It was a matter of whether or not he would even make fucking contact with the puck. Last year’s Backstrom wins this team the series easily
4) Neuvy was ok. He sure as hell didn’t get much help from his team but he didn’t do himself any favors with lackluster play. Neuvy has the majority of the goals scored on him this series if he was in top form.
In the end, the series was a damn shame. The Capitals had all of the tools to win this series; they just forgot how to use them. If you read this wall of text, I salute u.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
by kingzman264 on May 5, 2011 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
rec'd
Most of this is what I’ve been trying to say but was a few too many words or not enough. I agree that the team played hard and they stopped even trying to utilize the tactics that were working when things got rough. Where they seemed to lack intensity was when the lightning were in transition and when back checking. it seemed like the defensemen said: “not this shit again” and let the attackers have their way…even worse the forwards didn’t provide any help constantly failing to clear the puck, tie up the attackers or win a puck battle.
The problem I have with Ovie on the point is that he doesn’t seem to think right to be the point man, he’s horrible at keeping the puck in the zone, and his shots don’t go anywhere. Green was worse, shooting pucks straight into his own men instead of keeping them low.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
when the lightning were in transition and when back checking. it seemed like the defensemen said: "not this shit again" and let the attackers have their way…even worse the forwards didn’t provide any help constantly failing to clear the puck, tie up the attackers or win a puck battle.
I think the speed of Tampa Bay really helped them with transition and back checking (other than the real dedication to do it). I mean that’s definitely one thing wrong with the dump and chase strategy. When you have 2-3 guys working down low, you’re vulnerable to quick transitions going the other way.
I think their transition game was so strong because they were just fast enough to keep away from the back checkers and Bruce never bothered to tell the team to stop letting them skate up the wall and throw the puck in the middle. Any forwards late to the play try to pick up rebounds or start cycling down low.
Not clearing the puck lead to quite a few game changing goals, IIRC. I’m sure you had the same feeling whenever there was extended zone time after they couldnt clear a few times. . .the goal just felt like it was coming (and often did).
I think Ovie could definitely man the point, but he needs to be there more for making a move and collapsing the opponents PK rather than purely one-timers.
In a nut shell, Green’s issues are the point are because he never winds up for the slapper. There were numerous instances when he would just sling a puck in with a simpler wrister. No one has a problem blocking those. They WANT to block those. The second Green winds up for that slap shot, defenders have to think whether or not it’s worth it to block the shot.
Idk if it’s the PP construction or an injury that’s keeping him back though.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
Blue line wristers aren’t inherently bad, IMO, if you aim with precision and get them on net.
But Green, like pretty much everyone else on this roster, can’t do that with any regularity.
Ovie on point is self-defeating b/c he’s simply not a master puck mover or decision maker.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
According to Vogs
Backstrom re-injured his thumb in the NYR series. In the WaPo Tarik clamed he heard it from multiple inside sources that Backstrom was fine. I would guess that Vogs is the more reliable source?
Hey, at least we won the Winter Classic!
by norcalcapsfan on May 5, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I think so. Apparently, Backstrom told Sweden the same thing.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
by kingzman264 on May 5, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Same Tarik who broke the story of Neuvirth’s unpopularity? Yeah, I’ll call Vogs more reliable. Plus there’s no way a healthy Lars could be so ineffective the puck, so many times/ways/situations.
That was either some other guy, or an injured Nick Backstrom.
....when the truth is if they knew anything about the game, they'd be in it.
--GMGM
Like what you have to say. To those who want to bring up the Caps ‘bad luck’ check some of the non-calls that went against Tampa. Check two pretty decent players getting injured in game 1.
Have to disagree about Ovi on the point for the power-play. The book is out – isolate him 1:1, he can’t get a decent shot off, can cough up the puck and the rest of the team isn’t able to beat you 4-on-3. Not to mention this guy is a bull and has soft hands and a nose for the puck. Let him be a force down low.
Choking since 1985.
Nice analysis, Kingzman. Now we’ve just heard (from Vogs) that Fehr will need surgery again. So he’s not totally health.
Nicky turns out to have reinjured in thumb during the Rangers series.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Numb is the best way of putting it. I felt so many different emotions after last years loss that this really has no lasting effect. Just the same old questions without any real answers. It’s almost depressing to think about next season at this point, think of how the players feel. This year we all couldn’t wait for the playoffs so we could redeem ourselves and makes amends. Now, we’re swept. What do you tell these players? There’s always next year? If I’m a player, next year is the last thing on my mind right now.
"The longer I delay myself getting to the real world, the better." - Mike Knuble
by Chaz-Capapalooza on May 5, 2011 6:26 PM EDT reply actions
If I’m a player, next year is the last thing on my mind right now.
I just can’t imagine the feeling of having to wait another long season to finally redeem themselves. If it looked like they didnt care this regular season . ..what’s going to happen next season? Everyone in the organization has made it clear the play-offs are their biggest concern, so what does that make the regular season?
I think a coaching change really helps in that aspect. Changes things up during the regular season and gives the players something to really play for.
Soon the Championship with be ours, all ours!
I’m a lifelong Caps and Eagles fan. HIgh expectations followed by complete failure are all I know. I feel numb during every post-season as I wait for the inevitable collapse. When that comes, the numbness continues as I ponder how much happier I’d be if I wasn’t interested in sports and how much more free time I’d have. But I’ve got about the same chance of surviving stage 4 cancer as I have of beating my sports addiction. So, the cycle continues, and I keep beating my head against a brick wall.
So now I have an out of date handle tog go along with my half dozen out of date jerseys from various other sports. How long before it becomes retro?
by Flash in the Pan on May 5, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions
I’m with you, Flash. I ponder that question myself. Will confess I spent much less time following professional sports when involved with the kids’ activities but, then again, my emotions were wrapped up with them instead.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Well I needed more than 24 hours to recover before I dared to post anything. Becca pretty much sums it all up for me in another excellent commentary. Thanks for that, but I wish it could have been different in both outcome and tone. Post mortems are a bitch.
I know I felt a lot more pain and anguish last year. The open wound from the collapse against the Canadiens was still raw days later. I was distraught and inconsolable. I don’t ever want to feel that way again.
Perhaps that’s why what I feel now is what Becca described. I’m numb, almost as though I’ve insulated myself against feeling anything. Maybe it’s a defense mechanism to prevent having the type of feeling I had last year.
Last year’s painful raw open wound has given way to emptiness, and so now I have to find a way to fill the void that remains when hopes and dreams evaporate. It doesn’t hurt as much, it really doesn’t hurt at all. Which is not to say that feeling empty and numb is preferable to feeling raw pain. It’s just different, but still requires yet another months long wait for the Caps to start over and maybe, just maybe, find redemption.
I don’t want to feel this way anymore either. But I’ll find new hope and dreams somehow. I can and must get my glass at least half full again.
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