Capital Ups and Downs: Week 20

by J.P. on Feb 20, 2012 10:33 AM EST in Capitals Ups and Downs

Our weekly look at individual Washington Capitals' ups and downs:

Goalies	Trend	Notes
Braden Holtby		A surprise starter against the Sharks, Holtby was unable to find the magic that saw him finish 8-0-1/1.01/.964 over his last nine NHL appearances a season ago. Instead, he was beaten five times on 35 shots, including his induction into the Caps' "Allow One From The Neutral Zone In February" club, which now stands at three members. He was reassigned to Hershey on Tuesday.
Michal Neuvirth		In his last six appearances (which dates back to Christmas), Neuvirth is 1-3-1/3.10/.898... and that includes a shutout win. That goes a long way towards explaining why Holtby started Monday and why Tomas Vokoun got both games of the Sunshine State back-to-back.
Tomas Vokoun		In two starts down in Florida, Vokoun stopped 43 of the 46 shots he saw, allowing one goal to his former team in Sunrise and a pair in Tampa the following night (the first of which, perhaps, he should've had). But as has often been the case this season, "awfully good" wasn't good enough as the Caps could only muster a single goal against the team with the worst goals against average in hockey and ended up splitting the two games. In his 19 appearances since Christmas, Vokoun has a 2.00 goals against average and a .935 save percentage... but has won just 58% of his decisions (11-6-2).
Defensemen
Karl Alzner		It was a tough week for Alzner and his partner, as the duo was on the ice for seven of the eight goals the Caps allowed, including all five on Monday night against San Jose. No, they weren't all (or even mostly) their fault, but that's still an unsettling trend for the team's top shutdown option. Alzner also has just one point in 2012 and no goals since October, so when the defense isn't there, there's little to mitigate that.
John Carlson		As mentioned above, Carlson was on for seven goals in three games, and, like Alzner, nary a goal-for. To put Carlson's season in some perspective, remember how awful and/or unlucky Roman Hamrlik was for the first two months or so of the season? Well, Carlson has now been on the ice for more goals-against since Dale Hunter took over behind the bench in late November (53) than Hamrlik has for the entire campaign (49). In fact, only one player in the League has been on the ice for more goals-against than Carlson and has a worse plus-minus (Fedor Tyutin). Whether it's his minutes or his role, something has to change (and maybe will with the return of Mike Green to the lineup).
John Erskine		Welcome to Scratchville, population: Erskine, who has gotten a sweater just once in February and may not be back in the lineup any time too soon as every one of the rearguards gets bumped down a slot on the depth chart when Green returns to form.
Mike Green		Returned to the lineup near the front end of the 4-6 weeks that was estimated at the time of his January 17 sports hernia surgery and should see his stamina, timing and role ramp up pretty at varying speeds (but hopefully none takes too long). (And yeah, that's a bit of a sympathy green arrow.)
Roman Hamrlik		No Caps skater was on for more Caps tallies (four) than Hamrlik and his perhaps short-timer running-mate Dmitry Orlov last week, with the veteran blueliner scoring one (his first since October 20) and assisting on another (his first since the game prior). The only opposition lamp-lighter for which Hamrlik was on the ice followed a brutal Orlov giveaway early on at Tampa, so all-in-all another very solid week.
Dmitry Orlov		Two minutes into Saturday night's battle by the bay, Orlov reminded everyone watching that he's still a rookie. Lesson learned (hopefully), and an unfortunate blemish on a week that saw him score his second NHL goal, add a helper, and go plus-three.
Tom Poti		With the trade deadline fast approaching, the uncertainty around Poti's return to the lineup... just kidding.
Jeff Schultz		Hey there, first goal since last March. But offense will never be Sarge's strong-suit - subtle, effective defense is. To that end, Schultz wasn't on the ice for a single goal-against last week, and has only been on for one since December 5. Granted, that's only 11 games total... but still.
Dennis Wideman		Hasn't been on the ice for a goal-against in his past half-dozen games, but with Green returning, picked a bad time to run into a 1-for-14 slide on the power-play he quarterbacks (or to notch just a single even-strength point in his last ten games).
Forwards
Keith Aucoin		"I was recalled to Washington and all I got were these lousy frequent flyer miles (and a couple of days of NHL pay)."
Nicklas Backstrom		Larry Brooks: "There probably has been no single play in the NHL that has had as much impact on the season as the Rene Bourque elbow to Nicklas Backstrom’s head on Jan. 5 that concussed the center and has cost the Caps their best player, which could cost the franchise a playoff spot and potentially millions in revenue." Yep, that's about the size of it.
Jay Beagle		Hard-luck scratch on Saturday after one of his better games as an NHLer on Friday (a career-high four shots on goal and solid forechecking/cycling work on a surprisingly effective fourth line), and, with 20/20 hindsight, maybe a bad call.
Troy Brouwer		It's been nine games since Brouwer last lit the lamp, and with just one assist over that span, his production is really suffering at a time when the team desperately needs some secondary scoring.
Jason Chimera		Another secondary scorer who isn't scoring, Chimera has just one goal since January 11 and two since December 23. Remember when he was a lock for 20 goals? Yeah, not so much any more, as he's five shy with 24 games to go.
Jeff Halpern		Halpern hasn't scored in 29 games, and was on the ice for three of the Sharks' five goals (two on the power-play), but had an outstanding game in Florida (four shots on goal, six-for-six on in-zone faceoffs) and continues to do what he does.
Matt Hendricks		I'm pretty sure "hand the puck to Steven Stamkos for a 100-plus-foot breakaway" is somewhere in the foreword of How Not To Win Hockey Games In 2012.
Marcus Johansson		Similar to Carlson, it'd be much easier to accept a sophomore slump or a learning curve or whatever it is that's got these kids spinning their wheels if they weren't placed, by design or circumstance, in roles that are so critical to the team's success. With Johansson, he's missing open nets, passing when he should be shooting, and looking a bit lost in his defensive zone far too often. On the plus side, he's won 53% of his 73 faceoffs over the past five games, so at least there's that.
Mike Knuble		Returned from a trio of healthy scratches and the associated drama to score the game-tying goal against the Panthers... until it was waved off as Knuble was just a bit too cozy with former teammate Jose Theodore in the Kitties' crease. Undeterred, the Caps' elder statesman picked up a helper on the game-tying tally that the zebras let stand on a similar hard-working effort near the goal-mouth, making everyone wonder why he sat so long.
Brooks Laich		Broke a seven-game goal-less drought by depositing a bouncing puck behind Mathieu Garon to halve the Bolts' lead on Saturday night and, perhaps more importantly, averaged around 17.5 minutes per game over the weekend after being below ten minutes per outing since his knee injury prior to the Florida trip. All systems go?
Alex Ovechkin		The most reasonable explanation for "The Fall of Alex Ovechkin" is that he's simply unable to generate shots in the same volume as he was during his most dominant seasons (granted, that's more a symptom than an identification of the illness itself). So the good news is that over his last eight games, he's pumped 38 shots on goal - that's 5.42 per game, or almost the exact same rate he posted in 2007-08... when he scored 65 goals. Sure enough, the goals have returned a bit, with four over that span. But Ovechkin can't do it alone, and he wasn't able to find his way onto the scoresheet in any manner in the two games that bookended the week. But keep shooting - the goals will come.
Mathieu Perreault		Helpers against the Sharks and Lightning and continued strong work in the offensive zone, but he has just a single goal in nine February games as he stands one tally short of his first double-digit-goal season. Of note, he's also won 52% of his 54 draws over the last six games.
Joel Rechlicz		It's quite possible that it will take you longer to read this post than Rechlicz's total ice time on the season (5:56). But hey, no Caps got injured in the San Jose game (save for Holtby's pride), so... mission accomplished?
Alexander Semin		Had the game-winning goal and a primary assist against the Panthers and followed it up with a super night full of board-battles won (!), predominantly smart decisions and a helper in Tampa to wrap a week that saw him fire 14 shots on goal in three games (more than double his season-to-date rate). Semin has 25 points (10G, 15A) in his last 26 games and is certainly doing his part right now.
Joel Ward		Did a lot of good things in Florida, though he still couldn't find the back of the net with a map and a compass, as his one goal (January 7) over his last 45 games would attest. But he's playing solid defense, so he isn't hurting the team... except when they have to sign paychecks and look at their limited flexibility with regards to the salary cap.

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Rec’d for an awesome Hendricks summary.

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by Bald Pollack on Feb 20, 2012 10:38 AM EST reply actions

That giveaway to Stamkos was unbelievably brutal.

As was the fact that Stamkos is faster with the puck than Hendricks is without it.

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by fat_daddyo on Feb 20, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the uncertainty around Poti’s return to the lineup… just kidding.

You got my hopes up that something might be happening … and then you shattered them.

The blogfather giveth, and the blogfather taketh away.

Once you take the fisting element out, it's not romantic anymore.

by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 20, 2012 10:48 AM EST reply actions

So with Greenie getting 14’ of ice on Saturday, I wonder how close to 20 he gets tonight. Do you dress 7 D again tonight? Schultz has been playing well. I hate to think he gets press box duty.

by mechanicsville on Feb 20, 2012 11:11 AM EST reply actions

I’d rather put Beagle back in and get the fourth line working properly. Caps need some offense. Vokes will handle the D.

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by EmilyB on Feb 20, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Agree on JS55. He’s been playing pretty well and deserves to stay in the lineup. I’d ice six defenseman if Green is going to play 14 minutes or more again and give Carlson a day off.

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by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

So given Semin’s play of late, how much of a pay cut would he have to take to make him worth re-signing next season? I’d probably be willing to give him no more than $3 million if he would take it.

by Murshawursha on Feb 20, 2012 11:22 AM EST reply actions

Sasha’s spot is set for Kuznetsov (provided he signs.) Use the Semin money for a 2C.

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by EmilyB on Feb 20, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Yea, those are mostly my thoughts. I think Semin only stays if there is any cap room left over after we find what we need.

by feeya7 on Feb 20, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Sasha’s spot is set for Kuznetsov (provided he signs.)

Maybe in the future but I don’t see why the Caps can’t have both while Kuznetsov is on an ELC.

Use the Semin money for a 2C.

I do agree with this as long as a good 2C can be had.

I don't want to work, I want to hang on the blog all day.

by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Don't count on a player who isn't on the roster

With Kuznetsov, it’s still speculation whether he will sign or not.
There was risk with the pick in therms of signing, but not talent.
I would never go all out for a Russian youngster unless he was already playing in North America. We could have another wasted pick – or we could have a steal – who knows!!!

As far as Semin goes, he’s probably worth $3.5M a year

by Dougeb on Feb 20, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

Semin has played pretty well of late. I wouldn’t blink to bring him back at $5-5.5 mil. This team needs scoring!

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by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Disagree. Semin has been the model of inconsistency for this franchise for the past several years. No other player has a “good sasha/bad sasha” like personality, and with good reason. Semin needs to go, or take a severely massive pay cut. I wouldn’t bring him back for much more than $2-3mil, and even that’s generous.

The only way I see bringing him back is if he wins a Conn Smythe or something.

by feeya7 on Feb 20, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn’t bring him back for much more than $2-3mil, and even that’s generous.

I’m sorry, but that is crazy. In what world should a player like Semin, as inconsistent as he may be, get paid the same or less as Joel Ward?

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by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

As an aside, Joel Ward is no comparison for anything except a horrible contract signing. His contract is insanely bad. In no way whatsoever did signing a less-than-energetic third liner demand that level of pay.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

I’m fairly certain there’s a heaping helping of snark in Cain’s posts.

by Murshawursha on Feb 20, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Usually there is, but in this case I am totally serious. Joel Ward was a bad example, but saying Semin receiving $2-3 mil and calling that generous is laughable. If anything, I hope feeya7’s post was snark.

Here are a few better comps for Semin.

Thomas Vanek – $6.4 mil this season. 45 points this season and 73 last year.
Patrick Kane – $6 mil this season. 49 points this season and 73 last year.

I’m sure if I spend more time I can find more. At least with Vanek, you’ve got a guy with similar “inconsistancy” problems as Semin, but please enlighten me how similar scoring wingers get $6 mil plus but Semin is pegged at $2-3 mil.

I don't want to work, I want to hang on the blog all day.

by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Vanek at least had the offer sheet. Not the same

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by red army line on Feb 20, 2012 12:06 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I’d say the offer sheet makes his salary even more valid as one team offered it and a second team decided to match it.

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by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed - Caps luck with Free Agents is not that good

Ward, Hamrlik ==== two very bad contracts.
Couple that with the boat anchor which has become Ovechkin, and we are crippled.

by Dougeb on Feb 20, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

“Boat Anchor?”

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Feb 20, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

No, my post is not snark. Just because Semin was a 40 goal scorer a couple seasons ago doesn’t put a stanley cup in DC. You pay players because they can bring you stanley cups. Over multiple seasons Semin has proven hes a non-factor in the playoffs. Thats who he is. He may have potential to be the most skilled player ever, but potential doesn’t win you Cups. He’s in consistent, that’s who he is. Inconsistent players shouldn’t be making 6+ mil, they simply shouldn’t.

Secondly, Semin lacks just about every single intangible. Zero leadership, zero accountability, useless in the locker room (yes, this is an assumption, but with his lack of speaking much, ever, I think its warranted), a penalty liability, defensively irresponsible, etc. Why are we paying for this?

by feeya7 on Feb 20, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

The only part of your narrative I’m buying is that Seminar is inconsistent. 30 points in 37 career playoff games including 3 game winning goals including one in OT against the Rags last season doesn’t scream playoff non-factor to me. I’ll also buy that he’s not a leader in the room, but this team has other leaders. How many does a team need? At the end of the day you can have a lockeroom full of Laichs and Knubles and it won’t mean anything if you don’t have some high end talent to put up points. I don’t buy Semin as a defensive liability, you are thinking of the other Alex. As a team, these Caps haven’t won a cup or had much playoff success, but I don’t think it’s any more Semin’s fault than any of the other young guns.

I don't want to work, I want to hang on the blog all day.

by cainoo7x on Feb 20, 2012 8:23 PM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs

Just because Semin is inconsistent and Quintin Laing plays every shift like it’s his last doesn’t mean Laing is better to have on your “contender” than Semin, unless Semin is massively, massively overpaid. Semin is overpaid, but not by quite that much, I think. I’d pay him $4 million, easy.

At this point he may only be the second-best among underachievers up front, but that has to count for something.

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by red army line on Feb 21, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck finding better value than Semin with that 4 million on the UFA market.

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by Rob Parker on Feb 21, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

“making everyone wonder why he [Knuble] sat so long.”

Well not really. If you’re actually watching him play he is sloooooooow and does not have much endurance this season. I have been a huge fan of his but this season was a bridge too far. He is out of gas, plain and simple.

And he has been a late-season bloomer but is showing no signs of it at all. I don’t suppose there is much to do about it either…

But I keep seeing all over Japer’s “I am so puzzled that Knuble sat” and I can’t help but wonder how no one is noticing that the speed of his skating is nothing close to last year.

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by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 11:33 AM EST reply actions

"I can't help but wonder how no one is noticint that the speed of his skating is nothing close to last year."

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

What, you did notice how slow he is? Or did you just drop something?

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by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t think you (generic you, any fan) can actually notice a lost step on NHL ice based on in-game TV camera angles. A “lost step” in the NHL means, what, .5 seconds over the length of the ice? You think you can pick that up (while relying on memory of what you think his speed was last year)? How often do you get to see one guy skate a straight line at full speed for more than 25-30 feet? So over that distance you’re talking about a tenth of a second?

Knuble’s game is as much about timing as anything. You’d need to be watching what he’s doing off-camera to get a sense of whether he’s lost a step in a way that has impacted his timing. We don’t get those angles.

I’ve actually agreed with you that there’s no reason to get worked up about Knuble sitting, but it has to do with his advanced numbers, which stink. I don’t think any of us are really in position to say that he’s lost a step or anything like that. Maybe if you watch him at practices every day (which you didn’t base your conclusion on) you would have some insight into that. But as far as the views you get on CSN? I don’t believe that.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I’ve actually agreed with you that there’s no reason to get worked up about Knuble sitting, but it has to do with his advanced numbers, which stink.

At the same time, this team can’t score and has dressed Joel Rechlicz over Knuble, who has scored 20 goals in a season, what, eight times? So the raised eyebrows aren’t unfair (though you know I agree with you on the underlying point that Knuble has stunk this year and that getting worked up over which fourth-liner sits is missing the forest for the trees).

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by J.P. on Feb 20, 2012 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Of course there’s room for debate (and that’s what makes it fun). I don’t think Rechlicz makes the team more likely to win, but that lineup decision isn’t near the top of my list of things the team needs to sort out.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Reckless is for gooning it up, not scoring. Caps have a weakness in that they lack grit compared to other teams that lead their conferences. Besides Knuble isn’t scoring anyway so his “scoring” wasn’t really missed.

Is Reckless a great choice? Doesn’t look great so far, no. Maybe someone signaling to GMGM that more grit needed.

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by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

And in Knuble’s first game back, he scored a goal which was disallowed and assisted on one that wasn’t. The previous two games, the Caps lost by one goal in each. Pretty tough to say whether or not he could’ve contributed, but impossible to say the Caps couldn’t have used just a little more offense.

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by J.P. on Feb 20, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

So your point is I can’t see if Knuble is slow huh. Are you telling me when you watch a hockey game you don’t notice that some players are faster than others? They all look like they skate the same speed to you? And they all look like they skate the same speed of every shift to you? You can’t see from that tv view who is still huffing back ice play after play in the rear? And you can’t read the numbers on the jerseys and see who is or is not winning race to puck?

Are you watching TV or listening to the radio? Just curious.

I don’t get crap from CSN I am out of state so I have to get NHL center ice, so I get no pregame, no postgame, and I drink whiskey and smoke away from the tv during period breaks. But I do actually watch the game. Did CSN say Knuble was slow? If so they’re right.

Sure Knuble is a master in the crease but he still needs to get up and down the ice as well.

And yes IN ADDITION to being slow his stats are horrific. Of all regular forwards only Hendricks has less points. Knuble’s advanced stats bad? I don’t read those but no surprise, his basic stats are bad too.

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by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

So your point is I can’t see if Knuble is slow huh. Are you telling me when you watch a hockey game you don’t notice that some players are faster than others? They all look like they skate the same speed to you? And they all look like they skate the same speed of every shift to you? You can’t see from that tv view who is still huffing back ice play after play in the rear? And you can’t read the numbers on the jerseys and see who is or is not winning race to puck?

None of this is what you said. Can I tell that MoJo is faster than Knuble? Obviously. Can any of us tell if MoJo has gained a step since he joined the NHL? Or if Knuble lost a step since last winter? I say no. The margin for difference is so small that it’d be impossible to do with the angles and samples we get. If the NHL didn’t provide the stop watch times when they do the “fastest skater competition” are you telling me you could pick the order of fastest skaters even 50% accurately?

It’s not about who is faster than whom, it’s not about who is winning puck battles, or huffing and puffing (which could be bad shape as much as good effort). It’s about being realistic with the calibration of our senses and what we can realistically observe.

I watch on my laptop. Who listens to entire hockey games on the radio these days? It doesn’t matter what your feed is. There is no NHL broadcast that is going to give you the requisite perspective. Too much happens off camera regardless of which feed you watch.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

You disagree, that’s fine. I don’t see what’s a shocking concept about watching a player across multiple seasons and noticing a change in performance from one season to next. If you can’t that’s too bad. I don’t “calibrate” anything I just watch the games and I remember. I can’t tell you if he’s 4% slower, who knows. But he is not only slower overall, his endurance is lower too.

In fact I agreed with you it’s not just raw speed at all. Thats exactly what i said in my last post as well. So we do agree on somethings I reckon.

I don’t have anyone else here when I watch the games, and I don’t do it at the bar. (I live in Wisconsin these days anyway.) I don’t turn on the tv and do other stuff. I watch all 60 minutes of a game as closely as I can follow them. I usually load the dvr up with a 25 minute head start so I can skip all commercials and focus. I do not sit online and chat on Japers or anywhere else during the games, I just watch the games.

Knuble’s been one of my favorite, very favorite Caps these past few seasons. So i do not say any of this lightly. But I’m telling you, he’s lost the go juice this year and he has not started to kick into his usual late season higher gear. in my opinion.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t see what’s a shocking concept about watching a player across multiple seasons and noticing a change in performance from one season to next.

Just the fact that you’re talking about a fraction of a second, as compared to a year-old memory. Other than that, nothing’s objectionable. If MLB didn’t have radar guns do you think your eyes could tell the difference between a 98 and a 94 MPH pitch? If the NFL didn’t publicize combine results do you think you could tell the difference between 4.45 and 4.55 40 yard dash? Our eyes/minds simply cannot comprehend such small differences. Now let’s say you watch a player on 2/20/11. Then you watch him on 2/20/12. You really think your memory is that good that you can accurately perceive a difference of a fraction of a second?

But I’ll try that “watching all 60 minutes” thing and see if that helps.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

You really, really can’t tell if a player is slower or faster from one year to next??? I find that really hard to believe.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

You really really would be cool with it if a cop gave you a ticket without using his radar gun? I find that really hard to believe.

No, I don’t think any of us can accurately judge whether a player has gotten slower or faster based on watching last year and this year. Out of curiosity, when was the last time you went and watched game tape of 2010-11 Mike Knuble? Are you going completely off memory? Are you aware of the many problems with eye witness testimony?

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

I mean lets look at this – you can or cannot see Jagr today is slower than he used to be? And you did or did not see Federov slowing down? Heck even Ovie, you don’t notice him being any slower now, and less inclined so blast in play after play than when he had his first blazing seasons???

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Over the course of 5+ years? Sure. You can say that Fedorov in ‘09 wasn’t as fast as Fedorov in ’95. But can you really tell the difference across one off-season? Could you tell the difference between Fedorov ’08 and Fedorov ’09? I say no.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

I give up. I don’t know what else to say except I am sorry you have no confidence in your long-term memory banks and do not feel confident analyzing what you see int he game.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I’m sorry that you are having an inability to correctly understand my statement. I obviously do not think that fans shouldn’t have confidence in analyzing what we see. It’s a matter of knowing the limits of our eyeball observations (as well as the limits of statistical analysis).

You could start by reminding me when the last time you watched 2010-11 Knuble was. I’m guessing the answer is “during the 2010-11 season.”

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Oh I understand. I do have confidence, you don’t. You don’t think I should but I do anyway. I think I’m clear.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Please. Did you notice Federov was only slower because you reviewed tapes from 5 years ago?

Knuble is slower this year. You can’t accept it, but it’s true.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

I saw Fedorov highlights pretty routinely, yes.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Rob – I watched the 2010-2011 Knuble yesterday and the 1997-1998 Knuble yesterday – well, yesterday the present time as we know it. The time machine has a bit a jet lag feeling when you are in it too long.

As it stands, based on my trust Casio watch, the 2010-2011 Knuble was 0.1 seconds faster end-to-end than the 2011-2012 Knuble. Now, if you want to compare to the 1997-1998 Knuble on the Cup-winning Wings, that’s a different story.

Nice guys finish first, but sometimes the season is awfully long.
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by STLSpidey on Feb 20, 2012 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

Har har. Doubt it all you want but his scoring fell off a cliff of epic proportions under both coaches. Maybe he’s no slower, but he’s going blind instead, maybe I had it all wrong. He LOOKS slower cause he can’t see where he’s going. Yea, maybe that’s it.

Fan of: Dale Fuckin' Hunter

by sickleandhammer on Feb 20, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

He might actually be slower. I just dispute that you can observe it while watching NHL broadcasts, even if you watch all 60 minutes.

Like I asked to no avail, can you tell the difference between a 98 MPH fastball and a 94 MPH fastball (while watching them a year apart in time)? If so, you’d be the first. Seems a tall claim to me.

Please, call me F&B.

by Rob Parker on Feb 20, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Unrelated to this debate, how about you do us all a favor and clean up your signature line? Thanks.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Feb 20, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

...

Y’know, Dima’s face may have been a little bit more broken than they were letting on. He’s been in that cage for a while now. This is from the Tampa game:

(Click for Larger)

You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!

by EmilyB on Feb 20, 2012 11:42 AM EST reply actions

I got no lips, I got no tongue
Where there were eyes there’s only space
I got no lips, I got no tongue

I got a broken face, uh-hu, uh-hu
I got a broken face

by Rather Bengt on Feb 20, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

In his last six appearances (which dates back to Christmas), Neuvirth is 1-3-1/3.10/.898… and that includes a shutout win. That goes a long way towards explaining why Holtby started Monday and why Tomas Vokoun got both games of the Sunshine State back-to-back.

…and why I don’t have much confidence that he’s figuring things out for himself between goalie coach visits. It doesn’t look like he’s figured out what to do to keep himself sharp as a backup, whether the issues are mental, technical or both.

There's no bigger burden than a great potential - Linus Van Pelt

by miseenjeu on Feb 20, 2012 7:06 PM EST reply actions