The Capitals (3-1-0) go up against a Sabres (1-2-0) team that, while without the services of Chris Drury and Daniel "The Spear" Briere, is still a mighty dangerous customer, despite its lackluster record.
It goes without saying that the Capitals cannot put forth the sort of effort (or lack thereof) that they've shown in their last two games, because the Sabres will certainly make them pay dearly for it. Four of the Sabres 12 goals this season have come on the power play, and without Boyd Gordon to anchor the PK unit, the Capitals are going to have to find a solution in very short order.
Not taking 5 penalties in the first period would probably help things as well...
One bit of good news is that Buffalo's defensive play doesn't appear to be what it once was. They've given up 9 goals in the three games they've played - and keep in mind that they shut out the Hurricanes on Thursday, so those 9 goals came over the course of two games. Jocelyn Thibault's save percentage stands at 3.04 at the moment. But then again, like I said, they shut out the Hurricanes on Thursday... Who knows which game they'll be bringing tomorrow night, but the Caps would do well to prepare for the latter.
The key to winning this game is continuing the style of play that the Capitals put up against the Blueshirts in the third period of tonight's game. The Capitals amped up their game (after spending the first period with it set on "peewee league") gradually until the last minute of regulation, when they finally resembled the Capitals that manhandled the Thrashers and Hurricanes. They need to keep that level of play rolling into tomorrow night's match. If they don't, it's probably going to be another disappointing night.
Friday, October 12, 2007
In-game thoughts
First period thoughts:
- If the PK isn't working, it would be advisable to stop taking penalties. John Erskine: I'm looking at you.
- Beautiful highlight reel goal by AO.
- Hossa should have been called for goaltender interference on the second goal, but that's no excuse for allowing the Rangers to score three power play goals on five power plays.
- Everyone please dig around in your couch cushions and see if by any chance you find the Capitals' puck possession game.
Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Second:
- Ok, I'll let the Kozlov penalty go. He didn't deserve that one.
- Beautiful play by Morrisonn to stop a wrap around attempt while Kolzig was trying to recover from stopping it on the other side of the net moments before.
- Current SOG: 27-9, New York - 10:00 in the 2nd
- Fleischmann is now playing with Brashear and Sutherby.
- Fleischmann is now playing with Backstrom and Nylander. Looks like Hanlon is rocking the boat to see what comes out. This line actually managed to put a couple of shots on Lundqvist. I was starting to forget what King Henrik looked like.
- Kolzig has faced 31 shots with 4:00 remaining in the 2nd. Give him credit: he's been doing jumping jacks on his head tonight to try to keep the Caps in it.
- Another penalty? Sure, why not. Prucha's goal disallowed, and deservedly so.
- Caps finally amped up the pressure a bit in the last 1:30 or so. Here's hoping they keep that rolling into the 3rd and stop giving up so bloody many turnovers.
Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Third:
- Looking a little more together 4 minutes in.
- Lovely trip on AO by Drury. No penalty.
- They're finally managing to put consistent pressure on the Rangers and get their possession game going. 6 shots on Lundqvist thus far in the 3rd.
- I don't think Nylander could have said it better when asked about the impotent power play. Stop looking for the pretty play and just shoot the freaking puck!
- Nice poke check on a solo Jagr breakaway by Poti.
- 2:13 remaining, 1 man advantage for 45 seconds. To pull Olie, or not to pull Olie?
- Olie pulled.
- They're finally playing with the level of dominance and sense of urgency that were the hallmarks of the first two games of the season. Unfortunately there are only 20 seconds left in regulation.
Final: Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Well, that's what a sloppy first period will do to you. They took far too many penalties and failed to establish any sort of puck control in the opening frame.
The second was better. Fewer dumb penalties, but they still lacked control for the most part. The third was much better - What the entire game should have looked like. They were dominant, turning the tables and forcing the Rangers to take penalties, and outshooting them 11-4 along the way. But alas, it was too little, too late. It's not the end of the world, of course. We're only 4 games into the season. Here's hoping they keep that level of play rolling as they head upstate to meet the Sabres.
Oh, and congrats to AO on his 100th NHL goal!
- If the PK isn't working, it would be advisable to stop taking penalties. John Erskine: I'm looking at you.
- Beautiful highlight reel goal by AO.
- Hossa should have been called for goaltender interference on the second goal, but that's no excuse for allowing the Rangers to score three power play goals on five power plays.
- Everyone please dig around in your couch cushions and see if by any chance you find the Capitals' puck possession game.
Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Second:
- Ok, I'll let the Kozlov penalty go. He didn't deserve that one.
- Beautiful play by Morrisonn to stop a wrap around attempt while Kolzig was trying to recover from stopping it on the other side of the net moments before.
- Current SOG: 27-9, New York - 10:00 in the 2nd
- Fleischmann is now playing with Brashear and Sutherby.
- Fleischmann is now playing with Backstrom and Nylander. Looks like Hanlon is rocking the boat to see what comes out. This line actually managed to put a couple of shots on Lundqvist. I was starting to forget what King Henrik looked like.
- Kolzig has faced 31 shots with 4:00 remaining in the 2nd. Give him credit: he's been doing jumping jacks on his head tonight to try to keep the Caps in it.
- Another penalty? Sure, why not. Prucha's goal disallowed, and deservedly so.
- Caps finally amped up the pressure a bit in the last 1:30 or so. Here's hoping they keep that rolling into the 3rd and stop giving up so bloody many turnovers.
Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Third:
- Looking a little more together 4 minutes in.
- Lovely trip on AO by Drury. No penalty.
- They're finally managing to put consistent pressure on the Rangers and get their possession game going. 6 shots on Lundqvist thus far in the 3rd.
- I don't think Nylander could have said it better when asked about the impotent power play. Stop looking for the pretty play and just shoot the freaking puck!
- Nice poke check on a solo Jagr breakaway by Poti.
- 2:13 remaining, 1 man advantage for 45 seconds. To pull Olie, or not to pull Olie?
- Olie pulled.
- They're finally playing with the level of dominance and sense of urgency that were the hallmarks of the first two games of the season. Unfortunately there are only 20 seconds left in regulation.
Final: Rangers 3, Capitals 1
Well, that's what a sloppy first period will do to you. They took far too many penalties and failed to establish any sort of puck control in the opening frame.
The second was better. Fewer dumb penalties, but they still lacked control for the most part. The third was much better - What the entire game should have looked like. They were dominant, turning the tables and forcing the Rangers to take penalties, and outshooting them 11-4 along the way. But alas, it was too little, too late. It's not the end of the world, of course. We're only 4 games into the season. Here's hoping they keep that level of play rolling as they head upstate to meet the Sabres.
Oh, and congrats to AO on his 100th NHL goal!
Capitals at Rangers - Madison Square Garden - 7pm
The Washington Capitals (3-0-0, 2nd place - SE) continue their tour of the Empire State with a visit to Jaromir "There may not be an I in TEAM, but there's definitely a ME" Jagr and the Blueshirts (1-2-0, 3rd place - AT) this lovely autumn evening.
The Rangers have had a somewhat less than pristine start to the season. Here's a shocker - Princess Jaromira isn't playing all that well with his new linemates. They have not scored once on 15 power plays, and while they appear to be rather similar to the Caps as far as offensive stats go, four of their goals were scored in a 7 minute span against the Panthers when Tomas Vokun apparently forgot that he was a goaltender, not a fire hydrant. The Rangers are also without Sean Avery, though they won't be without a physical presence, especially if this guy sees any ice time tonight.
They've also been sloppy, taking 41 minutes in the penalty box to the Caps' 26 in these first 3 games. To their credit, their penalty kill hasn't been too shabby at 92.9%, 6th league-wide at present, and Henrik Lundqvist has been solid in net with a 2.02 GAA and a .935 SV%.
The Blueshirts are attempting to "Redskins" their way to victory, and are learning what we in Washington know far too well. All the talent in the world counts for jack squat if you don't have chemistry and a team that plays as a team, not a prima donna with a supporting cast. But make no mistake about it, the Rangers have a dangerous amount of talent - enough to make life for Kolzig and the blueliners difficult should they suddenly discover cohesiveness.
The Capitals need to prove tonight that their performance on Long Island was a fluke brought on by the weariness of playing three games in four nights. If their chemistry continues to click, and the Rangers' chemistry continues to falter, the Caps should be able to dominate play. It also helps that Olie loves the action at MSG.
The Rangers have had a somewhat less than pristine start to the season. Here's a shocker - Princess Jaromira isn't playing all that well with his new linemates. They have not scored once on 15 power plays, and while they appear to be rather similar to the Caps as far as offensive stats go, four of their goals were scored in a 7 minute span against the Panthers when Tomas Vokun apparently forgot that he was a goaltender, not a fire hydrant. The Rangers are also without Sean Avery, though they won't be without a physical presence, especially if this guy sees any ice time tonight.
They've also been sloppy, taking 41 minutes in the penalty box to the Caps' 26 in these first 3 games. To their credit, their penalty kill hasn't been too shabby at 92.9%, 6th league-wide at present, and Henrik Lundqvist has been solid in net with a 2.02 GAA and a .935 SV%.
The Blueshirts are attempting to "Redskins" their way to victory, and are learning what we in Washington know far too well. All the talent in the world counts for jack squat if you don't have chemistry and a team that plays as a team, not a prima donna with a supporting cast. But make no mistake about it, the Rangers have a dangerous amount of talent - enough to make life for Kolzig and the blueliners difficult should they suddenly discover cohesiveness.
The Capitals need to prove tonight that their performance on Long Island was a fluke brought on by the weariness of playing three games in four nights. If their chemistry continues to click, and the Rangers' chemistry continues to falter, the Caps should be able to dominate play. It also helps that Olie loves the action at MSG.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Gordon might be injured
According to Tarik
Apparently he left practice this morning for "precautionary" reasons due to an undisclosed injury.
Oh, and Johnson will start in Buffalo on Saturday.
Apparently he left practice this morning for "precautionary" reasons due to an undisclosed injury.
Oh, and Johnson will start in Buffalo on Saturday.
Thursday musings
My last post left me thinking, which is known to happen every once in a great while. What exactly will it take for the mainstream hockey media to respect the Capitals? When will this team cease to be a whipping post? The truthful answers to those questions are "a lot" and "quite a while from now if things go well."
Respect has to be earned, and it's going to take a whole lot more than a hot start to the season. Real success in hockey is not quantified in wins and losses, but in championships - and the rafters look rather sparse after 33 years of NHL action in the nation's capital. We, the faithful, love the gritty and passionate men who kept this team exciting, even if they fell short of championship material. We have taken pride in watching guys like Dale Hunter, Al Iafrate, Peter Bondra, Kevin Hatcher, and Rod Langway give other teams fits, but all the heart and muscle in the world won't cause the national media conglomerates to bat an eye in the absence of a winning tradition.
But why should we care what they think? Who gives a flying pig's butt what Barry "The Hairdo" Melrose thinks about where the Capitals are or aren't going?
Wouldn't you be thrilled if the Alexes received just as much press and praise as Sidney Crosby? Wouldn't it be wonderful if during the intermission of a Pens-Sabres game on Versus, they cut away to a 10 minute vignette on what Alexander Ovechkin thinks about his new skates? The truth is that, to some extent, even the myopic opinions spouted by the talking (though often vacant) heads do matter. It affects how the hockey world perceives us. Our reputation, especially amongst the fair-weather fans here in DC, will not improve so long as there are idiots on ESPN who dismiss the Capitals' successes and label them as bottom-dwellers and inevitable chokers.
That last sentence assumes, of course, that our successes will continue. That is the golden key. Wins and highlight-reel plays make for good short term accolades, but banners (and I emphasize the plural) in the rafters speak volumes more in the long run.
I don't think that even a single Stanly Cup would seal it, given the recent trend of its winners falling off the face of the earth immediately after hoisting it. But if they build a tradition of winning, a team that can compete and retool itself year after year, the Cup(s), banner(s), and respect will eventually come.
That needs to be this organization's goal. I won't hesitate to say that the Capitals have now iced the greatest hockey team that has ever called the District home, and if any team is capable of beginning to put the dogged years behind us, it's this one. There's a long way to go before 33 years of heartache can be put firmly in the rear view and we might never get there, but looking at this team I have no doubt that it's going to be one exciting ride.
Respect has to be earned, and it's going to take a whole lot more than a hot start to the season. Real success in hockey is not quantified in wins and losses, but in championships - and the rafters look rather sparse after 33 years of NHL action in the nation's capital. We, the faithful, love the gritty and passionate men who kept this team exciting, even if they fell short of championship material. We have taken pride in watching guys like Dale Hunter, Al Iafrate, Peter Bondra, Kevin Hatcher, and Rod Langway give other teams fits, but all the heart and muscle in the world won't cause the national media conglomerates to bat an eye in the absence of a winning tradition.
But why should we care what they think? Who gives a flying pig's butt what Barry "The Hairdo" Melrose thinks about where the Capitals are or aren't going?
Wouldn't you be thrilled if the Alexes received just as much press and praise as Sidney Crosby? Wouldn't it be wonderful if during the intermission of a Pens-Sabres game on Versus, they cut away to a 10 minute vignette on what Alexander Ovechkin thinks about his new skates? The truth is that, to some extent, even the myopic opinions spouted by the talking (though often vacant) heads do matter. It affects how the hockey world perceives us. Our reputation, especially amongst the fair-weather fans here in DC, will not improve so long as there are idiots on ESPN who dismiss the Capitals' successes and label them as bottom-dwellers and inevitable chokers.
That last sentence assumes, of course, that our successes will continue. That is the golden key. Wins and highlight-reel plays make for good short term accolades, but banners (and I emphasize the plural) in the rafters speak volumes more in the long run.
I don't think that even a single Stanly Cup would seal it, given the recent trend of its winners falling off the face of the earth immediately after hoisting it. But if they build a tradition of winning, a team that can compete and retool itself year after year, the Cup(s), banner(s), and respect will eventually come.
That needs to be this organization's goal. I won't hesitate to say that the Capitals have now iced the greatest hockey team that has ever called the District home, and if any team is capable of beginning to put the dogged years behind us, it's this one. There's a long way to go before 33 years of heartache can be put firmly in the rear view and we might never get there, but looking at this team I have no doubt that it's going to be one exciting ride.
High praise from ESPN
Just kidding.
They've ranked the Capitals, who are currently third in the standings and undefeated, at 20th in their power rankings.
Now, I'm a thoroughly biased and unabashed supporter of the boys in red, white, and blue, but I certainly don't think that they're going to finish on top of the league. Anyone who thinks so should check themselves into the nearest mental health facility as soon as possible. I do, however, think that their newfound chemistry, tremendous stock of skill, stellar performances, and new style of play warrants commentary a little less tongue-in-cheek than what their power-raking guru tossed out in the Comments section:
"The Capitals are undefeated! Just wanted to say that now while we can."
Schlock it up, boys. We'll all have our answer soon enough.
Ah well, at least we've got Burnside.
They've ranked the Capitals, who are currently third in the standings and undefeated, at 20th in their power rankings.
Now, I'm a thoroughly biased and unabashed supporter of the boys in red, white, and blue, but I certainly don't think that they're going to finish on top of the league. Anyone who thinks so should check themselves into the nearest mental health facility as soon as possible. I do, however, think that their newfound chemistry, tremendous stock of skill, stellar performances, and new style of play warrants commentary a little less tongue-in-cheek than what their power-raking guru tossed out in the Comments section:
"The Capitals are undefeated! Just wanted to say that now while we can."
Schlock it up, boys. We'll all have our answer soon enough.
Ah well, at least we've got Burnside.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The gambling community takes notice
Chance Harper of SBRForums seems to have noticed an anomaly in the standings:
"While it’s no surprise that the Senators are already the class of the East, no one could have guessed that the Washington Capitals would be right at their heels."
Those of us who pay attention aren't all that shocked, but thanks for noticing.
Something tells me I would have been smart to put a few dollars on the Caps back when the Vegas odds were in the cellar. It's a shame I'm not a betting man.
"While it’s no surprise that the Senators are already the class of the East, no one could have guessed that the Washington Capitals would be right at their heels."
Those of us who pay attention aren't all that shocked, but thanks for noticing.
Something tells me I would have been smart to put a few dollars on the Caps back when the Vegas odds were in the cellar. It's a shame I'm not a betting man.
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