Talk about Capitals hockey & more! > Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion
GDT #44 Caps vs Ducks W 3-0
BlackIce:
Interesting that the Caps now have the largest lead of any of the NHL division leaders, especially considering that out West, the closest pursuers have games in hand on the Division leaders, whereas that is not true in the Metropolitan.
The Caps certainly don't feel like a clearly superior or dominant team. I don't think that, at this point, anyone considers them to be any kind of favorite (or even a top contender at this point) for the Stanley Cup. Maybe that suggests that there is no dominant team right now, and the playoffs will be a total crapshoot, unless some team emerges in the next couple of months. Of course, Boston's recent experience demonstrates that "dominant team" is a mirage in the NHL under any circumstances.
Mickstix:
We have a couple areas, imo, that are Cup worthy. Goaltending, Offensive D, Transition/Rush O.. We need to find our forcheck again though. Can't play for minutes on end, in your own zone, every time you get a goal or the other team has a "push back". We seem to not be able to match other teams push and don't really have much of a push ourselves. At least not lately. We get hemmed in our own end too often.
Not even sure what they need to do to improve those areas, but w/o a dominant good forecheck and ability to relive pressure in our own zone, we'll be vulnerable.
BlackIce:
--- Quote from: Mickstix on Wednesday January 15, 2025, 10:11:55 AM Eastern ---We have a couple areas, imo, that are Cup worthy. Goaltending, Offensive D, Transition/Rush O.. We need to find our forcheck again though. Can't play for minutes on end, in your own zone, every time you get a goal or the other team has a "push back". We seem to not be able to match other teams push and don't really have much of a push ourselves. At least not lately. We get hemmed in our own end too often.
Not even sure what they need to do to improve those areas, but w/o a dominant good forecheck and ability to relive pressure in our own zone, we'll be vulnerable.
--- End quote ---
I would add offensive screening to that list. I think Wilson and Protas are elite at that. Other than that, I wouldn't quibble with your list, Mick. To me, the biggest surprise on your list is the goaltending. It does look like Thompson is in the groove right now.
Surreylily:
--- Quote from: BlackIce on Wednesday January 15, 2025, 06:52:21 AM Eastern ---Interesting that the Caps now have the largest lead of any of the NHL division leaders, especially considering that out West, the closest pursuers have games in hand on the Division leaders, whereas that is not true in the Metropolitan.
The Caps certainly don't feel like a clearly superior or dominant team. I don't think that, at this point, anyone considers them to be any kind of favorite (or even a top contender at this point) for the Stanley Cup. Maybe that suggests that there is no dominant team right now, and the playoffs will be a total crapshoot, unless some team emerges in the next couple of months. Of course, Boston's recent experience demonstrates that "dominant team" is a mirage in the NHL under any circumstances.
--- End quote ---
Maybe Carbs and the team have been lulling us ... and everyone else into a false sense of insecurity. ... :snicker:
alta:
--- Quote from: Mickstix on Tuesday January 14, 2025, 06:58:28 PM Eastern ---
Just looked at the schedule. Couple more weeks and we're off nearly 3 weeks for that "4 Nations" bull :poop: ?? How stupid. ::)
--- End quote ---
:huh:
You must’ve picked up an extraordinarily potent batch this week.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version