Niskanen

[alta]

Debating who's better defensively: Carlson. Nisky, and Orlov, is like judging a rally fat beauty contest.   Aint none of em good.

that and going by TOI, all that means is he's in better shape

[Surreylily]

I wish to pipe up with a little comment here.


"Hooks"


People don't talk much about real stay at home D-men, because there's not much to talk about, mostly.  They rarely contribute to goals and let their other D-partner go and get all the glory with goals and assists while they cover their backs.  When we lost Alzner ( ), we were left with just the one proper and true stay at home, shut down D-man.  Brooks Orpik.


There was a time, not so very long ago, that we could rely on him to take at least one boneheaded penalty a game...   ..... But then he stopped doing that.


My absolute favourite moment of these whole playoffs so far is when Orpik made that boneheaded pass directly to the Bolts, that got cleaned out, but then he literally BOWLED through two Bolts.  (Game 6)  2nd period, I think...... 
He was an absolute beast, a monster that game!


Nobody gives him any credit, so I just want to balance the books a little in that regard.


I hope he's okay after that hit.

[Maacoshark]

I wish to pipe up with a little comment here.


"Hooks"


People don't talk much about real stay at home D-men, because there's not much to talk about, mostly.  They rarely contribute to goals and let their other D-partner go and get all the glory with goals and assists while they cover their backs.  When we lost Alzner ( ), we were left with just the one proper and true stay at home, shut down D-man.  Brooks Orpik.


There was a time, not so very long ago, that we could rely on him to take at least one boneheaded penalty a game...   ..... But then he stopped doing that.


My absolute favourite moment of these whole playoffs so far is when Orpik made that boneheaded pass directly to the Bolts, that got cleaned out, but then he literally BOWLED through two Bolts.  (Game 6)  2nd period, I think...... 
He was an absolute beast, a monster that game!


Nobody gives him any credit, so I just want to balance the books a little in that regard.


I hope he's okay after that hit.

   Orpik has been solid in these playoffs and we all know he likes the physical stuff.

[Surreylily]

Check out his +/- stats.  he has been an absolute HERO for us.  Nobody gives him any credit.
UNSUNG HERO OF THE WORLD GOES TO...

[Devise]

Check out his +/- stats.  he has been an absolute HERO for us.  Nobody gives him any credit.
UNSUNG HERO OF THE WORLD GOES TO...

He had a good fight in Game 6 of this series too. Whenever he makes a mistake on the ice he usually almost always goes and hits an opposing player, and makes up for it. He knows. I think his play has been crucial because isn't he the only player on our bench who has won a Cup? He wears an A, is older, and while his Cup win did come I believe back in like 08 with the Pens, his experience and leadership have been crucial with a weakened D core.


I also wonder how much his mentorship has helped some of our other younger D, Djoos and Kempny particularly.

[RavenCp]

Sure Orpik has elevated his game and mentor young players telling how lucky they are being in this position and and appreciate and contribute in the success. Once I've read that Kuzya and Bruce have very great relationships and calls him "batya". How Bruce taught him how to play tough against real D!  Referring Orpik as "batya" means a lot, with a direct translation as "father", in the army it would be informal calling higher rank who really cares about solders who you can intrust your life. That means Kuzya treats him as an older friend with very high respect!   

[RavenCp]

+/- for D can be a very deceiving parameter, because the best D goes against the best O. It is also depends if you play with great scorers.

BTW, anybody remember Schultz? He had a great +.

[Surreylily]

+/- for D can be a very deceiving parameter, because the best D goes against the best O. It is also depends if you play with great scorers.

BTW, anybody remember Schultz? He had a great +.

(Yeah, I read about the "batya" thing a while ago.  Pretty cool.)


Alta and I have very fond memories of him!  I don't know if you know the story, but after my first ever game there a couple of years ago, we were leaving the stadium and I tripped over a traffic cone and fell arse over tit, sprawling to the ground.  I said to the many helping hands, "Who put Jeff Schultz there?"    [size=78%] [/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]I guess you had to be there, but it was pretty funny at the time and certainly broke the ice! [/size]


I don't usually put much stock in stats.  They can be very subjective and easily manipulated.


You do know that Schultz has his name on the CUP already?

[RavenCp]

You do know that Schultz has his name on the CUP already?

Sure, I do. He wasn't instrumental in any sense, he didn't play much, but enough to get his name there.  I would happen with him or without.

[Surreylily]

Sure, I do. He wasn't instrumental in any sense, he didn't play much, but enough to get his name there.  I would happen with him or without.

I think he played 2 games..........

[RavenCp]

I think he played 2 games..........

And he probably was consider as elite D, by Caps standards. The Caps had no good D before Carlzner arrival, what did we expect?   

[Maacoshark]

And he probably was consider as elite D, by Caps standards. The Caps had no good D before Carlzner arrival, what did we expect?

    We had Somme excellent dmen back in the day. It was always our strength.

[Surreylily]

And he probably was consider as elite D, by Caps standards. The Caps had no good D before Carlzner arrival, what did we expect?

You made a funny!  Good job.!

[Surreylily]

Actually, your point about "Carlzner" is quite relevant.
We only have ONE proper shut down and stay at home D-man now and that's Orpik.

[Surreylily]

Good Lord, I need a hug so bad it ain't even funny.   

[DC_1908]

Try taking the blinders off. Or maybe decide on a team. Ever play the game yourself or do you just judge? The amount of your derogatory "contributions" trashing everyone within the organization is just pathetic. Get a new hobby, you pos.

Why I would normally embarrass they hell out of you and deystoy you for even thinking you can talk to me like that, as a moderator I cannot do those things.  Therefore  I must remind you of the TOS rules against personal attacks and destroying threads with emotional nonsense caused by hurt feelings.  (This was a polite warning by the way)

[BlackIce]

Perhaps we can agree that in games 6 and 7 against Tampa, Carlson, Niskanen, and Orlov were equally effective (along with the other three!!)


To me, these two games are the wild card in the analysis of what might happen in the finals.  The Caps seemed to tighten everything up with 5-man defense when they absolutely had to against the highest-scoring team in the league this year, and allowed nothing.  To be fair, there was one play where the puck came loose in the crease in game 7 that Tampa should have scored, but other than that, Holtby had to make a handful of tough saves and that was it.  If the Caps play anything like that in this series, it would be easy to envision them allowing no more than a goal or two a game to Vegas, which isn't a scoring juggernaut.  That means they should be in every game and should be able to eke out a couple of wins at least.  I still don't think they should be favored to win the series, but they have the capability to make it very tough for Vegas. 

[DC_1908]

One area I actively disagree with you on I think. Especially in some games these playoffs, really most, for Nisky. Orpik has by far been our physically effective D, but against Columbus and Pitt Nisky was stellar. Like stellar, defensively. He didn't looked panicked or rushed at all imo, and while he wasn't playing perfect hockey every single night, he had some amazing defensive plays that helped win us games. It's obviously been team efforts to in some cases, but I've seen some really good plays by him this post season, and from my vantage point he's bailed us out far more than he's hurt us this post season. Far more. Pitt and Columbus alone make up for the what 3 games he had bad this series?

While harsh, I will say they where effective to good at times in these playoffs, particularly the mental aspect (at least in the wins).  But this just a sample size.  There is enough history to fairly assume it is unlikely that they will collectively maintain this level.


But they’ve done good