Talk about Capitals hockey & more! > Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion
GDT R4G4 Knights @ Capitals 2018-06-04 8:00pm EST NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS
Devise:
--- Quote from: DC_1908 on Tuesday June 05, 2018, 10:37:22 AM Eastern ---We aren't able to retaliate. Reaves gave Willie probably his worst loss ever, and outside of Willie no one could take England, Smith, Sbisa, McNabb etc. Hell Im surprised Gallant didnt take this route earlier.
Its pretty god damn embarrassing.
--- End quote ---
I mean for all the praise you give to Reaves, Matt Niskanen has put him on his but 4 or 5 times this series. Obviously that is less grit in terms of fighting prowess and more Reaves not being the only big body out there. But I feel like we've handled some of their meanest players on the board play and physically fine. Every player you named was whining, complaining, diving, or getting put on their keester at some point this series by Wilson, Orpik, Ovie, Eller, Oshie, or Niskanen.
I wouldn't be so quick to assume we can't fight them if we wanted to, but we don't want to. It makes no sense. Even if we were just standing our ground, chances are the way this series is the refs give us more penalties than not on it. Wilson sadly is going to get called for anything the moment he crosses the line now that Gallant is whining like a little bitch. The Miller hit on Oshie was one that was so sad to see him whine about though. Like how can you defend that? Miller can in like a baby, tried to get a hit on Oshie then when the counter hit created a situation where his own hit hurt him, he was whining like it should be suspension. That is garbage and you know it bud. For all the "tough credit" you give this team, it'd be nice if you owned up and went "hey they are being bitches" when they are. I guess that doesn't fit the narrative of Caps have to choke?
I'm not saying we can't choke. But you can't make EVERYTHING about that. Your known for calling what you see and I always like that about you, your seeing us play good mean hockey and out work and out hit them too, don't see you calling that.
4 Caps:
--- Quote from: DC_1908 on Tuesday June 05, 2018, 10:37:22 AM Eastern ---We aren't able to retaliate. Reaves gave Willie probably his worst loss ever, and outside of Willie no one could take England, Smith, Sbisa, McNabb etc. Hell Im surprised Gallant didnt take this route earlier.
Its pretty god damn embarrassing.
--- End quote ---
What is embarrassing? That we are up 3 to 1. We just need to stay the course and not get caught up in the extracurricular nonsense. Let them take stupid penalties and we will retaliate by putting the puck in their net.
Devise:
Obviously respect your opinion and all that jazz DC, I think your on the money a lot of the time. But I do think you can't not be proud of our group at this point. Vegas had a pretty mean forecheck coming into this series and while structurally we have neutered it, we've always owned up and starting playing a grittier physical team brand of hockey that has to earn this team some favor.
Yes, for sure, overconfidence can kill us, it's always been a killer for us. The moment the narrative shifts to our favor we start to believe the hype too much. I totally agree with you on that. But ignoring all that, we've still been a heck of a hockey team these playoffs and I think there is a lot of guys on our roster who had much needed gut check moments who are now playing way more to their, not skill, size and determination. More people saw what Beagle and Oshie were doing out there and realized that it's that type of hard work above all that has to be there. I have to respect that myself. Even more so when I see Reaves and that 4th line forechecking and watching Kempny not get out manned on the puck or Nisky drop Reaves on a counter hit and stare at him. The frustration we saw out of Vegas at the end of last nights game was just as much about their inability to dicate the 5v5 play of this series. Even in a world where the bounces in the first 10 minutes of the game go in, the rest of that hockey game Vegas was still far too streaky. They aren't playing the way to they are expecting and it's because we are frustrating them and not letting them dictate, even when they get physical.
Obviously still lots of hockey to be played. But I feel like your just ignoring the grit our boys have showed at some point is all. Like nobody could take Engelland, Smith, Sbias Mcnabb etc? Come on. What even etc. are you talking about if Vegas fights with Reaves or McNabb they lose two key players. That is huge for them. Their fourth line and top shutdown pair have literally been the only good things for them on the ice most of this series. But regardless, Orpik has fought and won these playoffs and he's had a return to form playoffs that for me is likely signalling near the end of his career in terms of peak. You see that sometimes. But I'd easily say Orpik could hold his ground or take any of the players not named Reaves you just mentioned. Ovie has fought before, although once but with his leadership he hasn't backed down during scrums. Oshie too. Nisky too, who has fought and delivered big hits on star players in the past. Let's not get wild here. We aren't a bunch of small babies. We have shown that this series. Vegas is smaller than us on the whole, that is just facts. Ryan Reaves for all his grit and size is still only 6'1. Lars Eller is 6'2 at that rate. Wilson towers of Reaves, and the only reason for the big loss during that fight and in general is because Reaves literally trains fighting. But in terms of top fighters left in the NHL Wilson is probably top 3 to Reaves 1 lets be real here. He'd have a chance if he stood his ground.
Devise:
Also wowsa, if we are debating defenders in these playoffs and looking at our group. Just looking back through the stats from lsat nights game.
Niskanen Orpik and Kepmny had 15 blocks and 9 hits between them with 0 giveaways. Carlson had 2 giveaways himself. Come on Maaco, we know who the D are who are laying down and getting those shot blocks. Carlson gets a few here or there. But our real D listed there are shot blocking leaders right now for us, defensive leaders, not throwing the puck away unless on an off night etc. I know your a Carlson lover, and he's been much better these playoffs but the people are supporting him better as well. It has a factor, you have to see it.
OldHat:
--- Quote from: DC_1908 on Tuesday June 05, 2018, 10:29:24 AM Eastern ---I fear confidence can easily turn into over-cofidence and could become our undoing.
SCF history or not, The Caps still have blown 3-1 series leads before. We have also seen this same team play sloppier and dumber than 12yo-coed rec-league teams this season (and before), so going back to that possible even if unlikely.
Play safe, play smart, and nothing show off and/or stupid. It really could take just one failed toe drag, missed assignment, bad pass, etc. to loose all the momentum/mojo we have going, and give it off to a pissed off team.
--- End quote ---
I don't see how any long term Caps fan doesn't still have that little whisper of "choke" left. This team has shown itself to be different so far. One more game to exorcise the choking dogs demon. No doubt they can do it, the question is will they?
I posted before, this team is finally doing all the things a team needs to do in the playoffs - pretty much without any let up. Most importantly as a team - I couldn't be any happier with how this team is playing right now.
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