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G45 Capitals @ Flyers 7:30pm Wed Jan 8, 2020 NBCSN
BlackIce:
Interestingly, from a couple of months ago J.J. Regan, beat writer for the Caps, has been saying consistently that the team couldn't keep up their early pace, and fans shouldn't be surprised when (not if) the team has a January/February slump. Not that he knows anything more than anyone else, but we might be well served to set aside the prophesies of doom for awhile and see how the rest of the regular season plays out.
That being said, this team does have holes and no clear way of filling at least one of them because of salary cap limitations. It does appear that the Caps' forays into the bargain basement bin for defensemen has resulted in one true bargain (Kempny) and one misfit garment - Jensen. The current version of Holtby isn't going to get it done, but he does have a history of rejuvenation, so let's see what happens as the playoffs approach. And the team does have an at least intriguing option to turn to in Samsanov. And I think Ovie may be wearing down -- it's getting more and more obvious the wisdom of his skipping the all-star festivities. We'll see if he gets rejuvenated after that, but the team is really overusing him. A 34 year old with his mileage and the type of physical game he plays should not be averaging 20+ minutes a night.
Mickstix:
--- Quote from: BlackIce on Thursday January 09, 2020, 08:00:59 AM Eastern --- A 34 year old with his mileage and the type of physical game he plays should not be averaging 20+ minutes a night.
--- End quote ---
I don't think they have a choice. Outside of Oshie, Vrana and Ovie, they don't have 2 hands -total-, between the other 5 wingers..
richkrt99:
--- Quote from: Mickstix on Thursday January 09, 2020, 08:16:07 AM Eastern ---
I don't think they have a choice. Outside of Oshie, Vrana and Ovie, they don't have 2 hands -total-, between the other 5 wingers..
--- End quote ---
Somewhat true but...
I'd say that's probably one of the good things about our 3rd and 4th lines. They may not help a lot on the score sheet (or as much as we would like), but they do occupy some ice time. They certainly don't seem to be hurting the caps while they are on the ice. Also, the Eller line seems to be stepping up a bit this past month and the 4th line is always a good energy line.
One of the problems is we seem to be playing most games from behind (Puck strikes again!), so you top scoring lines get more ice time because you need to score.
IF we could manage to play a game for a full three periods and manage to get a lead early, you might be able to spread out the ice time better and rely on your "non-scoring" lines to occupy more ice time
But you probably right, the wear and tear, especially on the older guys, catch up as the games pile up....especially if you manage a playoff run. I think we witnessed some of that after our Cup year...the guys just couldn't muster the energy to overcome the Canes.
richkrt99:
--- Quote from: alta on Wednesday January 08, 2020, 10:00:47 PM Eastern ---fukin Orlov
--- End quote ---
agreed, but the guy totally embellished it. Orlov got his stick between the guys legs and you can see him squeeze his thighs together to hold the stick and just fall to the ice. From the refs point of view, you have to call it, but watch the replay in slo-mo and you see why Orlov is upset on the call.
Stupid penalty anyway, but we know Orlov is prone to stupidity on occasion. Bad timing though.
Should not have mattered at that point. Should have been up a couple goals by then with 5 power plays. O-5 on the PP AND giving up a shortie? Nobody wins on those figures.
The Caps actually played a decent 2nd period defensively. I think Flyers had maybe 1 shot on goal the first 15 minutes or something. (and then get two shots short handed, scoring on one of them). I looked it up. Flyers had a total of three shots in the second period - two of them during short handed play.
The Flyers got two shots short handed, one of them a goal, and zero shots in the entire game on their PP
The Caps had ten shots on 5 PP and 1 while short handed.
I'd say the special teams made the difference in this game.
I did some algebra and came up with a formula that proves the Caps loss:
5X PPPP + 1 SHG = F3-C2 :huh:
spelled out: that's 5 PissPoorPowerPlays and 1 ShortHandedGoal = Flyers 3, Caps 2
If you break down (simplify) the calculation the result is: Caps Lose
richkrt99:
And Holtby wasn't sharp I don't think. He wasn't horrible, and not hanging the loss on him, but not sharp. If he is on his game, we get to overtime at least.
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