I do. When these guys are playing full steam they are seemingly unstoppable. If we stay healthy and somewhat rested we have a shot at another cup. As crappy as we've seen them play they are still dominating the standings.
True AJ, but the catch is, Our guys are SO good, that if they CONSISTENTLY commit to “playing full steam”, they would SURELY win the cup, IMO! No question!!
If we follow the basic observations on how this team can be SO good, and then appear SO bad and deenergized, then the old “They dial it in when THEY want” theory makes complete sense.
They are simply at that good of a level, so as to stay at the top of the division, as they monitor their progress! WHEN THEY WANT!!.....SO.....
Rierden made a good, and also properly predictable decision, to put Sammy in! Whether the Caps would have had an offensive onslaught or not, the decision was proper!
To suggest, (and I’m not saying you, AJ, personally), that Rierden had some “Clairvoyant” moment where he knew that his decision to go with Sammy in the 3rd, would help “SPARK”, the team and get them going, TO THE LEVEL AT TODAYS 3rd period, is completely contrary to what we observe, with Rierden, when the Caps pull that unmotivated, lack of care, sloppy, hockey crap that frustrates us ALL to no end!
Sure, changing goalies IS used as an overall, general motivator, when the team needs a lift, but it is JUST THAT,....generally motivating!
NOT, the TOTALLY COMPREHENSIVE INTENSITY of THIS type of 3rd period domination!
Maybe even elevated, early on, as Mick alluded to, with Sammy’s two great saves, but still, I think it is born out of the fickleness of WHENEVER, these guys, CHOOSE to turn it on HEAVY!!
My point:
NOBODY KNOWS WHY THE BOYS DECIDE TO TURN IT ON...EXCEPT THEMSELVES!!! And their NOT going to let ANYONE ELSE find out!
Because then they would lose the freedom to CONTROL, generally, the CONVENIENCE of not having to work as hard, when they DONT WANT TO!! ( Their abundant talent spoils them this way, as they can still hold onto the top of the Metro div).
Rierden has NO clue WHATSOEVER, about how to correct it!! (Sorry to disagree, Black).
And if someone attempts to make the case, using tonight’s game as an example, of Rierdens goalie replacement, (a good move), as him having some kind of “inkling”, or “know how”, that it may have lead to the offensive onslaught we witnessed in the 3rd period.......
Well I would strongly disagree, and say as evidence then; Where was Coach Rierdens talent for “motivational skills”, for nearly a MONTH, from mid Dec 2019, through the first week or two of Jan 2020 ?? When they were looking flat as a pancake, and lost 6 out of 12!! My God, they’re probably the only team that could play that lackadaisically, and actually WIN the other half of those same 6 out of 12!!
Our spoiled-ass, yet, extremely talented players, really DO call the shots!! As far as WHEN they’re going to show up! This answers so much of the mystery of the whole subject, IMO!! And we can’t do a darn thing about it!!! BECAUSE......
Even though IT REAKS of a lack of those old-timed, character issues!
THEY STILL WIN!! and by that definition, THEY ARE WINNERS!!
(Damn, how times have changed!)🤣😂🤣
Rush
