Talk about Capitals hockey & more! > Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion
G69 Capitals @ Sabres 7:00pm Mon Mar 9, 2020 NBCSWA, ESPN+, TVAS, MSG-B
Beaglefan2:
--- Quote from: richkrt99 on Tuesday March 10, 2020, 10:13:12 AM Eastern ---
I agree. Kovi has looked better the last few games. He still has decent wheels and good size. He has been more physical than I expected too. He's had some glorious chances that did not go, but he was in position to make those chances. Hopefully it breaks for him soon and he becomes a solid asset
Honestly I think that's why TR put him out for shootout. If he scores, puts him (Kovi) in good light with team and boosts his confidence. Same with Panik....he HAS been much better lately so maybe give him a shot...but I agree with ALTA on the Panik choice - deserving or not, it's just not his skill set.
--- End quote ---
I think you are absolutely right on the reasoning on Panik getting the shot. I might actually agree with it, if we had the luxury of not needing the points. He also clearly wants to get Kovulchuk going and confident.
I would have put Eller out there or maybe even Dowd.
BlackIce:
Before we all collectively jump off a bridge at last night's game, let's remember that a couple of weeks ago the Pens lost to the Sabres 5-2 in their own building.
They did come back to beat the Sabres in Buffalo last week. But it shows that all teams have their downers.
Did the Caps look bad last night? Absolutely. What I think we don't take into account is that all teams have games where they just don't get going. And a lot of them have more than the Caps do. Now a lot of people around here seem to think that the Caps have more talent than anyone else, and it's just their lack of motivation that keeps them from running completely roughshod over the league. I don't buy that. The Caps' core, while good, is aging, and for the past decade they have been drafting mostly toward the bottom of the league because of their success, so other teams have been getting the primo talent. I'd say the Caps are in the upper echelon of the league with respect to talent, except on the blue line, but head and shoulders above everybody??? Nah, I don't think so. So if the Caps ARE in the upper echelon of the league talent-wise and not spread-eagling the field, then their record has them right where their talent level says they should be, no more, no less. Or to look at it another way: If the Caps commitment is so much more terrible than other teams' so that it is dragging them down relative to other teams, then the fact that they are in the upper echelon of the league says that they are OVERPERFORMING relative to how they are approaching the season. What would cause that?? A season of luck? Superb coaching? The refs favoring the Caps over other teams? The Caps having fewer injuries than other teams? Maybe we need to thank a best-in-the-league training and medical staff? What, exactly?
DC_1908:
--- Quote from: alta on Tuesday March 10, 2020, 03:47:49 PM Eastern ---
last season I would've given Coach Rearend a pass, but after almost two full seasons of watching this unmotivated squad I don't think he's got what it takes to be a head coach, yet.
--- End quote ---
Assuredly, this team has had to much success for any yelling or chewing out to have much effect (unless your Trotz or Hunter), Toddy needs to find other ways to challenge them and get their interest back.
What Reidon needs to do is wake this team the fuck up and get some intensity going.
I hate to site the “lines”, but Toodie gives me no choice. The lines have by and large stayed the same all year. And when there were changes, they were all but the same changes/subs made before. This typically creates stagnation and predictably for the opponents.
Granted, GMBetaMale hasn’t given us many players that typically play anything but their “natural” position, but these guys ARE pros and “should” be able to handle flopping sides or a center playing wing.
What about puttin Wilson or Hathaway on the left and putting them out with any center but Kuzy. Those two could create utter chaos and pure energy. Let Oshie play with Kovalchuk, or put Eller, Boyd, and Dowd, or even Backstrom together. Anything to generate a spark, break comfort-zones and confuse the opponents.
I know, people will call me a Detroiter, and that this “The New NHL”, but Scotty Bowman did this sort of thing all the time, before and during games when he was with the Wings. It drove some players nuts but the ultimately bought in, and where able stop slumps, create energy, and throw off the opponents. (Granted, they built a team that by and large could do this)
Even if it didn’t work, it’d be better than it is now.
DC_1908:
--- Quote from: BlackIce on Tuesday March 10, 2020, 05:22:59 PM Eastern ---Before we all collectively jump off a bridge at last night's game, let's remember that a couple of weeks ago the Pens lost to the Sabres 5-2 in their own building.
They did come back to beat the Sabres in Buffalo last week. But it shows that all teams have their downers.
Did the Caps look bad last night? Absolutely. What I think we don't take into account is that all teams have games where they just don't get going. And a lot of them have more than the Caps do. Now a lot of people around here seem to think that the Caps have more talent than anyone else, and it's just their lack of motivation that keeps them from running completely roughshod over the league. I don't buy that. The Caps' core, while good, is aging, and for the past decade they have been drafting mostly toward the bottom of the league because of their success, so other teams have been getting the primo talent. I'd say the Caps are in the upper echelon of the league with respect to talent, except on the blue line, but head and shoulders above everybody??? Nah, I don't think so. So if the Caps ARE in the upper echelon of the league talent-wise and not spread-eagling the field, then their record has them right where their talent level says they should be, no more, no less. Or to look at it another way: If the Caps commitment is so much more terrible than other teams' so that it is dragging them down relative to other teams, then the fact that they are in the upper echelon of the league says that they are OVERPERFORMING relative to how they are approaching the season. What would cause that?? A season of luck? Superb coaching? The refs favoring the Caps over other teams? The Caps having fewer injuries than other teams? Maybe we need to thank a best-in-the-league training and medical staff? What, exactly?
--- End quote ---
They’re comfortable.
They assuredly can assume that they can play lackadaisical with minimal intensity most of the game, and then turn it up and get back in it or eek out a win. This losing spell shows that is now becoming less effect.
Ovie is on pace for 58 goals and could hit 60, thats the priority. Everything else comes second
Mickstix:
Yea, Caps are unmotivated.. They may not have the -best- talent in the league, but they've got more than a bunch of these teams that are just out playing them.
--- Quote from: DC_1908 on Tuesday March 10, 2020, 07:15:34 PM Eastern --- Anything to generate a spark, break comfort-zones and confuse the opponents.
--- End quote ---
The whole organization is allergic to that stuff.. Kempny should be watching a few games. They treating him like he's their #1 goalie or something. :rofl:
Who knows why they won't try some actual mixed up lines. Afraid they'll play bad and drop a point I guess.. Or hurt someones feels. lol
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