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:ovechkincup2:
(https://galactichub.com/caps/Capitals @ Penguins.gif)
Game 70: 89-41-21-7 (PTS-W-L-OT) Streak - W7
Tue Mar 12, 2019 Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Place: PPG Paints Arena
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSWA, NBCSN, SNE, SNO, SNP, TVAS, ATTSN-PT
Radio: 106.7 The Fan, Caps Radio 24/7 (http://tunein.com/radio/Caps-Radio-247-s231201/)
NHL.COM (https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/2018021073) for Live Box Score
Last Game: Fri March 8 Capitals won 3-1 against Jets
Next Game: Thu Mar 14, 7:00 pm ET Capitals @ Flyers
| :spacer50pix: 8-Ovechkin | :spacer50pix: 92-Kuznetsov | :spacer50pix: 43-Wilson |
| :spacer50pix: 13-Vrana | :spacer50pix: 19-Bäckström | :spacer50pix: 77-Oshie |
| :spacer50pix: 62-Hagelin | :spacer50pix: 20-Eller | :spacer50pix: 10-Connolly |
| :spacer50pix: 65-Burakovsky | :spacer50pix: 26-Dowd | :spacer50pix: 72-Boyd |
| :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 6-Kempny | :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 74-Carlson |
| :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 9-Orlov | :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 2-Niskanen |
| :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 44-Orpik | :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 3-Jensen |
|
| :spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix: 70-Holtby (starter) |
| :spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix: 1-Copley |
-- SCRATCH --
| :spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix: 23-Jaskin |
| :spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix: 18-Stephenson |
| :spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix: 29-Djoos |
-- INJURED RESERVE --
| :spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix::spacer50pix: |
-- 1st Powerplay Unit --
| :spacer50pix: 92-Kuznetsov | :spacer50pix: 19-Bäckström | :spacer50pix: 77-Oshie |
| :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 8-Ovechkin | :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 74-Carlson |
-- 2nd Powerplay Unit --
| :spacer50pix: 13-Vrana | :spacer50pix: 20-Eller | :spacer50pix: 43-Wilson |
| :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 2-Niskanen | :spacer50pix: :spacer50pix: 9-Orlov |
:spacer50pix: Referees: Jon Mclsaac (#2), Brad Meier (#34)
:spacer50pix: Linesmen: Ryan Daisy (#81), Ryan Gibbons (#58)
PENGUINS LINEUP
Jared McCann - Sidney Crosby - Jake Guentzel
Teddy Blueger -Evgeni Malkin - Phil Kessel
Dominik Simon - Nick Bjugstad - Patric Hornqvist
Joseph Blandisi - Matt Cullen- Garrett Wilson
Brian Dumoulin - Zach Trotman
Jack Johnson - Justin Schultz
Marcus Pettersson - Erik Gudbranson
Matt Murray (starter)
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: Juuso Riikola (healthy)
Injured: Olli Maatta (upper body), Bryan Rust (lower body), Kris Letang (upper body), Chad Ruhwedel (upper body), Zach Aston-Reese (lower body)
Injured Reserve: Olli Maatta (upper body)
(https://washingtoncapitalsfanforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgalactichub.com%2Fcaps%2Fscoring_summary.gif&hash=a5539380153e9a0902e0b6fc1ce40d49d66becf2)
1st Period
19:27 GOAL 13-Vrana, assists 19-Bäckström & 77-Oshie 1-0 WSH
2nd Period
10:24 GOAL 13-Vrana, assists 9-Orlov & 77-Oshie 2-0 WSH
12:34 BRAIN FART 92-Kuznetsov, unassisted -3 GOALS
12:37 Penguins GOAL Guentzel, assist McCann 2-1 WSH
13:24 Penguins GOAL Crosby, assist Schultz 2-2 TIE
14:25 Penguins PP GOAL Crosby, assists Kessel & Malkin 3-2 PIT
3rd Period
11:56 Penguins PP GOAL Kessel, assists Schultz & Malkin 4-2 PIT
14:02 GOAL 74-Carlson, assists 8-Ovechkin & 19-Bäckström 4-3 PIT
19:04 Penguins EN GOAL McCann, unassisted 5-3 PIT
FINAL: 5-3 PIT
(https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/rmnb-retina.png)
By Brennin Weiswerda March 11, 2019 8:41 pm
Capitals’ Carl Hagelin returns to Pittsburgh as a rival. Sidney Crosby says it will be ‘Weird. Really weird.’
(https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/carl-hagelin-stanley-cup-sidney-crosby.jpg)
Headline photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America
Carl Hagelin may have made a short detour through LA on his way to Washington, DC, but before that, he spent nearly three years in Pittsburgh and helped them raise the Stanley Cup twice.
He was a ‘Caps-killer’ to his new team until recently, but to the Penguins he was “a guy who played [a] lot of important roles for us over the years,” said Hagelin’s former captain Sidney Crosby. “He had a great attitude every day. He was someone who always raised his level of play in the playoffs.”
Hagelin has faced off against the Capitals in six different playoff series, scoring six goals over 35 playoff games. His team has eliminated the Capitals in the playoffs five different times.
He’ll make his first return to PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday rocking the red. Crosby said it will be “Weird. Really weird.”
Hagelin said he imagines it will be weirder for his former teammates and the friends he’s still in touch with than it will be for him. “It definitely will be different because I play for one of their biggest rivals now,” Hagelin said of his return. “It would be similar if I was with the (Philadelphia) Flyers.”
Hagelin spent 16 games with Pittsburgh this season and 22 with the LA Kings. He scored one goal with each–a total he’s already matched in just eight games with the Capitals.
A video tribute is expected to play for Hagelin during the first intermission. Since the Penguins video team probably haven’t had time to include this highlight-reel goal Hagelin scored against the Jets on Sunday, we’ll go ahead and put it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_s6RwncwC8
As Tom Wilson said, “His skating is elite and we’re happy to have him on our side.”
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Let's GO CAPS!
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I guess the pregame browsing craigslist is payback for oak island 8)
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I guess the pregame browsing craigslist is payback for oak island 8)
"I think it's leather!"
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It's nice to see Rust and Letang out, and the kid with the soft jaw is out too
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Hagelin will start the game, after that the lines go back to normal
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/bloody-penguin.jpg)
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/Another-Crosby-Pussy-Dive.gif)
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when you're over paying a Dman for his offense he's gotta make those
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when you're over paying a Dman for his offense he's gotta make those
I see that you are our new Carlson lover! :snicker:
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73
:43d:
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why is Cindey hitting guys after the whistle?
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Pens in full playoff style mode, blocking shots and getting sticks in every passing lane.. Boys gonna have to put the work boots on!
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why is Cindey hitting guys after the whistle?
Because he's Cindey ! He also tried to draw a penalty with a dive earlier.
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why is Cindey hitting guys after the whistle?
His time of the month?
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/Capitals_mascot-Penguins.png) :B:
:13:
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:jake:
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GOAL
PLISKIN
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Hey peeps!
What the hell time did this game start???? 8-0
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That was a spectacular shot. 20 Goals for the Snake!
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Hey peeps!
What the hell time did this game start? ??? 8-0
Same time as 90% of them, at 7pm :-\
I post the next game date and time near the top of the GDT OP.
BTW, there is a Yahoo Sports app for smartphones that will give you a heads up 3 hours before puck drop and again at precisely the puck drop.
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Same time as 90% of them, at 7pm :-\
I post the next game date and time near the top of the GDT OP.
Not even midnight here yet............. :huh:
Your clocks go forward already?
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BTW, there is a Yahoo Sports app for smartphones that will give you a heads up 3 hours before puck drop and again at precisely the puck drop.
:lmao:
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Not even midnight here yet............. :huh:
Your clocks go forward already?
I told you the last game that our clocks went forward on the second Sunday of March.
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It has been a great game. Brutal hits, A Sindey dive, and a last minute super snipe goal by Vrana to take the lead 1-0. And the game has been played at super high speed.
ETA
29 hits in the first period.
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I told you the last game that our clocks went forward on the second Sunday of March.
Oh! Missed that. :wackysmile: I was having an episode..... :-|
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When they gave the plus/minus in pregame on whether Vrana would be scoring this game I said Vrana would score today! :uh-huh:
The line had it 2 to 1 he would not score.
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Watching the replay that was a hell of a shot by Vrana. That was a good period by the Caps we definitely had the better scoring chances. If we play like that in the next two periods we should win.
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Not even midnight here yet............. :huh:
Your clocks go forward already?
I feel like we already had this conversation
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How are you doing today Lil?
:banana:
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All good.
Hens dressed like little baby chicks........ :snicker:
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Evenin Lil! Hope your spirits are higher tonight! :hearts:
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:refs:
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Evenin Lil! Hope your spirits are higher tonight! :hearts:
Recovered. Thanks babes. :hearts:
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Good PK. :clap:
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the way the broadcast is playing the crowd noise is highly annoying
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the way the broadcast is playing the crowd noise is highly annoying
I was wondering if we were using the NBCSN sound because we're suddenly back to good Dolby 5.1 sound today. NBC crew WOULD play up the Hens crowd.
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Man, the Caps really appear to be in sync.
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/Capitals_mascot-Penguins.png) :B:
:13:
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:jake: :jake:
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PLISKIN
#21
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Man, the Caps really appear to be in sync.
Did they do the tribute to Hagelin earlier?
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Yeah baby! :uh-huh:
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Did they do the tribute to Hagelin earlier?
Yes, during the first commercial break, but we just saw a little clapping and cheering at the end of it.
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Did they do the tribute to Hagelin earlier?
yep, during the first commercial break in the 1st period. It wasn't on the tv
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:raised-eyebrow:
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Hi Lil!
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fukin turnover
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:O=
FUCK!
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fukin joke
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(https://washingtoncapitalsfanforum.com/Smileys/arjunaz/anim-barf.gif)
FUCK!
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Kuzy with the lazy shitass play turns the momentum.
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Why didn't Kempny hook him?
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WTF was Holby doing there?? He didn't even play the puck
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Hi Lil!
Hey you.
No chance for Holtby there.
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This is ALL on Kuzy because the Caps had this game totally under control. Dumb fuck.
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NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :crying:
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/Another-Penguin-Pussy-Dive.gif)
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I love how this league ignores it's diving rule
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:O=
FUCK!!!!!!!
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I only hope that play turned just this game and not the season.
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/referee-penguins.jpg)
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That was brutal.
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They should know from the past that you have to play intense for 60 in PIT. Kuzy let up and the game is turned on it’s head.
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Well that turned to :poop: in a hurry..
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/referee-penguins.jpg)
If I ever take a date to a game in shitsburgh, I'm getting one those made^^,
and a hens jersey with the dead penguin, and 87 Louganis on the back
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If I ever take a date to a game in shitsburgh, I'm getting one those made^^,
and a hens jersey with the dead penguin, and 87 Louganis on the back
I would love to see that. Please send a picture if you do! :wackysmile:
(https://galactichub.com/caps/dead-penguin.jpg)
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Well that was a bit of a shit storm. :raised-eyebrow:
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I guess we should be used to the Hens tactics by now, but I never can get accustomed to the levels they sink to. :O= Nor the levels that the refs let them get away with it.
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I guess we should be used to the Hens tactics by now, but I never can get accustomed to the levels they sink to. :O= Nor the levels that the refs let them get away with it.
Playing them and their crap is annoying, but we caused our own problems. I'm still shaking my head at how stupid 92 was to stand with the puck at his own blue line.
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Playing them and their crap is annoying, but we caused our own problems. I'm still shaking my head at how stupid 92 was to stand with the puck at his own blue line.
It was the Malkin dive and the Backus penalty that got me. How was that not two on both sides, minimal? :huh: Oh wait. I know. 'Cos it's the Hens. ::)
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I hope we put some really good, bone-crushing hits on them in the 3rd. :uh-huh:
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Watch for Willy to drill Hornquist. We need something to get the momentum back.
Ovi scores to tie it and Vrana gets the Hattie for the winner!
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I'd hate to know how many multi goal leads we've lost to the Pens over the years.. Seems like every time we play them we have a 2 or more goal lead at some point and usually lose.. :wackysmile:
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Watch for Willy to drill Hornquist. We need something to get the momentum back.
Ovi scores to tie it and Vrana gets the Hattie for the winner!
:wackysmile: :yawn: :wackysmile: :yawn: :wackysmile: Not bloody likely, but hope is a good thing.... no?
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Of course they missed Malkin handling the puck in the paint and Hornquist elbowing Jensen in the head earlier.. Refs gets blinded by the bright yellow apparently.
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:lmao: Malkin at it again.
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Little baby chicklet outfits must be bringing out the protectiveness in the refs. No eggs for them in the morning.... ;)
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GO WILLY!!!!!!!
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God these refs are stooooopid! :wackysmile:
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If the Caps don't tighten up their passing they will lose this by 4
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Not even watching the actual game now, just counting down to the inevitable........... :uh-huh:
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Well that was like a fart in a hurricane. ::)
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Murray lets out some juicy rebounds.
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Oh well, couple 3 posts and another too many men.. That'll about do it.. :poop:
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:suicide:
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We played such a superior game and then become our own worst enemy. Lots of help from the refs for the Hens as usual!
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That’s on our illustrious bench bosses. Too many men at this point? Really? SMH.
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Oh well, couple posts and another too many men.. That'll about do it.. :poop:
3 to be exact.
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Oh good Lord!
We need a "face palm" emojie AJ. ::)
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Shorty coming
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:O=
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Like I said, we’d better beat Philly on Thursday or this season could get scary very fast.
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Looked like Jensen was puck watching.
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Shorty coming
Gotta love your optimism.
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no point in Willy staying on the ice for his offense at this point, may as well kick someone's ass
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Malkin is a bigger pussy than Crosby.
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Wow. Burger chops. :O=
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(https://galactichub.com/caps/Capitals_mascot-Penguins.png) :B:
:74pp:
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Back in it.
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it's about fukin time.. for a PP and a PPG
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Was that our first PP in this gamedd? Or did we have one in the first period?
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COME ON OUR CHAPS! Time for the big boy pants.....
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Was that our first PP in this gamedd? Or did we have one in the first period?
We had one early in 1st.
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We had one early in 1st.
How many did they have?
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This one will hurt if we lose.
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How many did they have?
They had 5
ETA
Actually, I think we had 3
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:O=
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This one is on 92 and 8. 92 with 2 giveaways for goals and 8 missed 4 goal scoring chances.
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Bollocks! :(
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Can’t lose games like this.
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Thanks again Kuznetsov! :clown:
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This one is on 92 and 8. 92 with 2 giveaways for goals and 8 missed 4 goal scoring chances.
YOu will see in my Scoring summary that I credited Kuzy for totally shifting the momentum!
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This one is on 92 and 8. 92 with 2 giveaways for goals and 8 missed 4 goal scoring chances.
LOTS of blame to go around in this one. :-(
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YOu will see in my Scoring summary that I credited Kuzy for totally shifting the momentum!
And at 4-3 down he gave away the puck again for their 5th.
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LOTS of blame to go around in this one. :-(
I thought we played a great game but for 2 minutes that Kuzy triggered by being a bonehead.
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They had 5
ETA
Actually, I think we had 3
In the first period?
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This one is on 92 and 8. 92 with 2 giveaways for goals and 8 missed 4 goal scoring chances.
Then blame Dylan for hitting the pipe too many times, and damn sure blame Holts on the Cindey breakaway, Holts made zero attempt at playing the puck by standing up and playing the man.
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(https://washingtoncapitalsfanforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgalactichub.com%2Fcaps%2Fscoring_summary.gif&hash=a5539380153e9a0902e0b6fc1ce40d49d66becf2)
1st Period
19:27 GOAL 13-Vrana, assists 19-Bäckström & 77-Oshie 1-0 WSH
2nd Period
10:24 GOAL 13-Vrana, assists 9-Orlov & 77-Oshie 2-0 WSH
12:34 BRAIN FART 92-Kuznetsov, unassisted -3 GOALS
12:37 Penguins GOAL Guentzel, assist McCann 2-1 WSH
13:24 Penguins GOAL Crosby, assist Schultz 2-2 TIE
14:25 Penguins PP GOAL Crosby, assists Kessel & Malkin 3-2 PIT
3rd Period
11:56 Penguins PP GOAL Kessel, assists Schultz & Malkin 4-2 PIT
14:02 GOAL 74-Carlson, assists 8-Ovechkin & 19-Bäckström 4-3 PIT
19:04 Penguins EN GOAL McCann, unassisted 5-3 PIT
FINAL: 5-3 PIT
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Oh well. We outplayed them and I think we handle them in the playoffs as long as we keep the home ice.
If Ovi has his normal game, we win this one easy. That was a good example of what we have had to endure the last 10 years - except last year - where we hit posts and didn’t get the bounces.
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Oh well. We outplayed them and I think we handle them in the playoffs as long as we keep the home ice.
If Ovi has his normal game, we win this one easy. That was a good example of what we have had to endure the last 10 years - except last year - where we hit posts and didn’t get the bounces.
or the officiating
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Oh well. We outplayed them and I think we handle them in the playoffs as long as we keep the home ice.
If Ovi has his normal game, we win this one easy. That was a good example of what we have had to endure the last 10 years - except last year - where we hit posts and didn’t get the bounces.
I agree. I am happy with our game. We have to work on the brain farts.
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I have to wonder if Willy had come out of the box after his penalty and took on whatsisface, if that would have changed the momentum....? I was fully expecting it, but..... like i said, "fart in a hurricane". Damp squib..
Kuzy was awfull tonight, for sure. One goal was definitely oon the refs - the Bakus penalty, on Malkin's dive.
Meh. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
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I have to wonder if Willy had come out of the box after his penalty and took on whatsisface, if that would have changed the momentum....? I was fully expecting it, but..... like i said, "fart in a hurricane". Damp squib..
Kuzy was awfull tonight, for sure. One goal was definitely oon the refs - the Bakus penalty, on Malkin's dive.
Meh. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
We needed him on the ice. I'm glad he didn't.
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Night night my loverlies. :yawn:
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Night night my loverlies. :yawn:
Cheers! Next game is Thursday at 7pm.
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Night night my loverlies. :yawn:
Oh yea, our clocks moved forward! :snicker:
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Top line needs to get their shit together. Kuzy is fucking being stupid and Ovi is literally blowing his 50 goal season and Rocket Richard win by not putting the damn puck in. What else do the Caps pay him for?
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Top line needs to get their shit together. Kuzy is fucking being stupid and Ovi is literally blowing his 50 goal season and Rocket Richard win by not putting the damn puck in. What else do the Caps pay him for?
Hey Zero!
Couldn’t agree more with you and apace, on who most shoulders the blame tonite!
For all that Kuzy gets credit for, and he should, he also balances out negatively, often, and even worse, in a variety of ways.
On offense he is a paradox to me. He has some of the SICKEST, and most awesome puck moves, that can obliterate any defenseman, or goalie, AND YET....he also makes terrible pass and puck handling decisions, after crossing the blue line, that defy all logic! Ok, fair enough. If that were the only issue, I could live with it, if Kuzy’s production is high, no problem!
Well, so NOW, we talk Kuzy defense.... He gets beat ALL the time, by his opponent, scrambling down the ice, resulting in EXCELLENT, high chance shots, for the guy he’s supposed to cover on D, skating practically unguarded, with minimal, INEFFECTIVE, defensive effort! He ranks either AT the bottom, or very near it, in Hits, and blocked shots, also!! Almost nil!
So the frustration comes from trying to justify, in our heads, the huge gap of high and low, between Kuzy’s stellar play, and his horrible play! This guy seems to have the WIDEST range, from great to abysmal, I’ve ever seen on the ice!
Of course we want him on the ice, in 3 on 3 overtime. He’s a winning goal machine! But how much can we let his positive value, support “looking the other way”, with his negatives? Its a tough one to call, IMO!
Ovi, looked slow this evening, also! Like he left most of his hockey presence, and awareness, back in the locker room. He had some really slow reactions, to several “gimme” type shots for a goal!! Just completely out of sync with it tonite. Easy case to be made, that Ovi’s issue is temporary. Not so sure for Kuzy!! (Hope I’m wrong)!
Rush
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Kuznetsov's a lazy ass who doesn't have his head in the game in the regular season.. We'll see if he can "turn it on" when the playoffs start (again) but playing that way is a poor recipe. He should really start the Flyers game centering Burt and Boyd. (And stay there till he looks like he gives a shat)
Ovie hasn't looked "right" to me in a while. Not sure how many games it took to get that 1200 point (probably 2) but it felt like a month.. lol
Holtby trying to check Crosby instead of play goal didn't help much. :huh:
But #92 brain farting the puck away led to 2 minutes of bullshit and another lopsided GA vs the Shitholes from Shitsburgh.. :O=
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Well that sucked.
Pretty much out played the Hens MOST of the game. Stupid ass Kuzy gave this away. Holtby didn't help (at one crucial moment)
I had hopes we'd wake the fuck up and get back in it, but on about the third hit post and 3rd or 4th missed empty net, I knew it was over. That and a fucking too many men.....How the fuck does that happen when WE have the puck behind our NET....WAITING on guys to change.
One of the announcers pegged it (I think it was Alan May)....."when their star players play better than your star players, this is what happens"
Caps Stars:
Kuzy gave away the puck and a goal that started the meltdown
Holtbeast totally brain farted on Cindy's breakaway
Carlson smoked just a bit too much dope and was a split second too slow burying one on open net
Ovi missed at least 3 glorious chances...and just looked off somewhat
Oshie, Burka, and someone else wrung the iron at least 3 times
Coach/PK - stupid stupid stupid ass too many men penalty
Pens Stars:
Cindy - had his dive game on, drew at least two penalties and scored two goals
Shrek - had his dive game on, drew a penalty, got two assists
Goalpost - swelled up like a mother fucker for Murray
PP - took advantage of stupid penalties
Refs - drank the Hens dive juice before the game
Hockey Gods - (see goalpost and Caps missed open nets above)
I will say...I kind of expected this. I was gonna post before the game, but didn't want to be Debbie Downer. The Caps had won 7 in a row and not allowed a PPG against in how many straight chances...18 or so?. Those kinds of streaks are begging to end.
I was encouraged to see the Caps come out and play hard - I was really expecting kind of a let down in their play (ahem....see a 2 minute span late in the second period)
The refs sucked for/on the Hens, as usual. However, Ovi took a big dive early in the first. It looked glaringly like a penalty in real time, but watching the slow mo....no way in hell that guy tugged Ovi down that easy with one hand well away from his body. Glad to have the penalty and knew it would more than even up, but I hate when anyone dives.
I was so pissed at Carlson when he missed the yawning net, but saw on slo mo the D man deflected it (just a wee bit less weed Johnny Q and you'd have been quick enough to score there)
I will so though that Carlson played with more physical edge last night. Saw him actually hit guys several times. Like to see some snarl in his game - would like to see it on a regular basis.
Better sure as hell win THursday, cause Tampa is gonna wipe the ice with us the following game.
Caps remaining schedule is pretty brutal. Play Tampa 3 times, Philthy 2 times, and Canes 2 times. Philly and Canes desperately need the wins. Tampa certainly does not need the wins, but they have been the best team in hockey for two years and OWE the Caps some serious payback for knocking them out last year (on the way to WINNING THE STANLEY CUP :uh-huh: )
Go Caps
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Hey Zero!
Couldn’t agree more with you and apace, on who most shoulders the blame tonite!
For all that Kuzy gets credit for, and he should, he also balances out negatively, often, and even worse, in a variety of ways.
On offense he is a paradox to me. He has some of the SICKEST, and most awesome puck moves, that can obliterate any defenseman, or goalie, AND YET....he also makes terrible pass and puck handling decisions, after crossing the blue line, that defy all logic! Ok, fair enough. If that were the only issue, I could live with it, if Kuzy’s production is high, no problem!
Well, so NOW, we talk Kuzy defense.... He gets beat ALL the time, by his opponent, scrambling down the ice, resulting in EXCELLENT, high chance shots, for the guy he’s supposed to cover on D, skating practically unguarded, with minimal, INEFFECTIVE, defensive effort! He ranks either AT the bottom, or very near it, in Hits, and blocked shots, also!! Almost nil!
So the frustration comes from trying to justify, in our heads, the huge gap of high and low, between Kuzy’s stellar play, and his horrible play! This guy seems to have the WIDEST range, from great to abysmal, I’ve ever seen on the ice!
Of course we want him on the ice, in 3 on 3 overtime. He’s a winning goal machine! But how much can we let his positive value, support “looking the other way”, with his negatives? Its a tough one to call, IMO!
Ovi, looked slow this evening, also! Like he left most of his hockey presence, and awareness, back in the locker room. He had some really slow reactions, to several “gimme” type shots for a goal!! Just completely out of sync with it tonite. Easy case to be made, that Ovi’s issue is temporary. Not so sure for Kuzy!! (Hope I’m wrong)!
Rush
Good thing Lady told me not to turn the game on last night
I still say we hung onto Kuzy to long, but. . He’s good for stats and makes Ovie happy, which is the top priority after all.
That being said. Ive come to accept that GMBetaMale, and therefore Reidon, don’t give a flying fuck and/or rats ass that a wet papertowel is a better defender, his hockey IQ is low enough to qualify for special ed classes, and that there are 12yo girls that’ll beat him in faceoffs, and this is likely to not change throughout his career.
We should just accept Kuzy is just a 100 ft player that makes highlight reels, sells jerseys, and who’s deficiencies will lose more games, and cost more goals than theyll win.
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Just a couple observations on last night, some of which have probably been made.
1. Kuz totally asleep on the first goal. You have to get your ass out of zone, not stand there looking around.
2. Orpik looked like a fire hydrant on that play, too, the way McCann skated right around him. That was awful.
3. Holtby made a shitty play on the second goal. All he had to do was keep his stick on the ice and his legs closed and no way Crosby can score. He was in too tight to make any moves or lift it over him.
4. Rierdon should have used his timeout right after they tied it to settle everyone down and break the momentum.
5. Cheap assed dive by Malkin on the penalty leading to the third goal.
6. The PK, which has been so good lately, let us down.
7. When the chance is there SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK. We have to stop looking for the perfect, cutest pass play and put the thing on goal. Oh, and stop missing the damn net from 12 feet out.