Washington Capitals Fan Forum
Talk about Capitals hockey & more! => Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion => Topic started by: KitFisto on Friday April 13, 2018, 08:01:45 AM Eastern
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If they are destined to lose this series then I hope it's a sweep. No, I don't want them to lose, but if they are going to then I hope it's an emphatic statement as to where this team is and somehow Ted gets it through his thick skull that it needs to be blown up. Keep the young talent and try to trade anyone over 30 for all of the picks and prospects you can get. Yes, we're stuck with Orpik for another year and Oshie's contract is probably untradeable as well, but everyone else can just go. Start over. He re signed GMBM so we're stuck there too, but Patrick needs to go along with Trotz. Just wipe the slate as clean as possible.
It should have happened last year or the year before, but they keep putting duct tape on on gaping wounds. I'd happily live through a few lean years to rebuild this pig.
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If they are destined to lose this series then I hope it's a sweep. No, I don't want them to lose, but if they are going to then I hope it's an emphatic statement as to where this team is and somehow Ted gets it through his thick skull that it needs to be blown up. Keep the young talent and try to trade anyone over 30 for all of the picks and prospects you can get. Yes, we're stuck with Orpik for another year and Oshie's contract is probably untradeable as well, but everyone else can just go. Start over. He re signed GMBM so we're stuck there too, but Patrick needs to go along with Trotz. Just wipe the slate as clean as possible.
It should have happened last year or the year before, but they keep putting duct tape on on gaping wounds. I'd happily live through a few lean years to rebuild this pig.
Agree completely!!
(also, the contract extension doesn't/shouldn’t prevent BetaMale from beginning fired)
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Agree completely!!
(also, the contract extension doesn't/shouldn’t prevent BetaMale from beginning fired)
You're right that it shouldn't, but we both know Ted. BM ain't going anywhere. It's a disgrace.
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If they are destined to lose this series then I hope it's a sweep. No, I don't want them to lose, but if they are going to then I hope it's an emphatic statement as to where this team is and somehow Ted gets it through his thick skull that it needs to be blown up. Keep the young talent and try to trade anyone over 30 for all of the picks and prospects you can get. Yes, we're stuck with Orpik for another year and Oshie's contract is probably untradeable as well, but everyone else can just go. Start over. He re signed GMBM so we're stuck there too, but Patrick needs to go along with Trotz. Just wipe the slate as clean as possible.
It should have happened last year or the year before, but they keep putting duct tape on on gaping wounds. I'd happily live through a few lean years to rebuild this pig.
What young talent are you referring to? We don't have a lot of good young talent. You must be saying we should build around Kuzy
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What young talent are you referring to? We don't have a lot of good young talent. You must be saying we should build around Kuzy
They don't have a "build around" franchise player right now other than an aging Ovechkin. I wouldn't move Kuzy because he's a talented center who puts up points. I wouldn't shuffle off Vrana either just yet. There are some younger pieces here that you keep and then get as many picks as you can looking for the next REAL LEADER this team needs. Ovechkin has never been a great captain IMO.
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They don't have a "build around" franchise player right now other than an aging Ovechkin. I wouldn't move Kuzy because he's a talented center who puts up points. I wouldn't shuffle off Vrana either just yet. There are some younger pieces here that you keep and then get as many picks as you can looking for the next REAL LEADER this team needs. Ovechkin has never been a great captain IMO.
OR you trade for, or acquire through UFA, the next REAL LEADER. The problem is, the type of REAL LEADER I think you are talking about isn't going to want to come here if the organization is committed to a full rebuild, because a full rebuild in this day and age means losing on purpose (not throwing games, but making your team deliberately bad enough that you lose well over half your games.) I think the player that would be designated as the REAL LEADER is one who is already here and will set a good example regardless of the team circumstances. Could Oshie be that type of player? Wilson? How top-notch does a player have to be in addition to setting a good example of "playing the right way" in order to qualify as a REAL LEADER?
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OR you trade for, or acquire through UFA, the next REAL LEADER. The problem is, the type of REAL LEADER I think you are talking about isn't going to want to come here if the organization is committed to a full rebuild, because a full rebuild in this day and age means losing on purpose (not throwing games, but making your team deliberately bad enough that you lose well over half your games.) I think the player that would be designated as the REAL LEADER is one who is already here and will set a good example regardless of the team circumstances. Could Oshie be that type of player? Wilson? How top-notch does a player have to be in addition to setting a good example of "playing the right way" in order to qualify as a REAL LEADER?
I don't mean a real leader has to be a super star. Hunter was a good captain and he wasn't a super star. Wilson? Maybe he can blossom into the role if the current "leadership" goes. I don't see Oshie in the roll personally, but he's probably a decent "A" to the "C".
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OR you trade for, or acquire through UFA, the next REAL LEADER. The problem is, the type of REAL LEADER I think you are talking about isn't going to want to come here if the organization is committed to a full rebuild, because a full rebuild in this day and age means losing on purpose (not throwing games, but making your team deliberately bad enough that you lose well over half your games.) I think the player that would be designated as the REAL LEADER is one who is already here and will set a good example regardless of the team circumstances. Could Oshie be that type of player? Wilson? How top-notch does a player have to be in addition to setting a good example of "playing the right way" in order to qualify as a REAL LEADER?
We did: Fedorov. The biggest screw up was not keeping him around to teach Ovie to lead, and to continue to kick ass Semins and keep the others in line and training them to follow Ovie.
We tried later with Arnott, Richards, and another "Captain" with Shattenkrap, but none could lead this group.
The overlying issue is that Ted, Dickless, GMBetaMale, and Monumental Entertainment, like and want stars. They want the names, the records, the all-stars, the stats, the records, so those are the players they surround Ovie with.
So until that goes changes, the ice/locker room leadership isnt gonna make much of a difference at this point
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If the Caps lose this series then yes, fire the staff and trade anyone over 30. Orpik can be released. Start next season with Kuzy and Willie as the leaders.
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If the Caps lose this series then yes, fire the staff and trade anyone over 30. Orpik can be released. Start next season with Kuzy and Willie as the leaders.
I think if Trotz goes, Rierdon will get the call. Supposedly, 3 teams called the Caps about interviewing him for a head coaching job last offseason and the Caps refused to let anyone talk to him (their right because he was under contract, but teams often look the other way if a coach has a chance for a promotion.) That seems to be a pretty clear signal that they wanted to have him available if they decided not to extend/resign Trotz.
As for Orpik, if the Caps truly would jettison Ovie and Backstrom they'd probably have plenty of cap room for the time being to buy out Orpik and manage the couple of million he'd count against the salary cap for the next two years. If they released him, I believe they'd have to pay his full salary next year AND it would all count against the cap. But folks' point is well taken here. If the Caps truly want a reboot they HAVE to move Ovechkin and Backstrom, because if they don't, I'm sure they have given Ovie their word that they will do their best to surround him with a playoff-calibre team every year. That prevents an except-for-Ovie reboot.
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I think if Trotz goes, Rierdon will get the call. Supposedly, 3 teams called the Caps about interviewing him for a head coaching job last offseason and the Caps refused to let anyone talk to him (their right because he was under contract, but teams often look the other way if a coach has a chance for a promotion.) That seems to be a pretty clear signal that they wanted to have him available if they decided not to extend/resign Trotz.
As for Orpik, if the Caps truly would jettison Ovie and Backstrom they'd probably have plenty of cap room for the time being to buy out Orpik and manage the couple of million he'd count against the salary cap for the next two years. If they released him, I believe they'd have to pay his full salary next year AND it would all count against the cap. But folks' point is well taken here. If the Caps truly want a reboot they HAVE to move Ovechkin and Backstrom, because if they don't, I'm sure they have given Ovie their word that they will do their best to surround him with a playoff-calibre team every year. That prevents an except-for-Ovie reboot.
Actually, dumping Kuzy. Bura, Oshie, Carlson and Orlov along with Connolly, Eller, Vrana, and almost anyone else not named Wilson and Beagle.
The screwed up thing is Ovie and Nick NEED to stay, even if it’s for names or being decoys. . . Let those two do their thing, and restock everyone else not named, or that doesn’t play like, Beagle and Wilson and give them flights to non playoff teams or the KHL.
We need masculine muscle, work ethic and aggression, not the figure skating/video game crap Monumental Entertainment uses as the cyanide in The Rock The Red Kool Aide
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I still don't agree with you on Beagle. I love his work ethic but he hasn't had a very good season. If he wasnt a dominant faceoff man he might not even be in the NHL. Its hard to even say he is a 200 foot player because spends almost all of his time in the defensive zone.
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I still don't agree with you on Beagle. I love his work ethic but he hasn't had a very good season. If he wasnt a dominant faceoff man he might not even be in the NHL. Its hard to even say he is a 200 foot player because spends almost all of his time in the defensive zone.
I doubt many players in NHL can shoulder the sheer neglect of defense from 2 or 3 other centers and 6-7 D like Beagle does,
He is from the mold of Kris Draper and John Madden, a real man,. . . but neither of them had to deal with worthless trash centers that Beagle does. . . so he would be even better if he wasn't held back by Dickless and BetaMale
But on the Caps. Eurotrash like Suzy and Helen Keller are preferred, so he's expected to clean up for that garbage and then saying "he doesn't score 100 points so he's a worthless ECHL wanna be" bullshit . . . sorry if the garbage "in front of him" werent in the KHL were they belong, we'd of assuredly had cups by now,
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Actually, dumping Kuzy. Bura, Oshie, Carlson and Orlov along with Connolly, Eller, Vrana, and almost anyone else not named Wilson and Beagle.
The screwed up thing is Ovie and Nick NEED to stay, even if it’s for names or being decoys. . . Let those two do their thing, and restock everyone else not named, or that doesn’t play like, Beagle and Wilson and give them flights to non playoff teams or the KHL.
We need masculine muscle, work ethic and aggression, not the figure skating/video game crap Monumental Entertainment uses as the cyanide in The Rock The Red Kool Aide
DC, the organization can't and won't do that. Leonsis promised Ovie he would build a team around him to go after a Stanley Cup. Now I'm not sure exactly what you think about that, but it would seem to have to be one of two things with regard to management.
(1) [size=78%]You may think that they have not made a good-faith effort to do that, instead purposefully going for glitz that they know draws fans and can get some regular-season success, but doesn't pay off in the end. But what you think doesn't matter. In the end, what matters is what Alex Ovechkin thinks. If Ovie thought that his own management was sabotaging his career that way, don't you think he would have forced management to move him by now? [/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]OR [/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%](2) You may think that management HAS made a good-faith effort to do that, but is too stupid to see what you obviously know, being all-wise, is the ONLY way to build a team to win the Stanley Cup. But then the same question arises as is the case for option 1: If Ovie thought this organization was too clueless to build a worthy team around him, wouldn't he have wanted out by now?[/size]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]There is only one other alternative that I can see to the logic of what I have stated thus far. And that is that Alex Ovechkin is too apathetic about success (option 1) or too ignorant himself of what makes a championship hockey team (option 2), that he has faithfully bound himself to this organization despite its obvious (to you at least) failings. Either way, Ovechkin would seem to be a big part of the problem rather than a big part of the solution. And so the entire Ovechkin era has not only been a failure, but it has been a failure that never had a realistic chance to succeed, even given the obvious talents that Ovechkin has brought to the table. In that case the organization hasn't wasted the Ovechkin career. The organization AND Alex Ovechkin has basically been a pointless exercise over the past 13 years.[/size]
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I doubt many players in NHL can shoulder the sheer neglect of defense from 2 or 3 other centers and 6-7 D like Beagle does,
He is from the mold of Kris Draper and John Madden, a real man,. . . but neither of them had to deal with worthless trash centers that Beagle does. . . so he would be even better if he wasn't held back by Dickless and BetaMale
I'm not saying I don't like that style of player because I do like those kind of players. I like Beagle too. I just wish he had a bit more upside in the offensive zone. I'm a firm believer in players playing both ways which is why I am hard on one dimensional players like Burakovsky and Vrana. Beagle is kind of one dimensional himself in a different way. But I definitely prefer him over a lot of other guys. I'm not a fan of Burakovsky, Vrana or Eller. Not really a fan of Connolly either. I do like Kuzy even though he has plenty of faults. I will give him a pass because his skills are unreplacable. Someone has to generate offense. I also have no problem with Carlson or Orlov but we could sure use a couple shutdown dmen in our core.
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The Caps core (Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson) just has never had the “win at any cost” mentality and they certainly aren’t leaders. Ovi has proven to be a very poor Captain. Backstrom is just plain passive. Carlson has zero intensity. A core like this rubs off on the rest of the guys. It is what it is.... we have at least three more years of this.
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The Caps core (Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson) just has never had the “win at any cost” mentality and they certainly aren’t leaders. Ovi has proven to be a very poor Captain. Backstrom is just plain passive. Carlson has zero intensity. A core like this rubs off on the rest of the guys. It is what it is.... we have at least three more years of this.
Not sure why you are dissing Carlson. He was easily our best dman last night. Even in the defensive zone. He played a very solid game. He was also involved in 100% of our goals for and I don't think he was on the ice for any goals against.
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I doubt anything will happen. Management in general, including in DC, is just not that smart. In fact, they're so dumb that the players they deemed unworthy of keeping now make up one of the best teams in the league in Vegas.
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I doubt anything will happen. Management in general, including in DC, is just not that smart. In fact, they're so dumb that the players they deemed unworthy of keeping now make up one of the best teams in the league in Vegas.
No argument. . .
In fact we’re said that same thing for years
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One game lost and already a panic mode, and wishing a defeat of own team.
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One game lost and already a panic mode, and wishing a defeat of own team.
This is an interesting comment given what has just happened in the Pittsburgh/Philly series. Game 1: Philly is overwhelmed and the commentary knives come out, saying they are overmatched. Game 2: Philly jumps on Pittsburgh, which basically has no answer.
Now, is this simply random variation in what is very much a random sport? Was Pittsburgh complacent despite saying all the right things after game 1? Are Pittsburgh and Philly both teams that are mentally weak and don't respond when put under pressure, but play much better with the lead and confidence? Was it simply a matter of a hot Philly goaltender last night? Frankly, Columbus showed much more composure and sticktuitiveness when behind than either Pittsburgh or Philly did in their two games. Good for them. We tend to look at every defeat as Capitals shortcomings when in fact the other teams are good too and have tools to pull out games.
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One game lost and already a panic mode, and wishing a defeat of own team.
Not exactly. KitFIsto said that if they "were destined to lose the the series" - not that he was wishing them to lose. ANd I agree with him for two reasons - 1) I'd rather limit the heartache to 4 games instead of dragging it out to 6 or 7 games and 2), maybe a sweep would cause the management to rethink things, though I seriously doubt it.
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Not sure why you are dissing Carlson. He was easily our best dman last night. Even in the defensive zone. He played a very solid game. He was also involved in 100% of our goals for and I don't think he was on the ice for any goals against.
I’m not dissing him over that game, just stating the obvious. He is part of our core that just doesn’t have what it takes to win in the playoffs,
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One game lost and already a panic mode, and wishing a defeat of own team.
Reading is fundamental. I clearly said I don't WANT them to lose. I said IF they are destined to lose then I hope it's a sweep so that management gets the point.
As for it being "one game", no it's not. It's 35 years of "one game" for me. It's the entire Ovechkin era of "one game". It's not getting out of the second round in 20 years. It's one cup final in a 44 year history. It's all that frustration and heartbreak. It's knowing what looms in the second round if we somehow win this series. .....it's not "one game".
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One game lost and already a panic mode, and wishing a defeat of own team.
Lol Caps fans are always in panic mode. Im a bit more optimistic than most but IMO I don't think the Caps have the personnel to win in the playoffs. I've always thought this version of the Caps is too soft. I still think we can win this series though.
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Reading is fundamental. I clearly said I don't WANT them to lose. I said IF they are destined to lose then I hope it's a sweep so that management gets the point.
As for it being "one game", no it's not. It's 35 years of "one game" for me. It's the entire Ovechkin era of "one game". It's not getting out of the second round in 20 years. It's one cup final in a 44 year history. It's all that frustration and heartbreak. It's knowing what looms in the second round if we somehow win this series. .....it's not "one game".
Damn right!
The absolute worst that can happen is a game seven loss in the second, even the first, because the carrot will stay in place and the Kool Aid will just get stronger.
But even a sweep/ 4-1 epic-fail probably won’t be enough for Monumental to get the point. They already have their excuses “lots of young players, exceeded expectations, hot/cold goalies, puck luck, etc.”
It’s the rest of the fans that need to get the message. More and more need to start calling Monumental Entertainment out on their bullshit and throwing their Kool Aid back in their face instead of just drinking it like their cult leaders tell them.
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We need masculine muscle, work ethic and aggression, not the figure skating/video game crap Monumental Entertainment uses as the cyanide in The Rock The Red Kool Aide IN ALL CAPS
There DC, I fixed that for you! :lol:
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Well, if the Caps ultimately lose this series then I'll have to wait until next season to watch them play hockey again.
I can't believe Josh Anderson didn't get at least a one game suspension. Fucking redonkulous.
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Well, if the Caps ultimately lose this series then I'll have to wait until next season to watch them play hockey again.
I can't believe Josh Anderson didn't get at least a one game suspension. Fucking redonkulous.
Especially after the league handed out a suspension to Doughty for a less violent hit.
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I would love to see Ovi demoted to the third line at some point in this series. Let him play on the number 1 pp as always but if he isn't going to be physically assertive or commit to a 200 ft game then his minutes need to be reduced. Not sure who should replace him but I can't stand the lack of intensity he showed in game 1.
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Especially after the league handed out a suspension to Doughty for a less violent hit.
I agree. The player seemed to collide with Doughty as Doughty was turning away. It looked ugly but not intentional on Doughty's part in my opinion.
On the other hand, Kadri's hit was vicious. The guy he hit was on one knee facing the boards when Kadri hit him in the back of the head. Extremely dangerous play by Kadri!
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Well, so much for the tight-checking, low-scoring playoffs ......
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I agree. The player seemed to collide with Doughty as Doughty was turning away. It looked ugly but not intentional on Doughty's part in my opinion.
On the other hand, Kadri's hit was vicious. The guy he hit was on one knee facing the boards when Kadri hit him in the back of the head. Extremely dangerous play by Kadri!
It’s the dangerous play like that which puts teams in a position to hit or be hit, defend or be rolled over. A do or don’t conundrum. You could injure an opponent and get away with it, or get banned for important games. This is something DC & I often discuss as he is under the impression it is a proper tactic to use but I’m not always assured the payoff is a high enough percentage. Risk vs reward is not as solid as I would trust it to be, he will disagree. DC is content and can sleep if a player is hurt to the point they lose their life, that’s not something I can agree with.
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"If(When) The Caps Ultimately Lose This Series"...
they will have gotten further than anyone had expected in September, even with the back to back hat tricks
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The Caps core (Ovi, Backstrom, Carlson) just has never had the “win at any cost” mentality and they certainly aren’t leaders. Ovi has proven to be a very poor Captain. Backstrom is just plain passive. Carlson has zero intensity. A core like this rubs off on the rest of the guys. It is what it is.... we have at least three more years of this.
What do you mean? Remember when Holtby got jumped. Carlson yelled a lot... :(
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"If(When) The Caps Ultimately Lose This Series"...
they will have gotten further than anyone had expected in September, even with the back to back hat tricks
Absolutely. I really didn't expect them to make the playoffs, much less win the division.
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You just have to find the comedy in it or it'll make you miserable. I used to get physically nauseous during playoff games from nerves. I sat through 4 OT losses in person. I've simply come to fully accept that misery is all this team will ever know. I'd rather watch hungry young kids playing their hearts out and miss the playoffs than group of daisy's choke away leads in games and series.
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"If(When) The Caps Ultimately Lose This Series"...
then we won't have to watch them get swept by the hens in round two
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It has to said, "They came up against a hot goaltender."
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It has to said, "They came up against a hot goaltender."
:rofl:
well done!
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When the Caps ultimately lose this series. I will be disappointed but not surprised. I surprised my wife in both of those OT losses. I actually didn't freak out if break anything. I've lost faith in this team. A lot if it has to do with Holtby being thrown under the bus and the starting job in the playoffs given to Grubauer. I'm not saying Grubauer lost those games for us but he certainly didn't help. He didn't make many key saves in the 2 games. I have said it all along. Grubauer filled in admirably in the regular season but our best chance if advancing in the playoffs was to start Holtby and hope he can return to his vezina form.
I really don't care for the team in front of our goalies. Wtf happened to our defensively responsible system. Pretty base when our best defensive pairing is Carlson and Kempny.
Its not call on our dcore. Our forwards haven't been good defensively either. I think Stephenson is our best defensive forward right now. Pretty bad when a rookie plays a better disciplined game than our veterans.
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"If(When) The Caps Ultimately Lose This Series"...
then we won't have to watch them get swept by the hens in round two
This is a positive as far as I'm concerned. Do NOT want to see the dogs lose three years in a row to any team.
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When the Caps ultimately lose this series. I will be disappointed but not surprised. I surprised my wife in both of those OT losses. I actually didn't freak out if break anything. I've lost faith in this team. A lot if it has to do with Holtby being thrown under the bus and the starting job in the playoffs given to Grubauer. I'm not saying Grubauer lost those games for us but he certainly didn't help. He didn't make many key saves in the 2 games. I have said it all along. Grubauer filled in admirably in the regular season but our best chance if advancing in the playoffs was to start Holtby and hope he can return to his vezina form.
I really don't care for the team in front of our goalies. Wtf happened to our defensively responsible system. Pretty base when our best defensive pairing is Carlson and Kempny.
Its not call on our dcore. Our forwards haven't been good defensively either. I think Stephenson is our best defensive forward right now. Pretty bad when a rookie plays a better disciplined game than our veterans.
Exactly! . . . The MAJORITY of the skaters on this team are one-way offensive players with little if any regards to defense, training or concern about the defense, their opponent, or situations.
So as we know: defense wins games/offense sells tickets . . . . we've scored seven goals in two games enough, yet we lost both. . .We allowed 9, to which the layman agitator can say "but we only lost by one goal in OT and this series is close!", which is bullshit. . . . 3.5 GPG per 4.5 GPG, while down 2-0 in a playoff series, just says you team defense, from INCLUDING your forwards is not only pathetic and inexcusable, but flat out sucks.
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The only Defense in recent memory that was worse other than when we tanked to rebuild was when we were giving min to Doig and Kiwi. Good lord that was BAD. This current rendition isn't much beter.
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yeabut, we've got a Norris candidate :wackysmile:
:clown: :poop:
:O=
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Exactly! . . . The MAJORITY of the skaters on this team are one-way offensive players with little if any regards to defense, training or concern about the defense, their opponent, or situations.
So as we know: defense wins games/offense sells tickets . . . . we've scored seven goals in two games enough, yet we lost both. . .We allowed 9, to which the layman agitator can say "but we only lost by one goal in OT and this series is close!", which is bullshit. . . . 3.5 GPG per 4.5 GPG, while down 2-0 in a playoff series, just says you team defense, from INCLUDING your forwards is not only pathetic and inexcusable, but flat out sucks.
Yep, the defense -- both blue liners and team defense more generally -- took steps back this year. When we lost Alzner and Schmidt and filled in with rookies, that figured to happen. (Shattenkirk was here such a short time he doesn't count). And in addition, younger players with less defensive pedigree took roles/greater roles up front. Vrana -- Connolly -- Stephenson (though he's seemed not to hurt us defensively) -- Burakovsky, if he could stay on the ice.
But you know what? With all that, we still won the Division when no one really expected it, and many thought the playoffs might be a stretch.
And then come the playoffs, and the Caps can't get over the hump. Now why is that? Well, the naysayers will say "It's a different game in the playoffs. The team doesn't step up. Other teams do." But why IS it a different game in the playoffs? If teams can play playoff hockey in the playoffs, why can't they play it, and beat the Caps more consistently, in the regular season? After all, it isn't as if they'd have to play playoff hockey in every game -- just the few games they play the Caps, in order to try to knock off the top [regular season] dog.
During the regular season, in the game threads I see people complaining all the time about the Caps playing limited amounts of time, taking periods off, not putting forth much effort, making stupid mistakes. I'm a STH, and when I attend the games I see these lulls from the Caps as well. But you know what? I see the other teams have the same, or more, lulls. Making just as stupid, or more stupid, mistakes.
In the past 4 regular seasons the Caps have amassed 444 standings points. No other team is close to them. That is a record that starts to get pretty large sample size at this point. I am beginning to believe that, contrary to the complaining of the fans about inconsistent effort and lack of sensible play from the Caps, what is REALLY happening is that the Caps actually give more, not less, consistent effort and game discipline during the regular season, relative to their capabilities, than their opponents do. That they are actually playing in a higher gear than their opponents, by and large, during the regular season. Then come the playoffs and the other teams, who have been cheating the fans relatively more than the Caps have during the regular season effort- and discipline-wise, find a higher playoff gear -- and the Caps don't have a matching gear, because we've seen a greater percentage of what our team has to give the previous 6 months.
I've said all season that the Caps not only have defensive problems, but that they've masked them partially by overworking, especially, Carlson and Orpik to protect the young defensemen. The same can be said of Ovie and Backstrom on the offensive side. And I was furious in the last regular season game when the team beat Ovie to death at the end of the game to try to get him goal #50. That just didn't make any sense in the greater scheme of things. These are greater and lesser indicators of the team's commitment to provide a good-faith effort during the regular season. Fans need to realize that, far from being the sluggards described on boards like these, the Caps give good overall value, maybe better than any other team, during the regular season. Maybe they need to take a page from the LA Kings/Penguins playbook and slack off part of the regular season to save more powder for April - June. It might not have worked this season because, with the lesser and less experienced talent they might not have made the playoffs at all. But generally speaking, I think this team gets an undeserved bum rap from October - March. And maybe the problem isn't that they choke during the playoffs, but that the playoffs are a true measure of the outcome of their maximum effort and discipline relative to another team's maximum. This team gets no further than it deserves in the playoffs because that is how they truly compare to their competition.
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yeabut, we've got a Norris candidate :wackysmile:
:clown: :poop:
:O=
Bad thing is that he is our best dman in our end in this series.
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I've not paid much attention to this thread due to the title. I don't get the negativity on this years team. They have played very well, especially considering the number of rookies we have. I like this team far better than the teams of the past 3-4 years. Those teams were lacking the heart to play in the regular season, much less the post season.
This team has dominated the majority of the games that we lost. We've played some really great teams and thus far came out on top. We're tied 2-2 in the conference championship and I see not cause to be down on them. The last two games a little puck luck would have given us this series in 4. Game 3 was a little weak. We should have played harder IMO, but we still had a chance in that game.
I get it, we've been bitten too many times in the past. It's made us very gun shy. I think too many are letting that dominate our current view of this team.
Game 5 Tonight is a huge game, but unless we lay a huge egg tonight this team deserves respect for what they've accomplished.
That we can even consider this team could go all the way this year is a massive bonus when you consider where we were in October.
This is coming from a guy that hammered the team for the last few years for not playing to their potential. I just don't see that this year.
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Yep, the defense -- both blue liners and team defense more generally -- took steps back this year. When we lost Alzner and Schmidt and filled in with rookies, that figured to happen. (Shattenkirk was here such a short time he doesn't count). And in addition, younger players with less defensive pedigree took roles/greater roles up front. Vrana -- Connolly -- Stephenson (though he's seemed not to hurt us defensively) -- Burakovsky, if he could stay on the ice.
But you know what? With all that, we still won the Division when no one really expected it, and many thought the playoffs might be a stretch.
And then come the playoffs, and the Caps can't get over the hump. Now why is that? Well, the naysayers will say "It's a different game in the playoffs. The team doesn't step up. Other teams do." But why IS it a different game in the playoffs? If teams can play playoff hockey in the playoffs, why can't they play it, and beat the Caps more consistently, in the regular season? After all, it isn't as if they'd have to play playoff hockey in every game -- just the few games they play the Caps, in order to try to knock off the top [regular season] dog.
During the regular season, in the game threads I see people complaining all the time about the Caps playing limited amounts of time, taking periods off, not putting forth much effort, making stupid mistakes. I'm a STH, and when I attend the games I see these lulls from the Caps as well. But you know what? I see the other teams have the same, or more, lulls. Making just as stupid, or more stupid, mistakes.
In the past 4 regular seasons the Caps have amassed 444 standings points. No other team is close to them. That is a record that starts to get pretty large sample size at this point. I am beginning to believe that, contrary to the complaining of the fans about inconsistent effort and lack of sensible play from the Caps, what is REALLY happening is that the Caps actually give more, not less, consistent effort and game discipline during the regular season, relative to their capabilities, than their opponents do. That they are actually playing in a higher gear than their opponents, by and large, during the regular season. Then come the playoffs and the other teams, who have been cheating the fans relatively more than the Caps have during the regular season effort- and discipline-wise, find a higher playoff gear -- and the Caps don't have a matching gear, because we've seen a greater percentage of what our team has to give the previous 6 months.
I've said all season that the Caps not only have defensive problems, but that they've masked them partially by overworking, especially, Carlson and Orpik to protect the young defensemen. The same can be said of Ovie and Backstrom on the offensive side. And I was furious in the last regular season game when the team beat Ovie to death at the end of the game to try to get him goal #50. That just didn't make any sense in the greater scheme of things. These are greater and lesser indicators of the team's commitment to provide a good-faith effort during the regular season. Fans need to realize that, far from being the sluggards described on boards like these, the Caps give good overall value, maybe better than any other team, during the regular season. Maybe they need to take a page from the LA Kings/Penguins playbook and slack off part of the regular season to save more powder for April - June. It might not have worked this season because, with the lesser and less experienced talent they might not have made the playoffs at all. But generally speaking, I think this team gets an undeserved bum rap from October - March. And maybe the problem isn't that they choke during the playoffs, but that the playoffs are a true measure of the outcome of their maximum effort and discipline relative to another team's maximum. This team gets no further than it deserves in the playoffs because that is how they truly compare to their competition.
So what?
Anyday, a team that’s designed to and knows, that the goal is to win 4 best of 7 series after an 82 game qualifying round will have every advantage over the “just glad to be there”, “hopes and prayers”, “we did good in the regular season”, “ the soccer moms love us”,”EA says we’re the best”, “at least there’s the IIFC (or whatever that Eurotrash tournament is called)”, team.
The Kings never slacked off, they just scouted and where/are physically superior to ware everyone in their division down while they where just getting warmed up.
That’s one reason why I don’t, and more and more are agreeing with: DONT GIVE A FLYING HILLBILLY OR WALLSTREET FUCK ABOUT THE REGULAR SEASON/82 GAME QUALIFYING ROUND.
Who cares if they compare to their competition? The goal is to manipulate, defeat, destroy, and eliminate while not letting the enemy compete or know how we’re doing it until it’s far to late.
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I've not paid much attention to this thread due to the title. I don't get the negativity on this years team. They have played very well, especially considering the number of rookies we have. I like this team far better than the teams of the past 3-4 years. Those teams were lacking the heart to play in the regular season, much less the post season.
This team has dominated the majority of the games that we lost. We've played some really great teams and thus far came out on top. We're tied 2-2 in the conference championship and I see not cause to be down on them. The last two games a little puck luck would have given us this series in 4. Game 3 was a little weak. We should have played harder IMO, but we still had a chance in that game.
I get it, we've been bitten too many times in the past. It's made us very gun shy. I think too many are letting that dominate our current view of this team.
Game 5 Tonight is a huge game, but unless we lay a huge egg tonight this team deserves respect for what they've accomplished.
That we can even consider this team could go all the way this year is a massive bonus when you consider where we were in October.
This is coming from a guy that hammered the team for the last few years for not playing to their potential. I just don't see that this year.
I’ll go out on a limb and say we’re better off with Boyd, Gretcsh, and/or Walker then with some combination of Bura, Connolly, or Varana. Sure they’ve scored big goals, but how many of the other teams did they cause directly or indirectly?
Players that are fighting for a spot are much more willing to, and probably study the system more, than those who are just waiting to score or highlight reels.