Well I listened on the radio to the second period on my way home. Certainly sounded like a total no-show period. Normally, I would rewatch the whole game, but I did mostly watch the first at work and listen to the whole second on the radio and couldn't muster the effort to actually watch the second when I knew the outcome. Sort of half-heartedly watched the third while doing something else. That in itself should be an indicator how poorly the Caps played. It's rare that I'm not gung ho to watch.
Pretty crappy all way round. I'm not panicked about the season (yet)....but Caps definitely moving in the wrong direction and definitely need to wake the hell up. I am concerned about the trend of their seemingly declining effort and level of play. Maybe it is the Stanley hangover. Maybe it's mid-season doldrums. Maybe it is lack of heart - but I don't believe that. Maybe currently, but we know they have it in them. Hoping its not the coach and there is dissension among the troops.
The PP and PK are awful, but how important are those in the playoffs? PP seem to be few and far between in the playoffs. I mean it certainly will be a factor if we truly have the worst, but not as big a factor as total shitty team play at 5v5. I am not inferring that the caps WILL make the playoffs, but that is the 1st mail goal of the season....to actually get there.
I'm wondering how much a factor face offs are? I mean it's a factor, but the stat itself is kind of bogus. Often enough a face off win or a loss ends up going to opponent through pure hustle. The stat still shows a win, but reality was the puck was taken by the opponent anyway. Don't get me wrong - i do think it is a factor and probably more so in the playoffs where every scoring chance is critical. One of the problems with the caps faceoff % IS the lack of Hustle. They just aren't fighting for the puck enough at ANY part of the game right now.
I'm curious if the Caps actually go for a guy with face off skills at the trade deadline (for BURA - please, please, please)
I didn't really want the Caps to be in 1st place the whole season, but also don't want to go squeaking into the playoffs in last place either.
Anyway, crappy game, hoping tonight is better, but we never seem to play well against the PREDs so I'm not holding my breath.
No complaints about your complaints from me today. "your" being the bored board members