Wow. This game was as complete of an effort as I've seen from the Caps so far. I just wish every game were like this...
The Good
-PK stood on their heads, killing off 6/6
-PP was pretty good, particularly PP2 with solid puck movement. Hopefully PP1 gets it going too
-Samsonov showing early signs of being our future starter. Bye bye $10 million Holtby.
-Full 60 minute effort. Was expecting a 3rd period collapse again
-4th line has impressed. They aren't your typical no-skill grinders/thugs. They've actually got some decent speed and creativity which is interesting for a 4th line.
-Really wanted to see Ovi get a goal, especially after those beautiful chances he had earlier in the game. Glad he finally got one. Really the cherry on top for this game.
-Gudas has looked like a solid addition. I was concerned that Gudas over Nisky was a downgrade, but Gudas seems to fit right in. Would like to see a little more snarl from him though.
-Got a huge monkey off our backs by finally beating Dallas on the road
The Bad
-3rd line seems invisible
-Would like to see a little more 5 on 5 offense from our top 6. We've relied a little bit too much on special teams for our offense in the past couple of games.
The Ugly
-Todd Reirden's face
Agree with the whole summation, Zero! Including Reirden!!🤣😂
That 4th line really has some fire and ZIP. I think Dowd is a much better fit at center, for Zig and Hathaway!
Although Dowd may possess a little less shooting skill than Stephenson, I’ll take Dowd’s full-tilt hustle and grit, as the better energy match combo, (with Zig and Hathaway)! They’re hard to keep up with!
Yes, PK was great! That PP2 was sick scary! They created a TON of opportunities, which SHOULD pan out for us, as they get used to each other, thus more cohesive as a unit!!
Liking what I see from Gudas, as well. Maybe some heavy legs at times, but quite responsible with the puck! PLUS, he’s NOT prioritizing being an “offensive defenseman”, thank God! LOL
Samsonov!! What can you say, man? Frickin’ youngster is DOIN’ IT!!
For all the youngins that we see break into the NHL, and start off struggling, (like, only 95% of them), it’s so refreshing to watch some of these “whiskerless wonders”, pour their hearts out, and get rewarded!! Go get ’em youngster!!!👍👍
Agree that 3rd line is tepid. Eller and Hagelin are not known as being the most accurate of puck shooters, however, with the both of them, their commitment to hustle, every second, every game, naturally affords them more on ice opportunities, they create themselves, knowing they have to, in order to make up for the lesser shooting skills they possess.
They both seem to have an uncanny way of being in the right place, at the right time, more often than most! As a result, Eller and Hagelin both tend to chalk up goals that are close in, or they catch a deflected puck off the goalie, etc.! That’s their main claim as far as production is concerned.
Between that and the disruption they cause opponents that have crossed our blue line, due mainly to their hustle, you’ve got decent 3rd line pedigrees, for them both, that most any NHL coach would be glad to have.
This early slumping of the 3rd line, so far, is hard for me to call in a way. I haven’t seen the addition of Panik as being anything obviously positive, at all. Really like more of a nothing burger. Chemistry issues? Who knows, but I definitely feel the loss of Conno’s added style to the line!
In time, I think the Eller/Hagelin combo should generate substantially more good than negative. Hagelin has had two very close SOG’s early on, that just missed, and I believe Eller has scored a goal or two, but they have looked very flat, especially during those three losses.
Defense did well tonite! Kempny’s return should help the consistency a bit. Him and Gudas get the puck out reliably, a problem that has reared its ugly bead again this year!
It will be interesting to see who starts at goalie, next game!
Samsonov has not only played exceptionally well on his first two outings, but with Holtz on a 3 game, no win streak, it puts Samsonov possibly in the “HOT” category.
Even though it’s early, I say, start Samsonov! Send a “teenie-weenie” message across the bow of Holtby’s ship. Not heavy, but more like, “most likely, you’re outta here, in the near future. We wanna get a good look at OUR future!
It’s still very early in the season! Hell, take a small chance Reirden! Have some balls!
Good post Zero!
Rush
