Ok I saw the 1st period and then the last 15 mins of the 3rd...
I thought the Caps played a hard gritty game and cycled very well. They missed some shots wide and had some blocked but I thought they were clearly the aggressors and Nabakov is the one who stole a point for the Isles.
Neuvirth made a couple nice stops but it seemed the ice was tilted in the Caps favor. Glad they finally got rewarded for their work.
Schultz made that blunder but he is definitely more ornery than ever. It really seems that DH and JJ have done what I thought was next to impossible here.
In my book there was no luck about that game. Caps outhit, outchanced, outshot and outworked the Islanders and deserved to win.
They sagged big time in the second, so you picked the best stretch to miss in terms of frustration.
I never know how to judge games against guys like Nabokov that just always make themselves a factor against the Caps. A convincing win here wouldn't have told me anything, really, and a stinker of a loss wouldn't have either. I already think I have an idea of what this team is so I'll take wins wherever I can get them.
I don't look at a team we are facing and assume anything. The low life teams of the NHL have largely given us fits over the past few years. Those pesky hard working well coached AHL grade teams, including the Isles for a few years, just give us fits.
Don't over read into the Islanders scoring 2 goals on us, and almost beating us. The had a decent G on his game and they block a ton of shots.
The players give extra effort for higher ranked opponents, "big" games and the playoffs. Its a long boring season for the players, and Alzner even said it last week, its tough to get up for the lame duck games, even against our division. Wait, was he even alive during our Patrick Division glory days?
They like what we like, to face Sheetsburg, The Flies, and the Rags, conference leaders, etc. Hold those games as a better measuring stick for our club.
They sagged big time in the second, so you picked the best stretch to miss in terms of frustration.
I never know how to judge games against guys like Nabokov that just always make themselves a factor against the Caps. A convincing win here wouldn't have told me anything, really, and a stinker of a loss wouldn't have either. I already think I have an idea of what this team is so I'll take wins wherever I can get them.
I had perfect timing then it seems..sweet.
Love Orlov btw. Great hit on Tavares.
This team is certainly capable on going on streak. We'll see if they can. After last years deadline remember we played the Isles and tied it on a late Laich goal and then had Ovie win it with a great goal in OT. hmmmmmm
Because this was the first game after the trade deadline...against the @#$^ing Islanders.
The second to last team in the conference, Islanders.
Took the game to overtime.
Led the game for 59.5 minutes.
Anyone even remotely statisfied with that is simply a homer.
Yes, a "W is a W", but this was a luck W. You don't string together 4 out of 7 "luck Ws" against the ISLANDERS in the playoffs.
But I forgot, a "healthy" Backs brings us up from life support against a bottom feeding team, to being able to win series after series against teams in the East who made moves to strengthen their team.
This team is certainly capable on going on streak. We'll see if they can. After last years deadline remember we played the Isles and tied it on a late Laich goal and then had Ovie win it with a great goal in OT. hmmmmmm
Loved that hit, clean, hard and I loved the way he tracked him... strong and sturdy for his age.
The fact that JJ and Dale got Semin (who destroyed someone along the boards last night, btw) and Sarge hitting means that coaching is better than it used to be. Two of our supposed softest players for YEARS on the team are playing physical. How the hell does that happen?
I've said this before and I will say it again, I like the style Dale and his staff has these guys playing. I like our chances in the playoffs (if we make it) more than the past couple of years. I think these guys can do some damage.
A few things I'd like to see happen:
- Consistent goaltending.
- Semin and Sarge keep playing the way they are playing now
- Ovi steps it up a notch
Its funny how the first game after the deadline last year was against the same Islanders where we trailed the entire game 1-0 scored with the net empty, then Ovi beat Nielsen for that highlight real goal. Bears a strong resemblance.
The fact that JJ and Dale got Semin (who destroyed someone along the boards last night, btw) and Sarge hitting means that coaching is better than it used to be. Two of our supposed softest players for YEARS on the team are playing physical. How the hell does that happen?
I've said this before and I will say it again, I like the style Dale and his staff has these guys playing. I like our chances in the playoffs (if we make it) more than the past couple of years. I think these guys can do some damage.
A few things I'd like to see happen:
- Consistent goaltending.
- Semin and Sarge keep playing the way they are playing now
- Ovi steps it up a notch
Agree with this. I forgot to mention Semin in addition to 55. Dale prefers guys that hit and its prob a reason why Ward is on the 4th line, and Knuble/Hamr are scratches. None of those guys really have much speed but also they don't finish their checks consistently (Knuble does take punishment but he doesn't dish it)
Also is it me but have they seemingly gone away from the complete "fall back and trap" posture they used not so long ago? hmmm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladiator16
Loved that hit, clean, hard and I loved the way he tracked him... strong and sturdy for his age.
He sure is! He is the complete package of skating, passing, shooting, defending, hitting etc
Also is it me but have they seemingly gone away from the complete "fall back and trap" posture they used not so long ago? hmmm
They have. But they still use it on occasion. They did it against Toronto early and it worked. That team has a lot of speed and they used the trap early to slow them down and create turnovers. It was the perfect plan. Didn't see it so much last night. The coaching staff is definitely switching things up and changing plans depending on who they play.
Last edited by tycoonheart: 02-29-2012 at 09:48 AM.
The fact that JJ and Dale got Semin (who destroyed someone along the boards last night, btw) and Sarge hitting means that coaching is better than it used to be. Two of our supposed softest players for YEARS on the team are playing physical. How the hell does that happen?
I've said this before and I will say it again, I like the style Dale and his staff has these guys playing. I like our chances in the playoffs (if we make it) more than the past couple of years. I think these guys can do some damage.
A few things I'd like to see happen:
- Consistent goaltending.
- Semin and Sarge keep playing the way they are playing now
- Ovi steps it up a notch
I agree!
Especially like the long term sentances to Dale's dog house. No sitting a few shifts or for a game - it's hard time, yo. Very interesting to see the results once Knuble and Hamr get sprung.
Has anyone not believed me when I said I think we will make the playoffs? That perhaps Dale's job is a lot harder than we can imagine, based on say poor habits the players have, or George telling him how to run the team. Why have NHL GM's inquired about his services, if he is such a bad coach? Why did the experts pick us to contend, if we are such a bad team?
If you think Dale is a horrible coach and that our team is not good, you should have no delay in stating now that you believe we won't make the playoffs. And that if we are gifted in, won't win a series or even a game.
Maybe a mod here can make a poll so we can see who was right and wrong.
Has anyone not believed me when I said I think we will make the playoffs? That perhaps Dale's job is a lot harder than we can imagine, based on say poor habits the players have, or George telling him how to run the team. Why have NHL GM's inquired about his services, if he is such a bad coach? Why did the experts pick us to contend, if we are such a bad team?
If you think Dale is a horrible coach and that our team is not good, you should have no delay in stating now that you believe we won't make the playoffs. And that if we are gifted in, won't win a series or even a game.
Maybe a mod here can make a poll so we can see who was right and wrong.
Put me in the, "Will make the playoffs and get bounced by the Rangers or Bruins in 5 games, in the first round" boat. I'll captain that ship.
I think they can make the playoffs because the East is terrible. I have no illusions about them being a good team, though (at least in the context of what they should be able to be).
If/when they get there, anything can happen based on luck. Granted, the Caps rarely have that when they need it but you never know. There are some pretty crappy teams that have made it pretty far in the playoffs.
Has anyone not believed me when I said I think we will make the playoffs? That perhaps Dale's job is a lot harder than we can imagine, based on say poor habits the players have, or George telling him how to run the team. Why have NHL GM's inquired about his services, if he is such a bad coach? Why did the experts pick us to contend, if we are such a bad team?
If you think Dale is a horrible coach and that our team is not good, you should have no delay in stating now that you believe we won't make the playoffs. And that if we are gifted in, won't win a series or even a game.
Maybe a mod here can make a poll so we can see who was right and wrong.
I don't know if we make the playoffs or not but if we do I believe we will crucial the upset if we are a low seed. In fact, I'd kind of prefer that.
No pressure..playing with house money..role of the underdog
Once that happens I can easily see us going on a roll and we'll have to have a new "running down a dream" video montage created.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NobodyBeatsTheWiz
Yup. Montreal wasn't a very good team. They got to the ECF on the back of red-hot goaltending.
If the Caps get Backstrom back at 100%, stay healthy, and a goalie gets hot, they could get somewhere.
I'll say it now. I don't believe they need Backstrom (wouldn't hurt!) to make a run...
Because this was the first game after the trade deadline...against the @#$^ing Islanders.
The second to last team in the conference, Islanders.
Took the game to overtime.
Led the game for 59.5 minutes.
Anyone even remotely statisfied with that is simply a homer.
Yes, a "W is a W", but this was a luck W. You don't string together 4 out of 7 "luck Ws" against the ISLANDERS in the playoffs.
But I forgot, a "healthy" Backs brings us up from life support against a bottom feeding team, to being able to win series after series against teams in the East who made moves to strengthen their team.
Got it.
The Islanders lead for 55 minutes 20 seconds, not 59.5. If you are going to go on a dumb rant, at least get your facts right.
Loved that hit, clean, hard and I loved the way he tracked him... strong and sturdy for his age.
Get real G3. 
