The personality of the coaching changed drastically. The scheme and system did not change in any significant way.
They did a few little things differently that paid dividends. They also shuffled the lines a ton under Therrien, which stopped. Therrien was also slavish in his pursuit of matchups as I understand it, and that ceased which let them get into better rhythm.
We can speculate all we want, but at the end of the day it all comes down to just finding a way to make the playoffs. Then all you need is a hot goalie, strong special teams and no significant injuries to make your run.....
So, the Flyers could win the cup or miss the playoffs...neither would shock me....
We can speculate all we want, but at the end of the day it all comes down to just finding a way to make the playoffs. Then all you need is a hot goalie, strong special teams and no significant injuries to make your run.....
So, the Flyers could win the cup or miss the playoffs...neither would shock me....
...I'll be blown away if they manage to miss the playoffs entirely.
Washington has the weakest (physically) defense I've ever seen a contender play with. Boston, Ottawa, New York, and Montreal are first round fodder. One might be able to make a run, but they're very weak teams. The Sabres don't have an offense. Pittsburgh is always scary, but they're beatable. We can outplay them (as we've shown) but still find ways too lose. Their defense isn't all that great either. We have a stellar defense and a stacked offense. Our only flaw is goaltending, which has been pretty good despite being unproven.
New Jersey is the only team without a legitimate flaw.
So, since everyone else sucks, let's hand the Eastern Conference to NJ. Might as well throw all the other teams out because they're all garbage.
I disagree with that, they have clearly the weakest grouping of defenseman among the eastern conference playoff teams.
Now they play great team defense, but that ends up hurting their offensive game. We match up better against the Devils then we do with anyone else.
We do not match up well against the Devils. Posted via Mobile Device
Actually I think we match up very well against the Devils this year as evident by our 4-1-0 record against them this season. See, the Devils play a defensive fisrt style and try to capitalize on mistakes by the opposition. They really don't have the offense to put the game in their forwards hands and expect them to win the game for them. We play a very sound defensive game too and really limit the oppositions chances and our offense is good enough to score enough goals for us to beat the Devils.
What we CAN'T do is beat the Pens, we just don't match up well against them. We can play stellar defense for 95% of the game but they are so talented on offense that they ARE going to get some great chances in each game no matter what. We simply don't have the elite goaltending to be able to stop them from scoring when our defense does have those breakdowns. We can certainly score on the Pens, it's just that they score more than us.
The Pens are the ones who don't match up well against the Devils as I believe they are winless against the Devils this year if I remember correctly. The Devils play stellar defense just like us but when THEY have breakdowns, they have Marty Brodeur to make those elite saves when needed. The Pens make just enough mistakes during the game to give the Devils forwards the opportunites they need to score enough goals to win and they do just that. The Pens fans should be HOPING that the Devils finish 4th and the Flyers 5th so that we can knock the Devils out for them. The Devils are the only team that the Pens should be SERIOUSLY concerned about this season (you have to take EVERY team seriously but if they play their game the Pens will beat everyone from the east EXCEPT the Devils).
I disagree with that, they have clearly the weakest grouping of defenseman among the eastern conference playoff teams.
Now they play great team defense, but that ends up hurting their offensive game. We match up better against the Devils then we do with anyone else.
Paul Martin is extremely underrated. I don't know his time table for return though, and I don't know if he will be 100% when he does return.
I'm not so sure we match up well against a team that can stifle our forecheck, stop pucks at the net, and capitalize off our turnovers. The Devils team defense is pretty formidable. They will make Hartnell's blind passes costly in a hurry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by phlocky
Actually I think we match up very well against the Devils this year as evident by our 4-1-0 record against them this season. See, the Devils play a defensive fisrt style and try to capitalize on mistakes by the opposition. They really don't have the offense to put the game in their forwards hands and expect them to win the game for them. We play a very sound defensive game too and really limit the oppositions chances and our offense is good enough to score enough goals for us to beat the Devils.
We don't make nearly the same amount of puck-moving mistakes as we did pre-Laviolette era, but there is an inherent danger to this theory.
I am however starting to lean over to the idea that we might match-up well against the Devils if our defense can limit its own mistakes. I might be okay with a few Hartnell blunders if our defense is behind him to keep turnovers from being costly. However, we cannot turn the puck over in our own zone against the Devils.
Quote:
Originally Posted by phlocky
What we CAN'T do is beat the Pens, we just don't match up well against them. We can play stellar defense for 95% of the game but they are so talented on offense that they ARE going to get some great chances in each game no matter what. We simply don't have the elite goaltending to be able to stop them from scoring when our defense does have those breakdowns. We can certainly score on the Pens, it's just that they score more than us.
The Pens are the ones who don't match up well against the Devils as I believe they are winless against the Devils this year if I remember correctly. The Devils play stellar defense just like us but when THEY have breakdowns, they have Marty Brodeur to make those elite saves when needed. The Pens make just enough mistakes during the game to give the Devils forwards the opportunites they need to score enough goals to win and they do just that. The Pens fans should be HOPING that the Devils finish 4th and the Flyers 5th so that we can knock the Devils out for them. The Devils are the only team that the Pens should be SERIOUSLY concerned about this season (you have to take EVERY team seriously but if they play their game the Pens will beat everyone from the east EXCEPT the Devils).
The Pens are a puck-moving defense with a few exceptions that relies on getting the puck out of their zone and moving it in open ice. If you can stifle that offensive surge at their own blueline and start getting them to turn the puckover before they cross the red line, then you have a good chance of catching them with their pants down so to speak. The Penguins excel with the puck and suffer without it. The Devils excel without the puck and aren't nearly as good with it. It's an interesting match-up to say the least.
Last edited by Chris Shafer: 03-16-2010 at 12:36 PM.
It's a tough road to hoe, really. We'd like to play the Devils, but the 6 teams that aren't Washington or Pittsburgh want them to play in the 2nd round again. I think deep down most other teams fans think the same way on this: When it comes to Washington or Pittsburgh, we might be able to beat one, but I can't see us beating both. Everyone wants those two to play in the 2nd round except the networks. That or someone has to upset one of them and take their chances on the other.
Paul Martin is extremely underrated. I don't know his time table for return though, and I don't know if he will be 100% when he does return.
I'm not so sure we match up well against a team that can stifle our forecheck, stop pucks at the net, and capitalize off our turnovers. The Devils team defense is pretty formidable. They will make Hartnell's blind passes costly in a hurry.
Haven't thus far this year.
And Brodeur has been extremely mortal in playoff series for a while now.
Devs are a smart team, and they will be a challenge to anyone...but they shouldn't be a team you fear. They're 22nd in the league in scoring, with middle of the pack special teams.
The only "dangerous" goal scorers they have are Parise, and Kovy...and maybe Zajac (he's quality, but I wouldn't call him "dangerous").
It's a tough road to hoe, really. We'd like to play the Devils, but the 6 teams that aren't Washington or Pittsburgh want them to play in the 2nd round again. I think deep down most other teams fans think the same way on this: When it comes to Washington or Pittsburgh, we might be able to beat one, but I can't see us beating both. Everyone wants those two to play in the 2nd round except the networks. That or someone has to upset one of them and take their chances on the other.
I think it's pretty much a lock that the Caps will finish as one of the top 2 teams in the east this season. I'm fairly confident that Buttman will make certain that the Pens finish first in the Atlantic over the Devils just to ensure that the Caps and Pens have a chance to meet for the conf finals. Watch this week when the Devs and Pens play and I'll just about guarrentee you that the Pens will see VERY favorable calls and the Devils will get screwed. I've seen way way too many of these one-sided called games to NOT believe their is a clear objective for forcing certain games to turn out certain ways.
It's a tough road to hoe, really. We'd like to play the Devils, but the 6 teams that aren't Washington or Pittsburgh want them to play in the 2nd round again. I think deep down most other teams fans think the same way on this: When it comes to Washington or Pittsburgh, we might be able to beat one, but I can't see us beating both. Everyone wants those two to play in the 2nd round except the networks. That or someone has to upset one of them and take their chances on the other.
I'll be fascinated to see how the playoffs go for Washington. I'll be honest, though, if you're a Washington fan...I don't think you want Boston in the first round. If Boston gets their act together offensively at all, and they come in there and just say "we're going to play for 2-1 games," it could get hairy quickly for Washington given their style.
I do think there's a very good chance we're going to see a Pittsburgh/Caps ECF, though based on how the seeding is likely to shake out.
I'll be fascinated to see how the playoffs go for Washington. I'll be honest, though, if you're a Washington fan...I don't think you want Boston in the first round. If Boston gets their act together offensively at all, and they come in there and just say "we're going to play for 2-1 games," it could get hairy quickly for Washington given their style.
I do think there's a very good chance we're going to see a Pittsburgh/Caps ECF, though based on how the seeding is likely to shake out.
That and Theodore is pretty hit or miss.
As I've said though, I don't think Boston will stay in.
Although I think at this point everyone wants to see Pittsburgh and Boston play in Round 1
Although I think at this point everyone wants to see Pittsburgh and Boston play in Round 1
I actually agree with this. If Boston draws Pittsburgh in the first round they will literally leave everything on the ice. I'm not necessarily thinking that the Bruins might take cheap shots or try to hurt Pittsburgh players, but they will wear them down.
Honestly though, without Savard Boston has zero chance of making it anywhere in the postseason. There's just not enough depth there.
As I've said though, I don't think Boston will stay in.
Although I think at this point everyone wants to see Pittsburgh and Boston play in Round 1
Boston's schedule isn't that hard...and, interestingly, they get Washington twice in the final week of the season.
Quote:
Tue, Mar 16 @ Carolina
Thu, Mar 18 Pittsburgh
Sun, Mar 21 NY Rangers
Tue, Mar 23 @ Atlanta
Thu, Mar 25 Tampa Bay
Sat, Mar 27 Calgary
Mon, Mar 29 Buffalo
Tue, Mar 30 @ New Jersey
Thu, Apr 1 Florida
Sat, Apr 3 @ Toronto
Mon, Apr 5 @ Washington
Thu, Apr 8 Buffalo
Sat, Apr 10 Carolina
Sun, Apr 11 @ Washington
I mean, who knows, but that's a doable schedule (even without Savard) as far as getting themselves in. I'm not sure the Rangers are all that more appealing to the Caps after last year.
I actually agree with this. If Boston draws Pittsburgh in the first round they will literally leave everything on the ice. I'm not necessarily thinking that the Bruins might take cheap shots or try to hurt Pittsburgh players, but they will wear them down.
Honestly though, without Savard Boston has zero chance of making it anywhere in the postseason. There's just not enough depth there.
A year ago, the Rangers, a team with less going for them than a team with Chara on the back, took the Caps to 7 games (were up 3-1) and lost Game 7 2-1 on a late goal by Fedorov.
Boston isn't going to win a Cup this year, but with their goaltending and defense, they can be a scary opponent.
I hope its ok for a Caps fan to jump in. If not, just delete me. Two points.
A. If beating the Capitals was so elementary, how did they get so far ahead of everybody.
B. If they are not competitive in the playoffs, how is it that they have a 6-2 record in elimination games the past two playoffs? Wasn't the 2-1 game 7 win over the Rangers a prime example of the games the Capitals could not win? The team lacked maturity and experience more than anything every season that goes by that becomes less of an issue.
The Rangers were a one line team with a great goalie. They still are.
The playoffs are far differant then the playoffs. Ask the San Jose Sharks the last couple of seasons.
You cannot win in the playoffs with a soft and suspect defense and questionable goaltending. You cannot expect to win every game 6-5. Its not going to happen.
I hope its ok for a Caps fan to jump in. If not, just delete me. Two points.
A. If beating the Capitals was so elementary, how did they get so far ahead of everybody.
B. If they are not competitive in the playoffs, how is it that they have a 6-2 record in elimination games the past two playoffs? Wasn't the 2-1 game 7 win over the Rangers a prime example of the games the Capitals could not win? The team lacked maturity and experience more than anything every season that goes by that becomes less of an issue.
Surprised no one has said this yet about point A.
You really have to look at the teams in your division man. I mean they are ALL at the bottom of the east. Look at our Division and its the opposite. You have a great team but we put you in our division and its not the same record. Not sure what your combined record against atlantic teams are, but probably not even close to your winning %.
Boston's schedule isn't that hard...and, interestingly, they get Washington twice in the final week of the season.
I mean, who knows, but that's a doable schedule (even without Savard) as far as getting themselves in. I'm not sure the Rangers are all that more appealing to the Caps after last year.
The Rangers were a one line team with a great goalie. They still are.
The playoffs are far differant then the playoffs. Ask the San Jose Sharks the last couple of seasons.
You cannot win in the playoffs with a soft and suspect defense and questionable goaltending. You cannot expect to win every game 6-5. Its not going to happen.
Biggest issue is that the officials put their whistles away for long stretches, and that means all the open space that was out there disappears in a hurry as obstruction/interference shows up (one reason the Pens trap the last couple of years has been so damn effective in the playoffs). So, if you're a team like the Caps (or the Sabres a few years back) that plays that high octane, loose style...you run into an immediate problem: the style you've played all year suddenly has complicating factors that were not present previously.
Caps may have the talent to overcome that, but I have yet to see them prove to me that they can comfortably play a more methodical, slower pace...something the Pens needed to learn in order to have the success they've had.
You really have to look at the teams in your division man. I mean they are ALL at the bottom of the east. Look at our Division and its the opposite. You have a great team but we put you in our division and its not the same record. Not sure what your combined record against atlantic teams are, but probably not even close to your winning %.
12-3-3 v. ATL (75% of points)
10-4-3 v. NE (68% of points)
15-3 v. SE (83.3%)
So, it's a factor, but not massive...they've been pretty dominant against everyone.
12-3-3 v. ATL (75% of points)
10-4-3 v. NE (68% of points)
15-3 v. SE (83.3%)
So, it's a factor, but not massive...they've been pretty dominant against everyone.
A lot better than I thought. The OT losses skew things a little bit, again. Count those as losses and they are 12-6 against atlantic
10-7 against NE
And that kinda proves my point that they are better than everyone. But they are "so far ahead of everyone else" because of their opponents. Not to mention the Devils have a pretty good record against them and would get a few more games in. Still going to be very tough to beat. IMO we wont beat them if we get that far.
A lot better than I thought. The OT losses skew things a little bit, again. Count those as losses and they are 12-6 against atlantic
10-7 against NE
And that kinda proves my point that they are better than everyone. But they are "so far ahead of everyone else" because of their opponents. Not to mention the Devils have a pretty good record against them and would get a few more games in. Still going to be very tough to beat. IMO we wont beat them if we get that far.
If I trusted Leighton, I would give us a good shot against 'em. They would deservedly be the favorites, but skaters v. skaters, they don't "scare" me...and they really don't scare me coach v. coach. However, given their offensive skill...your goalie can't be giving 'em freebies, or your toast.
Biggest issue is that the officials put their whistles away for long stretches, and that means all the open space that was out there disappears in a hurry as obstruction/interference shows up (one reason the Pens trap the last couple of years has been so damn effective in the playoffs). So, if you're a team like the Caps (or the Sabres a few years back) that plays that high octane, loose style...you run into an immediate problem: the style you've played all year suddenly has complicating factors that were not present previously.
Caps may have the talent to overcome that, but I have yet to see them prove to me that they can comfortably play a more methodical, slower pace...something the Pens needed to learn in order to have the success they've had.
definitely a good call. Washington only knows one style of play. fast and straight ahead. i think the Flyers can play that slow down methodical pace. Not sure if they can sustain it enough for a deep playoff run though.
