Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Backstrom looking good tonight!

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Backstrom definitely was looking on point. Ovi injury looked bad... I'm hoping just a really bad bruise.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Yeah hopefully he'll be alright. They said he'll be checked out tomorrow, just ice on the knee for tonight.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[B][url=http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/12/01/ovechkins-overly-aggressive-style-needs-to-change.html]Ovechkin’s overly aggressive style needs to change | DC Pro Sports Report[/url][/B]

Here is our take on Ovechkin and the injury.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

He skated today. That has to be a good sign.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

What you said ^

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4703235]Alex Ovechkin of Washington Capitals tested injured knee before practice Tuesday - ESPN[/url]

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

The general consensus I'm hearing is that Ovi deserves a suspension. I disagree wholeheartedly...

Here's what drew a 5 gamer recently.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os7Gj683e7M"]YouTube - Georges Laraque knee hit to Kronwall (HNIC)[/ame]

He's clearly sticking out his leg.

And now Ovi's...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK5mDZIH5bQ"]YouTube - Ovechkin Knee-on-Knee.mov[/ame]

Seems to me like an inadvertent hit. He was going for a legal kill shot, and missed. He got ejected from the game, and IMO that's a worthy enough penalty. Anyone have any thoughts here?

UPDATE: 2 GAME SUSPENSION.

2 games.

[url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=508132]Ovechkin day-to-day with sore knee - NHL.com - NHL Insider[/url]

Lame. I guess it's a lot less than I've been hearing thrown around. I don't like it, I don't agree with it, I think its bogus. Whatever... Don Cherry will be happy.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

"Any thoughts?"

Well at least he was able to put the knee on ice for the first few minutes har har har. I actually went skating this weekend, my fourth time since my ten year 'layoff' and was finally able to remember how to skate backwards. Unfortunately I forgot how to transition to forward again and fell on my shoulder. I was fine and then proceded to skate for another 40 minutes but after I finished it started to hurt like hell. My point being is I have no idea how these guys deal with getting hit and even flying through the air to make hits on ice. Football you get hit more but at least you land on grass. Hockey on the other hand you land on a rink that's hard as a rock.

As for the suspension, I think it's fair. If anything it gives him time to rest. If I remember right he was taking pain pills at the end of last year so maybe these "breaks" will help him stay healthy if only a little bit. Bradley and Ernskine though are going to have some work to do in the coming weeks when Ovi comes back.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

They had to suspend him simply because if they didn't, everyone would be bitching. Apparently there we're a lot of complaints or something when they didn't do it last time, don't know if that's true or not.

Just glad he didn't do it to Cindy, he probably would have been suspended for the rest of the season. Can't hurt Bettman's pretty boy.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Lets see here.

We have 1st place in NHL after 30 games, the best player in the world, a rising superstar net minder, a deadly power play, the #1 offense in the NHL, a vastly improved defense, and a nice home stretch on the way.

Gotta say this year is looking good so far. It's hard not to get excited.

But it's important to care about one thing, and one thing only. A Stanley cup.

[B]Next three games
@ Buffalo
vs Carolina
@ Toronto[/B]

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

This is earliest in any of his seasons that Ovie has reached 20 goals. And he's missed 8 games (6 injury, 2 suspension). Wow.

Varly is really picking it up, too. We don't even need him to be a superstar. With the way we score, all he has to do is be a bit above average and we're cruising.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

It's nice to see the Caps have a come back win... even if it was just against Carolina.

The unit has to gel a little more together... We haven't been healthy in forever. It'll be nice to have Semin, Ovi, Knuble, and Varly all healthy. We're going to get dangerous in about a week....


Also, Theodore sucks. I've been saying it since mid season last year. We need to just cut our ties with him, and stick with Varlamov and Neuwirth.

Come playoff time, the last thing I want to see is Jose Three-or-more take the stage.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Just finished studying for finals for the night... I've got two tomorrow, so that should be fun.

Didn't get a chance to watch the game, but saw the highlights, and read some of the stuff.

Caps keep getting victimized by these cheap shots. Greenie took quite the hit, and ended up busting open his eye. Bruce didn't like it.

[quote]"Fifteen feet he saw Green's No. 52 and it didn't stop him one iota from hitting him in the back and going for the head," Boudreau said. "So I hope they throw the book at him.

"I've faced David Koci an awful lot, he might be a nice guy, I have no idea. I'm glad he's making a living, but if this is any other game, he gets on the ice for the first three minutes, he gets into his fight with the guy and then he sits at the end of the bench, so what good is he? It shows what we have to get rid of to have a good game."[/quote]


Talks are beginning to circulate around the team that we need an enforcer, and with a little extra cap room (actually a lot) freed up with the exit of Nylander, I wouldn't be surprised if we went after one.

Do you think Green would be getting picked on like he has this season if Brashaer were still on the team? Come playoff time, we're not going to be getting huge power play calls on big hits like we have been. Refs simply don't call them anymore, and we need some kind of threat.

Anyways... just felt like venting before I went to bed. It's nice to get a solid win against a strong team. Caps still #1 in NHL, won last 8 out of 10. Theo played nice in goal, even tho I still hate him.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=RobH4413;640435]Just finished studying for finals for the night... I've got two tomorrow, so that should be fun.

Didn't get a chance to watch the game, but saw the highlights, and read some of the stuff.

Caps keep getting victimized by these cheap shots. Greenie took quite the hit, and ended up busting open his eye. Bruce didn't like it.




Talks are beginning to circulate around the team that we need an enforcer, and with a little extra cap room (actually a lot) freed up with the exit of Nylander, I wouldn't be surprised if we went after one.

[B]Do you think Green would be getting picked on like he has this season if Brashaer were still on the team?[/B] Come playoff time, we're not going to be getting huge power play calls on big hits like we have been. Refs simply don't call them anymore, and we need some kind of threat.

Anyways... just felt like venting before I went to bed. It's nice to get a solid win against a strong team. Caps still #1 in NHL, won last 8 out of 10. Theo played nice in goal, even tho I still hate him.[/quote]

fuck no, i have no idea why we got rid of him, he left a huge void yet to be filled, last night showed our obvious lack of an enforcer

and that hit on green was such bs, if ov8 get's two games for his cheap shot, (which it was) then koci should get at a minimum 4 this hit was way worse and there is no reason for a hit like that in the nhl, you could seriously hurt someone

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

In DC sports, the Caps are tops! Leonsis really knows how to run a team. Plus he lucked out on getting a fantastic coach!

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

This team is amazing. They are now 3 goalies deep, and 2 of those guys are young. They have beaten three teams by 3 or more goals in the last two weeks that were ranked in the ESPN Power Rankings top 10, with New Jersey being in the number 1 spot (the others are Buffalo and Colorado). Usually I'd save this spot to talk about how the Redskins should look at the Caps as an example of what a good front office can do but as we all know they've already started heading in that direction. So heres to hoping that the Redskins can join the Caps at the top of their respective sports.

Can't wait to see them live on January 9th when the visit Atlanta.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Phenomenal win tonight. We just stomped on the "best" team in hockey. Neuvirth looked really good. We're gonna have to trade him.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;645959]Phenomenal win tonight. We just stomped on the "best" team in hockey. Neuvirth looked really good. [B]We're gonna have to trade him.[/B][/quote]

Lol, what? You're kidding right?

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;645960]Lol, what? You're kidding right?[/quote]

Not at all. With him and Varly, we have two very young, very outstanding netminders. IMO Varly represents the next decade plus for the Caps in between the pipes. But Neuvirth is obviously starting caliber material as well, and will only get better. We can't keep them both. Well, I mean we can, but it wouldn't make much sense to have a goalie of his caliber on the bench full-time when we could move him for some serious talent at other positions.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;645968]Not at all. With him and Varly, we have two very young, very outstanding netminders. IMO Varly represents the next decade plus for the Caps in between the pipes. But Neuvirth is obviously starting caliber material as well, and will only get better. We can't keep them both. Well, I mean we can, but it wouldn't make much sense to have a goalie of his caliber on the bench full-time when we could move him for some serious talent at other positions.[/quote]

Actually I'm not sure who's better now. I mean Varly obviously has the track record and has been one of the best goalies in the league this year. However Neuvy was said to have pushed Varly during camp to the point where they were considering sending Varly to Hershey. He's easily one of the best goalies at the AHL level and short of that slip up against Toronto he's proven that his skills translate to the pro level. More of a look is obviously needed to determine Neuvy's true skill level at the top level but I wouldn't discount him just yet. If I'm George McPhee I'm keeping both of them as long as I can. Especially if Varly keeps experiencing problems with his groin.

Obviously one of them will get traded at some point but for now I want both of them. The ironic thing is that some people were suggesting that Theo could become the next Nylander. Either way next year we should have one of the best 1-2 punch at goalie next year with Varly and Neuvy. Not to mention that getting Theo off the books next year will be somewhat refreshing.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;645973]Actually I'm not sure who's better now. I mean Varly obviously has the track record and has been one of the best goalies in the league this year. However Neuvy was said to have pushed Varly during camp to the point where they were considering sending Varly to Hershey. He's easily one of the best goalies at the AHL level and short of that slip up against Toronto he's proven that his skills translate to the pro level. More of a look is obviously needed to determine Neuvy's true skill level at the top level but I wouldn't discount him just yet. If I'm George McPhee I'm keeping both of them as long as I can. Especially if Varly keeps experiencing problems with his groin.

Obviously one of them will get traded at some point but for now I want both of them. The ironic thing is that some people were suggesting that Theo could become the next Nylander. Either way next year we should have one of the best 1-2 punch at goalie next year with Varly and Neuvy. Not to mention that getting Theo off the books next year will be somewhat refreshing.[/quote]

Yeah, I'm not saying that we're gonna move Neuvirth any time soon. I think Varly is the better of the two, and he showed it going 11-1 thus far this season. Plus dude is on the Russian national team. That pretty much means you're a super-stud.

But you do agree eventually a trade is gonna happen, and that's really all I was saying.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;645990]Yeah, I'm not saying that we're gonna move Neuvirth any time soon. I think Varly is the better of the two, and he showed it going 11-1 thus far this season. Plus dude is on the Russian national team. That pretty much means you're a super-stud.

But you do agree eventually a trade is gonna happen, and that's really all I was saying.[/quote]

Yeah, my initial feeling was that the comment was that it was a joke, "like ok he's good lets trade him now." But yeah on the point that one of those guys will be traded we agree. Of course they drafted for need and apparently it looks like both guys are going to pan out so I'm relatively confident that they could do it again. Still the fact that they got two quality goalies in the same draft is amazing.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

I must be bad luck or something. I caught my first game in a very long time last night to see what this team is all about and they lose their first division game 6 to 3. Not what I expected to see.

On a side note watching the game last night made me realize how much I don't know about the sport. Listening to the pregame I thought that I was listening to a different language when they were talking about goalie stats. I didn't seem to think that 6 men versus 4 men was very fair on a power play. Since when does a sporting event have 3 periods instead of 2 or 4? Needless to say watching Hockey for the first time in 25 years really F'd me up.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

@Angry - yeah Theodore (three-or-more) started in the pipes and got destroyed.

Then I saw this AM that they sent Varly to Hershey to get back to playing shape. With Neuvirth playing well, they can afford for Varly to play a few at Hershey. So if you are in the Hershey area, get out to a Bears game (home games both Saturday and Sunday this weekend).

But between Varly, Neuvirth and Braden Holtby (7-1-0 at Hershey), the Caps have 3 terrific goaltenders all under the age of 22. Unfortunately, one of them will be trade bait...

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;647765]@Angry - yeah Theodore (three-or-more) started in the pipes and got destroyed.

Then I saw this AM that they sent Varly to Hershey to get back to playing shape. With Neuvirth playing well, they can afford for Varly to play a few at Hershey. So if you are in the Hershey area, get out to a Bears game (home games both Saturday and Sunday this weekend).

But between Varly, Neuvirth and Braden Holtby (7-1-0 at Hershey), the Caps have 3 terrific goaltenders all under the age of 22. Unfortunately, one of them will be trade bait...[/quote]

As long as they take Jose out back and put a bullet in him I don't care. He should not be playing with the two youngsters we have. They both are better. Jose can be real good in spurts but he is just damn streaky. We don't need someone streaking our ass out of the playoffs...or the first seed either.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;647765]@Angry - yeah Theodore (three-or-more) started in the pipes and got destroyed.

Then I saw this AM that they sent Varly to Hershey to get back to playing shape. With Neuvirth playing well, they can afford for Varly to play a few at Hershey. So if you are in the Hershey area, get out to a Bears game (home games both Saturday and Sunday this weekend).

But between Varly, Neuvirth and Braden Holtby (7-1-0 at Hershey), the Caps have 3 terrific goaltenders all under the age of 22. Unfortunately, one of them will be trade bait...[/quote]


I posted this in the comments section on Caps Insider:

Keep in mind that of this teams 15 losses (of both OTL and L variety) 10 of them came with Theodore in net. Neuvy and Varly have 5 losses combined, in which case Theo and the Neuvy/Varly combo have 21 games under their belt, each.

Now weather or not the team doesn't play as hard when Theodore is in net is a different story, but the fact of the matter is we are loosing when he's there all while the other two have been playing lights out.

I know Theo's been through a lot lately but the fact of the matter is that this is a business, and it's not like the guy doesn't have a good career to look back on with a Stanley Cup trophy, a Hart trophy, and millions in the bank. Maybe he can recapture his magic somewhere else, but right now I don't believe that Washington is the place for him to do that. Washington might be 3 deep at goalie without Theo, Holtby is 7-0-1 for Hershey and could easily develop into a solid net minder in the near future.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=FRPLG;647828]As long as they take Jose out back and put a bullet in him I don't care. He should not be playing with the two youngsters we have. They both are better. Jose can be real good in spurts but he is just damn streaky. We don't need someone streaking our ass out of the playoffs...or the first seed either.[/quote]

i was at that game right behind the goal i got to see three-or-more suck ass in person, my father in law had a good point though three-or-more has been bitching about neuvirth playing so maybe brodure just left him in there to suck ass to show him how much he actually sucks, cause i don't see how he could be left in after letting three go by in the first, he gives up so many rebounds it makes me sick, i can't wait til varley is back

and i would like to send a big ffffffffffff you to team canada, good luck in the olympics without one of the best defense men in the nhl jackasses, keep your head up greeny

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

I hate it when the Caps slump. Ironically the loss to Carolina now makes me feel better about the loss to San Jose because if they beat Carolina and loss to San Jose I would wonder about their ability to compete with the big boys, but now it's obvious that they're lost right now and they just need to get their mojo back.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

They really should have put the Caps in the winter classic. The NHL gets very few chances to impress on national television and a 1-0 game in the 3rd period probably isn't the best way to go about getting new fans. Hopefully next year they can play Chicago or Boston. I'd like save Pittsburgh for a game that isn't so....different to say the least, I've never seen seasoned skaters slip so much.

Still I saw this breakaway from Philly in the second period and the guy just did a simple wrist shot, I remember thinking that not only would Ovechkin get a few of those but we'd see a couple of cool dekes to go with it.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

I believe I heard Melrose say that next years classic should be in Yankee Stadium... Rangers vs. Caps.

The second those tickets go on sale, I'm snagging as many up as I can.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=RobH4413;648559]I believe I heard Melrose say that next years classic should be in Yankee Stadium... Rangers vs. Caps.

The second those tickets go on sale, I'm snagging as many up as I can.[/quote]

that would be f-ing sweet, i'd be so down to check out a game outside i kept changing between that game and a couple bowl games, it just looked awesome outside

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

the caps need to tighten up. they lost again today, that makes three losses in a row. i'm starting to wonder if trading away clark and jurcina was a bad move because since the trade the caps have not looked very good.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=wolfeskins;648632]the caps need to tighten up. they lost again today, that makes three losses in a row. i'm starting to wonder if trading away clark and jurcina was a bad move because since the trade the caps have not looked very good.[/quote]

It's a long season. One week you're on top of the world after beating the likes of Buffalo, Colorado, and New Jersey then you drop 3 straight starting with a loss to possibly the worst team in the league. Personally I trust GMGM but yeah I'm starting to wonder to about the trading of Clark. Still I wouldn't bet against this team in the long run. I just hope they can get their mojo back by Saturday when I get to see them in person for the first time since 1991.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4795929]Washington Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov expected to miss 2 more weeks - ESPN[/url]

I swear if they play Theo on Saturday I'm going to be ticked.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;649910][url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4795929]Washington Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov expected to miss 2 more weeks - ESPN[/url]

I swear if they play Theo on Saturday I'm going to be ticked.[/quote]

uuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggggg seriously two more weeks! three-or-more is worthless, play the kid bench the void

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

30+ shots on Neuvy and the guy gives up 1 goal. Meanwhile the Caps get 8 in the net. Hell of a team. Not even sure if they need a trade that straps them long term a la Souray. I'm starting to think that Neuvy might be better then Varly, but even then I'd say that the two are pretty close. The main edge that Varly has on Neuvy is two shutouts as well as allowing no more then 4 goals in a game.

On a side note Braden Holtby is 11-1-1. He was 7-0-1 last time I posted something about him.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;653016]30+ shots on Neuvy and the guy gives up 1 goal. Meanwhile the Caps get 8 in the net. Hell of a team. Not even sure if they need a trade that straps them long term a la Souray. [B][U]I'm starting to think that Neuvy might be better then Varly, but even then I'd say that the two are pretty close. [/U][/B]The main edge that Varly has on Neuvy is two shutouts as well as allowing no more then 4 goals in a game.

On a side note Braden Holtby is 11-1-1. He was 7-0-1 last time I posted
something about him.[/quote]

neuvy has definately impressed me lately, he seems to be playing with much more confidence but i wouldn't yet say he's better then varly. varly had been playing exceptionaly well before his injury, also, varly is pretty awesome in one-on-one situations like breakaways and shootouts.

i do agree that the two are close but i gotta give varly the edge.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Kind of an ugly win last night, but I'll take it.

The big one is tomorrow night. I'm getting pretty excited for this one. In case anyone is interested... I'm going to RFD for the game with a legion of Caps fans (and unfortunately a few Pens fans as well).

I'll be rocking my newly purchased Backstrom jersey. This game is HUUUUGE.

C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Great game so far. Hard hitting and has a playoff feel.

Re: Washington Capitals 2009-2010 ongoing thread
 

Our stars are really shining tonight. Semin's pass to Flash was just sick.