Caps and Rangers Series Preview

[GMScud]

No question tomorrow's game is a must-win. Without a doubt.

[tryfuhl]

effin caps are killin me

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

effin caps are killin me

Still, if any team can come back in any series right now, I think the Caps can do it vs the Rangers. It certainly should be concerning, but the Caps ARE better than the Rangers and it should reflect that eventually...at least I think.

[Gmanc711]

Big Night Tonight...

I know I'm against everyone else on the board (kind of weird being like that on this board lol)

I'm super excited about the game tonight though.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

Big Night Tonight...

I know I'm against everyone else on the board (kind of weird being like that on this board lol)

I'm super excited about the game tonight though.

You of all people Gmanc....damn trader!

I hope we kick your ass in your barn, it is time for payback! Ovy spying and all...we should have the upper hand....? lol

Should and WILL be a good one. Its now or never for MY CAPS! Tonight is a MUST WIN!

GO CAPS!!!!!

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

I know I'm against everyone else on the board (kind of weird being like that on this board lol)

You're not against me buddy...I want the rangers to win...that will make the Bruins road easier!

[skinsfan_nn]

Way to go VARLEY & CAPS! The new #1 goalie...Theo take a seat!

That's a way to kick that NY ass, keep that dumb ass avery the turd in the sin bin! 4-0 CAPS!!!! This is the CAPS best performance by FAR, just what the Dr. ordered! Looked more like the regular season team I'm used to seeing.

Nice game Pothier, Semin, #8, Johnny E, nice to see BRASH, Nicky Back, and the shutout for VARLEY=GAME PUCK AND STARTING JOB.

We now have a series. The CAPS will now have some confidence moving into Wednesdays game, in a big way.

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - GameCast - April 20, 2009 - ESPN

GO CAPS!!!!!

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

Way to go VARLEY & CAPS! The new #1 goalie...Theo take a seat!

VARLEY=GAME PUCK AND STARTING JOB.

Wow, you are trusting the team to a goalie that played only 6 games (329 minutes)??? Theo got you there, you don't abandon him now. He led you to the 2nd best team in the east!

While I was checking on the stats, I noticed that Ovechkin had only a +8 for the season, and he had 110 points. Does he not play D at all? I am really curious as to what you guys think this is from. I was shocked when I saw that.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Wow, you are trusting the team to a goalie that played only 6 games (329 minutes)??? Theo got you there, you don't abandon him now. He led you to the 2nd best team in the east!

While I was checking on the stats, I noticed that Ovechkin had only a +8 for the season, and he had 110 points. Does he not play D at all? I am really curious as to what you guys think this is from. I was shocked when I saw that.

Thats correct. Theo played the last 10 to 15 games of the regular season against weaker teams and just played so,so. Bottom line.

This is the playoffs. You go with the HOT hand NOW tomorrow might not come! Theo played awful in game 1, letting in 3 WEAK goals. VARLEY played very well in his first game, and stood on his head last night! 4-zip. Its kind of common sense to stick with who's HOT RIGHT NOW.

As far as OVY who cares about a plus 8. He's the leading goal scorer in the NHL and second in points. There is NOT a better or more well rounded STUD in this game than OVY. And yes he plays D for example, did you happen to see the play last pm when the rangers had a break away until OVY caught up dove and threw a stick check on the player to avoid a one on one player vs. goalie without a penality.....

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

Thats correct. Theo played the last 10 to 15 games of the regular season against weaker teams and just played so,so. Bottom line.

Good point, but it's not like the season was on the line either. You cruised to the finish line, no one had to give any extra effort, so to judge him on that is a bit much.

This is the playoffs. You go with the HOT hand NOW tomorrow might not come! Theo played awful in game 1, letting in 3 WEAK goals. VARLEY played very well in his first game, and stood on his head last night! 4-zip. Its kind of common sense to stick with who's HOT RIGHT NOW.

I sort of agree, but I think we have a fundamental difference here. You go with what got you there, you don't change philosophy once the playoffs start for instance. You lost the game last night cause Varley couldn't handle that weak shot, he bobbled it and left it out in the firing zone...sure enough translated to a weak goal and a loss. I would have to imagine Theo would have jumped all over that. I do understand your point of hot hand, but Varley has 67% of your losses right now. Hopefully it will work out for you that you can make a come back with him.

As far as OVY who cares about a plus 8. He's the leading goal scorer in the NHL and second in points. There is NOT a better or more well rounded STUD in this game than OVY. And yes he plays D for example, did you happen to see the play last pm when the rangers had a break away until OVY caught up dove and threw a stick check on the player to avoid a one on one player vs. goalie without a penality.....

That's kind of the point, if he's only a +8 with 110 points on the season, how well rounded can he be? In 05-06 he had 106 points and only a +2. In 06-07, he had 92 points and had a -19!!! 07-08 he had 112 points, and a +28, which is very impressive. But this shows out of his 4 seasons, it seems only 1 of them was he interested in playing anything other than offense.
Don't get me wrong, I actually like this kid. I'll NEVER forget his AMAZING shot while on his back. #1 all time if you ask me. I like his style of wreckless abandon, I really enjoy watching him play, but it seems like he is not the all around player that people think he is. Maybe that's his youth and he'll snap out of it. He has the potential to be one of the best EVER.
ps- he's not even the best well rounded player on your team...Green is.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

Way to go VARLEY & CAPS! The new #1 goalie...Theo take a seat!

That's a way to kick that NY ass, keep that dumb ass avery the turd in the sin bin! 4-0 CAPS!!!! This is the CAPS best performance by FAR, just what the Dr. ordered! Looked more like the regular season team I'm used to seeing.

Nice game Pothier, Semin, #8, Johnny E, nice to see BRASH, Nicky Back, and the shutout for VARLEY=GAME PUCK AND STARTING JOB.

We now have a series. The CAPS will now have some confidence moving into Wednesdays game, in a big way.

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - GameCast - April 20, 2009 - ESPN

GO CAPS!!!!!

Congrats on the win...Varley proved to be the deciding factor in winning the series. Going with the hot hand proved to be right. Good call.

[Gmanc711]

Well, that was about as bad of a playoff game as I've seen the Rangers play in 4 seasons (although they did have some pretty dreadful losses when they got swept by New Jersey in 2005...)

Credit goes to Washington, they pretty much dominated every phase of the game.... New York really better pick up the offense, because they've scored only one goal in two games, and that is really not that good. I still thought Henrik Lungdqvist played pretty well last night all things considered...but if that offense doesnt show up (and this is how it looked when it was REALLLY bad for NYR back in like February), Washington will win this series 4-2. No doubt about it.

[Daseal]

ovy needs to get his head in it for the playoffs a bit. That defensive play was great, but he was also the one who gave that guy the wide open breakaway. If the Caps keep that up they could go far. Im not a huge hockey fan, but I have been enjoying this series thus far.

[GMScud]

That was hard to watch. To hold Ovie to 1 goal in 12 periods is pretty commendable. Lundqvist is worth every penny. The guy is insane. Very frustrating.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by GMScud

That was hard to watch. To hold Ovie to 1 goal in 12 periods is pretty commendable. Lundqvist is worth every penny. The guy is insane. Very frustrating.

I know it was hard to watch on the wrong end...but man that was some epic playoff hockey towards the end of that game... I was freaking out... I said before the series started that I didn't think the Rangers offense could keep up with Washington, but if Lundqvist could string together a few nice games that they'd have a good shot... and he's played out of his mind.. I'm surprised the series has been this low scoring, though..

..Did anyone catch the end of the Hurricanes/Devils game last night? Man oh man that was awesome..