Official Capitals vs Flyers Playoff Thread

[skinsfan_nn]

Caps LUV on Redskin Insider......SWEET!

Redskins Insider

Posted at 5:56 PM ET, 04/ 7/2008
Blog Luv

(Disclaimer: This is not football/Redskins related, but it's my blog so I gotta follow my heart. If that turns your off, I understand, and this would be a good time to exercise your mouse).

How about the Caps? I was as skeptical as anyone about the organization finally, truly, turning the corner, but even had they missed the playoffs I was sold. They're back and should be primed for regular postseason appearances, maybe even in the range of the 1982-1998 glory days.

How pumped are you for Flyers/Caps In the playoffs? Just like the gold old days. There was definitely a time in my life when Dale Hunter's OT series winning goal over the Flyers in 1988 was my most cherished sports moment - The Caps win a 7th game in OT against the Broad Street Bullies? No way. Caps playof memories generally triggered thoughts of the Nedved goal, the John MacLean goal, the Patty La La goal and, well, let's just say there was a lot of heartbreak growing up a diehard Caps fan.

(Langway picking the top corner on Richter has to be right up there with Hunt's series winner for me in most meaningful Caps goals during my fan days (prior to covering the league). Yeah it didn't clinch the series at 3-1, but even for the choking Caps you knew that series was over. I mean, Langway, with a sick finesse goal like that after going like 14 months without scoring? Come on. You knew they would be playing in May for the first time ever).

Anyway, this should be a lot of fun. Great to see Verizon Center rocking again. (As great as Caps/Flyers is, I kinda loved the subplot had Ottawa kept the sixth seed. Bryan Murray - who led the Caps out of darkness the first time around but never gotten over the choking label, facing that franchise now as it comes out of the shadows again, this time behind Otttawa's bench?).

And Ovechkin is the MVP, hands down. Boudreau gotta get serious consideration for the Adams Trophy as well.

Also wanted to throw some luv at my man Bram Weinstein, who is moving up in the world. Bram is leaving Redskins Radio to do anchoring work at ESPN. He's a great guy with a tremendous work ethic, and it's awesome to see that rewarded. Hope he knocks 'em dead in Bristol.


And, finally, big ups to Houston and Dallas of MLS. Not sure if any of you caught their Texas derby on Telefutura yesterday (Rocco and I settled in with a bottle of milk and some biter biscuits), but it was a testament to MLS at its best (and hopefully a sign of things to come).

Yeah, it's just the first few weeks of the season, but this had a Cup feel to it. If the league had a way to bottle up this passion and atmosphere and clone it, man, it would do wonders for soccer in this country. This was a true SuperClassico, with biting tackles, non-stop energy, wundergoals, and a palpable edge to the game, like these guys wont be having beers together afterwards. Anyone who moans about soccer not being a contact sport should check the highlights.

And, it was also littered with contributions from young American players, and not just imports (let's not lose sight of that MLS, and DC United in particular). Kenny Cooper and Brian Ching were excellent in holding roles, and there were wild swings in play that would appeal to any sports fan- Houston blew a first-half lead at home, trailed late, Dallas wasted 2-3 chances to go up 4-2 and then the Dynamo it on an absolute cracker of a goal in injury time.

Well done, lads. That was an awesome display.

[steveo395]

Go Flyers... they have the most 20-goal scorers in the league

[mooby]

Your acting like the Caps winning 11 of 12 to get in and grab the #3 seed in the process is lucky, I can assure you it's not. Yes the Caps are in a weak division but division games are a lot harder than playing 3 games against 3 teams that they play like twice a year. The Pens may be in a tough division but the fact remains that they choked against Philly. Preventing injuries has nothing to do with it, it's not like they rested all their starters, they just rested Sidney and if you watched the Pens games this season you'd know that they didn't do that bad when he was out of the lineup anyways. You don't think the Pens weren't that sad about losing that game knowing they'd play Ottawa in the first round?

[Monkeydad]

Since goals win games in hockey, a quick look at goals for and against in the EASTERN CONF.

Goals for:
Canadiens = 262
Senators = 261
Flyers = 248
Pens = 247
Caps = 242
Rangers = 213
Bruins = 212
Devils = 206


Goals against:
Devils = 197
Rangers = 199
Pens = 216
Bruins = 222
Canadiens = 222
Caps = 231
Flyers = 233
Senators = 247

+/-:
Canadiens = +40 goals
Pens = +31
Flyers = +15
Rangers = +14
Senators = +14
Caps = +11
Devils = +9
Bruins = -10


The Caps don't look THAT great now, do they? They were also the only team in their division to make the postseason, so "best of the worst" is fitting. If they were in either of the other Eastern Conf. divisions, they would not have won the division and may not have even made the playoffs. If they were in the Western Conference, they'd not only be out of the playoffs with their record, they'd be one of the worst teams.

They DO have the best player in the NHL, but one guy usually doesn't carry a team all the way.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by Buster

Since goals win games in hockey, a quick look at goals for and against in the EASTERN CONF.

Goals for:
Canadiens = 262
Senators = 261
Flyers = 248
Pens = 247
Caps = 242
Rangers = 213
Bruins = 212
Devils = 206


Goals against:
Devils = 197
Rangers = 199
Pens = 216
Bruins = 222
Canadiens = 222
Caps = 231
Flyers = 233
Senators = 247

+/-:
Canadiens = +40 goals
Pens = +31
Flyers = +15
Rangers = +14
Senators = +14
Caps = +11
Devils = +9
Bruins = -10


The Caps don't look THAT great now, do they? They were also the only team in their division to make the postseason, so "best of the worst" is fitting. If they were in either of the other Eastern Conf. divisions, they would not have won the division and may not have even made the playoffs. If they were in the Western Conference, they'd not only be out of the playoffs with their record, they'd be one of the worst teams.

They DO have the best player in the NHL, but one guy usually doesn't carry a team all the way.

Why don't they look good now? Those numbers are combined throughout the entire season as most know. The first third of the season was total sh*t! Until we made a coaching change.

Compare numbers after we made a coaching change, wins/losses, and plus and minus you will see a much clearer picture of what the team is to date.

And if you follow the Caps at all, they have alot more than ONE player. They have a half dozen young up and coming stars and great goal tending.

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

Why don't they look good now? Those numbers are combined throughout the entire season as most know. The first third of the season was total sh*t! Until we made a coaching change.

Compare numbers after we made a coaching change, wins/losses, and plus and minus you will see a much clearer picture of what the team is to date.

And if you follow the Caps at all, they have alot more than ONE player. They have a half dozen young up and coming stars and great goal tending.

That's a joke...lol:

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

That's a joke...lol:

Not really. Huet has been fantastic since we got him.

And if the Penguins don't care about holding on to a #1 seed and securing home ice over every team in the conference, then that's the type of team I want to see in the playoffs.

Prior to this season the Southeast has been the best division for 3 or 4 years. One down season and suddenly they're bottom feeders. Okay. Like I said, we don't pick our opponents, we just beat 'em.

You refuse to acknowledge the numbers- 38-17 with Boudreau as the head coach. I don't call a 55 game span a "lucky" fluke.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

That's a joke...lol:

Huet is 11-2-0 since we got him and I believe a 1.69 GAA.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

That's a joke...lol:

8588 maybe your better off sticking to football, maybe you know SOMETHING about that?

Your hockey posts are flat out retarded and show you know NOTHING ABOUT HOCKEY! Keep watching the game or read a good book about the sport it can be very informative. ANYBODY can learn, even you, I THINK.

And for the Lighting and Cans.....just guessing but they are probably getting the clubs out, just like your pens are getting ready to do. Remember who the Ducks played last year for the Stanley Cup, I should have never asked that......the SENS, remember that!

And the MIGHTY CAPS wherever you got that from.... there is a reason they are the #3 seed because they have worked harder and played better than ANY other team in the league coming down the stretch, meaning MORE points and the right for the #3 spot in the conference, pretty elementary!

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

8588 maybe your better off sticking to football, maybe you know SOMETHING about that?

Your hockey posts are flat out retarded and show you know NOTHING ABOUT HOCKEY! Keep watching the game or read a good book about the sport it can be very informative. ANYBODY can learn, even you, I THINK.

And for the Lighting and Cans.....just guessing but they are probably getting the clubs out, just like your pens are getting ready to do. Remember who the Ducks played last year for the Stanley Cup, I should have never asked that......the SENS, remember that!

And the MIGHTY CAPS wherever you got that from.... there is a reason they are the #3 seed because they have worked harder and played better than ANY other team in the league coming down the stretch, meaning MORE points and the right for the #3 spot in the conference, pretty elementary!

No they did not get the #3 spot because "they played better than ANY other team in the league coming down the stretch, meaning MORE points", if that is the case than New Jersey should have the #3 spot (NJ - 99points vs. Caps - 94points). No, the caps got the #3 seed because they won a weak division, Mr. Elementary!

How do you know what I know about hockey and what I dont know? Just because I dont follow the NHL through the entire season dose not mean that I dont know anything about hockey. Everything I have said bears some kind of merit please show me where I am wrong...

As a side note, good to see how the personal attacks come out when your chips are down and some one is getting the better of you, upstanding right there...

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by Buster

Since goals win games in hockey, a quick look at goals for and against in the EASTERN CONF.

Goals for:
Flyers = 248
Caps = 242

Goals against:
Caps = 231
Flyers = 233

+/-:
Flyers = +15
Caps = +11

The Caps don't look THAT great now, do they? They were also the only team in their division to make the postseason, so "best of the worst" is fitting. If they were in either of the other Eastern Conf. divisions, they would not have won the division and may not have even made the playoffs. If they were in the Western Conference, they'd not only be out of the playoffs with their record, they'd be one of the worst teams.

They DO have the best player in the NHL, but one guy usually doesn't carry a team all the way.

As far as in other divisions, the Caps were 8-8-4 vs the Atlantic and 11-9 vs. the Northeast, and while that's full season, I imagine they had better numbers since Boudreau came aboard.

Since January 1, the Caps are +27 (136 For, 109 Against), while the Flyers are +5 (133 For, 128 Against), but who's counting now anyways?

But this is the playoffs...throw the regular season out the window, because it's on like Donkey Kong. Should be some great hockey over the next few weeks.

[SmootSmack]

Buster, how do your numbers look when looking at just the final month of the season?

[hooskins]

That is the thing, most people don't follows the Caps. We definitely have some great role players and keeping is amazing.

[SmootSmack]

Raise your hand if you didn't really care about the Penguins until about a week ago, but now you really want them to lose and lose miserably

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Raise your hand if you didn't really care about the Penguins until about a week ago, but now you really want them to lose and lose miserably

Nice. No doubt. If I had 3 hands they would all be up.