Caps and Rangers Series Preview
 

[URL="http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/04/capitals-and-rangers-game-1.html"][B]http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/04/capitals-and-rangers-game-1.html[/B][/URL]

[QUOTE]There has been a ton of attention give to Jose Theodore, rightfully so. [URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/13/AR2009041303008.html"][B]Tarik[/B][/URL] and [URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/14/AR2009041401479.html"][B]Mike Wise[/B][/URL] from the Washington Postwrote the first article on Theo being the key, then all other sources piled on, including ESPN. This is a no-brainer as well. When Theo is on his game, the Caps are good, real good. When he is not, look out. We will know in about 10 hours.

But to me, there are a few more critical keys for the Caps:[/QUOTE]

Plus go to [URL="http://www.dcprosportsreport.com"][B]our main page[/B][/URL] for our new poll. Who will win the Caps/Rangers series.

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good write up, playing some good ol crash the net hockey and hope to get some lucky bounces is a good way to beat a top notch goalie. i could see a majority of our goals this series come on the powerplay and us playing even with them at full strength.

i just want to get out of the first round and see if this team can build some big mo to make a cup run.

go skins!!

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Im worried for you guys (flyers fan) that Avery is gonna drive ovechkin crazy, which could be a roadblock for your team. Other than that i like your matchup more than ours with pittsburgh.

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The caps are going to crush the Rangers. The Caps are going to go far!

That being said...COME ON BRUINS! Man it's been a long time since we've had a great team like this!

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I'm fired up. Go Caps!

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Rangers fan here.... sorry I'm from NY, gotta have love for SOMEONE up here....

This I think is going to be a much tighter series than it has any business to be, because of Hendrick Lunqdvist in the net for NYR. The Rangers are going to have a hard time keeping up with the Caps in terms of scoring goals, but if Lunqdvist can keep the Caps to 2-3 goals, NYR will have a chance... but thats alot easier said than done.

I'm just so excited for some playoff hockey... there are so many great first round match ups....

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As we won't be there tonight....we will be at the booth ROCKIN THE RED, Saturday!

I like our chances in the series, 6 games and it's over. Our Defense NEEDS to keep the pressure off Theo! And we must stay out of the sin bin, and keep the rangers in the bin. Our Power Play will make them pay!

LETS GO CAPS!!!!! We take game one!

Lets get it on! :)

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[quote=Gmanc711;546140]Rangers fan here.... sorry I'm from NY, gotta have love for SOMEONE up here....

This I think is going to be a much tighter series than it has any business to be, because of Hendrick Lunqdvist in the net for NYR. The Rangers are going to have a hard time keeping up with the Caps in terms of scoring goals, but if Lunqdvist can keep the Caps to 2-3 goals, NYR will have a chance... but thats alot easier said than done.

I'm just so excited for some playoff hockey... there are so many great first round match ups....[/quote]

I think this is one of the first times I have ever rooted for a NY team, but anything to make the road easier for my Bruins and I'm all for it. The Caps are the #1 threat to the Bruins IMO. Take em out gmanc!
(I think caps in 5...sorry man)

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Well that sucked donkey balls. How the F did some of those goals slip through?!?!?! Jose better step it up right quick.

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Jose Threeormore, cough, I'm sorry, cough, Theodore, better step it up. That was awful. Boudreau has a serious call to make for game 2 with the goalies.

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/15/AR2009041503884.html]washingtonpost.com[/url]

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I am Bruins fan but I do keep a close eye on the Caps as well. I watched the Caps last night, best part of that game was the girl in white with brown hair at the end of the game that the camera pan, she was smoking!

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Flyers looked pathedic at least you guys put up a fight.

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What...The...****!?

I knew this was going to happen. We've playing down to the competition all year. Pisses me off. We cannot, CANNOT, waste this season with another first round exit. Unacceptable.

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Varlamov looked good in goal today. Lundqvist is just standing on his head. We played sloppy as hell, and an 0-2 hole heading into MSG is not good. I'm pissed.

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Very disappointed in the first 2 games, losing both at home! However, it's been very close in both and its not over by any means.

Tomorrows tilt on the road will be the key, if we can just get that first win and build confidence we will come back and not only get in this thing but win the series.

There is a lot of hockey left. We NEED to WIN on the road with our back against the wall, we have played well with our back against the wall this season.

GO CAPS!!!!!

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

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effin caps are killin me :(

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[quote=tryfuhl;547313]effin caps are killin me :([/quote]

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.

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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.

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[quote=Gmanc711;547644]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.[/quote]

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!!!!!

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[quote=Gmanc711;547644]
I know I'm against everyone else on the board (kind of weird being like that on this board lol)
[/quote]

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

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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.

[URL="http://espn.go.com/nhl/gamecast?gameId=290420013"]Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - GameCast - April 20, 2009 - ESPN[/URL]

GO CAPS!!!!!

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[quote=skinsfan_nn;547749]Way to go VARLEY & CAPS! The new #1 goalie...Theo take a seat!

VARLEY=GAME PUCK AND STARTING JOB.[/quote]

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.

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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.

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[quote=jsarno;548034][B]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![/B]

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.[/quote]

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.....

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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.

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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.

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[quote=GMScud;548509]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.[/quote]

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..

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Our pressure in the 2nd and 3rd was unreal. We were just peppering Lundqvist, and he was a wall. I guess there's a reason he's the highest paid netminder in the league. Sheesh. When I think of Semin's wraparound, and Federov and Ovie's slapshots that hit the post... Man we could have had 4 or 5 tallies easiy. We should go stick side more on him. His glove side is inpenetrable.

We really blew it with two missed power plays in the third. And Sean Avery is a punk effer. Hate that dude. His spinning fist to Jurcina's face should have been a 5 minute major.

I didn't sit down the entire 3rd period. That last 6-5 flurry when we pulled Varlamov was nuts.

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strong goal tending will carry a tough nosed team through the playoffs like the rangers. I remember back 15 + years ago the caps were on a roll, first time in the conference finals and we face andy moog. he was unbeatable before the series and went on to sweep us.

do the caps resemble the mavs of a few years ago? high scoring regular season champs but when the grind-it-out play good defense dont give up any cheap goals playoffs come around its a different sport?

went to every caps game for about 15 years, havent really followed them since the lockout, was really hoping to get back on the bandwagon.

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Lunqist (or whatever the NYR goalie's name happens to be) is amazing. This guy stops everything.

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Well, down 3-1 now. Won't be like Philly last year. This series is o.v.e.r. Bruins on their way to the cup!

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The CAPS played well last pm, just not well enough. Lundqvist is standing on his head right now. He has been the difference in this series.

I don't like our odds to repeat last years comeback to get to a game 7...but last years game 7 we fell short in OT.

But I will only give up when the series is complete and not until that last second is gone. There is NO quit in this team. The CAPS will fight till the very end! And they will not loss tomorrow in DC!

GO CAPS!!!!!

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[quote=skinsfan_nn;548113]Thats correct. Theo played the last 10 to 15 games of the regular season against weaker teams and just played so,so. Bottom line.[/quote]

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.

[quote]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.[/quote]

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.

[quote][b]As far as OVY who cares about a plus 8.[/b] He's the leading goal scorer in the NHL and second in points. There is NOT a better or more [b]well rounded STUD in this game than OVY.[/b] 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.....[/quote]

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.

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How bout them CAPS!!!!

Lundqvist looked like shit tonight and the CAPS took full advantage of his sorry play between the pipes!

While the young buck VARLEY WAS OUTSTANDING! ANOTHER SHUTOUT! 4- zippo again.... Just proves my point clearly for most people that understand hockey, you always stick with the HOT hand. The rangers have won three games by only one goal. The CAPS two wins have come by 4 goal shutouts with a 20 year old rookie! VARLEY IS THE STARTER for the CAPS! Theo is a #2 from this point moving forward, and this very well could be his first and last season as a CAP.

Game puck to VARLEY. Great team play by all D was solid. Badds nice duece, Semin & The GREAT 8 BURN Lundqvist.

This thing is just getting good. If we can get a win Sunday in NY..the rangers are done. This series is not over folks!

[URL="http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=125&gameType=3&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page"]Washington Capitals - Recap: NY Rangers @ Washington - 04/24/2009[/URL]

GO CAPS!!!!!

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Great win tonight. I agree that if we can pull one off in NY on Sunday this thing is ours.

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I freaking knew that was going to happen.... I kind of have that nack with the Rangers like I do with the Redskins... I just know when they are going to stink it up... and about 10 minutes in, I knew it was over.... The Caps played great... that move by Ovechkin even had me going "OH MY GOD THAT WAS AMAZING", as a Rangers fan....

I would be shocked if the Rangers put together a type of effort like that in game six at MSG... but they've been keeping it close, so its anyones game... I like the Rangers at home, they play well there...but if the Caps win tommarow, I agree with you guys, Washington goes onto the second round....

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Gmanc, what do you think about this?

[url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/04/25/sp-tortorella-suspended-playoffs.html]Tortorella suspended 1 game over dispute with fan[/url]

How could a head coach lose his cool like this? Going after a fan? Wow. This definitely hurts the Rangers for game 6.

Let's Go Caps!!!!

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The only thing that hurts the Rangers is if The King can't play. He's a beast and when he is on it's game over. Goaltending wins in the NHL plsyoffs.

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[quote=GMScud;550682]Gmanc, what do you think about this?

[url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/04/25/sp-tortorella-suspended-playoffs.html]Tortorella suspended 1 game over dispute with fan[/url]

How could a head coach lose his cool like this? Going after a fan? [b]Wow. This definitely hurts the Rangers for game 6.[/b]

Let's Go Caps!!!![/quote]

Pretty dumb, but it could be motivating.