Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Just so I'm clear can I expect the rest of this type of talk for the remainder of the regular season? It's like you guys have the perfect out to bitch during the regular season seeing as any regular season success can be quelled with "oh lets see them do it in the postseason." "They still have to learn to win in the postseason." "Choke choke choke, rabble rabble rabble."

We've played 4 games and played well in all but 1 (the one I went to) and on top of that the Pens are 0-3 at home. Life is good. The team is playing more physical and we might have a star goalie in the making to go along with a very good netminder. Let's enjoy it and worry about the playoffs in April. I swear if I didn't know any better I'd think you guys were talking about the 09 Redskins.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;747845]Just so I'm clear can I expect the rest of this type of talk for the remainder of the regular season? It's like you guys have the perfect out to bitch during the regular season seeing as any regular season success can be quelled with "oh lets see them do it in the postseason." "They still have to learn to win in the postseason." "Choke choke choke, rabble rabble rabble."

We've played 4 games and played well in all but 1 (the one I went to) and on top of that the Pens are 0-3 at home. Life is good. The team is playing more physical and we might have a star goalie in the making to go along with a very good netminder. Let's enjoy it and worry about the playoffs in April. I swear if I didn't know any better I'd think you guys were talking about the 09 Redskins.[/quote]

Caps are like the freaky mixture of previous Cowboys and Eagles teams. It's just that the fans don't see it.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;747826]I don't know that they will choke, but I'm definitely of the mentality that they're past the point where regular season really even matters. Thought the same last year in fact[/quote]

By the way Smoot, whats the chance that we'll see hockey on ESPN sometime in the next year or two?
[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Which-U-S-network-will-broadcast-the-NHL-in-its?urn=nhl-274484]Which U.S. network will broadcast the NHL in its next TV deal? - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

All that talk in the offseason from the ESPN about how the Caps needed to sign a veteran Goaltender. I have a feeling that if the Caps win the cup this year it'll be with Nuevy in net. Not that Varly is bad or anything, great in fact when you consider his postseason experience, but Nuevy is starting to turn into something special. Before Nuevy was just the guy with great positioning while Varly was the athletic guy that could make spectacular saves. Now it's looking like Nuevy can do both. Some of those glove saves we saw last night were ridiculous.

We were missing what, two of our top four defensemen while facing a 3-0-0 team? Impressive.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Looks like the old Capitals team we're use to finally showed up.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Yes solid performance on the road last night, outstanding second period! Nice contributions from all lines.

And once again great between the pipes.

Lets keep it up! Way to roll CAPS!

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Anyone else worried about Tampa?

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Yes, I told a lot of my friends, we keep doing this up Tampa will walk with the division.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Biggest game of the year tonight. Right now beating Tampa means a lot more than beating even Pittsburgh (who's below .500 right now even when you forget to count OTL's as losses).

Things to know going into this game, in case you haven't been keeping up:
- Tampa is much improved this year playing a wide open style under Joe Boucher. They use a rarely seen 1-3-1 allignment that puts an emphasis on double teams and turnovers on the defensive end.

- While he'll never match Ovechkins physicality Stakamos is more then capable of matching his scoring numbers

- Tampa is still trying to find an identity on defense. They certainly don't have the type of Offensive Defensemen the Caps have in Carlson and Green or even a plus/minus monster like Schultz. Dan Ellis is their best option at goalie with a 2.11 GAA. Mike Smith on the other hand is currently posting a 3.43 GAA. Ellis is coming off a shut out win against the Maple Leafs that saw him stop 28 shots.

- Tampa is 8th is Goals per game (3.1) and 14th in Goals Against (2.8). They are 6th in Power Play Percentage (23.7) and 3rd in Penalty Killing (90.6).

- Washington is 1st in Goals per game (3.4) and 9th in Goals Against (2.5). They are also 10th in Powerplay percentage (20.3) and Penalty killing (85.9). The first in Goals per game is a huge surprise for the Caps considering how conservative they are on offense.

- Only Carey Price has played as many games as Capitals netminder and October rookie of the month Michael Neuvirth. Currently Neurvirth leads the league in wins though the grind of playing many games seems to be getting to him lately. Neurvith has currently started all but 2 games thanks to the groin injury to Varlamov.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

This is ridiculous. No one is even viewing this thread. We're winning 2-1 against one of the better teams in the league right now. A division rival no less.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Semin is playing out of his freaking mind.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Refs have it out for the Caps tonight. Missing a butthurt instigator penalty and a tripping call that led to a goal for Tampa.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

If it's any consolation Dirt, I'm viewing this thread

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;757783]If it's any consolation Dirt, I'm viewing this thread[/quote]

........it's a start. I'm still holding out hope that the reason no one else posted during the game was because the usual suspects (Boost, SCP, Saden, etc) all went to the game and they're on their way home so they can't get to a computer or use their smart phone because they're to busy driving. Of course Boost is the only one I'd expect to actually go. Guy has the hookup when it comes to getting tickets for sporting events around the beltway.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Take heart Dirt. I watched the game, just wasn't on the computer. A monster outing for Semin. I'll take 12-4 any day. These Caps are red hot! I wish it was possible to lock up Semin long-term.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;757799]Take heart Dirt. I watched the game, just wasn't on the computer. A monster outing for Semin. I'll take 12-4 any day. These Caps are red hot! I wish it was possible to lock up Semin long-term.[/quote]

Yeah, the thing about Semin is that with him playing like this he's easily our best chance to raise the cup. Their recent first round draft pick Evgeny Kuznetsov has been frequently compared to Semin however he's still two years away from getting out of his KHL contract. You also have Carlson, Neuvy, Alzner, and Varly (Varly will probably be let go when his contracts up unless he's willing to take a discount considering his problems with staying healthy) developing pretty fast so salary cap space is getting tight. And if I'm not mistaken they still want to lock up Fehr. On top of that I keep getting the feeling that Johanason is going to be a star. Guy just needs to learn how to move the puck at the NHL level however his speed is just a notch below Chimeras. It's ridiculous how they find all these guys.

[YT]EEpxaz0Vx04[/YT]

[quote]When asked a few months before the draft, Evgeny said he wanted to be drafted by the Rangers, but his attitude since draft day has been effusively positive. Fans call him the “Malkin of Chelyabinsk”; [B]scouts say he’s reminiscent of Alex Semin[/B]. This writer sees this physical, two-way player– comfortable at both center and left wing– and thinks he may best fit Brooks Laich’s mold.[/quote]

Anyway the point is I get what you're saying about Semin, but if anything else I think they'll opt to keep Semin and let him walk as a free agent next summer instead of trading him for a shutdown defense men. All the while hoping that Evgeny can develop sooner rather then later once he gets to the NHL around 2012.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

4/5 Caps games I've watched this year, we have lost. I didn't watch last night, seems like I need to keep that up!

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=hooskins;757905]4/5 Caps games I've watched this year, we have lost. I didn't watch last night, seems like I need to keep that up![/quote]

So you've watched Atlanta, Minnesota, and both back to back Boston games? Eh, can't be much worse then watching the Skins.

Still it's amazing what they're doing this year. Last night they had a stat that showed the winning percentage of teams that give up the first goal is around 34%. For the Caps it is now around 75% and they've given up a lot of first strikes this year. At the very least this team is always fun to watch.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

The Caps won again last night...They seem to be just warming up! I wish the Redskins played with the Caps mentality.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=JLee9718;757929]The Caps won again last night...They seem to be just warming up! I wish the Redskins played with the Caps mentality.[/quote]

I'm still getting used to having a team I root for actually win games.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Caps win 6-4 :D

Not that anyone here cares :(

For god's sake the Wizards thread has more post. That's just sad.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Just a friendly reminder. If you want to see a Washington area team that has a chance of actually winning a game watch the Caps and Sabers on Wednesday at 7:00 pm/6:00 central.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

I like that Alexander Semin has gotten off to such a great start this season, but like everybody else is saying, I need to see better from this team in the playoffs. They are still doing good in the regular season, and I do like that we are seeing more from the rest of the team when the big guys get shut down, but I still can't get out of my mind how completely shut down guys like Semin and Mike Green were in the playoffs last year.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Semin is probably the most gifted offensive player on the team, even more so than Ovechkin. He's got the finesse goal scoring skills that no-one else in the league has.

He's also kind of a pussy.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDRCpN4OMpM]YouTube - Semin fights M. Staal - first slap fight in NHL history[/ame]



Any team that gets him will get a solid goal scorer throughout the season, but they better have some enforcers to protect him. The guy is kind of a brat, gets moody, and plays inconsistently. I love him, and I'd love to have him on our team... but there's just no way we can afford him after this season.

That being said, we've got some hungry talent looking for time on the ice... we've definitely got some replacements chomping at the bit for a chance to play.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=mooby;759673]I like that Alexander Semin has gotten off to such a great start this season, but like everybody else is saying, I need to see better from this team in the playoffs. They are still doing good in the regular season, and I do like that we are seeing more from the rest of the team when the big guys get shut down, but I still can't get out of my mind how completely shut down guys like Semin and Mike Green were in the playoffs last year.[/quote]

This is a very different Alex Semin. On top of his usual goal scoring and puck handling the coaches have praised his commitment to the defensive end. This year he's moving his feet more on top of taking less penalties though I will admit they haven't been eliminated yet (he has a tendency to hook and slash when going for the stick lift, a technique he uses frequently).

He's also a fixture on the PK unit as well. Hopefully they win the cup this year so everyone can move on. Otherwise we'll have to wait for the Caps next wave of young talent (Johanson, Carlson, and Evengy) to fully develop and thats about 2 or 3 years down the road.

I wonder though if they'll keep putting him out there with Ovechkin. They're certainly doing it a lot more then last year to the point where it's almost a regular thing.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[url=http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2010/11/22/1829833/nhl-winter-classic-hbo-247-schedule-washington-capitals-pittsburgh-penguins]VIDEO: A 12-Minute Preview Of The HBO 24/7 Series On The Washington Capitals - Half Smokes - SB Nation DC[/url]

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Team isn't going to win the cup, quite clear, this is the worst hockey I've seen from this team in awhile now. They take stupid shots, half the time they wait to long to take them so they are easily blocked, the puck control is absolutely hideous. Oh and don't even get me started on these idiots that are suppose to be playing defense.

Always next season.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

6-0 with only 17 shots against. It's great having Varly back. I love Neuvirth but I cringe when I see how many games he has racked up so early in the season. I still believe Holtby is going to be good, but his physical ability and awareness hasn't caught up yet to his aggressive style at the NHL level. We've probably been spoiled by the quick development of our two 22 year Netminders. However after seeing Varly the last two games I'm starting to wonder if he's better then Neuvy.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;762215]Team isn't going to win the cup, quite clear, this is the worst hockey I've seen from this team in awhile now. They take stupid shots, half the time they wait to long to take them so they are easily blocked, the puck control is absolutely hideous. Oh and don't even get me started on these idiots that are suppose to be playing defense.

Always next season.[/quote]

LOL you were saying? Given our overall record and the fact that there are still about 60 games left, it's waaaay to early to say we can't win it all.

Semin was so freaking nasty again tonight.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;762692]

Semin was so freaking nasty again tonight.[/quote]

I feel bad for the Lightning on account of the Semin hat trick. All 3 shots were scored in the same 5 foot radius on one timer cross crease passes. Still I can't believe I forgot that the game started at 5:00 today. I tuned in at 7:00 and was pleasantly surprised to see the Caps up 5-0.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;762692]LOL you were saying? Given our overall record and the fact that there are still about 60 games left, it's waaaay to early to say we can't win it all.

Semin was so freaking nasty again tonight.[/quote]

Light shines on the dogs ass every now and then. It's like Hall, he can't cover for shit, but every now and then he has a good game.

I only will take back what I said halfway because of what I talked with my friend about - and what he said makes perfect sense. The last couple of seasons the Capitals have gone full out, punishing anyone in their path, but by the time the playoffs started, they were worn out.

He thinks - and I agree with him on this, that they are just saving their energy and then will unleash in the playoffs. However the whole there's a lot of hockey left to be played is getting damn old. I could give two shits about that. The defense this team has is absolutely pathetic. Have you seen Alzner? He's suppose to be hope for our future? He can't play D for his life, he's God awful. Mike Green is the same, but a little better, scoring he's great, D he's a joke. Best D men we have is Poti.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;762700]Light shines on the dogs ass every now and then. It's like Hall, he can't cover for shit, but every now and then he has a good game.

I only will take back what I said halfway because of what I talked with my friend about - and what he said makes perfect sense. The last couple of seasons the Capitals have gone full out, punishing anyone in their path, but by the time the playoffs started, they were worn out.

He thinks - and I agree with him on this, that they are just saving their energy and then will unleash in the playoffs. However the whole there's a lot of hockey left to be played is getting damn old. I could give two shits about that. The defense this team has is absolutely pathetic. Have you seen Alzner? He's suppose to be hope for our future? He can't play D for his life, he's God awful. Mike Green is the same, but a little better, scoring he's great, D he's a joke. Best D men we have is Poti.[/quote]

Dude what are you smoking? The Caps are the #1 overall team in hockey right now (34 points), they're 2nd in goals scored (83) and 2nd in goal differential (+17). And they haven't had a consistently healthy goaltender yet this year. (Varly's back and looking great now). 16-6-2. Not too shabby. On pace for around 55 wins, and I see us getting better. Ovie has been kind of quiet, and we're just now getting healthy at goalie.

Granted the D hasn't been outstanding (only on the road really), but Erskine and Poti have played really well, and Carlson and Alzner are gonna be around for a long time. They aren't great, but to call them "pathetic" is just flat out wrong. I mean what do you want?

To say they are "saving energy so they can unleash in the playoffs" is kind of silly. To assume you can take your foot off the gas in any pro sport this early in the season is foolish for any team. Now, if we can get home ice locked up early, then I'm all for backing off and resting guys. But the way the Flyers are playing, I don't see that happening.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

It appears Flash is out of DC..? Details should be following on this trade soon.

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 11/30/2010
Report: Caps trade for defenseman Scott Hannan
By Lindsay Applebaum

TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting that the Capitals have made a trade with the Colorado Avalanche for veteran defenseman Scott Hannan.

Hannan, 31, is in the final year of a four-year, $18 million contract he signed in 2007. He spent seven seasons with San Jose before that.

More to come soon from Katie.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

CI:

Caps trade Tomas Fleischmann for defenseman Scott Hannan
By Lindsay Applebaum

Update, 12:30 p.m.: The Capitals have confirmed the trade of forward Tomas Fleichmann to Colorado for defenseman Scott Hannan.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Great move by the Capitals, Flash hasn't been doing so well and Hannan is a proven D man, love the move.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=skinsfan_nn;764029]CI:

Caps trade Tomas Fleischmann for defenseman Scott Hannan
By Lindsay Applebaum

Update, 12:30 p.m.: The Capitals have confirmed the trade of forward Tomas Fleichmann to Colorado for defenseman Scott Hannan.[/quote]

Good another physical defensemen and a stay at home defenseman at that. Hopefully that will help us with grit during the postseason. I guess this means that he's a better version of John Erskine which currently gives the Caps 3 Stay at home guys (Schultz, Hannan, Erskine), 3 puck moving defensemen (Green, Poti, Carlson), and 2 two-way players (Alzner and Sloan).

[quote][B][I]Scouting Report
[/I][/B][B]Assets [/B]
Has good size at 6-1, 225 pounds and uses it effectively to play a tight defensive game. Is able to combine a physical defensive game with discipline. Can log a ton of minutes and is a leader.

[B]Flaws [/B]
Won't put up big offensive numbers, which is partly due to the fact he doesn't take a lot of shots from the point. Is somewhat limited in terms of natural ability.
[B]
Career Potential[/B]
Veteran defensive defenseman.
Awards 1998 WHL - West First All-Star Team[/quote]

I think more then anything this is a sign that the team is happy with the way Johannson is playing.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

From the assets and flaws, all I read was, we finally have a real defensemen, not some POS that can score, but doesn't know how to play D, coughMikeGreencough.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=InsaneBoost;764245]From the assets and flaws, all I read was, we finally have a real defensemen, not some POS that can score, but doesn't know how to play D, coughMikeGreencough.[/quote]

Hey, when you pair Green up with a solid defenseman who knows how to stay back and play like a true blueliner he's not bad. He and Semin need to learn what it's like in the playoffs though, the playoffs is a different story. They both completely disappeared in the playoffs the last 2 seasons in a big way.

I love this move. Hannan is a solid defenseman, he's not the guy he was earlier in his career with the Sharks but I think he's a true defensive guy who can definitely provide leadership to our younger guys on the blue line and show them what defense is all about. I heard on ESPN he'dve been the leader of blocked shots on our team for the last 4 seasons, and that's the kind of mentality we need, somebody who will let their play do the talking.

Flash was definitely expendable too, we have enough offensive guys on this team and we had the depth to make it happen. I'm excited to see what it's gonna look like with Hannan on the blue line. I'm thinking our lines will go Hannan/Poti, Schultz/Green, and Carlson/Alzner. Plus Hannan is only 31 I think, so he should be good for another 4 years at least.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Varly's playing like Halack in the first two rounds of the playoffs last year. 37 saves on 38 shots (.974 Save Percentage). We're lucky to have two great young netminders.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;764541]Varly's playing like Halack in the first two rounds of the playoffs last year. 37 saves on 38 shots (.974 Save Percentage). We're lucky to have two great young netminders.[/quote]

Yeah, I just hope he and Neuvy stay consistent throughout the season and the playoffs. I think having a hot netminder and solid defense goes a lot further in the playoffs than having a team with a great offense that can score at will. The Caps trade for Scott Hannan just reinforces that idea.

With all that being said, Varly was ballin tonight. He had an amazing save in the first period and he was consistent throughout the night, the only goal he gave up was that fluky one that hit Carlson.