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2016-17 Washington Capitals Thread - Thanks for Everything, Ovi. It's Time to Move on.. #Firesale

DC9

By DC9
in The Tailgate

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Popeman38

Popeman38

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, Springfield said:

I was there tonight.  It was almost routine.  It was almost boring.  That's scary.

This team is reminding me of the 97 & 98 Red Wings. A machine. They are going to score 4 goals, and they have the best defense and tender in the game. Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated annihilated. 

 

The defensive system has taken root. Orpik looks good, Schmidt looks good, Orlov looks good, Carlson looks good. Niskanen and Alzner are ridiculous. None of the defensive pairings have to think on the ice, they know what to do and where to go. The communications in handling odd man rushes is crazy good. Holtby knows what to expect, and when he knows where the puck is coming from he is lights out.

 

The offense is en fuego right now, and people still love to point out how "lucky" the Caps are getting based on the high shooting percentages. But if you look at what the Caps are doing, they aren't taking no percentage shots, they are passing and creating high percentage shots. Ovie is drawing the defense to him and passing for layups. The majority of the even strength goals are coming from the HIGH danger area in the slot, not from long slapshots.

 

I fear this bye week will throw some gunk into the well oiled machine. But for once, I am supremely confident that this team understands where they fell short last year and are on a mission. They don't want to make the playoffs, they want to redefine playoff hockey...

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, Hersh said:

There is no reason for the Caps to sign UFAs before the expansion. I imagine this will be the case with nearly all NHL teams. That makes it fairly easy for the Caps to cover everyone needed: 8, 19, 92, 90, 83, 43, 65--------2, 74, 9----70.

 

I would hope that the Caps are already in talks with teams that won't make the playoffs about trading Grubauers rights the moment the season ends (after winning the stanley cup) for a 2nd or 3rd round pick in the upcoming draft or for 2018.  

Too bad the Caps don't have elite goalies. (I can't remember who used to claim that, I know it wasn't you.)

Of course it was me, that was the jump start that he needed to jump to the next level (look at his stats since :rofl89:)

 

Not sure that I'd put Gruby in the elite category yet - he just hasn't played enough games, but Holtby has looked great this year.  I still hope that he gets a little more rest down the stretch than he did last year.

 

I still think the fact they have tied a record that is 27 years old is amazing enough.

 

The best item that I see right now is that Ovie "only" has 26 goals, 3rd place in the league, but they have an amazing ten players with 10 or more goals and eleven guys with 20 or more points.  One could argue that the "3rd" line has been the best line on the team, and maybe in the league, over the last 8-10 games.  That is the type of offense that is almost impossible to stop in a 7 game series.  Let's hope that it keeps up.

 

In other news, the Caps have recalled Zach Stanford from Hershey:

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capitals-insider/wp/2017/02/08/capitals-recall-forward-zach-sanford-from-hershey-bears/?utm_term=.f94d7269cdc7

 

Capitals recall forward Zach Sanford from Hershey Bears

 

The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Zach Sanford from the Hershey Bears, their American Hockey League affiliate, the team announced.

 

With Washington playing just two home games before a five-day bye week, the move signals that the Capitals are potentially dealing with an injury after Tuesday night’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. T.J. Oshie blocked a shot with his foot and went to bench in pain, but he didn’t miss a shift for the rest of the game. Jay Beagle blocked a shot on a penalty kill in the third period and also hobbled to the bench in discomfort. He continued playing.

 

Sanford’s addition gives the Capitals 13 forwards, one extra.<more at link>

 

What worries me more is that Burakovsky went off after a nasty slash to the wrist.  He came back (and scored), so I hope that injury isn't serious.

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pjfootballer

pjfootballer

Posted
Posted

A rare pjfootballer sighting today.:)

 

Just popped in to say how much fun it has been watching this team play.  I've been lurking a bit and reading your posts in here.  I think the difference in the team this year from last year is:

 

1. They are scoring 5 on 5 very efficiently.  Over the years, we've pretty much relied on the top ranked PP with Ovechkin carrying the heavy load of goal scoring.  It was our downfall last year in the playoffs and in playoffs past.  If we can continue the 5 on 5 scoring, it will help us advance further this year.

 

2. Balance of the 4 lines.  Seems like either of the top 2 lines can have an off night with no worries as it seems the 3rd and 4th line can pull their own weight when needed. Teams are having a hard time keying on shutting down the first line because the other lines can produce. I also like that Barry has settle into the pairings and it seems that the players like their lines.  Ovie seems more relaxed this year too.  He looks like he's having more fun sucking in the defense and dishing off to a teammate.  He may set a personal record for assists this year. 

 

3. Defensively they seem to be communicating better. When we do allow odd-man rushes, we haven't been burned too often.  The PK has been superb and it seems the diamond has been working real well with (again) good on ice communication.  I'm not still sold on Orlov.  I still think he turns the puck over WAY too much in our own end, although he has been better of late.  Holtby and Grubs have been phenomenal.

 

I expect a little rust when they come back from the bye week, but I expect it. It may be for the better and keep them more grounded going in to the playoffs.

 

I haven't punched our ticket yet and I'm still in a "I'll believe it when I see it" mode, but if they play this way in the playoffs, I honestly cannot see any team stopping them.  They can only stop themselves.

 

I'm not sure when I'll be back in here to post on a regular basis.  I was going to wait until the bye week to post this, but pushed it up a bit.  It's been kind of cool just putting myself on "read only" on ES.  I don't feel the urge to have to post or comment about everything all the time.  When the time is right (sounds like a Cialis commercial :rofl89:) I'll come back to posting an be a better poster and fan. I hope when I'm back, we can talk about our Stanley Cup.


See you guys.

 

PJ

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PokerPacker

PokerPacker

Posted
Posted

Ovechkin used to rack up the assists.  Until Boudreau was canned, Ovechkin put up no fewer than 46 assists in a season; averaged about 52 through his career until that season.  Then sharply and suddenly dropped to the 20s under Hunter, stayed in the 20s in the lockout shortened season (on pace for about 40 without the lockout), stayed in the 20s for Oates year two, and remained in the 20s for Trotz years one and two.  This year it looks like he's on pace for about 40 again, so still below even his lowest output in the Boudreau (and Hanlon) era.

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Hersh said:

Awesome beginning and semi political statement at the Capitals game. Time to get rolling now. 

 

Nice to see Caps come back from 2-1 down to take lead into 3rd.

 

Not a 'semi-political statement', as this has been in the works since Bondra met her in early November.

 

Would be nice to keep politics out of this thread (NOT directed at Hersh, just a general statement) - it seems to be everywhere else in the Tailgate.  Got enough to worry about with the Caps.

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Hersh

Hersh

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, btfoom said:

 

Nice to see Caps come back from 2-1 down to take lead into 3rd.

 

Not a 'semi-political statement', as this has been in the works since Bondra met her in early November.

 

Would be nice to keep politics out of this thread (NOT directed at Hersh, just a general statement) - it seems to be everywhere else in the Tailgate.  Got enough to worry about with the Caps.

Not the event itself, but what the announcer said. (just to clarify)

 

 

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Hersh said:

Not the event itself, but what the announcer said. (just to clarify)

 

 

I wasn't around to hear it, but I looked it up on line.

 

Got it and I hope you know it wasn't directed at you at all.

 

By the way, while it's still in between periods, how is your men's league going?:chair:(as log as you are the guy on the right)

On 2/8/2017 at 2:28 PM, pjfootballer said:

A rare pjfootballer sighting today.:)

 

<really good stuff>


See you guys.

 

PJ

 

Good to hear from you.

 

Just stop by to say "Good game, Hi to all" more often.  We were wondering about you.:cheers:

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Hersh

Hersh

Posted
Posted
Just now, btfoom said:

I wasn't around to hear it, but I looked it up on line.

 

Got it and I hope you know it wasn't directed at you at all.

 

By the way, while it's still in between periods, how is your men's league going?

Thanks for asking. I had the two best games of my life a couple weeks ago. I don't know how to describe it. Now we've had two weeks off and I feel like I won't be able to move next time I get on the ice cause it's too much time off. (Getting old sucks) 

 

Alright, Caps, let's get it back now. 

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Hersh said:

Thanks for asking. I had the two best games of my life a couple weeks ago. I don't know how to describe it. Now we've had two weeks off and I feel like I won't be able to move next time I get on the ice cause it's too much time off. (Getting old sucks) 

 

Alright, Caps, let's get it back now. 

 

Do you know any of the local youth or HS team coaches?  If so, I'm sure they would get ice time to let their guys get shooting practice if you would play goalie.  I know my son's HS coach did this years ago when he played.  May be something to think about.

 

If not, I have 2 words for you (from an older guy):  HOT TUB!!!

 

What a play by Oshie.  Fantastic slapper from Carlson, but Oshie and his hard work made that goal.

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted

Teeeee Jaaaaayyyyy Ooossshhhhiiiieeeeeee!!!!

 

Another 5 goal home game.  10 straight home games!!!  I think this matches the Bruins in the 70s now.  Longer than most of you 'youngins' reading this have been alive!!

 

Only Hersh would have saved that:ols:!!!

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted

So, I missed the first period and half (my daughter had a middle school dance and I was a driver - took them for frozen yogurt after, so sue me, LOL) and I have a question - did they mention why Sanford was a healthy scratch?  They just brought him up from Hershey and wondering why if they were just going to scratch him?

 

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Hersh

Hersh

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, btfoom said:

So, I missed the first period and half (my daughter had a middle school dance and I was a driver - took them for frozen yogurt after, so sue me, LOL) and I have a question - did they mention why Sanford was a healthy scratch?  They just brought him up from Hershey and wondering why if they were just going to scratch him?

 

I'm guessing they probably had a game time decision and everyone felt good to go so he wasn't needed. Considering Bura didn't play after the first, I'm guessing someone will be playing for him next game. 

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btfoom

btfoom

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, Hersh said:

I'm guessing they probably had a game time decision and everyone felt good to go so he wasn't needed. Considering Bura didn't play after the first, I'm guessing someone will be playing for him next game. 

Thanks very much.  I was thinking ahead of the game that either (a) someone was hurt or (b) someone getting traded.

 

 

6 minutes ago, MondayNightCowboyKilla89 said:

I hope Bura isn't out for any real chunk of calendar.

 

We need him zoned in and firing by the time the playoffs get here.

You aren't kidding - keep posting here my man, we always like more folks around here.

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