Recap: Ovechkin, Caps rally back, drop Pens 5-4 in OT
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 7, 2010 5:09 PM EST
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PrintAs far as regular season games go, this was one for the ages. In a similar fashion to the seven game playoff series the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals played last spring, both teams were fired up and came to impress. Superstars Sidney Crosby (2 goals) and Alex Ovechkin (3 goals, 1 assist) showed up and left their impression on the game, and the secondary stars of Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Nicklas Backstrom all recorded two points, with Mike Green also finding the scoresheet.
The Pens jumped up early, scoring four of the games first five goals. Crosby scored the only two goals of the first period, Ovechkin cut the lead to one with a breakaway goal. Staal would score the games next two goals, but Eric Fehr would get the Caps within two before the second intermission.
Washington would power back with two goals by Ovechkin in the third to send it to over-time. In the OT, Brooks Orpik took a penalty and Mike Knuble would get a piece of the AO shot to end it.
Just another game, huh?
- The game definitely had the physical mark, and the post-whistle roughness of a playoff match. It's obvious both teams don't like each other and behind their leaders in Sid and AO want to pull out all the stops to get the win.
- Craig Adams hit Ovechkin into the boards from behind in the first period. While it was a bad and dangerous hit (as any hit from behind into the boards), Adams could have absolutely buried Ovechkin and made it a despicable play if he didn't pull up like he did. It's not a hit anyone should make so demerit Adams for that --the play should have been (and wasn't) penalized -- but Adams could have seriously injured AO if it went through his head to not let up and drill him. And he didn't.
- Aside from that play, Ovechkin seemed been hurting in the game, and Crosby pulled up lame after a faceoff. You think either of these guys would miss even a shift against each other? Yeah, right.
- The play Malkin made on Staal's second goal would be made into epic Greek poetry in a different age. Geno stopped a clearing bid, kicked the puck from his skates to his stick, threw some sauce out to Jordan which landed perfectly for J-Staal to finish. It's got to be one of the prettiest plays and best efforts of the season.
- Good sign for Team USA?: Matched up against Ovechkin as many times as possible, Orpik blocked six shots and seemed to take time and space away for many shifts. Of course, Orpik was on the ice for AO's two 3rd period goals and took a penalty that led to the game-winner, so on second thought, maybe not.
- Touching on a point from last games, again here four of the six Penguins defensemen did not register a hit for the second game in a row. Think Ray Shero isn't taking notes? (If you said no, guess again)
- For the Caps looking forward, Tyler Sloan made an ill-idvised pass leading directly to a goal; Tom Poti was falling all over the place on two Pens goals and "Three-or-more" let four by. Of course, Jose Theodore doesn't necessarily project to be the starting playoff goalie, but the Caps adding another defenseman (might be youngster Karl Alzner or John Carlson) could be a needed possibility.
- Seemed like a quiet game from Green and Alex Semin -- two dangerous players who didn't make their marks offensively. Of course Ruslan Fedotenko, Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis and Bill Guerin didn't produce anything either.
- Even though I didn't think he played poorly, rookie call-up Mark Letestu ended up a -2 in just 4:35 of ice-time. Wanna know how you can ensure a demotion to the AHL when you're a rookie on this team? End up like that -- even if it's not necessarily your fault.
- 14 in a row for the Caps; even when the Red Wings dominate them, others out-shoot them and through injuries/suspensions they keep rolling on. Props to them, obviously, but a win in January/February is a little different than in April/May (as they well know).
- In a game so physical, so chippy and with so many confrontations, where are Donald Brashear and Georges Laraque when they're finally needed?
So you bust ass to get to the game under difficult circumstances , play an awesome 40 but then end up losing. Ahh, at least the Penguins earned a point, eh?
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The Capitals have become the hockey equivalant of the Saints, with Ovechkin as Drew Brees. It’s really quite that simple.
Also like the Saints, they don’t need a great, or even a good defense to win games. They just need an average to solid one since they score so many points.
As a caps fan, I'm fine with that comparison
Since It’s February and the Saints are playing today ;)
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
I’ll bet. ^^
To be clear, I’m not judging either way(Although you might have noticed my loathing of the Saints creep in, which is perfectly natural given I’m a Panthers fan) as I really don’t have a problem with the Capitals. It just seemed like the most apt comparison, especially given their penchant for pulling victories out of impossible odds lately like the Saints were prone to doing, among other reasons.
by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 7, 2010 5:40 PM EST up reply actions
Yea it actually is a fair comparison.
Our offense averages 3.90 Goals a game. Crazy, since the #2 team in that category, the sharks, only average 3.31!
We have a decent defense, 2.70 Goals against per game, good for #14. Not terrible, not great, right about average.
I was actually surprised to see the Pens were #22 with 2.90 GA/G, what happened there? Lots of injuries to the D?
Source: http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?
It is nice to root for a team that you know can win even when they’re down 4-1 because of the crazy offense.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
In my opinion, injuries definitely played a part. We had a bunch of injuries to our defense early in the season, to the point where only Mark Eaton was in the regular lineup at one point. The resulting losing streak had a lot of guys rushing back into the lineup earlier than their projected return dates. The D hasn’t been the same since.
by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 7, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
That’s probably a good comparision (aside from the fact Brees passes a hell of a lot more than Ovechkin). HEYOOO!
In all seriousness though, Theodore made a couple of great saves towards the end of the game. His defense hung him out to dry on a lot of the goals, but JT60 did his part to keep it tight.
"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 7, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
His defense hung him out to dry on a lot of the goals, but JT60 did his part to keep it tight.
Boy, that sounds awfully familiar.
by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 7, 2010 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
Theo was ok for 2, and great in the 3rd. Seemed to be the way the entire capitals team played too. Theo can steal games, but is inconsistent. It’s why we all are hoping for Varly to be with the Caps and healthy soon. I know he really wants to go to the olympics, but I’m kinda hoping he doesn’t so he can rest up for the end of the season and playoffs. Because as we all know, regular season means nothing as long as you’re in the top 8.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Maybe last season, right now the world is upside down! Ovie has more assists than goals and Crosby has more goals than assists.
Ovechkin 42G/46A
Crosby 39G/35A
I wouldn’t have guessed either last season.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
They could not contain Ovie
Even in the third goal when he got “lucky” and blocked Orpick’s clearing attempt, shows you that they did not really pay attention to his position on the Ice, . Also, goal scorers create their one luck. It was a shoot out at the OK Corral, at the end o the Pens PP, being ahead on the game the D should have , been backing off. Both Eaton and Gonch were up, the Caps D sees Ovie “floating” at the Pens blue line, and gives him a great pass, the rest is history, I’m sorry not taking anything away from Oveshkin, the D should have backed off, and somebody could have been aware he was there. Perfectly preventable goal.
It’s worth noting that Adams held up on the hit when discussing any potential punishment (it would make sense to hand out in this case, which is exactly why Campbell won’t). But giving him kudos for not drilling a guy from behind is like giving a felon kudos for only stabbing a guy in the arm when he could have stabbed the victim in the kidney.
I don’t have any other comments on the game (couldn’t watch, was asleep).
But I also want to say it was too bad I couldn’t make it over for the fundraiser you guys held last night. Kudos to the ’Burgh for the fundraiser.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
In this day and age where NHL players show each other almost zero respect, and a guy had a chance to bury a superstar, i will give him credit for pulling back.
Adams hit on Ovechkin wasn’t totally unlike one AO threw on Matt Cooke earlier, from behind and into the boards. No one is a saint out there
"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 8, 2010 1:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I know there are no saints out there, and as I said, I can’t comment on the rest of the game (it was 2AM-5AM where I am). You’re taking into account a perspective and context that I’m not. Despite the environment of the NHL right now, I have a tough time giving credit to a guy for not doing worse, as opposed to not doing it at all.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 8, 2010 2:46 AM EST up reply actions
Adams hit on Ovechkin wasn’t totally unlike one AO threw on Matt Cooke earlier
Go back and take a second look, and I’m sure you will change your mind on this. Cooke waits until AO is committed to the hit, and then turns his back. There was not way for AO to avoid hitting him in the numbers. That was a good non-call.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Is it just me or does Ovechkin get away with more than most just because he’s the best player in the league? I think he’s a bit of a goon, especially from the highlights I saw of today
The refs are a joke all the way around, so anyone getting away with anything these days is par for the course I guess
by GhostWalker40 on Feb 8, 2010 4:38 AM EST up reply actions
By the way… love your videos plus the extra comments you write on the bottom of the screen in today’s game :)
Thanks, I normally don’t do that, but the urge was too strong today :)
by GhostWalker40 on Feb 8, 2010 6:00 AM EST up reply actions
It all starts at the top. The NHL protects their refs like a Fabergé Egg and there’s not level of accountability or review that can be seen to the public. Until refs are held accountable for the quality of their work (and whether or not they work the playoffs is not enough), there will be no increase in the quality of the officials that take the ice on a nightly basis.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 8, 2010 5:14 AM EST up reply actions
It’s ok. The refs made up for it later when a Penguin broke his own stick and the Caps got called for it somehow. It gave the Penguins their chance to put the game away (again).
And by taking Backstrom and TK off for ten minutes for nothing. Pens won that exchange. And Orpik getting nothing for starting that bullshit after the Staal goal. And Adams getting nothing and the Pens getting a PP after Knuble fought him. How a Pens fan could be upset about the officiating this game is beyond me.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I think he’s a bit of a goon, especially from the highlights I saw of today
Any specific moments you can point out? I’m not discounting your argument entirely — the same can be said of Crosby getting away with some things. I recollect a seeing few borderline slashes/two-handed chops that arguably could be called as a penalty. When Semin does the same he’s more likely to get called those kind of antics. Hope to get a second look at the game replay.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
by Christoph J on Feb 8, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
From yesterday’s game, when the scuffle started after the Pens goal and he was on the ice smothering someone. I would be suprised if Crosby did that. Plus in other games I’ve seen him do similar and worse dirty hits to the ones he gets uptight about
Oh and I don’t argue I’d be saying different if he played for the Pens, but that’s the nature of sport, you’ll always be biased towards the team you like and against the teams you don’t, that’s what makes it so interesting and enjoyable
I’m calling bullshit (on NBC,and milbury in particular)on Adams hit on the newest prima-dona of the red brigade,Ovul8.He always goes hard-even into the boards,nothing wrong with trying to draw a penalty-that’s gamesmanship from way back,He got a little tap and went down-hard ,good for his hip.If I had no idea of the game and was from ,say an eastern town(like philthy),i could call that a “dive”,but I won’t…
I find it rather amusing on how many times OV has dived this year and no one mentions it throughout the league, fans or otherwise.
Crosby dove a few times 3-4 years ago, and now he’s still labeled a diver after every game.
OV bitches to the refs now that he’s captain (and even before he got the C), no one says a word.
Crosby bitches to the refs or even looks at them, he’s nothing but a whining little girl.
I’ve said this to a few people, but I’m slowly losing my love for the sport with all the bullshit that goes on. I’m even considering shutting down my Youtube channel after this season, possibly before, not sure. Between the assholes that flood my videos with stupid stuff, to the so called “fans” of the caps & flyers just makes me want to poke my eyes out with a pen sometimes!
Don’t get me started on the refs, that’s a whole nothing thing that everyone can agree with.
Ok, I’m done ranting…..
by GhostWalker40 on Feb 8, 2010 4:53 AM EST up reply actions
Rightly or wrongly (wrongly, I’d argue), first impressions are often the strongest impressions of people, and they stick.
Their rookie years it was Crosby’s immaturity and Ovechkin’s passion (that was argued by the majority, and if not the majority, a very vocal minority). For the 5 years they’ve been in the league those are the reputations that have stuck with them.
It’s very hard to shake that initial impression, which is why many people say Bertuzzi is still a scumbag even though he hasn’t done anything remotely heinous (not that I’ve seen) in the post lockout world.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 8, 2010 5:12 AM EST up reply actions
Plus, it hasn’t changed. Crosby still has a trademark on the head snap, and in the PHX game earlier this season even Errey and Steggy called Crosby out for a dive. AO went down because he was cross checked in the kidney, and McGuire was talking about how he was flexing his side on the bench before he scored his 3rd goal. Was he faking it on the bench as well? People look and think it didn’t look bad but to just label it a dive because he went down slowly and slid on the ice doesn’t just make it a dive.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
EVERY PLAYER DOES THAT! Its called drawing a penalty! If a stick comes up near any players face they are going to snap their head back ala. Alex Semin. If you dont think every player in the league does that your a moron. I
by genomachine-O on Feb 9, 2010 7:57 AM EST up reply actions
Lol a trademark headsnap? You mean the way all humans react when a stick is unexpectedly thrown into their face?
This is where the differerence between a dive and embellishment.
In that Phoenix game, Crosby skated right into a player and flailed around like he was being interfered with. Steigy and Errey had a good laugh, but it was interesting that none of the Phoenix players objected to it. If I’m not mistaken, that’s been his only embellishment all season. I remember that game because it was our first loss of the season, easily the most frustrating game I’ve seen this season. The Pens were getting called left and right, and we never really got a good flow going. Sid was trying to get his team a PP, but that, like everything else in that game, failed.
How can a ref classify that as a dive, when Sid didn’t fall to the ice? To me that’s an embellishment, not a dive. I’m only using this example because it’s the only diving call I remember being called all year, but OV was called for diving when he fell to the ice after a Buffalo player put his stick in the vicinity of 8.
871
AO actually had one of his legs kicked out by the BUF guy. Maybe an embellishment but the kind of thing that happens all the time in the NHL. True, all humans snap their head back when they get hit in the face but if you’ve watched the NHL enough you surely know what I mean by head snap (and that’s exactly what Orpik was bitching about after the game regarding Alex Semin). Point being that Crosby developed the reputation for diving early, and those things don’t go away easily, especially when players still appear to be embellishing/diving. Semin got the reputation early in his career and he never gets any borderline calls because of it. That’s just reality.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Crosby has that rap with his haters. I’ve never seen him called for a dive however. Jealous people have to come up with some knock on Crosby and thats all they could come up with. Crosby draws a ton of penalty if he truly had that rep with the refs and players he wouldn’t draw nearly as many penalties.
by genomachine-O on Feb 11, 2010 8:17 AM EST up reply actions
Your love for the sport? You’ve never once come to Japers’ and talked hockey. Only to insult. Wow, what love you have…..
by Pi on Feb 8, 2010 7:47 AM EST up reply actions
As a Caps fan, I’ve learned to respect Crosby. He is an amazing hockey player, with a skill set that is totally different from Ovechkin’s. I don’t like hearing Caps fans call him Crysby, and on Japer’s Rink that kind of crap isn’t tolerated. It’d be nice if Pittsburgh fans could grow up and respect their rivals, too.
by Ninjak on Feb 8, 2010 8:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Actually that’s all I hear on Japersrink :)
But I agree with you. I make fun of Crosby in a lighthearted spirit, but I don’t get dirty with it. You guys know if you lived in DC you’d be finding ways to defend Ovechkin and talk smack about Crosby too.
I complained a lot about Crosby years ago, but honestly…. there isn’t much more I can fault him with than Ovechkin. I just want to watch the two best players go at it. No need for whining and crying about it. Everyone embellishes. OV AND Crosby. Everyone gets non calls and everyone gets calls they don’t deserve. Just deal with it.
I do have to give Sid his props though in this game. He has grown up a lot. He was being kneed down on the ice by Morrison late in the game in fromt of Jose and had his helmet even knocked off in the process, but instead of crying to the ref about it (and you could see how pissed he was in his facial expressions) he got back up and hovered around the net with a look of determination that scared me.
Sids been doing that since his second year, haters just dont want to accept that. I give you credit for realizing that though. Two great players, if you find a fault in the way either of them play, your really reaching at that point.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. Sid doesn’t really dive anymore and Ovechkin’s “questionable” hits are always that…. questionable. He never looks to hit people on the back or knee.
What really got me to respecting Crosby was last season’s playoff series. 7 games in a row really allowed me to see his game and how determined he actually is.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Feb 8, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
Did anyone else read the story on the caps writer, I think he was, getting into a fight with Milbury in an elevator at the game? Anyone buying this? Was he wearing an Ulf jersey?
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
I heard about it but have yet to read anything about the incident. Serves the blogger right especially since his whole intent was to push Milbury’s buttons. Now I’m no fan of Milbury either and even his actions have brought down his reputation as a professional even lower. Either way, it’s a bad situation for bloggers that actually do good, professional-level work. It only takes one rotten apple to ruin a barrel after all. What would be a set back is various teams around the NHL start to revoke the media access privileges currently granted to some bloggers because of this incident.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see that the blog site of the Caps’ blogger who instigated the whole incident is … well, a first and last kind of stop when visiting it. Nothing substantial on there. Who knows, I’ve got some reading to catch up so hopefully I’ll get the story and the context of the blogger-Milbury situation.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
To really bad showings by the Pens this weekend. I dont care what team or player your playing against. There is no excuse at all for blowing a 3 goal lead, ever. Crosby definetly wasn’t the same after he got injured on that faceoff. Kinda worried about that.
I thought the Pens just ran out of steam in the third – no matter what Bylsma says (and I give him full credit for not using the excuse) the prior day’s events took a toll on their energy level. By rights the Caps ought to have buried the Pens in that one, and they didn’t. I give the Pens credit for a real high compete level.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I dont think they ran out of gas in the third. I think they tried to protect the lead and when you do that especially against the caps its going to bite you and it did.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
I missed out on that. How did Crosby get injured? Same thing for OV from what I heard … he looked like he was hurting a bit as well.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
It looked like errant sticks to me or little cheap whacks. NBC’s ISO cam highlights on their website have the plays in question.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Feb 8, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
not sure really. In middle of taking a faceoff in the second he just fell to the ice. Seemed like he was holding his stomach or something. IDK. He didnt miss any shifts, but it was a scary moment and he really didnt do much after that incident. OV took a little shot to the ribs from Cooke, it really didnt seem like much either, but you could tell he was a little shaken up.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
I thought Sid strained something on that face off. Holding your balance and turning and battling like that is very stressful on your core so that’s just my educated guess. I thought Cooke got AO lower, like the kidney area, but maybe you’re right that it was the ribs. Either way he got a little cross check in the side where there isn’t much padding and clearly was stung. Of the two injuries AO’s would have been easier to play through. Tweaking a groin, or a core muscle, is going to affect Crosby’s explosive skating which is clearly one of his biggest weapons.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I have no confirmation or anything, but given the way the play went down and his history I’m assuming it was a groin aggravation. I really hope this doesn’t become an injury that plagues him for his whole career. Hopefully he grows out of it.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
He got the butt end of Laich’s stick in the ribs. I didn’t see it on the replays either, but on the Post Gazette’s game recap, they said Laich’s stick got him. I went back and check the replay again and the angle wasn’t really good, but you could see Laich’s stick catching him while they were battling for the puck. It didn’t look malicious at all and with the way Sid skated off made it look like he pulled his groin.
Crosby’s said that he knows playing with a hurt groin (as he’s done in the past) has caused him to miss more time than he would’ve if he had sat out initially. Since he was out there the very next shift and at practice today, I’m pretty confident it wasn’t a groin. Plus, the way he was hunched over of the bench made it look like the wind had been knocked out of him.
871
I didn’t see a stick get him, but maybe it did. Either way it was clearly not serious enough to take him out. And while I remember Sid sitting for a game earlier this year to rest the groin (CHI?), his comments before that indicated that he had been, and regularly did, play through pain and just knew when it got to be too much for him. Splitting hairs maybe.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Dmen > Winger
After watching the recaps I think it is now 100% clear that a scoring winger is no where near the Pens #1 priority at this point. We need some physical D-men. The play McKee made on Fehr was pathetic. If that was Hal Gill Fehr would have been on the boards in a fetal position, no second chance available. I also thought they made some poor plays and many of the goals were a result of poor positioning and allowing the Caps to get behind the D on break-a-ways. Need to work on that one a little more in practice coach.
BRENT
The D on both teams was pretty much non-existent.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 8, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
yea neither team has a great defense, but they both like to spend a lot of time in the offensive zone which will cover up a average defense pretty well..
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
Yup. I don’t think anyone can say they expected a defensive battle going into this game, so it’s not at all surprising.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Feb 8, 2010 9:42 AM EST up reply actions
You know who would have looked really good? Tyler Sloan, if he were in Hershey. Yep.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Feb 8, 2010 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
Yea, I love TySlo much more than the next guy, but I feel like that’s run it’s course.
Tom Brady is Sidney Crosby, except Tom Brady has felt the touch of a woman, and has his own house.
I feel like Bruce keeps in him just in case a forward gets injured, then he’ll have someone that knows how to play both roles
I think he’s a decent swing man, valuable to have for versatility’s sakes, but it sure seems like whenever I watch a Caps game he tends to stand out in bad ways.
"I'm glad I got drafted first, because no one remembers number two." -- Alexandre Daigle
by Hooks Orpik on Feb 8, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He had such a promising start too…first shift he delivered a great open ice hit and drew a 9 min PP for DC against CAL, and same road trip jumped into the rush and scored a goal. I guess teams learned that he can’t make decisions as quickly and as well as the next guy.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Feb 8, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
MP had a lot to do with making Tyler Sloan look like a better player.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
Agreed. The two of them together was fun to watch and gives me a glimmer of hope.
My bet is if any shuffling goes on with the personnel, MP will make it up there. And maybe Sloan will get a little better.
Make no mistake, though. I’m not a fan of the Tyler Sloan lobby. It’s befuddling to me to have him suited up instead of Alzner.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
I was talking about 2008-2009. No MP then.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Feb 9, 2010 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
Fleury doesnt go with out blame on the Fehr goal either, that was pathetic on his part as well. And Im usually defending the goalies.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Yea after this weekend I’d say a defenseman has to be the #1 priority. Would anyone feel confident going into a 7 game series with the Caps or the Devils right now? I certainly wouldn’t. The current roster hasnt shown me anything to make me believe the Pens could beat either of those teams right now. Not saying the Pens need some major changes. Just saying the truth.
I hate moral victories, but...
After playing the night before and having a minor-leaguesque bus trip to DC, our boys out-played the best team in the NHL (right now) for 2 periods. The Pens changed their game to protect a lead and it backfired. When you play an attacking style and decide to be happy with the red-line dump for 20 minutes, you are going to lose. This Pens team does not play good enough defense to stop attacking. I’m a little pissed at Bylsma for this one.
I definitely agree with that… the Pens played a great 2nd period and should’ve just kept pushing… but what we don’t know is how much they had left in the tank after their eventful trip to DC.
You have to see it for yourself...
Keep in mind that the Caps guys had to dig out from under 2’ of snow to get to the arena. I’d say both teams were equally tired by the beginning of the game.
I need a snappy signature...
Having a lanscape company plow out the driveway on your McMansion hardly qualifies as digging out of 2 feet of snow. (That is not Caps bashing, that is professional athlete reality) They mentioned what you said on the telecast yesterday also. What a load of crap.
Theres no excuse for blowing a 3 goal lead. That a lame attempt at an excuse, im not buying it.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 3:14 PM EST up reply actions
Objectively, I agree with your point genomachine-O. There’s no excuse for blowing a 3 goal lead, but given the fact the Pens were on short rest Byslma probably emphasized the strike first, hard and fast for the first two periods. One would have to figure the fuel left in the Pens tanks might’ve been running low to keep up with the Caps high octane offensive style.
I’m not sure what else the Pens could have done. Give them credit for hanging in there and give the Caps credit for knowing they could put the pedal to the metal and take the game to another gear realizing that the Pens were less fresh.
From experience, I’ve been involved on both sides of the coin. As a visiting team playing back to backs, having short rest cut even shorter b/c of weather/logistics travel delays our coach would emphasize coming out of the blocks hard and fast to stun the home team and hope to hang on as best as we could to a lead we established. The best tactic? I’m not sure, but it was a legit one giving the reality we were short on fuel. It was a risk but a calculated risk. By the same token, we were also the home team having played a visiting team coming into the second of a pair of back to back games. We were constantly reminded by our coaches to play steady and stick to our game plan and trust in it, cognizant that the visiting team would eventually not be able to hang with us endurance wise through 60 minutes of play.
My two cents and some change for what it’s worth.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
yea i can see both sides of it, I just hate coming off like a whining Pens fan. I think the Pens should have been able to hold on to that one.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
Give your team some slack and look at the big picture. We all have to at some point in time, no? But then again, since you all just lost one to the Crapitals that’s kind painful. ;)
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
haha, I’ll survive..if we blow a 3 goal lead to filthadelphia thats when I’ll lose my mind.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
I’m with you. You have a 3 goal lead midway and a 5 on 3 to start the third, you should win that game. I’m curious as to your thoughts on MAF’s role in this loss? Nobody is really talking about it but I think Theo clearly outplayed MAF.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
The Fehr goal was just pathetic. Other than that I mean he wasn’t great, but theres a reason Ovie leads the league in goals every year. I think hes in Fleurys head, it seems like every shot he takes goes in on Fleury idk. Flower has not been good since he broke his finger for sure.
by genomachine-O on Feb 9, 2010 8:13 AM EST up reply actions
The Fehr goal was pathetic because McKee was pathetic. Fehr did what he had to do. McKee loused up the defensive end of that play and never should have let Fehr get around him.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
true but no way fleury should let that in. fail on both parts
by genomachine-O on Feb 9, 2010 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
But if MAF doesn’t kick a rebound back to the front of the net on a simple backhand the play is over and nobody is talking about what McKee did. He kept Fehr wide and made him take a low percentage chance; he just didn’t block him out from the rebound.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
Agreed. The Caps having to “dig” out from 2’ of snow hardly equates to the amount of physical toll traveling and getting short rest would take on the traveling team’s players (in this case the Pens.) Kudos for them to take right to the Caps for the first two periods.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
Yea I’m a Caps fan and I’m not buying the “digging out” thing. If you get paid a million a year you hire someone.
But as a pro athlete, having a little shakeup in travel shouldn’t be an excuse. You should be in peak physical/mental condition to get to the NHL in the first place and you let the travel personnel deal with the stress of booking the planes/buses. So I don’t buy the Penguins excuses either.
Pens and Caps on the same boat. A top 4 blueliner is priority. Any players you guys have in mind that you’d like to see in Pittsburgh?
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
So many factors involved, Pens only have about 700,000 in cap space by all accounts. There not going to be able to go after an elite stay at home guy, more of an under the radar type. Hamhuis for NAS seems affordable, but probably not available. Maybe a guy like Jan Hejda in CLB. Maybe Wisniewski. I’m not sure how realistic it is to get any of them. They are all right around the pro-rated cap number the Pens might be able to fit. Hejda seems the most likely, in a dream world it would be Volchenkov…but theres no point to bringing that one up really.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
Welllll
no one likes it when their team loses (me included). This game exposed the weak spots for sure so the front office needs to make the right moves at trade deadline.
Aaaaargh!
It was a really frustrating end to a great game… a game we could and should have won. I haven’t counted, but it seems the Pens are blowing leads quite often this season… may be it’s the shaky defense… or something else, I don’t know, but that’s definitely something you don’t wanna do going towards the playoffs.
And is it just me that sees the sense of irony in the fact that due to the weather both NHL and AHL teams of the Penguins and Capitals played against each other at the same time and both games ended 5:4 for the Washington/Hershey side… it really sucked! The only thing that made me a bit less frustrated is my firm believe that faith has a way to even things out.
You have to see it for yourself...
I didn't catch the end of the game
But how the hell do you give up a 4-1 lead like that? What the hell is wrong with our guys? I’m actually disgusted a little bit. And worried.
A bee in a bird's nest never made no honey, and a bird in a hive sang no song.
Well they were playing the best team and best comeback team in the NHL.
Even so the Pens could have won with the Caps top line missing for over half the game. Flash at 1st line center was completely over matched and made it relatively easy to shutdown Ovechkin. Bradley was not a good Knuble replacement either.
The second 5on3 was the chance for the Pens to go for the jugular and they couldn’t finish. The gift power play with 4 minutes left in the third was the last chance, after the Caps killed that I was fairly certain they would win.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
Well they were playing the best team
Sorry, but until you raise a cup, this statement means nothing. Your team is playing great hockey, right now, but this isn’t even close to decided.
I agree with everything else you said, but the “second” 5 on 3 was actually due to a split period if I recall, not two separate 5 on 3’s.
I willing to bet Zephyr meant “the best team” in the context of which team is the team right now, at this juncture of the season. Agreed. Until we raise the Cup, and eventually we will, yeah I get it. Yesterday’s win was great but it’s the regular season. Another two points … the same two points we would get if we played the Edmonton, Carolina, or another bottom feeder. Yesterday’s win was great in the sense it’s a litmus test and nothing more. Yesterday’s win was great in that it involved two marquee teams, arguably the the best in the NHL (with all due respect to the Blackhawks and Sharks.)
Believe me, as a traumatized Caps fan I won’t have my peace until the Cup is in our hands. As a hockey fan, hell … yesterday’s tilt was everything you could want. The highs, the lows all in one game. Excitement and tension. Nail biting moments. A real genuine rivalry not made up by NBC. I relish it and point to it as an example of why I believe ice hockey is the best sport int the world.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
A real genuine rivalry not made up by NBC.
It is a shame no other team in your division gives you this. We have an abject hatred for Philly, and it shows in the games every year and makes those games competitive, regardless of the teams’ records. It also hardens us for the playoffs.
yesterday’s tilt was everything you could want.
except a Pens win. ;) Helluva hockey game.
Agreed. The rest of the division just doesn’t get me fired up the same was as the Patrick Division games. CAR is getting there, but it’s still not really close. Rivalries and hatred are built in the playoffs, and the SE hasn’t had many inter-division playoff match ups.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
The history for the SE division just isn’t there yet. It’s you guys, the Whalers and three expansion teams. Hopefully it will come, but hockey in the South is proving it can garner a fickle fan base, at best. Frankly, I am suprised I have not heard more about contraction or relocation from some of these teams. Hell, my buddy in Tampa could have gotten box office tix to the SC Finals a few years ago. That is unheard of in the “older” divisions.
The fickleness is a big problem. The TBL and CAR crowds were pretty raucous when they won the Cup, but didn’t have any staying power. ATL is a mess, but has a ton of potential. FLA is probably the one that has the lowest chance for success just because it’s Miami, which is a notoriously fickle sports town, and the arena is in a crappy location. Until the fans of all these teams stick around long enough to develop some bitterness the rivalries won’t advance. (Here is the part where someone says “the same thing applies to the bandwagon Caps fans!” and I remind them that through the 80s and 90s the Caps had some serious playoff battles with the NYR, PIT, PHI, and NYI and that bitterness in the fan bases remains today, and not because of the bandwagon fans.)
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I also think geography hurts you alot. I can hope in my car and be at the gate to the arena’s of all my division foes within 6 hours, barring crazy traffic in NYC.
I can hope in my car and be at the gate to the arena’s of all my division foes within 6 hours, barring crazy traffic in NYC.
The same can be said for the Caps and DC when the Patrick Division was the fold they were a part of. I miss those rivalries and that alignment. 3.5 hour drive to Philly give or take. 4.5 hour drive to NYC or Long Island give or take. That’s not the case now and yeah geography hurts us alot.
The fact that the Caps still have a relatively fierce dislike towards the Flyers and Rangers (though more so with the former and less so with the latter) is a great testament to the rivalries formed during the Campbell Conference division alignments. How I miss those days, but at the same time I do hope competition in the current SE division can somehow pick up successfully. Unfortunately, I don’t see much of the markets involved reaching the same level as CA in terms of growing to be a hockey hotbed.
"Where can you go from there? Where? ... Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?"
When there was talk of the realignment, my buddies and I came up with our own version. Considering it has been a few years, the only one I remeber off the top of my head was this:
Philly. Pgh, Was, Buff, Tor. It was completely Pgh-centric as Pgh is between all, and also the easiest drive for us. We also considered the availability of tix (except Tor). Plus all are cool cities.
And I also miss having the Caps in our division. I grew up with the Dale Hunter/Dino Ciccarelli Caps as foes. Good Stuff.
I’d love to see PIT, PHI, WAS, NYR, NYI, NJD all in the same division.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
I am officially tired of Fleury and his giving up way too easy goals.
Call up Pechurski.
A bee in a bird's nest never made no honey, and a bird in a hive sang no song.
Did you really just say that??!? I know you have been on his jock since the one-day try-out, but REALLY?? Did I miss the sarcasm?
I suspect sarcasm, but Fleury does need to play better.
by genomachine-O on Feb 8, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
I think the order as of right now goes:
Fleury
Johnson
John Curry
Brad Thiessen
Maybe the starter Wheeling (Teslik or Teslak I believe)
Then, maybe, Pechurskiy.
You have to remember Pechurskiy had only one period of play under his belt. He also, before that, only had a handful of games in the WHL. He’s not going to get the responsibility of NHL starter at any point this season and likely even the next two or so, but if he keeps working on his game and playing like he did against Vancouver he can crack a lineup. Right now it’s still a feel-good story, but it’s far from a Cinderella one.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I know I know, I am on Pechurski’s jock, I’m sorry.
But yes, I was joking about calling him up, obviously that would be a little too ridiculous. (But I am not kidding about at least giving the kid a real contract. I see good things for him. Big things.)
Seriously though, the games that I do get to catch on TV of the Pens, Fleury let’s some real nuggets of shit get by him. And from watching GW40s highlights, I see it a lot too. This was a big game, he should have been playing better.
Personally, I blame the Olympics. Look at the story the Pens had on their site:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=516764&navid=DL|PIT|home
Maybe it’s just me, but I would take the Stanley Cup and the team you’ll be playing for for 5+ years over an Olympic gold and a team full of your biggest rivals any day. The Olympics are screwing everybody over priorities wise. I think they all are assuming they can come back after the Games and make a difference, turn things around.
A bee in a bird's nest never made no honey, and a bird in a hive sang no song.
I’m not riding Fleury out of town just yet. I really think he’s going to have a strong second half after the Oly break.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I’ll buy a Fleury jersey if that happens Frank!
by GhostWalker40 on Feb 8, 2010 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
Call me old fashioned and still patriotic, but I commend all these guys for wanting to represent their country in the Olympics. I think the importance of the Olympics and the pride these guys should have for making their respective teams should completely offset each of our own personal “greed” to wanting our local teams to win.
Sure it is “tainted” now that the professionals have been allowed to participate, but it only evened the playing field with cold war USSR. (we all know how talented those teams were.)
I still think allowing and/or getting all of the pros to play for you in the Olympics is retarded. See U.S. hockey 1980, or more importantly, 1960, the undefeated U.S. Olympic hockey team. Those guys are considered the best hockey team in U.S. history by many.
Oh, and did I mention they were all amateurs?
A bee in a bird's nest never made no honey, and a bird in a hive sang no song.
Oh, and did I mention they were all amateurs?
Those amatuers were playing against adults that were not allowed to play professionally due to oppressive governments, but easily could have. Please go take a look at that Soviet team of the late 70’s early 80’s and see how many names are familiar to you. I can think of 3 off the top of my head that were (or could have been) top-tier NHL players that didn’t come over here in their prime. At least now it is apples to apples. And if you didn’t think the Olympics would sell out for the money like all other sports organizations, you haven’t been paying attention. The pros bring in more advertising dollars, so the pros play.
The Soviet era of cold war Olympics was a giant test to create ultimate athletes. (Human engineering) These people were segregated from the population to do nothing but train for their sport and then breed the next generation of athlete. The playing field was not level then and it is not level now (see China). If we are going to send teams to the Olympics (summer or winter games), I want to win. That is what we do. Win. (except at ice hockey)
Yup
The Soviet era of cold war Olympics was a giant test to create ultimate athletes
I must break you
"Bring it on"
Notice Comrade Lenin in the background? I can say it is funny now, but as a child and teenager through the end of the Cold War, there was some scary shit going on.
No. My father worked for the military and brought his work home with him. He took many trips to then W. Germany to work on systems analysis for the Western Europe defense systems. (Still not sure what this means today in that context. “systems analysis” He doesn’t talk about it now.) Who knows if any of the rumors he heard were true. I equate it to the conspiracy theorists of today that say the economy will crumble to anarchy, but when in the context of nuclear holocaust, even more frightening.
The “comrade” Lenin quip just kind of came out. Took a few Russian history courses during undergrad and it stuck. According to the Russian’s (my prof was an older one), Lenin was an idealist. Stalin was the dirtbag. Even revisionist history can be appalling.
Yea. I’m not a fan of communism but if that’s what a country wants…. so be it. I don’t find Lenin repulsive but Stalin… UGH!
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