Up next: Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and the Washington Capitals
by FrankD on Mar 24, 2010 3:25 PM EDT
in 2009-10 game previews
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Record: 48-14-10 (1st in East)
Scorers: Alex Ovechkin (45g, 52a), Nicklas Backstrom (29g, 59a), Alex Semin (33g, 38a)
I always find typing up a preview for a Caps game a bit difficult. Why you ask? Well, because what more can really be said? You know the players and likely despise them. You know of the team's success and likely remember what it was like to see the Pens atop the division and conference. You know the rivalry, the fans, the blogs, the front office - it's almost like you know them more than you'd like to know them. But as Rage Against the Machine once proclaimed, "Know your enemy." Or perhaps along the lines of The Godfather, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
Geno's out of the lineup with Pittsburgh. That sure as hell doesn't help the Pens much. Brooks Laich may very well be out of the lineup for Washington, but when you compare the injury situations for both teams, the Caps obviously come out with a bit of an edge in that department. Jose Theodore is listed as the starter for the Caps. Which reminds me, look at the "Dec" column in his NHL player profile and tell me you don't want to throw up a little bit.
Hate week rolls on for the Pens. The Wings may be behind them at this point but the remaining schedule is no walk in the park. Unless you're talking New York's Central Park at, like, 1am. Caps tonight, Flyers Saturday - no doubt great hockey but also come trying competition. While we can all be grateful for a few more Islanders and Thrashers games on the schedule, the season series with Washington doesn't officially end until April 3.
In a perfect world, the Pens can put a 'W' in the column and try and bring some parity to the season series; one in which they trail with a record of 0-1-1. It won't be easy, but we already know that. But here's to hoping they can at least make it look that way.
Puck and thread at 7pm. This one's on the NHL Network for US fans.
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Correction – April 6 is the next game with the Caps.
This looks like a tough one for Pittsburgh, with the way they’ve been playing lately and the absence of Malkin. I don’t think the Caps have quite been on top of their game lately either, which is understandable given their huge lead in the conference. I think the Pens will show up ready to play. My predicted final score:
.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 24, 2010 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
BTW I do think the Caps have been pretty solid lately….They’ve played a lot on the road and a lot against non-playoff teams (who we know can be hard for the better team to “Get up” for) and not missed a beat, even with the suspension in there.
Caps have lost 4 games at home in regulation. 4! That is amazing. Their fans are getting used to the winning when they go to the rink, which’ll make a victory all the sweeter.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
You gonna start guaranteeing victories already? You’ll eat those words while you buy me drinks! I think you’re both kinda right about the Caps. They’ve been playing better than a lot of people have given them credit for, but not as well as their record (7-1-2 in the last ten). They haven’t given full 60 minute efforts for a little while, but they’ve still gotten points (usually wins). I’m not sure how to take that. Motivation won’t be a problem so I expect both teams to come out hard. Ultimately I think the loss of Malkin (and Crosby’s numbers without Malkin) will be too much for PIT to overcome today. Caps win, but who cares? Caps fans, Pens fans, and hockey fans just want to see them lineup for another best of 7.
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.
Especially looking to see how posttrade Pens and posttrade Caps match up to each other. This one isn’t but so much for bragging rights though because Pens fans can claim no Malkin and Caps fans have no Laich and maybe less motivation with the conference all but wrapped up. I want to see Corvo and Belanger jump in feet first to the rivalry.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
You gonna start guaranteeing victories already?
Nah, I just said it would make a victory sweeter, but not gonna happen for sure. Sorry if it sounded like that, but my prognosticator skills to the test.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
You know I was just bustin’ balls anyway.
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.
Could be the start of something beautiful...
There really is no reason the Pens should win this game. The team has been playing poorly the last week or so. Malkin is out. Crosby is slumping. The turnstile D has turned Fleury into a poor replica of his 2009 self. And the Caps are hot—and at home. All logic indicates a Caps rout.
UNLESS, this is an inflection point and the start of something beautiful.
Sandbagging already?
You guys have more to play for than we do at this point. We are also experimenting some with chemistry and lines heading into the playoffs. Brooks Laich is hurt. Pens could easily win this game and it’s a toss up.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
is gonchar out?
He isn’t on the ice (at the game) and Staal has an A…
by zeke5123 on Mar 24, 2010 6:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
There was no word Gonchar would be out.
Staal may be wearing an A because Malkin (usual alternate capt) is out — even though Orpik wore it last time. If Orpik and Staal both have A’s on, maybe Gonchar is scratched.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
One of the Caps reporters tweeted that Gooch was out.
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.
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