Up next: Alex Ovechkin, Mike Knuble and the Washington Capitals
by FrankD on Apr 6, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in 2009-10 game previews
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Record: 52-15-12 (1st in East)
Scorers: Alex Ovechkin (46g, 58a), Nicklas Backstrom (31g, 64a), Alex Semin (38g, 40a)
I can't decide which goaltender I despise more this week: Jose Theodore or Tuukka Rask. Why Rask, you ask? Well you see, it all has to do with fantasy hockey.
It was a great regular season for Malkin's Stoli Stash, my team in Pensburgh League A. Undefeated during the regular season, a first round bye - things were looking great. Till Tuukka Rask (my opponent's goaltender) chose to play like Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur combined. Theodore, on the other hand, not so much.
But I'm over it. Truly, I am. Third place is a decent finish. If I can even do that. For what it's worth, Theo and Rask played each other last night (in the real world of hockey) to a 3-2 Washington win in OT, so it's likely Jose gets the bench tonight in favor of Semyon Varlamov anyway.
There are a bunch of undertones to tonight's game, yet at the same time not. For starters, Washington officially claimed the Presidents' Trophy Sunday night. For those of you playing at home, this means the Caps have officially finished the season better than every other team in the league, even with three games remaining. Pensburgh user JohnCarter1966 passed along the following info that he gathered from the Presidents' Trophy wiki page:
There have been 23 President's Trophy winners since '85. Only 6 were from the Eastern Conference and 17 from the West. 7 President's Trophy Winners have won the Cup. 6 of the 7 were from the Western Conference!
That's something I can live with. And hey, for extra credit (without looking) try and think of which team in the East won the trophy and the Cup in the same year. Shouldn't be hard, but you know how these stat things are sometimes...
After that whole trophy thing, we have the goals/points leaderboard. Both Ovechkin and Crosby are neck and neck for the Rocket Richard Trophy, while Ovechkin also remains in a tight race with Vancouver's Henrik Sedin for the Art Ross. Both Crosby and Ovechkin have had nothing short of great years and each has already reached the 50+ assist plateau. Whether they can round it out with 50+ goals each will come down to the wire.
Then there's the regular season record between these two teams. In a best of four series the Penguins are currently 0-1-2 against the Caps. This of course means the Caps are 3-0 against the Pens, and you can bet your Rico Fata autographed jersey that they (and the fans) want that to be 4-0 by the end of tonight.
The little pieces, like those just mentioned, are what drives both teams to get onto the ice tonight. In the big picture though, when you push aside all the personal motives and regular season records, you have to imagine both teams are gearing up for the playoffs. Yet if there's one thing that's evident in any Caps/Pens match-up, it's that you get a playoff caliber game no matter the time of year. So take this as a preface to what will no doubt be an exciting postseason. But before we even get there, let's at least see the Pens manage a regulation win today. The thought of being swept by Washington and New Jersey in the same season is something I can't bear to accept at the moment.
Puck and thread at 7:30.
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so it’s likely Jose gets the bench tonight in favor of Semyon Varlamov anyway.
Bruce Boudreau had mentioned earlier that he wanted to get Jose Theodore to play both of a back-to-back, and this is the Caps’ last one. I don’t know if he’ll follow through or not. If he doesn’t, this is a small redemption of sorts for Semyon Varlamov, I suppose.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
And he even mentioned possibly calling up Braden Holtby for the start, though that would be a head-scratcher.
Oh, and Knuble is likely a healthy scratch tonight.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Knuble a scratch?! There is a GOD!
by biggoron on Apr 6, 2010 8:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
For real. Mike Knuble’s a good goal scorer, but his production against Pittsburgh is silly.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 6, 2010 8:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Exactly. His knack for torturing your boys certainly wasn’t the only reason the Caps signed him this year, but I’ve got to think it certainly was a giant checkmark in the “PROs” column.
by TJA on Apr 6, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I personally consider it the best offseason signing the Caps made. They needed a guy to go in front of the net and score garbage goals, and Knuble is one of the best.
by SlayerGhaleon on Apr 6, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Completely agree. He’s the biggest addition the Caps have made from last year. Jason Chimera is second.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Chimera? really?… not that I’ve seen that many Capitals games, but I would’ve put both Corvo and Belanger ahead of him
You have to see it for yourself...
Corvo is a no. He’s an upgrade from Pothier but that isn’t a huge compliment. Belanger finally seems to be settling in and getting in on scoring chances, but F&B is right the answer is the Mythical Beast. His speed and physicality bring an extra dimension to the team. Big upgrade over Clark on the ice.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Yeah. He makes every line dangerous. I’ve never seen anything like it. Too bad he makes Pacal Dupuis look like Milan Hejduk. His hands are absolutely horrid. But he’s big and loves to forecheck and is at worst the second fastest Cap now (only Mike Green has a chance at out-skating him). He’s exactly the kind of guy we needed against PIT last year.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
i feel so much right now that it’s hard to put it into words. but “WHOO” summarizes it pretty well.
by katielynn906 on Apr 6, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Varly in net, no Green and possibly Knuble. That should be a good sign for the Pens, but you never know with the Caps.
by genomachine-O on Apr 6, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, not the Caps against the Pens again. I wish there was some sort of an angle that TV executives could use to get people to watch this game. Well, consider me out for tonight. Is American Idol on?
It seems like there are happening as often as Red Sox-Yankees since the first meeting was only in late January. Takes a bit of the excitement out of it, IMO.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
Capitals Coming: for Capitals fans no more intelligent than myself
by red army line on Apr 6, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
No Knuble and Green for sure it sounds like. BB may sit others as well. I’m assuming a Pens a win tonight.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I assumed the Pens could beat the lightning last week too………
by genomachine-O on Apr 6, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Well I thought the Caps would roll over the Pens with no Malkin and no Gonchar last time and it was a very competitive game.
I expect no less tonight.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Agreed. The fact is that no matter how much you try to distill the game, or say it doesn’t matter to the Caps or look at who is missing, these teams don’t like each other and want to win every time. The checkers are going to come hard, the D is going to play hard, everyone will be focused. I could be wrong, but 9 times out of 10 (literally) these guys give us a hard fought and entertaining game. Should be fun. No Green and no Knuble means Caps fans can shrug off a loss (like last time for you guys) and ultimately we all know that the next time we play will be what really matters.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
we all know that the next time we play will be what really matters.
Winter Classic?
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 6, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
So you assume the Pens aren’t getting past NJ in the playoffs? :-)
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
So you assume the Pens are getting the Devils in the 2nd round?
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
No, just playing to your fears. Given what a mess the standings are I assume nothing until late Sunday.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I’m pretty sure the Sabres are going to knock out the Caps.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
I wouldn’t be shocked if one of the Sabres/Devils knocked off one of the Caps/Penguins if that’s how the chips fell for the 2nd round.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Caps went 3-1 against them and Miller stood on his head in the Sabres lone win this season.
As Hooks & F&B I’m sure will attest, I’m a huge Miller guy and think he should win the Hart. That also probably tells you what I think of his teammates. Roy & Myers are good, but the rest of the team is nothing special.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Well, you should hope not. If the Sabres knock the Caps out it has to be in the ECF, so at least it means the Pens won’t win another Cup.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
by Rob Parker on Apr 6, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That would substantially diminish my joy. But I just couldn’t bring myself to say that the Flyers (or any other likely 8th seed) would beat the Caps. And I am genetically pre-disposed to hate the Sens, so that left me with the Sabres.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
Yeah, I understand where you’re coming from. Realistically neither the Caps or Pens will be threatened in the first round. The Caps cannot possibly play the Sabres in the second round so I figured I’d point that out to you. I’d love to see someone beating the Pens but really it could only be the Caps or the Devils. I hope BUF gets upset in the first round so the Pens and Devils play and we would only have to face one of them.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
I wish I had your confidence! Last year I was completely certain the Pens would make it to the Finals, despite all the naysayers. This year I’m in much more of a “we’ll have to wait and see” mode.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
It’s funny to hear that I have confidence. I’m constantly pessimistic (don’t think the Caps will win this year) and I’m so used to Caps post-season flame outs that I’m already preparing for them before they happen. It’s like being a Steelers fan before Big Ben came along. Why even bother getting home field advantage? You know Bubby Brister/Neil O’Donnell/Kordell Steward/Tommy Maddox is just going to throw the game away for you anyway.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
It’s true: you are stuck with the great “disappear in a big game” magician. And Semin did an impressive impression of a disappearing act during last year’s Pens-Caps series (I suppose he was there. He just seemed to fire an awful lot of shots at the wall just to the right of the net). But I really think Ovi’s supporting cast has come a long way since last year — as has Ovi. Just as long as they aren’t taking their playoff cues from the Sharks.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
If by ‘ruin’ you mean ‘increase in value’, then yes … I had to … :)
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
Then to “increase value” I’ll just reiterate that AO doesn’t disappear in big games. At all. That’s a myth Pens fans tell themselves to help them sleep at night. I had this argument here like two weeks ago. No need to rehash it.
And Semin did disappear in the playoffs against PIT but he was awesome against the Rags and was awesome against PHI the year before. I know his thumb was really hurt last year (thanks Orpik) so that had something to do with it. But Semin is notoriously inconsistent so I have no idea what drives him. What I do know is that when he’s hot we are almost impossible to beat, so I hope he gets hot for one of the next two playoffs before he leaves for the KHL.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
Heh … I’m a Pens fan and Canadian. No way you’re going to convince me of the big-game Alex thing until he scores the game-winner in Game 7 of the Finals. Not an entirely stable or rational position, but it’s the one I’m sticking to, and the evidence I require.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
Oh, so you are one of those, he’s not a great player until he wins a pro championship guys.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Ovechkin wasn’t good in Game 7 (yeah he scored, but it was literally an empty net in a 5-0 game) but AO was Great for Games 1-6. His career PPG in the playoffs is sky high.
He didn’t play well in the Russia/Canada game, but no Russian really did.
I won’t say he’s “not a big game player”, but he definitely doesn’t have a big game resume. Yet.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
Whatever. It’s nonsense and to uphold that argument you literally have to define “big game moment” as “an overtime goal in a championship deciding game.”
I’m sure if I came over here on February first and said Crosby wasn’t a big game player you all would pitch a fit and mention any number of big games that he was awesome. But in the SCF (two years in a row) he was nearly invisible. Now you all say “Gold medal OTG!!!!!!!!!!1” and ignore the breakaway he botched that could have sealed the game.
If you can’t concede that AO is a big game player, then your head is up your ass or you are just a blind homer.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
You misunderstand: I do think AO is a great player. Aside from all his other accomplishments, I had to admit it after he started passing the puck this year.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
OVs assist totals, year by year, along with league rank:
2005-2006 54 20th
2006-2007 46 40th
2007-2008 47 29th
2008-2009 54 10th (and was the only non-C in the top 10).
2009-2010 58 6th
Doesn’t look to me like he suddenly started passing the puck. He’s been pretty consistent year to year.
by TJA on Apr 7, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
And when you compare his rank to non-centers those numbers look even better. Centers dominate the assist leaders. Last year I know AO had more assists than any non-C. He’s been passing the puck his whole career but now guys are cashing in at a better rate.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
He’s been passing the puck his whole career but nowguysMike Knuble isarecashing in at a better rate than his previous right wingers.
FTFY
by TJA on Apr 7, 2010 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions
No need to comment on big game OV, just stick with the Presidents Trophy curse and the history of failures in the playoffs they’ve had against the Pens. There’s no need to go any more into it than that:→
The curse is a myth and history, while certainly well on the Pens side, means nothing. Different year, different rosters. However, if all that makes you sleep better at night go right head believing it.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
It’s sure nice to know you and F&B are so concerned about how well we’re sleeping at night ;-)
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 6, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Caps cannot possibly play the Sabres in the second round so I figured I’d point that out to you
Ottawa wins all their games, Buffalo loses all of theirs in regulation.
BOOOSH
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 6, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ha. Nicely done. We’ll see if that dream survives tonight. BUF plays the Rags and OTT plays FLA.
A pretty girl is like a violent crime.
the dream dies tonight
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
No kidding. I’ve harped on this before, but take out the Dev’s 9-1 record vs Pittsburgh and Washington and they have 36 wins, 32 losses vs the rest of the league. Not exactly awe inspiring. Look for an early exit from them, again.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 6, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, saw that fantasy meltdown coming
I called it a month or two ago, Frank going undefeated all the way, and then falling in the playoffs. Not that I’m in any position to benefit, I got taken out by the ghost of Tim Thomas coming out of nowhere to pull a shutout on Calgary a couple of weeks ago, in conjunction with a tiebreaker not mentioned anywhere on the league page.
Oh, well, them’s the breaks. I’ll take a third place regular season, 5th overall over the second to last performance I pulled last year, any year of the decade.
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
GO PENS!
(sick of trying to be smart and write something more meaningful:)
You have to see it for yourself...
by Bla Razor on Apr 6, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Sometimes I wish there was a ‘like’ button for posts like this :)
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
by PopRocks on Apr 6, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There is, its called a Rec.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I thought I posted a reply explaining the rec but it’s not here. Strange.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
I realize that. I just … well … nevermind … (I guess I’m still figuring out the social conventions on this site :)).
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
At least you weren’t wishing for a “Laich” button…
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 6, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No. I was looking for a “Craps” button, though …
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
- sigh * No one gets me. But don’t worry: I’m done! I’m going to the game with a DC native tonight, and we’ve been sparring all day. Needless to say, I am thoroughly distracted and getting absolutely no work done — and all of you are the oh-so-lucky beneficiaries. Aah, the inter-web.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
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