Comments on: Do The Caps Have The Goaltending To Win The Cup? http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/ A pretty rowdy hockey blog all about the Washington Capitals and some Russian dudes: Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, and Dmitry Orlov Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: It’s The Penalty Kill, Stupid http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-1017 It’s The Penalty Kill, Stupid Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:50:08 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-1017 [...] whether that is true or not remains to be seen, but what we do know is that goaltending is not the issue for the Caps going into the playoffs – it is their Penalty Killing [...] [...] whether that is true or not remains to be seen, but what we do know is that goaltending is not the issue for the Caps going into the playoffs – it is their Penalty Killing [...]

]]> By: bucknelldad http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-929 bucknelldad Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:06:10 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-929 I have the benefit of post-game analysis, but I think the Theo has answered your question with a resounding yes. He was simply on top of his game. Goaltending hasn't really been the Caps problem -- D has, and S. Morrisson again demonstrated with his "brain fart" (his words, not mine) last night, Maybe he secretly wishes to play for John Tortorella, who knows, but 1) Bruce's system, which creates defensive end vulnerabilities, 2) dumb D and 3) O men who are still trying to learn how to spell "backcheck" are what creates the Caps GAA problems. Those are fixable, but time's awaistin'. Theo and Varly are more than up to the job (Varly still needs to find his mojo, but he's well on his way). I have the benefit of post-game analysis, but I think the Theo has answered your question with a resounding yes. He was simply on top of his game. Goaltending hasn’t really been the Caps problem — D has, and S. Morrisson again demonstrated with his “brain fart” (his words, not mine) last night, Maybe he secretly wishes to play for John Tortorella, who knows, but 1) Bruce’s system, which creates defensive end vulnerabilities, 2) dumb D and 3) O men who are still trying to learn how to spell “backcheck” are what creates the Caps GAA problems. Those are fixable, but time’s awaistin’. Theo and Varly are more than up to the job (Varly still needs to find his mojo, but he’s well on his way).

]]> By: Jose Theodore: #1 With A Bullet http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-919 Jose Theodore: #1 With A Bullet Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:52:45 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-919 [...] touched briefly on why I thought the Caps goaltending could get them through a Cup run, and with Jose Theodore’s third shutout of the year I wanted to make his case why he should be [...] [...] touched briefly on why I thought the Caps goaltending could get them through a Cup run, and with Jose Theodore’s third shutout of the year I wanted to make his case why he should be [...]

]]> By: yuk http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-911 yuk Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:55:31 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-911 I think 'yes' when Varly will become his usual. Before injuries, it was amazing to see in close live action how incredibly fast he is in falling on knees or spreading legs across the crease and standing back as a result making goal very small for attackers That quickness may be partially contributed to his injuries. Having now choices may be BB planning to play him in all Verizon playoff games while Jose away. I think ‘yes’ when Varly will become his usual. Before injuries, it was amazing to see in close live action how incredibly fast he is in falling on knees or spreading legs across the crease and standing back as a result making goal very small for attackers That quickness may be partially contributed to his injuries. Having now choices may be BB planning to play him in all Verizon playoff games while Jose away.

]]> By: Mikkel http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-909 Mikkel Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:24:54 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-909 The Caps goaltending only has to be good, not great. All three of the Caps goalies have had periods of greatness this year and with the run and gun offense Bruce has the team playing there will always be odd man rushes and scoring chances for the other team. To me, the Caps defense is more suspect than their goaltending and everyone seems to forget that Theo is a former MVP and has proven he can carry a team. With last years playoff letdown, he'll be out to prove himself this year and the fact he's in a contract year will be more than enough incentive. The Caps will be fine. I wrote a blog post about the goaltending and deadline deals for the Caps over at www.capscrazy.wordpress.com. Another thing working for the Caps is they will have home ice advantage due to them winning the Southeast and they have been almost unbeatable at home this year. The Caps goaltending only has to be good, not great. All three of the Caps goalies have had periods of greatness this year and with the run and gun offense Bruce has the team playing there will always be odd man rushes and scoring chances for the other team. To me, the Caps defense is more suspect than their goaltending and everyone seems to forget that Theo is a former MVP and has proven he can carry a team. With last years playoff letdown, he’ll be out to prove himself this year and the fact he’s in a contract year will be more than enough incentive. The Caps will be fine.

I wrote a blog post about the goaltending and deadline deals for the Caps over at http://www.capscrazy.wordpress.com. Another thing working for the Caps is they will have home ice advantage due to them winning the Southeast and they have been almost unbeatable at home this year.

]]> By: Ron http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-907 Ron Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:25:48 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-907 They only put 2 by Miller the other night. The 3rd was an empty netter. Theodore and Varlamov will need to pick it up one more notch. The home crowd will be a huge factor in the chase for the Cup. They only put 2 by Miller the other night. The 3rd was an empty netter. Theodore and Varlamov will need to pick it up one more notch. The home crowd will be a huge factor in the chase for the Cup.

]]> By: Бойтесь 8! http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2010/03/06/do-the-caps-have-the-goaltending-to-win-the-cup/#comment-906 Бойтесь 8! Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:40:30 +0000 http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/?p=2182#comment-906 No brainer "Yes!" for me. They have the overall best goaltending in the league, as is evidenced by having the best record in the league. Miller's probably the best goalie in the world right now, but the Caps put 4 by him the other night. Gabby's comment about Varly the other night is true of Jose and Neuvy too--they make the saves that give the team a chance to win, which is what a goalie is supposed to do. Sure, all three have had an off night here and there, but the goals against is more the result of defensive breakdowns and, as you mentioned, inconsistent pk performance. McPhee has made trades to remediate both those ills (with the bonus that Scott Walker, scoring machine, has apparently been hiding his light under a barrel all these years), so I think our goalies are going to start looking a lot better than they are already. Reference Jose's performance the other night, even before the trades, where the skaters paid attention to D first. No brainer “Yes!” for me. They have the overall best goaltending in the league, as is evidenced by having the best record in the league. Miller’s probably the best goalie in the world right now, but the Caps put 4 by him the other night. Gabby’s comment about Varly the other night is true of Jose and Neuvy too–they make the saves that give the team a chance to win, which is what a goalie is supposed to do. Sure, all three have had an off night here and there, but the goals against is more the result of defensive breakdowns and, as you mentioned, inconsistent pk performance. McPhee has made trades to remediate both those ills (with the bonus that Scott Walker, scoring machine, has apparently been hiding his light under a barrel all these years), so I think our goalies are going to start looking a lot better than they are already. Reference Jose’s performance the other night, even before the trades, where the skaters paid attention to D first.

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