Comments on: Breaking Up The Band

By: 28ISGREAT

28ISGREAT — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:32:35 +0000

Backstrom and Ovechkin are now the “Dynamic Duo”? Poor Sasha Minor – always a bridesmaid…

By: Russian Machine Never Breaks

Russian Machine Never Breaks — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:54:13 +0000

@The Horn Guy: 73% of Backstrom’s points to date are from assists and 58% from last year (his best season so far) were either on Ovi or Knuble goals. As they go, Backstrom goes.

-Neil

By: The Horn Guy

The Horn Guy — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:03:30 +0000

Something that’s been nagging at me all season is Backstrom’s performance. Is he hurt? Is he less motivated? Or are other teams just more accustomed to his habits and able to beat him to the punch?

I see him losing a lot more faceoffs, I’ve watched him making less effective plays and getting a lot fewer points than in previous seasons. The media, the fans, and the casual observers are all speaking of Ovechkin’s drastically lower production but I don’t hear a lot about Nicky. Is it too early to be concerned about this?

By: Jenna

Jenna — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:06:03 +0000

@matt – Please be more specific. For the past month, the overrated bums ARE the young guns, statistically speaking.

By: mattthebeerguy

mattthebeerguy — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:50:06 +0000

Split the overrated bums and pair them with the young guns.

By: TATA

TATA — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:12:58 +0000

Why not ? There are lots of time for experimentation ; but the OvBaSe line should become a motor of the team ! Many questions about their physical form….Though I think they’ll be OK to playoff ! Better to change lines today than at 3rd period of 7th game ..don’t recall the last playoff to night !

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 05:35:08 +0000

I think it’s worth splitting Ovie and Backs temporarily. I have no problem with MoJo being on the top line in that case, because MP is probably going to be out. MoJo has also been playing well the last few games and creating chances – I think he can set Ovie up for some goals, as long as Ovie can get a good shot off. Hopefully the cortisone shot he got helps.

As for Backs, maybe being pushed down a line will help him get his game back. Even with Knuble and Semin, that is still a dangerous line. The Caps need to get a 2C who can win faceoffs to take some pressure off Backs. He’s taking too many defensive zone faceoffs due to the low percentages of MP and MoJo.