Comments on: Capitals During Wartime: Road-Weary

By: RegularStan

RegularStan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:57:00 +0000

Kind of bewildered by the Bad Sasha comment. He’s gotten, what, 3 penalties under DH in 15 games?

By: Tampa Bay Lightning Pregame: Tampa Smells

Tampa Bay Lightning Pregame: Tampa Smells — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:04:22 +0000

[...] (Boston) really counts by our metric.While we’re rockin’ the home games (18-6-1) but sorta sucky on the road (8-13-2), they’re also kinda getting their freak-on down at the Times Forum (13-7-1.) [...]

By: Alison Latimer

Alison Latimer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:56:00 +0000

As a Caps & Redskins fan I am sick of fans wanting to be instantly gratified. (How many of us heard Redskins fans sayin’ ” We goin’ to the sho” after McNabb became QB?) When GMGM fired BB for DH – I knew in that instant there would be no cup this year. Next year will be the test for me. Of course we have no clue who is coming or going in the meantime….I just want our injured guys to get well. I miss Backstrom.

By: Neil, RMNB

Neil, RMNB — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:46:00 +0000

“But it seems GMGM had his mind made up at the end of last season, and apparently became concerned during training camp.”

He might havem however, the dagger was Boudreau saying, in essence, “I don’t know how to fix this team” after the loss in Buffalo. If that presser doesn’t go down that way, he is probably still with the team.

By: random caps fan

random caps fan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:38:00 +0000

This isn’t really relevant to this article in particular (or is it? The Caps were at home for all but one of those goals against), but I was over at Backhand Shelf, which has just released its list of the top 10 goals of the season so far, and three of those goals (Jiri Tlusty, Nick Foligno, and Eric Nystrom) were against the Caps. BTW, no Caps goals showed up on that list.
Make of that what you will. Here’s the link - http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2012/01/30/rundown-the-top-10-goals-of-the-2011-2012-nhl-season/ - if you want to look at the entire video, but I just thought it was interesting. (It also led to me yelling “No! No! ARGH GODDAMMIT NO GET THAT OFF OF MY SCREEN” whenever I saw a goal against the Caps, but that’s a different story).Oh, also, they had the list of the top 10 saves, and Vokoun made it on to that, at least *insert happy .gif here*

Great job on the article, and even though it makes me feel depressed about the Caps, I can appreciate the effort put into this, and as always, RMNB never disappoints

By: Pattyo

Pattyo — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Should’ve kept Arnott and Hannan…….. DAMN YOU GMGM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Capstronaut

Capstronaut — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:22:00 +0000

A couple of observations post coaching change.
1) Dale is a dump and chase guy
2) Inconsistent line and D pairings
3) Big ice time disparages (Wideman 27 minutes a game) he’ll be shot before the playoffs start. Players are noticeably tired by the 3rd period, especially #8.
4) Poor break out passes and defensive break downs.
5) Lack of speed, I like 44 but he’s toooo sloooow.
6) Inconstant effort….

By: covesdog

covesdog — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Awesome article, all around. Although after reading it and the comments, I’m a bit depressed. I wish I knew more about the subtle changes to the system that have caused the dramatic drop-off in shots. Sounds like something Alan May could explain.

By: Guest

Guest — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

this is a bit depressing. I don’t think it is quite a fair comparison for either coach because the sample size is too small, but either way, the initial results look abysmal. I am just shocked that they are still able to win games.

My biggest problem is not that we don’t get enough shots on goal (honestly I prefer quality over quantity), but it is that they seem content to play in the defensive zone. They hardly ever establish a good rotation in the offensive zone, and this style of play is completely untenable.

Whenever they steal the puck back after a good defensive shift (which they have – I like that they are playing well defensively), they are too tired and need a line change, so they just dump the puck in the neutral zone and start it all over again when their opponent gets the puck back. Hunter has been praising this stye of game. He needs to find a way to cycle the puck better, and actually get a solid possession out of the time in the offensive zone.

Dump – chase – cycle – crash the net

By: guest

guest — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:59:00 +0000

as far as i’m concerned, ovechkin showed himself as a quitter and a malcontent this year. his year and a half long battle with mediocrity shows little sign of ending. i don’t know what has happened to him and won’t pretend to. but he is now as frustrating to watch as semin on offense…and probably the worst forward on defence on the whole team. it would not surprise me in the least if the caps fail to make the playoffs – because two of their four best players are missing significant time due to injury…and the other two are awol even though they are on the ice every night.