Analysis

Leave Alex Ovechkin Alone!

On May 9, 2013, In Analysis, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Scott Levy

Okay, the subject line is a joke, but some people are being silly about Derek Stepan‘s game-winning goal last night. They’re saying it was Alex Ovechkin‘s fault– that his laziness on defense is a problem.

Here’s how it really went down.

After a long shift in the defensive zone, Marcus Johansson failed to clear the zone and pass to Alex Ovechkin, who was skating toward Lundqvist at center ice. A scramble for the puck ensued, and Stepan scored from the weak side. Ovechkin skated lazily towards Stepan as it happened.

Bad visual, but that’s all.

The Freaking New York Rangers– Again

On April 28, 2013, In Analysis, Playoffs, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Greg Fiume

Saturday night revealed the Capitals’ playoff foe, and that foe is really, really familiar.

The New York Rangers locked up the 6-seed and will be headed to Washington early this week to begin the quarterfinal round. This will be the seventh time the teams have met and the third time RMNB will have written about a WSH-NYR series. The John Tortorella Rangers are a shot-blocking, workaday-type crew– but this year they’ve added convincing possession to the mix (they’re ranked sixth in unblocked shot attempts at even strength when the score is close). The Rangers may be a better match-up for the Caps than the Senators (whose Craig Anderson posted the best goalie stats this year) and the Isles (whose John Tavares is a convincing young star), but the Rags are no slouch either.

If you’re already anxious, you’re not alone. But this is the playoffs, where the gentle hum of anxiety is your stalwart dance partner.

Tagged with: Adam Oates • John Tortorella • New York Rangers • Washington Capitals

Tonight’s Game and a Breakdown of Every Capitals Playoff Scenario

On April 23, 2013, In Analysis, By Fedor Fedin

The Washington Capitals are in the driver’s seat for the Southeast division crown. And even though tonight’s game against the Jets looms large, a loss won’t kill the Caps’ chances of making the playoffs — though it will make it much more difficult to win the division. If they lose tonight and manage to still win their final two games, they will be guaranteed a playoff spot.

As it stands right now, the Caps have a 91.1% chance of making the postseason and an 86.7% of winning the Southeast. The Winnipeg Jets have a steeper climb. Despite a big win over Buffalo on Monday, the Jets have just a 31.6% probability of making it to the Stanley Cup playoffs and a 13.3% of becoming division champs.

There are a lot of ways this could shake out, and a lot of possible tiebreakers to consider.

Tagged with: Playoffs • Washington Capitals

That Time Pierre McGuire Was Wrong About Everything

On April 23, 2013, In Analysis, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Andre Ringuette

Lots of smart and informed people have been dead wrong about Alex Ovechkin this year. Also wrong: Pierre McGuire, who I guess is smart and informed, but the jury is out on if he qualifies as human. Regardless, way back in January when Ovechkin was trying his first stint on the right wing, McGuire gave an interview to an Ottawa radio station where he delivered a litany of Wrong Things He Should Be Embarrassed About Now (if his species is even capable of embarrassment).

I wonder if anyone transcribed this interview. WAIT. THAT’S DAN STEINBERG’S MUSIC.

Tagged with: Alex Ovechkin • Pierre McGuire • Washington Capitals

Can Evgeny Kuznetsov Play For The Capitals After the Olympics Next Season?

On April 19, 2013, In Analysis, By Ian Oland

Photo credit: bezformata.ru

At the end of March, Ted Leonsis wrote on his blog about — at the time — two Capitals prospects that could have a dynamic effect on the franchise in the coming years. Leonsis said of Filip Forsberg and Evgeny Kuznetsov: “We have two former first round picks playing overseas who will one day don Caps jerseys and really excite our fans. We are hopeful that next season, one of the players will make our team, but they have to earn that right. Maybe at some point next season, fans could see both players in Caps uniforms, time will tell.”

Since then, the Capitals have traded Forsberg to Nashville and he’s already made his NHL debut, playing on the Predators’ first line and powerplay unit. But Kuznetsov’s situation is a bit murkier. Ted, while not directly addressing who are what, seems to be suggesting in his final sentence that Kuzya could play for the team next season.

Not surprisingly, since Mr. Leonsis’s blog post was published, we have been inundated with questions regarding Kuznetsov’s future.

@russianmachine Can Kuzy report to the Caps after Olympics and KHL season next year? In time for Caps last run before the 2014 playoffs?

— Luke Adomanis (@LukeAdomanis) April 2, 2013

After doing some research, we can see why Ted is hesitant on guaranteeing anything.

Tagged with: Evgeny Kuznetsov

It’s Steven Stamkos vs. Alex Ovechkin in the Richard Race, But That Doesn’t Matter

On April 10, 2013, In Analysis, By Peter Hassett

In Tuesday’s win over the Montreal Canadiens, Alex Ovechkin scored his 26th goal of the season. For about an hour, he was the sole occupant of the NHL goal-scoring lead– until Tampa’s Steven Stamkos recorded his 26th with a game-winner against the Senators. Stamkos are Ovechkin are now neck-and-neck in a race for the Rocket Richard Trophy, given each year to the player who scores the most goals. I’m wondering if we can figure out who has the edge here.

Tagged with: Adam Oates • Alex Ovechkin • Steven Stamkos

Don’t Overlook Michael Latta in the Erat-Forsberg Trade

On April 5, 2013, In Analysis, By Fedor Fedin

Photo credit: AHL Tumblr

When the Caps traded Filip Forsberg to Nashville Predators, a divided fanbase described the return as “Martin Erat and some other guy”. That other guy, Michael Latta, is more than just an add-in for the deal.

At 21 years of age, Latta, who played for Nashville’s AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, is nearing his NHL debut. Despite his relatively small stature (6-foot, 215 pounds), he hits hard and can drop the gloves. Latta is an agitator, which was one reason why the Caps drafted Tom Wilson last year while talented players like Teuvo Teravainen, Sebastian Collberg, and Mark Jankowski were still available.
Continue Reading

Tagged with: Michael Latta • Washington Capitals

Michal Neuvirth’s Awful No Good Very Bad Contract Year

On April 4, 2013, In Analysis, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Greg Fiume

The Washington Capitals’ most valuable player is probably Braden Holtby. After a rough start, Holtby has improved to a solid 91.5% save percentage and recorded four shutouts. That success has been a big part of the Caps’ turnaround in the standings, but it has also given short shrift to Michal Neuvirth, whose future with the Capitals has become murky.

Neuvirth has started just 9 games this season. Coach Adam Oates has consistently turned to Holtby’s hot hand (despite how nebulous that myth is) whenever he had the option. Neuvirth has missed his recent opportunities to start due to illness and then general wooziness following a shot to his mask at practice last week. With Neuvirth playing his worst in a contract year at the same time Holtby is locking down the #1 goalie slot, no wonder there’s chatter about Neuvirth getting courted by the KHL.

Tagged with: Braden Holtby • Michal Neuvirth • Washington Capitals

‘Absoutley Pathetic’: My Night on SportsYapper

On April 3, 2013, In Analysis, By Chris Gordon

As Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes got started, I opened up the SportsYapper app on my iPhone. That was my first mistake.

Bombarded by all the commercials and promotions on Comcast SportsNet, I had already downloaded the app but had never been inclined to use it. It seemed like Twitter, just stupider. Maligned by the media and by us, SportsYapper is like the Columbus Blue Jackets of social media. And after a few hours on the service, I can report that I learned nothing. It is exactly what we thought: Twitter, just stupider.

Tagged with: Mike Green • SportsYapper

George McPhee is Wrong About a Lot of Things

On April 2, 2013, In Analysis, By Peter Hassett

Photo credit: Bridget Samuels

In speaking to the press last Friday, George McPhee talked about about pretty much everything there is to talk about: his plans for the trade deadline, the Capitals’ outlook for future success, and what in particular has been the team’s problem this year.

And he was wrong about pretty much everything. McPhee either doesn’t recognize how bad his team is or he refuses to acknowledge it publicly.

Tagged with: George McPhee • Washington Capitals

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Russian Machine Never Breaks

Leave Alex Ovechkin Alone!

The Freaking New York Rangers– Again

Tonight’s Game and a Breakdown of Every Capitals Playoff Scenario

That Time Pierre McGuire Was Wrong About Everything

Can Evgeny Kuznetsov Play For The Capitals After the Olympics Next Season?

It’s Steven Stamkos vs. Alex Ovechkin in the Richard Race, But That Doesn’t Matter

Don’t Overlook Michael Latta in the Erat-Forsberg Trade

Michal Neuvirth’s Awful No Good Very Bad Contract Year

‘Absoutley Pathetic’: My Night on SportsYapper

George McPhee is Wrong About a Lot of Things

Got A Hockey Tip?

Ian Oland

Peter Hassett

Chris Gordon

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