Speculation: Caps Hockey General Discussion (Coaching/FAs/Cap/Lines etc) -- 2017-18 Regular Season Edition

[twabby]

Last season, teams made a concerted effort to take Ovechkin away on the power play. Either by shadowing him with a dedicated player or by shading him with one player standing in his basic shooting lane. This season many of those teams have abandoned that plan after the Caps had too much success in the Oshie hole. That play is not there like it used to be and the loss of Johansson in his role in getting Oshie the puck hasn't helped.

I would venture a guess that come playoffs, Ov will again get special treatment and that slot shot will again be a thing

It's Oshie's even strength production last season that was unsustainably high, not his power play production. Oshie only had 7 PP goals last season, he already has 8 this year.

Contrast that with his 5v5 numbers where he shot 26% last season. Not only was he the highest shooting % 5v5 player last season, it was the highest shooting % 5v5 season since sometime before 2007-08.

It was a fluke year for him in terms of goal scoring. Oshie's a fine player and he's surely capable of scoring more than he has shown this season, but he's not going to be a 30 goal scorer ever again.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

He doesn’t need to....20’ish is acceptable....

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

It's Oshie's even strength production last season that was unsustainably high, not his power play production. Oshie only had 7 PP goals last season, he already has 8 this year.

Contrast that with his 5v5 numbers where he shot 26% last season. Not only was he the highest shooting % 5v5 player last season, it was the highest shooting % 5v5 season since sometime before 2007-08.

It was a fluke year for him in terms of goal scoring. Oshie's a fine player and he's surely capable of scoring more than he has shown this season, but he's not going to be a 30 goal scorer ever again.

Oshie was actually on pace for 40 goals last year. I don't expect him to ever match these numbers, but 25 goals is a reasonable expectation IMO. Last year was a fluke, and this year is a fluke in the opposite direction. I think his norm should be slightly lower than his first season with the Caps.

 

[Brian23]

I know it won't be 44 but I wanna believe.

 

[Corby78]

I know it won't be 44 but I wanna believe.

It will be one of the Czechs, because heaven forbid we get them as much time with the team prior to the playoffs....

 

[Jacoby4HOF66]

Looks like the Navy Stadium Series sweaters will get one more game:

Capitals to Wear Caps Navy Jersey March 20 versus Dallas | Capital's Today

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I know it won't be 44 but I wanna believe.

Not coming off a pretty solid game....

 

[Bananas]

Looks like the Navy Stadium Series sweaters will get one more game:

Capitals to Wear Caps Navy Jersey March 20 versus Dallas | Capital's Today

If they had the regular logo they’d be perfect

 

[Tyler Durden]

Hey guys Leafs fan here coming in peace. Just a question in regards to fantasy hockey and two of your dman. Orlov vs Niskanen who would be better in a fantasy lineup that counts for G A PTS +/- PIM PPP SOG HITS but more focused on Assists, Hits, Power Play Points? Thanks and good luck boys!

 

[bur and 666 others]

Hey guys Leafs fan here coming in peace. Just a question in regards to fantasy hockey and two of your dman. Orlov vs Niskanen who would be better in a fantasy lineup that counts for G A PTS +/- PIM PPP SOG HITS but more focused on Assists, Hits, Power Play Points? Thanks and good luck boys!

Orlov. He plays actually on our PP2 and occasionally lays out hits.

 

[troyerlaw]

Dreading that injury update today for Yevgeny Yevgenyevich Kuznetsov. Really hope to hear wrist isn’t broken

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

At this point I support Twabby’s idea, dress 7 D and play Orpik as a specialist.

At whose expense though? That means we're scratching a forward like Stephenson, Chiasson, Boyd, DSP, Connolly, etc.

I just keep going back to the net gain idea. I know 44 is great at that PK. But the net gain of him dressing versus the guys above isn't comparable.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

Who was Chiasson in for on the the PP unit last night?

 

[marcel snapshot]

Connolly

 

[Tyler Durden]

Orlov. He plays actually on our PP2 and occasionally lays out hits.

Not being biased would you still take Orlov over Ryan Pulock of the Islanders for fantasy hockey with those stats accounted for?

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Not being biased would you still take Orlov over Ryan Pulock of the Islanders for fantasy hockey with those stats accounted for?

Of course I would. Orlov is tied for the league lead in ES goals. Pulock is -8 and Orlov is +13.

 

[Sam Spade]

 

[AtNightWeFly]

Hold it together. Hold it together. Hold it togeth...

 

[Cappy76]

I just hope it’s not another situation where we hear day to day and then weeks stretch by without him in the line up. Still holding my breath on this one.

 

[Corby78]

day to day is better than on IR. Phili and Dallas will be tough, but then we have Detroit/Montreal/Rangers/Rangers/Carolina. Thats a good stretch to get him healthy and ready for Pitt

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

As long as he's back in time for the playoffs...

 

[StrikingDistance]

 

[shtorm2005]

What means day to day list?

 

[ovikovy817]

Wasn't Niskanen also listed as day to day?? Missed 15 games. I'm sad, I'm mad, I want to destroy some islanders

 

[RandyHolt]

Maybe missing a game is good. For it's a sign we may let him actually rest.

Pretending like a guy is not injured (to not let the opponent know, shhh) can lead to months of ineffective play. Everyone knows the injury location.

It's nice that we have Travis called up. I want to see him tested in the top 6. Now.