ECQF: (1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets | Caps Lead Series 3-2

[Paxton Fettel]

The Caps were in control. Panarin was kept out to the perimeter and his linemates didn't give him much support. Can't wait for game 5!

 

[TheGoldenJet]

This is 100% not correct. John Carlson piles up points and that is important but he is nowhere near a true Doughty/Hedman level of defender.

Reading comprehension is your friend.

“Legitimate Number 1D” is not the same as “Best D in the league”, which those two have been this year. I’d have Carlson around 20th in my list of D, but he’s still a number 1D.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

As a 3rd pair defenseman and pk specialist and designated hitter he does his job.

That we agree on. He’s a good #5 at this stage. Though he’s paid like a #2.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

The Caps were in control. Panarin was kept out to the perimeter and his linemates didn't give him much support. Can't wait for game 5!

Let's go! Ovechkin with two goals next game.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

And which year is it? 2011.

Every year but 2016 and 2007 he posted above a .250 GAA and a sv% below .915.

His numbers are just not very good.
Roberto Luongo Stats | Hockey-Reference.com


Comparably Holtby has never had a GAA above .250 and only one playoffs with a sub .915 sv%. Luongo is pretty mediocre in the playoffs.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

Also might I add this wasn't a case of Holtby getting benched, this was a case of Grubauer playing so well he forced the Capitals hand. If Phoenix Copley was Holtby's backup there is never a discussion about the game one starter, because Grubauer was so dominant the latter half of the season it made sense.

On top of that, there is still a very high chance that if Holtby plays in game 1 and 2 the Caps still lose those games. They lost those games in OT because the team played conservative after securing the lead, Grubauer didn't play terrible by any means.

 

[Sam Spade]

Reading comprehension is your friend.

“Legitimate Number 1D” is not the same as “Best D in the league”, which those two have been this year. I’d have Carlson around 20th in my list of D, but he’s still a number 1D.

How is he even the number one D on the Caps when he doesn't get the shut down assignment?

He is a 1D on PP1, I'll give him that. But if you said pick one of Carlson/Orlov/Niskanen to keep, all factors considered, I'm taking the other two first.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

How is he even the number one D on the Caps when he doesn't get the shut down assignment?

He is a 1D on PP1, I'll give him that. But if you said pick one of Carlson/Orlov/Niskanen to keep, all factors considered, I'm taking the other two first.

Only because Carlson is going to get paid 1D money.

 

[Sam Spade]

Only because Carlson is going to get paid 1D money.

Yep, and while I like Carlson as a competent NHL player, I hope its not the Caps that give him 8+ per for six or seven years.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Washington would have likely swept if Trotz hadn't started Grubauer two games.

I still maintain it was a foolish thing to do. Holtby's a playoff beast. I don't care how much he struggled in the regular season, you ride your proven guys in the playoffs. Trotz going with the "hot hand" put his team in a 0-2 hole, which Holtby has since dug them out of.

Trotz should always trust the opposite of his instincts come playoff time.

 

[Fatty McLardy]

Hey CBJ: it’s OVAH! You poked the bear.

If it can’t be my dream Philly-Boston ECF, id gladly take Washington-Boston.

LOL you're f***ed Caps fans, this guy is the barry melrose of hfboards. the Ultimate kiss of death.

 

[CBJFan19*]

I love how we talk about holtby being great like the jackets didnt hit 6 post in game 3 and about 3 or 4 in one period.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

I love how we talk about holtby being great like the jackets didnt hit 6 post in game 3 and about 3 or 4 in one period.

It's because Holtby was well-positioned. The only thing about the net they could shoot were the crossbar and post.

 

[Daisy Ridley]

Washington would have likely swept if Trotz hadn't started Grubauer two games.

I still maintain it was a foolish thing to do. Holtby's a playoff beast. I don't care how much he struggled in the regular season, you ride your proven guys in the playoffs. Trotz going with the "hot hand" put his team in a 0-2 hole, which Holtby has since dug them out of.

Hindsight

 

[Daisy Ridley]

Caps dominated game 4. Jackets looked sluggish and the passing was bad. Let's hope the away team winning trend continues into g5.

I've been pleased with Bob's play. Team needs to help him out more.

 

[MattySnipes]

Burakovsky is a big loss for the Caps. Who's taking his spot?

 

[HunterSThompson]

Burakovsky is a big loss for the Caps. Who's taking his spot?

He hasn't played in either of their two wins. His spot was taken by Vrana in the lineup, but by Stephenson on the second line.

 

[MattySnipes]

He hasn't played in either of their two wins. His spot was taken by Vrana in the lineup, but by Stephenson on the second line.

Vrana looks good. Remember seeing him against the Leafs early in the year - blazing speed and plays hard. Solid addition.

 

[bur and 666 others]

LOL you're ****ed Caps fans, this guy is the barry melrose of hfboards. the Ultimate kiss of death.

f***, we are doomed. Though the actual melrose picked Columbus in 6 and Pens in 6

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

He hasn't played in either of their two wins. His spot was taken by Vrana in the lineup, but by Stephenson on the second line.

Yea Vrana looks dangerous every time I see him on the ice. Don't understand why he doesn't get more icetime

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Burakovsky is a big loss for the Caps. Who's taking his spot?

Burakovsky is definitely not a big loss. Him being injured allowed a better player in Vrana to re-enter the lineup.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Yea Vrana looks dangerous every time I see him on the ice. Don't understand why he doesn't get more icetime

Emulates OV in the defensive zone.

 

[MattySnipes]

Burakovsky is definitely not a big loss. Him being injured allowed a better player in Vrana to re-enter the lineup.

Has he regressed this year? He looked amazing last year. Definitely thought he'd be your go-to 2C.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Has he regressed this year? He looked amazing last year. Definitely thought he'd be your go-to 2C.

Well, he's a winger and yes, he has regressed. He has some of the worst positioning I've seen in the NHL, is prone to turnovers, refuses to shoot the puck and takes offensive zone stick penalties.

I think we should trade him this summer.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Well, he's a winger and yes, he has regressed. He has some of the worst positioning I've seen in the NHL, is prone to turnovers, refuses to shoot the puck and takes offensive zone stick penalties.

I think we should trade him this summer.

Did he mention injury prone?

He is actually a similar player to Vrana except Vrana is faster and has a much quicker release. Vrana is also smaller but neither use their bodies to any advantage anyway.