Post-Game Talk: Game #23 - Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals, 7pm PT, BSSC (Ducks lose, 4-5, Patches would be mad)

[Leonardo87]

Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals
7pm PT, BSSC

**Time to avoid another “L”**

​

Really miss this guy..

But some good news on the horizon…

Capitals Projected Line up

Alex Ovechkin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Tom Wilson
Sonny Milano -- Dylan Strome -- Matthew Phillips
Aliaksei Protas -- Connor McMichael -- Anthony Mantha
Beck Malenstyn -- Hendrix Lapierre -- Nic Dowd

Martin Fehervary -- John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin -- Trevor van Riemsdyk
Alexander Alexeyev -- Nick Jensen

Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren

Scratched: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Lucas Johansen, Joel Edmundson
Injured: T.J. Oshie (upper body), Max Pacioretty (Achilles)


Ducks Projected Line up

Alex Killorn -- Leo Carlsson -- Troy Terry
Frank Vatrano -- Mason McTavish -- Ryan Strome
Max Jones -- Adam Henrique -- Jakob Silfverberg
Ross Johnston -- Sam Carrick -- Brett Leason

Cam Fowler -- Tristan Luneau
Jackson Lacombe -- Radko Gudas
Pavel Mintyukov -- Ilya Lyubushkin

John Gibson
Lukas Dostal

Scratched: Brock McGinn, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Urho Vaakanainen ​

Injured: Trevor Zegras (lower body), Jamie Drysdale (lower body), Isac Lundestrom (Achilles)

At the end of the night want to hear…

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Click to read more...

 

[Arthuros]

Hopefully the team doesn't look like they actually took a wrench to the face tonight.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Really glad Washington won last night. They won’t be as desperate. And finally I feel we’re due a full 60 minute desperate hockey game by us. Might bet the ducks tonight

 

[ducks8]

Expecting to see Carlsson tonight. The whole line up just looks better with him in it.

 

[GermanRocket7]

No matter the outcome, just do not, and I repeat, do not let Ovechkin score a goal. I'd absolutely hate seeing that guy beat Gretzky's goal record, no matter if it were this year or in 2030.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

 

[McDonald19]

I would think Ross is in the lineup, with Tom Wilson running around.

 

[Leonardo87]

Will be there tonight. Hoping Leo is playing tonight and Sat. Kid is gonna be good but him alone is not enough to get them out of a funk. It’s a lot to ask a 18Yo rookie.

Also think Gudas is back tonight. So that will help a lot on the backend.

 

[branmuffin17]

I wonder if Drys and Z being out, it's not just about healing up but about strengthening the area where they got hurt so it doesn't happen again. Meaning, they might be good enough to play but they're going through strength training to prevent a recurrence. Possible?

 

[Leonardo87]

It’s weird I can watch a Ducks home game at 7pm!

 

[Mr Rogers]

These guys... lol

 

[TheGoodShepard1]

I’m assuming that the injury to Bush was not serious and he is playing tonight?

 

[robbieboy3686]

I would think Ross is in the lineup, with Tom Wilson running around.

100%

 

[Ducks DVM]

Hopefully the team doesn't look like they actually took a wrench to the face tonight.

 

[HanSolo]

Would be nice if the team could just get back to playing improved hockey. With all these injuries, especially to Trevor and Jamie. Killorn and Terry significantly underperforming, Leo sitting consecutive games, Lacombe and Fowler struggling, etc. it's just been tough going. I think Cronin deserves a longer leash given his task is turning the fortunes of a last place team with a historically bad defense around. But that early run of games, whether they were wins and losses, the team as a whole looked to be playing much more competitive hockey. There were flaws and growing pains, sure. But this current run feels like they're fighting themselves just as much as they're fighting their opponents.

As much as I'll personally give a lot of leeway to Cronin as he works to mold a new competitive team, I think times like this are a real test for a coach. I'm not looking for the team to flip a switch and go 10-0-0, I'd even swallow a losing record as long as the team showed more fight, better fundamentals, and generally more signs that things are gradually improving as opposed to regressing to last year's level. I think Cronin needs to get that going. Instill proper habits, tendencies, and work ethic.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

First game of the season….

Hopefully a carlsson goal, and a Ross vs Wilson fight

 

[Leonardo87]

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Would be nice if the team could just get back to playing improved hockey. With all these injuries, especially to Trevor and Jamie. Killorn and Terry significantly underperforming, Leo sitting consecutive games, Lacombe and Fowler struggling, etc. it's just been tough going. I think Cronin deserves a longer leash given his task is turning the fortunes of a last place team with a historically bad defense around. But that early run of games, whether they were wins and losses, the team as a whole looked to be playing much more competitive hockey. There were flaws and growing pains, sure. But this current run feels like they're fighting themselves just as much as they're fighting their opponents.

As much as I'll personally give a lot of leeway to Cronin as he works to mold a new competitive team, I think times like this are a real test for a coach. I'm not looking for the team to flip a switch and go 10-0-0, I'd even swallow a losing record as long as the team showed more fight, better fundamentals, and generally more signs that things are gradually improving as opposed to regressing to last year's level. I think Cronin needs to get that going. Instill proper habits, tendencies, and work ethic.

We're slow on forward rotations when a defender dives into the Ozone, which is why we see lots of odd man situations. To add to that, Mac needs to not go behind the offensive net because he's always chasing the play to where his man is the one that's open.

On defense, our forwards cannot cheat (cough... Mac... cough), but also be available passing outlets. That cheating and trying to stretch the ice hurts our d-men if the lanes are clogged while being hounded. We still get lost playing man in our D-zone and need to communicate better when passing off players.

Maybe it's growing pains of a new HC. Although, it's difficult to setup the top-9 when the GM controls when your part-time 1C is playing. Regardless, the team needs to get back up again.

 

[MMC]

 

[robbieboy3686]

Ty God no more fowler/lacombe order is now restored !

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

THats f***ed up though.. Vakaninan has played great. He doesnt deserve to sit.. It should be Fowler sitting.., Fk this shit

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Give em hell, Gibby! I hope he punches like 10 more guys.

 

[ScarTroy]

THats f***ed up though.. Vakaninan has played great. He doesnt deserve to sit.. It should be Fowler sitting.., Fk this shit

They probably want to see if Lacombe looks fine in a lesser role, because if he still looks shaky next to Gudas it might be time for him to get his mojo back in SD.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

I like those defensive pairings better, even though that means Vaaks has to sit. You can rotate him in with whichever rookie starts to struggle.

I've got my reservations about Gudas and Lyubushkin being completely healthy though.

 

[ohcomeonref]

Give em hell, Gibby! I hope he punches like 10 more guys.

Really I just want him to get his money's worth when he punches someone.