Post-Game Talk: Caps @ Golden Knights, 8PM

[Alexander the Gr8]

The key this year has been players stepping up with hero performances at critical times. Who does it tonight?

Chandler Stephenson is due

 

[Grudy0]

Take away the center of the ice.

And them pummel them as they try to squeak by wide. I am looking at you Orpik. Ovi. Willy. Oow.

I wonder if Barry had the boys scale back on the hitting because we needed the break physically, or if he just wanted to test the waters in game 1 without much of a customized game plan.

They may look big up front with the towels tucked under their shoulder pads, but I think we have a size advantage and I know one way to use that.

The Capitals first line contains all of the hitters. Assuming Vegas will attempt to line-match all series, I have to assume that part of the game plan should be for Ovechkin and Wilson to PUMMEL IN ALL CAPS any opposing player in front of them.

Wear them down, boys. Speed is negated when someone is hit so much they're always needing to put their head on a swivel every time they touch the puck. *edit - or are thinking about receiving the puck.

 

[RandyHolt]

I have been having a vision of Vrana scoring off an extra Oshie pass. And yes to all concerned, I got my clock cleaned on Monday night.

 

[BobRouse]

Got to pick your spots to hit. A fraction of a second to late or a fraction of an inch high and there will be a suspension.

The knights, like the Pens, goad you into hitting and throw pucks to open spaces. Winnipeg got burned by it this year. We got burned by the Rangers in 2015.

It’s a different game today.

My plan...the D should not mess around and use the sky flip clear and chase it down. Play a passive trap with sticks in lanes and counter.

It’s just what works these days.

 

[RandyHolt]

We don't need to hit on the forecheck. I want to see hits in center, skating into our 122 or 131, as long as there is a F back. Otherwise opportunistic hits as they arise notably on any turnover prone D and skilled F. Although we have seen it almost every year; charging stride count and the time allotted to hit after a pass are both eased in the loffs. Why not use it? I have a feeling tonights officials got a memo about the Reaves CC/goal and will call some stuff early, but not late.

 

[BobRouse]

Yes agreed. Hit in our zone or if we have numbers at center. Don’t get caught in deep

 

[twabby]

The key this year has been players stepping up with hero performances at critical times. Who does it tonight?

I think they need Carlson to step up tonight. Despite scoring and doing a decent job in possession he was hands down the worst defenseman on the ice in the D-zone in Game 1 and can be blamed, or partially blamed, for 3 goals against. He screened Holtby on goal #1, didn't cover Karlsson on goal #2, and didn't intercept a very obvious cross-ice pass on goal #5.

They also need more from their 4th line even if all that means is that they play their opposition to a draw.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Old time hockey!

 

[g00n]

Got to pick your spots to hit. A fraction of a second to late or a fraction of an inch high and there will be a suspension.

The knights, like the Pens, goad you into hitting and throw pucks to open spaces. Winnipeg got burned by it this year. We got burned by the Rangers in 2015.

It’s a different game today.

My plan...the D should not mess around and use the sky flip clear and chase it down. Play a passive trap with sticks in lanes and counter.

It’s just what works these days.

Vegas double teams the puck and uses a 3rd guy to jump the turnover or panic pass that results. If you start hitting guys and taking them out of the play there are fewer guys to double team.

 

[RandyHolt]

Another big one we always hear.... we need to take away time and space. I know we live in fear of their collective speed, but if you get a body on them and are in their way before they get up to speed... glorious victory should ensue. We need to bloody their err lip muddy the waters. Make it a very physical game by always getting a piece of anyone we can. Without getting 5 PPs a night, we have to have a solid ES game and it starts with slowing them down.

 

[StrikingDistance]

We take over the neutral zone tonight.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Funny how slapshot predicted Bettman's "vision" of hockey.

*cough* Vegas dog and pony show...

 

[BobRouse]

Vegas double teams the puck and uses a 3rd guy to jump the turnover or panic pass that results. If you start hitting guys and taking them out of the play there are fewer guys to double team.

Maybe. I’d need to watch them more. I still think it depends what zone you hit them and the circumstance. Feel you have to be calculated against teams like these. Cant go Mike Keenan and demand zero fly bys and a high finish check rate.


They are hyper aggressive with their sticks and flipping it out quick when their guys rush the pick bearer seems to be the way to go for me.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Run and Gun on the mushy ice needs to be avoided. A 2-1 victory might be needed tonight to shock them.

 

[RandyHolt]

We are going to rough them up. It's just a matter of when. Barry saved the heavy hitting last series for game 6, but it was a difference maker. We may need to win a game or 2 before he starts to put the foot on their pencil knecks. Geeks.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

Is that GMGM tonight when Oshie taunts him?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

-stay out of the box
-control the neutral zone
-play solid team D and counter effectively
-Holtby needs to be on

4-2 good guys!

 

[EYEuhFRAYtee]

Please get the split tonight.

 

[RandyHolt]

Is that GMGM tonight when Oshie taunts him?

That's more like GM trying to intercept the Interceptor Tom Wilson after he pummels a few of his stars. I still think George was an idiot for expecting Chicago to ice an exhibition all star friendly lineup, being a former goon and all. Halverson was never the same after that, and yet another failed LW draft choice was added to the ledger.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

GMGM was a madman in 1999 after taking credit for Polie's team....

ON HOCKEY; McPhee Gets One-Month Ban

 

[Nice]

Would prefer a more controlled game tonight. Can't get into this scramble hockey with Vegas.

edit: also I think some better ice might help that.

 

[HunterSThompson]

Kelly Sutherland and Chris Rooney call more penalties than Wes McCauley and Marc Joannette. I think we will see a few more PPs tonight.

I'll never understand why they match the two tightest together and the two loosest together.

 

[Langway]

I think they need Carlson to step up tonight. Despite scoring and doing a decent job in possession he was hands down the worst defenseman on the ice in the D-zone in Game 1 and can be blamed, or partially blamed, for 3 goals against. He screened Holtby on goal #1, didn't cover Karlsson on goal #2, and didn't intercept a very obvious cross-ice pass on goal #5.

They also need more from their 4th line even if all that means is that they play their opposition to a draw.

I don't want to blame the victim but Carlson turning his back on Reaves in front of the net wasn't smart either. He completely lost Nosek on the GWG and didn't even realize that lane had opened up. Just way too much lazy puck watching from him. It's in large part why he put himself in the position to be cross-checked by Reaves to begin with. Why square up with the puck handler behind the net there? Niskanen apologized for his G5 performance last series but this was far worse on a fundamental level IMO. It's a big stage, he plays a lot and Vegas really brings the pace but he absolutely must be smarter and more aware.

You'd hope they went to school on the video and will have learned their lesson in terms of the defensive firmness, awareness and the general second effort needed to stop them. It's not going to be easy but puck watching in a man defense really can't happen. Certainly not to that extent. A split focus, sure, but not to the point of being mesmerized. Do your job.

 

[peterthegreat12]

Lets make history tonight....win a damn game in the Stanley Cup Finals...something this team has never done.

 

[442]

Agree with Stephenson being do but wanted to take a second and say how thrilled I've been with his progress in general