Caps lack of consistency

[Shagged Yer Nan]

I know, I know...

It's still early and they're top of the metro with 65 points but as of late their play has been on the decline. Without Ovi tearing it up, I don't even think the Caps would sit in a wild card spot at this point.

Before yesterdays game, the Caps gave up the first goal in 9 straight games. We seem to come out each period flat, and I'm not seeing progression out of the players I hoped we would (Burakovsky, Bowey). I don't know if recent failures can be attributed to a lack of motivation or even Trotz not adjusting the game plan on the fly. I STRONGLY believe this current roster is not a cup contender.

Do others see it as panic time in DC? What needs to be addressed to fix our current failures? It's quite obvious to me; Orpik/Bowey are bad and we get burnt in front of Holtby/Grubi constantly. I just wanted to get others takes on what you think the Caps need to succeed.

Click to read more...

 

[The Macho King]

I don't think there is a risk of them missing the playoffs, and who cares what the Caps do in the regular season?

 

[LeafGrief]

Good lord, it's like none of you Caps fans know how to handle losing a couple games. Chill the f*** out, the Caps are a good team.

 

[karnige]

it's hard to be consistent. especially in the hard cap era with the parity. they are fine.

 

[SotasicA]

You can solve your Panik with a bit of Dick.

I hear he is available for cheap.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Not panic time for me.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Not until they meet the guys in Black and Gold in the second round my friend.

 

[Misery74]

As a Caps fan, I have no doubt we will make the playoffs.

I also have no illusions that we can beat a good team in a 7 game series.

This team is one and done. There is no TDL fix for this, best not try. Trotz is done this Summer, and all solutions should be on the table, including moving Backstrom and Holtby.

 

[Shagged Yer Nan]

Good lord, it's like none of you Caps fans know how to handle losing a couple games. Chill the **** out, the Caps are a good team.

Guy, I'm fine with the Caps losing games. I understand in order for a team to grow, games need to be lost and hardships must be overcome. This isn't a bitch thread about how sad I am that the Caps are not winning every game in the regular season. This is a thread to discuss what they can do by the TDL to actually make a deep run AND to discuss what the future holds.

If I'm being honest, I don't think a TDL acquisition will make any difference. I would look into Trading Burakovsky for a NHL caliber Dman to replace Bowey.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Oh no, I'll be crushed if they don't win the President's Trophy!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

They've been panicking for the past 10 years.

 

[ImpartialNHLfan]

It's better to panic now in the middle of the season, rather then the playoffs.

 

[ovikovy817]

As a Caps fan, I have no doubt we will make the playoffs.

I also have no illusions that we can beat a good team in a 7 game series.

This team is one and done. There is no TDL fix for this, best not try. Trotz is done this Summer, and all solutions should be on the table, including moving Backstrom and Holtby.

Why only moving those 2?
You can also add Ovechkin, Carlson, Orlov, Kuznetsov, Niskanen, Oshie, and the rest of the team.

 

[Misery74]

I would be open to moving more than Backstrom and Holtby. IMO, those two have played very poorly this season.

 

[oXo Cube]

lose 2 games in a row and make a panic thread on the mainboards.

You Caps fans sure are spoiled.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

lose 2 games in a row and make a panic thread on the mainboards.

You Caps fans sure are spoiled.

Spoiled in the regular season, I agree.

 

[Shagged Yer Nan]

lose 2 games in a row and make a panic thread on the mainboards.

You Caps fans sure are spoiled.

Panic might be a bit too over-dramatic, but this team isn't as good as the current record suggests.

I would be open to moving more than Backstrom and Holtby. IMO, those two have played very poorly this season.

Holtby's play is a direct correlation of the guys in-front of him. A couple of games he stole 2 points from the opposition. While Backstrom is having an off year, it would be tough to find a 1C of his caliber @ $6.7m.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Panic might be a bit too over-dramatic, but this team isn't as good as the current record suggests.

What can anyone do about this?

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Trade Ovechkin!!!!
Fire Trotz!!!!
Cancel the parade!!!

Am I doing this right???

 

[CuriousGeorge]

I know, I know...

It's still early and they're top of the metro with 65 points but as of late their play has been on the decline. Without Ovi tearing it up, I don't even think the Caps would sit in a wild card spot at this point.

Before yesterdays game, the Caps gave up the first goal in 9 straight games. We seem to come out each period flat, and I'm not seeing progression out of the players I hoped we would (Burakovsky, Bowey). I don't know if recent failures can be attributed to a lack of motivation or even Trotz not adjusting the game plan on the fly. I STRONGLY believe this current roster is not a cup contender.

Do others see it as panic time in DC? What needs to be addressed to fix our current failures? It's quite obvious to me; Orpik/Bowey are bad and we get burnt in front of Holtby/Grubi constantly. I just wanted to get others takes on what you think the Caps need to succeed.

It is only panic time when you say it yourself.

 

[Midnight Judges]

lose 2 games in a row and make a panic thread on the mainboards.

You Caps fans sure are spoiled.

4-4-2 in their last ten but whatever.

Sometimes it's the eye test and not the standings that people are evaluating. Caps could hold a lead in previous years. So many highly paid players aren't contributing as much as they should - Backstrom, Carlson, Niskanen, Oshie. Holtby looks like a disaster.

The only thing keeping the Caps afloat is Ovechkin playing great hockey at both ends of the ice. Without him they're not even in the playoffs.

 

[Sol]

I've always found it strange when fans of their own team ask on Nationals for a solution regarding their own team.

Caps fans will know best, think Itd be wiser to ask the people who know your team best.

 

[PuckSeparator]

Trade Ovechkin!!!!
Fire Trotz!!!!
Cancel the parade!!!

Am I doing this right???

1. They probably should. He still seems to have gas left in tank so the time to extract value is now, not once he's breaking down. This would be smart asset management, but they won't do it.
2. They probably should as well.
3. Hehe, there is never going to be a parade in Washington with this current core. See #1 above.

 

[txpd]

A moment of calm. The Capitals in general and Holtby in particular play very poorly on rest. They do their best when playing every other night. Please look back at the last 10 games on the schedule. Since Jan. 1 the Caps have had 1 period of 4 days without a game and 2 periods of 5 days without a game. They have barely played any games. I would point a big finger at that.

 

[maacoshark]

I know, I know...

It's still early and they're top of the metro with 65 points but as of late their play has been on the decline. Without Ovi tearing it up, I don't even think the Caps would sit in a wild card spot at this point.

Before yesterdays game, the Caps gave up the first goal in 9 straight games. We seem to come out each period flat, and I'm not seeing progression out of the players I hoped we would (Burakovsky, Bowey). I don't know if recent failures can be attributed to a lack of motivation or even Trotz not adjusting the game plan on the fly. I STRONGLY believe this current roster is not a cup contender.

Do others see it as panic time in DC? What needs to be addressed to fix our current failures? It's quite obvious to me; Orpik/Bowey are bad and we get burnt in front of Holtby/Grubi constantly. I just wanted to get others takes on what you think the Caps need to succeed.

Our dcore is our weakness. Its tough with 2 rookies in the lineup. Boweys game is improving recently. I think he would be better if he was paired with someone other than Orpik. Djoos is fine offensively byt is struggling in the defensive zone. Our veteran dmen are playing like rookies. They have call struggled some defensively. The pairing of Niskanen and Orlov have been terrible the past dozen or so games.
Not sure what to say about our goaltending. It hasnt been great but they haven't had much help in front of them.
Upfront we need the stars not named Ovi to start playing like stars. Can't say anything bad about Ovi this year. He is playing well.
If the Caps make a deal at the deadline they need a shutdown dman.