Post-Game Talk: Caps Rangers 12pm

[DWGie26]

They need to figure out the center situation. I wonder if that might hasten a Panik trade just to simply open up cap space for Pilon/Sgarbossa. Siegenthaler would also work but guessing they'll hold him for now.

Really, they have it figured out. We have been winning with our current configuration. At some point, we should put Eller on IR so we can do an emergency call up.

 

[txpd]

That last Rangers PP goal, maybe we could take a page out of that book? Our guy down low behind the goal line really has no role except to pass into the slot or back to Backstrom. Maybe bring him up once in a while?

The Caps do that. They also take that player across the crease for the back door tap in. That Krieder goal is only effective as an occasional, unexpected play.

 

[tycoonheart]

I don't think they were particularly good today. A bit of luck involved in that win. We weren't making good passes, we weren't receiving passes well. They looked slow, and weren't skating well.

Regardless, they need to figure out why they keep letting teams back in the game in 3rd.

 

[kicksavedave]

Any time they can escape a matinee with 2 pts in regulation is a huge accomplishment for the Caps. Moving on.

 

[bur and 666 others]

Wow. What’s happened? Left the game after 2 periods where we gave them nothing and it’s 5-4. Hoped for Sammy to solidify himself in net, but it seems he blew big time

 

[tycoonheart]

Wow. What’s happened? Left the game after 2 periods where we gave them nothing and it’s 5-4. Hoped for Sammy to solidify himself in net, but it seems he blew big time

Had nothing to do with Sammy. He got no support in the 3rd.

 

[EroCaps]

Sammy is playing better, but I'd like to see them make a big move for an elite goaltender, and a rental veteran forward.

 

[bur and 666 others]

Had nothing to do with Sammy. He got no support in the 3rd.

Glad to hear that, but I’m not confident in our goalie coaches. Since Mitch left, the goalies are horrible. When you have a guy with this natural abilities, you just work on his fundamentals. So far haven’t seen that

 

[troyerlaw]

Blame Albert for pointing out how Sammie had a SO against NJ win and this was in the 3rd period.

The only goal I really didn't like was the rebound to Lafreniere. Still, that was a rocky period. Oh well, at least we get the 2 points and the dose of humility.

Guys who didn't have great games, to me anyway, were Panik, Sprong, Backstrom, and to some extent Vrana. I liked the effort from Osh, Willy, Orlov.

Even when he isn't accomplishing much, i appreciate Sheary's hustle and puck pursuit.

As good as our fourth line is, you'd think the vanishing 3rd period lead wouldn't be such an issue. You'd think you could just double shift those guys in last 10 minutes, and that would ice most games. I would also have Oshie take face-offs where possible, over Backstrom or Kuz.

Today was also a special-teams issue. NYR won that battle today.

 

[Calicaps]

The only goal I really didn't like was the rebound to Lafreniere. Still, that was a rocky period. Oh well, at least we get the 2 points and the dose of humility.

Guys who didn't have great games, to me anyway, were Panik, Sprong, Backstrom, and to some extent Vrana. I liked the effort from Osh, Willy, Orlov.

Even when he isn't accomplishing much, i appreciate Sheary's hustle and puck pursuit.

As good as our fourth line is, you'd think the vanishing 3rd period lead wouldn't be such an issue. You'd think you could just double shift those guys in last 10 minutes, and that would ice most games. I would also have Oshie take face-offs where possible, over Backstrom or Kuz.

Today was also a special-teams issue. NYR won that battle today.

This. And I would add that for as messy as that third was, they never fully relinquished their lead. Earlier in the season, those collapses ended up going to OT + whereas today, they held it together and got the regulation win.

 

[DWGie26]

Some interesting game stats:
1. We got 2 points - Rangers got none
2. Caps outshot Rags 22-20
3. Caps significantly won in faceoff dot (55.4%)
4. Caps out hit Rags 36-21
5. Caps Blocked 20 shots (versus 8 for Rags)

While the third period was ugly, we did still win. Rangers comeback will be healthy for the next game as we won’t take them lightly. Plenty to work on. Both sides watching that period game film.

 

[g00n]

And most importantly, Zibanejad didn't get the 6 points the NBC crew were rooting for

 

[max21]

That was a wild 3rd period, nice try NY. It’s always nice when Panarin doesn’t score on us

 

[Firsov99]

Sammy is playing better, but I'd like to see them make a big move for an elite goaltender, and a rental veteran forward.

It’s a good idea, but which elite goaltender would be available now, and how much would we have to sacrifice to get him?

I think it’s more realistic to get a solid rental veteran at this point. Both of our goalies are still in development, and it would be such a shame if we’re to lose a series because of raw goaltending.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

The only goal I really didn't like was the rebound to Lafreniere. Still, that was a rocky period. Oh well, at least we get the 2 points and the dose of humility.

Guys who didn't have great games, to me anyway, were Panik, Sprong, Backstrom, and to some extent Vrana. I liked the effort from Osh, Willy, Orlov.

Even when he isn't accomplishing much, i appreciate Sheary's hustle and puck pursuit.

As good as our fourth line is, you'd think the vanishing 3rd period lead wouldn't be such an issue. You'd think you could just double shift those guys in last 10 minutes, and that would ice most games. I would also have Oshie take face-offs where possible, over Backstrom or Kuz.

Today was also a special-teams issue. NYR won that battle today.

I totally agree.

 

[tenken00]

This. And I would add that for as messy as that third was, they never fully relinquished their lead. Earlier in the season, those collapses ended up going to OT + whereas today, they held it together and got the regulation win.

That's because we at least got it to a 4 goal lead first instead of just the 3 goal lead.

 

[kicksavedave]

Sammy had a rough 3rd, but he also totally kept them in it when it was 0-0 and then 1-0,2-0 with some serious saves on high danger chances or breakaways. The whole team took a dump in the last 12 mins, not just Sammy.

 

[bur and 666 others]

Watching the 3rd period. I like Kuzy and his celly, but I wish he did this when he scores in overtime or at the end of 3rd when he ties the game or scores the gwg

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Panik -2 in his 8 min of ice time. gross...

 

[bur and 666 others]

The 3rd wasn't bad. We were leading 4-1 till 10 mins left and then collapse.

 

[crab]

Please no Bird unless its at the end of the game and there is no time for a comeback.

 

[troyerlaw]

Once Rangers made it 5-4, i became somewhat resigned to Zibanejad scoring a late game-tying goal with the extra attacker and then following it up with a nasty OT snipe after a Casual John giveaway by JC74. When none of those things happened, I was happy.

 

[bur and 666 others]

Watching the 3rd period. I like Kuzy and his celly, but I wish he did this when he scores in overtime or at the end of 3rd when he ties the game or scores the gwg

ok, it wasn't that a collapse. we managed to score to make it 5-2. btw, Rangers remind me of 2016-2017 Penguins with their speed. Though they don't have the talent of that team.

 

[Gurglesons]

ok, it wasn't that a collapse. we managed to score to make it 5-2. btw, Rangers remind me of 2016-2017 Penguins with their speed. Though they don't have the talent of that team.

Pens fan. So feel free to ban me.

But the Rags defense this year makes that 16-17 defense look like a powerhouse.

 

[txpd]

Please no Bird unless its at the end of the game and there is no time for a comeback.

The 4 goals were not a result of the bird celly.