Post-Game Talk: Caps vs. Lightning, 7pm

[Revelation]

No one other than Orlov on the caps even attempts that pass except maybe Carlson once in a blue moon. Or the slap pass to Burakovsky on his goal a game ago. He makes high skill high IQ offensive plays every game.

They have to keep him long term, replacing him in the scheme of things is just too cost prohibitive. Physical PMDs are currency.

Any upgrade to the D involves too many moving pieces as both Schmidt and Orpik would have to go and at least one higher end player would have to come back.

 

[bur and 666 others]

And what about this stat?
2 SOG against during the 1st period (and if you don't count the shot during the PK, TB had to wait more than 19 minutes to put a shot on goal 5-on-5.

Where are the congratulations to our D system?

well, Tampa played 3 games in 4 nights and this game was the second back-to-back, also half of their roster are injured including Stamkos, Kucherov, Palat, Bishop and etc. Plus Druion, Coburn and Hedman left the game with injuries (Hedman then returned). Nice win, but that would be a huge red flag if they didn't. Caps knew that Tampa was on back-to-back and jumped on them hard on the first, thus no shots against in 19 mins.

 

[Langway]

Does Orlov actually lowered his pizza/60 guys? He looks confident

Seven points in the last nine games. He's starting to produce and gaining confidence in that bigger role for sure.

 

[artilector]

Yeah, I think Orlov is starting to make more of an objective case for himself to be heavily considered in future plans -- he's starting to make things happen on offense a lot more consistently/convincingly, where you can tolerate some flaws if you have a real weapon (as long as the cap hit is reasonable).

Playoff performance will be key... no easy task... significantly fewer chances to create offense, and a lot more "chances" to cough up the puck. On the other hand, if Orlov can somehow bring meaningful offense in playoffs, what a big boost it could be in the area that the Caps need the most...

 

[twabby]

Trotz needs to have patience with Orlov. He's going to have more turnovers that will lead to goals against. But by and large he drives the play and contributes on offense and these more than outweigh his negatives.

 

[txpd]

Seven points in the last nine games. He's starting to produce and gaining confidence in that bigger role for sure.

Nisky 5pts in his last 6
Carlson 9pts in the last 10

offensive d have all seemed to found their game.

 

[Raikkonen]

When did they change top-4 pairs?!

Again, this season is very long and after World Cup. Patience is the key.

 

[ovikovy817]

When did they change top-4 pairs?!

Again, this season is very long and after World Cup. Patience is the key.

First game for 27-74 / 9-2 against Boston (december 7th), even that Nisky was injured in that game, then he missed the game @ Buffalo.