Post-Game Talk: Caps vs Tampa Bay Bucs News at 7

[HecticGlow]

What changed was Samsonov got hurt and again was unavailable. Meanwhile Vanecek is available and consistent.

I don’t buy this ‘Vanecek is available, Sammy wasn’t’ argument at all. Samsonov missed a few days late in the preseason, but was active for the vast majority of camp and able to play the full 60 minutes of the final preseason game. He’s dressing, and practicing normally.

Whatever the Caps might hope Samsonov will become, it’s clear Laviolette and MacLellan don’t entirely buy into the ‘Sammy’s a #1 and Vitek’s a backup’ narrative that’s been going around some parts:

[GMBM] That’s a key for our team: both of them need to get to that next level this year. It’s tough to evaluate both throughout the preseason. (But) I thought Vitek had a really good camp. Samsonov’s been a little inconsistent for me, but he’s coming. We have some time here to see how they’re doing and get in a regular routine and games and let (things) sort itself out.

( Brian MacLellan Q&A: Ovechkin and Backstrom's injuries, the emergence of young talent and playing against the Rangers )

Laviolette sees it as a competition between them, not Sammy’s net to lose:



Sammy only has an advantage if he outplays Vanecek, which simply hasn’t happened yet. Remember, too, that Vitek’s off-season was slowed by recovering from a fairly significant injury, yet had a better camp. Not much has changed - Vanecek is still more consistent than Samsonov, and consistency’s something coaches like. He’ll get his chances, and hopefully he makes the most of them.

 

[Randyne]

Last game was expected to be a bloodbath. Saw Ovi's mic'd up, and I think with Ovi's kind attitude toward Reeves in the very beginning this tuned the game to normal.
Wanna a hat-trick for him tonight.

 

[txpd]

I don’t buy this ‘Vanecek is available, Sammy wasn’t’ argument at all. Samsonov missed a few days late in the preseason, but was active for the vast majority of camp and able to play the full 60 minutes of the final preseason game. He’s dressing, and practicing normally.

Whatever the Caps might hope Samsonov will become, it’s clear Laviolette and MacLellan don’t entirely buy into the ‘Sammy’s a #1 and Vitek’s a backup’ narrative that’s been going around some parts:



( Brian MacLellan Q&A: Ovechkin and Backstrom's injuries, the emergence of young talent and playing against the Rangers )

Laviolette sees it as a competition between them, not Sammy’s net to lose:



Sammy only has an advantage if he outplays Vanecek, which simply hasn’t happened yet. Remember, too, that Vitek’s off-season was slowed by recovering from a fairly significant injury, yet had a better camp. Not much has changed - Vanecek is still more consistent than Samsonov, and consistency’s something coaches like. He’ll get his chances, and hopefully he makes the most of them.

This all fits well with losing Vanecek to Seattle. Somebody asked why Vv is playing. That's my answer. I am wrong?

 

[Hivemind]

My feeling is that Lapierre is already ahead of McMichael on the depth chart.
Why on earth would he play 3rd line at center instead of CMM if it was not the case?

Because for Lapierre it's NHL or QMJHL. So they might as well get Lappy some NHL action before he goes to juniors. He doesn't have the AHL option like CMM does. If they're at all close (which they are), it then makes sense to give Lappy the NHL action while they can.

 

[max21]

Saturday night hockey? Fresh bottle of Makers?

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[tenken00]

Missed th entire preseason...so why Mcmichael hasn't been sent down to the A but still isn't getting a lineup spot?

Both CMM and Lappy had a good training camp and preseason. Hershey Bears have their first game tonight, so AHL season just started. I think with Backstrom out, they are going to get a real good look at both kids.

 

[Melkor]

Both CMM and Lappy had good training camp and preseason. Hershey Bears have their first game tonight, so AHL season just started. I think with Backstrom out, they are going to get a real good look at both kids.

I kinda thought if they take them both seriously then both should have got a spot and a role in the lineup at least in one of the two starting games.

 

[tenken00]

I kinda thought if they take them both seriously then both should have got a spot and a role in the lineup at least in one of the two starting games.

Well all of them have been playing well since the last 2 preseason games (where they fielded an actual lineup) and the 1st game against the Rangers. No one has been playing noticeably poorly up and down the lineup... so far.

 

[HecticGlow]

If they’re not playing CMM tonight, and they’re next game isn’t for another 3 days, I’d have thought getting him a game in Hershey to keep him fresh (and developing) would’ve made most sense? They could bring him back up right after. Have to assume he plays next game.

 

[TheLegendOfPatPeake]

A lot of Lightning fans in the building. Go figure...

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

If they’re not playing CMM tonight, and they’re next game isn’t for another 3 days, I’d have thought getting him a game in Hershey to keep him fresh (and developing) would’ve made most sense? They could bring him back up right after. Have to assume he plays next game.

A week of inactivity is not the end of the world. I'm sure he'll get his turn and Lapierre will sit out some games.

 

[tenken00]

Yea I don't think Lavi wants to change anything against Tampa after playing so well Wednesday.

 

[tenken00]

Looking sharp to start. Caps on PP

 

[tenken00]

Damn Kuzy dangles in between 3 Tampa players

 

[Hivemind]

Fehervary is so good on zone entries.

 

[max21]

Damn Kuzy dangles in between 3 Tampa players

lol that was clean

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Damn Kuzy dangles in between 3 Tampa players

Much better focus than last year. I don't know what message management sent to him, but it seems to work for now

 

[IafrateOvie34]

So far I'm impressed with the Caps and new TNT/ESPN. Much better picture quality, sound, and things seem to be clicking for the Caps.

 

[Peeri]

Kuznetsov is on fire, just love it. Now just need guys to finish his set ups

 

[IafrateOvie34]

If we get this version of Kuzy, we're going a long way.

 

[Corby78]

The key will be over the season/playoffs

 

[maacoshark]

They (and Vasilevsky) have conceded 6 goals in each of their first two games. Not like them at all.

Losing the entire Gourde line won’t have helped with matchups, but their coaching, D-Corps and starting goaltender haven’t changed at all.

Didn't they give up 3 empty net goals in the 6-2 loss to the Pens?

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Who here clapped with that Wilson hit? I sure did.

 

[Dr John Carlson]

Man. I thought for sure Kuznetsov was gonna pass at the end of that nice play rather than shooting it like a normal player would. Very impressed.