Calicaps
NFA
Fell into a hole in the first 10 minutes. Clawed their way out and got a point. Old guys looked bored. Young guys looked good except for Vrana tipping over on the GWG. The end.
At some point I'd like to see Ovechkin/Kuznetsov lead by example a little bit more. Their effort level in the d-zone and in offensive zone board battles is very uninspiring.
Also, seems like every goal scored can be directly blamed on one player. There are mistakes and then there are goal-causing, pee-wee level **** ups. I'm seen a lot of the latter.
Two enthusiastic thumbs up for big boy Bowey. His best NHL game and it's not even particularly close.
8+92 need a defensively responsible player alongside them.
Put Jaskin there.
I know a guy who would also be perfect for the job..........
Totally. I missed the first, but the second and third were the best I've seen him play.Bowey played well.
Bowey played well.
That's what I have been saying.no easy fix for this mess
Now lets see what Reirden does when Brooks is ready.
Now lets see what Reirden does when Brooks is ready.
That's what I have been saying.
I honestly dont think many fans expected a repeat. Fans probably want a better product on the ice than what they are getting though.As fans there's a very easy fix: chill out and be patient. It's barely November.
As a team it's not simply about playing better individually or better defense/coaching/etc. They have to rediscover their motivation and work ethic following the achievement of the ultimate goal--a goal that extends well beyond when most of them were even born.
That is no short order. It's a known phenomenon that achieving a goal without an equally strong new goal in place leaves a powerful vacuum. Motivation and drive suffer very soon after the task is achieved, and the high achiever needs a new, equally challenging & attractive peak to summit. That vacuum is what we're seeing at this point.
They no longer have anything to prove, or the weight of 45 years of organizational failures and expectations pushing them. Their "luck" last year was a result of their change in attitude, pushed by that sense of purpose, and manifested in a higher level of zone performance and effort than they'd ever experienced. "We're not going to be ****ing suck this year" was more than a soundbite, it was a mission statement.
But it only works once.
The fact is, statistically, they are probably not going to win the Cup this year. Before the Pens repeated 2 years ago there hadn't been a b2b champ for 20 years, and that was at the peak of those 90s Red Wings teams. Before that it was the Pens and Mario/Jagr in the early 90s, which was the end of the dynasty era. At this point in the season, in this capped era where every team improves in the offseason but has salary limitations, the Capitals are just like any other team trying to make the playoffs and have a shot at the Cup.
So remove the lofty expectations from your mind right now, and all of this will make more sense.
I honestly dont think many fans expected a repeat. Fans probably want a better product on the ice than what they are getting though.
The team isnt playing well. Holtby isn't playing well and we have no one capable of spelling him for any length big time.
Totally. I missed the first, but the second and third were the best I've seen him play.
Kuzy's shot was just sick again. Is this the new twister?
No chance. They have his rights and he’s someone on a given night that is capable of winning a game. When Wilson is back 65 is a legit bottom 6 forward.65 has to go. There is just nothing positive there. So much potential, so little production.
No chance. They have his rights and he’s someone on a given night that is capable of winning a game. When Wilson is back 65 is a legit bottom 6 forward.
People ready to throw him under the bus already after 12 games after he came up huge in biggest Caps game of year last year (game 7 VS TB).
Nothing in October/November is a big deal. We were talking about firing Trotz around this time last year. Soooo much hockey left.
If he accepts bottom 6 salary why not?So you think re-signing Burakvosky is the way to go, or do we just give him the rest of the season, his seven to ten goals, and call it a day?
And for the record Ovechkin had the game winner in that game seven.
His QO would be $3.25M. They could not qualify him and still re-sign him at a lower rate but at that point for him it's probably better to get a fresh start elsewhere.If he accepts bottom 6 salary why not?
Yes, better for him, but I doubt he wants to go try his luck elsewhere. Time will show.His QO would be $3.25M. They could not qualify him and still re-sign him at a lower rate but at that point for him it's probably better to get a fresh start elsewhere.
As far as who should sit once Wilson returns, it should probably be Stephenson or DSP but it could be Burakovsky if PK roles give the former an advantage. Based on eye test, particularly in forechecking situations, Stephenson seems like the biggest passenger most nights. Count me among those intrigued by Jaskin on the top line. He does a lot of little things well and it seems like Vrana's speed is sort of wasted on the top line. Maybe if 92/8 were playing far more consistent it could work but it's better to have that on a lower line for the time being IMO. The top line needs more of a worker the way they're going lately.
I'm inclined to give them another week or two to figure it out, if not until Wilson returns. The top line and D pair need to be way more focused/consistent.