Post-Game Talk: ECQF Game 0: Caps @ Flyers, 8:08 pm, 3/30, NBCSN

[Langway]

Spot on as usual in your posts, analyzing the team.

Thanks. On a related note, the Caps are very much in the running to take home the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals against. They're at 175 on the season with Anaheim next at 177. The three teams within five GAs of them (ANA, LAK, TBL) have played the same amount of games. I wouldn't doubt this is one of Trotz's goals for the season.

The bigger difference post-ASB is in their underlying numbers, namely goal differential and their possession stats. Both are pretty middle of the pack.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

By my count, their record since the ASB is 19-8-2, which is a full season pace of 113 points. They've slowed, but their post-ASB play is still probably good enough to win the President's Trophy.

I do love hearing the narrative that they've been bad or terrible in 2016. They've had a 20 point lead since Christmas and despite how "bad" they've played no one has closed the gap.

 

[amin723]

I do love hearing the narrative that they've been bad or terrible in 2016. They've had a 20 point lead since Christmas and despite how "bad" they've played no one has closed the gap.

But their record in 1-goal games is unsustainable!!!1!1!

 

[amin723]

Speaking of Orlov, how did you find his play last night? I think he played very safe with the puck. Message received from the coach by #9.

Thought he played well nearly potted the game winner if I'm not mistaken when he got free in the slot late in the game.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

You could tell Orlov was definitely hesitant last night. I think he'll learn the appropriate time and place to take his chances.

 

[HunterSThompson]

You could tell Orlov was definitely hesitant last night. I think he'll learn the appropriate time and place to take his chances.

Yeah because hesitant is also not good. Can't think too much. Just have to stop the default to hero mode. Hero mode should only be activated when you have proper support, etc.

 

[txpd]

Someone pull me off the ledge.

Its ok. The bandwagon is overloaded anyway. If you are going to jump, keep an eye out for an Islanders fan to take out at the bottom.

 

[Joe Reekie]

Stop blaming the officiating. The Caps played like crap and if they play like this in the playoffs they will be out in the first round. Awful, awful effort. But this seems to be the new norm. Crap efforts.

But you defended the play on the Philly board....

 

[Devil Dancer]

Orlov looked tentative and pressured in the first, and he had a couple of shifts where he struggled to clear the zone. He got better as the game went along though, and I thought he was going to score on that open shot from the slot.

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[Calicaps]

good. done. next.

 

[Zoidberg Jesus]

The bigger difference post-ASB is in their underlying numbers, namely goal differential and their possession stats. Both are pretty middle of the pack.

They've had middle of the pack possession stats for the entire season. I've been checking them all year because the middling stats and top 3 PDO has been gnawing on the back of my mind all year, and I keep waiting for the numbers to improve. You're right about goal differential though. On Dec 31, they were +39 through 37 games. In 39 games since then, we're +21, so our average margin of victory has been cut almost exactly in half. Hopefully most of that drop is Holtby's struggles in Feb and the line juggling in March (we were dead even in GD in March).

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

You could tell Orlov was definitely hesitant last night. I think he'll learn the appropriate time and place to take his chances.

What I want to see from Orlov is to play a risk free game when we're protecting a lead. Alzner is very good at that, but obviously we don't need Orlov to be another Alzner.

If he sees a golden opportunity to score when we're trailing, he will jump into the play to score the goal, that's his nature. What is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

No worries. A big playoff bonus pay check is coming your way this year cheetah

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Dumb play by Chimmer. At first I thought it was an innocent little elbow to the gut, then I realized it was a butt end to the ribs.

We would hate it if one of their guys did it to Kuzy or Bura, like the Flyers must hate it that Chimera did it to their young star.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Minor butt end, stuff happens. Zero issue with responding to a dirty slash that way honestly.

 

[txpd]

Dumb play by Chimmer. At first I thought it was an innocent little elbow to the gut, then I realized it was a butt end to the ribs.

We would hate it if one of their guys did it to Kuzy or Bura, like the Flyers must hate it that Chimera did it to their young star.

Their young star slashed Chimera in a pretty provocative way. Chimera gave him a poke. Nobody was hurt. I bet he doesn't slash Chimera like that again. I would bet that Ghost would rather gotten that poke than a steady diet of Tom Wilson which is possible if there is actually a playoff series

Next please

 

[Capitals40]

Caps have 2nd most points since the ASB at 40...Anaheim has45.

 

[Skrudland2Lomakin]

Caps have 2nd most points since the ASB at 40...Anaheim has45.

Haven't you heard? Caps suck since the ASB

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

How does Giroux perform in the playoffs? Dude just looks tiny out there, like he'd wear down over the course of a series. On the other hand, guys like Couturier, Simmonds, and Schenn look like they're built for the postseason.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

How does Giroux perform in the playoffs? Dude just looks tiny out there, like he'd wear down over the course of a series. On the other hand, guys like Couturier, Simmonds, and Schenn look like they're built for the postseason.

Giroux is very good in the playoffs. He's small, but he battles hard and he is smart. Philly has questionable goaltending though. Mason/Neuvirth can be great, but they can be terrible at times.

 

[Carlzner]

I would target the **** out of Gostisbehere. Let's see how he's feeling after a few games of Willy breathing down his neck.

 

[EroCaps]

Giroux is very good in the playoffs. He's small, but he battles hard and he is smart. Philly has questionable goaltending though. Mason/Neuvirth can be great, but they can be terrible at times.

I thought Mason was leaky last night and lucked out on a few shots (and goal posts). The SO was a bizarre reversal from the first 60 minutes for both goaltenders.

**** the Flyers, **** the Pens.

The Caps are due for a postseason steamrolling or two of an opponent.

 

[Langway]

The Caps are due for a postseason steamrolling or two of an opponent.

No such thing as due.

Even if they make them short they'll likely be razor close.

 

[RandyHolt]

I would target the **** out of Gostisbehere. Let's see how he's feeling after a few games of Willy breathing down his neck.

/trending

I am still loving seeing JDubs destroying Simmonds proper right after his late hit on Nick.

That's the fine that should have been doled out last night. On Simmonds. Was BMac watching / tweeting? The only reason Chimera was fined was because it was big televised game. The dumb scroll score banner on the bottom of the screen almost screened what happened. What he did was petty and Gass sold it hard and should have gotten fined for a dive.

Definitely pound him like a mallard duck when the playoffs start, and I'd bet Chimera wins the $100 bounty.