GDT: GDT Caps v Flaming Flamers 9 pm EST

[tycoonheart]

I think he's too far back this year - 35 to Matthews 43 I think? I am sure Ovie will land around 50 but I think Matthews could get 60 - that team gets laughed at a lot but they have some serious talent / firepower.

36. I dunno, a couple of games where Ovi scores and Matthews doesn't can change the landscape. Still 25 games left?

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I’ve been trying to tell ya that Mantha is good with a capital G. Does so many little things well, has insane hands for a guy that big, and is really tough to take the puck from.

Fell asleep before the third but waking up to the win sure was nice.

And Dowd is playing out of his mind. Best 4th line in hockey.

 

[hb12xchamps]

Lmao at the Calgary media. Must be trying to make a statement against Ovi. A shitty statement at that.

 

[hb12xchamps]

AJF is definitely staying in the NHL. He won’t clear waivers if reassigned. His play last night was very, very good. It’s no wonder his nickname in Sweden was “The Hunter.” He wins so many battles along the boards and creates chaos on the forecheck.

 

[max21]

I’ve been trying to tell ya that Mantha is good with a capital G. Does so many little things well, has insane hands for a guy that big, and is really tough to take the puck from.

Fell asleep before the third but waking up to the win sure was nice.

And Dowd is playing out of his mind. Best 4th line in hockey.

Sheary is also having his best year so far as a Capital albeit 2 years, he’s an energetic player for sure

 

[max21]

Lmao at the Calgary media. Must be trying to make a statement against Ovi. A shitty statement at that.

NHL social media didn’t even highlight Ovechkin tying Jagr, their highlight for the capitals was Jensens 3 assist night. It’s a joke

 

[tenken00]

Damn I can't believe I missed Ovie 766

 

[Misery74]

AJF is definitely staying in the NHL. He won’t clear waivers if reassigned. His play last night was very, very good. It’s no wonder his nickname in Sweden was “The Hunter.” He wins so many battles along the boards and creates chaos on the forecheck.

Feel bad saying, as Hags had improved. But, like many had said, he didn’t justify a $2m plus up over AFJ.

Great win. Keep the train rolling. The additions of VV, Oshie, Mantha, and AFJ have been very welcome.

 

[Marshall]

That...was a big win.

And if the Caps maybe pulling it together is unnoticed by the national media for a bit longer, all the better.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I wanted 5/6 points on this road trip. Good start.

Including this game, they have a chance to bank some points over their next five (now four). They’re at Edmonton and Vancouver and then home for the Isles followed by a quick trip to Columbus. Vancouver has been playing well but the other teams are in a rut and it’s a good chance for the Caps to establish some momentum and close the gap between them and the other three in the Metro. Hopefully they keep it going tonight.

 

[pman25]

Starting to feel good about the forwards but maybe a piece that can push McMichael if he stumbles. I’m afraid Lavi still won’t trust him enough come playoff time. Jarnkrok makes sense then on a line with Sheary / Eller. Not to mention Osh inevitably getting hurt again.

Fehervary also continues to struggle. I think LHD, like a Brett Kulak, that can be had for cheap would be a smart move

 

[Holtbyisms]

AJF is definitely staying in the NHL. He won’t clear waivers if reassigned. His play last night was very, very good. It’s no wonder his nickname in Sweden was “The Hunter.” He wins so many battles along the boards and creates chaos on the forecheck.

Agreed, he's seen his last AHL game. We're very lucky he had "visa issues" and Buffalo let him come back.

 

[Langway]

Noticed TVR was a good three minutes below any other D in this game. It's got to be challenging sustaining his play on his off side as pace elevates and he's not the most agile either. Were they to add a Kulak type, even though MacLellan said he more or less wouldn't, it should be TVR sitting. Moving Kempny for a more mobile upgrade that would (or could) play over TVR is wise, esp. if cost is negligible.

I'd hope for more offensive upside than Jarnkrok ideally...maybe Rakell. Barring a headliner addition with more pieces moving I'd wager the best player they can get for WPG's second rounder (pick ~#45) will be their main move. That may require secondary retention.

 

[twabby]

Kulak and Braun make sense if they were to acquire an LHD. Both are strong defensively and could make sense alongside Carlson. But if they go that route they really should be looking to offload Schultz and slide TVR to the right side.

Orlov-Jensen
Kulak/Braun-Carlson
Fehervary-TVR

Schultz makes way too much and provides nothing offensively to justify his position in the lineup. I’d rather they just go with Orlov running the point on PP2 despite the handedness.

 

[Neil Racki]

Starting to feel good about the forwards but maybe a piece that can push McMichael if he stumbles. I’m afraid Lavi still won’t trust him enough come playoff time. Jarnkrok makes sense then on a line with Sheary / Eller. Not to mention Osh inevitably getting hurt again.

Fehervary also continues to struggle. I think LHD, like a Brett Kulak, that can be had for cheap would be a smart move

Hes young and been throwing his body around, without looking it up Id guess he leads us in hits. Im guessing hes never gone through a gauntlet like this before.

Wouldnt mind resting him a bit in this last stretch.

 

[Neil Racki]

AJF is definitely staying in the NHL. He won’t clear waivers if reassigned. His play last night was very, very good. It’s no wonder his nickname in Sweden was “The Hunter.” He wins so many battles along the boards and creates chaos on the forecheck.

Hes flying around last night, hes going to score tonight.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the Capitals play. I don't care if it was the second of a back to back for the Flames, both games they played were at home so no travel involved.

Looks like we've found our goalie for the remainder of the season and next year. Samsonov can be moved during the summer and the Caps can pick up a veteran to replace him to go along with VV.

Thought it was a complete game by all four lines.

The TDL is two weeks away, but I'm hesitant to disrupt the team that was iced last night. Not sure if any addition would improve the team that much. I'm in a protect the nuts mode at this point as there may be more AJFs at Hershey that are just waiting for their opportunity.

Come the summer, Schultz and Kempny will be gone via UFA. They can move the likes of Samsonov, Eller and Carlson, shedding cap and age along with getting younger and faster.

 

[Corby78]

AJF is definitely staying in the NHL. He won’t clear waivers if reassigned. His play last night was very, very good. It’s no wonder his nickname in Sweden was “The Hunter.” He wins so many battles along the boards and creates chaos on the forecheck.

Yeah you never want to see somebody get hurt, but I have a feeling AFJ is going to jump on this and not look back. He may have played his last Hershey game. Good to see, as we all had hopes going back two years ago, when he got home sick and went home.

 

[nothingbeatshockey]

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the Capitals play. I don't care if it was the second of a back to back for the Flames, both games they played were at home so no travel involved.

Looks like we've found our goalie for the remainder of the season and next year. Samsonov can be moved during the summer and the Caps can pick up a veteran to replace him to go along with VV.

Thought it was a complete game by all four lines.

The TDL is two weeks away, but I'm hesitant to disrupt the team that was iced last night. Not sure if any addition would improve the team that much. I'm in a protect the nuts mode at this point as there may be more AJFs at Hershey that are just waiting for their opportunity.

Come the summer, Schultz and Kempny will be gone via UFA. They can move the likes of Samsonov, Eller and Carlson, shedding cap and age along with getting younger and faster.

I agree with the TDL comment - I'm not sure there is enough out there available as an enough of an upgrade at a price GMBM would be willing to pay.

Schultz and Kempny are definitely coming off the books. I'd be fine with letting Samsonov and Eller go, but I doubt the Caps let Carlson go. For some reason, they think more of him than most fans seem to.

 

[g00n]

Just watched the recording. Looked like the 2018 team in a lot of ways.

VV's body control enables him to handle some of those deflections. He doesn't get too far out of the crease most times so he at least has a chance on the redirect. That save at the end of the 2nd with no rebound off a hot deflection...*chef's kiss*

Backstrom can still skate. He even took a defender wide on a net drive.

Mantha Bantha still has sick hands. Some of those backhand saucer passes in the NB spot were just stupid.

The one low point of the night was defensemen either at the point or sometimes getting lost in their own zone. Schultz needs to work on his pinching and decision making. Why play the body on the point wall when you're the last guy back? Several odd-man rushes resulted because of this. There's an ongoing issue here with the D.

I don't expect them to have the same legs tonight vs EDM but can always hope.

 

[Capsman]

Hes young and been throwing his body around, without looking it up Id guess he leads us in hits. Im guessing hes never gone through a gauntlet like this before.

Wouldnt mind resting him a bit in this last stretch.

Fehrevary was pretty good the prior 2 games.

 

[Langway]

Justin Braun is a righty.

 

[twabby]

Justin Braun is a righty.

Good point.

In that case Kulak probably makes more sense as an acquisition if they see a need to get Fehervary out of the top 4.

 

[hb12xchamps]

I’m very confused at the main board thread. Am I just completely wrong to think that Wilson accidentally collided with Gaudreau last night? It’s like an echo chamber of angry fans from Calgary and other Metro division teams claiming Wilson did it on purpose. Saying shit like “Wilson’s leg position changes” and “He definitely sees Gaudreau” etc.

 

[Ridley Simon]

36. I dunno, a couple of games where Ovi scores and Matthews doesn't can change the landscape. Still 25 games left?

I fear Matthews would need to get hurt/miss a few games. Just like Ovi has