Post-Game Talk: Golden Knights @ Caps, 8PM

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Two guys that really deserve a goal or three: Stephenson and Vrana.

Stephenson is example 1A of why I think it's a good roster management strategy to leave a spot or two in the bottom six fluid, with a chance for the kids to grab. Dude's a player that I think can slot anywhere in the lineup and be competent.

 

[peterthegreat12]

You should find something else to do with your life.

As should you.

 

[Sam Spade]

Dude, this team is better. Anybody who has been a fan for the last few years KNOWS this. It's black and white, it really is...all you have to do is watch a game and see them clearing the puck in front of Holtby, right? You watch it and you feel okay about it, like "they've got this". In previous years you are like "oh f*ck, turnover and they give up a goal"....for me that encapsulates it....

I agree on one level but let's not have short memories. They destroyed the Bolts in games one and two, then in the blink of an eye they were down three games to two.

Of course I am cautiously optimistic, emphasis on the CAUTIOUSLY, but you won't erase 25 seasons of angst until Gary hands that Cup to Ovie.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

As should you.

Cool, bud. The Caps are two wins away from a Cup, the city is electric, the team is playing unbelievably well... and you're the fan police telling people to slow their roll. If you can't enjoy this why are you here? This is the best it's ever going to get. Hopefully they finish it out and if they don't it'll royally suck but try to at least enjoy the process. Who knows when they'll be in this position again.

 

[peterthegreat12]

Cool, bud. The Caps are two wins away from a Cup, the city is electric, the team is playing unbelievably well... and you're the fan police telling people to slow their roll. If you can't enjoy this why are you here? This is the best it's ever going to get. Hopefully they finish it out and if they don't it'll royally suck but try to at least enjoy the process. Who knows when they'll be in this position again.

I'm hardly the fan police. Just pointing something out doesn't mean I'm telling them what to think, merely playing devils advocate.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I'm hardly the fan police. Just pointing something out doesn't mean I'm telling them what to think, merely playing devils advocate.

"Slow your roll folks" isn't playing devil's advocate. I'm not going to get in a pissing match over this... we all want the same thing and that's to see Ovie's big goofy ass raise the Cup. Let's hope the boys have two more W's in them.

 

[RandyHolt]

I have a serious hangover. They are always the best after Caps Stanley Cup final game 3 victories

The desperate attempt by March-is-so to get his team to loosen up after a loss by imitating Barry doing a hot lap, may have well pissed off the hockey gods. No one in the hockey world has any ill will towards Barry, and likely inspired our boys even more. Dumbass.

Now Barry has our team doing hot laps right around their necks. GA reads like a count down. 4. 2. 1. Barry is slowly suffocating that team.

 

[VaCaps Fan]

The interceptor was found at Reagan national airport!

 

[Blades of Steel]

Hit, suffocate, hit, choke, win

 

[g00n]

If we must point out negatives (c'mon....look where we are) then yes, Orlov and Oshie had some rough patches.

Oshie played with energy and drive and even skill, but some of his moves made me wonder what he was trying to accomplish. Orlov got turnstiled so many times he's now sponsored by Metro, complete with a few free pizzas. But that's what you get with those guys. Take the bad with the good because the good is REALLY good, and rare.

All in all it didn't matter. This team finally has "it". I don't know what clicked this year, maybe it was a speech in the locker room or Trotz telling them it's his last season as rumored, but they're completely immune to the mental collapses that would inevitably result when a few guys turn in bad plays/games.

But I will not relax until it's final. I'm a Caps fan, I know this to be true.

 

[RandyHolt]

Toecutter is starting to feel the heat. Home and Road Warriors = Cup

 

[EYEuhFRAYtee]

But I will not relax until it's final. I'm a Caps fan, I know this to be true.

Amen.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Oshie played with energy and drive and even skill, but some of his moves made me wonder what he was trying to accomplish.

As a fan it helps that even when they're not playing great, the Caps are individually playing with a ton of effort. It's really really hard to keep a high level of effort throughout an entire hockey game, but they've mostly done it throughout these playoffs.

 

[tycoonheart]

Beagle was awesome last night. In fact, dude has been great all playoffs. Has been a bit underappreciated, esp since he had a very ho hum regular season.

 

[Langway]

BTW, Marchessault starting doing the hot lap last round after he saw Ovechkin do it. They kept winning and he kept doing it...until last night.

That might be my favorite Ovechkin goal ever. Pure desperation.

They've come a long way. Looking back at how this team defended back in February and how Holtby was struggling, they just persevered. Credit to MacLellan for adding Kempny and another serviceable depth defender. The relief of getting to the ECF was also instrumental and they've had renewed vigor and purpose since. Hopefully that carries through Game 4 and beyond and we don't see a letdown ala the Tampa series G3/4. I like to think that they know just how dangerous Vegas is and have adjusted as such. Just take it a shift at a time wearing them down and making it a battle of will. Pick the next one up and they really start to make Vegas uncomfortable.

 

[Devil Dancer]

Pick the next one up and they really start to make Vegas uncomfortable.

And they could exorcise the final demon: closing out a series up 3-1.

 

[Empty Goal Net]

Neat story about Oshie and Nisky taking Metro to the game last night:

Athletes, they're just like us: Caps players ride Metro to Game 3

Caps' TJ Oshie and Matt Niskanen took the metro to the Capital One Arena for Game 3 and fans were there to prove it.

WASHINGTON — Caps’ TJ Oshie and Matt Niskanen took the Metro to the Capital One Arena for Game 3 and fans were there to prove it.
Caps fan Dana Ziegler, under the handle @danadaniello, tweeted photos of the players in the car and at the station.
The men, dressed in suits, were escorted by WMATA workers once they arrived at Gallery Place, seen in a video Ziegler also posted.

 

[g00n]

Beagle was awesome last night. In fact, dude has been great all playoffs. Has been a bit underappreciated, esp since he had a very ho hum regular season.

Beagle is a "Playoff and Face-Off Specialist". He lurks all year and then when the postseason starts he really elevates his game.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Doesn't have any significance unless a can of Old Bay accompanied it.

 

[RandyHolt]

I appreciate Oshie more than ever. Yeah ok maybe it's the BAC of .18 still talking. I love you, man. He has such a high skill level that he raises our team offensive skill level up a ton.

IIRC? he got his bell rung proper last night. He takes and gives a lot of abuse and doesn't stop. I love that he will drop the gloves. He is fearless and is on a long mission like Ovi. He is no fun to play against. Very tenacious after every puck as @Sam Spade says. I love those types of players. I call them warriors.

 

[Sam Spade]

I appreciate Oshie more than ever. Yeah ok maybe it's the BAC of .18 still talking. I love you, man. He has such a high skill level that he raises our team offensive skill level up a ton.

IIRC? he got his bell rung proper last night. He takes and gives a lot of abuse and doesn't stop. I love that he will drop the gloves. He is fearless and is on a long mission like Ovi. He is no fun to play against. I love those types of players. I call them warriors.

Oshie is a player you really appreciate when you see him live. Dude will die to get the puck, or keep the puck in.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

Oshie is a fn warrior. Resign Kempny, he's had a better series than Schmidt.

Oshie's not just a warrior, he's a FN warrior!

 

[RandyHolt]

Oshie's not just a warrior, he's a FN warrior!

Don't hold back. It's the finals.

He is a f***ing warrior!

 

[chilimac]

Oshie's not just a warrior, he's a FN warrior!

He's *our* FN Warrior.

 

[895]

Oshie's not just a warrior, he's a FN warrior!

Not sure if pun is intentional.