Post-Game Talk: Hershey Capitals @ Iowa Wild | 1/9/22 | 8:00p ET

[pman25]

McMichael is good down low by the net, I think most of his goals have come that way. It’s just beyond frustrating that he doesn’t get a second of powerplay time on either unit even with all these injuries and shitty powerplays. He’d be a good option in the low spot where Sheary plays.

but hey we got a PPG tonight so it’s fixed!

 

[crab]

Is Hagelin on waivers yet?

 

[Capsman]

McMichael is good down low by the net, I think most of his goals have come that way. It’s just beyond frustrating that he doesn’t get a second of powerplay time on either unit even with all these injuries and shitty powerplays. He’d be a good option in the low spot where Sheary plays.

but hey we got a PPG tonight so it’s fixed!

It was a quick PPG off a clean faceoff win, one pass, really wasn’t much to it. Not much you can take away from it.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Am I allowed to voice concern over the PP yet? Or do I still have to wait for more guys to get healthy?

And can I complain about Lavi force feeding minutes to below replacement level players like Hagelin while stapling some of their better playmakers and offensive threats like McMike and Sprong to the bench or no?

 

[Capsman]

Is Hagelin on waivers yet?

Wasn’t even a miscommunication, he saw exactly where 57 was. it was simply a poor pass from a guy with lousy hands.

 

[Capsman]

Am I allowed to voice concern over the PP yet? Or do I still have to wait for more guys to get healthy?

And can I complain about Lavi force feeding minutes to below replacement level players like Hagelin while stapling some of their better playmakers and offensive threats like McMike and Sprong to the bench or no?

Like the OTs, there’s a stubbornness to the PP like “it’s just a slump, things will balance out”. No, it’s not a slump. It’s what the PP and OT play are as currently constructed and it will continue to be that way.

 

[tycoonheart]

Am I allowed to voice concern over the PP yet? Or do I still have to wait for more guys to get healthy?

And can I complain about Lavi force feeding minutes to below replacement level players like Hagelin while stapling some of their better playmakers and offensive threats like McMike and Sprong to the bench or no?

I want to like Lavi, but boy are some of his coaching decisions suspect.

 

[895]

There are fields where an interested layperson knows nothing compared to an actual expert. Things like rocketry, neurosurgery, pharmaceuticals, epidemiology. In these cases, people should shut up and listen to the experts.

Then there are fields where an interested layperson does not know as much as an actual expert, but still knows enough to call out when something is clearly wrong. You don't need to be a Michelin star chef to know if food tastes good.

IMO, hockey is in the latter.

It's clear as day Hagelin f***ing sucks and that Laviolette is just being a dinosaur about this.

 

[maacoshark]

By the way did anyone notice Lavi leaving Hagelin in for the 5on6 at the end of the game even though there were so many stoppages? It's as if Lavi wanted Hagelin to get an empty net goal to "make up" for his blunder. Ovi never got a chance, and he is typically always out there for an empty net opportunity. That's some nonsense.

Lol maybe. Hagelin definitely has trouble scoring when a goalie is in the net.
Besides the own goal yesterday he has 2 goals and one of those is an empty netter.

 

[maacoshark]

There are fields where an interested layperson knows nothing compared to an actual expert. Things like rocketry, neurosurgery, pharmaceuticals, epidemiology. In these cases, people should shut up and listen to the experts.

Then there are fields where an interested layperson does not know as much as an actual expert, but still knows enough to call out when something is clearly wrong. You don't need to be a Michelin star chef to know if food tastes good.

IMO, hockey is in the latter.

It's clear as day Hagelin f***ing sucks and that Laviolette is just being a dinosaur about this.

Hagelin is supposed to be a defensive specialist but I'm finding that he is only average defensively this season. You don't see him make many many great defensive plays. And once the puck is on his his it's a gongs how. He was the reason we lost lastnight. He scored the first goal for the Wild and the 2nd goal was because we couldn't get out of the defensive zone during the 6 on 5. Hagelin had a chance but deflected the puck out of play.
It's time to move on from Hagelin.

 

[maacoshark]

It was a quick PPG off a clean faceoff win, one pass, really wasn’t much to it. Not much you can take away from it.

That play was so quick. Neither the pp or pk was even set up. I'm sure if we got control and setup the pp instead of taking that shot we wouldn't have scored on that pp.

 

[Langway]

It is what it is. Not great. As a team I'd say there's something missing beyond the injured. Last night they were without their second line (again) but even then Minnesota was missing lots of players themselves. It's just not an overly complementary group without everyone being absolutely locked in and working hard. When Hathaway is only a couple off of being your third-leading goal-scorer there's issues. Wilson third and Eller fourth among forwards in assists also goes to show their typical lack of guile and creativity most nights. When healthy they'll be better but all of those guys missing have pace issues and even against a depleted Minnesota team they looked to be a step behind. With the top line predictably slowing down Lavi has to find some way to engineer them into being much more cohesive. It starts with defense first and then managing some smarter attacking overall.

 

[Rayquaza64]

 

[caps4cup]

It is what it is. Not great. As a team I'd say there's something missing beyond the injured. Last night they were without their second line (again) but even then Minnesota was missing lots of players themselves. It's just not an overly complementary group without everyone being absolutely locked in and working hard. When Hathaway is only a couple off of being your third-leading goal-scorer there's issues. Wilson third and Eller fourth among forwards in assists also goes to show their typical lack of guile and creativity most nights. When healthy they'll be better but all of those guys missing have pace issues and even against a depleted Minnesota team they looked to be a step behind. With the top line predictably slowing down Lavi has to find some way to engineer them into being much more cohesive. It starts with defense first and then managing some smarter attacking overall.

I honestly don’t see much of an issue with the forward group when healthy. I also would argue they were in control pretty much the whole game last night, definitely not a step behind, even if they aren’t the quickest team themselves.

Hathaway is likely their 10th best forward when healthy, so considering the time missed by the 2nd line, seeing him in 4th isn’t really that concerning. You would like to see Sprong have more goals than he currently does (I would safely assume that he will finish the season with the higher goal total), and would guess that Eller would have more goals than him, but he also has 11 assists and has played at a near 50 point pace.

As for the assists totals, Wilson has 35 assists in his last 79 games. Eller has 26 in his last 73 games which is a near 30 assist pace per 82 games. Again, those really aren’t bad numbers for 3rd and 4th among forwards, especially when Backstrom would 100% be ahead of them when healthy, and there’s a chance that Oshie and/or Mantha could be as well.

Overall, I think the board as a whole is over reacting big time right now. The top line was due to slow down at some point. The team defense has still been pretty solid and I think they’re generally playing pretty good hockey. They’re going to go through ebbs and flows but I’m pretty content with their process right now at 5v5. They’re still playing at a 110 point pace without their whole 2nd line, subpar goaltending, and an atrocious PP. Get healthy and fix the PP, and this is going to be a very tough team to beat with even average goaltending.

I don’t think there’s much need to be concerned unless they start playing like utter shit, like in Reirden’s last season. That was cause for concern. They looked awful and lost games they deserved to, and didn’t even deserve to win many of the games they did. This isn’t that.

 

[trick9]

f*** you Hagelin. Send him to the moon already.

 

[twabby]

I honestly don’t see much of an issue with the forward group when healthy. I also would argue they were in control pretty much the whole game last night, definitely not a step behind, even if they aren’t the quickest team themselves.

Hathaway is likely their 10th best forward when healthy, so considering the time missed by the 2nd line, seeing him in 4th isn’t really that concerning. You would like to see Sprong have more goals than he currently does (I would safely assume that he will finish the season with the higher goal total), and would guess that Eller would have more goals than him, but he also has 11 assists and has played at a near 50 point pace.

As for the assists totals, Wilson has 35 assists in his last 79 games. Eller has 26 in his last 73 games which is a near 30 assist pace per 82 games. Again, those really aren’t bad numbers for 3rd and 4th among forwards, especially when Backstrom would 100% be ahead of them when healthy, and there’s a chance that Oshie and/or Mantha could be as well.

Overall, I think the board as a whole is over reacting big time right now. The top line was due to slow down at some point. The team defense has still been pretty solid and I think they’re generally playing pretty good hockey. They’re going to go through ebbs and flows but I’m pretty content with their process right now at 5v5. They’re still playing at a 110 point pace without their whole 2nd line, subpar goaltending, and an atrocious PP. Get healthy and fix the PP, and this is going to be a very tough team to beat with even average goaltending.

I don’t think there’s much need to be concerned unless they start playing like utter shit, like in Reirden’s last season. That was cause for concern. They looked awful and lost games they deserved to, and didn’t even deserve to win many of the games they did. This isn’t that.

What concerns me about the forward group is that they are once again relying on a high shooting percentage that doesn’t translate to the postseason instead of generating a lot of quality chances:

While they are a top 3 team at suppressing chances they are quite ordinary at generating them. And it’s hard to blame injuries and COVID because they had a similar chance profile last year (and a few years before that) despite being healthy for most of the year. Their forwards really just aren’t very good at putting other teams under pressure, and when teams get more detail-oriented in the postseason they don’t give up dumb opportunities that Washington is good at capitalizing on. Hence, their inability to score in the postseason.

It makes McMichael’s ice time all the more questionable. The team is plenty structured defensively, even if poor goaltending sometimes masks this good structure. So why not let him spread his wings a bit and see if he can add a different dynamic to the offense even if his defensive play isn’t where Laviolette likes it? Hell, I’d try him on the top line with Ovie and Kuzy and see what they can do if even for just a period or two.

 

[tenken00]

Sooo. Hagelin bad?

Didn't see game. Was the own goal really egregious?

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Sooo. Hagelin bad?

Didn't see game. Was the own goal really egregious?

175ft empty netter traveling about 4mph…..


If anything…..good to feed the fan frenzy.

 

[Langway]

Overall, I think the board as a whole is over reacting big time right now. The top line was due to slow down at some point. The team defense has still been pretty solid and I think they’re generally playing pretty good hockey. They’re going to go through ebbs and flows but I’m pretty content with their process right now at 5v5. They’re still playing at a 110 point pace without their whole 2nd line, subpar goaltending, and an atrocious PP. Get healthy and fix the PP, and this is going to be a very tough team to beat with even average goaltending.

I don't agree to the point of lumping them in with top contenders. They're fine in that they're largely what they've been in past seasons minus health and the PP, perhaps with more defensive mobility. But bigger picture the status quo largely won't be enough to topple younger upstart contenders in the playoffs. Their general level would require a very high level of team defense driving possession to the point that's unrealistic. I don't think their IQ can adequately compensate enough for more explosive skill.

Team defense can improve back to the level it was at earlier in the season but teams have also worked themselves into rhythm. Even at their best Carlson at the top-end has some containment issues. Their overall defensive grit remains a question mark in highly intense circumstances. They can maybe stifle opponents defensively when on and working hard but, again, realistically relying on that to spark chance generation is foolish. They're going to need more dynamic threats and Laviolette himself seems somewhat opposed to it on fundamental grounds in favor of more of a low event grinding defensive game. That probably doesn't hunt. It may help their goaltending situation but better to

I do think his treatment of CMM is mostly reasonable. He doesn't altogether have it yet to be a key depth piece but his handling hasn't been ideal either. It's Sprong when on that deserves more runway to turn into the valuable middle six piece they need to make a run. They did seem to adopt more of a simplified shooting approach on the PP against Minnesota. Perhaps it's a sign to come. But fundamentally there's a lot that keeps me from putting them into a truly elite bracket league-wide.

 

[Hivemind]

Sooo. Hagelin bad?

Didn't see game. Was the own goal really egregious?

Yes. He scored an ENG against his own team from 170 ft away. Pass wasn't even close to its intended target, but right on the mark for the goal.

 

[caps4cup]

What concerns me about the forward group is that they are once again relying on a high shooting percentage that doesn’t translate to the postseason instead of generating a lot of quality chances:

View attachment 496985

While they are a top 3 team at suppressing chances they are quite ordinary at generating them. And it’s hard to blame injuries and COVID because they had a similar chance profile last year (and a few years before that) despite being healthy for most of the year. Their forwards really just aren’t very good at putting other teams under pressure, and when teams get more detail-oriented in the postseason they don’t give up dumb opportunities that Washington is good at capitalizing on. Hence, their inability to score in the postseason.

It makes McMichael’s ice time all the more questionable. The team is plenty structured defensively, even if poor goaltending sometimes masks this good structure. So why not let him spread his wings a bit and see if he can add a different dynamic to the offense even if his defensive play isn’t where Laviolette likes it? Hell, I’d try him on the top line with Ovie and Kuzy and see what they can do if even for just a period or two.

I completely agree about McMichael. When 19 and 77 are back I would put him with them. I’m a fan.

As for the play driving (offensively), that seems to be who they are and have been for a while as you said. Even going back to Trotz’s teams, they’re a defensive first team with very strong finishing ability. That might not be enough, but I think that’s who they are. They have the 5th best xGA/60 at 5v5 and are tops in the league at all strengths in that category. With good goaltending, I think they can still beat anybody. I like your idea of adding Hertl/Giroux, but if Mantha is back by playoffs, I’m not sure it’s worth what it would cost.

I agree with some of the deployment issues and the PP needs to be much better, but overall, I’ve been quite happy with their process and how they’ve played this season, especially with the injuries they’ve had. Things can always improve but I’m pretty surprised by the negative vibes around here as a whole.

 

[TheLegendOfPatPeake]

I completely agree about McMichael. When 19 and 77 are back I would put him with them. I’m a fan.

As for the play driving (offensively), that seems to be who they are and have been for a while as you said. Even going back to Trotz’s teams, they’re a defensive first team with very strong finishing ability. That might not be enough, but I think that’s who they are. They have the 5th best xGA/60 at 5v5 and are tops in the league at all strengths in that category. With good goaltending, I think they can still beat anybody. I like your idea of adding Hertl/Giroux, but if Mantha is back by playoffs, I’m not sure it’s worth what it would cost.

I agree with some of the deployment issues and the PP needs to be much better, but overall, I’ve been quite happy with their process and how they’ve played this season, especially with the injuries they’ve had. Things can always improve but I’m pretty surprised by the negative vibes around here as a whole.

They don’t have good goaltending though.

 

[caps4cup]

They don’t have good goaltending though.

The good thing is how inconsistent goaltending can be. The 2017 Caps were a good underlying team with elite finishing and goaltending that pushed them to the top of the standings. Then Holtby shit the bed in the playoffs in a series against the Pens where the. Caps dominated. The next year, he was bad in the regular season and awesome in the playoffs. Anything can happen, but goaltending and PP would be my #1 concern with the team at the moment.

 

[Corby78]

The PP is my main concern. It has been a season long issue and it was covered up early by great 5v5 play and a very high shooting percentage. It’s broken. Now I did see some position movement versus Minnesota, so hopefully that means they are trying something. But think about how many more points we would have if the PP was just average? It’s an issue

 

[caps4cup]

The PP is my main concern. It has been a season long issue and it was covered up early by great 5v5 play and a very high shooting percentage. It’s broken. Now I did see some position movement versus Minnesota, so hopefully that means they are trying something. But think about how many more points we would have if the PP was just average? It’s an issue

The Caps have the 3rd best GF% at 5v5 but drop to 7th when you include special teams (even with a top 10 PK). It’s definitely an issue and should be better than it is, but I would be surprised if it doesn’t improve with 19 back. The setup and entries looked considerably better with him.