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

[TheLegendOfPatPeake]

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.

The difference is Holtby had demonstrated the ability to be consistent before 2017. Neither guy we have has shown any sign of that.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

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

I look at him as a capable NHL coach who loves the game and I respect him. I think he was a good hire, however wasn't my first choice because of his old school pedigree and this is a new NHL. His SC finals record is respectable and he took the over achieving Flyers to the Finals. I know he won a cup as coach with the Canes, but let's face it that team got lucky. They played a banged up Sabres team in the ECF with barely an AHL defense and then Edmonton lost Roloson to a freak accident. I still believe the Oilers win the cup had Roloson played. Overall, I believe Lavi has done a decent job, but he is here to get them to another cup, not a first round exit. Right now is the time to make adjustments and get rid of Forsythe and get someone who can fix it before it's too late this season. Without a PP change this team isn't going anywhere past the first round and now teams are climbing the playoff contention race. I'm not panicking, just it's gone on for far too long with the PP.

 

[traparatus]

I look at him as a capable NHL coach who loves the game and I respect him. I think he was a good hire, however wasn't my first choice because of his old school pedigree and this is a new NHL. His SC finals record is respectable and he took the over achieving Flyers to the Finals. I know he won a cup as coach with the Canes, but let's face it that team got lucky. They played a banged up Sabres team in the ECF with barely an AHL defense and then Edmonton lost Roloson to a freak accident. I still believe the Oilers win the cup had Roloson played. Overall, I believe Lavi has done a decent job, but he is here to get them to another cup, not a first round exit. Right now is the time to make adjustments and get rid of Forsythe and get someone who can fix it before it's too late this season. Without a PP change this team isn't going anywhere past the first round and now teams are climbing the playoff contention race. I'm not panicking, just it's gone on for far too long with the PP.

The complete lack of even attempting to modify the power play completely baffles me. Even if the claim is that the PP is failing purely due to Backstrom's and Oshie's absence, they ARE absent. Have been for majority of the season. How is that not the perfect opportunity to try a different setup?

Minnesota broadcast crew mentioned a theory last night. Caps pioneered this power play setup, with 1-3-1 and a guy permanently in the bumper position. It was a very successful for a long time. However other teams across the league have been deploying that same setup for a few seasons now and PK units have adjusted. Teams are simply better at neutralizing this type of power play than they used to be.

 

[Midnight Judges]

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.

Indeed Hagelin's defense needs to be stellar in order to balance out his offense.

Out of all the players on the team to score an own goal...

 

[John Price]

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

now 88….hang in there Ron!

 

[HanTykje]

Fucale should be given a chance next game also, good reading of the game and reactions. Maybe becoming a Cam Talbot of Caps?

 

[maacoshark]

The difference is Holtby had demonstrated the ability to be consistent before 2017. Neither guy we have has shown any sign of that.

Holtby is still better than any goalie we have. Can't believe people here whine about Holtby. He put up some sick numbers while he was here, regular season and playoffs. He had a couple of off years but I think it was more the system than it was Holtby.

 

[maacoshark]

Fucale should be given a chance next game also, good reading of the game and reactions. Maybe becoming a Cam Talbot of Caps?

Fucale played very well. The game tying goal was one he would probably like back. He also didn't look good in the shootout but shootouts are a crap shoot anyway.

 

[Neil Racki]

3 tripping calls in a row

Ho le chit .. i thought you were joking but guy got 3 minors in 4:27 of clock time. First minor at 5:44, 3rd minor at 10:11

That has to be some kind of record.