Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Caps 2.5.2013

[SimplySensational]

Stephen Whyno @SWhyno
#Caps lines: Wolski-Ribeiro-Ovechkin, Chimera-Backstrom-Brouwer, Johansson-Crabb-Ward, Hendricks-Beagle-Fehr/Perreault

Stephen Whyno ‏@SWhyno
Why is Hamrlik not playing for #Caps? "I don't know," he said. Oates said it's more about who is playing: http://wtim.es/14AlTqY

Stephen Whyno ‏@SWhyno
Asked Adam Oates about #Caps goaltender vs. #Leafs tomorrow. "Still deciding" he said. Neuvirth, Holtby off at about same time

Toronto plays Carolina tonight.

“First of all, you gotta respect them,” Oates explained on Monday. “You have to respect who it is and I do.

“[Then] you gotta get his trust, which is second. And when he trusts you, you can try to provide information.

“It’s not about changing anybody. It’s adding to their game. You want to give them information that can make them better. But until they trust you, there’s going to be a wall there, and I understand that.”

http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/oates-3-steps-respect-trust-instruction

Click to read more...

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Got think noovy starts


Don't suck and lose to phill Kessel again

 

[msrulo]

We need a desperate win tomorrow. Can't be trying to catchup late.

Hat trick from Ovi..? Had flashes of the old, last game.

 

[SimplySensational]

Questions for Russians, does Bilyaletdinov have some sort of contract with the Russian national team?

 

[swimmer77]

This is a must win IMO. I hope Kessel doesn't decide to let loose.

And I'm not sure how Oates could judge Hamlik's play on just the first couple of games with his new system and new players. And from what I saw Hamrlik is/was the least of this team's problems. But Schultz is becoming a problem on the third pair IMHO.

Neuvirth back in net is a good thing. They are both young goalies but Neuvy has made the more stellar saves. To the point where I wouldn't have taken him out to begin with - even back to back.

Anyway........must win game. LOL Has Brouwer been watching Cammalleri too much?

 

[IkeaMonkey*]

These pre game threads are something new.

Know what else is new recently?

Losing a lot.

Get with the program. They are bad luck.

 

[SimplySensational]

These pre game threads are something new.

Know what else is new recently?

Losing a lot.

Get with the program. They are bad luck.

There's only been 2 before this one. The Sabres and Sens. 1-1. .500 is bad luck!

 

[Zorak]

That's our problem - pre-game threads : )

Bilyaletdinov is the only russian coach considered good enough for NT, and with Sochi just around the corner, chances of him leaving NT are zero.

 

[BiPolar Caps]

The Good: Capitals will win their second game in the month of February

The Bad: Capitals will win only one more game in the month of February and that'll be against the Panthers at home.

The Ugly: Capitals record for the month of February will be 3-9

 

[txpd]

two "gentlemen" in business wear engaged oates in the parking lot after work one day. they told him that if hamlik played again, coach would need a walker. rumor is these men are associates of both mr brouwer and mr hoffa.

 

[IkeaMonkey*]

There's only been 2 before this one. The Sabres and Sens. 1-1. .500 is bad luck!

Oh great, we're back in the .500 is success boat we had with #HunterHockey.

Grande.

 

[RandyHolt]

There's only been 2 before this one. The Sabres and Sens. 1-1. .500 is bad luck!

He wasn't being serious. He rarely is.

Thanks for making the thread.

Clearly Oates has gotten the dont play Hammer memo, just the To: field has been updated

 

[Capitlols]

Ugh enough of these pre-gdt/early gdt.

 

[SimplySensational]

Ugh enough of these pre-gdt/early gdt.

Because posting in 3 different topics is logical right?

 

[Halpysback*]

These pre game threads are something new.

Know what else is new recently?

Losing a lot.

Get with the program. They are bad luck.

At this point losing = good luck

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

 

[RandyHolt]

Because posting in 3 different topics is logical right?

Just posting everything in the other 2 threads has had it's fair run. And 0 cups. We even had all trades buried in "the" thread. Inevitably and awkwardly, someone from another team would start our big news threads .

Fun fact: prospect bust anton had his own stickied thread for a season and no one cared. But me of course.

 

[MrGone]

If the Leafs come out and play like they are tonight. They will put a TD on us.

Have to say its nice to watch a team that plays this hard.

 

[Calicaps]

If the Leafs come out and play like they are tonight. They will put a TD on us.

Have to say its nice to watch a team that plays this hard.

And to think... We had Carlyle on our coaching staff...

 

[SimplySensational]

Cam Ward plays puck outside of crease, then covers it and McClement gets a penalty for icing him and Carolina scores to take the lead on the PP.

****ing Pejorative Slured refs.

 

[sunnydaycrash]

Watched Oates' post practice press conference today....got to say, the more I hear him , the more I like him and think he can turn this thing around.
His preaching of the bigger picture, communication and patience is an impressive thing, more so now considering the rough start.

Come on McPhee, get the man some ammo!

 

[Calicaps]

Watched Oates' post practice press conference today....got to say, the more I hear him , the more I like him and think he can turn this thing around.
His preaching of the bigger picture, communication and patience is an impressive thing, more so now considering the rough start.

Come on McPhee, get the man some ammo!

Saw your post and went and watched the vid. I agree. Very encouraging how even-keel he is, but sincere and forthcoming. Not the silly pat answers we got from Hunter. But man, your last point is so right on. He needs a roster that can perform.

I don't think McPhee is the man to make that happen. And I really care if it happens this year at all. At this point, I'm fine with tanking the year, getting a nice high draft pick and retooling in the offseason ahead of a real training camp, etc.

 

[Portable Mink]

well my GDT thread record is 1-1 but at least i got Ovi playing well.

I dunno if that earns another start though.

 

[JoeyBeans]

leafs taking this game 3-1 kessel

 

[swimmer77]

Just play "good hockey" win or lose. (I'm trying to follow the Oates' mantra).

As for Ovechkin, who seemed to be more motivated against Pittsburgh, I'm not looking for the same thing tonight. He was on the big stage and against his huge rivals in Crosby and Malkin. If that doesn't motivate him nothing will. Unfortunately that same environment won't exist tonight. And as Ribeiro continues to score at a PPG pace I find it more difficult to find excuses for Alexander Ovechkin.