Series Discussion: (M1) Washington Capitals vs (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets

Who will win?


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Roshi

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Feb 7, 2013
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Jackets fan coming in peace, I’m pumped to finally not play Pittsburgh in the first round. There will be a feeling out process but should be a fun series. I could easily see this series leading all series in “scrums after play has been blown dead”. Andy/Wilson obviously have bad blood. Gonna be entertaining. May the best win!

Always nice to make new enemies. :) we have certainly had a lot of good times with Islanders and Leafs fans after recent series.

Two hot teams going at each other. I dont know what to expect. Its anybodys series.

Hopefully which ever will advance, will also beat the crap out of the Pens in second round... so, hoping for intense and fun series, with some borderline stuff going on in the spirit of playoffs, but please no injuries to anyone.
 

Theo Von

gang gang buzz buzz
Nov 15, 2013
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Always nice to make new enemies. :) we have certainly had a lot of good times with Islanders and Leafs fans after recent series.

Two hot teams going at each other. I dont know what to expect. Its anybodys series.

Hopefully which ever will advance, will also beat the crap out of the Pens in second round... so, hoping for intense and fun series, with some borderline stuff going on in the spirit of playoffs, but please no injuries to anyone.

Yes!! F da Pens!
 

IafrateOvie34

Registered User
May 14, 2009
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I picked Caps in 6 and I have a feeling we're going to see Wilson take it to another level. Not a Holtby hater, but Grubs is my pick as starter and please play the youth. I have this feeling Gersich could potentially score an OT GWG. Not the series I wanted for match ups, however no road to the SC is easy. For crying out loud play a full game and don't wakeup in game 2 or 3. Nothing is more irritating than watching slow starts and taking opponents for granted. Columbus scares me more than the other teams in the East honestly. Go for garbage goals and no holding back.

Go Caps!
 
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Sam Spade

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May 4, 2009
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Yes, well....you've got the jackets in this series anyway. Yes?

I wanted the Devils.

Bobrovsky is such a wildcard and the Jackets defense is one of the best in the NHL. This matchup sucks for the Caps, it's why Torts iced the lineup he did, he wanted the Caps as well.
 

Melkor

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Jul 22, 2012
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Actually almost never tend to give bold predictions on playoffs series the Caps play in but they got this one. It would take from them to choke as hard as never before to lose it. CBJ gonna take one of home games but overall it should be a cake walk.
 

AlexBrovechkin8

At least there was 2018.
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Feb 18, 2012
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This series has no business going more than 6, and if the Caps are on their game, it should go 5.

If they somehow manage to lose---nuke the organization.

Yup. The Caps should win this series going away. Columbus is a good team but the Caps are just better. It would be their luck though for Bob to finally kick his playoff demons and play like a maniac.
 

maacoshark

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Jul 22, 2017
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with the way he and Grubauer have played the past 2 1/2 month, no it's not.

the only argument you have for Holtby are team stats? that's pathetic.
He wins a higher percentage of games. Grubauers winning percentage is lower even though he has played weaker competition until recently.
 

txpd

Registered User
Jan 25, 2003
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I wanted the Devils.

Bobrovsky is such a wildcard and the Jackets defense is one of the best in the NHL. This matchup sucks for the Caps, it's why Torts iced the lineup he did, he wanted the Caps as well.

I read elsewhere that you had the Caps going out in the first round. This was before the opponent was known. So, you have the Jackets. Yes?
 

Sam Spade

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May 4, 2009
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I read elsewhere that you had the Caps going out in the first round. This was before the opponent was known. So, you have the Jackets. Yes?

You know your hockey sir, you know damn well this team is not built to win anything this season. I also don't think Trotz will ice the best team, he will ice the team he is most comfortable with, and he will only make slight changes when it is too late.

So yep, I think the chances the Caps lose to the Jackets are high, I would have given them a better chance against the young/inexperienced Devils.

Now if Trotz sees the light and figures out how to make adjustments on the fly, in game, between periods, between games, maybe they do better but that hasn't been his modus operandi in 20 years, why would it change now?
 

Sam Spade

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May 4, 2009
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I guess I have to ask this one more time. You are picking the Jackets. Yes? Its an easy yes or no question. If you feel so strongly, back it up.

I will let you know the second I see the starting lineup for game one, I promise.

If this is the lineup game one:

Ovechkin/Kuz/Wilson
Backstrom/Oshie/Burka (the first guy I pull for poor performance)
Eller/DSP/Vrana (Eller has been invisible since he got DSP on his line)
Beagle (ugh), Stephenson/Chaisson or Connelly

So if three of the four bolded players are playing then yes I am picking the Jackets. Because that is ZERO offense from too many guys (and I include Burka, Vrana and Stephenson in that). All the Jackets have to do is but Jones/Werenski on Ovie's line and it's game over.

I hope that makes my position clear.
 
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txpd

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Jan 25, 2003
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He wins a higher percentage of games. Grubauers winning percentage is lower even though he has played weaker competition until recently.

Grubauer has the best goalie stats in almost every category since December or something. Since he pitched a fit after the team left him out to dry that one game. What has his winning % been in that run? Did Holtby lose his job to Grubauer because he was giving up too many goals in all those wins or because they were losing too much?

Quick check. Starting Jan 11. Holtby is 10-9-4. This includes his improved play after losing his role to Grubauer. In the same stretch Grubauer is 12-5-2
 
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txpd

Registered User
Jan 25, 2003
69,649
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I will let you know the second I see the starting lineup for game one, I promise..

That's ok, Brah. Ive read enough of your Caps are first round loser posts to know that either you were blowing hot air to get attention or that you are not strong enough to just back up your previously held position.
 

Devil Dancer

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Jan 21, 2006
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I'm optimistic Chiasson can be a very good 4th liner in the playoffs. Unlike a lot of those defensively responsible grinders he seems to have a knack for finishing. He doesn't create a ton of chances but he usually buries the ones he gets. Pair him with a center who can create and make a decent pass and you've got the makings of a good 4th.

Of course he'll be playing with Beagle, so that's out.
 

Sam Spade

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May 4, 2009
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That's ok, Brah. Ive read enough of your Caps are first round loser posts to know that either you were blowing hot air to get attention or that you are not strong enough to just back up your previously held position.

Sorry you feel this way, I've always respected your opinions in your posts.

My heart wants them to win, my head says this is a bad matchup.
 

maacoshark

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Jul 22, 2017
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Grubauer has the best goalie stats in almost every category since December or something. Since he pitched a fit after the team left him out to dry that one game. What has his winning % been in that run? Did Holtby lose his job to Grubauer because he was giving up too many goals in all those wins or because they were losing too much?

Quick check. Starting Jan 11. Holtby is 10-9-4. This includes his improved play after losing his role to Grubauer. In the same stretch Grubauer is 12-5-2

Grubauer has the best goalie stats in almost every category since December or something. Since he pitched a fit after the team left him out to dry that one game. What has his winning % been in that run? Did Holtby lose his job to Grubauer because he was giving up too many goals in all those wins or because they were losing too much?

Quick check. Starting Jan 11. Holtby is 10-9-4. This includes his improved play after losing his role to Grubauer. In the same stretch Grubauer is 12-5-2
I guess you didn't read the final 2 words of my post which said until recently. Yes Grubauer has played well down the stretch. But I still think Holtby is our number one. I'd start Holtby but on a very short leash.
 

txpd

Registered User
Jan 25, 2003
69,649
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New Bern, NC
Sorry you feel this way, I've always respected your opinions in your posts.

My heart wants them to win, my head says this is a bad matchup.

I appreciate the respect. Last post I saw from you on this was on the main boards a couple of days ago and you said unquestionably that the Caps would lose in the first round. I would think that you believe that.

I am a Caps fan. I expect them to lose. I don't expect a good Caps team to lose in the first round.

In my view the Caps problem is the mental monkey they carry for losing in the 2nd round. The first round isn't the issues. Trotz isn't the issue except that he blows off the team history as a nonfactor when it is often the primary factor.

Is he a bad coach? Come on. Look at how fast he got the team back on track. Look at how after disappointing playoff flameouts that would have killed other teams, the Caps only seemed to get better. I count this year as being better considering the damage to the roster.

Trotz just needs to help them beat the monkey
 

maacoshark

Registered User
Jul 22, 2017
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I'm optimistic Chiasson can be a very good 4th liner in the playoffs. Unlike a lot of those defensively responsible grinders he seems to have a knack for finishing. He doesn't create a ton of chances but he usually buries the ones he gets. Pair him with a center who can create and make a decent pass and you've got the makings of a good 4th.

Of course he'll be playing with Beagle, so that's out.
Beagle is pretty much a faceoff specialist. But while he was out of the lineup we held our own in the faceoff circle. We could go with out him.
 

txpd

Registered User
Jan 25, 2003
69,649
14,131
New Bern, NC
I guess you didn't read the final 2 words of my post which said until recently. Yes Grubauer has played well down the stretch. But I still think Holtby is our number one. I'd start Holtby but on a very short leash.

I did read that. It didn't effect my post. The Caps have gone the Jose Theodore route before. Holtby has been playing that Theodore role this year. A short leash doesn't give the team confidence. They are playing to protect their goalie against getting yanked by that leash.
 

txpd

Registered User
Jan 25, 2003
69,649
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New Bern, NC
Beagle is pretty much a faceoff specialist. But while he was out of the lineup we held our own in the faceoff circle. We could go with out him.

No. Beagle is far more than a faceoff specialist. You really don't want Boyd in that role at all. You really don't want him there on the road. So....no
 

Sam Spade

Registered User
May 4, 2009
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I appreciate the respect. Last post I saw from you on this was on the main boards a couple of days ago and you said unquestionably that the Caps would lose in the first round. I would think that you believe that.

I am a Caps fan. I expect them to lose. I don't expect a good Caps team to lose in the first round.

In my view the Caps problem is the mental monkey they carry for losing in the 2nd round. The first round isn't the issues. Trotz isn't the issue except that he blows off the team history as a nonfactor when it is often the primary factor.

Is he a bad coach? Come on. Look at how fast he got the team back on track. Look at how after disappointing playoff flameouts that would have killed other teams, the Caps only seemed to get better. I count this year as being better considering the damage to the roster.

Trotz just needs to help them beat the monkey

Nice post. And just so you know half the crap I post on the main boards is just to diss the Caps before getting dissed, especially daver and Fatty Mcf***face. I have pm'd eazy about this. It's hard to go there, as a Caps fan.

That being said, I still hate this round one matchup. ;)

flat,800x800,075,f.u3.jpg
 

txpd

Registered User
Jan 25, 2003
69,649
14,131
New Bern, NC
That being said, I still hate this round one matchup. ;)

Its the playoffs. All the matchups are bad because Capitals. I expect them to find a way to lose. That said, I look at the bracketing and see a real chance. Boston in the 3rd round is a nightmare for them. Not the Caps.

That said, I don't ask for opponents because you know...be careful what you ask for
 
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