Series Discussion: Round 1 (Caps vs Isles) 2015 Playoffs

[Alexander the Gr8]

Ovi's injury is probably one of his knees and maybe his wrist too.
He looks like he's favouring a leg when he's skating, has lost quite a bit of speed compared to earlier in the season.

He's fanning on a ton of shots and passes too, so look out for a potential wrist injury.

Trotz is probably playing him injured because if we don't play Ovi, we're ****ed. It would allow the Isles to use Boychuk and Leddy to cover both Backstrom and Kuznetsov. An injured Ovi still garners a lot of attention.
Trotz should just give Ovi the offensive zone starts if he's badly injured.

We need someone to step up. Ovi ain't gonna save this team again. I fully expect guys like Nicky, Kuzma or Brouwer to step up and win game 7 for us.

 

[Langway]

Unless Ovechkin is playing through something that will require surgery he will 100% be in the crosshairs if they lose this series. That's just the way it goes and rightfully so.

 

[tycoonheart]

Unless Ovechkin is playing through something that will require surgery he will 100% be in the crosshairs if they lose this series. That's just the way it goes and rightfully so.

Exactly. Overall he has been atrocious. His has lost all his puck handling skills. All the flubs and the misses are getting annoying to watch.

It looks like his head just isn't in it.

 

[RandyHolt]

It seems the team that pressures the opposition defense early, holds up to be the better/winning team that night. Playoff hockey is an awful lot about pressuring defensemen yet it doesnt get much discussion.

They were all over us. We weathered the storm, but not before giving up a lot of quality chances once again, and of course that back breaker early goal.

#SlowOutofTheGate

If Ovi is injured and cannot hit or skate or generate the energy like seemingly every F on the Isles did last game, its probably up to Willy. If we don't come out hitting like they did in 6, that ends the debate. Heavy is code for slow more than physical.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

First goal tomorrow wins. Isles score 1st and we'll fold like a tent.

 

[pman25]

Exactly. Overall he has been atrocious. His has lost all his puck handling skills. All the flubs and the misses are getting annoying to watch.

It looks like his head just isn't in it.

I think atrocious is a little much. But I agree that last game was not good. Lots of flubs and missteps. Hopefully he feels more comfortable at home.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Mike Green doing a lot of talking about how players live for game 7's, it's impossible not to get up for this, just go after it, can't be afraid of the challenge, etc. Would be nice if he backs up his talk. Very good possibility tomorrow is the last time we see Green in a Caps jersey.

 

[txpd]

you would prefer by answering that he's crapping his pants about having to play a g7? sounds like he said what trotz said. company line.

 

[BrooklynCapsFan]

Mike Green doing a lot of talking about how players live for game 7's, it's impossible not to get up for this, just go after it, can't be afraid of the challenge, etc. Would be nice if he backs up his talk. Very good possibility tomorrow is the last time we see Green in a Caps jersey.

Mike Green needs to shut his face.

7 game 7s, 0 goals, 1 assist, -6. A couple goals from him in the first 6 games of this series and we're not playing tomorrow.

you would prefer by answering that he's crapping his pants about having to play a g7?

He prefers to crap the bed in Game 7s.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

you would prefer by answering that he's crapping his pants about having to play a g7? sounds like he said what trotz said. company line.

I'd prefer he'd bury the wide open chances that he's had this series with his magical stick so we're sitting here talking about the Rangers and not where we go after the inevitable implosion coming tomorrow night.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Atrocious is exaggerated. I'd say Ovi was mediocre. Mediocre production-wise (4 points in 6 games is below his standards), mediocre in his decision (icing the puck when he doesn't know what to do with it), but good at executing the gameplan (hits a lot and hard).

Atrocious is Malkin or Stamkos.
Mediocre is Ovi.
Great is Backstrom.
Unreal is Tarasenko.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Should be an interesting offseason around the league. Sharks, Blues, Kings, Bruins, Caps, and Oilers will probably all make big moves this summer for various reasons.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Should be an interesting offseason around the league. Sharks, Blues, Kings, Bruins, Caps, and Oilers will probably all make big moves this summer for various reasons.

If the big move has anything to do with Mike Green, I'm all for it.

 

[tycoonheart]

Atrocious is exaggerated. I'd say Ovi was mediocre. Mediocre production-wise (4 points in 6 games is below his standards), mediocre in his decision (icing the puck when he doesn't know what to do with it), but good at executing the gameplan (hits a lot and hard).

Atrocious is Malkin or Stamkos.
Mediocre is Ovi.
Great is Backstrom.
Unreal is Tarasenko.

Even mediocre is generous, he has been subpar. By his standards.

Also Malkin was playing with a bad back, it was evident.

Stamkos has been a no show.

 

[txpd]

I think too many of you are just assuming the caps lose Monday.

Green. Green is a pending ufa. The only possible BIG move involving him is signing him.

 

[pman25]

I hope Mike Green scores a hat trick in game 7. Caps win 3-2 OT

 

[g00n]

you would prefer by answering that he's crapping his pants about having to play a g7? sounds like he said what trotz said. company line.

The only option aside from what Green said was not the opposite extreme. He could've given any one of a million canned answers and, if the post I read is correct, he chose language that's not exactly consistent with his or the team's history, or Trotz's experience.

 

[DCorNothing]

I hope Mike Green scores a hat trick in game 7. Caps win 3-2 OT

He'll get a Mike Green hat trick. Three careless turnovers leading to a NYI goal - one in the offensive zone, one in the neutral and one in ours.

 

[Koized]

Capitals will win, they are destined to play the Rangers in the playoffs as per usual.

 

[RandyHolt]

I still haven't forgotten Green in Game 7 vs Montreal. Most blame Carlson, who Bruce had stuck at LD, our cheat up spot. Offside D, a tough play for a rookie in a position he had not played all year. Still, Green was back but was bum rushed 1 on 1 in our zone and he coughed up the puck for the series winning goal. Even though they had no real forecheck all series, nor played physical.

And he had one in a key loss a game or two before that.

I have said it a few times this year. If he has a brainfart series losing turnover, there shall be actual debates to be had on the merits of keeping or trading pending UFAs on contenders.

#GoCalgaryLessGlencross

 

[SpinningEdge]

Reasons to feel good about a game 7 this year.



1. History.

History has shown with teams built this way (Kings/Bruins/etc), that game 7 heavily favors the bigger team.



2. The system is built for this.

Teams that are heavy and rely on being physical over skill very, very rarely win in 4 or 5 games. It's always a long series. This is the team that was built here and this is where they're supposed to be. The Capitals couldn't even win 4 games in a row in the regular season. The Caps are a team that is built on consistency... not flashy steaks/etc. This is what they're built for, so this is where they should be most ready to play.



3. The team should play proud.

Honestly, after the mess GMGM and Oates left us with - who else would of thought we'd be HOME for a game 7 in the playoffs this year? Very few of us. They played well down the stretch, got 100+ points, and earned the home ice they have. The players should feel proud of earning this game 7 at home, and the fans should reward them for getting a game 7, and be a difference tomorrow night at a rockin' VC.



4. Home ice!

Each team so far this series has gotten it done in their home arena. Both are 2-1. This is where home ice should be the difference. This will be a Monday game - meaning all the randoms who just decide to go to Caps game but don't know five people on the team because they decided a Caps game would be a fun weekend date night will not be there. The only people that are spending good money to go to a Monday hockey game will be the die hard fans. VC will be rocking. Tomorrow should have the most ready/die hard fans of any VC game in a LONG TIME.



5. There are new players here who don't care about the past.

Burakvosky, Latta, Wilson, Kuznetsov, Niskanen, Orpik, Gleason, and Hotby are all not a part of the past terrible games 7's. Holtby has been here for just a couple - and he has proven to be able to out-goalie the defending Stanley Cup champions and one of the best goalies in the world (Thomas). If the Caps can take care of business tomorrow - there will be A LOT of new players that are proving to not give a ***** about the past and can step up/help the team win. This will go a long way for the new Caps era.



6. Ovechkin is the best.

Ovechkin very rarely comes out flat like he did yesterday, and when he does, it usually doesn't last long. He's one of the most consistent goal scorers of all time and he's going to want this game 7 probably more than anyone tomorrow. When Ovi is 100% and ready to play, no one can stop him. They can only hope to contain him. The fact that the best player on the ice tomorrow will be playing his hardest gives us a huge advantage.



7. Momentum for the next round.

If the Capitals win this game 7, there's going to be a completely different mentality in the locker room. History has shown us that this is exactly where the Capitals fail. If they can get out of this first round with a win tomorrow, then the momentum could carry over and the players play with a lot more confidence in round 2.



8. We are due for an explosion.

Caps for the first time in a long time are full of NHL-ready players. Almost every line has players that can play a good role on a NHL team. With how they played yesterday, I think they will come out more proud and some of the vets will play a better game. The Caps are still one of the top 10 scoring teams in the NHL - and tomorrow they will be at home and are DUE.



So get pumped! This is the team that is here and the team we have no choice but to cheer for. If we can pull it off tomorrow - it could just be the difference this team is looking for in getting over the hump!

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Reasons to feel good about a game 7 this year.



1. History.

History has shown with teams built this way (Kings/Bruins/etc), that game 7 heavily favors the bigger team.



2. The system is built for this.

Teams that are heavy and rely on being physical over skill very, very rarely win in 4 or 5 games. It's always a long series. This is the team that was built here and this is where they're supposed to be. The Capitals couldn't even win 4 games in a row in the regular season. The Caps are a team that is built on consistency... not flashy steaks/etc. This is what they're built for, so this is where they should be most ready to play.



3. The team should play proud.

Honestly, after the mess GMGM and Oates left us with - who else would of thought we'd be HOME for a game 7 in the playoffs this year? Very few of us. They played well down the stretch, got 100+ points, and earned the home ice they have. The players should feel proud of earning this game 7 at home, and the fans should reward them for getting a game 7, and be a difference tomorrow night at a rockin' VC.



4. Home ice!

Each team so far this series has gotten it done in their home arena. Both are 2-1. This is where home ice should be the difference. This will be a Monday game - meaning all the randoms who just decide to go to Caps game but don't know five people on the team because they decided a Caps game would be a fun weekend date night will not be there. The only people that are spending good money to go to a Monday hockey game will be the die hard fans. VC will be rocking. Tomorrow should have the most ready/die hard fans of any VC game in a LONG TIME.



5. There are new players here who don't care about the past.

Burakvosky, Latta, Wilson, Kuznetsov, Niskanen, Orpik, Gleason, and Hotby are all not a part of the past terrible games 7's. Holtby has been here for just a couple - and he has proven to be able to out-goalie the defending Stanley Cup champions and one of the best goalies in the world (Thomas). If the Caps can take care of business tomorrow - there will be A LOT of new players that are proving to not give a ***** about the past and can step up/help the team win. This will go a long way for the new Caps era.



6. Ovechkin is the best.

Ovechkin very rarely comes out flat like he did yesterday, and when he does, it usually doesn't last long. He's one of the most consistent goal scorers of all time and he's going to want this game 7 probably more than anyone tomorrow. When Ovi is 100% and ready to play, no one can stop him. They can only hope to contain him. The fact that the best player on the ice tomorrow will be playing his hardest gives us a huge advantage.



7. Momentum for the next round.

If the Capitals win this game 7, there's going to be a completely different mentality in the locker room. History has shown us that this is exactly where the Capitals fail. If they can get out of this first round with a win tomorrow, then the momentum could carry over and the players play with a lot more confidence in round 2.



8. We are due for an explosion.

Caps for the first time in a long time are full of NHL-ready players. Almost every line has players that can play a good role on a NHL team. With how they played yesterday, I think they will come out more proud and some of the vets will play a better game. The Caps are still one of the top 10 scoring teams in the NHL - and tomorrow they will be at home and are DUE.



So get pumped! This is the team that is here and the team we have no choice but to cheer for. If we can pull it off tomorrow - it could just be the difference this team is looking for in getting over the hump!

Thank you very much. Enough with the bloody negativity here. We have some good reasons to believe in this team, despite the past.
At the end of the seasons, other fanbases were calling us a dark horse contender for the Cup.
I trust Trotz and this team's core to give it their best tomorrow, and maybe go deep in the playoffs.

Rock the red !

 

[amjay13]

Hard to have a good feeling about this. I'd like to say this year is different but really can't until I see it. Excited for game 7 but far too aware of how the end feels.

 

[txpd]

I vote for no GDT. It will be nothing but a day long durge of doom anyway. Lets skip it.

Its the one thing we have never tried. No GDT. If they lose the post game thread will be great. If, they win, new tradition.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I vote for no GDT. It will be nothing but a day long durge of doom anyway. Lets skip it.

Its the one thing we have never tried. No GDT. If they lose the post game thread will be great. If, they win, new tradition.

Talk about being superstitious