Post-Game Talk: Washington Capitals @ Buffalo Sabres

[SpinningEdge]

Do we think maybe he got hurt on that rush toward end of 3rd where he shot wide and then immediately headed for bench? I know he went in SO, but still. Then again, not playing in OT could’ve also been related to us spending 2 min on PK and having a hard time even keeping possession of puck.

No. The Russian Machine does not break

 

[SpinningEdge]

ya. TR doesn’t like playing him in OT. He gets maybe one shift. I get the possession game and ovie isn’t the greatest at it, but you need to create chances to get the best goal scorer in the game on the ice with that much space..

doesn’t ovi have the most ot goals of all-time??

 

[sycamore]

They lost to the lowly Sabres? Bow your heads in shame!

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

doesn’t ovi have the most ot goals of all-time??

I think he’s never scored one in the playoffs. Just sounds crazy

 

[StrikingDistance]

I believe I had plenty of positive posts tonight thank you very much.

Key word is 'tonight' and then all someone has to do is look at your posting history. I didn't see much to be positive about tonight, but enjoy your cognitive dissonance.

 

[Ovie's Neighbor]

ya. TR doesn’t like playing him in OT. He gets maybe one shift. I get the possession game and ovie isn’t the greatest at it, but you need to create chances to get the best goal scorer in the game on the ice with that much space..

It is just interesting because I think Backstrom and Oshie have been our two worst forwards in OT this year yet they often get the first or second shift. I would love to see more of Vrana in OT but he is in Reirden's doghouse right now.

 

[Fallschirmyager]

Do you really believe the Caps go into a game saying “eh. I’m going to relax”?

If that's the way they act does it matter if they say it?

 

[Capsman]

Yeah 90 points in the standing. Fire him

hes not perfect but the oh so perfect Trotz is currently sitting one point back from 9th in the standings

I’m not a Trotz fan either. I think Reirden supplemented where Trotz was lacking and versa. The total points in a vacuum look fine of course. But the incredibly long stretch of sub 500 play, the GAA even when at the top of the league, and the consistent lack of discipline are all pretty concerning.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

Well, at least they salvaged a point and Ovie scored a goal.

Do better against Detroit. Don't sleep on them as they just beat TBay.

 

[Capsman]

It is just interesting because I think Backstrom and Oshie have been our two worst forwards in OT this year yet they often get the first or second shift. I would love to see more of Vrana in OT but he is in Reirden's doghouse right now.

Todd seems to prefer the slow and plodding players out there in OT. That Zibanijad type play is not in his playbook.

 

[Capsman]

On a positive note Jensen has been phenomenal.

 

[txpd]

well as with all things....age helps contribute to not being able to getting your shot off. I think he can be a lot more active to help alleviate the pressure, or at least be in position to take what the coverage gives.....they can’t cover everything.

If they choose to cover 3 guys with 4 guys, they can do a pretty good job.

 

[DanTHEMan71]

Do better against Detroit. Don't sleep on them as they just beat TBay.

We also have about the same record as they do since Feb 1st...

 

[txpd]

It is just interesting because I think Backstrom and Oshie have been our two worst forwards in OT this year yet they often get the first or second shift. I would love to see more of Vrana in OT but he is in Reirden's doghouse right now.

Defense. In 3 on 3 your defensive coverage is more critical by far than 5 on 5. That is why Backstrom and Oshie play right away and why Vrana doesn't.

 

[peterthegreat12]

Key word is 'tonight' and then all someone has to do is look at your posting history. I didn't see much to be positive about tonight, but enjoy your cognitive dissonance.

I don’t see it the same way, so agree to disagree?

 

[Kuznetsnow]

At this point hope they're bored to tears in the regular season and flip the switch in the playoffs and chew through the EC the way they've been chewing through Pittsburgh (the one team they care about beating every time).

If early exit, replace TR with dream team of Laviolette behind the bench with Sutter and Boucher at his sides

 

[troyerlaw]

doesn’t ovi have the most ot goals of all-time??

For sure, but also ... less dangerous in OT nowadays. I think the balance of OT winners is probably skewed toward first 1/2 of his career. But that’s a straight-up guess. Anyway, the possession game isn’t his strong suit, so that hurts in OT. Same with his D-zone effectiveness. I’m fine with him not seeing ice when 2 of the 5 min were PK. Interesting that Kovy got time, though. I’d prefer guys like Eller, Oshie, Vrana, Kuz, Backy, Wilson, maybe even Stone Hags, just for the speed

 

[caps4cup]

Analytically, they dominated. Expected goals at even strength were ~ 2-1 Caps which is a pretty big margin, even though they did seem kind of lifeless.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

I just have a feeling it clicks in the playoffs.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

I just have a feeling it clicks in the playoffs.

Me too.

 

[troyerlaw]

Me too.

Improved play of Holts and Jensen especially encouraging. Hell, i almost wanted to see Jensen out there for OT tonight. Which is a sentence i thought i would never ever under any circumstance write.

 

[DWGie26]

Improved play of Holts and Jensen especially encouraging. Hell, i almost wanted to see Jensen out there for OT tonight. Which is a sentence i thought i would never ever under any circumstance write.

So funny. I was thinking the same thing! Jensen has been strong. Even laid some guys out in front of the net tonight. Not sure if this was mentioned earlier up and I didn’t read the whole GDT, but in the third they switched the pairs up and had 6-74, 9-3, and 4-34. Those pairs looked much better. Suspect we will see that on Thursday.

 

[troyerlaw]

Didn’t notice till now Ristolainen taking the Ovie stick to the grill right after the goal. Hilarious

 

[SherVaughn30]

Agreed. Soft as hell. That’s why i’m not overly upset to lose in OT. We were damn lucky to get even the 1 pt. Holts sold the call

He didn't sell anything. He tried to move out of his crease to play the angle better and Skinner nudged Holtby's goalie stick before the shot went by and in. It was 100% the correct call. By the way, as a goalie myself I had this happen to me. It doesn't take much to nudge a goalies stick and they lose their balance or get twisted up.

 

[troyerlaw]

He didn't sell anything. He tried to move out of his crease to play the angle better and Skinner nudged Holtby's goalie stick before the shot went by and in. It was 100% the correct call. By the way, as a goalie myself I had this happen to me. It doesn't take much to nudge a goalies stick and they lose their balance or get twisted up.

Fair points. You may be right