Series Discussion: Caps vs Hurricanes

[Ovie's Neighbor]

Marty being out of the lineup has certainly complicated things. Easy to say in hindsight, but would have been good if AA was given some decent minutes at the beginning and middle of the season to evaluate whether he could step in if required.

Also, why resign McIlrath if he is not going to play when Fever gets hurt? He played much more than AA in the regular season.

 

[um]

Marty being out of the lineup has certainly complicated things. Easy to say in hindsight, but would have been good if AA was given some decent minutes at the beginning and middle of the season to evaluate whether he could step in if required.

Definitely. If only we had every playoffs ever to look at and realise injuries will happen. You gotta test your depth. I still don't know who our 5C is!

As it stands right now, though, I'd rather play Alexeyev 15ish minutes and give our top dman more rest. You're just hurting our team by overplaying them.

 

[RandyHolt]

Losing this series would suck but what makes it so shitty is how boring it is. They are not scoring but also they are not really throwing the body, no scrums after whistles. It feels like they are checked out.

Yeah I have caught myself scrolling and glancing out @Neil Racki's glass window mid game...

We are not dictating play - we are on our heels far too often. And when I say on our heels, we are about to fall over. Its almost hard to watch without shaking your head... thinking what's happening... they are literally and figuratively skating Nylander's around us 60% of the time.

 

[SherVaughn30]

Not upgrading at the tdl has really come back to haunt them. Its upsetting because they had the means but decided to be frugal with their assets. What a waist of such a promising season.

That's called going for it. Caps are not in that phase, as OV/Carlson's careers are at the tail end.

 

[SherVaughn30]

They're tired. Carberry is coaching scared and sheltering the third line and pairing.

It's Carbery, not Carberry. You make him sound like some type of fruit or flavored frozen yogurt.

 

[Ovie's Neighbor]

That's called going for it. Caps are not in that phase, as OV/Carlson's careers are at the tail end.

I think GMBM probably felt we were not a true contender even as a 1 seed. That giving away players like Miro or Ilya Protas for a rental was not worth it. I actually agree with him, we are more than a player or two away from a cup.

 

[SherVaughn30]

I think GMBM probably felt we were not a true contender even as a 1 seed. That giving away players like Miro or Ilya Protas for a rental was not worth it. I actually agree with him, we are more than a player or two away from a cup.

Agreed. It will be interesting to see if the Caps shift a bit in the next couple seasons from being a big heavy team, to faster less sizable players, which are in the Bears roster and other lower levels.

 

[illicit]

I think GMBM probably felt we were not a true contender even as a 1 seed. That giving away players like Miro or Ilya Protas for a rental was not worth it. I actually agree with him, we are more than a player or two away from a cup.

Exactly. This is why I'm not too upset with a potential second round exit. We got our cup in 2018, Ovi got his record, we are still competitive and we have a very bright future. As a Vancouver native and someone who is friends with many Canucks fans, it could be ALOT worse.

 

[um]

It's Carbery, not Carberry. You make him sound like some type of fruit or flavored frozen yogurt.

mmmmm Carberry.

 

[crazy8888]

That's called going for it. Caps are not in that phase, as OV/Carlson's careers are at the tail end.

Im sorry but if a season like this one is not one where you “go for it” then i really do not know what needs to happen for a team to justify spending. Im also not buying that only trades available were for our top prospects. Im sure teams asked but not like caps do not have picks to bargain with. They were frugal and overconfident at the same time. I think that was a mistake. They could have used some more firepower right about now.

 

[Neil Racki]

Im sorry but if a season like this one is not one where you “go for it” then i really do not know what needs to happen for a team to justify spending. Im also not buying that only trades available were for our top prospects. Im sure teams asked but not like caps do not have picks to bargain with. They were frugal and overconfident at the same time. I think that was a mistake. They could have used some more firepower right about now.

Yeah but ... isnt our true need a hard to find 100 pt playmaker?

We have a handful of PPG guys, some good 200 feet guys in out top 6 .. solid D group, great tending

We need a 29 year old Ovi or a prime top 30 player

Our best player probably is outside the top 50

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Caps record this series with me making the GDT: 1-0

Caps record this series with you hooligans making the GDT: 0-3

I’ll be on my game for Thursday. Feeling a three game heater coming up.

 

[Calicaps]

The Caps have been treading water since 2019. Last year, they made the playoffs but didn't really deserve to be there. This year, they took a huge step forward. They kicked ass in the RS, especially early, and they won a playoff round. (In retrospect, I think the chase f***ed them up more than I realized. Early on in the season, it was there but it was on parallel track with winning games and being a great team. But as it got closer, it took over, and I think once it happened, they were emotionally spent.)

Carolina on the other hand has made it to the later rounds for several years. So yeah, despite what I've thought at times in this series, they are a more mature playoff team than the Caps right now. It's not over, but the weaknesses in our game have shown through. I think our game style, when at its peak, is better than theirs, but we haven't been able to sustain it sufficiently and obviously have struggled to score.

That said, I don't think the Canes are in the same tier as EDM/DAL/FLA. So, they may not get farther than they have to this point with this roster.

Ultimately if the Caps lose this series, which looks likely, they still made meaningful progress this season. The need for more high-end offensive talent is evident. So, our FO should be making appropriate decisions with prospects/FA/etc. But also, who knew that Fever was our MVP? His absence has totally disrupted their team D structure and thrown the D corps' TOI distributions into chaos. That will need to be addressed with some additional depth.

 

[um]

The Caps have been treading water since 2019. Last year, the made the playoffs but didn't really deserve to be there. This year, they took a huge step forward. They kicked ass in the RS, especially early and the won a playoff round. (In retrospect, I think the chase f***ed them up more than I realized. Early on in the season, it was there but it was on parallel track with winning games and being a great team. But as it got closer, it took over, and I think once it happened, they were emotionally spent.)

Carolina on the other hand has made it to the later rounds for several years. So yeah, despite what I've thought at times in this series, they are a more mature playoff team than the Caps right now. It's not over, but the weaknesses in our game have shown through. I think our game style, when at its peak, is better than theirs, but we haven't been able to sustain it sufficiently and obviously have struggled to score.

That said, I don't think the Canes are in the same tier as EDM/DAL/FLA. So, they may not get farther than they have to this point with this roster.

Ultimately if the Caps lose this series, which looks likely, they still made meaningful progress this season. The need for more high-end offensive talent is evident. So, our FO should be making appropriate decisions with prospects/FA/etc. But also, who knew that Fever was our MVP? His absence has totally disrupted their team D structure and thrown the D corps' TOI distributions into chaos. That will need to be addressed with some additional depth.

It's not like the coaches will use its depth.

We had all year to determine our 7D, instead McIlrath was thrown out there playing 8 minutes a night, until mid-April, then Alexeyev was the guy. We've got the same situation with Eller at 3C, I'm not sure he's even an NHLer anymore.

That big cushion we built in the standings was never used properly.

 

[Calicaps]

It's not like the coaches will use its depth.

We had all year to determine our 7D, instead McIlrath was thrown out there playing 8 minutes a night, until mid-April, then Alexeyev was the guy. We've got the same situation with Eller at 3C, I'm not sure he's even an NHLer anymore.

That big cushion we built in the standings was never used properly.

Adams award notwithstanding, Carbs is still a rookie NHL head coach. He’s gonna make mistakes. It’s why I was hesitant about the hire to begin with. (I believe now that he was the right choice and think he’s great.)

But because he’s young and in his first gig, he’s also hopefully not set in his ways. You’re right about what happened this season, but we shouldn’t assume the same will be true next year. I choose to believe he will learn from those mistakes and be better.

 

[max21]

Carolina is like watching the tush push, you know it's coming but you can't stop it lol. Need a monster game from LT Thursday night and if we can finish I could see us winning 2 tight games in a row. Game 6 the pressure will be on Carolina to win at home and game 7 is a totally different game in itself

 

[um]

Adams award notwithstanding, Carbs is still a rookie NHL head coach. He’s gonna make mistakes. It’s why I was hesitant about the hire to begin with. (I believe now that he was the right choice and think he’s great.)

But because he’s young and in his first gig, he’s also hopefully not set in his ways. You’re right about what happened this season, but we shouldn’t assume the same will be true next year. I choose to believe he will learn from those mistakes and be better.

I hope you're right about Carbs learning.

Still, there's a lot of experience in the organisation and a general wisdom about preparing for the NHL playoffs. It's wild how our defence was thrown off by Fevers injury, and we were lucky Beauvillier stepped up in round 1. Eller sucking has been obvious for many many months now.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Hot take: Eller and/or Mango should not play next game. Both contribute damn near nothing right now.

 

[kicksavedave]

Hot take: Eller and/or Mango should not play next game. Both contribute damn near nothing right now.

That doesn't mean we have guys on the bench who are going to fill up the net. I get "trying something" but who are you replacing them both with? Raddy has been tried. So... Frank? Lappy? Miro? Who?

 

[illicit]

It's a shame Pro hasn't been able to make it work as center. His size, speed, offensive ability and two way game would be perfect as a center.

Imagine if we could run these lines:

8-17-72
24-80-43
88-21-9
22-26-16

 

[wickedwitch]

Adams award notwithstanding, Carbs is still a rookie NHL head coach. He’s gonna make mistakes. It’s why I was hesitant about the hire to begin with. (I believe now that he was the right choice and think he’s great.)

But because he’s young and in his first gig, he’s also hopefully not set in his ways. You’re right about what happened this season, but we shouldn’t assume the same will be true next year. I choose to believe he will learn from those mistakes and be better.

Yep, Carbery can learn from this, much like are young players can.

If AA is the #7 defenseman, he needs to be in any time there's a D out, regardless of which side that D plays on. But McIlrath played a lot more than AA, including a game where he was the 7th defenseman. AA didn't get the same ice time.

 

[Jags]

This feels like the Trotz et al turtle years when we were so slow and clunky we didn't dare leave the safety of the boards, and teams just pinched at the blue or center line EVERY TIME and we never adjusted.

100% this. Feels exactly like 2016 and 2017 to me, getting bounced because we were playing reactionary hockey, not playing our game at all because we were so fixated on what they were doing. Couldn't get off the perimeter, they dominated center ice and the neutral zone, and we were just plain beaten as a result, on the ice and behind the bench.

As for coaching, the word "adjustments" appeared to not exist, between periods or between games.

2018 was a night and day difference. I saved those games, and we just passed and possessed the puck so damn well, and there was balls-out effort everywhere. Even when Nick and Tom missed games and we were playing minor leaguers, they stepped in and played well, and the guys that played up as a result were also great.

I'm a lifelong Caps fan, so I'm used to playoff exits. My philosophy has always been that as long as they go out playing their game and having given massive effort, I'm good with it. When they lose playing chickenshit hockey or with no identity at all -- especially getting blown out in the elimination game -- it pisses me off all summer.

If they're not throwing the kitchen sink at 'em on Thursday, Carbery will have his first official strike in my book. No point having a stellar regular season coach if he has us playing weak when it matters.

yeah, i'm not sure where or why we got away from the heavy game which was a huge part of this teams identity.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Yep, Carbery can learn from this, much like are young players can.

If AA is the #7 defenseman, he needs to be in any time there's a D out, regardless of which side that D plays on. But McIlrath played a lot more than AA, including a game where he was the 7th defenseman. AA didn't get the same ice time.

Yes. The fact they don’t have a seventh d-man who can play 10 minutes is troubling.

No way AA comes back after this year though. I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted a fresh start.

 

[stephenball]

As frustrating it is to watch them get kind of dunked on, even if they go down in 5 I think this was a very successful season. It’s easy to see a one seed lose and say it’s a disappointment, but compare how this season went to how it was expected to go. Players took steps forward, new players meshed well, we have someone who looks like a top tier goalie locked up, we finally won a series again, and our prospect pool looks jacked. That’s ignoring even the highs of the record chase. All in all I think it’s been a great year.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Also, why resign McIlrath if he is not going to play when Fever gets hurt? He played much more than AA in the regular season.

Hopefully to deter teams from claiming him when he goes back to Hershey next year.