GDT: GM31: Caps @ Hawks - 8:38pm EST

[usiel]

Have to admit seeing 4th liners on PP2 was a bit revolting and surprising to see Carbery go there.

 

[SherVaughn30]

Which is exactly what I am doing. Insert Miro in OV spot. Put Raddysh back on 4th line. All lines stay the same with Miro slotting in for OV.

You want Miro playing 1st line winger? He would be playing against each opponents top D pairing/top back-checking forward lines/top scoring forward lines to force him to try to defend(which is a bit of weakness for him). Miro at best is maybe 3rd line winger. He needs to be a shooter(he has an under rated shooting ability). Dowd is not a setup man, so I don't see it as a good fit. At age 20, Miro is getting some good NHL experience, but for what he was doing offensively in Hershey, has not translated that at the NHL level. Someone else with some offensive touch and experience, needs to be in OV's spot until OV is ready to play again.

 

[HTFN]

You don't put Miro on the top line when his production has been minimal playing on lower lines. I think you go back to the lines when OV was still healthy and just plug-in for him.

Lower lines being asked to do what?

There are maybe two other guys on the team who could make the move he made the other night and create a real scoring chance out of being marked. Give him some minutes and freedom to try doing that, vocally change his mentality and role from "don't give anything up" to "go make something happen" and see what you get.

At the end of the day Raddysh also has minimal production on lower lines, so it's not really like this decision would rob a deserving player either. Ovechkin isn't a defensive lynch pin, I'm pretty sure they can handle a guy contributing about as much defensively while trying to create, so give that role to a creative player.

 

[tycoonheart]

Lower lines being asked to do what?

There are maybe two other guys on the team who could make the move he made the other night and create a real scoring chance out of being marked. Give him some minutes and freedom to try doing that, vocally change his mentality and role from "don't give anything up" to "go make something happen" and see what you get.

At the end of the day Raddysh also has minimal production on lower lines, so it's not really like this decision would rob a deserving player either. Ovechkin isn't a defensive lynch pin, I'm pretty sure they can handle a guy contributing about as much defensively while trying to create, so give that role to a creative player.

Completely agreed. Some of what I have seen Miro do the last few games, not many on the team do. There was a pass he made to Dowd couple of games ago, and it's something you would have seen Kuzy do. I hope they don't send him down. Dude deserves to be with the Caps.

 

[StrikingDistance]

That makes no sense.

Neither does losing to Chicago....but here we are.

 

[Kazer]

Tough game but not unexpected. The team has been incredible pretty much all year, and they haven't really had any clunkers. The worst loss coming into this game was the 3-0 shutout to Tampa. All of their other losses have been by 2 goals or less. Despite this effort being only a one-goal loss, this feels like the first 'clunker' of the year.

On a different note, Miro has been fine but not excelling to the point where he should get a lineup spot over others (just 1 empty net goal in 12 games). I'd like to see the Lapierre - Eller - Mango line get some more runway. That's the only 3rd line combo (with Eller at center) they've used all year that has been above 50% in xGF%.

That combo (plus sending Miro back to Hershey) also allows Carberry to reunite the very effective Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh line.

Note that I'm still a big believer in Miro long-term. I just don't think he's quite there yet. He will be.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Yeah I’m not getting all the Miro love….he's just been ok (to me) for a guy playing out of his typical role.

Seems undercooked to me.

 

[Neil Racki]

Miro is still super young (20) and seems to get bodied easily

Raddysh at 1M is a good deal, not flashy but plays a solid safe game. Hes the better version of NAK who got 1.5M w Buffalo

Strome - if he nets that great look he got on the PP in the 3rd, we go up 3-1 ...

 

[max21]

These games are a given every year. I’d rather them lose to Chicago and come out pissed against the Canes

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

And to think…I almost made a joke before the game about starting a losing streak…

Oh well, next up!