GDT: Maybe? Caps @ isles 12:30pm edit: yes!!! All due respect to The Great One, but The Great 8 stands alone atop the mountain

[Fred22406Capsfan]

It was in. Never like a division loss but now the focus can be on winning team hockey, just in time for the playoffs.

 

[Firsov99]

Eh, not so much. This isn't an at-will sort of team. They've got to stay within themselves, play it shift-to-shift and really up their connectedness and work rate to get back on track. They're not just going to be carried by a few players. It's got to be a true team effort.

Carbery's got his work cut out for him. History is exhausting. Better goaltending assuredly would help...but they've got to manage to make it a little easier on them as well. Less loose play, more boringly competent and focused efforts. Not easy with the East virtually sewn up. Carolina at home should be an easier one to get up for. The rest? IDK. Could definitely see them back into the first round and then, well, who knows? They've stuck with it all year but their elevation remains in question, all the more glaringly with Thompson's status being uncertain.

Hey, I have finally noticed some light in the tunnel, and you are blocking it

Seriously though, it’s either a physical fitness issue or a deliberate “slow down” for me. I can’t think of another explanation why the entire team has started playin poorly all of a sudden.

We’ll find out pretty soon if this team can switch into another gear when the post season commences.

 

[Langway]

It's lack of motivation with a safe lead atop the East is all. That and goaltending largely no longer saving their bacon.

It's up to the leadership group to reset their focus and start hunkering down with a playoff type standard even if what's immediately on the line is insignificant. Tough task.

 

[aonb]

I AM NOT CRYING, YOU GOT IT?

 

[twabby]

I'd like to see the D pairs shuffled. Never really liked the 42-3 pair. I'd go back to 42-74 and 38-3. I'd consider moving TVR up a pair too if Roy continues struggling.

 

[Fred22406Capsfan]

I'd like to see the D pairs shuffled. Never really liked the 42-3 pair. I'd go back to 42-74 and 38-3. I'd consider moving TVR up a pair too if Roy continues struggling.

Yeah, now's the time to experiment and re-energize rather than keep doing the same thing and hoping it clicks at some point.

 

[g00n]

Disagree. This record chase has been a MASSIVE, UNPRECEDENTED distraction.

You can't just throw away lines and pairings based on the last handful of games. Give them a few more games to re-establish their focus and work ethic first.

 

[qcal1427]

Disagree. This record chase has been a MASSIVE, UNPRECEDENTED distraction.

You can't just throw away lines and pairings based on the last handful of games. Give them a few more games to re-establish their focus and work ethic first.

Eh the D pairs have been together and been a problem for much longer than the last handful of games

 

[Ridley Simon]

Eh, not so much. This isn't an at-will sort of team. They've got to stay within themselves, play it shift-to-shift and really up their connectedness and work rate to get back on track. They're not just going to be carried by a few players. It's got to be a true team effort.

Carbery's got his work cut out for him. History is exhausting. Better goaltending assuredly would help...but they've got to manage to make it a little easier on them as well. Less loose play, more boringly competent and focused efforts. Not easy with the East virtually sewn up. Carolina at home should be an easier one to get up for. The rest? IDK. Could definitely see them back into the first round and then, well, who knows? They've stuck with it all year but their elevation remains in question, all the more glaringly with Thompson's status being uncertain.

You are good at being a doubting Thomas. Been this way for a while, hadn’t it? Least a few seasons now.

 

[TRASHCAT]

Not sure what the chase had to do with our goaltending turning to shir

 

[HeyMattyB]

I missed the game (and the goal) live, so I had to watch it on delay. He did it! It's done!

Buuut the reason I missed it was because I was taking my five-year-old to her very first ice-skating lesson. A month ago, I signed her up for a six-week skating class--with her enthusiastic approval--after we went to a couple of public skates together. She's been excitedly asking about it all month. (She's also insistent on taking a learn-to-play-hockey class after the learn-to-skate class is over--because by then, she says, she'll be able to "skate as good as Ovechkin.")

She did great. Fell down a lot. Picked herself up every time. Cried once, then got right back into it and had a blast. I definitely got warm/fuzzy dad feelings. Then we got home, put on our matching Ovi jerseys, ate some Disney princess mac and cheese, watched the game, and saw the goal.

So yeah, I missed #895 live on TV. But I got to watch my kid fall in love with ice skating in real-time. That's a good deal, if you ask me.

 

[Langway]

You are good at being a doubting Thomas. Been this way for a while, hadn’t it? Least a few seasons now.

They've given up three or more in each of the last seven games. They're perhaps in cruise control but you'd still like to at least get more stops or better manage games. The added limelight is distracting and certainly outside of their normal routine. Maybe with the chase over they'll settle back in. A few days off comes at a good time. But if they're minus Thompson or Protas they start to thin out pretty quick.

Can they out-score their mistakes? Or start locking it down again? I'm not sure either is super feasible when intensity really ramps up. But we know they won't go down without a fight when it matters and that the staff will be on point. That's enough to have faith. That said, scoring depth and general efficiency needs to amp way back up very soon. They probably can't wait to hope they find their footing in G1. That groundwork needs to be laid here in the next couple weeks as the season winds down. That's Carbery's message now I'm sure.

 

[usiel]

I missed the game (and the goal) live, so I had to watch it on delay. He did it! It's done!

Buuut the reason I missed it was because I was taking my five-year-old to her very first ice-skating lesson. A month ago, I signed her up for a six-week skating class--with her enthusiastic approval--after we went to a couple of public skates together. She's been excitedly asking about it all month. (She's also insistent on taking a learn-to-play-hockey class after the learn-to-skate class is over--because by then, she says, she'll be able to "skate as good as Ovechkin.")

She did great. Fell down a lot. Picked herself up every time. Cried once, then got right back into it and had a blast. I definitely got warm/fuzzy dad feelings. Then we got home, put on our matching Ovi jerseys, ate some Disney princess mac and cheese, watched the game, and saw the goal.

So yeah, I missed #895 live on TV. But I got to watch my kid fall in love with ice skating in real-time. That's a good deal, if you ask me.

Best post I can remember for a long time.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Almost feel like I'm fight off tears. I'm a Flyers fan but the Caps are my second team and I grew up playing at Piney Orchard, watching Ovechkin before our Saturday morning games. I remember talking with my friends when I was 15 that Ovechkin "only" had to score 50 goals a year for another 16 seasons or whatever and he'd break the record. Absolutely insane it actually happened.

Piney Orchard… did you play for the Chesapeake Bay Chiefs??

 

[SherVaughn30]

Not sure what the chase had to do with our goaltending turning to shir

It doesn't. Scott Murray's rep, he's an innovative goalie coach. The problem that still creeps into the picture since the downfall of Holtby, is Murray does not know how to course correct his goalies when they get into a big slump. Like life, when things are not going right you simplify and get back to the basics. Goaltending is no different. Lindgren needs to simplify by not playing so deep in his net, as he's not as big of a goalie as LT.

 

[Ridley Simon]

They've given up three or more in each of the last seven games. They're perhaps in cruise control but you'd still like to at least get more stops or better manage games. The added limelight is distracting and certainly outside of their normal routine. Maybe with the chase over they'll settle back in. A few days off comes at a good time. But if they're minus Thompson or Protas they start to thin out pretty quick.

Can they out-score their mistakes? Or start locking it down again? I'm not sure either is super feasible when intensity really ramps up. But we know they won't go down without a fight when it matters and that the staff will be on point. That's enough to have faith. That said, scoring depth and general efficiency needs to amp way back up very soon. They probably can't wait to hope they find their footing in G1. That groundwork needs to be laid here in the next couple weeks as the season winds down. That's Carbery's message now I'm sure.

Candidly, you never fathomed they would be in this spot in the first place, this season, so I can see why doubling down on doubt makes sense.

Sure, they could lay a total egg. It would be SO Capitals. BUT?

It also surprise me in the least that they do well and win a round or 2 (or more).

They are that balanced. Unless injuries start to derail them, I will take their chances over most in the east (and overall).

 

[SherVaughn30]

I missed the game (and the goal) live, so I had to watch it on delay. He did it! It's done!

Buuut the reason I missed it was because I was taking my five-year-old to her very first ice-skating lesson. A month ago, I signed her up for a six-week skating class--with her enthusiastic approval--after we went to a couple of public skates together. She's been excitedly asking about it all month. (She's also insistent on taking a learn-to-play-hockey class after the learn-to-skate class is over--because by then, she says, she'll be able to "skate as good as Ovechkin.")

She did great. Fell down a lot. Picked herself up every time. Cried once, then got right back into it and had a blast. I definitely got warm/fuzzy dad feelings. Then we got home, put on our matching Ovi jerseys, ate some Disney princess mac and cheese, watched the game, and saw the goal.

So yeah, I missed #895 live on TV. But I got to watch my kid fall in love with ice skating in real-time. That's a good deal, if you ask me.

I missed the game (and the goal) live, so I had to watch it on delay. He did it! It's done!

Buuut the reason I missed it was because I was taking my five-year-old to her very first ice-skating lesson. A month ago, I signed her up for a six-week skating class--with her enthusiastic approval--after we went to a couple of public skates together. She's been excitedly asking about it all month. (She's also insistent on taking a learn-to-play-hockey class after the learn-to-skate class is over--because by then, she says, she'll be able to "skate as good as Ovechkin.")

She did great. Fell down a lot. Picked herself up every time. Cried once, then got right back into it and had a blast. I definitely got warm/fuzzy dad feelings. Then we got home, put on our matching Ovi jerseys, ate some Disney princess mac and cheese, watched the game, and saw the goal.

So yeah, I missed #895 live on TV. But I got to watch my kid fall in love with ice skating in real-time. That's a good deal, if you ask me.

For your daughter, just a key tip for her being a beginner. Master the forward/backward swivels(not fast, but in a nice slow, but flowing rhythm) and snow plow stop on a little ice rink(I'm guessing that is what she is starting off with?). After that left/right crossovers forward and then backward without a hockey stick. It's all about getting comfortable with the simple techniques and balance on the skates.

 

[Ridley Simon]

For your daughter, just a key tip for her being a beginner. Master the forward/backward swivels and snow plow stop on a little ice rink(I'm guessing that is what she is starting off with?). After that left/right crossovers forward and then backward without a hockey stick. It's all about getting comfortable with the simple techniques and balance on the skates.

that — and give her butt and knee pads, for the occasional toppling

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Havent caught up. WIll be fun when I do.

I had a lot of Ovechkins Wodka and 420

 

[SherVaughn30]

that — and give her butt and knee pads, for the occasional toppling

Is she starting right away with hockey skates or figure skates?

 

[CactusCap]

They've given up three or more in each of the last seven games. They're perhaps in cruise control but you'd still like to at least get more stops or better manage games. The added limelight is distracting and certainly outside of their normal routine. Maybe with the chase over they'll settle back in. A few days off comes at a good time. But if they're minus Thompson or Protas they start to thin out pretty quick.

Can they out-score their mistakes? Or start locking it down again? I'm not sure either is super feasible when intensity really ramps up. But we know they won't go down without a fight when it matters and that the staff will be on point. That's enough to have faith. That said, scoring depth and general efficiency needs to amp way back up very soon. They probably can't wait to hope they find their footing in G1. That groundwork needs to be laid here in the next couple weeks as the season winds down. That's Carbery's message now I'm sure.

The Captain did what he needed to do: broke the record with plenty of time for the team to re-focus on being sharp for the postseason. Such a leader. I think Carb’s was focused on it too. Get it done now focus on the bigger prize and put together a great championship run.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Piney Orchard… did you play for the Chesapeake Bay Chiefs??

I could be wrong. But I don't think Ovie played at Piney.

I think we moved to Ketler before Ovie got in the league.

I use to attend a bunch of Caps practices at Piney when I played youth. Those Piney practices and the players being sool cool made me a life long Caps fan.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I could be wrong. But I don't think Ovie played at Piney.

I think we moved to Ketler before Ovie got in the league.

I use to attend a bunch of Caps practices at Piney when I played youth. Those Piney practices and the players being sool cool made me a life long Caps fan.

New practice facility opened in 2006.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

New practice facility opened in 2006.

Around that time my team would go to opening day training camp every season. I don't think Piney lasted post lock out. Maybe they had 1 more season. Young guns coming up was some fun camps.

 

[RandyHolt]

We all knew we had greatness on our hands just seeing his first shift. We are damn lucky to have A1 entertainment every game he has played - for 20 years. It will not get better than that for us.

OK lets fan out and find him Oshie Nick and Leno partying in DC... presume tomorrow. I will monitor the waterfront fountain. Remote folks monitor social media.