Series Discussion: Round 2 (Caps vs Rangers) 2015 Playoffs

[Blades of Steel]

Yay randy, I said the same thing. After Ovie did that pass to Ward I was yelling he did the Kuzy pass!!

 

[Devil Dancer]

So, who's starting the GDT?

 

[Marshall]

Gotta say, I'm coming around on the "Destroyer" nickname.

 

[RandyHolt]

I will do the troll GDT for home games until I lose

 

[RandyHolt]

Yay randy, I said the same thing. After Ovie did that pass to Ward I was yelling he did the Kuzy pass!!

That pass is great in so many ways. The goalie is starting to shift to the other post, creating the opening under the pillows. No one is expecting the pass, and it comes very late. If he doesn't shift, its an easy wraparound.

There is no one to get into that passing lane unless a D is sitting at the post.

The defender just blindly is chasing the guy behind the net, not concerned of an almost Gretzky like pass from behind the net. 99's House.

And it is a very short pass, so its a bang bang play. The Rangers fans in attendance needed to see the replay on what ruined their night.

 

[Capsfan39]

Nhl.com/Nhl network/ NHL is hurting the game!

So I read a couple articles recapping the Caps/ Rangers game and it was terrible! The recap of the game was 100% talking about how great the Rangers are! The article broke down every goal, oh wait, only Rangers goals then after the article they showed who scored for the Caps! When Ward scored the game winner in game one the announcers acted like they were reporting a 9/11 tragedy! I get it but just sad the NHL only gets behind a small group of teams and has no idea the concept of promoting all your teams! It sucks watching Rangers or Pittsburgh games, the entire broadcast is theirs!

 

[billcook]

Caps scoring rates through playoffs (P/60):

upper tier
#8 - 2.70 (8) (19:40)
#25 - 2.25 (5) (14:50)
#19 - 2.21 (7) (21:06)
#42 - 2.15 (6) (18:35)
#92 - 2.05 (5) (16:16)

middle tier
#74 - 1.44 (5) (23:07)
#83 - 1.28 (3) (15:41)
#90 - 1.20 (3) (16:37)
#21 - 1.08 (2) (12:21)
#27 - 1.03 (3) (19:26)

bottom tier
#2 - 0.87 (3) (22:59)
#20 - 0.76 (2) (17:38) Ugh... He is the second in PP time after #8...
#52 - 0.70 (2) (18:58)
#44 - 0.62 (2) (21:27)
#65, 43, 46, 22, 16, 6 - 0 (0)


It's actually represents quite nicely who is producing well and not (well, duh that's what it for ).

Brouwer and Green, for supposedly best offensive D need to produce more, at least at middle tier level. Though multiple point night could change that fast.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Anyone keeping a running tally on shanked/missed slappers by Niskanen?

It's mystifying how someone that generally has a solid set of puck skills can do it so often. Maybe it's because he can't keep both eyes on the puck at the same time?

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Anyone keeping a running tally on shanked/missed slappers by Niskanen?

It's mystifying how someone that generally has a solid set of puck skills can do it so often. Maybe it's because he can't keep both eyes on the puck at the same time?

All I know is that when he attempts the patented Ovi one timer from the left circle, it fails miserably.
For the PP2 unit, we'd be better off with Green and Kuzma taking shots.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Nate Schmidt recalled from Hershey.

 

[tycoonheart]

When did Gleason get hurt???

 

[trick9]

When did Gleason get hurt???

Did he even get hurt?

Hershey doesn't play before Wednesday so this could just be an extra body.

 

[tycoonheart]

Did he even get hurt?

Hershey doesn't play before Wednesday so this could just be an extra body.

I read tweets saying Gleason wasn't on the ice at practice.

But he showed up later.

Looks to be fine.

 

[Koized]

I would rather see Schmidt play then Gleason againt the Rangers. Gleason looked decent against the Islanders but the Rangers speed is giving him issues.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

From Dan Steinberg:

Apparently Ted has promised to shave his head if the Caps and Wiz both make the Finals.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/05/05/ted-leonsis-promises-to-shave-his-head-if-the-wizards-and-caps-make-the-finals/

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

From Dan Steinberg:

Apparently Ted has promised to shave his head if the Caps and Wiz both make the Finals.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/05/05/ted-leonsis-promises-to-shave-his-head-if-the-wizards-and-caps-make-the-finals/

It's amazing to see how much weight he has lost. Anyway, the DC sports team look successful. I thought they were supposed to be cursed...

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

It's amazing to see how much weight he has lost. Anyway, the DC sports team look successful. I thought they were supposed to be cursed...

Yeah. I am not a fan of Ted to be honest but I am glad he lost the weight. I think he is less emotional and combative now that he undoubtedly feels better. Much more likable guy.

 

[Stewie G]

Changes I'd like to see for Game 7.

PP changes. Replace Brouwer with Ward and Mojo with Kuznetsov on PP1. Move Backstrom down low and put 92 on the half wall. I'm sort of ambivalent on the Carlson/Green question. I'd lean towards Green, but think the problem lies more with the other pieces on the strong side.
Replace Mojo with Bura on the top line.
Leave all the ineffective turds together and hope they can hold their own in the defensive end. 22/90-21-20 and 22/90-83-43. Throw more ice time at whichever looks better.

 

[tycoonheart]

Nicky needs to be replaced with Kuz on PP1. Nicky ain't doing crap right now.

Actually, just make PP2 PP1. Give them majority of the minutes.

 

[RandyHolt]

I think Barry needs home and away lines, attack and finish, or hunker and smother.

The attack lines more traditional lines 2 scoring, 1 checking etc.
The hunker lines ft. a grinder on each line.

He seemed quick to shuffle lines yesterday. One that I want to see if the shuffle continues, Ovi with Kuz and Ward. Ovi sitting in front after a failed rush has gotten stale.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

So, I'm fairly confident this team can do well in game 7. We were down 4-1 and got to 4-3 just 2 minutes later. Kuznetsov and Ward are the key to victory. The Rags got a hold of Ovi and Nicky is just invisible. However, only Lundqvist or the refs can stop Kuznetsov and Ward. They have no answer for Kuzya's speed and stick handling, no answer for Ward's play along the boards and in front of the net.

A couple of ideas :
1. 8-92-42 to drive our offense.
2. 25-19-65 in a secondary scoring role.
3. 90-83-20 in a shutdown role.
4. Play Ovi closer to the net or completely change the PP formation to confuse the Rags by adding an element of surprise.
5. Remove Carlson and Mojo from PP1, replace them with Green and Bura.
6. Play BB full offense hockey to get a few quick goals in the first, putting the Rags out of their comfort zone. It worked yesterday in the 3rd period when we tried to come back. The Rags were completely dominated at the end of the 3rd. The Rags like the 1 goal game as much as we do. If we can get to the locker room with a 2-0 or 3-1 lead in the 1st, then we play Hunter/Trotz hockey to finish the game.

 

[stanleycaps18]

I've been a fan since the 80s but this is the first time I've heard of a "Garbage Can Curse." What's that all about?

They had a miserable first season and after a win, treated a garbage can like it was the Cup.

 

[RandyHolt]

I would consider Ovi in the slot

Carlson Green Ovi Nick and Kuz.

 

[nhldiedinthe90s*]

We do have a better coach. An extra day for contemplation certainly doesn't hurt.

...I'm trying, guys.

 

[Langway]

They had a miserable first season and after a win, treated a garbage can like it was the Cup.

Good piece here on that first season, including the garbage can celebration.