GDT: Round 2 Game 2

[max21]

Feels like a must win game tbh, going to Carolina down 2 wouldn’t be ideal at all

 

[um]

Its still hindsight, looking back at moves we made that we shouldn't have, or ones we didn't that we should have. My point is looking back and complaining isn't a solution. What do you recommend we do moving forward, in this series?

I'd also argue that its been pointed out many times that Dowd is the 3C in terms of playing time and Eller has been getting the lower 4C minutes almost from Day 1, so the team knew what they had with Eller all along.

I wouldn't do it yet, but McMichael at 3C is the move to make with Beauvillier back into the top 6. Again, 3C options were never explored during the season, so we've been put in a bad position if our offence dries up.

I'd rather play Dowd at his natural position of 4C and roll four lines. Having to shelter and protect the Eller line is not ideal.

 

[kicksavedave]

The message here is pretty simple: no time for teaching hockey in the playoffs. Bring it or make space for somebody else.

Terrific platitudes. Make space for who exactly?


Why has this question been asked three times with no answer?

 

[Melkor]

Pulling someone out that can skate well seems like the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

In Carbs we trust, but the mental gymnastics that occur to pretend Lars Eller is not our worst player is frustrating.

Lars Eller is not the worst player on this team, that's ridiculous how some narratives are getting pushed around here until the player's eventually ran out of town.

 

[Melkor]

Terrific platitudes. Make space for who exactly?


Why has this question been asked three times with no answer?

Raddysh, mate. I think Carbery's answer should be sufficient enough for you, no?

Or you expected him to watch Leonard doing cardio for another 20 games and wasting a spot with no repercussions? They're down in the series and he has brought nothing special thus far.

I mean you can slander Raddysh's name all you want, at least he scores from time to time and has some chemistry with his linemates

 

[kicksavedave]

I wouldn't do it yet, but McMichael at 3C is the move to make with Beauvillier back into the top 6. Again, 3C options were never explored during the season, so we've been put in a bad position if our offence dries up.

I'd rather play Dowd at his natural position of 4C and roll four lines. Having to shelter and protect the Eller line is not ideal.

Apparently CMM has been tried at 3C multiple times including a brief stint this year. Apparently its been mostly agreed that it didn't work at all. But I appreciate throwing a name out there.

 

[um]

Carberry refused to bench Patches last playoffs when he was not an NHL player. Its clear he favors vets in the playoffs

I wouldn't even say he needed to bench Pacioretty, he was just asking way too much of him. He is playing great for the Leafs right now with 12ish minutes a game.

He's doing the same to Carlson right now with these 25 minute games.

 

[kicksavedave]

Raddysh, mate. I think Carbery's answer should be sufficient enough for you, no?

You wanna play Raddysh at 3C? OK I remain grateful that you're nowhere in the Caps actual decision room.

 

[Todos a la Calle]

I was considering inserting an image of Tom Wilson and a group of rowdy headbangers hurling all of the Carolina Hurricanes' mouth guards into outer space. Will hold off, but maybe next time.

 

[um]

Apparently CMM has been tried at 3C multiple times including a brief stint this year. Apparently its been mostly agreed that it didn't work at all. But I appreciate throwing a name out there.

Brief indeed.

They didn't try it, because Eller was their guy.

 

[kicksavedave]

Raddysh, mate. I think Carbery's answer should be sufficient enough for you, no?

Or you expected him to watch Leonard doing cardio for another 20 games and wasting a spot with no repercussions? They're down in the series and he has brought nothing special thus far.

I mean you can slander Raddysh's name all you want, at least he scores from time to time and has some chemistry with his linemates

Ok I see you're talking about Raddysh for Leonard, which I have no issue with right now. But I'm asking about who would we replace Lars Eller with right now and there aren't really any good answers.

 

[Melkor]

You wanna play Raddysh at 3C? OK I remain grateful that you're nowhere in the Caps actual decision room.

Lmao what are you talking about? @Empty Goal Net mentioned me in the post about Leonard and I responded why I think Leonard is out. How is 3C is even remotely relevant to that?

As for Eller - I would not replace him at all. He's their guy, they bet on him, now they will either swim or drown with him in the lineup. And he's not as bad as people make him out to be. Sure he doesn't help offensively but still effective at keeping cycles going and taking some pucks away occasionally

 

[kicksavedave]

Lmao what are you talking about? @Empty Goal Net mentioned me in the post about Leonard and I responded why I think Leonard is out. How is 3C is even remotely relevant to that?

See post #36 above... conversations are getting mixed, I clarified it above.

 

[kicksavedave]

Brief indeed.

They didn't try it, because Eller was their guy.

Well when Eller was out sick in December, they used Lappy, not CMM. I'm not sure if CMM has played center this year or not? I thought @CapitalsCupReality has said he did play 3C a tiny bit this year but quickly went back to W.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

We had 13 shots on goal. Leonard had three of those. So, sure, sit him.

One of them a quality scoring chance that could have ended the game before OT. Oh well, win the game.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Simply must play their best game of the year tonight.

Excited for a big win.

This might be your most positive post for the next 12 hours.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Well when Eller was out sick in December, they used Lappy, not CMM. I'm not sure if CMM has played center this year or not? I thought @CapitalsCupReality has said he did play 3C a tiny bit this year but quickly went back to W.

It was like a few games tops…maybe 2. It wasn’t very memorable. lol…

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I advocated for trying out different guys at 3C when the season was winding down. Those meaningless games were a perfect opportunity to explore our center options.

Carberry is a great coach but his weakness is how he sucks up to his vets. He overplays Carlson on PP1, he for some reason put Pacioretty on the top 6 last year, and he kept Kuzy as the 1C no matter how awful he was.

To answer your question, McMichael would have been great as a 3C option, especially given how Beauvillier stepped up to a top-six role last series.

This fantasy needs to go away….

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Nah this ain't 20/20. Eller was disappointing shortly after we acquired him in November. He was a 4C being used as a 3C, it was obvious almost immediately.

Carberry f***ed up never exploring other option and management f***ed up not getting a real 3C. With that said you can still win with a bad 3C, especially with an elite 4C. So it's not all doom and gloom over here.

Or maybe they’ve already made that evaluation in practice and didn’t feel they needed to tinker in games as you’re suggesting.

Imagine CMM lining up against and expected to cover Jordan Staal well….lol….the size/strength difference is alarming.

 

[BallardEra]

It’s not, but it feels like a must win.

5-2 good guys.

I think it is a must win tonight.

I don't see the Caps taking both games in Carolina.

 

[Block]

Need to move the feet and not panic on the puck and they'll be fine.

 

[Misery74]

This might be your most positive post for the next 12 hours.

Well it’s early in the day still, but you may be on to something.

Tonight, my wife and 16 year old daughter will be attending to create new Mojo. So, I am optimistic.

 

[tenken00]

Gotta collect 'em all!

I guess...

I suck at this. Or ChatGPT sucks at this.

I have no idea how that mouthguard container box is holding up in empty air. Kinda funny it's right at their bench though.

 

[NoVaCapsFan]

CMM even strength
Ovi PPG
Protas SHG
Random ENG

Caps win 4-2.
Or not, WTF do I know?

 

[Kazer]

Pulling someone out that can skate well seems like the exact opposite of what we should be doing.

In Carbs we trust, but the mental gymnastics that occur to pretend Lars Eller is not our worst player is frustrating.

I know you would prefer Lapierre, but the reality is that this discussion isn't Eller vs Leonard. It's Eller vs Lapierre and Leonard vs Raddysh vs Frank. And given Lapierre's AHL struggles and lack of defensive play (not to mention Sgarbossa's struggles), Eller isn't sitting any time soon.

I was hoping we would go after an Eller upgrade at the deadline, but that ship sailed a long time ago.

I should add that I don't agree with this decision. My point was that I trust GMCP/Carberry to send the right message to Leonard about being sat for a game. I would not have said the same of Laviolette or Reirden. As I noted in the other thread, I would've simply flipped Beauvillier & Protas for game 2, but I'm not the coach.