Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Caps, Blues enjoy strong showings
January, 7, 2011
JAN 7
2:37
By Gare Joyce

AP Photo/Frank Gunn
Fans of the Blues and Caps might someday match the joy of prospects Dmitri Orlov, Vladimir Tarasenko and Yevgeni Kuznetsov.

When scouts go to the IIHF World Junior Championship and follow up on their teams' top drafted prospects, the tournament could be in Siberia but it would still feel like a vacation. Those scouts know they have job security and are the envy of the fraternity. And, the fact is, if an organization has even one player who projects as a top-six forward or top-four D, the pipeline is in pretty good shape. (And that's especially true if tournament-eligible talent is already playing on the NHL roster.)

After watching the tournament from start to its thrilling finish and speaking with scouts all the while, here's our evaluation of the teams that should feel the best (and worst) coming away from Buffalo.

And for those who missed our in-tournament analysis, check our Twitter timeline: @NHLDraftBlog.

Big Winners
Scouts from these teams did backflips on the way to the airport Wednesday.

1. Washington Capitals: Yevgeni Kuznetsov was the single most spectacular talent for the champion Russian team. He, more than any other player in the tournament, showed the ability to take over a game, starting and finishing plays against the contenders in the elimination round. He took shifts at center -- it wasn't a position of depth for Russia and you'd have to suspect that he might be more comfortable on the wing at the next level.

Kuznetsov's teammate Dmitri Orlov might have been the best all-around defenseman in the tournament with a combination of high puck skills, hockey sense, size and bad attitude. The Caps were able to risk chasing Russian players because they're convinced the presence of Alexander Ovechkin will get them past signability issues. That's the only reason Kuznetsov fell to the late first round this past June and Orlov to the second round in 2009. (Getting the two in the fold might not be easy, though, so that's a big asterisk to attach.)

Center/winger Cody Eakin seems likely to be a great score at 85th overall in the 2009 draft. Eakin's size might hold him back from being near the top of the roster, but he has uncanny anticipation. Against a bigger Russian team in the final, the Canadians wilted in the late going but Eakin continued to win 50-50 pucks through hustle and industry.

American D Patrick Wey looks like a depth player.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Caps just lost in OT for, I believe, the 6th time in a row.

[IMG]http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100828054703/uncyclopedia/images/b/b5/Exploding-head.gif[/IMG]

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;778772]Caps just lost in OT for, I believe, the 6th time in a row.

[IMG]http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100828054703/uncyclopedia/images/b/b5/Exploding-head.gif[/IMG][/quote]
Yup. 6 straight in OT indeed.

I'm getting really tired of allowing early goals night in and night out.

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Barely squeaked it out against the islanders. :doh:

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Craps lucked out the last time my Habs played them. I'm predicting shutout, and David Desharnais will make them SUFFER. mwahahahaha.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Am I dreaming or did we really beat Tampa 5-2? Seems like the main reason for the victory was the fact that Ov and Backs were playing like their old selves which is great. I was tired of seeing the only goals coming from 3rd and 4th line guys or as Laughlin likes to say "O from D."

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;782538]Am I dreaming or did we really beat Tampa 5-2? Seems like the main reason for the victory was the fact that Ov and Backs were playing like their old selves which is great. I was tired of seeing the only goals coming from 3rd and 4th line guys or as Laughlin likes to say "O from D."[/quote]I think you also have to give A TON of credit to Mike Hendricks for getting into Roloson's head early in the game. He's the kind of gritty plater we've needed for years.

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HUGE win. God we needed this win bad. Division is still well within our grasp. LETS GO CAPS!

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Sad that a Pittsburgh-Washington game is going to be so watered down this Sunday. No Malkin, no Crosby. I mean they still have Letang, Staal, Orpik, and Marc-Andre but it stinks knowing that the Pens won't be at their best.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

The first two games back from the break the Caps have scored early, granted they still had an overtime loss in the first game. That was a huge problem before the all-star break, I hope this trend of getting on the board in the first continues.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;782593]Sad that a Pittsburgh-Washington game is going to be so watered down this Sunday. No Malkin, no Crosby. I mean they still have Letang, Staal, Orpik, and Marc-Andre but[B] it stinks knowing that the Pens won't be at their best[/B].[/quote]

All the more reason we need to win this game.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Greenie just took a nasty slapshot to the side of the face. That was scary. Looks like he'll be ok.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Crosby has reached a whole new level of cowardice. Unintentional hit that was unfortunate, hints that it was intentional to get his goons riled up and go after Steckle. I rarely say this but Crosby's injuries are a product of karma.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Great to be on the other end of a shutout especially against the Pens.

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To bad Lightning won today. It would've been nice to cut their lead to one point

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god hockey is awesome! f the pens! what a crazy game, i really hope i can catch a replay. i love how the start playing you ain't seen nothing yet after the fights are over.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4FrNDkAYVY]YouTube - More Penguins vs Islanders Feb 11, 2011[/url]

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=mlmdub130;784153]god hockey is awesome! f the pens! what a crazy game, i really hope i can catch a replay. i love how the start playing you ain't seen nothing yet after the fights are over.

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4FrNDkAYVY"]YouTube - More Penguins vs Islanders Feb 11, 2011[/URL][/quote]

Hockey would feel a lot more awesome to me if the Caps hadn't just lost two straight at home right before a tough road trip. It would also be nice if they could take their heads out of their collective asses during power plays.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=GMScud;784161]Hockey would feel a lot more awesome to me if the Caps hadn't just lost two straight at home right before a tough road trip. It would also be nice if they could take their heads out of their collective asses during power plays.[/quote]

it would be hard but hey i'm a dc sportsfan, comes with the territroy... i guess. i was honestly worried early on in the season when they had the lengthy losing skid, but i think they have a plan in place and maybe this is what it will take to win when it matters. what good is it winning every game when it doesn't matter to lose all the games that do matter. i don't care if the caps kill in the winter cause it only counts in the spring, and i think this year is gonna be a good spring.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

I still say having BB around running a defense first system is like bringing in Mike Leach to run a ground and pound offense. Maybe they need to learn the basics and bring in someone who knows how to better run the defense first approach but it's to late at this point to switch coaches. 8 shutouts is simply unacceptable when you have a team that last year ended up with 3 30+ goal scorers, the leagues top offensive defenseman as well as a handful of 20+ guys, only one of which is no longer here.

Personally I'm starting to wonder if they should scrap the defense first crap and go with last years system and accept the possibility that Halacks playoff performance was a fluke.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag359;784203]I still say having BB around running a defense first system is like bringing in Mike Leach to run a ground and pound offense. Maybe they need to learn the basics and bring in someone who knows how to better run the defense first approach but it's to late at this point to switch coaches.[B] 8 shutouts is simply unacceptable when you have a team that last year ended up with 3 30+ goal scorers, the leagues top offensive defenseman as well as a handful of 20+ guys, only one of which is no longer here.

Personally I'm starting to wonder if they should scrap the defense first crap and go with last years system and accept the possibility that Halacks playoff performance was a fluke[/B] .[/quote]

Absolutely. We had 7 20+ goal scorers last year, and the only one who's no longer here is Fleishmann. Unacceptable that we're this putrid offensively. It's piss poor overcompensation. Gabby has to be to blame.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

Craps weren't going to win the way they played last season. They had their opportunity, but they were too soft, complacent, and not trained to do things like crash the net on a consistent basis. Ovechkin is a libertine, not a leader. If anything, he needs a boss to keep his ass focused and motivated.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

They'reeeeee back! Hide you GAA's and and your plus/minus rating's.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

So does anyone realize now that the Caps are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and within reach of first place in the Eastern Conference? Also the biggest sign of the apocalypse, Semin is playing hard on a regular basis.

Only problem is the death march we have coming up, that starts this Sunday with the Blackhawks.

March 13 - vs Chicago (personally worried about someone taking a run at Ovechkin. At the very least they should consider dressing King).
March 15 - @Montreal
March 16 - @Detroit
March 18 - @New Jersey (20-2-2 in last 24 games #TigerBlood #Winning)
March 22- @Philly

The bleeding stops on the 25th when the Caps visit Ottowa. Still the NHL schedule makers were cruel with this upcoming road trip.

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How about this ass kicking tonight?!?! I know it's against the Oilers, but still, Fehr (first game back after missing 22) just scored his second to make it 4-0 in the 3rd. Hell yeah!

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I'll take that 5-0 beatdown. Semin finally being back full-speed is doing wonders for this team. Can't discount the impact of Arnott and Wideman either. And I'm LOVING this Holtby kid. I wouldn't mind if we went into the playoffs with him and Neuvy as the netminders. I think Varlamov has a higher potential ceiling than those two, but he's inconsistent and can't stay healthly.

Good to see Fehr come back with a vengance tonight, too. Great win.

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I like Holtby a lot but he scares the hell out of me sometimes. I would not be comfortable with some of the big rebounds he gives up in the playoffs. That's one of the things I like so much about Neuvy, he's like a puck magnet.

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Really need every loss we can get for Tampa, as this upcoming road trip is going to be brutal. Hopefully Gee Boucher leaves Stamkos and company on the bench for this SO

Good win. We are suppose to pound bad teams. Found a hockey bar to watch caps games when I'm on the road! Life is good.

-hatas gonna hate

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Tampa wins!
[IMG]http://www.ljplus.ru/img4/6/0/604_degrees/fuuuuuuuuuu.jpg[/IMG]

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[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;788359]I like Holtby a lot but he scares the hell out of me sometimes. I would not be comfortable with some of the big rebounds he gives up in the playoffs. That's one of the things I like so much about Neuvy, he's like a puck magnet.[/quote]

Holtby is most definitely the future in net for this team. Talent wise Varly is the best right now and Neuvy will always provide you with smart and solid net minding. However the fact of the matter is that Holtby has the best combination of poise and durability of the 3 netminders. It's a heck of a problem to have but I think when it's all said and done the Caps will choose between trading Neuvy or Varly. Holtby on the other hand will be the teams #1 in the playoffs as early as next year.

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Hot damn boys we're going streaking. At this rate we might get a 1 seed for the playoffs. Our reward, a possible match-up against the leagues hottest team.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[url=http://www.csnwashington.com/03/16/11/CSN-Exclusive-Remy-Im-a-Caps-Fan/landing.html?blockID=442391&feedID=6458]CSN Exclusive: Remy, 'I'm a Caps Fan'[/url]

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;789525][url=http://www.csnwashington.com/03/16/11/CSN-Exclusive-Remy-Im-a-Caps-Fan/landing.html?blockID=442391&feedID=6458]CSN Exclusive: Remy, 'I'm a Caps Fan'[/url][/quote]

Thats my boy! Arlington Represent! The only thing high up here is my condo fees.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[url=http://www.csnwashington.com/03/21/11/Alex-Ovechkin-out-7-10-days/landing.html?blockID=445242&feedID=287]Alex Ovechkin out 7-10 days[/url]

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;789896][url=http://www.csnwashington.com/03/21/11/Alex-Ovechkin-out-7-10-days/landing.html?blockID=445242&feedID=287]Alex Ovechkin out 7-10 days[/url][/quote]

Well on the plus side the death march is over after the Flyers game. I think after this Tuesday's game the only real tough opponent remaining is Montreal. The thing that worries me is if they stay in that 2nd place East slot is the fact that they're on a collision course with a team that has not only beaten them 14-1 in their last 3 meetings but also did that beating all 3 goalies. Originally I was more worried about New Jersey but it seems like we match up well with them. The Rangers on the other hand just seem like they could give us an Eastern conference Finals type match in the first round.

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So does anyone know who should start in net for the Caps? I keep on trying to avoid it but it's looking more and more like Holtby should get the nod. 10-2-2 .934 SV% and 1.79 GAA. 2 full game shut outs and 1 where he came in midway through the first period.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

I don't know what it is about Varly but the more I see of Neuvy and Holtby the more I think that's where our future is at. Varly scares me sometimes with his inconsistency, it's like one minute he makes an amazing save and the next he gives up a goal that looks so easy.

As far as the playoffs go, I think we are going to go with Neuvy in net. Varly's inconsistency is too much and I don't think they want to throw Holtby into the playoff atmosphere just yet.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

wow,what a game last night! neuvy looked shaky the entire game. i'm not completely comfortable with him playing goalie in the playoffs. caps were down 4-3 with under 2 minutes left in regulation so they pulled neuvy to make it 6 on 5, then they were awarded a power play. now it's 6 on 4, jason arnott scores the caps goal with under 1 minute left to make it 4-4. over time was ovie time. the great 8 put the gwg in the net!!

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;791462]So does anyone know who should start in net for the Caps? I keep on trying to avoid it but it's looking more and more like Holtby should get the nod. 10-2-2 .934 SV% and 1.79 GAA. 2 full game shut outs and 1 where he came in midway through the first period.[/quote]

Yeah I kinda think Holtby should be the guy, too. Varly and Neuvy are just so darn inconsistent. It's really frustrating. Granted Holtby's sample size isn't very large, but he's been nothing short of outstanding. Go with the hottest hand.

Re: Washington Capitals 2010-2011 ongoing thread
 

This here's a great video.
[YT]s0-jNyucPHw[/YT]