Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=Chico23231;1221894]When Oshie went out...got that sinking feeling.[/quote]

I started getting that bad feeling when they said Kempny tore his hamstring. He was such an underrated pickup as a true stay-at-home defenseman that it really shored up our d-pairings, and they never were able to adequately replace him. And then losing Oshie on top of that, Oshie was our 2nd leading scorer in the regular season.

Really I felt like they took their foot off the gas when they went up 2-0 and 3-1 last night. Other than 2018 that's been a real tendency over the years, teams score quick goals on the Caps after the Caps score because they lose that sense of urgency. When they scored the shorty yesterday (with a real lack of hustle on Kuzy's part) I felt like I knew how it was going to end. And in OT they had no energy whatsoever, it was like they just kept delaying the inevitable.

Go Sharks now, they're a similar mold to the Caps in that they have a rep as great regular season team that always underachieves in the playoffs.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Yeah for me it was Kempny too. His loss really exposed the defense as they learned new pairings. The thing that stinks is I really don't see a team left in the East that is scary. If the Caps beat Canes I think they are back in finals. I also think a wild card team will represent the East this year.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

So Ladies and Gentlemen...the new NHL Season is upon us, and the Washington Capitals have started off on the right track with a win.

So what are your predictions for this Season...

Personally, with the talent that the Capitals have, I at least predict that they will make the NHL playoffs. Also I feel that they could easily make it to the at least the Conference Championship.

So what are your thoughts?

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Beating the Stanley Cup champs in their building on banner night is a great way to start the season. Ovi's goal was clutch in the 1st, it shifted momentum. He really is an amazing player and a leader. Those that think he isn't clearly aren't watching. The bottom lines have me concerned. They need to contribute more and take more time on the ice through the season. I was hoping Carl Hagelin would progress forward maybe even show he could play 2nd line, but he looks to be just a solid 3rd liner.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=kct1975;1232756]So Ladies and Gentlemen...the new NHL Season is upon us, and the Washington Capitals have started off on the right track with a win.

So what are your predictions for this Season...

[B]Personally, with the talent that the Capitals have, I at least predict that they will make the NHL playoffs[/B]. Also I feel that they could easily make it to the at least the Conference Championship.

So what are your thoughts?

Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk[/quote]

Come on K you gotta do better than some soft-serve prediction like that.

Caps will make the playoffs, but it's anyone's guess if they make it out of the first round.

It's a long season, I'm not ready to make any judgements either.

B-Skins, quite honestly it feels like the Ovi hate has completely died down since he hoisted the Cup. Everyone seems comfortable recognizing him as the greatest goal scorer of this generation and on the short list with Gretzky/Bossy/etc although it's hard to size them up since goalies have gotten so much better in the modern era.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Mooby,
I will say that after watching the first three games they need to fix the man advantage. The sling shot didn’t work last year and cost them the home opener.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=BaltimoreSkins;1233015]Mooby,
I will say that after watching the first three games they need to fix the man advantage. The sling shot didn’t work last year and cost them the home opener.[/quote]

+1, def. Hopefully Kuzy coming back will help but it's about time to start tweaking it, they don't look good right now.

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Anyone a single ticket holder not going this Sat (Vegas) or Mon (Coyotes)?
Ill buy 2.

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Nearly a month following NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s outline of a return-to-play format for the Stanley Cup Playoff, the dates have been set for the return, with the hub city selections still pending. The [B]tournament’s qualifying rounds are scheduled to start on Thursday, July 30[/B], as first reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

[url]https://elitesportsny.com/2020/06/20/nhl-news-league-reveals-return-to-play-dates-for-stanley-cup-playoffs/[/url]

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Caps first game August 3rd. Also saw they put the Caps, Flyers and Penguins in the same hotel. What could possibly go wrong?

[url]https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2020/07/10/24-team-playoff-schedule-the-capitals-first-game-will-be-august-3/#more-365355[/url]

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Good news -- Caps play their first live game today at 4pm vs TB

Bad news - I forgot to set my dvr

future news - I am going to have to leave work early today for a previously unscheduled dental appointment.

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[quote=SunnySide;1256862]Good news -- Caps play their first live game today at 4pm vs TB

Bad news - I forgot to set my dvr

future news - I am going to have to leave work early today for a previously unscheduled dental appointment.[/quote]

You can set your dvr on your app and know craptastic has it and fios

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=mredskins;1256864]You can set your dvr on your app and know craptastic has it and fios[/quote]

[IMG]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e9/86/35/e98635e68e7e371ef019a7e80355de31.jpg[/IMG]

I have the same tech knowledge and abilities as this baby from 1903. To live in this day and age of tech enlightenment ... and to be so freaking tech ignorant ... I feel like such an idiot. I might as well just spend my days smoking cigarettes and playing on train tracks with scissors in my hand.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=SunnySide;1256868][IMG]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e9/86/35/e98635e68e7e371ef019a7e80355de31.jpg[/IMG]

I have the same tech knowledge and abilities as this baby from 1903. To live in this day and age of tech enlightenment ... and to be so freaking tech ignorant ... I feel like such an idiot. I might as well just spend my days smoking cigarettes and playing on train tracks with scissors in my hand.[/quote]

I bet you have a real nice lawn though. With "Keep Off" signs on it.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Nah man. Im a hippie of sorts. I would never restrict a person from walking on mother earth. I actually have a footpath through the woods from an apartment complex that cuts over the corner of my yard and when people cut across when Im outside you can see their apprehension but I make sure to give them the good eye contact and wave.

I also have my peace sign I give to the local hooligans who post up near my house to smoke weed and chill. I want them to know that I wont call the cops and to feel safe and at ease while they light it up. Plus ... theyd whoop my ass.

When you live in a condensed area with people on top of each other, you gotta live and let live .. otherwise if you fight every small battle, you become an angry guy.

Now the late night fast food trash ... Im currently looking for a black dodge charger. That dude is going to get my dog's shit smeared all over his windshield when I find him.

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Flyers look like they are in a different class than everyone else and they are young....

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I am digging the all division play this year. Really adds a nice element to the shorter season. Now if we can only get our Russians to follow the 2021 rules contract they signed....

Re: Stanley Caps
 

I go to a lot of Hershey Bears games locally, so I get to know the future stars of the Caps pretty well.

Vanacek's going to be good in goal despite a slow start, solid backup to Samsonov. Mike Sgarbosa will make a good impact with more playing time and could be really good. Same with Pinho when he gets healthy, solid depth.

Vrana will probably have his best year yet.

It's always sad when the top Bears players get called up, but fun to watch them get in games for the Caps, even if just in garbage time.

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If this was Reddit I would be heavily downvoted for not hopping on the "fuck Tom Wilson" bandwagon, but I'll make my case here instead.

There have been times in the past where I have declined to defend Willy's actions because they just appeared inexcusable, but this is not one of those times. I think that statement the Rangers put out is a classic "if I cry hard enough, maybe I'll get my way" and them and all the other fans conveniently like to ignore Panarin hopped on Wilson's back first. You jump in the shit, you get what you get. Wilson did not start this either, there isn't a single player in the NHL that won't jump in to defend their goalie when you start getting up in the crease invading their personal space on a play that's already stopped. The punch "[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B2Ok4zQ0ho"]to the head[/URL]" that the media and fans have ran with was actually to the [URL="https://imgur.com/qB2Qmek"]upper left of the nameplate[/URL] on his back. Panarin and his teammates have no fucking business crying after he hopped on Tom Wilson's back. Every action has a reaction. Everything that happened in that scrum was absolutely typical of any game and the only reason a big deal is being made it's Tom Wilson. If he was on any other team I guarantee that team's fans would have his back too. Wilson didn't help his case flexing in the penalty box but you know there's no way he's gonna let them talk shit from the bench and not respond. And then they got the nerve to phrase it like he's out long term from some horrific act of violence and not for 3 games. GTFOH.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=mooby;1283277]If this was Reddit I would be heavily downvoted for not hopping on the "fuck Tom Wilson" bandwagon, but I'll make my case here instead.

There have been times in the past where I have declined to defend Willy's actions because they just appeared inexcusable, but this is not one of those times. I think that statement the Rangers put out is a classic "if I cry hard enough, maybe I'll get my way" and them and all the other fans conveniently like to ignore Panarin hopped on Wilson's back first. You jump in the shit, you get what you get. Wilson did not start this either, there isn't a single player in the NHL that won't jump in to defend their goalie when you start getting up in the crease invading their personal space on a play that's already stopped. The punch "[URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B2Ok4zQ0ho"]to the head[/URL]" that the media and fans have ran with was actually to the [URL="https://imgur.com/qB2Qmek"]upper left of the nameplate[/URL] on his back. Panarin and his teammates have no fucking business crying after he hopped on Tom Wilson's back. Every action has a reaction. Everything that happened in that scrum was absolutely typical of any game and the only reason a big deal is being made it's Tom Wilson. If he was on any other team I guarantee that team's fans would have his back too. Wilson didn't help his case flexing in the penalty box but you know there's no way he's gonna let them talk shit from the bench and not respond. And then they got the nerve to phrase it like he's out long term from some horrific act of violence and not for 3 games. GTFOH.[/quote]

Tom Wilson did nothing wrong

NYR when full soy in their response, as expected

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=Chico23231;1283280]Tom Wilson did nothing wrong

NYR when full soy in their response, as expected[/quote]

One thing's for sure, definitely expecting some antics tonight. You can't say that shit and not have shit pop off the next game. Bad timing the next game is two days after the last one too, that shit is still fresh.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=mooby;1283283]One thing's for sure, definitely expecting some antics tonight. You can't say that shit and not have shit pop off the next game. Bad timing the next game is two days after the last one too, that shit is still fresh.[/quote]

Right off the bat

Re: Stanley Caps
 

That shit was crazy

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[yt]p6QZbNGcHwE[/yt]

Preach.

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I am hoping last night was not a lost opportunity for the Caps to galvanize for the playoffs. I worry about them. Ovie not well. Willie injured not sure how serious. The Kuzy and Sammy are still acting like dipshits and getting benched by Laviolette. The goalie play has been not the best and has been masked by some solid d play.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

My mourning period is over. I did not think the Caps would get past the first but there were some really depressing trends evident in that series. Oldest team in the NHL, lack of future draft capital. I think they resign Ovie but TBH I would be fine if they let him walk. Thanks for your time and the great memories but we need a rebuild. If they resign him I am okay with it too I just can't have any expectations of a deep run.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=BaltimoreSkins;1284685]My mourning period is over. I did not think the Caps would get past the first but there were some really depressing trends evident in that series. Oldest team in the NHL, lack of future draft capital. I think they resign Ovie but TBH I would be fine if they let him walk. Thanks for your time and the great memories but we need a rebuild. If they resign him I am okay with it too I just can't have any expectations of a deep run.[/quote]

I would have expectations of a deep run if Ovi was willing to take a pay cut like Sid/Malkin/Letang did for the Pens, but it seems that's not gonna happen. I suspect they are waiting for the expansion draft to happen before they announce a new deal with Ovi so they don't have to waste a roster spot on him.

Obviously they went all in on a window and now the window's closing. It seems like they've lost the aggressiveness that comes with not winning a cup and everyone lowering their expectations. 3 years now and they haven't even sniffed the second round. If they really wanted to compete for another cup they need a serious retooling so they can have the depth on the third/fourth lines necessary to compete. And this goes without saying but Kuzy needs to go. His contract is an albatross and he's not holding up his end of the deal off the ice.

Wish they would win another title to solidify Ovi's status as a HOFer but let's be honest, if you had to pick between another cup and Ovi breaking Gretzky's goals record I think we all know what we would pick. The only thing that concerns me is Ovi probably needs to start tightening up his fitness, he's been able to rely on his status as a physical freak (look at his [URL="https://www.bardown.com/here-s-a-look-at-the-enormous-meal-ovechkin-eats-before-every-home-game-1.1102360"]pre-game meal[/URL] or listen to the stories of him drinking coke on the bench over the years) but you def. gotta start working harder to maintain that level of fitness into your late thirties. He's always been known for his physicality and his ability to stay healthy but this year was the first year he actually suffered a serious injury that kept him out longer than a couple games.

Idk I guess I'm taking the long way of saying I really don't expect them to compete for more cups until Ovi retires. And I'm willing to let that slide if he keeps maintaining progress towards Gretzky's goals record.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Kuzy would be better served on another team he needs a restart. Sammy looked good in goal. I worry about Backstrom a hip issue with a full season? He might be better served moving to third line and maybe even rest on PP during regular season. I get the opinion that Ovie breaking Gretzky's goal record would be cool and huge for the city and team but he is 4 40 goal seasons away from that (makes you wonder where he would be without the lockout year and the shortened seasons).

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Caps season opener this Wednesday vs NYR on TNT

NHL regular season opens tomorrow

Re: Stanley Caps
 

I will definitely watch but I am not excited for the team this year. Felt they didn’t try to improve. I think the next few seasons are about ovie and Gretzky playoffs be damned

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=SunnySide;1295196]Caps season opening 60 minute bloodbath this Wednesday vs NYR on TNT

NHL regular season opens tomorrow[/quote]

FTFY.

I expect no less than 8 Rangers trying to fight Tom Wilson at various points of the game.

Honestly the moves they've made scream they are more worried about revenge than winning.

Just hope we can get through the game without any major injuries.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=BaltimoreSkins;1295202]I will definitely watch but I am not excited for the team this year. Felt they didn’t try to improve. [B]I think the next few seasons are about ovie and Gretzky playoffs be damned[/B][/quote]

+1

This team needs a serious retooling if they expect to compete for titles, but I agree - the lack of moves made suggest they are comfortable with this first round exit mediocrity.

Kuzy would've been gone last season if it were up to me.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Yep and I would have McMicheals up all season long. We need some legitimate offensive threat on the third line. I will say I am excited to see Lapierre

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=BaltimoreSkins;1295228]Yep and I would have McMicheals up all season long. We need some legitimate offensive threat on the third line. I will say I am excited to see Lapierre[/quote]

There's definitely something to be excited about with McMichaels/Lapierre/Fehervary, I'm particularly excited to see how Fehervary does, but there will be growing pains. I would prefer they bring in some experienced guys if they really want to play for another title, but at the same time not sure that's possible with the cap constraints.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Yeah kinda hard to get really pumped up for the season when its all but given we will do well enough in the regular season but be a first round playoff exit.

Cap restraints mean its really the same teams as the past couple years. So we should get the same results.

BUT we get to see McMichael and Lapierre so that is new.

Ovie looks outs vs NYR tomorrow.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

Glad you guys whooped the Rags!

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I did enjoy the game. It was nice seeing some young blood in the game. I enjoyed watching Reeves get tossed like a rag doll by Jensen a third line defense man. The lack of 5v5 scoring potential was a bit disconcerting in a long term perspective.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

[quote=BaltimoreSkins;1295508]I did enjoy the game. It was nice seeing some young blood in the game. I enjoyed watching Reeves get tossed like a rag doll by Jensen a third line defense man. The lack of 5v5 scoring potential was a bit disconcerting in a long term perspective.[/quote]

For one night everything went mostly right.

I certainly enjoyed seeing the Caps make the game non-competitive after the Rangers decided upgrading their team toughness was priority #1 in the offseason.

Re: Stanley Caps
 

they did out hit the caps #missionaccomplished

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Go Hurricanes! I don't follow hockey. Are they usually good? Also, is this also the general hockey thread, or strictly for Washington?