Caps trail Canadiens after one period, 2-0

why is this entry not the most recent??

Playoff Mike Green looks an awful lot like playoff Joe Thorton...zero urgency in their game and when they try to amp it up they are completely lost. God im sick of ring ding babying this guy. Needs to get out of his head and play!

We need a dang in-game chat. This switching from post to post is not as fun or as immediately cathartic.

Caps will NOT win this series without Semin, Green and Fleishman stepping up and Knuble, Chimera and Laich crashing the net. Simple as that. Ovechkin and Backstrom cannot carry this team on their shoulders. We need more support. Come on Caps. Let's get one back in the second. At least make it a game. LET'S GO CAPS!

Caps need to Unleash the Fury!!!!

I'm no expert, but it seems to be a lot of this is on Boudreau, he has made hardly any strategy adjustments this whole series to combat the Habs play.

Posted by: kcbrichmond | April 26, 2010 7:54 PM

And the few adjustments he has tried to make have been largely ineffective.

Again, Montreal has dictated the play in all 3 zones for the majority of this series.

They could match us on the shot chart if they wanted to take as many wild, long-distance shots and take as many risks, offensively.

They are playing smarter and a more complete brand of hockey with an emphasis on defense and avoiding risks that are the staple of Capitals run-n-gun, no discipline hockey.

I really think Laich is deserving of the same criticism as Semin. Laich is trying but is producing nothing. That rebound chance he had on Semin's early shot was pathetic. He has to put that in.

Laich has done almost nothing this entire series. Same as Semin, Flash, and Green. I am a fan of Laich's but he needs to produce.

I picture this going just like last game. MTL will now go completely defensive and Halak will make a thousand saves with no traffic in front of him.

we need more players crashing the net....halak is giving us huge rebounds...why aren't we stepping up in front of the habs defense and trying to jam them in? SO FRUSTRATING!

Posted by: KRI819 | April 26, 2010 8:04 PM | Report abuse

because unless your name is Laich or Knuble we're a largely perimeter team.

Even if we find a way to win this game or this series, it doesn't change the fact that there is something fundamentally wrong with this hockey team.

Ted needs to take a serious look from the GM on down in the off-season if he truly believe in building a generationally great hockey team.

yeah Green has been turning it over but at least he has some fire in his eyes when he comes back hard to make up for the mistake. Semin turns it over and his shoulders sag.

This is so frustrating. The Caps CHASED away Halak, and now he's the Great Barrier Reef.

Get it together boys are you're going to have a lot of questions to answer... and not to mention a crappy flight home.

One stinkin' goal from 4 of the top 7 point producers!?

Semin just whiffed on a shot off a nice pass from Backstrom. So there it is. That was a chance.

Laich has done almost nothing this entire series. Same as Semin, Flash, and Green. I am a fan of Laich's but he needs to produce.

Posted by: sgm3 | April 26, 2010 8:05 PM | Report abuse

laich hit everyone in the last game and tonight he already got into one scrum and on the last play he finished a check hard that cause Semin to get the pass which he promptly missed the net on.

overall laich's record is pretty clean.

Almost rather not have a PP

Yep. He needs better puck placement on his shots. Absolutely way off.

-----------------------------------

Semin just whiffed on a shot off a nice pass from Backstrom. So there it is. That was a chance.

Posted by: CDon | April 26, 2010 8:09 PM

One stinkin' goal from 4 of the top 7 point producers!?

Posted by: visionof75 | April 26, 2010 8:09 PM | Report abuse

they don't operate well in high traffic areas -- i.e. the playoffs.

The Caps are going to find shots in the middle of the Canadiens PK because the forward play the point aggressively. Semin has to convert on those opportunities.

They're shooting the puck like a dart game: bull's eye right into Halak's logo.

Carlson needs to get out there on the PP.

Why does BB insist on the sending the same guys out there and expecting a different result - madness.

ANOTHER KILLED POWER PLAY.

1-28 on PP. how is that even possible.

It's frustrating because shots from the slot are wide open on the PP, but the Caps refuse to go there, and when they do, Semin misses the chances. He just shoots it into Halak's chest.

Bruce should just issue a humble apology letter to Umberger for being so arrogant.

Again another PP - gone and no Carlson. I'll beat it to death. Carlson before Green and/or Corvo.

dive?

the crowd doesn't need to get mad a penalty is called.. we won't score on it anyway.

my question is....why didn't Boudreau put in Theodore after the 2nd goal? You could easily argue that of the 4 goals Montreal has scored in these past 2 games, 3 of them have been save-able

oh boy. not another pp lol.

Lapierre ragdolls Sarge and Green shows his grit.

This is the third year that the caps have been in the playoffs and each year it seems like we are not taking the necessary steps forward. The chemistry of the team is wrong. Boudreau was quick to yank Theodore but meanwhile Varlamov is suffering the same fate. It's not the goaltending Bruce, it's your players. They have wilted under the pressure of the playoffs

How many perimeter shots are the Caps going to take before they decide to crash the net?

HALAK WITH ANOTHER DAMN SAVE.

another turnover by Semin on the PP

That is a game-winning, series-winning, series-defining save from Halak right there. Enough to frustrate the Caps, I'm sure, from here on out.

again....

why don't we just put Bradley on the wing on the PP, at least he battles and wins the puck.

when it rains it pours for this team...but this is a hellish drought....
Halak is playing like vintage-Hasek

Semin with another shot right into Halak's chest. If he knows Halak is sliding over, then shoot to the back side of the net--where he was coming from.

I'd be ok with runnin Halak even if you take the penalty

Another PP - no Carlson. Just sayin. Halak is playing like a beast. Green hits the post. Not good.

ALL 4 HABS swarm Laich after the whistle. Shows they got their minds set right for a game like this.

game over. halak's not giving anything up.

Ovie...are you kidding me?

Don't yell at the Refs Bruce, they gave you a 5 on 3, and then a dive on Metropolit.

Yeah, Caps are going to be stymied because they'll get mentally frustrated. That's why the need an ugly goal. They have to see one go in.

Weal shot by Ov on that breakaway...Goota go forehand and pound it through him.

I'd be ok with runnin Halak even if you take the penalty

Posted by: jdove80 | April 26, 2010 8:18 PM | Report abuse

no one on the caps has the guts to do that

you prolly need a Carcillo or Lappy to do that. We're a buncha nice guys. You know what happens to nice guys.

That's not an advantage for the Caps.

----------------------------------

Don't yell at the Refs Bruce, they gave you a 5 on 3, and then a dive on Metropolit.

Posted by: kcbrichmond | April 26, 2010 8:19 PM

I'm officially on the Carlson-on-the-PP bandwagon. Hell, even Corvo. Green's not generating. And he hit the post on that shot that actually beat Halak.

Don't yell at the Refs Bruce, they gave you a 5 on 3, and then a dive on Metropolit.

Posted by: kcbrichmond | April 26, 2010 8:19 PM | Report abuse

Bruce will cry about the one call he doesn't get. Maybe he wants another 5 on 3.

Schultz with a golden opp to drill Lapierre down the wing and he peels away.

Yeah well that explains why they are watching and the Caps are playing.

Ted's PR folks are working hard on the next press release.

Titled "We ran into a hot goalie"

I guess the water bottle/hand shaking comments kinda pissed off Halak?...

That offside call there is the prime example of paying attention to details.

lets go Sabres!

omg Belanger's first real hit of the playoffs.

Great backcheck by Fehr on that play. Awesome, he was on his back and still got up and caught up to catch the trailing fwd

That looks like an awful call from the official.

we don't even look like we want to be playing in this game.

BS Call on Green. A trip??? Really?

gee, hitting does work! Can't blame Green on that, Kostitsyin drew that penalty with 2 strong hits. that was a makeup call i think. Slight trip or slewfoot i guess

Montreal has done their share of diving in this series. I wonder if that played into the previous call against them.

And now when the Caps are getting chances, they're not even putting the puck on net.

funny. i feel pessimistically negative when we're on the PK and the same feeling while on the PP.

Green is playing hard at least.

I can accept mistakes made while playing hard.

Schultz btw is still in reg season mode. Haven't seen anything from him that shows he wants to be involved.

And now a PK. Just plain ugly, even if by some miracle they win they are just delaying their failed playoff season. They dont have what it takes to win.

bout time this catatonic team showed some emotion

thanks Laich!

slew foot by green .....more stupidity

it only takes one. i have faith

Sure Boudreau you put Carlson out to PK. But no PP - you're telling me hasn't earned it? Dumb. Wake up you Curly look-a-like and play him on the PP.

Martin is playing his rookie D-man on the PP. Wish BB would do the same.

semin flash and ov for crosby

stupd semin loses another puck on the end boards in our end, didn't even try to engage, just waved his stick at it

No one was in front of the net there on Backstrom's shot. OV had to plant himself there. That's the kind of goal that has to be rebounded in. That's what makes for successful hockey. Golden opportunity blown, in addition to two bad shots from the slot from OV that, had he fielded the puck cleanly, he should've converted.

Semin shouldnt be allowed inside our blueline, he has no idea what to do. His effort on the offensive side though has been pretty good and he's actually kinda cycling the puck. Pretty strong on his skates when he wants to be

hundred bottles of ripple wine bottles on the wall, one down ... lol

Green LOSES THE PUCK for a Habs fast break. COME ON!

Fehr is an absolute idiot.

Caps looked like an undisciplined game four Habs.

There. Fehr got the goalie interference someone here was calling for. Not sure that really helps at this point, though, because if the Caps go down 3-0 heading into the third, this thing is most definitely over.

i like to see that from Fehr

pretty ain't cuttin it

again though, no help from his pvssy linemates Flash and whoever else it was. Fehr was on his own getting swarmed on.

hundred bottles of ripple wine bottles on the wall, one down ... lol

Posted by: hock1 | April 26, 2010 8:35 PM | Report abuse

not sure what that is but i'm guessing thats what your mama got plastered on when she conceived you?

that wasnt exactly showing composure

What's the old saying? Defense wins playoffs. This Caps team will not win a Game 7 unless they play for 60 MINUTES and tighten up on defense. It's not even about the awful power play, but Caps can't even score on even strength. We better have the period of the season in the third or I'm worried about our chances in Game 7.

the refs shoulda gotten someone on the retaliation, fehr took a lotta shots after the fact

That is way to play. Show grit and put our great PK team one man down.

Habs cover more defensive ice with 3 guys than we do with 4 or 5.

pls don't show BB's face anymore.

Im starting to dislike him like I used to hate watching Norv on the sidelines

Caps outplayed Montreal in this period, so your only hope is that it carries over to the third and they finally break through.

That is way to play. Show grit and put our great PK team one man down.

Posted by: hock1 | April 26, 2010 8:42 PM | Report abuse

isn't your way just to bend over grab your ankles and squeal weee weee weee!!

Seriously, cstanton and hock. Can you take your garbage elsewhere?

33-13 in shots and not a thing to show for it

not sure what that is but i'm guessing thats what your mama got plastered on when she conceived you?

Posted by: cstanton1 |
Oh you recognized yourself? LOL.
Yes I have a mama. Did you ever find out on what street is yours working, crack-baby.

Caps outplayed Montreal in this period, so your only hope is that it carries over to the third and they finally break through.

Posted by: CDon | April 26, 2010 8:44 PM | Report abuse

they did but so what you know. Its been pointed out time and time again that this team thinks it can slack off for a period and then turn on the jets. And eventually it catches up to you.

How many times has Bruce glossed over the fact that his team wasn't ready to play at the start of a game just because they turned it on and pulled out the win.

they got that msg loud and clear coach!

100 bottles of ripple wine on the wall, 10 down and ... LOL.

The Caps just are not a good playoff team. Decade after Decade another disappointment. They never seem to be able to close a team out when they have them on the ropes. Great and exciting regular season team but they stink in playoff hockey minus 1998. If the HABS win this game the Caps are done for this year.

Hock1 careful not to get jizz all over your Semin jersey.

they still have 20 minutes. I am very down on them right now but have no choice but hope they can find a way to win. Good teams do and they have done it before. Bruce needs to show some composure and the team will follow. Lead us Knubes.

From other post:

Maybe Ovi shouldn't have jested about Halak's shaking hand....doesn't seem to be shaking now. I hate those kind of stupid comments.

Seriously, cstanton and hock. Can you take your garbage elsewhere?

Posted by: CDon | April 26, 2010 8:45 PM | Report abuse

he'll be better once his meds kick in.

The Caps really woke up in that period.

They didn't score - but were worthy of like 7 goals for.

More importantly they didn't give up any either.

Eventually Montreal will get tired - all that hitting and emotion early catches up and we need one error from Halak.

Seriously, cstanton and hock. Can you take your garbage elsewhere?

Posted by: CDon | April 26, 2010 8:45 PM | Report abuse

he'll be better once his meds kick in.

Posted by: cstanton1 | April 26, 2010 8:51 PM

Still hallucinating? I am just answering to your stupid remarks. Put that bottle down, do yourself a favor. You are not smart, or witty, enough to keep this up.

I will "try" to ignore your dumb remarks I promise if you just slow down... I promise. Put that bottle down it will help.

We need Feds in the house.

I have never posted on this blog, but I read it every game. I do not know why some of you think that we will lose tonight and on Wed. This team will not lose this series. Whe might not win the cup, but this series will be ours.

Game set match - Game 7 Wednesday night.

It seems that way Jonathan6, but it is not over until the final whistle.

Why are Semin and Flash on ice with a minute left? Unreal. Is there any accountability with BB? wtf?

This is a Captastrophe. I said it at the time, but yanking Theo -- the keeper who got Washington here -- for a few bad minutes was a deplorable decision. This team looks lifeless. Still, they could win Game 7, but I put the odds somewhere around 50-50. Just a terrible night for Caps fans.