Jason Chimera not skating

I think Milbury's "issues" with the Caps goes back to our 1998 run to the Stanley Cup finals. He coached the Bruins back then and we squashed them in the second round, if I recall correctly. He cried and whined with every loss - probably still hasn't gotten over it. What a tool.

I hate to mess with a good thing, but it is comforting to know that we have the depth to deal with little bumps in the road like this.

Hey, I was "first" - that's first!

I hope Chimera is OK; we need him. That said, I'd like Laing to see some action; we may need him in the playoffs and he may need to shake off the rust.

BRING BACK THE LAINGER!

This is why getting this huge lead is so key...when guys are dinged up and need rest, we can give it to them....look at Chara...he is playing with a broken finger because they have no room for error.

It will pay off come April.

I think Milbury's "issues" with the Caps goes back to our 1998 run to the Stanley Cup finals. He coached the Bruins back then and we squashed them in the second round, if I recall correctly. He cried and whined with every loss - probably still hasn't gotten over it. What a tool.

Posted by: CAP-lanta | February 10, 2010 11:43 AM

Sorry, but this couldn't be any more wrong.

In 1998, the Caps eliminated the Bruins in the first, not second round. It was Ottawa the Caps eliminated in the second round that year.

The Head Coach in Boston was Pat Burns. Mike Milbury returned as Head Coach for the New York Islanders in 1998 replacing Rick Bowness. As a matter of fact, Pat Burns won the Jack Adams Award in 1998.

ATL commencing their fire-sale supposedly...
Looks like they aren't going to try to make that playoff push.

GMGM should look at Kubina, if available.

Yes, Caps might well have the East wrapped up with a week or so to go in the season, so they could glide a bit at the end. Whether or not they go full tilt to get the President's Trophy, I don't know. It would be nice to not have to play Game 7, SC Finals, on the road, especially on the dreaded west coast.

Not a Laing fan here. There's more to the game than putting your body between the puck and the net. I'd rather see a Hershey call up.

As I recall, Bruins had reason to whine back in 98. We were up I think 2 games to 1 and in OT of game 4 I think there was a goal either disallowed, for them, due to "in the crease" or else we were in the crease but got away with it on our goal.

That "in the crease" rule was the dumbest thing in the world.

Ask Milbury if he wants to accept my Yashin trade proposal in our fantasy league.

I hope Chimmy is okay--I love how hard and fast he skates. He's been a great addition to the team IMO. I think that third line has had some thrilling moments during the streak. Thank goodness for proven depth.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that our power stays on because I don't want to miss one bit of this game tonight. The Habs have given our boys hiccups in the past. I am hoping that two practices now have been a good systems tune-up for our guys.

I'm assuming that Laing does more than just put his body between the puck. I don't think we need call-ups just yet. Get us to 18 wins and then let's play around with the 4th line. I'd say use Laing then.

Lot of confidence around here, in M. Wise's column, everywhere.

Confidence is great, overconfidence not. The Habs may be in disarray but if ever there was a time for a letdown game this is it. Somehow I think tonight is not the night we take care of our slow-in-the-1st period-itis, though I'd be thrilled if we did. We left it all on the ice on Sunday and have to play in a tough rink tonight. Everyone's still talking about the greatness in the streak and the Sunday masterpiece. Let's be careful up there.

I think Bob Woodward himself should get to the bottom of the Milbury-gate, should bring in Carl Bernstein too... he's not doing anything important these days

"That "in the crease" rule was the dumbest thing in the world"

Might have been a dumb rule but it kept Buffalo from winning the Cup!

@ CapsNut & Cap-Lanta re Milbury

I've been told that Milbury and Bruce aren't friendly and that Bruce discusses it in his book. Something that happened back when Bruce was coaching an AHL team and Milbury was with Islanders. I haven't read the book yet though.

Looks like Michal's getting the start tonight according to Tarik's twitter... yikes. This is a lot of pressure on him.

@Jen12

Yes, BB does address it in his book...great read BTW and highly suggest it.

Price will be in net for Canadiens. Good thing it's not Jaraslav Halak. Tarik's twitter also says Varly won't play tomorrow either. So either he plays on Sat. vs the Blues or doesn't play at all on the trip. Which makes me wonder why they even brought him with them.

LAING!!!! Seems pretty meant to be after the article on what a great trooper he is... not that i want chimmy to be injured but i would LOVE to see laing in the lineup.

Snowed in and watching NHL On The Fly. Stan Fischler considers Ovie to be the most exciting, complete player since "The Rocket", and he considers Ovie to be even more of a complete package. To paraphrase him, it would be safe to say he was insinuating that Ovie is the most dynamic player the league has seen. Nice to hear an old-guard Canadian speak with such reverence.

IceNutz: Yes, after Hull's goal, and having allowed it to stand, w/o even a replay check (that would look great, players celebrating and then having to uncelebrate and play on), the league knew the rule had to go.

I remember Hull was in the crease, just can't recall if puck preceded or not. Technically, the rule didn't keep Buffalo from winning, but failure to enforce the rule allowed Dallas to win (it was game 6) when maybe they would not have otherwise.

I know, I know...I'm anal.

From last thread - @ tominfl1 and Eric: I blame Doc Emrick for causing the confusion about Ovi's lost tooth because it's something he used to always mention when the Caps played a Versus game a couple of years ago and he did it again somewhere recently.

It is well documented that Ovi lost his tooth during an Atlanta Thrashers game, Fall of '07 - high stick:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2007/10/look_at_ovechkins_tooth.html

The summer in Russia b-ball incident also involved damaged teeth; these were repaired. (This is not well documented - used to be a link about it on a OV blog but no longer can be found. It happened around the same time, about 3-4 years ago as well, as I recall.)

Really hope Chimmer's okay. It'll be interesting and good to see Lainger again.

Hope everyone is safe, warm and well! GO CAPS!!!

Gretzky could do some amazing things, things that made you think he had a few extra eyes on the back of his Jofa helmet, but he didn't provide the pure excitement of Ovechkin. With Ovi, you have the Rocket's intensity, Howe's orneryness, Bobby Hull's or Selanne's slapshot and Messier's leadership (maybe, let's not get ahead of ourselves on that one) all rolled into one.

nena1: I'd have one pulled to look like Ovi but my wife won't let me. I'm 52 though so hopefully they'll start falling out on their own and I can just refuse to go to the dentist.

Let's hope Chimmer's okay.

Will Neuvy now even be eligible to play in Hershey during the Olympic break?

Go boys! Remember that Montreal may be your First Round Playoff Opponent. (I know, I know, I've been saying that about many Caps opponents, as of late.)

I would like to see the Caps trade for a third line center to replace Bmo, he has not responded well to being dropped down to the 3rd line. I'm sure we can get someone that can make a difference for relatively cheap, draft picks and expiring contracts.

Also could Laich center the 3rd line if we traded for a Knuble like winger to play on the 2nd line.

@richmondphil

Is Atlanta starting their "fire sale" for real?

@TomInFl1:

Ovie is a great player - the most exciting this town has seen in probably any sport. However, I think you are a little bold to compare him favorably to the Great One. Certainly, "pure excitement" is a very subjective term. However, anyone that posts 92 goals and 200+ points is damned exciting. I remember watching Gretzky and believing anything was possible when he stepped on the ice. Ovie brings a physical dimension unmatched in generations, but I have a hard time putting anyone over 99 for skill and excitement. (That being said, every time Ovie steps on the ice I prepare myself for something truly unique/memorable.)

@Sonyask

Couldn't agree more with you about the guys maintaining their focus tonight, especially after such an emotional win on Sunday. But it is another big stage and it's more of a just three more games before the break rather than a month before the playoffs. So hopefully they can still keep it to a game-to-game mindset.

from previous post:
Steady Eddies works for me. I'm just as much of a fan for those guys too--Young Guns, Fab Five, and Steady Eddies--got it!

Posted by: Capsyoungguns | February 10, 2010 9:58 AM

i think the rest of the guys should be referred to as the 'Hard Hats'

I think Milbury was coaching the Bruins when they swept our Caps in the Conference Finals (1990), so that doesn't seem to explain anything, except that Hunter squashed Craig Janney like a bug on a borderline late hit (imagine that). So maybe it's something between him and BB, who knows. All I know for absolute certain is that Milbury is a mean, grumpy tool, who brings nothing to the table, absolutely nothing. Hope he's looking for a job very soon.

Don't get me wrong...I love Laing!! But I am pretty superstitous and would not want to change the forward line combos unless it is absolutely necessary.

Yeah I like that even better--Hard Hats--because they show up to do the dirty work and they do it so well!

As for Ovi comparisons to the past greats--well that all began with Gonchpup reporting on what NHL On The Fly Stan Fischler had to say about Ovi being perhaps the most dynamic player ever. Whether one agrees with Fischler or not, it sure is nice to hear an outsider speak so admirably of Ovi. We are all homers and a tad biased so it's nice to hear outsiders make these kinds of effusive observations.

BTW we got the Maurice Richard The Rocket dvd for Christmas--English version though; I'm sure the French one is more accurate. Good movie and I could easily understand why people like to make that comparison--it was more than just goal scoring ability. Get physical with Richard and he will score more goals as well as hit back. Sounds familiar?

14 WINS IN A ROW AND ALL OF YOU THINK YOU ARE GMS.IF YOU WERE THE CAPS WOULD HAVE TRADED FLASH,FEHR,SARGE,BMO,AND OTHERS. I WOULD BET THAT EVERY FAN OF THE NHL WISHES THEIR TEAM WOULD HAVE THE BEST RECORD AND THE MOST OUTSTANDING THING MILBURY DID IN HIS CAREER IS CHASE A RANGER FAN.

crooks_c

Gretzky's records will forever remain intact, and nobody will surpass "The Great One" with the title "The Greater One". What he was able to do with the puck was uncanny. What Ovie brings to the game is what he does without the puck as well. People would sit on the edge of their seats every time Gretzky touched the puck, but now they they sit on the edge every time Ovie is even on the ice!

@tominfl: The stupid in the crease rule was largely responsible for the Rangers cup. The Devils had a bunch of goals disallowed in their series with the Rangers that year.

ATL commencing their fire-sale supposedly...
Looks like they aren't going to try to make that playoff push.

GMGM should look at Kubina, if available.

Posted by: richmondphil | February 10, 2010 11:58 AM | Report abuse

I second the motion for GMGM to obtain Kubina. He would be a fantastic pickup; love his size and his hard shot.

they they sit on the edge every time Ovie is even on the ice!

Posted by: gonchpup | February 10, 2010 1:08 PM | Report abuse

It's astonishing now to hear the roar from the crowd build whenever Ovi grabs the puck and starts locomoting up ice. It's getting symbiotic, with Ovechkin feeding off the crowd and vice versa. His most recent comments about the third period of the Pens game echoed what he's been saying for a long time about the power of the crowd to help the team pick up the win.

It's like a drug, man.

ATL commencing their fire-sale supposedly...
Looks like they aren't going to try to make that playoff push.

GMGM should look at Kubina, if available.

Atlanta GM Waddell was just on NHL Live and he said they're making a playoff push and will be buyers, not sellers. He said the reason for trading Lehtonen was because of his recent return from injury while Pavelec and Hedberg were doing well -Pavelec is the goalie of the future and Hedgerg was mentoring him.

tominfl1: The gap-tooth look is certainly one that Ovi wears well but can be a risky one for us mere mortals. It does attract the fervent admirers though, so be prepared for that!

On anther note - and not to jump ahead too far because there's a lot of hockey to be played before now and then - but, I was watching the Wings/Blues game last night and feel that the guys will have their hands full on Saturday. Stay the course, boys! Stay well and have a great road trip - GO CAPS!!

Michael Nylander
gp-g-a-p-pm-+/-
3--0-1-1-25-_-3

Maybe some of the issue has to deal with this: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/05/boudreau_on_cbc_pretty_clasles.html

Kirk:

You are absolutely right.

The Young Guns, the Fab Five and the Hard Hats.

crooks c: I would never say Ovi has Gretzky's overall skill. I would say if I could only watch one or the other I'd pick Ovi.

@WhyGo

Nylander's not off to a good start.

So who will we loan him to next year?

Interesting comment I just read on the great blog at http://alexovetjkin.blogspot.com See the Bäckström perfekt för Ovetjkin article:

"I don't think Ovetjkin will have a better line in the Russian Olympic squad than the one he plays with in Washington.

It will be true, however, for Sidney Crosby..."

I must agree. OV can go to the Olympics and play with the best players from one of the great hockey countries in the world, and he is taking a step DOWN from his regular NHL line. Awesome.

Paul R

One big difference between Gretzky and Ovi is skating style. Gretz was like - what - 50 lbs less than Ovi? Ovi skates like a madman, his legs pumping wildly. Gretz would push off and take these super-long, seemingly effortless glides, then crossing the blue line he'd circle around (no Nylander jokes, please) and slide the puck softly toward the high slot where Paul Coffey would have materialized out of thin air with his stick cocked and ready to administer 100 mph of rubber fury just over the goalie's glove.

Atlanta GM Waddell was just on NHL Live and he said they're making a playoff push and will be buyers, not sellers. He said the reason for trading Lehtonen was because of his recent return from injury while Pavelec and Hedberg were doing well -Pavelec is the goalie of the future and Hedgerg was mentoring him.

Posted by: DevilsCapsGal | February 10, 2010 1:23 PM |

Kari is not the reason I said this.

The rumors that Colby Armstrong was headed out was the reason...

Chimera was hit in the ankle by a slap shot during practice yesterday and looked pretty stiff afterward. This could have something to do with it.

IMO bringing 3 goaltenders sounds like a trade is in the works. I believe Neuvy or Theo might be on their way out. I don't know who would be GMGM dance partner. It is interesting to carry 3 on the road trip. Anyone have any other ideas, opinions or conspiracy theories???

IMO bringing 3 goaltenders sounds like a trade is in the works. I believe Neuvy or Theo might be on their way out. I don't know who would be GMGM dance partner. It is interesting to carry 3 on the road trip. Anyone have any other ideas, opinions or conspiracy theories???
Posted by: robostop10 | February 10, 2010 4:21 PM |

No way they trade any of the 3 goalies.
Esp since 1 coming back from injury.
1 is on a 10 game winning streak & has been 1 of the keys to the 14 gamer.
1 is just as good in their eyes as the injured one.

So they had better get a 2nd line center or a top 2 D-Man for that trade of yours!