Open thread: Capitals vs. Oilers

Great to see Holtby get the start tonight and feed off the mo from the SO win. Hope the team shows up and not take the worst team in the west lightly.

Folks:

Sorry to post this again today, but the new threads have been coming fast and furious what with Fehr returning, Bäckis out, etc.

Just wasted to make sure everyone got a chance to see this before tonight's on-ice action begins.

And so, without further ado, Here are your Rooting Instructions for Wednesday March 9, 2011:

EDM (50 points) @ WAS (84 points): A win tonight moves the Caps into 2nd seed past BOS (who lost in MTL last night). EDM beat-up by the Flyers 4-1 rout last night. No Mercy, boys! Go Fehr. Go Holtby. Go Caps!!!.
ATL (65) @ CAR (71): A win by ATL tonight makes things harder for CAR and helps TOR (who are currently only 4 points out of the 8th spot Go Thrashers.
STL (67) @ CBJ (70): The West is still in chaos, with only 5 points separating the 4th through 11th seeds. The outcome of this game will do little or nothing to relieve the confusion. Go Blues.
LAK (77) @ DET (86): I'm pretty sure Lefty & tom would like to see DET get their Wings clipped in the Southland. Go Kings.
CHI (80) @ TBL (82) : A loss by TBL helps the Caps, obviously. However, CHI faces an uphill battle after losing last night to a much weaker FLA team. Go Blackhawks.
CGY (79) @ DAL (79): Now this is a game that could prove pivotal in sorting out the Mess In The West. CGY is my 2nd favorite team (after the Caps), and--as previously mentioned--my religious beliefs prohibit me from ever rooting for any Dallas team. Go Flames.
NYR (74) @ ANA (75): ANA--being a somewhat chippy team--seems well equipped to dish out some (well-deserved) punishment to those fruity Rags. And also the "Flying V"... I look forward to seeing images of Torts staring up at the ceiling and muttering "O Dear God, why do you hate me so much?" Go Ducks.

If the current status quo holds through the end of the regular season, Caps face MTL.

Thank you Rhino

Anyone surprised that Chara didn't get suspended? Alan May was pretty indignant on Comcast. I guess if your boss's son is on the Bruins, it's not a good career move to suspend their all-star d-man. Is there any less professional operation in any professional sport than Colin Campbell's?

awesome moves by semin - then finding erskine backdoor

After taking several months to settle into their 'defensive'style of hockey, the CAPs seem to have it down. It the last four games, they've seemed to gotten their swagger back a bit. Now all that remains is for the offense to break out. If not tonight, then it may be soon. Get the offense back in gear, spurred by the power play, and the CAPs could go deep in the playoffs. You can sort of feel this coming. Will it be this week, month, in the playoffs, or maybe next year? But their on the brink. Can you feel it? LGC!

Rhino:

CHI (80) @ TBL (82) is the most important one (other than our game against Edmonton). Yes the loss to Florida but before this, Chicago won 7 straight. Let's hope they are not starting a losing streak.

I hope that we don't lose our momentum and fall to the Oilers tonight. So nervous.

Keep an extra eye on Oilers #28, Ryan Jones.

I think we should go after him this off season when he becomes an UFA.
He's a pure heart-and-soul-player who can chip in an occasional goal (14 this season). Would be good for our 3rd/4th-line

3yr/$3,6 mil should be enough to get him.

Bears at Worcester Sharks tonight. End of the 1st, 1-1. Bears goal by Dmitry Orlov. Matty Perreault possibly injured. Went to the lockerroom midway through the period but we're not sure what happened.

Holtby needs to stop with the little stick hitting pipe shimmy he does at the end of each period. That guy brings out the super in superstitious.

0-0 first period. What a surprise

I always appreciate your Bears updates Tess. Especially when my guy Orlov is doing something good.

pretty quiet in here tonight - reflects the level of excitement in the game

Some nice chances but the Caps haven't been able to finish. It's a pity that it's Fehr's 1st game back, he and Knuble should switch lines.

it is quiet. where are tmac cstanton or richmondphil

@zmega:
I watched Orlov at the World Jrs and knew he'd be good, but wow! I have been totally impressed since his very first shift with the Bears. Good positioning, good passer, not afraid to hit when necessary (but not a thug), knows when to stay back and when to pinch in. He has not looked like a rookie, which I guess is the result of playing in the KHL against men instead of boys.

What a beautiful Ovechkin-like goal from Stamkos...

@florida -

i think you're right. didn't fehr play on the first line a few times and did ok? i honestly can't remember.

i think chimmy chim chim has been rubbing off on knuble somehow because mike really needed to finish that pass. he had the side of the net wide open and he put it right into the goalie.

we've had some chances. we have to keep our wheels going and keep getting those shots.

delay due to backstrom flatlining - he is still listed as day-to-day

joe and locker just said green moved to LTIR

Kane ties it up with a nice shot through traffic.

well, now we know no mike green 'til at least the end of the month.

does anybody know of Poti in on LTIR as well as mike green?

fast glove by holts

Go PK, go Blackhawks.

delay due to backstrom flatlining - he is still listed as day-to-day

Posted by: Capt_Kirk_in_AZ | March 9, 2011 8:02 PM | Report abuse
He will be back in 3-4 days, after his funeral.

What a save, what a PP goal!!!

That was all Arnott

900 for Arnott :D

Geez, it is going to take an Edm goal for us to score a few, guess not. Nice Arnie...

Looks like #44 has a little something left. ;-) Nice goal!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

What happened to the Holtby from earlier in the season?

WOW WOW WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

What a gorgeous pass! What a pickup in Arnott!

Holtby and Arnott with big plays.

Ovechkin can't be that casual carrying the puck in with no back support.

I'm loving us bombarding Khabibulin with pucks. Keep it up, guys!

Yeah, Holtby has the juice and for goalies, might have made that ever so subtle jump to the next level.

It makes me wonder how dangerous a Ovi/Arnott/Semin would be while Backstrom is out... even if for a game or two.

Bulin Wall looking like he is in full panic mode.

Hello everyone - good to see everyone here. Great to come home to see a LEAD!

Wideman with two sketchy plays in a row.

Welcome back, Eric!

WELCOME BACK ERIC!!!! WOOOOOO!

Welcome back, Fehrsie!

2 PPGs in one game? Wait, wait, I'm confused.

WTFehr

Stay focused on the next couple of shifts. Don't give up a soft one.

Two PP goals?

That can't be right.

At the mid point of the game, it definitely looks like we are playing to the level of the competition. Not bashing our boys but we could have more jump and pick up the pace. We look slooow...

600 points for Ovi - not too shabby

It's gonna be interesting to have Green back playing and not have him be the "highest risk" d-man on this team . . . yeesh . . .

Bears game in 2nd intermission. 2-1 Worcester.

Yeah Wideman is definitely more high risk than Green at this point. Giving the puck away behind our net.

Sturm has showed the wheels a few times tonight.

Let's see if the Caps can stay smart and disciplined with a rare multiple goal lead, instead of getting excited and taking unnecessary risks.

The better the Caps can play w/o Backstrom, the more healing time he can get.

It would be cool to win a game by more than one goal for a change...

Knuble needs one for his confidence.

Alzner is really good along the boards, with his stick and body.

The better the Caps can play w/o Backstrom, the more healing time he can get.

Posted by: tmac2yao | March 9, 2011 8:38 PM | Report abuse

______________________________________________________________

Right you are. If a game like this somehow sparks the offense, that would be a fantastic sign of things to come after Backstrom gets healthy (enough) again.

The Oilers will come out with a push early in the 3rd. Jump on them early and we can take any remaining wind out of their sails.

Does seem like a low energy at the Phone booth, at least it appears that way on tv...

Knuble may need to threaten to sacrifice another goat. Varly has had time to tend to his flock.

It sure is good to see Fehr back on the ice - and picking up where he left off.

It would be pretty much inexcusable to give up multiple oddman rushes in the 3rd. Hopefully they play smart to finish this game.

Awfull news about Pacioretty.
He sustained a Severe Concussion and Broken Vertebrae from the Chara-hit last night. Out indefinitely. My thoughts goes out to him tonight!

Ha! I've been asking for "how" on the salary cap for some time and we finally get some info. As I speculated this morning, bringing Fehr back w/o LTIR to Green would blow the cap to smithereens. Anyone want details:

tomthenumbersgeek@nhlcap.com

Notes from Edm announcers through 2:

1) They GUSHED like Old Faithful over Holtby.

2) After Ovi PP goal, they were adamant Arnott should stay on point for PP and Ovi at hash marks. What I like is with Arnott, Ovi and Wideman out there, they can CYCLE.

3) They also gushed over Fehr, saying he was a "real steal" in his draft class.

Oops.

My observations through 2:

1) Liking Wideman better and better.

2) If EDM EN later, wanna bet BB puts his Pets-Of-The-Day out there? (hint: Ovi, Arnott & Fehr).

3) Finally, I agree, no penalty on Chara. I thought it was a good check with a rotten result.

Don't forget, the Caps are playing their 3rd game in 4 nights. Still, they should have plenty of edge going into the 3rd. Edmonton is both road weary and outclassed in this one.

i can't believe that it was backstrom holding back the offense all this time. get one more in the third for a 'capstrick' - haven't seen many of those lately either. jk about backs

wtf?

If Fehr can stay healthy and productive, it may come down to Sturm and Chimera for a spot in the lineup.

Wideman's play is definitely high risk, high reward. He's going to pay off for us from time to time and he's going to cost us from time to time. I hope he pays off more than he costs. Not sure yet.

Both goals were good. The Caps will need goals of that type as they go on. Bad turnover by Ovi leading to one on one chance for the Oilers (Holby bailed him out). He's got to have the puck out in front of him as he's transitioning.

Now the Caps need to be ready for the 3rd, no OT desired here.

WOW!!!!

Sometimes it pays to be cute!!!!

Stellar stuff.

Another backcheck and takeaway by 8.

I slam him plenty but that's beautiful. I love the hustle off the puck in particular.

Ovi and Marcus playing the goalie like two cats playing with a mouse...

Schweeeeeettt!!!

What a play! MJ and Ovi were beautiful.

That's another demo of Ovi's Hockey IQ.

And that was the way to resist what may have been the Oilers last real push.

Keep playing smart and disciplined. No unnecssary risks.

Holy crap what a goal!

Although...he misses and we all curse them! haha

OV throwing down tonight!

LETS GO CAPS!!!!

nicky who
khabibulin never had a chance

(jeebus, seth, yer reading my mind tonight)

It has been a long time, since this team, has had a game like this.

it's time for sturm to get his first with the caps!

it's time for sturm to get his first with the caps!

it's time for sturm to get his first with the caps!

Did Holtby body-slam that guy?

That's another demo of Ovi's Hockey IQ.

Posted by: hanks1 | March 9, 2011 9:08 PM

Yes it was.

I never said he had zero hockey IQ.

Just relativley low for a player of his caliber.

As of this moment, Ovi, MaJo, Fehr, Arnott and Wideman will be out there if Renney pulls Khabby.

holy smokes, thanks to CI i just got a natural post hat trick!

Wideman is playing incredible. At least 5 blocks so far. A couple turnovers, which sucks, but some of his blocks have been awesome.

It was also a demo of hard work and backchecking.

@wtf - Fehr was the missing piece!!!!

Fehr is on FIRE!

wtf again?

Total collapse now by Edmonton.

Bulin struggling mightily.

Good sticks in front of our net in our own end led to that.

Bulin helped. Goalie fail.

Looks like #16 is REALLY happy to be back. (How nice to be able to relax in the 3rd period for a change!)

Not only was Fehr great again, but how about Chimera! Great pass, great speed.

chimmy speed got that one - nice vision to see fehr open

"...he put himself in...such..deep do do.."

really Joe B.?

lmao

poor khabi

I couldn't have asked for a better 1st game back from Eric Fehr.

Another for Fehr! Don't think EDM will pull the goalie.

BTW, just saw Hannan with the "A." Excellent, excellent move.

Now give him 2 more years at $3.75M and move salary to make it fit.

Hannan, Wideman, Green, Alzner, Carlson, Ersk...Hoisting calibre??? He11, gimme some Kool Aid!

Damn - I wanted to call a 6-1 blowout before the game started, but I didn't log on in time. Doesn't seem as prescient when I call it after we're up 4-0.

Bulin Wall is a crumbling.

That 2 on 0 passing sequence reminded me of a similar sequence the Caps had during the 2008-2009 playoffs against Philly (I think). That sequence also resulted in a goal. The Caps should have this one now.

Weak call from what I saw.

When was the last time the fans got wings?

Pretty ticky tacky penalty on #26

@wtf - Fehr was the missing piece!!!!

Posted by: seth_malaguerra

Many will tell you, it is just coincidence. Just luck.

I simply say...WTF!

What C we will have in several years.

Backie, MaJo, Eakin and a Konopka type (hope).

Caps are up, 4-0, and my cable's out, so not only can i not see the game, but no highlights until they're on the team site. Damn.

come on boys - get holtby the SO

Good steal by Ovi to get that 3rd goal.

Refs having a pity party for poor Edmonton.

Grrrrr - c'mon guys - no stupid penalties!

@tmac "I never said he had zero hockey IQ.

Just relativley low for a player of his caliber."

Guess we just have to disagree about Ovi. He plays with a flair and a passion that doesn't always produce the "smart" play -- but he gets results. Turn him into a more cautious guy who always makes the "smart" play, and you will have lost a lot of what makes him special. I love the way he plays -- in my opinion it's very high IQ.

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women."

Sometimes it pays to be cute!!!!

Posted by: seth_malaguerra | March 9, 2011 9:06 PM

Yeah, like MaryAnn on "Gilligan's Island."

@ebolean1,
Major bonk on stating the obvious. Hopefully you did not jinx us.

Equalizer penalty call on Edm. I'll chill now.

Semin has some natural PK skills but that is one of the risks you take when putting him out there shorthanded.

That's at least the 2nd time he's contributed to a 5-on-3 this season, even if there wasn't much time left.

I seem to recall at least one instance last season as well.

And the types of penalties he takes are usually completely unnecessary. Can't have that when playing a man down.

Other than that, he has more potential to be an elite PKer than anybody else on the team with his combination of length, anticipation, use of his stick, etc...

they are doing things tonight that we havent seen them do in a long time.

its great to see

they are just feelin' it

i guess the refs forgot what tripping is

Up to now I hated it when Johansson centered Ovi. He looked out of his league. Didn't ever grow into this role tonight? That was incredible team work on Ovi's last goal. The kid is really blossoming.

Questions: Player of the game so far???

...did someone say

HOLTBY!?!?!?!

Sturm smiles a lot.

Sasha rocks!

So, are the guys having fun yet, or what?

sturm with his first caps point - more nice two man tic-tac-toe

wow - outta control

was that the type of PP where you reward your hardworkers with icetime?

welcome Mr. Sturm

ahem...

SKEET SKEET SKEET

...dont mind if i do

OK, that's just sick.

We've been really strong in front of our net tonight but that may also reflect the competition. Still a good thing.

A) No penalty on Chara — to echo someone posting above: great hit, awful result.

B) A shutout for Holtby would be fantastic. Who was it the other night — Roenick? Keith Jones? — who said Holtby will be the Caps' starting goalie next year, if not by the playoffs this year.

C) OK, the Oilers are the Oilers, but .... two goals and an assist for Ovi — could we be watching The Awakening at the right time of year? (Some of you will have to help me, since I haven't seen any of the goals .... were they Tip-ins? Classic Ovi?)

i'm happy to see that the caps came to play tonight. sometimes they don't play hard against teams below them in the standings or maybe a team they don't have a "rivalry" with.

good work tonight boys, keep it going.

I feel like we've had more odd man rushes in this game alone than we've had in the past month. Did teams start thinking it was safe to quit playing two back against us?

come on boys - keep it outta yer own net

Sturm joins the party.

Chicago just tied things up in Tampa

Go Hawks (for tonight only)!

Wow! What a fastastic two- on- one with Semin and Sturm.

Guys do you realize all that has gone right tonight? The new trades are proving themselves; Ovi & Semin are back; we are playing offense and defense; and WE DIDN'T slack off against a lesser team.....

BB and McPhee are winning this round. It could turn out that BB's plan was brilliant after all.

this line is really doin a job eatin up the time!

let the gas off the ignition? locker - i know what you meant - but what you said didn't mean anything

Good night for the three deadline pick-ups. Arnott continues to be everything we wanted in a 2C, Wideman plays great D with superb passing, and Sturm has been very involved.

Good work by GMGM.

Players of the game?

Ovie
Holtby
Semin

currently doubling this team up in shots

@caraveli - I agree with that! Lotsa stars tonight...

the oilers are going to need both a rotorooter and drano to remove that clog in center ice

even schultz gets a takedown

Anyone wonder if Ovie and Semin feel at least a little bad lighting up Khabibulin, since he's so far past his prime?

Schultz, no need to apologize to the guy for hitting him. It's OK even if you didn't snarl while doing it.

Well, Edm is the worst team in the league so nice to know we just did not phone it in tonight.

HOLY COW!

LAICH 15 OF 20 ON FACEOFFS?

Now the only thing to wish for is: Go Blackhawks!!!!!!!

HOLTBY! HOLTBY! HOLTBY! A Wonderful Shut Out - good night everyone!

HOOOOOOLLLLLTBBBBBYYYYY

Anybody else remember the glory days of the Oilers when they came into the Cap Center and did to us what we're doing to them tonight.

Nice to be on our side of the divide.

And a great shutout for Holts!!!!

That's the way to finish off a shutout. Pretty confident kid.

BEAUTIFUL!

Any complaints anyone? Sturm got his first point as a Cap.

weak opponent - but i'd have to give them credit for 60 minutes tonight. they should win by 5 with this effort against edm

it's hard to believe this game was 0 - 0 after the first period.

good overall team game. they came to play tonight!

GREAT GAME!!!

But remember...it was the Oiers!!!

Anyone wonder if Ovie and Semin feel at least a little bad lighting up Khabibulin, since he's so far past his prime?

Posted by: grahamdumas

Oh no, I was feeling bad for Khabibulin, now I feel outright sorry for him.

One question for everybody: Neuvy who?

So, it must have been Backstrom who was causing all the offensive problems for the Caps ;-}.

I think you need to chuck Wideman is as a player of the game. He had some big blocks and an assist. If he could eliminate the turnovers, he would be unreal. Either way, he's twice as valuable as Poti.

DARN! Hawks just missed a scoring opportunity - have turned to NHL On the Fly...

So clearly Backstrom is holding us back and Fehr is our MVP.

LOL! Nice job coming to avoid overlooking a weak opponent.

Anyone wonder if Ovie and Semin feel at least a little bad lighting up Khabibulin, since he's so far past his prime?

Posted by: grahamdumas

Oh no, I was feeling bad for Khabibulin, now I feel outright sorry for him.

One question for everybody: Neuvy who?

Semin seems to be enjoying playing with his new linemates. Finally, someone to play with who can keep up with him (sort of). Lovely pass from Sturm.

Laich won 15 of 21 faceoffs but the Oilers were the 2nd worst faceoff team in the league coming into this game. They're probably the worst after this game.

Wideman with 7 BS but also a game high 3 giveaways. He had a couple of really bad ones.

Laich with a game high 5 hits. He stepped up tonight and has been playing well recently.

Johansson and Knuble with 2 takeaways each and no giveaways.

Will all of those who were saying Fehr is useless earlier in the day please raise your hand, we have some Crow for you.

Don't care that it was the Oliers...FUN game, well played! Ovie has been looking fantastic the past 4-5 games. That speed you were all saying was gone has seemingly reapeared.

i don't care that this was against the oilers. it's still a good team win and TWO POINTS!

the most important thing they played as a team and worked hard for 60 minutes. they need to learn and keep that mentality. you skate hard for 60 minutes, play as a team and you can win.

Actually, it should be Varly who? If he keeps missing more games then played, I am pretty sure we could see him gone over the summer. Just have to wonder how long GMGM and braintrust wants to see if Varly really does pan out as a keeper instead of trade bait.

Yeah, grain of salt because it's the Oilers, but at least it wasn't a 2-1 OT win either. Quality teams should win those games against weak teams 5-0, and the Caps just issued a tutorial on how to do it.

I hope we all just witnessed the rebirth of our once mighty power play.

Congrats to Arnott (900 points), Ovi (600 points +), Wideman (200 points) and Holtby with his 1st shutout.

I am dying to read what all the Usual Negative Nancys have to say about tonights game. I'm sure they will pull out some sort of negative.

For the record, and I have been saying this since last year, Holtby is the goalie of the future. Cool as a cucumber. Can't rattle him. He came back from that terrible shootout loss a few weeks ago and he looked great.

not saying he is some great player, but Schultzie was the only +2 on the night...just saying :)

They Unleashed the Fehry!!!

It's too early to annoint Holtby. He made some good saves sure, but he wasn't under any real pressure all game. Congratulations on his first NHL shutout.

So, the Caps get Fehr back, Semin is rounding into shape and now they score 5 goals. Sure does make it hard for other teams to play them when they have scoring from three lines. Anyone else agree?

And i have to admit I said trade Semin a few weeks ago when he came back and played like crap before the deadline.

I was wrong. And I change my mind. We should keep him.

They keep saying that it is shutour #1 for Holtby but it is #2 in terms of his performance. The one goal against in the previous game was during Neuvy's watch. Holtby shut them out. He has not let a single goal in during the last two games.

I know it's only two games but I am starting to wonder if he might be better than our two, at least than Neuvy. Are they going to send him back?

my thoughts on holtby...

i don't see him over-committing to shots and moves like he did before. it seems as though he has really worked on his positioning and control. he's also been looking very calm between the pipes.

Yeah, Caps have 3 starting goalies. One of them will have to go sooner rather than later. I'd have to cut Varly. He is just not durable enough to be a starter, especially when you have TWO others who are. Not a bad problem to have though.

From Sky Kerstein:
Fehr got the hard hat.

Actually, it should be Varly who? If he keeps missing more games then played, I am pretty sure we could see him gone over the summer. Just have to wonder how long GMGM and braintrust wants to see if Varly really does pan out as a keeper instead of trade bait.

Posted by: BernieWolfeFan | March 9, 2011 9:48 PM | Report abuse

The Blackhawks had a goalie bacing up a superstar the traded away for nothing because he was getting hurt. That goalie was Dom Hasek. I want to make sure that Varly isn't going to be that kid of goalie before we trade him away. Holtby could still use another year in the AHL since this is his first year up ther anyway and Varly isn't going to cost a lot on his next contract so I say keep him for at least another year then start to decide. Also there isn't going to be a great trade market for goalies this free agent season with Tomas Vokoun and Ilya Bryzgalov both due to be free agents.

From Sky Kerstein:
Fehr got the hard hat.

Posted by: wocoliz | March 9, 2011 10:00 PM |

w
t
f
?

I think you need to chuck Wideman is as a player of the game. He's twice as valuable as Poti.

Posted by: Aldred15 | March 9, 2011 9:44 PM

Yeah, you can say most times 6 is twice as valuable as 3.

signed, tom numbers geek

Yeah, Caps have 3 starting goalies. One of them will have to go sooner rather than later. I'd have to cut Varly. He is just not durable enough to be a starter, especially when you have TWO others who are. Not a bad problem to have though.

Posted by: Doom_and_Gloom

Where are these TWO other durable goalies?

Good win. Even though the Oilers stink, scoring 5 without your 1C is a big confidence booster.

And way to go, E. Fehr!

I'm interested to see who Boucher picks for the shoot-out THIS time.

Vokoun or Bryz would be sick. Not sure we could fit them under the cap though without cutting some other vets. But yeah, I agree no goalie moves need to be made until Neuvys contract is close to being up.

Lightning Hawks SO on Versus right now...

WOW - what a goal by Saint Louis

WOW - what a goal by Saint Louis - crumb - Bolts win. Phooey

"Laich with a game high 5 hits. He stepped up tonight and has been playing well recently."

I have to give Laich some credit. He has returned to the fold in a big way in recent weeks. He was mailing it in for long stretches earlier this year and I was hammering him for it.

Where are these TWO other durable goalies?

Posted by: ablake70

The two that are able to play more games than they miss by being injured.

The two that don't have the nickname "Glass" by some members of this forum.

BernieWolfeFan & Doom_and_Gloom:

I know what you are saying about Varly is true. He misses a lot of games and it's frustrating to us (and to him I am sure). But he is more talented than Neuvy; with more potential for evolving into, as icehammer97 kind of implied, someone like Dom Hasek.

The combination of Varly & Holtby would be fantastic. Neuvy, though not as sickly as Varly, is also kind of delicate and shaky at times. Holtby has the potential tc become a solid, consistent, strategic, cool goal tender and would be the perfect counterpart for Varly.

I am sorry but my vote has to be for a Varly/Holtby pairing.

The two that are able to play more games than they miss by being injured.

The two that don't have the nickname "Glass" by some members of this forum.

Posted by: Doom_and_Gloom

All of these young goalies have missed significant due to injury this season. Holtby just came off a nearly month long injury when he was called up this time.

None of these guys has shown an ability to play 60+ games per year like a #1 goalie. One will have five good starts, then injury, illness or fatigue shuts them down.

They are young and pretty much worthless on the trade market. Let them develop.

interesting fact... Caps 32-0-3 when scoring atleast 3 goals

FWIW, that SO goal by St. Louis should not have counted. The puck must be in a continuous motion towards the net. Once the motion has been stopped, the play is over. St. Louis stopped the puck to make that move and should not count. Nice move, but not legal according to the rules.

Glad the boys showed some scoring life tonight. Very few things to talk bad about tonight.

@wtf
thanks for keeping the Semin cheer alive for me in my absence. Got home from Mardi Gras tonight, just in time to turn on the game and watch it.

Btw, it was nice to see my namesake do good things while I was away in the Big Easy.

Anyone fill me in on how we played the previous 2 games? I dont really feel like reading back all the posts.

P.S. 17-0 when Semin scores. =)

None of these guys has shown an ability to play 60+ games per year like a #1 goalie. One will have five good starts, then injury, illness or fatigue shuts them down.

They are young and pretty much worthless on the trade market. Let them develop.

Posted by: ablake70

I completely agree. I forgot that Holtby had been out sick for a while. I agree that no one has shown consistency and resilience over a long stretch. But of the 3 I am placing my bets on Varly/Holtby.

WOW Time travel at the phone booth tonight. Goals. Power play goals. Wings. Woo Hooo!
And, Holtby, just wow. I know, just Edmonton, but haven't those been the games that have driven us crazy all year when the Caps have fallen to lesser opponents?

Happy to see so much love for the new guys tonight -welcome to Washington, boys!

POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
To the dumba** poster that said earlier "let's not forget this was the Oilers." Thank you Captain obvious and just so your post doesn't take away from tonight's result - the Caps did what they should've done to a weak opponent. If it weren't for Habib it would've been 10-0 tonight. Knuble should've had a trick. And they did it without Backstrom and Green in the lineup. This win felt good because the Caps DOMINATED and did what they should've done. Wake up poster. Give the team credit rather than try to take the whole negative nelly approach.

HOLTBY: Congrats on your first NHL shutout. Solid job and some great saves early and late in the game.

OVIE: Hey coach - see what happens when you put Ovie down low??? Go look at that first goal over and over. See what happens when you have him on the point - nearly a shortie the other way. Stop having a brain freeze from the Haagan Daas. Congrats Ovie on 600 and Arnott on 900. Also Ovie's backcheck to get the 2 on 0 with Majo - classic. Notice how MAJO NEVER looked at the net haha. You knew he wanted Ovie shooting.

DEFENSE: Great job around the net and keeping things clear for Holtby.

FEHR: Welcome back big man. A little rusty but nice to see him get on the score sheet. Now let's start making it consistent.

A nice dominate win over a weaker team. That's what good teams do. Time to keep this streak rolling. Hurricanes blow in on Friday.

IT'S BEEN A TWO POINT NIGHT.

ICE BREAKERS GOAL SHAKERS!!!!

The Great 8 and 29!!

Hulk Holtby!!

Lets Go CAPS!!!

The Great 8 and 29!!

Hulk Holtby!!

Lets Go CAPS!!!

The Great 8 and 28!!

Hulk Holtby!!

Lets Go CAPS!!!

Your Washington Capitals - THESE Washington Capitals - alone in 4th place in GA/G.

They often make it interesting, but that's still a stunning fact.

I am dying to read what all the Usual Negative Nancys have to say about tonights game. I'm sure they will pull out some sort of negative.

Posted by: capsfan0837 | March 9, 2011 9:50 PM

What took em 65 games to play a full 60 minutes? Did they have a new promotion from Habeeb starting tonight - play a full 60 minutes get your carpets cleaned for free? Hey, Habeeb! You can head over to E Fehr's house first!

He-he.

Seriously, the best time to get hot in any sport is the last quarter of the season. Whether it be Sept in baseball or December in football or in the conference tournament in the NCAA. Or even in poker the best hand to win is the last one.

Barkeep! Kool Aid all around! On me! Nobody leaves the bar without a red moustache tonight!

OK, we need a story from Katie - Yes, that be you, gal! - on...what in God's name did the coaches do with Holtby in between the ugliest shootout loss since the O.K. Corral and the last two games?

Last we saw, Holtby's lateral movements were more premature than, ladies, go ahead and tell us who. He goes down to Heshey for a few weeks and comes back Ken Dryden.

There's only one thing in the world I want on Friday night. OK, only two (I'm wanting a teak while I watch). Anyway, alls I want is 60 minutes. That's it, 60 minutes. And I don't mean those old windbags.

That's a steak I'm a-wantin' for Friday night, not a "teak."

It's amazing to think where I'd be in life if I could type and do those fancy PowerPoint charts. By God, I coulda been a contender, somebody.

Doesn't Semin look like he spent the whole last few days with Capt Kirk and capscoach, drinking Kool Aid and eating capscoach's cookies?

OK, maybe that didn't sound right.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about, peeps!!!

SO...let's just get this out of the way right now...

--Power play looks like it's back online. At least, I hope so.

" Well I hope so too...against one of the worst penalty kills in the NHL"

--five, 5, FIVE Goals!

"...should have been 10 against the worst team in the league. Why didn't the Caps score in the first period? Khabibulin should have retired years ago..."

--2 Goals (1 PPG)/3 points for Ovie. 3-game goal-scoring streak for Sasha Minor.

"...It's about time those soft euros stopped boozing every night..."

--Penalty Kill was perfect again...

"...against the League's worst power play...."

--Fehr comes up huge in his return from the IR...

"Are you kidding? I could have done that against those chumps. GMGM still overpaid for him. Shoulda taken Getzlaf in the draft..."

--'Holtby S***!!!' With the Shutout!!! I take back what I said earlier. Start calling him "Doctor 'No'"!

"Are you nuts? A wet Kleenex® would have been just as good against the Oil..."

--'Smackintyre' who?

"...lucky for Johnny Rock Star. One man-dance with Stevie Mac would have ended his career."

--Le Brooksi 15 of 21 (71%) in the dot.

"...but Laich is supposed to be a wing...should have traded him for Pronger..."

--Sweet double-give-and-go by MoJo and Ovie.

"He's still not ready to be an NHL pivot..."

--Nice feed by Chimera for the second Fehr strike.

"...Chim%#@fhgsriv%$ still has concrete hands. Trade him now..."

--What???

"GMGM is an idiot. BB should be fired. And you're a pansie (sic.) who knows nothing about hockey if you disagree..."

OK. Whatever.

So I concede that it was just one (1) game. Against the NHL's worst team. And the Caps have a long, tough road ahead. But the boys did what they had to do tonight: They made the opposition pay for every mistake and they came up huge in doing so. I saw a great level of effort and execution from everyone, start to finish. Another win for the F Street Fun Bunch. What more could we ask for? Backis and Green back in the line up? Yes, that would be nice.

Bottom line: Haters need to shut up. For a while, at least.

Now it is time to prepare for Carolina on Friday. Let's show them that:

"What once was ours...is ours again. It shall never be taken...from us again."

(That one's for you, Cap'n Kirk ;-D)

GO CAPS!!!

Peace out,
Das Rhino

Мне и Алекс общей виртуальной Kool-Aid - мы делаем все это время

http://translate.google.com/#ru|en|%D0%9C%D0%BD%D0%B5%20%D0%B8%20%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%B9%20%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%80%D1%82%D1%83%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B9%20Kool-Aid%20-%20%D0%BC%D1%8B%20%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%BC%20%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%B5%20%D1%8D%D1%82%D0%BE%20%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8F%0D%0A

@ Rhino
Claaahhsic, Dude

Tom, Rhino, and Cap'n, you have outdone yourselves tonight. Guess we're all a little giddy after a win like that. Yeah, I know it's back to the division and reality on Friday, but it's nice to celebrate just a little bit tonight.

wocoliz:
the corner has been turned - i'm looking forward to 30 more wins in a row :)

Cap'n, dare I ask...what flavor? I think we ALL need some.

wocoliz:
рок тhе Красной площади - естественно

http://translate.google.com/#ru|en|%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BA%20%D1%82h%D0%B5%20%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B9%20%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%89%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%20-%20%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%0D%0A

@rhino40
@Bluejeener1
@capsfan0837

Don't feel sorry for the old "Boolin Wall". He knocked a good Caps team out too early. He also has the ring we all want !!

Great to see a big win, but remember the scary, dark place we are heading is very humbling to this franchise. Be humble !
(Many lonely, quiet walks back to my car in Landover after we entered that scary, dark place that seems to own our soul !)

@Rhino40

"never taken from us again". Rhino, Yzerman is going to take that SE away from us for many years to come. The man from Detroit with the rings scares me much more than the lawyer from Vancouver with the g@y scarf !