Open thread: Caps vs. Devils

Lets not embarrass ourselves with comments like last night's.

WE WILL BE BETTER...I predict a spirited win.

GO CAPS!!!!!!!

My only complaint about neuvy is ... He needs a new mug shot... Bad

First win tonight?

@postID: Absolutely!

C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!!!!

First win tonight? Yes.

Glad to see Carlson and Alzner paired together again and Poti w/Erskine.

Drop the puck!

Adam Oates on the enemy bench!

SPLITTER!

any chance will read about the good plays by the boys tonight?

probably not

another VERY dumb fundamental play

Awesome start.

Has the game started yet? Are we winning?

Gotta live with it, it was the kid. He is bound to take a dump or two on the ice.

Anybody else distracted by the poorly execute CGA ads behind the nets?

AMERICAN HERO!

CAPT AMERICA IN DA HOUSE!

Wow Carlson nasty wrister!

john 'USA' carlson!!

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

The VW ad has to go. I like that they sponsor the Caps, but not that. Too far.

enter the worlds greatest PP

MJ will make up for his bad pass by setting up the game winner by Fehr.

Hoping for a 2 goal victory. Give up a max 2 goals.

semin out, flash in?

1st pp unit

MJ will make up for his bad pass by setting up the game winner by Fehr.

Posted by: FunkyGloveFacewash | October 9, 2010 7:26 PM

I like dat!

great shift there by MJ

Excellent shift by 90.

The mistake wasn't a surprise. There will be more for the kid.

I thought I was seeing things when I saw a red #14 on the ice during the PP. Guess I really did see it. Hmmmmm.

btw, that's how to kill penalties. We have a ways to go to kill like that.

PP LETS STRIKE!!!!!!!!!

Pretty good PP D.

SUNAVA

Keystone Cops...

Great sequence by the devs though

Outworked on that last scoring shift.

The Devils PK is total lockdown.

The Devils forecheck is really effective.

Backstrom is so good, man.

Passing not Knuble's strength.

Now that's a puck to the face. Owie.

PP is terrible. Get OV off the point. He isn't even shooting.

Every one in this organization is too comfortable.

i wonder how long i have to suffer watching Alzner. He looks like he needs 2 more yrs of strength conditioning. He plays way smaller than his listed size. Another guy who wants nothing to do with contact defensively and cannot hold the line around his net. Fish flopper!

Bears and Baby Pens tied at 2 after one period.

It's part our PP, part the fact that they know how to kill penalties.

They are doing a much better job in their own end, obviously.

Simply a better defensive team.

You don't wanna play behind against them, either.

Must get the next goal.

phil KEESEL?>> what the f?

it would be like someone mispronouncing brett faVre

its embarassing to hear updates on other games from someone who clearly doesn't watch hockey. Even a newbie knows how to pronounce Kessel. Its not even spelled keesel

How we doin on the hit counter?

Let's see if Flash stays engaged after getting crunched a couple more times early in this game.

He'll be facing a lot more of that as a C. Better get used to it if he thinks he can hold that spot.

i think the Caps D so far in 2 games LOOKs worse than last yr. I didn't think it was possible. But our D are not putting any pressure on the forwards, they're allowing them to get on top of the puck and taking the puck away.

I think this D corps will have a different look to it no more than halfway thru the season or we risk suffering a big letdown from last yr's reg season record. And that's something McPhee won't stand by idly on.

Of course I'm sure he'll have an excuse as to why he had to revamp the D midseason. Just hope he doesn't have to deal a Fehr type to make it happen. That will really tick me off.

MJ 4 for 5 on faceoffs in the period.

Somebody show him somethin?

It's such a stark contrast to watch good defensive teams in their own end compared to the Caps.

There is much less space for us to work with and they just don't let us sustain possession for long.

Much more purpose, better commitment from forwards and defensemen and better positioning.

The Devils still don't look like a team that does much fancy stuff despite the skill out there.

They just play smart team hockey, keep it simple and work hard.

They are all committed to playing the right way, stars and role players alike.

What's wrong with the Caps. They down a goal already???

Also, our checking lines don't seem to be in sync.

That's expected to some extent with new faces but they aren't on the same page and aren't doing much as far as establishing cycles.

Obviously a better defense their facing but I think it's a little more than.

We need a few more rookies too. Most teams chasing the cup load up on rookies.

I can't believe Semin and Flash are both still on this team.

excellent....and i was just about to dump all over flash for bein soft on that rush

thats why flash is still here!!

Nice goal for Flash. LET'S GO CAPS!!!

I can't believe Semin and Flash are both still on this team.

Posted by: underpants2 | October 9, 2010 8:08 PM

How about now, do still can't believe

Much better effort last few min by whole team.

too much scrambling in our own zone

Bad play followed by great recovery for Carlson.

Still like to see the team stepping up their play.

Gotta make smarter plays in our own end.

Ersk just made a bad pass/turnover for no reason. Gotta eliminate that stuff.

Semin being Semin.

Too fancy, then bad penalty.

GREAT KILLING!

That's how to PK... first 1:20 of it so far at least.

VINTAGE OVIE!

there it is!!!

And a lead at last! :)

Ovieeeee

I just mistook MJ for Backstrom for the first time.

Let's see if they can repeat that previous PK effort, at least the initial part of it.

PKing is as much about effort as positioning and strategy. They showed plenty of effort on the last one.

chimmychonga!!!!!

LOVE THE KILL, THEN THE GOAL!!!

HANDS OF STONE!

CHIMICHANGA!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea Baby!!!!

Beautiful!!!

Erskine and Carlson were awesome down low on the PK.

Rewarded for the work at the end.

Love it.

Flash worked hard as well in addition to the nice breakout pass.

Nice shot. Best I've ever seen from 25

wtf: I did the exact same thing, probably at the exact same play - a little body to maintain control and then powerfully up the right side.

Chimera, with an un-Chimera-like, wicked shot.

F@ck you flash hatess !!!!!

If this team keeps working hard in it's own end, on the PK and otherwise, there will be a lot to be happy about.

Come-on Ovie

penalty shot
hope he doesn't play this like a shootout

THE MOST EXCITING PLAYER IN HOCKEY, EXECUTING THE MOST EXCITING PLAY!

Beautiful... Love this kind of effort.

Aww! Shucks

damn they s*ck - i don't know why i even bother to watch

Ovie with the penalty shot! (Maybe he DID work on something during the offseason.) :D

Would you believe that we have been OUT SHOT TERRIBLY IN THAT PERIOD!?!

NUEVY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of win in that period. Well done, Caps.

Nice poise by Ovechkin on that PS.

Opinions on mj90? I think he looks really good.

Neuvirth has been fantastic in both games... an example of when you can't use just stats.

6 goals against but he's been one of our best players in the first 5 periods of this season.

wtf: I did the exact same thing, probably at the exact same play - a little body to maintain control and then powerfully up the right side.

Posted by: stevie_in_gp | October 9, 2010 8:41 PM

Exactly right sir.

This is a good sign.

I think 90 will look good and bad throughout his rook season.

He'll show you his inexperience as much as his talent.

Not that anybody should expect anything else.

Same thing happens to the best of 'em.

I stand corrected, Flash has been good tonight. That was an impressive period.

Brodeur won't be back in the 3rd.

majo is 5 of 7 on faceoffs so far

BB is doing a lot more commercials than Ron Wilson...

...or any other coach for that matter.

Indeed, wtf.

Still would like to see your namesake get in on the action. Not that he hasn't played fine.

Face-offs are the least of what I'm looking at with 90. Overrated part of the game.

Seeing how he handles the physicality of this league at his age is what I'm watching most.

The decision-making will work itself out with experience. He'll make his share of gaffes like we saw early in this one.

Can't believe OV got the shot through the crease when he was hauled down. If that hits Brodeur they might not have needed the penalty shot. He's sick!

Carlson is going to be a great player.

I was really feeling like we were getting beat a lot in that period. The shots tell a story.

But thats the very scary thing about this team, you make a few mistakes, and we can make you pay LIKE NO OTHER TEAM IN THIS LEAGUE.

...if we can ever figure out the other stuff?

whew

By the way, good to see the Rays stay alive.

Not a Rays fan but they're a good story and they've had some bad calls go against them in this series, including tonight.

The Ovechkin penalty shot was straight out of NHL '94. Awesome.

I wanna see them continue the total team effort in the D-zone in this final period.

And there is no reason for us to be giving up oddman rushes and overcommitting offensively.

Don't let up in the third Caps!!

Smell a hat trick on the way!!!
Let's go Ovie / Caps

too many men?

why?

We had the puck, and were rushing.

WTF?

MMMMMMM

candy!

first shorty of the season!

Hate too many men penalties. No need for that.

Cold goalie costs them though.

Good puck pressure on the PK though.

Nice grit from chimera there

Clarkson wins but good showing for Chimera.

Green I think with a bad giveaway right before it, similar to Alzner's yesterday.

chimmer goin for the gordie howe

i like laich!!

great play by chimera
To take him out like that along the boards was a very unlike #25 play. But if he makes those simple plays along the boards and impedes progress, and follow it up with a face to facer, he'll make me a fan.

He just hasnt been consistent in that way and he plays bigger at home than he does on the road where you need your role players to lead the way

Agreed about Chimera. People love his speed but he needs to bring that physicality regularly more than anything in his role. He's too inconsistent in that regard.

Trying to watch Alzner more. I've seen good and bad from him.

Semin starts the season THE SAME WAY every year.

That said...book him for 40

good backcheck there by Hendricks.

Nice rubout along the boards by Green a min ago.

WTF?

Nice finish Fehr.

Did Neuvirth look woozy there?

That was just dirty fehr. :p

please give my boy some PP time this year.

DID YOU SEE THAT SHOT?

now its time to think about shutdown d only

That's what I'm (we're) talkin' about.

Haven't heard much from Kovalchuk tonight.

THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE UP FOR LAST NIGHT!

...and those in attendance got EXACTLY what they came for.

And us viewers aint doin so bad either.

90 tried to do much on his prev. shift... led to oddman rush other way.

I know the score... just pointing it out.

ROFLMFAO JOE B! Here's Joe B calling a play. "And here comes Semin and.... (Semin trips on an ice snake) that will not make the highlights!!!!!!!!!!
(LAUGH LAUGH) That looked more like the Locker snapshot of old"

ROFLMFAO!

oh...hehe..btw

TOUCHDOWN!

hehe

awwwww

that was so cute...

Love it, Greener... that's stayin' angry.

Can anyone remember Green fight before? Like, drop the gloves, pre-meditated dance style?

Wow! Green! Wow

Love it, Greener... that's stayin' angry.

What was that about?

i am lovin it

lol

Old-time hockey!

Alright, who's next?

Hendy... love it.

Gettin' ugly

HOLY COW!!!!

DONNY BROOKE?

PAGING MR. BROOKE!

Called it.

bradley with a WIN? no blood?

Any blood for Brads?

If not, that's a win for him.

I think Brads landed one to about 3 for Clarkson.

Still a win.

Chimera, Green, Hendricks, Brads . . . does Johansson's count?

I don't know whether I'm disgusted or totally stoked.

King will play the next game against NJ.

/stating the obvious

Let's end the game now. Or fight..whateva.

LOL. DJ where r u when we need you? Poor little MaJo

I think Backs was about to leap over the bench and throw down.

Saw it in his eye.

Semin was on the bench lookin like HE wanted some!

everybody on the ice (but neuvy) came to majo's aide

tmac - it's a win for Brads, so long as after taking 30 punches yours is the last.

True, stevie... if that last one knocks the guy down or out, which may have been the case.

this will be ugly this year. Love the guys stepping up. Beat down tonight. Beat down at the Pru. Eff the Devils.

Let's left some fight for next game.

Don't be messin wit my little mj

@wtf. I thought Semin was a lover and not a fighter.

shinny for the rest of the game

The Caps are BACK!!!

they're bAAAAAAAAAAAAAck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the only thing i saw in the third that i didn't care for was semin trying a stretch pass that didn't work while up by 4 (i think)
looked like they tried to play d first - pleased with that

Saw some good things defensively in the 2nd and on. Keep that stuff up.

Someone must have given one HECK of a speech during the first intermission. Nice to see the turnaround--hope we see the same thing Monday.

Like Hendricks' attitude...

Someone must have given one HECK of a speech during the first intermission. Nice to see the turnaround--hope we see the same thing Monday.

Posted by: wocoliz | October 9, 2010 9:48 PM

I had the same thought earlier. Lit a fire under 'em.

new thread

A team can learn a lot from a game in which they give up only two goals - none after the first period - to a team like the Devils.

Also like seeing Carlson being the first to defend Johansson - I assume that's why he got the misconduct. I like it almost as much as his goal and two helpers.

Anybody know what happened to those advanced scoring sheets they used to have on NHL.com... game summary, event summary, PP summary, etc...

There used to be a drop down link where you could get to them. Can't find it.

So um...where is cstanton to tell us how the Caps really didn't play that well and just got lucky?

All things considered...what I was happiest to see was that killer instinct and that they didn't let up in the last 10 minutes.

That got ugly and stupid at the end. NJD didn't show much class imho. I like how the Caps gave as good as they got though. Not too soft along the boards either.

also...it showed character to not go for another goal on the last PP when they attacked Johannsen completely unprovoked.