Today's Lineup

"I'm a freaking rock. Give me some brass and I'll just chew."

I love that quote -- now lets chew same ugly flightless birds.

very interested to see how long nylander lasts on the top line in this game

Darn -- now lets chew some ugly flightless birds.

LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Great now we have to kill penalty.

Hopefully Caps take advantage of Devils and Boston losing yesterday

Saint Cindy with a cheap shot, shocking

YES ! OV !

NICE!!!!!

F@#$ YEA!!! OVIE!

great play by flash

Great puck movement down low. That Backstrom and Federov give and go is a new staple.

so much for ovie's zero goals at home vs. the pens! (or whatever stat it was they were talking about)

Great passing. Let's go Caps!

Semin in the box again? he sure is spending a lot of time in there lately

Well Semin got his out of the way, hehe

laich-feds-semin looks good so far... already drawn both penalties with brooksy on the ice

oops... way to be semin keep taking dumb penalites

could the announcers make any MORE excuses for the Pens being terrible?

Announcer was right on with that...

Semin ...
Gobble gobble gobble

Another lazy goal by Semin

SUPER SEMIN!!!!!!!!!

Your forgiven Semin

Great job Crosby, give it to the guy who puts it in the net. Hahahaha I love it.

Too effin cheers for that flightless fowl goal.

"Terrible goaltending by Theodore" - Pierre Ma guire preaching to choir.

Does Semin get credit for both of those goals ?

Time to capitalize again.

...thats it Penguins...keep on putting that horrible power play out there...thats it

Is ovie trying to hard with those passes?

shocker! brash takes a poorly timed penalty in a tight game

Does Emrick have a endorsement deal w/ Amtrak ?. He keeps mentioning the train trip.

And now, the brilliance of Mike Milbury.

That rebound that Theo gave should be played back in goaltending school as EXACTLY what you dont want to do with the puck when you make the save.

My local NBC station via Dish-TV does not have the game. Where is it on Dish-TV???

I think they're overdoing the Ovie praise a little bit. I do believe he's the best player in the league but it's not by far. Malkin is playing at such a sick level this year and Crosby has shown signs of picking his game up back to that level.

All I know is it's exciting to watch and I want to see a playoff series between these 2 teams more than probably anything else in sports right now.

Fun first period. I'm surprised the Penguins are letting them get away with some of these passes.

dun dun dun...

Dave, Mike Milbury is making up for last year when he called us the "Crapitals." He wants Caps fans to like him again.

semin witht he nice takeaway.

feds still got it...oh he still got it.

FEDS!!!!

WOOO!!!

that was a textbook pavel datsyuk stick lift.

nice guys.

Super sweet -- Semin to Feds after the awesome pk!!!

SERGEI!!

Gotta stop taking penalties. Their PP will click eventually.

dumb penalty erskine. you didnt even play post lockout.

nice clear by steckle

Wow -- Erksine with a penalty due to being beat with speed: shocking

Bartolo1,
did you find the game? Wheare are you located?

more dumb penalties.

Come on Caps, don't give the Pens so many stupid chances

BRUCE IS LIVID!!! Are we trying to give this one away?

boyd gordon > sidney crosby.

nooooooooooooooooooo

Great PK!!

great shift by laich.

so much hustle.

Where's the interference on the trailer!!!

Get too excited making rushes on the PK and you give Gonch too much space

Theodore is not good enough for my liking.

Theo Theo Theo

gonchar with the perfect shot.

any team will score on the PP eventually, especially the pens.

Gonchar is money in the pp, you can't leave him alone.

WTF -- where are the REFS!!!!

come on jose! he was out of position on both goals!

Semin was pulled down in front of everyone: where is the call?

Considering Milbury helped run the Bruins and Islanders into the ground, should we pay attention to what he says. He also would take Saint Cindy over OV in a segment last week.

Screw Gonchar

Opita,

No, I am near Charlottesville, VA. Local NBC has a SEC basketball game on.

It's looks like they are trading goals...

Well, any doubts whose side the refs are at?...

I don't know how any of you guys can blame Theo for Gonch's goal. You must be joking. Some shots are just too good.

Think we might see a Brooks and Cookie fight, looks like thier heating up?

yeah, he was out of position.

it didnt help that it was gonchar either.

nice non call on the hook.

Kronwall was one of our better players on defense in the last game. He should be in the lineup today. Bruce puts his players through the wringer for not playing hard then he goes and benches one of the only players who did play hard, go figure. That 1st line looks nutty with Nylander on the wing

I don't think I'll ever fully trust JT to be a goaltender who can lead this team deep into the playoffs. I know Gonchar's shot was almost impossible to stop, but the first goal he gave up was a result of his being too overaggressive (nothing new there), allowing a giant rebound (nothing new there) and then not sliding over quickly enough (nothing new there). He seems to give up a bad one every game. He's playing better than he was, but he still gets a little too sloppy out there.

@dave

theo was a bit out of position for that shot, but like i said, it did not help that gonchar just lasered it. theo probably wouldn't have even seen it otherwise.

That is if Cookie doesn't back down, we know he loves to start S and not finish it.

Sick move, big stop by Fleury

OH MY... that was close...

@Cdon

19-24 in playoffs.

he isn't proven deep in the playoffs. but he hasn't had a team quite like ours in front of him. i dont know, well see. i like theo.

Theo's rebound control has been pretty good over the last 20-25 games, he looked in pretty good position coming left to right. We can nitpick if we want but no one was stopping that shot.

I'll make this short, sweet, to the point, and as painless as possible. THEODORE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN THE CUP WITH. Period! I've been saying this since that regrettable July day (2008) when McPhee let Huet slip through his fingers, and then proclaimed Jose to be, "Just as good as Huet." Remember that? I sure do. It was a crock THEN. And, it's a crock NOW.

I know his record in the playoffs, especially after the first round, isn't great. And it's because he seems to lose focus. And in the playoffs, against good teams, he could end up giving up two bad goals a game, which is too much. He can get away with it a little bit more during the season. And he probably hasn't been on a team like the Caps that can be so offensively dynamics, but he's played on better defensive teams, and as you know, defense isn't the strong suit to this Caps club.

huet can't win a cup either, are you kidding me?

Two icings in a row by Erskine -- come on

these refs are CRAP

No interference there either -- Nylander leveled before he got the puck. This is total bs

Pens outplaying the Caps now, Nylander stinks out there. He goes down like a feather every time he gets hit and he almost cost us a goal with a stupid pass in our own end.

What the hell -- no tripping call!!!!!

@Dave

I was talking more about the first goal, not Gonchar's. Theo hasn't really been quick going from post to post, which you obviously need to be if you're going to be that aggressive outside the crease.

nice.

bang bang.

YES YES YES -- WINNING EVEN WITH THESE FING HORRID REFS!!!!

YES !

Now comes the phantom penalty to put Pens on PP

Way To Go Mo!!!

Big rebound, Mo just put some mustard on it...LAICH!

WOOOOO!!! AWESOME!!!

LOVE THIS TEAM!!!

nice again.

pens melting down. our forecheck is to furious.

I guess it's more than evened out now. Fleury gives up two awful goals.

Fleury pulled hahahahahaha. Sit down MAF

and fleury gets the hook!

bye bye MAF.

See you later MaF

Pens are playing good, their goalie is playing like doggie do, the last 2 goals were atrocious

HAHAHAHAHA just chased out the 5 mil kid for a flurry of goals

HAHHAHA Gonch leveled by OV HAHHAHAHA

Blood in the water

that move is workin really well for ovie tonight.

just gotta bury it now.

Those goals were not just MAF, but the Caps pressure is awesome

Ovie is going to get at least one more. He's looking to put on a show and Pens just kinda look flustered. End of period might help out but right now we need to pour it on. Don't give them a chance to have a big comeback you know they have the talent to do it.

I am just glad this game is showing how infectious Ovie is and how much of a stick in the mud Crosby is.

Ovechkin is just plain ole NASTY!!!

This kind of effort destroys the Avs on Friday night. They're playing with some real intensity and fervor this afternoon. But it needs to continue through the remainder of the second and all of the third.

This forecheck is ferious -- men playing with boys

I VOTE THAT WE RENAME THE PHONEBOOTH "THE RUSSIA HOUSE"
russians have good luck here! ovie, semin... even gonchar

SICK

I wonder why the Caps seem to struggle on 4-on-4.

And man, Crosby really is the true definition of a punk. He does all the extracurricular loser stuff--hits after the play, little baby shoves. Guy is a loser.

OV will kill Crysbaby in the 3RD Muhhahaha

crosby.......umad?

Great game for the Caps. I am glad we don't have Joe B and Locker for this game.

I can't wait for every Pens fan to claim Ovie was taking a cheap shot at Crosby right there. Instead of just admitting the little baby got pissed someone touched him and tried to start something. It looked like Ovie tried to put his arm around him and whisper in his ear "chill out man I was going to the bench, you only have to cry through 20 more minutes".

I so MUCH liked to see Fedorov rushing after a Penguin -- when an honored veteran does it, the younger players would certainly try to catch up and play their guts out.

GO CAPS!!!

Sidney Crosby's got nothing on Ovechkin, he better stop touching Ovie, or Ovie will kill him.

I feel bad for Crosby now. He has a date with the headlights of an Ovechkin freight train.

I'd take OV in a fight with Crosby any day. You can go cry at home Cindy...

Crosby is just like his roomie...Mario.

Kind needs to live on his own and learn to grow up. NHL according to Mario is bad for him.

OV waving at Crysbaby -- hahahaha

I SERIOUSLY LOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE Ovechkin, waving bye bye to Sidney! I LOVE OVIE.

Aww poor Cindy, getting his panties in a bunch, I love it!!!

Who had that sick open ice hit?

Can we please play like we played in the 2nd every period of every game until we win the cup? That was an amazing effort.

I see a gonad punch by Crosby beginning of next period.

Joe B and Craig are great. I miss hearing them when I have watch the opposing teams' feeds on NHL CenterIce.

Everyone comes to Ovie's rescue but no one comes to Sidney's rescue. LOL.

@jimall

that was green on fedotenko

Maybe his teammates are getting tired of his childish ways.

I seriously want to type a comment on the Pensblog but I'm not that mean.

TY -- love Green more and more; OV too. These guys have such personality and verve for the game. Even Milbury knows that OV cannot be denied (or is Milbury saying that a curse, yikes)

I dont know if its the spotlight, the BB practice yesterday, Ovie or what. But today...these guys are on something completely different.

I also agree that Theo is the question as to whether or not we can win it all. At this point, as long as we focus in the playoffs, its all about goaltending.

ludeman95: agreed, Ovie is a leader and his teamates follow him, but Sidney is a big baby and no one thinks of him as a leader.

I like Joe B, but I cant stand Locker. I'm really dreading Tuesday when I have to put with the Flyers craptastic crew.

the focus has been all malkin or ovechkin.

not as much crosby. hm...

I watched a good deal of that Panthers-Bruins game last night, and Boston looked terrible offensively. Out of sorts. But that's been the case since the end of the All-Star break. But watching Florida win made that Avs game even bigger. Caps win that, they're down seven points. They win today, it's just five. That's why you have to beat teams lower in the standings. But can't dwell on that now. Caps could still draw within seven points if they can get the win today. Gotta hold of NJ, too.

Yeah, CDon, I was thinking that too. IF, IF, IF. We COULD be within 5 points.

Laugher is great. I like the two because they have a lot of fun doing the games. It makes it fun to watch. That was especially important a few years ago when this team was god-awful.

The Sarge leads with hits, who'd thunk. Good for him

Why focus on Crosby when he's not the best player on this team. Hell, he would be only the fourth or fifth best player in the game today (behind OV and Malkin, for sure, and maybe behind Green and Semin, too).

Another no call in Crysbaby -- this is absurd

Someone needs to take Cooke out! He's taking too many runs at our player.

BB better sit Brasheer. We do not need to take penalties.

The fing reffing is a JOKE

Dumb penalty by Poti. If one person does NOT need your help it's Brash. He still scares me.

players

YES way to go JT

Theo looked pretty good moving laterally on that one. Good position too.

Haven't seen a good Brashear punchout in awhile.

Yes, Laich crushing Crybaby who cries a river to the refs hahahaha

I seriously want the Penguins in the playoffs. We owe them so much...

Sidney is such a... WOW, words cannot describe. He is the very definition of a baby. He needs to grow up, he's got very thin skin, he let's everything get to him. Chirping at Brooks. Grow up, crybaby.

Watch your jewels Brooksie, Cindys coming

Didn't even see this call. There's no need to take these penalties either we're up 3.

another penalty! omg... stop this.

They're taking too many dumb penalties again today. This will be what, the seventh time on the PK this afternoon? Give me a break. When are they gonna cut this nonsense out?

And Dave, Theo did move laterally on that one. Got a good push off. I'd like to see that from him more often.

Another PP for the Pens this is complete BS. The Refs are trying to keep the Pens in the game -- did the league call down that the TV ratings need to go up with a closer game. BB should send the game tape to the league to have them explain the out of whack reffing

Second consecutive game with a lopsided amount of penalty calls in the opponents favor.

how about a tripping call?

great cheer!!!

great great penalty kill, good job caps

I do think they've missed a couple today. Our PP was too fierce in the 1st they want to keep it pretty close.

This is Duke basketball reffing.

Its Patriot-News, Doc

Either Semin is trying out for the Russian Olympic diving team or he is getting tripped out there.

The refs have missed A LOT today.

It's as if Crosby thinks he should never be touched on the ice. Tired of his antics. He's almost as bad as LeTravel "Crab Dribble" James.

I love how the only time Crosby runs his mouth is when the other guy has already turned around and skated away.

Crosby can't be gaining many fans playing angry and pissy like he is in this "game of the week"

No call on Nylander's breakaway -- sure that was all puck. I'm seeing so much Pens offensive interference not being called. These refs need to be censured or fined or both

You suck! You suck! Best baby ever!

Semin is sometimes a little dramatic but he HAS been tripped several times and it wasn't called. And oh yeah, Nylander stinks!

Thank goodness Whitney didn't take that shot in the eye

Yeah that was close

Classy moves from OV and Green after Whitney got plugged high with that shot.

Pensblog will have you believe Ovie is the most unsportsmanlike in the game. He was the first guy calling for the trainer there.

Hockey can't be Sidney's sport, it's too physical for him, he can't take it. He should play golf, that way he won't ever be touched.

Come on refs let Goddard and Brash go!

Eighth PK of the day. Ugh.

I'd love to know how long it's been since we've had a PP? I know we've been hooked and tripped as much as they have.

WOW these refs are the biggest joke ever. They're only watching us, not the Pens. They haven't missed any on us, but they've missed plenty on them. SO BIASED.

OMG! Another Pens PP? Ref You Suck!

Goddard didnt wanna fight... he was backing off as fast as could... just a telephone tough guy...

Semin is a PK monster.

Semin is great today on the pk

Great job Semin on the penalty kill!

So who thinks Brash versus Gil before this is over?

2 points I'll take it any way I can get it. Game ahead of NJ, make Boston think about it.

Nice hit in front of the Caps net

Shoot wanted that last nail in the coffin

Great Job Guys!!!3-0 against the Pens!!

Where did cstanton & puckguru go?

Nylander is like Dennis the Menace out there. Just totally out of place more often than not. He rarely seems to belong on this team.

@jmall

Yeah Juice cleaned him out

Now on Tuesday -- crush the orange!

@ uncatim

We won

Semin, Ov, Feds are my stars.

Love the OV, Backstrom jump-bump after the game. These guys are looking like world killers

Great game. Always fun to watch Crosby melt down and cry on national television.

Sidney is so bitter. He spent more time jawing at all our players than focusing on helping his team win.

On the other hand, I frickin' love this team SO MUCH. Every game shows how close of a team they are, how much they love each other, care for each other, and play for each other. Great team win. 81 points! yeah! :) Ovie is everything Sidney is not.

I'm starting to hate the Pens more than Philly, just because of Sidney.

During the course of the broadcast the NBC crew said that OV was by far the best player in the NFL - said it a couple of times in fact.

I thought this was a much better showing by the Caps. Most gratifying, I hope they keep it up.

Yes, looked like Feds had a little more passion going today on nat'l televised afternoon game of the week. Really nice to see him get a goal.

Lets see if he has it vs the Flyers on Tuesday

Stats have Malkin with one (1) SOG

that was so cute with the little jump between ovie and backs at the end, i love them!
also, seriously we really need to rename the phonebooth the russia house, the three stars were russians and they DOMINATE in the phonebooth!
:)

I love that we have the Flyers on Tuesday after this game. The intensity will not drop hopefully can start another good streak here.

Rachel I know you are passionate about the Caps, but don't let that blind you from enjoying the play of great players like Crosby and Maulkin. We are lucky to see two teams with great players face each other, it is great hockey.

We're doooooooooooomed.... Implosion is eminent... Lets trade everybody for Bill Geurin and Wade Redden... Although, I'd like to trade Nylander and Mo, but not for Geurin or Redden... The sky is falling... They're all going to laugh at us...

Hello fellow Caps fans, I kid cause I love.

Dan Bylsma is an idiot. No coach should allow their forwards (Crosby and Malkin) to play over 25 minutes. Therrien would never have had either of those guys play that long, it was a dumb move to fire him.

Semin clearly deserved to be the first star today. His PK was simply outstanding.

Anyone else notice at some point i think in the second period laich and semin were out there. Laich had his jersey tucked and semin didnt. Opposite of usual. Trickery or just tryin somethin new? Btw cant stand watching crosby run his mouth about every stupid bump he gets.

IMO, that was Sasha Semin's best game thusfar, this season. Yeah, he's scored more goals, and had more total points in several outings. But, overall, this was his best performance. The guy was A BEAST on the PK. I trust you didn't miss it. He was everywhere. Intercepting passes, constantly making the correct "Reads." And, his passes were sublime! Yes, THAT was "The REAL' Alexander Semin out there today, sports fans. And, it couldn't have come at a better time. The other Alex, and M. Green need some help offensively. and, it's certainly become painfully obvious that it's NOT GOING TO COME from Michael Nylander, no matter whom you pair him with.
In the beginning, I predicted AT LEAST a 40 goal season for Sasha this year. Having missed a ton of games due to injuries ( and, after returning, taking several more to round back into shape) 40 may be a bit of a stretch at this point. Although, with HIS talent, nothing is unattainable.
Whether he scores 40 or not is really not that important ( To me ). Having him firing on all eight cylanders ( As we barrel down the stretch, and get ready for the playoffs ) most definitely IS. I expect him to be one of the best ( If not THE BEST ) Cap come playoff time this year, just as he was last April. As always, HE'S MY BOY!! My favorite Cap.

great win guys.

Agreed Puckguru....

Semin is averaging more points per game than anyone on the Caps, and if you do it per minute played he is easily first. Where would we be without his early season play when he wad the BEST player in the LEAGUE. I can't stand when anyone in hockey mentions the Caps and only speaks of Ovi without Semin, especially, and of course Green and Backstrom... and Fehr (kidding), although Fehr is my boy.

@puckguru:

I think you're exactly RIGHT. Semin IS a MONSTER out THERE. When HE touches the PUCK he has the ABILITY to CONTROL the PLAY. WOW I really LIKE this GUY. His SHOT is so FAST and accurate. He COULD score 40 GOALS in one SHIFT!

OMFG I LOVE YOU SEMIN!!!!!!

Anyways, great game, Cappies. Simply dominating. The refs did a wonderful job of letting them play until the third. What was up with that call on Laich?

Someone should tell Crosby that he just looks like a big baby when he tries to stir things up when losing. All I ever think is "what is his problem? What a b!t*h this guy is" It's not even like I hate him. He's not good enough (at being agitating). He just looks stupid.

Yeah, puckguru, I agree, Semin was really, really good today. He did everything right, and especially on the PK, he was awesome.

Here is the a deal for ya
Fehr and draft pick to Anaheim for Giguere. If Caps want to win the cup this year then you have to give up something to get the elite goaltender whether it is Giggy or Khabby.

After reading the latest Sports Illustrated yesterday (an article about Crosby says the Pens have the best player in hockey), I needed to see the Caps whip their butt today.

Too bad the refs were so one sided. Semin had his skates knocked from under him twice with no call.

It would have been interesting if Brashear could have fought two Pens at once, one with each hand, the way he was holding them apart.

I only wish that on the Game of the Week, Ovechkin would have scored a hatty or one of his top ten goals.

It was very nice to hear every one of NBC's announcers give Ovechkin his props as the best player in the NHL. Almost makes up for the SI drivel.

Joe B

Not my boy Fehr!!!!!

The only negative I take from this game is that we gave up too many penalties - including a 5 on 3. I can't say if they were good calls or not but they were called. Most of them seemed ok calls to me. I did think the refs could have called a few more on Pittsburgh. We were fortunate that the other team couldn't take advantage. Judging from previous posts I guess we should be thanking Semin for that.

Yeah that Theodore sucked today didn't he? 31 saves on 33 shots. Terrible. We need to trade for a goalie.

Wow, just checked in on the pensblog, what a nasty bunch of people. It was also interesting how infrequently they mentioned Crosby, I guess he didn't have a very good game, but still. They seemed to spend a lot of their time bashing the Caps fans, a real classy bunch. Won't catch me going over there again...

Anyway, it was great to see the Caps play the way we all know they can. We're within shouting distance of Boston, let's go get it boys!

now time for tampa bay to take out boston!!!

The officiating was pour and not in our favor, but a good team overcomes those situation. Semin was great as well as all the Caps on the PK.

A dose of reality... The Penguins stink, they do. They should'nt be this bad but they are. This is the result that was expected.

Philly will be a true test. We will be up for the challenge, I'm sure of it.

Lets all remember that we are EXTREMELY young. All of our best players are under 25. Outside of Fedorov, Kozlov and Theodore (I might be wrong), we have yet to win a playoff series. Let these guys make mistakes and learn. We are way ahead of schedule in my book. We are one of the top 5 teams in the league and with a little luck could easily make it to the finals. Don't get down on these guys, we have at least 10 more years of great hockey with them.

Dave...I think the point here is that they were two ugly goals, beyond "soft", you gotta admit. And the majority of comments, even from the opposition fans, news articles, and blogs, all agree that the Caps need a top-notch goalie to advance to the cup.

theodore has shown signs that he can be an elite goalie. the problem is is that we dont see that 100% of the time. GMGM has put faith in him, they already said theo is our man.

You do not need a top 5 goalie to win the SC. Just ask the final 4 goalies last season... Osgood, Turco, Fleury and Biron.

Since we are all in a good mood- here is a good read from NHL dot com about couch BB

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=410063&navid=DL|NHL|Home&navid=DL|NHL|Home&navid=DL|NHL|Home

Have you had a few drinks The_Stanley _Caps?

You just called our coach a piece of furniture.

I'm on my 6th black and tan...

Continuing the Semin discussion, although occasionally I do not mind seeing him playing with Ovi and Backstrom, yet I feel his potential can be more utilized with Laich and Fedorov. It's happening more and more often that Ovi shoots the puck instead of making another pass to a more open guy in a better spot. So the puck doesn't reach Semin as often as it would with Feds and Laich. On the other hand, though, Ovie, Backs and Semin feel each other so well that sometimes their passing makes your (ok, my) jaw drop... Don't misunderstand me, I'd love to see Ovi hard-shooting the puck, it's just that the puck doesn't come to Semin too often.

hehe....oops, nah, must have been doing too much school work today (before game and between periods)....I guess, just like our players, I make lazy mistakes after a while too!

For those who need clarification, BB is indeed a coach and not something you sit on! :)

Go Caps!

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette play by play:

6:58: Washington gets the lead right back. The puck deflects off Crosby's skates and deflects intot he slot. Semin gets it, controls it for about 23 minutes. He moves to his right on his forehand and rips it by a prone Fleury. Where was the defense on that? Semin had all day to chose his shot. Backstrom and Green get assists. Capitals 2-1.

great win indeed!

it took me a while to get to the computer. i had to stop off at church to atone for all the cursing of nylander.

>

>>>

I was at the Hockey n' Heels event yesterday (had a blast....hello to all the ladies I met yesterday!!!) and one of my favorite things BB said was how he loves putting Semin and Ovi on a line together....and then only can take it for about three games until it totally drives him up the wall. He then went on to liken that Alexes combination to chocolate...how you can eat a whole lot of chocolate until you get sick of it, and can't eat anymore....but then, a week later you decide to have another piece because it looks so good. That, and his comments on Philly (which is nothing new, he has said it before and remains consistent on that front) were just classic. We Ladies were in tears after some of his comments! Love that guy!

Go Caps!

They were 2 ugly goals? I'll grant the first was a poor rebound but how was Gonchar's goal ugly? That was a rocket, no one was stopping that. My point is if our biggest complaint is he was too aggressive coming out to make an initial save that turned into a big juicy rebound I'll take it.

Of course every "expert" etc are going to say goaltending is our question mark going into the playoffs. They need SOMETHING to talk about and it's usually a cliched something at that. We tried to sign Huet but ended up with Theodore, we parted ways with Kolzig who had been here forever. They need something to talk about and they'll point at Theo's 19-24 playoff mark.

You know I remember last year when the Hossa sweepstakes were going on and the big knock on him was "not a playoff performer". How'd that go? Sometimes it's not the player, it's the situation and the team.

Few quick things:

1. Hurray for two points. I like, I like!

2. Joe Beninati rolled through Section 413 just before the game. Joe, you rock! :)

3. I think I had a "Boo" sighting during the game... Boo, do you wear a sweater that says "BOO" (#31, I think it was?) You were out on the concourse buying drinks before the game... I did come over and start to say hi, but you didn't hear me and then I had second thoughts :P I mean, what if it wasn't you? Wouldn't I feel stupid! ;)

lazy again....my last post was in response to this:

"Continuing the Semin discussion, although occasionally I do not mind seeing him playing with Ovi and Backstrom, yet I feel his potential can be more utilized with Laich and Fedorov"

I agree though, I like Semin with Feds and Laich!

IMO, that was Sasha Semin's best game thusfar, this season. Yeah, he's scored more goals, and had more total points in several outings. But, overall, this was his best performance. The guy was A BEAST on the PK. I trust you didn't miss it. He was everywhere. Intercepting passes, constantly making the correct "Reads." And, his passes were sublime! Yes, THAT was "The REAL' Alexander Semin out there today, sports fans. And, it couldn't have come at a better time. The other Alex, and M. Green need some help offensively. and, it's certainly become painfully obvious that it's NOT GOING TO COME from Michael Nylander, no matter whom you pair him with.
In the beginning, I predicted AT LEAST a 40 goal season for Sasha this year. Having missed a ton of games due to injuries ( and, after returning, taking several more to round back into shape) 40 may be a bit of a stretch at this point. Although, with HIS talent, nothing is unattainable.
Whether he scores 40 or not is really not that important ( To me ). Having him firing on all eight cylanders ( As we barrel down the stretch, and get ready for the playoffs ) most definitely IS. I expect him to be one of the best ( If not THE BEST ) Cap come playoff time this year, just as he was last April. As always, HE'S MY BOY!! My favorite Cap.

Posted by: Puckguru | February 22, 2009 3:16 PM

hey, puck"guru"posts after a win, shocking! more shcking is i agree with what you are saying other than to add he needs to stop taking penalties. no doubt the same calls wont be made in the playoffs, but still...

The_Stanley_Caps: That made me laugh so hard! Our couch BB! What a smart couch he is!

1) Semin flippin' Rocks. I especially liked his pk pick of a Crysby pass, like he knew before Sindy did that it was coming. ("I don't see anything special there...")
2) Schultz was invisibly solid. See his 2nd period solo mgmt. of a 3on2: forcing the rush slow and outside, staying in position until his wingspan absorbed the only pass left for the attacker, and dumping the puck back to Caps at center. He's The Diffuser!
3) I don't know what rules y'all are used to, but TRIPPING SEMIN IS ALLOWED. Please make a note of it.
4) 60 was fine. Gonchar's goal was that goal he's been scoring forever. And good enough to win 5-2 is...Good Enough!
5) Nylander: It's swedish for "oops!" Please give the guy a fresh start elsewhere: he, Caps, and fans all deserve it.
6) GO CAPS!

Sometimes Theo DOES come out too far from his net, it makes me nervous.

was it too early to drink? yes. Did I do it anyway. of course.
refs=sucked
Brash=awesome
Someone needs to punch Crosby in the face, especially in the mouth. THat guy is a punk. I think he has too much pressure on him, i think he's a phenomenal talent, but he's a whiny little beeatch and needs a thrashing.
The refs were thoroughly in the penguins pocket. Brash gets boarded, no call, crosschecked in the back, players get roughed up and the Caps go into the box. I call BS. They did everything they could to give the pens a chance to get back into the game.
I dont like Nylander on the top line. At all.

Semin is my favorite player and today's game against the Penguins reinforced that for me. Love it when it's nothing but good things about the guy on the postings here.

Let's be clear, folks, it wasn't a perfect game but we saw what the refs insisted on not seeing. If they did, the Penguins prolly would have had just as many penalties or at least, the number of penalties we got wouldn't seem so high. Still great play by all of our Caps...even the ones you all want to trade like (insert player you don't like because you apparently think you know better than Broudreau and Leonsis).

For the time being, let's rest up our voices and unlease it again on their next game. Let's Go Caps!!!

The Pens should've let Orpik walk and resigned Malone, even if they overpaid slightly, and made him "C". Malkin should not be an "A". They needed Hossa to make the finals, I can't fault them for that move. Bringing in Satan and Fedotenko to replace Malone and Roberts was huge mistake. It was unfortunate for them to lose Gonchar and Whitney for most of the season. They'd be at least 8th with both of them the entire season.

We are in such better shape that the Pens long term.

@puckguru

Re: "THEODORE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN THE CUP WITH"

Bill Ranford was not good enough to win a Stanley Cup. But he did.

This team may have the chemistry and the firepower to win it all without a fantastic goalie, just like those Oilers did. In fact I think Theo is better than Ranford was. By a mile.

Also, it would be possible to win the Cup with another goalie, even without making a trade. Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and Cam Ward all won the Cup as rookies. I give Varly a shot at joining that group.

We should absolutely NOT trade for a goalie right now (unless Nyls is willing to join Theo in going to Vancouver). We need our Rod Langway. Or at least a Brendan Witt.

More bad news for the Penguins. Carolina just defeated Colorado, 5-2.

I wonder who we play over the final 21 games?

@large23220,
That's funny. because when I think of the Oilers and all of their Stanley Cups, I certainly don't think of Bill Ranford. Grant Fuhr IMMEDIATELY comes to mind. And, he was a G R E A T goaltender.
As far as Varlamov being capable of winning a Cup is concerned, I put that kind of thinking in the "Fantasy" catagory. Yes, Ward won with Carolina. That's true. But, in almost a century of NHL competiton, how many times has a rookie lead his team to the Cup? I rest my case.
Theodore's problem is that he's anything but consistent. And, come playoff time, that's the one attribute a winning goalie MUST HAVE. Consistentcy. Without it, you're dead.