Tonight's lineup: Caps at Oilers

Let's Go Caps!!!!!!

I was first and that was the best I could do?? I'm ashamed of me right now.

Hey... Just posted this in the last post too, but do any of you know what channel CSN+ is on on Comcast in DC? I thought it was 5, but last game, 5 only showed Book TV the whole time.

Really want to watch the game tonight and the bars are all closed.

Help!

Now that's what I call shaking up the lines. It was needed.

On Wilson, is his next step to be sent back down to Hershey. I see a pattern here. Hershey callup has rough game and has ice time reduced. Then is healthy scratch. Then is sent down.

i figured we would see OV, Backstrom and Semin back tonight. My guess is OV has double digit shots and at least 2 goals. Lets do this!

@jodigwen

comcast.com says channel 5

@HemmedUp

Thanks... sadly, my channel 5 has book TV on right now. :(

Comcast is horrible. Worst cable/satellite provider I have ever dealt with. Services are overpriced and unreliable and customer service is a term not found in any comcast employee's vocabulary.

That being said. GO CAPS!!

this has been a very long day.
i have been looking forward to this game, waiting to be impressed. Especially by the PP.
dont let me down boys!

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

j3rockstar- dont be ashamed! its an oldie but a goodie, you can never go wrong with rooting for the caps!

happy to see laing, hope he's good to go! lets go SOB line :)

LETS GO CAPS!!!

It's Ch 74 for anyone in Fairfax (Cox).

@jodigwen

what is your zipcode?

It's a treat seeing the Caps in Edmonton & Vancouver. Don't see these guys enuf! :)

mrszilla- Thanks. I guess the excitment for the game and all this snow made me stupid (yeah, I'm sure thats what did it). lol

the oilers are mucking and clogging everything up when we get in the zone

@HemmedUp

it's 20004

CSN+ is channel 4 on Comcast

Comcast in Montgomery County is channel 4... maybe that'll be the same in DC... good luck

It is 25 in Comcast/Adelphia land.

they got a gift penalty but still can't do anything with it

like seeing juice throwing around his body

I'd like a shutout by Neuvy. The way that Deslauriers been going for Edmonton, we'll need a shutout to have any chance of winning.

I was hoping we'd catch Deslauriers on an off night, but no such luck so far. He's made some great saves. Thank goodness Neuvy has started just as well for us. Come on, Caps!

I'd like a shutout by Neuvy.
Posted by: CapsFan75 | December 19, 2009
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Jinxed it.

that was all on cinco-cinco

I'd like a shutout by Neuvy.
Posted by: CapsFan75 | December 19, 2009
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Jinxed it.

Posted by: Dalliquippa | December 19, 2009 11:09 PM | Report abuse

agreed.... no offense capsfan75 but youve gotta watch comments like that ;)

Somebody have to shot Shultz because if he doesn't take a bullet they'll keep him in the team forever no matter what

The Edm goalie looks like a two-tailed lobster and his gloves look like the claws.

The Caps need to pour drawn butter on him.

I'm getting sick of the inability to score on the PP. And I'm getting sick of the bad passes and the turnovers!!!

Somebody have to shot Shultz because if he doesn't take a bullet they'll keep him in the team forever no matter what

Posted by: Tondi | December 19, 2009 11:22 PM | Report abuse

someone needs to shoot YOU.

OK, Who the hell mentioned shutout? you must be a rookie hockey fan.this is just a hard game to watch.ovi and the caps need to step it up and BB,he needs to reconfigure the PP cause it aint workin.come on caps your givin me a heart attack over here.And no more mentioning of shutouts.GO NEUVY

@ joek443
you wanna give it a shot or you r just blind

We're not only down a goal on the road on the back end of a back-to-back but you can pretty much guarantee Edmonton will get 2 or 3 PPs soon.

not even supposed to say the "w" word... which joe b did last night and jinxed us. yea im blaming him :)

ovies gotta break out, theyve got 3 guys on him... they all just seem smothered! i guess the oilers game plan was SWARM SWAMR SWARM

@ Tondi

you're the friggin' blind one... only a NOOB who knows nothing about hockey would knit-pick like you do

Unreal - what a joke. I'm sick and tired of these teams getting junk/trash/piss ass goals off our guys skates. AHHHH.

Hate to say it but the hockey Gods of bounces are not liking the Caps for some reason. Still a full period left. Just hope we can get out of it down 2-0.

Just need to keep coming but not feeling too good about this game.

neuvy let down by the d for a second time tonight - i feel bad for him right now - he's been very steady so far

Once again we are our own worst enemy

Make that down 2 goals with multiple Edmonton PPs coming up.

You can blame Alzner on that last goal or call it a fluke but they were forechecking the crap out of us and we were struggling to get the puck out of our own end. Something good was bound to happen for Edmonton.

Whats up with the OBS line tonight?

Neuvy has been great tonight...just no one able to help him out....I think we are just tired. flat as a pancake!

is anything wrong with Ovi? he has looked subpar in the last couple games.

we need to GTFO of Canada. we seem to forget how to play hockey when we go north of the border.

@floms

They will be broken up for Period 3. And for the next game.

neuvy has been solid, dont think either goal was his fault. guys look tired...

I'm guessing the first PP of the 3rd period will be going to Edmonton.

You can almost guarantee they'll get at least a couple at some point.

Well, I have written this game as a loss already. Given that they can't score today to save their life. And Deslauriers is looking like a Vezina trophy winner.

Well, I have written this game as a loss already. Given that they can't score today to save their life. And Deslauriers is looking like a Vezina trophy winner.

Posted by: CapsFan75 | December 19, 2009 11:43 PM | Report abuse

haha trying to unjinx? that might work...

Didn't we outshoot them pretty good in the 1st? Maybe their legs caught up to them in the 2nd.

I think OV hasn't played to his standard since coming back from the suspension. I haven't seen him attack with the same aggresion. He also has been turning the puck over often recently.

I really would love for OV just to chip the puck in when he see's two guys in front of him. His stopping at the blue line or trying to deak out more then 1 defender just doesn't work.

@mrszilla

Sorry for jinxing the shutout for Neuwirth. Unfortunately, that's what we needed from him to have any chance of winning. I think Edmonton has more than enough goals to win tonight.

Deslauriers, has to have a hole somewhere....we need to find it in the 3rd.

@sargeantmofo

Something is probably wrong with Ovi. There was report of "sore body part" at Monday's practice where he left early. There's reports of groin problem. There's reports of shoulder problems from his old injury.

Ovechkin has always been turnover prone. That's nothing new.

@mrszilla

Sorry for jinxing the shutout for Neuwirth. Unfortunately, that's what we needed from him to have any chance of winning. I think Edmonton has more than enough goals to win tonight.

Posted by: CapsFan75 | December 19, 2009 11:45 PM | Report abuse

its ok... you were right but its always bad luck to write it :) no worries, im not going to send the mob against you!

damn pens won again tonight, in buffalo.

Even Backstrom has looked relatively clumsy the last couple of times and he's usual our rock in terms of consistency and good decision-making.

@Jonathan6

Frankly, I'm not just worried about this game but the next two as well. They play Buffalo next. And since Varlamov won't be back, I don't like their chances. And after that, they play NJ, the best team in the NHL besides Pittsburgh.

Wow, offense is completely out of sync. Looks like there's no comeback tonight. I think they are just really tired and they need some home cookin'. What's wrong with the offense? They're shooting from the blue line and there are no second chances and no traffic in front of their goalie. We're making this average goalie look like Marty Brodeur. This is pretty painful to watch.

Tough luck for Neuvy. He's playing very well and under control. Too bad the defense doesn't help him out and once again our own defensemen scores for the opposing team. I wish there was a stat that kept track of how many goals are deflected in off a player against their own goalie. We must lead the league in that. Very frustrating.

*last couple of games

@kyle_woodruff

Join the club. On their bad PP.

@ joek443
well if you're not blind then you are complete idiot go get your bigmac and diet soda and OPEN YOUR EYES

yea the team looks just... off. something is up. either ovie is hurt or they are just too tired, but they are all out of synch. not worried overall though, we'll get past this game and get back home!

Not feelin' the OV montage right now

@jodigwen

Should be channel 21 for you if you haven't found it yet. Looks like there is two channel 5's for your area, one digital and one analog. The digital one has different programming on it.

Caps look like they're ready to be on flight back to DC. Best thing so far was the Joe B. remark concerning Craig Laughlin/telestrator/Hillary Duff!

@floms

Of course, Pittsburgh beat Buffalo. They are a good team who knows how to play in the clutch.

Pretty much every team goes through lulls in the salary cap era.

There isn't as much of a talent disparity so it's hard for teams to consistently dominate like they did in the pre-cap era where some teams had much bigger payrolls relative to the rest of the league.

@ Tondi

have another donut and beer... maybe you might actually understand something about the game

I'd like to see us get at least one past this guy early in the 3rd. We need a confidence boost, a hero.

@ CapsFan75
"Of course, Pittsburgh beat Buffalo. They are a good team who knows how to play in the clutch. "
and they have a great schedule ...

@mrszilla

Even though they'll come home, I'm still worried about the next two games. They play Buffalo and NJ, who have goalies we don't do well against. And Varly will still not be able to return on Wednesday.

@Tondi

Yes, they do. In spite of the so-called parity in the league, Bettman finds a way to rig things in their favor.

For those blaming 55 for the first goal where was his support from the other D or the forward covering for him? They were no where. Ovechkin was gliding the whole way back when he could have caught the second guy and stopped the play but he didn't. He needs to start taking shorter shifts so he can still have energy to backcheck. And Tondi you must not know much about hockey if you want Shultz shot. Coming into tonights game he was second on the team in +/- and in the top 10 in the league. His job is to try and stop many odd man rushes because he plays with Green who is a 4th forward and since most of the time the Ovechkin line is on forward with him he is not having anyone come back and cover for Green when he pinches and doesn't come back fast if at all. People on this board keep asking for the Caps to get a D man who thinks D first and that is exactally what Shultz is bt since he doesn't crush people you think he isn't good.

feelin bad for Neuvy too, he hasnt been bad.

Lets all take it in perspective. Maybe we should curb our expectations a bit. Are we really expecting to remain #1?

This team has issues with conistency. We all know that. The Pens are the reigning champs, they should have those expectations, not us.

Do we have more points in the standings than this time last year? And do we have more depth as a team then last year? Yes, and yes imo.

So its ok that we take a 5hit in Canada. These games could have gone either way. We're still beating ourselves so this can be corrected.

for once ovie needs to watch that reel on how great he is... dont know if its injury or loss of confidence but he's gotta remember HE'S F--KING ALEX OVECHKIN!!!

I'm not that worried about the sabres game, after the shutout i think they will be more motivated to get those two points back.

Any proposals for the lines for Wednesday's game. The only guarantee is that the first line, as currently constituted, will be broken up.

Here's my proposal:

Ovi/Morrison/Fehr
Flash/Backstrom/Knuble
Semin/Laich/Clark
Laing/Stecks/Bradley

@mrszilla

I'm sure the Caps will be motivated against Buffalo. Only problem is that they'll be up against a great goal tender.

@ joek443
well if you're not blind then you are complete idiot go get your bigmac and diet soda and OPEN YOUR EYES

Posted by: Tondi | December 19, 2009 11:49 PM

Tondi - really?
your the one that said to shoot schultz -

When they were on a 6 game win streak I remember Locker saying they were going to hit a lull sometime. This may be it. Everyone is just a little off. 3 regulation losses in last 5 games. :/

Hope they can get over this but I agree with CapsFan75, even though the next two are at home, Buffalo and NJ are really good teams that we have trouble with. Especially NJ.

Something is definitely wrong with Ovi. He hasn't been himself this whole road trip. It looks like he's not even out there. Probably some kind of "lower body injury" since he just isn't moving like he normally does.

@Tondi perhaps you could use some facts or examples to support your argument...

agreed floms, if there is one thing i advocate its having reasonable expectations!

@ icehammer97
"Coming into tonights game he was second on the team in +/- and in the top 10 in the league"
yes and Erskine is tied for 4rd on the team in +/- wit +11 so that makes him our 2nd best DF WOW

agreed floms, if there is one thing i advocate its having reasonable expectations!

Posted by: mrszilla | December 19, 2009 11:58 PM | Report abuse

MINUS in the playoffs :)

I actually don't think line combos were a problem. We won the period statiscally this game. Last game we had a 2-1 lead and had more chances as well.

I'm not sure what the problem is, but don't think line tweeks is the fix. Maybe but to me it seems like they had lots of chances last game, and this game I think they're just showing fatigue, while Edm is fresh

@floms

All these commercials showing Ovi shooting and scoring are a mockery.

@icehammer97: Correct! Shultz is the perfect D-man that we need. He doesn't play with the puck he just gets it up the ice and doesn't try to make a special passes and does exactly what he is supposed to do. Shultz is a no frills guy and he is a quiet defensive member on this team. No he does not smash people but he plays a solid D position

floms- this team has spoiled us. that's why we have such high expectations.

OVI!!

just what the doctor ordered!

That's the way to get the period started. OVIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caps Get One...

@floms

All these commercials showing Ovi shooting and scoring are a mockery.

Posted by: CapsFan75 | December 20, 2009 12:00 AM | Report abuse

SEE... you can say stuff like that because then he scores :)

Looks like life in the third. And Tondi I think defensivly he might be our second best (other then Alzner who hasn't been up for long). Green and Poti are more offensive minded an the others aren't even good enough to stay in the lineup every night.

"Coming into tonights game he was second on the team in +/- and in the top 10 in the league"
yes and Erskine is tied for 4rd on the team in +/- wit +11 so that makes him our 2nd best DF WOW

Posted by: Tondi | December 19, 2009 11:58 PM | Report abuse

do you actually watch the games or just read the stat sheets?

Green and Schultz almost always play against the best forwards of the opposition. only a complete IDIOT would think that Erskine is a better d-man than Schultz

"It looks like he's not even out there."

I happily stand corrected!

Its like he got a shot of something during the break!

same lines...

joek443 I think he was saying he is second behind Shultz

@floms

Well, if our "top line" is -2 or worse on the night, BB will definitely NOT team up the current grouping. A certain person will be sent down to a lower line for next game.

No, I wasn't expecting the Caps to remain #1. And we have MAJOR problems with consistency. And with blowing leads. If we had won even HALF our games where we had the lead, we'd be in first by a ridiculous margin.

There is the first of at least a couple PPs for Edm.

@mrszilla

You mean they haven't fired the third member of the line yet.

Poti seems to have a habit of taking dumb penalties.

Too bad Wilson didn't look the same last game.

Also guys, Sloan hasn't played in a while right? And Laing def doesn't have his legs back yet.

There is the first of at least a couple PPs for Edm.

Posted by: tmac2yao | December 20, 2009 12:06 AM | Report abuse

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Welcome to Canada :) :) :)

@tmac2yao

And it's Mr. Third Period Penalty himself, Tom Poti.

That last penalty was ridiculous. 1 on 2, and we commit a penalty.

OVIE!

ENTER THE OVIE!!!!!!!

HOLLY 5HITTT!!!!!

OVIEEEE SHOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. BANG BANG MAY I HAVE ANOTHER????

That Ovechkin guy is pretty good, aye?

Ovechkin looks fine to me

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!

CRAZY ANGLE!

Uh huh.....just as I suspected. That kid from the Oilers should have never said that about Ovie!!

I'll bb just said to him "Hey, just go be yourself, forget everything else"

Backstrom has had a few giveaways the last couple of games that are atypical for him.

That should give some energy to our team!!! TY OVI!!!

Uh huh....just as I suspected. That kid from the Oilers should have never said that about Ovie!

i figured we would see OV, Backstrom and Semin back tonight. My guess is OV has double digit shots and at least 2 goals. Lets do this!

Posted by: capsfansince74 | December 19, 2009 10:00 PM | Report abuse

Didn't look like a good call earlier but good call on the goals and he has time to do more.

our chance to redeem ourselves on the PP!!!

I'll bb just said to him "Hey, just go be yourself, forget everything else"

Posted by: floms | December 20, 2009 12:10 AM | Report abuse

agreed! he remembered who he is!

WOW! I'm tellin you guys, bb said something like "don't worry about the penalties, just play your game"

So 2 goals and another shot off the post in the span of a few minutes. Pretty sick.

C'mon now - HUGGEEEE 5 on 3. Let's go.

If there was ever a time for the PP to activate....

LAICH CALM DOWN!!

Talk about late night drama.

Our power play is going to kill us.

geez, think the PP is a slump??

Now you can bank on the Oilers getting a PP.

That is disappointing.

well at least they didn't give up a shortie...

On a 5-on-3 you need to get better looks than we got.

Now you can bank on the Oilers getting a PP.

That is disappointing.

Posted by: tmac2yao | December 20, 2009 12:21 AM | Report abuse

I think they got away with a delay of game there when their goalie pushe Clark to take the net off but no way does that get called on them right now but if that was us we would have been in the box.

SCORE!!

at least we are now getting some shots threw!

that was so pretty

FLASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

FLASH FLASH FLASH!!!!

Are we really looking good in the third after playing bad early?

that was textbook, just how you draw up a play, x's and o's baby

Flash with the snipe.

And there is the inevitable Oiler PP. We all saw that coming.

THEY'RE STILL THE CARDIAC CAPS. In the years to come, they'll learn how to play at the top and stay there I believe.

...and a wonderful kill

Nice PK!!

Nice kill. Watch your sticks here on out.

GREAT KILL!!!

backs

Backsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss 4-2. Pour it on.

Nice rally!!!!!

Nicky B, baby!

i want the tape of Bruce's second intermission speach

this team sucks :)

Nice goal!

Wow so I said after the second I wasn't feeling too good about this game BUT there is still 20 mins left. So glad the guys are responding BIG TIME here in the third. This team looks tired?? What? Umm not so much. :) Keep it up. Don't take the foot off the throat.

audible cheers in this building when we score

I really wish they would stop showing guys on the bench during the play.

What a third period! I'm on the CBC.ca chat and everyone there seems not to be surprised by the Oilers' 3rd period meltdown. This is a great character win for the Caps!

this is a lesson we need to remember..... the caps are never done until the horn sounds, you never know!!

Check out the CBC.ca chat when you have a chance: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeynightincanada/idesk/

Damn!!! THANK YOU OVIE!!!!!!!!!!

POST GAME THOUGHTS:
A great comeback. Solid effort by the guys when they needed it deep down in the third period.

Neuvy - he made the big saves to keep the team in it when he needed to. Fantastic job. A huge two points.

Rest up boys and fly home safely.

Time for a couple of days to rest and get back to practice.

Buffalo comes calling on Wednesday.

It's been a two point night.

Ice Breakers Goal Shakers.

Hahaha... Ovechkin nearly made that Oiler eat his words.

A post and two empty net chances.

Who cares, though... great comeback.

Ovechkin took charge.

Alzner and Schultz can take him out to dinner.

Great effort, guys. Caps show their character. I'll admit I was more than a little worried.

Many times, it seems like the Caps play their best when their backs are to the wall.

They finally figured out how to cook the lobster.

@Jonathan6

You and me both -- for not feeling good about the boy's chances earlier.

The breakup of the OBS line can be deferred for at least game. After a wretched start, they were +1 on the night.

Flash seems to be good with Morrison and Knuble. The U of Michigan boys together again.

I wonder if McPhee and Lowe were still chatting during the third period. Can we get a transcript?

@floms

Yes, they are the Cardiac Caps. It's like they need to be the underdog to get motivated.

In 2006-2007, they were 15th in their conference. In 2007-2008, they made an incredible drive to squeeze by Carolina to get first in their division and eek into the playoffs.

@tominfl1
Maybe the discussion that McPhee was having with Steve Tambellini and Kevin Lowe was about the Caps getting Sheldon Souray at the trade deadline?

@tominfl1

Yes, they finally did (cook the lobster, as you say).

@MReilly9

I'm sure that Edmonton is more likely to be a seller than a buyer come trade deadline time.

@CapsFan75 - I hear you brother. What a win. Just gotta keep it going heading into next Wednesday.

Here's to Varly just being able to get healthy again. Good times.

@icehammer97

So what did Bruce say at intermission?

First off, he told the OBS line that if they didn't shape up, they would not be together for the next game.

He also told they boys that they've come back from 2 goal deficits before when things were looking bleak.

@Jonathan6

I agree. Hope Varly gets well soon.

(I'm actually female.)

@tmac2yao

On Alzner and Schultz taking Ovi out to dinner. Maybe some of the other defenders could join them and help with the cost.

Sounds like a great idea.

I noticed that Edmonton has both a Gilbert and an O'Sullivan on their team.

Time to break out the Gilbert and Sullivan musicals. And also time to bring out the Gilbert O'Sullivan songs from the early 70's.

Naturally.

I, for one, missed Laing.His work ethic and defense is noticeable.