Tonight's lineup: Caps at Thrashers

first! go caps!!

Our first line is strong, after that I dont think we are going to intimidate anyone with those scoring lines.

pkendrick

This is my hope as well that we "step up tonight."

Wonder how Varly will do. (He will be on goal, right?) Two Russian goalies. Well, playing against Nabokov motivated him.

Posted by: caraveli | October 22, 2009 6:28 PM | Report abuse

http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?id=49357

Arthyukin got 3 games for this. Its insane when you think about how often players do this to each other during a game without even getting a penalty. Technically its a slewfoot but in context 3 games is insane. And the slewfoot carried Niskanen into the boards with his shoulder, it wasn't your classic cheapshot slewfoot where the back of a player's head hits the ice.

No Semin?
No Problem!

We dont need all of our young guns to win!

Ok FEHR, here is ANOTHER chance to shine, so...W....T....F!?!?

I think that 3rd line might sneak up on somebody!

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

Hope things work out with Fehr on the second line. (I might have put him with Backstrom instead of Morrison since the combination of Backstrom/Fehr has worked well in the past.)

Sorry to see no Semin. Almost think his coming to practice on Tuesday was a mistake. (Probably relapsed unless he got injured at practice, which makes it seem like even more of a mistake.)

I posted this before, but does Chris Clark add anything to this team? He is a great team guy, but his play has dropped. He looks slow, he can't handle passes, and he can't finish. Is he getting an e-z pass because he is captain? I would rather see someone else in the line up then him. Not that I have anything against him, I just think someone else could do a lot more than he has done.

FEHR!!!

fehr................

HOLY FEHR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice pass!!!

So whom ever was questioning Fehr, I think he just answered.

dang was that Jeff Shultz or Larry Murphy making that breakway pass??

...ON A PASS FROM SCHULTZ NO LESS!!!!!!!!!

Our first line is strong, after that I dont think we are going to intimidate anyone with those scoring lines.

Posted by: capfanforsure | October 22, 2009 6:29 PM | Report abuse

perhaps they should be...especially with 55 doing his Larry Murphy impression..

now clark has to get us back on top so people will leave him alone too...

that was kind of weak - hope it doesn't rattle varly

what the heck was Laing doing??

So whom ever was questioning Fehr, I think he just answered.

Posted by: mrszilla | October 22, 2009 7:13 PM | Report abuse

The night is young, and the score is tied, one breakaway finish does not make a career....Mrs. Z

When I think Fehr....I think GETZLAF!!!

...then I gag

So whom ever was questioning Fehr, I think he just answered.

Posted by: mrszilla | October 22, 2009 7:13 PM | Report abuse

The night is young, and the score is tied, one breakaway finish does not make a career....Mrs. Z

When I think Fehr....I think GETZLAF!!!

...then I gag
Posted by: wtf_e_fehr | October 22, 2009 7:18 PM | Report abuse

I just find it really amusing when people rag on a player and then about 10 mins later that player scores. Clearly a terrible player. It's funny/really annoying how everyone on this board hates someone and complains about them regardless of their play...

gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

...see...sneaky

and now the hershey line scores

...ITS FIREWAGON HOCKEY!!!!!!!

I dont want to get into a pissing match wtf_e_fehr... thats not all directed to you, but a ton of people in here who hate on

varly
jose
semin
backs
fehr
clark
juice
.... i could go on but honestly id have to list the entire team!

Who needs Ovie when you have Fehr and Giroux?

a 19-year old rookie on the PK for Atlanta, that's impressive

What happened? I saw that Knuble scored a goal to make it 3-1, but then no. I have to watch the scoreboard online, it kills me.

he kicked it in

What happened? I saw that Knuble scored a goal to make it 3-1, but then no. I have to watch the scoreboard online, it kills me.

Posted by: JIMALLCAPS | October 22, 2009 7:33 PM | Report abuse

Refs waved off the goal, said Knuble kicked the puck in. Am listening online so I dont know if that call was legit...

I dont want to get into a pissing match wtf_e_fehr... thats not all directed to you, but a ton of people in here who hate on

varly
jose
semin
backs
fehr
clark
juice
.... i could go on but honestly id have to list the entire team!

Ahem....I dont do pissing matches MRS. z

I think you can tell by my moniker how I feel about Fehr.

BTW is it just my TV or is there something wrong with the CSN broadcast tonight?

Anyone watching who can say if the call was legit? Please objectively

@mrszilla

Totally agree. Where are all the Schultz bashers...that pass was a keeper ala Nicky or Greenie.

well there was definitely a kicking motion so I'd have to say it was a legit call.

i'd say it was pretty legit, can't say for sure whether it was intentional, but Knuble's leg was very obviously moving towards the goal when the puck bounced off it

Come on Acouin

Great, can't hold a lead. This team is going nowhere if they cannot learn to hold onto a lead

Very happy for Giroux. Way to finish it, killer.

One shot on goal against Atlanta during a pp. What the heck. These guys just don't seem to have an urgency to win.

I missed the first three scores, but I did get to see the embarrassment of the last goal. My question is how did the Caps even score? They seem to be sleep 'skating' out there. I hope they wake up in the next two periods and at least get 40 min of solid effort.

The D has been making mistakes.

The boys will need to step it up the last two periods. Otherwise, the Thrashers take over 1st place tonight. (Don't know how long the Thrashers will remain hot but.....)

The score by Fehr from Schultz was perfect, though, I just saw the replay... great one by Giroux, too - more of that from everyone else would be nice. Seems that Caps need to win some draws.

Hello All!
Yeah, same 'ol same 'ol. We should have shaken off the no-goal and kept on pushin' but here we are. This a problem that sits with BB and no one else. He's got to convey urgency to keep up the pressure.
I don't even know why I keep having to say it.

What just happened?? my feed cut out!!

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

55!!!!

A fight and he's got a gordie trick!!!

Varly to Schultz on the G...ink it down for the books

That my friends was ANOTHER gift... let's see what they do with it.

its that a 3 point night for 55????!!!!!!

This a problem that sits with BB and no one else. He's got to convey urgency to keep up the pressure.
I don't even know why I keep having to say it.

Posted by: BernieWolfeFan | October 22, 2009 8:17 PM | Report abuse

you can only do that a few times a year, can't do that every other game or they will just tune you out. that's why the Mike Keenans of the world can't stay long in one place.

ok, now Clark has one, I think I must be dreaming

What were people saying about the bottom 3 lines??? Man... we should dog on everyone now because posts ragging on players here are apparently helping!!!!!

is that the same Johan Hedberg what beat the Caps in the playoffs when he was with the Pens?

fehr, giroux, Shultz, Bradley and Clark....... Wow

fehr, giroux, Shultz, Bradley and Clark....... Wow

Posted by: doncosmic | October 22, 2009 8:27 PM | Report abuse

Dont forget that all of those players are still useless ;)

Everyone go put those wishbones and rabbit's feet away right now. Don't waste that all in one night. What is going on tonight? Good lord...

still no Semin = no PP probably

It's our schizophrenic team, if one thing is going really well, someone else is quiet or not pulling the weight. But, I'll definitely take these goals! Some aggression and a gift!

Wow talent + system + scoring from bottom lines = big win. Now killer instinct time. So happy that the Caps are getting it on.

@mrszilla

Nice...last time I checked 22-23 make a team.

OK Killer Instinct time

@mrszilla

Nice...last time I checked 22-23 make a team.

Posted by: ralCapsFan | October 22, 2009 8:40 PM | Report abuse

I was joking... are you not?

@mrszilla

Being sarcastic ofcourse following your earliar comment for those who didnt see :)

OH NO Schultz has three points tonight...He's going to get a BIG TIME offer sheet in the off season and we'll NEVER be able to afford him. OH NO, maybe we really shouldn't sign Semin to a long term deal. OH NO, what will we do with out our scapegoat?? OH NO too much secondary scoring tonight. Makes my head hurt when OV doesnt score. OH NO....

Gotta love it....schultz on fire!

ralcapsfan- sweet... just making sure we are all on the same page!

Holly B-Geezzz!
I just went to make a beer run and Quoi???

Yeah boys!!!

This is what happens when you move Nylander away from town. Good bounces return. It's a sign...the curse is going to be lifted.

SCHULTZ rules tonight. Who would have thought that he could get 3 points in 2 periods? But that's because there so many Schultz bashers here that after a while we get brainwashed into thinking the guy is practically catatonic--barely able to stand up, let alone skate.

Btw, did everyone see 55 fall down after his slapshot assist on brads goal? Classic 55

This last period was more like it. If they keep going on like this, are certain people going to be Wally Pipp'ed out of the lineup?

Seriously, Giroux and Aucoin are a great combination together. The French line. Fehr and Clark are probably better off not on the same line, even though Fehr had looked good vs Nashville, even with no scoring.

Did any one think that Schultz would be the first D-man to score after Green?

Unleash the Schultz! Ok, sorry, I just thought it would be a good change of pace from the usual "Schultz sucks" blather on this blog.

Bradley has caught up to Laich in the goal scoring department. He's three behind Semin now.

@mrszilla

Yup, on same page for sure (am always hesitant to be sarcastic as it can quickly be mis interpreted) esp. with a writer like me :)

Did anyone else just here them mention "the late Dan Snyder" and feel great, then feel guilty when you realized they were talking about someone in Canada?

What a great period. I've been waiting for our secondary scoring to step up. Glad that Varly got his assist.

@mrszilla

You're so hot right now

For those who aren't watching the game here's a quick, crappy vid I just made of the fluke of the century that Schultz scored.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHwtITtoApo

Yikes . . . another soft goal given up by Varly.

$#!t...
Why does Varly insist on reminding us he's still a psuedo-rook.

wtf-

yea.. pretty sure people are agreeing with me about the amount of complaining in here about players... so yea, i guess youre right!

This could get too interesting if Atlanta converts on this pp . . .

For those who aren't watching the game here's a quick, crappy vid I just made of the fluke of the century that Schultz scored.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHwtITtoApo

Posted by: ranndino | October 22, 2009 9:07 PM | Report abuse

Thanks! Have been dying to see it so at least i have an idea of how the hell that happened!

Come on and kill them already

SO CLOSE?!!?!! Stecks!

"Hi, I'm Bruce Boudreau, BIG TIME HOCKEY COACH"....HILARIOUS

I love how this guy takes himself so seriously!

C'mon, guys, lets put this baby away!

55 needs to be inonthis 5-3

Its really good that Schultz has 3 pts tonight. But does one game make a player? Or erase his history? I don't judge Schultz solely on his falling down v Dubinsky in last yr's playoff game and I don't think that him getting 3 pts against Atlanta suddenly turns him into the all-star player or vindicates all the Schultz supporters. I'm glad he scored and I hope this gives him more confidence in his game and he plays it hard on both ends. But lets not anoint him to superstar status until he shows this kind of play over a stretch of games :)

Hey, didn't someone have ask for an interesting game?

55!!!!

A fight and he's got a gordie trick!!!

Posted by: dcsportsfan1 | October 22, 2009 8:21 PM | Report abuse

now THAT would be a treat

He's got a schultz trick

fluke goal
2 assists
late untimely penalty

ugh. so many penalties.

trade ov.

There is no way it should be this interesting...
BB needs to start coaching!!!

Thanks Atlanta... you gave us this one....

He's got a schultz trick

fluke goal
2 assists
late untimely penalty

Posted by: dcsportsfan1 | October 22, 2009 9:39 PM | Report abuse

line of the night

We do need to learn how to finish a bit better me thinks.

Very sloppy, not good third period. We REALLY need to learn to play better with a lead, even a three goal lead. It's scary the way we play when we have a lead. This must be fixed...

Varly is NOT impressing me at all.

goes to prove even with Semin and Flash outta the lineup this team can score goals. Granted its against the Thrash but.. We just need to stiffen up the D

What a relief that they won!

1) The power play is the powerless play.

2) Way to play undisciplined at the end

3) And to all the people talking about the night, Schultz did NOT get a late untimely penalty.

Jeff Schultz was our best player on the team tonight! Wow, I never thought I'd ever say that!!

this team has shown that tendency, to play it too loose with a lead. Against Atl they can hold on. Go into the playoffs with that same mentality and it'll screw ya

Wow, I'm happy for 55 but he's a terrible interview.

Schultzie lookin nervous in the postgame interview.

THATS WHAT U GET FOR SCORIN' 3 PTS!!! LOL

Schultzy!!! The best player tonight!

@cstanton1

What D?

Time to put a new cast of characters on the power play.

For starters, no one and I mean no one, should be out there the entire 2 minutes. 1:20 and done. People lose their effectiveness after a point.

LOL, Rachel! We all know you want to see Neuvy in net! But seriously, I do think Neuvy will turn out to be a better goalie in the long run. Maybe I'm biased after watching his success here in Hershey.

I'm betting Schultz is an introvert. His last year roommate remarked that he's quiet guy.

POSTGAME THOUGHTS:
Jeff Schultz - not a fan of his nor will I ever be. I've dogged him but tonight I give him credit. He made some plays and got a lucky bounce.

I missed the last 10 minutes of the game because my cable went out (I hate you Comcast). Sounds like the team went loosey goosey and took too many penalties late. Not happening. They were fortunate.

Brendan Morrison - had an awful game tonight. Couldn't get passes through or win faceoffs. One to forget for B-Mo tonight.

Bottomline: It wasn't pretty but hey it's two points. I'm not sure how much longer this team needs to realize the defense is still an issue?

On to Long Island....Ice Breakers Goal Shakers.

@dcsportsfan

Yeah, you could see he was really nervous.

On sep. note, he lays the lumber (bravo) and gets cross checking in that last min...the ATL dude went down pretty easy.

Power Play Percentage tonight: 0.00%

Goals against: 1

Pathetic.

Any recommendations on who Boudreau should put on the PP unit?

@cstanton1

Yes, the Caps don't play well with a lead. (They used to play better with a lead -- until some point last year.)

I hope they (the Caps) get it in gear at some point.

Bad as the Caps looked in Period 3, Atlanta looks like a better team than they were last year.

Pardon my lack of confidence but I think that if the Thrashers had tied it up, they would have won it in OT.

Thank God, they didn't tie it up. Atlanta had some great scoring opportunities at the end.

Steckel had a great shot that missed. He's been shooting in bad luck this year.

ALAN MAY IS BANANAS!

He doesnt take the company line. He doesnt care what u think, he is going to tell it how it is.

Folks can consider Schultzie's performance flukie (OK, the goal was flukie), but Sarge has been passing very accurately and crisply so far this season. The guy lacks mobility, and it would be nice to see some checks, but he has played rather responsibly this year.

@Sonyask

Agreed with the former obviously (i.e. fluke goal) but think he has been much more physical this year (see the lumber on the back in the last couple minutes and multiple checks tonight (and others)). Is he Scott Stevens? Ofcourse not but he has picked up his game IMO.

@Sonyask

Agreed with the former obviously (i.e. fluke goal) but think he has been much more physical this year (see the lumber on the back in the last couple minutes and multiple checks tonight (and others)). Is he Scott Stevens? Ofcourse not but he has picked up his game IMO.

opps....sorry for the 2x post (pc freeze)

@Jonathan6

You would have probably had a heart attack if you had watched the last 10 minutes.

Bottomline: It wasn't pretty but hey it's two points. I'm not sure how much longer this team needs to realize the defense is still an issue?

On to Long Island....Ice Breakers Goal Shakers.

Posted by: Jonathan6 | October 22, 2009 9:48 PM | Report abuse

well I'm one who believes that this team is still at least one solid d-man short but I don't think they played that badly on defense tonight. Guys like Kovalchuk will get his chances most nights.

it isn't always about the caps and what they do or don't do.. sometimes you just gotta give the other side credit. the caps should have put the game away on the PPs after they got the big lead but they couldn't.

@CapsFan75: Haha phew then maybe I'm glad I didn't watch it. Well a win is a win but yes they need to clean it up defensively. You really have think about the personnel you have in there. Not sure why all the scrambling around it sounds like but then again they didn't help themselves getting 3 penalties called in the final 3 minutes of the game.

The last couple minutes were hectic with too many penalties...but the rest of the period we were out-shooting them 13-3. They just had the one shortie that Varly should have stopped and the mad rush of PP time late.

Full moon was out tonight or something...obviously we had the weirdest goal but there was funny bounces both ways all night. Need to learn to stop taking penalties though.

Did it seem to anyone else that besides the goal Giroux scored the "AHL" line really got dominated in terms of possession and getting the puck out of our zone? Conversely it was the BMo, Laich, and Fehr line that actually had some strong shifts in that 3rd period.

For all the Schultz hate I thought he played well tonight, not even counting the goal. That pass to spring Fehr on his goal was perfect. Varly just didn't look ready on their 3rd goal, like not getting any work yet in the period caused him to be flat-footed. We need better from him.

@joek443: Well said and great points. Atlanta fought hard as well. They did give the Caps fits all game. It was a hard fought Southeast Division matchup. It was entertaining.

@cstanton1

What D?

Time to put a new cast of characters on the power play.

For starters, no one and I mean no one, should be out there the entire 2 minutes. 1:20 and done. People lose their effectiveness after a point.

Posted by: CapsFan75 | October 22, 2009 9:46 PM | Report abuse

Well hopefully by the 20th game of the season Bruce has figured out the best 6 defensemen to go with. At this point I'm willing to cut Poti/Pothier loose, put Erskine back in when healthy and give Sloan an extended look to see if he'll improve. And hopefully bring Carlson up at some point and rotate him into the lineup. Glad to see Giroux show a little chemistry with Aucoin at this level.

Did it seem to anyone else that besides the goal Giroux scored the "AHL" line really got dominated in terms of possession and getting the puck out of our zone? Conversely it was the BMo, Laich, and Fehr line that actually had some strong shifts in that 3rd period.
-----------------------

I don't know about Morrison but Laich and Fehr were strong on the boards tonight. Fehr knows he's got limited time before Flash gets his shot and Bruce seems pretty married to Flash.

@joek443

Unfortunately, the Caps power play is the powerless play. Or are Atlanta's PK'ers just that good?

The Caps should be made to study how Atlanta does PK.

Strategy to score against the Caps. Take a penalty. Go short handed and then score. (I'm sure that's Philthy's strategy.)

@cstanton1

Because of age, I figure Poti is one of the logical D-men to go. Plus, I'm not sure he's been all that effective. He keeps getting injured.

Was glad to see Aucoin and Giroux have chemistry together tonight. (Good job for our AHL Frenchmen.)

Should have been 6 (or 7)-2 not 5-4, when is this team gonna get some killer instinct? I'm not getting my hopes up too much until they show they can put teams away once they've got them down.

I wasn't able to watch the game, did any of out top forwards score tonight?

Surprised no one mentioned Pothier's nice open ice hit on a Thrasher. Backstrom got caught behind Thorburn on that play and looked weak doing it.

Schultz w/the nice tape to tape pass to Fehr and still braces himself for the hit. Nice finish by Fehr.

Aucoin with a great pickpocket and kudos to Clark for taking out a Thrasher and then going right to the crease.

Then Aucoin with a risky clear right up the middle gets picked off and Kovalchuk scores.

#55 then with a phenomenal picture perfect end to end rush thru all 5 Thrashers deking and weaving and finally going 5 hole. I see him getting 50 of those this yr

Bradley absorbs a big hit from Popovic (methinks if that was Semin he'd already be in the OR) and then Steckel with a great play to set up the Brads goal. Schultz gets the primary assist but Steckel made that entire play happen.

Aucoin then with the faceoff win back to Green who misses the net but Clark jumps on the rebound. Cheap assist for Green but the 2nd goal of the night for Aucoin's line.

Bogosian then takes advantage of an extra long shift by our top line (kudos to Caps75 for pointing that out) results in Knuble dogging it on the backcheck and a weak goal given up by you know who.

Laich gets blistered by a big Kubina hit and Fehr almost scores again

Finally, since no one on our defense is able to even begin to move Antropov out of the crease, Atl scores their final goal. Pathetic effort in front by I think Green and Poti. If you're gonna give up a goal like that at least make it look good.

@ CapsFan75

don't know if the PK of atlanta is that good but they were ranked 4th before the start of the game and their PP was clicking at 30 percent so their special teams are smoking so far this season.

I was also impressed with their rookie Evander Kane... any time you see a 19-year old rookie on the PK, you know he's gonna be something special.

@FloridaCapsFan

Answer to your question.

1) Knuble initially looked like he had a goal but it was taken away since he had kicked in the puck.

2) If you count Fehr as a top forward (since he was on the 2nd line), he scored.

3) No goals by Ovi, Backstrom, B. Morrison, Knuble, or Laich.

Yes, when will this team get a killer instinct? I fear how they'll do in this year's playoffs.

Should have been 6 (or 7)-2 not 5-4, when is this team gonna get some killer instinct? I'm not getting my hopes up too much until they show they can put teams away once they've got them down.

I wasn't able to watch the game, did any of out top forwards score tonight?

Posted by: FloridaCapsFan | October 22, 2009 10:44 PM | Report abuse

honestly, I don't see it happening without some kind of intervention. Either via personnel (trade) or we get really embarrassed repeatedly by giving up lead after lead and the Caps finally "get" it. I don't think they get it, they say they do but their actions speak otherwise. They play down to another team's level and they have displayed very little killer instinct over the past few yrs. Something is not happening on that bench or in the locker room between periods, and that points to coaching.

Evander is legit. He can skate, he has skill, and he's aggressive. North-south player. I'd sure like to see us draft some forwards who play like him. Guys with 3rd line grit but scoring line talent.

I like Dave Steckel and he's good at his role but I'd like to see him become a little more physical and tougher defensive forward... more of a Joel Otto type.

@cstanton1

Who would you like to see coach the Caps? Just out of curiosity.

(Bylsma will probably not be available for a good long time.) Or will Babcock be ready for a "new challenge" when the current group of Red Wings gets too old?

I'm guessing Mike Keenan... LOL

@joek443

Just what we need. LOL.

Oh, are you ready to bench a few guys for next game?

Who should we use in the power play for our next game?

We need a new approach.

no, I'm not in favor of benching anyone this early in the season.

unlike some people on here I don't know enough about hockey to knitpick every move that a coach makes during the season.

however I do wanna see more players moving around in the zone during the PP, I think they're too stationary when moving the puck around.

@CapsFan75 - How about Semin?

He wasn't here; the Power Play suffered as a result. Bottom line.

THIS is why I am glad Boudreau plays shuffle-the-lines frequently, so that when a key player is out for whatever reason, the others can still pick up the slack.

On a related note (in another sport), the Angels live to fight another day.

First, the Angels opened up a 4-0 lead. The Yankees came back and took a 6-4 lead. Angels then got 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th and held on to win. The Yanks had the bases loaded and 2 outs in the 9th.

Speaking of heart attack teams, the Angels are another one. (Yes, I'm rooting for the Angels in this series.) I will confess, the Angels have probably been the only team I ever really rooted for that was not from an area I lived. It was back in the 70's. They had a young pitcher who was born the day after me, wore #40 and was also a Slav (he wasn't Russian but his last name has been known to occur in Russia).

@irockthered

No kidding! As Spock once said about a certain other Russian, we can say to Semin, "Your absence was keenly felt."

For all the bashing of Semin and Green that goes on here, I can say a few words about what happens to the Caps when they are out. Remember the San Jose Sharks game of last November.

@joek443

I was kidding about benching guys. Of course, if we benched every guy who took a bad penalty, made a bad turnover, or made some other mistake, we wouldn't have enough guys to dress. (That comment does not only apply to the Caps.)

A lot of posters at Japers' (and bloggers) have noticed that Backstrom was having an off day. (He seemed kind of off on Saturday, too.)

They've also noticed Ovi was "off" today. (Could he have a milder dose of whatever it is that's ailing Semin?)

@CapsFan75 - Bite. Your. Tongue! Yikes! I do not want to even CONSIDER the possibility of whatever's ailing Semin running rampant through the locker room.

*shudder*

Yes, both Backstrom and Ovechkin looked off today. Not sure why. Ovechkin barely led the team in shots on goal, with a whopping four. That's WAY low for Ovi.

So it is a possibility... but I hope it isn't the case, and all three guys shake whatever "it" is quickly.

On the bright side, the other guys picked up the slack, in a big way.

Side note: I TOLD Y'ALL WE NEEDED TO PLAY GIROUX AND AUCOIN TOGETHER! WOOT! VINDICATED!

*ahem* enough shouting; I'm goin' t'bed. Nitey-nite all! :-)

@irockthered

Yes, I'd hate to see the flu running rampant in the locker room. I'm quoting other peoples' speculation on the health of Ovi (for that being the reason he's not playing right). I'm just the messenger.

Yes, Giroux and Aucoin (our two Frenchmen from Hershey) are great together.