Comments on: Two Steps Forward, One-and-a-Half Back

By: b.orr4

b.orr4 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:24:27 +0000

I figured we’d come out of the weekend games with two points. We just got them in reverse order. This is the week that could make or break the season. If the Caps can come out of the next four games with four points, they’ll be in decent shape. If they get five or more, even better. You know what it’ll mean if they lose three or four.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:00:26 +0000

Although I hate losing no matter what, a loss like Saturday night’s is easier to take when it’s a bunch of youngsters making mistakes rather than a bunch of underachieving 30 somethings like we had back in 02-03. I remember plenty of annoying losses last year and we could do is scratch our heads and go, huh??

By: Mark Tucker

Mark Tucker — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:50:15 +0000

I was listening to the recent NHL Live podcast of Bryan Trottier talking about the Islanders dynasty from the early 80s.
He talked about a collection of young talented kids in the late 70s learning some hard lessons through tough losses (playoffs, mind you), which eventually helped them win later. He said it’s the losses that teach you how to win. That really resounded to me as I watch this young, talent-laden team. Part of me was left wondering if it’s actually better for this team to miss the playoffs this year so they realize they can’t take days off if they want to win.

By: OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki)

OrderedChaos (Mike Rucki) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:54:45 +0000

This game reminded me of the Russia-Finland game in Moscow last year. Russia seemed to clearly be the more talented team, and their players were flying all over the ice. But a mentality arose where it seemed each player wanted to be the hero. As Pucks mentioned, that’s not a bad motivation, but hockey’s nature is one that often punishes those who seek to carry a team alone.
The best Caps games are when all those on the ice play important roles (e.g., Brooks’ 4-point night against Minnesota) and as a team. Hopefully they’ll return to the team-first mantra on Monday.

By: Chris Green

Chris Green — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:51:30 +0000

Caps defense Facts:
164 NHL Games of experience or less
John Erskine, Steve Eminger, Mike Green, Jeff Schultz
246 games or less
Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrison
while, Pothier has about 4 years experience, he has missed over 20 games, due to injury. Tom Poti, the actual veteran at 9 years.
The Washington Capitals have scored 1 goal Five on Three this year. Have they scored more than one short handed goal? One player accounts for 25% of their offense. Hardly a consistent team.
Two players, Kozlov & Brashear are the only veterans that have consistently played for our team.
Oh, BTW the goalie that has gone 11-6-3 in the past twenty games is the reason why the Capitals are losing, certainly not rookie squad in front of him, that does get him a lot of practice fending off odd man rushes…
Huet is a great goalie, I hope BB makes the best of this and sheperds this team deep into the playoffs… I hope that the Capitals Fans will give him the respect he deserves, for sticking by a cellar dweller of a three year stats killer, rebuilding team.

By: Lorne

Lorne — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:32:03 +0000

It really isn’t fair to compare most defenses with the NJD. Even in his prime Kolzig wasn’t great at controlling rebounds. At the twilight, that fact is illuminated. Statistically I would doubt he faces more odd man rushes than other goaltenders. Having played the position, save percentage is a big indication.
While I respect the past, what is important is the present.
It seemed to be implied on my blog that I was not a Caps fan because I don’t think Kolzig should be the goalie anymore. Thats bull hockey. We go to every home game and cheer or throats out. Even for Olie. When its time its time.
As an aside, while I welcome people to visit our site. Please don’t turn it into a flamefest. I write that page for the enjoyment of my son and I mostly. Play nice.

By: dmg

dmg — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:10:45 +0000

I agree with regards to some Capitals fans. While I think the writing is on the wall with regards to Kolzig’s future (he’s a capable backup but his body doesn’t seem to be up for being a number one) and that the franchise needs to see this and play who they think gives them the best chances to win, there are some fans whose reactions I find abhorrent. It’s not as if Olie is playing below his standard on purpose or anything and it’s not fair to fault him for being human and getting older.
Fans who want Olie in net just because of his previous contributions don’t make sense to me because as a fan I want whoever is going to make it most likely the team will win (provided they’re not a felon or something), but that doesn’t mean we have to just kick Kolzig to the curb and ignore what he’s done.

By: Chris Green

Chris Green — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:49:19 +0000

“He is slow and routinely out of position on easy goals”
Oh, Please. I guess that is why Olie is 11-6-3 in the last twenty?
I am not saying that Huet’s arrival is a bad thing, but this Olie bashing is poo…
further here if you’d like more than a paragraph of argument.
http://www.spankthatdonkey.com/spankthatdonkey2/2008/3/2/ungrateful-capitals-fans.html
Now as for the Capitals Defense, compare it to NJD who have 5 D with four or more years NHL season long experience, with four having 6 or better.
Yet we scorch them for four goals in front of Huet, and Toronto, a team not exactly known for it’s goal scoring comes from behind to beat us 3-2 in a back to back game for them?
The difference, Veterans…
Olie should have asked to be traded in 2003-2004, instead of staying loyal to the celler dweller Caps, and their oh, so, loyal fans.

By: Meza

Meza — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:33:51 +0000

Kolzig has not been great in most of his games this year. He is slow and routinely out of position on easy goals. We got Huet for a reason, and we need to ride him to a playoff spot. I would even say rotate Johnny and Olie for the back up slot.

By: dmg

dmg — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:16:05 +0000

“You nailed it with this post. Take Poti, Pothier out of the equation, and the rest of the D still smells of Hershey Bears jerseys?¢‚Ç¨¬¶”
Green, Morrison and Schultz are all good enough to be in the NHL, no question. Maybe not Norris candidates, but far better than AHL quality.
On the one hand Kolzig probably isn’t the worst goalie in the NHL, but the fact that is dead last in save percentage means that he isn’t very good especially given that Johnson, a backup caliber goalie, has better numbers. It’s hard to claim a guy who leads the league in PIMs isn’t an aggressive player, it’s hard to claim a player who has the lowest per-minute point production is a good offensive player, it’s hard to claim that the player with the worst +/- in the league is a good defender and it’s hard to claim that the goalie with the worst save percentage isn’t below average.
Olie is fine at this point as a backup and he’s played well when he gets enough rest. But he really shouldn’t be challenging the guy with the highest post-lockout save percentage for the starting role. And truthfully, I don’t think he is.