So after a lengthy network-connection delay — if only Starbucks ran the Verizon center Wi-Fi — I’m online! Let’s go…
- Nylander
scratched (no surprise there); also Poti a last-minute scratch . . .
apparently Poti skated in practice, then was pulled from the ice before
practice was over. Neuvirth in net; does Theodore have the flu, as
reported, or is it something more? All this intrigue… we’ll know by
3:00 tomorrow, eh? In the meantime, chime in with your thoughts on the Caps’ trade deadline moves.- The Caps have killed a too-many-men penalty, allowing no shots (nor any shots for the first 8 minutes overall.
- Alex Semin missed a wide-open net with a backhander aimed for the roof but it sailed high.
- A disappointingly sedate period for the Caps–a few unconverted chances, but no consistency to the play.
- I
spoke too soon about sedate–the Canes are lining up for a penalty
shot, Eric Staal patrolling the neutral zone like a shark, Neuvirth
calmly waiting for the refs to chat with HQ in Toronto to see if it should be a penalty shot or not… I did not know that was a reviewable call (learn somthin’ new every day!).- Well
after a tedious consultation with Toronto, it is indeed a penalty shot,
and one that beats Neuvirth high glove. No fault of Neuvirth’s… that
was a laser of a shot.- Terrific flurry around the Canes’ net
to end the first, but to no avail. Nobody likes last-minute goals
against… Coach Boudreau will likely tear up his voice by the end of
this intermission exhorting his charges to get their heads into this
game.
During the intermission they play “The Bird Is The Word” during the Scarlet promo… arrgh, now I’ll have the Family Guy episode in my head the rest of the game. *sigh*
More to come, if the network gods permit it…
Second Period
- Neuvirth has looked quick as a cat so far… even to open this period, a Carolina shot goes wide to Neuvirth’s left, and he’s across the crease hugging the right post before you can blink. Encouraging display thus far (knock wood).
- Semin crushed from behind into the dasher (boarding is the call) by Joni Pitkanen, 2 minutes, go to the box, you feel shame.
- Seconds later Cullen breaks down the ice, jukes past Ovechkin on the point, then leaves Green in the dust as he beats Neuvirth. Impressive end-to-end attack by Cullen, pathetic display by the Caps.
- When’s the last time the first two goals in a game were unassisted? Sure, the first was a penalty shot, but still… for that matter, how long has it been since a game’s first two goals were a penalty shot and a short-handed goal?
- OK, another shortie? Someone with lots of time on their hands, find me a game that started with a penalty shot and two shorties. We may be witnessing history… of course, the Caps are not on the good side of this record-setting performance.
- Aaaand the Caps, for fear of possibly giving up another short-handed goal, quickly commit a penalty to even it at 4-on-4. Whew.
Since things are pretty ugly here tonight, an aside: Why do people frantically bang the glass as the play nears their seats? I find it irritating, and I do not understand the appeal. Sure, curse the opponents and/or the refs, shout your support for the team… but standing and banging on the glass? Seems a pointless plea for attention, and pretty annoying to anyone sitting behind you too. Though if you’re a glass-banger (hey, I didn’t mean it like that) feel free to comment, I’d love to know the rationale.
- Hey! An even-strength goal! Of course it wasn’t by the Caps. My friend Todd just texted, asking, “Who stole my Caps and replaced them with this team?” Good question. Another defensive breakdown on this goal, with the rebound bouncing into the low slot and banged home by Chad LaRose (that is NOT a hockey name).
- OK, all the Caps haven’t surrendered is an empty-netter and an “awarded” goal, like when a player closes his hand over the puck in the crease. Oh, and an “own-goal” I suppose.
- The sarcastic cheers rain down as Neuvirth stops a puck that trickles onto the net.
- Ha! And the Caps score with 2.8 seconds left in the second. The comeback is on! But seriously, congrats to Semin, scoring an impressive goal while sliding on his knees — his 100th NHL goal. Too little too late this game, but a sweet goal nonetheless.
Third Period
- Not much to report. Some high energy from the Caps to open the third, but a slide back to lethargy. The D is still scrambling around ineffectively.
- Whoooo. This live report, like the game itself, is petering out. My apologies, but the Capitals are giving us very little to write about tonight… well, very little we want to write about.
- Bing! Fedorov whips a wrister into the net, enlivening the remnants of tonight’s crowd. Of course that energy is stifled seconds later by Mike Green’s penalty.
- OK folks, signing off for the night. Here’s hoping the Washington Capitals show up for Thursday’s game, rather than whoever wore their jerseys tonight.
13 Comments
Caps sound like they have something else on their mind, playing in a daze?
Mailing it in against a crappy team. This is pathetic.
we’ve played like this two games in a row and the glaring similarity… both games were against our own division. anyone else worried about the last dozen games (most of which i think are within the southeast)?
I thought it was against NHL rules to blog a game live if you’re in the pressbox. Of course…you may not be in the pressbox tonight. If you are, I hope you’ve grabbed a couple of beers.
Two consecutive stinkers right before the trade deadline. Will GMGM start feeling the itch on his trigger finger? hmmmmm. Time will tell.
Surprised you hung in as long as you did Mike.
Thinking that we need to put the whole team on waivers and see what we get.
Slumps happen. But this doesn’t seem like a slump. This seems like lazy play. And it’s not just two games in a row. This started a few weeks ago, and had a couple of good game stuck in. It’s a bad habit to get into, especially this time of year.
I don’t think it’s up to the coach at the point, but a player in the locker room needs to be the one chewing people out. (Like a team captain maybe?)
It’s frustrating, moreso than the suck-seasons of yesteryear, because we’ve seen what these guys can do. I get that losses happen. I don’t expect them to win every game. But at least show up and play. Move your feet. Go to the puck.
agreed- this is a team with a ton of talent and GOD KNOWS what has gotten into them. hopefully someone figures out what to say to the team to get them thinking and MOVING
also- anyone feel REALLY bad for semin? dude had a SICK game tonight; the game was essentially the canes vs. semin, he had a sick goal and committed no penalties…i just feel awful for him, because i think tonight was one of his personal best of the season (with the exception of that missed empty netter, of course)
My comment about the idiots trying to break through the glass down in the corner by the State Farm sign was that this was the first time they’d ever sat in the front row at anything, and would probably be the last. As the hot gf said during the game “good for them!”, but at the same time I say “really, guys? Really?” At least it was SOME distraction from the disaster on the ice tonight.
I too was witness to the “glass bangers”. Seriously guys… if you ask me.. it does nothing to the opponent and is probably highly annoying to a goalie trying his best to concentrate on his game. Sorry Neuvy. What is up with that row BTW… if it’s not Cooley sitting there bringing his bad luck…it’s the glass bangers? Who’s next? Don Cherry with a sign promoting the “Canadien way?”
Hah!!! I was at the game last night and a few observations:
1. The Caps of last season who willed their way into the playoffs are not the Caps of this year. The Kings game was a travesty, the Panthers game a debacle and last night was so bad I left early for the 1st time EVER. They have no heart. Semin’s goal was well deserved and it was a hard work goal but WTF. Everyone else looked like they were taking the night off.
2. This being said. The Caps are not going to go far in the playoffs unless McPhee gets us 2 things: a energy sandpaper guy (Chris Neil) and a goalie (maybe). We have perhaps the most talent in the league, but when it comes to desire, desire always beats talent and the Caps desire wavers.
3. Why we need Neil. When Pitkanen ran Semin no one went after him really. And the next 2 shifts I was looking for Brash or Bradley to dust up with Ruttuu or Gleason, or better yet, run Staal. Other teams are taking liberty with our skill guys and we do nothing about it. Hate to sound like Don Cherry here, but this is a MUST HAVE to win in the playoffs.
4. Don’t blame Neuvirth…he got hung out to dry last night. But is “I give up bad goals” Theodore and anyone really going to get us to the Cup? Doubt it. Theo needs to be pushed by a threat to his #1 status….look at his numbers when Johnson was pushing him.
5. They looked like they had no pride out there last night. Jaded and skating around like a bunch of prima donnas. Even the Caps teams of the SE cellar played with pride and heart. I’m predicting that if the Caps don’t add some serious sandpaper/character…Avery-Neil-Ott-Moen level…we will get to the 2nd round at best.
Oh yeah the real reason I wrote in?….I was wondering about the idiots pounding on the glass too last night.
Ok one more thing….
This is exactly what should happen when someone runs Semin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kroZk2KeuY
Spezza!! The 7 million a year skill guy goes after Phaneuf.
Caps need to stick up for their teammates.
Post a Comment