Capitals vs. Hurricanes Game Thread

[Jofizz]

Brilliant win in Boston, followed by utter disappointment against Florida.

Time it get it back on track, Caps!

[PokerPacker]

Kozlov in, Kronwall in, Theodore in.

[SkinsHokieFan]

I will be in section 102 tonight :)

[InsaneBoost]

Yes sir.

It would make a nice birthday present to Semin and I.

[Lloyds' Mongolian Beef]

Kozlov in, Kronwall in, Theodore in.Kronwall scares me. He's a poor man's Green. Hopefully he has used practice time to develop a chemistry with the players. Kozlov is huge. The x factor. Theodore shouldn't have started back to back games. I put that on Bruce. He needs to get into the game early. Short sentences are awkward.

[skinstzar]

This is a very hungry, well coached division rival coming to our barn tonight. If we are going to hit a lull now is not the time to do it. This team will be tough and run us off what passes for an ice surface at VC if we allow it. I want to see a full three periods.

On a side note as pre game fodder, anyone look at the standings lately? Caps v Pens is a real possibility in round one of the playoffs.

[skinsfan_1215]

On a side note as pre game fodder, anyone look at the standings lately? Caps v Pens is a real possibility in round one of the playoffs.

Good. Caps OWN the Penguins.

[Jofizz]

If we play the Pens in the first round, we shouldn't have much trouble. It's Philly that I'm worried about..

[MonkFan8]

Kozlov in, Kronwall in, Theodore in.

Late change is Theo out with the flu and Neuvirth is in.

[HEavyJumbo85]

If we play the Pens in the first round, we shouldn't have much trouble. It's Philly that I'm worried about..

The Pens are dangerous because of the officiating advantage they could have. I know I know, conspiracy theory this conspiracy theory that, but I just really doubt that Bettman would let his savior get bounced quickly and easily in the 1st round. Not to mention the long Caps Pens history. They've crushed our hopes as gruesomely as possible in the playoffs in years past, and while I think that the tide is turning there, you just can't rule out another heartbreaker. Things don't usually go our way against Pittsburgh.

[DButz65]

Damn i got busy today for once and didnt get this thread up :)>


c a p s CAPS! CAPS! CAPS!

[DButz65]

Gaaaame on! (in a few mins)

[PokerPacker]

Kronwall scares me. He's a poor man's Green. Hopefully he has used practice time to develop a chemistry with the players. Kozlov is huge. The x factor. Theodore shouldn't have started back to back games. I put that on Bruce. He needs to get into the game early. Short sentences are awkward.

I think BB put Neuvirth in the game before the back to back games so he'd be rested so he could play both games. I guess he thought they were both big games and didn't want to risk it on a rookie.

[mbqbfan]

Late change is Theo out with the flu and Neuvirth is in.


SO maybe that's why "Joe Ted" (got that from CSN) let FL score all those goal cuz he wasn't feeling well. Let's go Neuvy & CAPS.

[Bzapf]

Tom Poti gonna be traded?

Poti pulled from warmups
Tom Poti came out for warmups, but when I looked up a few moments later, the veteran defenseman had been pulled from the ice. I don't want to speculate here, but it certainly is curious considering tomorrow is the NHL trade deadline.

I'll update when I know more.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/

[Slacky McSlackAss]

Dont trade Poti...trade that dumbass Schultz.

While youre at it McPhee, bring Alzner back up from the minors.

[PokerPacker]

This you're first trip to the hockey forum, Zapf?

I gotta say, I'd be pretty surprised to see poti traded away as he's one of our better defenseman. but it is suspicious the way he was just pulled out of practice.

[Slacky McSlackAss]

This you're first trip to the hockey forum, Zapf?

I gotta say, I'd be pretty surprised to see poti traded away as he's one of our better defenseman. but it is suspicious the way he was just pulled out of practice.

Im hoping he jsut caught the same flu bug that Theodore had. But that seems like a stretch.

[Bzapf]

Nah I've been in her a few times. Is it possible he will be sent to the Coyotes for those 2 D-men the have been shopping?

[PokerPacker]

whew, good play by neuvirth on the 2-on-1

[PokerPacker]

Nah I've been in her a few times. Is it possible he will be sent to the Coyotes for those 2 D-men the have been shopping?

that would be my bet. They probably have to hedge for the defenseman they're losing.

[Jofizz]

Neuvirth continues to grow on me. :Knock on wood:

[ACW]

Neuvirth continues to grow on me. :Knock on wood::stop: TMI
And I think you want :fingersx:
Staal copying Ovie's jump into the glass after scoring thing :mad:

[mbqbfan]

:stop: TMI
And I think you want :fingersx:
Staal copying Ovie's jump into the glass after scoring thing :mad:

Yeah I saw that...boo!

[Jofizz]

Semin missed a gimme early on, still a very winnable game.

[PokerPacker]

what a cheap hit!

[mbqbfan]

Ouch...Semin got crunched against the board

[DButz65]

Blow me, &^%^%$#

[DButz65]

God our power plays have looked horrible the past few games

[mbqbfan]

This is going to be a long night...what's up w/the Caps this time??

[DButz65]

Another PP for us, do we go down 3-0 this time and give up another short handed goal? grrrrr

[PokerPacker]

This is going to be a long night...what's up w/the Caps this time??

The recent losses has probably gotten into their heads.

[mbqbfan]

Wow...just wow...looks like game over.

[skinsfan_1215]

Awesome power plays so far tonight. Glad we came ready to play.

[PokerPacker]

this is abysmal

[ntotoro]

Two shorthanded goals in one game.

Can we get a real Defenseman, please? Greenie isn't one.

[MonkFan8]

Who's excited for our first round loss? I know I am!

[RobertGoulet]

Another PP for us, do we go down 3-0 this time and give up another short handed goal? grrrrr

Yes we do

[mbqbfan]

I hope our guys can still stay on top of the SE Divsion.

[Fletch_Lives59]

I hope our guys can still stay on top of the SE Divsion.

not with this PK...every goal has been above the catch glove, someone might want to tell this kid...

[ACW]

Dammit, we are doing what we CANNOT do: the opposite of last season.
:doh:

[Jofizz]

We need a bruiser, not scoring defensemen.

We need to play PHYSICAL.

[ntotoro]

not with this PK...every goal has been above the catch glove, someone might want to tell this kid...

I'm a little more worried about the fact that other teams have found something weird in our PP. They almost play better against us when they're shorthanded the last 3-4 games. Tonight is simply the first time a team has made us pay and they've already done it twice.

[Fletch_Lives59]

I have a feeling the lines will be change in the 3rd....

[DButz65]

Yes we do

Ok do i hear 4? anyone?? anyone? Bueller Bueller??

I just had a bad feeling

[mbqbfan]

I normally don't drink during the week, but the way this game is going, I'm gonna have to havea beer or two.

[DButz65]

I normally don't drink during the week, but the way this game is going, I'm gonna have to havea beer or two.



Werd, same here ughhh what a fugly game

[skinsfan_1215]

I normally don't drink during the week, but the way this game is going, I'm gonna have to havea beer or eight.

Fixed that for you and I agree.

[Fletch_Lives59]

why is he still in there?? time to mix things up...

another goal over the catching glove

[skinsfan_1215]

Goddammit get the kid out of there... Theo is sick, do we have any other goalies available?

[PokerPacker]

damn, Kronwall just WRECKED that dude!

[DButz65]

Goddammit get the kid out of there... Theo is sick, do we have any other goalies available?


Probably not, its all his

[PokerPacker]

why is he still in there?? time to mix things up...

another goal over the catching glove

Theodore's got the flu. he was supposed to start tonight.

[ACW]

I don't think Varlamov is available :(

[mbqbfan]

I'd like a Caps goal to prevent a shut out in the phone booth. Horrible game tonight!!

[PokerPacker]

Probably not, its all his

Maschesney should be available. I think Varlamov is skating again, but ready to play I don't think.

[DButz65]

Weee we scored! lol

[Fletch_Lives59]

where is Sébastien Charpentier???? hahahaha

[PokerPacker]

hell of a goal from the knees by semin. how did he stick-handle and shoot from down there?

[mbqbfan]

hell of a goal from the knees by semin. how did he stick-handle and shoot from down there?

Guess he learned from his buddy...the other Alex.

[ACW]

5-1 :doh:
:saber:

[skinsfan_1215]

Wooo HOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Only down by 4 going into the 3rd now!

God I feel like such a Redskin fan watching this... Caps games this year aren't supposed to feel this crappy.

[PokerPacker]

Guess he learned from his buddy...the other Alex.

Ovie likes to shoot from... well everywhere, but that stick-handling is all Semin.

[mbqbfan]

Wooo HOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Only down by 4 going into the 3rd now!

God I feel like such a Redskin fan watching this... Caps games this year aren't supposed to feel this crappy.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. It feels like I"m watching a Skins game during the week, thus the drinking.

This game is almost a carbon copy of Sunday's game. Glad I didn't go to this one. I probably would leave Verizon Center now (unless they can get 4 goals in 20 min.).

[DButz65]

We KNOW they can score 4 goals in one period, and they know it as well. They just have to put their minds to it and DO IT, DO IT NOW

[DButz65]

McPhee is in Arlington in his office tonight, someone in Arlington near Ballston Commons head up there and tell him to get us a defensemen LOL

[PokerPacker]

McPhee is in Arlington in his office tonight, someone in Arlington near Ballston Commons head up there and tell him to get us a defensemen LOL

I'm sure he's well aware of that need.

[Sticksboi05]

Another lazy performance. I'm telling you people, this team just isn't a contender. Laughable defense + constant penalties + bad PK = possible 1st round exit...

GIVE THIS TEAM HELL BRUCE!!!

[InsaneBoost]

I'm very disappointed :(

[mbqbfan]

Carbon copy of Sunday's game. Very disappointing!!

[HEavyJumbo85]

Rough game but I wouldn't read too much into it. Canes were hungry, Caps weren't, sometimes that happens. It's not good that they went into a big time lull against two divisional opponents in consecutive home games, but it's not the end of the world either. Carolina is right on the outside looking in right now and if the Caps are playing with any comparable level of motivation tonights game is 5 to 2 the other way.

I'm actually glad that Neuvirth had a tough outing, a type of outing that he's been prone to have at every other level prior to this one. Now we get to see if he's as quietly confident as he's supposed to be. I think he'll bounce back no problem, but I also think that GMGM needs to inquire about a veteran back up now. If Theodore really has the flu and Varlamov isn't coming back any time soon they just aren't going to be able to depend on a 20 year old Neuvirth to start 3 or 4 games in a row, especially not the next 3 or 4 in a row with Philly and Pittsburgh thrown in. Neuvy was always more of a project than Varlamov and he's just going to need more time before he's ready to be thrown out there night in and night out at the NHL level.

I'm very interested to see what GMGM does at the deadline tomorrow because I think he definitely has to make some moves on the back end and probably up front to be honest. We need another guy up front with some jam, sandpaper if you will. We also need a physical guy on the back end. I'm dreaming of Pronger, but I'd settle for Morris if the price was right. A guy I'd really like to have, but they're probably not going to end up trading him, is Sean O'Donnell from L.A...he'd be a great fit.

I think GMGM makes his moves tomorrow and this team comes out like gangbusters on Thursday and I think they'll be hard to stop from here on out. They'll get it together.

[Jofizz]

Alright McPhee, fire up the Blackberry.

[KingJeremy]

Well that was ugly.

In other news, TSN blogger Bob McKenzie is theorizing a Tom Poti for Derek Morris trade. I've seen DMo out here lots and really like him. He's a fan favorite and brings it every game. I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Caps jersey. But for Poti? Hrmmmm.

[GOKU]

another lazy performance. I'm telling you people, this team just isn't a contender. Laughable defense + constant penalties + bad pk = possible 1st round exit...

Give this team hell bruce!!!


yep if they want to even sniff the second round of the playoffs they better get there act together. They need to make some damn trades for defenseman and another goalie. Cause that one young dude sucks. Varlomov or whatever his name is he is really good.

[PokerPacker]

do you guys think Tom Poti and Michael Nylander for Derek Morris and Ken Klee is a plausible trade?

[fullnelson9999]

Ugh I cant believe I went to the Florida and Carolina game.

They were definitely trying way too hard tonight. To many extracurricular activities while driving toward the net. When youre down 4 you need to shoot when you have the chance. Especially when you arent having consistent possessions in the offensive zone (props to Carolina's forecheck tonight). This team definitely isnt used to playing while down like they were tonight or on Sunday. I think these games are going to end up helping them a lot.

Toronto up next...God they better not do this again.

[Fletch_Lives59]

do you guys think Tom Poti and Michael Nylander for Derek Morris and Ken Klee is a plausible trade?

I think we need a BIG name to finish out the season.

[ACW]

McPhee is in Arlington in his office tonight, someone in Arlington near Ballston Commons head up there and tell him to get us a defensemen LOLToo bad I didn't see this; I could've done it :ols:

[HEavyJumbo85]

do you guys think Tom Poti and Michael Nylander for Derek Morris and Ken Klee is a plausible trade?

I doubt that McPhee would trade 2 roster guys, especially Poti for 2 rentals. Not to mention that given the serious financial troubles of the Pheonix Coyotes, I doubt they give up 2 expiring deals for more salary signed long term.

[pjfootballer]

Good god WTF is going on with this team? Terrible, just terrible. And I actually got the game on TV down here. Turned it off at 4-0.