Caps bolster ailing defense with Alzner, Sloan

[Muzzah]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=421373

Looks like Alzner and/or Sloan could see some ice time tonight.

Erskine is questionable for tonight. Hope he can go, he's been great for us.

[herrmag]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=421373

Looks like Alzner and/or Sloan could see some ice time tonight.

Erskine is questionable for tonight. Hope he can go, he's been great for us.

I've been reading how some believe he is too slow for the speed of the Pens' forwards, which is a part of the reason why Alzner and Sloan got the call. I'm not sure, but I do know he played really well in the Rangers series, and I didn't see him make any major mistakes in game 1 (though I was seated behind the goal so missed a lot of the action). Either way, we need his muscle while Brash is suspended.

[Touchdown Redskins]

Well, either way, I hope Alzner can follow in Varly's footsteps and produce in the playoffs as a young gun.

Wasn't Alzner supposed to be on the playoff roster initially and then didn't get the call-up for the Rangers?

[Jrew1223]

I really like this move... I have to admit though that I have changed my mind on Erskine... Everytime I saw him play in a big game it seemed like he would always be the guy to take the stupid penalty and just be a weak link in our system, but in the series against the Rangers he really stepped up his game and make a big difference...

When I watched game 1 on saturday, one of the things I noticed (and was pointed out by the announcers) was how he would step up along the blue line...

If he steps up and it works then he keeps the puck in the zone, but if not then the pens have an odd man rush...

I like the move to bring up Alzner and Sloan because they both bring the speed and Sloan brings the size... They both have the experience in the NHL and both are in the playoffs with Hershey so I dont see a gigantic leap into the NHL playoff game atmosphere...

Great move by GMGM, can't wait for the puck to drop at 7...

-Jrew

[Jrew1223]

Wasn't Alzner supposed to be on the playoff roster initially and then didn't get the call-up for the Rangers?

Because the Rangers were defense oriented I could see them keeping Erskine in the line up for the physicality of it... which worked well...

I think after seeing Pittsburghs speed in game 1, we needed to reevaluate our D personel and how we play... We can't keep pinching in and giving them 2-1's... I dont think Erskine has the speed to recover if he makes a bad read, but Alzner and Sloan do imo...

[PokerPacker]

I've been reading how some believe he is too slow for the speed of the Pens' forwards, which is a part of the reason why Alzner and Sloan got the call. I'm not sure, but I do know he played really well in the Rangers series, and I didn't see him make any major mistakes in game 1 (though I was seated behind the goal so missed a lot of the action). Either way, we need his muscle while Brash is suspended.

Well, Erskine did get caught up high leading to the Crosby goal. But regardless, I saw him block that shot last game and he looked hurt.

[PokerPacker]

Well, either way, I hope Alzner can follow in Varly's footsteps and produce in the playoffs as a young gun.

Wasn't Alzner supposed to be on the playoff roster initially and then didn't get the call-up for the Rangers?

No, all of us fans were predicting we'd call him up in the playoffs, but the organization thought he'd be better suited playing in hershey and that Pothier was all we needed to bring in for the playoffs.