2013 Southeast Division Champions Caps Vs. Rangers

[method man]

I follow the Caps very casually. Honestly, given this is a lockout season anyway, it may be worth it for the Caps to just tank this season.

1) It is a wakeup call and management may use this as a catalyst to make many of the changes that are needed
2) #1 or #2 pick could yield a superstar hopefully that could bring a much needed on the cheap talent boost to this franchise

[KDawg]

Watching the Sabres is frustrating. Ennis takes the puck up ice crosses the line and is all alone with five Jets. Turnover. Goal Jets.

Gerbe decides to let a pass go to no one in our own zone and he centers it for the Jets. Goal Jets.

Defensively the whole D collapses to the boards, Vanek loses his man in the slot. That's the Ennis turnover goal.

Then we came out in the second period and the whole D played passively and gave the Jets the point to do what they want. Holy crap this team is bad. Ugh.

[skinswillwin06]

I follow the Caps very casually. Honestly, given this is a lockout season anyway, it may be worth it for the Caps to just tank this season.

1) It is a wakeup call and management may use this as a catalyst to make many of the changes that are needed
2) #1 or #2 pick could yield a superstar hopefully that could bring a much needed on the cheap talent boost to this franchise

Yeah, let's just waste another year of our top players in their prime and plan for next season. Especially when pretty much any team that makes the playoffs can win the Stanley Cup. Sounds like a plan.

[method man]

Yeah, let's just waste another year of our top players in their prime and plan for next season. Especially when pretty much any team that makes the playoffs can win the Stanley Cup. Sounds like a plan.

The Caps have no superstars anymore who can get them to the Cup. Ovie is probably not a superstar any longer

[KDawg]

The Caps have no superstars anymore who can get them to the Cup. Ovie is probably not a superstar any longer

From an outside perspective, I'd agree he's not a superstar, but he's still quite good. And he could elevate back to superstar status if he reinvents himself a bit.

[method man]

From an outside perspective, I'd agree he's not a superstar, but he's still quite good. And he could elevate back to superstar status if he reinvents himself a bit.

He's had 2+ years to get back there and he hasn't done it. The window is closing

[SpringfieldSkins]

Yeah, let's just waste another year of our top players in their prime and plan for next season. Especially when pretty much any team that makes the playoffs can win the Stanley Cup. Sounds like a plan.

This season is a waste anyhow. I'm not advocating a tank job but this team doesn't have it. It has exactly one player who's sole job is to score goals. Said player isn't even leading the team in scoring at this point. This team desperately needs to learn how to score goals. No, Tampa and Florida don't count.

This team has been poorly planned out. This season is a shining example of that. There should be some improved talent coming in next season, lets just hope it's enough.

[DC9]

He's had 2+ years to get back there and he hasn't done it. The window is closing

He was top 5 in the NHL in goals scored last season dude? And that's with a system that had most of the team (him included) blocking shots. His supporting cast has also severly dwindled down to Marcus Johannson and Wolcek Wojlski over the last couple of years as well.

If you put your 3rd or 4th line out there with your 1st defensive line and shut down Ovi, chances are you are going to beat the Capitals. Two, three, even four years ago you were dealing with Cook, Flieshmann, Federov, Semin... it's just piss poor what the GM has done to this team.

Joel Ward is pretty good, but he's not supposed to be the tops in +/- on this team... he get's the benefit of going against the other teams poop for the most part.

---------- Post added February-20th-2013 at 08:23 AM ----------

This team has been poorly planned out. This season is a shining example of that. There should be some improved talent coming in next season, lets just hope it's enough.

Puckdaddy brought up a good point yesterday... there typically aren't any "Blue Chip" or "Grade A" free agents that sign with the Capitals. Again, I don't know if this is because Ted doesn't want to be like the pre-Bruce Allen Redskins or if FA generally just don't respect McPhee and don't want to sign here.

I will say this, if he is going to keep on a guy that he traded for, I'd start with Mike Ribeiro. That is a no fail mission.

[RichmondRedskin88]

I wish the games/teams were in the title like previous years. Hard sometimes to keep track of games with work and such. Just a suggestion.

[DC9]

I wish the games/teams were in the title like previous years. Hard sometimes to keep track of games with work and such. Just a suggestion.

It's pretty much two games a week until March. Thursday we play NJ.

[Popeman38]

It's pretty much two games a week until March. Thursday we play NJ.

Thursday night and Saturday afternoon (noon start, WTF?) we play Jersey.

[DC9]

Thursday night and Saturday afternoon (noon start, WTF?) we play Jersey.

Right? And I think it's on CSN, too. That's just weird. Don't get me wrong, for me Joe B is the best in the biz, but noon on CSN is just weird.

[Popeman38]

Right? And I think it's on CSN, too. That's just weird. Don't get me wrong, for me Joe B is the best in the biz, but noon on CSN is just weird.

It jacks up the entire weekend for me. I was planning on hitting an art museum for school (have to write a report on 3 classical works) before the game, but no way I can do that before noon. And with a 2 year old, after the game will be too late to hit museum, cause she will need a nap. Had the day all planned out: hop on metro, hit the museum for a couple hours, snag some dinner from a food truck or deli around Vz Center, meet wife and kid for game, have wife drive me to metro to pick up car after game. Now, I have to make a second trip downtown this weekend.

Stupid noon start.

[KDawg]

Ruff being fired is a bit bitter sweet. He was a 20 goal scorer as a player and a tough son of a *****. He coached for 15 years and a lot of those were good years. But in the end, he was Andy Reid. Just there for too long. I thank him for all he's done and he'll always be a Sabre. I don't think he'll be out of work long, either.

But it's a good thing for the organization right now. We needed change.

The interim coach now, though, is Ron Rolston. The Amerks head coach. We'll see. I don't like him much as the Amerks head guy, but hey, can't doubt him until we see him, I suppose

[HBnotBlades]

KDawg, you broke the news to me first. I just got home from work, checked out this thread and thought "Why is KDawg talking like Ruff is already fired?". Then I looked at the news and realized I'm slow.

I'm with you that its for the best long term, his message has just worn thin for the team. He's still a great coach, and will likely make some team very happy, the Sabres just needed a shakeup.