How many times have we seen the Washington Capitals unravel in close games? A million, gazillion. What happened last night against the Minnesota Wild was a huge step in the right direction by the Capitals. Their head coach, Adam Oates, told his team to be prepared to play a tight game. One goal games have never been the Caps forte.
In the past we have often seen this team lose it when the game is tight. More often it was amplified when it would happen in a play off game. The game would be tight and the Caps would be trailing a goal, when things would just fall apart. Instead of keeping it a close game to the end 1-0 or 2-1, the Caps would make simple mistakes for the sake of making the perfect play to tie the game. Suddenly they would be down 3-1, 4-1 and spiral down to a loss.
Or the team would go away from what had worked for them before, a bunch of individual efforts in order to bring the game back to fold. Only to once again have those efforts fail because one against 5 very rarely yields goals. How many games have fans seen that and pulled their hair out? Remember us looking nervously at the play clock to see time tick away from another win in a grind it out game the Caps couldn't stick with.
The Caps took the early lead with a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin. Then the Wild just sort of played the perfect road game after that. They slowed the game down, took the fans out of the equation. They answered Ovi's goal with a late power play goal of their own. Then took the lead after some relentless forechecking. It was an all too familiar scene Caps fans have endured before. And we all waited for the onslaught of Zach Parise shots and Wild clogging defense keeping the Caps at bay. But, something last night was different.
The Capitals never got away with their game plan. They stuck with it and with some spectacular saves from the goaltender Braden Holtby, they put themselves in the position to win a close methodical game. There was plenty of bending, but no breaking as the Caps remained tough in their own zone, gobbling up second chances and wearing on the Wild defense on the other end.
It just sort of happened, a long sustained forecheck by a mix of lines, Marcus Johansson, Brooks Laich and forth-liner Tom Wilson who was out there late from the previous shift. A tired Wild group, their first line couldn't clear the zone after a few line keeps from Alexander Urbom. The puck worked low, Wilson made a smart pick to open it up for Johansson and Laich pressuring the front of the net as the puck ricochet off a Wild defender and past Josh Harding to tie the game.
"What I like about the tying goal is it took a lot of hard work," Oates said of the late game tally. "We
fought through a lot of frustration because they were giving you
nothing. It was hard to get shots to the net. You’re going
into territory that’s really difficult."
The Capitals moved their feet, worked hard in their zone and were rewarded with a lucky bounce and a game tying goal. There was no panic in the team when they went down 2-1 in the second period. They stuck to their game plan. They executed to play as a team to get the tying goal. And in the end it becomes a maturity moment for a team that has so many times lost those types of opportunities to selfish play or let minor mistakes become compounded through out the game to get them behind the eight ball.
"They [Wild] are playing good," Nick Backstrom said of their foe last night. "Good system, they are backing
off, and they are being very patient. Obviously for us, we’ve got to be
patient as well. We’ve got to play our system and
try to be aggressive on them."
They didn't need to pull the goalie, or rely on the power play to gain them the goal. It came from sticking with the system, working hard, executing and reaping the rewards for all of those cultivating together to make the game 2-2. It was unfortunate Martin Erat took that penalty late in the game because it took the wind out of the Caps' sails. But the penalty kill once again did a great job when they needed it most.
Last night was a growing moment for the Capitals. To find a way to win in a tight game was gigantic in so many ways. While the game itself seemed often boring and slow at times, I had to watch again to realize exactly what was going on. The Caps were growing up. They took a gigantic step forward. Even if they had lost the game in the shoot out, there was a lot of good to take away from that game.
Now it remains to be seen if the Capitals can sustain that way of playing. As teams that are much better at trapping and grinding than the Caps, it's important they show they can win games like that. It happened against a very good Western Conference team (which the West has dominated the East early on this season) and if the Capitals can do this consistently, things in the post season will get all that much more interesting in DC.
Showing posts with label A. Oates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A. Oates. Show all posts
Friday, November 08, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Caps' Surging Power Play
 |
| (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) |
Certainly head coach Adam Oates new power play system of the 1-3-1 is paying off. In more ways than one.
The last five power play goals scored for the Capitals came from five different Capitals. Nick Backstrom scored the latest in the big win against Carolina. Troy Brouwer and Alex Ovechkin each had a PPG in the game against the New Jersey Devils in their 5-1 win. Mike Ribeiro and Mathieu Perreault both scored on the power play first of back to back games with the Devils at the phone booth.
That distribution of the wealth on the power play makes it very hard to defend. Many teams in the NHL have that go-to guy on the power play. Take the New Jersey Devils as an example. They love to set up Ilya Kovalchuk for his one timers. The Tampa Bay Lightning do the same with Steven Stamkos. But after a while, coaches have to find ways to move that player around in the power play as teams are getting better at blocking those snipers' shots.
For the Capitals, dishing the puck to just about every player that is on the power play unit has made it a deadly PP to face in the league. The Caps are not relying on the Ovechkin one timer as they did so heavily under Bruce Boudreau. The spread of goals amongst players on the power play makes everyone on the ice a potential scorer. It makes the opposition have to keep track of everyone, at all times. If not, boom, the puck is in the back of their net.
The Capitals ability to maintain zone time with the puck under control is another factor that helps their power play become potent. By keeping the puck in the zone and keeping it moving around with crisp passes tires the oppositions' penalty killers. It also wears down the goaltender.
Ovechkin scored his hat trick goal when the Caps were able to keep the Devils penalty killers in their zone for some time. When the puck did leave the zone, Ovi quickly skated it back in and it left one tired Anton Volchenkov on the ice who wasn't able to make the quick change on the fly. The worn out defenseman for the Devils could only camp out in front of the net. The Caps exploited it not once but twice in the following sequences. The first chance brushed off the oust side of the net, while the second one found its mark.
The more the players work up their chemistry with one another and are more familiar with the system, the more dangerous of a power play it becomes. With a producing power play, things can open up for the Caps five on five. At even strength, teams will be less likely to play a tight checking game giving the Caps more room on the ice.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
A Different Look
Alex Ovechkin scored his first hat trick since he did it in 2011 against Toronto. It all began from a different look.
What do we know about Ovechkin? Well, he loves to rip down the wing. Bear down on the defenseman, make a move or draw a shot and drive to the net. For the first 2 or 3 years of his career that was good enough for the Capitals. But when teams finally caught hold of what the left winger was doing, they collapse defensively around him and soon he became a non-factor.
One of the reasons Ovechkin was being so well defended was he often came in alone. The opposition defense would simply have to "box" him in with a defender in front of him and a forward coming back to keep him to the wall and force him to cough the puck up, take a low percentage shot, or make a hell of a move to free himself. How many times have we seen the Caps forward fly down the wing only to get snuffed out of the play by three defenders on top of him? Too many times to count.
Ovi was often too fast for his own team. When the Capitals broke out of their own zone and passed it to Ovechkin, the opposition had no troubles containing him in the "box" and stifling the offensive explosiveness Ovechkin had. Often Ovi would try different things like stop and find the trailer, or keep moving down the boards, but often that was met with the defense clamping down on him and he would often lose the puck or no one would be there to help.
Adam Oates knows Ovechkin needs the help. He put the fastest guy on the ice on his line. Jason Chimera adds an element of a pass option for Ovechkin. Added with the crafty play making ability of Mike Ribeiro and this line is quickly becoming a feared line to play against.
But what happened on Saturday afternoon was something we have rarely seen (if ever). And I will break down what transpired.
Here is the break out. Ovechkin has the puck and the Devils work to "box" him in. Normally Ovi would streak down the wing side and right into the trap the opposition lays for him. But as the three Devils look to isolate him he does something unexpected.
Ovi drop passes the puck in the neutral zone to Jason Chimera. The "box" converges now on Chimera the puck carrier as Ovechkin slides to the left side. This is key because Ovechkin is giving the Devils a different look than in the past. He is not carrying the puck into the zone, but relying on his linemates to help him out so he can break out of the defensive scheme.
Chimera's speed draws in two defenders and creates room for him to stop and spin to find the open trailer. In this case it is Ribeiro just off screen entering the zone.
He passes to Mike Ribeiro trailing the play late (John Carlson is there too). At the top of the pic and you will see a floating Ovechkin free from the "box" as all five Devils concentrate on the new puck carrier Ribeiro (a dangerous scorer in his own right).
With that convergence, all Ribeiro has to do is dish it to a now wide open Ovechkin.
Much celebration as the puck is one timed to the back of the net. I threw in some arrows if you don't see it. Chimera is a happy guy 'cause he gets on the scoresheet with a secondary assist.
By Ovechkin handing off the puck and forcing the Devils to make a decsision, follow the current puck carrier or stay on Ovechkin who doesn't have the puck, created some break down for the Devils in their own zone on the break. Add Chimera's speed to make room for the pass to the trailing forward or defenseman and the defensive system that once stifled Ovechkin has broken down and given him a pretty darn good chance to score on net (which he did).
The system Adam Oates has put in has brought the offensive excitement back to DC. It has also made this team a very dangerous one to play in the NHL. Because the power play is not smoking hot, the Capitals are finding a lot more room on the ice 5 on 5. With that room they will be able to make plays like these more common place. We hope.
What do we know about Ovechkin? Well, he loves to rip down the wing. Bear down on the defenseman, make a move or draw a shot and drive to the net. For the first 2 or 3 years of his career that was good enough for the Capitals. But when teams finally caught hold of what the left winger was doing, they collapse defensively around him and soon he became a non-factor.
One of the reasons Ovechkin was being so well defended was he often came in alone. The opposition defense would simply have to "box" him in with a defender in front of him and a forward coming back to keep him to the wall and force him to cough the puck up, take a low percentage shot, or make a hell of a move to free himself. How many times have we seen the Caps forward fly down the wing only to get snuffed out of the play by three defenders on top of him? Too many times to count.
Ovi was often too fast for his own team. When the Capitals broke out of their own zone and passed it to Ovechkin, the opposition had no troubles containing him in the "box" and stifling the offensive explosiveness Ovechkin had. Often Ovi would try different things like stop and find the trailer, or keep moving down the boards, but often that was met with the defense clamping down on him and he would often lose the puck or no one would be there to help.
Adam Oates knows Ovechkin needs the help. He put the fastest guy on the ice on his line. Jason Chimera adds an element of a pass option for Ovechkin. Added with the crafty play making ability of Mike Ribeiro and this line is quickly becoming a feared line to play against.
But what happened on Saturday afternoon was something we have rarely seen (if ever). And I will break down what transpired.
By Ovechkin handing off the puck and forcing the Devils to make a decsision, follow the current puck carrier or stay on Ovechkin who doesn't have the puck, created some break down for the Devils in their own zone on the break. Add Chimera's speed to make room for the pass to the trailing forward or defenseman and the defensive system that once stifled Ovechkin has broken down and given him a pretty darn good chance to score on net (which he did).
The system Adam Oates has put in has brought the offensive excitement back to DC. It has also made this team a very dangerous one to play in the NHL. Because the power play is not smoking hot, the Capitals are finding a lot more room on the ice 5 on 5. With that room they will be able to make plays like these more common place. We hope.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
Finally... Free Wings
Capitals 5, Panthers 0
Game Summary - Event Summary
It has been awhile since the Florida Panthers have won a game at the Verizon Center. The Washington Capitals have won the last five games at the phone booth and have had 3 of the last four games end with a Caps' shutout. Tonight would prove to be a tough game for the visiting Panthers as the Caps romp Florida 5-0.
Coming into tonight's game, the Capitals were committed to focusing on what is ahead of them. With a hard practice on Friday, they were looking to be in the right frame of mind for sixty minutes against Florida. The players even held a meeting to get things back on track.
"We had a team meeting with the guys just to press the reset button and to calm down and go out there and support each other and make plays," Joel Ward said. "Today we made a good effort."
"I had a feeling right away that we were going to play well," Alex Ovechkin said of the mood of the team before the game. "Everybody was focusing and not joking around. That’s how we have to play. The first goal was huge for us. The whole team was better."
Braden Holtby has now four career shutouts and also a assist, only the second of his career. His power play assist led to a big goal for the Capitals to exorcise the demons they have been fighting in second periods this season.
"It was a great play, and a big goal," head coach Adam Oates said of the play. "It obviously hurt that [the Penguins] had scored one of those against us. It’s a pass down the ice; that means [Holtby] is involved in the game."
Troy Brouwer had a big night with the first two goals of the game. The first one looked as if John Carlson scored his first goal of the season, but his shot glanced off Brouwer's leg before fooling Jose Theodore. Brouwer's second goal was a sniper blast after receiving a pass from Holtby on the power play. He skated down the right side and powered it past the Florida net minder. It would be Brouwers fourth and fifth goals of the season.
Also on the scoresheet, Ward scored for his fifth goal of the season. The aggressive forecheck of his linemates Eric Fehr and Matty Perreault coughed the puck up to Ward's stick as he headed for the net. He snapped it past Theodore to make it 3-0. Ovechkin scored his first even strength goal of the season after Ribeiro won the faceoff and Jason Chimera chipped it to Ovi at the top of the slot. Add a Perreault goal to give the Verizon Center faithful free wings, and the Capitals finish off their best performance under Adam Oates to date.
This was a good sixty minute effort from a struggling squad that needed a desperate win to stop a three game skid. Their play was much better after the first period. The second period, which has been a house of horrors for this Capitals squad, was not the disaster in waiting much like it has been for the Caps of late. For the first time all season, the Capitals have actually outscored their opponent in the second frame.
Special teams was a hot button issue for general manager George McPhee. Concerned over the Caps taking a few too many penalties, he could find some comfort as the Caps were a perfect 2-2 on the penalty kill and a 1-2 on the power play. It was a good sign the PK is improving especially against a good power play team in the Panthers who are ranked 11th in the league.
Holtby was pretty solid. He was controlling rebounds and making smart decisions with the puck. His pass to Troy Brouwer to catch the Panthers on a line change while on the power play led to the game's second goal. The goal was huge for the Capitals as they stretched their lead to two goals and forced the Panthers to play a more conservative style of hockey for fear of giving the Caps another power play.
"The traffic in front of the net tonight was non-existent today," said Holtby to reporters following the game. "Our defense and our forwards really took it to heart this last little while that we need to bear down on our end and it was outstanding tonight. We’re going to need that to keep moving forward."
The Capitals will get a much needed day off to rest then back at the rink on Monday before they head to the Sunshine state for a second rendezvous with the Panthers in Sunrise Florida. This is definitely a game the Capitals can grow off of. As long as their work ethic can continue, the Caps certainly have the time to crawl back into playoff contention.
Caps Notes:
Game Summary - Event Summary
 |
| (AP Photo/Nick Wass) |
Coming into tonight's game, the Capitals were committed to focusing on what is ahead of them. With a hard practice on Friday, they were looking to be in the right frame of mind for sixty minutes against Florida. The players even held a meeting to get things back on track.
"We had a team meeting with the guys just to press the reset button and to calm down and go out there and support each other and make plays," Joel Ward said. "Today we made a good effort."
"I had a feeling right away that we were going to play well," Alex Ovechkin said of the mood of the team before the game. "Everybody was focusing and not joking around. That’s how we have to play. The first goal was huge for us. The whole team was better."
Braden Holtby has now four career shutouts and also a assist, only the second of his career. His power play assist led to a big goal for the Capitals to exorcise the demons they have been fighting in second periods this season.
"It was a great play, and a big goal," head coach Adam Oates said of the play. "It obviously hurt that [the Penguins] had scored one of those against us. It’s a pass down the ice; that means [Holtby] is involved in the game."
Troy Brouwer had a big night with the first two goals of the game. The first one looked as if John Carlson scored his first goal of the season, but his shot glanced off Brouwer's leg before fooling Jose Theodore. Brouwer's second goal was a sniper blast after receiving a pass from Holtby on the power play. He skated down the right side and powered it past the Florida net minder. It would be Brouwers fourth and fifth goals of the season.
Also on the scoresheet, Ward scored for his fifth goal of the season. The aggressive forecheck of his linemates Eric Fehr and Matty Perreault coughed the puck up to Ward's stick as he headed for the net. He snapped it past Theodore to make it 3-0. Ovechkin scored his first even strength goal of the season after Ribeiro won the faceoff and Jason Chimera chipped it to Ovi at the top of the slot. Add a Perreault goal to give the Verizon Center faithful free wings, and the Capitals finish off their best performance under Adam Oates to date.
This was a good sixty minute effort from a struggling squad that needed a desperate win to stop a three game skid. Their play was much better after the first period. The second period, which has been a house of horrors for this Capitals squad, was not the disaster in waiting much like it has been for the Caps of late. For the first time all season, the Capitals have actually outscored their opponent in the second frame.
Special teams was a hot button issue for general manager George McPhee. Concerned over the Caps taking a few too many penalties, he could find some comfort as the Caps were a perfect 2-2 on the penalty kill and a 1-2 on the power play. It was a good sign the PK is improving especially against a good power play team in the Panthers who are ranked 11th in the league.
Holtby was pretty solid. He was controlling rebounds and making smart decisions with the puck. His pass to Troy Brouwer to catch the Panthers on a line change while on the power play led to the game's second goal. The goal was huge for the Capitals as they stretched their lead to two goals and forced the Panthers to play a more conservative style of hockey for fear of giving the Caps another power play.
"The traffic in front of the net tonight was non-existent today," said Holtby to reporters following the game. "Our defense and our forwards really took it to heart this last little while that we need to bear down on our end and it was outstanding tonight. We’re going to need that to keep moving forward."
The Capitals will get a much needed day off to rest then back at the rink on Monday before they head to the Sunshine state for a second rendezvous with the Panthers in Sunrise Florida. This is definitely a game the Capitals can grow off of. As long as their work ethic can continue, the Caps certainly have the time to crawl back into playoff contention.
Caps Notes:
- Holtby was named the game's first star followed by Brouwer (second star) and Ward (third star).
- Ovechkin continues his point streak to now 4 games with 2 goals and 3 assists during that span.
- Perreault scored his first points of the season with a goal and an assist. He has been in and out of the lineup sharing duties with Marcus Johansson. Perreault did not play against Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
- The promotional double whammy, Caps scored 5 goals and won which means the 18,506 in attendance won free wings and everyone in the DC Metro region gets Papa John's Pizza half off tomorrow (by using promotion code CAPS50).
Sunday, February 03, 2013
A Better Game Than You Thought
The score was lopsided. A 6-3 score makes it sound like a rout by the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Washington Capitals on Superbowl Sunday afternoon. A tale of two teams, one struggling, the other cruising along and the end result was a three goal deferential. From the tweets following the game, the casual observer might think this was a dismal loss for the struggling Capitals.
ESPN even alluded to as much in an article that pointed out that it was a better game than the score may have indicated:
Let's put aside that the Caps are struggling to find identity, the softies that Braden Holtby wanted back, and the close but no cigar power play. The Capitals did dictate the play for long periods of the game. They were making progress on a team that played the night before. Bury a few of those chances or make good on the second opportunities and it is a different hockey game.
Where do the Capitals go from here? Obviously Oates found some positives from this game to exploit.
"We made a couple of mistakes but other than that I thought we played a good solid hockey game," Oates said after the 6-3 loss. "There are things we can do better, and we will address that. But I don't look at the game as one that got away from us because we weren't playing well."
The system, a hybrid of a team defensive style that adds an aggressive forecheck, often kept the Penguins pinned in their own zone for long periods of time. The Capitals seem to also be using their defensemen far more and better than they ever have in the offensive zone. Grinding down low and popping the puck back to the point seems to create some space for forwards to reset or crash the net.
What the Capitals lacked today were second chance opportunities off of those point shots and making good on those chances. By getting into the gritty areas, working hard for bouncing pucks and cleaning up sloppy rebounds are areas that can only help the Capitals going forward.
"We needed more bodies around the net," forward Troy Brouwer said. "We didn't have very many second opportunities. It was one and done."
Today that system showed that even a team with little identity can hold up and even push a team on their heels that clearly has good chance at a run to the Stanley Cup. As players get more use to the system, the better in the long run it will be beneficial. It is the growing pains of getting there is what the fan, more so the casual fan, is frustrated with.
"No one plays a perfect game," defenseman John Carlson said to reporters following the game. "If we stick to what we have been taught, it clearly works."
It is not a measuring stick of how good this team is playing with a team like the Penguins. Not at this point of the season. The Capitals have to better adapt to their system. But when the system is working, it takes extraordinary efforts by the opposition to keep this offense and power play at bay.
"[The Caps] are a dangerous team, they showed that today," Penguins' allstar center Sidney Crosby said. "They created a lot of chances and we definitely, at certain points, had to play good defense..."
Penguins' head coach Dan Bylsma praised the efforts of his penalty killers Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik when the Caps seemed to press and tired down the Penguins with the extra man attack. Former Cap and Pens net minder Vokoun talked about how the puck movement on the Capitals' power play was starting to wear him down as they moved the puck. There are bright spots to look at that better gauge where the Capitals are headed.
"We get a lot of chances and create a lot of offense but we need to just put the puck in the net," Caps' forward Wojtek Wolski was quoted. "When we do get those opportunities, there are chances to change the game, change the momentum. We haven't capitalized."
Wait, ...what? I'm honestly starting to not like this guy. RT: @skykerstein #Caps Oates "I thought we played a good hockey game"
— Michael Hoffman (@CapsExaminer) February 3, 2013
Well, this is just embarrassing.#CapsPens
— Taylor Kenkel (@TreeGeeKay) February 3, 2013
@washcaps Awful game, no passion in a game against Pittsburgh is not good enough, gotta get it sorted and now! #capsPensThat was just a sampling of the some tweets after the game. Some used harsher language. But as head coach Adam Oates said in the opening tweet there, the Caps did play a good hockey game.
— Jon Chubb (@JChubb04) February 3, 2013
ESPN even alluded to as much in an article that pointed out that it was a better game than the score may have indicated:
A veteran scout observing Sunday afternoon’s rivalry game between the Penguins and Capitals sounded almost relieved in his evaluation of the play after two periods. Like, he’d been waiting too long for a game like this.
“This is the first good hockey game I’ve seen this year,” he said.The first period saw two teams playing hard pressed, hard hitting but not dirty hockey. Even a friend of mine texted after the Caps' second goal "What a game!" then, "This blows!" after the final decision.
Let's put aside that the Caps are struggling to find identity, the softies that Braden Holtby wanted back, and the close but no cigar power play. The Capitals did dictate the play for long periods of the game. They were making progress on a team that played the night before. Bury a few of those chances or make good on the second opportunities and it is a different hockey game.
Where do the Capitals go from here? Obviously Oates found some positives from this game to exploit.
"We made a couple of mistakes but other than that I thought we played a good solid hockey game," Oates said after the 6-3 loss. "There are things we can do better, and we will address that. But I don't look at the game as one that got away from us because we weren't playing well."
The system, a hybrid of a team defensive style that adds an aggressive forecheck, often kept the Penguins pinned in their own zone for long periods of time. The Capitals seem to also be using their defensemen far more and better than they ever have in the offensive zone. Grinding down low and popping the puck back to the point seems to create some space for forwards to reset or crash the net.
What the Capitals lacked today were second chance opportunities off of those point shots and making good on those chances. By getting into the gritty areas, working hard for bouncing pucks and cleaning up sloppy rebounds are areas that can only help the Capitals going forward.
"We needed more bodies around the net," forward Troy Brouwer said. "We didn't have very many second opportunities. It was one and done."
Today that system showed that even a team with little identity can hold up and even push a team on their heels that clearly has good chance at a run to the Stanley Cup. As players get more use to the system, the better in the long run it will be beneficial. It is the growing pains of getting there is what the fan, more so the casual fan, is frustrated with.
"No one plays a perfect game," defenseman John Carlson said to reporters following the game. "If we stick to what we have been taught, it clearly works."
It is not a measuring stick of how good this team is playing with a team like the Penguins. Not at this point of the season. The Capitals have to better adapt to their system. But when the system is working, it takes extraordinary efforts by the opposition to keep this offense and power play at bay.
"[The Caps] are a dangerous team, they showed that today," Penguins' allstar center Sidney Crosby said. "They created a lot of chances and we definitely, at certain points, had to play good defense..."
Penguins' head coach Dan Bylsma praised the efforts of his penalty killers Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik when the Caps seemed to press and tired down the Penguins with the extra man attack. Former Cap and Pens net minder Vokoun talked about how the puck movement on the Capitals' power play was starting to wear him down as they moved the puck. There are bright spots to look at that better gauge where the Capitals are headed.
"We get a lot of chances and create a lot of offense but we need to just put the puck in the net," Caps' forward Wojtek Wolski was quoted. "When we do get those opportunities, there are chances to change the game, change the momentum. We haven't capitalized."
Friday, February 01, 2013
Another Collapse
Capitals 2, Maple Leafs 3
Game Summary - Event Summary
It started out well for the Washington Capitals. They got the big hit, the early goal. They got spectacular goaltending and a penalty kill that did okay. But another 2-1 lead into the third period withered away. The Capitals would drop their second straight night with a second intermission lead to the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2.
It was a homecoming for Joel Ward and the hometown boy didn't disappoint. Some hard work on the boards and a little bit of help from a fantastic play and pass from Mike Ribeiro, Ward recorded his fourth goal of the shortened 2013 campaign.
But as good as the Capitals were looking, they suddenly could not stay out of the penalty box. The Caps took 10 minutes of penalties in the games first 10 minutes. A combination of not moving their feet and frustration dug a pretty big hole for the Caps as James Van Riemsdyk scored off of a rebound on the Capitals third penalty of the game (Jason Chimera's second minor of a double minor assessed for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct).
A good penalty kill by the Caps kept the game tied through the first period and early in the second, their power play finally clicked. Alex Ovechkin scored just his second goal of the season when Ribeiro again made a good pass tot he waiting winger on the half boards.
The Capitals would take the 2-1 lead into the third period, but that is when things fell apart. They would not register a shot on goal until nearly halfway through the final frame. With the ice tilted, the Leafs took advantage of the struggling Capitals in the third period and with goals from Nikolai Kulemin and Matt Frattin sealed the win for the home team Leafs.
While the collapse is a tough one to swallow, it is even tougher to see the team struggle in the third period for a second straight game. Below are just some random thoughts I had on the game:
Game Summary - Event Summary
 |
| AP |
It was a homecoming for Joel Ward and the hometown boy didn't disappoint. Some hard work on the boards and a little bit of help from a fantastic play and pass from Mike Ribeiro, Ward recorded his fourth goal of the shortened 2013 campaign.
But as good as the Capitals were looking, they suddenly could not stay out of the penalty box. The Caps took 10 minutes of penalties in the games first 10 minutes. A combination of not moving their feet and frustration dug a pretty big hole for the Caps as James Van Riemsdyk scored off of a rebound on the Capitals third penalty of the game (Jason Chimera's second minor of a double minor assessed for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct).
A good penalty kill by the Caps kept the game tied through the first period and early in the second, their power play finally clicked. Alex Ovechkin scored just his second goal of the season when Ribeiro again made a good pass tot he waiting winger on the half boards.
The Capitals would take the 2-1 lead into the third period, but that is when things fell apart. They would not register a shot on goal until nearly halfway through the final frame. With the ice tilted, the Leafs took advantage of the struggling Capitals in the third period and with goals from Nikolai Kulemin and Matt Frattin sealed the win for the home team Leafs.
While the collapse is a tough one to swallow, it is even tougher to see the team struggle in the third period for a second straight game. Below are just some random thoughts I had on the game:
- The Capitals just can not survive by taking as many penalties as they had in the first period. Eight minor penalties were assessed to the Caps in this game all with in a span of just over 20 minutes between the first and second periods. All that PK took a toll on the players needed later on. Coupled with the fact that the Capitals had to lay off the Leafs for fear of taking another penalty. That lead to some glorious chances for the Leafs.
- If it were not for Michal Neuvirth, the score could have been easily 8-2. Neuvy played his best game as a Capital and was the only reason the team was in the game in the first place. The Caps' net minder could take some solace in the fact that he point blank robbed Phil Kessel on several occasions to keep the Leaf forward with out a goal yet this season. He would earn the game's third star.
- Ribeiro played inspired hockey tonight against the Leafs. He had two set ups for goals in this game. He was one of the few bright spots for the Capitals.
- Nick Backstrom has been a non factor so far this season. Almost to the point of being barely seen at all in this game.
- If conditioning is the problem, it was never more apparent than in the third period. The Caps looked slow and stopped moving their feet. That combination led to a Maple Leaf assault that the Caps could not match.
- John Erskine had a monster hit in the first period on Kessel. Not long after, the Capitals scored taking the early 1-0 lead. Besides a penalty here or there, the break downs in the defensive system were far too many in this game.
- The Caps were able to kill off seven of eight power play opportunities the Leafs had.
- Tom Poti, Matthieu Perreault and Roman Hamrlik were the Caps' healthy scratches.
- Ovechkin only managed two shots all game.
- The Capitals are now 30th in the league. Calgary has the same number of standings points but have played less games 2 less games.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
"It Was Better"
Capitals 3, Sabres 2
Game Summary - Event Summary
A game of firsts. Alex Ovechkin's first goal of the season, head coach Adam Oates' first win as Caps' bench boss, John Erskine's first goal since May 4, 2011 (in came in the playoffs against Tampa), and it was the Washington Capitals first win of the 2012-2013 season. The Caps improve to 1-3-1 with a 3-2 regulation win over the Buffalo Sabres.
"Today I thought we played a pretty complete game," said Jason Chimera of the win. "Neuvy played really well for us; he made some big saves for us. The power play got us one, which is huge"
The Buffalo Sabres would start the scoring off with a neutral zone turnover that made the Verizon Center faithful cringe. John Carlson, who has had a rough start to his season, coughed the puck up in just on the other side of the Caps defensive blue line. Drew Stafford picked up the loose puck, found a break Steve Ott on the wing who found the trailing Tyler Ennis breaking down the middle. A juke move that put Michal Neuvirth on his heals and the Sabres had the 1-0 lead.
But the Capitals didn't fold, or look exasperated following the Sabres goal. They stuck to their guns and rifled away three straight goals over three periods. Joel Ward scored his third of the season when Jason Chimera took a sharp angle shot at the goal line, the puck hit the net and skittered to the front to a waiting Ward. Big Erskine scored his goal by making a nice move on the blue line to avoid the shot blocker, his wrister skipped off of a Sabres defender and slipped past the Sabres' net minder Ryan Miller. Ovechkin scored on the power play. His first of the year was a pretty one timer from a Mike Green feed.
"He obviously could have had a couple in the first, and had a chance in the second," Oates said of Ovechkin's scoring chances. "He scored a big goal for us, and then could have had an empty netter. So I hope he would look at it like 'yeah, I had a lot of good chances.'"
It was a much better overall game for the Capitals this season. Some signs the new Oates system is starting to take shape are becoming more apparent. Players are better recognizing where their teammates are and the players seem to be finding their legs. It also helped that the Sabres were with out there top scorer Thomas Vanek who did not play.
The Capitals special teams turned the corner this afternoon. On the penalty kill, the Caps did a much better job picking up the right assignments. They also helped their cause by not taking penalties. The Sabres were 0-2 with the extra man.
"It was better," Oates said of the PK. "I think we’ve had a couple of tough bounces, 5-on-3 goals are different. Our rebounds [were] bouncing over guys’ sticks whereas today they hit our guys’ sticks and we got a clear out of it."
While on the power play, the Capitals finally found a way to get Ovechkin the puck. After going 0-2 themselves, they had a chance on the power play in the third to find that off wing one timer. Green found him, and Ovi put it away. A big goal which would become the game winner.
Neuvirth is playing like he wants that number one job. And at the moment, there is no sign of him relinquishing that spot. Neuvy was dynamite today, making some solid saves, cutting down on rebounds and picking shots off with this glove. He made probably the save of the game early in the third period. The Caps were clinging to a 2-1 lead when a turn over led to a series of break downs in the defensive zone. Tyler Myers made a nifty pass from behind the net to an open Mikhail Grigorenko. The rookie tried to pull it around Neuvirth, but the goaltender flashed his right pad out in time and made the spectacular save.
While this is a great win for the Capitals, they now hit the road for Tuesday and Thursday night games. There are still some problem areas to clean up, like the sometime sloppy play in the neutral zone and better overal passing needs to improve.
Caps Notes:
Game Summary - Event Summary
 |
| AP |
"Today I thought we played a pretty complete game," said Jason Chimera of the win. "Neuvy played really well for us; he made some big saves for us. The power play got us one, which is huge"
The Buffalo Sabres would start the scoring off with a neutral zone turnover that made the Verizon Center faithful cringe. John Carlson, who has had a rough start to his season, coughed the puck up in just on the other side of the Caps defensive blue line. Drew Stafford picked up the loose puck, found a break Steve Ott on the wing who found the trailing Tyler Ennis breaking down the middle. A juke move that put Michal Neuvirth on his heals and the Sabres had the 1-0 lead.
But the Capitals didn't fold, or look exasperated following the Sabres goal. They stuck to their guns and rifled away three straight goals over three periods. Joel Ward scored his third of the season when Jason Chimera took a sharp angle shot at the goal line, the puck hit the net and skittered to the front to a waiting Ward. Big Erskine scored his goal by making a nice move on the blue line to avoid the shot blocker, his wrister skipped off of a Sabres defender and slipped past the Sabres' net minder Ryan Miller. Ovechkin scored on the power play. His first of the year was a pretty one timer from a Mike Green feed.
"He obviously could have had a couple in the first, and had a chance in the second," Oates said of Ovechkin's scoring chances. "He scored a big goal for us, and then could have had an empty netter. So I hope he would look at it like 'yeah, I had a lot of good chances.'"
It was a much better overall game for the Capitals this season. Some signs the new Oates system is starting to take shape are becoming more apparent. Players are better recognizing where their teammates are and the players seem to be finding their legs. It also helped that the Sabres were with out there top scorer Thomas Vanek who did not play.
The Capitals special teams turned the corner this afternoon. On the penalty kill, the Caps did a much better job picking up the right assignments. They also helped their cause by not taking penalties. The Sabres were 0-2 with the extra man.
"It was better," Oates said of the PK. "I think we’ve had a couple of tough bounces, 5-on-3 goals are different. Our rebounds [were] bouncing over guys’ sticks whereas today they hit our guys’ sticks and we got a clear out of it."
While on the power play, the Capitals finally found a way to get Ovechkin the puck. After going 0-2 themselves, they had a chance on the power play in the third to find that off wing one timer. Green found him, and Ovi put it away. A big goal which would become the game winner.
Neuvirth is playing like he wants that number one job. And at the moment, there is no sign of him relinquishing that spot. Neuvy was dynamite today, making some solid saves, cutting down on rebounds and picking shots off with this glove. He made probably the save of the game early in the third period. The Caps were clinging to a 2-1 lead when a turn over led to a series of break downs in the defensive zone. Tyler Myers made a nifty pass from behind the net to an open Mikhail Grigorenko. The rookie tried to pull it around Neuvirth, but the goaltender flashed his right pad out in time and made the spectacular save.
While this is a great win for the Capitals, they now hit the road for Tuesday and Thursday night games. There are still some problem areas to clean up, like the sometime sloppy play in the neutral zone and better overal passing needs to improve.
Caps Notes:
- The Capitals are 9-0-0 when Erskine scores in regular season play.
- Marcus Johansson, Tom Poti and Roman Hamrlik were the healthy scratches for this afternoon's game. Poti and Hamrlik are sitting out their second straight game.
- It was the 56th career game winning goal for Ovechkin.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Home Opener A Dud
Capitals 2, Jets 4
Game Summary - Event Summary
NHL finally has returned to Washington DC's Chinatown. It is too bad the Capitals did not show up for the occasion. The growing pains of a new system seams to much to handle for the Capitals and the shortened season is making the urgency to correct mistakes has upped to critical. Caps drop their home opener and have yet to win a game to the Winnipeg Jets 4-2.
Matt Hendricks finished off a brilliant tic-tac-oops play. Alex Ovechkin found Nick Backstrom who quick passed it to a waiting Hendricks in front of the net. The pass from Backstrom hit Hendricks in the skate then off what looked like his shin and stick to plop in behind Ondrej Pavelec. It gave the Caps the early lead and a good start. Troy Brouwer got on the scoresheet late as the Jets took a late penalty. The power play finally nets a point for the Capitals, but too little too late.
Winnipeg took advantage of two early power play goals, coupled with a few lucky bounces and scored 4 straight goals to put the Caps on ice. What ever fight was left in the Capitals left with the early sold out crowd that looked for exits half way through the third period. There was no sustained attack by the Capitals whether it was power play or 5 on 5, it was a team just standing around.
The Capitals were thoroughly man-handled in the second period giving up a pair of goals on twenty shots by the Jets. In fact through the first two periods, the Capitals were out shot 33-17. Winnipeg peppered shots on Holtby and the lucky bounces went their way as they took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.
If you are looking for some positives, look no further than Hendricks. He scored the first goal of the game, then as the team deteriorated he picks a fight with Jim Slater at the end of the second period and danced with Chris Thorburn in the third period. Hendy has been so far the bright spot for the Caps in these last two games. His hard work ethic and ability to be a spark offensively or defensively has been a plus.
The Capitals power play certainly needs some more work. While it showed signs of promise tonight, the overall effect is not one of pressure or gaining momentum. It more played out as a measured attempt at a system newly taught. The Caps are certainly feeling every bump in the road as they assimilate to this new season.
Oh that penalty kill came back to haunt the Capitals again. The Jets were right off the bat 2 for 2 in their power plays in the first period. It forced the Caps to play a more conservative brand of hockey for fear of getting penalized. The Jets from there controlled the pace and the physicality that the Caps just could not match as the game wore on.
Braden Holtby did his part. Often left in the cold by his "stand around and watch" defense, Holtby did make a few great saves that later translated to opportunities on the other end. But the Caps just couldn't play cohesively enough in front of him. Unlucky bounces and some sloppy defense made it another rough night for the Capitals net minder.
Just as in the Tampa game, the Capitals did not look very sharp. Miscommunication, bad passes and sloppy zone play came to haunt them. And instead of seeing any kind of fight from the boys in red, there was a slow passiveness that was uncharacteristic of the team's past. They lost puck battles on the boards, made simple mistakes, were caught standing around and were beaten to loose pucks. In time these things can be tightened up, tweaked and revamped. But time is a luxury the Caps can not afford. They now have let four points go in their division to their rivals.
Is there time to right the ship, of course. But the way this team is playing, the short season might be a mercy blessing in disguise.
Caps Notes:
Game Summary - Event Summary
 |
| AP |
Matt Hendricks finished off a brilliant tic-tac-oops play. Alex Ovechkin found Nick Backstrom who quick passed it to a waiting Hendricks in front of the net. The pass from Backstrom hit Hendricks in the skate then off what looked like his shin and stick to plop in behind Ondrej Pavelec. It gave the Caps the early lead and a good start. Troy Brouwer got on the scoresheet late as the Jets took a late penalty. The power play finally nets a point for the Capitals, but too little too late.
Winnipeg took advantage of two early power play goals, coupled with a few lucky bounces and scored 4 straight goals to put the Caps on ice. What ever fight was left in the Capitals left with the early sold out crowd that looked for exits half way through the third period. There was no sustained attack by the Capitals whether it was power play or 5 on 5, it was a team just standing around.
The Capitals were thoroughly man-handled in the second period giving up a pair of goals on twenty shots by the Jets. In fact through the first two periods, the Capitals were out shot 33-17. Winnipeg peppered shots on Holtby and the lucky bounces went their way as they took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.
If you are looking for some positives, look no further than Hendricks. He scored the first goal of the game, then as the team deteriorated he picks a fight with Jim Slater at the end of the second period and danced with Chris Thorburn in the third period. Hendy has been so far the bright spot for the Caps in these last two games. His hard work ethic and ability to be a spark offensively or defensively has been a plus.
The Capitals power play certainly needs some more work. While it showed signs of promise tonight, the overall effect is not one of pressure or gaining momentum. It more played out as a measured attempt at a system newly taught. The Caps are certainly feeling every bump in the road as they assimilate to this new season.
Oh that penalty kill came back to haunt the Capitals again. The Jets were right off the bat 2 for 2 in their power plays in the first period. It forced the Caps to play a more conservative brand of hockey for fear of getting penalized. The Jets from there controlled the pace and the physicality that the Caps just could not match as the game wore on.
Braden Holtby did his part. Often left in the cold by his "stand around and watch" defense, Holtby did make a few great saves that later translated to opportunities on the other end. But the Caps just couldn't play cohesively enough in front of him. Unlucky bounces and some sloppy defense made it another rough night for the Capitals net minder.
Just as in the Tampa game, the Capitals did not look very sharp. Miscommunication, bad passes and sloppy zone play came to haunt them. And instead of seeing any kind of fight from the boys in red, there was a slow passiveness that was uncharacteristic of the team's past. They lost puck battles on the boards, made simple mistakes, were caught standing around and were beaten to loose pucks. In time these things can be tightened up, tweaked and revamped. But time is a luxury the Caps can not afford. They now have let four points go in their division to their rivals.
Is there time to right the ship, of course. But the way this team is playing, the short season might be a mercy blessing in disguise.
Caps Notes:
- Brooks Laich may return to practice with the team as early as tomorrow. But the coaching staff doesn't want to rush the injured forward back into the line up. Laich injured his groin playing overseas.
- Mike Ribeiro was the recipient of a couple of missed high sticking calls off face offs and on the PK. Ribeiro kept on the officials until he was finally penalized a two minute minor and a 10 minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct. Like lemon juice in a paper cut.
- Head coach Adam Oates blamed the lack of energy from poor conditioning. "They didn't have much in the tank." I see sweating to the oldies in the Caps near future.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Caps Fall In Season Opener
Capitals 3, Lightning 6
Game Summary - Event Summary
Okay, let us go through the list of excuses. It is a new system. There was really no time to effectively implement said system. It is a work in progress. But a loss is a loss. The Washington Capitals failed to take two points from a divisional rival as the Lightning down the Caps in their season opener 6-3.
"I think some of the mistakes came from conditioning," said head coach Adam Oates of the loss. "We got tired at times, the game went in waves. I think some of the penalties in the third period, you can't really give them a five-on-three to start the third period. That obviously hurt us."
The Capitals got off to a good enough start. Two power plays right off the hop as Ryan Malone and Brian Lee took early penalties. But the Lightning would strike first with a point shot from Eric Brewer that beat Braden Holtby. Joel Ward would even the score with a late power play goal, but it didn't take long for the Lightning to regain the lead.
A complete break down in the defensive zone lead to a Vincent Lacavalier goal passed a sprawling Holtby. Ward would answer the call again as a quick rush up the ice with John Carlson led to a Bolts' delayed penalty. Not quitting on the play, Ward crashed the net and the puck ended up past the giant Anders Lindback to tie the game up at 2 a piece.
That is when Tampa's power play woke up. They would once again retain the lead when Marty St. Louis stuffed a back door pass from Lecavalier. As the Capitals landed in penalty trouble down the stretch, a four on four goal where new comers Mike Ribeiro fed a nice pass to Wotjek Wolski for his first goal as a Capital. It would tie the game up going into the second intermission.
But the third period did not fare well for the Caps' penalty kill. They allowed two more power play goals by the lightning and a bad break down by the Capitals defense made it a rough night. Conditioning was also a contributing factor according to Oates as the Caps seemed to lose steam as the game wore on.
"A lot of little mistakes, to be expected," Said Oates of his impression of the game. "And a little bit of conditioning; we got a little tired at times."
As predicted by Oates, the Capitals were sloppy and disheveled in his coaching debut. The Caps learning a new system on the fly cost them points early on, but as more games are played how this team will do under the new system will better take form.
"It's tough," Oates said of his team's chemistry. "It's going to take the guys a while. And we've talked about that, and hopefully we can win enough games until it becomes automatic. Tonight wasn't our night, but there's a lot of positives in the game and we'll talk about that on Monday."
The Capitals' power play could have capitalized early with the chances the Lightning gave them. Double that missed opportunities with the number of penalties the Caps took from lazy stick work, and the Caps were looking at a rough night with a potent power play facing them. The penalty kill was less than stellar, but give the Lightning as many opportunities as the Caps did with soft penalties bad things will happen.
There are no do overs for the Capitals, they are playing for points now. The learning curve will have to be quick. They have two days before the home opener Tuesday night. It should be enough time for the coaches to put video in front of the Caps and work out the kinks.
Caps Notes:
Game Summary - Event Summary
 |
| AP |
"I think some of the mistakes came from conditioning," said head coach Adam Oates of the loss. "We got tired at times, the game went in waves. I think some of the penalties in the third period, you can't really give them a five-on-three to start the third period. That obviously hurt us."
The Capitals got off to a good enough start. Two power plays right off the hop as Ryan Malone and Brian Lee took early penalties. But the Lightning would strike first with a point shot from Eric Brewer that beat Braden Holtby. Joel Ward would even the score with a late power play goal, but it didn't take long for the Lightning to regain the lead.
A complete break down in the defensive zone lead to a Vincent Lacavalier goal passed a sprawling Holtby. Ward would answer the call again as a quick rush up the ice with John Carlson led to a Bolts' delayed penalty. Not quitting on the play, Ward crashed the net and the puck ended up past the giant Anders Lindback to tie the game up at 2 a piece.
That is when Tampa's power play woke up. They would once again retain the lead when Marty St. Louis stuffed a back door pass from Lecavalier. As the Capitals landed in penalty trouble down the stretch, a four on four goal where new comers Mike Ribeiro fed a nice pass to Wotjek Wolski for his first goal as a Capital. It would tie the game up going into the second intermission.
But the third period did not fare well for the Caps' penalty kill. They allowed two more power play goals by the lightning and a bad break down by the Capitals defense made it a rough night. Conditioning was also a contributing factor according to Oates as the Caps seemed to lose steam as the game wore on.
"A lot of little mistakes, to be expected," Said Oates of his impression of the game. "And a little bit of conditioning; we got a little tired at times."
As predicted by Oates, the Capitals were sloppy and disheveled in his coaching debut. The Caps learning a new system on the fly cost them points early on, but as more games are played how this team will do under the new system will better take form.
"It's tough," Oates said of his team's chemistry. "It's going to take the guys a while. And we've talked about that, and hopefully we can win enough games until it becomes automatic. Tonight wasn't our night, but there's a lot of positives in the game and we'll talk about that on Monday."
The Capitals' power play could have capitalized early with the chances the Lightning gave them. Double that missed opportunities with the number of penalties the Caps took from lazy stick work, and the Caps were looking at a rough night with a potent power play facing them. The penalty kill was less than stellar, but give the Lightning as many opportunities as the Caps did with soft penalties bad things will happen.
There are no do overs for the Capitals, they are playing for points now. The learning curve will have to be quick. They have two days before the home opener Tuesday night. It should be enough time for the coaches to put video in front of the Caps and work out the kinks.
Caps Notes:
- Jack Hillen was injured when he was taken out by Lacavalier who was not penalized for the hit. He did not return after the hit.
- Tom Poti made his official return to the ice as a Cap. After missing almost two years, the veteran defenseman did not see a lot of ice time, but did get an assist on Ward's first goal.
- Matt Hendricks and Troy Brouwer were the only centers over 50% on draws (Hendy 6-6 100%, Brouwer 6 -10 60%).
NHL Hockey Is Back... Finally
Just about 4 months of missed NHL action and it is finally here. A NHL season. It may only be 48 games, but it is better than sitting out for four months rather than 12, or longer. And tonight is the night. The Washington Capitals will start on the road taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hockey is back in DC.
I had to go back and look at my season's previews that I saved, only to realize I did not save them. Bummer. And since everything seems to happen last minute, why don't we condense a season preview of the 2013 season for the Capitals. I will throw in some interesting tidbits and what ever is left over, I will find a link for you to follow. Deal?
Short Season
The lockout accomplished one thing, it will be a sprint to the playoffs. With only 48 games on the docket, teams will have to push to keep up with points early and often. The Caps are no different, and in a division where it seemed everyone got some talent it is going to be important to take a few points from your own division.
There is good news however, the Capitals will make a return to some aggressive offensive play. Adam Oates' new system will allow for the Caps to use an aggressive forecheck and let the defensemen jump in the play when the conditions warrant it. It is a system that seems to be more in tune with the personnel the Caps have this year. Unlike Hunter's defense first philosophy, the Caps will have some opportunity to attack in the offensive zone.
Savior of the Power Play
You probably have heard a 1-3-1 being tossed around on the blogs about the Capitals new power play system. Like Japer's Rink, Dump 'n Chase and Peerless to name a few. Until we see it in action, there doesn't seem to be a way to gauge if it will work or not.
For the Capitals, their system under Bruce Boudreau depended heavily on the power play. It allowed the team open space 5 on 5 and they took full advantage of teams not wanting to in any way take a penalty. But when the power play faltered so too did the offensive production at even strength. Teams found away to better defend the Caps potent offensive strife as well as played much tighter on snipers like Alex Semin and Alex Ovechkin with out worry that if they took a penalty, their team could kill it off.
Oates' system will depend on the power play somewhat, but he also wants his players to make better reads. A thinking offensive player is better than a head first into the zone then work it out approach makes better sense with the players Oates has to work with.
Get It Gone
Capitals sort of revamped the back end defensively speaking. Calle Johansson, assistant coach and former Caps D-man, has the boys getting the puck out of the zone quickly. The faster the puck is out, the more on the heels the Caps can have their opponents in transition. This requires a lot of work for the defensmen and the center who have to find outlets for the puck. Passes out of the zone to wingers or dumps off the glass, the Capitals will be looking to getting the puck out of their zone as quickly as possible.
Now that strategy could change game to game, but the overall scheme the Caps want is a quick transition game. How that will work with Tampa's infamous 1-3-1 trap, we will find out tonight.
Tandem
Braden Holtby might get the start in net tonight against the Bolts. But the way Oates is going to be handling his goaltenders, there really isn't a number one or number two.
"In my mind I think both guys are going to play a lot," Oates said of his goaltending pair. "There is going to be a lot of back to backs, it is going to be a different schedule, so I'd imagine both guys would get a lot of hockey."
Michal Neuvirth and Holtby will be tag teaming a lot of games. Especially the seven back to back games on this schedule. Riding the hot hand may be tough to do during the season, but the playoffs are another beast all together. So we will leave that beast for later.
Both goaltenders won't be taking any ego hits because of the way Oates plans to use the tandem. Both seem ready to accept their roles together.
"The one thing that is certain," Holtby said, "is that we will both be needed and be needed to win games in order to make the playoffs and put ourselves in a good position."
It's Poti Time
It seemed like an unlikely return. Most of us had written him off. In fact you would have to go back nearly a year and a half for in this blog to even see his name mention (with out bringing up the salary cap). Tom Poti may make his long awaited return to the ice for the Washington Capitals tonight. It would mark an outstanding return for a player that has not seen NHL action in nearly two years.
You can read about his amazing journey back to the Capitals on Mike Vogel's Dump 'N Chase. Short story was Poti thought he just had a recurring groin injury, turned out to be a fractured pelvis. He keeps in shape, works out a plan to return, spent some time in Hershey (2 games) and has made the opening night roster. Uh, Bill Masterton trophy anyone?
What Needs To Be Done
All aspects of their offensive numbers, 5 on 5, power play, shoot out, empty net, needs to improve over this 48 game schedule.
If the Capitals want to return to the playoffs and make it deep once they get there, some key points will need to be addressed for it to happen. The overall census though is for the Capitals to return to being an offensive power house. What was once praised for their creative, explosive and consistent goal scoring prowess, needs to make a return for the Capitals to do well.
Ovechkin numbers need to improve, and Oates seems to have a plan for that. He has moved him to the right wing to open the wingers vision to more of the ice. Ovi, a right handed shot, had been playing left wing. Normally a scorer of his magnitude, being a right handed shot on the left side makes it easier for one to cut into the center of the ice and have your shot on the forehand. By moving him on the opposite side, Ovi will have better protection of the puck and a quicker release with out having to pull the puck back to his forehand side. Got it?
While we talk of offensive numbers improving, the team overall has to play with much better cohesion. That does not just mean chemistry through the lines, but also how the team moves as a unit transitioning from offense to defense and back again. Wingers have to get back, centermen have to cover defensemen on the defensive side, while the green light is given to defensemen to jump up in the play, creating odd man situations and more open reads for wingers looking to pass to open players.
Newcomers
Mike Ribeiro will play an important role in that second line setup to complete the one two punch. The second line has to support the top line with goals as well, something that has been thus far inconsistent for the Capitals. A crafty centerman, his talents will also be helpful on the Caps' power play.
Wojtek Wolski should add some stability to that second line as well. He will also bring some pizzazz to the shootout, an important part of the new NHL and important for the Caps in this shortened season to grab points where they can.
Final Thoughts
This is actually a very exciting time for the Washington Capitals. New coach, new system, new players infused with the old standards will make for an interesting season. Can it translate to wins? Can the Capitals finally make some headway in the playoffs? All of those questions will be answered staring with game one tonight against Tampa. As hockey pundits put it, we won't know until we play the games.
But no one, not even the coaching staff, is going to think a Stanley Cup is anywhere in the Caps near future. Oates admitting himself the first game of the season will be a sloppy mess. That is to be expected coming out of the blocks this way.
Players playing to their potential, should give Caps fans something to cheer and look forward to. After all, we waiting four months for this. Now it is here. NHL hockey is back.
Caps Notes:
I had to go back and look at my season's previews that I saved, only to realize I did not save them. Bummer. And since everything seems to happen last minute, why don't we condense a season preview of the 2013 season for the Capitals. I will throw in some interesting tidbits and what ever is left over, I will find a link for you to follow. Deal?
Short Season
The lockout accomplished one thing, it will be a sprint to the playoffs. With only 48 games on the docket, teams will have to push to keep up with points early and often. The Caps are no different, and in a division where it seemed everyone got some talent it is going to be important to take a few points from your own division.
There is good news however, the Capitals will make a return to some aggressive offensive play. Adam Oates' new system will allow for the Caps to use an aggressive forecheck and let the defensemen jump in the play when the conditions warrant it. It is a system that seems to be more in tune with the personnel the Caps have this year. Unlike Hunter's defense first philosophy, the Caps will have some opportunity to attack in the offensive zone.
Savior of the Power Play
You probably have heard a 1-3-1 being tossed around on the blogs about the Capitals new power play system. Like Japer's Rink, Dump 'n Chase and Peerless to name a few. Until we see it in action, there doesn't seem to be a way to gauge if it will work or not.
For the Capitals, their system under Bruce Boudreau depended heavily on the power play. It allowed the team open space 5 on 5 and they took full advantage of teams not wanting to in any way take a penalty. But when the power play faltered so too did the offensive production at even strength. Teams found away to better defend the Caps potent offensive strife as well as played much tighter on snipers like Alex Semin and Alex Ovechkin with out worry that if they took a penalty, their team could kill it off.
Oates' system will depend on the power play somewhat, but he also wants his players to make better reads. A thinking offensive player is better than a head first into the zone then work it out approach makes better sense with the players Oates has to work with.
Get It Gone
Capitals sort of revamped the back end defensively speaking. Calle Johansson, assistant coach and former Caps D-man, has the boys getting the puck out of the zone quickly. The faster the puck is out, the more on the heels the Caps can have their opponents in transition. This requires a lot of work for the defensmen and the center who have to find outlets for the puck. Passes out of the zone to wingers or dumps off the glass, the Capitals will be looking to getting the puck out of their zone as quickly as possible.
Now that strategy could change game to game, but the overall scheme the Caps want is a quick transition game. How that will work with Tampa's infamous 1-3-1 trap, we will find out tonight.
Tandem
Braden Holtby might get the start in net tonight against the Bolts. But the way Oates is going to be handling his goaltenders, there really isn't a number one or number two.
"In my mind I think both guys are going to play a lot," Oates said of his goaltending pair. "There is going to be a lot of back to backs, it is going to be a different schedule, so I'd imagine both guys would get a lot of hockey."
Michal Neuvirth and Holtby will be tag teaming a lot of games. Especially the seven back to back games on this schedule. Riding the hot hand may be tough to do during the season, but the playoffs are another beast all together. So we will leave that beast for later.
Both goaltenders won't be taking any ego hits because of the way Oates plans to use the tandem. Both seem ready to accept their roles together.
"The one thing that is certain," Holtby said, "is that we will both be needed and be needed to win games in order to make the playoffs and put ourselves in a good position."
It's Poti Time
It seemed like an unlikely return. Most of us had written him off. In fact you would have to go back nearly a year and a half for in this blog to even see his name mention (with out bringing up the salary cap). Tom Poti may make his long awaited return to the ice for the Washington Capitals tonight. It would mark an outstanding return for a player that has not seen NHL action in nearly two years.
You can read about his amazing journey back to the Capitals on Mike Vogel's Dump 'N Chase. Short story was Poti thought he just had a recurring groin injury, turned out to be a fractured pelvis. He keeps in shape, works out a plan to return, spent some time in Hershey (2 games) and has made the opening night roster. Uh, Bill Masterton trophy anyone?
What Needs To Be Done
All aspects of their offensive numbers, 5 on 5, power play, shoot out, empty net, needs to improve over this 48 game schedule.
If the Capitals want to return to the playoffs and make it deep once they get there, some key points will need to be addressed for it to happen. The overall census though is for the Capitals to return to being an offensive power house. What was once praised for their creative, explosive and consistent goal scoring prowess, needs to make a return for the Capitals to do well.
Ovechkin numbers need to improve, and Oates seems to have a plan for that. He has moved him to the right wing to open the wingers vision to more of the ice. Ovi, a right handed shot, had been playing left wing. Normally a scorer of his magnitude, being a right handed shot on the left side makes it easier for one to cut into the center of the ice and have your shot on the forehand. By moving him on the opposite side, Ovi will have better protection of the puck and a quicker release with out having to pull the puck back to his forehand side. Got it?
While we talk of offensive numbers improving, the team overall has to play with much better cohesion. That does not just mean chemistry through the lines, but also how the team moves as a unit transitioning from offense to defense and back again. Wingers have to get back, centermen have to cover defensemen on the defensive side, while the green light is given to defensemen to jump up in the play, creating odd man situations and more open reads for wingers looking to pass to open players.
Newcomers
Mike Ribeiro will play an important role in that second line setup to complete the one two punch. The second line has to support the top line with goals as well, something that has been thus far inconsistent for the Capitals. A crafty centerman, his talents will also be helpful on the Caps' power play.
Wojtek Wolski should add some stability to that second line as well. He will also bring some pizzazz to the shootout, an important part of the new NHL and important for the Caps in this shortened season to grab points where they can.
Final Thoughts
This is actually a very exciting time for the Washington Capitals. New coach, new system, new players infused with the old standards will make for an interesting season. Can it translate to wins? Can the Capitals finally make some headway in the playoffs? All of those questions will be answered staring with game one tonight against Tampa. As hockey pundits put it, we won't know until we play the games.
But no one, not even the coaching staff, is going to think a Stanley Cup is anywhere in the Caps near future. Oates admitting himself the first game of the season will be a sloppy mess. That is to be expected coming out of the blocks this way.
Players playing to their potential, should give Caps fans something to cheer and look forward to. After all, we waiting four months for this. Now it is here. NHL hockey is back.
Caps Notes:
- Brooks Laich was not on the starting roster and was not listed on the IR. He can be activated at any time. Whether he will face suspension from getting hurt is still up in the air. Wash Times has the latest.
- The Capitals are set with their roster, two goaltenders, 8 defensmen and 13 forwards. Joey Crabb made the team as well as Tom Poti. If Laich does return, it will be interesting what the Caps do with either of those two players.
- Owner Ted Leonsis said he never made a dime of profit while owning the Caps. What the new CBA does for Uncle Ted by WaTi here, and the new dynamic of relationship with the players post lock out from the WaPo here.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Year Of The Back-up Goaltender
 |
| Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth sharing duties. |
Rather than looking at it as a number one and number two, the Washington Capitals seem content to share the duties of goaltender on their young talents Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth. Both have been capable number one goaltenders for the Capitals in the past. This season, the Caps have seven back to back night games and head coach Adam Oates seems ready to have the goaltending duties shared by both net minders.
"In my mind I think both guys are going to play a lot," Oates said of his goaltending pair. "There is going to be a lot of back to backs, it is going to be a different schedule, so I'd imagine both guys would get a lot of hockey."
"The way the season is going to come it is going to call for both of us to be playing well," Holtby said of the shared duties the tandem will see this season. "I have no idea if there will be a number one or a number two."
The sentiment of both goaltenders being used seems to be radiating around the league. Teams might have an advantage if they can get their goaltending duties split and get consistent results doing that, especially if their back up can steal a game or two in that capacity. It has even lead to some early strategy by teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins who plan on having their tandem work for them in special circumstances.
''You're going to see the goalies be used more not so much based on who we play,'' head coach of the Penguins Dan Bylsma told reporters. ''Each goalie will get his share of games, his number of games.''
A good one two goalie punch can be looked upon as an advantage over other teams that might tend to lean on just one goaltender as they have in the past. Although some have suggested that since it is a shortened season, maybe teams will want to favor their number one goaltender.
"I don't think anybody has a perfect formula," Oates said of the teams' strategies going into a shortened, condensed season. "Everyone is going to try and create one and we're no different. We are going to try to think of everything we can to try to make it right and make sure the guys play their best in a short amount of time."
Points will be at a premium and it is in the best interest for teams around the league to take a point or two with their back up goaltender in net. That would make the tandem of a team's goaltending unit seem more important with this schedule.
"The one thing that is certain," Holtby added, "is that we will both be needed and be needed to win games in order to make the playoffs and put ourselves in a good position."
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Musings From Scrimmage
The Washington Capitals weren't afforded a preseason game. They would have to make do with an affiliate team from Reading Pennsylvania to bus in for a little scrimmage. The Reading Royals bused it to town to give the Caps and their coaching crew a chance to look at just what they have.
Things started off slow enough. Head coach Adam Oates thought as much as many of his players are not in game shape with the season opener in just 4 days away. It started slow for the Caps, but it would be a collision that would wake them open half way through the first period. Alex Ovechkin plowed into Marcus Johansson and it looked as if both players were seriously hurt and laid on the ice for a few heart stopping moments.
"I think that woke everyone up," said Oates. "I guess we better pay attention."
Ovechkin was cut on the chin from what looked like Johansson's helmet. Both returned to the ice shortly afterward.
For the coaching staff, the scrimmage offered them a chance to use the system with their personnel the Caps have. "We filmed the whole game so tomorrow we can show the guys the reads," Oates said of the purpose of the scrimmage. "It's so much different when you can see yourself and your linemates."
"It's good for our team as a whole," Braden Holtby said of the scrimmage. "It gives us a chance to watch video of ourselves doing what Adam [Oates] is trying to apply here."
Getting Oates' system down was more of a priority for the Capitals than any evaluating players or even making sure the puck is in the back of the net. That competitive pace was helpful for both coaches and players get a better idea of how to see Oates' system.
The Capitals won the scrimmage 8-0 and below are just a few thoughts of the scrimmage in general.
Things started off slow enough. Head coach Adam Oates thought as much as many of his players are not in game shape with the season opener in just 4 days away. It started slow for the Caps, but it would be a collision that would wake them open half way through the first period. Alex Ovechkin plowed into Marcus Johansson and it looked as if both players were seriously hurt and laid on the ice for a few heart stopping moments.
"I think that woke everyone up," said Oates. "I guess we better pay attention."
Ovechkin was cut on the chin from what looked like Johansson's helmet. Both returned to the ice shortly afterward.
For the coaching staff, the scrimmage offered them a chance to use the system with their personnel the Caps have. "We filmed the whole game so tomorrow we can show the guys the reads," Oates said of the purpose of the scrimmage. "It's so much different when you can see yourself and your linemates."
"It's good for our team as a whole," Braden Holtby said of the scrimmage. "It gives us a chance to watch video of ourselves doing what Adam [Oates] is trying to apply here."
Getting Oates' system down was more of a priority for the Capitals than any evaluating players or even making sure the puck is in the back of the net. That competitive pace was helpful for both coaches and players get a better idea of how to see Oates' system.
The Capitals won the scrimmage 8-0 and below are just a few thoughts of the scrimmage in general.
- Mike Green sat this one out. PR staff said it was due to a cold and the coaching staff said he was not going to lace 'em up for this anyway.
- The overall action started slow, but picked up especially after the Ovi/MJ90 hit. Both teams were told to lighten up on hitting, but the Royals did play physical with the Caps. Hillen got popped late in the first period and drew blood, but didn't miss any significant ice time.
- Ovechkin had a goal and two assists. Both him and Nick Backstrom looked pretty good. Backstrom was getting into board scrums and didn't look at all affected by any injury nor did he shy away from any hit.
- The talent level from the NHL to the ECHL is leaps and bounds. Often the Royals were left standing around in awe of the quickness and precision of the Caps with the puck.
- Oates certainly doesn't mind the defensemen jumping up on the play. On several occasions the D-men stepped up in to the play, John Carlson had a goal by doing just that.
- Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth shared duties and both allowed 4 goals against each. When Holtby was asked if both it was the goaltenders plan to give up 4 each he chuckled, "I don't think either of us wanted to do that," he said.
 |
| Holtby chilln' on the sidelines |
 |
| Hearts stop as training staff checks on Ovechkin down on the ice |
 |
| Troy Brouwer making a better door than window |
 |
| Nick Backstrom gives Ovi a look as if to say, "You ready?" |
 |
| Ovechkin talking to the Royals Russian players Galiev and Kostenko |
 |
| A game well played deserves a handshake |
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Element of Surprise
With only 48 games to play this season, it's going to be a time crunch for any coaching staff to scout another team's system. For the Capitals, that could give them the element of surprise. Head coach Adam Oates will have only a week to implement his system to his group of players. But as far as opposing teams scouting that system, it could take them 10 to 15 games to recognize it and to play effectively against Oates' system. In a shortened season such as this one, those first few games could be key for the Caps to find success.
A couple of factors go into the surprise element for the Capitals. The first will be Oates has never been a head coach in the NHL. While he probably has had say in how the New Jersey Devils played in some areas, Pete DeBoer was the head coach and had final say in what went on the ice. That leaves the elements that Oates would have like to implement if he were head coach. If opposing teams want to study the tape of the Devils to gauge how the Capitals might look this season will have to concede that it's DeBoer's system and not Oates'.
Along those same lines, if the opposing teams want to study tape of how the Devil's power play preformed under Oates' supervision they won't see Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green or Nick Backstrom on that tape. With a different personnel group (and a much better talented one in my opinion) infused in that same system, there are going to be differences. From who sets up the play to who shoots the open shot, the Caps' system under Oates will look strikingly different.
Most, not all, teams in the NHL when faced with a new system often fall back and play that team conservatively. With some teams dropping back to play the Caps defensively minded, the boys in red, white and blue might be able to steal a few extra games early. That is key to setting up for a run to the playoffs with only 48 games on the schedule.
A couple of factors go into the surprise element for the Capitals. The first will be Oates has never been a head coach in the NHL. While he probably has had say in how the New Jersey Devils played in some areas, Pete DeBoer was the head coach and had final say in what went on the ice. That leaves the elements that Oates would have like to implement if he were head coach. If opposing teams want to study the tape of the Devils to gauge how the Capitals might look this season will have to concede that it's DeBoer's system and not Oates'.
Along those same lines, if the opposing teams want to study tape of how the Devil's power play preformed under Oates' supervision they won't see Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green or Nick Backstrom on that tape. With a different personnel group (and a much better talented one in my opinion) infused in that same system, there are going to be differences. From who sets up the play to who shoots the open shot, the Caps' system under Oates will look strikingly different.
Most, not all, teams in the NHL when faced with a new system often fall back and play that team conservatively. With some teams dropping back to play the Caps defensively minded, the boys in red, white and blue might be able to steal a few extra games early. That is key to setting up for a run to the playoffs with only 48 games on the schedule.
3 Critical Areas
Okay, warm fuzzy feelings are over. The Capitals are back to work today and they only have a week to get in game time condition. Learning Adam Oates new system and jumping into a shortened season brings two new challenges to the Capitals this season. They will begin their season Saturday, January 19th against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Oates admitted as much that today won't really be an opening for a training camp. Rather, it is the start of practice with a game in less than a week. It means the roster they have on paper is most likely the roster that will be on the ice on Sunday and starting just six days later.
There are three areas, which I believe, to be of the utmost importance for the Caps to get under grasps as the season begins. Learning these with in the framework of Oates' new system might help them get off the blocks quickly.
Power Play
The power play is the Capitals' most powerful weapon. Bringing in a power play specialist like head coach Adam Oates, this special team concept is a top priority for this team if they want to get out of the gates quickly.
A consistent and formidable power play does a lot for the offense of any team in the NHL. If a team can consistently and successfully convert power play opportunities it will soft the play of the opposition, leading to more chances 5 on 5. The Caps' bread and butter lies with a solid power play. Under Bruce Boudreau, as long as the power play was working, opposition teams couldn't play tight and physical with the Capitals for fear of getting a penalty.
With more open ice 5 on 5 the capitals will see their offensive production start to soar. That would make this team a very tough opponent when the post season arrives.
Goaltending
It will be key to a short season for sure. Guaranteed, the Capitals will utilize their two still young and budding goaltenders in Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth. With a condensed schedule, the Capitals have seven back to back nights in which both netminders most likely sharing duties opposite nights. Both will have to be on top of their game, then find something extra for the playoffs if the Caps should get there (knock on wood).
That pretty much means a number one goaltender is a shared position this season. That should build up to some competition once the playoffs rears its ugly head. Holtby has shown some signs of solid goal keeping in Hershey. While Neuvirth has been playing the the Czech Republic with the HC Sparta Praha. Both had some success in both leagues.
Offensive Consistency
The Capitals struggled with producing goals last season. Part of that struggle came from a power play that was stifled. Part of it was team defenses did a better job of containing Alex Ovechkin by double teaming him. As that production suffered, so did the Caps hopes of doing much offensively. The Capitals made the switch from an all out offensive assault, to a controlled neutral zone play, to flat out defense first system under Dale Hunter.
Oates has said in the past that his system will be a balanced approach to playing both on the offensive and defensive ends of the ice. But the offensive numbers has to improve for the Capitals to gain much success this season. It will have to be a team priority too, as no player can be on an island the way opposing teams have been playing the Capitals.
Of course it will be up to the coaching staff on how to best do this. But some solutions could include getting the defense into play in the offensive zone. With a healthy and rested Mike Green should help with that. This requires more covering by wings and centermen when the blue liners do make a dash to the net. Another solution is for the Capitals to set up more in the offensive zone with cycles down low. If they can work the puck around and passing is crisp, the Caps could find the open guy for a few goals running the opposition around.
Capitals first day of camp starts today at 10:30 am, at Kettler Iceplex. They are open and free to the public. The Caps will hold camp all week before their first game against the Lightning on Saturday January 19th.
Oates admitted as much that today won't really be an opening for a training camp. Rather, it is the start of practice with a game in less than a week. It means the roster they have on paper is most likely the roster that will be on the ice on Sunday and starting just six days later.
There are three areas, which I believe, to be of the utmost importance for the Caps to get under grasps as the season begins. Learning these with in the framework of Oates' new system might help them get off the blocks quickly.
Power Play
The power play is the Capitals' most powerful weapon. Bringing in a power play specialist like head coach Adam Oates, this special team concept is a top priority for this team if they want to get out of the gates quickly.
A consistent and formidable power play does a lot for the offense of any team in the NHL. If a team can consistently and successfully convert power play opportunities it will soft the play of the opposition, leading to more chances 5 on 5. The Caps' bread and butter lies with a solid power play. Under Bruce Boudreau, as long as the power play was working, opposition teams couldn't play tight and physical with the Capitals for fear of getting a penalty.
With more open ice 5 on 5 the capitals will see their offensive production start to soar. That would make this team a very tough opponent when the post season arrives.
Goaltending
It will be key to a short season for sure. Guaranteed, the Capitals will utilize their two still young and budding goaltenders in Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth. With a condensed schedule, the Capitals have seven back to back nights in which both netminders most likely sharing duties opposite nights. Both will have to be on top of their game, then find something extra for the playoffs if the Caps should get there (knock on wood).
That pretty much means a number one goaltender is a shared position this season. That should build up to some competition once the playoffs rears its ugly head. Holtby has shown some signs of solid goal keeping in Hershey. While Neuvirth has been playing the the Czech Republic with the HC Sparta Praha. Both had some success in both leagues.
Offensive Consistency
The Capitals struggled with producing goals last season. Part of that struggle came from a power play that was stifled. Part of it was team defenses did a better job of containing Alex Ovechkin by double teaming him. As that production suffered, so did the Caps hopes of doing much offensively. The Capitals made the switch from an all out offensive assault, to a controlled neutral zone play, to flat out defense first system under Dale Hunter.
Oates has said in the past that his system will be a balanced approach to playing both on the offensive and defensive ends of the ice. But the offensive numbers has to improve for the Capitals to gain much success this season. It will have to be a team priority too, as no player can be on an island the way opposing teams have been playing the Capitals.
Of course it will be up to the coaching staff on how to best do this. But some solutions could include getting the defense into play in the offensive zone. With a healthy and rested Mike Green should help with that. This requires more covering by wings and centermen when the blue liners do make a dash to the net. Another solution is for the Capitals to set up more in the offensive zone with cycles down low. If they can work the puck around and passing is crisp, the Caps could find the open guy for a few goals running the opposition around.
Capitals first day of camp starts today at 10:30 am, at Kettler Iceplex. They are open and free to the public. The Caps will hold camp all week before their first game against the Lightning on Saturday January 19th.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
One Big Happy Family
It was more for the benefit of the media than it was for the general manager George McPhee and head coach Adam Oates to address the press. The "oh so fluffy" feelings of a hockey season returning saw both media moguls and Capitals' players and staff wearing wide smiles and patting each other on the back in a hearty "Welcome back!"
Alex Ovechkin was the marquee guy that the press had asked for since seeing his return at Dulles Airport being greeted by Mike Vogel. It looked like that was not going to happen, but in the end, classic Ovechkin strolls out, wide grin wearing a t-shirt that said in Russian "Am I really the prettiest one here, again?" To a Caps fan, yes, yes he was.
From Braden Holtby, to McPhee, to Oates and then Ovi finishing up the impromptu media day at Kettler, the mood was light, cheerful even. A sense of relief was on the faces of both players and coaches and the people that interview them. Even a spotting of Joe Beninati, who regaled his rough time finding work during the stoppage with fellow reporters, made it seem that hockey was right where it was supposed to be in DC.
While it is all smiles and cheerfulness, the seriousness of a sprint of a 48 game season is weighing on management and coaches. Anxious to get back to work, Oates told reporters of running line combos almost daily. Even McPhee is getting calls from other GMs around the league looking to trade once the CBA is ratified. It looks to be a confusing and fast start to the season, and the team most ready for it might be the one fighting for a chance in the Finals for Lord Stanley's Cup.
So the smiles are fine for now. The real work begins when "camp" starts most likely on Sunday.
 |
| Ovi walks in all smiles. |
From Braden Holtby, to McPhee, to Oates and then Ovi finishing up the impromptu media day at Kettler, the mood was light, cheerful even. A sense of relief was on the faces of both players and coaches and the people that interview them. Even a spotting of Joe Beninati, who regaled his rough time finding work during the stoppage with fellow reporters, made it seem that hockey was right where it was supposed to be in DC.
 |
| Oates addresses the media. |
So the smiles are fine for now. The real work begins when "camp" starts most likely on Sunday.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tim Hunter Joins Coaching Staff
An assistant coach for the Caps only Cup Final, the long time Ron Wilson assistant Tim Hunter will return to DC to right hand Adam Oates' staff.
Per Caps PR:
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Tim Hunter the team’s assistant coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Hunter, 51, has coached 1,041 games in an assistant role during his 13-season NHL coaching career. The former Stanley Cup winner was an assistant coach under Ron Wilson in all 13 previous seasons, including five years behind the Washington bench (1997-2002). Hunter helped the Capitals reach the Stanley Cup final in 1998 and the team reached the postseason in three of his five seasons with Washington, compiling a record of 192-159-51-8 (.540 percentage). Hunter coached current Capitals head coach Adam Oates, associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig and assistant coach Calle Johansson during his tenure in Washington.
The Calgary, Alberta, native has a career coaching record of 499-394-70-84 with Washington, San Jose (2002-2008) and Toronto (2008-2011).
As a player Hunter played 16 seasons (1981-1997) in the NHL for Calgary, Quebec, Vancouver and San Jose. He won a Stanley Cup in 1989 when he was a member of the Calgary Flames. In 815 career NHL games the 6’2”, 200-pound right wing tallied 138 points (62 goals, 76 assists) along with 3,146 penalty minutes. He ranks eighth in all-time career NHL penalty minutes and still holds the Flames’ all-time franchise record with 2,405 minutes in penalties. He was originally selected by the Atlanta Flames in the third round (54th overall) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Per Caps PR:
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Tim Hunter the team’s assistant coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Hunter, 51, has coached 1,041 games in an assistant role during his 13-season NHL coaching career. The former Stanley Cup winner was an assistant coach under Ron Wilson in all 13 previous seasons, including five years behind the Washington bench (1997-2002). Hunter helped the Capitals reach the Stanley Cup final in 1998 and the team reached the postseason in three of his five seasons with Washington, compiling a record of 192-159-51-8 (.540 percentage). Hunter coached current Capitals head coach Adam Oates, associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig and assistant coach Calle Johansson during his tenure in Washington.
The Calgary, Alberta, native has a career coaching record of 499-394-70-84 with Washington, San Jose (2002-2008) and Toronto (2008-2011).
As a player Hunter played 16 seasons (1981-1997) in the NHL for Calgary, Quebec, Vancouver and San Jose. He won a Stanley Cup in 1989 when he was a member of the Calgary Flames. In 815 career NHL games the 6’2”, 200-pound right wing tallied 138 points (62 goals, 76 assists) along with 3,146 penalty minutes. He ranks eighth in all-time career NHL penalty minutes and still holds the Flames’ all-time franchise record with 2,405 minutes in penalties. He was originally selected by the Atlanta Flames in the third round (54th overall) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Calle Johansson Tapped As Assistant Coach
The Capitals announced today that former Cap Calle Johansson as assistant coach. It's the first personnel change made by new head coach Adam Oates. There was speculation that Scott Stevens would return to DC to aid Oates, but with his presence at New Jersey Devil's camp that rumor was disbanded. Per Caps' PR:
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Calle Johansson the team’s assistant coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Johansson, 45, holds the record for the most games played as a Washington Capital, appearing in 983 games with Washington from 1989-2003. Johansson holds Washington records for points (474) and assists (361) by a defenseman and ranks third in goals (113) all-time. He was an alternate captain with Washington during the 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2002-03 seasons. Johansson along with current Capitals head coach Adam Oates and associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig, played for the Capitals team that reached the 1998 Stanley Cup finals. He helped the Capitals reach the playoffs in 11 of his 15 seasons with Washington and holds franchise playoff records for games played (95) and points (54) by a defenseman.
The Goteberg, Sweden, native played in 1,109 career NHL games, collecting 535 points (119 goals, 416 assists) and 519 penalty minutes. Johansson was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round (14th overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and was traded to Washington on March 7, 1989, with a second-round pick (Byron Dafoe) in the 1989 draft for Clint Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard and Washington’s sixth choice in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. The 5’11”, 203-pound blueliner played for Buffalo and Washington before retiring on August 7, 2003. Johansson worked briefly as a scout for the Capitals before coming out of retirement to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of the 2003-04 season. He appeared in eight regular-season games (collecting six assists) and four playoff games before retiring at the end of the season.
Johansson represented Sweden at numerous international tournaments, including the 1983 and 1984 (gold medal) European Junior Championships, the 1986 and 1987 (bronze medal) World Junior Championships, the 1991 Canada Cup, the 1991 (gold medal) and 1992 (gold medal) World Championships, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Following his playing career, Johansson became a color commentator and provided analysis for Swedish television for both the Swedish Elite League (SEL) and the NHL. He was an assistant coach for Frolunda of the SEL during the 2006-07 season before returning to broadcasting.
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Calle Johansson the team’s assistant coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Johansson, 45, holds the record for the most games played as a Washington Capital, appearing in 983 games with Washington from 1989-2003. Johansson holds Washington records for points (474) and assists (361) by a defenseman and ranks third in goals (113) all-time. He was an alternate captain with Washington during the 1998-99, 1999-00 and 2002-03 seasons. Johansson along with current Capitals head coach Adam Oates and associate goaltending coach Olie Kolzig, played for the Capitals team that reached the 1998 Stanley Cup finals. He helped the Capitals reach the playoffs in 11 of his 15 seasons with Washington and holds franchise playoff records for games played (95) and points (54) by a defenseman.
The Goteberg, Sweden, native played in 1,109 career NHL games, collecting 535 points (119 goals, 416 assists) and 519 penalty minutes. Johansson was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round (14th overall) of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and was traded to Washington on March 7, 1989, with a second-round pick (Byron Dafoe) in the 1989 draft for Clint Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard and Washington’s sixth choice in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. The 5’11”, 203-pound blueliner played for Buffalo and Washington before retiring on August 7, 2003. Johansson worked briefly as a scout for the Capitals before coming out of retirement to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of the 2003-04 season. He appeared in eight regular-season games (collecting six assists) and four playoff games before retiring at the end of the season.
Johansson represented Sweden at numerous international tournaments, including the 1983 and 1984 (gold medal) European Junior Championships, the 1986 and 1987 (bronze medal) World Junior Championships, the 1991 Canada Cup, the 1991 (gold medal) and 1992 (gold medal) World Championships, the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Following his playing career, Johansson became a color commentator and provided analysis for Swedish television for both the Swedish Elite League (SEL) and the NHL. He was an assistant coach for Frolunda of the SEL during the 2006-07 season before returning to broadcasting.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Green Out?
Defenseman Mike Green declined the Capitals’ qualifying offer of a one-year contract worth $5 million. He had until 5 p.m. Sunday to accept the deal, as was the case with all restricted free agents considering qualifying offers.Both sides can continue to negotiate and from the sound of it, George McPhee seems positive that Green will be a Cap next season. Both Green and Carlson were offered one year deals. The Capitals also have the right to retain the player by matching any contract given to them by any other team.
It is clear that Green is looking for a more long term contract, be it with the Capitals or else where. McPhee's offer is just a first step in the process, sort of a ante in poker. Now both sides can sit at the table and negotiate more time or more money or both.
While Green is probably worth the $5 million or so a year, his production has tailed off some in recent seasons due to mostly injuries. He had a career year in '08-'09 where he scored a jaw dropping 31 goals and had 73 points that season. That playoff year was the year of "they don't make my stick anymore" and he only contributed for 9 points (1g, 8a) and was a -5 in seven game series with the Rangers and the Penguins.
From that point on, the numbers drop. Just 19 goals with 75 games played in '09-'10 (but had 76 points, 3 better than the previous season), 8 goals with 49 games played in '10-'11, and just 3 goals and 7 points total in 32 games last season.
Whether it ranges from excuses on poor performance or fighting the injury bug, Green still banks on the magical season where he put up 31 goals and led all defensemen that season. But he has done little since to warrant a contract more than what he is making now.
What Mike Green brings to the Capitals (or has brought) is a genuine threat on the power play. A defenseman that is not afraid to pinch in from the blue line to get that killer shot. Great hands, and offensive minded, Green added a layer to a defensive squad that propelled the Capitals into the playoff picture in the first place. But with injuries mounting, and the lack of production in the post season, is he more a liability? Can the Capitals live with out Green?
There is no reason to panic that Green is gone for good. With time left to negotiate, McPhee has in many ways helped to build a team around him in many ways. If Green can stay in a good mental place, and stay healthy, there is no reason he can't make a run at 30 goals again. With a power play specialist as a head coach in Adam Oates, there is no need for Green to head to the door just yet.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Caps Name Adam Oates Head Coach
News first broke by TSN's Darren Dreger, then confirmed by Caps sources. Per Caps PR:
"ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Adam Oates the team’s head coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
“We are very pleased to name Adam Oates as the new head coach of the Washington Capitals,” said McPhee. “Adam was a highly intelligent player in the NHL for 19 seasons. He has been an assistant coach in our conference for the past three seasons and is prepared to lead our club as head coach.”
Oates, 49, becomes the 16th head coach in Washington Capitals history and will make his head coaching debut after three seasons as an assistant coach. Oates became an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2009-10 season before moving to New Jersey in 2010. He was behind the bench as an assistant for the Devils’ Stanley Cup playoff-run last season.
Oates played 19 seasons in the NHL from 1985-2004, appearing in 1,337 games and collecting 1,420 points (341 goals, 1,079 assists) with Detroit, St. Louis, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Anaheim and Edmonton. Only Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux averaged more assists per-game than Oates in the NHL history. During the 1990’s only Gretzky (662) recorded more assists than Oates (636).
The Weston, Ontario, native ranks sixth all-time in assists and 16th all-time in points in NHL history. Oates ranks 25th in NHL history in playoff points, having recorded 156 points (42 goals, 114 assists) in 163 career playoff games. The former center led or was tied for the league lead in assists three times in his career (1992-93, 2000-01 and 2001-02) and ranked in the top-10 in assists in 12 of his 19 seasons. Oates was named an NHL All-Star five times (1991-94 and 1997) and was a six-time Lady Bing finalist during his career (runner-up in four straight seasons).
Oates played in 387 games for the Capitals from 1996-2002, compiling 363 points (73 goals, 290 assists). He ranks 18th in scoring and 10th in assists among all players in the Capitals history. Wearing No. 77 for the Capitals, Oates was an alternate captain during the 1997-98 season before serving as the team’s captain from 1999-01 campaign.
Oates was originally signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Detroit Red Wings on June 28, 1985, after spending four seasons with R.P.I. of the NCAA. After stints in Detroit, St. Louis and Boston, he was traded to Washington by Boston with Bill Ranford and Rick Tocchet for Jim Carey, Anson Carter, Jason Allison and Washington's 3rd round choice (Lee Goren) in the 1997 Entry Draft, March 1, 1997. After playing parts of six seasons with the Capitals, including the team’s run to the 1998 Stanley Cup final, Oates was traded to Philadelphia by Washington for Maxime Ouellet and Philadelphia's 1st (later traded to Dallas - Dallas selected Martin Vagner), 2nd (Maxime Daigneault) and 3rd (Derek Krestanovich) round choices in the 2002 Entry Draft, March 19, 2002. Oates spent time with Philadelphia, Anaheim and Edmonton before his retirement on April 3, 2004.
Oates joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season, helping the team go 34-36-12. He joined the New Jersey Devils staff the following season as the Devils went 38-39-5. Last season Oates helped the Devils finish with a record of 48-28-6 as New Jersey reached the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2003."
"ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Adam Oates the team’s head coach, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
“We are very pleased to name Adam Oates as the new head coach of the Washington Capitals,” said McPhee. “Adam was a highly intelligent player in the NHL for 19 seasons. He has been an assistant coach in our conference for the past three seasons and is prepared to lead our club as head coach.”
Oates, 49, becomes the 16th head coach in Washington Capitals history and will make his head coaching debut after three seasons as an assistant coach. Oates became an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2009-10 season before moving to New Jersey in 2010. He was behind the bench as an assistant for the Devils’ Stanley Cup playoff-run last season.
Oates played 19 seasons in the NHL from 1985-2004, appearing in 1,337 games and collecting 1,420 points (341 goals, 1,079 assists) with Detroit, St. Louis, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Anaheim and Edmonton. Only Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux averaged more assists per-game than Oates in the NHL history. During the 1990’s only Gretzky (662) recorded more assists than Oates (636).
The Weston, Ontario, native ranks sixth all-time in assists and 16th all-time in points in NHL history. Oates ranks 25th in NHL history in playoff points, having recorded 156 points (42 goals, 114 assists) in 163 career playoff games. The former center led or was tied for the league lead in assists three times in his career (1992-93, 2000-01 and 2001-02) and ranked in the top-10 in assists in 12 of his 19 seasons. Oates was named an NHL All-Star five times (1991-94 and 1997) and was a six-time Lady Bing finalist during his career (runner-up in four straight seasons).
Oates played in 387 games for the Capitals from 1996-2002, compiling 363 points (73 goals, 290 assists). He ranks 18th in scoring and 10th in assists among all players in the Capitals history. Wearing No. 77 for the Capitals, Oates was an alternate captain during the 1997-98 season before serving as the team’s captain from 1999-01 campaign.
Oates was originally signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Detroit Red Wings on June 28, 1985, after spending four seasons with R.P.I. of the NCAA. After stints in Detroit, St. Louis and Boston, he was traded to Washington by Boston with Bill Ranford and Rick Tocchet for Jim Carey, Anson Carter, Jason Allison and Washington's 3rd round choice (Lee Goren) in the 1997 Entry Draft, March 1, 1997. After playing parts of six seasons with the Capitals, including the team’s run to the 1998 Stanley Cup final, Oates was traded to Philadelphia by Washington for Maxime Ouellet and Philadelphia's 1st (later traded to Dallas - Dallas selected Martin Vagner), 2nd (Maxime Daigneault) and 3rd (Derek Krestanovich) round choices in the 2002 Entry Draft, March 19, 2002. Oates spent time with Philadelphia, Anaheim and Edmonton before his retirement on April 3, 2004.
Oates joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season, helping the team go 34-36-12. He joined the New Jersey Devils staff the following season as the Devils went 38-39-5. Last season Oates helped the Devils finish with a record of 48-28-6 as New Jersey reached the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2003."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)