2009 Washington Capitals thread

[adam14 182]

"final score Ovechkin 2, the Islanders 1" haha

[interpathway 9]

Congrats on 30 (and 31) and 200, to OV and Theo respectively. Goals this season and Career wins.

[adam14 182]

in all honesty, i didnt think the caps looked that great in the third. especially after NYI tied it up. Cant believe OV missed that empty netter!

[hockeysc23 0]

in all honesty, i didnt think the caps looked that great in the third. especially after NYI tied it up. Cant believe OV missed that empty netter!

Caps looked awful all game. What sloppy hockey.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

They played bad against them last time too. So did the bruins. every team plays bad against the isles cause its an auto win.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

They played bad against them last time too. So did the bruins. every team plays bad against the isles cause its an auto win.

Yeah, they play down to their level.

Hopefully they bounce back against the sens (bounce back in terms of a strong showing)

Fehr and Clark are the healthy scratches tonight, with gordo and stecks getting back in the lineup.

Washington Forwards

8-Ovechkin, 19-Backstrom, 25-Kozlov

14-Fleischmann, 91-Fedorov, 28-Semin

21-Laich, 92-Nylander, 15-Gordon

87-Brashear, 39-Steckel, 10-Bradley

Washington Defensemen

4-Erskine, 52-Green

55-Schultz, 23-Jurcina

27-Alzner, 43-Helmer

Are the lineups predicted for tonight.

Theo to start again, Johnny injured so Cheese is still backing him up

[interpathway 9]

Anyone know why Machesny was recalled rather than Varlamov, who played so well previously? My only guess is that the Caps are expecting Theo to start every game and would prefer to have Simeon at least be playing in Hershey...

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Anyone know why Machesny was recalled rather than Varlamov, who played so well previously? My only guess is that the Caps are expecting Theo to start every game and would prefer to have Simeon at least be playing in Hershey...

Think it's just a tip of the hat to cheeser for his play over the last season or two, knowing that he won't be a part of the caps long term (nhl wise) plans. Pure speculation on my part.

Neuvirth backing up varlamov for now down in chocolatetown

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Reading now that nylander and fehr are healthy scratches, so clark seems to be staying in the line.

That should push gordo from RW back to center.

Ovey-Backstrom-Koz

Flash-Feds-Semin

Laich-Stecks-Clark

Brash-Gordo-Brads

Wonder if Ruutu will try anything tonight, with Erskine, Brads and Brash, the caps have any potential fisticuffs covered, middleweight to heavyweight

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

OK Varlamov isn't 100%, Neuvirth called up to hershey last friday, that's why cheese is up over varlamov

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Wonder what the caps have planned for Neuvirth. Varly seems to be on the track for caps starter after next year. Neuvirth has too much potential to be a backup NHLer. maybe a few showcase starts and a deal at the deadline? (not this year obviously)

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I think Varlamov will be backup after this season, starter after next.

I think Neuvirth will be backup in Hershey next season, starter for a season, then backup varlamov in DC after that.

So, think it will be 3-4 seasons before they have to make a decision

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Full post by tarik has all the details, here is the synopsis

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsi..._update_17.html

So let's review: Boudreau isn't happy with Nylander (and understandably so). And Nylander isn't happy with Boudreau (a little confusing to me, at least).

This situation hasn't gotten ugly yet. But it's only matter of time before it does.

[Chadd 916]

Full post by tarik has all the details, here is the synopsis

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsi..._update_17.html

So let's review: Boudreau isn't happy with Nylander (and understandably so). And Nylander isn't happy with Boudreau (a little confusing to me, at least).

This situation hasn't gotten ugly yet. But it's only matter of time before it does.

I have no idea why it's confusing. A skill guy like Nylander has to play with skill guys and get decent ice time for his game to work. Putting him with grinders and bangers isn't going to work well. You have to put players in a position to succeed, not expect them to succeed in any position.

[interpathway 9]

Wow. That "possible" goal was nowhere near the net. Ugh.

edit: HAHAHA Federov makes that one count!!!

[interpathway 9]

Great to see Federov back. Hopefully that high ankle sprain is completely in the rearview mirror. Knock on wood.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Full post by tarik has all the details, here is the synopsis

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsi..._update_17.html

So let's review: Boudreau isn't happy with Nylander (and understandably so). And Nylander isn't happy with Boudreau (a little confusing to me, at least).

This situation hasn't gotten ugly yet. But it's only matter of time before it does.

I have no idea why it's confusing. A skill guy like Nylander has to play with skill guys and get decent ice time for his game to work. Putting him with grinders and bangers isn't going to work well. You have to put players in a position to succeed, not expect them to succeed in any position.

He has had a fair chance on a line with Semin and Fleischman. He just hasn't produced, and has been lazy on the ice. He hasn't played like he cared when given time with the scoring lines, and hasn't played like he wants more ice time when he is dropped a line.

Chris Clark played on the top line with Ovey, Brooks Laich has 11 goals this season, and 21 last season, so he can score. These are not just bangers and grinders who can't find the net, it's not brashear and gordon he is being played with. He is just not playing.

He has a no movement clause, so he can't be waived, traded or bought out, and appears to be playing like he knows he can't be moved either

[interpathway 9]

Tough game to lose. Get a head on your shoulders Sem.

[interpathway 9]

Wow. Not too happy...

"It's a question of stupid, dumb, selfish - it's just not winning hockey," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "The bottom line is with three minutes to go you don't go cross-ice pass in the zone, you get it at the net.

[hockeysc23 0]

Another lazy performance against a struggling team.

I don't mind it if the Caps lose a game (obviously you cannot win every game) BUT I'd rather them be out played then out worked.

[adam14 182]

couldn't agree more, althoug Heatley's first goal had theodore struggling for position. havent been impressed with him, even against the Isles..

[hockeysc23 0]

couldn't agree more, althoug Heatley's first goal had theodore struggling for position. havent been impressed with him, even against the Isles..

It was cuz Erskine pushed the Ottawa player right into Theo. Refs had the call completely right.

As for Theo the past 15 or so games he has played outstanding. He has kept the team in it (esp. Pittsburgh and Isles) when the team came out the gate struggling.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Backstrom decided to drop out of youngstars game. Not injured, just resting up for the 2nd half of the season.

Good call

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Alzner, Cheese and Helmer all returned to Hershey.

With 8 days before the next caps game, and some cap relief to be got with the move, not at all surprising.

[interpathway 9]

In reference to ASNPs Backstrom story...

Capitals' Backstrom withdraws from YoungStars game

BC-HKN--Capitals-YoungStars-Backstrom,0208

Capitals' Backstrom withdraws from YoungStars game

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has

decided he'd rather have a break during the All-Star weekend than take part

in the NHL YoungStars game.

He announced Wednesday he was withdrawing from Saturday's game in Montreal.

The second-year player leads the Southeast Division-leading Capitals in

assists (36) and is second in points (48) behind Alex Ovechkin.

Backstrom played in the game last year and will be replaced by David Perron

of St. Louis on the YoungStars roster.

"This year I felt like it made more sense for me to give someone else that

opportunity and use this time to rest and prepare for the second half of the

season with the Washington Capitals," Backstrom said in a statement released

by the team. "I can assure Caps fans that I'm not injured."