Rangers/Capitals Series - A Statistical Preview
by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 6:00 AM EDT
in 2011 Rangers Playoff Coverage
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As you'll likely read everywhere, the New York Rangers finished the season series with the Washington Capitals with a 3-1-0 record, with a 17-6 goal differential. On the surface, this looks like a team that the Rangers should have no problem handling, but looking at the underlying numbers, you'll start to see why this series will not be that easy.
The first thing to look at is Fenwick and Corsi. As you may or may not know, Fenwick is simply the total number of shots a team shoots and allows. This includes shots on goal and missed nets. Corsi also includes blocked shots in to the total. These apply to even strength situations only. Corsi especially is the best stat available for approximating time of possession. Here's a look at each of the four games thus far (thanks to Vic Ferrari for the awesome script):
| Game No. | GF | GA | SF | SA | Shots +/- | MF | MA | Fenwick | BF | BA | Corsi |
| 20204 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 17 | -8 |
| 20438 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 24 | -9 | 12 | 17 | -14 | 5 | 7 | -16 |
| 20728 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 16 | -5 |
| 20915 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 27 | -6 | 5 | 13 | -14 | 5 | 15 | -24 |
| Total | 12 | 4 | 67 | 87 | -12 | 31 | 43 | -24 | 26 | 55 | -53 |
G = Goals, S=Saves, M=Misses, B=Blocks
As you see, despite beating the Caps 12-4 at even strength, the Rangers were outshot in every game, badly so in each of the blowouts. That is a great, small sample example of score effects. A better way to look at these numbers is when the score is tied. This paints a much prettier picture for the Rangers:
| Game No. | GF | GA | SF | SA | Shots +/- | MF | MA | Fenwick | BF | BA | Corsi |
| 20204 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| 20438 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 20728 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 15 | -9 | 1 | 2 | -10 | 5 | 9 | -14 |
| 20915 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 27 | 30 | -1 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 19 | -3 |
Now we see that the Rangers had the better of the play in 3 of the 4 games, excluding the 2-1 shootout win where the Caps dominated, but Martin Biron carried the weight. We see a similar story painted when we look at the 5v5 scoring chances for each game:
| Game No. | SCF | SCA | SC +/- | SCF Tied | SCA Tied | SC Tied +/- |
| 20204 | 11 | 16 | -5 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| 20438 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 20728 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 3 | 7 | -4 |
| 20915 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 43 | 49 | -6 | 13 | 15 | -2 |
While it's valuable to see what the teams have done head to head, it's also worth looking at the teams' performance over the course of the season. Thanks to Neil Greenberg over at the Russian Machine Never Breaks, we have the scoring chance data for the Capitals this season, so let's see how it compares the Rangers:
The data here is a rolling 10 game average of the percentage of chances for each team. It excludes 3 games for the Capitals where data was not available (game 9 vs Carolina, games 81 and 82 vs Florida). It excludes 2 games for the Rangers (games 76 and 80 against Boston). For the season, the Rangers average is 52.9%, the Capitals 52.2%. As you see, the Caps have been more volatile over the course of the year, with bigger upswings and bigger downswings than our team, but the end result is the same. We can also look at the score tied chances:
For this chart, I've used a rolling 20 game average because of the smaller data sample. Washington's average for the season is 51.5%, while the Rangers is 52.7%. The difference here is that Washington has been steadily improving all season (currently at 56.8%), while the Rangers have continued to be their roller coaster selves.
You have two teams that have been mostly even against each other with shots (score adjusted), mostly even in scoring chances head to head (score adjusted), and are similar in their scoring chances for the year. So how does one team end up with a 17-6 goals advantage? It really is as simple as it seems, it's goaltending.
| EV GA | EV Chances | EV SV% | PP GA | PP Chances | PP SV% | SH GA | SH Chances | SH SV% | Total GA | Total Chances | Total SV% | |
| Lundqvist | 4 | 44 | 90.91% | 1 | 9 | 88.89% | 0 | 1 | 100.00% | 5 | 54 | 90.74% |
| Biron | 1 | 15 | 93.33% | 0 | 1 | 100.00% | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 1 | 16 | 93.75% |
| NYR Total | 5 | 59 | 91.53% | 1 | 10 | 90.00% | 0 | 1 | 100.00% | 6 | 70 | 91.43% |
| Holtby | 0 | 8 | 100.00% | 0 | 1 | 100.00% | 0 | 0 | #DIV/0! | 0 | 9 | 100.00% |
| Varlamov | 6 | 14 | 57.14% | 0 | 2 | 100.00% | 1 | 1 | 0.00% | 7 | 17 | 58.82% |
| Neuvirth | 5 | 23 | 78.26% | 3 | 12 | 75.00% | 0 | 1 | 100.00% | 8 | 36 | 77.78% |
| WSH Total | 11 | 45 | 75.56% | 3 | 15 | 80.00% | 1 | 2 | 50.00% | 15 | 62 | 75.81% |
The narrative going into this series will be that the Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist, the Capitals do not, and that will end up being the difference. The underbelly says that just might be true. Yes, the Rangers have converted 24.2% of their scoring chances against Washington, near the equivalent of getting only breakaways all game. Meanwhile, Lundqvist and Biron both stopped an above percentage of the Caps' chances. Of course, this is a 4 game sample, quite small in the grand scheme of things. Here's the details for the season:
| EV GA | EV Chances | EV SV% | PP GA | PP Chances | PP SV% | SH GA | SH Chances | SH SV% | Total GA | Total Chances | Total SV% | |
| Lundqvist | 90 | 777 | 88.42% | 37 | 213 | 82.63% | 2 | 34 | 94.12% | 129 | 1024 | 87.40% |
| Biron | 24 | 173 | 86.13% | 4 | 39 | 89.74% | 2 | 7 | 71.43% | 30 | 219 | 86.30% |
| NYR Total | 114 | 950 | 88.00% | 41 | 252 | 83.73% | 4 | 41 | 90.24% | 159 | 1243 | 87.21% |
| Holtby | 18 | 131 | 86.26% | 3 | 37 | 91.89% | 0 | 6 | 100.00% | 21 | 174 | 87.93% |
| Varlamov | 79 | 536 | 85.26% | 19 | 101 | 81.19% | 5 | 23 | 78.26% | 103 | 660 | 84.39% |
| Neuvirth | 39 | 302 | 87.09% | 14 | 70 | 80.00% | 1 | 16 | 93.75% | 54 | 388 | 86.08% |
| WSH Total | 136 | 969 | 85.96% | 36 | 208 | 82.69% | 6 | 45 | 86.67% | 178 | 1222 | 85.43% |
The Rangers certainly still have an edge in goal over the presumed tandem of Michal Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov. Lundqvist has stopped nearly 89% of his EV chances faced, clearly better than anyone Washington has boasted this year, but not nearly as great a difference as what it has seemed to be when the teams play head to head.
Wrapping this up, it is clear that while presumably favorable to other opponents, this Capitals series will not be an easy test. The Caps are playing good hockey right now, finishing the season at 15-4-1, while the Rangers are still lacking consistency 82 games later. We can likely expect a long series, potentially ending deadlocked going into the best thing in all of sports, a hockey Game 7.
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Caps are the underdog…thats for sure….Rangers better be hungry, because a huge chip is on Ovie’s shoulder.
Caps are not the underdog, they’re certainly the better team. This will very likely come down to goaltending. If varly/neuvirth play closer to their season averages, or lundqvist doesnt play like an elite, the Rangers will have a rough time.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 8:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This will very likely come down to goaltending.
Agree. If WSH crashes the net NYR could be in trouble. If Caps rely on perimeter shooting it may be a long series that ends unhappily for boys in red.
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are the caps a crash-the-net type team?
not following them on a regular basis i thought they were more of a skilled set of forwards, do they have a crash and bang group that drive to the net?
i mean, yeah, ovechkin hits everything, but semin and backstrom? who’re the bangers on the roster?
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 9:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
They have been trending that way of late. Thankfully.
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Caps are the underdog. When you lose to Montreal as the #1 seed the year before, you have something to prove, and until you take it from the Rangers, it is New York’s series.
As far as crashing the net….everyone’s head in Washington’s will explode if we take 55 perimenter shots a game like we did vs Halak last year. The net will be crashed, and it will be crashed hard.
Caps are the underdog.
No way. Is it a pretty even matchup? Yes, but I think they are def favorites no matter how slight.
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I don’t think I’ve heard of a 1 seed being an underdog…ever…I wonder how confident you guys are in Nueverth (I hope i spelled that correctly) being a rookie making his first post season start
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
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A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Not confident at all in a rookie goalie. Im telling you…Rangers should win this series. Why would you not think you can roll the Caps over?
have you watched the rangers this last week and a half? If so…then you have your answer
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Also, people seem to be hung up on “rookie goaltender” but one of our young goaltenders has already won a playoff series vs. the Rangers, and the other is about as calm and unflappable as it comes, he also has MORE playoff experience (albeit in the AHL) than Varlamov does (something like 25+ GP)
i could understand being hung up on the "rookie goaltender"
but having that experience over Varly could prove vital for the Caps…I like what i’ve seen out of Nuevy when he’s been on NBC and from what I’ve seen on 24/7…he seems a lot more composed and focused on positioning than Varly who, I think, could become easily flustered
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Dont give Varlamov TOO much credit
We pretty much beat ourselves in that series.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 11, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
You’d have to give me an awful lot of beer before I’d give Varly credit for anything. Point was simply that people are faulting the Caps for their goaltending when it was enough to do the job once. I just think there are easier parts of the Washington lineup to prod at (read: defensive depth/production)
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
rookie goaltenders in the playoffs
are sink or swim, there’s no middle ground
hank’s first playoff exposure was awful
it’s kind of interesting the top two seeds in the east are both going in riding rookie netminders, i don’t think that’s ever happened before
then again, there’s been a revolving door in the flyers’ crease since the early 90s
if neuvirth falters in game one, does boudreau cause him confidence issues by going to varlamov in game two? the caps winning game one in a river hockey match 6-5 would probably help his psyche just slightly rather than losing 2-0 and flubbing a couple of easy shots
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Neuvirth’s MO has typically been that if he’s going to let one in, it’s early, then he settles down. That’s why the Caps offense & the Staal/Girardi combo are so important, if you can keep the offense down, they can’t make up for the possible early flub. We’ll see.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
In that case, good thing so far Neuvirth has been “swim the English Channel” (3 times)
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by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I know we blew them out twice, but there is no way in hell that the Caps are underdogs in this series. Anyone who claims this hasn’t been paying much attention to the way the Caps have been dominating teams the last quarter of the season compared to the way we’ve been struggling night after night. We’ve got an okay record, but if we’re going to win the cup we need to look squarely in the eyes of the teams we’re about to confront. We play a game that can beat anyone in the league but we will only win if we set out to brutalize our opponents. That type of play takes its toll and we have NOT proven we can sustain that game plan, particularly when our opposition will be playing desperate hockey.
by voice22 on Apr 12, 2011 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry I meant 17-6. Still great!!
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by NYRangerFan718 on Apr 11, 2011 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, thats great, but over the last 35 games, the Caps have been dominant, and surged from #6 to #1. The Caps were getting beat by plenty of teams at that time.
Caps are by far the underdog, and the Rangers have no business losing this series. Rangers in 5.
Dude, what is up with you? Do you know how many teams and fanbases would love to switch places with the Caps/us for this playoff run? No less than 20 (assuming they’d rather have the playoffs than a high draft pick).
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by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Just claiming the Caps are the underdog does not make it truth. The very stats you mention disprove your claim. The Caps went from #6 to #1 seed. The Rangers went from being a playoff lock to just squeaking in. The arc of play the past month alone makes the Caps the favorite.
Even if you want to make the argument that “popular opinion” is that the Caps are the underdog, you’re wrong again. In six of seven recent national articles predicting the outcome of the series, the Caps are picked. (Adrian Dater is the one out-lier who think you guys will win.)
by GnarlyVarly on Apr 11, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
we’re gonna be facing a completely different team this time around…they actually learned how to play defense, we can’t be so cocky thinking that this will be a cake walk. There’s a reason they got the top seed in the east with a platoon of young, untested goalies
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
The narrative going into this series will be that the Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist, the Capitals do not, and that will end up being the difference.
Good (and true) stuff here. I have a post on WaPo coming up that says essentially the same thing re: Lundqvist. Going to be tough for Caps to score from their “favored” spots.
Should be a good series. Caps in 6. :-p
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I wouldn't put too much stock in the goaltending...
As you probably know, the Rangers are 5th best in goals against per game with 2.38 and the Caps are 4th best with 2.33. As a Ranger fan, I say this knowing that Biron has been a very good backup in the few games he has played. As a Caps fan, I’m sure you know that this number has been achieved despite the platooning approach to goaltending between Varlamov, Neuvirth, and Holtby this season.
If one of our goalies has a bad start to the game (let’s say a 3-0 end of the 1st), the Rangers have nowhere else to go than Hank. The Caps, however, can go to the bench with some semblance of confidence.
To the typical hockey fan, I think there is a general sense that the Rangers will have to be “luckier” than the Caps to win, and the easiest way to explain this is that they will have more goals on fewer shots.
"Clever is the eunuch version of funny"
This kind of has the classic feel of the regular season meaning nothing
Unlike the last time the teams faced each other in the playoffs, I do think the Rangers can win this series. Its just that they’re so inconsistent and also no Callahan, or at least the unknown of Callahan, also adds to what I think still may be another first round exit for the Rangers.
Their defense is going to have to damn near be perfect tho. And really…kind of the only way I think the Rangers take this is if Gaborik has a light bulb go off. He’s really the X factor. They’ve got here basically without him.
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bold prediction
rangers in three
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by joereiter on Apr 11, 2011 8:55 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs
If I could "like" this
I would. Well played, sir.
lol goes back to something i remember reading during the 2006 world series
where the tigers were the overwhelming favorites against the cardinals, and somebody’s prediction for the series read “tigers in three, it will go four games only because MLB requires it, but after three games this series will be over”
that guy turned out to have the right prediction…..but the cardinals were the ones who’d wrapped it up by game three
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Pierre Lebrun also said about Caps vs MTL something like “too bad I can’t pick Caps in 3, because I would if I could”
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
It also reminds me of my favorite sports quote of all time...
“Because I couldn’t go for three”
What Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes quipped when asked why he went for two despite a 36-point lead against Michigan.
"Clever is the eunuch version of funny"
by NYRBlue on Apr 11, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Great work George
Hopefully the rangers can take advantage of a rookie starting his first playoff series in goal. Then again we have seen what the rangers do against rookie goalies in the playoffs. All in all this should be a good, physical series and will go to seven games…I won’t say who will win because I’m not entirely sure who I think will win yet
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Keep in mind
Despite being a rookie, Neuvirth has never lost a playoff series on North American soil. I know it’s not the same, and he is still definitely a rook, but the kids won two straight Calder Cups, which does count for something, especially in those 2-1 series where the 4th game is absolutely vital to either build a lead or get back into it.
Caps are the underdogs?????
Aren’t we getting a little cocky here? Sure, the Rangers work hard and except for maybe Nashville, get the most out of very little. But still, Nashville hasn’t won a series with their work ethic.
Hard work is fine but the Rangers lack scoring. And it will be that much tougher to score in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if Gaby can step up but I don’t see his style of play leading to goals. He gets manhandled along the boards, something we will miss Cally dearly for, and he fears the front of the net. I see him disappearing more than he has recently.
And it is yet-to-be seen how guys like Stepan, Zucs, Boyle, Anisimov will handle playoff-style hockey. And we need them to score.
Hank will have to play out of his mind to win 1-0, 2-1 games, and it’s unfair to expect that of him.
I am not saying the Rangers will lose, but to say the Caps are underdogs is a bit of a stretch.
by truebluesince75 on Apr 11, 2011 9:24 AM EDT reply actions
Caps are the underdogs because of choking three years in a row culminating in a 1 vs 8 upset by the Habs last year. Also the caps were soundly beaten down 13-0 in half the season series by the rangers and Holtby was humiliated in the shootout. The caps might not be the underdogs on paper but they’ll probably be playing with a chip on their shoulder as if they are one.
Suspend Colin Campbell!
as if they are one.
Not the same as being one.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
We aren’t getting cocky, it is the Caps fans here that keep posting that they are underdogs. They are either hedging their bet or playing mind games, probably the former. This way if the Rangers happen to win, they can justify it with a “well, it’s no surprise, after all they were the favorite…”
The Caps are really in no way the underdogs. They are the #1 seed and on a huge hot streak the past 15 games. Momentum means everything in hockey. The Rangers have been inconsistent all year and barely made the playoffs, relying on other teams on the final day. The Rangers scored 4 goals in the next 3 games after that second Caps blowout. You have to be consistent to win a 7 game series.
Do I think the Rangers can do it? Of course, and I think/pray they will. But it is not a foregone conclusion that the Caps will choke. Well it is, but not necessarily in the first round.
by BigB22 on Apr 11, 2011 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well said. Remember, every team is only really as good as their recent playoff history. Caps are going to be chokers (ala SJ and VAN) until they aren’t…simple as that. You just want to make sure you’re not the team in the way when one of the perennial choker teams turns it around finally.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
most Rangers fans would bet money straight up that they will win this series. Not so sure about Caps fans.
Caps are the dog…they have to prove they can win.
I wouldn't
while I’m confident in my team’s ability to play hard and make this series a pain in the ass for the caps as well as a wake up call to the league that rangers are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. I’m not as confident that they’ll win as easily as you think…its going to seven games and it will be the best opening series
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Caps have to prove they can can win, but they’re the more talented team (at least with what we have healthy), and have had the better last 25 games. They’re not the underdogs and most Caps fans believe they will win, I just know that, personally, I don’t feel confident about it at all. Despite my lack of confidence, I think we’ll pull it off, but every good fan believes his or her team can win in the end.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
but every good fan believes his or her team can win in the end.
So true, yet there’s so much outrage when fans read their opponent’s fans’ comments. It’s entertaining sometimes.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This series in particular is unique because both of our teams have tormented us in different ways since last years post season. I dont think there’s a whole lot of confidence brimming in either camp. I think it’s fair to say good luck though, hopefully the better team wins, and it’s not decided by something fluky or controversial.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Um not at all
Sure we beat you guys pretty well this year, but I wouldn’t bet shit in this series. Ovechkin can still take over a game, Semin is inconsistent but out of nowhere he can score with his shot, if Backstrom starts playing like he did last year that just makes Ovechkin that much more dangerous, then you have big guys like Arnott, Laich, Knuble, etc who are always around the net. And then you have Green coming back and maybe Wideman will be back soon also, plus Marco Sturm has been good lately. You guys are still the favorite and are dangerous.
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The Caps are the dogs because of what happened last year. Prove your better, until then, an 8 seed will take you out again.
Any concerns about Hank playing 135 games in a row? His playoff career numbers are average at best.
OH NO! YOU HUMILIATED HOLTBY IN THE SHOOTOUT!?!?!?!?!
Good thing you’ll see lots of BOTH of those in the coming two weeks….
You know SA-Town is a Caps fan, right?
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
yes, I put this reply on the wrong comment. Should have gone on another comment wjust a little further up, has been pushed way up now with all the conversation. Apologies.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Also the caps were soundly beaten down 13-0 in half the season series by the rangers and Holtby was humiliated in the shootout. The caps might not be the underdogs on paper but they’ll probably be playing with a chip on their shoulder as if they are one.
That’s what I meant to respond to. Hadn’t had my coffee yet, excusesexcuses.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
No problem, just making sure, because he’s such an avid Rangers supporter (or more accurately, Caps basher) I’m curious how many of you guys from Japers coming over realize he’s one of your own :-)
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Playoffs do strange things to the psyches of Capitals’ fans. 35 years of playoff futility will do that.
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by Knee high to a duck on Apr 12, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also the caps were soundly beaten down 13-0 in half the season series by the rangers
I can’t remember where, but I read somewhere:
As you see, despite beating the Caps 12-4 at even strength, the Rangers were outshot in every game, badly so in each of the blowouts. That is a great, small sample example of score effects.
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that sounds so familiar but I can’t place my finger on where i read that before
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
I dont think it makes any sense to get into a chest thumping contest on a well written blog post. What George is saying is that the Rangers won handily this regular season, but that that should not be cause for all Rangers fans to become cocky and complacent, expecting an easy series against the choking Washington underdogs of fail. The Rangers will have to overcome a LOT to beat a Caps team that, frankly, the Rangers haven’t actually SEEN yet this year (they’ve seemed to forget to show up the last three times…)
Now, this being said, it IS entirely possible that the Caps WILL choke again and that this will be an easy series. That’s ALWAYS a possibility, but to come here, 3 days before game 1, and start the “pffft these guys are the same choke artists as last year” is premature. I certainly hope the Rangers themselves are sitting around going “thank God we got a first round bye with these clowns”
I dont think the Caps will pull off a collapse i think this series will be more even than we think…I think that each team will split the first four games and then take each take one of the last three. I don’t think one team will be dominant in this series
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
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In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
absolutely agree. This Rangers team just doesn’t feel like the type of team that would allow itself to be dominated, either way.
I still think that this could be a massive blowout if this truly is a different Caps team, but you couldn’t get me to bet my lunch money on that fact. I’ve been a Caps fan way too long to believe yet.
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least bit of the Caps blew out the Rangers in game 1.
I think Rangers fans are generally happy they drew a team they have shown they can beat, and it’s clouding the fact that the Caps are still a better team.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
try telling our fellow ranger fans
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least bit of the Caps blew out the Rangers in game 1.and expect them to react rationally
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
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In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I think I just did, that wasn’t a private comment.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
good point
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
just wait, if the Caps to go up 3-1 see what people start saying over on JP’s boards. It won’t be pretty.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
good or bad?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
We were up 3-1 last year and people started planning for rd. 2 a little bit too early. If we go up 3-1 again this year the “oh god, this again” will start.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
ah gotcha…havent had that “luxury” in a long time
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d be more worried about JP if the Rangers were up 3-1.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
We have a lot of “first round exit” pessimists over there…
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve noticed, been reading but not commenting over there.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
they also seem to have a very low view of us Banter(ers?) over there at Jaspers…hopefully we could try and dispel that rumor
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Couple of poor run-ins…very, very few blogs get on the “good” list over there.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, for starters, it’s one S, it’s because the author is “JP”, ergo Japers. I made that mistake at first too.
Also their opinion of the folks here are based most likely on the fact that one or two poor comments from this post were reblogged around our twitter community, and people have gone into “rabblerabblerabblerabble” mode. No offense to our fan base, but many have not been through the sheer volume of years that deaden your emotions towards getting mad over other teams supporting their team, yanno?
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
My bad, I should read the name the blog before i talk about it huh?
It sounds like you have two different fanbases…the ones who have been through the lean years and the ones who found the caps after a certain russian spy arrived in DC…its like islander fans becoming islander fans just to hate on the rangers. They find the easy target and jump on it people become caps fans just to associate with the Next Big Thing
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
The fanbase is better than people give it credit for, and I’m certainly opposed to being grouchy towards the newcomers since it’s just by luck that I was introduced to the team as a 4 year old. They ARE newer though in some cases, and the last three years are in many cases a total sampling of their playoff experiences, so nerves are a little more touchy sometimes. Ive been through enough disappointing series’ to worry yet. Talk to me after 3-4 games.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
hahahaha…sounds a lot like some of the fans here, some have been through the 70s and 80s…others, like myself were kids during the 94 run and had to suffer through the Dark Ages of the pre lockout years…so some fans around here are beating their chests while others are being guarded trying to keep things in check
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I really admired Graves and Richter as a kid, before I understood that you weren’t supposed to like the other teams in your conference, haha. I remember Richter taking a puck in the dome and chipping off a big chunk of the statue of liberty. He was a BA.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I know he doesnt have the numbers but I always say Richter deserves more credit then he gets outside of New York…he wasn’t always the “best” goalie in 90s but he always came up big when his team needed it the most
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll be honest, I’m still a little bitter that Richter got the cup instead of Vanbiesbrouck (who was my goaltending idol growing up)
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
i am one of the grumpy old farts around here
….and never did i think 36 would qualify me as a grumpy old fart, but there ya go
however, i have the maturity level of a 13 year old with ADD so it balances well
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8K we had issues with Caps fans in 2009, and one of them in particular can’t seem to let go of it.
Most of the Caps fans that come here are ok, but I wish they would take their disagreements with each other back to Japers.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 11, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
oh ok…i was around for that, figured it was something from that series had something to do with it
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Wait, who’s disagreeing?
As far as I can tell, everyone (like me) who came here from Japers just wanted a more-sophisticated analysis of NYR’s strengths and weaknesses. Which we got, by the way, so thanks for that.
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Me and SA-town above a couple of times.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
thank you
I sure hope the Rangers aren’t this cocky. The Rangers are the underdogs and should view themselves as such. They play much better hockey when they work and have to prove they belong, and not when they expect to roll over teams like the Thrashers.
by truebluesince75 on Apr 11, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
....or the islanders....
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
or sabres sans ryan miller
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
but....but....the backup is in net, it should be an easy game
was that guy ever banned/killed/burned at the stake?
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
I think his family got him in the witness protection program. So if any of you Jersey boys have any good mafia contacts for that sort of thing, let us know.
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by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
brooklyn here
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I said mafia, not gangs. Jeez.
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Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
i grew up down the block from the gemini lounge in the late 70s
google that one
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Old farts and your ancient history.
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1570s
i’m a renaissance man
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
i still remember 1990 and 1991 too well
when the rangers were a favored higher seed that choked both years
didn’t help that john druce in 1990 turned into rocket richard and gordie howe combined, either
having said that, unless gaborik leads an offensive explosion, my head says caps in five
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
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Maurdie Howard? I love that guy.
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in 1990 i wanted to run him over with my car
and i was still 6 months away from getting my permit
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
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now now, road rage never solved anything
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if i'd owned christine back in the 80s/90s it would've solved a lot
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
now that’s a scary combination
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
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"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Halak also went on to beat the Penguins last year, so whatever issues the Caps had with Montreal, the Penguins had them as well.
the stat guys might hate me for this
but after overcoming the caps the Habs were running on an emotional high that would have been almost impossible to stop. The only way they lost in the ECF was because they couldn’t sustain that energy (or pace) for so long and their bodies just ran out of fuel to get past a bigger, more physical Flyers team
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Yeah, maybe. I do think an emotional high is a way to have a hot streak. It just ends after a while.
My preferred explanation: hot Halak and 25% shooting Cammalleri, lethal power play.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
that sums it up
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the more intriguing rookies in this series
Are Carlson and Stepan, both of whom have had seasons that would at least put them on the ballot for the Calder in many other seasons. Stepan has to take on a little more responsibility to fill the Ryan Callahan shaped hole in the offense, while Carlson needs to show that he’s an elite playoff D-man along the lines of the top unit that NY will be throwing at 8-19-22
As good as Stepan has been…it’s the defensive rookies, Sauer and McDonagh, that are going to be monstrous factors in this series.
How’s Alzner been? I know Carlson’s ridiculous, I’m curious how his playing partner’s been
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
i gotta agree with george on this one
Its gonna be the 2nd d pairing of Sauer and McD that are gonna have the biggest impact since they have shown that they can stand up and give Staal and Girardi a break against top offensive lines. Our defensive corps may be young but we have two solid pairs back there that will show you two different looks. Staal and Girardi play more positionally while Sauer and McD are the more physical pair. A word of advice…don’t crash the net with Sauer or McD on the ice…it won’t end well for you
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I saw Sauer’s interview the other night on NHL network and was really impressed. Truth be told, I didn’t realize he and McDonough were rookies until a couple of days ago, and then promptly forgot. I think you guys may very well be right.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
its hard to believe that they are rookies sometimes…those two have a real nice addition to our D corps
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
My personal opinion is that Alzner is just as good as Carlson, they’re just much different stylistically. Alzner is also for all intents and purposes a rookie himself, having played as a callup for each of the last two seasons, but breaking the “rookie” barrier via the call ups. He’s incredibly sturdy defensively, great positionally, big, and unflappable.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
More importantly, he grows a legendary playoff beard.
That is an important factor. We’ve seen Dubinsky try, it’s not good.
I like Alzner personally, just haven’t followed. Knew he had a strong start this year, wasn’t sure if it continued. Thanks for the info.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
That is an important factor. We’ve seen Dubinsky try, it’s not good.
didn’t look good on toews last year either but all was forgiven when he got to lift the cup at the end of the year
not everybody can do the mike commodore well
@joereiter
Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
not many can make the beard look scary
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
mr. T?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
by Kevin Power on Apr 11, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Mr. T. after he spent some time with Michael Jackson’s dermatologist.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
paul mara rocked an awesome beard
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"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Ogie Oglethorpe?
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by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Ogle-Torp?
He’s not playin’, he’s suspended!
by BuckarooClub on Apr 11, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
“This young man has had a very trying rookie season, what with the litigation, the notoriety, his subsequent deportation to Canada, and that country’s refusal to accept him. That’s more than most 21-year-olds could handle.”
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Carlson and Alzner look roughly even in shot suppression, but Carlson has much better instincts in the offensive zone. 4th in ESP by a D this year….high PDO and all, but still ridiculous.
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
i find this to be very epic...
Mats Zuccarello - Icing goalies' groins since 2010
In Prust we Trust - "It's just pain."
This team has balls.
by Master Ov Brutality on Apr 11, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
best. mustache. EVER
i remember watching the flames win in ‘89 and not really knowing much about lanny’s career and how he had to wait as long as he did to finally get to this point
two guys that should’ve had the lanny ending: mike gartner and marcel dionne
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Denis Savard
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by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Lanny was epic… and that was his last moment in uniform for the Flames… just awesome.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Most nights with Alzner you don’t even know he’s there. He quietly goes about playing 20 minutes even strength and on the PK, not making many mistakes, not allowing teams to score, not necessarily making a big hit. He hits, but only as hard as necessary to separate the skater from the puck and clear it to safety.
He’s going to play about 12-17 years in the NHL, go unnoticed, and then retire, when everyone will remember how effective he was. A good comparison from Rangers history is Ron Greschner (well, other than the fact that Alzner is single, and Greschner was married to a super model…)
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Most nights with Alzner you don’t even know he’s there.
that means he’s doing his job extraordinarily well and means more problems for rangers forwards if that continues into the series
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
So he’s Michael Sauer, in a nutshell. Except I doubt Alzner ever beat the piss out of somebody for looking in the direction of his goaltender.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
This year in 82 games, Alzner set a career high in PIMs with 24. He’s not a fighter, he’s effective.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
If Sauer played the toughest competition on the team, you’d have it about right.
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by Knee high to a duck on Apr 12, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Exposing...
the defensemen and goalies, I believe, will be the key. The Caps have a lot of offensive defensemen and a couple of old bums to round out the mix. If the Rangers can get that down-low, gritty cycle going, they should find success. The Caps goalies, much Bobrovski, and J. Howard, are all beneficiaries of very strong teams. Stick some of these guys in the Rangers’ net for a while and let them get blasted with shots like Lundqvist and then give their numbers a check.
The Caps have a lot of offensive defensemen and a couple of old bums to round out the mix.
Care to elaborate?
The Caps goalies, much Bobrovski, and J. Howard, are all beneficiaries of very strong teams.
But I thought the Caps just have a bunch of offensive defensemen and a couple of old bums on defense!
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s funny, our most productive defenseman of late (other than Carlson) is the juggernaut offensive force that is John Erskine. Also, our old bums have been exactly what the doctor ordered to take some of the leadership pressure off of the Green/Schultz pairing.
Respect your elders :P
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
along with goaltending
I think that will be the deciding factor in this series. If NY can get the Caps D to consistently turn, then establish a viable forecheck it could go a long way in slowing down the Caps transition game. If NY ends up trying to run and gun, or has trouble getting out of their own zone, this wil be a short series in favor of Wash. As a Ranger fan, I’m hoping we’ve learned to no get too cute at the blue line and just get the puck in deep, then bang some bodies. I’m hoping to see the Caps system break down if they fall behind. If the Rangers can’t accomplish this, then we’ll have to rely on Hank being out of this world.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
you just described the Caps too. God, I hope this series doesn’t turn into _ Crossing the blueline, turns it over, _ going the other way, turns it over, back with _ for 60 minutes. Yeesh.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
You should. Rangers don’t have the weapons for run’n’gun, Caps do. (unless Gaborik finds his scrotum in the next few days)
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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our weapons have a tendency to get frustrated when stood up at the blueline/when things aren’t going well. We’ll see whether jekyll or hyde shows up in the case of Semin and co.
Follow me on Twitter @DaveZeile09. I talk hockey in general, but do cheer for the Capitals specifically.
by jester92803 on Apr 11, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Well…in the case of Semin, we’re hoping this guy shows up
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
And if somebody doesn’t get this reference, seriously, GTFO.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
i'll thlap you thilly!!!!
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
I was at that game. 10 rows up. The crowd got erie silent and you could hear Staal laughing.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I still don’t understand how you even let that happen though.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 11, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
shock that he was being slapped by someone other than his 5 year old sister
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Napoleon said it best “when your enemy is making a mistake, best to let him finish.”
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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I’m sure growing up with brothers, it was more fun to let the embarassment play out then to take advantage.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
that pic looks like frankenstein trying to eat staal's intestines
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
If it wasn’t for that damn diplomatic immunity I think Alexander Semin would be forced to register as a sexual predator after seeing that picture.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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It gets better. There’s a video of the Caps visiting Childrens hospital. Ovechking and Semin are visiting one of the sick kids who has a Wii and they’re playing a boxing game with the kids. Ovie looks over to Semin and then does the bongo punching on the Wii…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
LMAO, I want link!
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
It’s got to be on YouTube somewhere.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
links!
How the players on the ice didn’t fall down laughing, I’ll never know.
the “fight”
Staal’s reaction (ignore the comments popping up)
and the best
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be. - Douglas Adams
by justforkicks on Apr 11, 2011 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
lmao awesome, thanks.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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I was referring to offensive ability in terms of being the beneficiary. Although the Caps struggled for a while, the depth of their team gives them the ability to win games regardless of the play of the goalie (similar to the Yankees in baseball).
In terms of D, this is what I see: I consider Green, Alzner, and Carlson to be offensive defensemen. Whether they live up to that title, is not my concern. But since all 3 are first round picks, I am assuming they were drafted for offensive ability. Erskine and Hannan are what I would term “old bums” and Schultz is a relatively new bum (also a first round pick). So I guess Schultz can be lumped in with the offensive group.
Do you think we’ll see Staal/Girardi getting ~30 minutes a night, and the bottom pair getting 10 – 12? Or perhaps they dress 5 D and 13 F, with Drury getting PK and third period minutes?
Basically, how do you see Torts handling the bottom pair and 4th line minutes?
Patron saint of quality footwear.
4th line will be mostly a special-teams unit. Drury/EC/Wolski/Zuccarello. If Stepan has trouble centering one of the top 2 lines we could see EC or even Drury move up and take those minutes.
Staal/Girardi will see whatever time Ovechkin does. If it’s tied or the Rangers have a lead, Staal/Girardi will play close to half. If we build up a lead McCabe/Eminger would probably see a good deal of time resting Staal/Girardi. I think McDonagh/Sauer will play their normal 18-22 minutes regardless.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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Boudreau has shown more willingness to match lines this year, so I’m sure he’ll try to get either AO/Backstrom/Knuble or Laich/Arnott/Semin out there against McCabe/Eminger any chance he gets.
One way Torts can prevent it in Games 1 and 2 is to simply not play the bottom pair that much…which is basically what Philly did last year, which worked out for them OK.
I’m skeptical that Drury can handle 2C minutes at this point. And Christensen (going off of Scotty Hockey’s reports) has struggled, right? Both teams have a couple of things that have to go right in order for them to win, and I think Stepan at 2C is one of them for NYR.
Patron saint of quality footwear.
I doubt McCabe/Eminger will get D-zone starts, so if Boudreau does put out some firepower against them, they’ll be retreating for a line-change STAT. They won’t play much regardless, but I don’t think they’ll get completely dominated unless they’re paired with a similarly bad defensive unit (anything that includes Gaborik or EC).
I’m skeptical of anything with Drury this year, but I think he’s got 15 or so good minutes of defensive hockey in him.
I don’t think many of us are fond of Scotty Hockey ‘round these parts. EC is the type of guy that shows up just before the coach decides he’s had enough of him to bench his ass. We’d all prefer Stepan centering one of the top 2 lines, but he’s still a rookie that’ll be going up against some top-notch scorers in the league.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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i said this earlier in the year, match stepan against top guys and see how he performs
he’s not going to improve being protected from the big boys, it’s supposed to be a rebuilding on the fly year, and it’s not going to damage him psychologically, so just do it….he’s shown better chemistry with gaborik than any other center on the roster
step really needs to do some serious work on his faceoffs with messier this summer
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Oh I agree, play the kid, but if he gets overwhelmed, we can’t do to him what was done to MDZ.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
he's got a different mental makeup than mdz
oddly, i heard a story about mdz this morning and the real reason he was sent back to the whale, it’s unsubstantiated rumor stuff so i’m not repeating it on here, but if it’s even 1/16 true it’s the epitome of the difference between them
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Well, I think we all know MDZ is a bit….I guess immature in some ways (overconfidence/no confidence/head-case whatever the story may be). There’s no denying that…hell the kid looked like he was going to burst into tears a few times this year. Then you see guys like McD and Stepan…complete opposites (also had a few more years of junior-level hockey under their belts. That makes a big difference, especially on 18-19 year-old kids).
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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it's funny that he played with stamkos (and pieterangelo i think) as kids
and they seem way more ahead of the curve mentally/emotionally than he is
@joereiter
Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
oh hodgson and tavares too
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
Backstrom and AO only get ~50% ZS this year, ’cuz Johansson needs close to 60%.
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by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
to me, Steps game is one of the individual X factors for this series. I’m exepecting him to quietly have his name on every game’s scoresheet. Nothing flashy, but if the Rangers win, we’ll look back at the 1st round stats and say, wow when did that happen?
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
No way Torts goes with 5D… considering how playoff OT goes, that’s tantamount to suicide.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
btw i'm calling wolski the real x-factor in this series
4 goals 1 assist in the coyotes’ 7 game series loss to detroit last year, 2 goals 3 assists in seven game series with colorado in ’08
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
read "2 goals 3 assists in seven playoff games with colorado in 08"
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
He’s got that ability. Maybe the playoffs are the one thing that revs up his engine. One of the best things about making the playoffs; we’re going to find out who’s a keeper for next year’s playoff team and potential Stanley Cup contender.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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Exact point … with that in mind do you play Gilroy or Emminger?
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Eminger. He’s more physical and somewhat better defensively.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
so by that logic, Gilroy isn’t a keeper? Not tryig to split hairs, just wondering. For what it’s worth Zucc play?
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
…I think everybody and their Grandmother has been saying Gilroy’s gone.
Not sure on Zuke. I only see him cracking the top 3 if Wolski plays like garbage.
Dubi-AA-Gaby
Prospal-Stepan-Wolski
Feds-Boyle-Prust
Avery-Drury-Zuke
It’s not a bad 4th, and he could potentially see some PP time (if he’s at the point again I’m going to kick one of the coaches in the balls) as the forwards shift around to fill in for Cally. Not sure if EC fits in at all, he can still score and help the PP, while Zuke is more of a set-up man (and will bring a better overall game).
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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despite Avery’s playoff success, I’m hesitant about playing him. I know Christensen’s not much better, but Avery’s shown to be a soft defensive liability these past few games (when he’s played), vice the agitating spark-plug we need. If Avery sat on his ass for a must win game 82 against Brodeur, I wouldn’t expect to see him now. For me the spots are Zucc and Christensen’s to lose.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
The Caps are not the underdogs here – they’re the favorites with Cup or Bust expectations, which is dangerous for them.
I truly think they’re pysche is fragile, and I know they’ve got some new vets, but I’ll believe they’re different when I see it.
If we get up on them early, or take an early series lead, I expect to see some desperate, sloppy frustration.
They’re the Sharks of the East.
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Conference Finals? Party!
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If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
:-)
Just meant in terms of regular season success, early playoff bow-outs, some high-scoring stars, iffy goaltending (Nabokov never really impressed me).
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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Other way around. The Sharks are the Caps of the West. The Caps have been blowing series leads since before the Sharks were born…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The Sharks have been in the playoffs for like at least 8 straight years, you guys have only been in the playoffs like 3 straight years, so I believe it is in fact the other way around.
Proudly suffering as a Ranger fan.
"C'mon, vagina is my 3rd favorite hole." -Drama
Depends on what you want to compare.
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by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
he’s going back literally before either you or the sharks were born.
by Natty Bumppo on Apr 12, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
hopefully it will look much the same as Ovi at the Olympics.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
do you really think the players on that team, Ovi in particular, will be satisfied or content, with bowing out in the second round? I get that the fans may have low expectations, but come on, the media, and the organization have tremendous expectations for that team.
not to mention the Gary bettman (and so many other “MSM”) would cream their pants for CAPS – PENS with Cindy coming back. What a story line, arch-rivals, controversy with the Cooke head shots, the winter “classass”. You know the NHL will do everything possible to make this happen.
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
by bleed'n blue on Apr 11, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
the forecheck and control of the neutral zone are so important against the caps. when they can’t break out, they get frustrated, take stupid penalties, and sort of give up. callahan is so important in those areas, gonna miss him.
lots of shots should yield a good number of goals.
i hope the officiating isn’t as lopsided as the last time they faced each other in the playoffs.
Luckily the Caps don’t do that as much anymore. Much more calm when under pressure from forecheck and when getting trapped.
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by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
it looks like torts is an optimist
JimCerny Jim Cerny
Torts stated emphatically that his team “deserved to be in” the playoffs and said “Hockey Gods don;t screw around with you too often”
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
we've apparently come a long way with the hockey gods
when they used to build up our fragile little hopes every year, just to break ankles and cover eyes at the wrong moment
it used to be anathema to even mention the gods
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Blueshirt Banter
"You can be a lion maybe once in your life. If you don't make this deal, you're a
mouse forever….Wouldn't you rather be a lion for one day than a mouse for life?"
I prefer flying spaghetti hockey monsters. FSHM.
Don’t ask.
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First off, terrific article George.
Second off, why are Caps fans bickering with each other on our site?
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 11, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions
They probably don’t allow dissent at Japer’s. Ban the infidel et al.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
it is washington after all
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Nah, just if you have a really unpopular opinion, it’s not a nice place to be, especially if you don’t have vast amounts of numbers to support your position.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, just if you have a really unpopular opinion, it’s not a nice place to be, especially if you don’t have vast amounts of numbers to support your position.
Completely different here. We all express our opinion, then George comes along 10 minutes later kicking people in the teeth with random statistics disproving our theories.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
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we should teach them about FDN
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Izzat joo, frankie?
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
rabble rabble, blocked shots/hits rabble rabble, plus/minus rabble rabble
This guy is gone, that guy is gone rabble rabble
we have one first round draft pick rabble rabble
Jarred Stoll
Jarred Stoll
Jarred Stoll
Jarred Stoll
Brayden Schenn for Gaborik
Trade Drury’s contract
…rabble rabble
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
you mean...
Jared Boll
In Prust we Trust
"It's just pain."
This team has balls.
by Master Ov Brutality on Apr 11, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s cited Stoll as well.
Then again he also wanted the Rangers to trade Frolik instead of Frolov.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Apr 11, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I like facts.
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Apr 11, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m going to take a wild guess and say that statement has gotten you tickets to sleeping on your couch on a few occasions :-)
Nothin’ but love for ya George, nothin’ but love.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
i have been wondering this myself...all day...
earlier on it seemed like there were more Caps “fans” than Ranger fans…
In Prust we Trust
"It's just pain."
This team has balls.
by Master Ov Brutality on Apr 11, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, there are lots of us. YOu remember that Raw Charge GDT you guys got to 1000? Last year in the playoffs we had one of those 1000 commenters a period.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 11, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll say it before anyone else does...
Tortorella better keep his cool and not get thrown out the the series this time around.
"Clever is the eunuch version of funny"
Torts should just show up with a big tub of Haagen-Daas and start eating it during the game.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
Bruce would climb over the glass and attack Torts for a taste
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Hey hey hey
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 11, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
my bad…i kinda started that
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
I think Jim was mimicking Fat Albert, not a “hey you kids, get off my blog” type of thing. Could be wrong though.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
yea i figured that after i made the comment…i hate being overworked and multi tasking on mondays
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
LOL, yeah it was a Fat Albert thing
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 11, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
got it
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Torts should coach the series in a fat suit……mind games
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 11, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol imagine the post game press conference…
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 11, 2011 2:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’d pay money to watch Torts and Larry Brooks wear sumo suits and go at it.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
At a bus stop.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
Better, on the Moon.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 11, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The biggest surprise for this series would actually be if one team blew out the other. That said, the nicest thing is that this should be an intense, competitive series, that’s really fun to watch.
I’m effin’ excited, and can’t wait for Wednesday. I’m a teacher, and have P/T conferences this week… It’s so hard to focus.
“Well, Johnny’s doing alright in Social Studies, but quite frankly, he needs some more jam”
hahaha
“we decided to move johnny up to the first line table because of his increased effort on forechecking homework”
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 11, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
“Mr J-Red, our daughter keeps complaining to us that you are constantly changing her lab partners, one day she is working with one set of partners, only to be moved the next day to another set of lab partners. She says its hard to work consistently when she never knows who she will be teamed with. Care to explain?”
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Apr 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I read the first part waiting for the punchline of a sex joke….then realized it was a Torts joke :-)
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
i had the same reaction
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
+1 to all...
In Prust we Trust
"It's just pain."
This team has balls.
by Master Ov Brutality on Apr 11, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
And our real weapon is two words…. home games. If we can improve our home playing we will even tougher. I think we had the worst home team record of any team making the playoffs. That is our hidden value. Add a little Prustosterone and MSG might just burn down.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
by nathansfamous on Apr 11, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I think playoff hockey is where you can see Avery at his best
We’re going to be playing against these guys and the more they see Avery and hear him talk, the more they’ll get annoyed and who knows, maybe Avery can throw them off their game, kind of like he did to Kovalchuk in 07. I really think this is where you can see Avery be at his best this season.
Proudly suffering as a Ranger fan.
"C'mon, vagina is my 3rd favorite hole." -Drama
was avery at his best the last time we saw the caps in the playoffs?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Nope
I love his expression after the goal (29 second mark).
I’m such a troll.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 12, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
i literally just screamed
GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY REDDEN
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Great read as always George.
Whats says you about SRS? Apparently it predicts the Rangers pulling an upset first round.
http://everyfacetofthegame.blogspot.com/2011/04/predicting-playoffs-is-simple.html
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Apr 12, 2011 5:01 PM EDT reply actions
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