Caps/NHL Playoff Stretch Thread

  • Thread starter Lanky Livingston
  • Start date
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McD5 said:
Well I would love to see them win it, and I'm happy to hear that they've added some physical players. When I followed them, that always seemed to be a void for the team. On paper, we often times appeared to have the better players. Then Philly would send out the goons, and we could never get over the hump.

I caught their final playoff series last year, and it appeared the same problem persisted.
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Well, this series with the Rangers is definitely an extremely physical one, and the Caps have responded with a 3-1 lead. If that is any indication, they can definitely handle it!
 
Neuvy looked great in the net today! Great win!

Next!!!
 
What a win! I was disappointed when Neuvy lost the shutout (you can blame Stephen Whyno, new Caps beat reporter), but what a win!

First time the Caps have closed out a series in less than 7 games since 1998...that's bananas.

WE ARE LOUDER!!
 
I just got to watch the game on the DVR. That crowd was crazy and definitely put the Ranger's crowd to shame. It will be nice to get a little bit of a breather while the other teams are still battling it out.
 
the Omniscient said:
I just got to watch the game on the DVR. That crowd was crazy and definitely put the Ranger's crowd to shame. It will be nice to get a little bit of a breather while the other teams are still battling it out.
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Philly beat Buffalo last night to force a game 7 Tuesday in Philly. If Buffalo wins, they are the Caps' next opponent, so the earliest the 2nd round will start is Thursday, most likely Friday night.

Boston/Montreal and Tampa/Pittsburgh game 6's are tonight, and if MTL & TBL win (they are both on home ice), they will also force game 7s. If Philly closes out Buffalo Tuesday night, and MTL or TBL force a game 7 (both scheduled for Wednesday, if necessary), then the Caps would probably have until Saturday.

I'm not sure which scenario is better; rest is a good thing, however you don't want to be stagnant for TOO long. Also, of the Caps' potential opponents, I'd honestly most like to face Pittsburgh, which would happen if all 3 higher seeds won out. We owe them, and we dominated them the last 3 games of the season. Without Crosby and Malkin, they've got nothing on us.
 
With Montreal losing & Tampa winning, the Caps are lined up to play their old Southeast divisional foe, the Lightning. Caps were 4-2 against the Bolts this year, however the two losses were shutouts, 1-0 (OT) and 3-0. In the 4 combined wins, the Caps outscored the Bolts 18 - 6, including a 6-0 shutout of their own. What does this mean? Probably nothing. While it worries me a bit that the two shutouts came at the hands of red-hot Dwayne Roloson, who is now 6-0 in elimination games in his career, the Caps have enjoyed Southeastern domination for awhile now, and I expect it to continue.

Caps in 5. Roloson steals the 3-0 game, then Caps come back home to finish them off.

Complete 2nd round schedule:
Friday, 4/29, 7pm (Versus)
Sunday, 5/1, 7pm (Versus)
Tuesday, 5/3, TBD (TSN - BOO)
Wednesday, 5/4, 7pm (Versus)
Saturday, 5/7*, 12:30pm (NBC)
Monday, 5/9*, TBD
Wednesday, 5/11*, TBD


*if necessary
 
Well...Caps in a 0-2 hole against Tampa Bay, after reverting to their old style and playing very undisciplined hockey the past two games. It is my feeling that the Caps need to win both games in Tampa to win this series. Deep down inside, I can't help thinking "here we go again..." I still have faith, because I know the Caps (when they are playing their game) are a much better team than Tampa. That's the main reason why this is so frustrating. However, Tampa has only won 2 games, and it takes 4 games to win a series.

Side note: 4 times in history the Caps have lost the opening two games at home in a series - and 4 times in history the Caps have gone on to win that series. Not that it applies to this series, but just saying...
 
Lanky Livingston said:
...
Side note: 4 times in history the Caps have lost the opening two games at home in a series - and 4 times in history the Caps have gone on to win that series. Not that it applies to this series, but just saying...
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This is encouraging because we know it can be done. I don't know if it is conditioned thinking because of all the let downs in the playoffs since I began watching Caps hockey back in the 70's, but I get the feeling, "Here we go again!"
 
Elephant said:
This is encouraging because we know it can be done. I don't know if it is conditioned thinking because of all the let downs in the playoffs since I began watching Caps hockey back in the 70's, but I get the feeling, "Here we go again!"
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It definitely feels like a 3-1 lead for the Caps is MORE dangerous than an 0-2 hole, lol!
 
There just seems to be an "it" factor that goes against us during the playoffs. Other teams turn it on and we just watch. Simply depressing to witness.
 
On to next year. Was feeling this in the last series and knew that TBL would probably take this one. Didn't figure it would be a sweep though and that could happen now.
 
Asleep at the wheel, wake up, score 3 goals, promptly fall back asleep and allow 2 more ridiculous goals, 7 seconds apart. Un-freaking-believable.

At this point, you HAVE to assume its coaching...I mean, can a team collectively just start to not play well in the playoffs? The too many men penalty that washed out a goal is simply unforgivable - let alone the plethora of "optional skates" between rounds. WTF?

Depressing, just depressing. Hey Caps, next year do us a favor and take a cue from the Redskins - blow donkeys all year so we don't get our hopes up.
 
This is it. Now or never. Twenty minutes to see what this team is really made of.
 
While I don't want to see BB gone, I don't know where else the accountability can lie at this point.
 
That's two years in a row where we have seen this team fail in the playoffs. It's on BB and it is time for a replacement. There are several good candidates out there - it needs to be done tomorrow.
 
I hate cutting the coach for the players not producing, but at some point you gotta think hes either not motivating them or his game plan is just bad.
 
We've got the talent. So unfortunately, you have to look behind the bench. Coaching changes often aren't fair. Letting Gabby go might not be either, but I feel like it has to be done to get to the next level.

I'm awfully bitter tonight though. Might feel differently tomorrow. We'll see.
 
I am a casual hockey fan. Will keep tabs on the Caps, since they are from DC, hear updates on Comcast Sports Center, and know many of my fellow Skins fans are Caps fans. This morning I heard they were swept by Tampa.

It was interesting to read the previous comments about BB. I am in now way a hockey expert, but BB has never impressed me. Somewhere I heard he was coach at Hershey and brought up when previous coach was fired, so he was in right place at right time.

During the season I saw where the Caps were trading for guys and at end of season this young goalie seemed to be on fire. Do you (as hockey fans) think bringing in guys during the season is a good idea? Would you have kept this goalie from Hershey on playoff roster?

To me it seems the Caps have the talent, just need someone to light a fire under them to win it all.
 
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