The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Bob 0119 wrote:

langleyparkjoe wrote:I didn't realize the game was so early, that kinda sux. I'm going to try and get down to one of those bars/restaurants around the phone booth to watch it. Man oh man, I'm getting so much heat from my NY co-worker today. The jerk came in wearing a Mark Messier jersey and he came straight to my desk smiling. I just shook my head because I'm wearing a Ricky Ervins jersey as I don't own any Caps jerseys yet so i really couldn't talk much trash. It's really hard to talk trash about a sport you don't know much about... man oh man Bob, I wish you here to defend it.

It was fated.

That night:

The New York Yankees beat Tampa Bay
The Texas Rangers beat the Orioles
and the New York Rangers beat the Caps

Clearly the cards were stacked against us.

Tell him to laugh all he wants, they still gotta win three more games.

The Caps won Game 1 versus Philly last year, and lost in Game 7.

Also, this is the fifth time the Caps and Rags have met in the playoffs, fifth time the Rags have taken game one.

Sir_Monk wrote:Also, this is the fifth time the Caps and Rags have met in the playoffs, fifth time the Rags have taken game one.

...and of the other four meetings, the Caps won two of them, so it's still anybody's series!

Bob 0119 wrote:

Sir_Monk wrote:Also, this is the fifth time the Caps and Rags have met in the playoffs, fifth time the Rags have taken game one.

...and of the other four meetings, the Caps won two of them, so it's still anybody's series!

Yes sir!!

Rockin' the Red for Game 2!!

Today’s Storyline

Second Chance – Game 2 between Washington and New York is this afternoon at Verizon Center and history suggests that this game is even more important than Game 1 in determining a series winner. According to the NHL, teams that win Game 1 of a series win that series 69.1 percent of the time, while teams that win Game 2 win the series 71.8 percent of the time. The Caps dropped Game 1 to the Rangers and could use a Game 2 win today before the series shifts to New York . Washington is 13-16 all-time in Game 2 and is 8-7 on home ice. The Caps are 6-4 in Game 2 when trailing the series.

Note of the Night

8's stage – Alex Ovechkin was named the first star Wednesday night after recording two assists, 13 shots on goal, six hits, a +1 rating and 26:07 of ice time. Ovechkin has had multiple-point games in five of the eight playoff games he has played in his career. Last season against Philadelphia Ovechkin had the game-winning goal in his first playoff game, added another game-winner in Game 6 and finished tied for second in league scoring in round one with nine points (4g-5a) in 7 GP.



Five More Notes No Media Person Should Be Without

Gamers – The Capitals are 13-16 all-time in playoff Game 2s, including an 8-7 record at home and a 6-4 record after losing Game 1. They are 3-0 when trailing 1-0 and playing at home. The last four times that Washington has won to tie a series at 1-1 the Caps have gone on to win the series, including twice against the Rangers.



A new approach – Entering this season Washington had won the first game of three straight playoff series, but hadn't won any of those series.



Power broker – Both teams scored two power-play goals in Game 1. Including the regular season, the Capitals have converted on 27.3% of their power plays against the Rangers this year (6-for-22).



Three for one – Alex Ovechkin (11 points in 8 GP), Alexander Semin and Mike Green (9 points in 8 GP) are all averaging more than a point per game in their playoff careers. It's an admittedly small sample for that trio, but worth noting that Joe Sakic is the only NHL player with at least 50 playoff points who has a point per playoff game in his career.



Tilting the ice – Washington's 35-21 shot advantage in Game 1 was its most lopsided shot total in the playoffs since Game 6 of 2003, when the Capitals outshot Tampa Bay 61-46 in a three overtime game. It matched the most lopsided shot advantage for the Caps in a regulation game since a 2-1 Buffalo win in Game 5 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, in which the Capitals outshot the Sabres 35-16.



Getting a lot of shots didn't always lead to success in the regular season, either. Although Washington was 32-15-4 when outshooting an opponent, it was only 6-7-1 when firing at least 40 shots on goal.

No Theodore today. Lets see what Varlamov has got! I'm can't wait for this game! We need a win. LETS GO CAPS!

Check out the Caps Blog section. I will be continuosly updating live from the Verizon Center.

Holy smokes what a bad penalty on Kozy at the end of that period.

Erskine or someone needs to punch Avery right in the mouth. I can't stand that guy. I heard that last game the fans were giving that guy a really tough time. Same today Bob or Jake? I hope so.

Yea, the fans have been rowdy so far. Lots of "Rangers suck" chants. Avery's been involved in a few scuffles and the crowd got really into it.

There likely won't be a third period overview in the blog. Just a heads up for anyone looking for it.

Could Mike Green have played a worse game? good god......this team is done, hopefully so is McFailure shortly followed by BB. I'm glad that players with the ability to lose in soul crushing fashion were factored into the rebuild, just would not be the same rooting for a team that was not a bunch of choking dogs.

You know I have been backing up the Caps all year when I heard people say they were just going to lose in the first round again. Now I can't. If we want to be taken seriously as a contender each year we have to win a playoff series. As you can probably tell I am a little frustrated by this team right now and a lot of what I'm about to say and already said may be be out of frustration.

Varlamov played really well today. He did everything you could ask from him. I said this when Theo was goalie and I'll say it for Varlamov: All you have to do is allow 3 goals or less and the offense should win the game for you or at least get you to OT. He did that and the only goal he let up was on a 2 on 1 (I guess we did have 2 Caps near but Callahan blew by him) so it was a result of bad defense. Ovechkin was taking a few shots that I thought looked like he was trying to hard. Same with Semin. The last retaliation penalty against Semin showed me maybe some of the players on this team aren't ready for playoff hockey. They got frustrated quick out there. Now I'm just hoping for a comeback.

My bad, jive late and all. I was at the friggin game, maaan.. i know we lost but I had a time of my life, first game and a playoff one.. mind the loss. I woke up at like 645am and messed around till like 8ish. called my cousin at 1130, i'm on my way. pick him up, drive to the station and hop on the train. looking for bars (original intent) and heard a guy say "tickets.. tickets..".. I looked at my cousin and he said lets see wussup. i said i got $20 to my name and we can't get tickets for 20. he said lets try.. so anyways, we got tickets for $20. section 428, row QQ, seats 3,4. People, i was touching the wall, literally. AWESOME!!! the rangers fan had their little garbage rants but the fon booth's response was ridiculously louder. the guy who was on the big screen and yelling LETS GO CAP and the whole place just responed.. dude with the red head on the screen.. maaaan that was great (mind the loss).. on the train back home i met the blind caps fan that was on tv a bit ago, man he described the game on the train like he literally SAW it. AWESOME.. great experience, besides our Skins, nothing compares to it, im so serious, not basketball and not baseball

Sir_Monk wrote:Could Mike Green have played a worse game? good god......this team is done, hopefully so is McFailure shortly followed by BB. I'm glad that players with the ability to lose in soul crushing fashion were factored into the rebuild, just would not be the same rooting for a team that was not a bunch of choking dogs.

Good lord. The Caps have their best team in decades, and the two people primarily responsible for it (McPhee and Boudreaux) you want to run out of town already?

So we can go back to the years when the Caps weren't even playing in April?

langleyparkjoe wrote:My bad, jive late and all. I was at the friggin game, maaan.. i know we lost but I had a time of my life, first game and a playoff one.. mind the loss. I woke up at like 645am and messed around till like 8ish. called my cousin at 1130, i'm on my way. pick him up, drive to the station and hop on the train. looking for bars (original intent) and heard a guy say "tickets.. tickets..".. I looked at my cousin and he said lets see wussup. i said i got $20 to my name and we can't get tickets for 20. he said lets try.. so anyways, we got tickets for $20. section 428, row QQ, seats 3,4. People, i was touching the wall, literally. AWESOME!!! the rangers fan had their little garbage rants but the fon booth's response was ridiculously louder. the guy who was on the big screen and yelling LETS GO CAP and the whole place just responed.. dude with the red head on the screen.. maaaan that was great (mind the loss).. on the train back home i met the blind caps fan that was on tv a bit ago, man he described the game on the train like he literally SAW it. AWESOME.. great experience, besides our Skins, nothing compares to it, im so serious, not basketball and not baseball

Bob 0119 wrote:

langleyparkjoe wrote:Nope Bob, I've never made it to one but I do watch on tv. I know bro, you don't have to tell me, I've heard it so many x's before.."there's nothing like seeing it live".. my co-worker was just telling me how exciting it is to see Ovie do it live, I'm pretty boosted about it

I took my best friend Dave to his first and he immediately wanted to buy Season Tickets!

The nice thing about Caps season Tickets is that you can buy packages without having to buy the whole year.

If you can get into the lower section, you really get the full expirience. You get to "feel the crowd" whenever they score, or miss, or like last night when the crowd chant was "REF YOU SUCK!"

Most people start out hating it on TV and learn to love it after they've seen it live, so you I can only imagine your reaction if you already like it on TV!

I'm excited for you, man. Hope you get to one!

Told you, didn't I? There's nothing like seeing a hockey game live!

Sorry your first game had to be such a downer, but I'm glad you got to go!

I've sat on that back wall plenty of times before. They call it "The Eagles Nest."

Glad you had such a great time! Betcha can't wait to go again, can you?

PulpExposure wrote:

Sir_Monk wrote:Could Mike Green have played a worse game? good god......this team is done, hopefully so is McFailure shortly followed by BB. I'm glad that players with the ability to lose in soul crushing fashion were factored into the rebuild, just would not be the same rooting for a team that was not a bunch of choking dogs.

Good lord. The Caps have their best team in decades, and the two people primarily responsible for it (McPhee and Boudreaux) you want to run out of town already?

So we can go back to the years when the Caps weren't even playing in April?

That's just the frustration talking. Sir_Monk is certainly one of the more level headed posters here.

It does feel a lot like Ron Wilson though. Get to the playoffs and go nowhere.

My wife started cussing Ovie when he turned the puck over and it resulted in the game's only goal. She wouldn't let it go for like ten minutes.

Finally I just said "you're right. He sucks, we should cut him..."

That brought a little perspective back to things.

langleyparkjoe wrote:My bad, jive late and all. I was at the friggin game, maaan.. i know we lost but I had a time of my life, first game and a playoff one.. mind the loss. I woke up at like 645am and messed around till like 8ish. called my cousin at 1130, i'm on my way. pick him up, drive to the station and hop on the train. looking for bars (original intent) and heard a guy say "tickets.. tickets..".. I looked at my cousin and he said lets see wussup. i said i got $20 to my name and we can't get tickets for 20. he said lets try.. so anyways, we got tickets for $20. section 428, row QQ, seats 3,4. People, i was touching the wall, literally. AWESOME!!! the rangers fan had their little garbage rants but the fon booth's response was ridiculously louder. the guy who was on the big screen and yelling LETS GO CAP and the whole place just responed.. dude with the red head on the screen.. maaaan that was great (mind the loss).. on the train back home i met the blind caps fan that was on tv a bit ago, man he described the game on the train like he literally SAW it. AWESOME.. great experience, besides our Skins, nothing compares to it, im so serious, not basketball and not baseball

I know what you mean. That arena has one of the best atmospheres in the league. Its amazing. It gets so loud. I went for the first (and only )
time for the home opener and I was blown away. The first time you hear everybody scream LETS GO CAPS you get a rush and are just amazed at how loud and passionate the fans are in there. Its the coolest sporting event I have ever been to. Great experience. I could only imagine that place for a playoff game...

Bob 0119 wrote:

PulpExposure wrote:

Sir_Monk wrote:Could Mike Green have played a worse game? good god......this team is done, hopefully so is McFailure shortly followed by BB. I'm glad that players with the ability to lose in soul crushing fashion were factored into the rebuild, just would not be the same rooting for a team that was not a bunch of choking dogs.

Good lord. The Caps have their best team in decades, and the two people primarily responsible for it (McPhee and Boudreaux) you want to run out of town already?

So we can go back to the years when the Caps weren't even playing in April?

That's just the frustration talking. Sir_Monk is certainly one of the more level headed posters here.

It does feel a lot like Ron Wilson though. Get to the playoffs and go nowhere.

My wife started cussing Ovie when he turned the puck over and it resulted in the game's only goal. She wouldn't let it go for like ten minutes.

Finally I just said "you're right. He sucks, we should cut him..."

That brought a little perspective back to things.

This is the second year in the row that the team has come into a series with a physical defensive minded team and attempted to, "play medium." It seems like BB does not bother juggling his lines, or adjusting to anything the Rangers are doing, figuring that eventfully the same stuff, pass attempts on the PP for example, will work. While I appreciate the stars this team has, god knows we were short on talent for a long time, we need some players with real grit and toughness to match them. As much as you can't win in the playoffs with a team full of Dale Hunters and Chris Simon's, you need a few to take the other team off of their game. Ryan Callahan should never be allowed to take liberties with a guys like Semin, as he did the other night. It's too bad we did not have the cap space to resign Matt Cooke, we could use a guy like that right now.

I've followed this team for 22 ( ) years, with their talent it's not a matter of simply making the playoffs anymore. A team with the second best record in the conference should not be content to make the show. We should be looking to challenge for the conference or at the very least make it to the second round, and be a tough out in a 7 game series that leaves their opponent with nothing for the next round.

I appreciate what both BB and McPhee have done for this franchise, but for the second year in a row, this team looks shell shocked against an inferior opponent.

With all that said, Let's see how the boys respond tonight in the biggest game of the season. I'm sure everyone else remembers Tampa coming back down 2-0 to us, in our own building a few years ago. the Pens did it to us in 96-97, all is not lost!

LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!

With all that said, Let's see how the boys respond tonight in the biggest game of the season. I'm sure everyone else remembers Tampa coming back down 2-0 to us, in our own building a few years ago. the Pens did it to us in 96-97, all is not lost!

I'm still holding out hope that we can pull this off. I still believe that we can. Even though he hasn't done it yet we know Ovi has the ability to take over games and single handedly win the game or series. If we win tonight we are right back in this thing.

MDSKINSFAN wrote:

langleyparkjoe wrote:My bad, jive late and all. I was at the friggin game, maaan.. i know we lost but I had a time of my life, first game and a playoff one.. mind the loss. I woke up at like 645am and messed around till like 8ish. called my cousin at 1130, i'm on my way. pick him up, drive to the station and hop on the train. looking for bars (original intent) and heard a guy say "tickets.. tickets..".. I looked at my cousin and he said lets see wussup. i said i got $20 to my name and we can't get tickets for 20. he said lets try.. so anyways, we got tickets for $20. section 428, row QQ, seats 3,4. People, i was touching the wall, literally. AWESOME!!! the rangers fan had their little garbage rants but the fon booth's response was ridiculously louder. the guy who was on the big screen and yelling LETS GO CAP and the whole place just responed.. dude with the red head on the screen.. maaaan that was great (mind the loss).. on the train back home i met the blind caps fan that was on tv a bit ago, man he described the game on the train like he literally SAW it. AWESOME.. great experience, besides our Skins, nothing compares to it, im so serious, not basketball and not baseball

I know what you mean. That arena has one of the best atmospheres in the league. Its amazing. It gets so loud. I went for the first (and only )
time for the home opener and I was blown away. The first time you hear everybody scream LETS GO CAPS you get a rush and are just amazed at how loud and passionate the fans are in there. Its the coolest sporting event I have ever been to. Great experience. I could only imagine that place for a playoff game...

Before I moved to the Lou, I used to go to see the Caps a lot. The first and only playoff game I went to was incredible. It was so loud, and when Peter Bondra scored to take the lead, the place went nuts. I remember hugging people around me and the pure bedlam in the crowd for ten minutes, as the play went on. For my money, the Verizon center is the best place to see an NHL game. It's a nice clean building, great sight lines, very loud, nice selection of food. I've yet to go to the ScotTrade center for a Blues playoff game, but aside from the very vocal fan support, the building sucks. Though I wish the Caps would bring back a live organ player.

Pressure what pressure? – The one thing the Capitals have going for them tonight is they are playing at Madison Square Garden . On Dec. 23 of this year Washington erased a 4-0 deficit to win, 5-4 in overtime, just the fourth time in franchise history that the Capitals came back from 4-0 to win and the first time since 1991. Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist, Nicklas Backstrom had three assists and Shaone Morrisonn, playing on his birthday, had the overtime winner. It was the only time the Rangers have ever lost after leading 4-0 at home. Ovechkin had three points (1g-2a) in two games at MSG, while Backstrom had four assists. Both Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Green both had two goals at MSG this season. Capitals are definitely comfortable in New York .

Note of the Night

Hoping for history – Washington, which last year became the first team in NHL history to make the playoffs after being 14th or 15th in its conference at midseason, is hoping to make some more history in this playoff series. Teams have trailed 2-0 in a best-of-seven series a total of 291 times and have come back to win the series on 37 occasions or 12.7% of the time. The Capitals have never pulled off such a comeback; in fact, the four times Washington has fallen behind 2-0 in a series it has lost Game 3 as well. Carolina and Edmonton both erased 2-0 deficits on their way to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final; 17 teams have gone up 2-0 in a playoff series since then and each has won the series.



Five More Notes No Media Person Should Be Without

Gamers – The Capitals are 10-19 all-time in playoff Game 3s, including a 7-9 record on the road and an 0-4 record when trailing in the series, 2-0.



Site of a comeback – The Capitals hope to climb back in the series at the site of one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history. Dec. 23 of this year Washington erased a 4-0 deficit to win, 5-4 in overtime, just the fourth time in franchise history that the Capitals came back from 4-0 to win and the first time since 1991. Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist, Nicklas Backstrom had three assists and Shaone Morrisonn, playing on his birthday, had the overtime winner. It was the only time the Rangers have ever lost after leading 4-0 at home.



Youth served – Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov became the 19th goalie in NHL history to make his playoff debut before his 21st birthday Saturday afternoon and stopped 23 of 24 shots (.958). It was the first regulation loss of Varlamov's career, as he was 4-0-1 in the regular season. His combined regular season and playoff save percentage is .923 and GAA is 2.16.



Varlamov was just the fourth Capitals rookie to start a playoff game in goal (Jim Carey, Byron Dafoe and Bob Mason) and had the least regular-season experience for an NHL playoff starter (6 GP) since Miikka Kiprusoff in 2001 for San Jose (5 GP).



Face it – Washington has won 61.9% of the faceoffs in Games 1 and 2, tops in the NHL. Nicklas Backstrom, who had a 48.7% success rate in the regular season (but 52.3% after the All-Star Game) is 70.3% in this series, good for second in the NHL.



Shooting stars – Washington has fired 35 shots on goal and outshot the Rangers by at least 11 shots in each of the first two games, a total of 70-45.



Washington's 35-21 shot advantage in Game 1 was its most lopsided shot total in the playoffs since Game 6 of 2003, when the Capitals outshot Tampa Bay 61-46 in a three overtime game. It matched the most lopsided shot advantage for the Caps in a regulation game since a 2-1 Buffalo win in Game 5 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, in which the Capitals outshot the Sabres 35-16.

Good first period. Let's hope they keep it up!

Still good after two! Keep it up boys!

So like I was saying this team will be fine. Great job by the boys tonight! I think Varley is here to stay. Besides an overall fantastic job by the Caps, how about them not reacting to Sean Avery? Well, lets see what we can do on Wedneday! GO CAPS!!!