Capitals Playoff Watch

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Steve Spurrier III
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Post by Steve Spurrier III »

Monday, March 24 / Tuesday, March 25

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Flyers 4 Islanders 1

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Canadians (N)   94   6
 2 Penguins (A)    93   7
 3 Hurricanes (S)  87   6
 4 Devils          91   7
 5 Senators        89   7
 6 Rangers         88   7
 7 Flyers          86   6
 8 Bruins          84   7
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        82   6
10 Sabres          81   7
11 Panthers        81   6


Monday's Relevant Games:

none

Tuesday's Relevant Games

Capitals at Hurricanes; 7:00
Bruins at Maple Leafs; 7:30
Senators at Sabres; 7:00
Flyers at Rangers; 7:30, Versus
Panthers at Lightning; 7:30
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Post by Sir_Monk »

Kozlov with the shootout winner keeps the season alive!!!! For those who got to watch the game, was the second Carolina goal legit?
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Post by JansenFan »

I only saw the replay and my first thought was that it was goalie interference and shouldn't have counted, but on the second pass through I saw Kozlov checked him into Huet. That being said, I never saw a replay that actually showed the puck in the net, although I admittedly wasn't looking for it.

As for the season, a regulation win would have been much better than the shootout win, but we gained a point in the division,, Unfortunately, everyone behind us lost and everyone in front of us won, except the Canes who got a point.
RIP 21

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Steve Spurrier III
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Post by Steve Spurrier III »

The second goal absolutely went in the net, the question was whether or not there was video proof. According to the guys in the booth, without a replay of the puck actually in the net, the goal shouldn't of counted. There was no such replay on the CSN broadcast, but apparently the replay officials did have access to more angles.

Only picking up a point on Carolina hurts - the Capitals are doing their part, but they're going to need to pick up some help at some point. Still, we took two points from a red-hot team on the road, Ovechkin sets the franchise scoring record, and we did put some distance between us and Buffalo/Florida - it was a good night.

Wednesday, March 26 / Thursday, March 27

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 3 Hurricanes 2 (SO)
Bruins 6 Maple Leafs 2
Senators 6 Sabres 3
Flyers 2 Rangers 1 (OT)
Lightning 3 Panthers 1

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Canadians (N)   96   5 - clinched playoffs
 2 Penguins (A)    95   5 - clinched playoffs
 3 Hurricanes (S)  88   5
 4 Devils          91   6
 5 Senators        91   5
 6 Rangers         89   6
 7 Flyers          88   5
 8 Bruins          86   6
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        84   5
10 Sabres          81   6
11 Panthers        81   5


Wednesday's Relevant Games:

none

Thursday's Relevant Games

Capitals at Lightning; 7:30
Maple Leafs at Bruins; 7:00

Thursday's a great chance to move us within striking distance of Boston.
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Post by NC43Hog »

Steve Spurrier III wrote:we took two points from a red-hot team on the road,


actually just one.
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Post by Sir_Monk »

Thursday's a great chance to move us within striking distance of Boston.


The ending of game against Boston two weeks ago still ticks me off. If we had taken care of business and Brash did not start slashing and punching, we would be in the 8th spot.
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Post by Bob 0119 »

Sir_Monk wrote:
Thursday's a great chance to move us within striking distance of Boston.


The ending of game against Boston two weeks ago still ticks me off. If we had taken care of business and Brash did not start slashing and punching, we would be in the 8th spot.


The penalty was bull. 6 minutes? Gimme a break. That slash was not worth a double minor, and the ref was standing right there when the guy shoved Brash. Brash should've gotten a double minor at most (one for slashing, one for roughing) but they should've called the "glass-jaw" for instigating at least (if not "diving", like they called on Alex in that game).

The refs doled out 10 minutes in penalties in the last 6 minutes of the game. The next two penalties against us were "cheapies" putting us down 2 men in the waning minutes.

It's seems like it's always that way against us. Last night there were a lot of "missed calls" by the refs. I don't mind that, as long as it's equal. No harm, no foul, let 'em play. Unfortunately, it seems like the other teams seem to get away with more spectacular "shoulda-beens" while we get nailed for the slightest infractions.
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Post by JansenFan »

NC43Hog wrote:
Steve Spurrier III wrote:we took two points from a red-hot team on the road,


actually just one.


We took two, we just gave them one for their trouble. ;-)
RIP 21

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Steve Spurrier III
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Post by Steve Spurrier III »

In the bad news department, it looks like the Capitals don't hold tiebreakers over anybody, save the out-of-reach Devils and Senators. We can gain the tiebreaker over Florida with two regulation wins, but we'll need to not just catch, but surpass Carolina, Philadelphia or Boston.
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Post by NC43Hog »

JansenFan wrote:
NC43Hog wrote:
Steve Spurrier III wrote:we took two points from a red-hot team on the road,


actually just one.


We took two, we just gave them one for their trouble. ;-)


I thought it was the other way around.Image
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Post by Sir_Monk »

FLASH WITH THE GAME WINNER! to bad the Leafs let us down a second time in a week.
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Post by GSPODS »

Code: Select all

SE    GP W  L OT Pts GF  GA  Home    Away    L10 
Hurricanes  77 41 30 6  88 234 236 22-12-4 19-18-2 8-1-1
Capitals      78 39 31 8  86 228 228 20-15-3 19-16-5 7-3-0


Eastern Conference
Rank GP W L OT Pts

Code: Select all

1 Pittsburgh Penguins*   78 45  26   7      97  
         2 Montréal Canadiens*   77 43  24   10    96 
         3 Carolina Hurricanes*   77 41  30   6      88 
         4 Ottawa Senators         78 42  28   8      92 
         5 New Jersey Devils       77 42  28   7      91 
         6 New York Rangers       77 40  26   11    91 
         7 Boston Bruins             77 39  28   10    88 
         8 Philadelphia Flyers      77 39  28   10    88 
         9 Washington Capitals    78 39  31   8     86 
       10 Buffalo Sabres            77 36  30   11    83


The Caps are trying their level best to catch the division-leading Hurricanes. Having won seven of their last eight games, the Caps now sit only two points back in the division standings. Unfortunately, the competition, in the form of the Hurricanes, Bruins, Flyers, and Sabres each have both a game-in-hand and a tie-breaker advantage over the Caps.

The Caps next opponent is the Florida Panthers, on Saturday. Although the Panthers currently sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, five standings points behind the Capitals, they have played well as of late, with a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games.

The Hurricanes play the struggling Atlanta Thrashers tonight in a SouthEast divisional matchup. The Caps would certainly benefit from a Thrashers victory to eliminate the game-in-hand advantage Carolina currently holds.

The Montreal Canadiens also battle the Buffalo Sabres this evening, and although Montreal has locked up a playoff berth, they have not yet clinched the Northeast division. Buffalo currently sits three standings points behind the Caps, with a game-in-hand. Montreal could eliminate the Sabres game-in-hand advantage with a victory tonight.

Other action to watch for: People like me who write long-winded, and often confusing posts and have no idea how SSIII arranges his stats in such well-lined columns. 8-[
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Post by Bob 0119 »

It's looking awfully dark for the Caps. Atlanta needs to beat Carolina in regulation, and then we need to beat them in regulation. Otherwise, someone else will have to beat them.

So in essence Carloina needs to lose twice in regulation, at least once to us.

-or-

Boston needs to lose 3 (since they have the tie breaker and a game in hand)

-or-

Philly needs to lose 3 (since they have the tie breaker and a game in hand)

And we have to win out. We cannot lose any of our remaining games.

It's not impossible, but it is improbable.
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Post by GSPODS »

It is looking like a tough road to hoe, but we could have said the same thing about the Redskins last season, following the Buffalo game. Like then, I'm not expecting a miracle but we certainly can't say the Caps will miss the playoffs for lack of effort.
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Post by Steve Spurrier III »

Yeah, it's getting real tight. If we don't make that comeback, we could pretty much go ahead and close this thread. Even with the win, I don't know if it's going to be enough. Remember, we don't hold the tiebreaker over Carolina, Philadelphia or Boston. That's one thing the Redskins had going for them.

Friday, March 28

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Capitals 4 Lightning 3 (OT)
Bruins 4 Maple Leafs 2

Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Penguins (A)    97   4 - clinched playoffs
 2 Canadians (N)   96   5 - clinched playoffs
 3 Hurricanes (S)  88   5 - magic number: 6
 4 Senators        92   4 - magic number: 2
 5 Devils          91   5 - magic number: 3
 6 Rangers         91   5 - magic number: 3
 7 Flyers          88   5 - magic number: 6
 8 Bruins          88   5 - magic number: 6
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        86   4 - elimination number: 6
10 Sabres          83   5 - elimination number: 6
11 Panthers        81   4 - elimination number: 2


Today's Relevant Games:

Thrashers at Hurricanes; 7:00
Flyers at Devils; 7:00
Canadians at Sabres; 7:30

If the Capitals win out, either Carolina, Philadelphia or Boston are going to have to give up five points in their last five games - two regulation losses and an overtime loss. That's a tall order, but at least we have three different chances.
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Post by GSPODS »

Steve Spurrier III wrote:Yeah, it's getting real tight. If we don't make that comeback, we could pretty much go ahead and close this thread. Even with the win, I don't know if it's going to be enough. Remember, we don't hold the tiebreaker over Carolina, Philadelphia or Boston. That's one thing the Redskins had going for them.


At least one of those three teams is going to collapse. At least one team backs its way out of the playoff picture every season. The Caps have to get those last four wins and eight standing points. If they handle their own business, they'll be in the playoffs.
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Post by GSPODS »

Saturday, March 29

Yesterday's Relevant Results:

Devils defeat Flyers 5-4, SO
Hurricanes defeat Thrashers 7-1
Canadiens defeat Sabres 4 - 3, OT


Standings going in:

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Penguins (A)    98   4 - clinched playoffs
 2 Canadians (N)   97   4 - clinched playoffs
 3 Hurricanes (S)  90   4 - magic number: 5
 4 Devils          93   4 - magic number: 2
 5 Senators        92   4 - magic number: 3
 6 Rangers         91   5 - magic number: 4
 7 Flyers          89   4 - magic number: 6
 8 Bruins          88   5 - magic number: 7
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        86   4 - elimination number: 6
10 Sabres          84   4 - elimination number: 6
11 Panthers        81   4 - elimination number: 2


Today's Relevant Games:

Senators @ Bruins 1:00 PM ET
Flyers @ Islanders 7:00 PM ET
Capitals @Panthers 7:00 PM ET
Hurricanes @ Lightning 7:30 PM ET
Steve Spurrier III
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Post by Steve Spurrier III »

Boston keeps winning - boo.

Also, I was mistaken with the tiebreakers. The second tiebreakers is the head-to-head points - the first is wins. So while we still won't have it over Carolina, we could (and probably would, as best as I can figure) have it over Philadelphia and Boston. That's big.
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Post by GSPODS »

FINAL
Washington 3
Florida 0

Cristobal Huet picked up his fourth shut out of the season as the Capitals blanked the Panthers 3-0 on Saturday night.

Huet managed to kick away all 32 shots that he faced from the Panthers to pick up his 29th victory of the season. Huet now is a proud owner of a 29-14-6 record in 49 appearances this season. Since joining the Capitals at the trade deadline this season, Huet has a 2.03 goals against average and a .922 save percentage with the Caps in nine contests prior to tonight's matchup with the Panthers. Huet is a great start for the final week of the fantasy hockey season as the Caps will be fighting for their playoff lives for all their remaining games. Huet will be become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, so it'll be interesting to see what the Capitals elect to do with Huet. Olaf Kolzig is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Huet's salary of $2.75 million seems to be a smarter choice than Kolzig's $5.45 million, especially with Kolzig turning 38 next week.
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Post by Sir_Monk »

Tampa beat the Whalers last night, which pulls us two points behind them before the big game on Tuesday!
Bruce has the authority. When Bruce makes the decision, it's a Redskins decision.

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Post by GSPODS »

Code: Select all

 # Team           Pts  GR

 1 Penguins (A)    98   4 
 2 Canadians (N)   97   4
 3 Hurricanes (S)  90   4
 4 Devils          93   4 
 5 Senators        92   4
 6 Rangers         91   5
 7 Flyers          91   4
 8 Bruins          90   5
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        88   4
10 Sabres          84   4





Sun Mar 30, 2008

Rangers @ Penguins 12:30 PM ET

Bruins @ Sabres 6:00 PM ET
GSPODS
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Post by GSPODS »

Quote Of Note:

"I know if we keep winning, something good will happen," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We can only do what we can do and if it takes 95 points to make the playoffs, so be it. I believe if we continue to play like we play, somebody is going to falter once and we ll be there to jump on them."

Good Stuff:

The Washington Capitals wrapped up their longest road trip of the season in style, and kept their playoff hopes very much alive in the process.

Great Stuff:

The Capitals went 5-1 on their road trip and will close the regular season with three home games.

The Stuff Legends Are Made Of:

Tue Apr 1, 2008 Hurricanes @ Capitals 7:00 PM
Thu Apr 3, 2008 Lightning @ Capitals 7:00 PM
Sat Apr 5, 2008 Panthers @ Capitals 7:00 PM

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly:
The Canes play the Caps @ Home. Advantage Caps.
The Lightning play the Canes @ home. Advantage Canes.
The Lightning play the Caps @ home. Advantage Caps.
The Panthers play the Canes @ home. Advantage Canes.
The Panthers play the Caps @ home. Advantage Caps.

The Canes end their regular season on Friday, April 4th.
The Caps end their regular season on Saturday, April 5th, effectively giving the Caps a "game-in-hand" on the Canes.


Tie Breaking Procedure
If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:
1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2. The greater number of games won.
3. The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. If two clubs are tied, and have not played an equal number of home games against each other, points earned in the first game played in the city that had the extra game shall not be included. If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs, and not including any "odd" games, shall be used to determine the standing.
4. The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season.
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Post by Irn-Bru »

This has been the most fun I've had watching the Caps in years.
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Post by GSPODS »

Steve Spurrier III wrote:Boston keeps winning - boo.


Not tonight, although a regulation loss would have been better than an overtime loss. Still better than another Bruins win.
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Post by GSPODS »

Code: Select all

            Points   GR   
 1 Penguins (A)    99   3 
 2 Canadians (N)   98   3
 3 Hurricanes (S)  90   3
 4 Devils          93   4 
 5 Senators        92   3
 6 Rangers         91   3
 7 Flyers          91   3
 8 Bruins          91   3
--------------------------
 9 CAPITALS        88   3
10 Sabres          84   3
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