Washington Capitals

[wendelclark17]

MRTR,

Any more news on Orlov lately? Ive done a couple of searches and I havent seen any updates in the last few days...

[mikerocksthered]

Originally Posted by wendelclark17

MRTR,

Any more news on Orlov lately? Ive done a couple of searches and I havent seen any updates in the last few days...

Not really. I haven't heard anything about him in quite some time. I sent a tweet to some of the Caps know it all's to see if I can come up with something.

[wendelclark17]

Originally Posted by mikerocksthered

Not really. I haven't heard anything about him in quite some time. I sent a tweet to some of the Caps know it all's to see if I can come up with something.

thanks, if you hear anything please share.

[mikerocksthered]

A few changes to the expected lines for tonight. I have edited the lines in my previous post to reflect the changes.

In: Joey Crabb
Out: Jeff Schultz

[mikerocksthered]

It seems there are some changes coming from Adam Oates for game 3.

Marcus Johansson saw a dramatic drop in ice time on Tuesday night against the Jets. He only played one shift in the third period and is not playing to the expectations of Adam Oates. Capitals Insider, Katie Carerra is reporting that Mojo has been moved to the fourth line for tonight's match up against Montreal.
Woltek Wolski will be taking his place on the LW lining up with Backstrom and Oveckin. Wolski has recorded on the the Capitals five goals this season in the opening game against Tampa.

What to expect from Johansson's line tonight:

Johansson has to step up his game to earn back his spot in a top line. He will be paired up with Mathieu Perreault who is also struggling for ice time. Perreault has aired his concerns of the lack of ice time to both the press and according to Capitals Insider, George McPhee and Adam Oates. The info on this is slightly conflicting, but it seems that both indicate the MP85 is looking for more ice time to prove himself but is not looking to be traded at least at this time if his TOI doesn't improve.

The Capitals will be starting Michal Neuvirth for his first game of the season tonight with Holtby as his backup. Neuvirth is 4-1 against Montreal including a shutout.

What does all of this mean for the Caps? Either Neuvi's first start combined with an extra effort from Johansson, Perreault, and Wolski to up their value or prove their worth on top line gives the team a boost that they desperately need, or the extra pressure will cause total chaos.


Tonight's starting lines:
Wolski-Backstrom-Ovechkin
Hendricks-Ribeiro-Brouwer
Chimera-Beagle-Ward
Johansson-Perreault-Crabb
Defense:
Alzner-Carlson
Poti-Green
Hamrlik-Kundratek

Goal: Neuvirth, Holtby

[sixhands]

Hy Mike,

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for covering the Caps, I have been super busy at work and haven't had a chance to post anything substantial.

So the Caps are off to their worst start since the late 90's if I'm not mistaken. Ovechkin hasn't seen the back of the net yet and miraculously Green is still able bodied.

I for one am not giving up on them and neither should the rest of you die hard poolies.

Let's hope they return to what we're used to seeing very soon.

In the 08/09 season there were 4 players that finished the season at, or above, a ppg. (Ovechkin, Semin, Green and Backstrom)

In the 09/10 season those same 4 players were the only ones to finish at, or above, a ppg.

In 10/11 only Ovechkin finished above a ppg.

In 11/12 only Backstrom finished above a ppg.

The way this season is going it's looking like Ribeiro will be the ppg guy at the end of the season, if that happens I'll pay my cheap ass brother-in-law's entry fee for next season

What we read in the media and hear on TV is speculation for the most part. We don't know what's going on in the dressing room, we don't know if Holtby is having an affair with the ice girls (oh wait that was Craig Anderson )

Basically, 3 different coaches and 3 different game plans is bound to cause some havoc amongst players. Rome wasn't built in a day so don't expect the Caps to suddenly start playing the new strategy to perfection right away.

The ship will right itself and the Caps will be a dominant force again, all I ask is that you stick by your team and your fantasy players. You'll regret it if you don't.

And for those of you entertaining trading away Ovechkin, remember he is just entering his prime and all professional athletes have bad seasons. Don't panic! You will never receive full value at this stage, even his name is starting to cause people to chuckle in trade requests.

I'm keeping him, and the other Caps I have, on my squad for now and the foreseeable future.

Sometimes I think they never should have let Varlamov go, but hey I'm not a GM so what do I know

Cheers and enjoy the rest of the shortened NHL season.

Dave

[wendelclark17]

Originally Posted by sixhands

Hy Mike,

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for covering the Caps, I have been super busy at work and haven't had a chance to post anything substantial.

So the Caps are off to their worst start since the late 90's if I'm not mistaken. Ovechkin hasn't seen the back of the net yet and miraculously Green is still able bodied.

I for one am not giving up on them and neither should the rest of you die hard poolies.

Let's hope they return to what we're used to seeing very soon.

In the 08/09 season there were 4 players that finished the season at, or above, a ppg. (Ovechkin, Semin, Green and Backstrom)

In the 09/10 season those same 4 players were the only ones to finish at, or above, a ppg.

In 10/11 only Ovechkin finished above a ppg.

In 11/12 only Backstrom finished above a ppg.

The way this season is going it's looking like Ribeiro will be the ppg guy at the end of the season, if that happens I'll pay my cheap ass brother-in-law's entry fee for next season

What we read in the media and hear on TV is speculation for the most part. We don't know what's going on in the dressing room, we don't know if Holtby is having an affair with the ice girls (oh wait that was Craig Anderson )

Basically, 3 different coaches and 3 different game plans is bound to cause some havoc amongst players. Rome wasn't built in a day so don't expect the Caps to suddenly start playing the new strategy to perfection right away.

The ship will right itself and the Caps will be a dominant force again, all I ask is that you stick by your team and your fantasy players. You'll regret it if you don't.

And for those of you entertaining trading away Ovechkin, remember he is just entering his prime and all professional athletes have bad seasons. Don't panic! You will never receive full value at this stage, even his name is starting to cause people to chuckle in trade requests.

I'm keeping him, and the other Caps I have, on my squad for now and the foreseeable future.

Sometimes I think they never should have let Varlamov go, but hey I'm not a GM so what do I know

Cheers and enjoy the rest of the shortened NHL season.

Dave

I had someone offer me Turris and Havlat for Ovechkin this morning .... I didnt know whether to be mad or sad

[Big Ev]

Rom wasn't built in a day but it was built by strong leaders. Ovechkin is not one of them, and until he is dealt, the team won't have success.

[sixhands]

Originally Posted by wendelclark17

I had someone offer me Turris and Havlat for Ovechkin this morning .... I didnt know whether to be mad or sad

Oh boy, that is an insult of an offer!

[mikerocksthered]

Originally Posted by sixhands

Hy Mike,

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for covering the Caps, I have been super busy at work and haven't had a chance to post anything substantial.

My pleasure. During the season I do nothing but work, watch hockey, go to games and read this forum. In the off season I try to take a breather from it all for a month or two. Unfortunately the lockout allowed my time away from hockey to be much longer than anticipated. I was bummed to see my Capitals thread was retired, but happy to see the new one hadn't seen much action and I was able to jump back in.

It's nice to hear someone else who isn't jumping of the Capitals bandwagon in the mass exodus style that seems to be sweeping the DC area and the fantasy pool world.



Recap of last nights game and pregame report for tonight's contest against the Devils will be posted between 5 and 6 pm EST this evening.