Comments on: Is this Capitals’ team mentally tougher than past versions?

By: rsl22

rsl22 — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:17:11 +0000

That’s true.

However, it’s still also true that a majority of teams that lose in 3OT or later when it’s not a game 7 also end up losing the series. Either way, I’ll be at Verizon on Saturday hoping for that to change.

Johansson needs to score. He’s been denied on so many chances. And hopefully Brouwer can make up for that derf on his layup.

By: baywatchboy

baywatchboy — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:04:29 +0000

In all fairness to the Caps, two of the three times they lost in 3OT or later, it was Game 7. To say “…they went on to lose the series.” is a little misleading.

By: blastardo

blastardo — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:20:22 +0000

Awesome series. It could easily be 3-0 for either teams. Holtby and Lundquist have been playing incredible with a little help from the goal posts.

It seems like in every game this series theres been 1 or 2 goal post saves.

By: rsl22

rsl22 — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:58:42 +0000

As was said above, center is where the Caps are lacking. They need to address 2C and hope Orlov is ready to go next season to take over for Schultz/Erskine (I personally think Orlov should be playing now, unfortunately I’m not GMGM/Hunter).

I know this sounds ridiculous to some, but if the Caps had a second center, I wouldn’t have a problem with saying they’d be the Cup favorites right now, even down 2 games to 1. But center is huge, and the Caps are seriously lacking.

Will also have to replace Wideman, but I’m sure they can find a right shooting defenseman in free agency (sucks that Ryan Suter is a lefty, but if the Caps can move Hamrlik he’d be awesome to go after).

As for this series, the Caps could easily be up 3-0. Sadly, they aren’t. The previous three times the Caps lost in 3OT or later, they went on to lose the series. It’s no different among other teams in the league. It’s hard to come back, one team is up, one is down…tough situation.

I’ve been a Caps fan for an awfully long time…when the Caps won in Boston in 2OT, it was shocking to see them pull it out. Seeing them lose in 3OT, although heart-breaking, really not a surprise. It’s been the same year after year after year….starting to feel like a Cubs/Sox fan (pre-2004).

By: baywatchboy

baywatchboy — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:46:27 +0000

MJ90 is a natural center who, if left there, could develop into a solid player. Laich and Beagle have proved their worth recently. Could the Caps use a legit second line center, sure, but I don’t think their as bad off as they were in the past. Defense is where they are inconsistent. Which Dennis Wideman is going to show up? Why is Schultz still playing? Orlov will be good for years to come.

By: bcjim

bcjim — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:51:53 +0000

Tough OT to watch imo. Guys were tired, sloppy too bad it has to happen that way but I dont know any better way. Beats a SO for sure. Wish they’d go 4v4 in OT I guess.

I think since there is 2days off, there is no lasting effect for the Caps.

By: oconnor007

oconnor007 — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:47:40 +0000

Series is far from over. Good luck!

By: davidpcoelho

davidpcoelho — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:45:27 +0000

I still think defense is not where we are lacking (Caps fan here so thus the “we”). We need Centers. We have one. Right now we are missing the transition game. Once we get that, the forwards should be much more effective.

Right now Backstrom is being spread too thin.

Great series though. This is not over yet. It is quite apparent that home ice means nothing this year.

And even I did not know Holtby had “it”

By: alphalol

alphalol — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:32:47 +0000

Being a Capitals fan all my life, I have little to enjoy other than a sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals back in ’98.

That being said, this team is very different from any of the previous teams I have seen take the ice. Still, I am worried about our chances. We did manage to come back against the Bruins after falling in the hole – but the fashion in which we lost this game was much more deflating.

It is hard to accept this lose, but the Rangers played well enough to deserve this win. This is my favorite time of year, and I cannot wait to see what game 4 will bring. One thing is for sure – it is a must win for my boys in D.C.

Good luck to both teams on Saturday, and Go Caps!

By: oconnor007

oconnor007 — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:51:06 +0000

As a Rangers fan, I can say that I am really impressed at the transformation of the Caps into a viable defensive team. It’s definitely scary to think how good this team could be if they added some more defensive role players.

Holtby is for real.