Sloan clears at 1:27 PP.... cleared again at 1:05.... Theo blocks a shot.... cleared at :20.... cleared at :08, and killed. Good job. Just under 10:00 left 1st.
Good pass from Backstrom on it, too. TF just raced down the boards, took the pass in full stride and made just the slightest move to "freeze" the Dman (Madden I bellieve), who screened Clemmensen. Clem never saw it coming.
It was Ovie with the tip. I was going to tell you, every pregame (at least at Verizon) he spends maybe the last 1:30 of practice doing exactly that- usually it's Brashear on one side middle of the circle, Semin on the other, and Ovechkin in front of the net. One passes sharply to the other who shoots, and Ovie pokes a stick at every puck as it goes by.
Caps are not only leading the Southeast division by 4 points, with one less game than the 'Canes, but they could also be a true 2nd in the conference after this game.
Caps had a chance and the light went on behind Clemmensen, but it's no goal, and now the light is stuck in the "on" position- flashing constantly. Laughlin says they should unplug it or cut the power to it, because of the distraction to Theodore, but play continues.
Another penalty, another Capinthebox.
They score with 1:02 left in the PP.
3-2 Devils. Theo's still down, and Johnson may have to come in.
Theo with a good save. I'm not much confident, though, if he's not at 100%. I guess Johnson is probably not better. Next goal allowed, I guess we change the goalie, though.
This message has been edited by marc_mehdi on Nov 15, 2008 8:19 PM
Ovechkin swings and misses on an open-netter at the end of the PP, goes back to the bench, whacks his stick on the boards as he leaves the ice, and drops an easily discernable F-bomb as he takes his seat.....
Theo now with the best save I've seen from him all year- the puck goes past on his right, and he semidives for it, but can't get it..... Parise's behind the net though, and he does get it, and brings it around to the left side, wide open..... Theo dives across the crease, and denies right at the post!
Rightfully so- faceoff to Clem's left, Backstrom misses the puck with his stick but kicks it through forward with his skate, and Kozlov was there to bury it. CL says Clem should have had that one.
I do think it was a mistake to start Theodore tonight. It would have been a good game for Johnson's return. Easy to say now, but I thought of it before, LOL!
Great saves, once in a while almost a shutout (in other words: never a shutout), but most of the time, bunches of goals allowed and bad stats... Doesn't ring a bell? Do we have another Kolzig, there?
I'd start Johnson almost all the time until he has a bad game. Then I'd start Theodore for one or two games, then start Johnson again.
I don't know- both had a real good game last night, and none of the goals tonight have been of the fluky or really cheap variety, have they?
Don't know if you read at official, but many "fans" there are still taking shots at the team regularly, even while on 5 game winning streaks. I think guys make mistakes every night, but they're mostly still young, and mostly still learning. I'd rather see those mistakes now, than in the playoffs. And while I insist they have to produce this year, at least past the first playoff round, I can't insist they have to be perfect.
"Don't know if you read at official, but many "fans" there are still taking shots at the team regularly, even while on 5 game winning streaks."
That's why I don't read there.
I have not seen the goals, and it's a team sport, so the whole team is guilty on each one of them, but still, I think both coaches should have started their second goalie.
This goal will be important for Ovechkin's confidence, I think. First big goal this season. And if we win, that would be the difference between 0 and 2 points. Could be very important at the end of the season. Either for a conference or division title, or to make the playoffs.
Assists to... Backstrom (career high in assists and points in a game), and Gordon.
It was pretty wild- 8 skaters just to Clem's left front, fighting over the puck, and Ovie sneaked out to the left, all alone- one NJ Dman in the crease as well to Clem's right, and the shot went off his leg. Looked like exactly :01 left when it crossed the line, but who's counting....
just unreal, these Caps.
You know, the Caps could get a shootout win, and Backstrom would have been involved in all 5 real goals.... under 1:00 left in the OT.
I will be unable to follow tonight's game. It's between 4 and 6 am for me. It's either too late or too early. I hate these Western Conference games as much as TAK hates the morning games.
Go, Caps!
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