oh look. ovechkin 1 timer from the left circle on the pp.

It's not really to specifically call them out.

It's more to show that outside of two guys, there's not really anyone else that's playing unexpectedly poorly.

Umberger's playing badly, but he did last season. It's not a sudden "Wow, this guy's playing like crap!" Brayden Schenn & Wayne Simmonds have been streaky scorers. Since that's been the case with both, how is it a surprise that it's happened again this year?

The defense is made up of guys who have struggled when asked to take on bigger roles, that's happening now...how is it unexpected. That's my point. There's not 7 or 8 guys having abnormally bad seasons.
- Jsaquella

i agree. simmonds has been streaky, but at the end of the day, his product is there.

brayden schenn needs to take a step forward. but i do see what youre saying. i do think that read and coburn are responsible for pivotal roles on the team, and them being men overboard is really showing. its enough to take a team that should be a 6/7 seed to one that is really dragging.

I'm sorry, I still believe Ov is only second to Crosby, especially when he gives a poop.

At least Our pk at home was pretty good

There it is. Superstar 1-timer. FYI that play goes in against every PK unit in this league.

Who was that Russian d-man at the Juniors, very impressive.

Jaros is another guy who could be a steal. Tower of strength, and even with some footspeed questions handling the best of his age group game after game. Dare I say looked much better than Morin. Both play a very similar game.
- flyer_nutter

His name is Vladislav Gavrikov and he has went undrafted 2 straight years & will be in this upcoming draft.

People still forget Morin is raw and the injury to him this year has limited him to just 12 games he's not even really back into playing shape. He'll be fine & get better but needs to get into more games.

ping!

- MBFlyerfan

Mason's lucky his glove didn't get it... shot looked like it would have broken his wrist.

Caps PP might bat 1.000 tonight
- PhillySportsGuy

You give Ovechkin that much space and he's going to have a big night

Holy Ovechkin

What a (frank)ing seed that was

Mason's lucky his glove didn't get it... shot looked like it would have broken his wrist.
- Tomahawk

No pk or goalie stops that shot. Just a blast.

he is paid to be your paul martin.
- stayinthefnnet

Ha! I see what you did there.

His name is Vladislav Gavrikov and he has went undrafted 2 straight years & will be in this upcoming draft.

People still forget Morin is raw and the injury to him this year has limited him to just 12 games he's not even really back into playing shape. He'll be fine & get better but needs to get into more games.
- ob18

Gavrikov right. Played very well.

Morin is what he is. There were reasons people thought he was a reach and some wanted Pulock/Morrissey instead. So be it.

You give Ovechkin that much space and he's going to have a big night
- Jsaquella

Caps are legit. They're a good team. I actually think they're built better for the playoffs now than they ever were before.

i agree. simmonds has been streaky, but at the end of the day, his product is there.

brayden schenn needs to take a step forward. but i do see what youre saying. i do think that read and coburn are responsible for pivotal roles on the team, and them being men overboard is really showing. its enough to take a team that should be a 6/7 seed to one that is really dragging.
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly. They needed a lot to happen to be a playoff team. Young guys needed to take the next step. Other players had to find a way to contribute more consistently. They needed guys like MacDonald & Coburn to be steady and be able to play somewhat bigger roles.

It was a lot of possibilities, but nothing etched in stone.

Caps are legit. They're a good team. I actually think they're built better for the playoffs now than they ever were before.
- PhillySportsGuy

Cosign

Gavrikov right. Played very well.

Morin is what he is. There were reasons people thought he was a reach and some wanted Pulock/Morrissey instead. So be it.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think we've come close to seeing the best of Morin yet. Big guys take a while to grow into their bodys. It's just how it is. Morin is going to be really good. Im pretty confident in that

oh look. ovechkin 1 timer from the left circle on the pp.
- hammarby31

Wow..just saw that shot..
Insane, just a cannon and not sure their is anything tht could have been done to stop that.

Gavrikov right. Played very well.

Morin is what he is. There were reasons people thought he was a reach and some wanted Pulock/Morrissey instead. So be it.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think Morin was a reach we know at least Montreal was trying to move up and take him, would I have preferred a Morrissey sure but personally I have no problem with the pick.

No pk or goalie stops that shot. Just a blast.
- MBFlyerfan

Hate that penalty. Stick on stick plays happen all game long, a stick breaks and it's a penatly. See Del Zotto come late and jump into a hole for a good chance. A defenseman coming late is the most dangerous. That'll be there all game long.

It's really not in my opinion. It is about depth, wanting a more physical element, and Del Zotto played well last game, and MacDonald had a subpar game, so he sits.
- MJL

We go 7 deep of bottom 3 defenseman. It's fascinating

Caps are legit. They're a good team. I actually think they're built better for the playoffs now than they ever were before.
- PhillySportsGuy

Playoffs could actually be fun this year.

Nashville and Winnipeg able to give good scares out West.

Tampa and Montreal maybe to change up who comes out of the East.

Cosign
- Pixote Andolini

Amazing what a solid D core will do for you.

I'm sorry, I still believe Ov is only second to Crosby, especially when he gives a poop.
- SuperSchennBros

oh, if he gives a poop.

yeah. cant deny where he really belongs if he is locked in. i still think talent wise, him and malkin are the two most physically gifted guys in the league.

OV used to be able to pot 60, get 100 total points, not be a minus 536346 and absolutely wreck people. and his goals came in a myriad of ways too. now, he largely just floats around waiting for his one timer.

Caps are legit. They're a good team. I actually think they're built better for the playoffs now than they ever were before.
- PhillySportsGuy

Holtby's a good goalie, and their defense, while expensive, has a good mix on it.

More importantly, Ovechkin's happy and more motivated than he seemed under Oates and Hunter. He's got the kind of talent that can take a solid team and make it a really good team.

Caps are legit. They're a good team. I actually think they're built better for the playoffs now than they ever were before.
- PhillySportsGuy

Meh, I maintain that they would have a Cup already if they had just stuck it out w/ those high-octane Boudreau teams. Those teams were legitimately frightening to play against.