Anderson played well tonight, as the Leafs beat the Caps 4-2. I think they are a pretty good team that is only going to get better with time.
Haven't see that in a long time: The Caps blew a lead late. 4-3 lead in Montreal late in the 3rd. Montreal tied, it, then took the lead and scored an empty netter all within a couple minutes. 6-4 Montreal final. Brutal. Holtby made some great saves as always, but also allowed some softies. Not sure how long a Stanley Cup hangover lasts, or how much of a grace period they deserve, but that performance was unacceptable. The Habs were flying though and do deserve credit.
They will be ok, it’s hard getting guys to play at that emotional level again after winning the cup. Don’t look now but Barry has Isles playing really good defensive hockey. They still make mistakes as they adjust to his scheme but they have been reducing amount of SOG allowed from 45 to about 30 a game.
Yep. I said that is where you will see the most improvement year one. The Caps were drastically better on defense when Trotz took over as to how they were the year before he got there. The Isles are on the right track. All a fan can ask for. Might even be ahead of schedule with this strong start. As for the Caps, they are fine, but they definitely are not giving 100% effort. That is a problem when you are champ, because every opponent you play IS giving 100% to try to take down the champs. They need to realize that. It is a long season, and their schedule has been odd so far, but they need to get into a rhythm. Other NHL talk: -There are 4 really good teams so far in the Atlantic: (Lightning, Bruins, Canadiens and Maple Leafs) -The Stanley Cup Final's other team is also struggling out of the gate, as the Golden Knights are 5-7-1. (Caps are 5-4-2, but seems worse).
If you look at it from points, most teams are still pretty close. I believe the separation from top to bottom is about 6 points. It will stay tight for a bit until the mid way point of season then you will see the Penguins, Devils, Predators, Maple Leafs, Capitals all start to pull away, skill will always help keep teams on the winning track.
If the Kings have any sense they will be on the first flight to meet Joel Quenneville where ever he will meet.
I was thinking, being a Head Coach in the NHL is extremely difficult. Mike Sullivan is the only Stanley Cup winner still coaching the team he won the Cup with. The turnover is crazy.
The Great Dane, Freddie Anderson is carrying the Leafs right now. It'll be interesting to see what Babcock does with Jersey and Boston back to back coming up. Sparks might get one of those games. I'd want Freddie against Boston. 13
Last night's Wednesday Night Hockey Caps-Pens games felt like a movie script. -Crosby scores. -Ovechkin scores. -Malkin knocks out Oshie with a dirty hit to the head and is ejected. Oshie heads to the locker room. -Oshie returns to the ice with a couple minutes left and scores the game-winning goal. Crazy game!
I know many NHL fans hate Tom Wilson, but he is actually really important to the Capitals. The first 14 games they played without him, they did not look like their Stanley Cup Champion selves, but since he has returned: they have. During that stretch they have played without Kuznetsov, Oshie, and even Holtby, but no one's absence was felt more than Wilson. Not sure why, but the team plays better with him on the ice. Even as a Caps fan I did not realize his true importance until this season.
Physical, grinding players are very important to have. The islanders have a bunch of non physical players and it shows during games. They get manhandled in their own zone because the forwards are not tough enough. It’s ok to have some finesse players but they have to be balanced by tough, physical players. Wilson brings that edge and physicality.
Which is why I thought he’d get more games. He’s far too important to the team to let him continue to get away with such dirty play.
Wilson another hit and ejection tonight. Interested to see what the NHL does. Not as bad as his usual hits, but it still felt unnecessary to me. Ruined another nice Caps 6-3 win over the Devils and 7th straight victory for me.
Nylander and Maple Leafs come to terms just before deadline. Josh Leivo traded to Vancouver to make room. 13