Archive for the ‘Washington Capitals’ Category

>Rangers-Capitals Game 4 Quick Reaction

Posted: April 21, 2011 by Keith Stone in NHL, Rangers, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington Capitals
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Capitals 4, Rangers 3 (2OT)
Capitals lead series 3-1

That was brutal. Imagine the girl you had a crush on was like “I really just like you as a friend…wait actually…no just like a friend…wait actually…no just a friend.” That’s what this game was like. I didn’t think anything would be worse than the DeSean Jackson Eagles game but this was worse. Same scenario. We were up by three scores. First one they got back, it was because of a lack of effort. The second one was a bit of luck. And that third one. The backbreaker. They just worked for it. But then, they didn’t go for the kill right away. They let us hang around for an extra two periods. Gave us hope. And then pulled it away. It just hurts because after Boudreau’s comments the other day, we were really letting him hear it. It was personal. I can’t bear the thought of him leaving the Garden with a smile on his face. The Rangers were plain overconfident. They kicked ass in the second period but forgot the game was still going on in the third. The first goal they gave up was total carelessness and it gave the Caps the momentum to get back into the game. It’s going to be tough to win in Washington but that’s two third period-leads the Rangers have blown in the series so it’s far from being a beatdown. The Rangers have survived every time they’ve been counted out this season. Hopefully, this is another of those times.

>Bruce Boudreau Is An Asshat

Posted: April 19, 2011 by Keith Stone in Bruce Boudreau, NHL, Stanley Cup Playoffs, The Garden, Washington Capitals
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Captials coach Bruce Boudreau spent the day after losing Game 3 to the Rangers trashing Rangers fans and Madison Square Garden. On a Washington radio show today, he said, “Well, the one thing, its reputation is far better than the actual building. I mean, it’s nothing. The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There’s no room for anything. But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Also, our building’s a lot louder, too. So I mean, they can say what they want, but it’s not that loud in there.” Now I know why his team never makes it past the second round.

The Garden is over 40 years old. It’s not perfect. That’s why it’s undergoing a massive renovation over the summer. Sorry that your locker room isn’t cushy enough, Bruce. Who the fuck do you think you are? J. Lo? You’re coaching a hockey team whose greatest moment is getting swept in the ’98 Finals. You think Caps fans are better than Rangers fans? I saw some awfully new looking jerseys on their fans on TV during Games 1 and 2. Dancing Larry has more passion than all Capitals fans combined. Seriously, how stupid is this? He’s got a 2-1 lead in the series and now he’s insulting the other team’s fans. If Boudreau wants to know what makes Madison Square Garden so famous, he’s about to find out.

ESPN

>Rangers-Capitals Game 3 Quick Reaction

Posted: April 18, 2011 by Keith Stone in NHL, Rangers, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington Capitals
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“A real man makes his own luck.”—Dwight K. Schrute

This was a must-win and it showed. The Rangers still had their usual problems. It was a struggle to score. They held on to the puck too much instead of shooting it. But this time they had a little luck. Christensen scored a nifty little bad-angle goal, Prospal was in the right place at the right time to put back a rebound, and the puck finally bounced the right way for the winning goal. I think the real key is Dubinsky’s mustache. That’s a bad ass stache. The whole team needs to grow one. The goal at the end of the second period was also pretty lucky but was unfortunately apparently a tenth of a second too late. The explanation was dubious if you ask me. Three games in and the Caps have scored only six goals. Pretty good. The Rangers need to stick to their game and make sure to shoot the puck. Neuvirth is perhaps cooling down a bit, but the more the puck is going towards the net, the greater a chance for a deflection, rebound, or even just a nice bounce. As long as they hold serve at home and grow luxurious mustaches, the Blueshirts should be OK.

>Rangers-Capitals Game 2 Quick Reaction

Posted: April 16, 2011 by Keith Stone in NHL, Rangers, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington Capitals
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The Rangers came out with a lot more intensity tonight but couldn’t convert. I liked Sean Avery’s presence in the lineup but Michal Neuvirth has been better than anticipated. The Rangers were undisciplined in taking two silly penalties, one of which led to a goal, but the D overall has been fine. It’s not like the Capitals are completely dominating these games. They have to come out big in Game 3 at the Garden. It’s totally possible for the series to head back to Washington tied 2-2 but the Rangers need to keep the puck in the offensive end and get shots on goal.

>Rangers-Capitals Game 1 Quick Reaction

Posted: April 14, 2011 by Keith Stone in NHL, Rangers, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington Capitals
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The Rangers played great for 54 minutes. Unfortunately, hockey games last 60 minutes (and sometimes more). King Henrik was at his best in goal and the posts were working in the Blueshirts’ favor but they still couldn’t steal Game 1. Washington is such a fast team and had a ton of chances to score. They came out fast at the beginning of the game and the Rangers weathered the storm. Michal Neuvirth did a lot better than I expected. His reflexes were quick and he stopped most of the Rangers’ best chances. The one goal he allowed was a great one, though. Brandon Prust did a nice job controlling the puck, Wojtek Wolski made an excellent pass, and Matt Gilroy took a hell of a shot. It was a lot more impressive than the goal by Washington in regulation. I felt like Ovechkin and Semin were allowed to stroll into the crease and stuff the puck in. The final result is frustrating but hopefully will give the Rangers confidence that they are just as good as the Capitals. The Blueshirts are going to need to score more than one goal to win Game 2 but I think they will come out and play a lot more aggressively now that all the newcomers know what playoff hockey is all about.