Damn Right I do! I'm suprisingly optimistic. IF any group can do it, its these guys. They didn't roll off 7 straight to storm into the playoffs for nothing. LETS GO CAPS!!

Give me a break Tarik. So what? That was the past, different players, different game, different everything.
Lets get back to the present.
The Caps are not eliminated yet. They will take one game at a time, and they have as good a chance as any that they will win each and every game remaining with the Flyers. Forget the past. Forget the last game. Go Caps.

We will persevere. Philly is going down. I doubt the refs on Saturday will all work for Tocchet like the idiots last night.

i dont feel any better, i still believe but im not insane, this will take a lot of hard work and a reworking of the entire game plan and that aint easy

Tarik, are you hosting a chat today? It's not on the front page schedule.

After watching the fight in his game that Backstrom finally came up with, I would be completely comfortable with plugging him back into Ovie's line. The kid still is the best passer on the team. Anyone else feel this way?

I still believe. Caps are going the distance! They want it as bad as the fans do!

LET'S GO CAPS!

Brooks will be the new Dale Hunter in game 7!

Backstrom is the best passer... closely followed by Erskine

As I was turning off the TV last night, dejected and all, I began thinking of the story lines for today and tomorrow. Although the comparisons to 1988 did not come to mind, I did (do) expect many to conjure the history making run just to get into the playoffs, as an object of hope.
I'll never count this team out, but I must confess more than a little emotional distance, as I'd rather not get my hopes up until, say, a game six victory.

We are facing elimination. It is time for a new beginning. Playoff beards must be shaved and started anew. We will take game 5 and move on from there. Ov said it is not over, therefore it is not over. We will UNLEASH THE FURY again.

@ Honed

Link to Tarik's chat: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/04/17/DI2008041702520.html

I will always believe in the Caps, and won't give up on them. They are my team, I've been on a rollercoaster with them all season and I'm not about to jump off because the going is getting tough. They need us now more than ever. So does knowing that the Caps have rallied before make me feel better? Yes, because it has happened before THIS SEASON. We have it in us, that is apparent.

My chat got moved until Monday because of the Caps' practice schedule.

Don't stop believing
Rock the red
I have a dream
The rebuild is over (my personal favorite)

What a great day in happy land.

re-post

For the past decade when one would say Capitals, it meant Kolzig, and when someone would say Kolzig, one meant Capitals... Now here's what Olie being a classy man would wanted to relay to you:

There's no time to be sentimental
There's no time for goalie controversy
We must unite like the army of one
And stick for better or worse with Christobal Huet

Now there's a chance, and it already happened in these playoffs with Hasek and Kiprisoff, of a meltdown, this is where Olie will come back on ice and stay tall in the net, but now his message is:

STAY BEHIND HUET, SUPPORT HIM, BECAUSE HE NEEDS IT.

@King Huet,

Are you the man's personal PR deputy? Seriously dude.

WE CAN DO IT!
LET'S GO CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

re-post

For Flyers fans, there were two ways to look at the home team's inability to handle these high-energy Caps. An optimist would say a bit of a letdown was inevitable, given how intense the Flyers had been for three games. A pessimist might worry that the Caps had seized momentum and control of the series.

The Flyers had played their worst and won. It took nearly 4 1/2 periods, but they won.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20080418_Phil_Sheridan__Flyers__Caps_play_an_epic_drama.html

Come back, Sat, flyers fans, you'll be welcomed here.

hehehe

your comment: "Give me a break Tarik. So what? That was the past, different players, different game, different everything"

It has been said that history has a funny way of repeating itself. Let's Go Caps!!

I advocated playing Kolzig last night to provide a spark. I was a %100 wrong -- thanks goodness opinions on here mean nothing.

I have not posted since out playoff push. I was extremly superstious. Great game by the boys lastnight, to bad they ended up short. I think they can still rally and push for the brink of a game 7. Go caps!!!!!!!!!! Regardless what happens. This is a great team with a great future. It has been fun to watch........most of the time. Good luck on Saturday!!!

Tarik, how about getting Dale Hunter to be at the next 3 games starting with Saturday? The Caps needs some type of boost and this would surely help. I'll be there screaming as loud as I can LET'S GO CAPS tomorrow.

In 1988, the Caps lost game 4 in Philly in Overtime on a a Murray Craven goal. The Caps had a 3rd period lead in that game as well, but it was 4-1!! That was a crushing loss but the Caps came home and won 5-2. They then went to Philly and cruised 7-2. And then won game 7 in OT. The Caps also trailed 3-0 in that final game as well. Who knows? Maybe we'll do it again....

In 1988, the Caps lost game 4 in Philly in Overtime on a a Murray Craven goal. The Caps had a 3rd period lead in that game as well, but it was 4-1!! That was a crushing loss but the Caps came home and won 5-2. They then went to Philly and cruised 7-2. And then won game 7 in OT. The Caps also trailed 3-0 in that final game as well. Who knows? Maybe we'll do it again....

@Tarik

Can we can an update on the blood gushing from Semin and Bradleys face last night? Zero calls on those. Love it...

Sometimes I wish BB could just throw a flag like football, and they have to look at the tape....Kozlov's garbage call too...

Just woke up... ouch my head and ears haha.
Just finished reading up on that last thread... ouch my eyes and brain haha
Caps are still in this series... not to long ago the flyers were up 3-1 on NJ in the conference finals I believe and i think we all know the outcome to that one... I don't think anyone in philly has forgotten that so everyone's pretty tight lipped about talking about the next round...thank god for that, it'd be like torono all over for me.
Flyers played a good hockey game as did the caps. I don't think any team out played the other... both teams got their chances
I pissed off piere Mcguire before the game... he actually wanted to fight me no joke... I was a little drunk and started yelling at him haha... I don't like yelling at other teams but i can't stand that guy and the only reason he's on tv talking about hockey is the homosexual fan base loves him (no offence to gay people sorry) It was kind of immature by me, but beer + hockey =....
Caps played a much better game and had the flyers on their heels at times some very scary moments.
Some huge hits this game too, this one was definatly a no holds barred event eh?
Credit Huet and the Caps team as a whole, both came out to play this game.
Credit KNubles line on the flyers and Richards/Briere they found a way to win the toughest game of the series to date.
I'm getting excited for game 5... BRING ON MORE OVERTIME HOCKEY PLEASE!!!

No, I don't feel any better. These are two COMPLETELY different teams. Good try though.

Optimism. Love it. We'll be playin Tues...and not golf...

With my new push to be more positive (which includes just posting and ignoring most of the replies), I will offer this explanation:

The caps got to see the begining of the PITT/OTT series. Seeing how bad OTT was playing, they knew PITT was going to sweep. In order for the Caps to have the best possible chance against PITT, they decided to ensure our series went 7 games to give PITT a week and a half layoff before facing us.

We let PHI get their 3. Now it's time to pillage and burn. FIRE IT UP CAPS. FRESHEN UP THAT FEAUX-HAWK and LET'S CHEER EM ON TOMORROW!

I've heard a ton about the Hunter goal, but I didn't know they came back from 4-1 and 3-0 scores to do it (i didn't exist yet). Come on Caps, the new gen needs some memories!

No. I don't feel any better.

The Caps and Devils will have a friendly golf match on Sunday.

oh wait i did exist, lack of sleep is impairing my reading skills

Repost

nobody is questioning that the Kozlov call was weak but to go so far and say the Flyers get preferential treatment is absurd.

All 4 games there have been non calls BOTH ways.

The Kozlov call tired out the PK? Gimme a break. The game was lost on a coaching blunder from the so called Jack Adams candidate.

Seriously, look at this from a different point of view. Semin got away with some gloves to the face to the Flyers players and there was no call..it does go both ways.

Im just more upset that the shoddy D the Caps have played. Morrison has been brutal. Jurcina should be sent to the Costa Rican Hockey league. Erskin is SLOW. Green should be playing forward, his D sucks.

Keep Backstrom with Semin. They were madmen last night ;)

Well, good effort last night. Looking for a great effort for the next 3 games.

Front Page update; The entire bar was into the game, the beer was flowing, there were approx 10 Caps Fans there. The only downside was the Preppy boys trying (when I say trying I mean talking loudly while we were trying to watch the game then running away) to pick a fight w/ Roger94.

Saturday can't get here quick enough.
LET'S GO CAPS!!!

Wow - it is easy to to attack the boys now when they're down, aint it?

Reffing issues aside, I think the Caps have had no answer for Philly's PP down low. Let the bastards fire from the point, stay back and let Huet stop it. Briere likes to lurk around the back of the net. Someone needs to have their head on swivel and whack his ass whe nhe gets anywhere down low.

Feds had the game on his stick, on his STICK, I tell you, and hit Biron smack on the knob of his stick - yeesh.

Yeah, Semin was on fire. Keep him and Backstrom together.

And, yeah, Tarik, that does help. Nice bit to post.

Caps in seven.

I would hate to be a Flyers player around their fans when the Flyers lose.

You Young Gens...1988 that was a great game! I was sitting behind the goal and saw dale hunter flying down the ice to beat that HHHEEEXXXTTTAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!

I will say this (as much as i hate the flyers) i can still recall at the ole caps center philly and caps fan fights in the stands...So far overall, the Flyers seem to be the better TEAM!! And boy are they persistant,...every goal they scored was due to lack of us clearing the puck..did any one else feel a goal coming on each time they beat us to the puck?

I don't know if we will come back, hope so but if not then for the first time in a long time i can say that other team deserves to win.

GO CAPS!!! And yes, please bring back Dale!! And keep showing the replay over and over...and some one who is good with hacking,...hacking into the wachovia center screen and play the hunter goal during game Six.

GO CAPS

Nope, don't really feel better. But at least you're still adding fuel to that little bit of hope that won't die. As long as you've got a chip you've got a chance.

I agree about keeping Backstrom with Semin on the second line. They played really well together. They were probably the most effective line last night.

I admit I'm pretty pessimistic about the outcome of this series, but if the Caps win on Saturday and get the Momentum on their side. Who knows what could happen.

I was at Game 7 when Hunter scored, we screamed ourselves hoarse. The Cap Center was vibrating it was so loud. I don't think I've attended a game since then when the building was so loud. Although some of the last few at VC have come close.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game and going crazy tomorrow. We all need to go, cheer like mad and help push the team to victory! I firmly believe they can pull this series out. The Flyers are playing well, they are at the top of the game. Last night was the Caps best game so far in this series, and we know they can play even better!
GO CAPS!!

I agree with several other optimists on this blog. The Caps have turned the corner in this series.

They've proven they can go toe-to-toe with the Flyers in their building. They've shown they can outhit and outplay their opponents for long stretches.

The Caps need to regroup and remember the things they did well last night. They need to forget about the shoddy officiating and learn from their mistakes as well.

Let's just take this one game at a time; one win at a time. It can happen. It did twenty years ago. I believe it can happen again.

I'm with the other person on here that said to keep Backs with Semin on the 2nd line. It was nice to see the 2nd line scoring for a change. Good chemistry, and I think it should stay that way for the series unless it HAS to change.

We need to take it one game at a time.

If they win on Saturday, it will be Philly feeling the pressure to try to close the series out at home in Game 6... that pressure may be all the edge we need to force a game 7.

It's not over - but AO HAS to get going.

Until someone mans up and knocks the s*** out of someone in a Flyers jersey standing in front of our goal, nothing matters at this point.

So, wait, what's going on with the team today?

Repost from last night during the game:

I think this game may be a turning point for Semin. He's been hit, cut, banged, and is playing better now than he was before.

Eminger is playing like a deamon out there! Way to make a statement!

I like this. This is good playoff hockey. It's tough, rough and unforgiving. And the Caps are playing MUCH better tonight! Keep raising the level, boys!

Posted by: Greg S. | April 17, 2008 9:48 PM

I'm thinking that the Caps come out and knock the crap out of Philly tomorrow. The worm has turned, I feel an a@@ kicking of serious proportions coming on.

@ huntvetchkin

Philly was certainly not at the top of their game last night. They freely admit that they did not play their best game last night but still managed to come out and win.

Their coach has demonstrated an ability to adjust what is wrong from game to game, and BB hasnt been able to do that.

I fully expect a very prepared Flyers team on Saturday.

how come nobody here sees that Ovie seems so lost out there. He looks terrible. The GREAT 8 is being outdone. how come he cannot get loose? He has seen this type coverage just about all year. He is a huge dissappointment. Someone wake HIM UP!!!

I just can't keep myself away.

Tommmy.

To blame BB for a "Coach Can't Count" penalty is just as ridiculous as thinking the ref's give "preferential" treatment to a team on purpose.

Line changes in Hockey just don't work that way. The coach will call the line, but it is up to the players to decide who they will replace. Typically this is an easy thing to do. What screws it up is if a guy jumps over early, OR, like both times last night and 80% of "Coach Can't Count" penalties, the player coming off lolly-gags or stops to play the puck/hit someone. The ONLY "Coach Can't Count's" that are actually the coach's fault is when they send too many guys to the faceoff circle (you see this rarely on PK faceoffs).

As for the ref's. I'm not the type to get angry at missed calls like high sticks. Sometimes the ref just doesn't see it and assumes the guys are just masochists. I'm not the type to get angry at the "wrong call" on Juice's ..."Crosscheck..." The ref was in a bad position, and to him, that's probably what it looked like. What I do get angry at is how one ref, when faced with two identical plays, can make two different calls. Kozy's penalty vs. the run at Huet in the 2nd OT session.

Alas, none of that cost us the game, or are the reason we are down in this series. You ARE right, our D is horrible and our superstar can't put the puck in the net. Unfortunately, the Flyers were the only team we didn't match well with and we drew them for our first round. Sad, but we have to adjust.

Remember, the only players on the team with Playoff experience are Olie, Huet, Feds, Cooke, Kozy, Poti and Erskine. That's it. These guys will learn, grow... and if losing to the Flyers makes us respond like PITT did this year, I say bring it on. (If just so we have more "alone time" to resign Green/Mo/Laich before RFA period).

There was a comment made ( in the Post I think- you read so much of this stuff you forget where you read certain articles) that this is the first time caps have lost 3 in a row under Boudreau getting no points.

What is interesting is that had this been the regular season, we would have gone four on four in overtime and picked up at least one point. This is another area that hurts the Caps. They are a great 4-4 team and had a really good record in the five minute overtime periods during the regular season. I also think we have an advantage against Philly 4-4- we actually beat them in overtime in boudreau's first game ( backstrom game winner).

However, you have to be built differently for playoff overtimes. whereas 4-4 you have a lot of open ice, in playoff overtime there seems to be less skating room than during the first three periods. That was one reason I was hoping we could win it in regulation last night since I knew we had no real advantage over the Flyers once the game got to overtime. Unfortunately, I was right.

"Feel any better?"

In a word? No.

This playoff series has been nice, and the turnaround from 6-14 to winning the SE was great. It's a good experience that will hopefully translate into future success, but there are some significant pieces missing.

Namely Defense. Huet played out of his mind last night, but the man can only stop *so many* shots.

Eminger needs to play. He must have slept with GMGM's wife to be forced into street clothes for so much of the season.

The Caps would have easily won game 4 except for all the D's giveaways and the too many men penalties.

Huet's two diving saves, one in each direction, were amazing. Got to keep Huet in there for the duration.

As distasteful as it would be to have to see him every game, someone needs to permanently plaster Briere into the boards.

Cut down on the mental mistakes and win game 5!

Keep living in denial. Keep grasping at something that happened 20 years ago. Keep watching the NHL Playoffs as they keep going without the Caps.

GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All things considered, I am very optimistic about this team. They came back and played their best game of the series, and were a bounce or two away from winning.

The refs missed two blatant 4 minute high sticking calls against the flyers that would have been huge

Briere got the minor for roughing but couldhave easily gotten a double minor for roughing during that scrum early in the first. ho didn't get a holding the stick, and double minor for roughing (he only got a minor for roughing) in the scrum early in the first. After trading punches with semin, he left the pile then sucker punched Backstrom. I seriously hope someone puts him through the glass.

I am in south Georgia visiting family and had to watch the Versus feed. Even the VS announcers, Eddie O specifically, said the roughing call on Green when he shoved a Flyer after a high hit was questionable at best. Eddie O in no uncertain terms said the call on Kozlov was a joke, and the refs got it wrong.

Now that I have vented, if the Caps had been playing solid D and had managed to clear the puck one or two extra times we win the game. If memory serves, every single goal they scored was the result of a failed clear...or two...or three.

I am still optimistic though because our play was much improved last night, and the team should believe they can win. 3 games to 1 is a deficit, not a death sentence. I'm still believing and I'm still leading the cheers down here. I really want to come back and see game 7 on Tuesday.

Offseason To-Do Item Number 1:

Clean house on Defense. Rebuild our entire defense line. That means sitting at least Jurcina and Erskine.

@Paul

Excuse me? How does a two-point night make him seem lost? He was hitting like he used to, and he was actually carrying the puck and getting shots against last night.

He looked the most like himself than he as all series in 4, aside from his game winner in 1.

He made smart plays to Backstrom that resulted in goals. I don't see how anyone could say he looked lost last night.

Do we still have Erskine, Jurcina and Mo back on D? Yes, you say? Oh, this team is done.

Also, Eric Fehr has been playing incredibly well, all tings considered. He has been physical, has won some battles along the boards and understands the style of play needed in the playoffs. Call me crazy, but I am still optimistic.

Sombrero

Breire was given a double minor, which gave us powerplay that backs scored on.

I still believe! Let's take it one game at a time. When it's all said and done, win or lose, I hope they physically beat the pulp out of Briere and the rest of those lame thugs. Let's Go Caps!!!

tomorrow night: Caps 4 Flyers 2 Guaranteed. Done.

Tarik I'll invite you to golf next monday. Won't have to travel to Philadelphia.

Tarik: I suppose you have done a good job this year but now it's time to rest.

Sorry Tarik..

Ovechkikin the MVP of the league...

Knuble show you how to play loooser

tomorrow night: Caps 4 Flyers 2 Guaranteed. Done maybe in bowling

haahhahahahhahahhahahahahaa

tomorrow afternnoon: Capts eliminate

loooooooooooooooooser

Tomorrow I leave your site forever...

looooooser

Getting shots against last night??

OV had 1 shot on goal last night

he put 10 toward the net. He needs to find a way to get open. He is a tough guy but it looks like he isnt tough enough for the playoffs. Thats the way its coming off.

I have been in Dallas all week and reduced to scoreboard watching while at the Stars games. There was also a very weak goalie interference call against the Stars in the first period that took a goal off the board. Are these calls a result of the NHL reacting to Sean Avery's antics"?

If only we still had Dale Hunter.

Should be a hell of a game on Saturday though.

I guess the fact that OV has more hits/game than any player in the playoffs supports your claim, JamesD, that he isn't tough enough for the playoffs?

Anyone notice ovie taunt the fans after his assist to Backstrom?

This tells me one thing: The fans are in his head. Instead of competing on the ice, he was worried about the reaction of people behind the glass

I gotta admit, I was ragging on Backs and Semin all series long, but those two were our best players on the ice last night. I would've loved to hear what Semin was saying to Daniela, he can barely speak english. That was hilarious to me.

The amount of hits dont equate to that. This is all his play away from the puck. Not his play with it.

He seems to be a 1st effort kind of player right now. If he doenst get it done on the 1st try, there doesnt seem to be a 2nd try.

He has to be better WITH the puck

The guy could have a 100 hits a game and it doesnt matter unless the scoreboard has his team on top

Tarik's chat postponed until Monday?

That's good karma for a Game 6. :D

@Tommmy : He has always done that. He did it to the Buffalo fans after he scored a goal earlier this year. Its just how he plays.

I know this, but right now he should be more concerned with on the ice

JamesD, my point simply was you pointed out Ovechkin "isnt tough enough for the playoffs". I pointed to a stat that disputes your claim.

He has played great at times, and he has played un-Ovechkin-like for a lot of the series too. There's not much disputing that.

For the Caps to come back in this series they are going to need some of his missed shots to be on net, and hopefully find the back of it.

I might have an extra ticket for tomorrows game. Let me know if interested. Section 426 row D

Philly fans piss off, offer is not for you.

@Philly Brawler

Wow your smart. All Philly teams rule.

Check out this great website I just found:

www.eaglessuperbowlvictories.com

Old time beat me to the "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

but here is a clip of Semin as Killer Rabbit:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg

@ Jeff

Notice in my post I did say..that is the way it is coming off.

Seriously though, does it really matter how many hits the guy has? Would you rather him it 10 guys a game or make a 2nd effort to get around Timmonen when he gets stopped on a rush.

2xs last night Timmonen played him perfectly. He looked directly at the crest on the front and allow OV to make a move then took the body out of the play. After htat Timmonen didnt move, neither did OV.

He has to be tougher than that. Make a 2nd effort to get around the defender instead of allowing the puck to go harmlessly into the corner.

@FFS enough

Briere was given a double minor, but one was for holding the stick and the second was for roughing Alex Semin. He then also left the pile, and sucker punched Backstrom. While the refs would never have the guts to do this, that very easily could have been a double minor for roughing (he punched two different people) and minor for holding the stick.

JamesD, I agree with a lot of what you are saying. Your first post focused more on the fact that OV looked overmatched from a physical standpoint.

Backstrom, through the first 3 games, looked overmatched physically. Ovechkin, to me, looks like he is trying to do too much at times.

Ultimately, I'd trade the hits for goals, but he CAN be an all around player. And he needs to be in game 5.

Ovie looks very disinterested out there and tired.

Steve:
What?!? Not taking Lee?!? So what did you decide on for tomorrow - 'Geen', Cooke or away Jersey?

Have to post this again - REALLY good read from Vogel RE: the ref'ing last night:

http://dumpnchase.wordpress.com/

If we get decent officials for the next 3 and play the way we did last night (not to mention the way we played at the end of the regular season), we can still take it. Like I said:

They've been deeper in the hole before. They've come back from worse. They've had to win more in a row to stay in it. They can do it. I won't stop believing until it's over. It's not over yet.

Boo,

Was going to take one of my daughters, but she's sick. Been trying to track Lee down since 7am with no luck to see if he wants to go (plus I think he's working tomorrow).

Away 52 has good mojo, leaning toward that. We'll see.

Probably already been said here but I can't help myself.

The officiating last night was atrocious!!! Goalie interference after getting pushed into the crease by a defender??? Missing not 1, but 2, high sticks that drew blood. And how come Philly is always allowed to get the last shove / punch / facewash in on all the scrums last night? What a joke!!! The league should be ashamed that they let referrees decide the outcome of these games. I'm so pissed off right now!

Flyers Penalties Capitals
23 Total Penalties 25
1 Penalties Major 1
22 Penalties Minor 24
49 Penalty Minutes 53

Both teams seem to have had equal amounts called against them..so get off the officiating thing

James, you from Philly?

Ultimately, you gotta win a game whether you get the calls or not.

But the fact that Philly has taken fewer penalties than the Caps in the playoffs is a bit odd when you look at how they play in the regular season.

1471 PIM for the Flyers vs 975 for the Caps. So, a team that over the course of 82 games takes 50% more penalties a game is suddenly better behaved than a team that took the 4th fewest?

Of course there are arguments to justify this, and like I said, you gotta win no matter how a game is called...but at a minimum, you have to at least awknowledge the fact that statistically it's a bit strange, no?

Jeff, why did you go and ruin a perfectly good argument with logic and statistics?

I think Ovechkin is overrated... and I don't think I am sure...

chicken Ovy

Chicken Ovechkikin

After the game I won't come back EVER

Ovechkikin is scare of the

Dungeon of Doom

I remember that game in 1988, but I only saw it on TV. In fact, I still have the tape and sometimes watch it for inspiration. That game was important because it had always been the Caps kicking away the 3-1 series lead.

The Caps should go back and watch that Game 7. Most of the Caps goals in the comeback were fluky. A shot goes in from the point when Bob Gould gets bumped into Hextall. Kelly Miller shovels one in off a faceoff. Kevin Hatcher reaches up to catch a clearing pass and hammers one in from the point. Nothing pretty about any of them.

Hatcher also takes perhaps the greatest run at a goalie in NHL history. He just steamrolled Hextall into the crossbar in the second period. Hatcher got two minutes, but never was two minutes more worth it.

The image that I still have from the TV feed is of Warren Strelow, the former goaltender coach who just passed away last year. For whatever reason, ESPN had a camera near him, and he was punching out the Flyers as the crowd went crazy around him. It was awesome. Those Flyers teams were thugs just like usual and they had a thug of a coach in Mike Keenan. I loved watching him slowly walking off the ice past the Capitals wild celebration in the left wing corner.

Will it help the Caps win tomorrow. No. But will it help the old fans like me remember a great time. Absolutely.

Lets Go Caps.

@Jeff(DC)

That is the type research I'm talking about...

@ the MAN

huh?

JSchon -- You don't even want to know what sort of research I am doing on team penalties (regular season vs. playoff) right now...one could say I am a tad bored at work and enjoying the powers of Excel a bit much. :-)

Hey CAPS fans, it ain't over yet!!

ROCK THE RED!!!!!!!!!!

@the man

Dude, you finally got it right!

Gotta tell ya, I prefer your orig "Dungeen" though.

not from philly

just sick of whiney fans that cant get over the fact that their team lost fairly.

Someone tried to make an argument that the Kozlov penalty tired out the penalty killers for the rest of the game.

Considering the penalty was at the end of the game and then there was a 15 minute intermission and no other penalties were called, the argument holds no weight.

So James, not from Philly. Gotcha. Flyers fan then?

@icebat
'Old time beat me to the "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" '

NO!! And neither when the Japanese invaded Russia.

@The one who replied to my comment to Tarik.

"It has been said that history has a funny way of repeating itself"

Yes. That has been said. It has been true twice in the last week. Once in the last election. And if you are using that as a ray of hope, I wish you good luck because history has shown that the team that leads 3 to 1 in a series usually wins. I prefer Dick Motta's saying "It aint over until the fat lady sings". But I am with you when you say:

"Let's Go Caps!!"

I like to wear ladies underwear.

Random thoughts:

As a professional baseball umpire (NOT MLB), I cringe when the officiating decides a game.

Having said that, I grew up 3 blocks from the Spectrum and will always hope the Flyers do well. BUT First off, the equalizer was on the too many men on the ice call (Caps 2nd)

Secondly, OV had a W I D E open net in the 3rd period.

My biggest problem is the nonsense after the whistle. It happened oh about 35 times last nite. Those two officials NEEDED to put a stop to that.

Games have ebbs and flows. Unfortunatly, officials in this sport do as well. I think the league is making major strides to improve the "call making" cause thats what it is. It allows the scorers to be scorers.

Green IS the future on the WSH blue line. Have you seen the speed and puck handling he possesses? WOW

Just random thoughts ... I welcome your feedback. and flyersfaninMD atta guy!

Attendence during regular season pathetic which in return is no revenue to go out and get quality player's which in return is not GMGM'S FAULT

@ CHIEF

@ Jeff

The penalty ratio differential from regular season to the post season is a perfect example of why all regular season statistics go out the window.

If the stats followed the same path, Cote and Downie would be out trying to start fights and there would be Brash taking either of them willingly.

The type of penalty can tell you a lot. It can tell you if a player is prone to losing his composure in the spotlight, if a player is too slow for who he is matched up against, if a players stamina is not up to snuff, if a player is lazy, or if a player is constantly out of position.

In the playoffs these things are magnified by 1000. No team is going to go and take runs at people every shift and put their team in a position to lose a game.

ME TOO!!!!

@ THE MAN

no,

just a hockey fan in general
Im in md..i love the local teams but I am a realist when it comes to sports. I dont put on my red sunglasses and watch the games

I thought we dominated the game and should have won, but for a few brief stretches in the third - for which the Flyers have the refs to thank.

The Caps learned the hard way that it's them against the world, and they are not going to be given victories, they will have to take them.

Caps in 7.

too many men penalties caused by federov coming off lazily and cooke not paying attention
brash and cooke together had 1 shot and 1 hit in regulation WHY THE HELL ARE THEY DRESSING
defense was better but it takes alot longer for young dmen to develop than forwards
Huet looked a lot better as did steckel and laich
and the refs deserve to have to live in Philly year round

maybe we can get jmucapsgirl to send us a pair

In my opinion, we saw a good game last night. Sure there was some questionable calls by the refs, and some miss opportunities from some of our players, but don't take nothing aways from the Flyers, they just scored the winning goal. Good effort by both teams. Don't let some idiotic fans of both teams ruin a good match between two very good teams. That is good hockey. Now. Lets hope the Caps win the next three.

James,

What did you think about the two non-calls which left Semin and Brads bleeding? That's a pair of double minors. 8 PIM's. Think that might have impacted the game a wee bit if the refs had noticed the blood?

Again, my stats below are not an excuse for losing 3 out of 4 games. You lose games by handing the puck over in front of your net to the opposing team, etc.

But for the sake of passing time on a slow Friday, I feel like posting this.

I compared the average penalty minutes each playoff team took in their regular season games vs. the playoffs thus far.

The Flyers dropped nearly 6 penalty minutes a game between regular season (18 PIM) and post season (12.25). This is the biggest drop of all playoff teams.

Most teams (10 of 16) were within 2 penalty minutes (either higher or lower) than their regular season, including the Caps.

Of the remaining 6, 4 of them played one another. What I mean is, the Flames and Sharks both had drastically fewer penalty minutes in the playoffs than regular season, but they were head to head. On the flip side, the Avs and the Wild both were higher than normal in a series that had a lot of rough play.

That leaves the Flyers and the Senators as the odd teams that had a lot more (Senators) or a lot less (Flyers) penalties in the playoffs than the regular season with no obvious reason from a series perspective to explain it.

What does this all mean? Absolutely nothing, and it probably doesn't interest any of you. But I thought it odd that somehow the 3rd highest penalized team in the league somehow becomes the (proportionately) best behaved team in the post season.

I think a few Capital players might disagree with that "best behaved team" idea...no?

(Sorry for the long post)

I think one of the biggest mistakes was that BB decided to start the 4th line last night. Esp with the last change. I think that needs more discussion.

Sure that line is playing well together but you had to expect that the Flyers would put out a high flying line to match that and get a quick one. Which is obviously what happened.

Anybody care to comment on the no call of the high stick to Mike Richard's mouth?

Flyers dodged a bullet on those 2 calls. It could have changed the outcome of the game, but why are we going to cry over spilt milk? Caps were fortunate enough to get 2 pps in the beginning of the game and score on them both.

Fans should be more worried about the missed clears and the poor D in OT2

Knuble got hit up high in game 2 and there was no call on that one. and I just did watch the replay of the Richards/Semin hit, Semin put his stick right in Richards' mouth.

"and I don't think"

Posted by: The MAN | April 18, 2008 1:41 PM

well you got THAT part of it right dopey!

Jeff,

Try looking at Anaheim's stats from last year to see how they compared regular/post season. That would be interesting because they had the most fighting majors in the league and ended up winning the cup.

Playoffs everyone tends to not go out the way they were in the regular season. Its more a chess match now than the previous 82

Ump,

When in the game was that? I remember him going into the boards after the Semin hit, and checking his teeth, but can't recal a stick to the mouth. What period and who's stick was it?

Calls are missed it happens and in this sport expect a makeup call at ANY time.

The FLyers played poorly last nite. Passes were fumbled total lack of concentration most of the nite and they STILL won. The CAPS need to develop that go for the throat mentality.

With that said, thanks for James D to recognize the Richards non call last nite atta guy to you James

No game will ever be 100% evenly called. You have to take what the game gives you and adjust. Thats my point. It doesnt seem like the Caps have done a great job in adjusting. They almost had it last night but in OT they fell back to their old ways.

Steve R I believe it was the 3rd period
An injury to Richards cannot happen that was frightening

That game last night took a lot out of me. I really had a good feeling that we were going to win, before the game, during, and heading into overtime. Oh, well. I am going to try to not have any feeling tomorrow.

On that note, I'm going to a bachelor party that was planned back when it didn't look like the Caps would be playing hockey in April, and now I have 3 extra tickets to tomorrow's game. In order to ensure they go to CAPS FANS and not random Flyers people on Craigslist or Stubhub, I'm offering them at face value to anyone on here who is interested. 2 together in the upper level where Caps shoot twice, one lower level on the blue line on the other side. Email me at lifelawlibido@yahoo.com for more information.

@James

My problem with your statement is that the game wasn't fair last night, so they couldn't have been beaten fairly. At the rate that the power play was going, any of the uncalled double minors, or the Kozlov P.o.S. call last night would have effectively ended the game in regulation. The way they were playing last night, it's too much for Philly to hope that they wouldn't have scored again given another 10 mins in power play time.

And anyone else who realizes this, too, would probably agree.

Waaay off-topic, but this is pretty awesome
http://www.onfrozenblog.com/
if you've never heard The Zambonis, def check it out. I always wondered why the VC didn't use their version of The Hockey Song

Richards got a double whammy on that one. I have the game on my DVR and was able to FF straight through.

Stick in the mouth then faceplant in the boards.

James, Anaheim averaged 17.77 PIM/game in the regular season last year and 17.67 PIM/game in the post season. So, maybe teams don't actually change so much from regular to post season...?

Tho Philly sure is showing it can be done! :-)

Yeah, you can make stats look to represent whatever you want. Didn't your mom teach you that?

I'm still on the hang-the-piece-of-$#@^-refs bandwagon. They gave the game away.

But we are crying over officiating?

Do the officials shoot the puck? Do they put forth the effort to score goals? Do they try to clear the puck with bad passes? Do they stand and look at Knuble as he buries the game winner instead of trying to flatten him? Do they not try to get through the last line of D after they lose a puck into the corner?

No, they dont. The great thing about sports is there is an increasingly human element to it. 4 officials on the ice and each one of them have various jobs to do and places to look. Is it possible that nobody saw the high sticks? of course it is. Can they call the result after seeing blood but not the action..no they can not.

James. 3rd period right? and drinking OK you assume if one of those calls were made you would have scored. Well lets talk about a call that WAS made... do you (and all Caps fans in here) agree that you had 6 skaters on the ice in the 3rd?? If so THATS the penalty that evened the game for the flyers.

Jeff, good job there pal.

Maybe Philly got a bad rep in the regular season from things that went on. Remember, Bettman put them on notice and I am sure Campbell told officials to watch carefully.

@Ump

If you're referring to Richards running into Semin's stick as he turned into his check, then, I guess I know what you're talking about. But Semin didn't raise his hands to hit Richards and nor did he let go of both hands on his stick when it happened, so it's no call.

Plus, had Richards actually been hurt on that play, he wouldn't have sat there screaming at the refs about fairness: he wouldn't have been able to speak at all.

Just some observations

@Icebat...hysterical killer rabbit reference.

@ Tarik, what is the update on Semin's injuries?

Could the CAPS possibly suit up BBs son to play/shadow Briere (I think they are the same size!)

Even the Pope was Rocking the Red yesterday! Let's support our guys tomorrow! Go CAPS!

I have to believe that if the refs saw a high stick like that they would call it.

I have seen players get plowed over head first into the boards laying on the ice and needing the trainer but not a call because the ref either didnt see it or it happened so fast it looked clean at real speed.

Remember, NHL players can skate, oh id say something upwards of 25-35 mph at full speed

drinking oh NO

you dont need to lose your stick to incur a high stick nor let it go it was up there clearly and should have been a high stick and as far as Richards crying sorry wont come from one of the better younger players in the game

Richards is a cheap punk but I still wish it was that tiny piece of trash Briere that took the face plant!

When is your young Russian Rocket going to dazzle us? It's quite possible that he is not yet a playoff player. As far as I'm concerned, his 60+ goals mean nothing in the post-season (often called a brand-new second season). In fairness, I went to see Ovey last year when they visited the Flyers because I had to see for my own eyes this sensation. I was blown away at his skating, his passing, his shooting, & his hitting. The complete package, I thought. He has no playoff experience right now, and that my respected D.C. friends, will prove to make all the difference in this series.

With 2 pp goals, is anyone concerned that if Philly happens to stay out of the box tomorrow, the Caps will have a tough time matching them 5 on 5?

James I agree thats why the no call. Well it happens on the other side as well my point I was trying to make

@ Go Caps Go

I thought we were talking about hockey? Wow, I see you have moved on from your beloved Caps already. The last time I checked the NFL doesn't start until the end of the summer. I suggest you stick to the discussion at hand and that is the Caps are dead men walking. You must be a Redskins fan as well. They live in denial as well. You guys make me sick with your BS that you spill in this forum. You call the Flyers a bunch of thugs but the truth is we are a much deeper team than the twenty-somethings that you call the Caps. Just a reminder that Hockey is a violent sport that is not meant for Tea Totallers that you Capitols fans appear to be. If you want to drink tea, go watch Polo or Chess. Wake up, LOSERS!!!!!!!

GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Danny Briere is running circles around you beloved Ovechkin!!!!!!!

Yup, I was there at that Game 7, so I gotta believe.

I think this Caps team is coming around to their playoff lessons and can win Game 5.

After that,who knows...

And OV learned a big lesson last night: goal-mouth scramble in OT, check the man in front of the net. Those are the tough lessons that build eventual champions.

"You guys make me sick with your BS that you spill in this forum."

What kind of A-hole makes a staement like this but still comes back here?

Ump, Im with you. Semin saw him coming and tried to protect himself. I dont think he did it intentionally his stick caught richards and sent him into the boards.

On the other end, 2 caps were bloodied but the replay of the Bradley high stick, in real time, does look like it could have been his own player getting him...in slow mo..it was Coburn but in real time, there were 2 sticks there and it would be tough to see whos stick hit whom.

Philly brawler just offer two words:

Jim Zorn LOL

Philadelphia is the cesspool of humanity

Philadelphians are the fecal matter in said cesspool

I don't expect those knuckle dragging morons to understand any of that. I suppose if I were traped in such a filthy pit of misery I would be bitter too.

Am I getting under your skin like our Flyers have gotten under Ovechkin's skin?
Deal with it, A-hole!

Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and I cant find a replay of Semin getting bloodied.

I do recall him going off the ice slowly at one point but I thought it was the puck that got him. Caps had the puck in Philly zone and the ref didnt blow it dead, he finally got up and to the bench. Funny part was that Hartnell actually turns around and almost looks as if he is going to see if he was ok but the ref didnt blow it dead.

@ ump011 and JamesD

You two are visually impaired. There was no high stick with the Richards-Semin hit. Richards was going for the big hit on Semin. Semin braced for the hit, and in the process of the collision, Richards hit his teeth, and then went head first into the boards, while semin got knocked onto his backside. Semin didn't raise his stick to nail Richards in the face.

@ Jeff

I just realized that Anaheim stats were for the whole playoffs..what about just for their 1st rd?

@ Jeff (DC) - The number of penalties "taken" and the numbers a team is whistled for are two different things. You are actually referring to PIMs assessed, not penalties taken.

Lots of penalties are taken, not all are called.

Smartest Cities from 1-53

D.C #8
Philly #50

http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/pages/12.html

idiots

I actually find you to be quite amusing, much like watching the chimps at the zoo. Thank you for the entertainment you unemployed, bitter little chimp. Now dance for me and make me laugh

Wanna believe
Gotta believe
Keep believing
Must continue to believe
Still believing
I have to believe (my favorite)
Too funny

k-tron

the way you described it it is STILL a high stick you cant brace for a hit with your stick up HIGH

thanks for contributing

@ Philly Bra wearer

Wow we are really impressed with your intellect and writing skills. Maybe you should put them to use on oh, I don't know a JOB APPLICATION.

Wash DC is #8??? with George Bush living there gee that must be true!

@James D

Sorry you weren't the one saying Semin high sticked him.

Semin getting bloodied was the second time he left the ice hunched over. I don't know if you were watching the Versus feed or the Comcast one, but the Comcast feed showed him on the bench with a cut along his nose, right below his eye. Which was most likely caused by a stick getting up and under his visor.

I'd take Bush over Rendell ANY day, but that is for a different post

James, it's not broken out like that, and while I have a lot of time the next 2 hours, I don't really want to go game by game last year to find that.

Jill, I would say penalties taken = penalties assessed where penalties committed would include high sticks that are missed...either way tho. :-)

k-tron we are not debating whether or not its a penalty but how difficult it is to determine in a quick flash and for the record what you saw IS a high stick penalty on semin

players MUST be in control of their sticks at all times

So, are you saying that with Bush here, we're still # 8? Would we be #1 without him?

Bitter? How can I be bitter? My team is not down 3 games to 1. I'll make you laugh much like Ovechkin has made us laugh!!!!!!!!!

Wanna believe
Gotta believe
Keep believing
Must continue to believe
Still believing
I have to believe (my favorite)
I'M AN IDIOT

ouch my head and brain again with this thread
Many people are just arguing about things at this point that really can't apply to the series
Flyers took a lot of penelties in the reg season but look at the line up they threw out there then with the Downies, Cotes, Boulirices (spelling you all know im great at it) no longer in the line up no wonder the penelties went down.
I'll be the first to say the officiating has been poor, but its like this every playoffs. I think both flyers and caps fans forgot this from missing the playoffs the last couple (flyers seem almost as far back as the caps even though thats not the case)
No point in talking about the refs though, the caps lost this game and the flyers won. I was at the game and I don't think either team out played eachother.

It was a very even game with both teams getting chances and missing on most and putting in some... Lots of goals this game too

Im saying maybe that survey is a tad skewed LOL

"I'll make you laugh much like Ovechkin has made us laugh!!!!!!!!!"

lol

ARE YOU NOT AMUSED?!?!

CAPS are going through exactly what PIT did last year. Got hot and made the playoffs and got killed by sens. As a cap fan I don't know why so many people picked the caps to win. Philly has expierence and 7; 20 goal scores(spread out scoring).

We were given an oppurtunity by the hockey Gods to win in game 4 but didn't want it. Come 2 many men on the ice twice we didn't deserve that game. Then the OVIE missed the wide open net. Then the 2-1 break in OT and Sergie missed should have given it back to OVIE. We had the chance BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOSE BEFORE YOU CAN WIN.

I'm going to have to re-watch that hit. Looked like Richards took Semin's shoulder up high then went face first into the boards. Comcast replayed that 4-5 times and I honestly didn't see Semin's stick.

Yeah Ump is right about being in control of your stick. Just look at how Hatcher controls his stick as he uses it to bash players in the face and head, and how much he controls it as he is crosschecking or spearing people.

Update: I now have a single lower level ticket for a Caps fan who wants to go to the game tomorrow. Email me if you're interested -- lifelawlibido@yahoo.com.

Here are the things I did notice from being there.

Timmonen is outplaying AO plain and simple. Alex was going to the net more this game but again Timmonen when he was out with the exception of one play where he went up in the rush, made sure Alex did nothing.
The flyers younger players like Coburn, Richards, Upshall made some very young mistakes and luckily it didn't cost them.
Smith and Modry is the worst D pairing in the NHL playoffs right now and scare me everytime they're on the ice.
Caps D again made very costly turn overs and had trouble getting the puck out of their zone which proved to be the decider in this game on many occasions.
Caps younger players stepped up and this is the best game the caps have played this series. I'm not sure if either team deserved to win more then the other team, it's the playoffs and anything can happen. That being said the flyers didn't play very well and both goalies kept their teams in the game.
Some of the biggest hits this series were thrown this game! Loved it!
The Crowd definatly played a part in this game... that last powerplay despite going 0-6 the crowd when nuts! You got this feeling that you just knew they were going to find a way to score... so the crowd played a part in this one i think to a point but im not a believer in the crowd winning you games.
AO had an empty net... never seen him miss an empty net...
Semin and the Caps players looked ready to fight from the get go... but that was dumb I'm still not sure why the Caps team is playing into the laps of the flyers... they need to play a bit smarter after the whistle and let the flyers push them around to get some calls...
While Huet was more protected last night the flyers showed why they had 8 20+ goal scores. They Caps sealed off the slot and the flyers changed their game plan and started shooting from the tops of the circles and Huet made some Brilliant stops... the best ive ever seen in person to be honest. I was behind their net so I got a good view of both... they were flat out sensational!
AO was still taking too long of shifts at times.
Richards dominated in the face off circle again... The flyers are beating the caps in faceoff's this series and thats one of the small stats leading up to flyers wins i believe.
I don't know what to expect next game... I hope another game like the one last night... best game this playoffs so far.

If D.C. is considered the 8th smartest city then that survey must not be including morons. If it were, D.C. would be considered the number one moron Capital of the world. Face it people, the Caps are cooked and Danny Briere is the Chef!!!!!!!!!!

@ Philly Bawler

HA HA HA HA Thank you clown for making my day. I have to go now and finish some work. I don't expect you to understand that but its called a job. It means I have to get some work done. Much like when you cash your welfare check and head on down to the liquor store. But thanks again for the entertainment and good luck with the therapy. We're all pulling for man. You philly guys are so cute how you give yourselves little names like Brawler and The Man. Almost like real men or something. HA HA HA HA oh, that's priceless. I am quite amused with you. Alas, I really do have work to do so goodbye for now.

@ump

You were complaining earlier about the non call on the Richards-Semin high stick. I just merely pointed out that Richards just happened to collide with Semin a way that he hit his teeth. Semin really wasn't raising his stick up in a manner where you can really go blaming the refs for a non call.

Paging Mr. Dale HUNTER!?

TED, fire gmgm and commit yourself and the group to winning and he may answer. I see and hear all of these comparisons to Hunter. "This guy is just like Dale Hunter. And, He's the next Dale Hunter." Even gmgm is saying Olie and Bruce Boudreau are just like Dale Hunter. Since Dale Hunter is so revered and respected in this city, why hasn't he ever been offered a meaningful position with the Capitals? Answer; who has been the midget running the team since Dale Hunter retired?

"BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOSE BEFORE YOU CAN WIN"

Dude, almost as bad as dungeen

Where is the online discussion????

steve r
wel what do yu expekt. Philydlpha dosnt hav gud skools and we aint so smart here

@ Livinit

Got me. I got sucked into the Flyer bashing, but I think it's because there just wasn't a whole lot of news out of Tarik today.

Also another note from the game... Caps scored 2 of their 3 on the powerplay and Biron let in a weak goal at even strength... I have to give the 5 on 5 play to the flyers this game and this series... Caps have to find a way to beat the flyers 5 on 5 if they want to win next game

very true Jeff

Jeff,

Any Philly blog sites you'd recommend? Might be fun to cause a little hate and discontent.

does anyone else want to talk about hockey? Philly Brawler... you're being classless... save that energy for the game... Whats said in done in the game stays at the game... you don't bring it out of the arena... every smart hockey and flyers fan knows that!
Caps fans don't respond to ignorant people like that... they usually don't understand the game or don't respect it, both of which don't deserve a response
Let's talk hockey guys

@Chief

"Wanna believe
Gotta believe
Keep believing
Must continue to believe
Still believing
I have to believe (my favorite)
I'M AN IDIOT"

Yes, I agree with you. You are an Idiot. But I can appreciate your sentiment about "keep believing." Caps fans had a similiar faith during the playoff.

So, let me encourage you in your dreams. Here's a link to get you started:

http://amby.com/GED/

You probably will still be an idiot, but "keep believin."

Go Caps!

www.flyershive.com
biggest flyers fan site and i think biggest hockey fan created site in the nation... pretty much every flyers fan goes there... Be careful tho... they are a little cookoo

online discussion moved to Monday

Guys

I ended up with 8 tix for tomorrow (hit the presale twice - got better seats the second time). Anyway have four in 107 row N, caps shoot twice there, looking to sell at least two, preferably three or four of them.

Shoot me an email if interested seanmccoy02@yahoo.com

@Philly Brawler

I just think its funny how you Philly fans like to talk soo much trash you would think the Chicago Bulls, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers and Montreal Canadians called Philly home. Unfortunately for you no such luck, please welcome your 76ers/Phillies/Eagles/Flyers. Hardly a line up that should cause one to travel to other teams boards talking smack.

So please tell me so I have the correct mental image. Are you the (A) sitting on your front porch next to your refrigerator in your nascar tee shirt and Flyers cap form of Pennsyltuckian; or (B) the sitting in front of the Pizza Parlor in your wife beater waiting to shake down some school kids for their lunch money Thugadelphian. Enquiring minds want to know.

I wish i could go to that game, but I'm so hungover from yesterday I need at least 2 days to recover... at least

Guys,

Let's all take a step back and face the reality - we are not going to beat these guys three games straight.

But I think our Caps have a wonderful future ahead of us. Barring injuries, we should be back in the playoffs next season. And we will be unstoppable then because now we have playoff experience. (Just ask Pittsburgh).

Philly fans, enjoy this moment while you can. Because you got some @ss-whooping coming next season.

Gosh I love the Caps!

despite the fact that philly can be very disrespectfull I will say this... Tailgating in Phildelphia is by far the best city to tailgate in...unless you are a fan of the other team... I wish sports were different can all fans could tailgate togeather cause honestly tailgating there is amazing... There is so much going on and so many events and beerpong tables. Not to mention yard games set up all over the parking lot... It's like a white trash convention for Suburbanites like myself... My pong record yesterday was atrocious which i contribute mainly to my alcohol content level.

@Danny
Don't sell them out yet... but it's looking bleak for this year. Lots of factors went into it.
But you're saying the perfect stuff man. You're right man lots of things to look forward too with this team. I'm sure some drafts and free agents will be quite the addition to this already talented caps team

Semin did not hit Richards with his stick at all... watch the replay... Richards went head first into the boards and started to cry.

If Philly wins - they will def get SWEPT the next round...

@828
his stick caught him, but it was unintentional... Semin never saw him coming and didn't put his stick up to protect it was partly a reaction to a follow through... I think they made the right call by not calling it... I think the refs should just let these guys play... Richards is not hurt and is still in this series. It's the playoffs, Let 'em play.

Jeff - weren't you at the game??? so how could you see the stick? Watch it on TV and put it in slow motion - the stick never hit him... at least in the mouth. it may have grazed his shin.

I'm not going to predict what happens next series cause no one has won this series yet. Either team that makes it out will have their hands full the next round... I'm rooting for whoever makes it out of this series alive though cause for sure i hate the next two teams even more!
Habs fans are by far the most arrogant of all sports fans out there (they kind of have the right though with their history)
And penguins... *vomits*... nothing else to say about that

it sure looked like it hit him, but i could be wrong... I have no way of getting a replay at this point unless someone wants to send me a clip of it I'll check it out for sure... no penelty was called tho so no harm no foul eh?

Exactly, why should a penalty be called? Maybe the replay will be on comcast today - who knows. I just know that Richards went face first into the boards and checked his chicklets. I just don't get why the other people were saying it was a high stick - when the stick never hit him.

Jeff - do you have a link to a Philly blog that we can go on?

yeah i sent you guys one allready ... but becareful on this one... the fans are the crazy ones and are some of the best at in the business at trolling and trash talking... make sure you don't give this site's blog out either you don't want to deal with them on here
www.flyershive.com

828,

You get the VS or comcast feed? I watched comcast, the 4-5 replays I saw showed Semin's shoulder & a face plant into the boards, no stick to face.

Ump,

VS or Comcast? Diff camera angle that you had?

I would stay off the Philly blogs. I've been on a few and they are very hard to read. It helps if you can translate from Idiot to English.

@828

You're right. Semin's stick never Richardsh in his face. The collision caused him to hit Semin's shoulder, and he did a face plant into the boards, where I assume is how he hit his teeth.

Then he started whining to the refs for a call, because his hit didn't kill Semin, and he just ended up hurting himself.

another site you can go to is Hockeybuzz.com ... they claim to be all of nhl but marjority of them are flyers fans... Go to Bill Meltzers blog and go into the comments...

Last night should have been ours....stupid mental mistakes, bad bounces, and bad calls really cost us this one. Should have been a 4-2 win (I hate first minute goals like the one last night).

Does anyone know who had the game winner in Game 5 of the '87 comeback series...I say have Uncle Ted fly the person in as a good luck charm...did anyone think to ask the pope while he was here to bless the caps?

Our chances are like being in last place in November with an NHL rookie coach taking over and... hey... wait a minute.

Okay.. had a wierd deja vu moment there, not sure why.

Oh heck, their chances aren't THAT bad.

Has anyone else been slightly enjoying how irritated the folks over on the 'Skins Insider page have been getting over the improved Caps coverage lately? For a good laugh, go check it out.

Football is as lame on TV as it is to watch live in person... and the superbowl is the most overrated sporting event in the world... That's the one thing I'll never understand about AMERICA... the huge fan base of the NFL over the fan base of the NHL... Hockey is the one sport where if you go to only one game you're hooked... I'd ask anyone to attend just one playoff game... there's no sport in the world that matches the intensity of Playoff overtime hockey... not one single sport... hence why bother talking about them?

Steve:
Checked his teeth - that's funny! :-) Funny, but true! You are SO right - there was no high stick. Richards checked Semin (not the other way around) and Semin reacted before the check was finished, which sent Richards (and his teeth) into the boards. High stick?!? Please ...

Any takers on your ticket? Sorry that everyone is unavailable, not well or MIA. :-( Hopefully you will find a worthy Caps fan to join you!

The Capitalist:
EXACTLY!!! If we can climb outta the hole we were in, we can climb outta this one, too.

LET'S GO CAPS!!!!

Here are the game winning goal scorers from the '87 series vs. Philly

Game 5 - Kevin Hatcher - 5-2 final
Game 6 - Bengt Gustafsson - 7-2 final
Game 7 - Dale Hunter - 5-4 OT final

Boo,

Casting the offer far and wide, no takers yet. Plus Lee does have to work.

April 18, 1987 - Pat LaFontaine scored the dramatic game-winning goal at 8:42 of the fourth overtime period in Game Seven of the Patrick Division Semifinal versus Washington.

I'm heading to Ocean City at 5:00pm, so if anyone wants my ticket to the game, you have an hour to contact me and make arrangements. Are there really no Caps fans left on here who need a single for tomorrow?

Steve:
You need to tell Lee to get his priorities straight.

@Jeff

No need to hate on football or any other sport really. We all enjoy hockey which is why we're reading and posting on this blog, but there are hockey fans that are also football fans and those who are primarily football fans that also enjoy hockey. I'm sure there are a number who post on this blog, who follow more than one sport.

I just never understood trashing another sport. Just live and let live.

(BTW, I was kidding :-D)

Boo,

I tried....

Scott,

I'm trying to get rid of the seat next to mine as well (REPEAT: Flyers fans - piss off, no tickets for you). I can't give it to a scalper out front as they'd sell it to a Flyer fan....

Thanks for game winners, no chance of hatcher coming back, unless the brother puts it he into his own net, but that never happens, and Gussy will be coaching team sweden at worlds, so we will have to wait for Hunts to come back. Was at that long game, closed all the beer taps but one, and found that one at 1:30 AM

@Steve R

I know -- that's why I'm trying to avoid selling it commercially or on the street -- we need red, not orange!

Stand back, and watch the phoenix rise from the ashes!!

I overheard on the elevator at Kettler - Next year's season ticket holder gift will be a Mike Green signed bright red home defibrillator.

After the game I won't come back EVER

Posted by: The MAN | April 18, 2008 1:41 PM

Is that a promise?

No takers for the tickets?!? Come on, Caps fans!! Mauree - JMU ... where are you?!?

To those of you wanting to sell only to Capitals fans...

I think you'll find it easier to get someone to pay to go to a party, rather than to a funeral.

I'd go to the game!

Alas, I bleed Capitals red in Tennessee.

to someone else who thinks he knows,
maybe dale hunter is happy running his team in canada. maybe he is not up to managing an nhl team. maybe he hates dc. since you claim to know, why don't you tell us. if you are suggesting that mcphee is keeping him away, perhaps you forgot who traded him to colorado for a chance to win the cup. the team retired his number, what else do you want them to do? just cause he was a great player doesn't mean he would be great in the front office.

seriously, you and the kool aid guy (probably are one and the same) need to get off the gmgm hatewagon and enjoy some playoff hockey. admit that he did a great job at the trade deadline and maybe wait to see how the season plays out. your constant droning on about him is out of place and really is sad.

I'd love to take the tickets, but I won't be able to make it. If there were two tickets next to each other I'd take them for my parents though.

Since Tarik tracked down Dennis Maruk for comments about Ovy topping Mark's record, maybe he can track down Dale Hunter for some pep talk comments for the current Caps. :)

I was Googling some '88 Caps stuff, and there's a NY times article about a Caps win in the following series against N.J. back then: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DF1138F93AA25757C0A96E948260

Gotta love Scott Stevens' quote: "But at least with New Jersey, you know what to expect. It's work, work, work, and what that tells me is that if they're going to work that hard, I've got to work harder."

If only the Caps had Scott Stevens and Rod Langway now...

All you non-believers keep putting the Caps down, they like it that way. This is all a big plan. Everyone knows the Caps play their best hockey when noone believes.

By the way, Scott Stevens would have looked real nice in the new uniforms. If he was around, noone would be touching Huet. I love that Scott Stevens.

Caps will win game 5. Take that to the bank.

@ jeff

Just went on flyershive.com..........BRUTAL MAN

my buddy in Philly tells me lots of Flyer fans coming to VC game 5

CRAPITALS CRAPITALS CRAPITALS

Mike Green sighting......... @ GOOD GUY'S throwing around $100's

Anybody else notice that the Flyers logo is a big nipple with a wing?

Are we going to do a MILBURY SUCKS CHANT?

Are we going to do a MILBURY SUCKS CHANT?

Can't wait until Tuesday Night after we have come back. I guarantee none of these trash talkers will be back. Then we can overrun the Philly blogs...no wait, we have class and don't stoop to those levels.

Philly fans: Last time you had a championship was when?

Now get out of here.

If the Caps play with the heart and grit of the last game, and lose, it will be hard to begrudge them for effort and, in a sense, growing up some in the playoffs. Playoff intensity and damn-the-torpedos attitude are what this team needed to learn and last night we got a whiff that they may be catching on. Can they come back? Based on last night, sure. Will they? It depends on how much growing up they've actually done, how smart they play, and a few breaks. As that ol' San Antonio sportscaster once said, "it ain't over ......"

maybe we can get jmucapsgirl to send us a pair

Posted by: M&M | April 18, 2008 1:56 PM

Excuse moi? A pair of what? Why am I being dragged into this mess?

As far as the tickets go, you have no idea how tempting they are. I'd love to, but I have to work and I'd never get there in time for a 7pm start, let alone a 1pm. I'm missing the game as it is. Only TiVo is saving me from despair. I just have to resist the urge to scoreboard check.

BTW, versus just replayed the game.

At least you have Tivo jmu_capsgirl, I have been in Orlando all week doing family things and have been missing the games, including tomorrow's. I will try to sneak into a pub if I can since it is on NBC, but no one down here carries Versus.

Thank goodness for my mobile phone updates.

Yeah, I picked this friend cause she's got TiVo... :D

Watching Ranjas-Devild games. They showed how Ranjas run Brodeur, I couldn't believe it. Compared to what abuse Brodeur got, Huet got nothing. I am serious.

And then they showed Devils coming back from 1:3 deficit, winning the series and beating, who do you think? Flyers! This is the series where Stevens knock out Lindros cold.

STEVE R: is that ticket still available and how much is it?

Philly has a statue of Rocky Balboa.Do they know he is a fictional character? Yo,Adrene!

watching Mets vs. Phillies....in philly...Jose Reyes slid head first into a knee...is hurt...crowd cheered when he was hurt...booing when he got up...booed when it took awhile to decide if he was staying in game...

wow typical classy philly fans...35,000 in stadium cant be wrong....philly fans are...how do I say this...without class.

Of course Wright tripled, scoring Reyes....that Karma, sure is a beatch!

hey chris larry, what channel are you getting that game on?

on nyc local tv.....i now live in brooklyn....

Not to sound like I'm whining or anything, but could Versus be farther up Danny Briere's butt? Seriously, its like he's god or something.
Only positive thing about Versus is they had Pretty Ricky on the other day. And even then, I had it on mute so I couldn't listen to all the idiots brown-nosing Philly.

Let's go Caps!!!

Last night's game is on again ...

Chris Larry,
Oh, too bad, a friend of mine is a Mets fan and I've been