Showing posts with label Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Them's the Breaks
After such a steep and consistent uphill climb it's to be expected that the Caps will occasionally slip up and revert back to their old ways. Tonight was one of those times - they outplayed the Leafs and outworked the Leafs, but every mistake ended up in the back of the net. The Leafs were patient, bided their time and waited for the Caps to mess up...and they did.
Not much to say after a game like this.
Toronto did an excellent job of making it as boring as possible which, while maybe taking the hometown crowd out of it also prevented the Caps from having any flow to their game. It was the kind of game the Leafs needed to play to win and the kind of game that was not conducive to the Caps being the Caps.
Ovechkin's goal does continue his streak and extends his lead over Kovalchuk, but he just wasn't as visible as usual and that whole line was shut down fairly well. At times it seemed like they were backing off a bit too much and not being as physical as they could have been despite the high hit count.
Whether this is a hangover effect from the intensity of Monday's game or not, the whole team looked a little flat albeit with occasional bursts of energy from the usual suspects. Semin in particular was very active, as was Eminger. And Olie actually came up big for the Caps on more than a few occasions - hard to fault him on any of the goals, particularly the one where Morrisonn basically took him out.
That's now the second time one of his defensemen has fallen over him leading to a goal by the way. I'd like it to be the last.
Just kind of a blah game all around - here's hoping they come out with more energy tomorrow night as both teams travel back to the District for the rematch. The Caps won't go into the break with first place in the division, but with a win tomorrow night they can at least pull closer to the idle Canes and more importantly carry some momentum into the break.
So the preview for tomorrow - keep the good stuff, take away the mistakes, the lackluster play and the defensive miscommunication.
...oh, and win! Winning would be good. Yes.
Gameday Preview: Caps vs Leafs (Round 1)
Who: Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Where: Air Canada Centre
When: Wednesday, January 23, 7:00 pm
Broadcast Info: CSN+, NHL Network, TSN
Media Notes:
Caps' Site
NHL.com
Washington Post
Globe and Mail
Toronto Sun
Toronto Star
CBC.ca
Here we go again, another home and home starting in Canada - the second for the Caps this month with another one on the way against Montreal next week.
Canada has been kind to the Caps so far this year. They've played four games over the border and have won all four, outscoring their opponents 24-12. Seven of those goals came in one game against the Leafs, the first and only time these two teams have met this season. And let's not forget, this was in the pre-Boudreau era when goals were at a premium for this Caps team.
Oh how times have changed.
Since pasting a seven-spot on the Leafs back in October, the Caps have undergone a coaching change, gone from 11th place to 15th place and back up to 10th, and remembered what it's like to win again. The Leafs have dropped from 5th place to 14th place...and stayed there. It's gotten so bad in TO that yesterday the axe finally fell on GM John Ferguson, Jr., a move that was a long time in coming but may be too late to salvage the Leafs' season.
Remember how many times in recent years we've read quotes from opposing players saying things like "we can't look past them" and "no team is easy to beat"? The tables have turned, because that's exactly the attitude the Caps need to take with the Leafs.
The Caps are flying high, extending their winning streak to four for the first time all season and looking for their fifth (and sixth) against the Leafs. They've dominated Canadian teams. The Leafs are struggling.
...and that makes them dangerous. Firing a GM is almost as earth-shattering as a coaching change, so expect Toronto to come out flying tonight. They've won 19 games in their own right, so it's not as though they're pushovers, and the Caps need to just stick with the game plan that has gotten them to this point.
Two areas of concern for the Caps coming out of that shootout victory and a lot of the games before that are goaltending and penalty killing.
Olie is expected to get the start tonight while Johnny should get the home game, and a lot depends on whether the Olie who allowed only one goal in his last game at ACC shows up...or his alter ego, SieveMan. Toronto doesn't score a ton of goals but they do okay, and Olie needs to step it up. As usual.
As for specialty teams, save for the dramatic 5 on 3 overtime kill in Monday's game the Caps have let this area slide a bit too much and sit 25th in the league. Good news? The Leafs are 26th, so the Caps can make up a little ground if the power play continues to strike at the rate it has been.
Now think of this - if the Caps win both games they go into the All-Star break with first place in the division securely under their belts.
And wouldn't that be something?2 Minutes with...Mats Sundin
CC: So, Mats. Rumors abound that you're thinking of waiving your no trade clause. Any truth to that?
MS: No. I'm staying with Toronto.
CC: Never thought about lea-
MS: [interrupting] I'm staying with Toronto.
CC: Okay, fair enough. The Leafs fired their GM yesterday - what does that do to your team now? Do you go out and try and prove everyone wrong?
MS: For sure. We let John down and now we make up for it.
CC: So about these trade rumors...
MS: I'm staying...with Toronto.
CC: Got it. Moving on. What do you think about the fans who seem to be turning on the Leafs?
MS: We'll get them back. We haven't played well enough for them and we know it, but we'll play better and get them back. We love our fans.
CC: Have you given any thought to letting them trade you?
MS: [through gritted teeth] I'm staying with TORONTO.
CC: Okay, okay, you don't have to bark. So no chance you'd leave then? Any desire to play somewhere else?
MS: I'm #$%@*(@ STAYING with Toronto!!
CC: You sure you wouldn't want to play for -
MS: Lady, this interview is over unless you - [his cell phone rings] - hang on. Hello? Yes? Wait, Ottawa wants me? Absolutely! Tell them I'll do it. Now. Waive it now! [hangs up]
CC:...so Mats, any chance you'd let Toronto trade you?
MS: [casually] I'd...consider it.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Gameday Preview: Caps vs. Leafs
Who: Your Nation's Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Where: Air Canada Centre
When: Monday, October 29, 7:30 pm
Broadcast Info: CSN, 3WT; Leafs TV
Media Notes:
Caps Website
NHL.com
Washington Post
Washington Times
Toronto Star
Toronto Sun
Two beat up teams with mediocre records meet in a clash of the titans as the Caps venture north of the border for the first time this season. The Caps are potentially without captain Chris Clark, out with that lacerated ear just as he managed to start picking up points, and are almost definitely without the services of Alexander Semin (ankle) and Tom Poti (groin). Meanwhile the Leafs are missing Bryan McCabe...okay, maybe not missing, but he's injured. They're also without the services of Darcy Tucker, Kyle Wellwood and Carlo Colaiacovo.
Here's the difference. Even with the injuries the Leafs have played better these last few games, winning two straight against the Rangers and the Penguins - two teams the Caps were unable to defeat. Of course, they did lose to the Thrashers as well...but everyone has their moments. The Caps on the other hand haven't had a full roster since the home opener and it shows, dropping five of their last six after a 3-0 start.
Bottom line, the Caps need to find a way to score. They need to get the scoring from someone other than Ovie. And they need to remember how to play special teams - both of them. Without those three, no way do they pull off a win here. Sounds simple, right? We'll see.
I'm feeling very not creative today so...we won't be getting to know anyone on the Leafs today. Besides, without Darcy "Mother" Tucker in the lineup, what fun would it be?
Go Caps.
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