581 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Grantland: The Hard Way: Setting the Table for an Epic Capitals-Rangers Game 7

http://grantland.com...rangers-game-7/

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports on Earth: Ovechkin's Moment of Truth

http://www.sportsone...echkin-pressure

[JordanKough]

Shrug, if Ovi and company were only 3 of the 10, I'm not sure you can attribute it to a team-wide issue. Just not getting it done in coinflip games. I don't think they are choke artists, from a franchise perspective, but I just don't really believe in that concept in general when it spans multiple generations of players and GMs, it's just more variance.

 

They've won other Game 7's too...so it's not like they can't win Game 7's. 

 

The stat seems so cherry picked, I struggle with it being anything that is statistically significant, that's all.

 

Not saying it's not true that they choke as a team, but I'm hardpressed to look at the stats and say that's the evidence given players/coaches change so much over that time. 

[You Play to Win the Game]

It definitely isn't statistically significant. I 100% agree Jordan. For a casual observer from afar, I think it's fair for those folks to say, "those Caps sure do choke a lot". I just let it go, they really aren't wrong as far as casual, unobservant observations go.

 

But as you clearly outlined... we're talking about coin flip games that could go either way. And franchises don't choke. Truthfully, this team hasn't had the talent to win the whole thing most seasons. Only a couple that I can think of. Those are the exit's that sting. But managing to be good enough to make a playoff run, while not good enough to get over the hump doesn't technically make you a choker. It just means that your down years are better than basically the other half of the league that watches from home while you're losing another game 7.

[JordanKough]

I heard a crazy stat watching a game the other night (I'm not a huge caps fan, I used to live right by Verizon and it drove me to hate them, but I just moved so I don't as much now ), Holtby has the lowest playoff GAA of any Washington Capital goalie.

 

That speaks more to me as to what their issue has been. A stout goaltender makes such a difference in games like this. It's nice to know the Caps have their best going into this game historically, back there.

 

I used to be crazy into hockey, back when I was in cecil county with nickle . Huge Flyers fan at the time, Lindros, LeClair, Djeradjins, Hextall...sheesh. I feel like it's been forever since I was really into any hockey at all now though. It's exciting, hopefully they don't let down tonight. I think the Caps fans deserve them to advance.

[You Play to Win the Game]

That was a great 1st period. Keep it up boys.

[Bmore Irish]

Very strong.

[Bmore Irish]

So many penalties. Too many penalties.

[JeremyStrain]

So many penalties. Too many penalties.

Gonna catch up to them sooner or later.

[Bmore Irish]

So many penalties. Too many penalties.

Gonna catch up to them sooner or later.

That was quick.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Never seen a game 7 called this tight. Fuck this shit.

[You Play to Win the Game]

That's really too bad... they were fairly dominant a lot of the 2nd... but killed about 6 minutes of penalties only to have the goal allowed at the end of that last penalty. Ugh. Keep battling.

[DuffMan]

Green was absolutely awful in the 2nd. Orpik with a monster hit in the 3rd on Boyle.

[You Play to Win the Game]

So fucking intense.

[Mike in STL]

5 minutes left. Edge of your seat stuff going on here.

[DuffMan]

Caps have looked solid here in the 3rdrd. Gotta keep it up.

Nice to have F16 back for this one to put in for Glencross.

[Mike in STL]

2 minutes. A lot of action in front of Holtby. Caps looking sluggish at the end.

[DuffMan]

Of course it would go to OT

[Mike in STL]

Overtime has not been the Caps friend. They were dominated for the better part of the last 5 minutes there.

Just need one.

[You Play to Win the Game]

This game is eerily similar to the Bruins game 7.