I am going to try to get through this without making any direct threats to the Nation's capital that would get me on a watch list - so, to make this clear to the FBI: I AM WRITING ABOUT THE CAPITALS ICE HOCKEY TEAM - A TEAM I NEVER WANT TO SEE AGAIN - I WISH THE WORST MOST INCONVENIENT THINGS TO HAPPEN TO THEM ALL. I hope their kids leave legos all over the floor, they hit every red light every time they drive, frats move in next door, you get the picture.
Ok, now that's out of the way. Fuck that game. I hated it.. all of it. Just chaos from the start: old bad habits popping up again, too many passengers, no discipline.
BAD HABITS: we are back to "1-0, them" again. The energy wasn't there from the start again and they didn't register a shot until the 8 minute mark. Pesce gets his doors blown off and Luke leaves Jari Kurri Mangiapane sitting alone in front for 2 whacks at it. That shit can't happen. This is now, what 6 or 7 straight giving up the first again? This was their 3rd game in 4 nights with thanksgiving sandwiched in the middle, but that excuse was for last season. (I still don't like you schedule guy). They cannot come out like this against the Rangers.
BAD HABITS: Their record at home is inexcusable. 6-5-2 is not going to cut it, its fucking 20 degrees out and this is the performance you give at home? Oh, and apparently some fans got a side of food poisoning from the sausage a few games ago? Nice job. They have to get it together at home, that's the whole point of being a good team - so you can play at home in the playoffs. After Monday, the Devils have 10 straight home games including Carolina, NYR, and Toronto.
PASSENGERS: Just go get some bikes and treadmills for the 3rd line, because they are just out here getting cardio. When was the last time they did anything remotely dangerous? They got absolutely caved in as a line (29% xGF, 23% Corsi, 11% Fenwick) and individuallly they each had 0.0 xGF. Fucking ZERO. I know I just sung Mercer's praises as a PKer, but man every time he touched the puck it was like his first goddamn day. Just refuses to shoot, fumble fucked it all over the place and took an undisciplined 4 min penalty becasue - you guessed it - he mishandled the puck. We need some production out of this guy, and it's starting to become clear that his "Ceiling" isn't that high. He only reached 27 goals because of an 8 game heater 2 years ago, but otherwise is barely a 20 goal guy. Uncle Erik, love ya man, but you really disappointed the travelling Haulas. Cotter, where ya been buddy?
PASSENGERS: This 4th line shit is getting old. Dowling had a nice tip (that what she said) but that line cannot be trusted. MacDermid got less than 3 minutes of ice time. Bowers, did he play? it is not sustainable to work with 9/10 forwards on back to back nights, and a solution needs to happen now.
PASSENGERS: We need a Palat solution. I tried, I really did with this "he does the little things" narrative, but man every time he touches the puck a play dies and goes right back the other way and an angel is stripped of its wings.
DISCIPLINE: I could write an entire blog about some missed calls on our end, but you gotta play how the game is being called. Just kidding, I'm going to write about it: Siegs was slewfooted, Timo taken down three times, and 180 lb Jesper Bratt somehow manhandled 220 lb Tom Wilson. Right. Otherwise, on our end 14 PIMs was the difference including the absolute backbreaking Mercer high stick. I am fine with taking some violent targeted penalties but these bullshit lazy ones drive me fucking nuts.
Allen was good until the wheels fell off and penalties sunk this team. I think we all know that 6th goal can't happen. I don't ever blame goalies, but we do need more from both of these guys.
Nico, Jack, Bratt, Timo, Noesen. You guys are safe, and did some good work to keep us in the game, or get us back in it. Jack and Bratt did some superstar shit, Nico did some hero shit on the PK (without his stick throwing his body around). Noesen continues to be the best FA signing in the league. Having only 5 viable forwards is troubling tohugh.
Big game on Monday, I need to flush this creeping feeling that there are some bigger issues with this team. Need a big win. Jack owns MSG and Piggy Iggy.
Fuck this game, all of it. Fuck the Caps, we are done with them for the season with a 2-1-1 split. I used to have a soft spot for the Caps because of Nephew/Geographic reasons but now I have three new enemies: Carlson, Chychrun and McMichael. I wish nothing but the worst for all three of you.
Ok, so after all that, still no need to jump: Our boys are still an elite team. 8th in the league, 4th in the East by Pts. percentage, and 3rd in goal differential overall. Better than Florida, TB, NYR, Colorado, Edmonton and Vancouver. Almost identical to Dallas.
LGD
