Very disappointing! We really needed to win the opening game. Now the pressure is on that Game #2. Frankly, the Rangers did their job and they could afford to lose the second game. Winning that one would be a huge bonus for them.
It's tough because we have a young team and they will no doubt feel the pressure on Saturday's Game #2. I'm worried that they will really be pressing.
Watching last night I was disappointed with Theodore. Again, he was a concern going into the game and he didn't do anything to qualm the concerns. The first goal was a soft shot from Gomez from a bad angle and it went right through him. The other goals weren't as bad but he didn't do anything remarkable and, if anything, looked pretty shaky the entire night. Conversely, Lundqvist looks much more comfortable/confident out there. This is a big concern because I almost feel like the Caps players feel like they have to make up for Theo's shortcomings and know that they are facing a very good goalie. Again, this only adds to the pressure of a young team.
In order to advance in the playoffs, you need good goaltending and right now we aren't getting that. The thing is I don't think you can make a change right now. If you did, you are basically saying to Theo we have lost all confidence in you and you have ruined him for the rest of the playoffs. I say give him another shot in Game #2 and hopefully he steps up. If not, time for Simeon Varlamov. Although that would be difficult if we were down 2 games to none and had to go to NY for Game #3. Tough task for a young goaltender. However, looking from another perspective, it would be an opportunity for Varlamov to prove he can be the guy. This would be my plan but I'm not the coach.
The other concern is the Sean Avery effect. That guy is a jerk and he is paid to be one. I'm sure he is getting to the Caps players and guys like that are a real pain in a series because you know he is going to be a jerk and he can take players out of their game. That is what he does. He was a pain last night and we cannot afford to let him get to us. Easier said than done. There is a lot of intensity in playoff hockey and again, we are young so a guy like Avery can make a difference.
Game #2 is Saturday at 2 pm. I'm still confident in this team but we have to protect our house!
4 comments:
Put in Varlamov now. Theo just doesn't have it and if the Caps fall down 0-2 with Theo there will be too much pressure on the young guy.
If they play Varlamov now and they still fall down 0-2 you can go back to Theo and hopefully he will respond to the benching.
It is always so tough to figure out who the hot goalie is, but Theo is just not consistent enough to make a run all the way to the Cup in my opinion - let's see if V is.
I have to agree with Robs. Theo had a clunker of a game to close the regular season against a weak Florida team. Now he gives up four not so impressive goals against one of the worst offenses in the league. Varly's young, but he's shown that he's capable of playing at or above the level that Theo's at, so why not?
The Caps' D needs to step it up...too many easy chances for the Rangers last night.
Disagree. It's not like Varlamov is some master goal tender. Theo is experienced and has had success in the playoffs. He is the #1 and benching him now will let him know that his coaches have lost faith in him. Should Varlamov struggle, it would be hard to go back to Theo. Let Theo play but keep him on a short leash. A couple of easy goals and get him out of there.
As far as the defense. They played pretty well. Gomez's goal should have been a penalty on Sean Avery. He took Green out allowing Gomez a straight shot in on Theo. The game winning goal was terrible. Schultz just let the Ranger go right by him and then Schultz just fell down. It was like he didn't realize that ice is slippery. Schultz didn't have another shift after that miscue.
I am fine either way. Will be interesting to see who gets the nod in the net.
I think it would be easy to go to Theo. It might get his head on straight and send a message to the team also.
Theo is not taking this team to the Cup.
Post a Comment