TERRIBLE loss. The first two losses I found myself more disappointed but this morning I find myself more angry. AGAIN, the Caps were pathetic in the third period. We were thoroughly outplayed by the Lightning in the final frame. If not for Neuvy, the score would have been 7 or 8 to 3. We looked like we were playing half speed in the third. What's more disappointing is that we knew we were down 0-2 in the series and we had a 3-2 lead going into the third. There should have been a sense of urgency and confidence. Instead we were just flat.
I was particularly upset with:
1. Backstrom: Where the F has he been all series? He is a top paid player and he has all but disappeared. When I see him out there, he looks like he is going quarter speed. The worst was when he was just standing around and watching the action and then he finally engaged only to take a stupid holding penalty. This guy has been useless in the playoffs.
2. Schultz: Looks like he is skating with a 45 lb. plate in his pants. He looks like he is barely moving.
3. Most of the defense: Hannan and Carlson can't seem to control the puck. Alzner and others can't cover and pick up each others guys. Too many breakdowns.
4. PP: While better yesterday, still sucks. The passes these guys make to each other suck. They are not passing to each other cleanly that would allow for them to take a one timer or control the puck cleanly. Many of the passes are behind or on the backhand of the guy they are passing to. Won't work.
5. Effort: Outside of Neuvy, the only guys I can recall that gave a solid effort yesterday were Ovie and Knuble. Ovie played with his usual intensity and had some good opportunities and Knuble did a good job of getting in front of the net and creating some traffic. He had some good tip ins and tried to be disruptive. We just need everyone else to step up.
All that said, the series is not over. I recognize coming back from a 3-0 deficit has only happened 3 times in NHL history so the odds are not in our favor. I am not expecting to win but I do believe we can win. We have been close but like I said, we have to better their intensity for the entire game. We CANNOT continue to have the third periods that we have been having in this series. A win tonight and we come back to Verizon. We really have to look at this as one game, one period, and one shift at a time. It can be done. Again, I'm just hoping that we can put it together for a full game.
3 comments:
Neuvy made a few saves in the 3rd, but the first goal was weak and the third goal was one he should have saved.
I say put in Varlamov tonight. Neuvy may be tired, but Varlamov should be hungry. If you win you should rout the Bolts in DC. At 3-2 anything can happen.
I still expect the Caps to win this series. If they don't, they aren't going to win with Gabby - ever.
Didn't think this loss fell on Neuvy at all. I can see them going with either one but I would probably stick with Neuvy. He hasn't done anything to deserve not playing. The only reason to do it is to shake things up and since Varly hasn't played in a game in a long time, it's a tall order to ask him to play in what could be their final game of the season. Also, if he sucks, it will be hard to ask Neuvy to relieve him.
I am not expecting the Caps to win the series but I am not counting them out. Anything is possible and it has been a close series with us not playing our best. Obviously, there is no margin for error and guys have to be hungry. The Lightning are the ones that look hungry. We have to better their intensity.
They need some different energy. It is not Neuvy's fault, but he has given up 10 goals on 76 shots in the series. I'm sorry, but .868 save percentage is just not good enough to win in the playoffs.
Neuvy is doing what he can, and it is not his fault that the D is letting them down with so many odd man rushes and breakdowns.
That said, changing goalies may bring a new energy - whatever they have been doing the first three games of the series has not worked. I don't think Varly will embarrass himself. I would make the change and hope Boudreau does the same.
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