Outstanding 3rd by Ovechkin, but Caps lose (too late Mr. Hunter)
Flyers 1, Caps 0.
Ovechkin's stats:
After 1st:
Total ice time 04:07, 6 shifts, average 00:41, even 04:07, 1 shot on goal, 1 hit
After 2nd:
-1, total ice time 08:12, 10 shifts, average 00:49, even 08:12, 2 shots on goal, 1 missed, 4 hits, 1 giveaway
Final:
-1, total ice time 16:49, 17 shifts, average 00:59, even 16:49, 7 shots on goal, 2 attempts blocked, 1 missed, 6 hits, 1 giveaway, 1 blocked shot
Ovechkin played more in the third period than in the first two.
In the first Ovechkin had 6 shifts, but his ice time was 04:12. In the 2nd he had only 4 shifts with 04:05 of ice time. Everyone on twitter agreed that Ovi was sent to dog house after the goal by Flyers. In the third Hunter unleashed Ovi, but it was too late... 3rd: 7 shifts, 08:37.
After the game Hunter said that he didn't bench Ovi, he was trying to match the lines. If it is true, you suck as a coach Mr. Hunter. If it is not true, you still suck as a coach.
Sky Kerstein @SkyKerstein:
Ovi tonight played 16:49...forwards with more Laich 17:21, Hendricks 17:26, Semin 19:23, MJ90 19:05
Caps players Troy Brouwer, Matt Hendricks, and Alex Ovechkin address the media after a 1-0 loss at Verizon Center.
Ovi: My mistake cost us two points and it cost us the game
Watch head coach Dale Hunter speak to media following Sunday's game against the Flyers.
Hunter: Guys, it's not a benching. It was, maybe he missed a shift. Guys, I was matching lines.
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18 comments:
I was at the game last nignt and did notice that Ovi was missing for most of the 2nd. A lot of those around me wanted his head because of his poor defence leading to a Flyers goal. I did notice that in the first and what he played of the second that he was just gliding around and didn't seem to have a sense of purpose. Once he returned in the 3rd he was all over the place. Maybe he needed a time out to refocus on what needed to be done. At the end when he took over in goal when we had an empty net seeing him make those saves was priceless. I made certain to point it out to all those requesting his head earlier that it could have very well ended 2-0 if he had not made some saves. Something is wrong with the team, but I do not think it is fair to completely blame Ovi he is just one player on the team. I love him, but superman he is not. Not a sigle player has played up to their potential for quite some time. Maybe the other guys do not have Ovi's big contract, but they are also paid to play and should be performing better. I still love this team with a few exceptions (Mike Green) and will continue to love them. I still want to beleive they can pull this all together, but until they can work together as a team that just might not happen.
Let's say Hunter sent Ovi to dog house for his giveaway and that is why he only had 4 shifts and 4 min.
But why Hunter didn't play him in the first much? That's a mistery and bad coaching, I believe...
This blog has turned in to a total joke. All I see every loss is you e-hating Dale and every win you praise Ovechkin, but you are no hockey fan if you can't see that Dale has been given an offensive team to play a defensive style. Ovechkin, more often than not, shows up late or not at ALL. He's been playing terribly, but the bottom line is that he doesn't earn his monster pay (124 million over 13 years.) As a fan of Ovechkin myself, I sincerely hope that you understand the situation the Capitals Franchise faces, cap space and otherwise if he fails to pick his game up and play better in both the offensive AND defensive zones.
bpthomas:
First, I never wanted Hunter as BB replacement. I wanted someone with a lot of experience and not a rookie coach and I think TJ wanted the same.
"you are no hockey fan if you can't see that Dale has been given an offensive team to play a defensive style."
Yes, and his job is to make this team an offensive machine just like past years. The problem is that it sucks!
HELLO, NO GOALS IN TWO GAMES!
We have more shoots now than when he just took over the team but everything is a complete mess right now.
Second, Ovi is not playing terrible like some people claim. His strength and speed still there. The hits and shoots still there. He is not fat, overweight or in bad shape. His defense has never been the greatest thing in the world but it has gotten better even with that mistake he did last knight.
Only the goals are missing but that it is not only a Ovi problem but also a Semin, Brouwer, Knuble, Mojo, Mathieu, Brooks, Beagle, Ward, Jason and Green problem.
Obviously Ovi is not the same as when he was league's MVP and you can find this mentioning in virtually every post.
But tell us why you like Dale Hunter? Please tell us so we all can get a good laugh.
I'm a 15+ year Caps fan, and I agree with "bpthomas". Ovechkin should not need an apologist blog; constantly excusing his lack of effort. If Ovechkin is truly the leader of this team, he shouldn't need to be constantly pushed and prodded by his coaches. Why isn't this professional athlete self-motivated? With the postseason on the line, why isn't Ovechkin putting out maximum effort at all times and thereby being an example (and leader) for his teammates to do the same?
I hope that, if it was a "benching" by Hunter, that the coach continues to be brave enough to do so when necessary. Otherwise Ovechkin's "example" may quickly lead the Capitals out of contention.
Hunter is a good coach.You dont start a powerhouse of an OHL team from luck!Its not fair to blame Dale Hunter.Ovi doesnt have the linemates Malkin,Giroux,Stamkos,Datsyuk or Malkin have but the great players make others around them better.Ovi needs to show he still can do that.The Flyers goal was his fault as Mike Milbury said he did an unorthodox shot-blocking technique,his stick was out of the shooting lane and Kubina took advantage and made a beautiful pass for a redirection.The Capitals are in serious trouble.If Ovi is still an elite player in this league its time for him to prove it.You are the captain Ovi step up and lead the team to greatness!!!!!
Hey Devi
Listen to an old saying thats said very often "Offense wins games,defense wins championships"
Hunter isnt to blame.Look at the St.Louis Blues for example they are the most underrated team in the NHL.They play solid defense and that wins them most of their games.As Ray Ferarro says the caps are "Better than advertised"
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Kkbr:
"I'm a 15+ year Caps fan"
Yeah, I don't think that's necessary... it is kind of obvious.
"Why isn't this professional athlete self-motivated?"
Well, that's a good question but we wouldn't be asking that our self's if we knew the answer, right?!
He is the captain but he still a player. He needs to be push just like the rest of the team. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you people?! Its the coach god damn job to motivate and lead the team not the captain!
I don't even know why there is a captain in sports teams anyways! You just fucking obey the coach and that's that!
The captain is only suppose to be an example but tell me who was the last one to give up against Tampa Bay last year?! Who has led this team in goals and points?!
You people say Ovi dis motivates the team but I think is the other way around. Have you all forgotten who got 60 goals but didn't even make it further into the playoffs?!
Yeah, I thought so! And for the old caps fans who think signing Ovi for a multi millionaire contract was a mistake, well let me tell you that it was more of a mistake from Ovi to have signed that contract.
Finally, I think tj has giving enough information and statistics on Ovi's performances to figure out what is wrong with him and what could be done to help him step up his game. Also, tj has never say that Ovi still plays like when he was MVP or that expected him to score 60 goals in this year.
And yes people! He needs to step out his game for his own good and for the team even though I don't see how is that going to miraculously help this team to win the cup when it didn't in past seasons.
BTW, in case you haven't notice this is an Ovechkin fan website! Constructive criticism is the only thing you are going to read here. If you are looking for an Ovi rant then you may as well leave and join Milbury's Ovechkin hate club.
Anonymous:
"defense wins championships"
Wow, I didn't know we won the cup last season oh wait... we didn't even though we play more defensive.
So you want us to go back to defense just like we were with BB? Fine, BB got fired for failing in doing that so hopefully Hunter will also get fired for that too but the problem is that he would take the season with him.
Alright, lets go for defense!
Anonymous:
Hahahaha! It seems that I touched some nerves hahaha!
Yes, this system is so much better that we got shutout in two straight games bahahahahahaha!
I'm not a expert like you "Mr. know it all" but one thing I know is that a team needs to fucking score goals to win a game and a championship! Have you heard of that one?!
"Hunter is coaching a different but better system than Bruce Boudreau!"
Hunter was suppose to bring a better system than BB but I don't see it! All of his stats don't show a better system and neither does the score board and the division/conference table!
Oh, you don't fucking know me you piece of shit! Since I was little I have been fallowing the greatest hockey players and not only them but also all the greatest athletes and coaches in this motherfucking earth so you shut your fucking mouth!
Good girl! :-) That dude definitely didn't have a clue.
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I actually don't think Hunter is that great, but it definitely is not his job to teach them an offensive style. If anyone other than the players is to blame, it's George McPhee. This team is GM's brainchild, it was his idea to place a defensive coach in charge of the team, and more than likely his idea to have Boudreau teach a similar style in his last year with the team. He is also the one giving sometimes massive contracts and extensions to those undeserving of such.
I should also clarify that there was never any doubt as to what style a Hunter-led team would play, Dale has never believed in a "run'n'gun" style, and he said that much when he did his first press conference. (I promise that McPhee already knew.)
We just lost to Carolina! Second worst of the conference and fourth of the league!
The whole team needs to step up because I didn't see Ovi making all the errors that cost us the game.
End of the discussion!
Oh, and Hunter needs to go period!
GMGM did a lot of good to this team, no question. But he let Bryzgalov go when he was available, and now it is the choice of Dale Hunter that might have decided his future, both need to be fired now.
Will Dale ever be a great NHL coach? I don't know, but he is not a guy who can fire up a team, turn it around in one great speech.
Obviously he was good in OHL, but it doesn't guarantee anything. Like Kuperman said, he was the owner in London with unlimited powers, with unlimited time to succeed. Here he is just another Ted Leonsis employee.
Since GMGM brought him here, they both have to go this time.
Devi, I really don't think you understand hockey very well, and you should probably stick to just getting butthurt because you seem to do a fair job at that. You in particular haven't said anything regarding why Dale is bad, just that he's bad. I'd be amazed if you could do something other than throw his record out, since its not all that much worse than Boudreaus, despite having a slower & older team team. A man-on-man style of defensive hockey requires a quick team to solo battle and fore-check effectively, not to mention defensive and two-way defensemen.
T.J. Bryz was only good when he had one of the top defensive teams in front of him. He's MAYBE above average, but definitely less than stellar this year. I think Vokoun should be playing far better this year, but I'm pretty sure his confidence was ruined by Boudreau when he wasn't given the starting job right off the bat.
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