Series Thread: Stanley Cup Finals: Washington Capitals vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights

[elocomotive]

#ALLCAPS


Keep the faith. Keep the fucking faith.

Great resilience tonight.

 

[obxyankeefan]

Another enjoyable hockey game to watch.

Holtby's save was unreal and probably keeps the Caps from being down 2-0.


Since I didn't say anything after game 1 Wilson's hit was a two minute minor and the league got it right. No more then that. Also hoping the Other Damn Russian comes back for Washington, only because I want to see y'all lose with all your pieces out there.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

 

[jstewismybastardson]

 

[puckhead]

just for wallpaper size

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

As a casual fan I didn't know how to react to that save. I mean I know what to do when there's a big goal, I go ape shit and scare the dog. But with a save like that it was, in order, "Holy Shit" "Did That Just Happen?". "YEAH!!!!!".

That clock took forever to expire, I really didn't see them holding a 1 goal lead the entire 3rd period.

 

[BGDave]

But with a save like that it was, in order, "Holy Shit" "Did That Just Happen?". "YEAH!!!!!".

Spot on response. Well done!

 

[forty_three]

That clock took forever to expire, I really didn't see them holding a 1 goal lead the entire 3rd period.

They shouldn't have. They did a lot wrong, but held on. Kudos for bending but not breaking.

Of course a golden horseshoe save from Holts really helped that. Honestly, Holtby (beyond that save) stole that one. And to win a championship, you need a goalie to to steal a few on the way. He stole two against Tampa as well.

 

[mattola]

Glorious save... Man I want ovie to win so bad. His reaction was priceless

 

[mattola]

Watching this series is fun.

 

[elocomotive]

As a casual fan I didn't know how to react to that save. I mean I know what to do when there's a big goal, I go ape shit and scare the dog. But with a save like that it was, in order, "Holy Shit" "Did That Just Happen?". "YEAH!!!!!".

That clock took forever to expire, I really didn't see them holding a 1 goal lead the entire 3rd period.

They've done a really great job with that this postseason by and large. Keeping shots to the outside, playing offense in a way that limits odd man opportunities, etc.

There were a few back passes and shallow dump ins that drove me a little nuts during the last 15 minutes of the game. But overall they kept most of Vegas' chances to the outside, protected against rebounds, etc. just like they have this postseason. I thought Vegas really carried the play in the 1st (especially early on), but I thought we carried the play and played the game much more to our style after that.

Ever since the defensive system changes the team made late in the season, this has been a different team. Trotz and the players that pushed for it (it was apparently a mutual decision) deserve credit for changing the course of this year and adjusting the system to the players, not the other way around.

Joe Gibbs is the other coach in this town who did that. It worked out pretty well for him.

 

[elocomotive]

"They definitely didn’t appreciate Kuznetsov getting hit. But at least he had the puck." —Jonathan Marchessault

Well played, Marchessault. But let's point out that this guy sucker punched a Caps' player blind during a scrum yesterday.

If he was Tom Wilson's size and strength, he would have hurt someone, it would have been noticed, and he would be suspended. But since he's a tiny little bitch, it didn't, it wasn't and he won't.

Result tends to be stronger than intent in how we view "cheap" and "dirty" play and in how the league responds to it.

 

[dash]

The hatred between these two teams is palpable which in my opinion is going to make for a great series.

/First two games have been fun, let's hope for a few more.

 

[Duke of Douchington]

Glorious save... Man I want ovie to win so bad. His reaction was priceless

Floating No-Heart Russian.

 

[Duke of Douchington]

Result tends to be stronger than intent in how we view "cheap" and "dirty" play and in how the league responds to it.

Don't tell this to Pens fans.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

They shouldn't have. They did a lot wrong, but held on. Kudos for bending but not breaking.

Of course a golden horseshoe save from Holts really helped that. Honestly, Holtby (beyond that save) stole that one. And to win a championship, you need a goalie to to steal a few on the way. He stole two against Tampa as well.

Seems like for 40 years they always ran into the hot goalie this time of year. First it was Billy Smith, later Lundqvist, MAF or whomever they always got us. I always wondered why we couldn't ever be the team with the hot goalie. Maybe it's our time.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

They've done a really great job with that this postseason by and large. Keeping shots to the outside, playing offense in a way that limits odd man opportunities, etc.

There were a few back passes and shallow dump ins that drove me a little nuts during the last 15 minutes of the game. But overall they kept most of Vegas' chances to the outside, protected against rebounds, etc. just like they have this postseason. I thought Vegas really carried the play in the 1st (especially early on), but I thought we carried the play and played the game much more to our style after that.

Ever since the defensive system changes the team made late in the season, this has been a different team. Trotz and the players that pushed for it (it was apparently a mutual decision) deserve credit for changing the course of this year and adjusting the system to the players, not the other way around.

Joe Gibbs is the other coach in this town who did that. It worked out pretty well for him.

I don't know, they had a lead twice in Game 1 and gave it up both times. As they went on the PP I thought "this is the time to step on their throat and take this game" knowing full well they never seem to do that. Sure enough they never got very close to scoring and then committed a penalty while on the PP. Very frustrating.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Thank God that the next 2 games are in DC, and we don't have to be subjected to all of that pre-game crap. It was nice once or twice but gets old quick. I don't mind all of the spotlights, videos, etc but all of that Medieval Times stuff needs to go especially when it goes on for 10-15 mins.

 

[elocomotive]

Thank God that the next 2 games are in DC, and we don't have to be subjected to all of that pre-game crap. It was nice once or twice but gets old quick. I don't mind all of the spotlights, videos, etc but all of that Medieval Times stuff needs to go especially when it goes on for 10-15 mins.

Oh, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Capitals put out a press release on that today. Here's a copy of the text from the press release just before 10:00 am this morning...


Over the past few days we have received many inquiries about what the pre-game show and introductions will be like for Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals' series between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals. For years, Capitals' fans have enjoyed a few minutes of excitement building videos prior to the game starting. But the team has decided to enhance the pre-game experience for fans in honor of the Caps' historic playoff run. If you come by Capital One arena during this series, here is what we have in store for you:

• Three local drum corps will be playing on each street around the arena to get fans excited before the game even starts from 5:45 - 7:45 pm.
• For the pregame introduction, character actors will skate to the middle of the ice. Several will be dressed in red representing the Capitals while the others will be dressed in black. A small pantomimed scene will play out in which the performers are debating an important policy issue. At the conclusion of the scene, a vote will be called and the players in red will win a decisive legislative victory!
• Three live eagles will be soaring around the arena to excite fans (please keep noise to a minimum during this portion of the pre-game show as it does encourage them to strike).
• DC-native Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters will play 7 full-length songs because they aren't pussies like god damn Imagine Dragons who stop at just one song.
• As the players come out for their final warm up skate, Tom Wilson will lead the team onto the ice and will two-handed slash a Golden Knights jersey clad detainee from Guantanamo on loan from the federal government. Whether or not this individual is decapitated, on ice graphics will show blood spilling out. (Parental warning: Please note this content of this show may be too awesome for some small children.)
• A large eagle statue will slowly lower each starting Capitals player from the rafters to the ice in it's talons as the starting lineup is announced.
• At 9:37 pm, the game will promptly commence.

We hope these add to the Stanley Cup Finals' experience for fans and show those in Las Vegas that we too can put on a show. Let's go Caps!

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

Oh, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Capitals put out a press release on that today. Here's a copy of the text from the press release just before 10:00 am this morning...


Over the past few days we have received many inquiries about what the pre-game show and introductions will be like for Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals' series between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals. For years, Capitals' fans have enjoyed a few minutes of excitement building videos prior to the game starting. But the team has decided to enhance the pre-game experience for fans in honor of the Caps' historic playoff run. If you come by Capital One arena during this series, here is what we have in store for you:

• Three local drum corps will be playing on each street around the arena to get fans excited before the game even starts from 5:45 - 7:45 pm.
• For the pregame introduction, character actors will skate to the middle of the ice. Several will be dressed in red representing the Capitals while the others will be dressed in black. A small pantomimed scene will play out in which the performers are debating an important policy issue. At the conclusion of the scene, a vote will be called and the players in red will win a decisive legislative victory!
• Three live eagles will be soaring around the arena to excite fans (please keep noise to a minimum during this portion of the pre-game show as it does encourage them to strike).
• DC-native Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters will play 7 full-length songs because they aren't pussies like god damn Imagine Dragons who stop at just one song.
• As the players come out for their final warm up skate, Tom Wilson will lead the team onto the ice and will two-handed slash a Golden Knights jersey clad detainee from Guantanamo on loan from the federal government. Whether or not this individual is decapitated, on ice graphics will show blood spilling out. (Parental warning: Please note this content of this show may be too awesome for some small children.)
• A large eagle statue will slowly lower each starting Capitals player from the rafters to the ice in it's talons as the starting lineup is announced.
• At 9:37 pm, the game will promptly commence.

We hope these add to the Stanley Cup Finals' experience for fans and show those in Las Vegas that we too can put on a show. Let's go Caps!

I predict that 3 cymbal players and 2 bass drum players will be crushed by rush hour crowds dashing to the Metro stop under the Verizon Center.

For realism, the debating skaters should just argue for 3 hours and then suddenly leave the ice without ever deciding anything!!!

Also, I put the over/under on Eagle attacks at 2 and I'll take the over. Plus once word leaks about the use of live animals, animal rights activists will storm the arena and hold a sit in on the ice until the eagles are removed causing the game to be postponed.

Nothing in DC ever starts on time, so that starting time is actually 11:05 (See second point above).