Caps fans

[BOSSMANPC]

Why has the great eight been the great nyet? Just wondering because his production has gone south. System or what?

BTW, all others are free to answer.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I thought this was about people who love hats?

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I thought this was about people who love hats?

Do horses wear hat's?

 

[IPostedWhat]

Do horses wear hat's?

 

[Automattic]

Ovechtrick<<<<<Sittlertrick

 

[ritari330]

System along with PPs suckish ability for the most part. They will most likely score 100 less goals than they did last season, and bottom 3rd in PP%. Alot of the time they are too cute on the PP, trying to make one more perfect pass insted of just putting the puck at the net, and Ovechkin is apart of the problem. As far as 5 on 5, not as many breakouts, less scoring opportunities, and bad finishing are all reasons for OV and the whole teams lack of goals

 

[Caps Revenge]

I think it's quite simple...the Caps struggles on the powerplay are the answer. Last year, Ovechkin had 36 powerplay points and Backstrom had 37. This year, they each have 19 powerplay points. At last year's pace, OV and Backstrom would each have approximately 10 more powerplay points than they have now. If you add 10 points to each of their total, OV would be in the chase for the Ross and Backstrom would be hovering somewhere around top ten.

Throw in the fact that they've made a team effort to play defense first and I think we have a reasonable explanation. JMO


Edit* What ritari said too. Didn't see that.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Thanks Guy's.

 

[forty_three]

Ovechtrick<<<<<Sittlertrick

This.

Someone fucked with the hockey gods. And got rolled.

 

[elocomotive]

What CR and Ritari said is pretty in line with my observations, except that OV still has the most shots in the NHL and isn't far below his pace, so it has to be something a little more specific to him. I agree with Ritari that our more defensive approach has meant the transition to offense has been slower and hasn't given him as many 2v1 or breakaway looks as in years past. When he's down in the circles defending, it's tougher to get those than when you are floating near the blue line.

As to him individually, theories abound...
-OV is out of shape or was out of shape at the start of the year
-OV has had some nagging minor injuries to his wrist and/or back that have slowed him or made him less accurate
-Defenders have "figured him out" and are familiar with his moves
-He is drawing increasing defensive attention and pressure, often having to fight through double teams

I think all of these are a tiny factor that add up to a significant one. Since about a month ago, he does seem to suddenly have more "hop" and his goals/points are reflective of that. It doesn't help that Backstrom and Knuble are not as strong as in years past. I think he'll rebound just fine and be back to more 40-goal seasons and maybe even a 50 here and there. But I don't think we'll see a 65-goal season ever again, partly b/c youth rules in the NHL and partly b/c OV is a more complete player now (better passer, better defender), even if not as prolific a scorer.