Fellow Cap Fans

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Where have you all gone, maybe we have had a few fall off the bandwagon recently.
Our team is playing like crap, its getting so frustrating watching these games.
Our high hopes for our team are slipping away, much to the delight of Mr. Baz, Mr. Forsburg and Mr. Stanley.
Im beginning to think maybe a coaching change, would light a fire under this team.
How does a team who could score goals at will last year, miss the net so many times when shots are taken. Its all the same guys, yes it looks like the opposing teams have found a way to take Ovie off his game, but what about Backstrom, Semin and Green. Backstrom signs huge new contract and he hasnt done $hit so far. Our powerplay was number 1, last year till the playoffs and now its almost at the bottom of the league.
Our defense is stronger, 3 really good lines.
Caps only lost 15 games all of last year in regular season, they are at 13 lose's right now. Our division is vastly improved from last year, with only the Panthers stinking up our division, and Caps cant even beat them.
We can only hope that in the second half of the season they come alive, like Pittsburgh did a couple of seasons ago and get back to playing and scoring like in the past.
This new style of hockey that they are playing this year that alot of people are saying is more like the kind of hockey style you need to go far in the playoffs, may end up eliminating us even before the playoffs, I think the Caps are like maybe only 6 or so points from being out of the playoffs in our conference if they were to start today. There are alot teams playing much better this year that seem more inspired, then what the Caps have shown so far this year.

Im finished venting.

 

[cattitude]

I've turned to alcohol and by the end of the games am unable to post anything coherent.

 

[Toxick]

Where have you all gone, maybe we have had a few fall off the bandwagon recently.
Our team is playing like crap, its getting so frustrating watching these games.
Our high hopes for our team are slipping away, much to the delight of Mr. Baz, Mr. Forsburg and Mr. Stanley.
Im beginning to think maybe a coaching change, would light a fire under this team.
How does a team who could score goals at will last year, miss the net so many times when shots are taken. Its all the same guys, yes it looks like the opposing teams have found a way to take Ovie off his game, but what about Backstrom, Semin and Green. Backstrom signs huge new contract and he hasnt done $hit so far. Our powerplay was number 1, last year till the playoffs and now its almost at the bottom of the league.
Our defense is stronger, 3 really good lines.
Caps only lost 15 games all of last year in regular season, they are at 13 lose's right now. Our division is vastly improved from last year, with only the Panthers stinking up our division, and Caps cant even beat them.
We can only hope that in the second half of the season they come alive, like Pittsburgh did a couple of seasons ago and get back to playing and scoring like in the past.
This new style of hockey that they are playing this year that alot of people are saying is more like the kind of hockey style you need to go far in the playoffs, may end up eliminating us even before the playoffs, I think the Caps are like maybe only 6 or so points from being out of the playoffs in our conference if they were to start today. There are alot teams playing much better this year that seem more inspired, then what the Caps have shown so far this year.

Im finished venting.

This is actually very consistent with the Caps pattern.

Maybe not quite so much in the past several years, but it definitely follows the pattern the Caps followed religiously though the 80's and '90's. They would start the year like a team on fire. Then they would slump through the middle of the season, and then they would wake up, and play like a team on fire again, kicking enough ass to coast comfortably into the playoffs.



Then we'd get bonked out within the first 2 rounds of playoff action, leaving me cold and unsatisfied until October.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

I've turned to alcohol and by the end of the games am unable to post anything coherent.

Its just getting so damn frustrating, you get comfortable in your favorite recliner and before you get even settled in, the Caps have given up a goal and are down in the first 4 minutes of a game.

 

[cattitude]

Its just getting so damn frustrating, you get comfortable in your favorite recliner and before you get even settled in, the Caps have given up a goal and are down in the first 4 minutes of a game.

I'm sure our Pennsylvania pals will be along shortly to comfort us.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

I'm sure our Pennsylvania pals will be along shortly to comfort us.

Our friends from PA. are going at it in their own thread.

 

[LordStanley]

I'm sure our Pennsylvania pals will be along shortly to comfort us.

Its just getting so damn frustrating, you get comfortable in your favorite recliner and before you get even settled in, the Caps have given up a goal and are down in the first 4 minutes of a game.

Now everyone knows what its like to be philly fans... You see a team, able to reach the playoffs, only fail to bring home the cup year after year. You know how good they can be and winning is no longer good enough, so you start Boooooing the team. Four letter words start flying left and right and the passion slowly starts to drain from you....

Turn on a flyers game this year. Its the quietest Ive ever heard the fans. No more boooos after a lose. Not a lot of cheers when they win. The fans are fed up with not having a Cup since 75' . Oh they still sell out the games, but I think they are drained emotionally.

I honestly enjoy watching the Caps win and If there isnt a Flyers game on, I tune in to the caps. If neither is on then, I tune in to a pens game just to watch them loose

However that only lasts till the playoffs, then all bets are off!

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Now everyone knows what its like to be philly fans... You see a team, able to reach the playoffs, only fail to bring home the cup year after year.

Or the Super Bowl trophy.

 

[LordStanley]

Or the Super Bowl trophy.

Ouch. That was a low blow

 

[Baz]

I'm sure our Pennsylvania pals will be along shortly to comfort us.

I wasn't going to crash the party, as this thread was addressed to Caps fans, but since Stanley already kicked the door in......

It's far too early to be sweating the standings, as long as you're not at the bottom. As of now, only 8 points seperate the top 8 teams (though the Flyers and Boston have a couple games in hand). I usually don't start attaching any real significance to the standings until after the All-Star break.

Now, I don't watch hardly any Caps games outside of when they play the Penguins and Hurricanes. They're always superspazzed when they play the Pens, so it's probably not the most accurate read. They tend to beat up on the Canes pretty often. But I don't have the detailed view Caps fans do as to how the team looks in general.

I will admit that Penguins fans aren't too happy that Boudreau finally seems committed to having the team play better defensively. Of course there will be less goals for, but there should be a corresponding cut in goals against, eventually. Trading a few regular season wins for better playoff results (by playing a better defensive system) is an easy trade to make.

Still not sold on you guys winning the Cup with Boudreau, but he finally seems like he's on the right track for playing better in the playoffs. Still too early to tell. I remember being very happy when the Flyers kept Stephens around, and very unhappy when they swithced to a very good coach in Laviolette.

None of this addresses Ovi's "struggles" (he is still t-10th in points), but I'll leave that to you guys. And it is nice to see that division improving. Looks like the Caps will have to fight for it this year.

 

[Peter Forsberg]

I have plenty of friends that are CAPS fans and others that are on the wagon and the consensus is BRUCE MUST GO. To many individuals trying to do to much. Where is the Caps fan that said Shultz is great and they were glad to have him back?...... He got his ankles broke twice last night against Florida.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

What gets me Caps got off to really fast start this year, everyone who was suppose to be scoring were, (Ovie, Backstrom and Semin), they trade Fleischmann for Hannan and we go on 8 game losing streak, and since we are proably playing 500 hockey.
Im not convinced that maybe Ovie has some type of injury that he has had for awhile, I know he took a shot last week for some type of ailment. I think it goes back maybe a month or so ago.
You can see that he is anxious to get going again but he is fanning on his shots or getting just weak little shots on goal alot more then he use to and breaking sticks alot too.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

I have plenty of friends that are CAPS fans and others that are on the wagon and the consensus is BRUCE MUST GO. To many individuals trying to do to much. Where is the Caps fan that said Shultz is great and they were glad to have him back?...... He got his ankles broke twice last night against Florida.

That was I who said it, not great but good and the Caps were missing him on the ice.

 

[BuddyLee]

Two things...

Caps play more defensively now instead of going all balls out offensively.

The Caps have nothing to play for in the regular season, they're waiting for the post-season. I know the fans don't want to hear that but it's written on the boards with their play this year.

Funny how they can turn it on like a switch.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Two things...

Caps play more defensively now instead of going all balls out offensively.

The Caps have nothing to play for in the regular season, they're waiting for the post-season. I know the fans don't want to hear that but it's written on the boards with their play this year.

Funny how they can turn it on like a switch.

Im sorry BuddyLee, but I dont see the Caps turning on the offense like a switch this year, they are having real problems on the offense. Actually they have been lucky they havent been blown out in alot of the games. Their goalies are keeping the game close.

Should be very interesting in tonights game, they are playing the best team in the league this season, with the number one offense, just like the Caps were last year, I would not be surprised to see the Caps get blown out tonight,(hope Im wrong) and you will start to hear the boobirds.

They may not have anything to play for in the regular season, like you say, but they arent too far out from that last playoff spot. Alot of teams have improved bunches over last year, and right in our division there has been great improvement, from Tampa, Atlanta and Carolina. Those top 8 spots are going to be a real dogfight come April.

 

[cattitude]

Im sorry BuddyLee, but I dont see the Caps turning on the offense like a switch this year, they are having real problems on the offense. Actually they have been lucky they havent been blown out in alot of the games. Their goalies are keeping the game close.

Should be very interesting in tonights game, they are playing the best team in the league this season, with the number one offense, just like the Caps were last year, I would not be surprised to see the Caps get blown out tonight,(hope Im wrong) and you will start to hear the boobirds.

They may not have anything to play for in the regular season, like you say, but they arent too far out from that last playoff spot. Alot of teams have improved bunches over last year, and right in our division there has been great improvement, from Tampa, Atlanta and Carolina. Those top 8 spots are going to be a real dogfight come April.

I'm with ya OHG.

 

[Peter Forsberg]

Two things...

Caps play more defensively now instead of going all balls out offensively.

The Caps have nothing to play for in the regular season, they're waiting for the post-season. I know the fans don't want to hear that but it's written on the boards with their play this year.

Funny how they can turn it on like a switch.

Here is what will happen.... Just like last season they will run into a hot goalie and that switch won't work.

 

[Sweet 16]

Where have you all gone, maybe we have had a few fall off the bandwagon recently.
Our team is playing like crap, its getting so frustrating watching these games.
Our high hopes for our team are slipping away, much to the delight of Mr. Baz, Mr. Forsburg and Mr. Stanley.
Im beginning to think maybe a coaching change, would light a fire under this team.
How does a team who could score goals at will last year, miss the net so many times when shots are taken. Its all the same guys, yes it looks like the opposing teams have found a way to take Ovie off his game, but what about Backstrom, Semin and Green. Backstrom signs huge new contract and he hasnt done $hit so far. Our powerplay was number 1, last year till the playoffs and now its almost at the bottom of the league.
Our defense is stronger, 3 really good lines.
Caps only lost 15 games all of last year in regular season, they are at 13 lose's right now. Our division is vastly improved from last year, with only the Panthers stinking up our division, and Caps cant even beat them.
We can only hope that in the second half of the season they come alive, like Pittsburgh did a couple of seasons ago and get back to playing and scoring like in the past.
This new style of hockey that they are playing this year that alot of people are saying is more like the kind of hockey style you need to go far in the playoffs, may end up eliminating us even before the playoffs, I think the Caps are like maybe only 6 or so points from being out of the playoffs in our conference if they were to start today. There are alot teams playing much better this year that seem more inspired, then what the Caps have shown so far this year.

Im finished venting.

Nope still here -- crying into my 'Rock the Red' towel every night. While many of the theories I've read are plausible (new system/failure to adapt, injuries, too many $$, too many distractions, work slowdown, etc.), I really want to believe the Caps are purposely sand-bagging in order to psych out the rest of the league and hanging their goalies out to dry in order to test/prep them for post-season play. But I don't think that's it either. I'm at a loss.

 

[BuddyLee]

Here is what will happen.... Just like last season they will run into a hot goalie and that switch won't work.

Never said it would work.

The Caps have the offense. You don't go from the Presidents trophy to door mats in one season. They have the offense, the talent. What they lack...

...desire.

 

[tuffenuff2]

Went to see the Caps. last night. I don't want to say this but they were crap! Last time we went to see them - Nov.2009- they were awesome. Ovie still had the scrappy stubble, hair all over the place and played like he loved the game. That was what was great about the team then. They were new, invigorated, excited. Now they are just another franchise. Spunk gone and totally into the fame thing. It looks as though Ovie has hired a stylist or has a new girlfriend!!! His hair was cut and dyed- clean shaven, he looked like a star instead of a rough hockey player! Granted this is from a female perspective but PLEASE can we have the old Ovie back.