I turned on last night's Kings/Rangers game during the first intermission, with the Kings leading (their first in-game lead of the series) 1-0. It seems I didn't miss a lot, though, as that one goal was scored with less than a second left in the period.
When play resumed, it took LA only about four minutes to double that lead on the power play. Muzzin's shot from the point was deflected by St Louis (with perhaps a distraction addition from Carter playing screen between St Louis and Lundqvist), and slipped through Hank.
The next several minutes (maybe five) saw LA continue its domination of possession, but it was massively favoring New York after that (Fenwick 33-9). Part of that was the Rangers power play getting a number of chances, but the Kings did not wilt under the heavy pressure. In fact, they got the only remaining goal of the game thirteen minutes later one a two-on-one.
Richards and Lewis broke in, Richards carrying. He attempted to pass across, but the defender blocked the pass. Right back to him. He showed good reflexes, and obviously knew what to do with it as he put it past the King.
The real story of the rest of the game, though, was Quick, who was absolutely unbelievable. Seriously, he made several saves that I don't think I'd believe if I didn't see them.
Coming into the game, I saw a tweet that he was on pace to post the worst postseason sv% of a Stanley Cup-winning goalie since at least 1990. I remarked to a friend that he was going to set that "record" unless he did something dramatic, and I mentioned either losing the series or not giving up another goal as possibilities. Apparently he chose the latter.
I'd like to say that the Rangers pulling Lundqvist with four minutes left also had something to do with the massive Fenwick imbalance, but it really didn't. In fact, the Kings might not have allowed a shot on goal during that entire stretch. It was an impressive performance. They even managed to have possession in the offensive zone twice, but both times were in the corner. They did put one shot off the post, but I don't think they have any shots on net during that stretch either.
All in all, a pretty impressive performance for the Kings. Lots of luck (there were several puck scrambles around the net that left me incredulous that they included no scores), but they also did a lot to make their own luck. In 5v5 close play, they dominated Fenwick 60-40, and made a lot of effort to get deflections and close-in shots on Lundqvist. And, as mentioned, Quick was incredible (ask Zuccarello, who had several chances within a couple of feet of the net).
The Rangers are obviously in deep doo-doo, and I think their only real hope, at this point, is to prevent victory at the Gardens. I don't know if they can (especially if LA doesn't let up on the gas), but that's what they'll be playing for tomorrow.
Showing posts with label quick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quick. Show all posts
20140610
20140325
Choppy play leads to chopped result
I would have been happy with tonight's Caps result, if they hadn't started by jumping out to a two-goal lead. We had dinner, and I had to get the kids ready for, and into, bed almost immediately after that, and things went seriously downhill while I was away.
But let's start with those two goals. Both were within the first seven minutes, and both were on the power play. In fact, both were OV, despite neither being a typical OV goal. The first occurred when play had gotten scrambled, and OV was trying to hit Backstrom on a back-door cut. But Quick got enough in front of it to deflect it, but it went into the back of the defenseman in front of him, and into the back of the net. The second was also a broken play, as a so-so feed to Brouwer in the middle left him scrambling, but he managed to stretch out to pass it over to OV, who wristed it under Quick as Q was sliding across.
Gotta love a start like that. My daughter's reaction to the second score: Boo-yah.
And the Caps did a good job keeping the play mostly in the Kings end for the rest of the first period (basically except for the two minutes they were killing a penalty). Ward took an early tripping call in the second, however, and it eventually led to Richards bringing the Kings within a goal.
Although Washington was outplayed for most of the second (and there were some pretty terrible non-calls on LA in there. In one sequence, Brouwer had his stick grabbed away, then kicked away from him. He grabbed it as they went back to the other end, then had it grabbed again at the other end. Then, a second or so later, another Cap had their stick slashed away, then Nicky got hit hard after chipping the puck in. No calls on any of that; and that hit took Nick out for the rest of the game), they did manage to restore their margin when Penner pounced on a rebound in front with three minutes left.
But the Caps wouldn't be the Caps if a two-goal lead were safe. They were absolutely dominated through the third; the Kings doubled them up in Fenwick (and Corsi was probably even less even). And LA scored in the first, ninth, and thirteenth minutes (at least two of those were against Orlov and Wey; I didn't notice the third).
At that point, I largely gave up on the Caps. And when Carlson took a penalty to prevent an easy empty-net goal, I definitely did. But something bizarre happened when the Caps managed to take the ensuing faceoff down to the other end. Halak ran for the bench, and OV charged on, throwing the puck at the net while running through an attempted stick check by a forward (whose stick went flying almost from the blue line to behind the goal line).
Quick stopped the initial shot, but his leg pad (the top part that sticks up above his knee) stopped the puck going away from the net, and pushed it back under him. Kuzya skated in right then, and backhanded the puck into the net for the team's second last-minute, short-handed, game-tying goal of the season (Backstrom had the other).
You'd think that'd be enough drama, but the Caps still had forty-two seconds of penalty killing left in the period. It was a bit ugly, but they got the job done.
And, in fact, they got the job done in overtime as well, as they had to kill the last minute of that penalty. And from there, the rest of overtime was basically all Caps (there was one 2-on-1 that Green broke up nicely). They had several very good chances, including Dima ringing one off the right post, but didn't manage to get it across the line.
So they went to the shootout again. Kuz started off again, but had the puck hop over his stick before he could get the shot off. Then Kopitar scored. Then Fehr was stopped (it was close). And then Carter scored again to seal the game.
As I said earlier, I would have been very happy with the result if it didn't come out of the Caps giving up two two-goal advantages. Can't really be happy with that, no matter who the other team is.
Despite the four goals conceded, Halak actually had a very good game. Not only was he barraged, especially in the third period, but at least two of those goals came from undefended players less than ten feet from the net (that would be the two Wey/Orlov goals mentioned). He also faced several 2-on-1s and a lot of PK time. Nothing to complain about there.
The power play did pretty well. As mentioned, they scored twice early (and I think this marks the first time this season that the Caps lost with two PPGs, though I'm not positive about that). Overall numbers aren't that great, though, with only ten shots attempted (six on net) in just under six minutes (granted, two of those PPs were without Backstrom, and maybe that just shows how valuable he is on the power play).
The PK did not do terribly well. In just under six minutes, they allowed nineteen shot attempts (eight on net) and one goal. It could've easily been a lot worse, but that isn't great.
On a trivia note, Kuzya was the sixth Cap to get his first career goal this season, joining Latta, Brown, Carrick, Schmidt, and Wilson. Penner, Erat and Wellman also got their first goals as Caps this year.
Anyway, despite the leads blown, the Caps were incredibly lucky to escape with a point tonight. Fenwick at fives, close, was two:one in favor of LA, and that's a formula for getting crushed. Regularly. And they did get a little bit of help, finally, as Columbus and Detroit didn't go to overtime and Toronto continued their skid (have now lost seven of last eight). In fact, I hadn't realized it, but the Caps are now in a four-way tie with those teams for the two wild-card spots.
But the Caps, of course, lose the first tiebreaker against everyone, so they're still on the outside looking in.
And looking to keep them outside is Boston, coming to visit on Saturday. The Caps will need to play a lot better to win against them. I'm guessing that Holtby will get the start, but we'll see.
Go Caps!
But let's start with those two goals. Both were within the first seven minutes, and both were on the power play. In fact, both were OV, despite neither being a typical OV goal. The first occurred when play had gotten scrambled, and OV was trying to hit Backstrom on a back-door cut. But Quick got enough in front of it to deflect it, but it went into the back of the defenseman in front of him, and into the back of the net. The second was also a broken play, as a so-so feed to Brouwer in the middle left him scrambling, but he managed to stretch out to pass it over to OV, who wristed it under Quick as Q was sliding across.
Gotta love a start like that. My daughter's reaction to the second score: Boo-yah.
And the Caps did a good job keeping the play mostly in the Kings end for the rest of the first period (basically except for the two minutes they were killing a penalty). Ward took an early tripping call in the second, however, and it eventually led to Richards bringing the Kings within a goal.
Although Washington was outplayed for most of the second (and there were some pretty terrible non-calls on LA in there. In one sequence, Brouwer had his stick grabbed away, then kicked away from him. He grabbed it as they went back to the other end, then had it grabbed again at the other end. Then, a second or so later, another Cap had their stick slashed away, then Nicky got hit hard after chipping the puck in. No calls on any of that; and that hit took Nick out for the rest of the game), they did manage to restore their margin when Penner pounced on a rebound in front with three minutes left.
But the Caps wouldn't be the Caps if a two-goal lead were safe. They were absolutely dominated through the third; the Kings doubled them up in Fenwick (and Corsi was probably even less even). And LA scored in the first, ninth, and thirteenth minutes (at least two of those were against Orlov and Wey; I didn't notice the third).
At that point, I largely gave up on the Caps. And when Carlson took a penalty to prevent an easy empty-net goal, I definitely did. But something bizarre happened when the Caps managed to take the ensuing faceoff down to the other end. Halak ran for the bench, and OV charged on, throwing the puck at the net while running through an attempted stick check by a forward (whose stick went flying almost from the blue line to behind the goal line).
Quick stopped the initial shot, but his leg pad (the top part that sticks up above his knee) stopped the puck going away from the net, and pushed it back under him. Kuzya skated in right then, and backhanded the puck into the net for the team's second last-minute, short-handed, game-tying goal of the season (Backstrom had the other).
You'd think that'd be enough drama, but the Caps still had forty-two seconds of penalty killing left in the period. It was a bit ugly, but they got the job done.
And, in fact, they got the job done in overtime as well, as they had to kill the last minute of that penalty. And from there, the rest of overtime was basically all Caps (there was one 2-on-1 that Green broke up nicely). They had several very good chances, including Dima ringing one off the right post, but didn't manage to get it across the line.
So they went to the shootout again. Kuz started off again, but had the puck hop over his stick before he could get the shot off. Then Kopitar scored. Then Fehr was stopped (it was close). And then Carter scored again to seal the game.
As I said earlier, I would have been very happy with the result if it didn't come out of the Caps giving up two two-goal advantages. Can't really be happy with that, no matter who the other team is.
Despite the four goals conceded, Halak actually had a very good game. Not only was he barraged, especially in the third period, but at least two of those goals came from undefended players less than ten feet from the net (that would be the two Wey/Orlov goals mentioned). He also faced several 2-on-1s and a lot of PK time. Nothing to complain about there.
The power play did pretty well. As mentioned, they scored twice early (and I think this marks the first time this season that the Caps lost with two PPGs, though I'm not positive about that). Overall numbers aren't that great, though, with only ten shots attempted (six on net) in just under six minutes (granted, two of those PPs were without Backstrom, and maybe that just shows how valuable he is on the power play).
The PK did not do terribly well. In just under six minutes, they allowed nineteen shot attempts (eight on net) and one goal. It could've easily been a lot worse, but that isn't great.
On a trivia note, Kuzya was the sixth Cap to get his first career goal this season, joining Latta, Brown, Carrick, Schmidt, and Wilson. Penner, Erat and Wellman also got their first goals as Caps this year.
Anyway, despite the leads blown, the Caps were incredibly lucky to escape with a point tonight. Fenwick at fives, close, was two:one in favor of LA, and that's a formula for getting crushed. Regularly. And they did get a little bit of help, finally, as Columbus and Detroit didn't go to overtime and Toronto continued their skid (have now lost seven of last eight). In fact, I hadn't realized it, but the Caps are now in a four-way tie with those teams for the two wild-card spots.
But the Caps, of course, lose the first tiebreaker against everyone, so they're still on the outside looking in.
And looking to keep them outside is Boston, coming to visit on Saturday. The Caps will need to play a lot better to win against them. I'm guessing that Holtby will get the start, but we'll see.
Go Caps!
20140215
Oshie vs Kovy & Datsyuk
Watched today's USA vs Russia preliminary game from the Olympics this morning. I found my feelings a lot more mixed than I expected. I love OV, of course, and Datsyuk is pretty amazing (even if he does have the affrontery to play for Detroit), but the US is definitely my country.
My daughter surprised me by insisting that I wear my OV jersey while watching, which amused me.
I actually missed the first period, watching the Switzerland-Russia women's game then, but did finally find the men's game. It was already tied at one when I turned it on, and stayed close throughout. I thought that Russia got the benefit of a few questionable calls, although they didn't really take advantage of them. It's probably some bias from getting used to what the Caps do, but it seemed like they could have made some better decisions on handedness there.
The US did take advantage of one power play they got, with Pavelski scoring on a wicked pass cross-ice from Kane (the play looked much like a Caps power play, actually, with Pavelski in OV's position when he scored). But Datsyuk matched Pavelski's goal to tie it up again.
Then, several minutes later, Datsyuk's line appeared to score again, probably on a deflection that just barely got under the crossbar. It looked like they were reviewing it to see if it was hit above the crossbar (both attempts to deflect it were trying to push it downwards). After a couple replays, it was apparent that both players attempting the deflection missed, and that the puck was still rising as it went into the net, so it seemed sure to be a goal.
But then the review said "no goal", and I later heard that it was because the net was dislodged before the puck went in. I don't know, but it seemed an odd call. I wasn't complaining, though, as it left the game tied.
And that's the way regulation ended, too, going into 4-on-4 with the huge ice. Unbelievable how much room there was out there (I'll come back to this), but nobody managed to put it into the net, despite some really good chances.
So into a shootout it went, without me really knowing the shootout rules they were using. It turns out that three initial players needed to be selected, and choosing who shoots first is done similarly to the NHL. In that first round, Oshie started out by scoring, while the first two Russians were stopped. But the last two Americans were also stopped, leaving it on Kovalchuk's stick to finish. And he delivered, beating Quick on a cheeky chip shot into the corner, sending it to extra rounds.
Like the NHL, whoever led at the end of any round after that would win. Unlike the NHL, they could re-use shooters, which I did not like at all. It ended up going five more rounds, with Oshie getting all the American shots, and Kovalchuk and Datsyuk sharing duties on the Russian side. Frankly, I hated reusing the same shooters, plus I was disappointed that OV and Semin never got a chance. There were several scores in there, but in the fifth additional round, Oshie finished it after Kovy was stoned.
It was good to see the US win, and better to have had it be a close game.
What I found really interesting, though, was the effect of the big ice. Part of it, I suppose, was the quality of the players on each side, but it seemed easier to break out and easier to carry into the zone (I'm saying this based on several games; men's and women's). But it seems easier to keep play to the outside, and harder to get good chances. Part of it is that, with more boards, cycling doesn't work as well. And part of it is that the defense finds it much harder to pressure all the way out. There seem to be a lot fewer chances, overall, despite all the talent on display.
It's certainly interesting to watch; I'm looking forward to other games. And one of these days, I'll get used to Oshie wearing 74 while Carlson wears 4.
U-S-A! U-S-A!
My daughter surprised me by insisting that I wear my OV jersey while watching, which amused me.
I actually missed the first period, watching the Switzerland-Russia women's game then, but did finally find the men's game. It was already tied at one when I turned it on, and stayed close throughout. I thought that Russia got the benefit of a few questionable calls, although they didn't really take advantage of them. It's probably some bias from getting used to what the Caps do, but it seemed like they could have made some better decisions on handedness there.
The US did take advantage of one power play they got, with Pavelski scoring on a wicked pass cross-ice from Kane (the play looked much like a Caps power play, actually, with Pavelski in OV's position when he scored). But Datsyuk matched Pavelski's goal to tie it up again.
Then, several minutes later, Datsyuk's line appeared to score again, probably on a deflection that just barely got under the crossbar. It looked like they were reviewing it to see if it was hit above the crossbar (both attempts to deflect it were trying to push it downwards). After a couple replays, it was apparent that both players attempting the deflection missed, and that the puck was still rising as it went into the net, so it seemed sure to be a goal.
But then the review said "no goal", and I later heard that it was because the net was dislodged before the puck went in. I don't know, but it seemed an odd call. I wasn't complaining, though, as it left the game tied.
And that's the way regulation ended, too, going into 4-on-4 with the huge ice. Unbelievable how much room there was out there (I'll come back to this), but nobody managed to put it into the net, despite some really good chances.
So into a shootout it went, without me really knowing the shootout rules they were using. It turns out that three initial players needed to be selected, and choosing who shoots first is done similarly to the NHL. In that first round, Oshie started out by scoring, while the first two Russians were stopped. But the last two Americans were also stopped, leaving it on Kovalchuk's stick to finish. And he delivered, beating Quick on a cheeky chip shot into the corner, sending it to extra rounds.
Like the NHL, whoever led at the end of any round after that would win. Unlike the NHL, they could re-use shooters, which I did not like at all. It ended up going five more rounds, with Oshie getting all the American shots, and Kovalchuk and Datsyuk sharing duties on the Russian side. Frankly, I hated reusing the same shooters, plus I was disappointed that OV and Semin never got a chance. There were several scores in there, but in the fifth additional round, Oshie finished it after Kovy was stoned.
It was good to see the US win, and better to have had it be a close game.
What I found really interesting, though, was the effect of the big ice. Part of it, I suppose, was the quality of the players on each side, but it seemed easier to break out and easier to carry into the zone (I'm saying this based on several games; men's and women's). But it seems easier to keep play to the outside, and harder to get good chances. Part of it is that, with more boards, cycling doesn't work as well. And part of it is that the defense finds it much harder to pressure all the way out. There seem to be a lot fewer chances, overall, despite all the talent on display.
It's certainly interesting to watch; I'm looking forward to other games. And one of these days, I'll get used to Oshie wearing 74 while Carlson wears 4.
U-S-A! U-S-A!
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