To be fair, I said Vanek is a better leader. They did have the same goal totals this season though.Either way, this digresses from the series we all just watched. Ovechkin may have talked the talk, but I don't think he walked the walk, at least on a consitent basis. I just don't think he's a good leader and is more of "me" guy. I thought Tampa Bay did a good job denying him time and space because he's become a predictable player on the ice. A lot of people will attribute his decrease in production to a more defensive system but I think part of it is that he's become predictable and I think until he's willing to change his game, the Capitals won't be willing to change theirs because he, as the captain, is supposed to be setting examples.

EDIT: Not to take away from Tampa's defensive efforts, that 1-3-1 scheme was a huge part of their success and they executed to near perfection.

_________________
Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

me guy or not, he automatically makes any team better if he's on it.

i'd love to have a guy who has scored 50 points in 37 playoff games.

Valid point. His supporting cast probably didn't help him this year either. As per usual, it seems. Maybe there's a lack of trust because of his teammates' inability to perform. However, that's speculation at best on my part.

_________________
Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

Ovechkin isn't the problem. Boudreau is the problem.

_________________
mechaphil

Boudreau, and the entire makeup of that team. Their defense isn't good enough for a "defense first" system, and their forwards are soft and disappear come playoff time, with the exception of a few players. They need to go in an entirely different direction this offseason, and it should start with trading Semin, Backstrom, or both.

you see how relieved Boudreau was after the Caps eliminated the Rags? McPhee's gonna fire his ass

_________________
"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

i think it's funny when ovi gets blamed. him and neuvirth were the only two who were playing, the rest of the team stayed in new york

_________________

FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

what a pussy...

_________________

FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

I put it on Boudreau not being able to adjust his team's style to counter Tampa's 1-3-1 system.

_________________
mechaphil

i know you do phil, this wasn't directed towards you, or anyone in particular, just people in general that place all the blame on one player

_________________

FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

Oh I know it wasn't directed at me, just throwing my unsolicited opinion out there.

Also, either Semin or Backstrom need to go.

_________________
mechaphil

for the sake of wanting him to come here, i would say backstrom haha, but i don't see that happening. this post season was really not him, he is normally a amazing player. I agree with semin though. take stafford's talent and multiply it, but take his streaky-ness and multiply it ten fold and you've got semin.

_________________

FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

These are now officially posted throughout my office

_________________

Boudreau never seemed like a good coach to me, especially after 24/7. It seemed like, in games where they were losing, rather than try to game plan or do anything to counter the other team, he just threw a series of profanity laced rants at them. I would absolutely hate to be coached by a guy like that.
Also, I suppose in my original assessment that I did not address the under-performance of Backstrom, Semin, and co. As I believe Pat pointed out Ovechkin has 57 playoff points in like 30-something games? So maybe he isn't the problem.

_________________
Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

OV had 10 points in 9 games this year and 4 points in 4 games against the Lightning.

_________________

I suppose that invalidates my criticism of him. The stat I was referring to was career numbers, obviously. But either way, he's been good enough. Its everyone around him that's under-performing. #backpeadlingonmyoriginalargument.

_________________
Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

My favorite quote of the Caps sweep: "You can't spell Ovechkin without C-H-O-K-E"

_________________

you also cant spell O-V-E-C-H-K-I-N-P-L-A-Y-E-D-G-O-O-D-T-H-E-R-E-S-T-O-F-T-H-E-T-E-A-M-A-N-D-C-O-A-C-H-D-I-D-N-T

_________________

FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

Backstrom was utter shit these playoffs, he just floated around on the ice. They would have been better off getting rid of him this year for these playoffs then playing him.

I think he had maybe 2 points the entire playoffs.

_________________

This reply gave me an idea for a thread

_________________
mechaphil