Brian Pothier had a great comment about what it takes to win in the playoffs, and this goes back to his days on Ottawa when they would always choke in the playoffs after great regular seasons...you don't score finesse goals in the playoffs. It seemed like the Capitals had it figured out in Game 3 (finally), work hard to get to the net and good things will happen (i.e. 4 goals). All the goals were scored in close in Game 3, yet in Game 4 the shot chart shows 39 shots with many of them coming again from the perimeter or high slot. The Rangers are obviously going to let their three-time Vezina finalist lock down those shots all day and sure enough - only one goal gets scored.
The Caps are a young team with tremendous individual talent. If they had more speed on defense they would have a more consistent breakout and not put as much pressure on the goalie. There's not much confidence in Jose Three-or-more, but Varly's playing well in pressure situations and that bodes well for the next few years.
There's still confidence to come back from a 3-1 deficit, it was done last year against Philly and the Caps know that they can win in NY...however just because it happened last year doesn't mean it will this year (attention Mike Green). Too many shots are still getting blocked, too many shots are being taken from the perimeter and no one is crashing the net for follow up chances. Grit and will is what's going to win game 5, the Rangers right now are showing they have it in loads - Friday night will tell if desperation strengthens the Caps' will and they finally dig deep to scrape together a win in a close game.
3 comments:
Varly...no, that's not going to cut it. That kind of a nickname would make an appearance at the end of this old post of mine.
I saw "Varly" and immediately thought of Jim Varney, star of such cinematic gems as Ernest Goes to Camp, Ernest Goes to Jail, and Ernest Saves Christmas.
Henceforth Simeon Varlamov shall be known as Ernest.
I don't think Pothier was the six-hundredth to utter that phrase, let alone the first. Regardless of who's quoting whom, he's right. The Rangers are taking away everything in close to Lundqvist, and he's gobbled up nearly every puck the Caps have thrown his way like a hungry hungry hippo.
sorry Pro, going to stick w Varly - it's on the helmet and gets chanted in Verizon.
I am disappointed.
Perhaps we can work on the arena instead. It can be referred to as 'The China Barn' rather than Verizon.
Thoughts?
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