A Montreal Canadiens fan blog
Posts tagged Washington Capitals
What some stats don’t say about a playoff run
May 8th
Sometimes I enjoy looking at statistics, like who’s winning the scoring race…. or seeing Jaroslav Halak on top of save % thus far.
I’m writing this not as a statistician or wanting to figure out formulas…. I’m writing this because when I’ve looked at certain stats as a fan, I was always struck with a first impression about the stat.
I thought I’d look at the plus/minus stat a little bit to see how teams these playoffs were shaping up and look at a few years past. Over several games the plus/minus stat can show in a general way how a team performs 5 on 5 and can also give a hint at which players are better offensively/defensively. Obviously it doesn’t give a true look at your best defensive or offensive player, because the stat itself is a bit of a balance between the goals scored while your on the ice for and against your team. So a higher scoring player may end up with a higher plus/minus stat then a better defensive player in some cases.
Basically, it’s a glimpse of how the team is doing 5 on 5 while each player is on the ice.
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Finding reasons that don’t exist why the Caps lost to the Habs
Apr 29th
I found an article and thought it quite interesting. The writer of this article claims that the Caps eventually lost the series because of that goal that was not allowed. In fact, looking at the picture within the very article I’m drawn to Knuble’s skate positioned just in the crease… and if any of you saw the replay last night his skate did in fact go into the crease and obstruct the goaltender’s ability to move.
Knuble is quoted in the article as saying:
“That’s a violation that hasn’t been called all year,”
Well, unfortunately he’s partly right. I’ve seen many goals scored where a team was running the net. I remember one goal in particular where Price was basically pushed into the net while trying to grab the puck…. the puck sliding in with him. I think it may actually have been Ovechkin who had scored that goal. But because it wasn’t called everytime doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right call.
The Canadiens won 3 of 4 games in Washington. And they just as easily could have won game 2 were it not for a meltdown.
Here’s another interesting quote by the author of the article “Brad Watson is the referee who murdered the Caps’ playoff chances”.
With all due respect, I totally disagree. Blaming the referee like that is a cop out.
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Montreal Canadiens advance past Capitals – Sportsnet coverage
Apr 29th
Here’s what Sportsnet have to say about the Habs winning the Caps.
Join the Caps/Habs game 7 live chat!
Apr 28th
Gonna watch the big game tonight??
Please feel free to join the Caps/Habs game 7 live chat and share your thoughts with us online!
Montreal Canadiens pull off what most thought unthinkable
Apr 28th
Posted by Yves in Game comments
Comments
I’m not sure how to express it… but I’ll just say that this game 7 was intense! Very intense.
My wonderful little girl (Emily, aged 6) wanted to watch part of the game with me. So we cuddle up and watched some of the first period together. She asked me some questions about the 2 teams. After a little bit she wanted to lie down and before I knew it, she was asleep.
I’d also like to mention that there was a great live chat tonight and thanks to Steven Hindle (@StevenHindle , Capitals coverage) for inviting me to join in.
I was watching the game intensely. The Capitals seemed to push quite a bit to start the game. And in the second period, I was kind of surprised at how flat they came out. At one point I remember thinking that the Capitals must have thought they were on a penalty kill because the Habs players were skating around their zone at will with the puck.
They soon realized they weren’t on the penalty kill… and pressure on Halak and the team’s defense resumed once again.
I’ve been so impressed with a few players in general.
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