Lord Stanley's Cup thread

[durango46]

Ovechkin plays 13 minutes

hunter is a joke

[slapshot]

What I'm liking a lot is that everyone seems to be buying into Hunter's game plan. Not about Ovie. About team. And playing strong D.

I'm having good vibes about this team...

[slapshot]

Ovechkin plays 13 minutes

hunter is a joke

No, on the contrary. Hunter has a plan.

And not about how many min Ovie plays, but when he plays, and who he's matched up against.

Hockey is like a chess game, and switching up lines,NAND pulling players out and putting them back in at opportune times is good fundamental strategy.

[durango46]

If Hunter comes back hopefully Ovechkin asks for a trade

13 minutes is a joke....F in Dale Hunter could only dream about playing the game like THE GREAT #8

[durango46]

No, on the contrary. Hunter has a plan.

And not about how many min Ovie plays, but when he plays, and who he's matched up against.

Hockey is like a chess game, and switching up lines,NAND pulling players out and putting them back in at opportune times is good fundamental strategy.

No on the contrary Hunter is a JOKE
Ovechkin bailed his arse out

I don't know any coach in the NHL that would play a superstar 13 minutes

for all you know Ovie could have scored a couple more

Green benched for his awful play... NO
No show Semin...NO
Backstrom...NO

it's all about Ovechkin.....when they lose it's always his fault. I will never buy into that THEORY

[durango46]

The Great #8 was Great tonight

in his 13 minutes on the ice

[slapshot]

for all you know Ovie could have scored a couple more

Doubtful. During the 7 games of the Boston playoff, he totaled 2 goals and averaged about 22-23 shifts/game. Typically, a shift will be about a minute. He played 18 shifts tonight, so 13 min is low...but did he come off the ice on his own, or was he called off? For all we know, he may be under the weather and requested shorter shifts?

it's all about Ovechkin.....when they lose it's always his fault. I will never buy into that THEORY

Really? Weren't you guys blaming some of the losses during the Boston series on Holtby?

Here's the reality - up until these payoffs, it's been about Ovie...and how did that work out for the Caps? The difference in these playoffs, it's about the team, the D and goaltending. Ovie has a role to play, but in this series, it's quite different than it's been in prior years. The proof of this approach will be in the results.

FYI - Ovie needs to be a team player and accept his role. As per what the announcers have been saying, he seems to have accepted his new role and is doing a good job. That will help to build team unity.

[AntiMoon]

Hunter is coaching like a guy who knows he's not coming back. And make no mistake, it's his call. Ovie was 2nd amongst all Caps forwards in icetime in the Bos series until game 7. Biggest problem with Caps remains Green,Schultz and Wideman. They need to clone Carlzner, rest of the D is horrible. Ovie needs to play more but I have no problem with Beagle leading the forwards in ice time. He has become the shutdown Center we haven't had for the playoffs in the Ovie era.

[durango46]

slapshot.....doubtful

you don't know that. Ovechkin is quite capable of taking over a game at any time.

Really? Weren't you guys blaming some of the losses during the Boston series on Holtby?

Well, yes and no....You guys keep telling me it's ALL about defense and goaltending correct ? He did let in a couple of soft goals. Kids young....so I'm not going to blame him for much.

Here's the reality - up until these playoffs, it's been about Ovie...and how did that work out for the Caps?

Ah, incorrect Slap. BB did the same thing in the playoffs last year and had also cut Ovechkins ice time before he was let go this year. How did that work out for them ? after all they barely made the playoffs and on a team with so much talent ?

The difference in these playoffs, it's about the team, the D and goaltending. Ovie has a role to play, but in this series, it's quite different than it's been in prior years. The proof of this approach will be in the results.

It's always about the team. Nothing different about that concept.The D and goaltending are at the top of the list. But ya still need to score. See Ovechkins game winner tonight.
Ovechkin does have a role....score goals and win games.

FYI Ovie needs to be a team player and accept his role. As per what the announcers have been saying, he seems to have accepted his new role and is doing a good job. That will help to build team unity.

Ovie has been the team player....seems like he is handling the role Hunter has given him quite well.
However it is my opinion that 13 minutes of ice time for your best player will not win a Cup. The Caps stand a much better chance of scoring goals with Ovie ON the ice not sitting on the bench.
Seems like every game his ice time gets cut down more.
Here's a newsflash....no one knows how many more goals Ovechkin could have possibly scored with more ice time.

You have to admit that point if no other....he can't score goals sitting on his a s s. In 13 minutes the guy was outstanding last night.

I respectfully agree to disagree with you Slap...

[ajc54terp]

you don't know that. Ovechkin is quite capable of taking over a game at any time.

He also could be responsible for a goal against at any time




Ah, incorrect Slap. BB did the same thing in the playoffs last year and had also cut Ovechkins ice time before he was let go this year. How did that work out for them ? after all they barely made the playoffs and on a team with so much talent ?

Bruce is a cartoon character that ov didn't respect..I.E. "Fatboy"


It's always about the team. Nothing different about that concept.The D and goaltending are at the top of the list. But ya still need to score. See Ovechkins game winner tonight.
Ovechkin does have a role....score goals and win games.

I believe when we play at home he will see more ice time due to us having last change, and also I think Hunter is playing him in spots and limiting his time when we have the lead, like it or not it has worked so far..Caps are 4-0 when OV's time is under 17:01



Ovie has been the team player....seems like he is handling the role Hunter has given him quite well.
However it is my opinion that 13 minutes of ice time for your best player will not win a Cup. The Caps stand a much better chance of scoring goals with Ovie ON the ice not sitting on the bench.
Seems like every game his ice time gets cut down more.
Here's a newsflash....no one knows how many more goals Ovechkin could have possibly scored with more ice time.

You have to admit that point if no other....he can't score goals sitting on his a s s. In 13 minutes the guy was outstanding last night.

I respectfully agree to disagree with you Slap...

I agree he can't score, but look how productive that 13 mins was..7sog 1 goal, he can go balls out and not be spent going into OT which alot of the games have been...face it we will not win playing bruce's game, we have to play like the boring NJ Devils.

[AntiMoon]

I will continue to insist we CAN win playing Bruce's style. We lost in 7 games to eventual Champ Pitt not because of style of play but because Pitt had a shutdown Center in Staal and a shutdown D pairing in Scuderi and Gill. We had neither. Now we have a shutdown center in Beagle and a shutdown D pair in Carlzner. If we lose this series it won't be because of style of play it will be because Green,Schutz and Wideman are playing terribly as is our PP. What nobody is talking about is Semin is playing less than Ovie and Backstrom is playing just about the same minutes.

[ajc54terp]

I will continue to insist we CAN win playing Bruce's style. We lost in 7 games to eventual Champ Pitt not because of style of play but because Pitt had a shutdown Center in Staal and a shutdown D pairing in Scuderi and Gill. We had neither. Now we have a shutdown center in Beagle and a shutdown D pair in Carlzner. If we lose this series it won't be because of style of play it will be because Green,Schutz and Wideman are playing terribly as is our PP. What nobody is talking about is Semin is playing less than Ovie and Backstrom is playing just about the same minutes.

The difference between the caps and that Pens team is that they had players that paid attention to detail, and as much as I hate Crosby, he's a more complete player than OV, sometimes in the defensive end OV looks lost out there like he's out on a leisurely skate...Backstrom I can't explain why he doesn't have more ice time..semin has played good D..but took a stupid penalty in game 1..maybe the rangers were getting in his head, and hunter wanted to send a message..I agree that schultz should not be out there, I guess they're scared to play Orlov, being that he is a rookie and is prone to lapses, but I think he should play, and wideman provides some good O, Green needs to lay the lumber, callahan ate his lunch, Hunter has a plan, like it or not, and so far it has worked, I could care less how much time OV sees, as long as we get the W.

[durango46]

I agree he can't score, but look how productive that 13 mins was..7sog 1 goal, he can go balls out and not be spent going into OT which alot of the games have been...face it we will not win playing bruce's game, we have to play like the boring NJ Devils.

You stated Ovechkin could be responsible for a goal against at any time....
true but,
Given Ovechkins track record (plus 80) he's more likely to score a goal or have an assist then lead indirectly to a goal while he's on the ice. When I say indirectly it still comes down to the goalie.

I also agree with Antimoon.. Ovie is a goal scorer correct ? He's paid to score and that's what he does. Green, Wideman and Schultz are defensemen. It's their job to prevent the other team from scoring. Yet Ovechkin gets the blame and his minutes cut.
I guess time will tell here..

[ajc54terp]

You stated Ovechkin could be responsible for a goal against at any time....
true but,
Given Ovechkins track record (plus 80) he's more likely to score a goal or have an assist then lead indirectly to a goal while he's on the ice. When I say indirectly it still comes down to the goalie.

I also agree with Antimoon.. Ovie is a goal scorer correct ? He's paid to score and that's what he does. Green, Wideman and Schultz are defensemen. It's their job to prevent the other team from scoring. Yet Ovechkin gets the blame and his minutes cut.
I guess time will tell here..

His plus/minus that one year they set all kinds of scoring records as a team he was around 40, I think schultz that season was like 55 or something ridiculous, I understand why people might be worried, but hunter seems to somewhat know what he's doing, we can all play armchair QB...but we'll see I guess, I'm guessing OV is up around 18 mins next game.

[ajc54terp]

Intersting quote from troy brouwer in this washington post article about the ice time.

"Who’s winning this battle in the locker room? If Troy Brouwer’s quote from Comcast SportsNet’s Chuck Gormley is indicative — in response to Ovechkin saying he needs to have the puck when he’s gaining more speed — Hunter is leading by a mile:

“He’s got to come back [to the defensive zone] to get more speed,” Brouwer said. “He can’t be so impatient to get into the offensive zone. He’s got to make room for himself out there. We can only do so much. He can’t bottle himself up and wait for that long stretch pass with no speed. He’s got to come back and come with us as a unit.”

[durango46]

Intersting quote from troy brouwer in this washington post article about the ice time.

"Who’s winning this battle in the locker room? If Troy Brouwer’s quote from Comcast SportsNet’s Chuck Gormley is indicative — in response to Ovechkin saying he needs to have the puck when he’s gaining more speed — Hunter is leading by a mile:

“He’s got to come back [to the defensive zone] to get more speed,” Brouwer said. “He can’t be so impatient to get into the offensive zone. He’s got to make room for himself out there. We can only do so much. He can’t bottle himself up and wait for that long stretch pass with no speed. He’s got to come back and come with us as a unit.”

Interesting.....because now it comes out that Ovechkin clearly isn't listening to Hunter. We all have noticed him taking off up ice. I didn't know Hunter had a problem with it because he keeps doing it. By doing so he's ignoring the coach. This doesn't look good on Ovie.
Now I have to wonder if Hunter is trying to discipline Ovechkin as well as play him. Hmmm...

[durango46]

BTW, who was that clown announcer who kept saying Backstrom interfered with somebody on the Ovechkin goal ? They showed the replay several times. It was on the faceoff


With all the things that happen in hockey game he was crying about that ?? wow

[ajc54terp]

Interesting.....because now it comes out that Ovechkin clearly isn't listening to Hunter. We all have noticed him taking off up ice. I didn't know Hunter had a problem with it because he keeps doing it. By doing so he's ignoring the coach. This doesn't look good on Ovie.
Now I have to wonder if Hunter is trying to discipline Ovechkin as well as play him. Hmmm...

Well, when you have played that way all your life it's hard to change, maybe hunter is trying to drive home to OV he needs to be more involved in the defensive end before trying to rush out on a break. Hunter isn't stupid though, he knows he still needs him at this point.

[slapshot]

Ah, incorrect Slap. BB did the same thing in the playoffs last year and had also cut Ovechkins ice time before he was let go this year. How did that work out for them ?

Looking at last year's playoff minutes for OV, I don't see where his minutes were significantly reduced from prior years. He averaged, every game of the playoffs, playing between 20-25 minutes.


IMO, OV should play everytime the Caps are on a power play. As in last nights winning goal, that's when he can be most affective, IMO. He can make plays happen. But if he's on the ice for a PP, then chances are he will miss a rotation if next up.

It's always about the team. Nothing different about that concept.The D and goaltending are at the top of the list. But ya still need to score. See Ovechkins game winner tonight.
Ovechkin does have a role....score goals and win games.Ovie has been the team player....seems like he is handling the role Hunter has given him quite well.

No, his role is more than simply scoring goals. He needs to lead and motivate. He needs to lead by example...and if he's not listening to what Hunter is telling everyone to do (ie, get back on D), then he's definitely not leading by example, now is he?

Not saying that OV is not a team player. You misunderstood what I was trying to say. What I'm saying is, if the "super star" is treated any differently from other - good - players on the team, then that apparent/real difference is picked up by the players and can affect team chemistry. I noticed this a long time ago (every year) - but OV doesn't like playing D. Understandable from a guy with his offensive capabilities. So when OV doesn't get back on D, contrary to Hunter's game plan....if Hunter doesn't take action, then that inequality can ruin team chemistry. All these guys have egos. You can't chew other guys out for not following the plan, while letting OV skate and do his own thing. Just not good for "team". Trust me, I've been there on teams I've coached, where some vunder-kid thought he knew how to run the team..

However it is my opinion that 13 minutes of ice time for your best player will not win a Cup. The Caps stand a much better chance of scoring goals with Ovie ON the ice not sitting on the bench.

More than time, It's about WHEN he's on the ice, not about how much. Hunter said himself he felt OV was MUCH fresher on the power play than he had been prior. NOT advocating that OV get 13 minutes from here on out. Just saying that a good coach (which I think Hunter is), knows he needs to have all of his players - and that includes OV - stick to the defensive game plan, and, to have his best offensive players out on the ice when fresh, and matched up with the right opposing lines. A good coach knows when to go on the attack, and when to lay back in a defensive posture. It is a chess game.

NHL players today are so good, that even the best offensive player, like OV, can be neutralized by an opposing team's defense. That's why I said that the successful NHL teams's style of play shifts to one of being more defensive oriented once you get to the playoffs. Good defenses can shut OV down...not all the time, with every shot...but most of the time. And what good defenses don't stop by getting into the shooting lanes, good goalies will shut the door on players like OV. Soooo, inorder for him to score, he's got to be fresh, and on the ice at the right time (like during a power play when the chances to score are better, and he has more open ice to move).

In 13 minutes the guy was outstanding last night.

He was, and IMO that was because he was: (1) fresh, and (2) had something to prove (motivation).

Hunter is the chief. Give him a chance to prove this is not the "same old Caps". Anyway, I believe they can get by NY.

[durango46]

Looking at last year's playoff minutes for OV, I don't see where his minutes were significantly reduced from prior years. He averaged, every game of the playoffs, playing between 20-25 minutes.


IMO, OV should play everytime the Caps are on a power play. As in last nights winning goal, that's when he can be most affective, IMO. He can make plays happen. But if he's on the ice for a PP, then chances are he will miss a rotation if next up.




No, his role is more than simply scoring goals. He needs to lead and motivate. He needs to lead by example...and if he's not listening to what Hunter is telling everyone to do (ie, get back on D), then he's definitely not leading by example, now is he?

Not saying that OV is not a team player. You misunderstood what I was trying to say. What I'm saying is, if the "super star" is treated any differently from other - good - players on the team, then that apparent/real difference is picked up by the players and can affect team chemistry. I noticed this a long time ago (every year) - but OV doesn't like playing D. Understandable from a guy with his offensive capabilities. So when OV doesn't get back on D, contrary to Hunter's game plan....if Hunter doesn't take action, then that inequality can ruin team chemistry. All these guys have egos. You can't chew other guys out for not following the plan, while letting OV skate and do his own thing. Just not good for "team". Trust me, I've been there on teams I've coached, where some vunder-kid thought he knew how to run the team..







More than time, It's about WHEN he's on the ice, not about how much. Hunter said himself he felt OV was MUCH fresher on the power play than he had been prior. NOT advocating that OV get 13 minutes from here on out. Just saying that a good coach (which I think Hunter is), knows he needs to have all of his players - and that includes OV - stick to the defensive game plan, and, to have his best offensive players out on the ice when fresh, and matched up with the right opposing lines. A good coach knows when to go on the attack, and when to lay back in a defensive posture. It is a chess game.

NHL players today are so good, that even the best offensive player, like OV, can be neutralized by an opposing team's defense. That's why I said that the successful NHL teams's style of play shifts to one of being more defensive oriented once you get to the playoffs. Good defenses can shut OV down...not all the time, with every shot...but most of the time. And what good defenses don't stop by getting into the shooting lanes, good goalies will shut the door on players like OV. Soooo, inorder for him to score, he's got to be fresh, and on the ice at the right time (like during a power play when the chances to score are better, and he has more open ice to move).




He was, and IMO that was because he was: (1) fresh, and (2) had something to prove (motivation).

Hunter is the chief. Give him a chance to prove this is not the "same old Caps". Anyway, I believe they can get by NY.

No thank you sir....Say what you like, I will never buy into FIRST YEAR coach Hunters game plan that Ovechkin playing 13 minutes a game is a good thing. And neither will you Slap.
Why is it best for the team when many other players are aloud to make mistake after mistake. See Greens horrible play. But hey no problem with Dale there. Widemans terrible defense in the Bruin series...again no problem. Bench Ovechkin he's the problem.

He's only ONE guy yet it all comes down to him. Either way.
Next it will be 10 minutes then 8....

If Hunters back I hope Ovie is moved...and let me go at this another way....Do what you gotta do dale...but I'm not spending my hard earned cash to go out and see Ovie sit while I watch s h i t a s s players like Schultz, Green, and others play.


I do stand corrected on Ovechkins minutes last year in the playoffs. Was going off my memory and got it wrong. My apologies