James Tanner: Capitals go up 2-0 on Road

Caps look real comfortable.. playing free and easy ... and their D is actually playing well ... F helping out nicely ... Love it .. Oh and Vas is just terrible right now, no way Tampa wins with that kind of goalie work ..

Nicely done so far Caps!

I've seen the refs get together multiple times and rescind a penalty in the regular season, high sticks included. Is it really that far fetched to expect them to do it in a conference final game?

I don't give a poop about missed calls, but you'd think they wouldn't call that phantom high stick in today's NHL.

After hearing it over and over I'm starting to buy into this whole "Caps's Year" thing. You guys look legit. I still think Winnipeg is a much better team, but if you guys make short work of the Lightning and the Peg struggles or gets beat by Vegas, I'd be pretty confident if I were you.

I've seen the refs get together multiple times and rescind a penalty in the regular season, high sticks included. Is it really that far fetched to expect them to do it in a conference final game?

I don't give a poop about missed calls, but you'd think they wouldn't call that phantom high stick in today's NHL.
- Blackstrom2

I have no problem with that call, if you're stick is in the air anywhere near a guy's face it should be a penalty. I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have. If the NHL wanted to give out penalties for anyone putting their stick anywhere near a guys' face I have no problem with that.

But then again, I'd also hand out 20 game suspensions, eliminate fighting and make everyone where a full cage.

I've seen the refs get together multiple times and rescind a penalty in the regular season, high sticks included. Is it really that far fetched to expect them to do it in a conference final game?

I don't give a poop about missed calls, but you'd think they wouldn't call that phantom high stick in today's NHL.
- Blackstrom2

I didn't like the call, thought it was soft for the Eastern Conference finals but Oshie did hit Hedman on the glove with his stick and NHL rules that is a penalty, if the stick makes contact above the shoulder, rule 60.2. Now don't take that as I think it was the right call, no chance should that have been a penalty but it wasn't as bad as I think some people make it out to be.

The Caps looks great, they look loose and calm, making the Bolts play back on their heals and that's not a game Tampa plays, Tampa is best when they can dictate the pace which they are not able to do right now. Hopefully we wake up and show up tomorrow night.

I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have.

That’s about as bad as it gets from you tanner. He could have... for real. That logic is just wow. If you penalize for he could have. Everyone would be In the box. This is what is called a phantom penalty. Cause he could have 😂😂😂😂

I have no problem with that call, if you're stick is in the air anywhere near a guy's face it should be a penalty. I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have. If the NHL wanted to give out penalties for anyone putting their stick anywhere near a guys' face I have no problem with that.

But then again, I'd also hand out 20 game suspensions, eliminate fighting and make everyone where a full cage.
- james_tanner1

I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have.

That’s about as bad as it gets from you tanner. He could have... for real. That logic is just wow. If you penalize for he could have. Everyone would be In the box. This is what is called a phantom penalty. Cause he could have 😂😂😂😂
- Cracker03

If you want to insult someone and have them take it to heart, you can't construct sentences like that.

But the logic is very sound: If you do something that could injure someone, whether or not they actually get injured is up to chance, and therefore should be punished the same way.

Its just the same way that whether or not a player is injured on an illegal hit shouldn't factor in - they should just treat every infraction as if the worst possible injury occurred and go from there.

I openly mock the machismo of hockey and sports in general. What's so fun about people being injured? As I see it, if we just did away with the tough-guy culture we could have a much safer game that is way more fun to watch.

I have no problem with that call, if you're stick is in the air anywhere near a guy's face it should be a penalty. I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have. If the NHL wanted to give out penalties for anyone putting their stick anywhere near a guys' face I have no problem with that.

But then again, I'd also hand out 20 game suspensions, eliminate fighting and make everyone where a full cage.
- james_tanner1

- Feds91Stammer

Has all the makings of a locked thread by early afternoon.

I have no problem with that call, if you're stick is in the air anywhere near a guy's face it should be a penalty. I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have. If the NHL wanted to give out penalties for anyone putting their stick anywhere near a guys' face I have no problem with that.

But then again, I'd also hand out 20 game suspensions, eliminate fighting and make everyone where a full cage.
- james_tanner1

oh, okay.

So 1 minute for almost getting a penalty? Guy bends over and the stick goes by his face...is that penalty too? I think you're getting a little excited with all these new rules you're going to implement when you take over for Bettman.

If I was a Caps fan I wouldn't get too excited. The Lightning played like garbage. Lots of lazy plays on their part.

In particular there was one goal where Stralman fell down and quite literally just sat there on the ice behind the net and watched the Caps score a goal.

I have no problem with that call, if you're stick is in the air anywhere near a guy's face it should be a penalty. I know he didn't actually make contact with him, but he could have. If the NHL wanted to give out penalties for anyone putting their stick anywhere near a guys' face I have no problem with that.

But then again, I'd also hand out 20 game suspensions, eliminate fighting and make everyone where a full cage.
- james_tanner1

But then again...you’re a moron.

If I was a Caps fan I wouldn't get too excited. The Lightning played like garbage. Lots of lazy plays on their part.

In particular there was one goal where Stralman fell down and quite literally just sat there on the ice behind the net and watched the Caps score a goal.
- HarvP

I agree, but if you put the best team of all time against the worst team of all time, the worst team would still probably have an advantage after winning the first two on the road. Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but down 2-0 at home is almost a guaranteed loss.

I agree, but if you put the best team of all time against the worst team of all time, the worst team would still probably have an advantage after losing the first two at home. Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but down 2-0 at home is almost a guaranteed loss.
- james_tanner1

I agree. I'm just saying that while the Caps are playing well it is a bit exaggerated by how bad the Lightning have been.

Whatever team comes out of the west is going to be a different animal.

I'm all for the west is stronger argument but come on man the caps just beat the two time defending and battle tested champs and are currently man handling one of the top teams in the league.

Some times a solid team just comes together at the right time and plays the best hockey

If I was a Caps fan I wouldn't get too excited. The Lightning played like garbage. Lots of lazy plays on their part.

In particular there was one goal where Stralman fell down and quite literally just sat there on the ice behind the net and watched the Caps score a goal.
- HarvP

So if your team was up 2-0 in a series you wouldn't get to excited?

So if your team was up 2-0 in a series you wouldn't get roo excited?
- Cptmjl

He's only making the point that it's no guarantee given the relative quality of each team. Why do we need to chirp every little point someone has?

He's only making the point that it's no guarantee given the relative quality of each team. Why do we need to chirp every little point someone has?
- james_tanner1

I get that but if the Leafs were up 2-0 in a series and statistically had a MUCH better chance of winning as you pointed out in this very blog you wouldn't get excited? Besides, I wasn't chirping him it was a legitimate question because I know I would be excited. Lets be honest you're just mad because i pointed out a ridiculous comment in your post. Maybe the NHL should start calling penalties against players that almost commit them? There's a real rational thought.

I thought that the Bolts looked much fresher, faster and in control than any team in the East.

When the playoffs started, I thought that the Bruins were going to clean house in the East. Then I watched Tampa absolutely manhandle the Bruins and looked much much better than Washington or Pittsburgh.

The Caps/Pens series was tight as can be and a couple of key moments here and there could have swung that series either way. From watching that series as well as the TB/BOS series it seemed plain as day that Tampa was going to walk all over whichever team made it to the ECF.

What happened? I haven't gotten a chance to catch any of the first 2 games. A few days rest and Tampa is back into slump mode?

I thought that the Bolts looked much fresher, faster and in control than any team in the East.

When the playoffs started, I thought that the Bruins were going to clean house in the East. Then I watched Tampa absolutely manhandle the Bruins and looked much much better than Washington or Pittsburgh.

The Caps/Pens series was tight as can be and a couple of key moments here and there could have swung that series either way. From watching that series as well as the TB/BOS series it seemed plain as day that Tampa was going to walk all over whichever team made it to the ECF.

What happened? I haven't gotten a chance to catch any of the first 2 games. A few days rest and Tampa is back into slump mode?
- bochangs

Cooper is an overrated coach and TBL has not adjusted to the WSH neutral zone trap.

Some players are dirty. Get over it.

How many days since your last full length blog devoted to whining about dirty players & their suspension lengths?