More on the Ovechkin +/- stats from the NY Times:

He's been on the ice for 40 Capital goals even strength or short-handed.

He's been on the ice for 71 opponent goals, even or short handed.

Caps have played 72 games.

They are +11 when Ovechkin is not on the ice.
- StLBravesFan

Yet people were wondering why the Russians tanked in the last two olympics.

More on the Ovechkin +/- stats from the NY Times:

He's been on the ice for 40 Capital goals even strength or short-handed.

He's been on the ice for 71 opponent goals, even or short handed.

Caps have played 72 games.

They are +11 when Ovechkin is not on the ice.
- StLBravesFan

I know this could never happen, but I'd be curious to see the impact on his game if he got dropped onto the Hawks' roster (or the Bruins or Red Wings, for that matter). The Hawks have a well establish coach who demands defense; but perhaps more importantly, a culture that is about 200' responsibility and winning, rather than stats. A star like Ovechkin might be able to ignore a coach (although Q would give him a run for his money, imo), but I'd like to see what a locker room full of winners would do with him.

That aside, those stats are incredible.

I know this could never happen, but I'd be curious to see the impact on his game if he got dropped onto the Hawks' roster (or the Bruins or Red Wings, for that matter). The Hawks have a well establish coach who demands defense; but perhaps more importantly, a culture that is about 200' responsibility and winning, rather than stats. A star like Ovechkin might be able to ignore a coach (although Q would give him a run for his money, imo), but I'd like to see what a locker room full of winners would do with him.

That aside, those stats are incredible.
- mohel

I would say send him to Nashville, but Trotz didn't do too well with those Russians he had a few years ago. Could someone like Babcock or Q get through to him? Interesting to ponder. I doubt we'll ever get the answer, though.

and they have the Penquins on Sunday....

I just think the scheduling all year favored the Blues with away layovers while the opponent wa splaying out of town, rest at the right times, and less back to backs than the Champs faced.

That doesn't diminish what they have done so far.
- wiz1901

It's too bad the Hawks lose the more than one tie breaker to the Blues.

I know this could never happen, but I'd be curious to see the impact on his game if he got dropped onto the Hawks' roster (or the Bruins or Red Wings, for that matter). The Hawks have a well establish coach who demands defense; but perhaps more importantly, a culture that is about 200' responsibility and winning, rather than stats. A star like Ovechkin might be able to ignore a coach (although Q would give him a run for his money, imo), but I'd like to see what a locker room full of winners would do with him.

That aside, those stats are incredible.
- mohel

More than anything else the Caps have never found a structure of play to fit the talent they have or had....Backstrom is an elite center as well.

They never mastered the pure puck control game...then became almost a boring trap like team and nothing has netted consistent results when they counted most.

and they have the Penquins on Sunday....

I just think the scheduling all year favored the Blues with away layovers while the opponent wa splaying out of town, rest at the right times, and less back to backs than the Champs faced.

That doesn't diminish what they have done so far.
- wiz1901

While 1st is ideal I just don't see it. I think we end up 4 or 5 back at the end. The Blues do seem to have the most games against a team that played the night before. You are right. Over their last 19 games, I think 8 of them were against teams that played the night before

It's too bad the Hawks lose the more than one tie breaker to the Blues.
- Al

You would think with the high end talent on the Hawks that both 4v4 and the shootout would favor them. One of the most puzzling things this year has been their ineptitude beyond regulation. They easily should have another 5-10 points but for that.

It's too bad the Hawks lose the more than one tie breaker to the Blues.
- Al

Meh. Can't control that anymore. Just gotta hit the playoffs healthy and hitting on all cylinders. The cream always rises.

I would say send him to Nashville, but Trotz didn't do too well with those Russians he had a few years ago. Could someone like Babcock or Q get through to him? Interesting to ponder. I doubt we'll ever get the answer, though.
- NewToHockey

There's no way we'll ever get than answer, for sure, just some idle saloon talk until game time... More than the coach's impact, I'd love to see the impact on a guy like him of the group dynamics the Hawks possess. Much of that comes from Toews, but there are MANY others with the same mentality. Hossa's impact would be interesting, too, because Ovi has the physical ability to play like Hossa - he's powerful, quick, fast, and a great skater. When the group says to him "that's not how we do it here," how would he react?

Meh. Can't control that anymore. Just gotta hit the playoffs healthy and hitting on all cylinders. The cream always rises.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed.

There's no way we'll ever get than answer, for sure, just some idle saloon talk until game time... More than the coach's impact, I'd love to see the impact on a guy like him of the group dynamics the Hawks possess. Much of that comes from Toews, but there are MANY others with the same mentality. Hossa's impact would be interesting, too, because Ovi has the physical ability to play like Hossa - he's powerful, quick, fast, and a great skater. When the group says to him "that's not how we do it here," how would he react?
- mohel

Seabs.

Meh. Can't control that anymore. Just gotta hit the playoffs healthy and hitting on all cylinders. The cream always rises.
- Ogilthorpe2

Exactly. If they are healthy and are motivated to prove that they can repeat, I don't think home ice or opponent will matter. If they aren't mentally ready to play like their collective hair's on fire (or aren't healthy), then I don't think home ice will matter. If they are ready, they're a handful.

Seabs.
- Ogilthorpe2

He's certainly one of them. As much talent as they have, they are even more loaded with leaders.

He's certainly one of them. As much talent as they have, they are even more loaded with leaders.
- mohel

Not only that, but Stan seems to quickly relocate possible bad seeds. Skille rumored to be Kane's partner in crime? Dowell rumored to be calling out veterans? Both quickly acquired new addresses.

Not only that, but Stan seems to quickly relocate possible bad seeds. Skille rumored to be Kane's partner in crime? McDowell rumored to be calling out veterans? Both quickly acquired new addresses.
- NewToHockey

You mean Jake Dowell, right?

More than anything else the Caps have never found a structure of play to fit the talent they have or had....Backstrom is an elite center as well.

They never mastered the pure puck control game...then became almost a boring trap like team and nothing has netted consistent results when they counted most.
- Al

Hi Al. If you're still on, do you know the last day a player can be added and still be eligible for the playoff roster? I know that players already signed to contracts (Ice Hogs, TT, etc.) can, but not sure about signings after the TDL or later date.

You mean Jake Dowell, right?
- EKolb13

My bad, you are correct.

You mean Jake Dowell, right?
- EKolb13

Jake Dowell, Jack McDowell...tomato, tom-ah-to

Jake Dowell, Jack McDowell...tomato, tom-ah-to
- Ogilthorpe2

I can see both sides of this argument. As a defender, he's seen far more here than he would have had he spent his time hanging out with Eli. How far might he have developed as a PP QB if he had spent the last four years on the top unit all season down there?
- NewToHockey

That would hinder anyone's development.
- mohel

(frank)ers.

You mean Jake Dowell, right?
- EKolb13

No Roger, the one that got Kramer from behind the grassy knoll

Public Service Announcement - Blues v. Penguins will be on NHL Network in the States at noon, Central Time. You Canadians out there are on your own....

(frank)ers.
- EKolb13

It was a hanging curve (forgive the baseball metaphor on a hockey blog)!!

It was a hanging curve (forgive the baseball metaphor on a hockey blog)!!
- mohel

You don't have to ask me for forgiveness...I get it.

It was a hanging curve (forgive the baseball metaphor on a hockey blog)!!
- mohel

Stay on topic please.