So question ... Sid in the first half of the season sucked because a) Johnston's system sucked, b) he wanted to get Johnston fired, or c) All of the above?
- chimpira

I think its once Johnston's system broke down and they couldn't do poop in it, he wanted him out.

Would u guys even entertain the though of sitting 2 of our defense men in favor of lovejoy and pouliat? Getting some fresh legs in there. We kindof ran outta gas the last time we played the craps on a back to back situation.

Would u guys even entertain the though of sitting 2 of our defense men in favor of lovejoy and pouliat? Getting some fresh legs in there. We kindof ran outta gas the last time we played the craps on a back to back situation.
- pensfan024

I'd think about resting Maatta and playing Pouliot with Daley and Dumoulin with Letang. I don't think any of Letang, Dumoulin, Daley, Schultz, or Cole need to be sat right now.

Would u guys even entertain the though of sitting 2 of our defense men in favor of lovejoy and pouliat? Getting some fresh legs in there. We kindof ran outta gas the last time we played the craps on a back to back situation.
- pensfan024

I wouldn't do it vs the caps, but I wouldn't be against getting Maatta a few days of extra rest before the post-season, assuming they can clinch at some point. Between his injuries and illness, and lack of full training camp, he looks gassed. I don't think the drop-off to lovejoy or Pouliot for 1 or 2 games would be much. Also, if they get to a point where they've locked a specific playoff spot and it couldn't change, I'd give Letang a couple days off. Not worth risking an injury to him.

Would u guys even entertain the though of sitting 2 of our defense men in favor of lovejoy and pouliat? Getting some fresh legs in there. We kindof ran outta gas the last time we played the craps on a back to back situation.
- pensfan024

If we clinch, of course. I'd sit a pair and put in Pouliot-Lovejoy. They need a game or two incase an injury occurs in the postseason.

Preferably, we clinch fast (think 96 points would do it as long as Detroit/Philly doesn't win out) and can sit out top pairing a game.

Also would like to see Shultz with Dumo in that said game... just to see if they can considering moving Daley at the draft and give Shultz the Ian Cole deal.

I wouldn't do it vs the caps, but I wouldn't be against getting Maatta a few days of extra rest before the post-season, assuming they can clinch at some point. Between his injuries and illness, and lack of full training camp, he looks gassed. I don't think the drop-off to lovejoy or Pouliot for 1 or 2 games would be much. Also, if they get to a point where they've locked a specific playoff spot and it couldn't change, I'd give Letang a couple days off. Not worth risking an injury to him.
- mw630

You talk as if Letang were injury prone😏

Curious to see if they come out flat or not. I think they were more emotionally invested in the game yesterday as opposed today. Then again, the Caps have a nice cushion so maybe they'll be less than 100%.

Curious to see if they come out flat or not. I think they were more emotionally invested in the game yesterday as opposed today. Then again, the Caps have a nice cushion so maybe they'll be less than 100%.
- all-pgh

The only thing the Caps don't want to do is risk any injuries to anyone, especially Holtby and D (since Calrson is still out). I wonder what their rest of the regular season plans are going to be.

The only thing the Caps don't want to do is risk any injuries to anyone, especially Holtby and D (since Calrson is still out). I wonder what their rest of the regular season plans are going to be.
- chimpira

I hope they aren't planning on sitting anyone. I wanna see how we stack ip against their full compliment of skaters in a back to back situation

I'll say it again...probably the best hockey this team has played since winning the cup...no doubt about it.
- icedog97

This. This second half is very reminiscent of how they played when they won the Cup. Hopefully things turn out the same way.

Wherever we end up in the standings it would be nice to NOT have to play the rags for the first time in a while. Ideally the Rags fall off the cliff in their last 10 games and end up in the first wildcard spot. The Islanders board is a hilarious read right not. The sky is falling and everyone should be traded or fired. It's like 100 Sammys that hate the Islanders as much as Sammy hates the Penguins. They are calling for Snows head. The Islanders still have the same problem they did 3 years ago when we played them in the first round. They don't have a franchise goaltender. They have 2 guys who have played for a bunch of teams that put up good numbers but at the end of the day their old teams declined to keep them. And they are easily injured. Here's hoping for the best today against a team that is very good, complete anyways. It will be a good measuring stick to see how we play against the NHL leader. I don't remember a team soundly beating us yet in 2016 and even if we lose as long as it's close and we don't look blown away it will prove that we can play with anyone.

Wherever we end up in the standings it would be nice to NOT have to play the rags for the first time in a while. Ideally the Rags fall off the cliff in their last 10 games and end up in the first wildcard spot. The Islanders board is a hilarious read right not. The sky is falling and everyone should be traded or fired. It's like 100 Sammys that hate the Islanders as much as Sammy hates the Penguins. They are calling for Snows head. The Islanders still have the same problem they did 3 years ago when we played them in the first round. They don't have a franchise goaltender. They have 2 guys who have played for a bunch of teams that put up good numbers but at the end of the day their old teams declined to keep them. And they are easily injured. Here's hoping for the best today against a team that is very good, complete anyways. It will be a good measuring stick to see how we play against the NHL leader. I don't remember a team soundly beating us yet in 2016 and even if we lose as long as it's close and we don't look blown away it will prove that we can play with anyone.
- Dcoms

I will take anyone but the Caps. And even with them we have a decent chance.

fleury will play

I hope lovejoy sits

I will take anyone but the Caps. And even with them we have a decent chance.
- powerhouse

I'd like a matchup with the panthers. I feel like we wouldn't have to worry about guys taking cheap shots and Sid or geno and then losing their cool. I wouldn't like the caps in the 1st. Even if they did win, it seems like it'd be way more physically and mentally draining than any other series. I could also see them getting too cocky and falling in the next round

The only thing the Caps don't want to do is risk any injuries to anyone, especially Holtby and D (since Calrson is still out). I wonder what their rest of the regular season plans are going to be.
- chimpira

According to Trotz it will be business as usual unless a guy is nicked up. Caps have great depth so the minutes have been spread out well all year except for Niskanen who's had his minutes upped considerably with Orpik out 2 months and now Carlson out a month. Recently the fourth line was getting more minutes than the 3rd line which is why you see the lines shuffled with Beagle on 1st line and Williams on 3rd. Just trying to keep guys or their toes. And I caution the thread starter that numbers are very deceiving. Caps have been on cruise control since Jan, as evidenced by allowing the 1st goal in 17 of their last 23 games. However, last 2 games have been their best in a long time. If you think this is a PP team only you will be in for a rude awakening in a month

According to Trotz it will be business as usual unless a guy is nicked up. Caps have great depth so the minutes have been spread out well all year except for Niskanen who's had his minutes upped considerably with Orpik out 2 months and now Carlson out a month. Recently the fourth line was getting more minutes than the 3rd line which is why you see the lines shuffled with Beagle on 1st line and Williams on 3rd. Just trying to keep guys or their toes. And I caution the thread starter that numbers are very deceiving. Caps have been on cruise control since Jan, as evidenced by allowing the 1st goal in 17 of their last 23 games. However, last 2 games have been their best in a long time. If you think this is a PP team only you will be in for a rude awakening in a month
- bondraovie

You talk the talk Bonjovi - now let's see if your team walks the walk!!!


Edit: I really like 'Bed of Roses'!

https://www.youtube.com/c...HrjL9si4yB8ivSgWHntA/live

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg3HrjL9si4yB8ivSgWHntA/live
- Victoro311

Out at work, have someone coming to look at my car I'm selling and catching up on Thursday and Friday work since I took those days off. Lifesaver

Wherever we end up in the standings it would be nice to NOT have to play the rags for the first time in a while. Ideally the Rags fall off the cliff in their last 10 games and end up in the first wildcard spot. The Islanders board is a hilarious read right not. The sky is falling and everyone should be traded or fired. It's like 100 Sammys that hate the Islanders as much as Sammy hates the Penguins. They are calling for Snows head. The Islanders still have the same problem they did 3 years ago when we played them in the first round. They don't have a franchise goaltender. They have 2 guys who have played for a bunch of teams that put up good numbers but at the end of the day their old teams declined to keep them. And they are easily injured. Here's hoping for the best today against a team that is very good, complete anyways. It will be a good measuring stick to see how we play against the NHL leader. I don't remember a team soundly beating us yet in 2016 and even if we lose as long as it's close and we don't look blown away it will prove that we can play with anyone.
- Dcoms

My ideal scenario is to take home ice against the Isles in the first round, weather the Genoless storm, and pray that the Caps get Hanked in the first round by the Rags.

Out at work, have someone coming to look at my car I'm selling and catching up on Thursday and Friday work since I took those days off. Lifesaver
- Pens_Burgh

No worries, homie.

I think its once Johnston's system broke down and they couldn't do poop in it, he wanted him out.
- Guile

Ditto. I think he realized Johnston had no chance of getting them to the goal, so he lost motivation. I don't think he deliberately quit, just did have the same hunger when he realized the futility.

My ideal scenario is to take home ice against the Isles in the first round, weather the Genoless storm, and pray that the Caps get Hanked in the first round by the Rags.
- Victoro311

I want the Rags! We broke Lundqvist, I want to reap the spoils.

I want the Rags! We broke Lundqvist, I want to reap the spoils.
- stackthepads

I want them in the second round

I want them in the second round
- Victoro311

No way, nothing sweeter than beating the Caps in the second round. I know from experience.