The entire team is next to useless. They are not stringing any passes together, just getting rid of the puck to get rid of the puck. Nobody driving the net. Letting Washington get five shots on Fluery on the first goal. If you look at the replay of the first goal there are TWO Knights on the ice and the Caps getting rebound after rebound.
- Thunderbolt

I agree it was a very one sided game which was surprising to me. MAF played very well, the rest of the team not so much. BTW Blocked Shots was 26 Caps to 9 for the Knights.

I agree it was a very one sided game which was surprising to me. MAF played very well, the rest of the team not so much. BTW Blocked Shots was 26 Caps to 9 for the Knights.
- powerhouse

Fleury made other-worldly saves and gave the Knights a chance to climb back in, but the Caps were just the better team. Holtby didn't have to be that great.

I don't think you quite understand what turtling means... In what world would Kuznetsov ever be crazy enough to fight Brayden McNabb?. You're talking about the illegal crosscheck to the face Kuntz took at McNabb when he was down on the ice and the refs somehow missed? That wasn't a challenge to fight...

Neal turtling Djoos? You mean in the scrum after a Vegas shot when Djoos throws a left hand at Neal? Again how is that turtling? Did I miss the invitation or challenge to a fight?. Why the (frank) would Neal fight Wilson?.

As far as Carpenter vs Carlson, again another scrum Carpenter takes a few extra whacks at the puck Carlson crosschecks him and Carpenter throws his stick away? Turtling how?, what is supposed to happen there exactly?

Did you miss Neal absolutely destroying Orpik? Or McNabb laying out a few Caps with hits? The only turtling going on here is Wilson not wanting any part of Reaves. The rest of this stuff is extra curriculars going on and the refs letting a ton of stuff go.

The Caps have just been the better team at executing their game plan. When they get the lead the Knights haven't been able to figure out the 3-1-1.
- Yosimar89

Until Vegas makes it tough on the officials they are not going to get any calls. What I mean by making it tough is fighting back. You can have a pack mentality, when one guy gets a cheap shot the next guy can get his shot in. Much like Marchessault did to Vrana in game two when Vrana tried to high stick one of the defense for Vegas.

A lot of people do not like Patric Hornqvist but he is a good example of someone who makes the officials work. He does a ton of stuff that forces the officials to take control of the game. As long as one team is having their way and the other is taking it the officials have control and have no reason to change things.

I agree it was a very one sided game which was surprising to me. MAF played very well, the rest of the team not so much. BTW Blocked Shots was 26 Caps to 9 for the Knights.
- powerhouse

Flower still had a period where he appeared to be struggling. Leading to the 2nd goal & the penalty he got. Caps will go at him again me thinks with bodies & pressure at the net, can Vegas D help him out?

Also the Vegas 4th line was pretty good - if I can believe what a Caps commentator was saying. May not have scored the goals they needed but had the energy when they were on the ice.

I’m pretty sure gm’s know that the combine isn’t a reflection of hockey skill. Try again blogger. Who does a bad job at that.

I was referring to the fact he flubbed some golden shot opportunities and was no deterrent to the Knights getting beat up on the ice.
- powerhouse

The whole deterrent argument was doomed from the get go. It’s not a deterrent. The feeling it gives the knights on the bench knowing Wilson ducks Reaves open on invitation to tussle is worth his roster spot. Not true? Ever been with a group of friends and you’re freind that likes to fight gets in the face of some bumhole and he backs down, everyone has increased adrenaline. Besides that. You can’t ever tell if something is deterred if it’s deterred.

The whole deterrent argument was doomed from the get go. It’s not a deterrent. The feeling it gives the knights on the bench knowing Wilson ducks Reaves open on invitation to tussle is worth his roster spot. Not true? Ever been with a group of friends and you’re freind that likes to fight gets in the face of some bumhole and he backs down, everyone has increased adrenaline. Besides that. You can’t ever tell if something is deterred if it’s deterred.
- Grinder47

Has Vegas players suffered any broken jaws?

No?

Then the detergents work!

Engo is pretty handy with his fists as well, maybe Vegas should just go crazy ass on the Caps first line next game & have an all in (throw Reaves out there with Engo - punch the living poop out of the whole 1st line & the 2 Dmen. That could turn the series right around.

Has Vegas players suffered any broken jaws?

No?

Then the detergents work!

Engo is pretty handy with his fists as well, maybe Vegas should just go crazy ass on the Caps first line next game & have an all in (throw Reaves out there with Engo - punch the living poop out of the whole 1st line & the 2 Dmen. That could turn the series right around.
- Aussiepenguin

That would have happened gm 1 if hockey was still hockey and American bullpoop baseball culture hadn’t taken hold of this once great culture and sport.

That would have happened gm 1 if hockey was still hockey and American bullpoop baseball culture hadn’t taken hold of this once great culture and sport.
- Grinder47

I wonder what the Caps would do if Reaves & Engo just opened up & started Kaos? Do they have guys that would fight or are they just a team of cheap shot artists?

Not interested in his attitude, he's a good player but he's been moving from team to team for a reason, they don't want him long term. It may be the same case as Phil, they feel these players have a shelf life for a given team.

Couldn't you say the same thing about Phil Kessel...

Yeah having him not on my team really opened my eyes to Brooks. It’s strange because even when we had James Neal I knew exactly who he was and that I was more so putting up with him rather than actually rooting for him. I have no idea why I turned a blind eye to Orpik all those years. Glad he’s not a Pen anymore.
- Victoro311

I think when he was younger he could actually play a little hockey but I was thrilled when they let him walk and Washington signed him. He has always been way over appreciated by commentators for being "tough" but in reality he just takes runs at guys when it is opportunistic and complains every time he gets hit. And even after he cheap shots someone he will never, ever accept a challenge to fight. He was like this in Pittsburgh also.