The Copper & Blue - Capitals @ Oilers GamedayA site for fans of the Edmonton Oilers. Someday we'll get to write about an Oilers playoff game. Hopefully sooner than later.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/13253/copper-fave.jpg2013-10-24T22:45:00-06:00http://www.coppernblue.com/rss/stream/47871972013-10-24T22:45:00-06:002013-10-24T22:45:00-06:00Home Cooking Spoiled
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<figcaption>Derek Leung</figcaption>
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<p>The Oilers return home to a rude houseguest</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> played an interesting game tonight at Rexall. The Oilers played the game to evens for most of the game, certainly while it was close, but played in a tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When it was close, the Oilers' two best lines were their top and bottom lines but neither could convert their chances. The Arcobello line wasn't good early. As the margin widened, the top line faltered and suffered glaring breakdowns as the Arcobello line came on like gangbusters but couldn't convert on their chances.</p>
<p>In the end, it was Washington's ability to take advantage of inexperienced forwards in their own zone and unprepared refs that got them the win.</p>
<p>3-7-1 now and 97 points to ensure the playoffs. It's a long road ahead and the Oilers need lady luck to start visiting soon.</p>
<p align="center"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.japersrink.com/2013/10/25/5026392/capitals-vs-oilers-recap-score">The Capitals View</a></b></p>
<p align="center"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.extraskater.com/game/2013-10-24-capitals-oilers">Corsi</a></b></p>
<p align="center"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.extraskater.com/game/2013-10-24-capitals-oilers">Fenwick And Deployment</a></b></p>
<p align="center"><b>Scoring Chances</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Final chance tally: 3rd period: 8-3. Overall: 26-11; 7-2 ST</p>
— Dennis King (@DKingBH) <a href="https://twitter.com/DKingBH/statuses/393587856813195266">October 25, 2013</a>
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<p align="center"><b><a target="_blank" href="http://shiftchart.com/">Shift Chart</a></b></p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020147-X-h" frameborder="0" height="395" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p align="center"><b>The Good</b></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link">I don't know the last time anyone on this site wrote anything like this, but the Oilers fourth line of Sweet Lou Gazdic, Will Acton and Ben Eager was really good. Granted, Dallas Eakins and Adam Oates observed the gentlemen's agreement and allowed their fourth lines to face off, but for the first time all season, and for the first time since, what, Pat Quinn thought it a good idea to have Gagner on the fourth line, the fourth line had extended shifts...in the offensive zone! They generated scoring chances! They didn't score, but they didn't get outshot 7-3 either! </span></p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Jeff Petry</span></span> and <span>Ladislav Smid</span> played an extremely solid game in difficult circumstances. The two drew the Ovechkin assignment more often than not, and with that comes great responsibility. But Petry and Smid more than held their own on a night when that line looked great on the scoresheet.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> had an outstanding first period-and-a-half to begin the game. He seemed to be everywhere and on every puck. It helped that Nail Yakupov went into Wall-E like puck retrieval mode for him, but Hopkins was outstanding, especially on the power play early.</span></p>
<p>The Oilers came in with the 27th-ranked penalty kill (by shots against) in the league, yet gave up just one shot on goal in nearly three-and-a-half minutes of short-handed time. There were a number of blocked shots to account for this, but given that coming in they would have allowed 4 shots in that same TOI - holding the Caps, the second-ranked power play in the league to a single shot is great work.</p>
<p align="center"><b>The Bad</b></p>
<p>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a terrible last period-and-a-half to end the game. He was overpowered, and out-raced repeatedly during that time, including the ugly effort on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> third goal by Backstrom. Watch the highlights above, it was a lesson in NHL zone play for Hopkins.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"> </span></p>
<div class="floated-video"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2_urvjCXg6c?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><br id="1382674894076"> The refereeing from Francis Charron and Steve Kozari on the Caps' second goal via <span>Joel Ward</span>. Ward barged into the goal crease, bumped into Dubnyk who wasn't near the top of the crease to be exposed to a play like that, then sat on top of <span>Devan Dubnyk</span> using a not-so-subtle dive to get there and watched as the puck ping-ponged around and into the net and changed the entire outcome of the game. I rarely harp on the refs because they're typically bad in all aspects, but not seeing the play that led to the goal is inexcusable even in a league where felonies are part of the code. That's got to be disallowed and the Oilers have to get a power play out of that. If I were Eakins, I'd wait until I had Charron and Kozari again and ask <span>Ryan Jones</span> or Keith Acton to "fall" on top of the opposing tender. A gentle reminder of their terrible judgement afterwards would likely be in order.</p>
<p><span>Nail Yakupov's</span> on-ice demonstration of circumduction on the Caps' first goal by <span>Alex Ovechkin</span>. From the drop of the puck, Yakupov was headed either out of the zone or straight to the point, so singularly focused that he skated around the man with the puck and allowed him to shoot with an open net. It could be Yakupov, or it could be the Oilers. I do know is that the Oilers have had an obsession with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/4/17/4230198/oilers-struggles-centre-systemic-slumps-ralph-malph">attacking and covering the point to the detriment of all around them</a> since last season.</p>
<div align="center"><b>The Ugly</b></div>
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<p>Jordan Eberle's turnover that led to the Caps' fourth goal. <span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> stalked the dispying and doodling Eberle and picked the puck clean from his stick on his way up the ice going the other way.</p>
<p>Kevin Quinn and Louie Debrusk. At this point they've become a caricature of prototypical bad broadcast teams in the NHL. Quinn and Debrusk yammered on about the first game back from a road trip and how badly it affects teams (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3277">it doesn't</a>). Debrusk begged for a fight in the third period when Eager and Gazdic were on the ice, even after they'd played a wonderful game and actually changed the game with their play, not punching faces. He couldn't help himself and talked about the possible fight changing the momentum (<a target="_blank" href="http://nhlnumbers.com/2013/8/4/winning-a-fight-has-impact-on-future-outcomes">it doesn't</a>).</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Copper & Blue Three <span class="sbn-auto-link">Stars</span>:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">★★★ - <span class="sbn-auto-link">Ben Eager</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">★★ - Ladislav Smid</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">★ - Jeff Petry</p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/5026932/capitals-beat-oilers-4-1Derek Zona2013-10-24T16:30:03-06:002013-10-24T16:30:03-06:00Oilers v. Capitals - Numbers 21:4-9
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<figcaption>Wikimedia Commons</figcaption>
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<p>After firing Tambellini, the Oilers hired MacTavish to lead them into the following season. But the fans became impatient during the summer, and even more impatient after the team lost a few games to start the year. They <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/22/4866642/oilers-v-canadiens-psalm-93-1-5#192517595">spoke against God</a> and against Lowe saying, "Why are we rebuilding with young stars only to let them get slaughtered because of insufficient depth? There is nothing fun, nothing hopeful, and <i>did I mention nothing fun</i> in watching an annual death march to the league's basement!"</p>
<p>So Yahweh sent a plague upon the Oilers, injuring both players and fans alike. Some of the people came to Lowe and said, "We made a mistake by speaking against Yahweh and against you; please pray that this string of injuries might end." Lowe prayed for his players and for the first-class fans, and Yahweh said to Lowe, "Find a woman filled with the Spirit whose leg is injured and set her in front of the people; everyone who has doubts will look at her<a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/22/4864020/the-secret-to-the-oilers-success-sorry-em-love-you-babe#192567441"> and will be filled with faith</a>."</p>
<p>So Lowe called his good friend Ryan Batty to confirm that Emily had indeed been touched by the plague. <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/22/4864020/the-secret-to-the-oilers-success-sorry-em-love-you-babe">Ryan then set her before the people</a>, and whenever doubts arose, the people would look to her, and their faith would be restored.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a>
</h4>
<p><b>Rexall Place, 7:30 p.m. MDT</b><br><b>Television: Sportsnet<br></b></p>
<p><b>Visiting Team Scouting Report: </b>The Capitals beat the Oilers in Washington just ten days ago, but both teams come into tonight's game on a two-game winning streak. That might lead you to believe that these two teams are pretty good, but in actual fact, neither team has been very good so far this year. The Capitals have a shot differential of -2.9 per game so far this season, good for just 22nd overall and the Oilers aren't much better at -2.5 per game and 21st. Washington's total would be even worse if not for their fantastic power play: the Capitals have scored eleven goals so far this season five-on-four, the most in the NHL, and it's not (just) because of sterling percentages. The club is second in the NHL generating shots five-on-four with a total of 2.43 for every two minutes of time spent five-on-four.</p>
<p><b>Expected Lineups:</b></p>
<p><b>Edmonton Oilers (3-6-1):</b></p>
<p>Yakupov - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle<br>Perron - Arcobello - Hemsky<br>Jones - Gordon - Pitlick<br>Eager - Acton -Gazdic</p>
<p>Belov - J Schultz<br>Smid - Petry<br>N Schultz - Ference</p>
<p>Dubnyk</p>
<p><b>Washington Capitals (4-5-0):</b></p>
<p>Johansson - Backstrom - Ovechkin<br>Erat - Laich - Brouwer<br>Chimera - Grabovski - Ward<br>Volpatti - Fehr - Wilson</p>
<p>Alzner - Carlson<br>Schmidt - Green<br>Erskine - Oleksy</p>
<p>Holtby</p>
<p><b>By The Numbers:</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <span>Nail Yakupov</span> still hasn't scored a goal so far this season, and I can understand why that might be concerning after he potted 17 in 48 games as a rookie. But the lack of scoring isn't for a lack of trying on his part. Yakupov has averaged 4.0 shots attempts per game so far this season compared to 3.4 last year, and 2.6 shots attempts per game during five-on-five play compared to 2.2 one year ago. He's a dangerous shooter, and at some point, we're going to see some of these shots find the back of the net.<br>
</li>
<li> Derek wrote an article earlier today about <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/5023060/alex-ovechkin-shots-record">Alex Ovechkin's amazing shot rate</a> so far this season. It's at the point where Ovechkin scoring a goal per game doesn't really require him to have a completely ridiculous shooting percentage. With nine goals on sixty-one shots, Ovechkin's shooting percentage of 14.8% is just a touch better than his career average of 12.2%. <br>
</li>
<li>Edmonton has scored first this season in six of their ten games, which is great. Unfortunately, Edmonton's record when scoring the first goal is a rather pathetic 1-4-1. The rest of their division? 23-4-4. That's right. The Oilers have lost just as many games in regulation after scoring first as the rest of the division combined. Given those results, I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that the Oilers have more regulation losses after scoring first than any other team in the league.</li>
</ul>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/4946738/oilers-v-capitalsScott Reynolds2013-10-24T10:00:09-06:002013-10-24T10:00:09-06:00Alex The Howitzer
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<figcaption>photo by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:152mm_m09-30_fortress_howitzer_schneider_01.jpg" target="new">balcer, via Wikimedia Commons</a></figcaption>
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<p>Ovechkin begins a march to the record books with a bombardment.</p> <p><span>Alex Ovechkin</span> is off to a scary start, the best of his career. Through 9 games, Ovechkin has 61 shots on goal. His 6.77 shots per game put him on a pace for more than 500 shots - a feat that only he and Phil Esposito have achieved in the history of of the NHL.</p>
<table border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="201">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2742; width: 56pt;" width="75">
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2267; width: 47pt;" width="62">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 56pt;" height="20" width="75"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 48pt;" align="center" width="64"><b>S/G</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 47pt;" align="center" width="62"><b>S</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b>Through 9</b></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center">6.77</td>
<td class="xl65" align="center">61</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Ovechkin has managed to play an average of 79 games (including the full 48 in 2012-13) over his last three seasons, so maintaining his cannonade through 79 games amounts to some awe-inspiring numbers:</p>
<table border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="201">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2742; width: 56pt;" width="75">
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2267; width: 47pt;" width="62">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 56pt;" height="20" width="75"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 48pt;" align="center" width="64"><b>S/G</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 47pt;" align="center" width="62"><b>S</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b>Through 79</b></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center">6.77</td>
<td class="xl67" align="center">535</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The season would be so awesome, in fact, it would count as a career high in shots and shots per game for him, placing him second all-time behind Phil Esposito in 1970-71:</p>
<p><font face="Calibri"> </font></p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 277pt;" border="2" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="369">
<colgroup>
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3547; width: 73pt;" width="97">
<col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2486; width: 51pt;" span="4" width="68">
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<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 73pt;" height="20" width="97"><font face="Calibri"><br></font></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 51pt;" align="center" width="68"><b><font face="Calibri">Year</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 51pt;" align="center" width="68"><b><font face="Calibri">GP</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 51pt;" align="center" width="68"><b><font face="Calibri">S</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 51pt;" align="center" width="68"><b><font face="Calibri">S/G</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Phil Esposito</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">70-71</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">78</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">550</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">7.05</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri"><span class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Ovechkin</span></font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">13-14</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">79</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">535</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">6.77</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Alex Ovechkin</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">08-09</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">79</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">528</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">6.68</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Phil Esposito</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">71-72</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">76</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">426</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.61</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Bobby Hull</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">68-69</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">74</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">414</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.59</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Brett Hull</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">91-92</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">73</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">408</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.59</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Alex Ovechkin</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">07-08</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">82</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">446</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.44</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Bobby Orr</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">69-70</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">76</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">413</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.43</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Phil Esposito</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">69-70</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">76</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">405</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.33</font></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20"><b><font face="Calibri">Phil Esposito</font></b></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">72-73</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">78</font></td>
<td class="xl65" align="center"><font face="Calibri">411</font></td>
<td class="xl66" align="center"><font face="Calibri">5.27</font></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Ovechkin's 13-14 would be second all-time behind Phil Esposito in 70-71. His 6.77 shots per game would push his 05-06 season, where he took 425 shots (5.25 per game) into 11th place all-time. He would have the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 11th-best seasons of all time, and his four best seasons averaging 6.02 shots per game would surpass Esposito's four best, which averaged 5.82 shots per game.<br><br>At his career average of 12.2%, Ovechkin's 65 goals would tie his 07-08 season as his career high and make him just the 8th player in history to score 60 twice.</p>
<p></p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/12/4830534/where-does-phil-kessel-rank-among-maple-leaf-greats" target="new">Ranking Kessel</a>
</div>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/5023060/alex-ovechkin-shots-recordDerek Zona2013-10-24T09:10:04-06:002013-10-24T09:10:04-06:00Capitals @ Oilers Lines And Pairings
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1tAbTEw9HobXMZEuDwqgBj8h1b0=/0x15:600x415/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21685963/gyi0061860349.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Elsa</figcaption>
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<p>The Oilers look to make it three in a row with a victory at home over the Capitals. </p> <p>After a hideous eight game stretch, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> have strung two wins together despite injuries to both <span>Taylor Hall</span> and <span>Ryan Smyth</span>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> have a two game win streak of their own.</p>
<p>Two will enter. Only one will emerge victorious. And if Edmonton isn't victorious, at least emerge without any additional injuries. Please?</p>
<p>Check back throughout the day for updated lines and pairings, as we'll post them as they become available.</p>
<p style="text-align: center; ">Edmonton's projected lines</p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><span>Nail Yakupov</span> - <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> - <span>Jordan Eberle</span><br><span>David Perron</span> - <span>Mark Arcobello</span> - <span>Ales Hemsky</span><br><span>Ryan Jones</span> - <span>Boyd Gordon</span> - <span>Tyler Pitlick</span><br><span>Ben Eager</span> - <span>Will Acton</span> - <span>Luke Gazdic</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><span>Anton Belov</span> - <span>Justin Schultz</span><br><span>Ladislav Smid</span> - <span>Jeff Petry</span><br><span>Nick Schultz</span> - <span>Andrew Ference</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><span>Devan Dubnyk</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; ">Scratches: Taylor Hall, Ryan Smyth, <span>Jesse Joensuu</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; "> </p>
<p style="text-align: center; ">Washington's projected lines</p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><span>Marcus Johansson</span> - <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span> - <span>Alex Ovechkin</span><br><span>Martin Erat</span> - <span>Brooks Laich</span> - <span>Troy Brouwer</span><br><span>Jason Chimera</span> - <span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> - <span>Joel Ward</span><br><span>Aaron Volpatti</span> - <span>Eric Fehr</span> - <span>Tom Wilson</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><span>Karl Alzner</span> - <span>John Carlson</span><br><span>Nate Schmidt</span> - <span>Mike Green</span><br><span>John Erskine</span> - <span>Steve Oleksy</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><span>Braden Holtby</span></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/5024002/capitals-oilers-lines-and-pairingsJeff Chapman2013-10-24T08:00:04-06:002013-10-24T08:00:04-06:00Scouting Report: Washington Capitals
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<figcaption>Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Green, Grabbo, the top line and the defence. Here's what to know about this year's Washington Capitals.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oilers</a> will take on the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Capitals</a> tonight at Rexall Place.</p>
<p>Becca H. of Japers' Rink took some time out of her schedule to answer a few questions about the Washington Capitals. We thank Becca H and Japers' Rink for their time.</p>
<p>Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin.</p>
<p><b>Jeff Chapman: The Capitals are allowing the fifth most shots in the league at 34.3 per game. You noted in a recent write up that the Caps have allowed 30 or more shots seven of nine times so far this year. Last year wasn't much different, as the Caps averaged just over 32 shots allowed per game on the season. What's keeping this number so high?</b></p>
<p>Becca_H: It's probably too easy to just say "bad defense"... but that's really what it's been so far.<br>One of the biggest deficiencies in the Caps' lineup coming into this season was the lack of a legitimate fourth defenseman to skate with <span>John Carlson</span>, and it's shown in the early games. <span>John Erskine</span> has taken over that spot for now but ideally he'd be on the third pair (or in the press box), and the rest of the blue line has been rounded out by rookies like <span>Connor Carrick</span> and Nate Schmidt. Combine that with the fact that some of the guys on whom the team usually relies are off to somewhat shaky starts.</p>
<p>And while the actual defensemen have struggled, they're not getting much help from the forwards, who have been prone to sloppy neutral zone play and bad turnovers that have forced <span>Braden Holtby</span> and <span>Michal Neuvirth</span> to see more than their fair share of shots.</p>
<p><b>JC: I banged the <span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> drum rather hard when the Oilers were free agent shopping this past offseason. Through nine games, he's got seven points (4-3-7) for the Caps. What's expected of him this year? Are you happy with the acquisition? Is there anything you'd like to see him do better?</b></p>
<p>BH: I love the signing. Grabovski was someone we had drooled over after the Leafs bought him out this summer, as well, so the fact that the Caps were actually able to get him - and do so at a cap-friendly price - was a really pleasant surprise. He's really expected to provide a solid second-line center for a team that's lacked one in recent years; <span>Mike Ribeiro</span> was probably the closest the team's been to having someone fill that role well, but his departure via free agency actually let the Caps upgrade that position with someone who can (in theory) be more productive five-on-five, be more disciplined, and play better defensively while still keeping the power play moving.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="pullquote">...it hasn't been the smoothest of starts for Grabovski...</div>
<p>That said, it hasn't been the smoothest of starts for Grabovski, and I think part of that was the huge first game he put together where he had a hat trick and added an assist against the reigning Cup champs in the season opener - pretty hard to top that going forward, and especially hard if the offense suddenly dries up. Oddly enough he has most of his points on the power play (although that's hardly strange on this team right now) but has struggled five-on-five and is actually on the third line at the moment... which kind of defeats the purpose of bringing in a second-line center. He's starting to click with his new linemates, though, so maybe that's what he needs to get going. Beyond that I think it's mostly just continuing to adjust to a new system and finding his spot; the rest will fall into place.</p>
<p><b>JC: Who is this year's biggest surprise so far? Who is this year's biggest disappointment?</b></p>
<p>BH: It's probably strange to say that the biggest surprise (or at least the biggest good surprise) is the team's top line, starting with <span>Alex Ovechkin</span>... but after the way last year started for some of the team's better players, there was a bit of concern that the late-season push by those guys was a bit of a mirage. Doesn't seem to be the case so far, which is one of the bright spots of the season so far. Ovechkin looks fit and motivated and is continuing to score in bunches, <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span> is making the scary good plays that we haven't seen from him in a long time (<a style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" href="http://i.imgur.com/wJX5Xua.gif">I mean, really</a>) and <span>Marcus Johansson</span> is proving to be much more than just a passenger alongside those two superstars.</p>
<div class="pullquote">Expectations were really high for Green coming into this year...and yet none of it is translating to his on-ice performance.</div>
<p>As for biggest disappointment... oh the possibilities. As much as I hate to do it, though, I'll go with <span>Mike Green</span>. Expectations were really high for Green coming into this year - he's finally healthy and had a full offseason to train, and yet none of it is translating to his on-ice performance. The next even-strength point he earns this season will be his first (<a style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" href="http://www.japersrink.com/2013/8/5/4585578/green-apples-where-did-all-of-mike-greens-even-strength-assists-go">a trend that started last year, actually</a>) and he's not stepping up to be the strong puck-mover that the team needs right now. His defensive abilities are oft-mocked but he has really improved in that department, and it's disappointing to see him slip a bit in that area to start the season.</p>
<p><b>JC: You're the GM. What's the one move you'd make (or the one thing you'd change)?</b></p>
<p><b></b>BH: Convince Nick Lidstrom to come out of retirement and sign him to play for the Caps? ...or maybe just bring in some other defenseman who can play top-four minutes. Whatever keeps my team under the cap, you know how it is.</p>
<p><b>JC: The season is young, but it's never too early to ask: is this a playoff club? Why or why not?</b></p>
<p><b></b>BH: I am nothing if not an optimistic Caps fan - which can be a very tough thing to be at times - so I'll say yes. Not the way they're playing at the moment, of course, and they need to get a lot more from a lot more people, but I think it's there to give. On paper this is a good team with a lot of depth up front and some very good young goaltenders. If they can fix the mental mistakes and play more like a cohesive team (and never, ever play like they did <span class="aBn"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday</span></span> in Winnipeg ever again) they've definitely got a shot - especially with the Metropolitan Division proving to not be the incredibly tough division some people (weirdly) thought it would be.<br>I also think if the team is anywhere near contention for a playoff spot by the deadline, George McPhee will have something up his sleeve to perhaps shore up the defense. Maybe. Hopefully.</p>
<p>Many thanks to Becca for her time. Check out her work<a href="http://www.japersrink.com/" target="_blank"> at Japers' Rink</a>, also follow her on Twitter <a style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="https://twitter.com/BeccaH_JR" target="_blank">@BeccaH_JR</a></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/5022906/washington-capitals-scouting-report-five-questions-with-becca-h-ofJeff Chapman2013-10-24T06:30:06-06:002013-10-24T06:30:06-06:00Home Sweet Home
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<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After winning just one in their first eight, the Oilers look to make it three wins in a row.</p> <p> </p>
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<td><center> <img alt="Caps" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3446401/caps.png"><br id="1382563470162">
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<h1 align="center">@</h1>
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<td><center><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/774920/Edmonton.gif" class="photo" alt="Edmonton"></center></td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><b>4-5-0, .88 p/g<br></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ranks</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>3-6-1, .7 p/g</b></td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Eastern Conf: 11th</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><br></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Western Conf: 13th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">23rd</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">P/G</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">24th</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">1st</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">ST</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">21st</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">26th</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">ES</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">21st</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">25th</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Goal</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">29th</td>
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</center> <center style="text-align: center;"><br></center> <center style="text-align: center;">7:30 PM MDT - Sportsnet</center> <center style="text-align: center;">Rexall Place</center> <center style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers-tickets?publisherid=1011057" target="_blank">Tickets</a></center> <center style="text-align: center;"><br></center> <center style="text-align: center;">The Opposing view: <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/" target="_blank">Japers' Rink</a> </center> <center style="text-align: center;"><br></center>
<p> </p>
<h3></h3>
<h3><center style="text-align: left;"><b>Top Story:</b></center></h3>
<center style="text-align: left;">The <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oilers</a> are looking to keep their win stream alive with a W versus a <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Capitals</a> team that's got a two game win streak of their own. While the Capitals allow a lot of shots (averaging a tick over 34 per game), they're currently the number one power play team (a 31.4% success rate). The Oilers will once again look to emerge victorious without the services of <span>Taylor Hall</span>, who will miss his second straight game while he recovers from an MCL injury that's expected to last at least three or four more weeks. </center> <center style="text-align: left;"><br></center>
<h3><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;">The Oilers Are Saying:</b></center></h3>
<blockquote><center style="text-align: left;">"We got some young player who's trying to get his feet wet calling an organization a Junior team, people take notice, I knew it was gonna turn, it was one of those things, that was a total Hockey God thing, and I'm sure that young man has learned his lesson"</center></blockquote>
<center style="text-align: left;">That's Coach Eakins <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/montreal-canadiens-lars-eller-oilers-play-like-a-junior-team/" target="_blank">offering up a soundbite</a> on <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Canadiens</a> forward <span>Lars Eller</span>, who said the Oilers were kind of like a "junior team". If this is what it takes to get the Oilers up and ready to play hockey, then we need some higher quality insults before every game. </center> <center style="text-align: left;"><br></center> <center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 22.5px;">The Capitals Are Saying:</b></center>
<blockquote><center style="text-align: left;">We gave up way too many breakaways, way too many 2-on-1s and I don't know what the final number of turnovers was, but it probably wasn't pretty. Good on the guys for being resilient and finding a way to win tonight but there's not a whole lot that I feel that we should take out of this game other than continuing to battle. </center></blockquote>
<center style="text-align: left;">That's Caps forward Troy Brower after <a href="http://dumpnchase.monumentalnetwork.com/2013/10/23/caps-aim-to-push-winning-streak-to-three-vs-oilers" target="_blank">his team's 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets.</a> Caps goalie <span>Braden Holtby</span> faced a mountainous <b>47</b> shots in the victory. I've nothing snarky to say about this, other than it gave me a flashback to last year's defence, the year before that, the year before that, and the year before that. Good God, Washington, you'll probably want to have that looked at, because 47 shots is enough shots for two games, let alone one against the <a href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jets</a>.</center> <center style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><span>After a truly intolerable start, <span>Devan Dubnyk's</span> last three games have seen him turn aside 101 of 108 shots, good for a .935 SV%. Toiling in the .820s a few weeks ago, his season average is up to .881, but there's still a ways to go before you can whip this number out in public without fear of it getting howled at.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Jordan Eberle</span> has ten points, good for team lead. He's tied with one other player, <span>Mark Arcobello</span> of course. Of course.</span></li>
<li>To my amazement, the top six players didn't play a combined 57 minutes in Montréal like I'm sure we all had hoped for. With three games in the next four nights, don't be surprised if we end up seeing more of the bottom six (read: line four) than your stomach can handle. You'll hear that the fourth line isn't a problem with this team, because they only play six or seven minutes per night. I'm <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NewWaveOil/status/391977643261710336/photo/1">not completely sold on this theory</a>.</li>
</ul>
</center> <center style="text-align: left;"><b>Expected Lines and Pairings (check back for updates during the day)</b></center> <center style="text-align: left;"><br></center> <center style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>Nail Yakupov</span> - <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> - Jordan Eberle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>David Perron</span> - Mark Arcobello - <span>Ales Hemsky</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>Ryan Jones</span> - <span>Boyd Gordon</span> - <span>Tyler Pitlick</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>Ben Eager</span> - <span>Will Acton</span> - <span>Luke Gazdic</span>
</div>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>Anton Belov</span> - <span>Justin Schultz</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>Ladislav Smid</span> - <span>Jeff Petry</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>Nick Schultz</span> - <span>Andrew Ference</span>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">Devan Dubnyk</p>
</center> <center style="text-align: left;"><br></center> <center style="text-align: center;">
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span>Marcus Johansson</span> - <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span> - <span>Alex Ovechkin</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span></span><span>Martin Erat</span><span> </span><span>-</span><span> </span><span>Brooks Laich</span><span> </span><span>-</span><span> </span><span>Troy Brouwer</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span>Jason Chimera</span> - <span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> - <span>Joel Ward</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span>Aaron Volpatti</span> - Eric Fehr - Tom Wilson</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"> </p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span>Karl Alzner</span> - <span>John Carlson</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span>Nate Schmidt</span> - <span>Mike Green</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"><span>John Erskine</span> - <span>Steve Oleksy</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center">Braden Holtby</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.5; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;" align="center"> </p>
</center>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YNGdkR7lVSs?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320"></iframe></p>
https://www.coppernblue.com/2013/10/24/4994492/capitals-oilers-previewJeff Chapman