DISH doesn't get it for sure (well, maybe if you get the upgraded sports package..but that's it) Regardless, putting something on a small channel that no one's heard of doesn't get the exposure that it would have if it was on ESPN or NBC or whatever..
versus just doesn't drive viewers...no one is watching this unless they're REALLY into hockey. ESPN promoted NHL all day, every day on SportsCenter and through other programming, because they wanted you to watch the game on their station. Versus doesn't promote crap...and when it does, it's like a tree falling in the forest with no one around. honestly, i had no idea that the capitals/penguins game was on last night....but had it been on ESPN, i likely would have known...or at least would have seen it there. and i would have watched. i don't even know what channel versus is shown on Uverse.
Congrats to the Penguins and their fans. Complete ownage in Game 7. Good luck against Bos/Car. This series really wasn't as close as it looked from afar. The Penguins dominated in shots, scoring chances, puck possession, smart play, coaching, etc... The Caps have some talented individual players but so do the Penguins, obviously. On top of having talent, the Penguins played a smarter brand of hockey. Their system was highly effective. Their forecheck absolutley stifled us. They pretty much dominated in every zone. Their forwards backchecked and they played in 5-man units. The Caps backchecking was abysmal other than maybe Backstrom and Fedorov. Ovechkin needs to become more of a 2-way player to take that next step. Some Caps fans may point to us being up 2-0 and the OT games we lost but Game 7, in my opinion, was only due justice. We were very lucky to have won 3 games given our inability to handle the Penguins forecheck and get the puck out of our zone. Going into next year, the Caps need to reconsider their system/style of play. We are like the Phoenix Suns of the NHL. Our defense needs to improve drastically and not just in terms of personnel.
Thanks for the kind words, BrooksBall. It kind of stinks an epic series like this had to end on such an anticlimactic note. Major props to Washington on a great season/series and especially to that young goalie -- even though he came apart in Game 7 he was absolutely magnificent up to that point.
Jose Theodore is good but he isn't that young. He's somewhere in the middle. He's been in the league for nearly 12 years.
I'm clearly talking about Varlamov, my man. He was spectacular up until falling apart in Game 7. Theodore only got in because Varlamov was rattled and they needed a change.
yeah, either you caught the 2nd half of the game yesterday, or you just glanced at the roster.. cause Theodore has barely played in the playoffs. Absolutely sucked to be at the game yesterday. Pretty crappy after coming home to watch the Rockets get trounced by the Lakers in Game 3. Pens dominated possession time and zone time, though I haven't seen any stats. Caps weren't ready for game 7 at all.. but like Brooksball said, the Pens have played like this almost the whole series (save maybe for Games 1 and 2). Aside from defensive issues, Green and Semin in particular played like absolute crap the whole series. They're gonna talk about undisclosed injuries and whatnot, but I don't care--a lot of hockey players will have to deal with that in the playoffs.
Big games tonight - but I'll be shocked if Detroit or Boston aren't able to win on home ice. They are the best teams remaining in the playoffs IMO - but Hiller has been unreal for Anaheim and Carolina is definitely turning some heads.
Thank God. I will be severely into the Stanley Cup Finals if it's a Pittsburgh-Detroit rematch. I can't say the same if a Sunbelt team like Carolina makes it.
Yeah, that's what it's looking like barring any drastic changes. Which is fine by me and anybody else living around these parts. We all want a chance to stick to Hossa and get some payback against Detroit.
If you guys were to start a franchise, who would you pick? 1) Ovi 2) Malkin 3) Crosby For me I'd take them in the order above, Malkin makes his team so much better when he plays well. Crosby just isn't a good enough goal scorer for him to be taken above the other two. Ovi has yet to play with another star player, I'd love to see him play with a guy like Savard, Semin is overrated...
I agree with your order 100% But I think Semin will come into his own next year.. or I hope, at least!
Nice! I really wish I could have watched this series. I don't get Versus in Austin and I imagine hockey is just pointless with an Internet stream. At least the Stanley Cup will be on NBC. Congratulations!
Thanks, looking forward to the Detroit rematch if/when they seal the deal tomorrow against Chicago. Chicago looked like a beaten team the way they were sulking/hanging their heads in Game 4 -- I don't expect much of a fight from them. Detroit vs. Pittsburgh Part II should be one for the ages!
Nah, I wouldn't necessarily say that. He looks like he is just jizzing his pants for no particular reason.
An easy win for Detroit....they will win it in four or five....the Pens are too top heavy...kinda like the tennis player in the other thread they need to downsize....having two big ones in crosby and malkin is holding them back. Get rid of one to improve in other areas.
