Hockey season is here! Go Caps season thread

[InsomniaKiller]

I was in section 104 last night, and I can't believe how tense that shootout was. That was a truly electrifying atmosphere.

I wish our goalies were more consistent, but we've been fortunate that when one has been off, the other has typically been able to play solid and, on occasion, stand on their head. Varly had his best effort yet last night.

Ovechkin is reportedly shooting hard today in practice, so he looks like he'll be back quite soon. I wouldn't rule him out for this weekend, and you know he'll be excited to get back on the ice whenever it does happen. In his absence, the Caps took over 1st place in the entire Eastern Conference. I can't wait to see what happens when he's back on the ice.

[Ibleedburgundy]

LOL I can't imagine. That must have been awesome to have been there. My living room was tense lol. I was not sitting down.

This team is playing very well without Ovie. Can't wait for him to come back and then it's on.

Go Caps!

[CarMike]

I really hate the Hurricanes/Panthers. Since they have come to the Carolinas, I can't watch either sport unless the Redskins/Caps are playing the Panthers/Canes. That is of course if I don't order "Center Ice" and "NFL Ticket". Can't afford both.

And I blame our defense more than the goalies.

[ihatedallas]

A couple questions for my fellow Caps fans on HR -

With the Nylander situation seemingly working itself out - what do you want seen done with the money?

I'd like to see some of the Dmen/draft picks moved in a package for one solid D. A package of Poti/Jurcina/1st could bring back a decent player. I also like this move because it opens up a spot for Alzner/Carlson - who I think are more valuable Defenders then most of our Dmen now.


Another question - The resignings are rolling around - if it comes down to it, are you keeping Backstrom or Semin?

[InsomniaKiller]

You keep Backstrom over Semin, definitely. Backstrom's "hockey sense" is incredible. Even when he's "off" he's making great plays. That said, I want to keep both of them, and I think that's a very possible outcome.

Semin gets too much heat from a lot of fans. I wish he had stepped up while Ovi's been out, but he's been hurt, too, and playing through it. He makes mistakes but that's because he's a high-risk/high-reward type player. I'm ok with that. Now, as I said, I want him to stay. His talent is right up there with some of the best in the league. But if the staff thinks we're not going to keep him in the end, then we NEED to trade him this year for a GREAT defensive player. Not a "good" player, or an "improvement." A GREAT defensive player.

[ihatedallas]

I hope Backstrom gets one of those 12 year deals. He's starting to become not only a dominant playmaker, but a brilliant two way player. By the time he is 24/25 he will be continuously mentioned with the leagues best. I just hope Semin resigns here. I love Semin, and he really has a knack of scoring in games where Ovi is cold. I think that if he were to leave the caps, he would have a really hard time with any other NHL team. He has communication/focus problems here with his best friend Ovi, and I think he would have a lot of trouble elsewhere.

Alot of caps fans are way to focused on the week to week play of the team. He put the team on his back vs NY, and I think he can step up come playoff time. My only concern is the defense- I think we have 4/5 d-men who have reached their potential and really aren't going to progress much further or help this team win in the spring. I want a bunch of the guys on the NHL roster to either get traded for better players, or to move out of the way for the prospects we have in Hershey.