Tempers Flare: Flyers @ Red Hot Caps

Martin of digidigidigi fame drops by to offer up tonight's game thread.

"Look at us now, busted up and everyone talking about hard rain.  But we've learned by the dust of 'em all, Barter-town's learned.  Now when men get to fighting, it happens here and it finishes here.  Two men enter, one man leaves."

Perhaps more fitting, eight men enter… the Flyers' hospital ward. Briere (groin), Giroux (concussion), Kalinski (leg contusion), Lupul (abdominal strain) and Nittymaki (groin) are out for the long term while Gratton (abdominal pull), Asham (knee) and Powe (hip) are questionable.  The strain of an arduous 6 game road trip, full of weather related travel delays and other such nuisances you ask? Or perhaps some bad karma for running up the score in a previous meeting with the Caps?

If you are Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau, you prefer the latter.  "They wanted to pile it on as much as possible.  They were probably bummed out that their tough guy got beat twice so, they started coming after our guys."  The coach is referring to his team's nasty 7-1 defeat at the hands of a Flyers' bunch that was so horribly outplayed through two periods, the end result just didn't make sense. Riley Cote losing two fights to Donald Brashear, however… made perfect sense. 

So far the Broad Street Bullies are taking the high road and following coach John Stevens' lead by steering clear of the newspaper wars.  "Bruce coaches the Washington Capitals [duh].  I don't care what he says.  I've got my team to get ready here."  The Flyers will take to the ice with its top two lines, centered by Richards and Carter respectively, completely intact while the third and fourth lines will receive a heavy dose of defensemen turned forwards (Sbisa/Kukkonen).

Take the venom from the previous meetings (don't forget the 7 game opening round playoff series from last year), the Flyers' injuries, and the fact that the Caps are 17-1-1 on home ice this year, and tonight does not look good.  In fact, one might say the prospects of winning this game are as bleak as navigating a post apocalyptic Australian wasteland, but stranger things HAVE happened.  I wonder what Frank Bialowas is up to tonight.

Thanks to Martin for filling in tonight. Bang-up job as always. For a Caps perspective, check out our friends at Japer's Rink. JP is a good dude with interesting perspectives on the Caps and the league, and he's recently been added to James Mirtle's NHL ring at SBN.

Comments

[Walklett]

Not such a good start.

[EricStAngelo]

The only temper I care about right now is my own.
I'm about to put my foot through my TV...
Again with the Cn8 Enrico, we gotta put a stop to this.
I just don't get it.
And there's a game on Vs. in high-def tonight too, but it's not us.
Why are we the only guys who think this doesn't make any sense?
The freakin Sixers? Are you kiddin me?

[Mike L.]

I really want to know why upshall always just winds up and blasts. They say he can pick the corners but i always just see him shoot right into the goalies stomach.

[digi]

I'll take a 1-0 first period any day...

[doubleh]

I'm dying to see Ovechkin get into another slap "fight" like he did the other night. /sarcasm

[brad]

That was actually Semins slap fight

[Nick D]

Frank Bialowas is playing for the Flyers alumni picking fights in charity games.

/was challenged by Frank Bialowas in charity game

[Chris]

You know, I hate the Caps as much as anybody else, but I have to say, as much as I can't stand Ovie, it is an entirely different hatred than I have for Sidney Crosby. I want Ovechkin on my team... he is a leader and a damn good hockey player. This guy doesn't shy away from hits, is a natural scorer, and can thread a pass with the best of them, and he can take a mediocre team and make it great. Crosby is ... not.

Honestly, like just watching Ovechkin's check on Luca Spisa... it wasn't dirty... it was a good clean hit, and he finished his check. He doesn't go around acting like a pretty boy.

So when I boo Ovie, it's because I respect the HELL out of him. When I boo Crosby, it's because I want him to stop existing.

[BFisch]

Ovechkin takes a run at Sbisa......takes a big man to run at a smaller guy.
Richards is gonna destroy Alexander the Shithead. At least Gagne's back.
Bruce Boudreau is still upset he got outcoached by John Stevens in the playoffs. Make the Caps eat shit Flyers.
LETS GO FLYERS!

[Ryan]

The only problem I have with the Caps is that they think we have a rivalry with them. A playoff series loss and a 7-1 beatdown do not constitute a rivalry. Keep trying, transplant fans.

On the subject of Ovie, god what a player. Even when we're playing him I cant hate. That was a great hit on Sbisa. To the poster who said he took a run at a smaller guy, I thought we were playing hockey, not figure skating.

[Ryan]

Also, how about Green stops pretending he's a defensemen. I can't wait until we spring some odd man rushes because he's cheating up.

[mike]

yeah. this cn8 bull has got to stop. i guess we're blacklisted again.

[doubleh]

Sorry, my bad about Ovie vs. Semin. I got "ins" mixed up and admit I only saw the back of the guy's head who was bitch slapping.
I agree with most above on Ovie vs. Crosby. At least Ovie can actually play 2-way hockey and doesn't cry when calls don't go his way.

[doubleh]

I think the team with the better record should get the Comcast HD and the other should be relegated to CN8 for sucking the life out of its fanbase.

[Dale Hunter]

Already setting up the excuse of injuries when the Flyers lose tonight. The Caps are just better!

And the Eagles get crushed this Sunday. Only one miracle championship allowed every 25 years

[doubleh]

Dale: The Caps weren't better last time they played nor in last year's playoffs. It's a long season. We may lose this battle, but there's still more war to come.

The Phillies were hot, but hardly a miracle. They are a championship caliber team, which is more than we can say for the Nats.

[brad]

at least you guys dont have to listen to the no talent a$$ clowns that are the Caps announcers. They've mentioned at least 3 times already how the Flyers are in first in the Atlantic despite the Rangers having one more point than them.

[Ryan]

All bow down before Dale Hunter, for the mighty Redskins last represented the great city of Washington with a championship in 1991. Woe be those who have won a title in the last 17 years.

[Dale Hunter]

I'm a Yankees fan so when the Phillies win 24 more titles, they'll be in the same neighborhood. The Phillies had to cheat (JC Romero) to win. It's a tainted title.

The Eagles are the only NFC east team yet to win multiple super bowl titles.

The Caps will blow this game open in the 3rd.

[GreggyD]

I give the Yankees a lot of credit as a franchise for winning 26 championships, but come talk to me when your core of players is brought up through your farm system. Or when your $200 million plus payroll actually does something for you.

[brad]

A Yankees fan? How convenient. Are you sure you're not a Cowboys fan also.

Fun Fact: With the Phillies championship, D.C. now has the longest championship drought of any other 4 sport city.

[Dale Hunter]

No, Brad, I'm not a Cowboys fan. I'm a Redskins fan. And the Redskins won't be going anywhere with Danny boy and his cronies running the team. How did they beat the Eagles twice this year?

[doubleh]

Dale: So, you're a front runner. I see. You only root for the teams that have multiple titles. I'm shocked that you aren't a Cowboys fan.

The Phillies didn't cheat. Romero had stopped the supplements well before the postseason. And he was screwed by the MLBPA, but I wouldn't let facts get in the way of your narrow minded rant.

The Eagles will win eventually; maybe even this year. You never know with sports.

[Liam]

Not only that but you must not be following the Romero situation at all. In fact Tony Kornheiser another washington guy who doesn't like Philly said Romero wasn't to blame for this. And add the fact that he tested negative during the playoffs, I'd say his wins in the playoffs are not tainted, and thus the title is pure.

And didn't the Yankees have both Pettite and Giambi on their team the past few years, who used HGH and steroids? And weren't there quite a few yankees in the Mitchell report, including some on their other championship teams?

[Liam]

Really? Talking shit cause the Redskins beat the Eagles twice this year? I am pretty sure the Eagles managed to end the year with a better record and make the playoffs, so I guess the last laugh goes to the Birds on that one

[Walklett]

Bill Clement on Coeburn's goal:

"a twine-seeking missile"

[Joe]

Bitter fans bring up long-past championships to help them cope with their depression. The sports world moves on, they don't. After the Phillies won the 2008 World Series, were ESPN, Deadspin, Sports Illustrated, MLB.com, etc. talking about the Yankees past championships? No, they were focused on the present. Because that's what real fans actually care about.

[will.H]

Dale, you make tired points in a tired arguement. Washington is behind the curve in every sport. Jim Jackson puts it to rest when he said "this is the 6th straight sell out for the capitals." Keep the streak alive, brutha.

[MikeY]

Philadelphia vs. Washington Year in Review

Flyers: 21-10-8
Capitals: 26-11-3
Advantage: Washington, but the Flyers beat the Caps 7-1 a few weeks ago.

Sixers: 13-20
Wizards: 7-25
Advantage: Philadelphia...who cares though.

Eagles: 10-6-1 and in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Redskins: 8-8
Advantage: Philadelphia, but the Redskins did beat the Birds twice by 6 and 7 points...a late TD in either game would have either tied or won it.

Phillies: 92-70
Nationals: 59-102...they're so bad they wouldn't even let them finish the season, only played 161 games.
Advantage: Philadelphia...WFC!

Go Home Dale.

[doubleh]

So much for Dale's prediction that the Caps would blow the Flyguys out in the 3rd.

At least we get a point no matter what and tie again for 1st place.

Please, no shootout.

[Paul]

You almost got that wish of no shootout with those two oddman rushes the Capitals had, Jesus the Flyers like to fuck with us.

[Dale Hunter]

Don't worry, the Caps will win in the shootout

[doubleh]

Here we go: another shootout loss. Yuck. When does Briere come back? That's the one thing he can do.

[MikeY]

Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom and Theodore vs. Richie, Gagne, Carter and Marty

[will.H]

dale we're only worried about you and your rash. shootouts are stupid.

[MikeY]

^..just a prediction of the shooters, no inside info or anything.

[doubleh]

Dale: Ooh, what a bold prediction. The Flyers aren't good at shootouts, but then again, they are the dumbest invention in hockey. 65 mins of hockey followed by a skills competition.

In the end, we still get a point, and that's pretty good against a good, hot Caps team and missing about 8 different guys.

[David F.]

Quick question...is there a bigger whiner in the NHL than bruce boudreau?

[MikeY]

jesus christ...

[doubleh]

David F: Coach or player? I'd say offhand Crosby is a bigger whiner, but as a coach, Boudreau is probably outwhined by Carbonneau.

[MikeY]

"And those aren't even Zambonis. Everyone thinks every machine that cleans ice is a Zamboni. It's an Olympian brand Zamboni."

...thanks Coatsey.

[J.P.]

so did we blow another shootout sorry i dont have cn8

[David F.]

@ doubleh

Oooh good point about Carbonneau...although boudreau is right there too. It's a coinflip really.

[David F.]

Should we at all be concerned with the fact that the last two games we've been held to just 2 goals by Jonathan Quick and Jose Theodore? I highly doubt there are 2 worse starting goalies in the NHL...

[MSM]

Sucky shootout as usual.

MikeY, I'm not so sure about the Caps vs Flyers this year analysis. Keep in mind the Crapitals play in the Southleast division. Easy points off a bunch of really shitty teams versus the Flyers who play in the toughest division in hockey overall (aside from the NYI).

[will.H]

the rockets tied up the sixers game. after regulation, a free throw competition broke out to decide the winner. yay sports

[Dale Hunter]

Jose shuts the door!

I'll be back for the next Caps-Flyers game

[doubleh]

David F: I think it might have something to do with the fact that so many of our forwards/centers are playing injured or out with injuries. Even beerleaguer goalies can get hot at times (and the Caps have been unbeaten at home).

Shootouts suck.

[Walklett]

It's surprising that all three shooters tried the exact same shot and all of them were denied. I would think at least one would get through. Pathetic.

[BFisch]

Briere must come back and fix the powerplay and shootout problem.
The Ovechkin hit on Sbisa wasnt dirty, but he clearly just wanted to take a run at him. The guy is a headhunter, look how he tried to kill Carter. I like Ovechkin over Crosby, as he does play harder and doesnt not dive or whine, but the guy can be a dick at times.
It will be good to get back home for the Flyers and get their legs back. But they played hard through a tough road trip, and came out on top of the Atlantic. Cant complain about that at all, so this Shootout loss, well we can wipe our butts with it cause it doesnt matter. Its too early in the season to get frustrated over these types of losses.
LETS GO FLYERS!